Saturday, june 1, 2013 binder1 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

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Woman flushes baby down toilet

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Vol. 03 No No. o. 24 24

News

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B b S Baba Suwe loses N25m compensation

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Crime

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There’s nothing bad in selling human parts –Cemetery keeper

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Ekiti guber

N150

Again, Fayemi trounces Oni

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...As Supreme Court strikes out Oni’s suit for lack of jurisdiction •There should be law to punish poll riggers –Fayemi •There’s no more basis for keeping Salami out of office –Falana

DANA CRASH SITE ONE YEAR AFTER

Chika

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x e S lk Ta

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Boko Haram now begging for food Suspension: Amaechi gets –Military

Cenotaph under construction at the Iju- Ishaga, Lagos, site of last year’s Dana plane crash to immortalise victims yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

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•56 additional insurgents arrested

injunction against PDP

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... As Jonathan meets Jang faction of NGF

EFCC arraigns three over N1.4bn fuel subsidy fraud

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DANA air crash: One year after P.33

Baba Suwe loses N25m compensation

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

June 1, 2013

z Court says NDLEA had good reasons to detain him

WALE IGBINTADE

There is nothing bad in selling human parts –Cemetery keeper P.49

Find my husband’s killers –Widow of slain police officer cries 2 years after P.37

Woman accuses lover of abducting her 7-yr-old son P.50

Stray bullets hit 58-yr-old woman

... as police battle cult members P.48

Woman flushes baby down toilet P.25

ce comedian, Babatunde Omidina, aka Baba Suwe yesterday lost the N25 million damages awarded to him by a Lagos High court over his detention by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), as the Court of Appeal, Lagos, set aside the judgment. Justice Yetunde Idowu of a Lagos High Court had ordered NDLEA to pay N25 million to Baba Suwe as compensation for detaining him for several days over allegations of drug trafficking. But NDLEA had, in its appeal, asked the court to allow the appeal and set aside the judgment of the lower court. However, the appellate court in its judgment, delivered by Justice Rita Pemu, considered all the three vital grounds of appeal in favour of the appellant (NDLEA). Justice Pemu, in her lead judgment, which was unanimously adopted by two other justices, namely Justice C.C. Nwaze and Justice F O Akinbami, described the N25 million damages awarded to Baba Suwe as erroneous, oppressive and superfluous. Justice Pemu held that even though the trial judge had discretion to award costs in a fundamental human rights suit, such award of damages must be based on law and not arbitrary. Besides, the appellant court held that the lower court judge erred in law when it ordered NDLEA to pay Baba Suwe N25 million as compensation and that the appellant should publish a public apology in two widely read national newspapers. “Damages must be based on law, even though it is at the discretion of the trial judge. The award of N25 million to the respondent was based on wrong premises and it is uncalled for,” Justice Pemu held. She further held that no evidence was placed before the court to warrant such outrageous award, adding that the court ought not to have overburden NDLEA with such award of damages.

CHRIS NJOKU

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On whether NDLEA had reasonable reasons to detain Baba Suwe from the day of his arrest (October 12, 2011), till October 21, 2011 when the Federal High Court order to detain him was obtained, Justice Pemu held that the Agency was justified to do so. She added that the appellant placed before the lower court documentary evidence and exhibits, being results of various scans conducted on Baba Suwe, which justified his detention for several days over allegations of drug trafficking. Justice Pemu held that “The NDLEA has the prerogative to conduct investigation and tests on the respondent. I am of the opinion that it was wrong for the lower court to hold that NDLEA has violated and infringed on the fundamental human rights of the respondent.” On whether the Lagos State High Court has jurisdiction to entertain the suit filed by the respondent (Baba Suwe), Justice Pemu held that based on the pleadings before the

Widow, three daughters die after dinner OWERRI

Babies can ruin your marriage –Experts

Omidina

trial judge, it is the Federal High Court that has legitimate jurisdiction to entertain the suit and not the State High Court. However, Bamidele Aturu, lawyer to Baba Suwe has vowed to challenge the decision of the court at the Supreme Court. He told the court that while he appreciated the industry and time spent by the court to deliver the judgement, he would appeal against the verdict because the rights of Nigerians were involved. NDLEA had in its 8-page Notice of Appeal, signed by Femi Oloruntoba, stated that the trial judge erred in law when she held that NDLEA was not justified in detaining Baba Suwe from the day of his arrest (October 12, 2011) till October 21, 2011 when the Federal High Court order to detain him was obtained. The appellant further stated that the trial judge erred in law and misdirected herself on facts when she held that the act of the NDLEA in detaining Baba Suwe for nine days are a flagrant abuse and infringement of his fundamental human rights. Besides, the appellant argued that the lower court erred in law when it ordered it (NDLEA) to pay the applicant (Baba Suwe) N25 million as compensation and publish a public apology in two widely read national newspapers. Justice Idowu had ordered the agency to pay Babatunde Omidina the sum of 25 million Naira as compensation for detaining him for several days over allegations of drug trafficking. Dissatisfied with the court judgment, the agency in December last year filed a motion for stay of execution of the entire verdict. It will be recalled that NDLEA arrested Baba Suwe on October 12, 2011 at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport on his way to Paris, France and detained him over suspicion of narcotic ingestion. He was, however, detained beyond the constitutional provision of 24 hours without being formally arraigned in court. The comedian eventually headed to court.

ragedy struck yesterday in Umueze - Egbelu Nguru Community in Ngor-Opkala Local Government Area of Imo State when a middle-aged widow, Mrs. Gladys Nwosu, and three of her daughters died after eating dinner. The three deceased girls are Chinelo, a 22-year-old final year student of the University of Nigeria, Amaka, a primary school pupil and Ijeoma, who has just sat for her

Senior Secondary School examinations. Two other children of the late Mrs. Nwosu, Njideka 18 and Chidera 20, who also partook in the dinner, are now lying critically ill at Umunaeke General Hospital, where the deceased have also been deposited in the mortuary. Saturday Mirror gathered that after eating their dinner on Thursday May30, 2013, the family woke up the following morning complaining of stomach ache. They were rushed to the hospital where the widow and her daughters game up the ghost.

According to a community leader, Mr. Patrick Okere, who witnessed the tragedy the late Mrs. Nwosu and her children were first to taken to their church for prayers because they suspected they were going through a spiritual attack. While they were at the church, however, the situation worsened. When it was getting out of control, they were moved to the General Hospital where they later died. When Saturday Mirror visited the bereaved family, one Mr. John Okere was said to have gone to the police station at Umuneke to report the case.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

June 1, 2013

Saturday Starter

When the Fourth Republic berthed on 29 May, 1999, Nigerians erupted in joyous noise anticipating the dawn of a better future. But now, 14 years after, how far have the dreams come to reality? How much of the dividends of democracy have the people harvested. In all, how well has the nation fared? Nigerians react.

14 yrs of democracy: Any cause for celebration? TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

he road to Nigeria’s Fourth Republic was actually not a smooth one; neither can it be described as one well channelled and structured. It was one long, thorny, winding road, slimy and uneven. Many who began the long tortuous trek never reached the desired destination. They fell on the way. Some became wiser after spending unending days in the junta’s gulag. Harassment, intimidation and even death either through bullets or bomb blasts were lot of others. A lot also fled to other lands, abandoning kith and kin; when they felt death and incarceration starring them in the face. They took solace in the maxim: He who fights and run away; lives to fight another day. But against all odds, the baton of leadership was

handed over to Chief Olusegun Okikiola Obasanjo, a one-time military head of state who had just been released from jail and granted pardon. It was on 29 May, 1999. The Fourth Republic was born and the nation rejoiced. Hopes were high and expectations rife. For some time, all seemed to be well; many aggrieved parties seemed assuaged of their grievances. The Yoruba race especially felt the death of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, adjudged the freest and fairest in the annals of the nation’s history, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, had been assuaged. Abiola died in detention. Other ethnic groups too felt that power had actually shifted from its traditional base. For this, they were happy. Many a Nigerian felt a deep sense of belonging. But 14 years down the lane and three presidents after, the euphoria has ended and with the cold reality of

the day and time, most Nigerians are now beginning to have a rethink; wondering if the struggle for democracy was actually worth the cost after all. As the nation marked the 14th anniversary of the return to civil rule, the enthusiasm and zeal that characterised the take-off have waned. Also, comments from stakeholders are not really encouraging. Fighters who were in the trenches as long as the struggle for the enthronement of democracy in Africa’s most populous country lasted are devastated. Is this actually the democracy they staked all for? Is this what they lost friends and kin for? If they had had the benefit of hindsight, would they have embarked on the struggle? What of the masses: have their dreams been brought to reality? All round, the responses speak volumes of pain, disappointment, disillusionment and disenchantment.

June 1, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Saturday Starter

Our democracy is a charade – Okei-Odumakin Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin is the President of Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Women Arise for Change Initiatives.

the survival of the country. So, therefore we will always offer constructive criticisms to proffer solutions. No one is more patriotic than the other. We all have a stake in Nigeria. When we have some anomalies in the system and we voice out our opinion, we are always being blackmailed. We have attacking dogs attacking people here and there. We have a situation where things are not going on very well and we organise peaceful rally and protests, they are being disrupted and people are being harassed. Even the media that give us better coverage in projecting us are also hounded and harassed. So, in assessing the fairness, there should be tolerance, sincerity and feedback mechanisms. There should be understanding, synergy and networking because we are all interested in the Nigeria project. We are interested in a Nigeria that works. Government sees some of the solutions we proffer as unworkable. We have been talking about Sovereign National Conference. Now it is even more expensive. It is with the kidnapping, terrorism, violence and armed robbery. When Beko Ransome-Kuti and others were talking of national conference, it was cheaper but now it is expensive. All of those who have stolen us broke, most of them are big time thieves and most of them moved within corridors of power. Even to encourage evil and to say thank you for the good job done and selfless service being rendered, you see awards being bestowed on people and when you look at the list, except for a few distinguished Nigerians, you will think that the list is an EFCC list. That is where we are. So, we cannot continue like this. Civil society has not been treated very well.

ow have we fared as a nation in the last 14 years of democratic rule? We have not fared well at all, our democracy is nothing but a charade and we do not need to deceive ourselves about it. Democratic governance is about respect for the people’s right, it is about justice and equity.It is about pro-people governance but for the past 14 years all we have witnessed is poverty, unemployment, insecurity and a culture of impunity. Corruption has become the bane of all that we do. High level of corruption and a life of affluence by elected leaders at the detriment of the people who elected them. Under this current dispensation, our people deserve the best. They deserve a free and just society. We deserve justice, fairness and equity. You cannot continue to ask our people that there should be peace where there is no justice. We have heard a lot of rhetoric and lots of talks without actions. Never in the history of our country have we recorded the highest level of casualties that we have seen in recent times. We have reached a situation whereby our people now realise that they have to take their destiny in their own hands. Honestly, our people deserve more protection. People are not being protected. They are left vulnerable and many people have died. The situation is very bad and I am of the view that when we need to continuously offer constructive criticisms and any regime that is allergic of constructive criticisms can never progress. Has the quality of government affected the life of its citizen? Yes. It is what one wants that one can give. Most of those in public offices don’t really have role models again. Most of them are frustrated and most of them have become corrupt and so the quality of life of the people doesn’t mean so much to them. Look at the rate at which students are failing WAEC, NECO and JAMB examinations. Look at rate of corruption now; it is not only in millions but billions and to trillions. So, we are being robbed. Lives of many people have been shortened and life expectancy has dropped sharply. Again the value system has totally been devalued. Crime rate has increased; people are more crime prone because with the quality of life, people believe that they can take to kidnapping, terrorism, violence and armed robbery. People also believe that they are not protected and that is why you find multiplication of ethnic militias. A lot of people’s confidence has been eroded in the system, being that justice delayed is justice denied. People’s loved ones have been killed and nothing concrete has been done. What we have is like a barber’s chair; motion without movement. The level of maternal mortality has increased; a lot of pregnant women are dying because money meant for hospitals have been stolen. You find conflicts, frustrations, violence, men vetting their angers on their wives as a result of the fact that some of them cannot take care of their home. What were your expectations for Nigeria when you were fighting for democracy? Sincerely, we hoped that democratic rule in Nigeria would put an end to the culture of impunity, end corruption and bring about justice and equity. We hoped for a democratic government that would provide jobs for the people, put roofs on their heads and also put food on their tables. Our expectations were high and that was why we intensified the struggle not minding the enormous dangers. Are you satisfied with the current state of the country’s democracy? Absolutely No. what we have is not democracy, it is kleptocracy. It is a government of the thieves by the

Okei-Odumakin

THE DEMOCRACY WE HAVE IS A GOVERNMENT OF THE THIEVES BY THE THIEVES AND

FOR THE THIEVES. IT IS NOT A GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE AT ALL. IT IS A GOVERNMENT

OF POLITICIANS WHO WANT TO SOLVE THEIR OWN POVERTY BY COMING INTO GOVERNMENT thieves and for the thieves. It’s not a government of the people at all; it is a government of politicians who want to solve their own poverty by coming into government. Do you think public office holders are fair to the civil society groups and pro-democracy groups, considering the roles some of you played in the enthronement of democracy? In terms of being fair, we have some leprous segments in the civil society groups. We have the people, who will continuously sing praises; who will not see anything bad in anything that are not good. I think that essentially the pro-democracy groups should serve as conscience of the nation, a heartbeat and livewire for

Is there political culture among the leadership? Talking about political culture among our leaders, there should be tolerance and accessibility. We need selfless leaders, committed ones and those who have the interest of the masses at heart. We need those who will deliver the dividends of democracy. We need people who can live exemplary life worthy of emulation. We have come to a situation where heating up of the polity and inter-play of political power, where people are no longer looking up to people who should set agenda. There are lots of bitterness, political murders, heating up of the polity and enmity. We have to sanitise the whole process. We have to positively advance and affect the lives of our people. There should be a clearing house but really I think that money has been so bastardised in the whole process and that is why nobody really cares whose ox is gored. Looking at what you and other pro-democracy activists, elder statesmen and stakeholders passed through; do you think this current democracy is worth having? It does not commensurate at all; the sacrifices we made cannot in anyway measure up to what we have now. In fact, it is very sad that we are experiencing this kind of situation in a democracy. The attitude of most of the politicians showed a flagrant betrayal of trust and the high level corruption is also very worrisome and it makes one have some regrets for the struggle for democracy because obviously developmental indices were not this low during military rule. If you could see ahead, would you have fought for Nigeria’s democracy? Anyway, one would still have fought because the principle then was for Nigeria to become a democracy, not just a handful of military men deciding her faith. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

June 1, 2013

Saturday Starter We have public deception not democracy – Balarabe Musa Alhaji Balarabe Musa is an elder statesman and Second Republic governor of Kaduna State.

ow have you fared as a nation in the last 14 years of democratic governance in the country? First of all there is nothing democratic about what we have been having in the last 14 years. From the time General Abubakar Abdulsalam handed over power to civilian administration till today, we have not really experienced real democracy in Nigeria. What we are having is public deception; it is not based on reality. The only good thing that happened was the fact that a military leader voluntarily handed over power to civilian unlike his predecessor who tried to continue in power through force. General Abdusalam did well by not wanting to continue in power and therefore handed over power to a civilian government. But that is not enough to repair the event of May 29 as a Democracy Day. It is very apolitical to see May 29 as Democracy Day. If we need a Democracy Day that will be accepted by the whole country, I don’t think May 29 should be a Democracy Day. If we have to encourage ourselves and call a day in our experience a Democracy Day, then it must be October 1 since that was the day we gained independence formally from the colonial master. Another day we can use as Democracy Day is June 12 because on June 12, 1993 Nigerians

IT IS VERY

decided to set aside ethnic and religious differences among them and elected a leader in the position of a President to represent public interests and that election was the fairest and freest in the history of Nigeria. They elected a leader and that leader was Chief MKO Abiola. So, apart from regarding October 1 and June 12 as Democracy Day, there is no other day that best fits as Democracy Day in Nigeria. So you believe June 12 should be a Democracy Day and not May 29? Yes, if we have to pick a date for a Democracy Day. Democracy has a lot of ingredients but in the last 14 years we have not seen those dividends of democracy that we ought to enjoy in Nigeria. As an active participant in the struggle for Nigeria’s democracy, do you think the struggle was really worth it? Yes it was worth it because there were needs to fight for enthronement of democracy and legitimise governance in Nigeria. Even though colonialism had seized, we would have been under a system of tyranny under military regime if we had not fought for democracy. What is the way forward to put in

APOLITICAL TO

MAY 29 AS DEMOCRACY DAY. ANOTHER DAY SEE

WE CAN USE AS

DEMOCRACY DAY IS JUNE 12 BECAUSE ON JUNE 12, 1993, NIGERIANS DECIDED TO SET ASIDE ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES AMONG THEM AND ELECTED A LEADER Musa

place a true democratic government so that the labour of the martyrs of democracy will not be in vain? The first thing is to identify what is responsible for the present negative state of the nation. We must identify the root of the socio, political and economic problems of the country. We need a system whereby socio and political economy is guided by public interest first and then

self interest. That is what we have during the First and Second Republics in the country but what we have today is that socio, political and economy issue is guided by self interest first and public interest second. We tasted true democracy in the first two years of the Second Republic but after the first two years of the Second Republic, it was consistent degeneration.

It has been 14 years of total disappointment – Ralph Obiorah

Chief Ralph Obiorah, a chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) was among those who were forced into exile after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections.

THE PROBLEM IS CORRUPTION AND THIS CORRUPTION AFFECTS EVERYTHING THAT WE DO

AS A NATION.

OUR ELECTION PROCESS IS

CORRUPT.

OUR

JUDICIARY IS

CORRUPT.

OUR

INSTITUTIONS ARE ALL CORRUPT.

THAT IS THE PROBLEM

Obiorah

ow have we fared as a nation in the last 14 years of civilian administration? It has been 14 years of total disappointment. The practitioners or rather the supposedly leaders in the country have not been able to find their direction. All we are claiming as our democracy is really in name but not in practice. Democracy was supposed to have eliminated as much as possible corrupt tendencies but it looks like corruption has overtaken Nigeria.

As one of those who fought for Nigeria’s democracy during the military era, what were your expectations then? Our visions then were for us to enthrone democratic responsibilities that would have at least advanced the country. If it didn’t reach the level of the great democracies of the world, at least it would make an impact. But most unfortunately the result has been very dismal. Are you really satisfied with the state of democracy now? I will say I am disappointed. I am not satisfied at all. Why are you disappointed? My disappointment, I keep saying, is that no one has ever imagined that Nigeria would be what it is now. The level of corruption and joblessness, lack of any

physical development, the directionless that we are experiencing, insecurity and so on in every theatre of what should have been an improvement in human endeavour; we now have big mess in all of them. In view of what you went through during the struggle, do you think this democracy is worth having? In spite of the disappointment, I would not say that I will still not stand up for democracy. There is no alternative to democracy. In spite of what we are passing through democracy is still the best form of government that any society or any group of people can give to themselves. All we are praying is that corrective measures should be taken to put back our democracy on pure democratic track. What do you think is wrong with our democratic government? The problem is corruption and this corruption affects everything that we do as a nation. Our election process is corrupt. Our judiciary is corrupt. Our institutions are all corrupt. That is the problem. What is the way forward? The way forward is to find patriotic Nigerians who will stand up to try to start a corrective measure of this corruptive tendency that is almost in the everyday of our lives.

June 1, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Saturday Starter

It has brought nothing but untold hardship –Debo Adeniran Comrade Debo Adeniran, a human rights activist is the Executive Chairman of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL).

as the country fared very well 14 years after the change of baton from military to civilian administration? Since Nigeria’s independence from our colonial masters in 1960, the country has passed through the most difficult times in terms of the struggle to transform our political landscape. Talking about challenges, Nigeria has fought many survival battles including, but not limited to, a civil war that led to the loss of lives of millions of people. In the internal struggle for power and political control of the nation state, the country has witnessed a number of coups d’état. The struggle for the enthronement of democracy and representative government has been a major struggle since the years that preceded the country’s independence from Britain in 1960. First, it was the struggle against colonial rule, and later it was the battle for genuine independence and representative government. While the first, that is the battle against British rule has been won, the struggle for representative government is on-going. It is a common fact today that Nigeria is yet far from the land of our dreams. While many countries in Asia have moved from third to first world, a majority of Nigerians still toil on a daily basis to eke out a living. In saner climes, the rule of law remains the most important instrument of democracy but that is not the case in Nigerian democracy. Over the years, our leaders have acquired the notoriety for flouting our laws with impunity. Regardless of the spurious claims by our leaders that they have been fighting corruption, which has been a clog in the wheel of progress of our democracy, the evidence is there that corruption is still endemic in our country. Corruption has become the deity to be worshipped rather than being despised and banished. Nigerian institutions become weaker while corrupt elements get stronger enjoying the inordinate loot while the government and its agencies watch with the aura of helplessness. What were your expectations when you were fighting for the country’s democracy? At the advent of our democracy in 1999, many Nigerians who fought for its entrenchment celebrated that power had now come into our hands to rule ourselves and harness our resources

the centre and in some states in the country run elitist government. This is at the detriment of the Nigerian masses. The apathetic attitude of our so called democratically elected leaders to the plights of the common man is worse than the military boys. Our youths have taken to crimes because of lack of gainful employment. Many are living from hand to mouth because of penury foisted on us by our leaders’ kleptomaniac nature.

Adeniran

THE PRESENT STATE OF OUR SO-CALLED DEMOCRACY IS APPALLING. DEMOCRACY IN SANER COUNTRIES HAS TO DO WITH THE RULE

OF LAW, BUT THE PRESENT CROP OF PEOPLE WE HAVE IN POWER AT BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE LEVELS ARE HEARTLESS. IT IS SO SAD THAT

THEY HAVE LOST FOCUS COMPLETELY, AND ARE EVEN DETACHED FROM THE MASSES for our growth. It is, however, unfortunate that the coming of democracy has brought nothing good to us but untold hardship. It is no longer news that our democratically elected leaders have stolen more of our common patrimony than the khaki boys did. The government

has failed the mass of Nigerian people plunging many into chaotic situations. Sincerely speaking, the democracy we tout is more of mere civil rule with the Nigerian elite putting their cronies in power to serve their selfish purposes. It is preposterous that the government at

Are you satisfied with the present state of democracy in the country? The present state of our so-called democracy is appalling. Democracy in saner countries has to do with the rule of law, but the present crop of people we have in power at both federal and state levels are heartless. It is so sad that they have lost focus completely, and are even detached from the masses. When the Federal Government should be chasing and prosecuting elastic criminals that steal in hundreds of billions, it is busy chasing most feeble Boko Haram and militant who took to crimes because of the wickedness of our leaders, both past and present. The government in Lagos State is busy chasing Okada and Keke Napep operators and ensuring that people are driven away from the city to the hinterlands. One wonders how a government that cannot provide good roads is banning the means of transportation on bad roads. People’s means of earning a living are destroyed because of the insensitivity of the government. Do you think this presence democracy is worth having? This is not the democracy we thought of, hoped and some of us died for. Mass organisations must arise, mobilise and dismantle the organised political brigandage in this country; the masses must be set free from leadership-inflicted backwardness, underdevelopment and penury. If you could see ahead, would you have fought for Nigeria’s democracy? Ordinarily I don’t predict future, but I would have fought for a different kind of democracy, not this kind of democracy. I would have insisted that democracy should address the need of the people because democracy is a function of people’s options where the generality of the people determines their representatives.

‘Our democracy is a charade’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 What do you think is the way forward? Our institutions must be built in INEC, EFCC and ICPC. We need to emphasise the building of our institutions because it is through those institutions that we see the inner working of the system being brought to bear in order to give hope to the hopeless. We have seen situations again whereby people whose take-home pay,

can never take them home. The situation in the country is like abandoning leprosy to look for the cure for eczema. People who never requested for amnesty were given amnesty and it shows that it is cosmetic because if we scratch the problems on the face value, it then shows that the solution will not be an elastic one and that is the situation that we have found ourselves in. So, if we honestly seek a genuine solution to the mirage of prob-

lems facing us as a nation, most especially in the last two years, the convocation of a national conference still remains very viable and where the existence of this country will be addressed by all the components and the resolutions of such a conference cannot be tinkered with except through a national referendum. It is the immediate solutions to some of the challenges we have in most of the states and at the national level.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NATIONAL NEWS

June 1, 2013

Ekiti guber: Again, Fayemi trounces Oni •As S/Court strikes out Oni’s suit for lack of jurisdiction ISE-OLUWA IGE

full panel of the Supreme Court, in Abuja, yesterday threw out, in limine, the appeal by former governor of Ekiti State, Eng Olusegun Oni, seeking to unseat the incumbent, Dr Kayode Fayemi of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. The apex court, in a unanimous decision, held that it had no appellate jurisdiction to pronounce on the merit of the appeal brought by Oni and that doing otherwise would amount to rewriting the constitution. Oni had appealed against the decision of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin, which nullified his election and on which basis he was sacked and Fayemi sworn into office as governor. He had among others, prayed the apex court for an order setting aside the judgment.

Oni had hinged his appeal on the grounds that the October 15, 2010 judgment was delivered in breach of his right to fair hearing. He had also argued that the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, who constituted and presided over the panel and also wrote the lead judgment of the Appeal Court that sacked him from office, had close affinity with Senator Bola Tinubu, the alter ego of Fayemi’s party, the ACN. He said: “Bias or likelihood of it makes a decision a nullity and is therefore a sufficient ground for the lower court to set aside its own judgment.” However, in a preliminary objection, Fayemi, through his counsel, Olusola Baiyashea, said the Supreme Court did not have the jurisdiction to hear the appeal. Fayemi submitted that

going by the reports of the National Judicial Council (NJC) which investigated the allegation, Salami and other judges of the appellate court which sat over the matter have been exonerated; hence the allegation had become irrelevant to the instant case. He also argued that the reliefs sought by the appellant emanated from the governorship election tribunal which case should terminate at the Court of Appeal. He submitted that the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the appeal, being an appeal emanating from the decision of the court below in governorship election petition of Ekiti State arising from the governorship election of 2007 to which Section 246 (3) of the 1999 Constitution is applicable. He also submitted that there was no valid appeal before the court. Delivering judgment in

the matter yesterday, the apex court specifically held that the main goal of the appeal by Oni was to secure its order unseating the incumbent governor, Dr Fayemi, by pronouncing on the merit of the gubernatorial election petition brought before it when he knew that section 246 (3) of the1999 constitution vested the Court of Appeal with powers of pronouncing with finality on such case. The summit court said it was not deceived by the fraudulent garb worn on the case to look like one seeking a review of the lower court decision on the account of breach of fair hearing. Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, who delivered the lead judgment, consequently agreed with Fayemi’s legal team’s argument that the appeal, having emanated from the decision of the Court of Appeal, in a governorship election dispute over an election held in

2007, the apex court could not hear it by virtue of the finality clause vested in the intermediate appeal court by virtue of Section 246(3) of the Constitution. According to him, “the appellants’ entire case, when stripped of its extravagant build-ups and reduced to its proper frame, is simply an invitation to rely on Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution to strip the ruling of the Court of Appeal of the finality granted to it by Section 246(3) of the same Constitution. “In other words, the appellants want us to rely on Section 36(1) of the Constitution 1999 to invalidate or render inoperative, the finality clause in Section 246(3) of the same Constitution. “In diverse decisions on appeals relating to Section 285(7) of the Constitution (as amended) this court has constantly declined to derogate from, close its eyes to, depart from, modify or set aside expressly or by implication, a provision of the Constitution under any guise or pretext. “Any derogation from one section thereof in preference to another section is not only extraneous to the Constitution, but a violation of the solemn oath

undertaken by all judges to defend and protect it. “The court does not hunger after jurisdiction. It can expound, but should not under any circumstance, such as the one presented in this case, expand its jurisdiction. “The court has no jurisdiction to hear the appeal and consequently, I sustain the 1st-2nd and 3rd-6th respondents’ preliminary objection on want of jurisdiction. The appeal is accordingly struck out.” The other six members on the panel that heard the appeal took turn to agree with the lead judgment. Former Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday said that the party would have to agree with the judgment simply because the court which made pronouncement on the case was a final court of the land. He however said that the ruling party and other Nigerians who had been aggrieved in the past over the inability of the apex court to redress injustices done by the Court of Appeal would take succour in the amendment to the 1999 constitution which has now made the Supreme Court the final court of the land on gubernatorial election petitions.

Omisore, Aregbesola bicker over alleged campaign of calumny OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

T L-R: General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke Osanyintolu; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Special Duties, Dr. Aderemi Desalu; Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmeed and Commissioner for Information, Mr. Lateef PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI Ibirogba during the press conference on one year anniversary of Dana air crash in Lagos yesterday.

