Sunday, October 21, 2012 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Big Read News

THE

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News

2013: One budget, many controversies

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Fresh flooding imminent in Abuja, 19 states www.nationalmirroronline.net

Vol. 2 No. 45

N150

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Ondo governorship election

Massive security, large turnout mark poll P. 10,11

ACN protests irregularity, violence Ondo commissioner, council chair arrested Akeredolu, Mimiko in neck and neck situation

Akeredolu

Mimiko

Oke

Members of the Nigerian Army at a roadblock during yesterday’s election in Ondo State.

Nigeria to experience food shortage in 2013 –Experts P. 6

Sagamu-Ore Expressway tragedy

12 bodies of victims recovered ... 11 women among dead P. 9

Nursing mother, children, four others die in boat mishap

News

P. 52

ONDO RESULTS AT A GLANCE LG/WARDS/UNITS

PDP

ACN

Akoko North West, Ward- Oyin/Oge Polling Unit - St. Jones School Oyin Akoko Unit 2

Ondo West Ilunla/Bagbe Ward. Unit Open space at Gbelewu

Ifedore Local Govt Ward: Igbaraoke 2 Unit: St Joseph’s Pry School

102

Ijomu Obanla Ijapo Estate, Akure South

163

Igbokoro Ward in Owo

420

294

287

Ward 7 Jubilee

168

Alagbaka

448

Oka Ward 05 Unit 17

Ifedore, Ijare 2 Elemosho Unit 6

111

Akure Ward 3,Leo/Aragbaye, Banire Unit

314

Akure South LG. Oke-Aro Idile Area

1,100

Ondo West LG, Akinjagunla

616

NIL

See more results on page 12

Gunmen kill ex-customs controller, son in Yobe

P. 51

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

What’s new Interview

Nigeria needs a civilian constitution, not review of military constitution –Madubuike

TALKING POINT OF THE PAST WEEK OCTOBER 21, 2012

Jonathan’s wife arrives, denies Multiple explosions kill 10 in Maiduguri were reported curred at about 6:30 p.m. came a undergoing cosmetic surgery deadTeninpersons a multiple explosion, few hours after the District Head

Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike was a Minister of Education in the Second Republic and later Health Minister in the military era. He is presently a leader of the South-East Forum. He was among the Igbo leaders who were recently hosted by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa.

Politics

Seven Days

Following her controversial absence from the country for about two months, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, returned to the country on Wednesday, denying speculations that she had undergone a cosmetic surgery. She also lambasted those she said had speculated her death on the grounds that some occupants of State

House were destined not to leave the seat of power alive. Speaking in an interview at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, moments after arriving in a presidential jet, the President’s wife thanked God for bringing her back safely and expressed her commitment to the welfare of Nigerians. Jonathan’s plane arrived at the airport at about 4 p.m.

which rocked Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Monday night. The explosions were followed by sporadic gunshots, burning of schools and telecommunication masts. The worst hit area was Gwange ward, where a series of bomb blasts in the last two weeks led to the killing of some personnel of the Joint Task Force, JTF, including two officers. The first blast, which oc-

Labour rejects sale of PHCN to Abdulsalami

‘Not only celebrities, even pastors’ marriages crash nowadays’ Princess Anne Inyang came to the limelight in 1996 with the release of her debut album, All the way with my Jesus. In this interview, the prolific song writer and vocalist reveals what inspired her to sing the hit track, Akanam Nkwe. She also speaks about her marriage, among other issues.

Wellness

Don’t go to unqualified persons for eye tests, Optometrist warns

N42.1bn scam: SFU impounds Uba’s exotic cars There seems to be no reprieve for the Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Industries as officers of the Special Fraud Unit, SFU, stormed his residence and impounded three exotic cars in its bid to defray his liabilities in the oil subsidy scam and indebtedness to others. Sighted were three cars, a GMC Yukon, with a Lagos number plate and a Bentley with special inscription ’Jack Barclay’ as its regis-

tered number inside the Milverton Street premises of the anti-fraud unit. Another vehicle, a white Range Rover, with a Police Spy plate no. FF4651, was also parked beside the vehicles, although its ownership could not be ascertained. A usually reliable source inside the SFU said the unit was moving to recover assets belonging to the oil magnate which can be used to offset his liabilities.

UNIPORT 4: Police participated in beating victims –Suspects

Two of the suspects arrested in connection with the killings of the four students of the University of Most people with Port Harcourt, Mr. David farsightedness usually have Chinasa Ugbaje (30) and Ikechukwu Louis Amadi (32), problem reading, sewing or said that a policeman pardoing anything that has to ticipated in beating the vicdo with close supervision or tims before evenWE HAVE DEPLOYED D 20 BUSES SOthey FARwere –MASSOB observation. tually lynched by the mob.

PETROLEUM CONSULTANT

MON

Idowu Togun

Ugbaje, who was paraded with 12 others by the Rivers State Police Command, said two policemen came to the scene of the incident. He said while one of the policemen pleaded with the mob to show mercy on the students, the other joined the beating 4 crowd in them.

SAT FRI THU WED TUE

Applause

Electricity Distribution Plc, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc and Yola Electricity Distribution Company Plc. The first three are located in what can be described as the prime zones in the nation’s electricity corridor. The President-General of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, SSAEAC, Mr. Bede Opara, doubted the transparency of the process.

SUN

Controversy trails impeachment of Kogi Speaker, House leadership

Stakeholders, including civil society groups, have called for the probe of how Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited, owned by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, emmerged as winner in the bid for the nation’s four electricity distribution companies. The firm was on Tuesday declared the core investor and highest bidder for Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Ikeja

of Gwange, who was killed by suspected terrorists was buried at the local cemetery amidst tight security. Deafening explosions were also heard in other parts of the Maiduguri metropolis and Jere Local Government Area as well as sporadic shootings from both the JTF and the terrorists, a situation that led to the killing of innocent people who were rushing home for safety.

My day starts with my morning devotion and Bible reading. I attempt to read 13 chapters of the Bible everyday, which gives me the opportunity of reading my Bible twice in a year from the beginning to the end. I’m not a pastor but I shepherd people. I have people who look onto me and who I have to pray for in the mornings. I spend from 10 o’clock to 5 o’clock in prayers and servitude, talking to my maker. After that, I start the activities of the day checking on business… how it is doing and all that. My family lives abroad so I have opportunity of doing my things without any constrains, or without being hampered by family chores. Once I call them on the phone in the morning and I know their activities for the day, I’m alright to get on with the day. I would usually also endeavour during the day to make phone calls to my loved ones. I do on a daily basis. I must call somebody to cheer him up. It is compulsory that I encourage somebody in a day. It is very necessary that I put a smile on somebody’s face everyday. And I do this from Monday to Sunday. Having done all that, my evenings usually start with going on a long walk. I have to keep healthy. I walk from my house which is in Ogba to Shoprite which is in Alausa, Ikeja on a daily basis as a means of keeping fit. I get back home, have my shower, o my devotion again, respond to text messages and to my emails in the evening. It is the same routine that I have this second day of the week. On Tuesday, my evening is as viable as in the church. Wednesdays are same, nothing much is different except if something that needs my immediate attention crops up. My Thursday is faith clinic in the church. This day is somehow less busy for me because I start preparing for my weekend. I’m a student. On Saturdays, I go to school, from morning till evening. I’m in the Redeemers’ University running a course. On Sunday, I go to church. I eat out. I love eating out on Sunday afternoons just to keep myself busy and away from the kitchen chores. I love cooking, so I cook. I do all my cooking on Sundays for the week and that is if I’m not disturbed by certain friends who would want to come around me. My week is very monotonous, very constant and maybe uninteresting. *By Adaeze Amos (0802 301 2293)

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

THE

Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

October 21, 2012

Joint session of National Assembly

President Jonathan

2013: One budget, many controversies On October 10, President Goodluck Jonathan redeemed his integrity by presenting the 2013 budget to parliament. It was in record time and had not happened in a long while. But, that is where the good news seems to end. Since the budget presentation, its contents have remained a subject of controversy. Head, Special Investigations, Isioma Madike, in this report, examines the contentious issues through the eyes of experts

igerians, on October 10, were pleased when the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, made good his promise to present the 2013 budget in good time. Unlike other similar presentations, it came early and was, indeed, a refreshing and radical departure from the past. Beyond that, the proposal, which was presented to a joint session of the National Assembly, appeared to have followed the tradition of the 2012 budget. It was christened a budget of ‘Fiscal consolidation with inclusive growth’, and anchored on four major planks. These are: macroeconomic stability, structural reforms, governance and institutions as well as investment in priority sectors. The aggregate expenditure is N4.92 trillion, which is a five per cent increase over the N4.7 trillion appropriated in 2012. While giving an insight into the details of the budget, the Finance Minister and Co-coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had said, “we worked on the basis of crude oil production projection of 2.53 million barrels a day against 2.48 million barrels a day in 2012, and benchmark price of $75 a barrel against $72 a barrel in 2012. There is a fiscal deficit reduction of 2.17 per cent in 2013, from 2.85 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP); this is below the three per cent as prescribed by the fiscal responsibility bill.” The Minister did not stop there. She also said that there is a new approach to managing debt in the economy as implanted in the budget. She noted that the country had gradually reduced the yearly domestic borrowing from N852 billion in 2011 to N744 billion in 2012, adding that the 2013

budget projected N727 billion. Therefore, by 2015, “we want to bring the yearly borrowing down to N500 billion, not the entire debt stock. Most importantly, we want to start a sinking fund and will devote about N25 billion into the fund in order to start putting money aside to retire the debt that has built up. Another N75 billion will be set aside to retire a bond that will be due in February 2013.” She continued: “In the budget, recurrent expenditure is reduced from 71.47 per cent of the total budget in 2012 down to 68.66 per cent. So, we are continuing the trend by increasing capital expenditure from 28.53 per cent in 2012 to 31.34 per cent in 2013.” However, a renowned economist and financial analyst, Henry Boyo, has picked a hole in the new budget. He believes that its features are not reflective of any progressive action on the part of government. According to him, budget presentations or the budget instrument itself as a measure of what to expect or as a measure of potential development has not been a good marker in the past. He added that Nigerians would readily tell you that they have not seen any respite in their deprived, impoverished state as regards any meaningful budget approval or indeed, implementation. Aside that, Boyo also accused the media, which he said are creating false expectations that the budget content has the ability to truthfully transform the country and improve the social welfare of the people. “I said the media creates the hype because when you look at it from the perspective of what is required, particularly in the area of capital and infrastructural enhancement, you

THIS BUDGET CAN’T TRANSFORM ANYTHING –FINANCIAL EXPERT

find that hardly has any budget allocation for capital enhancement reached as high as N2 trillion in any one year; even this 2013 budget we are talking about, N1. 57 trillion is basically about $8 billion. When you juxtapose the total capital budget allocation of about $8 billion against the requirement that we are told would be necessary for power generation in order for us to achieve the level of power generation that is adequate, and it depends on who you are talking to, you hear that we need between $40 billion and $100 billion in order to have adequate and steady power supply all over the country. And now we are talking of a total capital expenditure in a year of $8 billion, you could see that even if we use all our capital allocation for power, we would need to spend all of that for between eight and 10 years before we even get power right. Water is still there so also agriculture, roads and transportation are there; aviation, health and so on and so forth. So, the lesson I am trying to draw is that the media, unfortunately creates the hype that the budget will transform the people’s lives,” he said. Boyo says the budget can put down the framework that looks like it may transform people’s lives but doubts that such transformation may not come from the expectation of the relatively meager sums that are allocated to capital and infrastructural enhancement. “One is rather disappointed that in view of the general acceptance of the huge level of corruption, waste and duplication within the system, the ratio between the capital budget and the recurrent expenditure is being brought down at a very miserly rate of about two per cent. One would have expected that the level of corruption and waste in the system is probably more than 50 per cent of the total money available; in other words, about 50 per cent of money available are being used for what they are designed for and 50 per cent is probably being wasted, stolen or mismanaged. So really, if you sincerely believe in infrastructure enhancement, the worthy example of Lagos State where the recurrent expenditure is now about 40 per cent and capital expenditure about 60 per cent, that would be a decent model to show that you are truly concerned and you are trying to bring about a change,” he said. Incidentally, Boyo is not alone in his observation. Other CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

‘BUDGET COMPONENTS NOT FRIENDLY TO FINANCIAL MARKET’

The Big Read

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

This budget can’t transform anything –Financial expert

Mark and Tambuwal

Okonjo-Iweala

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 financial analysts are equally of the view that government should handle economic activities systematically to enhance development. To many of them, government ought to have evaluated the performance of the 2012 budget to ascertain the impact on the economy before jumping into the 2013 fiscal framework. Economists and financial experts also insist that the Federal Government must devise means of further reducing the N1.09 trillion deficits in the proposed 2013 budget, arguing that the drastic lowering of the deficit will strengthen the economy. According to them, a high fiscal deficit in the budget may trigger inflation, a development that can lead to a reduction in investment returns and by extension, reduce foreign investments. The Managing Director, Lambeth Trust & Investment Company Limited, David Adonri, pointed out that, “the budget components may not be friendly to the financial market because of the high level of debt. When over 26 per cent of a budget for the entire economic year is funded by debt, the tendency is that it may not be friendly to the economy.” Another analyst and Management Consultant, Dr. Kennedy Izuagbe, also believes that “unless and until government gets its priority right on deliberate attempts to promote transparency in governance, block leakages, weave a forward-looking plan to tackle head-on the issue of poor infrastructure, no budget would make any impact on the economy. This is because the structures that should make a budget implementation succeed are not on ground.” In like manner, the Chief Executive Officer of Economics Associates, Dr. Ayo Teriba, noted that a deficit of N1 trillion would not be healthy for a nation like Nigeria, but maintained that Nigeria had more to save than what was being projected as deficit. According to him, “a budget with projected revenue of N3.9 trillion and expenditure of N4.9 trillion is not too good. I think necessary precaution should be taken; but in this case, I want to state that we are even saving more than the deficit from the budget. In the prevailing global economic environment, Nigeria does not run any fiscal deficit anymore. Nigeria sells oil above its oil benchmark most times and our government even exceeds its projected budget expenditure from what it gets from the sales of oil. You cannot be saving and borrowing at the same time. It is wrong; so it is better you take all the money you want to use from your Excess Crude Account and save less. In fact, if you still want to save you will have something to save.” A former acting Head of Economics Department, University of Lagos, Prof. Kayode Familoni, echoed the same sentiment when he said, “a N1 trillion deficit is about 20 per cent of the projected expenditure. And I think for an inflation-ridden economy, it is not really recommended that there should be too much of a deficit. This is because of the potential of more inflation. It will further raise inflation in

tion and leakages within the system and investing it in infrastructural development. “So, the path the government is taking doesn’t gel for me and it does not make sense to tell someone that you have money in the bank and the same bank is paying me about 10 per cent and you prefer to go and borrow to finance this necessary sector at 20 per cent or more. In fact, one does not need to go to school to know which better decision to make in such circumstance. There is basically no motivation to go along that line; it’s not a good model,” he said. However, the financial analysts appear not to be alone in their concern for the growing level of debt and the high cost of debt servicing reflected in the 2013 budget. Members of the Organised Private Sector, through the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), in their summation, stated that the provision of N100 billion sinking fund for the repayment of maturing debt obligations was a welcome development. In a statement, its President, Goodie Ibru, said that the country’s debt profile remains a major source of concern. He also stated that the fiscal policy measures in the budget are far reaching. “We are concerned about the growing level of domestic debt and the high cost of debt servicing. Domestic borrowing is proposed to reduce from N747 billion in 2012 to N727 billion in 2013, a mere 2.3 per cent reduction, and a staggering N591.76 billion is earmarked for debt servicing. We commend these measures as they could boost domestic production, conserve foreign exchange and create jobs,” he said. Meanwhile, the budget benchmark has since turned a subject of another controversy as it has become the most topical issue in the country since the historic presentation of the budget on October 10. The disagreement over the oil price benchmark appears to have pitched the lawmakers against a large spectrum of financial market analysts and the executive arm of government, who insist on building adequate buffer for the economy in the face of the prospect of unpredictability in the global oil market next year. Before arriving at the $75 benchmark for a barrel of crude oil, according to government, the instability in the international crude oil market and the spasmodic nature of production in the country were given a serious consideration. The President had said, “This threat of oil price volatility remains constant and forces us to rely on a prudent methodology when calculating the benchmark price. “These are uncertain times in the world economy. We’ve taken necessary steps to mitigate possible negative effects of a global recession. As we build this nation and walk the path of development, we must be mindful of the realities of our circumstances and those of the changing global economy. This budget proposal was, therefore, designed against the backdrop of global economic uncertainty. By the end of the second quarter of this year, the global econo-

Izuagbe

the economy and I don’t think that is good for the average consumer. This is because it will reduce the purchasing power of many and may worsen poverty in the country.” Another Professor of Economics in the Department of Finance, University of Lagos, Esther Adegbite, also believes that, relative to the total expenditure, a deficit of N1 trillion, representing 20 per cent of the expenditure, was not sustainable. “It’s okay that the budget deficit is within the prescribed limits, but I think it is important they cut down on it. Relative to the total expenditure, to me, 20 per cent may be difficult to sustain. The impact generally is that it has its own way of driving inflation. And when this happens, the real rate of return on investment actually falls. In a situation like that, foreign investors are not encouraged and this can lead to capital flight.” In spite of these arguments, however, the Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismark Rewane, said the proposed expenditure and deficit in the 2013 budget were not too high. “It is a theoretical deficit and this is because they are using an oil price assumption of $75 per barrel. If the price is not at $75 and the production is not more than a particular level, that deficit becomes theoretical. This is an estimate and we don’t have to place too much emphasis on it for now because we have not even finished the 2012 budget. Let us evaluate the performance of that budget first before we now begin to look at the future budgets. We have few months to evaluate the 2012 budget,” he said. But, hardly had he finished that Boyo disagreed with him, insisting that such analogy did not make sense. According to him, what would have been the most rational thing to do is to find a way of reducing the waste, duplica-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The Big Read

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Our debt levels are very suspicious – Boyo Henry Boyo is an economist and financial analyst. He says in this interview with Isioma Madike that transformation may not come from the expectation of the relatively meagre sums that are allocated to capital and infrastructural enhancement in the 2013 budget. How would you evaluate the budget that was presented by President Goodluck Jonathan to the National Assembly? Well, the truth of course is that I would want to first note that budget presentations or the budget instrument itself as a measure of what to expect or as a measure of potential development has not been a good marker in the past. Nigerians would readily tell you that they have not seen any respite in their deprived impoverished state as regards any meaningful budget approval or indeed, implementation. When you look at it from the perspective of what is required, particularly in the area of capital and infrastructural enhancement, you find that hardly has any budget allocation for capital infrastructure enhancement reached as high as N2 trillion in any one year. The 2013 budget we talking of, is about N1. 57 trillion, basically about $8 billion and when you juxtapose the total capital budget allocation of about $8 billion against the requirement that we are told would be necessary for power generation in order for us to achieve the level of power generation that is adequate, and it depends on who you are talking to, you hear that we need between $40 billion and $100 billion in order to have adequate and steady power supply all over the country. And now we are talking of a total capital expenditure in a year of $8 billion, you could see that even if we use all our capital allocation for power, we would need to spend all of that for between eight and 10 years before we even get power right. Water is still there so also agriculture, roads and transportation are there; aviation, health and so on and so forth Are you saying that nothing good can come out of the 2013 budget? Well, the budget can put down the framework that it may transform people’s lives but, certainly that transformation would not come from the expectation of the relatively meager sums that is allocated to capital and infrastructural enhancement. So, there is nothing that one can

Boyo

say that would give one much confidence in expecting that the 2013 budget or its content would transform our lives, create employment, reduced cost of borrowing or reduce the rate of inflation. A lot of people have noticed that the budget did not address the issue of monetary policy. So really, if you sincerely believe in infrastructure enhancement, the worthy example of Lagos State, where the recurrent expenditure is now about 40 per cent and capital expenditure about 60 per cent, that would be a decent model to show that you are truly concerned and you are trying to bring about a change. But, certainly not a rate of two per cent because if it stands at that, President Goodluck Jonathan would leave office before any meaningful balance between the recurrent and capital expenditure would be achieved and I am sure Mr. President wouldn’t like such a scenario to happen; he would rather prefer to see more people enjoy under his umbrella. How do you mean…? It’s simple! The budget that does not give pride of place, for example, to putting in place a viable and proactive

monetary policy framework is as good as a dead lion. Let’s be honest with ourselves, the fiscal policy as interpreted by the budget is very faulty and defective simply because it has a huge disparity between recurrent and capital expenditure in a time, for example, when we should have higher capital expenditure. The reality, of course, is that if you have a bad monetary policy model, even your best fiscal framework would not redeem you as a country. So, the essence of what I am saying is that your fiscal policy instrument in terms of the budget becomes meaningless if it’s underpinned by faulty and defective monetary policy framework. Unfortunately, this is what we have at the moment and that is why, over the years the budget appears to be bloated every year but people still tell you confidently that it is much better many years ago than now when we have more money. The budget is being debated now. While the government is arguing on $75, the legislators seem to be seeing it in a different light. Even at that, the projection is that the excess crude could fetch about $10 billion. What would be the implication of that on Nigeria’s debt profile and the intention of government to keep borrowing to finance infrastructural development in the country? Well, I don’t know how best to describe economic sabotage. But one thing is certain, anybody who works against the interest of the country to which he belongs, either knowingly or unknowingly by ensuring that the resources of the country are mismanaged and quickly be allowed to be frittered away, I think it would be appropriate to call that kind of person or group of people economic saboteurs. You might ask how that relates to what we are talking about. Plenty, I would say. Because you have a situation whereby the amount of debt that has been accumulating over time is very suspicious; you have a situation it appears that there is always a conscious attempt to choose a very comfortable bench mark either in terms of prices of output or crude oil, which produces over 80 per cent of the country’s incomes. The net effect always, I dare say that in the last 10 years or more crude oil prices have never falling below the approved benchmark, maybe in one year in 2008 or so. But, is still the fact that crude oil prices have never falling below budget bench mark for so many years. Interestingly, what happens is that the excess receipts above the benchmark have often been warehoused.

‘Budget components not friendly to financial market’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 my was recovering but at a very slow pace. The uncertainty surrounding the global economy, which could have adverse effects on commodity prices, highlights the downside risks for our economy. The oil market is well known for its volatility. We recall the 2008 experience at the height of the global economic downturn when oil prices fell almost overnight from $147 per barrel to $38 per barrel. This underscores the need to rely on a robust and prudent methodology to estimate the benchmark price,” the President said. However, the persuasive speech of the President appeared not convincing enough for the lawmakers. First, it was the House of Representatives that kicked against the proposed yardstick when it insisted on an $80 per barrel benchmark. The House had, a day before the presentation while approving the 2013-15 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) raised the benchmark from the $75 fixed by the Executive to $80. Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibril, who made known the position of the House said, “there are no bases for crude oil price benchmark to be at $75 dollars per barrel in the 2013 budget,” insisting rather that Okonjo-Iweala was deliberately distorting facts on the benchmark price. According to him, the House will not go back on the

issue of $80 oil benchmark because the $5 difference will be used to finance the huge budget deficit of over N1 trillion by cutting domestic borrowing from N600 billion to N200 billion. Jibril argued that this would reduce government borrowing thereby making available huge revenue for private sector lending and job creation. “We are not going to go back on $80 oil benchmark because the issue is that at $75, they claim there is crisis in the Euro zone but they are not telling Nigerians that there is crisis in the Middle East and in Sudan too, which will keep oil prices high and that the United States economy is gradually picking up and all forecast by international agencies project above $100 per barrel in 2013. And what percentage of our crude oil is being consumed by the European countries that if they have crisis we will be affected? We are determined to stop this now. The $5 increase is to finance budget deficit,” he added. As if looking for a common ground, the Senate suggests what it termed “most realistic benchmark”, which it pegged at $78 per barrel, $2 off the $80 mark proposed by the House and $3 off the Executive’s $75 proposal. The Senate resolution was sequel to the adoption of recommendations of its joint committees on Finance, National Planning, Economic Affairs and Poverty Alleviation on the 2013-2015 MTEF and Fis-

cal Strategy Paper (FSP). The upper chamber also advised the President to be more cautious in external borrowings. The joint Committee, according its chairman, Senator Ahmed Maikarfi, opted for a higher benchmark price of crude oil but agreed to recommend the adoption of $78 for purposes of the MTEF and FSP pending submission of 2013 budget details. Again, many believe that the position of the senators could breed another squabble between them and members of the House. But Senate spokesman, Senator Enyinnanya Abaribe, has come out to allay such fears of conflict between the Senate and the House of Representatives over the difference on the benchmark figures. He said instead, both chambers would use the instrumentalities of the conference of both chambers to harmonise their position. “The result of that conference will be presented to the Nigerian people,” he assured. However, the Managing Director of Afrinvest, Ike Chioke, has said that, given the complexities of the Nigerian situation, both the executive and the legislature have some fundamental reasons for holding unto their different positions on the benchmark price for crude oil. He believes there was logic in both sides’ points of view even as he explained that the Ministry of Finance that drafted the budget saw the need to sustain macroeconomic stability in

view of the emerging realities in the international oil market. He said that the argument of the lawmakers should not be dismissed outright in view of the logicality of their position. He also believes that if care is not taken, the additional savings, which the executive is targeting, may be counterproductive as it may lead to a situation whereby the private sector may be the loser at the end of the day. According to him, government intended to make some savings from the recent tight measure, but forgot that the private sector may be starved of credits on the long run. “When you pile up savings, it makes it difficult for the private sector to borrow from banks at competitive interest rates,” he added. Interestingly, Chioke has found support in Boyo, who says that debt accumulation by Nigerian governments over time is very suspicious. “It thus appears that there is always a conscious attempt to choose a very comfortable benchmark either in terms of prices of output or crude oil, which produces over 80 per cent of the country’s income. The net effect always is that the excess receipts above the benchmark have often been warehoused. It is from these warehoused excesses that you now have your excess crude account or sovereign wealth funds even though there is still no legislative approval for the existence of any of these funds. It happens that way because the benchmarks had always been deliberately and conservatively understated,” he said.