Ekiti guber: Falana calls for Justice Salami’s reinstatement ISE-OLUWA IGE

uman rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has called for the reinstatement of the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, following the verdict of the Supremem Court, which yesterday threw out the appeal filed by former governor of Ekiti State, Engr. Segun Oni. Reacting to the apex court ruling yesterday, Falana said that but for the moral laxity in the country, lawyers engaged by Oni for the appeal, who knew that before

now, governorship election matters end at the Court of Appeal, but chose to just belabour the court should have been sanctioned. His words: “Once again, the position of the Court of Appeal, with respect to the finding of Justice Isa Ayo Salami, has again been confirmed by the court today. “With this, and the fact that Justice Salami has been investigated and exonerated by those who are empowered by law to do that, there is no basis for keeping him out of office.” Incumbent governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi also yesterday applaud-

ed the judiciary for upholding truth and justice. Fayemi said he received the decision with relief mixed with indifference. His exact words: “Indeference, because I was not surprised. And because I believe that the judiciary in Nigeria is not as desecrated in the manner it has been demonised. “I believe the judiciary is still the last bastion for those, who feel cheated and oppressed in the country. “So, I had no problem with Mr Oni and his party going to court, in the first instance, to seek judicial reprieve. After all, I went to court and I got my

mandate back via the court. “So, there was no issue with that. But, I think there is a difference between seeking judicial reprieve to correct a wrong done and taking the judiciary on a wild goose chase, on a frivolous petition. He canvassed the establishment of an electoral offences commission to punish electoral offenders and deter people who, not only manipulate electoral process, but file frivolous application to clog judicial process. “Oni would not have had the temerity to do this if he had been convicted for rigging an election,” Fayemi said.

he campaign office of a gubernatorial aspirant in the 2014 governorship election in Osun State under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Iyiola Omisore, said that if has uncovered what it called “another orchestrated plan by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, to smear the hard earned reputation” of the governorship aspirant. In a statement signed by Omisore’s Media Adviser, Kolawole Victor Oriola and made available to Saturday Mirror, the campaign office said that the ACN’s plan included the use of a long rested magazine and some “some hack writers” who have been commissioned to “cook up spurious stories” billed for publication in Osun State. The statement added that the intention of the ACN and itscollaborators was to malign Omisore’s image with the aim of ridi-

culing him. The statement added: “The questions that we want to ask Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his people are: Why are they fixated over the gubernatorial ambition of Senator Omisore? Why is the governor and his handful of his sympathisers afraid of competing with Senator Omisore, if he actually performed as he want people to believe.” But in a reaction, the Osun State chapter of the ACN said that it will not glorify Omisore with an answer. In a statement by Kunle Oyatomi, the ACN said: “We will not lose focus for illogical and dumb opinion and statement from a desperate nitwit. The PDP as we know today is in disarray as to who exactly will represent it in 2014. And this is because Omisore to the PDP is a burden who it must discharge quickly. “We in the ACN reiterate that there is no vacancy in Abere. And the PDP is indeed a sinking party.”

NATIONAL NEWS

June 1, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2015: Anenih makes special case for Jonathan

•Proposes automatic tickets for President, governors, others have enough energy left to •Says NGF crisis would soon be resolved win elections,” he stated. TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

hairman of the Board of Trustees, BoT, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, has proposed automatic second term tickets to sitting president and governors, who have performed creditably in office. Speaking in Abuja at a dinner organised at the instance of President Goodluck Jonathan with select leaders of the party drawn from the federal and state levels, Anenih said that he did not see any difficulty in the PDP extending the gesture to President Jonathan to serve a second term if he so desired. He also suggested the extension of the same gesture to performing members of

the National Assembly, even though their tenure or number of terms they can enjoy is not circumscribed by the Nigerian Constitution. His words: “I do not see anything wrong, if the PDP considers automatic tickets for the President and its governors who have performed well and are seeking for a second term. It is my view that with the outstanding performance of President Jonathan in the areas of power, rail and water transportation, road construction, aviation reforms, education, agriculture, job creation, etc., the party should not find it difficult in granting him the opportunity to serve a second term, if he so desires.” Annenih, a former Minister of Works, said that his proposition was made

against the backdrop of the incidents of rancour and disunity that have always attended the party’s primaries. He added: “Since this gathering is all-embracing and fully representative of our party membership nationwide, I would like to repeat what I said in Asaba about our party primaries. “I did say that, over the years, our primaries have been the most serious sources of rancour and disunity in our ranks, and, that we usually invest so much resources and energy fighting ourselves in the primaries that should have gone into the larger battle against our political rivals. “I had admonished that we could not continue this tradition of internal warfare and hope that we would

He said he had consequently proposed the evolvement of a new system of selecting flag-bearers at the presidential and governorship levels that would preserve the party’s unity and reserve its energy and resources for the greater battle for political power. “The proposed arrangement would, I believe, help to forestall frictions and acrimony in the nomination process, in the overall interest of our party and the nation,” he noted. Anenih while stressing the need for unity in PDP called for collective commitment to reposition the party. He also advised that the leadership crisis in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) revolving around two governors-Jonah Jang

and Rotimi Amaechi-on the party platform should be urgently addressed. According to him, “As party leaders, we must collectively commit ourselves, more than ever, to work selflessly and tirelessly, so as to reposition the Party. We must seek to promote unity and enforce discipline. Consider the case of the Nigerian Governors Forum where there are now two chairmen, both members of the PDP. This is an embarrassing situation which must be urgently addressed. The supremacy of the party must be recognized and enforced. “The leadership of the Party will not tolerate a situation where it will preside over a divided house. If we expect the PDP house to stand the test of time, to withstand and overcome the storms and crises being fuelled by the opposition parties, we must be united, focused, decisive and dedi-

cated to a common cause.” The BoT chairman also condemned what he called the “persistent negative profiling of the administration of President Jonathan” and urged PDP leaders to rally round and unite behind the president in the task of nation-building. “The opposition has been relentless in churning out damaging propaganda about this administration for the purpose of destabilizing it. It is sad that a few members of our party are accomplices of this evil mechanization. I enjoin all of us to assist in promoting the policies and projects of the Jonathan administration. “Our historical and political experience demands that we give President Jonathan the maximum cooperation to succeed in transforming this country into a stable and prosperous industrial nation. If we do not cherish and sell our good product, nobody will help us to sell it.”

Hunt for weapons of mass destruction, Ekhomu tells JTF ISIOMA MADIKE

Members of the public onboard Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS) Obula on a sea trip to mark the 57th Anniversary of the Nigerian Navy in Lagos, recently.

Dana Air: Fashola to unveil remembrance cenotaph for victims MURITALA AYINLA

lmost a year after Dana Air Boeing McDonnell Douglas (MD- 83) aircraft crashed into buildings in a Lagos suburb, killing all passengers and crew on board and scores of residents on the ground, Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, will on Monday unveil a cenotaph in memory of the victims of the crash to commemorate the first anniversary of the crash. Briefing journalists on the activities lined up for the

anniversary, the state Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed, said the plan to mark the first anniversary of the June 3, 2012 Dana plane crash which claimed over 153 lives was borne out the demand and consensus reached by the victims’ relatives in the series of meeting held with the state government. Dr Ahmed, who was joined by his Information and Strategy counterpart, Lateef Ibirogba, stressed that apart from the unveiling of the remembrance cenotaph, there would also be laying of wreath by the governor and

some other dignitaries. He added that at the solemn anniversary, Governor Fashola would also interact with families of the deceased and commiserate with them, while prayers would also be said for the repose of the deceased by various religious leaders. Ahmed said that though the tragedy was never expected, the state government had done its best in managing the disaster and the events that followed it, stressing that apart from the series of DNA tests carried out on the unidentified and identified remains of the victims to ascertain the true relatives of the vic-

tims, the state government had also offered free legal service to enable them secure their compensation. His words: “Although it was a tragedy we never expect but right from the time the incident took place, the government had been in control of the situation. This anniversary would be a solemn one and was the consensus of the relatives of the victims and Governor Fashola.” The commissioner explained that adequate preparation had been made to mark the first anniversary, saying that lots of lessons had been learnt from the plane crash.

enowned security expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, has advised Nigerian military authorities to focus on search for weapons of mass destruction in order to cripple the capability of terrorists to carry out spectacular attacks in the country. “Aggressive searches and seizures of weapon would greatly limit the ability of terrorists to carry out bombings, shootings, killings and maiming,” he said. Reacting to the seizure this week of a large cache of arms on Gaya Street, Bompai Kano, Ekhomu said that Nigeria was under grave threat from weapons of mass

destruction (WMDs). He said that it was unfortunate that foreigners were always implicated in plans to undermine Nigerian security. He said it was totally unacceptable for a foreigner to sell dangerous weapons in Nigeria, including surface to air missiles that could constitute grave threat to Nigerian civil aviation. Ekhomu commended the Joint Task Force (JTF) on the large arms haul and urged security agents to expand the search for weapons throughout the country. He said that the JTF team that made the arms seizure should be rewarded to motivate other service personnel to exhibit greater alertness in the search for weapons of mass destruction.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

June 1, 2013

NATIONAL NEWS

June 1, 2013

N1.4bn fraud: EFCC arraigns three suspected fraudsters over fuel subsidy ISE-OLUWA IGE

fter several failed attempts, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday arraigned the trio of Helyn Aninye, Chizobam Ben-Okafor and Pon-Specialised Services Limited before an Abuja High Court on an 18-count charge of conspiracy to defraud the Federal Government of a whopping N1.4 billion. They had attempted to defraud the government by falsely claiming that the sum represented subsidy accruing to Pon-Specialised Services Limited under the Petroleum Support Fund for the importation of 15,000 MT of Premium Motor Spirit Their counsel, Lagos lawyer, Mr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), had made spirited move to stop their arraignment.

The accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was eventually read to them yesterday. But moment after their plea was taken; Agbakoba (SAN) asked the court to grant them bail. He told the court that the accused persons had been granted administrative bail by the EFCC and that they would be available to face their trial. Justice Goodluck granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N5 million each and two sureties in like sum. The judge directed that the sureties should be directors in a Federal Government ministry/parastatal or in a company established to the satisfaction of the court with a verifiable registered office within the Federal Capital Territory. The sureties must possess landed property and be resident within the juris-

diction of the court. They are also to deposit their international passport with the court registrar. Saturday Mirror reports that before yesterday, Agbakoba (SAN) had aborted on several occasions, through various applications, their arraignment. For instance, in November 2012, when the EFCC first sought to arraign the accused persons, Agbakoba, a human right lawyer and activist, told the court that there was no prima facie case against the accused persons and so they could not be arraigned. He argued that the proof of evidence failed to disclose any offence against the accused persons. His words: “My lord, assuming there are offences to be disclosed, they have not in any way been linked to the applicants, and these links must have a prima facie element to the accused per-

sons,” he told the court. Adebola Sobowale, who also held brief for Agbakoba, engaged the court with series of applications and motions, praying the court not to entertain the charge against the accused. On the April 30, the defence counsel filed a motion praying the court to decline the prosecution leave to prefer charge against the accused persons and to strike out the 18 count charge on the grounds that the charge were incompetent. Also, on May 13, the defendants filed another application praying the court to stay further proceedings on the matter and to quash the charge against them. However, Justice Goodluck in her ruling stated that the applications were premature and ordered the accused persons to take their plea. The case has been adjourned to July 8, for hearing.

Suspension: Amaechi gets injunction against PDP GODWIN OKONKWO PORT HARCOURT

he Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday secured a High Court injunction against the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, asking the party’s National Working Committee to stop all further action against the governor until the determination of the case by the court. Amaechi, who was on Monday suspended by the NWC of the PDP, had gone to court to challenge his suspension from the ruling party. The governor, according to the PDP NWC, was suspended for his refusal to recall the suspended elected officials of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council. The presiding judge, Justice Emmanuel Ogbuji, or-

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Make reporting maternal deaths compulsory, UNFPA tells FG TOBORE OVUORIE

KUALAR LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

he Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, has urged the Federal Government to make it mandatory for all hospitals in the country to report all maternal deaths in their domains. Osotimehin gave this suggestion in an exclusive interview with Saturday MNirror yesterday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during this year’s edition of Wom-

en Deliver, a global advocacy organisation that brings together women from around the world to call for action to improve the health and wellbeing of girls and women. He added that when there’s a Maternal Death Review (MDR) policy and which is being implemented, it would see to it that all women survive child birth, adding that “the availed funding on ground would then be properly channelled and used to prevent further deaths and improve the quality of life in the nation.”

He however explained that with the MDR on ground, its findings will help Nigeria in achieving the MDG5, adding: “To do this, we need to create awareness about MDR, train people on it, collect data at all spheres of the health sector, package the findings for different audiences and establish networks and strengthen MDR committees.” A former Minister of health, Dr. Osotimehin, further disclosed that UNFPA spent over 40 percent of its resources in 2010 on family

planning, saying that this global programme to enhance security has in turn mobilised support from 46 countries since 2007. He said: “UNFPA is committed to ensuring that girls get access to contraceptives as this is the only way to see to it that they unlock their potentials and live better and more quality lives. “Family planning saves lives. It helps women and their children live healthier, longer quality lives and that’s why we welcomed it at the London summit last year.”

dered the PDP to stop further actions on Governor Amaechi and maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit. The court directed Amaechi to serve PDP the court order through publications in three national dailies. The case has been adjoined till June 6 for further hearing. Counsel to Amaechi, Akin Olubumi, while reacting to the order praised the decision of the court, saying it was a right step in seeking redress to the injustice meted to the governor. He stated that the PDP as a party has no right to suspend a sitting governor from the party, arguing that it is only the National Executive Council, NEC, that has the right to suspend a governor from a party.

Hisbollah: Lebanese community pledges support to FG AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST

L-R: Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo; Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke and General Manager, National Art Theatre, Kabiru Yar’Adua, at the Launch of Nigeria’s Tourism Brand Identity in Lagos, yesterday.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

pparently worried over the implications of the arrest of some Lebanese nationals for alleged terrorism related activities, the Lebanese community yesterday pledged total support to the Federal Government in its effort to bring the culprits to justice. The Joint Task Force in Kano on Wednesday picked up three Lebanese nationals over the shock discovery of weapons of mass destruction concealed in a bunker built inside a bungalow belonging to a Lebanese national identified as an Abuja based billionaire businessman. The suspects were said to have links with the terrorist group, Hezbollah which intended to use the weapon to attack Western and Israeli interests in the country. Names of three suspects were given as Abdallah Hassan Fadallah, Mustapha Fawaz and Abdullahi Tihali all of whom have been moved to Abuja by security agents for further investigations. Some of the dangerous weapons found in the bunker in the building located on Gaya road in Bompai area of Kano included dynamite for explosives, several AK 47 riffles, rocket-propelled guns, anti-tank mines, artillery weapons, Hand grenades and assorted among others. In a statement issued in

Kano yesterday the leadership of the Lebanese community said it found the story of the incident embarrassing, and pledged to give the relevant agencies all the support needed to ensure that the culprits are brought to justice. The statement reads in part: “The Lebanese community in Kano State in particular and Nigeria in general state unequivocally that it condemns crime in whatever form and manner and in the strongest possible terms, irrespective of who the culprits may be.” The statement, signed by the chairman of the community in Kano, Mr. Tahir Fadlallah, stated further that the Lebanese community in Kano has been living in Nigeria for upwards of a century and has been peace loving with its members conducting their lawful business in a manner mutually beneficial to all and has never been associated with any crime during this period of stay in Nigeria. “We will not accept, assist or associate with any criminal activity by any individual or group”. Tahir Fadallah who is the chairman of Tahir Guest Palace and who was erroneously named in the media as being arrested in connection with the incident described the publication as an act of mischief to rubbish his credibility and reputation, adding that he would seek redress in court.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NATIONAL NEWS

June 1, 2013

Haram now begging JTF hands over 68 Boko Haram Boko for food -Military members to Yobe, Borno govts D I OMEIZA AJAYI

INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

n compliance with President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive on the immediate release of some members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, the Joint Task Force (JTF) has handed over 20 pardoned sect members to Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima of Borno State, while 17 women and 21 children were handed over to Yobe State governor, Ibrahim Geidam yesterday. The 20 suspects, comprising six women and 14 young men were handed over to the Governor Shettima by the Commander, 23 Armoured Brigade at the Government House while the 17 women and 21 children

were handed over to Governor Gaidam at the Wawa Hall by the JTF spokesman in Yobe, Lt. Lazarus Eli for rehabilitation and re-integration withtheir families. Shortly before the handover of the suspects to Shettima, the spokesman of the JTF in Borno, Lt. Col Sagir Musa, who accompanied the Brigade Commander said: “On behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Saad Ibrahim, we are handing over the six women and 14 children arrested by our men, so that they could be rehabilitated and reintegrated with their families and become useful member s of the society.” Responding Governor Shettima said: “We most sincerely thank Mr. President for his magnanimity. This

marks a milestone in our quest for peace and to restore normalcy to Borno State and the country at large.” He commended the security operatives for keeping the detainees hale and hearty and promised that the state government will rehabilitate and reintegrate back to the society, so that they may become good members of the society, adding that that they will be trained in various vocational training centres to acquire skills, while the young men will be sent to schools. He pledged N10,000 for the parents of the children, if they agree to enrol them into schools. The governor urged the suspects to be good citizens and not to retrace their steps into the Boko Haram

sect, as no religion allows the killing of innocent citizen in the name of fighting the course of Allah. In a confessional statement, one of the released teenagers said that he used to spy for the sect on the movement of the JTF and that he was being paid N5,000 after any successful operation. Another teenager also confessed said that he was given petrol and matches to burn schools and that after every operations he was paid N5,000, adding that when he was arrested, he revealed his sponsors to the JTF and were promptly arrested. In the same vein, Governor Geidam has promised to train the released suspects to acquire skills so that they will become useful citizens in the future.

efence authorities in Abuja yesterday said its ongoing onslaught on terror cells in Borno State has forced some insurgents in the area into searching for food in order to survive. According to the military, its forces in the area had yesterday arrested a group of terrorists who went in search of food. The arrest, it said, followed a tip off from some members of the community. The military also disclosed that some stranded terrorists are working assiduously to establish new camps, promising however that their movements are been effectively trailed with a move to tracking them. Defence spokesman, Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade in a statement yesterday said weapons and other materials were recovered from the terrorists. Olukolade stated: “The intensive cordon and search operation being conducted by the troops of the Special Forces received a major boost from civilian cooperation in communities close to locations being focused in the operation yesterday. “A group of terrorists moving from village to vil-

lage in search of large quantity of food were tracked and apprehended following a tip off from civilians. “The group which was moving around in a Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep with registration number Borno XA 428 ADM, suspected to have been stolen was eventually arrested at Daban Masara with weapons such as AK 47 rifle, single barrel shotgun, double hand shotgun and various calibres of ammunition.” He added that in other locations, a total of 56 identified insurgents were apprehended with the help of Military Police dogs. “Items recovered from the arrested insurgents include, seven packs of IEDs, two rocket-propelled gun chargers, a rifle magazine, two machetes, bomb detonators, camouflage and other military uniforms as well as medicines equipment, charms, seven vehicles including a Jeep and eight tri-cycles. “It is believed that some stranded terrorists are keen on establishing new camps. They are being trailed accordingly. There were also a few encounters with some insurgents in forest locations apart from the identified and destroyed camps. “The campaign to rid the nation’s territories of the insurgents continues,” he stated.

Awoists, progressives set to resuscitate Action Group Dr. Yakubu Umar, Special Assistant to the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria on Financial and Economic Matters with Alhaji Usman Imam Isiaka, Head, Group Internal Control, UBA Plc at the 1st National Risk Management Conference organised by CBN, recently.

Jonathan meets Jang faction of NGF ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday held a closed door meeting with the Governor Jonah Jang faction of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, at the Presidential Villa. At the end of the meeting which lasted for some hours, Jang told State House Correspondents that there were no factions in the Forum. The Plateau State governor said: “Well, let me tell you, there is no any factionalisation of the NGF, NGF is one and I am the chairman of the NGF.” “We have met with Mr. President with me leading a team of governors from

the NGF to congratulate Mr. President and to consult with him on very serious national issues.” He explained that the issue of security and what needed to be done in the coming two years to ensure the stability of democracy and development continues in the country topped the discussion with Jonathan. Other governors who accompanied Jang to the meeting with the President include Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo); Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Peter Obi ( Anambra); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); Theodore Orji (Abia); Ramalan Yero (Kaduna); Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe); Godswill Akpabio(Akwa Ibom); Idris

Wada (Kogi) ; Ibrahim Shema (Katsina); Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); acting governor of Taraba State, Garba Umar and deputy governor of Benue State, Steve Lawani. The NGF has been enmeshed in controversy since its election held last week Friday in Abuja as the governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and Jang are both laying claim to the NGF chairmanship seat. While Amaechi was returned as the chairman of the NGF having polled 19 votes in the election as against Jang who polled 16 votes, some Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governors, led by Akpabio challenged the outcome of the election, alleging that it was rigged. They therefore declared

their support for Jang, saying that the Plateau State governor was the winner of the election. Last Thursday at the PDP Family dinner held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, the Chairman Board of Trustees of the party, Chief Tony Anenih described as embarrassing the situation where two governors of the same party are laying claim to the chairmanship of the NGF. “This is an embarrassing situation that must be urgently addressed, the leaders of the party will not tolerate a situation where they will preside over a divided house, we must be united, focus and dedicated. We need strong party and there is discipline and order,” Anenih said.

OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU

hile the dust raised by the attempted registration of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) is yet to recede, frontline Awoists, progressives and pro-democracy activists are gearing up to bring back to life the defunct Action Group, AG, a political party founded by the late sage, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, noted for its developmental strides in the Western Region in the First Republic. Fed up with the present lack of ideology in the existing political parties in Nigeria, the promoters of the AG, led by Comrade Baba Omojola, the Awoists have concluded arrangement to register the AG as a political party with the Independent National Electoral

Commission, INEC, for the purpose of rallying the grassroots, the oppressed and marginalised population across the country. A competent source, told Saturday Mirror in confidence said that promoters of the AG comprised of “Awoists, frontline pro-democracy activists, human rights advocates and others, tired of the failure of the existing political parties in the country and have decided to register AG for want of ideological based political party in the country. “The new AG whose ideology is fashioned after the late Chief Awolowo’s democratic socialism has started the process of registration with INEC. As a matter of fact, the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, cannot be said to have taken Awolowo to the promised-land. The main party of Chief Awolowo was the AG.”

REGIONAL NEWS

June 1, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SOUTH WEST

Oni loses final bid to unseat Fayemi as Ekiti gov

here was wild jubilation across Ekiti State yesterday as the Supreme Court dismissed the petitions filed by the state’s ex-governor, Chief Segun Oni of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against the election of the incumbent, Kayode Fayemi of the Ac-

tion Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Oni, who was ousted as the state’s chief executive by an Ilorin appeal court on October 15, 2010, also approached an AdoEkiti court of appeal for a review of the case and approached the Supreme Court after losing at the

Ado-Ekiti appeal court. In its 7-man unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court struck out Oni’s suit, thereby laying to rest the nation’s longest election petition which began in 2007. In a swift reaction to the verdict, Fayemi commended the judiciary for

again demonstrating its resolve to always uphold the tenets of truth and justice by dismissing the petition. In a release made available to Saturday Mirror by his Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, Fayemi thanked the people of the state “for their

unflinching support for his administration and for believing in the sanctity of truth.” He added that “victory has again confirmed that truth will always prevail no matter the situation” and that “Ekiti State will no longer be governed through fraudulent means.”

“Oni and his jesters merely sought to use this case to distract us, but we refused to be distracted. We have remained focused all through concentrating on the development of the state and this is evident in the lives of the people,” he added further.

Ibadan court adjourns hotelier’s suit against First Bank n Ibadan High Court presided over by Justice Iyabo Oyelaran, has adjourned until June 20 further hearing in the suit filed by an Ibadan-based hotelier, Ayo Oladipupo, against First Bank of Nigeria PLC and one Lawal Basiru Ajadi over breach of contract. At the resumed hearing of the case, counsel to the bank, M. O. Oladejo, urged the court to allow him time to study the claimant’s witness statement on oath and his prayer was granted

by the judge. But counsel to the claimant, Oyedele Sanni, countered that he had two of the three witnesses in court and that the hearing of the witnesses should continue as he had filed the witnesses’ statements since August 2012 and the defence’s request to study the claimant’s statement which he had already served them should not stop the case’s hearing. Counsel to the second defendant, A.T. Fajuyigbe, also supported the continuation of the case which arose as a result of the claimant suing First Bank for N50m.

ernment to monitor the Agricultural Transformation Implementation Council (ATIC) for it to achieve its aim. He added that the council must be proactive and efficient enough to get good results be-

cause there were lots of saboteurs in the sector. He, however, commended the GES policy, saying it would go a long way to encourage farmers to put in their best to make food available for the populace.

KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

L-R: Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Senator Babajide Omoworare of Osun East Senatorial District; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, and Special Adviser to Aregbesola on Environment, Hon. Bola Ilori, during the 8th remembrance anniversary and commissioning of a park named after late Alhaji Hassan Olajokun at Gbongan Junction, Osun State, recently.

Osun farmers laud FG on GES scheme

armers in Osun State have lauded the federal government’s Growth Enhancement Support (GES) programme to enhance

farming. A mechanized farmer at Ede, Olakunle Emilagba, told reporters yesterday that the programme was a worthwhile exer-

cise that needed to be sustained. According to Emilagba, the integral factor for human survival is food, and GES will help in the effort

to ensure adequate supply of food at all times. Another farmer in the state, Alhaji Bukola Odofin, said there was need for the federal gov-

Peculiar allowance: Ogun teachers declare indefinite strike FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

he Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) yesterday declared an indefinite strike over the non-payment of 27.5 per cent peculiar allowances by the state government. The strike begins today. Arising from its emergency congress yesterday afternoon, the teachers said the decision to go on the indefinite strike was as a result of the continued refusal of the state government to respect

the agreement it reached with the union over the matter. Addressing journalists shortly after the congress held at the NUT Secretariat, Kuto, Abeokuta, the Chairman, Ogun State NUT, Comrade Dare Ilekoya, said NUT’s National Executive Council directed on Thursday that teachers in all the states where the peculiar allowance is not paid should proceed on indefinite strike today. Saying that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum consented to the payment of the allowances in August 2008, he regretted

that Ogun was among the states that defaulted in the payment as the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel abruptly stopped it in January 2011 with the promise to resume it later in 2011. Saying that the incumbent Ibikunle Amosun administration had earlier agreed to pay 7 per cent of the allowance, he declared the concession was not acceptable to the union. “We are prepared to bark and bite until we see that teachers’ demand on the issue of 27.5 per cent allowance is actualized in Ogun State. Anything

short of implementation of the 27.5 per cent allowance will not make us rescind our decision to proceed on the strike action,” he stated. When contacted, however, the state’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Segun Odubela, said consultations were still ongoing towards ensuring that the teachers do not embark on the planned strike. “You just wait till Monday and see whether they come to school or not before we say that they have embarked on indefinite strike. It is not possible. Let’s wait and see,” he said.

Fashola upgrades Badagry maternity centre to mini hospital

s part of his adm i n i s t r at i o n’s efforts to deliver democracy dividends to people at grassroots level, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has upgraded the Ajara Maternity Centre in Badagry Local Government Area to a mini hospital. Saying that Badagry is the third beneficiary among the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas, he promised to always support the mini hospital. “Due to this upgrad-

ing, there is no need for everyone in this area to go to the Badagry General Hospital anymore because almost all the facilities needed are here,” he said. Also speaking, Executive Chairman, Badagry Local Government Area, Hon. Husitode Moses Dosu, thanked the governor for the upgrading and appealed that the other necessary medical equipments the mini hospital and other health facilities in the locality needed should be provided as soon as possible.

Politics

Amaechi

TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

n the last few days, one of the issues attracting public interest is the perceived war of attrition against the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and River State governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, by some power brokers in the country. These power brokers include President Goodluck Jonathan, some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, some members of the Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio-led PDP Governors’ Forum, among others. Amaechi, in the last few months, has been engaged in various battles of survival and he is presently deeply enmeshed in a supremacy battle, not allegedly only with the Presidency, but power brokers in the ruling PDP, which he belonged to. As the battles rage on, political observers continue to wonder whether the governor has what it takes to emerge victorious in the power game, which is full of intrigues and requires a great amount of dexterity to emerge victorious.