Sunday October 21, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fresh flooding imminent in Abuja, 19 states

he Federal Ministry of Environment yesterday in Abuja announced a prediction of heavy rainfall which could cause flooding between now and October 27 in 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT, Abuja.

Deputy Director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management of the ministry, Dr. Morohunkeji Oyeleke, made the announcement in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He identified the floodprone states as Kaduna, Kwara, Benue, Borno, Oyo, Niger, Cross River and Akwa Ibom. Others are Taraba, Lagos, Osun,

Bauchi, Sokoto, Plateau, Adamawa, Gombe, Imo, Ogun and Kebbi. The ministry also identified in specific terms some areas that could be affected as Sakaba in Kebbi, Sagamu in Ogun, Okigwe in Imo and Nafada in Gombe state. Other areas are Kari and Kirfi in Bauchi State, Makira in Sokoto State, Shelleng and Shendam in Plateau, and Mubi and Numan in Adamawa. The ministry also listed Donga, Lau and Mutum-Biyu in Taraba, Etiosa, Lekki and Surulere in Lagos State and Igbo-Ora in Osun. It further listed Briyel in Bukuru and Otukpo in Benue, Calabar in Cross

River and Eket, Etinan, Ikot-Nakada, Itu and Oron areas of Akwa Ibom. The flood-prone areas included Abaji, Kwali, Bwari, Mabushi, Kukwaba, Guzape, Karu, Kuje, Kurudu and Lugbe in the FCT. The ministry also said areas which could be affected by the downpour-induced flood included Apata, Bodija, Challenge, Eleyele, Moniya, Aiyete, Eruwa, Iseyin, Kisi and Ogbomoso in Oyo State. It also listed Bida, Katcha, Kontagora, Mashegu and Sarki Pawa, all in Niger, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna, Jemaa, Kachia in Kaduna State and Bode Saadu, Ilorin, Kosubosu and Lafiaji in Kwara.

The ministry appealed to the governments in the identified states to take all necessary precautionary measures to avoid any untold hardship. It added that adherence to similar warnings in the past had saved many people’s lives and property. Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reiterated the need for interagency synergy in managing disasters. South West Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Mr. Iyiola Akande, said this in Lagos at a workshop on awareness and preparedness for emergencies at the local government level. Akande said that unless

Experts predict likely food shortage in 2013 TOLA AKINMUTIMI

espite the spirited efforts and financial commitment by the Federal Government to ensure that Nigeria does not experience food scarcity in the post-flooding era, some experts believe that the humanitarian and other socio-economic interventions might not necessarily forestall food shortage in the medium term.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN (right) and the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major-General Kenneth Minimah, during an interactive session with heads of Army formations and senior Army officers in Lagos on the new Lagos traffic law in Lagos yesterday

to show that it was totally concerned about the plight of the farmers with the President personally visiting the affected states and giving assurances of full support. We have also seen the support of the private sector. “We expect that these interventions will help the farmers to recover from the initial shock and make them to get back to their farmlands and start planting. But the truth is that if we look at the quantum of crops in storage barns and livestock that were destroyed by the floods, then it will be quite clear that some gap may be seen in food supply by next year. “Already, we are seeing one of the immediate effects in the prices of food

items. If you go to the market now you will notice that the prices of food items are going up. We feel the interventions are excellent but they may not totally rule out the possibility of food shortage next year,” Ojei said. Another expert in food crops production and management, Mr. Ayobami Ajayi, told ‘Sunday Mirror’ that while the level of funding committed to the Federal Government’s intervention in the disaster areas would go a long way to help the farmers, he believes that there is need to do more by all stakeholders to leverage on the drive for timely recovery of losses recorded from the floods. Ajayi said the magni-

tude of the losses suffered by farmers was so much that there is serious concern of probable food problems in the country by next year, adding however that if the current commitment shown by the Federal Government is sustained and complemented at the state levels, the food shortage gap might be reduced. “With what we have seen and read in the newspapers so far, it is only logical to say that food shortage may be witnessed next year. But we must commend the Federal Government for rising to the challenges created by the floods through funding and other humanitarian supports that are being given to farmers,’’ the expert forecast.

deployed toward preventive activities against anticipated disasters. On the recent flooding of several states following the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroun, Akande said the Federal Government had begun discussions with the government of that country, to prevent future occurrence. According to him, the government plans to construct smaller dams along Rivers Niger and Benue for effective utilisation of water and prevention of future occurrence of flood. NAN reports that NEMA officials in the six states as well as staff of some local governments in Lagos State attended the workshop.

Army officers promise to obey, enforce new Lagos traffic law MURTALA AYINLA

ABUJA

Speaking about the devastating flooding crisis that swept through thousands of farmlands in major parts of the country over the past two months and the implications for security, Oxfam GB Associate Country Director in Nigeria, Tunde Ojei, said as much as Federal Government and other stakeholders’ timely intervention would go a long way to mitigate the negative impact of the floods, these might not fully prevent food shortage next year. Ojei, who said his organisation had just completed an assessment visit to one of the states badly affected by the floods, said whereas efforts by government to provide inputs in form of hybrid seeds and funds to the farmers would serve as immediate relief to the affected farmers but that when the crops barns and livestock washed away by the floods are taken into consideration, the likelihood of food shortage may not be ruled out. “I think the Federal Government has done so much

disaster management and risks reduction were effectively driven at all levels, their management would be difficult and costly. He underscored the importance of the Local Emergency Management Agency (LEMA) as the first responder to emergencies. ``The chairmen in different local governments are advised to strengthen the structure so that disasters can be averted or mitigate their effects. ``They are the direct link with key service delivery,’’ Akande stated. He noted that the special relief fund allocated to the agency, as announced recently by President Goodluck Jonathan, would be

The implementation of the new Lagos traffic law yesterday got the backing of the military as the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division of the Nigeria Army in Lagos, Major-General Kenneth Minimah, pledged that the military would not only conform but will also champion enforcement of obedience to the law. Speaking after listening to the state governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), at an interactive session with senior army officers and heads of army formations in Lagos on the at the 81 Division Auditorium, Onikan, General Minimah said there was no reason the new traffic law should not work. He asserted that the military formations would go beyond just obeying the law but also take part in enforcing it since it is a legitimate law of the state that had passed through the necessary processes before becoming a law. Governor Fashola, while addressing the gathering, said everyone must realise that roads are shared assets and that everyone is expected to play their individual roles in managing the usage. He added that road mishaps are bound to happen but that most of them happen because the people do not measure the consequences of some of the actions they take on the road, in terms of observing the rules. He cited the example of the latest road accident that happened on the Shagamu-Benin Expressway where 33 people were

drowned when their vehicle plunged into a river. He added that many people are increasingly having their lives cut short during various road mishaps, noting that such fatalities add up to the cumulative life expectancy in Nigeria which stands at between 48 and 49. Governor Fashola said it was regrettable that anybody who is above 49 is considered to be on injury time or extra time, while in other societies, people are living up to 80 and 90 years. The governor explained that while there could be traffic in the city, it must be understood that there is rush hour traffic which is the period when children are being taken to school, while the parents also head for work, a movement which reverses in the evening. According to him, on Saturdays and Sundays, anyone could drive across the length and breadth of Lagos without hindrance, except the ones that are self-inflicted in terms of celebrations like birthdays, weddings and memorial remembrance. “So most of what is happening here are the choices that we make. In Europe too, they have their selfinflicted traffic. You cannot go round Chelsea area or Arsenal’s on Saturday or Sunday when they are playing football. It is a lockdown”. “If we go out now, we will see that we have caused some traffic because we asked everybody from different formations to come here. So, it has to be managed and therefore, if we are all patient and go one after the other, it would ease,” he urged.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Dateline

SHAPING THE FUTURE WITH THE PAST OCTOBER 21, 2012

Nigeria Civil war: Stirring a hornet’s nest

Prof. Chinua Achebe

FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

evered author, Chinua Achebe stirred the hornet nests recently in his new book entitled “There Was a Country” which was said to be his memoir of the Nigerian Civil War. The book has continued to generate controversies across the country. In the book, Achebe accused the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo of using his position as the Vice Chairman of the wartime Federal Cabinet to pursue some policies that led to the death of several Igbo during the war. The highly reverend author, Chinua Achebe also said that he was “forced” to author the book because “there is precious little relevant literature that helps to answer some questions”. He asserted that the Federal Government of Nigeria engaged in the genocide of Biafran citizens who set up the Biafra Republic in 1967 through punitive policies, the most notorious being “starvation as legitimate weapon of war. Also, he said the information blockade around the war was a case of calculated historical suppression. The writer further queried why the war has not been discussed, taught to the young more than 40 years after its end, wondering whether Nigerians are “perpetually doomed to repeat the errors of the past because we are too stubborn to learn from them”. To further justify the authenticity of his memoir, Achebe claimed that all the policies employed by the then Federal Military Government under General Yakubu Gowon were grand design to exterminate the Igbo people. He insisted that the calculation was

predicated on a holy jihad proclaimed by mainly Islamic extremist in the Nigerian Army and supported by policies of economic blockade that prevented shipment of humanitarian aid, food and supplies to the needy in Biafra. In taking up the late sage, Achebe said Awolowo and other intellectuals who were members of General Gowon’s wartime cabinet came up with those “boatload of infamous and regrettable policies”. “A statement credited to Awolowo and echoed by his cohorts is the most callous and unfortunate: ‘all is fair in war, and starvation is one of the weapons of war. I don’t see why we should feed our enemies fat in order for them to fight harder”, Achebe wrote. Achebe incurred the wrath of many people believed to be disciples of Awolowo further when he said the late Awolowo was “driven by an overriding ambition for power, for himself and his Yoruba people”. Quoting from the book, Achebe said: “Awolowo saw the dominant Igbos at the time as obstacles to that goal and when the opportunity arose –the Nigeria-Biafra war, his ambition drove him into a frenzy to go to every length to achieve his dreams. In the Biafran case, it meant hatching up a diabolical policy to reduce the number of his enemies significantly through starvation, eliminating two million people mainly members of the future generation”. Reactions have continued to trail Achebe’s assertion. Apart from disciples of Awolowo who have reacted to the controversy, the umbrella body of Igbo living in Lagos, the Ndigbo Lagos led by respected Professor Anya O. Anya said what ought to be the priority in the country now was sustaining the unfolding harmonious relations between the Igbo and Yoruba nations rather than trade blames.

A statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of Ndigbo Lagos, Chief Chuma Igwe reads: “Ndigbo Lagos deems the ongoing heated reactions to Elder statesman and world renowned writer, Prof Chinua Achebe’s personal chronicle of his experience during the civil war as being very unnecessary. “At this point in time the South-East, SouthSouth and South-West are in consultations working together for a better Nigeria to ensure that such a situation does not arise again. Ndigbo Lagos believes that the commendable quality of interpersonal relationship between Ndigbo and the Yoruba Nation should be sustained and translated into mutually beneficial political, social and cultural relationship for the progress of our country. Also, the principal actor in the event that led to the civil war, General Yakubu Gowon equally told the same online medium that both himself, the late Chief Awolowo as well as the entire members of the cabinet have no regret for whatever action they took during the crisis. General Gowon, who declared both himself and late Chief Awolowo innocent of the allegations leveled against them by Achebe, also declared that “if there was no secession, there wouldn’t have been the war that we had, which was a very unfortunate situation in the life of Nigeria”. The former Head of States, who was quoted to have been speaking with the

online medium from his London home through a telephone interview, also charged Achebe to go and ask historians about the beginning of the war rather than blame Awolowo. “Let him check himself and of course on our part, we know that, that was not what we were. That was how we were portrayed but, on our part, we know that was not what we were in our actions and all that”. “The historians will tell you the correct story. I am not in Nigeria presently and honestly this is a question that I have had to answer several times. You would have asked them if there was a controversy or whoever did what. Let them do their own interpretation of what happened”. “If there was no secession, we wouldn’t have the civil war. Awolowo was not the cause of the secession. Why then are they bringing him into this controversy?” “You can be rest assured that as far as we are concerned, we did everything that was possible. And we have no cause to regret what we did. So, I think whoever is saying what I am now hearing that they are saying, the question is; why are they saying what they are saying now? For what reason are they saying it at this time”, Gowon stated. And as the controversy rages, we went to the National Library’s archive to present letters and reports on the Nigerian Civil war for the readers to know what actually happened during the war. We equally spoke with prominent Nigerians about that particular period in the nation’s history.

Build up to the Nigerian Civil war ONUKWUBE OFOELUE

he problems that led to the war started around 1962, when a general census conducted was alleged to be riddled with malpractices and inflation of figures of such astronomical proportions that the Eastern Region refused to accept the result. A second census was carried out in 1963, and even then the figures were accepted with some reservations. Meanwhile the people of the Middle Belt area of the North had grown increasingly intolerant of the NPC rule of the North. The Tiv, one of the major tribes in the Middle Belt, openly rioted for almost three years (1962 - 1965). Then came the biggest crisis of them all - the general election of 1964. The election was alleged to be neither free nor fair. All devices imaginable were said to have been used by the ruling parties in the regions to eliminate opponents. The rigging and irregularities in the election in the Western Region election were alleged to be more brazen and more shameful. Law and order broke down completely leading to an almost complete state of anarchy. Arson and indiscriminate killings were committed by a private army of thugs of political parties. Law abiding citizens lived in constant fear of their lives and properties. This was the state of affairs when the

coup of 15 January 1966 took place. “As an immediate cause, it might be claimed that the explosion of that day could be traced back along the powder trail to the fuse lit at the time of the Western Region election of October 1965.” The aim of the coup was to establish a strong, unified and prosperous nation, free from corruption and internal strife. The outcome of the half-hearted and ill-fated coup was a change of political balance in the country. But the North did not see it that way as all the politicians and senior military officers killed were from the North and Western Region except a political leader and a senior Army officer from the Mid - West and the East respectively. The coup hastened the collapse of Nigeria. Most of the coup planners were of Southern origin, but the Northerners in particular saw it as a deliberate plan to eliminate the political heavy weights in the North in order to pave way for the Easterners to take over the leadership role from them. A counter coup was staged by the Northern military officers on 29 July 1966 with two aims: revenge on the East, whose only role was to lead the coup, and a breakup of the country. But the wise counsel of dedicated Nigerians, interested and welldisposed foreigners prevailed. The lack of planning and the revengeful intentions of the second coup manifested itself in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

Dateline

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Build up to the Nigerian Civil war CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 chaos, confusion and the scale of unnecessary killings of the Easterners throughout the country. Even the authors of the coup could not stem the general lawlessness and disorder, the senseless looting and killing which spread through the North like wild fire on 29 September 1966. Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon, the then Head of State, in a broadcast to the people of the North in September said; “I receive complaints daily that up till now Easterners living in the North are being killed and molested and their property looted. It appears that it is going beyond reason and is now at a point of recklessness and irresponsibility.” On 13 August 1966, troops of Eastern Nigeria origin serving elsewhere in the country were officially released and posted to Enugu, the capital of Eastern Region, while troops of non-Eastern origin in Enugu moved to Kaduna and Lagos. This marked the beginning of division and disunity within the rank and file of the Nigerian Armed Forces. “This simple and seemingly innocuous action broke the last thread and split the last institution symbolizing Nigeria’s nationhood and cohesion which had been regularly tampered with by the politicians since 1962. The rift between the Eastern Region and the rest of the country was total.” With the troops of Eastern Re-

gion back in Enugu and the nonEastern troops withdrawn from there, with Nigerians of non-Eastern origin driven out of the East in their own interest, and with Easterners at home and abroad returning home with news of Nigerian’s brutality against them, and with the oil flowing in the Eastern Region, the way was now open for the implementation of the secession. The East and the North began a virulent war of words through their radios and newspapers. Early in 1967, a peace meeting of the Military Council and Lt. Col. Ojukwu was called under Gen. Ankrah of Ghana in Aburi, Ghana. Ojukwu’s terms for a sovereign Biafra, which was agreed upon, was later rejected by Gowon. Ojukwu accused the Federal Government of bad faith and going back on promises. The Federal Government accused Ojukwu of distortion and half truths. Eventually 12 States were created throughout the country on 27 May 1967. When the Eastern Region was divided into three states, the reaction from Enugu was sharp and quick: the declaration of Eastern Nigeria as the independent sovereign state of “Biafra” on 30 May 1967. The month of June was used by both sides to prepare for war. Each side increased its military arsenal and moved troops to the border watching and waiting until the crack of the first bullet at the dawn of 6 July 1967 from the Federal side.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I’ve done no evil to th

During the 1983 elections, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was hosted to a town hall inter Abeokuta, where in addition to other pertinent topics of the day, he spoke on his ro war, the 20 pounds policy, starvation as a weapon, change of currency, abandone among others. Excerpts eople who as members of the Federal Military Government at that time, were party to that decision and are today, in some cases, inheritors of power in one Nigeria which that decision of yours helped to save. How do you feel being cast in this role, and what steps are you taking to endear yourself once again to that large chunk of Nigerians who feel embittered? As far as I know, the Igbo masses are friendly to me. In fact, whenever I visit Igboland, either Anambra or Imo, and there’s no campaigning for elections on, the people receive me warmly and affectionately. But there are some elements in Igboland who believe that they can maintain their popularity only by denigrating me, and so they keep on telling lies against me. Ojukwu is one of them. I don’t want to mention the names of the others because they are still redeemable, but Ojukwu is irredeemable so I mention his name, and my attitude to these lies is one of indifference, I must confess to you. I’ve learnt to rely completely on the providence and vindication of Almighty God in some of these things. I’ve tried to explain myself in the past, but these liars persist. Ojukwu had only recently told the same lie against me. What’s the point in correcting lies when people are determined to persist in telling lies against you, what’s the point? I know that someday, the Igbo, the masses of the Igbo people will realise who their friends are, and who their real enemies are. And the day that happens, woe betide those enemies. The Igbo will deal with them very roughly. That has happened in my life. I have a nickname now, if you see my letterhead, you’ll find something on top, you’ll find a fish done on the letterhead. Some people put lion on theirs, some people put tiger, but mine is fish. And fish represents my zodiac sign; those of you who read the stars and so on in the newspapers; you’ll find out that there’s a zodiac sign known as pieces. In Latin pieces mean

Fish. So, I put pieces on top, that’s my zodiac si 6th of March. And then on top of it I write, know the meaning of that. You know I don’t w ry but Awolowo school, omo Awolowo, this st in Mid-west in those days. They were ridicul building schools –brick and cement, to dpc le and mud thereafter. And so the big shots in kind of school is this? is this Awolowo school when they saw the children..”ah these Aw can’t read and write, Awolowo children” that ridicule, and it became blessing, and now th dren, they are good people” no more ridicule started, so the Eebu becomes honor, the abus so, when I look back to all my life, treasona abuses that were heaped on me, to Coker In see what has happened to the people who led campaigns, where are they today? Those tha call Homo Mortuus- dead living, that’s what So when I look back, I come to the conclusi es which have been heaped on me all my life doing good, they have become honour, and s my nicknames. So I’ve cultivated an attitud done no evil to the Ibos. During the war, I saw to it that the revenue Iboland- South Eastern states they call it, at t state, I kept it, I saved the money for them. librated I handed over the money to them- m to do so, I could have kept the money away when they took over I saw to it that subventi at the rate of 990,000 pounds every month. I d

‘How Ojukwu rejected offer of food corridor’ T

his was a letter written by Robert S. Goldstein, the Public Relations Representative of Biafra in the United States during the war.. It was first published in the Morning Post, Lagos on August 17, 1968. As your Public Relation’s Representative in the United States, it is my distasteful duty to tender my resignation based on the following points: POINT 1 - In November of 1967 when we met in Umuahia, you and your Cabinet were very impressive. You told me of the woes of your little Republic, that thousands of people had died, were dying and more were prepared to die for freedom’s sake. You and your Cabinet told me you believed world opinion would help your cause if you could get your story across. You expressed the opinion that very few if any people in the United States knew of the plight of the Biafrans. You asked me to tell the world that Britain had teamed up with Russia in a conspiracy with the Federal Government of Nigeria to murder every Ibo in Biafra. You suggested I use my talents to induce the Press to write about the Biafran side of the war, as at that time all news came out of Lagos. You will recall I did not take the asssignment that day but stayed on several days before deciding to take that job.

To help win the peace At that time I stated to you and your

cabinet that I was taking the assignment making it crystal clear I would try my best to help win the peace not the war. POINT TWO - I immediately arranged the first world Press conference in Biafra inviting the US Press as well as journalists and television people from England, France, Switzerland, Africa and other parts of the Globe. This was the first news break through. I arranged regular trips into Biafra for the world Press, helped set up stringers, etc., so that your statements and the statements of your Cabinet would be heard. At that time, I was absolutely positive you were right and your cause was a just one in the best interests of the free world and your countrymen. POINT THREE - Finally the Republic of Biafra was recognized first by Tanzania, then quickly followed by Gabon, the Ivory Coast and Zambia. Our public relations work was paying off, world opinion was starting to side with us. Peace talks were arranged at Kampala. I thought that if anyone walked away from the table it would be the Federal Government. But to my dismay, it was Biafra that left the Conference. After all the fighting and killing, I knew that peace would not come easy but I could not understand leaving the Peace Conference until the last point was negotiated and the avenue explored.

POINT FOUR - Then urgent telex messages were received from ‘Biafra’ telling of tens of thousands of people starving in the refugee camps, the villages, the bush country - stating if something weren’t done in the next few months, over a million women, children and aged would be starved to death. I immediately contacted the Press, urgently petitioned the State Department for action on their part. Food, medicine and milk were sent to the only available ports open for immediate shipment to ‘Biafra’ via land routes through Federal and Biafra territory, under the auspices of world organizations such as the International Red Cross, among others. Then came the incredible answer from ‘Biafra’ that land corridors could not be acceptable until there was a complete ceasefire, and that an airlift was the only solution to feed the starving (See Confidential U.S. State DepartmentCentral Files (on the Nigerian Civil War) below. You then appeared before the various Heads of State and representatives of the OAU at Niamey in Niger. I fully expected you to at least accept the world help that was offered your starving throngs. However, you delayed, hoping to use these unfortunates with world sympathy on their side as a tool to further your ambition to achieve war concessions at the upcoming peace talks in Addis Ababa. Thus innocent victims continue to perish needlessly of starvation, the most agonising death that can befall

any living creature. POINT FIVE - This was incredible to me. I am now convinced that I have been used by you and your cabinet to help in military adventures of your origin....using your starving hordes as hostages to negotiate a victory. If at some later date, following the issuance of this letter, you do concede to allow a mercy land corridor...would you expect me to agree to espouse before the world Press the incredible delay of your decision. What explanation could I honestly give for the needless prolongation of this horror.

Inconceivable acts I pray this communication may in some small way influence you to move affirmatively, allowing the mercy land corridor to be born. It is inconceivable to me that you would stop the feeding of thousands of your countrymen (under auspices of world organizations such as the International Red Cross, World Council of Churches and many more) via a land corridor which is the only practical way to bring in food to help at this time. It is inconceivable to me that men of good faith would try to twist world opinion in such a manner as to deceive people into believing that the starvation and hunger that is consuming ‘Biafra’ is a plot of Britain, Nigeria and others to commit genocide. POINT SIX - I cannot in all conscience serve you any longer. Nor can

I be a party to s that your starving food, medicine an them.....it can an livered through nizations to you. refusal has stoppe I am this date, nation and am re lins Obih of the Bank all the fees (Letter of Credit N I have sent you New York a Bond 000 pounds that I behalf. I have als Bond of 200,000 p Central Bank of N for disposal.