Governor Amaechi vs President Jonathan Governor Amaechi, had in the last few months been having a running battle of supremacy with President Goodluck Jonathan; a battle which many political analysts believe is largely a precursor to the 2015 general election. The battle has, so to speak, been heating the polity. According to analysts, the genesis of the tussle between Jonathan and Amaechi was based on the NGF’s stiff opposition to some Federal Government’s policies. The Amaechi-

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June 1, 2013

Jonathan

Amaechi

in the eye of the storm

led NGF, on several occasions, has been a thorn in the flesh of the Presidency and the need therefore arose for Amaechi to be cut to size, but as things stand, it appeared that the efforts and attempts to curtail Amaechi’s “excesses” have largely met with profound failure. It is pertinent to note that since Amaechi became the chairman of the NGF, the forum had become a force to reckon with in the country, especially on public policies. Pundits are of the view that the role of the NGF in checkmating the excesses and alleged violation of the constitution by the Jonathan-led Federal Government seems to be pitching Amaechi against the president. A reliable source told Saturday Mirror that the friction between Jonathan and Amaechi was as a result of the Rivers State governor’s attacks on the president through the NGF. Among the issues said to be stirring the dust of controversy is the alleged accusation by Amaechi that the presidency influenced the payment of accumulated 13 per cent derivation fund, which was supposed to be kept in a special account until the legal resolution of con-

troversies surrounding the ownership of some oil wells, to Bayelsa State. The Presidency was forced to issue a statement, absolving Jonathan of any involvement or partiality in the issue. Another sin of Amaechi was his role in the court action, instituted by the NGF against the operation of the Excess Crude Account, initial opposition to the establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund and the call for greater transparency in payments of fuel subsidy. The governors under the leadership of Amaechi also kicked against the autonomy of the local government. It was also the considered opinion of not quite a few observers that the August, 2010 row between the Rivers State governor and wife of the president, Dame Patience Jonathan, over the demolition of the Waterfront in Okrika, the home town of the First Lady, to create space for building of schools, may have also created a crack in the wall between the feuding duo. His alleged support for the former governor of Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, in his face off with Jonathan may also have added to the array of misde-

meanours levelled against the Rivers State helmsman, as well as the crisis that emerged from the dispute over oil wells between Bayelsa and Rivers states, not to overlook the disagreement over constitution amendment on single tenure among other issues were also listed as some of the causes of the imbroglio. The major allegation against the governor is that his utterances, criticisms of Federal Government and the various causes he had taken up as NGF chairman are intended to portray the president as an inept leader. This, they added, is to instigate governors against the president with the ultimate intention of damaging his chance of contesting the Presidency in the 2015 election. 2015 presidency Perhaps very key in the ongoing faceoff between Amaechi and President Jonathan is the 2015 election. It has been severally alleged that Amaechi was harbouring presidential ambition in 2015, as running mate to the Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

POLITICS

Lamido

June 1, 2013

Tukur

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Jang

Amaechi in the eye of the storm CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

with ‘sources’ always indicating that the Lamido/Amaechi ticket has the backing and support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Severally, Amaechi and Lamido have always denied the rumoured presidential ambition, despite that campaign posters of the duo had at one time or the other flooded major town s across the country, with Amaechi and Lamido denying knowledge of such posters. Some political analysts are of the view that Amaechi and some governors, especially Northern governors, are strategically planning to unseat Jonathan in 2015 to install a President from the North in Aso Rock come May 29, 2015. Some are also of the view that Amaechi and some PDP governors, who are aspiring for the presidency or a seat in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, are secretly working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) as an alternative platform if their dreams of running under the PDP platform are truncated. Amaechi vs PDP leaders Another issue that seems to have led to Amaechi’s present predicament is his running battle with some PDP leaders, who are allegedly working assiduously to remove him from office. Amaechi is being put on the hot seat by the party’s leadership on an allegation that the NGF chairman and some PDP governors were fuelling some of the crises within the ruling party, with a view to hijacking the structure in furtherance of their ambition. During the PDP national convention held in March 2012, the PDP governors played crucial role in the emergence of some of the party’s national executive council members. It took President Jonathan a hard time to bring the governors to agree with his choice of the leadership of the PDP at the convention. In what looks like a script meant to be played out for the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to dance to, the NWC, during one of its meetings, coordinated by PDP Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Jaja, took the advantage of the absence of the party’s national chairman, Alhaji Bamangar Tukur, to set aside the dissolution of the Adamawa State executive committee of the party earlier carried out by Tukur.. The governors, in a communiqué read by Amaechi, gave their blessings to

the action of the NWC, even as they called for a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party. Some pro-Jonathan supporters, who were hell bent on Jonathan running for 2015 presidency have also linked Amaechi’s regular call for the convening of a NEC, where decisions such as the sack of the party’s NWC, can be taken, as part of his schemes to take over the party. The belief is that the governor is planning to rally his colleagues against Tukur, a Jonathan loyalist, at the planned NEC meeting to prevent Jonathan from running for second term in 2015. Also, in a quick move to check Amaechi’s strength in the party, the Godspower Akeled state executives of the PDP in Rivers State, alleged to be loyal to Amaechi was removed on April 15 by an Abuja High Court, presided over by Justice Ishaq Bello. The judge immediately approved the election of a parallel executive of a faction led by Felix Obuah, which is loyal to the Minister of State for Education, Nyeson Wike. Based on the ruling, the PDP political leadership in Rivers State was effectively taken away from Amaechi and transferred to Wike. Two weeks after taking over the affairs of Rivers State PDP, Obuah, on Monday April 29, announced the suspension of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Otelemaba Dan Amachree, and 26 other lawmakers in the House for ignoring the directive to rescind their suspension of the chairman, vice chairman and 17 councillors of Obio/Akpor Local Government. The PDP Rivers executive also gave the state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, a 48-hour ultimatum to explain the ownership of the Bombardier B.D 700 aircraft he claims belong to the state or face disciplinary action from the party in the state. Nigeria Governors Forum election Having seen the handwriting on the wall that Amaechi is using his influence as the NGF chairman to wield more power on the party and challenge the presidency on many issues, President Jonathan and some PDP leaders early this year started mobilising some governors to prevent Amaechi from running for second term after the expiration of his first tenure as NGF chairman in April. As part of the measures to check him, an attempt was made to remove him in February but the move was not successful. The

presidency and the PDP leaders thereafter formed a PDP Governors Forum (PDPGF) led by Akpabio, with the ultimate aim of weakening Amaechi’s support base in the NGF. Though the PDP gave tangible reasons for forming the PDP Governors Forum, many pundits were of the view that the group was formed to stop Amaechi from extending his reign in the NGF beyond April. But despite the emergence of the PDPGF, some PDP governors remain loyal to Amaechi. Immediately the PDPGF was formed, Akpabio, in conjunction with Governors Gabriel Suswam of Benue State and Theodore Orji of Abia State, were commissioned to lead the onslaught against Amaechi, while Governors Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and Rabiu Kwankwanso of Kano led the pro-Amaechi group. Prior to the NGF election, which took place last week, both camps embarked on several campaigns to outsmart each other. In the course of preparing for the NGF election, a Bombardier BD 700-1A11 (565RS) aircraft belonging to the Rivers State government was grounded by the aviation ministry on alleged account of the expiration of the flying permit of the aircraft. The grounding of the aircraft and the event that followed was seen by many people as part of the strategy by the presidency and the leadership of the PDP to weaken Amaechi before the NGF election. After several days of intensive struggle for the NGF chairmanship seat, the election was conducted penultimate Friday but the outcome of the election escalated the crisis within the NGF as the outcome of the election divided the NGF to two factions. One is led by Amaechi and the other, by Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State. While Amaechi won the election with 19 votes against 16 votes garnered by Jang among the 35 governors that voted during the election, Jang is laying claim to the chairmanship of the NGF based on his endorsement by 19 governors who allegedly signed a document to nominate him as the NGF chairman. The alleged endorsement has become a subject of controversy as one of the governors who was in Abuja for the election and never attended the meeting where Jang was endorsed had his name and signature in the endorsement document. Suspension of Amaechi by PDP NWC While the dusts generated by the NGF election were yet to settle, the NWC of PDP,

on Monday announced Amaechi’s suspension from the party. The suspension was contained in a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting of the NWC and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh. The communiqué reads thus: “The National Working Committee after preliminary hearing, in exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 57 (3), 59 (3), 59 (5) and 29 (2.b), hereby suspends the Executive Governor of River State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a member of the PDP and refers the matter to the appropriate disciplinary committee of the party.” Amaechi’s sin was his refusal to rescind the suspension of the chairman, vice chairman and 17 councillors of Obio/Akpor Local Government. The sacking of Amaechi was greeted with mixed feelings. While some people see the PDP’s decision as a good step to instil discipline in the party, many people condemned Amaechi’s suspension, which according to them, is a deliberate move to witch-hunt the Rivers State governor for daring the presidency and the PDP leaders. Reacting to his suspension, Amaechi said it was ridiculous for the party to suspend him based on the removal of a local government chairman, which was carried out by the state House of Assembly. “No fair hearing. I was not invited. What was the reason for suspending me? That I have refused to reinstate Obio- Akpor council? Who suspended Obio-Akpor council? Who has power to reinstate Obio Akpor council? So, you see political witchhunting. It is so ridiculous. My party must rise above political witch-hunting. Governor did not suspend Obio-Akpor council,” Amaechi said. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, said he was particularly disturbed by the worsening polarisation of the party and internal divisions which might weaken the party structures at the state level and deepen the crises between the PDP governors and the president. He noted that as one of the founding fathers of the party, he had a duty to call on other founding members to rise to the occasion and caution the forces that were bent on tearing the party apart and providing the ammunition for self destruction. CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

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POLITICS

June 1, 2013

‘I have told Amaechi to learn from my experience’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

Amaechi’s battle with the SouthSouth Apart from Amaechi’s battle with President Jonathan, PDP leaders and some governors, some people in South-South geo-political zones are also not happy with Amaechi. The grievance of the zone is based on allegation that Amaechi wants to trade the presidency slot which the zone presently enjoys for the position of a vice president. The leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, during a phone-in radio programme in Port Harcourt last Saturday described Amaechi as a “traitor,” adding that Amaechi’s political ambition does not tally with the ambition of the people of the state and therefore the NGF chairman would be “treated like a traitor” for allegedly con-

Akpabio

Aliyu

fronting President Jonathan on some government policies and the 2015 elections. His words: “Amaechi and his commissioners can go back to slavery and continue to serve the Northerners, who claim to be born to rule. We will never go back to slavery. Amaechi and his ambition must be tied to the ambition of his people. In Kano, Amaechi said he would run as Vice-President, if invited. I speak with all sense of responsibility. The oppressed people of the Niger Delta, through President Jonathan, will win in 2015. We will win clearly and convincingly. Amaechi is a traitor and he will be treated like a traitor.” In his reaction, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Emmanuel Chinda, said contrary to Dokubo-Asari’s claim, Amaechi was not a traitor. Chinda, who also reacted in a phone-in radio programme, expressed dissatisfaction over Asari-Dokubo’s position on issues concerning the governor and the state. He accused Asari-Dokubo and a few others of creating problems between President Jonathan and Amaechi for their selfish interests, adding that the people of the state were behind Amaechi.

tions of corruption, believe that his travail was as a result of his nomination as a running mate to Atiku, a move that did not go down well with Obasanjo, who according to Alamieyeseigha said that “he would fight me (Alamieyeseigha) and Atiku to the end of the world” and that “unless he dies, Atiku could not be president of Nigeria.” Other governors who had had to slug it out with the president at their time in office were former Governors Rashidi Ladoja and Ayodele Fayose of Oyo and Ekiti states respectively. Both of them were allegedly impeached from office with the backing of the presidency. Former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipreye Sylva, was also allegedly denied running for second term because he was not in good term with Jonathan. Having passed through the encounter, the former Bayelsa governor last week advised

Will Amaechi survive the onslaught? Looking at the political history of Nigeria, whenever there is power tussle between the president and any governor or any public office holders, the president always emerges victorious, because of many factors that usually work in favour of the president. Some of the factors are party structure, finance, federal might, security and many others. Since the beginning of the present dispensation in May 29, 1999, there have been records of many governors and high ranking political officers who have been caged by the presidency. Though some of them tried to do serious battle, the president, remains unshaken. For example, prior to the 2007 general elections, the presidential ambition of former Vice President Abubakar pitched him against his boss, Chief Obasanjo, but despite his strong influence in the PDP and supports from outside the party, Atiku was forced out. His presidential aspiration also did not materialise despite contesting for the 2007 presidential election on the platform of the Action Congress (AC). Former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, was also another victim of the alleged oppression from the presidency. Alamieyeseigha, who was impeached in 2005 based on allega-

In your refreshingly different

Nigeria: War against oil thieves

Oil theft, otherwise known as bunkering, has been on for quite a while now. It is estimated to be costing the Nigerian nation about 150,000 barrels of crude oil per day, which experts valued at over $1.23 billion (N190 billion) a year at current crude price. This has contributed to a cycle of violence and crisis that has led to shrinking jobs in the oil sector. But where and how do these thieves get the oil? Who are the people behind this atrocious act? How do they sell the products and why has it been difficult for authorities to prosecute the perpetrators? Find out in your soar-away Sunday Mirror tomorrow.

Passion

According to Atiku, the bitter internal divisions within the PDP, has led to crisis in the party leadership in some states, division in the NGF and the suspension of a sitting governor over disagreements on principle could have been avoided if the founders of the party had added their voices of caution and moderation. Warning that if the crisis was left to get out of hand or not properly managed, the PDP might find itself weaker and politically vulnerable, Atiku also noted that a house divided against itself could not stand, adding that silence by concerned PDP stakeholders was a dangerous option at the point when the party faced the challenges of retaining its leadership in 2015. The national publicity secretary of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Emma Eneukwu, in a statement, described the suspension of Amaechi by the PDP as a colossal affront on democracy and a dagger in the soul of its practices, saying: “The action rubbishes PDP’s claim to any democratic credential, as it has clearly shown that it practices despotism and the tyranny of a cabal and it is worrying at the dangerous development, asking Nigerians to take due notice of this charade and place it in perspective in view of the forthcoming 2015 general elections.” But speaking to Saturday Mirror, the national coordinator of Rights Monitoring Group (RMG), Mr. Olufemi Aduwo, said the governor’s suspension was in order since the party claimed he violated the party constitution. His words: “The suspension of Governor Amaechi is in order since the party claimed he violated the party’s constitution. It is very dangerous for an enemy to be within a house. Amaechi is free to join any party of his choice. It would be inimical to the interest of PDP to allow those loyalists to the APC to remain in the party.” According to a reliable source, having succeeded in suspending Governor Amaechi, a plan on how to impeach the governor is being presently scripted by some people with the support of the presidency. The source disclosed that the presidency is approving and funding a plan to impeach the governor with the help of some members of the state lawmakers. Will the impeachment move succeed? This is a question begging for answer.

Amaechi to learn from his (Alamieyeseigha) experience that nobody fights government. “I have told Amaechi himself that he should learn from my experience, that nobody tries government. He should learn that after God, it is government,” he said. Speaking on the need for Amaechi to be cautious of engaging power brokers in political war, Aduwo advised the Rivers State governor to retrace his step. “I think Amaechi may have a script that does not belong to him, that he is trying to bring to limelight and that is why PDP as a party needs to be very cautious and careful in the way and manner they handle this matter. Amaechi may be trying to be a bad boy or a spoiler in the party. “I pity Amaechi because when the chips are down, those pushing him will only use him and dump him. If he gets impeached tomorrow, he will become nothing and heavens will not fall. If tomorrow Amaechi gets impeached, nothing will happen and that will be the end of his career. “Amaechi miscalculated; he can still retrace his steps, call the elders to talk because this is a war he cannot win. I give him another three months; all the bullets in his arsenal will go down. Atiku was brought to Action Congress in 2007 and he was disgraced; likewise Nuhu Ribadu during 2011 presidential elections,” Aduwo advised. Meanwhile, with the battle appeared not to be ending soon, political observers are definitely in for a season of analysis of a situation that would determine the turn the 2015 election will take, especially as it affects the presidency.

Democracy in 14 years: How well? Nigeria marked 14 years of democratic rule last week, bringing to bolder perspective, the gains and losses recorded. We take a kaleidoscopic look at issues that shaped Nigeria’s democratic experience starting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and up to the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan. Not only that, we take a look at the Ministers’ score card in the last two years. It makes interesting reading.

The secret of my beauty, by Opral Benson Chief (Dr) Opral Mason Benson, 78 years old widow of the late Nigerian prominent lawyer and First Republic politician, Chief TOS Benson is a trailblazer in fashion and beauty care. She is also the Chairperson of Johnson Products Nigeria Limited. This amazon explains why she is looking young at 78. She also expresses worry that nudity is very rampant now among young women, unlike what was obtainable in her time. Get more revelations from this delectable septuagenarian, tomorrow.

These and many more available tomorrow in your

June 1, 2013

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MAGAZ INE Relationships Is virginity still in vogue?

Fashion •Dressing for success •Multi-colour tricks

Sex talk Six time-tested, female-approved sex positions

Retta

...Set to shine

June 1, 2013

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‘All movies can’t be good’ Chika Ike is one of Nollywood’s A-list actresses. She is beautiful, sexy and intelligent. In this interview with OSEYIZA OOGBODO, the diva speaks on her entrance into the movie industry, the journey so far and other matters. Excerpts:

hat is your take on the general belief that actresses and actors are wayward people? Is it because we kiss in movies and portray such characters? I beg to disagree. We are just doing our job and doing it very well. And when they say we are loose, it’s crazy. When it comes to real life, we are like other people in what we go through and experience. Between acting and a regular job that allows you return home every night and live a more settled life, which do you think is better? I love my job with a passion. Parts of the perks of the job are travelling, meeting people, discovering new places, learning new things from new people you meet and so on. Those are the things that come with the job. That is why the life of an actress is always on the road, doing one or two things. Is the money you are earning commensurate with the stress you go through travelling everywhere? I do this to put food on my table and to earn a living. The two must go together. I have passion for what I do, but money is also one of the motivational factors.

We hear different tales of how actresses got their first role: sleeping with someone for it, begging for it and so on. How did you get yours? My first ever role was just one scene in a movie. It was Sweet Love. I just went for the audition and nothing else. I didn’t do anything untoward, believe me, and I got it after four months. You mean four months of auditions and hustling in Nollywood circles? Yeah. After four months of waiting for them to call me back for the role and going for other auditions. Didn’t you record any other success in those four months? The truth about it is that I had just gained admission then, so I took the auditions and went back to school and continued hoping to receive a call that I had got the role. Can you mention a particular name that inspired you into acting? If I started, I wouldn’t end, so don’t let’s go there. There are so many, quite

many that made me decide to become an actress. What have you achieved so far? I will say that ... yeah, I have done a lot of movies, but I have not even started yet, you know, so I know that above the sky is always the limit.

y t i r b e l Ce

Who is your best friend in the industry? Or is it a clique that you roll with? No, I don’t really have a clique. But I respect everybody I work with. Several people, including some of your colleagues, feel that Nollywood movies are bad and awful. Do you share that view? No. I totally disagree with that. That’s my industry, and if you say my industry produces bad movies, I will take offence, seriously. I mean, we work really hard, very hard. And basically, when you say bad movies, what do you mean by bad movies? I don’t really understand. Movies that don’t make sense. Movies that start well and end on a flat note, leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Such movies … (Cuts in) Can I ask you a question? You watch Nollywood movies, right? Yeah. And you have watched my movies? They make sense, right? Do you even think that rituals should be in movies? Most of the stories are people’s stories, though some are fiction. If someone gives you a true life story and tells you to write it, you cannot fine-tune the story. If it was fictional work, it could be an imagination. But whatever movie we do in Nollywood, I believe it is a work of art, and a work of art should be appreciated. Every movie must not be good, but at least most of them are good. And for the industry still to be relevant today, it means that we do good movies and our movies are selling and people appreciate our efforts. In your opinion what is the best movie so far to have come out of Nollywood? Nollywood has done so many beautiful movies. It is difficult to choose one. In recent times especially, we have done some wonderful works which I am actually proud of. I am talking of beautiful, beautiful, great movies. You started acting while you were still a university student. How easy or difficult was it to combine acting and schooling? I just thank God because it wasn’t easy when I really think about it now. Bearing in mind the kind of environment and society we are in, it’s very difficult to combine two things. I must say that it was hard. It was really tough, and I give thanks to God that I was able

to come through it all. What is your most challenging role? I cannot really point. All my movies come with their own challenges basically. I won’t say I have one particular challenge that was the toughest. Playing another character that is not your usual self is challenging enough. The name, Nollywood, to some people is inappropriate for our mov-

ie industry. What do you say? Who said so? So many of your colleagues have said so. They say ‘what does Nollywood really mean?’ and that it wasn’t even coined by Nigerian movie stakeholders, but an American journalist. I have nothing to say about that. I have known the movie industry as Nollywood since I came into it and I have come to accept it that way.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

June 1, 2013

Entervaganza

With OSEYIZA OOGBODO

08023755142 kingseiza@gmail.com

Armed robbery attack

Udofia accuses Okoroji of being uncaring

Udofia

Okoroji

oremost celebrity publicist, Cornell Udofia, is presently thanking God for sparing his life in the hands of armed robbers who attacked him last Saturday night in front of his house at Yaba, Lagos on his arrival from the maiden edition of the COSON Song Awards. But while he is thankful to God for still being alive, he is very unhappy with Tony Okoroji, COSON’s chairman. “Upon everything I did for Okoroji to make his event successful, he hasn’t called me to console me over the armed robbery attack on me which occurred on my return home from his event. I sent him a text, the same text I sent to everyone, but while other people have been calling and texting me, Okoroji hasn’t bothered to do either.” Still speaking bitterly, he added that “when I reported the attack at Sabo Police Station, they told me I’m very lucky to be alive because the same robbery gang later killed someone that night. While they attacked me, they shot my neighbour

and snatched his SUV so when the police said they killed someone later, I realised why I had to be more thankful to God, yet Okoroji whom I went out for hasn’t bothered to get in touch with me. “I don’t care about all the valuables they took from me because I could have died. They stole my two BlackBerry phones, my designer wristwatch and the cash that was given to me that night by one of my clients, D’Bling. But I don’t care about those losses as I’m alive.” He however admits he was a victim of circumstance. “My neighbour was the armed robbers’ target. When I got home at about 11.30pm that night, a taxi was parked in front of my house. While I was waiting for my gate to be opened, my neighbour arrived in his SUV and the armed robbers pounced on us from the taxi.” Saturday Mirror could not however get Okoroji’s reaction to Udofia’s allegation of him being uncaring because his phone was switched off when this reporter called him repeatedly recently.

Retta Rich remixes Kolo For You

n line with the current trend of remixing songs and featuring established artistes, promising musician, Retta Rich, has remixed her song, Kolo For You. The remix features Ghost Mode rapper Phyno, I Done Did It rapper Eva and Casey Ed. Rich is one of the artistes tipped to shine brightly. She has been rising steadily and has shown that she means business by featuring two of her more established colleagues so that their success can rub off on her too. Many artists have used the featuring and remixing option to become visible and successful. An example that readily comes to mind in this wise is 2Shotz who featured Timaya and Terry G on his song, In Case U Neva Know, that reignited his rap career.

Rich

Goldie lives on in death

T Goldie

he late singer, Goldie, has officially joined the list of artistes who released songs or videos after their death. Goldie died earlier this year on Valentine’s Day in mysterious circumstances. Prior to her death, she was hard at work on an album and had recorded several songs featuring her colleagues all over Africa. She had also shot videos, and one of them, Skibobo, was released be-

fore she died. Her latest release is also a video of a single, Miliki, that was released before her death and for which she had already shot the video. The video is typical Goldie. She was at her naughty best in it and was the one who wooed her male co-star in it. So expect her album, which had the working title African Invasion while she was alive, to drop as soon as possible.

D’Banj

D’Banj magic hypnotises Industry Nite D

’Banj is no doubt an enigma. At this point in time, it is difficult to tell how he really rates in the music industry. Is he progressing or regressing? It would seem the answer depends on whether you love or hate him. Before he split with Don Jazzy, there were already some public comments that his Mr Endowed wasn’t up to what was expected of him. Then when he and Don Jazzy went their separate ways, his critics went into overdrive condemning all his efforts as not good enough. Songs that felt the backlash include Oyato, Top of the World, Bachelor and Cash Flow. The criticisms notwithstanding, D’Banj seems to be flying high. He was recently endorsed by the Bank of Industry and is performing at high profile events such as the African Cup of Nations closing ceremony. And if last Wednesday’s Industry Nite is a judge of his rating, then he passed with flying colours. The turnout for the event was quadruple the normal turnout because he was the headliner. And when it was time for his performance, after opening performances by acts that included Temi Dollface, Alabai, Sean Tizzle and K-Switch, he blew the roof down with his experienced stagecraft. Surprisingly, all his new songs were well accepted by the Industry Nite audience. While they can be said to be D’Banj’s core fans who will like anything he does and so were willing to stay up until 3.30am on a working day to see him perform, D’Banj’s success at Industry Nite has proven that he is waxing stronger and that he’s not going to just fade away from the music scene as is expected in some quarters.

June 1, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ENTERVAGANZA

June 1, 2013

BOX OFFICE HITS

BRAIN BEHIND THE SCENE

Ify Duruji … worthy producer

ike all brain brains behind the sc scenes in Nollyw Nollywood, Ify Duruji is a bundle bu of talents. It is one of her talents, that produc of film production, that qualifies her be as a brain behind the scene. She is the producer of Spycing, a full Spycing, length feature le fea length film starring star film B Big BrothAf er Africa winner N Uti Nwachuckw u , A-list actor Emek a E n y iocha and I Kukere singer Iyanya. m Spycing might be her main production for now but she declares that star it is just her starting intend to point as she intends mo produce many more movies. m “I’m already on other movie unv projects that will be unveiled at the right time soon,” she told Entervaganza. prod Apart from being a producer, organise of Duruji is also the organiser Face of Peace Africa, a beauty pagvocat eant that is another of her vocations behind the scenes. a “Face of Peace Africa is all about p its name. Africa is in need of peace, an its so the sole task of the pageant and messag of winner is to spread the message confli to peace and not violence or conflict disclose to the whole of Africa,” she disclosed Entervaganza. As said earlier, Duruji is really talhe talented, and like most of her ilk, her ents she first discovered, acting and b in modelling, necessitated her to be behin it. front of the camera and not behind beh Explaining why she went behind, she said, “You can make a lot of impact from behind the camera. You will take the major decisions that will ensure productions turn out the way d they should. I want to make a difference in Nollywood by making the best movies possible and I can do that as a producer.”

ow You See Me is one of the anticipated films of the year. The reason is simple: its plot. And added to that is its A-list cast of Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and other big names. Now the plot. It is an intelligence battle between a group of magicians who pull off bank heists during their death-defying acts, and the FBI squad tasked with catching them. It gets better. Known as The Four Horsemen, the magic super-group perform a pair of high-tech magic shows, and astonish audiences by rob-

bing a bank on another continent, a n d then exposing a whitecollar criminal and funneling his millions into the audience members’ bank accounts. FBI Special Agent Dylan is however determined to make the magicians pay for their crimes, and to stop them before they pull off what promises to be an even more audacious heist. But he’s forced to partner with Alma, an Interpol detective about whom he is instantly suspicious. As pressure mounts and the world awaits the Horsemen’s spectacular final trick, Dylan and Alma race to find an answer. But it soon becomes painfully clear that staying one step ahead of these masters of illusion is beyond the skills of any one man - or woman.

illy and Nick are salesmen whose careers have been demolished by the digital world. Trying to prove their relevance, they talk their way into coveted internships at Google, along with a team of bright, ambitious college students. But, gaining entrance to this Utopia is only half the battle. Now they must compete with a group of the nation’s most elite, tech-savvy geniuses to prove that necessity really is the mother of reinvention. Starring Wedding Crashers duo Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, The Internship is comedy unlimited. So if you want to laugh until your ribs almost crack, make it a date at the cinema

with this comedy flick.

June 1, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Relationships

Is virginity still Only in your dreams

was talking with some friends recently on the above topic and everyone had something interesting to say. It was quite enlightening to hear what the guys had to say about it. The ladies in the group also had something different to say, but basically what each gender had to say was based primarily on gender lines. Virginity is like a balloon, one prick and it’s gone forever. Please pardon my pun here but what I’ve just said is true. Most of us place value on abstinence before marriage but we all also want to have a taste of the forbidden fruit so as to know what we are getting into when we get married. Most people especially women say they want to remain as virgins until they get married while a lot of young men are obsessed with the idea of having sex and being experienced before marriage. Thinking along this line, it’s almost impossible for young people to date these days without the issue of sex being raised and in a lot of cases, acting as a catalyst for the breakdown of the relationship if not properly handled. It is with this in mind that the question now arises whether the idea of virginity and abstinence is still in vogue. For a lot of men, the issue of virginity is a non-issue. Who wants to buy a car without first test driving it? Or buy a mobile phone without first making a call with it? The idea is that when tested okay, it won’t give one stress when you take it home. The same applies to having a relationship one intends to go the whole distance with. The idea even goes as far as men first getting their girlfriends pregnant before marrying them. I may be crucified for this but I know I’m speaking the mind of a lot of young men out there when I say that we can’t be bothered to start teaching a virgin some new tricks in pleasuring a man when we marry a virgin. Yes I know the popular saying among women is that when a woman finds the right man, he will surely find other ways of expressing his love to her without trying to have sex with her when she says she wants to remain a vir-

gin till they get married. A lot of people especially women will tell you that a thing which has never been used by anyone and less accessible to many will always have value like gold or any of these precious stones. The truth is that any man who doesn’t try to have his way with you must surely have a psychological or biological problem. The truth be told, men are sexual animals and will find other women better attractive than you who is a virgin. I’m not advocating for young girls to sleep around, but saying the truth as it relates with the thinking of the African male. It is almost an impossible dream to expect an adult African male in his sexual prime to remain celibate with his partner during the period of courtship and not even have another girlfriend outside who may act as a side-show and who in the end if she’s as smooth and smart as Cleopatra of legend, not snatch the man from his intended with her going as far as getting him for herself. The idea of celibacy before marriage in this present age and clime can only happen in the make-believe world of Nollywood and the pages of a romance novel or on stage. Our grandparents may have gotten married during their time as virgins but believe me when I tell you that the present crop of young males have no patience for such and the advent of better and faster cheaper means of communication from the old ways of love letters have also endangered the virgin specie. If you want me to lie to you, then I’ll say that virginity is still cherished but the truth is the truth. If it’s a lie, why do you think the so called good girls are remaining on the proverbial shelf while the black sheep of the family keeps on having all the fun and bringing home the so called good catches? Let’s call a spade a spade; virginity went out of vogue like the old black and white television. Everyone is clamouring for 3 D imagery now. The value of virginity is subjective to the person or society within which we are living and as such is basically no more in vogue.

SEX TALK

This column is x-rated

Six time-tested, femaleapproved sex positions Think you’ve been there and done that when it comes to sex positions? Well, these are the time-tested, female-approved basics that will work for you again and again. Try one -- or all -- of them tonight! Her on top If you’re lucky enough to have a girlfriend who says to you, “Sometimes, I just want to be in charge,” you had better let her take control of the situation and enjoy yourself to the fullest. The female-superior sex position is perfect to assume when your partner is feeling energetic and playful. Pulling yourself upright and hugging her tight for that special heart-to-heart moment is an added bonus with this sex position. To maximize her chances of hitting the roof, get her to lean back on her hands.

Her sitting Your week was long and you just had

a romantic dinner with red wine. If you played your cards right, she wants to get it on in a hurry. Believe it or not, women are often in the mood for a quick fix instead of a long, drawn-out, mushy love fest. One great benefit of this unconventional sex position is the novelty factor. Assuming this no-holds-barred approach will add to the spontaneity factor of having sex outside the bedroom, which could make the whole experience more pleasurable.