POINT SEVE vinced that one N lution to peace. I a Ojukwu to allow y to be fed. Their w concern to me as thinking people of ing in the utmost is in my opinion any lasting peace

Late Lt. Col. Odimegwu

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Sunday October 21, 2012

Sagamu-Ore expressway tragedy:

12 bodies of victims recovered

FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

nly 12 dead bodies out of the 33 passengers whose bus plunged into the river at J4 – Ogbere axis of Ogun State last Friday have been recovered. This followed the rescue operation carried out at the scene of the accident by a combined team of security operatives and the state health workers yesterday.

Sunday Mirror gathered

that it took the collaborative efforts of the police, state Traffic Compliant Agency (TRACE), officials from the state Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as well as that of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the Red Cross Society before the 12 dead bodies could be recovered in the nine-hour operation. Bodies of 11 women and

that of the driver were recovered from the Federal Urban Mass Scheme Hyundai bus with Abuja registration number BWR 428 XA. The victims, mostly women who are 21 in number, were travelling for a burial at Uronigbe in Oriohwon Local Government Area of Edo State. Speaking after the recovery operation, the IjebuOde unit commander of FRSC, Mr Issa Seidu, who confirmed the 12 bodies re-

covered, said three people were rescued on Friday night and were rushed to a private hospital in Ore. The fully-loaded 36-seater luxurious Hyundai bus with registration number (Abuja) BWR 428 XA had skidded off the dual carriage bridge and plunged into a river at the J4, Ogbere- Ijebu stretch of the Sagamu-Ore expressway in the Ijebu East local Government Area of Ogun State on Friday.

Occupants of the bus, which was said to be travelling to Benin in Edo State from Lagos for a burial ceremony, immediately got drowned and were swept away from the point where the bus had entered into the water, with 33 out of the 36 passengers on board getting killed. Three of the 36 passengers that included a pregnant woman survived the accident with most of the victims said to be women.

Speaking on the efforts at recovering the bodies of the victims yesterday, the TRACE Corps Commander, Ayo Sangofadeji, told Sunday Mirror that state officials, including the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Health, Dr. Tunde Olowonyo, and Special Adviser to the State Governor on Health, Dr. Rotimi Ogungbe, were all on ground to ensure that bodies of the victims were recovered.

Aviation minister, NCAA back Aero over air return Stealing of pension OLUSEGUN KOIKI

…Accuse media of sensational reporting

he Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, and the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demurnen, yesterday stood in support of Aero Air over its last week’s air return.

The duo said that air return is a standard safety practice expected from pilots whenever they noticed any mal-function in their airplane and chided the media for creating fear in the minds of the travelling public through sensational headlines. Oduah, in a press statement signed by her Special Assistant, Media, Mr. Joe Obi, stated that not every air return has the potential to cause air mishap, saying they are purely precautionary, yet legitimate safety measures. Oduah insisted that air return is a normal and legitimate safety procedure worldwide, stressing that if different moves were made when circumstances require an air return, then the pilot involved would be violating normal safety procedure and international best practices as far as aviation is concerned. She stated that rather than castigate the airline or the pilot for making an air return, the pilot should be

funds, road to national disaster –ICPC T

subsequent report by the NCAA Safety Inspectors indicated that there was no engine failure on the flight as alleged in some quarters. He explained that flight crew, shortly after take-off, noticed a warning light in the Cockpit from the number one engine electrical generator and said the crew followed the Standard Operating Procedure for an electrical fault by switching on the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), one of the safety redundancies on the aircraft.

ICPC’s National Chairman, Barrister Ekpo Nta, made this known in Abuja weekend, when members of the Pension Reform Task Team, led by Abdulrasheed Maina, paid him a courtesy call at the Commission’s headquarters. Ekpo Nta said since pensioners were in every home in the country, the idea of denying them their rights and entitlements through stealing of their pension could put pressure on the national economy, just as he observed that the stealing of pension funds easily attracted irreversible curses on perpetrators. He assured the Pension Task Team of preparedness on the part of ICPC to support the fight against stealing of pension funds in Nigeria, promising to partner with the National Television Authority (NTA) and the African Independent Television (AIT) in a special forum on pension funds. Meanwhile, the Pension Reform Task Team said it had covered some grounds

in the fight against pension funds thieves, just as it disclosed that it was able to uncover a fraud to the tune of N36 billion within the Police Pension Funds Office, alone. It said it had remitted the whole sum to the purse of the federation, while seizing about 120 properties allegedly acquired with stolen pension funds by the cabals. He said investigations by members of his team had revealed that the cabal in the Police Pension Office were in the habit of stealing up to N300 million on daily bases through fictitious cheques prepared in the names of fake pensioners. Maina said investigations into the Police Pension Office were still ongoing, disclosing that his Team had covered 40 per cent of investigations into the pension funds scam. A member of the Pension Task Team, who is also a former member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Ngozika Ihuoma, told ICPC about a similar fraud with local government pension funds, disclosing that from 1976 till date, a total of N3.3 trillion had been deducted from the funds without proper accountability.

versary, I join your family, friends, and well-wishers in thanking Almighty God for the richly fulfilled life He has blessed you with. “A thorough-bred professional, an accomplished administrator and leader of men, an epitome of the highest ideals of selfless service and unwavering

patriotism, your unassailable integrity and consummate diligence have combined to make you one of our most respected national icons today.” “Over the years, you have consistently invested the benefit of your inspiring attributes in dedicated service to our dear coun-

try, while continuing to avail our generation of leaders of your enduring wise counsel. It is my prayer that Almighty God continues to keep and prosper you even as He blesses you with robust health and a life of perpetual fulfilment,” Jonathan wrote.

he Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said the consistent pilfering of pension funds by officials of government could cause a major national disaster.

Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (left), being decorated as the Best Security Conscious Governor in West Africa by Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Security Watch Africa, Dr. Theresa Oppory Beeko, during the 9th Security Watch Awards, held in Accra, Ghana at the weekend. With them is the governor’s wife (middle).

commended, adding that this indicated that the airline and the pilots adhered strictly to safety measures expected from them. The statement read in part, “The decision to make an air return is also based on the judgement of the pilot - who is the commander - and his co-pilot. Pilots and airlines should be commended, not vilified when any aircraft in their fleet makes an air return. This is a clear indication that the airline and the pilot are aware and alive to their responsibility to ensure

safety at all times. “The point has to be made that these types of media reports have the potential to not only mislead the general public but also cause unnecessary panic among air travellers. Air safety is a collective responsibility, including aviation correspondents. Professionalism and caution must therefore be applied when reporting on such incidents.” Also, Demuren emphasised that the Mandatory Occurrence Report (MOR) filed by the airline and the

Jonathan hails Ekwueme at 80 ROTIMI FADEYI

resident Goodluck Jonathan has extolled the virtues of former Vice President Alex Ekwueme on his 80th birthday today describing him as a living personification of the highest ideals

of patriotism and selfless service.

In a congratulatory letter to the former Vice President, Jonathan commended Chief Ekwueme’s laudable contributions to national development over the years, saying that his “unassailable integrity and consummate

diligence” have made him one of Nigeria’s most respected elder statesmen. According to a statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, the President said in the letter written to Ekwueme, “on the occasion of your landmark 80th birthday anni-

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday October 21, 2012

Ondo Governorship Election

Heavy security, massive turnout mark Ondo governorship poll ABIODUN NEJO OKITIPUPA

he Ondo State governorship election witnessed a heavy security presence and large turnout of voters yesterday. This fact was attested to by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Commissioner (South-West), Prof. Lai Olurode, who said that the people of the state were oversecured during the election.

Olurode lauded the level of security during the poll. Speaking to journalists in Ondo Town while monitoring the election, Prof. Olurode said that there was delay in distribution of election materials and other logistics because of the high level of security put in place. His words: “I think the delay in arrival of electoral materials was as a result of some security challenges from the reports I got. The people that were going early to the polling units were delayed by security men because we were over-secured in this election. In fact, some of the security men, especially the military, stick to the rules and regulations

ONDO GUBER POLL

given to them. I myself was stopped at several checkpoints today which is okay because that is the only way they can come across incidences of malpractices. “Don’t forget that on Thursday we had moved materials to two local government areas and by Friday, we had moved materials to all the local government areas, so there shouldn’t have been any problem but I agree with you that there were some security challenges but I’m sure that by now we should have overcome some of those things. “We never told the country that the voter register is perfect but it is the same voter register that we used in Ondo State for the 2011 elections, so it is people who voted then that will be able to exercise their franchise. We even gave the register to political parties before the election day. We asked them to scrutinise and make observations for today. As far as we are concerned it is the same register. “The only thing that you can talk about is that some of the names in the addendum register, when we retrieved the comprehensive

data of some people that were missing before, from the addendum register to the main one so there should be no question of anyone who had registered in 2011 not being able to exercise their franchise in this election.” In spite of the high level of security, the elections witnessed a large turnout of voters. The electorate turned out en masse, stayed back at the various polling units after accreditation to participate in the actual voting amid the scorching sun. There was heavy military and police presence on the major roads in Okitipupa and Ilaje local government areas of the state in a bid to check vehicular movement and transit of illegal materials. However, there was no securitymen at many of the polling units, especially in the riverine areas, a situation which created tension in some of the areas. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, after casting his vote at his Unit 005 at Ilowo in Ugbo III Ward in the Ilaje council, expressed disappointment

at the late arrival of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and materials for the poll in the council area. This, Oke said, was responsible for lateness in starting the accreditation and voting in many parts of the council, as he lamented that voting did not take place in some units in the Ugbo Ward I and other areas owing to absence of polling officials. The PDP candidate, who observed though that INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, meant well in the bid to transform the nation’s electoral process, said there were some bad eggs in the electoral body who needed to be removed for elections to be sane. Oke lamented that some registered voters were disenfranchised as their names could not be found on the INEC register. He, however, said he would wait for the overall result and report from all parts of the state before he would comment generally. Action Congress of Nigera (ACN) Deputy Governorship Candidate, Dr Paul Akintelure, expressed satis-

Reporting

he governorship election in Ondo State yesterday recorded a large turnout of voters in all the four local government areas in Akoko, with many describing it as unprecedented.

There was early arrival of electoral materials and security agents and staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at most of the polling units. The was heavy presence of security agents who conducted themselves in an impressive manner, a situation which might have been responsible for the peaceful conduct of the poll. Our correspondent reports that the electorate complied with the directives of INEC officials as there was no incident of thuggery, ballot snatching and stuffing.

Ward, said all would be well if the peaceful atmosphere could be sustained. Caretaker Committee Chairman of Okitipupa council, Mr Wale Ogunmade, assured that there would be peace during and after the election as all necessary security arrangements had been put in place to prevent a breakdown of law and order. There were however complaints of late arrival of polling officials and voting materials at some units. A frontline monarch in the Ilaje council area, the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, advised all individuals and politicians to be law abiding during and after the polls. Akinruntan told journalists at Igbokoda, the council headquarters that the election should be used by Ondo State people to showcase their potentials, discipline and sense of judgment. The monarch appealed to other traditional rulers in the area not to be partial but should allow the electoral umpire to do their job after the people might have cast their votes to elect their choice candidates.

Deputy gov, Oni, others commend INEC

OJO OYEWAMIDE

faction with the turnout of voters who he said “are voting somebody out of office today. This is because people are disenchanted”. Akintelure told journalists at Unit 03, Igbotako Ward III in Okitipupa council area where he cast his vote that his party was standing on the truth and would triumph in the election. He said some individuals, whose party had not done well in the last three and half years had been printing ballot papers which they intended to use to foist themselves on the people. The ACN chieftain, however, said all would be well if the pre-election displays by the security agencies could translate to reality. Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District and a Labour Party (LP) chieftain, Bolu Kunlere, deplored the security arrangement on the election day. Kunlere said the absence of security men at the polling units could give room for some desperate politicians to perpetrate electoral crimes. A PDP chieftain in Okitipupa council area, Chief Eddy Olafeso, who voted at Olumekun Unit in the Okitipupa I

Police officers on patrol in Ondo State, yesterday.

Ondo State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, was accredited alongside his wife and children at about 8 in the morning at unit 008, Igbure Ward, Supare-Akoko. Most of the people who spoke with Sunday Mirror expressed satisfaction with

the conduct of the poll and the level of security during the election. Olanusi, who described the security situation as fair, poured encomiums on the electoral body, saying “INEC was at its best today”. Former Ondo State

Chairman of the Labour Party, Dr. Olaiya Oni, also commended INEC and the security operatives for the orderly and peaceful conduct of the election. Oni, who voted at IseAkoko at Isowopo Ward 1, said: “The election in the three communities in

Isowopo Ward has been very peaceful, as you can see people accrediting and after accreditation sitting down and waiting for 12 o’clock. The law enforcement agents are around doing their job. You can see solders moving around to ensure that everything goes on well. They don’t molest anybody. They are not even talking to anybody. So everything is very peaceful and going on well. The accreditation started promptly at 8 o’clock. I commend INEC. At least, this is a very big improvement on the previous elections as far as my ward is concerned.” Former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Olabintan, who got accredited at Elero compound, Ward 10, Supare-Akoko at about 8.49 a.m., said the election was the first since 1999 that accreditation would start on the dot of 8 a.m. His words: “I think we

should give credit to INEC. Accreditation started here exactly 8 a.m. This is the first time since 1999 that accreditation would start on the dot of 8 o’clock. I think we should give them kudos.” “Security men are all over the place. They are not molesting anybody and you can say that the people are peaceful. But the only problem we have is that there are some units that the crowd is too much. For example, if you look at my unit here, you can see the crowd. “About 1,000 plus registered here. Ordinarily, this should not be one unit. But we are coping. We want to thank INEC for giving us the voters’ register in advance and this has enabled us to let our people know their numbers on the voters’ register. Unlike before, when people ran here and there in search of their names, I think INEC is improving daily.”

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Ondo guber fallout

Akeredolu, Mimiko in neck and neck situation OUR REPORTERS

arly results in the Ondo State governorship election this morning trickled in, with a neck-and-neck situation between Action Congress of Nigeria and ruling Labour Party. However, the Peoples Democratic Party was still trailing at press time. Reports announced, at polling centres, indicated that results in 13 out of the 18 local government areas of the state are now common knowledge. Though anxious party loyalists thronged the Akure office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) till the wee hours of this morning, their anxiety was further heightened as latest results showed that a run-off election is likely between the ACN and the LP, once the final result is out. Although LP’s Governor Segun Mimiko is believed to be leading in eight local governments with the bulk of his votes secured from the Central senatorial district, sources said his lead in three council areas outside the district was with slight margin.

However, the ACN candidate, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, reportedly won massively in five local government areas which include his Owo home base; three out of Akoko zone’s four local government areas, and Odigbo local government. Specifically, he was leading with massive votes in Owo, Akoko South-West which is the local government of Deputy Governor Ali Olanusi; Akoko North East, Akoko South East and Odigbo, it was gathered. Also in the Central district where Mimiko is believed to be leading, Akeredolu is also said to be almost at par with him. The LP, it was learnt, won in Akure South, Akure North, Ose, Ondo West, Ondo East, Ifedore, Akoko North West and Idanre council areas. In the South district where the PDP candidate, Olusola Oke is believed to be ahead, he is closely trailed by the ACN while the LP is said to have had an abysmal showing. As things stood up till press time, results from five local governments, which include Ilaje, Eseodo, Okitipupa, IleolujiOkeigbo and Irele were still being awaited. With the situation, ob-

servers are of the view that the remaining council areas are largely ACN and partly PDP strongholds and that in the final analysis, both the ACN and the LP might be headed for a run-off election, as no party may in this poll, be able to garner the required 25 percent win-margin in two-thirds of the 18 local governments in the state. Meanwhile, reports of electoral violence and massive rigging allegedly unleashed by supporters of ruling Labour Party resonated across the state, thus casting doubts as to the free and fair nature of the poll. Areas where violence was recorded include Idanre, Igbotako, Ilutuntun, Okitipupa, Ondo West, Okeluse, Odo-Ani, Ifon and Ude. Sources said there are strong indications that the poll could be cancelled in Okelusi. Meanwhile, the opposition ACN has raised the alarm over acts of thuggery, irregularities and delay in the distribution of election materials, saying that series of bare-face intimidation did not allow many voters to exercise their civic duty. In a statement in

Akure by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party called on INEC officials and security agencies to move fast to rectify the situation. The party, reviewing the poll, said, “Inadequate security has been reported in many localities in Ondo State, with the worst-hit areas being Idanre and Okitipupa. “In Idanre, for example, thugs on motorcycles were harassing voters and agents of the opposition. There were also reports of stuffed ballot boxes being moved to polling booths with the protection of Labour Party thugs. In Owo, a state government Commissioner was arrested by soldiers after he was found with weapons. “The widespread insecurity had led to apprehension by voters, as there was the need for security agencies to urgently deploy additional security to the affected areas.

There was also the denial of accreditation tags to ACN agents: “Many agents of the Action Congress of Nigeria whose names were forwarded to INEC were not given accreditation tags in several polling units across the state, making many ACN agents not to be able to monitor the election. INEC must immediately remedy the situation. “Though election materials were distributed to many polling units across the states, they did not get to several polling units, more than one hour after the election ought to have commenced. “Specifically, materials were not brought on time to Ese Odo LG Ward 1 Unit 11, as well as Akure South Ward 8 Wofere Unit. “Also at both Units, INEC officials had not been sighted. At the Ese Odo LG, Apoi 4, Unit 1, duplicate EC8A was presented,” the party protested In the same vein, a PDP agent, Samuel Oni, and

a young man, who was identified as Bola Osun, were arrested yesterday at Polling Unit 023, Ward 7 in Ondo West council area by security men for election offences. Oni and Osun were arrested respectively during accreditation exercise. Oni was accused of distributing money to some voters at the polling booth. Osun was arrested for holding fake voter registration cards. Confirming the arrest of the duo to Sunday Mirror, a top police officer from Yaba Police Division, who spoke on condition of anonymity said that Oni and Osun were arrested as a result of an alarm from some accredited voters in the polling unit. “It is true that we arrested Oni and Osun at the polling unit as a result of alarm raised by people at the unit, and we have handed them over to the state CID for further investigation.

‘Why Oba Adesida did not vote’ T he Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, was conspicuously absent during the governorship election held in Ondo State yesterday because of his strong ties with the three major contenders for Alagbaka House. The traditional ruler who registered at the Akure City Hall Polling Unit 001 in the Oshodi/ Isolo Registration Area of Akure South council area, neither came for accreditation nor the eventual vote. According to his brother, Prince Adelana Adesida, “the king is not supposed to come out and vote. He is the father of all. He registered but just decided not to come. Whoever wins is his own person. Funny enough, the three contestants are his friends. He and Rotimi Akeredolu lived in Ibadan together. When the kabiyesi was working with Olusegun Obasanjo, Oke was close to the villa so they were seeing all the time. He and Olusegun Mimiko attended the same school

ONDO GUBER POLL

YEMI OLUS Reporting

in Ondo so he cannot say he is coming to vote for one person. That is why he decided to keep off so that nobody would say that he is partisan.” Prince Adesida, who joined about 80 registrants, said the election had gone well. “As you can see from the queues, the people have been cooperating and so far in Akure we’ve been monitoring the event on the television, radio and the turnout is large, despite the sunny weather.” He attributed it to preelection warnings to the people urging them to shun violence. “Before, during and after elections, it has been sounded to people that there should be no form of violence. The election has been peaceful. People had threatened to unleash violence but it has not been the case here.

People said Ondo State is hot and so on but there has not been a case where anyone was killed. I would just advise that after the election, whoever loses should accept defeat and whoever wins should not celebrate more than neces-

Voters at Methodist Primary School, Owo waiting for officials

PHOTO ADEMOLA AKINLABI

Ondo Commissioner arrested with arms

ndo State Commissioner for Special Duties, Niran Sule in company with Owo Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairman, Tunji Ojomo, were allegedly arrested around 7.30am yesterday by military men around Arigidi-Iloro junction within Awaluwa area of the town. When our reporter visited the scene, it could not be ascertained where the duo were taken to, as the soldiers who were said to have made the arrest were not ready to entertain questions from any reporter. The Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police (DIG), in charge of operation, Phileman Leha, who was con-

tacted on the arrest said he was yet to be briefed on it. “If he was caught by other security agents, he will surely be handed over to us for prosecution.” Action Congress candidate, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, in his reaction, said the arrest was a fact, stating that the party had the pictures of the suspects, urging the police not to sweep it under the carpet. Chief Dan Nwayanwun, National Chairman of Labour Party, however, told one of our reporters that the weapon belonged to a security aide of the chairman of the local government caretaker committee. When contacted on phone, the State Commis-

sioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, said through a text message that “you can only get that from ACN misinformation stable.” Meanwhile, Leha has described the security arrangement in yesterday’s poll as an improvement on the recent Edo State election. Speaking with journalists in Owo yesterday, he disclosed that “apart from the efforts of other security agents in the country, the police posted two policemen to every polling booth,” saying “with this arrangement; anybody who plans to misbehave would just be making fool of himself.”

He however expressed delight that “politicians have also learnt that any attempt to behave funny would be an exercise in futility.” While commending the electorate for conducting themselves well so far, he warned trouble makers to keep away from the state, saying, “My officers and men are solidly on ground to ensure that there is no breach of the peace.” Security men mounting road blocks were visible on every kilometre of the road, ensuring that only those on official duties were allowed access to the roads. They were also present at the polling and collation centres.

News

Sunday October 21, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ONDO GOVERNORSHIP POLL IN PICTURES

Deserted: Ever-busy Oba Adesida Road, Akure

Voters on queue at polling Unit 002, Eringbo/Egbedi in Akure yesterday.

PHOTO: YEMI, OLUS

Prospective voters at Methodist Primary School, Owo waiting for INEC officials.

Voters ready to vote at polling Unit number 002A, Ward 2, Off By-Pass, Akure

PHOTO: YEMI OLUS

Electorate waiting for INEC officials at Obaguji Isape Unit 22, Owo.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE1

A septuagenarian being assisted by her son to the polling boot at Igboroko Ward, Owo

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Akungba Akoko S/W Ward 12 Ibaka Vs Aud Skl

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St Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pry Sch Ondo

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Interview ENCOUNTER WITH A NEWS MAKER OCTOBER 21, 2012

Nigeria needs a civilian constitution, not review of military constitution â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Madubuike Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike was a Minister of Education in the Second Republic and later Health Minister in the military era. He is presently a leader of the South-East Forum. He was among the Igbo leaders who were recently hosted by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa. In this interview with Obiora Ifoh, he recounts what transpired at that meeting. He also insists that constitutional conference could be the solution to the problems Nigeria is presently facing. Excerpts. South East is the only zone in Nigeria that has five states while other zones have six and in some cases seven, what does that tell about the composition of the federation and how can this challenging problem be resolved? Let me say frankly that I am not even comfortable with the so-called structure of Nigeria itself and if we begin from that top of pyramid, you certainly get to know that I am not comfortable with the country, particularly, the South East part of the country. Many of our leaders have expressed their discomfort with the territory called Nigeria, some of them have called it a mere geographical expression and some have called it a mistake especially with the amalgamation in 1914. And several other things have issued from this composition from this country that was cobbled together for the convenience of those who cobbled it together and not for the convenience of those who were so cobbled together and so I cannot be comfortable with it. This is because our opinions were not asked; opinions of my fathers and forefathers were not asked by Lord Luggard who called the geographical entity under his command, Nigeria. And so he actually founded Nigeria and not the people we called founding fathers of Nigeria and we have lived with that mistake since then and it was from that mistake that the malaise of the South East started. And what are those malaises of the South East? Nigeria is a dysfunctional entity, it is not a true federation; its growth has been distorted because of several factors. First of all, there is a religious factor. Secondly, there is a fact that it is not a true federation. Thirdly, there are military interventions that have also led to aberration. Fourthly, there is a lot of concentration of powers in the centre. For instance, the governors have no reason coming to Abuja at the end of every month to ask for what is a handout from the federal government. So, that situation led us to a number of things: it led to the first and most probably the first civil war in Africa, the Biafran War of 1967 to 1970 in which over two million people lost their lives; it led to the pauperization of the South East who are still asking for reintegration into the Nigerian polity; it led to the establishment of a

Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike

cabal which has concessioned the whole Nigeria, treating others as their servants and giving them only crumps; it led to geographical imbalance in terms of state creation which seriously affected the South East. Can you imagine the amount of money and resources the South East has lost having less representation in the National Assembly than the North East? Do you know what that means in terms of governance? Do you know what psychological feelings it has created for the people from that geographical area and has continued to create? It generates a feeling of inferiority complex among its citizens; I cannot be comfortable with that kind of situation. If you leaders from the zone feel this bad, one would like to know what you have done or are doing to remedy the situation? Personally, I have participated in a number of meetings not just the ones called by the South East but also the ones engineered by the federal government. For instance, in 1995, I was a mem-

ber of the Constitutional conference and some of the issues I am talking about were properly articulated by the South Eastern delegation in which people like Alex Ekwueme, the late Odimegwu Ojukwu, the late Sam Mbakwe participated. We took part and we had South East agenda; we had one agenda prepared by the Ohaneze which represented the views of the South East; we had one prepared by a group called Nkpoko Igbo. These formed the nexus of our discussion in the constitutional conference; we articulated the issue of marginalization of the South East in terms of geographical representation, local government creation, and state creation. We raised the issue of devolution of powers to the constituent states that make up the Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so-called federation; the issue of weaker centre rather than the octopus centre was also discussed. It was the first time we talked about zonalisation issue. In fact before then, nobody talked about zones. The issue of rotation of power was discussed and CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Interview

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘There can’t be regional integration without social justice’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

nearly brought us to a stalemate; the rotation for the various constituent powers for the presidency was discussed and finally it was agreed that it should rotate between the North and the South. The 2006 parley which was initiated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, we also took part in it. Although I was not part of it, I was in the core group that worked hand in hand with our representatives such as Professor Joe Irukwu who led the Ohaneze. We sent in memoranda and we talked about derivation to the mineral producing areas not just oil. Any place that you get mineral, you should give them compensation for making use of what God has deposited in their land. We proposed 50 percent which was similar to what we had in 1959/60. We discussed all these things and eventually we were able to get 13 percent derivation. We insisted that we should return to the Independence Constitution whereby each region was quasi independent; whereby each region had a consulate in foreign lands. We are talking about all these things and whereas it has not been easy to get to the Promised Land, we are certainly talking. You were among the eminent leaders of the South East that President Goodluck Jonathan played host to recently, what was the purpose of that visit; did you discuss constitutional amendment? It was not just about constitutional amendment, we discussed about the unity of Nigeria, talked about the incessant killings of Nigerians as if they had no protections, we talked about the menace of armed robbery, we talked about lack of roads in certain parts of the country, we talked about how we can build bridges with other parts of this country. Basically, these were the issues that we raised and they were just advisory in nature. Were you satisfied with Mr. President’s commitment to delivering gains of democracy even with just about 30 months left in his present contract? It is a matter of political will. If there is a political will you can do many things. We were quite impressed with his responses to some of the issues, and when we talked about the floodings we realized he had just returned from visiting some of the places that were affected. It is a serious national issue and it touched him and it touched us as well. The National Assembly is about reviewing the constitution and it has been generating a heated argument on its suitability to carry out such task, where do you belong here? First of all, the constitution is the handiwork of the military and we must realise that it was prepared in haste by the then Abdulsalami Abubakar regime within just a year. It was like a military product put together to usher in the civilian administration. The implication is that Nigerians have really not had their own constitution. It becomes necessary to have a constitution which Nigerians would have made. No matter how you paint it, it is a military constitution and once the foundation of a house is weak, no matter how you tried to correct it, it has a weak foundation. Are you saying the review is not the option? No, an amendment will only remain an amendment to a military constitution. It is not a civilian constitution. What we are saying is that we should have a constitutional conference; it does not have to be a sovereign conference rather it has to be a conference of the people to decide how they want to live in this country. And after that decision, it has to be encoded in a constitution

Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike

THE CONSTITUTION IS THE HANDIWORK OF THE MILITARY AND WE MUST REALISE THAT IT WAS PREPARED IN HASTE BY THE THEN ABDULSALAMI ABUBAKAR REGIME WITHIN JUST A YEAR. IT WAS LIKE A MILITARY PRODUCT PUT TOGETHER TO USHER IN THE CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATION that will be written by the people. The house as it is now is too hot for us, we are not living well and we cannot continue living in denial forever. ‘There was a country’ is a book recently written by Professor Chinue Achebe and in it he indicted the late Obafemi Awolowo of playing a major role in the horrendous pogrom against the Igbo during the Nigerian civil war. What is your take on this?

I want to say that I have not read the book and I cannot really comment on what I have not read. Secondly, I do not think we should continue to toe along the line people are taking as it will not do anybody any good. We the elders are saying that the firework should cease. The people we are talking about are two prominent icons in Nigeria; it is not easy to build icons. General Gowon in an interview he granted a few days ago justified the Biafran massacre? Well, he is entitled to his own opinion. Just like any other person, he is entitled to his own opinion. What does regional integration means to you particularly in the politics of South East? There can’t be any regional integration without social justice. Some people can be mounting philosophies without defining them; I am not interested in that. I am interested in seeing in practicality how justice will work. It does not only depend in Nigerians, it depends also in the Southeasters themselves more than any other person.

Last time, I was asking some of our people how they have used their position in government as easterners to advance the cause of their people. I have occupied ministerial positions and I can tell you how my policies affected the lives and welfare of easterners as well as other Nigerians. Take for instance, in the field of education when I was the federal minister of education, we had only one university in the whole of the South East; that was the University of Nigeria or was there any other university in the whole of South East in 1979? There were Ife, Ibadan and Lagos in the South West as well as Ilorin; ABU and the rest of them in the North. But as minister of education, I changed the policy of education within my period of stay. I insisted that every state in the federation must have a university under the Shagari-led government and I argued that the university has to be that of Science and Technology, mission oriented university and by 1982 most states started having their universities. I also insisted that states should be allowed to have their own universities and that brought about the floodgate of universities in Nigeria. We democratized education in the country. The Igbo quest for the presidency in 2015 is on the burner yet the constitution permits president Jonathan to take a shot again, as an Igbo leader where do you stand on this? As a leader of the South East, we must follow the constitution and that is why I have always argued that the zonal issue should be reincarnated and reflected in the constitution of the federal government so that we can also rotate according to law and not according to the wishes of the individuals. It becomes a law that if you have ruled for 14 years or thereabout for each section of the polity, they should go and sit down and the next president should come from the next geo-political zone. That is why we need to sit down and discuss; it is unjust that the South East has not been allowed to have a shot at the presidency in a manner that it would be successful because these things are based on arrangement. It is a matter of equity that we should be there.

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Politics

‘Benue flood problem is a failure of disaster agencies’

PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES

P. 40

OCTOBER 21, 2012

Allegations, mudslinging as Senate reopens pension funds probe

P. 16, 41

T HOSE THAT ARE SAYING THAT ANYBODY THAT GOES TO V ILLA (A SO V ILLA ), THAT PERSON WILL DIE , THEY MENTIONED A BACHA , THEY MENTIONED S TELLA O BASANJO …T HEY EVEN WROTE SOME NUMBERS …I DON ’ T EVEN KNOW THAT HOSPITAL THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT …I DO NOT HAVE ANY TERMINAL ILLNESS OR COSMETIC SURGERY –F IRST L ADY , P ATIENCE J ONATHAN , UPON HER ARRIVAL AFTER A 54- DAY MEDICAL TRIP TO G ERMANY

Hon. Jimoh Lawal

Gov. Wada

ADEMU IDAKWO LOKOJA

he cold war between Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada and erstwhile Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Bello, perhaps ended last week as the latter was impeached along with his loyalists who were also principal officers of the house. Prior to the impeachment saga, there was no love lost between the ousted leadership of the house led by Bello and some members of the House who claimed to be progressives. The progressive group headed by one of the strong members of the House, Pastor Gowon Haruna, was rumoured to have a strong link with the power that be which the ousted leaders are pointing fingers at their ordeal.

Impressive turn out for Ondo guber poll There was an impressive turnout of voters as the accreditation process for the Ondo governorship election got underway yesterday. A survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) across the three senatorial districts indicated a large turnout of enthusiastic voters. In Akure Ward 10, Units 1 and 2, a NAN correspondent sighted long queues of voters as at 8:05 a.m while INEC officials as well as security men were at their duty posts. Also in Ward 9, Unit 6, Iworo Junction, there was a long queue of voters going through the accreditation process as at 8:45 a.m. It was also observed that there was a long queue of voters at Ward 7, Unit 4, Arakale area, where there was a large turnout of voters who were being accredited as at 8:55 a.m. However, in Ward 2, Unit 33, a large number of voters were seen waiting for INEC officials who were yet to arrive as at 8:35 a.m. There was, however, a heavy presence of security men including policemen and NSCDC officials. But, while accreditation was going on at Ward 9, Unit 6, INEC officials and materials were yet to arrive at Ward 9, Unit 5 and 7, with aggrieved voters openly complaining about the pace of accreditation. In Ondo Ward 7, Unit 20, Ondo Central Senatorial District, where Gov. Olusegun Mimiko was accredited at about 10:30 am, there was a massive turnout of voters.

Hon. Bello

Controversy trails impeachment of Kogi Speaker, House leadership Bello, who was accused of disloyalty, had a bitter pill of the Nigerian political system and its deep seated illegality and corruption as 12 members of the House sacked him and the nine other members then shared their positions within themselves without any recourse to due process. The genesis of the crisis of confidence started from the Supreme Court judgment where the then governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, was unexpectedly removed from office along with four other governors early this year. Bello and the incumbent governor, Wada, were sworn in by the two legal officers (the Chief Judge, and the Customary Court president) of the state, the situation almost set the state ablaze as two governors were held sway. Since then, it has been a cat and mouse game between the duo. The progressive group which impeached the former lead-

Briefly

ership three days to the formal resumption of the House from their 12 weeks recess alleged in a motion on the floor of the House, by the member representing Dekina/Biraidu Constituency, Gowon Haruna and seconded by the member from Igalamela/Odolu Constituency, Friday Sani that the House had lost direction under the leadership of the ousted principal officers. Haruna listed their offences to include refusal to reconvene the Assembly when President Goodluck Jonathan visited the state to condole with victims of flood disaster. He equally alleged that the leadership of the House failed to make any comment when 27 worshippers of Deeper Christian Life Ministries lost their lives during a Boko Haram attack in the state. The lawmaker said the two catastrophes which he claimed affected the state CONTINUED ON PAGE 16, 41

Prof. Jega

Lawmaker seeks constitutional amendment

Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Taiwo Kolawole, yesterday called for a constitutional amendment which will enhance true federalism and reduce the high cost of governance. Kolawole who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos added that it would be difficult for any president to rule the country if the present constitution was not amended. He said there were presently many functions of the Federal Government in the constitution that could not be managed effectively. “With such over-bloated Federal Government functions, it will be very hard for the government at the centre to oversee the entire development of all the states. “I realise that even if you bring a saint to Nigeria, it will be difficult for him to rule the country because we have an over-bloated Federal Government that has a lot of functions which it cannot manage. “If you don’t reduce the functions of the Federal Government, it cannot perform. The job is enormous. “Let them trim the functions of the Federal Government to important things, such as security and protection against external aggression. “It can also regulate aviation. It doesn’t need to control the airports. But Foreign Affairs should be a federal function,’’ the lawmaker said.

Politics

Sunday, October 21, 2012

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Allegations, mudslinging reopens pension funds pro GEORGE OJI

n law, it is said that the onus is on he who alleges bias to so prove. The senate appears to be leaning on this legal maxim to counter the allegation of victimization and witch-hunting leveled against its joint committees on Establishment and Public Service, State and Local Government Administration, which announced last week that it was re-opening the probe of the pension funds administration in the country. One of the principal institutions in the entire pension funds scheme, the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT) and its chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, last week petitioned the Senate President, David Mark, alleging among other things witching hunting and victimization against the senate probe panel. The allegations were made following a decision by the senate probe committee headed by Senator Aloysius Etok to reopen investigations into the management of the pension funds scheme. The fresh investigation according to Etok would involve the administration of pensions in Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pension Office (CIPPO). Earlier this year, precisely from February to June, the senate probe committee had investigated the management of the pension funds by the pension office of the Head of Service of the federation as well as the police pension funds office. The investigations were consequent upon the resolution of the senate mandating the joint committees to carry out the investigation. The resolution was in turn based on the motion by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, in which he exposed the pains, agonies and sufferings that many of the nation’s senior citizens go through in the course of the collection of their pensions across the country. The senate investigation of the pension funds management revealed how a group of Nigerians and syndicates siphoned close to N270 billion of pension funds from the pension office of the Head of Service and the police pension funds in a period of six years. The probe committee had in July, shortly before the National Assembly commenced its annual vacation submitted its probe report. The report contained a total of 163 recommendations, out of which the senate adopted 141 of the recommendations. Among some of the recommendations accepted by the senate was the call for the dissolution of the Pensions Reform

Task Team (PRTT) and the arrest and prosecution of its members for fraud and embezzlement. “The Chairman of the Chairman of the Pensions Reform Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, John Yusuf, B.G. Kaigama and all the members of the Pensions Task Team involved should be arrested and prosecuted by the Nigeria Police Force for the crimes of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, misapplication, contract splitting, award of contracts to non-existing companies, award of contracts without appropriations and outright stealing of pension funds and the stolen funds should be recovered from them,” the report said. Even before the senate probe committee finally laid its report before the senate, the entire investigation process was enmeshed in very messy controversy. There were allegations and counter allegation of fraud and corruption leveled against the probe committee and the PRTT. For instance, while the senate probe committee was accused of open bias and demanding a whooping sum of N2 billion bribe from the PRTT, to discontinue the probe, the PRTT was alleged by the probe team to have tried to use some “big people to bribe the senate committee,” and that the committee was approached with “huge sums of money to soft pedal on the probe.” The situation got to a stage where the coalition of civil society organizations comprising the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, and Zero Corruption Coalition, ZCC had to issue a press statement, collaborated the fears of the taskforce team and some Nigerians that the senate probe panel were out to do a hatchet job and called for its immediate disbandment. In the statement jointly signed by Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) Executive Director and Dr. Jibrin Ibrahim Executive Director, CDD, the coalition noted that, “We, CISLAC, CDD and ZCC were however shocked that no sooner than the committee started its work, did signs emerged that the high expectations of Nigerians about its potential to contribute to the war against corruption would not materialize.” It said, “Indeed, the manner in which the committee went about its task of investigation left much to be desired. The tendency toward leaving the issues to pursue trivialities became obvious and elements of bias began to manifest, eroding the neutrality and objectivity required for this crucial assignment and calling the integrity of the legislature to question.” It even got to a situation where the leadership of the senate

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 greatly did not get the required attention from the House due to the ineptitude and lack of coordination by the leadership. Bello and his group who later called a press conference at his official residence said the purported impeachment of the principal officers of the House was not in line with the laid down rules and regulations that guide the activities of the House. He alleged that the signatures of some members were forged by the other group making them to claim to have 17 members. Bello said the action is therefore null and void as the members who purportedly signed for his removal and that of the other officers did not constitute the 2/3 as required by the constitution. He alleged that powerful forces in the state had tried to induce members with huge amount of tax payers’ money to impeach him and after the attempt failed, they then resorted to forging of signatures of members of the house to achieve their evil act. Reacting to the allegation, the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Strategy, Comrade Jacob Edi said “the executive denies in very strong and unequivocal terms that Bello’s attempt to trace his woes to the executive under the leadership of Wada. He said since assuming office early in the year, the governor has remained committed to the principles of Separation of Powers as

David Mark

expressed concerns about the negative perceptio ties of the probe committee was causing the r and called for speedy conclusion of the investiga Those were the situation under which the pro tee operated and managed to conclude its investi turned in its report and recommendations to the It was against this background that the recen ment by the senate probe committee chairm

Controversy trails impeachment o embedded in modern democracy. He stated that issues as contained in the impeachment notice were purely internal problems of the legislature. He therefore said, any effort to tag the governor as the mastermind of the impeachment, is not only unfortunate, and puerile, but should be treated as a desperate attempt by somebody on a free fall and to divert the attention of the public. Edi stated that the former Speaker’s claim that he has been having problems with the governor without mentioning such problems sounds at best like a half truth stressing that the grounds for impeachment as contained in the impeachment notice which have been well reported in the media are well spelt out and not vague. “For any one in doubt, Bello and his cohorts were accused of poor leadership and high handedness”, he said. To be precise, the former Speaker was accused of being insensitive to the feelings of the citizenry as shown in his refusal to show reasonable concern first when 19 worshippers, and two soldiers on national assignment were gunned down by unknown persons in the

Central Senatorial District and la nine local councils cut across the state,” he stated But mixed feelings have been house by various opinion groups a a Human Rights Group, Centre for lution (CHRCR),condemned the ac investigations have shown that 11 the floor of the house to impeach tire House had resolved in the last functions and budget appraisal and 18, 2012. The Executive Director of the g even in a conflict situation as bein is the solution to the unfortunate s He added that parliament is an it is expected to enact laws for the be seen to be acting unconstitution

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On the $1.6bn turnaround maintenance of refineries

he indication from the Federal Government some days ago that it had earmarked the sum of $1.6 billion (about N251 billion ) for the Turn-Around Maintenance (TAM) of the country’s four prostrate refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna, is worrisome. The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who dropped the hint in an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) to review the state of affairs in the chaotic downstream sector, said contract for the project would be awarded before the end of the year.

The TAM of the refineries has always been a contentious issue because of the Federal Government’s indifference to the scandalous performance of the refineries which had been below capacity over the years; the inherent corruption and the scant due process dogging the award of such contracts. Some eminent Nigerians had, in the past, x-rayed the extreme extent that corrupt and powerful people in government and their private sector accomplices would go to perpetuate the policy of importation of refined petroleum products for self-serving reasons. They say petroleum products importers are powerful people close to the highest echelons of the government. They are treated as sacred cows and can hardly be fished out and brought to book, like the recent fuel subsidy investigation fallout seems to have confirmed. Corruption has been the main reason the nation’s downstream oil sector is shrouded in secrecy and why the country has remained glued to unrestrained importation. The same people perpetrating the rot are given licence to build refineries; but instead of doing so, they return to the same government, argue for more fuel imports instead, and are obliged. This appears the main reason cynics believe that the stupendous oil wealth being made by dishonest fuel importers with the connivance of corrupt government officials is the yet unannounced secret behind the FG’s

passing-glance recognition of Nigerian refineries over the years. President Goodluck Jonathan, speaking through the Information Minister, Labaran Maku, at the maiden annual lecture of this newspaper in Abuja last year, said Nigeria’s inability to open up the downstream sector had forced investors interested in the sector to move to neighbouring countries. “In the last 10 years, we have issued 20 licences to people who wished to set up their own refineries. They have been unable to do so because of government price-control mechanism on fuel. Those companies have been waiting on government and now, they are moving to Niger Republic, Chad, Ghana (and) Benin (Republic) because those countries have discovered fossil fuel and are managing their resources, taking into account the mistake that Nigeria has made... Recently, you heard that Niger Republic opened a new refinery. They did not only open a refinery, they also increased the cost of fuel in Niger so that they will target Nigeria for export of their own product”, Jonathan said; an indication that further hikes in the pump prices of petroleum products are FG’s conditions for constructing new refineries and making the old ones work. Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had likewise, while grappling with the management of the recent crises trailing the downstream oil sector, particularly the fuel subsidy frauds, stated that the FG was not interested in direct investment in refineries, but would encourage private refineries to come on stream. It is, therefore, puzzling, the FG’s sudden resolve to inject N251 billion in the TAM of the forgotten refineries. Does FG’s current interest in the refineries’ TAM mean it has realised the need to run the refineries to installed capacity and, perhaps, establish new ones to stabilise petroleum products supply

in the country? Is the price of fuel in Nigeria now attractive enough as is the case in Niger Republic, Chad, Ghana, Benin Republic, etc., where the president claimed investors interested in refining Nigeria’s crude have made their choice destinations because of FG’s unattractive pricecontrol mechanism on fuel? Our candid impression, however, is that the N251 billion vote for refineries’ TAM was borne out of the confusion trailing the downstream sector – subsidy frauds, fuel scarcity, etc., and the FG’s indecision whether to honestly embrace the full deregulation of the downstream oil sector or to continue with the odious official hypocrisy in the government management of the sector. This is without prejudice to the content of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which the FG sees as the panacea to all oil sector problems. But when it is remembered that past TAM contracts did not make the refineries perform better than they are doing today, it becomes more curious the basis of the huge funds about to be funneled into the endless pit of refineries’ TAM without clear statements on the direction the FG intends to go with the downstream oil sector. Our thinking is that the government has two major options, namely: either to be honestly committed to making the refineries work and building new refineries to end the fraudulent but thriving business of fuel importation with government complicity, or selling off the more or less scrap refineries to willing buyers and sincerely privatising the downstream oil sector, no matter what it takes, so that competent investors can save the nation from self-inflicted hardships occasioned by dubious downstream sector management. The FG should, in its private moments, sincerely reflect on why its downstream oil sector has remained a big disgrace, while same alleviates the pains of ordinary citizens in other oilendowed nations the world over.

Reminiscences OCTOBER 21, IN HISTORY 1910: U.S. – Bomb kills 21 in Los Angeles Times building A bomb exploded in the Los Angeles Times building killing 21 and injuring many more. 1937: Spain civil war: Insurgents capture Gijon Franco gained control of the North of Spain as the last government seaport of Gijon surrendered to the insurgent army of Franco. 1945: Women exercise suffrage in France Women in France got the right to vote in the parliamentary elections as part of the woman’s suffrage movement. Many attributed the start of the modern woman’s suffrage movement to women in France in the 18th century. 1949: Truman appoints first female judge President Harry Truman appointed the first female federal judge in the nation, Burnita Shelton Matthews, from Hazelhurst, MS. 1952: Kenyatta arrested over self government Following the state of emergency, a number of members of the Mau Mau Movement who were demanding immediate self government from Britain were arrested, including Jomo Kenyatta. 1978: Rhodesian army murders 1,500 blacks Massive raids by the Rhodesian army and air force on 12 black guerilla bases in Zambia have left the death toll at over 1,500. The Rhodesian prime minister is blaming the British and American government for not arranging a ceasefire with guerrillas as promised. 1988: Marcos, wife charged with fraud Former Philippine President, Ferdinand Marcos, and his wife, Imelda, were indicted by a federal grand jury in New York on charges of fraud and racketeering. 1998: Commission returns Tyson’s licence Mike Tyson was given his boxing licence back by the Nevada Athletic Commission who took it away following his match with Evander Holyfield where he bit his opponent’s ears.