Missionary position The missionary position is the most conventional position and most people

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

RELATIONSHIPS

June 1, 2013

in vogue? I

This column is x-rated actually like this ‘oldie-but-goodie.’ Because the missionary position is very ordinary, that does not mean that it can’t be extraordinary. This sex position allows for, among other things, a special feeling of closeness between you and your partner. The comfort of the bedroom is also enjoyable, since that’s where most of us like to kick back and relax after a good lovemaking session. Other physical rewards are non-stop kissing, touching and eye-gazing -- it’s like a whole body massage, inside and out.

This column is x-rated ary position, and rather than resting on his elbows, his arms should cup her shoulders so that your body falls flat against hers. Both your spines should be straight. The key here is intense genital friction resulting from an up-anddown movement rather than in-and-out movement.

Dog position Men and women bring out their animal instincts exceptionally well in this position. Even the most mild-mannered guy/gal usually lets loose when caught up in such a position.

CAT position Okay, so the missionary position doesn’t always make you shiver with desire. A non-acrobatic, modified version could result in an amazing sexual experience. This position offers what we call a slow burn. It allows sexual pleasure to build up slowly and results in an intense and intimate jiggle. This position, called the coital alignment technique, is very simple to do. The man needs to slide two to four inches forward from the typical mission-

Side-by-side The side-by-side position will do wonders for men who tend to ejaculate prematurely. Being side-by-side will limit the range of motion, therefore it should result in longer lovemaking sessions. It is a great position to caress and flatter your partner with verbal compliments. Hopefully most of you lovers out there will experiment with some of these exciting positions and maximize your partner’s pleasure.

CHINWE ANNIE AMAECHI 07028684481 chinweamaechi@gmail.com

Yes, it is

n the times of our forebears, the top of a young man’s list of “specifications” for his dream wife was that she must be a virgin. Unfortunately, it seems that this item has moved down the lists and has stopped appearing. Premarital sex seems to have been rebranded from an abomination to a sport. Today, talking about and indulging in sex is no big deal, even amongst the group of people we categorise as “under-age”. However, does this mean that virginity is no longer admirable to the majority? From my observations and discussions with people, it seems that the virginity criterion is more of a man’s thing. This is quite ironic because the men set this criterion for the women only; not for themselves. In fact, you hardly find men who want to ‘keep’ themselves for their wives. So, what we find is a world filled with women who are dumped by long-time boyfriends when the boyfriends are ready to become husbands. Why? These women have served their purpose; the men must now look for virtuous women whom they can ‘take home to Mama’. Most times, the guys don’t admit that it is the virginity criterion that has informed their decision not to marry girlfriends with whom they were sexually active. True, but very sad. On the other hand, it seems that women just assume that men, by default, are prone to become sexually active long before they are ready to tie the knot. Women, therefore, do not generally put virginity on their list of must-haves. As long as the man shows potential to be faithful, the woman is fine. You hardly hear that a woman asked her boyfriend if he is a virgin, but every woman must answer the question in whatever manner it is phrased. Because of the numerous advantages of being a virgin before marriage, I believe virginity will always be in vogue. Some reasons are:  It creates more room for a strong mental and emotional connection with only your

spouse  Virgins are more respected by spouses and in-laws  There is no ‘past’ or ‘ex’ to be wary of  Virgins are more likely to be faithful partners  Virgins hardly have issues of emotional or sexual dissatisfaction  A person’s past life may be a ground for his/her spouse to easily distrust him/her or be paranoid/suspicious  No fear of STDs  No comparison between spouse and past partners The truth is: a lot of men who desire to marry virgins seem to have ‘lowered’ their standards or specifications because virgin ladies seem to be ‘endangered species’. So most times, when a man says he is not so bent on marrying a virgin, it is not because he would rather have a woman who by reason of her ‘many escapades’, has become ‘skillful’ in the ‘art’ of sex. No! It is simply because he acknowledges the fact that a lot of ladies (for various reasons) lose their virginity before they are ready to tie the knot, and some of them could have turned new leaves. Simply put, virginity is still in vogue, but in a subtle way. People hold virgins in high regard, but they just don’t admit to or express how high they rank virginity. I believe this is one of the instances that capture the fact that perception is stronger than reality. Young people now strongly believe that virginity is not an asset, so they don’t need to keep themselves “intact” until they get married. What they fail to realise, especially the female folk, is that almost every man desires to get married to a virgin, though they may not voice out their desire. In fact, the reason why some do not insist on waiting to get a virgin is because virgin ladies seem to be joining the category of endangered species. Another reason is that most men know that they do not have the moral right to insist on marrying virgins. So is virginity still a priced asset? Of course, it is!

June 1, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Woman ‘I was not a happy child’

Unlike most of her contemporaries, Ebere Laz, a thriving fashion designer had it tough right from her childhood. “I grew up as an orphan. My mother fell sick and died when I was three months old. I had all kinds of terrible experiences as a child. I was maltreated mercilessly, denied of going to school and was kept in the house cooking and doing other domestic chores while legitimate children of those families I lived with were in school, “she told YEMISI ADENIRAN in this interview.

and appreciate myself the more. I always have this thought that I am special to God which is why I am alive. It has given me the strength and grace to look inwardly into myself which has taken me to where I am today. I believe more in myself and my motto is that “I can do all things.” May be if I had had a more palatable childhood, I wouldn’t have been where I am today.

here did you grow up and what was it like? I am from Umuopara Amuzu Obi-ngwa Local government in Abia State. We are five children in all and I tell you, growing up was very tough. It was a bad one. Unlike what I have heard people say and seen personally when a baby is born, I had no care or full attention of my parents. But this was not deliberate. My mother fell sick when I was just three months old and you know, in this part of the world, a serious sickness of a woman who is just delivered of a baby is a deadly signal if not attended to promptly. In short, everyone’s attention and prayer was dedicated to her quick recovery while I was just left to my own fate in one corner. This lasted for a very long period as I was later on informed and really affected me a lot. I wasn’t cuddled as I should have, not well fed because everyone’s mind was on my mother and so I missed on a lot of the goodies that I was entitled to. For instance, all these talk about breastfeeding, exclusive or no exclusive was not one experience I can say I enjoyed. But it is well because God still kept me and I am happy I did not die in the course of all of these. I still went to schools like some other children and did all other things too. I had no peculiar disease or deformity because of that. Other children who have died or have life-time deformities are many out there but I thank God for my life. Did your mother survive that sickness? No, she did not. She died at the end of the day. That was why I said I did not have any motherly care. Growing

Laz

up was very tough you know, in the absence of a mother. It is never funny. I lived with all kinds of families, siblings and friends. I had no one to pacify me, to pamper me or to console me. Fathers can’t be as cordial as a mother can be. All the same, I thank God for His grace, help and mercy that is constant over me. How will you describe your father’s influence on your growing up? Like I said, I lost my mother when I was young and didn’t enjoy my father at all because I grew up with different families. I did not know my parents too well especially my mother. As one who grew up with many families and friends, I had all kinds of negative tales which ordinarily wouldn’t have been if I had not lost my mother. I miss her so much. Did you grow up in the village? I was in the village briefly as a baby.

I was born in Sango, Ibadan but was later taken to the village by my grandmother. That was when my mother was sick. Life in the village was horrible. I was trained by this old woman and I can tell you that I was not a happy child. Growing up was very painful. Did your father have another wife? No. Although my mother died when we were still very young, our father did not attempt re-marrying up till today. What influence does your childhood have on you? Nothing bad. It has taught me that God is the only one who is as constant as the morning star. He is the only one who has the last say on any situation. If He says a situation will consume one person, no matter how hard the person resist it, he or she will be consumed and if He says there will not be any problem, the person will be free of all problems. It has taught me to trust more in Him

What is your view about divorce and single parenthood? Honestly, I hate divorce because God Himself hates it. I give no support to it also because of its negative effects on the children involved. All the same, I will not advise that women stay in a marriage that is suffocating or life-threatening. Once you think your man is getting deadly and violent, it is best to live the house in the most mature and wise manner. It does not necessarily mean that you have abandoned him or your marriage; you have just embarked on a peaceful mission. Wise women stay alive to cater for their children. If you are not killed by any form of sickness, you have no reason to allow anyone or anything that is avoidable to kill you. Marriage is not a do-or-die affair. And for single parenthood, it is the same thing I will say. It is never the best and I believe no woman pray for divorce or single parenthood, but instead of allowing yourself to be killed and have your children maltreated by some unknown women and it is better to stay away with your children to allow peace to reign. The bible says you may remain unmarried if you are an unbeliever. Single parenthood is no fun and every woman should do all to avoid it. One thing that is common to both is adultery, loneliness and other pains that the woman and the children will experience time after time. The consolation, however, is in your being alive at least to witness the growth and success of your child or children. Why do you think more women are ending up as single parents these days? A lot of factors is responsible and it varies from one person to the other. There are some who are single parents due to their carelessness when they were younger. This, in cases of having unwanted pregnancies. There are some who got abandoned by their husbands for one reason or the other and they just can’t leave their kids for another husband or the latter is afraid of taking responsibilities of their children, there are others

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WOMAN

June 1, 2013

Keeping ABREAST

who resulted to single parenthood because they are almost reaching menopause and they believe time may no longer be on their sides. Of course, there might be other reasons. What do you think can be done to avoid or reduce this? I think women should not joke with themselves and the issue of marriage while they are young. They should know that there is time for everything and should learn to make hay while the sun is shining. Unlike men, women need to know that women’s time for marriage is programmed and for a particular period of time . They should not be deceived by their beauty or whatever endowment they think they possess. They should again place a value on themselves and not allow men to have a field day with their bodies. What informed your choice of work and how has it been especially with the stiff competition in the fashion industry? Since I did not grow up with my parents, those people I lived with could not afford sending me to the University. My intention was to become an accountant in life, but I decided to learn a handwork. It was the only option I had. Somehow, I got passionate for fashiondesigning and decided to make a living out of it. There may be a lot of people into this business but I can boldly say that since I have been into this career, I have not regretted my action for one day. It has become part of me. I cannot do without designing an outfit for a day. What stands your label out? It is a personal thing. I think my customers will be in the best position to say this. But I think I have a unique way of designing my outfits. Every career and business has its uniqueness and I think that’s what is working for us. And although there is a lot of competition in our profession, I have been able to sustain and have more customers every day. I designed clothes that attract people from far and near. I go out of the box to design for my customers and this is really working for me. I wear series of such designs myself and I know the number of clients this has brought my way. Another thing that helps me is that I draw and sketch images which some fashion designers cannot do. Immediately a customer describes a style, I will sketch the design and make the best out of it. There are other things which I will not disclose here. As a person that grew up like an orphan, what is your advice to people like that? My advice to them is that they should take time to discover their passion and work towards it. They should take time to take their lives in their hands and shouldn’t blame anyone for their predicament. They should know that every disappointment is always a blessing in life.

The dramatic rescue

The baby boy suffered a fracture to his skull

Woman flushes baby down toilet to avoid stigma of single motherhood A newborn baby boy has been rescued from a sewage pipe in China. The unnamed mother claimed she fell pregnant following a one night stand - and then the father of the baby abandoned her. The 22-year-old woman said she could not afford an abortion or cope with the stigma of being a single mother. Chinese media said she went to the shared toilet in a residential complex when she felt abdominal cramps last Saturday and gave birth. Residents living in the residential building in Jinhua in the wealthy coastal province of Zhejiang reported the sound of a baby crying in the public toilet. The landlord of the building said that it was unlikely the birth took place in the toilet because there was no evidence of blood and she was not aware of any recent pregnancies among her tenants. The baby was stuck in an L-shaped portion of the sewage pipe with a diameter of about 3 inches. A video shows rescuers sawing off a section of the pipe along a ceiling that apparently was just below the toilet. The baby’s eyes, face and body were covered in the filth of the pipe. Fire fighters were called to the residential building to rescue the baby, which was trapped in the L-joint of a sewage pipe attached to a squat toilet. Officials removed the pipe from a ceiling using pliers and saws to gently pull the pipe apart.

Fearing they may harm the boy, they took him to hospital still trapped in the pipe, and doctors then carefully cut him free. The baby had a low heart rate and some minor abrasions on his head and limbs, but was mostly unhurt, according to local reports. The placenta was still attached. An eyewitness said, “When the rescuers came out, they cut the pipe open, and they took out the placenta which was still bleeding. “We saw them pulling this out and thought it was an awful sight. It was clear what the thing inside the pipe was. The doctor said he was taken to the hospital for treatment. “When the baby was touched, his heart was still beating. And he was saved and taken to the hospital,” the eyewitness said. The woman, a restaurant worker, reportedly confessed to being the mother after officers found bloodstained tissues and toys in her room and asked her to undergo a medical check. “The woman said she felt too embarrassed to call the police herself as a single mother and feeling under societal pressure. Girls like her are easy targets for public criticism,” police sources said. The woman said she had sex with a man and didn’t realise she was pregnant until early January. She was too scared to tell her parents, so she hid her pregnancy by wearing loose clothes and wrapping clothes tightly around her abdomen. The man she claims is the father has denied it is his baby.

Videos of the dramatic two-hour rescue of the baby have been shown worldwide, prompting both horror and an outpouring of charity. The mother is now receiving care at the same hospital as her son. “The mother is sick with a high fever. Her parents are now with her at the hospital. Who will care for the baby is yet to be decided,” said a police officer. News of the rescue led locals to go to the hospital armed with nappies, baby clothes, powdered milk and even offers to adopt the child. A nurse at the hospital where the baby is being treated said, “I don’t know the reason she abandoned the baby. When the baby arrived here, he was in critical condition. We suspect he has a fracture in the top right section of his skull. But now everything has been stabilised.” Meanwhile, the baby has been handed over to his maternal grandparents, who have taken him to a rural location. The man named as his father has also requested a paternity test and - if the baby is his - is ready to discuss with the woman on how to support the child. There are frequent reports in Chinese media of babies being abandoned often shortly after birth, a problem attributed variously to young mothers unaware they were pregnant, the birth of an unwanted girl in a society which puts greater value on boys or China’s strict family planning rules. Culled from www.mailonline.com

June 1, 2013

Parenting

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

ids of any age can be moody, and often when kids have not learned ways to express appropriately frustration, sulking, pouting, and whining can occur. Sometimes it can be frustrating to deal with a child that is moody and you may be asking yourself what you can do to deal with this problem. The solution to the problem is going to have a lot to do with you as a parent. In fact, if you are responding to this behavior, you may be encouraging it to go on, although that is not your intent. To help you deal with a child that is moody, here are some important principles that you can use to make a difference in your child’s attitude. Make sure you’re nurturing your child The first thing you need to do when parenting moody kids is to make sure that you are nurturing your child. Sometimes it is easy to forget to take quality time with your child. Parental attention provides stabilization for your child. Make sure that you and your spouse are both giving your child enough one on one time to avoid this problem. Ensure your home is a place where your child can safely express themselves Another important principle to remember is to ensure your home is a place where your child can safely express themselves. Even if your child has different views, they should feel like they are able to express themselves freely to you. Sometimes kids that are moody and pouty often choose this behavior because they feel that they can’t say the things that they want

Raising moody kids to, so they use a passive method to show their displeasure. Making your child feel that communication, even when opinions differ, is safe within your home can make a huge difference. Come up with other methods of expression together When you notice that your child is being moody, sit down and come up with other methods of expression together. Instead of them to create drama in the home with their mood, come up with alternate methods of communication. Bring to their attention the fact that they are sulking or pouting, and encourage them to express themselves in a verbal way to you. Let them know that you won’t respond to these negative actions and let your child know that he has to come up with a better way to communicate. Avoid overreacting and giving the behaviour power When your child is being moody, you need to avoid overreacting and giving the bad behaviour power. The best thing that you can do here is to simply ignore this behaviour so your child realises that this behaviour will not get them what they want. If you continue to acknowledge the behaviour, it will continue. However, many times simply ignoring it will make this behaviour die off. Work to keep stress at a minimum It’s important that you work to

ParentingUpdate

keep stress at a minimum within your home as well. While stress often rolls right off many kids, there are some kids that are more affected by it. Kids that are anxious or moody are often affected by stress, which can make this problem even worse. Try to avoid expectations that are inappropriate, over scheduling your child, and other things that cause them stress. Anger is one of the main things that will stress out children, so do your best to avoid showing anger, even though dealing with a moody child can be quite frustrating. Make sure your child gets proper nutrition You also need to make sure that your child is getting the proper nutrition. Kids that aren’t eating right often have mood issues. Making sure that they eat a good diet and that they get the nutrients they need from a quality multi vitamin can help you ensure they are getting everything that their body needs. There are even some specific supplements that may be able to help. Specific nutrients that can be beneficial for kids with mood problems include B vitamins and essential fatty acids. If your child is low on their B vitamins, studies have shown that this can affect mood negatively. Adding a B complex supplement can help. Essential fatty acids as well can help, which kids can get from fish oils. Have a special time for com-

plaining Having a special time that is just for complaining in your home can be helpful as you are parenting moody kids. Have a certain time during the day when your child is allowed to complain and talk about the things that are bothering them. Only allow this to go for 10 minutes. Once the time is over, the complaining is over until the next day. When there is a certain time for complaining, kids will have to start working to find

something they want to complain about, which means they’ll eventually stop complaining and whining. When they are moody or complaining, have them write down the problem and keep it until the next special time for complaining. A moody child can be difficult to parent, but when you have a good strategy for dealing with this behavior, it can make a big difference. Use these basic principles with your child and you’ll soon see some positive changes.

Tiny Feet

NAME: Opeyemi Abdul-Wasiu BORN TO: Mr. and Mrs Wasiu AGE: 3 months BIRTH WEIGHT: 3.69 kg

Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com

Babies can ruin your marriage –Experts •Experts warn that new parents may stop having sex. This can taint their marriage, lead to concerns about their relationship which did not exist before and ultimately drive them apart

he arrival of a baby is greeted with joy and delight by practically every couple. Friends and family members come around to share in the joy of the new arrival. For the little one’s parents, however, nothing will ever be the same again – especially their love life. They can suffer a phenomenon labelled ‘baby quake’, which shakes up their relationship and often makes them shun intimacy. Experts warn that new parents may stop having sex, which can taint their marriage and ultimately drive them apart. A new study found almost two-thirds of new parents have a concern about their relationship which did not exist before. Often parents are so worried

about their new roles that they neglect each other and stop regarding themselves as romantic partners. The researchers who carried out the study said 40 per cent of new mothers who expressed worries feared they were no longer sexually attractive to their partners. At the same time, more than a quarter of new fathers were worried their partner had stopped wanting to make love. Just over a quarter of couples longed for some time alone instead of constantly worrying about their baby. The researchers concluded that, “becoming a parent can put a relationship under extreme pressure as each partner tries to adjust to their new role. “For some, it can be almost

like a mini-earthquake. Often, the new mum becomes a stayat-home parent, at least for the first few weeks of the infant’s life, and this can be very isolating. “If they feel the partner out at work does not appreciate them, it can lead to arguments. “Time alone is vital because it’s very easy to slip into seeing each other as parents rather than as romantic partners, leading to issues around sex and intimacy. “Some of the challenges couples could face include dayto-day gripes concerning cooking and cleaning, as well as bigger issues such as clinging to a sense of identity” •Culled from www.mailonline.com

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e l y t S Glam and

an isi Adenir with Yem

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iran@ya

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June 1, 2013

inding that perfect interview outfit that is put together and sophisticated doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are few tips for you if you have an interview to attend. Make a lasting first impression. That first impression on an interview counts so much, and you don’t want to be out of the race before the interview even begins. This happens in less than 30 seconds and is based entirely upon your attire. There are some fashion no-no’s that should always be followed. Don’t show too much skin (particularly cleavage), wear closed toe shoes and avoid sleeveless tops and dresses. Job hunters also shouldn’t look too trendy or wear in-your-face designer labels. Your homework counts Doing research on the company interviewing you is important. You need to know what the company stands for, what the company’s dress policy is and how the current employees are presenting themselves. This research should help you to find an outfit that fits with the company’s culture.

But even if you learn that many employees dress casually, stay on the conservative side. You want to communicate that you respect the interview process and are eager to land the job you’re applying for. A polished look matters Avoid looking frumpy. Make sure your attire fits well and is pressed. Adding a pop of colour to your outfit like a scarf or earrings will help you appear cheerful and positive to prospective employers. Remember, also, to wear minimal makeup and groom your hair neatly. What you wear to a job interview can have a lasting impact, even if you end up with the job. Your interview attire indicates your socio-economic status and it can actually impact your salary offer. If someone looks careless and desperately in need of a job, he is probably not going to get it or have the same offer that someone with a polished look will.” Don’t be afraid to combine your printed dress with a pair of colorblocking sandals (heeled or flat). As far as you stick to the colour palette of the dress, you won’t have a problem.

STYLE & GLAM

June 1, 2013

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Fashion Frenzy W

hen you have an outfit with so man a bit difficult to find a good match the other accessories. This is beca to overdo it with the colours. To play safe wit ent colours, these tips will be necessary: • Stick to one or some of the colours th already has on it. The rule is never to have m lours on at a time. If you do, you will end up • You may pair it with flats or heels your choice, but if your dress has as many with your selection of accessories. • Let your bag be any of the colours e not. It will make you look very feminine and • Keep your accessories to a minim necklace can complement a strapless dress ored watch is all you need to complete the ou • Black shoes (heels or flats) and bag You can never go wrong with them even whe on your dress. • You can combine with a pair of co dals, if you like.

BEAUTY

Q&A

Your candid response to all fashion questions Moves to help you lose up to 8 inches weight in just 6 week 1. Squats Stand with feet hip-distance apart and slightly turned out. Hold a 3-pound weight in each hand, arms by your sides. Lower into a squat, keeping upper body as upright as possible while reaching arms forward (as shown). Return to starting position. Do 20 reps.

Trainer Tip: In the squat, your knees should be over your second toes. To keep knees from turning outward, tighten your inner-thigh muscles. 2. Leg lifts A. Begin on all fours with your knees hip-width apart, holding the end of a 3-pound weight in your left hand. B. Raise your right leg out and back so it’s straight and in line with

your tors it’s in lin starting p Traine should fe 3. Lung A. Stan

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STYLE & GLAM

June 1, 2013

Facelift

ny colours on it, it’s h for the shoes and ause you don’t want th dresses of differ-

hat your dress item more than three colike a clown s, that’s absolutely colours, be careful

either prominent or d stylish. mum! A statement , and a similar-colutfit. gs are good any day. en there is no black

How to remove fake eyelashes

olour-blocking san-

so; at the same time, raise your left arm out to the side until ne with your shoulders. Hold for a moment, then return to position. Do 20 reps, then switch sides and repeat. er Tip: Concentrate on keeping your weight centered. You el your core working. ges nd with feet a little more than hip-width apart, left foot in

front of right. Hold a 3-pound weight in each hand, with arms by your sides and palms forward. B. Drop back knee toward floor and bend front knee until it is directly over your ankle. At the same time, bend arms as you lift them out and up until elbows are in line with shoulders and bent to 90-degree angles. Return to starting position. Do 20 reps, then switch sides and repeat.

You have finally tried on those long fake eyelashes and realised the beauty it brings to your face. After a whole night of party or a day of glamour, you are faced with one great dilemma: how to remove false eyelashes. The good news is that removing fake eyelashes is not as difficult as applying them. Removing false lashes may initially feel dangerous because you stand the risk of pulling away your natural eyelashes as well. Remember that this can only happen if you peel it off haphazardly without care or caution. Here are some tips for removing those fake lashes: 1. Never remove it by tugging. Chances are you might pull off some of your real lashes as well, and this can become very tragic! Go gentle on those fake eye lashes and handle them as though they could be real. 2. Start by dabbing fake eyelash remover on your lash line with a cotton swab. You can gently tap the swab at the base in order to loosen out the eyelash glue. Start applying from the outer edge inwards. You may use some eye makeup remover as an alternative. It would also be good to let it soak for a few seconds in order to soften the adhesive glue. (Do not leave it out too long as it will dry out eventually.) 3. After making sure that it has fully softened, take one corner of the lash band (for full fake eyelashes) and gently pull off the eye lashes. For individual fake eye lashes, it is best to use a good pair of tweezers for more precision when pulling. 4. Remove all possible traces of eyelash glue by dabbing some more eyelash remover. Finally, cleanse your eyes and the rest of your makeup with a good make up remover. Alternatives Some people find using soap and water to loosen adhesive glue as effective as eyelash removers. Some also soak the area with olive oil or virgin coconut oil to achieve the same glue loosening effect

June 1, 2013

Male Essentials

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

08036961187

with O w Oseyiza seyiza Oogbodo Oogbod odo kingseiza@yahoo.com

Jolly in yellow Y

ellow is one colour that is not really out there. It is a very loud colour like red. But unlike red, it doesn’t come across as being a colour to be taken seriously. It presents itself as being just a jolly colour. And that’s where you can make a difference to prove your fashion worth. You can begin to wear yelyel everylow and make it acceptable every ywhere.

All you have to do is complement it with the right colours and you will be okay. Also, you will be e very visible as you will be very colourful, olourful, and you want that visibility, y, don’t you?

Ten proven ways to impress your boss (2) •Continued from last week 6) Complete the tasks everyone forgets There are little things in every workplace that everybody forgets, from specific work processes that get overlooked to maintenance issues like turning the fans on in the morning. We’re not saying you should be the one who cleans up the coffee station every morning, but you can pitch in and take some pride in your work area. Looking for an easy way to implement this? Learn how to unjam the copy machine. Check out the steps online, and next time you head over to the machine and discover that one of your coworkers has thoughtfully jammed it in zones A, B and C without clearing it, you can roll up your sleeves and solve it. It won’t take long for this type of etiquette to be noticed. 7) Highlight relevant industry innovations Even if you’re in an industry that you

don’t plan on being in forever, you should know your business. It’s what you do every day, so you may as well be the best at it. This includes knowing the industry. When a news story covers your industry, clip the article and e-mail a scan of it to everyone on your team, boss included. Showing that you’re aware of your business’ place in the larger world shows you have your eye on the big picture … that’s a good message to send to your boss. 8) Keep a clean work space This one is a bit of a balancing act. Basically, you want your space to look worked in: not too cluttered, but not totally bare. If you have no paper on your desk, it doesn’t look like you’re working. But if you have no desk visible under all that paper, it doesn’t look like you’re working either. Why is your work piling up on you like that? We know, we know, you need all that paper. Well, if the stuff you have out is that important, it’s worth having it organized and usable. Put your filing cabinet to work

or, if it’s really bad, look into getting a document scanner and digitizing your files. Lastly, when you leave work for the day, take 60 seconds to spruce up your area. 9) Come in early and leave late Hear that? It’s the sound of your fellow readers frantically scrolling down to the comments to whine, “It’s not about how much time I put in at work, it’s about the quality of work I do!” That’s a valid point. Quality is more important than quantity. Know what else is completely true? As long as the quality’s there, the quantity helps too. Nobody’s asking you to stay an extra four hours. In fact, don’t do that as it can actually make it look like you’re falling behind or not managing your time correctly. Instead, look at it from your boss’ perspective: Two employees are due in at 9 a.m. One arrives at 8:40, the other slides in like clockwork at 8:59. The second employee is at work because he “has to be.” He is following the rule, true, but the boss may well assume that if the rule wasn’t there

he’d be late every day. The first employee, on the other hand, gives the impression that he’s excited to be at work and is there to tackle his goals. Not a bad return on 15 minutes of your time. 10) Read Yes, read at work. We’re not talking about putting your feet on your desk and reading the latest Sports Illustrated. But do keep a relevant book or industry magazine on hand, and pull it out whenever you have a few minutes of downtime. Read a few pages after you complete a task as a short break from work and you’ll find it easier to refocus on your next task. Are you working? No, not in the strictest sense. You are developing your mind and your outlook, though, and turning yourself into a more valuable employee. So, you are developing one of the company’s assets (you), and done in moderation, this is an incredibly efficient way to increase your value. •Concluded

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June 1, 2013

Dear Igho

TTel: e 08023924679 (SMS only) ighomit@gmail.com

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

He wants to marry me but lives far away Dear Igho, I am 33 years old and really want to settle down. I hadn’t been proposed to in a long while and someone recently did but he lives and works in Biu in Maiduguri. He is a medical doctor. We have been friends for the past eight months but aren’t dating. Do you think I should accept him notwithstanding all these? Rebecca Olawuni, Palmgroove, Lagos.

Dear Rebecca, Not having anyone proposing to you in a long while shouldn’t be of so much bother to you. Be rest assured, you’ll still get a man who will accept and love you. So, fret not, notwithstanding your age. As regards the young man, can you really say you know him and would be glad in 20 years time to have settled

for him? Are you people really friends? How much do you know about him? Or do you simply want to say yes because of your age as well as the fact that most

Mum is the word over my pregnancy Dear Igho, I am 29 years old and met this guy a month ago. We’ve been dating since then but only made love once. Unfortunately, I got pregnant even though we used the withdrawal method. The problem is that I have asked him what we should do and he keeps telling me he doesn’t know because he didn’t expect pregnancy. Even when I asked if I should terminate it, he kept saying he doesn’t know. He is 34 years old and a barrister while I work with a bank. Please, what do you advise me to do? Motunrayo, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Dear Motunrayo, I really don’t envy you one beat and quite understand how you currently feel. In case of next time, withdrawal method is not safe all the way; abstinence is the safest method or use a condom- though it could also burst. I will not advise you to shove the pregnancy down his throat if he isn’t living up to the responsibility of what you both created. Should you, and worse

still, force him to marry you, misery would be the order of the day instead of a sweetened marriage. Though quite painful, get set to care for yourself and baby alone. Give him a break but after giving birth, do inform him; he has a right to know but leave the rest to him after that. He may change his mind on sighting his baby when he comes checking on the baby or wouldn’t. Sincerely, you guys barely know yourselves since you’ve known for just a month. This might sound strange but I’ll suggest you continue being friends with him, improve on yourself, be strong, still look good; when you have so much radiance around and emanating from you, he will certainly know he will be at the losing end should you slip away. Please, after this, never make this same mistake but don’t over criticize yourself; being a single mother is no joke but the pendulum of marriage and being happy doesn’t elude single parents, so stay positive. At the moment, prepare for the coming of the baby, but without him and do not push him away should he have a re-think. Wishing you the best ahead!

of your friends are married? I’ll advise you pause before you take this major step which could make or mar you. Location is no consideration when love

abounds but personally, I am not comfortable with idea of relocating to Maiduguri at the moment. Is the young man working in a government hospital? If so, if you really want to live the rest of your life with him, why not work out the modalities of him leaving that region. You definitely know why I have fears about your location. No doubt, I know some couples who didn’t really date and they are enjoying their marriage, but I will advise you really get to know yourselves more and at a closer range. From your name, I suppose you’re a Christian; what about discussing these with your Pastor so he could pray along with you. Spiritual guidance is needed in this situation, please, tread with care. Above all, hand everything about you and this issue over to God, He loves you so much to the extent of being too glad to show you the way; go to Him on your knees, you’ll get all the answers you need. Wishing you God’s leading. Cheers!

Need an HIV positive lady for serious relationship

Dear Igho, I’m 28, a graduate and working class living with HIV. In order not to spread the virus, I need a fellow HIV victim for a relationship. She must be devoted and working. 08101780613 Dear 08101780613, I commend your thoughtfulness and being very responsible because were it to be some other persons, they would have long commenced a revenge mission by sleeping with every

lady that comes their way. However, let me state that you are living with HIV which is a condition; a manageable one at that, hence, you’re not a victim. Please, stop seeing or referring to yourself as HIV victim. You’re just like every other person, in short, you’re better off because you know your status. It would have been worse had you not known, unfortunately, the latter is the situation among so

many Nigerians. Don’t worry; I will get across to you with contacts of several groups of people living positively notwithstanding the condition. But medically, you can date and marry someone who is HIV negative. Just continue to be thoughtful of the person whom you are, the Lord who considers the heart of men, not their actions, will abundantly bless you for your kind-hearted course.

Why do I look older than my age? Dear Igho, I am 17 years old but look 22. I’m puffy and have big boobs. My bra size is 41and I don’t have stretch marks on my boobs. Please, I want to know why I don’t look my age. Are my boobs big because I’m puffy or is there something to it? If I want to lose some pounds, will my boobs reduce too?

Anonymous. Dear Anonymous, There is nothing wrong with you looking older than your age, being plump, not having stretch marks or having big boobs. All that matters is how you package yourself. I’ll advise you love yourself and see and consider yourself as beautiful because that is

In need of a Christian lady Dear Igho, My name is Jesusore. I am 26 and in need of a Christian lady for a serious relationship. She must be good, attractive, romantic, and fair in complexion. She must be

between 21and 25 years old. She must also be God fearing and a working class lady. Any interested lady should call me on 08059771187. Dear Jesusore,

who you are. If you want to shed some pounds, that would be nice, but don’t concentrate much on that for your boobs may or may not reduce. Rather, eat nourishing meals, exercise often, look good by wearing clothes that suit your shape and put more effort in activities that will add values to your person and mankind. Wishing you the best ahead!

With your phone number published, I believe women with that statistics would contact you. But I hope you’re equally God fearing and a working class single who is not expecting a perfect lady because such does not exist. Wishing you the best in your search for love.

June 1, 2013

ackache is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints, or other structures in the spine. It is a very common complaint which affects all age ranges. It may have a sudden onset or can be a chronic pain. It can be constant or intermittent, stay in one place or radiate to other areas. It may be a dull ache or a sharp or piercing or burning sensation. There are many causes of pain in the back. For the purpose of understanding the causes of low backaahe, it is good to know the functions. The low back or lumber area serves a number of important functions for the human body. These functions include structural support, movement and protection of certain body tissues. When we stand, the lower back is functioning to support the weight of the upper body. When we bend, extend, or rotate at the waist, the lower back is involved in the movement. Therefore, injury to the structures important for weight bearing such as the body spine, muscles, tendons and ligaments, often can be detected when the body is standing erect or used in various movements. Backache can show itself in various ways, and it really has to do with the specific situation. There is the sort that is acute discomfort felt immediately. Then there is the low grade variety that takes place slowly and maybe persistent. As is slightly apparent, low back pain that is acute usually is caused by some type of trauma. With the knowledge of the above in mind, we are able to understand the many causes of low back pain as explained below. First, there is the lumbar strain (lumber is part of the bones of the spine at the lower back) which most often occurs in people in their 40s; but can happen at any age. It is a stretch injury to the ligaments, tendons, and/ or muscles of the low back. The stretch incident results in tears of varying degrees in these tissues. The condition is characterized by localized discomfort in the low back area after an event that mechanically stressed the lumbar tissues. The severity depends on the degree of strain and resulting spasm of the muscles of the low back. The treatment for lumbar strain consist of resting the back (to avoid injury), medications to relieve pain and muscle spasm, local heat applications,

Low back ache massage, and eventual reconditioning exercises to strengthen the low back and abdominal muscles. It is also advisable to avoid heavy lifting. Long period of inactivity in bed are no longer recommended as this treatment may actually slow recovery. Another cause of low back ache is nerve irritation. This can be irritated by mechanical pressure (impingement) by bones or other tissues or from diseases anywhere along their paths. These conditions include lumber-disc disease, bony encroachment and inflammation of the nerves caused by a viral infection. There is also the nerve irritation caused by damage to the discs between the vertebrae. This is known as lumber radiculopathy. Damage to the disc occurs because of degeneration (‘wear and tear’) of the outer ring of the disc, traumatic injury, or both. As a result, the softer portion of the disc can rupture. This rupture is what causes the commonly recognised ‘Sciatica pain’ that shoots from the low back and buttocks down the leg. This pain commonly

increases with movements at the waist and can increase with coughing or sneezing. The treatment ranges from medical management to surgery. Medications to relieve pain and muscle spasm is very important, heat application and massage by a trained personnel is also advisable. With unrelenting pain, severe impairment of function, surgery may be considered. Next, is bony encroachment of the spinal nerves thereby limiting the space for the spinal cord and nerves. Spinal compression which is a condition that leads to pain that radiates down the lower extremities is another cause. In addition to this, spinal stenosis (narrowing) can cause lower extremity pains that worsen with walking and are relieved by resting. The treatment of these afflictions varies depending on their severity and, ranges from rest to surgical decompression by removing the bone that is compressing the narrow the tissue. In addition to the above, there are the

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bone and joint conditions that lead to low backache. These include those existing from birth, those that result from ‘wear and tear’ (degenerative) or injury and those that are due to inflammation of the joints (arthritis). In degenerative bone and joint conditions of low back ache, here, as we age, the water and protein content of the body’s cartilage changes. This change results in weaker, thinner and more fragile cartilage. Because the discs and the joint that stack the vertebrae are partly composed of cartilage, these areas are subject to wear and tear over time (degenerative changes) thereby causing low back ache. Degenerative arthritis of the joints is also a cause of localized lumber pain. These causes of degenerative back pain are usually treated conservatively with intermittent heat, rest, rehabilitative exercises and medications to relieve pain, muscle spasm and inflammation. Arthritis is another cause of low back ache. This can lead to severe pain and stiffness, which is typically worse in the morning. These conditions begin in the second and third decades of life. They are treated with medications directed towards the inflammations. Other causes of low backache include the following but not limited to kidney problems like kidney infections, kidney stones, and traumatic bleeding of the kidney. Physiological causes like Pregnancy which commonly leads to low back pain by mechanically stressing the lumber spine (changing the normal lumber curvature) and by the positioning of the baby. Ovary problems which include ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, also cause low back ache. Tumours that originate in the bone of the spine or pelvis and spinal cord and those which originate elsewhere and spread to these areas also cause low back ache. The treatment for low back ache as already mentioned depends on the precise cause. Moreover each patient must be individually evaluated and managed in the context of the underlying background health status and activity level. In summary, the best course of action is to get in touch with your doctor if you have severe or chronic back pain. Avoid doing anything that can aggravate the condition.

LETTER

I have milky discharge Dear Doctor, What is hyperprolactinemia? I have milky discharge from my breast and was told it is called hyperprolactinemia. Please explain.

Oluwatoyin Lagos Mirror doctor replies Hyperprolactinemia is a condition characterized by excess prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production in a

woman’s breasts. This hypersecretion can be due to a prolactin-secreting tumour, pregnancy, or the use of numerous medications, particularly psychiatric medications or to a large pituitary tumour that compresses the rest of the gland. In most

cases, changes in the menstrual cycle result in early evaluation and diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia. Symptoms can vary from person to person, but may include loss of periods and reduced libido, breast milk secretion and infertility in women. While in men, we have progressive loss of libido, impotency, low sperm count, and breast enlargement.

Living

Crash site, June 3, 2012

It came like a thunderbolt, out of the blues. But as the sun set on Sunday, 3 June, 2012, no fewer than 160 had died in a Dana Airline plane that crashed in Ishaga, Agbado Area of Lagos State. Monday is the first anniversary of the Black Sunday. FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON

June 1, 2013

A year after

DANA air crash: one year after

une 3, 2012 was a day many Nigerians and even some non-Nigerians would not love to remember. Unfortunately, remember, they must, especially when the memory of their loved ones come to mind. It was the day 153 passengers and crew members lost their lives in the Dana Air flight 0992 which crashed in the Agbado Area of Lagos. It was the Sunday no fewer than 20 people in their different abodes on the ground also answered the last call in a burning furnace. Death came hurling down at them from the sky when the giant bird crashed on them. A dark gloom descended on the land and the nation went into mourning. About 180 people falling in one big sweep? Parents were rendered childless and children untimely orphaned. “It was like a scene from a thriller movie’ recalled Chinyere Okafor, one of the displaced victims. But almost a year later, the stark reality of the crash had not only started the victims rudely in the eyes, it has brought Okafor and others

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like her to shocking re-awakening. For Okafor and the whole world, 3 June, 2010 marks the first anniversary of the Black Sunday. One year after the incidence, a lot of controversies still hover round the grave incident. The management of DANA air is still being accused of yet to compensate any of the family members of the ground victims and those on board of the aircraft. But Tony Usidamen, the spokesman for DANA Air, told Saturday Mirror that as at 25 May, 2013, only relatives of 11 out of about 146 passengers, who died at the Dana Air flight 0992 have received the full compensation of $100,000 as stipulated by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Act of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Beside the relatives of the deceased persons who went to court to demand higher compensation, 95 others had received the initial payment of $30,000 as at May 25’ Usidamen stated. However, the ground victims are yet to receive any money from the airline.

Chike Okwuosa, one of the ground victims, disclosed that those concerned would embark on a peaceful demonstration to the office of Dana Air and also to the Lagos State government over their unpaid compensation. “We have written a petition against the Dana management and we copied the Lagos State government asking them to help us step into the matter. On Monday which will make it exactly one year, we will commence the demonstration. We deserve to get our compensation and not being dribbled around like they have been doing with us. I realised that if we do not take a drastic action, we may never get any positive response from these people” said Okwuosa. However, the issue of compensation is not the only thing left unattended to in the last one year, even the scene of the accident is still as desolate as it was a year ago. A visit to the place revealed the state of abandonment in which the entire area is faced with. However, there seems to be some con-

struction work going on around which in turn had affected the walls of many of the residents of the area giving them additional expenses to cater for in addition to their prior losses. Chima Iloka, another of the ground victims who lost his brother-in-law who was living with him in the crash, lamented that the management of Dana has deliberately refused to pay the statutory compensation to them. “The deliberate refusal is as a result of the wicked machinations of Dana Airline and its representatives. It is a very sad situation we have found ourselves in. This coming Monday will mark the first anniversary of the crash. And since then, we have not been compensated. The only thing we got from them was N200, 000 which they gave us about a month after the incident. They said we should use it to secure accommodation. It was not even enough for that purpose. We have been patiently waiting all these while thinking that they would do something but till this minute, nothing has been done so far. All we keep hearing is that we should be patient and that they are waiting for updates from their insurance company. This is not just fair at all and we just can’t take this anymore. We have resolved to storm the DANA office by Monday for a peaceful demonstration and there is no going back on that. Imagine the stress on my aged motherin-law ever since the death of her son. she has been the one taking care of the three children he left behind back in the village. The situation has been very pathetic, it is just unbearable,” Iloka added. Chinyere Okafor’s story is not particularly different as she also recounted her many battles with poverty and lack of a befitting environment to stay compounded with rumours of compensation CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

LIVING

Ground victims:

June 1, 2013

Okwuosa

Okafor

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Iloka

DANA air crash; one year after CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 being paid. “Life since that incident has been extremely tough. We cannot even afford enough to get a befitting apartment to live. The most painful part of the whole story is the fact that we keep reading and hearing that the victims have been compensated, whereas we have not gotten anything from DANA management. The only money they gave was the N200, 000 they gave to us about one month after the incidence. The only thing we have been hearing is that they are still working on the updates from their insurance company and this has been their song for months. As I speak with you, nothing positive has been done to this effect. It has been very devastating for us” said the enraged Okafor. Corroborating him is Oriowo Adewale the chairman for the Akande, Iju Ishaga community Development Association told Saturday Mirror in a telephone conversation that instead of the compensation to be paid by the management of the airline, the talk is about the updates they are compiling. “We have done so much and yet no positive results have been out. As if the situation is not even bad enough, there have been other havocs done to us in this area. They have been pulling down our fences in the name of constructing the roads. We are now left with the burdens of repairing our walls which had been pulled down. The bad thing is that we were only given three days notice to the effect. This added more to our frustration. We have been patiently waiting all these months with no positive news from them. We even hired a lawyer to solicit for us in the person of Barrister Chris Ubani who has been talking to their management but there has been no concrete response. I think it is really time for us to take a drastic action on this issue. We are really tried of the empty promises we have been getting

Crash site now

THEIR LAW FIRM HAS BEEN PREVARICATING ON THE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION TO GROUND

VICTIMS.

OUR BEST BET IS A LEGAL ACTION IN COURT. THAT IS THE LAST OPTION AND I THINK IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE NOW AS THINGS STAND from DANA management. And to think of it, barely seven months after that gory incidence, the airline got their licence back and yet no compensation had been made to us till now. It has not been fair on us” Oriowo stated. The counsel for some of the victims, Chris Ubani, stated that the law firm of DANA Airline has been clumsy about the payment of compensation to the victims. He said, “Their law firm has been prevaricating on the payment of compensation to ground victims. Our best bet is a legal action in court. That is the last option and I think it is not impossible now as things stand” However, in a telephone conversation, Usidamen, the spokesman on legal mat-

ters for DANA Airline, told Saturday Mirror that the insurers of Dana Air had made unprecedented progress in the payment of compensation. “As of Friday, 24 May, 2013, 95 of the 125 families who completed claim forms had received interim compensation of $30,000 following legal verification of documentation and next-of-kin status while 11 had received full compensation of $100,000; about 21 more, whose grants of probate have just come through, will receive full payment shortly upon execution of release. Delay in completion of the payment process is due to incomplete documentation, multiple claim cases, challenge in securing grant of probate/letter of guardianship (in the case

of minors) and legal suits (62 persons have legal representation overseas). Our insurers are, however, sparing no efforts in processing all claims in accordance with the applicable law,” he said. He also noted that progress was also being made in compensation of ground victims and negotiations were on going with affected residents to settle all genuine claims within the shortest possible time. Usidamen stated further that activities are lined up by the management of DANA in the memory of those who lost their lives in the crash. “Dana Air has lined up events for the remembrance of the deceased, so on Friday, May 31; there would be special Jumat Service at the Lagos Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja by 1p.m. and on Sunday, June 2, Special Memorial Mass at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja by 11a.m. On June 3, the airline would hold a memorial procession to take-off from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos at 8 a.m. and terminate at the NCAA Headquarters by 9 a.m.,” he said. At present, Dana Air operates 12 flights daily on the Lagos-Abuja-Lagos route, four on the Lagos-Port HarcourtLagos route and two on the Abuja-Port Harcourt-Abuja route. Plans are underway to re-launch operations to more Nigerian cities shortly. In line with its expansion plan, the airline is set to boost its current fleet of Boeing MD83 aircraft with the acquisition of Boeing 737s by the third quarter of 2013. However Since the accident a year ago, many relatives and direct victims of the crash have been agitating for the full compensation of those that died in the crash and complained about the slow pace of the compensation process. But Usidamen said eight families did not submit any claim at all in respect of their family members and others, who have not been paid would receive their payment after clearance by the aircraft’s insurers.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LIVING

June 1, 2013

Dreams of a truck pusher

‘If I am the president, poor people would enjoy’ From his appearance, many people won’t give Citizen Sani Ahmed a chance. But this unkempt man has a quality many Nigerians lack: He is an ardent reader of newspapers. THOMAS USHIE reports THOMAS USHIE

As the breeze wheezed through the Costain-National Theatre surroundings in Lagos, cooling the effect of the fierce and scorching sun that Wednesday afternoon, a man sought shelter under a leafy tree on the roadside, surrounded by weeds and filths. He savoured the abundant oxygen being released by the trees and grasses, damning the stench oozing from the gutters and dirt that surrounded him. His physical appearance and his filthy surroundings suggest that he was mentally challenged. The mucky and torn Ghana-must-go bag beside him seemed to bear more eloquent testimony to the supposition. Or could he be a destitute? In the midst of all these thoughts, what fascinated the reporter was that the man was reading a newspaper with high concentration. Not even the hooting of the vehicles and noise of the trucks that shake their trunk precariously across the Costain-National Theatre link to the ever busy Eko Bridge, Lagos, could distract his attention. Curious, Saturday Mirror spent almost an hour watching and studying the man’s reading method and desire as he flipped from page to page with the suaveness of a scholar. “He is not a mechanic. No mechanic would sit in this kind of dirty environment irrespective of the intensity of the sun. At least, the overhead bridge across where he was sitting provides shelter. He is not mentally okay”, the reporter soliloquised as he carried out the sieving of the probable mental state of the man. “I like the paper you are reading. That is where I work,” the reporter tried opening conversation with the reader. Unfortunately, the man continued reading with rap attention. The reporter cleared his throat, stooped and greeted, “Good afternoon”. The greeting cut his concentration. And He dragged his eyes from the pages of the newspaper like a hungry sleeping lion woken up by a prey. “What do you want,” he enquired from the inquisitive reporter in Pidgin English laced with Hausa accent. “I like you. I just want to know what you are reading,” the reporter replied. In this era of dearth of reading culture, what could have informed this man’s appetite for reading newspapers? Saturday Mirror decided to ask the man who later gave his name as Sani Ahmed, if he reads daily. “The paper is not current,” he told Saturday Mirror. “It is yesterday’s paper. I like reading to know what is happening in the country. I read everything I see in the paper whenever I have time and access to newspapers. I will, by the Grace of God, read today’s paper tomor-

Ahmed

IF JONATHAN SAID THAT HE HAD NO SHOES, NOW HE HAS PLENTY SHOES AND HE IS NOT MAKING US HAVE EVEN ONE SHOE.

IT IS NOT GOOD.

row. That is how I do it by the day. I enjoy reading” Sani said. As the conversation continued, Citizen Sani Ahmed, a truck pusher, showed that he is full of dreams for the country while proving to the reporter who had thought that he was a mentally challenged person, that appearance is not reality. The last page Sani was reading when Saturday Mirror broke his concentration, had a story on the crack down on Boko Haram insurgents in the north. The page was still opened as the conversation went on. And when asked what his take on the insurgents is, Sani did not mince words in condemning the activities of the sect. “Boko Haram? Walahi! (exclamation in Hausa) they are not good people. Why would they be killing people in the North? Why would they kill people when they did not do anything bad to them? It is not good at all. I do not support them because people would not be able to work and feed themselves as a result of their activities. It is better they stop all these killings. It would not help us. Neither

would it help them. All of them are spoiling this country,” Sani rued. Asked what kind of stories thrills him, he answered: “any story that is of interest to me thrills me, especially, stories about the nation. But I read everything I see in the paper.” As an avid reader, what could be Sani’s expectation from the nation, considering his seemingly penurious and pitiable conditions? His response: “I want the country to be better than what it is now. I wish that the country would become like America that cares and protects the common people. Things are not going well with us the poor people. We don’t have place to lay our heads. We struggle so hard before we can eat. This is not how life is supposed to be in a country that cares for its people. We want the government to do something to change the situation so that we too can be happy as Nigerians.” Asked if he was conversant with President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign slogans, especially, “I had no shoes. If I can make it, you too can make it”? He said

that he is not as he was neither watching television nor listening to radio during the campaign periods. However, he further bared his mind on the state of the nation. “If Jonathan said that he had no shoes, now he has plenty shoes and he is not making us have even one shoe. It is not good. If you said that he promised that if he can make it we ordinary people can also make it, it is very clear that we are not making it. The President should try and let poor people make it as he made it. If he cannot achieve this before he leaves as the President of this country, it means that he has disappointed himself,” Sani stated. He seems to be conversant with the problem of the country, what is the expectation of Citizen Sani from the country? If he were to be in charge of governance, what would he do? “Me?” he wondered. “If I were the President of this country, the poor people would enjoy. I will make life easy for them. I will ensure that their children go to good schools, graduate and have jobs to do. I will not allow people to steal government money. And I will use the money that the country has very well to the benefit of the poor people. I will build houses for the poor, build good schools, and construct roads. I will lead by example. Those are the things I will do,” he said, as he adjusted the paper he was reading and again and buried his eyes in it.

LIVING

June 1, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Siblings at war over one-storey inheritance SEGUN ADIO

t is 11 years now that Pa Babatunde Amao Kareem bade the world farewell, but events transpiring now among his descendants over the property he left behind may not allow the man rest properly in the hereafter. Kareem was reputed to be a properous man while alive. Indeed at the time of his death in 22 October, 2002, he reportedly had three wives and 13 children. His three wives are Ayisat, Hajara and Lydia, in order of seniority. The first wife, Ayisat had three daughters namely, Fatimah, Biliqis and Kubura. Hajara, the second wife had seven children for their husband. They are: Rasaq, Falilat, Rafiu, Kudirat, Lukmon, Sherifat and Ganiyat. Lydia, the third wife, also had three children: Lateef, Kafaya and Shakiru. A former employee of the Lagos State Property Development Company LSDPC), where he worked almost all his life, Kareem quit his job at reaching the statutory age limit, but soon was bedridden on account of blindness that struck him late in life. He later died. In all the years he served the Lagos State government, Kareem could only manage to erect a storey building at No 26, Gbagada Road in the Bariga Local Council Development Area of the state. Rasaq, being the first male child of the family, was of great help to the father during his illness as he was reported to be the one that went about with Pa Kareem for his gratuity and other retirement benefits. It was reported that Kareem died intestate; hence no Will on how his property should be shared among his 13 children. Sadly also, six of the 13 children left behind by Pa Kareem are alleging lopsidedness in the sharing of their father’s property by the second wife, Ayisat, her son and close confidant of their late father, Rasaq. The third wife and her children were said to be allowed the use of only one room In a petition dated May 17, 2013, and addressed to The Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2, Onikan Lagos, and made available to Saturday Mirror, the six other children are alleging that Rasaq and his mother appropriated all that their father left behind to themselves at the expense of other wives and their six children. Kareem’s other children claimed that upon the return from their father’s burial in Ilorin, Kwara State in 2002, Rasaq and his mother took over the collection of rents into the apartments in the building. It is reported that Rasaq and his mother collected the rent for seven years without recourse to the other siblings and their mothers. The petition read in parts: “After the

The house in contention

When Pa Babatunde Amao Kareem was erecting this building, little did he know that he was sowing a seed that would later split his family and make his children rise against one another. But, that exactly is the case, 11 years after his demise.

THEY ARE JUST CRYING WOLF WHERE THERE IS NONE. THESE ARE MY SIBLINGS. HOW WOULD I CHEAT THEM? WHO TOLD THEM THAT THE HOUSE WAS TO BE SOLD? DID THEY SEE ‘FOR SALE’ ON THE HOUSE? WHO TOLD THEM OUR FATHER SHARED THE HOUSE? death of our father and his burial at Ilorin, Rasaq and his siblings collected the house rent for seven years without giving a kobo to we the children of the first and third wives. It was after the seventh year that Rasaq, his mother and other siblings from his mother side shared the property without the consent of the children of the first and third wives nor any member of the extended family. “Three rooms were given to the children of the first wife while the children of the third wife were given three rooms added to the one their mother was occupying making four rooms. They now shared to themselves all the rooms and parlour and the two shops.” In their letter, the aggrieved party urged the police to mandate Rasaq to produce the original document of the house as shared

out by their father. The bone of contention from the other party is the sharing formula, which they believed, should be based on traditional method of sections rather than numerically. The group also alleged that there are plans now by Rasaq and his mother to sell the building without their consent. They maintained that their ancestral house should not be sold, but shared out to qualified siblings as per the three wives of the original owner. Speaking with Saturday Mirror on telephone, one of the aggrieved parties, Fatimoh, who claimed she was speaking on behalf of children and the first and third wives, maintained that information reaching them now is that potential buyers now come to check on the building, sparking the fear that their brother is about to sell it.

Her words: “Some people in that neighbourhood, who know how our brother has been cheating us, called us on phone to alert us that some strange people are always brought into the compound to survey the place. The fear is that a church by our house was sold in similar fashion and we hear the people coming to survey the house are also church people. We all six children of the first and third wives are now appealing to the authorities to call our brother to order.” Rasaq, who is being alleged to have cheated his siblings on the sharing of their father’s property also spoke with Saturday Mirror on telephone. According to Rasaq, “They are just crying wolf where there is none. These are my siblings. How would I cheat them? Who told them that the house was to be sold? Did they see ‘For Sale’ on the house? Who told them our father shared the house? We carried out massive renovation work on the property without collecting a kobo from anyone of them. We even asked all of them to come take their share. Only a few of them came and we gave them their dues. The ones that did not come we sent family members to them, but they have not showed up. Whoever is ready to collect his should come and if they cannot come, they should send a representative to us. We will give them their rightful dues.”

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

LIVING

June 1, 2013

When, Samuel Salihu, a Chief Superintendent of Police and Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Badagry Police Station; his Divisional Crime Officer, Samson Okedusi, a Superintendent of Police; and Operations Officer, Afolabi Taofeek, an Assistant Superintendent of Police set out for the 242 Reccee Battalion, Ibereko Military Barracks, Badagry, Lagos State, on 25 May, 2011 on a peace mission, little did they know it would be their last call to duty. But it was. Two years after, the widow of one of them, Okedusi, is still in anguish. Reason: her husband’s killers are yet to be fished out and his entitlements unpaid.

SEGUN ADIO

Okedusi

Salihu

Find my husband’s killers –Widow of slain police officer cries 2 years after

veryone at the residence of the late Samson Okedusi, a former Divisional Crime Officer in charge of Badagry Police Station, carries a sombre look. Wife, children and some relatives of the deceased wear long faces and only manage to fight back tears threatening to roll down their cheeks. It is not a new development. This has been the mood and atmosphere at the residence since May 2011. In retrospect, on the chilly Tuesday in 2011, soldiers reportedly from the 242 Reccee Battalion, Ibereko Military Barracks, Badagry, Lagos State, allegedly snuffed life out of three senior police officers attached to the Badagry Police Station. The unlucky officers, Chief Superintendent of Police, Samuel Salihu, Divisional Police Officer (DPO); Superintendent of Police, Samson Okedusi, the station’s Divisional Crime Officer, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Afolabi Taofeek, an Operations Officer, were allegedly shot dead in cold blood. The slain officers, it was later gathered, were on their way to the army barracks on a peace mission after some policemen had allegedly shot and killed a soldier at a police checkpoint when the latter refused to stop for checks. In reprisal, soldiers from the barracks broke loose and the rest is history. Back in 2011, the army and police authorities, who sent high powered delegations to the families of the slain cops as well as Lagos State government pledged to come to the aid of the dependants of the senior police officers. Last Saturday, May 25, 2013, marked the second anniversary of the gruesome killings and the families of the slain officers still gnash their teeth as no compensation has been forthcoming from any quarter until now. Two years on and in spite of the

Mrs Temitayo Okedusi

The late Okedusi

promises of prompt and adequate compensation to families as well as the slain officers’ families plea for justice, there are fears that the truth of the killings of the senior police officers would not see the light of the day after all. Wife of the slain DCO, Samson Okedusi (who had only five months to retire from service before he was killed), Mrs. Temitayo Okedusi, frowned at inability of government and police authorities to bring the perpetrators of the act to book as promised them back then. Speaking with reporters on telephone recently, Okedusi expressed her frustration at having to cater for the upkeep of the children all alone when the Nigeria Police Force still has not paid her husband’s entitlements. Though she admitted that the delay in payment is not from the Force Headquarters, she blamed it on her inability to raise the sum needed to facilitate a court document for that purpose. “It has not been easy all, financially.