Opinion

Sunday October 21, 2012

Uncensored U nc

Sheriff S Folarin

E-mail: sheffie2004@yahoo.co.uk 08094217972 (SMS only)

hat was a mustard seed 10 years ago in the sleepy, relatively obscure part of Ota in Ogun State, Covenant University, has grown into a colossus that leaves behind its trail every new year, mind-blowing academic exploits and giant strides. Covenant University (CU) is only 10 years old today, but its accomplishments these past few years measure up to that of most if not all of the first generation universities. Talk about the child that grows his first tooth when his contemporaries are yet to grow mature gum; or a baby who takes his first step on two legs when others of his age are still learning how to crawl, you are referring to CU whose golden footprints these past years have made it a global point of reference. The feats should not come as a surprise. The testimony has always been shared by the visioner and founder of the institution, Dr. David Oyedepo that when the institution was ready to open its doors for the first set of students in 2002, he led, in the scorching mid-summer’s sun, the church members, first set of academic and non-academic staff and his team of pastors on a thanksgiving course round the campus. While rounding off the covenant thanksgiving, Dr. Oyedepo did the unimaginable: he lay down flat on the ground, his chin and belly right on the hard floor which was already emitting heat from the midday sun, and declared openly that he had completed the assign-

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Covenant University at 10: My perspective ment of building a university as ordered by God. He asked the Master to come and take over the institution. The story goes further that the strain, the stress and the heat the Chancellor, Dr. Oyedepo felt that day, was prophetic and symbolic as they were the last stress, strain and heat he would ever feel over the university. It was a wise and covenant step: giving the institution over to the sender and owner, God! From that moment, CU has never given him, nor the Board of Regents, nor the Management, Faculty, Staff and Students any sleepless night. Projects are completed in record time. The university is never short of qualitative manpower or funds. Award-winning inventions and innovations are made by staff and students. Little efforts become ample manifestations and global reference-points; and giant strides become daily events. Like the Chancellor says, and which is typified by CU, “those who make noise do not make news; it is he that makes waves that makes news”; CU’s staff and students continue to make waves and that gets them in the spotlight so many times, nationally and internationally. Aside so many corporate awards, including best private university and third best university in Nigeria at different times; most subscribed university by admission seekers each year; and most ICT-driven university in Nigeria; its faculty members have also distinguished themselves in the widening community of fine scholars in the country. Being the first and only private university (until recently) in Nigeria to be recognised by the United States Fulbright Commission, its faculty members have won highly competitive US-sponsored awards such as the very prestigious Study of the United States Institute (SUSI), as well as Junior and Senior Fulbright fellowships. Some

of the lecturers have also won CODESRIA grants and other local and international academic fellowships, including post-doctorates, of which a significant number of its PhD holders have completed abroad. The institution has recorded a lot of firsts in competitive student contests at the national level. In its very first outing in the Model United Nations Conference in Abuja in 2007, the university came out among 31 other institutions as the Best Delegation. Its second outing in 2008 with a different set of students led by the same staff returned home yet for the second time with the Best Delegation award. Individual awards were won by some of the student delegates and the staff. Also in the Nigeria qualifiers of the Zain-Africa Challenge among universities, the university went quite far. CU has hosted some of the most important events on university campuses. Just last year, it hosted the launching of the UN-Habitat Report, the first time that would be done in Africa. The first and second launch had been at Columbia (USA) and the London School of Economics respectively. Recently, the institution became the first private university to host the Fulbright Alumni Association of Nigeria (FAAN) Conference in the association’s 11-year history. Last year, CU hosted the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU). The two conferences were ground-breaking and still remain reference points in the burgeoning Nigerian intellectual society. CU is probably the only institution in Nigeria that has University Tour Guides, a group of specially trained and well comported students who take university guests on guided tour of the institution and Canaanland where CU is located. The Tour Guides idea was conceived in 2005 with the view to building the ambassado-

rial and hospitality talents of the students who may aspire-and some of whom have started-to take that career path. Like the Tour Guides, the institution came up with the Hands in Green initiative, which is charged with the responsibility of promoting the global cause of “going green” on the campus. And quite novel in the Nigerian university system is the Classroom Beyond Borders initiative and collaboration with Ithaca College, a New York-based university, in which CU and Ithaca students have joint and shared classes through Skype, Sakai and other ICT devices. CU staff are probably the most hardworking set of university workers in Nigeria. With a hardworking Chancellor and his overly committed Executive Secretary, Pastor Yemi Nathaniel (the pioneer Registrar of CU), both of whom barely go to sleep, and a Management team which celebrates excellence, nothing short of diligence and sacrifice are expected of the staff. No wonder, the university as a whole never goes to sleep. And no wonder also, the achievements of the institution in just 10 years surpass the benchmark for a teething (would-be) world class university. For all these rare exploits and strong university character not known anywhere in Nigerian higher institutions, I join in congratulating Covenant University, the institution that has so much transformed my spiritual, intellectual and family life, on its 10 years of great achievements. I urge Nigerian universities to pay a little more attention to this institution and understudy it, in order to be on the same page and work concertedly in changing the face of the Nigerian university system. •Dr. Folarin teaches Politics and Inernational Relations at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.

How not to feign shock over mob justice FOLABI OGUNLEYE

hose four young victims of mob justice in Port Harcourt could easily have been people next door. No, they were not the typical distant faces of desperate poverty often plastered over newsprint, or flashed across your television screen, who had been rounded up and bludgeoned to death in the light of the day for one alleged crime or the other. (Such execution would be no less revolting in nature, by the way).

Instead, these were persons whose appearances are very familiar, in the sense that they could easily have been your young brothers, cousins, nephews or sons. Or, the sons of neighbours down the road. Like their peers anywhere in the world, the faces of those young victims captured all the traits of their youth as seen everywhere in the media and their Facebook pages: the exuberance, the mischief, the intelligence, the laughter embedded in their eyes along with the relative innocence that often leads them to err so terribly, causing their loved ones acute embarrassment and, worst of all, profound grief. According to written, pictorial and video narratives of the despicably graphic incident now widely available on the world wide web, the four young men, students of the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Nigeria, were nabbed after they were allegedly found with stolen items as mobile

phones and laptop computers. The young men were thereafter stripped naked by their captives who later grew into an angry, bloodthirsty mob that subjected the men to the worst forms of animal brutality, dousing them with gasoline and setting them alight with disused tires on their necks. The brutal nature of their public execution has caused many Nigerians [whom the late ace journalist Dele Giwa said had crossed the Rubicon into a state of unshockability] to recoil with shock horror. In the pages of newspapers, on television, blogs and social media, the topic took a life of its own. Even the federal legislature in Abuja took time off its self-serving squabbles to wade into the raging topic, calling for the arrest and prosecution of those who masterminded the public execution of those Nigerians, by fellow Nigerians who apparently are immune to the gore of such acts. The expression of shock and revulsion by Nigerians is annoyingly belated. For far too long, these brutal acts of mob justice had gone on almost everywhere in the country. It doesn’t matter if it is at the epicenter of ‘Boko Haram’ justice in Maiduguri, or the flashpoints of mindless bloodletting across Nigeria over the years, including the Ife-Modakeke brutalities and the cocoon of seasonal bloodbaths in the Plateaus of middle-belt Nigeria. Brutality, under one excuse or the other, has been part and parcel of the Nige-

rian experience over the last few decades, such that many are now virtually immune to gore and violence. Military dictatorship contributed its own quota to the psyche of violence, as you are now more likely to see the average Nigerian bark his way through his daily experience, often employing the threat of physical violence to have his way. Courtesy and respect are niceties reserved mostly for foreigners; you are less likely to find Nigerians show one another courtesy than Nigerians showing foreigners same. There is indeed a growing desensitization of the Nigerian from being decent to being crude. Yet is true of man in general: severally termed as the most destructive and violent of the species, he would naturally revert to his basest instincts in any instance of lawlessness. It doesn’t matter where he is; whether in the most advanced or ‘civilized’ enclaves or the most backward communities of the world, man’s basest instincts will naturally awaken in a state of lawlessness. There you will see that the nice neighbor, who smiles and nods respectfully at you on his daily egress and ingress, would as easily grab a machete in your pursuit, especially in a state of war where civil law becomes virtually inexistent. And that is why, beyond every other excuse made for the prevalence of mob justice in Nigeria, the apparent absence of the rule of law is the most direct cause. The behemoth that is the Nigeria Police –

the federal law enforcement body that supposedly exists to maintain law and order in Nigeria – does more to protect the interest of the State [and its politicians and agents alike] than it does to mind the interest of the everyday people that it is meant to serve. It is not surprising therefore that a far larger majority of politicians in power oppose the scrapping of the national police as we know it, to be replaced with far more lithe or responsive police apparatuses run by state governments, peopled by local personnel who understand their communities, and care for their communities, far better than a northern police conscript knows or care for a southern community, and vice-versa. It is sickening to see images of people bludgeoning already bloodied, naked suspects while onlookers stood idly by, many of them clutching mobile devices as they recorded the ongoing animal brutality, and barely registering any form of discomfort whatsoever over the animal brutality before them. It was a stark reminder of similar images captured of America’s Jim Crow era, when institutional segregation directly or indirectly encouraged the often brutal persecution of African-Americans. The images of black men hanging from trees, sometimes with bonfires at their feet while young and old white people look on with glee, still haunt. •Ogunleye is a public affairs analiyst

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Applause LIFESTYLE, FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT

‘Not only celebrities, even pastors’ marriages crash nowadays’ OCTOBER 21, 2012

Princess Anne Inyang came e he to the limelight in 1996 with th the A the release of her debut album, All nterview way with my Jesus. In this in interview oliific song with Angela Davies, the prolific wh hat inspired writer and vocalist reveals what an nam Nkwe. her to sing the hit track, Akanam m She also speaks about her marriage, among other issues.

have never n nev ver seen the love that can compare with God’ss love”. God decided to compensate me God’ with wit th that song and it has reached where I have ha av not reached. People sing the song but they th he don’t know the author or the meaning. My song is more popular than my iin name (laughs). n Well, W some people believe that Akanam Nkwe is a ‘Calabar folk song’. How true N is this? Contrary to what I hear that it is a “Calabar folk song”, I tell you that this “ song was not in existence before 1995 s when I wrote it. It was actually released w on March 31, 1996. I challenge anyone who can prove to me that they heard this wh w song so on before I wrote it in 1995. Like somebody bo dy said to me recently, “your song is too popular to belong to you. It is like a song of pop pu years 50 ye ea ago.” But here I am still young and enjoying g the t evergreen nature of the song. There The ere is something about the song Akanam anytime it is sang anywhere in the world. Nkwe, a an Even if the tth mood of worship was dull, it will suddenly ignite igniite it. I am telling you that music is spiriGod tual and Go od used that song to compensate me, to really lift me up u so I am grateful to Him.

Where are you from? I am from Ibiono Ibom council area rea a in Akwa Ibom State. We have not heard about you for sometime; me etime; what have you been doing of late? I have not been in the country forr a while; I travelled for about six years and I have been up to so many things. I came back ba ack two years ago but in between, I wa was as coming home to promote my works. ks.. In 2006, I came home to celebrate my y 10 years on the stage during which h I released two albums, ‘Powered by God’ and ‘Nkana N’Comprehend’. The concert featured great artistes such as Sammie Okposo, Stella Damasus, Folake Umosen, Kenny St. Brown and many others. I also came home in 2009 and hosted a live concert that featured most of the gospel greats. I finally came back to the country in 2010 and right now I am in the studio working g on my ninth album. The single will ll be on air before the end of October er while the studio work continues. You are a gospel artiste but why haven’t en’’t you crossed over to sing secular songs s like some other gospel artistes? I don’t really like to judge people because, from my experience, a lot of artistes who started out in the church end up in the world. Somebody like Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and indeed a host of artistes we celebrate today both at home and abroad, started their musical careers from the church but ended up doing secular songs. What’s the reason for that? The reason is simply and largely due to lack of support from the church. Those of us who have been consistent in gospel music know that we are not finding it funny. Most gospel artistes switch over to secular music because of financial gains. Not many churches are supportive of gospel artistes, while some which sponsor big gospel music events tilt more to foreign artistes. One thing I have discovered is that because most churches have their own choirs and those who volunteer their talents to serving the Lord

You’ve added so s much weight. What have you been eatof mind? ing or is it rest o really It is not real lly eating or rest of mind. I had a medical condition that had ha to do with my thyroid, which did not h fat but I am completely healed now. allow my body to o burn b How do you stay y in shape now? exercises and I go to the gym at least thrice I do a lot of e ex also in a week. I als so watch what I eat. I avoid late night food can. as much as I c ca

in the area of music, they do not fully appreciate the ones doing music as a career or ministry. It is as if to say “what are they singing that we don’t sing in our church?” For me, personally, I do church events and I anchor corporate and government events as well. I also write some songs that don’t have God or Christ but they are scripturally based. I don’t condemn gospel artistes that cross over to sing secular songs, it is their choice. We are all responsible for the choices we make. The song that made you popular is Akanam Nkwe. What doors did that song open for you? The song opened innumerable doors. I have sang for kings and presidents. I have travelled to countries I never imagined I would reach in my lifetime. I have ministered in white-dominated churches, performed on stage with artistes I had heard of many years before I became one. The song came to me when I was in my ‘crossroads’. It is talking about God’s unconditional love and it means, “I

‘IF YOU HAVE A MAN, HE SHOULD BE YOUR KING’

once married. Will you go back to him or You were o on will you remarry? re back to the man who married the woman Go ba bac who broke up our marriage, and be the second wife or what? Anyway, I will remarry soon. Who is the new man in your life? I will tell you that when next we meet. There has been increase in the rate of crashed marriages and divorces these days in our society, especially among the celebrities. Can’t marriages be enjoyed anymore? It is really sad, I tell you. It is not only among celebrities, but it is now too rampant even among pastors. I was not a celebrity by the time I was divorced. I got married very early thinking that I was going to enjoy my marital life and raise godly children but somebody else came in and broke up our relationship. Women are ready to do anything to get married and they don’t care if the person is married or not. Sometimes marriages break up as a result of intolerance, immaturity, impatience, lack of effective communication CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

I WON THE CROWN BEATING 18 CONTESTANTS’

Applause

Sunday, October 21, 2012

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‘If you have a man, he should be your king’ Michelle Dan-Osherire is in charge of Nollywood Worldwide Entertainment at Galaxy Television. She studied Theatre Arts and later International Relations at the University of Benin. She tells Adaeze Amos in this interview that the woman is not to play the breadwinner role in the home because nature has made man the king. You work with Galaxy Television; what are your duties? I help to organise shows. For instance, Nigerian Television Fashion shows are organised by us. What was your growing up like? I’m going to be humble and say that I come from a foremost family in Delta State. My uncle was the first Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor; my uncle was the first finance minister and my father was the first ambassador to Britain. You are in a society where women are expected to work more to prove themselves; are you happy about your sex? Well, I’m comfortable being a woman; I would rather be a woman than a man because I normally tell ladies and everybody who cares to listen that we are in a man’s world. Whether you like it or not, God gave them power and gave women virtue. Let’s be contented with virtue and not try to opt for power. When you seek power, you would not be happy as a woman, you would not be satisfied because it is not your God-given role. A lot of women are so desperate to acquire money and power these days that sometimes it makes me feel bad. I believe that the only role God gave a man is that of his ability to go out there and make money, keep a family comprising first the woman and then his children. We should not take over but follow in their footsteps, help to actualise and maximise their potentialities, to make their dreams come alive. If you have a man, he should be your king, whatever he is wearing is a crown and you are there to polish and make it shine so that others would respect him and your family. That is the virtue. You insist that women shouldn’t vie for power; does that include women who are breadwinners in their homes? That is what I’m saying; it’s because we are reversing the roles. How many of us are really happy in those roles? How many people appreciate you for that? The men don’t appreciate you for feeding them. Do you know why? They didn’t ask you to do so. Okay, tell me, as a woman, between you and I, what other role did God give to a man on earth than to look for money? But some of them don’t have… Yes, they may not have it but if you have the connection, please link them. That is where you would be appreciated because no matter how much you are making or what you have, he would still go out there and do what he wants and you would be hurt. Because he is using his power against you and there is nothing you can do about it. If you recognise that aspect, then let him do what he ought to do. That is the only job he has on earth, the only job God gave to him. If he likes let him go to his creator and say he cannot cope with life, but no woman should take over his place and try to do his job for him because he would not appreciate it. They never do. What if he doesn’t have money to run his home? You should connect him as a wife to people that would help him. Your place is to teach and assist him get to where he wants. Find out what he wants to do, where he aspires to get to. If you have the enablement as a virtuous woman,

assist him to get there but not to usurp his position. Some women are having horrible marriages, being battered by their husbands and yet they stay because of what people would say. What’s your view? We really have to redefine our purposes and our goals when it comes to relationships. In such a relationship, you know what attracted you to the man. If what attracted you to a man is always the wrong thing, you would get such. I have equally seen men who had abused women go through counselling, and they have now stopped. There are people you can call. You suffer in silence because you refuse to reach out to those who can help you. The man could be angry because he is frustrated of life and he is taking it out on you. That is what we get most times. I’m supposed to be successful, I am not and you are doing well. You know the egos of men are as big as the whole wide world. What are those things women do unknowingly that prick the ego of men? You puncture his ego when you try to usurp his authority. When you are hard working, it becomes a problem. He would become very sensitive with everything you do. He will be on the defensive all the time. It’s not a conscious thing; it’s natural because the roles have been reversed. He does not like the role he is playing with you in the home. He knows he is not a female and your abilities are making him look as if he is a female. A woman in authority and power is every bit abusive. Don’t forget that our respect for men over the years has to do mostly with the fact that we rely on them financially. When we no longer do that, we tend to become overbearing sometimes. When you want to attend a red carpet event, what do you do to stand out? I wear anything that makes me feel sexy and comfortable. At least, if I attend a grade-A event with my man by my side, I would rather be turning men’s heads my way. If some other females are turning their heads to him, I get some other people looking at me because I look good and sexy. He could just stand by the side and look for excuses to get angry or jealous. Some women feel unconcerned about looking good when married; is that right? That’s a big mistake because the marriage platform gives you the right to look hot and sexy for your man. Married women should dress well and look gorgeous for their husbands. Turn his head and the heads of others around you. What do you think of Nigerian fashion industry? To be fashionable in Nigeria is like a lifestyle. You know God is beautiful. He fashioned everything in heavens and earth beautifully. God loves beautiful people. Have you seen how He blesses those pastors that look good? That goes to show you that God is beautiful. Nigerian fashion sense is improving daily. I think we are improving in our fabrics, styles and sophistication daily. Nigeria, in the next five to seven years, will be the fashion capital of the world. We’ll take over from Paris.

‘The song Akanam Nkwe came to me when I was at a crossroads’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 and understanding. Also, unforgiveness due to inadequate love. The Bible says “love covers a multitude of sins”. If you have to change one thing about yourself, what would that be? I like myself totally…everything about me. Can you define your fashion statement? I wear what suits me and the way I dress also depends on the mood of the occasion. Occasions that are casual, I go casual and when it comes to formal occasions, I really go formal. When I feel like wearing jeans, I do exactly that. I flow with the event I am going to. Are you a jewellery person? Yes, I am. I love anything that complements what I wear. Gold does not have so much design so I love beads and African jewellery. What advice would you give to aspiring gospel artistes? It is not enough to know how to sing. That you lead praise and worship in your church does not mean you should release an album. It is much more than that because music is very demanding. For me, I had to leave a good paying job with First Bank. I had to leave because I felt I was not putting much time into my music. It is not enough to just collate other people’s songs, go to the studio and record. I don’t support that at all. It is piracy and infringement on people’s intellectual property. You are contravening the copyright law. What has been your greatest challenge in your musical career? That will be management and marketing. There is no proper structure in place to favour the artiste. I write the songs, record them, shoot the videos, do the promotion and then begin to market the work myself. We have very few artiste managers, record labels and a handful of marketers. That is why you don’t see my album in the streets. People have great demand for them but no reliable marketer. What is the boldest step you have ever taken in your life? To leave a well paid job to the ‘unknown’ at a time in this country when music generally had no promising future. What advice do you have for women in the forefront? I will advise women who are in positions of authority that they should continue with the good work they are doing and also help others as much as they possibly could. Believe it or not, women are very strict. I know there are some bad eggs However, give a woman some hard tasks, she will deliver. What is your philosophy of life? Do unto others as you expect them to do to you. I also do not believe there is anything called impossible, if I set my mind to achieve it.

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Cocktail Whispers

Stories by Olumide Segun-Oduntan

0818 941 8761 e-mail: lumidezy@yahoo.com

OCTOBER 21, 2012

Twist in Wasiu Ayinde Marshall’s affair with Titi Masha

Monalisa Chinda acquires 2012 Honda Crosstour

ithout a doubt, life is surely smiling on Nollywood star actress, Monalisa Chinda. And those that have seen the hugely talented actress on the roads lately will agree that she is certainly moving up and up. Now, as if to add to the recent successes in her career, the fairskinned movie star has recently acquired a 2012 Honda Crosstour. And according to a source, Monalisa Chinda’s latest ride is said to be worth millions of naira. Fans of the beautiful screen diva would recall that when she became a year older few weeks back, there was a huge buzz online. And her fans that stayed true to her had their phone lines recharged through the vouchers she gave out. With a new movie which she interpreted role in about to premiere and a brand new car to cruise about, gorgeous Monalisa is certainly on the good side of life.

If the information made available to Cocktail Whispers is anything to go by, then some of the family members and friends of Fuji King, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall may be gearing up for a big celebration in a matter of months. According to a source, the celebrated musician has fallen in love again. Yes, he is said to be romancing socialite Titi Masha. In fact, Cocktail Whispers gathered that K1, as he is fondly called, and his current babe, Titi may have been dating for about a year now. Now the good news coming from the house of Wasiu Ayinde Marshall is that Titi may at the moment, be on the nine months course. Yes, the love birds are likely to be expecting their first bundle of joy together. But that is not where the gist ends. There is a twist to the love story between the two lovers. Cocktail Whispers learnt that K1’s ex-wife, Alhaja Shalewa (nee Masha) is the younger sister of Titi Masha’s father. This of course means that Titi is a niece to K1’s former wife. According to a source, this fact has made some of K1’s family members and friends to be against the union between him and Titi. But it was also learnt that while a few people may not welcome their relationship, the couple may have already reached the ultimate way to continue their relationship; that is, secretly becoming man and wife.

nd a b s u h , r o b e n Ufuoma Eje y boy welcome bab This is certainly a season of celebration for the highly rated actress, Ufuoma Ejenobor and her husband, Steve Mc Dermot as they recently welcomed an addition to their family. You will be glad to know that the gorgeously beautiful movie star gave birth to a bouncing baby boy few days ago at a private hospital in Lagos. Just as you know, Ufuoma and Steve tied the knot on her birthday - April 23, 2010. It would also interest you to know that Ufuoma Ejenobor is also a former Beauty Queen, having represented Nigeria at the Miss Earth 2004 International Beauty Pageant in the Philippines. Cocktail Whispers gathered that fans of the screen diva have begun sending her congratulatory messages online.

Another stunning birthday cake from Cossy One celebrity who never seizes to stun her fans is actress cum singer, Cossy Ojiakor. Those who have followed her and her antics keenly would agree that she always seems to have something up her sleeve to dazzle her admirers and critics with. And yes, the ‘queen of boobs’ did it again a few days ago. Going back a bit, Cossy’s fans and haters would recall that in October 2011 when she celebrated her birthday, her guests ate a piece of her in form of the cake of the day which was literary a replica of her huge breasts. But this year, the guests at her birthday, which took place a couple of days back, were given another part of her anatomy to eat. In what did not come as a surprise to many, the very sexy Miss Ojiakor or perhaps her friends baked her birthday cake to reflect her posterior. Well, at least, if any of the guests at Cossy’s birthday bash was eager to grab her bottom, he had a consolation prize in her back-side cake. And if anyone is wondering what Cossy’s next birthday cake will look like, the guess here is that since the well-gifted lady started her famous cake with the replica of the upper front of her anatomy and she has moved to the middle back, next time, she may decide to shock her admirers/ haters with a birthday cake that would reflect somewhere around her middle front.

Movies & Music

Stories by Olumide Segun-Oduntan

Sunday, October 21, 2012

08189418761 e-mail: lumidezy@yahoo.com

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Adewale Ayuba makes statement with Sugar

Arts and as Prov launc

He is perhaps the first graduate to sing Fuji music. His fascination with the ivory tower tallied with an early ambition to reach the pinnacle of his act. Convinced that his acceptance by the university community would bring about a good turning point for Fuji music, Adewale Ayuba made up his mind to break into that circle with his music. Having found the recipe for a new bubbly kind of Fuji that settled in well with the youths, Ayuba began his climb to the top. Now, he is eager to be properly remembered as the one who opened the door of acceptance for Fuji musicians Nigerian Idol is truly once-in- in the universities and among the educated. a-lifetime opportunity.” Today, Ayuba is set to take the music scene by the storm Individuals, duos and groups as he releases a new album titled ‘Sugar’. He revealed that came energized at the Rockview though the album is coming a bit late against the wishes Royale hotel, venue of the event of many of his fans, he believes that “it is better to be late to showcase to the world - includthan never. I released the album because of the demand ing many talented with instrufrom my fans”. ments. What then is unique about the album? He said, Sugar “I have always dreamt of being is different from my previous works”. on Nigerian Idol”, said Isa AbubaThe album according to him, “is a chart buster with kar, a guitarist, before his auditions. special tracks for my mother, Bola Tinubu, the late “Unfortunately I have always been in Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, importance of marriage school during auditions for the past and my own side in the history of Fuji music”. two years. But I have been waiting and On his absence from the music scene in recent dreaming. times, he said, “I play regularly, just like Bob Marley; I’m preaching the Gospel of Fuji Music round the world”.

On M On ation Puls Isla

tr th a g c a

Dreams set to come true as Nigerian Idol auditions move from Abuja to P’Harcourt Last weekend was a thrilling one for the young and talented in Abuja, as thousands showed up for auditions for the Season 3 of the musical reality show, Nigerian Idol. “It’s the third year, but the numbers of young people who turned out to be heard was overwhelming - thousands of them,” said Tiwa Medubi, who is project manager. “You could say it’s because the show has numbers on its side, as the most watched music reality show in Nigeria, but I think more than that, it’s the lives that the show has changed, the dreams that have come true over the past two brilliant editions.

More tear-inducing acts as Nigeria’s Got Talent hits other cities

P d co so lad

sig exqu sorie pose or smi One painted skirts.