There are no helper, nobody. I have not seen the people who promised they are going to do this and do that. The little business I do is what we have been using to feed. We have not been able to access his gratuity because of the 10 per cent commission the Probate Court is asking for,” she said in tears. The widow narrated how a letter of Administration from the Probate Court is stalling the entitlements of her husband. “They asked us to bring letter of Administration from the Probate Court so the court told us to go and calculate his entire money in the bank and pay 10% of the money to the Probate court but we do not have the money to pay the court and this is delaying us from getting his gratuity and other entitlements. The commission the probate court is asking for and the legal fee will cost us N330,000 and I don’t have that money .The family is in a tight corner as the bank needs

this letter of administration before the money in his account can be released . So we are suffering not being able to access all these money,” she said. Mrs. Okedusi added that she felt abandoned and neglected as there has not been any news as to the arrest of her husband’s killers. She continued, “I feel so sad because the serving policemen are not helping the wives of the dead officers. They did not assist widows of their dead officers. My husband died on active duty trying to solve a rift between the police and the army. This is very sad and devastating but God has been helping us. If the government is assisting the wives of soldiers killed by Boko Haram, and militants, they should also compensate the families of policemen killed in such a gruesome manner. The government has a day set aside for remembering the fallen soldiers but there is no recognition for the policemen killed fighting to protect this country. This is not fair and the government should set a day aside to remember fallen policemen also. “In my husband’s case, I will continue to demand for justice. I want the government to find my husband’s killers and bring them to book. The family want justice and if I have money, I would have taken the government, and the police and army to court for sweeping the death of my husband under the carpet” Okedusi’s widow said. A senior police officer at the Force Headquarters in Abuja claimed that the police authorities are collaborating with their army counterparts to fish out the perpetrators of the act. The officer maintained that justice might be delayed, but it would not be denied. The officer also claimed that the police authorities are ready to pay the gratuities and other entitlements but that the requisite conditions must be met.

EVENTS

June 1, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Celebrating John Wesley’s conversion To the Methodists, 24 May, 1738 was a significant day. It was the day the second of the two brothers, Charles and John Wesley’s heart was “strangely warmed”. And so it was regarded as his day of “conversion”. To commemorate this great day, Wesley Chapel, Lekki of Methodist Church Nigeria last Sunday held a breakfast service tagged “Wesley Festival of Hymns and Songs”. The service, where many hearts were “strangely warmed”, witnessed an influx of guests and it was held in an informal setup laced with conviviality and spiritual uplift. It was indeed warming.

The choir of Wesley Chapel, Lekki

The Very Revd Dr Sunday Onadipe, and Sir Robert Odiachi

Sir Ademola Aladekomo, Rev Titi Aladekomo and some members of the congregation

A cross section of the congregation

Seyi Sax ministering

Sis Ronke Ayuba reading the Bible passage of the day

Secretary of Conference Methodist Church Nigeria, Rt Revd Dr Raphael Opoko

Sis Damola Adesina who gave a poem presentation

Very Revd Sunday Ola Onadipe, Chaplain Wesley Chapel; Rt Revd Dr Raphael Opoko, Secretary of Conference Methodist From right Bro Dipo Komolafe, chapel treasurer, Engr Okey Church Nigeria, Rt Revd Edoka Amuta, Bishop of Evangelism Ogala and the Rt Rev Edoka Amuta, Bishop of Evangelism Meth- Methodist Church Nigeria, The Revd Olumide Aluko, Event odist Church Nigeria Moderator

Engr and Sis Kusimo, Chapel Steward and Dr Bimbo Adeluola

Children at the event

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June 1, 2013

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June 1, 2013

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June 1, 2013

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi (3rd from the right) in pep talk with his players. INSET: Christian Chukwu

Battle of Nairobi!

•Avoid conceding early goals, Chukwu cautions Eagles

IFEANYI EDUZOR

ormer Super Eagles handler, Christian Chukwu, has advised the Coach Stephen Keshi-tutored side to avoid conceding early goals when the team play Harambee Stars of Kenya in their crucial World Cup qualifier slated for June 5, at the Moi Sports Centre, Kasarami, Kenya, even as he expressed optimism that the team is capable of picking the maximum three points at the end of the full 90 minutes. The Super Eagles are presently leading Group F of the qualifiers with 5 points, the same with Malawi and they will play bottom placed Kenya on June 5, in what football analysts has dubbed, ‘The battle of Nairobi’. After the battle in Nairobi, they will face Namibia in Windhoek in a must win cracker, before travelling to Brazil for the FIFA Confederations Cup. Speaking in a telephone interview

with our correspondent, Chukwu noted that the Harambee Stars has improved greatly since the appointment of Coach Adel Amrouche. He added that Amrouche has built up confidence in the team after playing a 1-1 draw with the Eagles earlier in the year in Calabar, noting that the match will be a difficult one. “The match is going to be a difficult one because the Kenyans apart from improving greatly under their new coach also believe that the Super Eagles are beatable, especially after recording that dramatic 1-1 draw against Nigeria in Calabar. “Harambee Stars players’ allowances have also been increased from 35 to 118 US dollars as motivation ahead of their remaining 2014 World Cup qualifiers which will make them not to take chances against the Super Eagles. “Therefore, the only way we can avoid an upset is by not allowing them to score first because that could be suicidal,” Chukwu cautioned. Chukwu, who once served as the chief

Oliha wants Eagles to be focused P. 43

coach of Harambee Stars, revealed that the East Africans are physically strong and mobile, and will employ all types of antics to frustrate the Eagles at their backyard. He also cautioned the players to avoid committing unnecessary fouls that will give undue advantage to their opponents who will be desperately looking for a win to put them in contention for a place at the 2014 World Cup. “The Super Eagles should realise that every country wants to play at the world cup and the Kenyans playing at home will employ a lot of antics to frustrate them and make them commit unnecessary fouls that might change the result of the game. Therefore they have to play their normal game and not allow their opponents room to frustrate them. “They should also realise that as African champions, every team in the continent will be looking forward to cause an upset against them and even the Kenyans will be satisfied beating the Eagles to secure their first world cup ticket,” Chukwu said.

P. 44,45 We’ll run taekwondo like business enterprise –Ashiru

On the decision of Kenyan FA to host the match in Kasarani instead of the country’s National Stadium in Nairobi, the former Green Eagles skipper explained that there is no much difference between the two venues, but that the most important thing is for the Super Eagles to play well and win. “Nigerians should not entertain any fear because of the venue of the match since every country reserves the right to host important matches in any part of their country, so long as the stadium receives CAF’s approval. “People should also not forget that when we hosted them, we took them to Calabar instead of National Stadium, Abuja. “I believe that the venue will not have any effect on the team because as professional players they can play anywhere and come out victorious. Last time Nigeria clashed with Kenya at the same stadium, the Super Eagles won the match 3-2, so there is cause for any fear,” Chukwu concluded.

Monaco P. 45 confident of Falcao swoop

SPORT

his month will go down in our country’s soccer history as the busiest following the engagement of the Super Eagles in Grade A international matches, shortly after emerging as the African champions, at AFCON 2013. Aside the aforementioned, the month will also give Nigerians another opportunity to see how ‘super’ the Eagles are after that harrowing experience they suffered in the hands of Harambee Stars of Kenya, following the pulsating and heart rendering 1-1 draw they played in Calabar at the ongoing World Cup qualifiers on March 23. Frankly speaking, since the end of the 2013 AFCON, it has not really been rosy for the Eagles as the stake seems to be increasing by each passing day. Thus, the team has continuously grappled with the enormous pressure of replicating their heroics in South Africa at the ongoing World Cup qualifiers and it may not be wrong to say that it was as a result of such pressure that the Eagles almost fail to the fire-power of the Kenyans in that first leg tie in Calabar. Thanks to the last minute equaliser that saved Nigerians from what could have been a nightmare, had the Eagles lost that crucial encounter. Aside the fact that the Eagles have a busy schedule this month with six matches within 24 days, the outcome of two crucial away World Cup qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia will surely determine the team’s fate towards Brazil 2014.

June 1, 2013

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Eagles in stormy June! HARD TACKLE with

Andrew Ekejiuba anelsports@yahoo.com No wonder many soccer fans are already getting jittery over the team’s World Cup qualification ticket, while some analysts are now tasking the team not to toy with the ambitious East Africans. As a kicker, the Eagles began their hectic schedule this month with a friendly yesterday against fellow FIFA Confederations Cup qualifiers Mexico, in Houston. And shortly after that, the injury-ravaged team will play five more matches within the month, across three continents, and a further two if they reach the knockout stage of the FIFA Confederations Cup. It is also true, that the results of the aforementioned matches are so important, such that losing any could be very detrimental to the team’s quest and in order to avoid any major eventuality, many followers of the Super Eagles believe the team must be technically and tactically sound in order to sur-

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mount the challenges ahead, especially in their crucial match against Harambee Stars in Nairobi on June 5. More so, the unavailability of some key players whose exploits at the 2013 AFCON helped the Eagles to achieve victory may weigh down the morale of the squad, but Coach Stephen Keshi has assured Nigerians that there is no cause for alarm. Chelsea midfielder Victor Moses, Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike, Scotlandbased midfielder Gabriel Reuben and Turkey-based attacking midfielder Kalu Uche are all sidelined, which is not a palatable scenario for a team that wants to win, no matter how Keshi pretends about this. After the Mexico friendly, the Eagles will fly over the Atlantic Ocean for a World Cup qualifier in Kenya on June 5, before heading to Windhoek for another World Cup Group F cracker against Namibia a week after

and all these travelling will surely take its toll on the team. Aside the aforementioned ties, the FIFA Confederations Cup will take the centre stage in Brazil same month as the Eagles are expected to fly the flag of the continent. Nigeria is expected to battle Tahiti, Uruguay and reigning World Cup and Euro champions Spain within seven days at three venues, with the top two teams progressing to the semis. Just as noted earlier in this piece, if Eagles could make the final four in the Confederation Cup, they would play an additional two matches, thus increasing the total number of their matches this month to eight. From the foregoing, the Super Eagles and their coaching crew will have their hands full this month and they must work extremely hard if they must come out victorious in all these engagements. Thus, in achieving this, the warning of former Kenya coach and ex-Green Eagles captain, Christian Chukwu, must be taken seriously by Keshi and his crew. Chukwu recently warned Keshi and his players to be wary of Harambee Stars’ “stamina” and “fitness” ahead of the eagerly anticipated 2014 World Cup qualifier between the two nations next week, as he saw the Kenyans as the greatest threat to Nigeria’s qualification

for the mundial. To compliment Chukwu’s fear, the Kenyans are not hiding their ambition of beating the Eagles silly in Nairobi, since they require just a win to maintain their hopes of securing a first ever berth at the FIFA World Cup finals. HT gathered that top among the dare-devil Kenyan stars currently in camp are striker Dennis Oliech of Ajaccio in France, Belgium-based midfielder Johanna Omollo who has linked up with the team for a four-day training period ahead of the World Cup cracker against Nigeria and midfielder Victor Wanyama, who plays for Scottish League champions, Celtics. Also, England-based Curtis Osano, David Gateri, goalkeeper Arnold Origi and midfielder Jamal Mohammed came in yesterday from South Africa, Norway and the Middle East respectively for the ‘Battle of Nairobi’. As if all these warning signals are not enough, the World football-governing body, FIFA, on Thursday named Mensur Maeruf Kherseed from Eritrea as referee for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Namibia, slated for Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on Wednesday, June 12. All these points to the fact that the Eagles must discover a winning strategy since much is expected from them this stormy June. HT and Nigerians from all walks of life wish them well!

SPORT NEWS

Bakare promises better outing for D’ Tigers Foundation Cricket Club ends Ibeju-Lekki dominance I E FEANYI

IFEANYI EDUZOR

oundation Cricket Club has won the T20 Cricket title after defeating IbejuLekki Cricket Club by four wickets in the final decided at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval, Lagos. Ibeju- Lekki which came into the finals as Super 4 champions batted first and scored 134 runs for 8 wickets in 20 overs, no thanks to returnee Bejide Jide’s 42 runs off 35 balls, while the duo of Leke Oyede, opening batsman, Ademola Onikoyi added 23 runs. Joshua Ogunlola and Godffrey Bakiwenyen both took 2 wickets, while the trio of Femi Oduyebo, Kunle Adegbola and Segun Olayinka all had one wicket each to make things difficult for the batsmen of IbejuLekki who were aiming for their second title this season after winning the Club Cricket Com-

mittee Super 4 Final. In reply, FCC started brightly until Segun Olayinka lost his wicket to a superb catch from Femi Solebo at covers, but Gbenga Akinnola and Captain Kunle Adegbola tried to steady the ship before losing their wickets to leftarm bowler Oluwaseun Adeboro. Ghanaian national team Captain Peter Ananya then produced the decisive innings in the 17th over with his 31 runs while Tope Olayinka’s 24 runs not out played a major part of their side’s dramatic revival to win the game with eight balls to spare. “It was nice to win our first major trophy after close to a decade, but I want to give credit to my team and most importantly Peter Ananya’s inspired batting. It must be said that our opponents’ Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club deserve a lot of credit as they are a great side,” said Kunle Adegbola, after the game.

DUZOR

oach of Nigeria male basketball team, D’Tigers, Ayo Bakare says that he will reposition the team to enable it achieve success at the forthcoming Afrobasket championship, even as he expressed his happiness over his reappointment as the national team coach. Bakare who led Nigeria to its first ever appearance at the Olympics was recently reappointed to the position with coaches Sani Ahmed, Yusuf Ayinla, Abdulrahman Mohamed and Ogoh Odaudu as his assistants. He will be leading Nigeria to the Afrobasket championship in Cote d’Ivoire, where D’Tigers would be looking towards qualifying for the World Championship in Spain next year. According to him, he is happy to be back and ready to work very hard to ensure he surpasses his former records.

D’Tigers celebrate after booking a ticket for the London 2012 Olympics

“I am happy for the opportunity given me to serve the country again and I promise that I will not disappoint Nigerians rather what will be upper most in my mind is how to improve on my previous records and I am confident that with the caliber of assistants in my crew, we will achieve success. “Our major concern now is to

assemble the best players that will do the country proud in Cote d’Ivoire. “There are many good teams coming for the championship such as Angola and current champions Tunisia and other new countries that can spring surprises and as such we are not going to underrate any team at the championship,” he said.

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SPORT

June 1, 2013

Owolabi warns Oliha wants Eagles to be focused against Kenyan I E weather EANYI

elix Owolabi, a former Green Eagles defender, yesterday warned the Super Eagles against the adverse weather condition that awaits them in their June 5 showdown against the Harambee Stars in Kenya. Owolabi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan that the weather would play a critical role in the crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. “I want to call on the handlers of the Eagles to ensure that the players arrive at the venue early enough to acclimatise with the humid weather in that country,” he said. It will be recalled that the Super Eagles and the Harambee Stars had battled to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the qualifiers in March. The Eagles will need to win the reverse fixture of the qualifiers to boost their chances of qualifying for the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Owolabi, who was a member of the victorious 1980 Green Eagles squad that won the AFCON in Lagos, stressed that the Eagles should be physically fit for the encounter. “Apart from that, Coach Stephen Keshi, should stick to the greater percentage of the Nations Cup squad that did Nigeria proud in South Africa early this year,” he said. He also implored the coach to adopt a positive approach toward the match by making the players believe that they could surpass what the Kenyans did at Calabar.

Cowbell iTry Rugby league kicks-off in Lagos ANDREW EKEJIUBA

owbell iTry Rugby league for secondary schools in Lagos State has commenced in style with the launch of the first cluster made up of eight teams competing at the CMS Grammar School Bariga, Lagos as a curtain raiser to the Lagos 7s final. The league which is grouped into four clusters and have 34 schools participating, marks the culmination of efforts by Promasidor, maker of Cowbell Milk who is sponsoring this year’s game to ensure a resurgence of rugby game in Nigerian schools after many years of neglect. Last year Promasidor in partnership with Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) launched the coaching cluster with the aim of grooming future rugby stars and to support the game of rugby in the country. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Managing Director, Promasidor, Chief Keith Richards, represented by Assistant Brand Manager, Cowbell, Mr. Kingsley Onuoha said that the company was driven by its dream to see the young stars it was grooming to play for the Black Stallionsthe Nigeria National rugby team. “I daresay that if we continue with this level of commitment, we can achieve a lot. This launch is more iconic due to the fact

DUZOR

x- international, Thompson Oliha has advised the Super Eagles not to leave any stone unturned when they meet Harambee Stars of Kenya in a world cup qualifier slated for June 5. According to him, the Coach Stephen Keshi-tutored side must handle the game against the East Africans with all seriousness it deserves to enable them grab the three points at stake and improve their chances of picking a world cup ticket from their group. “I believe that the Eagles have what it takes to perform well in Nairobi, but they must play as a team, while the technical crew must ensure that the fitness level

of the players is okay as that will play a vital role in deciding the outcome of the encounter,” he said. Oliha, who was a member of the victorious Super Eagles squad that won the 1994 edition of the African Nations Cup in Tunisia, advised the technical crew of the team to ensure that only those players that perform well in the friendly against Mexico are featured for the Nairobi match as it will help in getting a positive result for the team. The Super Eagles and the Harambee Stars had battled to a 1-1 draw, in the first leg of the qualifiers in March and the Nigerian team will need to win the reverse fixture of the qualifiers, to boost its chances of qualifying for the Brazil 2014.

MTN WGC: Amadi wins tourney, Nsirim, Angela, others qualify

Oliha

2013 FEDERATION CUP DRAW MEN’S DRAW Ingas (Enugu) Vs Ranch Bees J. Atete (Delta) Vs Bendel Insurance (Edo) Sharks Vs Kogi United Yarma Light (Gombe) Vs Akwa United Makwada Vs Grays (Osun) Enugu Rangers Vs Dan Lawan (Jigawa) Rason FC (Ekiti) Vs Samba Kurna Plateau United Vs Wikki Tourists El-Kanemi Babes Vs Niger Tornadoes Warri Wolves Vs Dynamite (Edo) Katsina Spotlight Vs Bago Mission (Zamfara) El-Kanemi Warriors Vs Apa United Global Academy Vs Kano Pillars

HRH, King Alfred Diete-Spiff (right), the traditional ruler of Twon Brass, Rivers State, teeing-off at the just concluded MTN World Golfers Championship qualifiers held in Port Harcourt.

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

he MTN World Golfers Championship (WGC), Eastern qualifiers, which took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Course, has produced the first set of qualifiers, for the national finals, that will take place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in September. The tourney which teed-off after an impressive cocktail party on May 25, had golf-legend, HRH, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, the traditional ruler of Twon Brass, Rivers State participating. Mr. S.U. Amadi playing under handithat your favourite milk brand and official sponsor, cowbell milk is 20 years in Nigeria. Over the federation, Cowbell sponsors mathematics competitions, educational activities and it demonstrates the commitment to sports with the Cowbell Football Academy and now the Cowbell Rugby for Lagos State secondary schools. This support shown by the brand helps to provide the nutrition for mental and physical excellence,” he said. Richards noted that it was important for young students to gain an appreciation of what the game’s world governing body described in 2001 as the ‘Spirit of Rugby’ adding that the game of rugby should be approached with passion, commitment and respect. The high point of the first cluster game saw St. Finbarrs, Yaba, securing maximum points of 2 tries (10) against tough Aturanse Surulere, CMS Bariga and Toyibat Ggbagada played draw, while Denton beat Atruase by 1 try (5).

cap 4 won the tourney with 71 gross score, 67 net score, after teeing within his handicap, and putting the ball just within four attempts. Other qualifiers to the National Finals were Professor Nduka Nsirim, who played under handicap 21, with 96 score, 35 net score, Rear Admiral O.P Fingesi, also qualified and Joe Japka, with handicap 23, won the handicap 21 to 25 category, with a gross score of 92 and 69 net. Under category 16 to 20 handicap, Uwabor Angela, won her category with 90 gross score, 73 net and handicap 17. With 82 gross score, 71 net, Uzor Ezemnaka, who is also a past President of Port Harcourt Golf Club also won. For the 6-10 category, Abiye Amakiri, won the ticket to compete in the National Finals, with 76 gross score, 59 net score and handicap 7. The Nearest to the pin on hole 12 prize went to Kenneth Nwogbo, Longest Drive on hole 18 by a female went to Susan Colecota, while the Longest Drive on hole 18, for male went to Honourable Commissioner, Joe Peroma. In her speech, the Master Brand Manager, MTN Funmi Olaogun, said, “We congratulate all the contestants and wish them luck, we also want to bring to your notice that MTN, recently, has been selected as one of the top 100 brands in the world.” The MTN WGC qualifiers next port of call will be Lagos, on June 15, for the Western Regional qualifiers. All the golfers that qualify, from the different regions, will converge for the National Finals which will take place in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.

Leopard FC (Cross River) Vs FC Taraba Gombe United Vs Bussdor FC Adamawa United Vs Nasarawa United COD (Lagos) Vs FC Lokoja Nembe City Vs Igbo Ambassadors (Ebonyi) Fountain (Ekiti) Vs Sunshine Stars Shatima United (Zamfara) Vs Remo FC Enyimba FC Vs Police Machine Gateway Vs 3SC Fadama FC (Kebbi) Vs JUTH Dolphins Vs NAF (FCT) Akwa Starlets Vs Kwara United Jnr. Dandura Abia Warriors Kaduna United Vs Unicem Rovers Arewa Pillars Vs ABS Prime FC Vs Bayelsa United MFM FC (Lagos) Vs Court of Appeal Crown FC Vs Lobi Stars Champions Heartland FC draw bye WOMEN’S DRAW Dynamic Sports Vs Ibom Angels Kogi Confluence Vs FC Real Dynamos Oginni Queens Vs Delta Queens GOD City Queens Vs C. I. Angels Pelican Stars Vs FCT Queens Nasarawa Amazons Vs Sunshine Queens Taraba Queens Vs Yaba Queens Osun Babes Vs Adamawa Queens Shettima Babes Vs Bayelsa Queens Martins White Vs Florence Babes Champions Rivers Angels and Inneh Queens draw bye

SPORT

June 1, 2013

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IT MUST BE NOTED THAT IT TAKES 12 YEARS TO CREATE AN OLYMPIC CHAMPION, SO WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT IF WE DO NOT START LOOKING

FOR FRESH LEGS NOW, EXPOSE THEM AND BUILD CONFIDENCE IN THEM, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS.

tions go to the Sports Ministry to look for funds. These days, we have to source for funds to augment whatever we get from the government. So, we are going to change the model of running the sport and adopt a business model by having departments. We are going to bring in professionals like chartered accountants and marketing specialists into these departments. They are going to give us business proposals and business plans which means we have to run the sport now as a business otherwise we will not survive our four-year tenure. My first three months in office will involve re-structuring the Federation. We are going to apply a two -tier approach which will involve elite athletes’ and grassroots development, and talent identification at the zones. There will be technical committees unlike in the past where everything is centralised. In doing this, we will ensure that coaches in the nine zones of the NSC will form zonal technical committees on behalf of the federation. All these are some of our business models which hopefully will work.

Ashiru

We’ll run taekwondo like business enterprise –Ashiru George Ashiru is the new President of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) and seven-time Nigerian taekwondo champion in the lightweight and welterweight categories. He is also Africa’s first ever 7th Degree Black belt international master instructor. In this interview with IFEANYI EDUZOR, Ashiru who won a silver medal at the 1987 All Africa Games in Kenya and currently an international Class A referee speaks on his plans for the development of the sport in the country.

ou were recently elected as President of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, what should Nigerians expect from your new board? We have just received a heavy responsibility in administering taekwondo in the next four years. And you are aware that Nigeria has participated in taekwondo in four Olympics which is a one hundred percent record. During that period, we have won medals in two of the Olympics which is a good record compared with most Olym-

pic sports in Nigeria. The expectation is now to go beyond appearances to increasing the colour of the medals both at the All Africa Games and the Olympics which are the two major international events we participate in. Right now, we have three years to do that before Rio 2016, so we have to get on the job almost immediately. We have to try and get our team in place which will involve fund raising and developmental projects because it is no longer like in the past where Federa-

What efforts will your board make to ensure that apart from the annual LG sponsored competition more corporate organisations are encouraged to partner with the federation to develop taekwondo? I have already started making contacts on that and I have just received a letter of congratulations from the Korean ambassador to Nigeria. In addition to that, they have also awarded the Korean Ambassador’s Cup to Nigeria which will be held in September. The Korean government is also sending a 20-man demonstration team to honour us in the same month and test our athletes. Immediately after that, we are having another international tournament in Abuja, so within a month or two, we are going to have two international championships that will attract athletes from all parts of the world. There are also local tournaments that are sponsored by NGO’s and state associations and we are going to use these tournaments to build up our teams towards Rio 2016. We are also expecting a Korean coach as a result of the bilateral agreement we have with the Korean government and I should be discussing with their ambassador on the possibility of having a Korean coach that will come and help us with elite athletes development and some grassroots development of the game. All of these are evidence that we have already started work. The most important thing is that most of the board members have goodwill and we are going to use that good will to attract sponsors to the sport. We are going to approach more sponsors, but before we go to them, we must have good plans on ground which we are

presently working on. Many athletes in the past have complained about lack of adequate mats and head guards for fights, what will your board do to solve this problem? Mats is one of the major facilities needed for the practice of taekwondo and with the technical support of the Korea government we will ensure that mats and head guards are provided in all the zones to avoid a situation where we have to transport them from one state to the other. All we need to do is to find ways to provide mats in all zones so that whenever we are having training or tournaments, we will have the same facilities all over the place. Although this could take a year to accomplish, but I hope it will happen shortly because recently the Korean government gave NIPOGA some sets of mats and we hope to partner with them in this regard. What plans do you have as regards the 2014 Youth Olympics? We are going to participate at the Youth Olympics which is an age grade competition. Currently, we have a team of young athletes who are going on a training tour of Europe and West Africa. It is hoped that with that exposure, we are going to put up a good performance at the Youth Olympics which will prepare our athletes adequately for the Olympics proper. During the London 2012 Olympics all hopes where placed on Chika Chukwumerije to win medal for the country in the sport, but the hope was dashed. What efforts is your federation making to ensure we produce more athletes that will challenge for medals at the 2016 Olympics? It must be noted that it takes 12 years to create an Olympic champion, so what this means is that if we do not start looking for fresh legs now, expose them and build confidence in them, we will continue to have problems. So, we need to assess plenty of funds and ensure that bilateral relationships with countries we want to work with are not jeopardized. We need to give potential athletes about nine months of continuous training which requires a lot of funding because these are full time athletes. So, if we can keep them in camp at least nine months for two consecutive years, we are going to have better results than in the past. The funding I am talking about is not N10 million funding but hundreds of millions, so, our board is going to sit down, do our home work well and come out with a policy document for the future of taekwondo. Once we have this in place, we now go to the Ministry and negotiate with them and tell them that if they want medals, this is what they have to do and they in turn will tell us what they expect from us. Once these things are done, the next thing to do CONTINUED ON PAGE 45

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City plans excite Pellegrini

anuel Pellegrini has spoken of his excitement at the “great project” at Manchester City and promised to produce a team that plays “very good football”. The 59-year-old Malaga manager, set to be named as the new City boss once the La Liga season ends this weekend, said he wanted to entertain as the club attempt to regain the Premier League title from Manchester United next season. Pellegrini will succeed Roberto Mancini - who was sacked a year after winning the league on the final day of the 2011-12 season - after reaching a verbal agreement with City, with paperwork set to be signed in the next few days. “Manchester City have offered me a great project,” he said. “Hopefully, it becomes official. There is nothing signed yet, so I cannot say that I am their coach, but I don’t see that there will be any problems. “If it happens, Manchester City will have a team that will play very good football. City have a great team and a clear plan on how things will develop. This motivates me.”

Pellegrini

SPORT

June 1, 2013

Monaco confident of Falcao swoop

onaco sporting director Vadim Vasilyev revealed the club is close to completing the signing of striker Radamel Falcao from Atletico Madrid. Vasilyev said the deal for the Colombia star, who scored 28 times in the Primera Division this season, is “on track” but “not yet finalised”. In the interview, the Azerbaijani also dismissed talk of a move for Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez. On Falcao, he said: “It is on track, but it is not yet finalised, there are still details to work out. “We really hope to complete the signing of this great player. He is one of the best players in the world, we will be very happy when he signs.” Asked what motivation the 27-year-old, one of the hottest properties in world football, had in joining a side just promoted to Ligue 1, Vasilyev said: “He believes strongly in the future of AS Monaco.” There have been reports of

EURO BRIEFS

Balotelli backed over ‘drug deal’ claim

taly coach Cesare Prandelli has defended Mario Balotelli after the striker’s name was brought up by a witness at a Camorra mafia trial. A witness at the drugs trial claimed former Manchester City striker Balotelli, now at AC Milan, had witnessed drug deals being done in the Scampia area of Naples and had said he wanted to be involved in one “as a joke”.

Suarez looks to Liverpool exit

iverpool striker Luis Suarez has again hinted he may be leaving Anfield in the next transfer window. The future of Suarez has been the subject of much speculation, with mixed messages emanating from the Uruguay international’s camp in recent days.

Falcao

a clause in the deal that would allow Real Madrid to sign Falcao from Monaco, to avoid him

moving to the Bernabeu directly from its city rival, but Vasilyev rubbished the idea.

Romanian bite attack sparks six red cards

ootball was embroiled in yet another ugly biting incident, with a goalkeeper in Romania sinking his teeth into an opposing player during a 1-1 draw that featured six red cards. Petrolul Ploiesti custodian Mircea Bornescu bit Gaz Metan Medias striker Tha’er Al Bawab on the upper arm as the two teams clashed in Romania’s Liga I. Bornescu was apparently furious as Al Bawab had spent so long on the ground after going down injured. Video of the incident clearly

shows the goalkeeper grabbing Al Bawab’s shirt before plunging his teeth into his arm. The match descended into chaos, sparking an all-in fight

that led to Bornescu and five other players - including Al Bawab - receive their marching orders. The game also recorded 12 yellow cards.

Suarez

Chelsea link flatters Mangala

orto centre-back Eliaquim Mangala has admitted he is flattered to be linked with a summer move to Chelsea under Jose Mourinho.