I Stars invasion as Hoodrush premieres in style

t w wh m ‘Hoo T dios Ikp Eti inc an Ag

Performances moved easily from the emotional to the hilarious at the Abuja, Calabar and Benin auditions of the ongoing talent hunt show, Nigeria’s Got Talent. Episode 5 took fans into the final auditions. It began with a tone of disapproval set by the judges at the Abuja audition. Members of the ‘Big Star Acrobatic Troop’ were unimpressive, as were Ndanyomo Ogbonnaya, a 48 year-old man who sang in his native tongue and Francis who used his mouth as a saxophone. The next act was from a cross-dressing comedian called Peter. “Not only was your combr edy distasteful,” said actress and judge, Kate Henshaw. “But I also find you distasteful.” ac The breezy, fast-paced edition, interspersed as usual with quips and commentary by the bubbly host Andre Blaze moved to Calabar, where the judges found plenty to approve w of. Two young men in diapers m called a ‘Adult Babies’ got the audience c laughing and a singer called Debo bie won their hearts with a rendis tion of Asa’s ‘Jailer’. A young man named Edet UK-based Nigerian R&B/Hip-Hop trio, A-Team is at the moment rocking the p showed off skating skills and a airwaves with the brand new music video for their debut single titled ‘Fresh’. h 14-year-old Samuel who was a Superbly produced by elusive beat-smith Charlz, ‘Fresh’ sees the exciting new c dancer and his singing sister, Fegroup in their element as they offer up strong and infectious rap verses as well as a p licia also got approval to move to solid vocal performance over a commanding musical backdrop of head-bopping drum t the semi-final round. arrangements and interjecting finger clicks. The Benin auditions opened In the accompanying music video, directed by Flake City Film’s Bonja, ‘Fresh’ is t with a younger rapper, Boniface brought even further to life via cleverly-captured pictures and close-up shots as the At who failed to dazzle. The ‘DNA Team’s Kin, Fasa and Q deliver their rap verses and vocals in this enthralling and stylistic Crew’ put up a fantastic dance roublacked-out visual backdrop complemented by gorgeous leading ladies whispering ‘Fresh’. tine too, but it was Jude James, an Formed in January 2012, up and coming R&B/Hip-Hop trio, A-Team is made up of three albino singer who carried the day exciting young Nigerian artists - Kevwe Issac Nikoro (Kin), Ariko Fasa (Fasa) and Hussani D. t with his performance of Michael Ishaq (Q). Collectively signed to UK-based record label Flake City, A-Team is made up of an Jackson’s ‘Heal the World’. exciting new singer (Q) and two burgeoning rapper/singers (Kin and Fasa). t As overwhelmed Kate Henshaw Kin, Fasa and Q all met at the University of Wolverhampton and after discovering that struggled with tears, co-judge Dan they each had artistic talents, an instant creative connection between the trio was formed. r Foster noted that James “hit the One of them, Kin was already signed to Flake City at the time and as the trio started collabs spirit with his note and passion”. orating in the studio and making good music together, it was only natural and right that “Those are the moments that the other two members, Fasa & Q also got signed to Flake City alongside Kin as A-Team. N make the show,” said Debby Ever since the A-Team got together as a group, they have performed all over the West o Schulman, the producer. “Beyond Midlands - most prominent of which will be their forthcoming headline performance a the gorgeous cinematography, or at the 2012 Miss West Midlands. “D the choice locations or the energy With the likes of Boyz II Men,R.Kelly, 2Face Idibia, Jay-Z, Drake, Usher, Kanye sh from the thousands who came out West, Michael Jackson, Femi Kuti and Lagbaja among others serving as the to audition, this is about moments trio’s musical influences as well as a musical styling that has often been de“If that reach out and tug at your scribed as unique, exciting and refreshing, the R&B/Hip-Hop and Afroer.. heart - talent that makes you bePop trio are set to make a huge splash on Nigeria’s modern music sha lieve again. Nigeria totally rocks.” landscape in the coming few months. mov

A-Team rocks screen with new video

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Jesus, our great advocate, says Pastor Adeboye

Praise Worship E-mail:richardeghaghe@yahoo.com

E-mail:titusanyanwu.2012@gmail.com

EDIFYING GOD

29 9

October 21, 2012

Bakare to fellow clerics: Come out and play politics RICHARD EGHAGHE

eneral Overseer of The Latter Rain Assembly and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential running mate in the 2011 general election, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has called on men of God to come out of church politics and step into national politics.

According to him, “rather than bring politics to church, let believers take church to politics”. He, however, warned that the church that must take church to politics must not be the Sinai church that is bound by religion or the compromised church that is bound by greed and corruption, “because these will be blown away with the shaking that is coming”. He said it calls for the Zion church that leans on grace, a new breed without greed and a radical opposition to corruption. He further warned that church leadership must wash itself clean from the crookedness that is in the polity and commit itself to feeding the flock and strategically equipping and positioning them for kingdom advance in every sphere of influence, including and especially, the political sphere. Speaking as the guest lecturer at the 70th anniversary celebration of Yaba Baptist Church last week in Lagos, Bakare maintained that the church must become the mouthpiece of God, speaking out to unblock the minds of the people, restore voices to the voiceless, defreeze social mobility and restore sovereignty to the people. “It is why The Latter Rain Assembly is strongly connected to the destiny of this nation and why we do what many others would not do; it is what led to the formation of Save Nigeria Group. It is what led us to march the streets of Abuja and Lagos when the seat of power was unconstitutionally hijacked; it is what took us to Freedom Square at Ojota for five days in January to

Pastor Bakare

resist the plundering of our people by a corrupt and clueless government; it is what made us join men of like minds, though of different creeds, in the bid to rescue our nation from the hands of oppressors - rulers who hate her, disguising as leaders; it is what made me accept the invitation to be running mate to General Muhammadu Buhari on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change; it is why I am committed to this cause, because, like Jesus, for this cause was I born and to this end came I into the world -- that Nigeria will be saved, Nigeria will be changed and Nigeria will be great again!” he posited. Passing his verdict on the Nigerian church, the clergyman said the true church must emerge, in the midst of corruption and decay, gross darkness taking over the soul of the nation. “We need to ask ourselves salient questions: Are these events occurring because we do not have Christians in national politics? Are some of the looters in government and their counterparts in the private sector - the corporate cowboys - not members of churches? Do they not get front rows

in churches? Are they not deacons and elders in churches? Are the priests – the GOs, the Bishops, the Reverends, Pastors, or whatever label they go by – living up to their responsibilities as watchmen to warn the princes, or are they feeding fat from the loot and giving them prayer cover as prayer contractors? “To be more succinct, since the return to civil rule in 1999 which amounts to 13 years, we have spent 10 years of those 13 under the leadership of presidents who claim to be Christians and who have had the backing of the church in Nigeria and around whose corridors church leaders have hobnobbed. Yet the nation is in such a despicable state. It was Martin Luther who, responding to such hypocrisy in his day, once said, ‘I’d rather be ruled by a wise Turk than by a foolish Christian’. This is the verdict on the church in Nigeria. When the kingdom advances with the emergence of the true church, the compromised church which cannot heal a dieing nation will not stand, it will be sifted and blown away as the impostor that it is,” Pastor Bakare warned.

Okogie, Umoh deplore UNIPORT, Mubi students’ killing •‘Blood of victims’ll expose perpetrators’ TAI ANYANWU

he Archbishop Emeritus of Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, has condemned the recent murder of four students of University of Port Harcourt by some natives of Aluu, a community in Ikwere Local Government of Rivers State.

Ugonna, Ilyod, Tekana and Chidiaka, were set ablaze by a mob for alleg-

edly stealing a laptop and Blackberry phones. The four were reportedly tortured for three hours and taken round the community before they were eventually set ablaze. A visibly angry Okogie said the killing of the students was barbaric, inhuman and abominable and must be condemned by all and sundry, saying that the tragic incident has further tarnished the already dented image of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

‘THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY OUT’

Briefly Job creation, antidote to insecurity –Osu The alarming rate of crimes and insecurity ravaging the land has been attributed to poverty and unemployment. The observation was made by Very Rev. Msgr. Gabriel Osu, Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos in a release made available to newsmen. The clergyman said that except government and the organized private sector made concerted effort to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the society, every effort at curbing crimes would be a task in futility. “I have always said it that the alarming rate of insecurity in the land is caused by poverty. Most of those being used to perpetuate the mayhem in all parts of the country are unemployed youths. “It is difficult to convince people who are gainfully employed to participate in such crimes as armed robbery, arson, kidnapping and assassination. No responsible person will leave his or her job to take to crime. “This is why I have always advocated that the best way to curb crimes is to provide jobs for the jobless. A hungry man is an angry man. If our youths are gainfully employed, I believe that the rate of crimes would reduce drastically, Osu explained.”

Divine Power Bible Church holds vigil, fasting Divine Power Bible Church is set to hold its annual 2-day vigil and marathon ‘white’ fasting prayer session has begun and it is holding at 12am to 3am daily. The programme, which has as theme, “Divine Authority – Gen. 1:3” is expected to end on Sunday, October 28, 2012. It is scheduled to take place at 22, Omotola Street, Off Oladogba Street, in Ikosi / Isheri LCDA, Ketu, Lagos. Speaking ahead of the church rally, the host, Prophet Olanrewaju Arogundade, said the Lord had revealed to him that everyone that attends the event will receive total salvation, fruitfulness, and breakthrough. He added that yokes would be destroyed and deliverance, blessing, among other blessings would follow.

Sunday Mirror/Babcock University Bible Quiz: • Current and past winners can collect their prizes from the office of the Editor, Sunday Mirror, 151/161 Broad Street, Lagos anytime from Monday to Friday. Participants should always indicate their names when sending their entries.

QUOTE Wisdom is doing what you require to acquire what you require; people may knock you down but they cannot knock you out. –Pastor Bamidele

Cardinal Okogie

STOP THE DRIFT TO WORLDLINESS

Praise & Worship

Sunday October 21, 2012

Assemblies of God lauded for boosting knowledge TAI ANYANWU

he Assemblies of God Church (AG), one of the foremost Pentecostal churches in Nigeria, has been applauded for its role in equipping youths through sharpening their intellectual and communicative skills. Deputy Managing Director/Deputy Editor of the Sun newspapers, Mr. Femi Adesina, showered the accolades at the second edition of the Apapa District Superintendent Essay Competition Award ceremony organized by the church in Lagos last week. Speaking at the event, Adesina observed that the Bible urges believers to study to make themselves approved of God, “a workman who needs not be ashamed, rightly divining the word of truth.” Beyond acquitting itself well in the direction of training and equipping its teeming members for victorious Christian life, through the word of God, Adesina who chaired the occasion, noted that the church equally

realised the need to build the younger generation into leaders of tomorrow, through sharpening their intellectual and communicative skills. The chairman stressed that technology is the scourge of this generation pointing out that rather than read, youths prefer to surf the net, and get ready-made materials on whatever they need. His words: “Cable television, radio, the Blackberry, the cell phone, and many other modern means of communication, are veritable enemies of the reading culture. Why read when you can watch movies? Why write letters when you can ping? Why burn the midnight oil, when you can make midnight calls? This is a generation at a crossroads.” Recalling the words of a notable English author, Francis Bacon, on the importance of reading, effective oral communication and writing: ‘Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man;’ Mr. Adesina wondered if our youths, the leaders of tomorrow would ever become full men and women, when reading

culture of this generation was in comatose. He also wondered if the younger generation was ready for the intellectual rigour and exaction that go with robust debates and brainstorming sessions. Quoting Bacon, he declared, “Truly, conference makes a ready man, a man who can hold his own in any part of the world, no matter the topic thrown up for discussion”. Sixteen year-old Miss Chinyereba Praise from Eko District, Assemblies of God Church clinched the first prize (Gold plaque) accompanied with a cash prize of N100,000. The second prize (Silver plaque) went to Master Joshua of Ajegunle Section plus N70, 000 cash award while Uwandu Ihechiluru from Olodi section went home with a cash award of N60, 000. Convener of the competition and District Superintendent of Apapa District, Rev M. K. Ogunbola, advised those who could not make it to the top at the competition to see it as an opportunity to work harder.

African Church honours Odufuwa

FUNMI SALOME-JOHNSON

ngineer Babatunde Odufuwa, founder of Lagos City Computer College, Lagos City Polytechnic and Southwestern University recently added another feather to his cap recently when he was conferred with the position of vice lay president of the African Church Cathedral Salem. Accepting the title at a glittering ceremony held inside the Lagos Mainland Diocese at Freeman Street, Yaba, Odufuwa said, “When the call came on me, I joyfully accepted to serve in the Lord’s vineyard.” He thanked the church members for accepting him as he is. “I also want to thank our forefathers for establishing African Church. They have worked assiduously and may their labour never be in vain.” A widely learned man and an educationist per excellence, Odufuwa advised Nigeria at 52 in these words. “It might be dark today, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I’m one of those who believe so much in this country. Even though we are having hiccups, I can assure every one of us that it’s going to be better. I appeal to our leaders to uphold the rule of law and enforce the law of our land. If the laws are enforced from top to bottom, things will start to change” Odufuwa further stressed that there is the need for each and everyone to become more law-abiding so that as a nation we will be able to put an end to corruption which is the major challenge we have in Nigeria today adding that although, it is not the only challenge the country is faced with.

Odufuwa

“In developed countries, the law is supreme in every way. No matter who you are, not even a president or a senator will break the law of the land; you will go to jail. It’s very simple. And if that can be enforced from top to bottom with our policemen and so on and so forth, this country will witness tremendous changes. A situation where double standards are in place is not good for our society. “We must see that justice is upheld in every way. Justice is very important and God will bless us. I believe the justice system is doing its work, and I know that the executive arm of government needs to enforce the laws of the land. We need total overhaul of the Nigerian system. Corruption is not the only leadership problem we have. Even every one of us is a problem to this nation. People don’t want to work; yet they want to make money. We need a new national reorientation; we need a complete re-

orientation. And if we are able to do this, we will go a long way and God will bless all of us” He further told Sunday Mirror that the issue of religious conflicts and insecurity could only be stopped when more souls are won for God and people learn to tolerate others more. “Now, that one is in a position of authority to implement certain things, we want to ensure that more souls are won for Christ. I also use same opportunity to appeal and counsel our Muslim brothers that we all serve the same God. There should be religious tolerance at every level. We must ensure that there is tolerance. No religion advocates killing. No religion supports damage to our resources, human and material. These are some of the things I believe we need to work upon, like doing more enlightenment to our Christian and Muslim brothers. Let us serve God with all our hearts and with all our minds”.

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Okogie, Umoh lament UNIPORT, Mubi students’ killing

Apostle Umoh CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

country in the comity of nations. A statement by the clergyman lamented the state of insecurity in the country. He warned that except government and security agents rose up to the challenge of protecting the lives of the citizens, the nation might soon drift to a state of anarchy and total lawlessness. His words: “The unlawful and gruesome murder of those students was most unfortunate. I feel very pained by it. It is very sad that such a barbaric act can be perpetuated in this 21st Century, a period when the whole world is talking about the dignity of the human person and about the rule of law. “It has further tarnished the image of our nation among the international community. I was told some law enforcement agents were not far from the scene, but pretended not to see the heinous crime being perpetuated. If that was the case, then something is wrong somewhere. The law enforcement agents are expected to prevent crimes, not to promote same,” he lamented. Okogie, recalled that the Mubi tragedy which claimed over 40 students of Federal Polytechnic, Adamawa State were gunned down. He decried the impunity with which students of the nation’s higher institutions were being slaughtered, and called for stiffer measures against perpetrators of such dastardly acts. In the same vein, the General Overseer of Faith Tabernacle Reconciliation Ministry, Onipanu-Ota, Ogun State, Apostle David Umoh, has assured the nation that the blood of about 26 students of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State and the four students of the University of Port Harcourt will expose those behind their killing. Apostle Umoh, who gave the assurance during a special service held at the church premises to mark the beginning of the last quarter of the year, condemned the murder of the stu-

dents of the two higher institutions, describing it as cowardly, despicable and a calamity of immense magnitude. He called on the government and the security operatives to carry out a proper investigation into the killings and mete out severe penalties to those found culpable, to serve as deterrent to others. In an emotion-laden reaction to the Mubi and UNIPORT killings, Apostle Umoh pointed out that he was personally touched that such a massive human destruction could take place in Nigeria, thereby robbing the country of some of her best future leaders in such bizarre circumstances. He also stated that the Mubi and Port Harcourt massacre had exposed the nation’s security agencies, stressing that the security operatives had collectively demonstrated gross inability to protect the citizenry and critical infrastructure. While calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to find solutions to the nation’s security challenges, the cleric urged the nation’s security chiefs, especially the National Security Adviser, the Director of State Security Services (SSS), the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff to live up to expectation. The General Overseer, however, appealed to Nigerians to desist from all forms of violence and see one another as brothers and sisters, as well as take issues on safety of lives important in their day-to-day activities. The cleric, who sympathised with the families and colleagues of the victims of the Mubi and Port Harcourt massacre and the recent flood disasters across the country, urged the government to, as a matter of urgency, begin to solve the myriad problems bedeviling the country. Apostle Umoh, however, urged everyone to be united in prayers at moments like this, appealing to God to comfort all Nigerians and give President Jonathan the strength and wisdom to lead the people through this moment of grief.

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Praise & Worship

Sunday October 21, 2012

Yaba Baptist Church, @ 70, counts its blessings •Offers special prayer for the nation

Cuting of the 70th Anniversary cake

RICHARD EGHAGHE

ith hearts of joy, the members of Yaba Baptist Church rolled out the drums last week in Lagos, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the church, established in 1942. The celebration, according to the minister in charge, Rev (Dr) Gabriel Adebayo, is worthwhile as an expression of “our gratitude to God and in appreciation of His favourable dispositions and wondrous acts toward His church since inception till present time”. “We may not be able to succinctly enunciate God’s faithfulness and goodness to us, neither can we enumerate nor describe them. But, we can say like David, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (I Chro. 16:34).” Also reciting a verse in the Baptist Hymn which says “count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done,” Rev. Adebayo revealed that the Yaba Baptist Church has not diminished in any facet despite her advancement in years. “The church remains relevant, dynamic and inspirational by the leadership of the Holy Spirit. This is the church that is neither tribal nor ethnic biased. This is a church that does not draw a line of demarcation between the rich and the poor. This is the church that is Christ centred, holiness conscious, and testifies to miracles being wrought by God beyond what mouth can describe. Challenges of life and old age do not in any way serve as deterrent to any member of the church because this is the church that neither leaves nor forsakes those who are confined to their dwelling places, due to ill health or old age; because the church makes provision for them to be ministered to at their dwelling places.” He attributed the strength of the church, basically, to the Holy Spirit that gives divine endowments for love, effective prayers, harmonious Christian fellowship and sincere faith in Christ (Matt. 8:18-19, Ps, 133:1, and Heb. 10:25). “Yaba Baptist Church loves mission and social works, with passion such as church plant-

Rev. Adebayo

Pastor Bakare delivering the anniversary lecture

ing, education, medical care, ministering to prisoners, ministering to the orphans, making provision for the impoverished and counselling, to mention a few. Hardly would you go to any part of this nation and abroad without having a contact with at least one man or woman who has been blessed or impacted by the missionary activities of Yaba Baptist Church, directly or indirectly. He charged the church not to relent.”We must not dwell on the past glory. Each member of the church has roles to play in the growth and progress of the church. What then are your contributions? If you have contributed, God will surely reward you. The present blessing is just a trickle of the abundant blessings God has kept in store for those who serve Him and edify others. On the significance of the celebration, Rev. Adebayo stressed that 70 years is very symbolic. “It symbolizes divine visitation for deliverance from captivity, restoration of lost hope and lost glory for good performance. The Lord has come to visit our land with the gift of peace. We shall therefore lie down peacefully, and nothing will make us afraid; for the Lord will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through our land. We will chase our enemies, and they shall fall by the sword before us (Lev. 26:6). The Lord who begins a good work in us will complete it.” Activities for the celebration includ-

ed the launching of the Church history book on September 30 2012, and a novelty football match the following day as a warm-up event; outreach/crusade from October 5, 2012,leading to the launching of the multipurpose building project. The 70th anniversary lecture was delivered by Pastor Tunde Bakare, General Overseer of The Later Rain Assembly Church. There were equally the Sunday School anniversary celebration; music concert with prayer and worship session, and community service work. Rev (Dr.) Ademola Ishola led the Bible Study session on Friday October 12 while the youth programme came up the following Saturday. The anniversary Sunday service held last Sunday while a special service for the departed members is slated for today, at the church main auditorium, from 8.00am to 12pm. The final of the Bible quiz competition comes up next Sunday, 28th October, from 8.00am, to round off the anniversary celebration. The 70th anniversary lecture It was a glorious homecoming for Pastor Tunde Bakere, presiding pastor of The Later Rain Assembly Church and Congress for Progressive Change presidential running mate in the 2011 presidential election. He delivered the 70th anniversary lecture for the Church. The Pentecostal church leader, politician and activist treated the topic, ‘Establishing The Kingdom of God Through Chris-

tians’ Involvement In National Politics’. He disclosed that he received the light of the gospel, as a former member of the Yaba Baptist Church. “I joined this train 38 years ago in a very supernatural manner on September 24, 1974 and was baptised by immersion here in our baptistry by the late Rev. Emmanuel A. Alabi of blessed memory. I attended our discipleship programme, Baptist Training Union (B.T.U.) and by God’s grace kept on growing in the faith till I served as the Youth Pastor in 1980 during the era of our Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. James Olawaiye, also of blessed memory. It was from here I enrolled at the University of Lagos in 1977 and graduated in 1980. It is impossible to forget the meaningful contributions of certain individuals within the Christian Fellowship of Yaba Baptist Church such as the late Bro. Julius Ajayi and Bro. Taiwo Kehinde, now in the U.S., to my university education, not to mention the unique role of my own uncle and auntie – the Adeyoyins – who opened their home to me during my law school year in 1980/81. I am forever grateful to God Almighty who, in His infinite mercies, had ordained before time that Yaba Baptist Church would be the cradle of my conversion to Christianity. Whenever the history of my life is written, Yaba Baptist Church will be written in gold. Thank you so much for your magnanimity. My beautiful wife of 28 years and mother of our five wonderful children is here with me, and so are leaders and members of our ministry. For us, this is homecoming,” he said. Prayer for the nation The church chose the opportunity of the anniversary to pray fervently for our nation against activities of evil perpetrators and hoodlums. We are using this time to pray for those that are causing political unrest, abduction of human beings and corruption because it is only God that can touch their hearts. We are also praying God to appeal to those who are vandalizing fuel pipes. We also pray for our leaders for God to sustain them and help them to create more job opportunities for our youths. “Quite a lot of them are energetic and intelligent but failure to get them engaged is dangerous as some of them may be lured into wrecking havocs consciously or unconsciously by their peer groups. Moreover, some of these intelligent youths need just a push or an empowerment to get them established. Therefore, everyone dwelling in Nigeria as a leader or follower is implored to resolve henceforth that the peace, unity and growth of this nation and Yaba Baptist Church will be pursed. Let each of us eschew bitterness and acrimony. Let us get ourselves ready to rid our land of evil activities and draw her closer to God. Let those who are at the helm of affairs show more love to the citizens so that they can rebuild confidence in them and be willing to emulate their sincere service and enviable leadership. “The Lord has come to visit our land with the gift of peace. We shall therefore lie down peacefully, and none will make us afraid; for the Lord will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through our land. We will chase our enemies, and they shall fall by the sword before us (Lev. 26:6). The Lord who begins a good work in us will complete it until the day of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”, “the clergyman prayed.

Praise & Worship

Sunday October 21, 2012

What do you do when you find yourself in a tight or ugly situation? The anointed man of God at Global Success Ministry (GSM), Dr Chima Okereke, gives an insight scripturally, in this lecture, which began last week. Excerpts, by Richard Eghaghe:

There is always a way out, by Pastor Okereke

saiah 43:18-19 read: “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert”. Beloved, God has declared your situations which give you sleepless nights as things of old; therefore, from today, they will turn to shadows. Do not consider them again because your tomorrow is greater than your today. The best must welcome you soon in this your journey of life. A sister was operated upon for appendicitis. Unfortunately, when the stitches were made, her stomach kept on tearing until her intestine started gushing out. Doctors tried their best but the intestine continued to come out; and one faithful day, she came to our ministry’s headquarters in Amuwo-Odofin; after prayers, for the first time, she could walk again and the intestine miraculously went inside the stomach and before few days, the womb dried up. I am praying for you that in the Name above every other name, your testimonies shall surprise your friends and people around you in Jesus’ Name. How do you come out of an ugly situation and step into the blessings of the most high God? • Become a friend of Jesus • You must be hardworking • Good sense of investment We shall look at the above mentioned points carefully; Become a friend of Jesus: How can you become a friend of Jesus and what do you stand to benefit by becoming His friend? In John 15:14, Jesus said, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you”. He went further in verse 17 to say, “These things I command you, that ye love one another”. When you start thinking on how to be a blessing to your family, friends, community, Nigeria, Africa and the world at large, then you are inviting the Spirit of the super-rich that ends in Joy and not in pains. It is not all rich people that have peace of mind. It is not all rich persons that end their journey in this life in a Joyful mood; think of where to belong. But if your riches come as a result of being a friend to the Lord by obeying His commandment which says that you should love one another; then your end will be joyful and peaceful. I wish you great blessings and prophesy, praying that your encounter today with the Lord shall bring excellent results in your life before December in Jesus’ name. You must be hardworking: Do you want to be out of ugly finanPastor Okereke cial situation or your position in your chosen career which is not stable or suitable for you? Then you have one big answer to this question and that is ‘hardwork’. There is no food for a lazy man or woman. You want to get a good job and on the day of

Briefly The General Overseer of Global Success Ministries, Pastor (Dr.) Chima Okereke, has declared Friday, November 2, 2012 as ‘Holy Ghost Night of Victory’. The declaration is meant to celebrate the huge success so far recorded in the on-going interdenominational special breakthrough programme, tagged, “I Must Shine Before Christmas”, being hosted by the church. The all-night programme, which is expected to attract both members and non-mem-

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interview, you will arrive the venue few minutes to the end of the session. You might have one reason or the other, like traffic-jam and so on, but the truth is that, you did not wake up in time. What is that means of your livelihood? Do not joke with it. Prayers are good but it

must never be substituted for hardwork. Proverb 22:29 states, “Seeth thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men”. You are given a contract that you are supposed to deliver within one year and getting close to the second year, you are still unable to round off the project. How do you expect more good contracts from genuine officials again, when you were incompetent enough to execute the one given to you within the time-frame expected? You are a businessman, while others are already in the office, you are still preparing to wake up from bed. These have affected many people. Prayers without hardwork shall lead to frustration. In Psalm 1:3, the Bible says that it is what you do as your business that God will prosper and not when you are sitting idle. Our brothers and sisters should develop the sense of creativity, instead of wanting for job that is not forthcoming, after the youth service programme. We need to start building a new society and create alternative ways for survival. The white man is busy, looking out for new inventions; I think the same is possible here. The Lord bless you in Jesus’ name. Good sense of investment: There are some important things about having good sense of investment. It is not all investments that bring profit; there are some investments that have rendered some men useless. Do not invest your money in a business you do not know very well; even though you might have managers but you should have a little idea and study about it. Before I round off, I will like you to know that your time is very important to your life. How you invest you time will go a long way to determine the kind of future that awaits you. Love you; remain blessed till next week. God loves you. •For enquiresand counseling, please send text messages only through the following numbers: 08067802407, 07038638984,

GSM celebrates Holy Ghost Victory Night bers of the church, according to the anointed man of God, is aimed at securing total victory from all agents of darkness and principalities for total liberation and breakthrough. The Holy Ghost victory night is equally aimed at reinforcing the 12 Wednesdays and Sundays for all-round victory for the people before Christmas, he said This month’s edition of the Holy Ghost Victory Night is Tagged, “God of Miracle”, as encapsulated in the book of Mt. 15:30. It will

hold at the main auditorium of the Church, at Plot 34, Global Success Street, FESTAC, Amuwo-Odofin, from 7.00pm prompt. According to the clergyman, the best way to attack and destroy the enemies to achieve total freedom and breakthrough is to attack from all spiritual directions. “So, the all-night Holy Ghost victory service is very vital for everybody to battle and destroy the enemies’ hideouts, as well as overrun their agents of darkness called

by whatever name. It is expected to feature the Holy Ghost worship and praise jamz, deliverance, healings, breaking of yokes and powerful ministration of the word of God by the G.O. and other anointed men of God and special prayer. “That is why I want everyone to come with his or her family, friends, neighbours and business associates, to benefit from the programme because the best good you can do for your loved ones at this period of the year, is to invite them to the programme and they will never go back home the same but will live to celebrate their breakthrough with you.

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Praise & Worship

Sunday October 21, 2012

Watch your actions, says Pastor Oloruntimilehin Founder of Omnipotence Mission of God, Pastor Oloruntimilehin Daramola, reveals that many people are experiencing harsh conditions because principalities of this world compel them to have possessions of things not originally meant for them. He advises that you watch your actions and pray that satanic forces do not put you through difficult circumstances. Excerpts brought by Tai Anyanwu

rethren, it is important that I share some of my experiences with people of the world in the course of doing God’s work. I consider it imperative to let you know what the principalities of this world are capable of doing.

Also, I want people to learn from the experiences and therefore be armed with the right knowledge of how to deal with these forces. A lot of people come to me to seek for solutions to their problems. In the course of interaction with them, I realised that many of them are living in bondage and need to be delivered. These bondage emanate from evil hand work of the principalities of this world. When dark forces from satanic kingdom see that a person carries marvellous glory, they try to prevent the glory from becoming a reality through their devilish powers. Many couples, for instance, are not married to their destined partners owing to devilish manipulations by principalities. Some people end up possessing what is not meant for them hence they begin to encounter problems and calamities. As long as they continue to hold on to what does not belong to them, these problems continue to persist. There was a man who was very close to me. In all ramifications, he is not compatible with the wife he is married to. I had perceived in my spirit that if he continued to marry her, he would never make it in life. It was revealed to me that the principalities of this world prevented him marrying his real wife. Eventually, the man died untimely, without achieving anything. Similarly, a childless couple came to me, seeking solution for their bareness. The husband was already above 50 years old and the wife more than 40 years of

age. The spirit of the Lord revealed to me that nothing would come out of their union. I was reluctant to say what had been revealed to me; they insisted that I should tell them what I saw. First, I made it clear that I do not separate marriages because the Bible says in Matthew 19: 4-6 “… Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate”. I realised that as a prophet of God, I am duty bound to declare to them just what the spirit had ministered to me. The spirit had told me expressly that the solution to their problem was for the couple to part ways and if they did not, they would fall sick intermittently. One would die childless and without enjoying the marriage. The Bible says in Deuteronomy 18:1820 “…I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him…” In fact they could not believe what they heard and felt so bad because their relationship was so strong that they believed they were inseparable. As doubtful as it seemed, the man’s wife confirmed that somebody had told her a similar thing before. Sometime, a person cultivates habit that is not his or hers, e.g. stealing, smoking cigarettes or marijuana. If the habit is not forsaken, the end result may be unpleasant. The couple left and promised to think about the revelation and come back to tell me their decision. Reluctantly, they agreed to separate and put an end to the problem. A|s God does His things, the husband met a lady he dated during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days. She was now a bank manager. He spotted her as she was about to enter the bank, and called her by her name. She looked back and it showed in her eyes

that she was happy to see him after several years. And they melted into a warm embrace. After spending some time talking and up-dating themselves with recent happenings around them, the man accepted the woman banker to her house where he spent a major part of the day. They soon discovered that each of them had no child from their marriages. As it was, the husband of the woman was in the United States and only visited her occasionally. She later decided to terminate that relationship and renewed her relationship with the man (her former boyfriend). On other hand, the old boyfriend’s wife had been rebuffing her boss, a widower, who had been wooing the woman to establish a relationship with her. While her husband had settled with his banker former girlfriend, the boss arrived in Nigeria. He comes into the country occasionally to oversee his company; and this time he was around. All the while, she had refused to cheat on her husband but when she had also noticed the change in her husband’s attitude, when the boss reopened the matter she decided to consider the boss. He invited her to his lodge that evening, but did not oblige him. When she got home, her husband was not around. She then decided to visit her boss and they started dating thereafter. Today, the man is happily married to the banker and they have two kids; his former wife has got married to her boss and they are happily married with two children. She is living with him in the US. In the same manner, I told one of my uncles to relocate to our hometown or a nearby town. Brethren, many people are experiencing harsh conditions because principali-

Pastor Oloruntimilehin

ties of this world compel them to have possessions of things not originally meant for them. I pray that the Almighty God will in His infinite mercy turn around our misfortunes to fortunes. •For counseling, contact Pastor Oloruntimilehin Joshua Daramola (JP), founder of Omnipotence Mission of God, on 08023002834.

Diligence is our pathway to greatness –Pastor Bamidele Many people want to become great in life but very few are prepared to pay the price. In this message, Pastor Lai Bamidele of Christ Glorious End-Time Evanglical Ministries teaches that true greatness derives from hard work. Excerpts, by Tai Anyanwu.

f you are a man and you say that you are learned, and you are not diligent-you wake up in the morning in Lagos or any other part of the country and every other person rushes out to seek for job and you are sleeping and snoring at home and say you are believing God-you will surely end up prolonging your expectation from God.

Even if you are learned, in the diary of God, there is no educational qualification there. Those who look for commendation end up in condemnation. If you are a man and you wake up in the morning, it is not as if you do shifting job and you wake up by 10 am still tying towel, your destiny will end up in jeopardy. I pray somebody’s destiny will not end up in jeopardy. When I wake up early in the morning, on a typical day, if I sleep early, I sleep at 12 midnight. But hear this: no matter how late I sleep, I must wake up at 3 am. By 5 am, I am in my bathroom; by 5.30 am, I am on the way to my office. By 6 am, I am in the office except in some instances when I went for an overnight progrmme.

With your diligence, you can attain promotion if you do it right. It is your work that will enhance your world. Wisdom is doing what you require to acquire what you require. Listen to me; people may knock you down but they cannot knock you out. About three years ago, the devil almost knocked me down, but I told the devil ‘you are too small to stop me.’ I refused to be knocked out by the devil. That is why I love the man called Mohammed Ali, a boxing legend. In those days, once he lost a boxing fight to an opponent, he will go back and prepare himself and come back to fight the opponent and defeat the opponent. You cannot see a winner without practice. For you to be a winner, you must be a hard worker; you must be diligent in whatever you believe in. I like to encourage someone; if you want to become great in life, then you must be prepared to be diligent. When you miss the source, then you will miss the prize. To every success in life, there is a prize you must pay. So, if you want to be promoted or succeed or prog-

ress in life, then you must be prepared to pay the prize. No source is better than the source of God. All my years I was trained as an engineer, but I could not succeed as an engineer until God called me into ministry. Until you discover your purpose in life, a man’s life remains on the ground. When I discovered the purpose of god for my life, and I begin to pursue it, and I was diligent in its pursuit. God in His infinite mercy began to make things work. I like to encourage someone with the word of God in the Book of Proverb, “Too much of sleep tends to poverty.” If you are the type that sleep too much, then you will go nowhere in life. The next season is crucial to the life of a man. That is why I do not sleep beyond 3 am daily; and to the glory of God. I live hale and hearty. The last time I slept on a hospital’s sick bed was about 12 years ago, before I began the ministry. I have been diligent in this assignment by privilege, and God began to increase me. It is on daily basis that He renews my strength.

Pastor Bamidele

Praise & Worship

Sunday October 21, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Warning to sinners, backsliders, from Pastor Muoka The General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, this week, lists out things that constitute sins and classify those who perpetrate them as transgressors, who, failing to repent, will head for hell fire. Excerpts by Richard Eghaghe:

ne thing I have never forgotten to mention in every of my sermons is the danger of backsliding and the sorry state of unrepentant souls or sinners. The increase in the rate of growth of these sets of people had become so frightening and thus is believed to be a sign of the end-time.

The Scripture captures the situation of the last days in the Book of 2 Tim. 3: 1- 2 and 5, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,… 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away”. In the last days, the Bible says there will be a set of people who will never like to know God, some will profess to know Him but will have no godliness in their souls. These people will become abominable both to God and man, disobeying the law, and be averse to every good work. If these sets of people had been present when Jesus was crucified, they would have teamed up with His murderers. But who are the sinners and backsliders? A sinner is one who transgresses the word and commandment of God. He is a person who has broken relationship with God and refuses to repent and show remorse for his sin, while a backslider is a saved person who falls into sin. When a person turns from God to pursue his own desire, he becomes a backslider. A lost sinner is not a backslider because he must have taken a position before he backslides. Both the sinner and backslider are all transgressors. They know not or regard the grace of God. Many of these people boast of their religious knowledge, yet they submit not to the power thereof. Many have Bibles and are ministers, but they have them in vain. They use Bible to flatter people into sin and then into destruction. They promised their audience peace when there is no peace; thereby encouraging them to commit evil. But on the day of visitation, they will have no refuge to flee unto. Both the sinners and the backslidden persons have turned their back from the way that leads to life, to that which leads to destruction. As a result, they are in danger of eternal damnation if they refuse to repent. If we mark the crimes of sinners and backsliders, we will see that the problem of the society is hinged on their wickedness. These two sets of persons have strained their relationship with God and thus separated from their Maker. The causes of hindrances, defeat, disappointment, premature death, sickness and disease are sometime as a result of sin or backsliding. The Bible tells us that the killing of all the first born of Egyptians including various plagues that bedeviled them were as a result of Pharaoh’s refusal to acknowledge the existence of God Almighty which was adulatory. Ex. 5: 1-2 says, “And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. 2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go”. Another example of disobedience to God was exhibited by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon who was brought down by the sin of pride and deceit and was made to eat grass. Daniel 4: 30- 33 states, “The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the hon-

Pastor Muoka

our of my majesty? 31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. 32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.” Judas Iscariot was not a backslider, for the Bible tells us he was a devil though following Christ. Judas heard the preaching of Jesus but never repented. He depended on his morality and never turned to Jesus Christ or regarded Him as his Saviour. John 64: 70- 71, “Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve”. For the backsliding, the Bible also tells us how backsliders like Noah got drunk and lay naked in his tent. It tells us also how Lot sought the fellowship of the wicked Sodomites, lost all his influence, got drunk and ruined his own daughters. The story of how Abraham deceived the Egyptians by calling Sarah his sister tells us about backsliding. Even Moses of all people lost his temper when God commanded him to speak to the rock at Meribah and instead, he struck the rock. David a man after God’s own heart, who was used to write the Psalms that have enriched devotions, committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband, Uriah, slain to hide his sin. The Bible tells us also how Samson, a judge of Israel and a Nazareth from birth kept company with a harlot until God left him powerless, a slave of the Philistines with his eyes gorged. The Bible tells us how Peter denied Christ, how all the disciples forsook Jesus. How Joseph of Arimathea was a secret disciple. What is sin and who is a sinner 1John 5: 17a says, “All unrighteousness is sin…” This is to say that all deviation from perfect holiness is sin, including backsliding. Sin includes and not limited to anger, envy, contention, strife, bitterness, unforgiveness, unbelief, malice, grudge, lusting after evil things, covetousness, unclean thoughts, back-biting, murmuring, cursing and swearing and no sinner has inheritance in the Kingdom of God.

1Cor. 6: 9- 10 says, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” By the above scriptural declaration, many people are sentenced to hell fire. Those who act contrary to right cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. He who is not a child of God has no right to the family’s inheritance, for that inheritance is for the children. Any man who is guilty of any one of the evils mentioned above is unrighteous and therefore a sinner. Unbelievers are sinners who do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He was crucified for our sin, that he died, was buried and resurrected on the third day for our justification. The abominable are sinners, who are covetous and polluted with unnatural lust. Murderers are sinners who take away the life of another for any cause, and those who hate a brother in their heart. The whoremongers who indulge in sodomy are also sinners who are involved in pornography, adultery, fornication, and prostitution. Sorcerers are sinners who pretend to produce supernatural effects, chiefly by spiritual agency, witchcraft and familiar spirits. Idolaters are sinners who offer any kind of worship or religious reverence to anything but God. All image worshippers are idolaters in every sense of the word. And all liars including those who speak contrary to the truth when they know the truth, and even those who speak the truth with the intention to deceive, i.e., to persuade a person that a thing is different from what it really is, by telling only a part of the truth, or suppressing some circumstance which would have led the hearer to a different end to the true conclusion, are all sinners. All those who divorced and those into polygamous marriage are also sinners. Matthew 19: 3-4 says, “The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female” Marriage is between a man and a woman, and it is for better or worse until death separates them. If you left your first wife or husband for one reason or the other, you must bring him/her back, otherwise, you are a sinner. Every second, third or fourth wife or husband should return to the original home. The scripture permits you to live with only your first spouse. All those who are into smuggling goods, smoking cigarettes and involving in drug abuse like cocaine, Indianhemp etc and those selling cigarettes or working in such places where they are being manufactured are committing sin. Women who expose their armpits, waist, hips, chest and other sensitive parts of their body are committing sin. Masturbation, adultery, fornication, fraud, kidnapping and abduction are all sinful acts. All those men who perm, weave or braid and make dread with their hair are committing sin. It is a sin for women to wear trousers, shorts and other men’s garment, likewise men wearing women’s garment like skirts and blouse are into sin. Deuteronomy 22:5 says, “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abominations unto the LORD thy God”. Women who bleach their skins, apply paints on their finger nails and toe-nails, make-up their faces, wear weaveons, attachments and jewelleries are into sin. The Scripture says those that do such things are spoilt. Jeremiah 4:30 says, “And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life”.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Praise & Worship

Sunday October 21, 2012

Briefly Adeboye prays for Nigeria Police

The attorneys at law dancing and prasing God

Jesus, our great advocate, says Pastor Adeboye Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), took time out to preach and pray with men of the bar and bench at the Headquarters’ Church, Throne of Grace Parish, in Ebute-Metta, about a forthnight ago. Richard Eghaghe was there and presents this concluding chapter of his sermon at the event:

he world may say you will not be promoted. The great advocate says your promotion is on the way. I can tell you stories upon stories and I have seen good friends, friends who have been friends since primary school, friends through secondary school, friends through the university and friends in their place of work, because they were managers at the same time. Then one of them got promoted to be the Managing Director and suddenly, trouble came. What is the problem? And he said: ‘yes, you were my friend, but now you are my boss’. They don’t want you to be promoted. But the Almighty God will put them to shame. Do you know that the world doesn’t want you to be joyful? No, no, no, no! They don’t want you to be joyful. If you don’t believe me, read Mark 5:35-43. Jairus has only one daughter. That one daughter fell sick and died. In the meantime, Jairus has run to Jesus Christ, the great advocate, to ask him to come and help. They said to him, don’t go and worry the preacher anymore. Your daughter is already dead. But Jesus said: don’t mind them, your daughter will live. And Jesus followed this man to the house and there were lot of people there weeping and pretending to be sad. And Jesus said why are you people weeping and making this noise? The girl is not dead. She is only sleeping. Immediately, they began to laugh. The Bible said they laughed Him to scorn. I thought they were weeping just now? That shows you they were shedding crocodile tears. Whatever is going to cause people to gather in your house to weep, will never happen to you in Jesus Name. Many that come, pretending to be sympathizing with you, are lying. It happens everywhere, even in some churches. Something happens to you that is unexpected, they will say: that fellow, I told you, I saw the way he was going and I knew it was going to happen. They will look for one excuse or the other to justify your sorrow. In the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ,

sorrow won’t come near you again. Why? Because we have an advocate who said in John 16:24, that “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full”. He wanted fullness of joy for you. Believe it or not, the world does not want your prayers to be answered. They don’t want you to have a testimony. It’s not everybody who rejoices when you get up to say: ‘do you know I was condemned to die? But now, I am completely healed’. Do you know that all these years I have been finding it difficult to pay my house rent, but now, I have a house of my own? Not everybody will rejoice with that. They don’t want your prayers answered. If you don’t believe me, read Mark 10:46-52. It tells us that Jesus was going to Jericho, and there was this beggar by the road side. He learnt that Jesus was passing by and he began to cry to Jesus saying: ‘Jesus, have mercy on me. What did the people do? They told him to shut up? But what have I done? Am I talking to you? And they said well, remain a beggar, remain blind. We will be giving you ten, ten, kobo, when we can find it. But you want to see? You want to be freed from begging? Shout up. Thank God the great advocate heard him. He stood still. He refused to go further, until He has solved the problem of that man. I am prophesying to someone here today, because of you, whatever is it that Jesus is doing, He will stop until He has solved your problem because he said in John 14:14, he said if you ask anything in my name, I will do it. Thank God we have an advocate. Thank God we have a defender. Thank God we have someone who would support us. The other day I was trying to check the meaning of the word, ‘advocate’, and I was amazed how many words has the same meaning as advocate: supporter, representative, defender and on, and on, and on… The one who says you can’t fight this battle, stay behind me, I will fight the battle for

you. That is why I thank God for Lawyers, That is why I thank God for Judges. Many at times, they accuse people falsely, and they bring you to the court. Thank God that there is at least a place where you can go and when the Judge has had the first side. He will say alright, I am not going to base my judgement on what the prosecution has said. Let us hear the defence. And, many at times, by the time the defence finished, you will discover and say ha!, ha!, what had this fellow done that you want to put him into trouble. I am praying for you today, every one of you, that this very day, Jesus Christ, will defend you. He will plead your course. He will answer your prayers. Those who said you will not thrive in their presence, you will reach the top. Conclusion of course is simple. What will life be for you without Jesus? If you think that you have friends outside Jesus, you are deceiving yourself. All those people who are smiling with you now, I wish you can see into their inner hearts and you will discover that eh… the Bible says that ‘a man’s foes will be those of his own household; even the people that you are living with, sleeping with, you cannot guarantee that they are your friend. When it comes to when the robbers missed the road, you will discover that there is only one friend that you can trust and His name is Jesus Christ. I know from experience and I won’t bore you with my own story. But when the crucial moment comes, the only fellow who would stand by you, 100 percent without pressure is Jesus Christ. If you don’t have Him, when your crisis moment comes, to who will you run? In 1John 15:5, He said without me you can do nothing. And this great advocate I am talking about, is still not your friend? You better surrender your life to him because all the people you are trusting, all the people you think are your friends and all the people you think you can run to in the time of trouble, they will disappoint you.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has declared a day of special prayer for members of the Nigeria Police, in view of the lingering security challenges in the country. The special prayer session, tagged, ‘I Will Defend This Nation’, comes up at the Headquarters’ Church of the RCCG, Throne of Grace Parish, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, on November 4, 2012 by 8.00am prompt Addressing Journalists in Lagos yesterday, the spokesman for the G.O., Pastor Goke Aniyeloye of the Headquarters Church, revealed that there was the need for spiritual intervention in solving the problem of the security challenges in the country, citing Psalms 127 in the Bible which says, “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman watch in vain”. According to the clergyman, security is no doubt one of the country’s major challenges, and noting that bomb-blasts, kidnapping, murder, armed robbery, etc, are rife. “There is the need for spiritual intervention in solving the problems. We need the intervention of God in this matter. He is our help in times of trouble. This is why Pastor E. A. Adeboye of the RCCG has called for a special prayer session with the police.” He explained that it had become vital to pray especially for the Nigeria Police because “they are the security operatives that are entrusted with maintaining laws and order in the society. “They are closer to the populace than any of the security operatives or agencies in the country. Judging from the look of things, it is only the police that are entrusted by government with combating crime and other evil occurrences in the society. That is why the General Overseer, in his spiritual wisdom, has decided that maybe the first outfit to pray with on the security of the nation should be the Nigeria Police. “Before now, it was our intention to invite all the members of the armed forces for this type of special prayer but Daddy said we should pick just the Nigeria Police for now. Definitely, we will organise special prayers for others later. “We are inviting all the Nigerian police officers and men, particularly in the southwest and south-south states because we are considering the space. We know very soon, this kind of a prayer meeting will also be held in Abuja and we will have to invite all the police in the northern states. They all need this prayer”, he said. On his assessment of the police in combating crime in the society, the G.O. remarked, “When we are talking about security, we should equally put it in mind or have it in mind that security is of the Lord. That is talking in the spiritual. In the physical, we need to equip the Nigeria Police to give us their best. I have witnessed a situation where a car was snatched here in Lagos and the Nigerian police make sure the car was recovered even at the point it was to be taking out of the country. So, I am convinced that if the police are given the necessary equipment and encouragement (physically and spiritually), and with the required manpower, they will deliver the desired result.” Pastor Adeboye, however, did not rule out the presence of bad eggs in the police. “You see in the Bible, among the 12 disciples, there was one bad egg. So in the Nigeria Police, there are some bad eggs; I believe very soon, they will be fished and flushed out and sanity will be restored to the police,” he said.