Gervinho staying at Arsenal

rsenal forward Gervinho has dismissed reports which say that he could be set to leave the club this summer. The Ivory Coast international has been linked with Turkish side Fenerbache as well as his former club Lille in France. But Gervinho said: “I have a contract until 2015 with Arsenal

and I intend to honour it. “There is always speculation in the papers, but I am looking forward to a good holiday and to come back to Arsenal. “I want to win my place in the starting line-up week in, week out.” Gervinho has struggled since joining Arsenal in 2011 and is thought to be valued at 12m Euros.

Gervinho

‘We’ll run taekwondo like business enterprise’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 44 is to evolve technical strategy which will involve how to make sure that the best athletes are selected and not the favored ones. How will you tackle the problem of re-training of coaches and technical officials during your tenure? We have already started work on that. In the next two weeks, one of our instructors will be traveling to Korea for a three-month course which is the longest any Nigerian coach has received and this course is even sponsored by the Korean government. The Korean government has also told me through their ambassador that after the Korean Ambassadors’ Cup in September, the winners of that tournament will also be sent to the Asian country for training. So what we need to do is to tie up a solid arrangement with that country to enable them give adequate exposure to our athletes through continuous training particularly for the All Africa Games.

Apart from this, we are going to encourage coaches to improve themselves by organising regular seminars which will hold quarterly and also at the zonal levels. Remember, I told you that the Korean government is sending an expert and we specifically asked for somebody who is a former world champion that will train our athletes. What is your take on providing a good social welfare package for taekwondo athletes in the country as is obtainable in other countries of the world? To be sincere with you, the board cannot do everything. It is not possible for the national federation to be feeding, preparing and training athletes. As you know, the federation is a government agency and government does not provide any form of subvention. Having said this, we will encourage our athletes to do what is internationally recognised which is taking insurance policy that will indemnify

them in case of injury. Already through the Black Belt College which I am also its president, we have been encouraging athletes to embrace insurance policies because when you are insured, you do not need to come to the federation begging for money. There is no country in the world that does not encourage their athletes to be insured. In developed countries of the world like United States of America and Britain, the insurance policy comes through the government. What they do is that so long as you pay your tax, they deduct the national insurance from your tax and once an athlete is injured the insurance company will pay his claims, but unfortunately we don’t have social welfare scheme in this country. We are also going to look for a way to have agreement with schools to provide scholarships for some of our outstanding athletes. For example, I was a beneficiary of government scholarship when I won silver at the All Africa Games held in Ke-

nya in 1987 and equally won another scholarship from Lagos State Government for outstanding performance at the National Sports Festival tagged “Rivers 88’. So I know the importance of scholarship. There are some big schools that can do that, but nobody has gone to them. I still remember there was a time University of Lagos had what was called sports admission which unfortunately nobody hears about now. When we have agreement with state governments, they will be able to provide scholarships for gold medalists at the National Sports Festival instead of giving them N1 million or N500, 000 as is presently done. The advantage of it is that when athletes know that they will receive scholarships, there is the tendency for them to perform better. It is unfortunate that we believe so much on elite athletes forgetting about school sports where we have a lot of talented athletes. We fail to realise that we can get the crop of our athletes from NUGA, NIPOGA and other school sports competitions.

June 1, 2013

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‘Let there be less dependence on imported petroleum products’ Mr. Kabir Gbemisola is the chairman of Fatgbems Nigeria Limited, a petroleum retail firm, established in 1996. He took over the company in April 2013 after the death of his father, Alhaji Fatai Gbemisola, who was the founder. He spoke with select journalists. KAYODE FALADE was there. Excerpts:

concluded arrangements with brand consultants to help fashion out a new brand identity for the company. And very soon, our filling stations across the country will be wearing new logos and colours with new uniforms for our staffers as well. We want to develop a new work environment which will culminate in courteous staff dedicated to the highest level of customer service delivery. All these will be achieved with our old staff. We will re-train them to fit into the new vision, aims, and objectives of the new company.

ow did you become the new chairman of the Fatgbems? Prior to my coming on board as the Chairman of Fatgbems Nigeria Limited, I operated as the Executive Director in charge of operations whilst my late father was overseeing other administrative functions of the company. Fatgbems as we all know is into the sale and distribution of petroleum products. But beyond that, we are a well diversified group dealing in other aspects of the business, especially in the area of retail. But more prominently the company is known for its petroleum retail business which has brought it to limelight over a long period of time. Why did you participate in the Oil Technology Conference (OTC)? The truth of the matter is that oil and gas business is a huge area that has a lot of opportunities. Essentially, the thinking would be that participation in the OTC should entirely be an upstream affair. No. The OTC is all about being exposed to new technologies in the area of oil production and exploration. The ultimate target for every refined petroleum product is to get to the end-users. And we in the petroleum retail business are the link between oil producers and consumers; hence, we equally need the latest technology to dispense petroleum products after exploration and refining processes. We are at the OTC in order to get the necessary technology needed to move our business forward. Also, you have to realise that this conference is a meeting point for all stakeholders and top decision makers in the oil and gas industry. This is where policy issues both at the upstream and downstream sectors are discussed among stakeholders, hence the need for us to be represented and

Gbemisola

make our impact known because it is he who wears the shoe that knows where it pinches. What are the challenges in downstream operations? You will agree with me that the downstream sector is also divided into so many areas. But I can only speak for the area that concerns Fatgbems and that is; petroleum products retail and distribution. For us, the only time we have challenges is during petroleum products scarcity. This takes toll on our business operation. Contrary to the general belief that those of us in petroleum retail business, especially we that own fuel dispensing stations, make more money during scarcity, it is not true. This is because we source petroleum products at double the price during scarcity. At such time, you don’t get allocation from PPMC, so you rely on sourcing the products from middlemen who are bent on maximizing profits at all cost. And all this we do to ensure that our customers get fuel to buy whenever they come around, even to our own detriment. Again, this is a period where we equally record massive vandalising of our equipment, especially the fuel dispensing machines and the access gates to the fuel stations. This is as a result of impatience because everybody wants to get fuel at the same

time. Let the government fix the nation’s refineries so that they can produce at optimal capacity, thereby reducing dependence on imported petroleum products. What are your plans for the firm you inherited from your father? We have a lot of plans in the pipeline to turn Fatgbems into a conglomerate. I came on board with a mission to turn the company into a well diversified entity. But before that can be done, we need to consolidate on the gains of the founding father. At the moment, we have 24 outlets. My administration, to the glory of God, has been able to add one more outlet to the 23 existing ones. It is located on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, specifically on the Mowe/Ibafo axis. My plan is to add two to three outlets yearly. And by the glory of God, we shall be adding another one before 2013 runs out. Majorly, we operate more in the South-West but part of the plan is not to remain a regional player but a leader in sub-Saharan Africa. That is the vision. What efforts are you making at improving on the brand? Image in business is a very essential tool for development and growth. And remember that, you are addressed the way you are dressed. Our rebranding process is on course. In fact, we have

How do you intend tackling the menace of under-dispensing and adulteration of petroleum products particularly by retailers? Yes, I agree with you that, that remains a major bane of the petroleum retail business, especially for Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) popularly known as diesel. This problem is more prevalent at the distribution channel level. This is where some unscrupulous businessmen without identity perpetrate this unpatriotic act. But for us at Fatgbems, this is not an issue. Not an issue because we have a tank farm at Kirikiri in Lagos and that gives us the opportunity to get direct allocation from PPMC while we also import. We don’t source our products from middlemen. And our customers know us for this. This is where our strength lies. I challenge you to visit any of our filling stations across the country and you will be shocked to see long queues of vehicles waiting patiently to get fuel. Not that the country is experiencing petroleum products scarcity. But because they are sure that they will get value for their money even when there are many filling stations around, they prefer to come to us. On under dispensing of petroleum products, I can say categorically that our filling stations have not in any way been found wanting. And this claim can be verified from the records of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). We have built a name and reputation for the company over a long period of time and we cannot afford to lower that standard because when that is done, it affects return on investment and projected sales volumes. Business is not all about profit but customer satisfaction. It is easy to lose a customer but very difficult to convince just one. So why get involved in acts that will lead to that in the first place?

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

June 1, 2013

Ochuko

‘Charcoal business is not obsolete’ FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON

one were those days when charcoal used to be for those in the rural area. Today charcoal is used in various places and for different purposes. It is used in big parties for cooking, at home, by women who roast yam and plantain and other kinds of people. Thus this has made the business quite a lucrative one. Charcoal no longer comes in sacks; it has been repackaged into different sizes. Strangely, not only women are in the business of selling it now, men too are into it. While speaking with Saturday Mirror, Emmanuel Ochuko, the Managing Director of Chukos Ventures located in Ogba, disclosed that charcoal business is no longer exclusive to women. He stated further that the business may seem dirty but it is worth investing in because of its profit despite the fact that it is an ancient business. “Charcoal business is an old business that had seen through many generations. Before the invention of stove, gas cookers and all the sophisticated cooking equipment, charcoal had been and it had ever been useful especially for big cooking,” remarked Ochuko. For instance, on the Lagos Island, especially bustling commercial areas like Broad Street, Marina, CMS, Ebute-Ero through Obalende, have for long been recognised as areas that never go to sleep early. This is because the influx-

es of people make eating constant and near feasting activities after work are inevitable on a daily basis. However, due to the peculiar power generation and distribution system in the country, and the availability of cooking gas is next to none, food vendors and allied users have resorted to the use of black wood charcoal, with which they heat, prepare and preserve their food and even foodstuffs which in some cases are perishable items. According to Ochuko, nowhere in Lagos is black wood charcoal more consumed, or utilised like the Lagos Island axis and probably the Ikeja area because of the density of people who earn livelihood via cooking with the fuel. He noted that starting a charcoal business is not such a difficult one only that it requires time and concentration. “I will not say that the business is very time consuming but like every other business, it requires time and efforts especially when one is new on the business” he added. While speaking with Saturday Mirror, Ochuko further enthused that starting a charcoal business capital wise may not be as expensive as one thinks and it also depends on how big or small one intends. “For instance, if you want to start small, you can look at a capital in the neighbourhood of N150,000 while for a large start off, you will be talking in the tune of N500,000” explains Ochuko. Additionally, he stated that trans-

THINK OF SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS WHEN DOING THE BUSINESS.

YOU MAY DECIDE TO DO YOUR OWN CUSTOMISED BAGS TO PACKAGE CHARCOAL.

IF IT IS NEAT AND ATTRACTIVE, IT MAY

BRING IN ADDITIONAL PATRONAGE portation is usually one of the major things that gulps money in the business. Space is another very important factor in the business of charcoal business. One needs space where the products will be kept safely and away from rain. While charcoal can be made from any number of natural materials, hardwoods such as hickory, oak, maple, and fruit-woods are favoured. They have unique aromas and tend to produce a better grade of charcoal. Better grades of charcoal come from raw materials with low sulphur con-

tent” explained Ochuko. While speaking on the lucrative nature of the business, the charcoal merchant noted that it is indeed a very lucrative business, especially with the degenerating situation of Power Holding Corporation of Nigeria, PHCN and that it thrives well especially in densely populated areas where there are eateries and cafeterias. “You know our power supply is poor, (referring to PHCN) and you also know people must eat on daily basis, if not very regular basis. Lagos Island has the people who are ready to buy food all day round. And that is why bakeries and food vendors spend a lot of money to buy black wood charcoal to do what they have to do” stated Ochuko. “I started my business three years ago with about N100, 000 and today the business has grown so well. I take care of my family and I am able to pay the necessary bills as at when due. I thank God for his mercies,” he pointed out. “Again another factor to excelling in the business is carving a niche for oneself. For instance, I decided to add a different touch to mine by packaging it differently. I have different sizes of charcoal which are either in transparent colourful satchel or bags depending on the size and I ensure they come in affordable prices. This is my niche and it has been working well for me. I have a place in Ogba shopping arcade where I sell in satchels and small bags” explained Ochuko. He added that the dry season is the peak for those in that business because there is increased number of patronage from people at that time. “The dry season is the peak period for sales because you have lots of festivities at that time and most of them depend solely on charcoal to cook because it is not as expensive as gas or kerosene. Another reason the dry season is preferred is because you get very good charcoal at that time too because the woods will be dry and good. However, there is no time of the year where you will not find the need for people to cook with charcoal and that makes the business a lucrative and almost timeless one especially in this part of the world,” he said. “It is not a white collar job, it is dirty and if you are not focused, you may not go far in the business. However, with time as you grow in the business, you will have enough resources to employ more hands to do the job and as such lessen the burden on you,” he said. Creativity he said is another important factor in excelling in the business. “For instance, you can think of something different from others when doing the business. You may decide to do your own customized bags to package charcoal. If it is neat and attractive, it may bring in additional patronage” noted Ochuko.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

June 1, 2013

Crime Extra

P. 50

Woman accuses lover of abducting her 7-yr-old son

BRIEFS

Man bags 3 months imprisonment for cheating

Zuba Grade 1 Area Court on Thursday sentenced one Aliyu Mohammed, 31, to three months imprisonment for cheating. The judge, Alhassan Kusherki, passed the sentence after Mohammed had pleaded guilty to the offence. The convict was, however, given an option to pay N15,000 fine and compensation of N59,000 to the complainant. The police prosecutor, Sgt. Haruna Danlami, had told the court that one Sadiya Musa of Police Barrack, Zuba, Abuja, reported the case at the Police Station on May 16. ``The complainant said that she gave Mohammed N59,000 for a business, and he converted the money to his own use,’’ he said, adding that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 322 of the Penal Code.

Police arraign businessman, 28, for allegedly receiving stolen property

he police has arraigned a businessman, Lawal Salisu of Mpape, Abuja, in a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court for allegedly receiving stolen property. The prosecutor, Mr Emmanuel Adikwu, said Benedict Okogu of Utako, Abuja, reported the matter to the Maitama Police Station on May 26. Adikwu said that on May 26, one Abdullahi Usman and Jerry Abel, who worked as security men for Okogu, allegedly stole 32 bags of cement and 37 pieces of iron rod from him. He said the stolen items were sold to Salisu for N32,000 and N14,800 respectively. The prosecutor said Salisu was arrested at the scene of the crime and taken to the police station. He said the act contravened the provisions of Section 319A of the Penal Code, but the accused pleaded not guilty to the offence, which carries a maximum sentence of six months or fined or both. His counsel, Mr Frank Eze, urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms. The magistrate, Mrs Chinyere Nwecheonwu, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with a surety in like sum. Nwecheonwu said the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and that his official and residential addresses be verified by the prosecutor and court staff.

Crime Watch Stray bullets hit 58-yr-old woman

... as police battle cult members

When Madam Christiana Omotosho went visiting her son, it was meant to be a reunification trip. But frightening events took a frig ghtening g form. She was wa as shot sho ot by by the the police, police, not not for for being being a criminal criminal or or resisting resisting arrest. arrest. How was the 58-year-old woman shot? SEGUN ADIO

olice officers attached to the Pedro Division at Onipanu area of Lagos State had their hands full recently when they engaged suspected cult members and robbers in the locality in a gun battle. In the end, a couple of innocent people were caught in the cross-fire. For a long time now, suspected cult members and robbers had reportedly found their way to Mushin and Palm Grove axis of the metropolis. This had, reportedly given law enforcement agents sleepless nights. The situation got to a stage that Lagos Police Commissioner, Umar Manko, gave marching orders to his Divisional Police Officers to brace up or be quizzed. In line with the directive and acting on a tip off, policemen attached to the Pedro Division recently went after suspects where they were reportedly hibernating. Around 6:00p.m on Tuesday, May 29, 2013, at Popoola Street in the area, a detachment of policemen reportedly stormed the hideout and engaged the suspected cultists cum robbers in a gun battle. Sadly, during the police shooting, which was described as ‘indiscriminate’, stray bullets from the police guns reportedly hit innocent people close to the spot. One of the victims of police’s action was a 58-year-old woman, Christiana Omotosho, who came to the vicinity to see her son. Omotosho was reportedly seated outside the house where the suspected criminals were said to be hibernating. An eyewitness account claimed that the policemen drove into the area on Hilux van and immediately opened fire on the people seated where the suspected bandits were thought to be hiding. It was reported that the bullets hit parts of the shops in front of the house Omotosho and some other fun seekers were seated. She was reported to have suddenly screamed falling face flat on the ground. It was reported that a pellet from the bullet hit her forehead. Omotosho was not the only victim of the cross-fire. Another victim, identified simply as Olabisi, a cyber café operator who reportedly was at the spot to purchase an item also suffered various degrees of injuries.

Mrs Omotosho

Scene of the incident

When Saturday Mirror attempted to speak with Omotosho, she was said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed clinic. But her son, Adefisayo, whom the woman came to see, claimed that his mother was badly injured. “There is a little kiosk in front of my house where guys always hang around. The police were coming from Ogunbadejo area and when they noticed the guys there, the police parked and jumped out of their vehicle. None of the guys ran immediately they saw the police, but when the police officers jumped down and started positioning themselves, that was when the guys started running, and the police began to shoot indiscriminately,” he said. Adefisayo claimed further that while

the policemen were shooting, the walls of the shops were riddled by bullets while bottles and other items around were also hit. Adefisayo, however, claimed that upon reporting the matter at the police station, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) questioned whether he (Adefisayo) did not want the law enforcement agents to do their work as stipulated by law. One Mrs Oloyede, who runs a bar in the area, also claimed that but for divine providence, a lot of people would have been killed. She claimed that her customers had to run for dear lives when the policemen started shooting indiscriminately. Saturday Mirror in a chat with a police Sergeant, who pleaded anonymity, learnt that the policemen were on routine patrol of the area and noticed some bad boys lurking around the area before they alighted and gave the suspected criminals a good fight. The police Sergeant maintained that the suspected criminals also engaged the law enforcement agents in gun duel before they (criminals) beat a retreat and bowed to the superior firepower of the law enforcement agents.

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

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

CRIME WATCH

June 1, 2013

There is nothing bad in selling human parts –Cemetery keeper ‘I have sold only two human heads. I sold the first one for N1,000 while I sold the second one for N1,500. Last week, a resident approached me saying a herbalist needed the head so I got a decomposed head, for him, washed it and put it on a fence to dry. A resident saw me and raised the alarm and that was how I was arrested.’

he Lagos State Police Command has arrested a grandfather, Mr. Segun Kayode, for allegedly exhuming and selling human parts. According to the police, the suspect, who works at a cemetery in Epe area of the state, was arrested with a human skull. Police sources alleged that the suspect sold human parts for a living, adding that he had become notorious in the area for selling human parts. It was learnt that the suspect was arrested following a report by a resident who saw him displaying a skull for sale. The grandfather, who could not give his exact age, said he started selling human parts because he was poor and jobless. He said, “I live at 2,Tungbehin Street, Epe. I have two children and I am a grandfather. I have always been poor all my life because I had no formal or informal education. I used to be a fisherman but when there were no longer fishes in rivers in my area, I became a gardener at Epe Local Government Secretariat “About four years ago, the LG said they no longer needed my services so I started trimming grass at a cemetery in the area.”

The suspect, Mr. Segun Kayode

The suspect, who did not deny the allegations, said there was nothing wrong in selling dead people’s parts since the dead never used them. He said one day, while he was clearing

weeds in the cemetery, he noticed a human skull which had been dug up. He said, “Most times, when a corpse is not buried with a coffin, the possibility of the corpse resurfacing is very high.

So, what workers at the cemetery do is to gather some of the corpses and burn them instead of burying them again. “I realised that this was not a smart thing to do since it would be better to make money from it. The families of these dead people never care about them once they are buried and weeds had taken over the cemetery.” The suspect said he sold only two corpses while he had on numerous occasions given them out for free. He said, “I have sold only two human heads. I sold the first one for N1, 000 while I sold the second one for N1, 500. Last week, a resident approached me saying an herbalist needed the head so I got a decomposed head, for him, washed it and put it on a fence to dry. “A resident saw me and raised the alarm and that was how I was arrested.” The spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed Kayode’s arrest, adding that he had been transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba. •Culled from www.gazellenews.com

I thought I’d expelled all drugs in Qatar –Courier SEGUN ADIO

hibuzor Simeon Elioku flew into Doha, the capital city of Qatar, recently from Brasilia in Brazil, where he had been living for some time now. Elioku, 28, sells auto spare parts in Lagos before he jetted out to the South American country for greener pastures. On settling in Brazil, Elioku was introduced into the drug business and he immediately bought into the idea. His appointed time came recently when his principals in the illicit drug deal informed him that he would take a consignment to Doha, Qatar. So last week, Elioku, with Nigerian passport number A02717046, was scheduled to fly into Doha where he was to deliver a consignment of banned substances later tested positive to be cocaine. He was made to ingest 80 wraps in Brazil enroute Doha. Elioku did fly into Doha, but the contact in the Middle Eastern country failed to show up at the airport to receive the ‘goods’. A confused Elioku thought it wise to excrete the ingested drugs, which he did eventually. Feeling safe and confident that he already excreted all the drugs, Elioku took the next available flight to Lagos. But unknown to the Anambra Stateborn auto part seller, he only excreted 74 wraps into sewage in Doha. He was left with six more wraps stashed in his stomach. During the inward passengers check at the Murtala Muhammed Inter-

Chibuzor

national Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State, Elioku was detected through the aid of body scanning machines. He was immediately apprehended and placed on observation from where he excreted the remaining six wraps. In his confessional statement before anti-narcotics agents, Elioku maintained that he truly ingested the drugs but thought he had expelled all 80 wraps in Doha, not knowing that six were still in his stomach. “They promised to pay me $2, 000 to smuggle the drugs from Brazil to Doha. When I got to Doha, the person who ought to collect the drug from me failed to show

up. It was for fear of being caught that made me to dispose the drugs in Doha. I was very confident on arrival because I did not know that six wraps were still in my stomach,” Elioku stated. Reacting to his arrest, Chairman of the NDLEA Alhaji Ahmdu Giade said that there is always a judgement day for criminals. “The suspect thought that he had excreted everything, little did he know that six wraps were still in his stomach. This is a clear indication that there is a judgement day for criminals. I want members of the public to learn from his experience and shun drug trafficking” Giade said.

2 drivers in court for alleged criminal breach of trust, theft T he police has arraigned two drivers before an Abuja Magistrates’ Court for alleged criminal breach of trust and theft. They are Solomon Ali, 32 and Yakubu Mamman, 30, both of No 6, Lugard Street, Area 11, Abuja. The accused are standing trail on a three-count charge of joint act, criminal breach of trust and theft before magistrate, Mr Abdullateef Abolaji. The police prosecutor, Mr Simon Emmanuel, told the court that one Favour Akinwumi, of Kuchi-Goro Vil-

lage, FCT, reported the matter to the Life Camp Police Station, Abuja, on May 15. Emmanuel said that sometimes in the month of April, the complainant gave the first accused, Ali, his Nissan Primera vehicle with registration number YAB 229 AQ for commercial use. He said that Ali conspired with the second accused, Mamman and sold the vehicle worth N700,000 without the consent of Akinwumi. The two accused persons pleaded

not guilty to the three-count charge. Magistrate Abolaji granted them bail in the sum of N200, 000 each, with two sureties each in like sum. He said that one of the sureties must be a civil servant not below grade level 07. The magistrate also added that each of the sureties must deposit a driver’s license, National Identity Card or International Passport with the court’s registry. Abolaji adjourned the matter to June 10, 2013, for further hearing.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

June 1, 2013

Crime Extra

Woman accuses lover of abducting her 7-yr-old son After calling it quits with her husband, Lucy Omonide began a sizzling romance with Chidi Ibeh. She went with all she had into the relationship, including her five kids. Now, her last child has disappeared into thin air. Her neighbours say they saw the boy with Ibeh. Unfortunately, Ibeh too is nowhere to be found. SEGUN ADIO

mother, Ms. Lucy Omonide, has accused her new found lover of kidnapping her seven-year-old son, Immaculate. Omonide had been separated from her husband since 2008. They had five children together. Omonide lives with her five children in one room apartment at No 16b, Olasumbo Street, Aromire area, Iyana-Iyesi in Sango Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, since she broke up with her former husband. Thirty eight years old Omonibe is a petrol attendant at a filling station along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, has been taking full responsibility of the five children since leaving her husband.

Six years after she separated from her husband, Omonide met another man, a divorcee too, who reportedly promised to marry her and be father to her five children. It was reported that Omonide’s romance with the man, Chidi Ibeh, started in January 2013. Chidi lives some blocks away from Ominide at Iyana-Iyesi area of Ogun State. Ibeh is a dealer in petroleum products and he reportedly gets his supply from Omonide’s company, apparently where the two of them met. It was reported that at the time Omonide and Ibeh met, the latter had done a lot to impress his new found woman of his love for her. He is said to have been responsible for the upkeep of Omonide and her five children. Sadly, their relationship hit the rocks barely five months after the two lovers expressed their desire to be husband and wife. It was reported that within the short period of the romance, the man and Omonide’s children were inseparable. The children, it was reported, accepted Ibeh as their father and showed him all the love required. He had reportedly shown particular interest in Immaculate, Omonide’s seven-year-old son. It is reported that on many occasions, Ibeh would take Immaculate to his house and make the young boy stay with him all day. It was also reported that Immaculate had passed the night with Ibeh on three occasions. With this affinity between Ibeh and Omonide’s the former report-

edly has an unrestricted access to his lover’s home and all that she had including her children. It was reported that at the start of May 2013, Ibeh informed Omonide that he was embarking on a journey to his village in the eastern part of the country and that he would not be back until middle of May. Ibeh had reportedly prevailed on Omonide to come look after his business for him while he was away. The woman gladly obliged, leaving her work and children to run Ibeh’s business for him. But on the third day after Ibeh had left home, he reportedly surfaced at Omonide’s house on a Saturday, May 18, 2013, but this time, he reportedly came with a friend who parked a car some blocks away from Omonide’s house. Immediately he alighted from his friend’s car, Ibeh reportedly went straight for his lover’s room and called out Immaculate allegedly urging him to come with him. It was reportedly that Omonide’s compound was always deserted at that time of the day except on Sundays. It was reported that while Ibeh and Immaculte were leaving the compound, a neighbour walked in from his shop at Sango market apparently to pick an item for her customer. And because of the relationship between the boy and the man, the neighbour was said not to have inquired where Ibeh was taking the seven year-old boy. That was the last since of the duo until today.

When night came and Immaculate was nowhere to be found, his siblings reportedly put a call through to their mother who claimed the boy was not with her and that she left him with them at home before she set out that morning. Disturbed by the news from home Omonide left all that she was doing at Ibeh’s shop and came home to confirm the whereabouts of her last born. When the woman neighbour who reportedly saw Ibeh walked out of the compound with the boy returned from the market, she affirmed that she saw Immaculate and his mother’s lover walk out the house and enter a car. It was reported that when Omonide called on Ibeh’s mobile telephone to ask where her son was, Ibeh, angrily replied that he had been in the village for three days and she was asking of her son’s whereabouts from him. The woman went wild afterwards. All calls to Ibeh’s mobile telephone lines afterwards were futile as his lines were reportedly switched off. Speaking with reporters, the distraught mother said: “I do not even know where to look for him. I just know that he is from Imo State. But my neighbour confirmed that she saw him (Ibeh) come into the house and came out with my son.” Efforts to get the neighbour to talk was futile as her husband claimed the life of his wife might be in danger after testifying that she saw the man take the young boy away. On his part, Francis, Omonide’s first child, said that his mother’s lover was also seen with his brother by some other people in the neighbourhood. “My friend (names withheld) told me that Imma greeted him from the car when he was being driven away. I am sure that Imma must have gone with the man because he (Immaculate) likes being around him,” he said.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

June 1, 2013

SOUTH EAST

Ignore MASSOB’s June 8 sit-at-home order, Ndigbo urged NWABUEZE OKONKWO ONITSHA

chieftain of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), and

current leader of the Association of Igbo Youth Organization, (AIYO), Chief Venatius Muoneke, has joined the growing call for the rejection of the June 8, 2013 sit-athome call by MASSOB

leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike. Muoneke, who made the call in Onitsha yesterday, advised all Igbo within the South-East, across Nigeria and in the Diaspora to ignore the call.

Addressing journalists, he said, “A situation where Uwazuruike is everything in MASSOB, no division of labuor, he has no deputy, what do you expect? Like I told you before now, MASSOB is not

an Igbo agenda but a family arrangement devoid of outsiders. “The sit-at-home he (Uwuazuruike) claimed is in commemoration of killing of Igbo is a fallacy. He just wants to be rele-

vant in the country. What has MASSOB achieved for the Igbo?.Niger Delta militants and OPC have achieved something for their own people, but MASSOB only terrorize their Igbo brethren.”

Senator, others task govt on unemployment

member of the 6th National Assembly and founder of Agunaechemba Foundation, Senator Annie Okonkwo, has appealed to governments, corporate bodies and individuals to address urgently the unemployment problem in the country and especially in Anambra State. Speaking at the fourth youth summit of Agunaechemba Foundation held in the state, Okonkwo claimed that unemployment is responsible for the insecurity problems so the country’s youths should be empowered for positive productivity. He also said that his foundation’s sole objective is to reduce the poverty rate in Anambra

State as the state’s government is shying away from its responsibility. Guest speaker at the summit, Dr. Ugo Abba, described youths as social engineers in any society, hence the need for them to be properly empowered and included in government’s programmes. Convener of Nigeria Centenary Group, Atoye Ariyo-Dare, added that the National Assembly must work towards an encompassing bill that will address unemployment and create capacity building for youth development in the country. In addition, he advised that 10 per cent of the country’s consolidated revenue should be set aside for providing employment opportunities.

Enugu CP advocates cultural reorientation

he Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Adamu Mohammed, has urged the need for cultural reorientation among Nigerians. According to him, it is essential in correcting some of the identified societal ills prevalent in the country today. Mohammed made the call on Nigerians when some executive members of a group, National Institute for Cultural Orientaion, led by its chairman, Nwajagu Nnaemeka, paid him a courtesy visit in his office. Saying that there is also the need to respect our moral values and show love to one another in the country, Mohammed also called on Enugu indigenes to collaborate with the law enforcement agencies to

rid Enugu of criminals and other vices. Also speaking, Nnaemeka berated the spate of kidnapping, assassinations and child stealing in many parts of the country. Advicing filmmakers to showcase the positive values of the country in their movies, he said doing so would go a long way in changing the orientation of many youths in the country.

L-R: Editor, National Mirror Newspapers, Mr. Seyi Fasugba; Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr. Abraham Nwankwo; Head of Policy Department, DMO, Mr. Joe Ugoala and presenter, Bloomberg Africa TV, Mr. Boason Omofaye, at the DMO International Media Interaction in Enugu, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Enugu agrees to pay teachers peculiar allowance DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

he Enugu State Government has agreed to pay the 27.5% teachers enhancement allowance (TEA). The directive to this effect was given by Governor

Sullivan Chime. In an agreement reached and jointly signed by the state’s Head of Service, Chidi Ezema, representatives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and local government council chairmen in the state, the payment of the

balance of 17.5% commences today. Enugu State was formerly paying the teachers 10%, but following the directive of the national body of the teachers union that teachers in any state that has not complied with the allow-

Onitsha Chamber of Commerce donates vehicle to motherless babies’ home

he Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA) says it will continue to provide for the less privileged to meet up with its corporate re-

sponsibility. President of ONICCIMA, Dr Tim Anosike, said this while donating a Nissan Jeep to Umuoji Motherless Babies’ Home in Idemili North Local Government Area near

Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday. While handing the key and documents of the vehicle to the traditional ruler of Umuoji community, Igwe Cyril Enweze, Anosike noted that the

Abia pledges affordable accommodation for civil servants

bia State Deputy Governor, Chief Emeka Ananaba, has said the government is committed to providing affordable accommodation for civil servants. Ananaba said this yesterday while laying the

ance should proceed on indefinite strike beginning today, the state’s government decided to pay the teachers their due. The agreement specified that the payment is only peculiar to teachers and is without prejudice to other existing allowances.

foundation stone of the 5000-unit Ngwu/Ubani Housing Estate for civil servants in Umuahia. Saying the project was part of the government’s welfare package for workers, he said the government would en-

sure that the estate was built in line with modern trends for the benefit of the prospective occupants. Expressing concern on the protests by two communities over the ownership of the site of the estate, he said, “The government will meet with traditional

rulers of the two communities with a view to resolving this situation.” Concluding, he appealed to both communities to eschew any form of acrimony that could defeat the aim of attracting the lofty project to their area.

spirit behind the gesture was in keeping with the chamber’s concern for the needy. “Our interest is not just in the organised private sector, but all the critical segments of our society, especially the voiceless. It is our strong belief that with this vehicle, the home will be substantially relieved of its mobility and related challenges,’’ he said. Responding, Enweze thanked the chamber for the love shown to the home and the community. “We are grateful for the donation. I assure the chamber that the vehicle will be judiciously used and maintained to serve its purpose,’’ he said.

REGIONAL NEWS

June 1, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SOUTH SOUTH

Shell loses $5bn yearly to oil theft EMMA GBEMUDU YENAGOA

he Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, has revealed that it loses crude oil valued at $5 billion yearly to oil theft in the Niger Delta. Explaining that 150,000

barrels of crude are stolen daily by oil thieves in parts of the oil rich region, SPDC’s Head of Spill Response, Pat Agbo, while speaking at a seminar organized for the media in yenagoa, said that Bodo, Imo River, Nembe Creek trunk line and off shore of the Niger Delta

were hot spots for illegal oil bunkering business in the region. He disclosed that in 2012, SPDC recorded 24,545 barrels of oil from spills due to sabotage while 1,359 barrels were detected as operational failures. In his welcome ad-

dress, Manager, Government and Community Relations, Bayelsa/Delta States of SPDC, Evans Krukrubo, regretted that operations of illegal refineries in the region had hindered oil and gas activities in the country. Represented by Funkakpo Fufeyin at the

event, Krukrubo said that crude oil theft and illegal refineries’ activities in the Niger Delta must stop or else they would ruin the nation’s economy and environment. “Take a ride to a typical illegal refinery. The danger it is creating is

much, particularly to the environment,” he said. And on people’s anger because of the lack of infrastructure and lack of jobs in the region, he said that Shell cannot bankroll all the communities’ needs and it is only complementing government’s efforts.

Oshiomhole dissociates self from Amaechi’s PDP suspension SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN CITY

he Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has washed his hands off an allegation in a report in a national daily last Thursday linking him to the suspension of his Rivers State counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi. Oshiomhole, who is presently out of the country on a trip to the United States of America, according to Government House sources, denied any link to the suspension the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, clamped on his Rivers State colleague and re-elected Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, in a press statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Prince Kassim Afegbua. The said report alleged that Amaechi was suspended for supporting Oshiomhole’s re-election bid during last year’s Edo State governorship election campaign with the sum of N500 million instead of supporting the PDP candidate, MajorGeneral Charles Airihiavbere. The report also alleged that Amaechi spent two

nights in Benin City to witness Oshiomhole’s inauguration after the latter’s landslide victory. hE was also accused of sharing in Oshiomhole’s distasteful jokes about prominent PDP leaders. “To state the fact, there was no time that the Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi donated any money, let alone the sum of N500 million either directly or by proxy, to the campaign funds of Oshiomhole. Again, we wish to state unequivocally that there was no time that he spent two nights in Benin City before, during and after the campaign of the Comrade Governor,” Afegbua said. Saying that he finds it “utterly misleading” for anyone to link Oshiomhole to the PDP action, he said that the claims were just to give Amaechi a bad name as well as portray Oshiomhole in a bad light with respect to campaign funds. “The relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2006 (as amended) frown at such bogus donations by either an individual or a corporate body for the campaign of any individual candidate running

for an election. In fact, if anyone is in the breach of such provisions, it is the PDP. The Adams Oshiomhole Campaign Organisation was very conscious of the requirement of the law with respect to donation, hence the reason it embarked on public fundraising dinners in Lagos, Abuja and Benin City. All those who made donations to the second term campaign of the performing governor, Os-

hiomhole, were well captured in our reports and duly appreciated. There was nowhere that the Rivers State Governor was captured as having donated any sum, let alone such a whooping sum of N500m,” Afegbua added. While saying that no governor should be punished for honouring the invitation of a fellow governor, irrespective of political differences, he said, “For a country and

a democracy such as ours, it shouldn’t be a crime for any governor to honour the invitation of the Comrade Governor on his second term inauguration, especially that of the duly elected Chairman of the Governors’ Forum. The beauty of democracy and credible elections is the exhibition of the spirit of sportsmanship by the loser and his party, and not this invidious show of hostility by the opposition

Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke (m) presenting key to a Pick Up van to the state’s chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Nyambi Ojom, while Deputy Governor Mr Efiok Cobham watches during the 2013 May Day celebration in Calabar, recently.

ASUU-AUU raises alarm over kidnapped members SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN CITY

he Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State branch, has raised an alarm over the increasing kidnapping of lecturers and their families. In a statement signed by the branch chairman,

Prof. F. I. Esumeh, and secretary, Dr. S. O. Omoikhoje, ASUU-AAU said that teaching and learning cannot take place in an environment where fear reigns supreme and insecurity is the order of the day. According to the statement: “The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ambrose Alli University (AAU)

PDP.” Concluding, he said, “It is better for the PDP to look for other reasons why it has wrongly taken certain actions against one of its own, than looking for convenient ways to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. It is shameful that governors who claim to be duly elected representatives of their states could lower the bar of credibility and integrity just for the sake of dubious politics.”

chapter, Ekpoma, wishes to bring to public notice the disturbing and unending spate of kidnapping of our members and or spouses in Ekpoma and its environs. In fact, kidnapping of members of ASUU or their wives now occur on a daily basis, the recent being the kidnapping of the wife of Prof. Raymond Aluede, Dean of the Faculty of Education,

on her way back from work. “In the recent past, Prof. O P. G. Nmorsi of the Department of Zoology, Prof. (Mrs.) C. O. Isiramen of the Department of Religious and Cultural Management and the wives of Prof. J. E. A. Osemekhian and Dr. Ken Imarenezor of the Departments of Physics and Microbiology respectively were

kidnapped with untold hardship visited on them. It is important to note that kidnapping in Ekpoma, especially cases involving ASUU-AAU members have become so frequent that our members now live in perpetual fear. In fact, when you get a phone call from your spouse now, you have to think twice before answering it.” Calling on the security

agencies in the state to do more to apprehend the perpetrators of the kidnappings, the statement concluded that “we believe that this ugly trend has become a pervasive pattern because little or nothing has been done to apprehend the hoodlums so they seem to be having a free day in their nefarious business and they persist and thrive in it because they are getting away with little or no disturbance.”

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

June 1, 2013

NORTH

NSCDC arrests 2 motorcycle snatchers in Kaduna A ZA MSUE KADUNA

he Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kaduna State Command, yesterday paraded two middle-aged

men who specialize in snatching motorcycles. Addressing a news conference, Kaduna State NSCDC Public Relations Officer, SP Oguntuase Michael Akin said the suspects were apprehended

when they attempted to snatch another motorcycle. Naming the suspects as Bello Habib and Shehu Danmiliki, Akin said they had confessed and were pleading for mercy.

He also advised the public to be watchful and urged motorcyclists to desist from carrying two persons on their motorcycles to avoid falling victim of motorcycle snatchers.

Nasarawa to partner Chinese firm on tourism

he Nasarawa State Government has said it will partner a Chinese firm to transform the Farin-Ruwa Water Falls in Wamba community in the state to an international tourism site. The state’s Commissioner for Culture and

Tourism, Alhaji Adamu Adogi, made the announcement yesterday when he visited the falls which is about 120 kilometres from Lafia, the state’s capital. Saying that it had become necessary to transform the falls to boost

socio-economic development in the state, he said, “The aim of the partnership will be to make sure that the falls is developed into a major tourist destination and recreational site for the benefit of all so the Chinese firm will build standard hotels and a mini-zoo at the site to

promote economic development.” Also speakin, Kyobok Agisam, head of Wamba community, appealed to the state government to provide basic amenities for his people and rehabilitate the dilapidated buildings in their primary and secondary schools.

Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the thieves, Kabiru Zubairu, owner of the motorcycle the duo attempted to snatch when luck ran out on them, said they stopped him and asked him to

take them somewhere and in-between Central Bank and Jinya Hospital, one of them attempted to strangle him before men of the NSCDC came to his rescue and apprehended them.

Kaduna Rotary Club donates N15m materials to orphanages A ZA MSUE KADUNA

he Rotary Club of Barnawa, District 9125, Kaduna, has disclosed that it spent N15 million on humanitarian activities in the past year. Dr.Emma Nosiri, the club’s president, made the disclosure at the presentation of items to two orphanages, Shelter in Christ and Missionary Sisters Orphanage, in Sabon Tasha and Unguwan Romi respectively in Kaduna metropolis. Saying that the presen-

tations to the orphanages was aimed at improving the welfare of the motherless babies and also to help reduce poverty in the state, he called on wealthy individuals in the state to come to the aid of orphans. “Today, we feel it is important to put smiles on the faces of children in orphanages in Kaduna. We have already donated a brand new ambulance to Saint Gerald Catholic Hospital and we will continue to offer humanitarian services to the people,” he added.

Opposition tackles Kogi govt over increase in tuition fees WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

L-R: Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Saidu Adamu; Chairman, Dialogue Groups Limited, Alhaji Mahdi Shehu and Executive Director, Human Rights Monitor, Mr. Festus Okoye, at a lecture to mark Democracy Day in Kaduna, recently PHOTO: NAN

Adamawa to establish medical college

overnor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State has said that the state government has concluded plans with German health officials to establish a medical college in Adamawa. Nyako said this yesterday in Yola while re-

ceiving the proposal for the establishment of the college from the German delegation led by Prof. Herald Gilch. Saying that the development was part of his administration’s efforts at meeting the health needs of the people, he said, “We decided to

establish a medical college with the collaboration of German medical experts to improve medical provision and to train medical personnel.” Speaking, Gilch said that the medical team had reached understanding with the Na-

tional University Commission (NUC) for the establishment of the college. He added that the college was expected to take off in September this year from its temporary site at the Yola Specialist Hospital and Yola College of Nursing and Health Technology.

major opposition party in Kogi State, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), has decried the hike in tuition fees by the state tertiary institutions as “unreasonable.” In a statement signed by the chairman of the party in the state, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo, a copy of which was made available to Saturday Mirror in Lokoja yesterday, the party stated that the N50,000 tuition fees for both students of Colleges of Education and Polytechnics recommended by the visitation panels to tertiary institutions would throw many students out of the schools. Ametuo added that a situation where the state-owned university students would be asked to pay N100,000 as tuition fees would only amount to taking tertiary education beyond the reach of the poor. Saying that some parents have more than a ward in these institu-

tions and some students strive on their own to pay their fees, he explained that the former governor of the state, Prince Abubakar Audu, established the state university and polytechnic to bring tertiary education closer to the door steps of the masses, but the hike in tuition fees would defeat the purpose for which they were established. Consequently, he is urging all well-meaning people in the state, leaders and traditional rulers especially, to prevail on the state’s government to drop the “unreasonable” policy before it throws the state into serious crisis.

Gov Wada

REGIONAL NEWS

June 1, 2013

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NORTH

‘No new cases of lassa fever in Benue’

he Chief Medical Director, Benue State Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Prof. Abraham Malu, has said the hospital has not received new cases of lassa fever.

He told reporters in Makurdi that all patients admitted with suspected cases of lassa fever had been treated and discharged. “We do not have any new case of lassa fever

in the hospital. Those that were admitted have been treated and discharged. We have all the facilities needed for its treatment, including drugs,” he said. He added that the hos-

pital, in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Health, carried out a campaign to educate the public and medical personnel in all hospitals in the state on the symptoms of the virus.

In the same vein, Head, Clinical Services, Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Dr Peteru Inunduh, has attributed the hospital’s inability to handle lassa fever cases to lack of equip-

ment. “We transferred all the people on admission suspected to be infected with the parasite to BSUTH that has the necessary facilities for its treatment,” he said.

Don decries decline of education among Kogi youths

Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu (right) and delegation of Bauchi State Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), during their courtesy visit to the emir in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Gay marriage: Dutse residents commend NASS over bill

esidents of Dutse, Jigawa State have commended the National Assembly for the passage of the bill which outlaws same-sex marriage and approves 14-year jail terms for offenders. A cross section of the residents who spoke with reporters yesterday in Dutse described the legislation as commendable. A social analyst, Abdullahi Nasiru, said

the lawmakers had demonstrated w high sense of patriotism in the passage of the bill in spite of international pressure. He said that the gesture was a clear indication of the lawmakers’ resolve to provide proactive legislation to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. “It clearly indicates their resolve to work and protect the interest of the people,” he said.

An Islamic cleric, Malam Usman Sadiq, said that the legislation would instill discipline and check moral decadence in the society. He added that the action would save the Nigerian society from social vices and protect its norms and values. “Same-sex marriage is an abomination and alien to our celestial society. We do not need this kind of thing which is repugnant to God and humanity,” he

said. Urging the government and the lawmakers not to be swayed in their resolve due to the pressure by the international community, he said, “If the major economies and donor agencies threaten to withhold their grants, we should not be deterred. We must be resolute and focused. We have a duty to protect our good cultural values and ensure proper moral upbringing of our people.”

Nasarawa inaugurates N2.7bn land development centre

overnor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State yesterday in Mararaba inaugurated a N2.7 billion Nasarawa Geographic Information System (NAGIS) to check indiscriminate land development in the state. Saying the establishment of NAGIS became imperative given the haphazard and indiscriminate physical development in urban areas in the state, espe-

cially on the MararabaKaru-Keffi axis, he said the need to curb the trend spurred the state government to commence a development control programme in all the urban centres of the state. “NAGIS is aimed at achieving order, serenity and healthy living in the growth and expansion process of our urban and semi-urban areas. It is in this connection that govern-

ment has since designated six towns across the state as planning areas while a development master plan for the entire state has been completed,” Al-Makura said. He expressed the hope that NAGIS’ inauguration would usher in efficient land administration and management by the relevant government agencies for the benefit of the people. Earlier, the state’s Commissioner for Lands, Sur-

vey and Urban Development, Sonny Aggasi, said NAGIS was sophisticated in terms of technology and could compete favourably with any of its type in the world. He added that the inauguration was an exciting turning point in the state’s history as NAGIS would mark the beginning of the end of the state’s dependence on the monthly allocation from the federal government.

former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Albert Olayemi, has decried the “abysmal decline” in the educational attainment of youths from Okun land in Kogi State. Olayemi said this at a news briefing on the planned Okun Education Summit in Lokoja. He said the summit which has been scheduled for June 23 would chart the way forward for the education of the Okun youth in Kogi West Senatorial District. “Unfortunately we have not been able to hold fast to that which is good. Today, Okada riding, political thuggery, juvenile parenting and

extreme republicanism are emblematic of the lamentable decline in educational attainment among our youths,” he said. He recalled that although illiterates, Okun’s forefathers were courageous enough to embrace Western education which eventually earned the area some leadership positions. Saying that the fear of a bleak future for Okun youths necessitated the convocation of the summit, he described it as a self-imposed mission by professionals in the academia and intelligentsia of Okun extraction to reclaim Okun’s lost glory in educational leadership.

Nyako’s wife decries pitiable condition of Yola orphanage

ife of Adamawa Governor, Hajiya Zainab Nyako, has expressed dissatisfaction with the conditions of the state’s orphanage homes. Mrs Nyako expressed her dissatisfaction at an interactive session with stakeholders, care givers, orphans and vulnerable children in Yola yesterday. She decried the way and manner the homes were being run and described it as unpleasant and worrisome. Axcording to Mrs Nyako, ``I am not happy with the condition of the orphanage run by the state Ministry of Women Affairs. Because whenever we visited the centre we find only four children at a time, I don’t know why other orphans are restricted from the centre,’’ she said. Mrs. Nyako express

regrets that facilities provided by the state government at the centre were abandoned. She rued the mingling of some orphans on streets in some councils in the state, instead of living and utilising the facilities at the centre. The governor’s wife wondered why the centre which had so many empty rooms with full beds and mattresses were abandoned.

Gov Nyako

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

June 1, 2013

ROYAL SUPPORT

Berlusconi associates accused of recruiting teenage prostitutes

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is greeted as she arrives for a visit to the King’s Troop at Woolwich Barracks in southeast London, yesterday. British soldier Lee Rigby was killed on a busy London street near the barracks last week.

talian prosecutors accused two associates of Silvio Berlusconi yesterday of recruiting teenager Karima El Mahroug, alias “Ruby the Heartstealer”, for paid sex with the former prime minister despite knowing that she was under 18 years of age. A verdict in Berlusconi’s own trial on charges of paying for sex with a minor and abuse of office is expected next month, a potential headache for the governing coalition of Prime Minister Enrico Letta, which depends on Berlusconi’s support to survive.

z As family asks for calm over attacks

killed when he returned to his barracks following a day working at the Tower of London. Meanwhile, the murdered soldier Lee Rigby would not have wanted his death used to excuse reprisal attacks, his family have said. Drummer Rigby’s family called for calm as the Queen met army personnel during a visit to the barracks near where he died on 22 May. In a statement his family said his friends’ different cultures and religions “made

no difference to Lee”. The family’s plea came amid reports of a rise in anti-Muslim incidents since the murder in Woolwich last week. An inquest into Drummer Rigby’s death was adjourned earlier after hearing he was hit by a car and attacked with a knife and cleaver. It comes as police investigating the attack arrested a 42-year-old man in north London on suspicion of involvement in the supply of

illegal firearms. Drummer Rigby’s family said his death had had a “devastating effect” on them but said the “generosity, kindness and sympathy expressed by everyone we have come into contact with has been truly staggering and is giving us the strength to carry on”. In a statement they added: “We would like to emphasise that Lee would not want people to use his name as an excuse to carry out attacks against others.

Zimbabwe elections ‘must be held by 31 July’

imbabwe’s highest court has ruled that presidential and parliamentary elections must be held by 31 July. The Constitutional Court said President Robert Mugabe should set a date “as soon as possible”. President Mugabe, of the Zanu-PF party, is likely to face MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the presidential poll. Mr Tsvangirai has been

serving as Mugabe’s prime minister in a fractious coalition government since disputed elections in 2008. Last week, a new constitution, backed by the main parties and approved in a referendum in March, was signed into law. The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) had called for the elections to be held later this year, so that changes in the new constitution could be im-

plemented. Mr Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980, had argued for an early vote. The coalition government has helped end the hyperinflation that saw Zimbabwe’s economy collapse. But the administration has been fraught with squabbles over introducing reforms. Five years ago, Mr Tsvangirai won the most votes in the first round of

the presidential election but, according to official results, not enough to win outright. He pulled out of the second round, saying his supporters were being targeted in a campaign of violence. After Mr Mugabe went ahead with the election, winning with 85% of votes cast, regional mediators intervened to organise a power-sharing agreement.

Emilio Fede, a former news anchor in Berlusconi’s Mediaset television empire, and showbusiness agent Lele Mora were “associates and accomplices” in a well-organised system in which women were offered money or presents to attend the parties, prosecutor Antonio Sangermano told a hearing in Milan. Fede and Mora, together with former dental hygienist Nicole Minetti, face charges of procuring El Mahroug in a case running alongside Berlusconi’s own trial. All three deny the charges.

Rebels reinforce for key Syria fight

Murdered soldier: Queen of England D visits barracks to pay respects he Queen of England has paid her respects to Drummer Lee Rigby by meeting officers and soldiers at the barracks where the murdered soldier was stationed. She met, in private, military personnel from Woolwich Station where Drummer Rigby lived and others he worked with in his regiment’s outreach team. Her visit came as a coroner was told his body could only be identified by his dental records after he was

ozens of fighters have arrived to reinforce rebel units battling to hold off a Syrian government and Hezbollah assault on the key town of Qusair. A source in Qusair told the BBC the number was far fewer than the 1,000 suggested by the interim head of the main opposition alliance, George Sabra. But the arrival does contradict state media reports the town is surrounded. President Bashar al-Assad earlier told Lebanese TV that he was “confident of victory” in the two-year-old conflict. His troops, backed by fighters from Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia Islamist movement, have been tightening

the noose on Qusair, which controls supply routes crucial to both sides. Syrian state television said troops and Hezbollah fighters had captured the Arjun district of Qusair on Thursday. The BBC source in Qusair did not give precise figures for the rebel reinforcements for security reasons. But he said it was significant that they had managed to get in at all, and that the news would encourage others to come to the aid of the rebels. He also said the humanitarian situation in Qusair was worsening, with urgent need to get some 800 wounded people out for treatment.

Australia endorses gender choice

ustralian judges have ruled that people do not have to be registered as a man or a woman on the register of births, deaths and marriages. The New South Wales Court of Appeal overturned an earlier decision that a person’s sex could not be listed as “non-specific” under Australian law. The appeal was brought by a 50-year-old activist from Sydney called Norrie, who identifies as being gender neutral.

The court ruled that sex does not bear a binary meaning of “male” or “female”. Its decision has implications for people who have undergone gender reassignment surgery, as well as those who are “intersex” - having characteristics of both sexes - or consider themselves gender neutral. Norrie, who uses only a first name, argued that while it was accepted that most people would be explicitly male or female, the law should also cover those who were neither.

FBI probes two cases of poisonous letters to Obama, others

.S. authorities are investigating a Texas man over threatening letters containing a potentially deadly poison mailed to U.S. President Barack Obama and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a law enforcement official said

yesterday. The probe comes as FBI officials continue investigating a separate batch of ricin-laced letters sent earlier this month from Washington state to the president and four other targets, including the CIA and a military facility.

At this point, investigators do not think the two cases are connected, the source said. FBI investigators in Texas are questioning a man in New Boston, Texas after his wife called the police to report suspicious activity, the law

enforcement source said. The agency is proceeding cautiously, and the man has not been charged, the source added. Those letters, which media reports said were postmarked from Shreveport, Louisiana, referred to the debate over the na-

tion’s gun laws and also were sent to Bloomberg’s gun control group in Washington, D.C. Initial tests showed they contained ricin. In the Washington case, the FBI said Thursday that three of the five letters, including the letter

to Obama, have been intercepted and contained ricin. A fourth letter to Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane has been located, and a fifth letter to the CIA was detected but not found, the FBI’s Seattle office said in a statement.

Quote

the

day

In light of a recent statement that the military recovered a document containing the names of Boko Haram sponsors, I call on the Federal Government to expose the sponsors now. Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, while arguing that the sponsors’ exposure will enhance the fight against the sect and deter other terrorists.

Saturday, June 1, 2013. www.nationalmirroronline.net

The challenge of shared societies

uman societies, by their configuration and the way in which they have progress, could be regarded necessarily as “shared” in nature. The degree, however of “sharing” is what enables cohesive progress or outright intolerance and could also be a function of what “shared values we choose to adhere to. Going forward from there, “shared societies” as I perceive it is a major aspect of what makes all human societies and institutions to function and achieve whatever successes or failures they endure. I identify myself with the definition of a shared society which states that a ‘shared society’ is a socially cohesive society. It is stable, safe. It is where all those living there feel at home. It respects everyone’s dignity and human rights while providing every individual with equal opportunity. It is tolerant. It respects diversity. A shared society is constructed and nurtured through various manifestations and displays of strong leadership including and not limited to political leadership. A shared society must be built on five commonwealth foundations. They are: common humanity, common survival, common security, common well-being and prosperity, common political and national citizenship. If the commonwealth foundations are accepted, then we will have an enduring and sustainable shared society, based on shared values. Not only are values shared, the values must be imbibed, re-

with President Olusegun Obasanjo hexcellency2011@yahoo.com

THE GLOBAL SYSTEM MUST CONTINUE TO FIND WAYS TO EMBRACE A SHARED SYSTEM AND STRIVE TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE OUR DIVERSE IDENTITIES AND CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS, EVEN

AS WE ALL TRY TO GAIN ECONOMIC PROGRESS ON DIFFERENT PLATFORMS spected and upheld. Some of the essential values to be shared are contained in the definition of shared society. They are: stability, safety, cooperation and friendship, human dignity, human rights and human obligations, equal opportunity, equity, justice, tolerance, respect for diversity, responsibility, compulsion. Where these values are shared and imbibed and respected, there will be cohesion, wholesomeness, caring and sharing

in one common political citizenship and member of a cherished nation-state. Broadly, this will be brought about through political participation and feeling of having a stake in the political entity by every individual and the constituent groups. There must be popular education, popular participation and economic inclusiveness of all citizens without exception and by all constituent groups.

SPORT EXTRA

Platini bemoans politics at FIFA Congress

EFA President Michel Platini has expressed frustration at the delay to reforms over age and term limits of senior officials at FIFA, in the week when it was supposed to complete a two-year transformation. Platini suggested politics was at play and said he was not happy that his confederation had been painted as an opponent to change. After a UEFA meeting in Mauritius and hours ahead of the ceremonial opening of FIFA’s annual congress last Thursday, Platini spoke of those politics still being a part of the mechanism of FIFA, even after fierce recent criti-

cism of its way of doing business and its apparent acceptance that it needed to change. A debate and possible vote over limiting the age and number of mandates of senior FIFA officials was put back to 2014 at least by the FIFA executive committee this week, removing from this year’s agenda the reforms that could affect 77-year-old FIFA President Sepp Blatter standing for another term beyond 2015. “Perhaps there is some politics inside FIFA, but if they don’t want (the reforms), then they are not to say that it is Europe who stopped the reform,” Platini said.

Blatter, who attended Thursday’s UEFA meeting briefly, said this would be his last term when he was re-elected to the presidency in 2011. However, the Swiss football leader has hinted that he may seek re-election in 2015 for another four-year term through to 2019, when he will be 83. Meanwhile, Platini has repeated Europe’s stance that it was in favour of the age and term limits, in certain forms, and was exasperated with how long it was taking FIFA to make concrete decisions on the issue, which is one of three reform areas not being addressed at the congress.

There must be social justice for all. The system of government best suited to achieve participation, inclusion and justice is democracy which allows for consultation, consensus, dialogue and renewal of mandate. It is thus not a misnomer to situate inequality, corrupt systems, and human rights abuses, crimes against humanity within a context of an inadequate appreciation and acceptance of what will constitute the basis of “shared existence” and “shared society”. Be it in economic, political or social terms, the global system must continue to find ways to embrace a shared system and strive to protect and preserve our diverse identities and cultural backgrounds, even as we all try to gain economic progress on different platforms. The growing inequalities of the global system, some of them put there by institutional misrepresentation with lopsided socio-economic agendas that put all of us asunder and in unequal terms. The agenda for a global shared society should be premised on the need to evolve a world that is just and equitable. Policies, ideas and dealing with some of world’s most lingering challenges, must come from a shared value that agrees to deal with the man-made problems of poverty, graft, waste, intolerance, terrorism, drugs and human trafficking, inhumanity and other organized crimes and mistreatment.

TO BE CONTINUED

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY FIXTURES

Today’s Matches Libya v Uganda 12:00 Guinea v DR Congo 13:00 Panama v Peru 22:00

Sunday, June 2, 2013 Algeria v Burkina Faso 12:00 Sudan v Tanzania 12:00 Lesotho v South Africa 15:00 Ukraine v Cameroon 20:00 United States v Germany 20:30 Brazil v England 21:00

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