Praise & Worship

Sunday October 21, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘You are spectacles to the world’

Peter 2:9-10 states, “But ye are chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into marvellous light. Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God. Which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. No man had ever seen God at any time, except that God made him, (Man) in his likeness. Facially, we look like God. All parts of our bodies are just like God and God has chosen a people he calls Christian: that is, ‘Christ like’; to be a mirror to the world. God chooses you and made you a people, gave you mercy, brought you out of darkness into light and calls you a holy nation. I want you to know, by your face, hands, legs and body, you look like God. And by your character, feeling, attitude, wants, reasoning, actions and reactions, do you look like God? Do you speak like God? What will the world see in you and say, ‘so, is this how God is? Christians, you are spectacles to the world; let your life reveal the character of God. 1 Cor. 4: 1 states, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ and stewards of the ministries of God. Once you call yourself a Christian, you become a mirror to the world. Remember, ‘A city set on a hill cannot be hidden (Matt. 5 v 14).’ Once that name is tagged on you (Christian) there are some qualities you need to possess, (and some you need to let go), examples you need to exhibit for people to follow. 1 Peter 2 : 12 states: Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that there as they speak against you as evildoers, they may be your good works, which they shall behold glorify God in the day of visitation. As a Christian you must always be cautious about your life, because people are watching your every move, let your good works always oversee. I know at times you are persecuted, and accused wrongly. Matt. 5 v 11 says: Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Vs. 12 says, “For so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. No matter how wrong you believe people are against you, don’t give in slander, continue your good works, for the bible says, “Blessed are you.” Christians were made to be richer than the people of the world, so that the world might see the glory of God in their lives and follow God, but their mental attitude to God has become a barrier. Most Christians believe that riches (money) are a thing of distraction; but I tell you, a poor man cannot serve God, you need money to grow. 11 Cor. 8 v 9 states: For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. By his grace He made us become rich. Why...

RICHARD EGHAGHE

o fewer than 4000 residents of Shasha, a suburb of Lagos benefitted from free medical services organised by Paincare Outreach. The residents also received free drugs and food, in addition to free hypertension, eye and blood-sugar screening, among others. The exercise which is supported by Greenlife Pharmaceuticals, is to ensure wellness and win souls for the kingdom of God, said the General Over-

In this exhortation, Apostle Utibe-Abasi Emmanuel, General Overseer of The Rock of Salvation Church Ministries, Iju, Lagos, says the Christian deserves to be rich, describing poverty as an anathema. But he cautions that a believer must not be carried away by the love of money because, ‘ye are the salt of the world’. Excerpts:

Apostle Utibe-Abasi

If money was not necessary? Psalms 1 v. 3 says: And ye shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruits in his season, his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. God says that you shall flourish and prosper. Our God is not poor; don’t have the belief that your poverty pleases God. According to Timothy 6 v 10, “For the love of money is the root of evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. When you allow it to control and use you, taking over the better part of you, it diverts your attention. You forget about God; from there you can go to the extreme to get it, there it becomes a sin, and at the end it brings sorrow. Eccles. 7 v 12 says: For wisdom is a defence and money is a defence. Why the Bible did bring wisdom first before money? If you have money without wisdom, that money is useless, but when wisdom is applied to money it becomes a defence because it is well managed. Reject poverty, open your heart to God’s precious grace of riches (being poor doesn’t make you a good Christian who is not greedy or not interested in earthly materials). 1 King 20 v 3 says: Thy silver and thy gold is mine. (Gold and silver belongs to God that the name of

the Lord will be glorified through you). What position are you in the church, for God has set you from the least in the church to the first position, to be spectacles of the world. 1 Cor. 1:9 states “For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death, for we are made a spectacle unto the world and to angels, and to men. Christians are not reflecting God in their lives because they are standing on two opinions and so turning the glory of God into shame in their lives. Psalms 4:2 says “O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame, how long will ye love vanity and seek after leasing. The problem with most Christians is that they are not patient for the glory of God to manifest in their lives, they settle for leasing, things that will one day expire, that is why most of them fail. Heb. 10:33-34 states “Partly, whilst ye were made a gazing stock both in reproaches and companions of them that were so used for ye had compassion of me in my books, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.” Be patient, I know that most of you are going through much affliction and reproach but always know that God has enduring blessing for you.

When you fail to be a spectacle to the world, the true blessing of God will not be seen in your life and therefore the glory of God is turned into shame. Romans 2:24 says “For the name of the Lord is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you.” 1 Kings 4:1 states “Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, thy servant my husband is dead, and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord, and the creditor is come to take unto him sons to be bondmen. You see how the name of God is the blasphemed? How can the son of a prophet be a debtor, if he had trusted on the power of his God? He borrowed from the heathens when God says in Deut. 15:6”For thy Lord thy God blesseth thee as he promised thee: and thou shall lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow, and thou shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.” That man had the same believe that some of us are having now; “you have to be poor to be a Christian.” Psalms 37:25: “I have been young and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” When you have not made yourself a spectacle, how will the glory of God being seen in you, why will the world not talk against God? When they can’t see God’s blessing in your life. Be an example, Acts 20: 35 says “I have showed you all things, how so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the word of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Be an example of all good works, support the weak and needy amongst you, don’t give to people that can give you back, remember, there is more blessing to give than to receive. When you support the weak and the needy, you are saving a soul and probably exhibiting a good work that can convert a soul to God. The blessing that will come back to you from God, you will not have enough room to keep it. (Mal. 3:10c). Ye are the salt of the earth: (Matt. 5:13). Matt. 5:13 states “Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost its savor, where with shalt it not be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and be trodden under foot of men.” Many who are seeking for God cannot see Him, but you are available, let them taste Jesus from your behavior and know how sweet Jesus is through you. Ye are the light of world: (Phil. 2:15). It states: “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as light in the world.” The world cannot see Jesus physically, you should shine, and your character should be a light through which the dark world can see Christ. Christians, you are spectacles to the world, please, don’t disappoint your maker. •For enquires, call 08037187775

4,000 get Peculiar Ministry’s free medicare seer, Peculiar Peoples’ Ministry, Pastor Ishola Oriola Taiwo He explained that there is the need to attend to the physical and psychological needs of the people before the spiritual impartation. He said the programme, which has become a monthly affair, is an extension of God’s love for his children. “God cares and loves the world”, he pro-

claimed while likening the programme to the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, where he not only healed the sick but also fed them before attending to their spiritual needs- the salvation of their souls. “This was why Jesus died and resurrected, so that the people might have life in abundance.

The man of God advised that people should sit down as citizens of Nigeria and itemise the problems plaguing the country and fashion a way forward. The choice of Shasha was to help safeguard the health of the poor in that area of Lagos State. He said people were hungry and poor without any hope of survival let alone pay for health care.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday October 21, 2012

Praise & Worship

Stop the drift to worldliness, says Pastor Chidi Founder of Kings in Christ International Ministries, Pastor Chidi Anthony, again ain urges believers to be true ambassadors of Christ, rather than embrace worldly attributes ributes common among most Christians today. Excerpts, by Tai Anyanwu

ithout sounding repetitive, it is relevant that we cast our Christian minds back at ‘who is really a Christian?’. This is because, there are many in the fold who have charted their own mode of serving the master. Every day, they relish in compromising the prescribed standard of Christian living. They not only misrepresent the body of Christ but many who want to serve the Lord are misled to believe that God can be worship anyhow. Brethren, our God is a God of precision. One cannot compromise His words or flout His commands without risking grave consequences. That one attends church on Sundays, was born into a Christian family or hails from a tribe where Christianity is predominant, does not make one a Christian. Apostle Paul, speaking in the Book of Romans 3: 9-10, describes the ideal way for one to become a Christian: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” This is to say that sinners should recognise the Lord Jesus, confess and submit to his Lordship over his life; thereafter, the sinner begins his journey to salvation. It is necessary to point out here that a sinner does not need to confess his or her sin, because a sinner is already an embodiment of sinful nature. What he needs is to confess the Lordship of Jesus who died for his sin and rose again, and then salvation is imparted to his soul. However, it is common to see who does not manifest attributes expected from people who have received Jesus Christ as the Lordship of their lives, in the church of God today. Once salvation has been imparted, believers should take further steps and be plunged into deeper relationship with the Master. Necessary steps The journey into salvation does not and should not stop at confessing the Lordship of Jesus Christ. As we learnt from the Bible, man who was created in the image or likeness of God lost his original identity when he succumbed to Satan’s temptation in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 5 :1-3, we learned that after the fall of Adam (the first man) the nature of God holiness left man and man took on the nature of sin. Man also started producing sons and daughters after his own sin – stricken, fallen image. So, for man to identify with God again in a father and son relationship, spiritual recreation becomes necessary. That regeneration that will bring man back to a state devoid of sin and disobedience is a necessary condition that every saved soul must work to achieve, after salvation has been imparted. You can call it ‘spiritual chemical reaction’ that transpires in the human spirit of every genuine bornagain Christian. Jesus Christ blazed the trail of begotten sons and daughters of glory to God, through new birth, when he died on the cross and resurrected, having destroyed the sting of death (penalty of sin). This recreation of the human spirit is what we call the born-again experience. It is in the human spirit that man relates with God. If the experience has taken place in your life, after you have confessed the Lordship of Jesus Christ, then you are not truly born-again. Without confessing Jesus as Lord and the recreation of his human spirit by the washing of the word of God, one is not qualified to be called a Christian. I pray that you will not answer the roll-call of church goers in vain, in

Jesus name. Going to Christian congregations, performing rforming rituals and fulfilling all, in church organisation, sation, does not make one a true Christian. The bornagain experience must reflect in one’s life and conduct. The present-day deceit among church urch goers such as receiving baptism, communion, ion, giving filth offerings and tithes in the house use of God; showing off ill-gotten wealth, are all fallacy. Our predecessors were first called Chrisristians in Antioch, because the people saw the character of Jesus Christ in everything they hey did. Then they said indeed, these are Chrisristians. What message does your conduct comommunicate to people around you? Qualities of a true Christian Life of God: True children of God have the he life of God. Jesus speaking about his divine ne agenda in John 10, from verse 10 said: “I am m come that they might have life and that they y might have it more abundantly.” He was referring to people who are already living on earth. This presupposes that there is another kind of life. This life is only found in Christ, and it takes being in Christ to experience that life. It is called Zoe – the life of God which only flows in the recreated human spirit. There are two kinds of lives. Everyone born into this world has access to ordinary human life; which has no place in God. It is a life of a fallen man, the life man had before Jesus came to impart on many, the superior life – Zoe. Overcomes the world: In the book of John hn 4: 1, the Bible states, “Little children, you have overcome them because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.” Hear Apostle John in Chapter Five; “Faith aith is the victory that overcomes the world. God has given to every believer a measure of faith. So we’ve all got that spark of faith, the victory that overcomes ercomes the world. But note that a Christian can fail if he does take advantage of this revealed truth. We have calling in Christ to live a transcendent life on earth. Justified by faith: Justification means acquittal. cquittal. It is a legal declaration of the innocence of an n accused person. Jesus was delivered unto death by our offences, but raised from the dead unto our justification. cation. So, his resurrection has changed the course off our lives. Being justified by faith, we have peace with h God. However, it is not a license for a freelance life because cause every sin has its own punishment or penalty. So brethren, be careful how you live, not ot as unwise, but as wise, says Apostle Paul. A new man: A true Christian is a reformed med man. The Bible tells us in Second Corinthians 5: 7 says, ys, that if any man is in Christ he is entirely a new species cies of being whose past does not count. This is one of the revealed mysteries of redemption. “… Old thingss are passed away.” This implies that all the tendencies es of the old man have no place in this new man in Christ. hrist. He is a man with the life and nature of God. He shares hares or participates in the divine nature. This makes him more than just a man. He is new by the recreation in Christ. This is a Christian an in reality. Brethren, the question is: do you have the life ife of Christ? Pastor Chidi

Praise & Worship

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Divine Message with Special Apostle James

Akinadewo

Sunday October 21, 2012

Rules of parenting FOR THAT CHILD TO HAVE A GLORIOUS FUTURE, PRAY FOR HIM AND CONFESS POSITIVE THINGS ON HIS LIFE, PRONOUNCE BLESSINGS ON HIM DAILY AND YOU WILL ENJOY HIM IN THE FUTURE

E-mail: molailatugrow@hotmail.com

hank God for your life. The Heavens are shouting Halleluyah. I know our families are glowing with new life now. Your feedbacks are so inspiring. God bless you real good.

Our last discussion centered on the importance of unity among children in the house, thus preventing acrimony and hatred among them and the need for parents to eschew favouritism among the children – Esau and Jacob were the case study and the results are fresh in our memory. Our God is ever loving and forgiving. We were born sinners and when we came to Him, He renewed our lives for the better. “Behold, I was sharpen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51 verse 5) We came to Christ and our sins were blotted out. As parents, are we godly and forgiving? This brought to the fore our teaching today – NO CARRYOVER OF PUNISHMENT.

Timely warning Are you one of the parents who still punish their children for an offence committed years ago? An unforgiving father punishing your children unjustly for a ‘regarded’ offence committed by their mother? As discussed earlier, once a child misbehaves, he should be spanked (if he deserves it). After the full dose of the spanking, he should be told why he was

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Peniel Parish with Pastor Goke

Aniyeloye

rayer has been emphasised as the role to invoke the power of our God from heaven. Prayer is powerful because it is human weakness deferring to God’s strength. In this nation today, it’s prayer that has been sustaining us; it’s our prayer that our God hears and answers. He will continue to answer our prayer in Jesus’ name. As James writes, “the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16b.

When the righteous prays fervently, God’s power is released to accomplish much. In this country, and the entire world, the care of life has distracted a lot from seeing from the perspective of the righteous, standing before God through Christ, and this causes us to pray limp prayers that bounce back at us. In such a time, our prayers need help. We need a breakthrough in our prayer lives.

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spanked, teaching him he was corrected to make him a better person and he will appreciate it and change for the better. Parents, let’s have the mind of Christ – once you are offended, discipline the child and forget it. Referring to such incidents and visiting the iniquities on the child when another offence is committed is totally wrong. We shouldn’t turn ourselves into store house of evil misdeeds. Tongue lashing a child for what he did wrong in secondary school while in the university leaves a scar and damaging his psyche. Treat the present and leave the past. Correct the now – old things has passed away. Parents must always pray for their children – that child is not a beast, he is a child of God, he is unique and special, he will not misbehave again in Jesus mighty name, amen. I see that child excelling in life, he will become a source of joy to you. Don’t abandon him, call him now and counsel him, I see him coming out better in life.

Watch your tongue Parents have destroyed the future of their children today with negative words spoken into their lives. Negative utterances are like curses in the lives of the children. Pause and see the lives of your children and examine yourself – Negative things you have spoken to them when you were angry is working in their lives now.

Parents who derive joy in calling their children bastards, good for nothing, empty brain/head, badluck and all sorts will gnash their teeth in future because the children will not turn out good – you have cursed their future with your mouth and it will work on them. “Even so, the tongue is a little member, and boasted great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth. And the tongue is a fire, world of iniquity, so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.” (James 3 verses 5-6). For that child to have a glorious future, pray for him and confess positive things on his life, pronounce blessings on him daily and you will enjoy him in the future. Hear this – If you want your child to prosper in life, don’t do evil against your neighbour or any other child – what you sow, you shall reap, says the Bible. I witnessed a scene in our area when a father called his first son ‘hopeless idiot’ in the presence of his younger ones and in the full glare of neighbours. Not a right attitude -- I later spoke with the father and the son was rightly corrected. To the glory of God, he is doing fine now. Parents must also instill discipline to ensure that younger ones respect their seniors at home. Boys disrespecting their elder sister (some beating their elder sister) and getting away with it creates problems in the future. Parents should disci-

pline the boys thoroughly for such acts to prevent future occurrence. A stitch in time, they say, saves nine. Never treat such with kid gloves.

All-knowing God A cold war is raging in homes today. Parents should be careful the way we show favouritism and preferential treatment to some set of children above others. Some parents love their male children more than the female. Why the disparity? The all-knowing God knew why He gave you a girl – why loving the boys more than their sister because she is a girl? May God forgive you. Some ‘archaic’ parents are of the notion that the girl child should not go to school because all her education will end in the kitchen. What a tragedy of the mind! Male or Female, they are all from God. Stop the unnecessary discrimination. Just pray that your children should prosper in life – male and female are achievers nowadays. Why the bickering – causing unnecessary rivalry among your children? To have a male child at all cost, husbands have killed their wives. The woman died during delivery, no strength after having nine girls before. Male or Female – all from God. Deborah was a leader and David was a warrior – both fulfilled their purpose on earth. Parents, repent now. Judgement is near. God bless our homes. Run from sin. Jesus loves you and Nigeria shall be free. •For more enquires, text 08037188392 or send e-mail to Motailatugrow@hotmail. com.

Fasting & prayer: The victorious staff for Christians For us to have a sound breakthrough, in terms of finance, marriage and security, we need to add fasting to our prayers. There is nothing bad if our nation declares fasting and prayer to the God of restoration. The bible states, “if my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal the land” 2 Chronicle 7:14. Our land is full of wickedness, murder, bomb blast, robbery, ritual killings, kidnapping, fraud, cheating & corruption. The only way out of these is seeking the face of God through fasting and prayer. For God to heal our land, we all must put our hands on deck. To better this land, it’s the responsibility of the leaders and the followers. It’s my prayer that as we seek Him, we will find Him and He will heal our land in Jesus’ name. Prayerlessness averts healing, breakthrough, success and aborts God’s purpose for man and nation. I decree, this nation will fulfill its destiny. Jesus told His disciple on one occasion that the reason they could not cast out a particular spirit of infirmity from a demonised lad was be-

cause of their unbelief ( Matt. 17:20 ). He added these words: “But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting”. The point is that prayer and fasting combined, can debunk our unbelief and re-empower our prayer lives. When prayer alone fails to work, fasting will bring the desired result. There are some practical lessons learned from the Bible regarding prayer and fasting, and can be presented in an orderly fashion by allowing the Bible to address the following question this week. When should we fast? The Bible addresses this question in a variety of ways that we are sure will touch our individual lives. •When we feel estranged from God: it is sin that separates us from God and brings upon us the sentence of death. Isaiah 59:2 & Romans 6:23. “But whosoever that beliefs in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, such will be reconciled to God and will no longer be estranged.” Romans 5:1. When God’s purpose for your life seems unachievable: It got to a point Jacob had to be left alone, to tarry before his Maker. Not until you are left alone with God, you may not discover yourself. Failure to discover yourself may amount to living a failed and

unfruitful destiny. May that never be your lot in Jesus’ name. When you have committed sin: sin is a forbidden food; the the righteous God will never eat. The Bible says, “His eyes are too holy to behold iniquity. Joel’s prophesy of judgement upon unfaithful Israel was followed by a divine call to ward off judgement through a fast of repentance. The Lord beckoned, “Even now”, declared the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from calamity”. Joel 2:12-13. James 4:8-10 exhort us with these words: wash your hands, you sinners and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” Fasting demonstrates the brokenness of a heart that is truly repentant for sin. Next week, by the special grace of God, we will continue with the same topic. Till you read from this column, remain blessed and the Lord will continue to fight for you.

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Sunday October 21, 2012

Praise & Worship 33

Wives; talk less and pray more Christian Relationship with Taiwo

Odubiyi

E-mail: info@pastortaiwoodubiyi.org.uk

wrote the book 30 Things Wives Do That Hurt Their Husbands to help marriages and foster good communication and behaviour between husbands and wives. It is to help couples understand each other better, learn the principles of a successful marriage, know the things that are wrong and learn to avoid them in order to have a good relationship.

There are wives who misbehave towards their husbands. Some hit their husbands, abuse and even curse them. And surprisingly, they treat strangers better than they do their husbands. These demeaning treatments are not right. You might say, “He does not deserve my respect because of what he does!” Yet, you should give it to him because you are married to him and besides, God wants you to respect him! And, if I may ask, didn’t you promise him on your wedding day to honour, respect and cherish him ‘till death do you part’? If you did, then pray for the grace to do the right thing even if it seems difficult. Yes, your husband might have offended you but when he does, it goes to reveal his imperfection, just as no one is! There are better ways to handle offences. Also, there are wives who insist on their rights. And I ask, ‘Is it your right you want or your marriage?’ If they want their marriages, then these unwholesome behaviours and attitudes must give way. Women by nature like things to be properly done. By this, we want to check and

Shepherd Life with Bishop Kingsley

Enakirerhi

ne of the greatest desires of man is to be promoted. No one who is in his right mind will keep on working in an organisation where there is no room for promotion. In fact, promotion is what motivates people to work hard. Indeed, a careful look at the scriptures will reveal that God desires everyone of us to experience promotion; hence in 3 John 2, it is written: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” To prosper is to experience promotion and growth. In Job 8:7 we read, “Though thy beginning was small yet thy latter end should greatly increase”. All these show clearly that it is God’s will for His children to be promoted. God is not a God of stagnation. I must state here that there are various agents of promotion. Man is actually the instrument that is used for the promotion of any man. However, some promotions are initiated by Satan while others come from God. When a man goes to the native doctor to procure some charms to enable

correct situations, things and people - including our husbands. It’s okay to want things to be done properly, after all, we are builders according to the Scriptures, but we need to be careful not to overdo things as this could cause problems between us and our husbands. I am sure many wives could relate to this: I like my husband to concentrate on driving when he is behind wheels. (By the way, I drive and have been doing so for many years but driving is not one of my hobbies. No. I drive only when I have to. I especially salute women who drive interstate!) But, while he is driving, my husband could simultaneously be making calls and engaging in serious talks with a passenger in the back seat! Many women have told me their husbands also do this. There was even a time he was composing a text message while driving! (Men are just wonderful!) I would tell my husband he needed to concentrate on his driving, but he would respond, “I’m concentrating.” (Really!) I would sigh, obviously upset. This had been the situation many times and although my husband was keenly aware I didn’t like him doing other things while driving, he would yet do it again! One day, he repeated this driving behaviour. I began to think of how to tell him my displeasure, and I knew I had to choose my words with care in order not to offend him. (By the way, wives must watch their words and tone of voice; choose them with care.) Suddenly, I heard God speak into my heart, “Don’t talk. Leave him alone. You have made yourself clear enough.” I reasoned with God in my heart, “But if he continues like this, he could have an accident and I don’t want him to learn the hard way! I care about him, and what happens to him!”

him to be promoted, he is seeking promotion from the devil. It must, however, be stated here that any promotion from Satan does not last. It is only temporal and it goes with a lot of painful experience because Satan does not give anything for free. On the other hand, promotion also comes from God. In Psalm 75:6-7 we are told “for promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the Judge; He putteth down one and setteth up another”. Indeed true promotion comes from God. Whenever God promotes, it is final and no man can change it. Let us look briefly at some persons that God lifted in the scriptures. If we read Esther 10:1-3, we will read of how God “advanced” Mordecai from the gate at the security post to become the second in command to King Ahasuerus. For a captive stranger to become the second in command in a strange land, can only be done by God! When God caused the king to make him ride upon his own horse and Haman plotted to kill him, Haman failed and died in the same gallows that he prepared for Mordecai. To fight anyone whom God has promoted is an exercise in futility. Daniel was another captive in Babylon whom God raised to become not just a senator, but also the second in command in the great Babylonian empire. How did this come about? It was the handiwork of God. In Acts 7: 10, we read of how Joseph was made the governor of Egypt. In fact,

God told me, “He will not have an accident. Pray for him and don’t expect anything bad; I’m able to keep him from harm.” Since then, I have gone to near-complete silence. Now, even if he is doing four things at the same time, I just tell him, “Please be careful”, or I ask “What do you need to do so I can do it for you?”, and I quietly pray for him. God has been faithful and true to His words - my husband has never had an accident! I believe that many women are like this: we all mean well but without realising it we appear to complain too often, thereby giving us the cloak of ‘nagging’ wives! It’s time to change; pray more and talk less! Perhaps you think you married the wrong man and that is why you behave the way you do; you can’t tolerate him. Or maybe the sight of him irritates you, like a wife said to her husband in my presence. I had to tell her to keep quiet. Some husbands also believe they married the wrong women. If you believe that the person you married is not the right person, then you may never be able to make the marriage work! Let’s look at the issue of spouses who believe they married the wrong man or woman. These people hold back from their spouses because of their negative mindsets which resulted from their negative experiences in their marriages. They react by withholding love or refusing to respond properly to their spouses. They become sad; clearly unhappy in their marriages. They express their frustrations by being nasty to their spouses and making them miserable. In their lonely hearts, they are still searching for the ‘right person’. Stop searching! Stop chasing after shadows; grow up!! You chose to marry that man or woman in the first instance and now he or

she has become your husband or wife, and “…till death do you part!” Let’s not forget that God said in Malachi 2: 16(NIV), “I hate divorce.”

What you need to do is

1) Change your attitude, 2) Accept and 3) Respond the right way to the person you’re married to…Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. (2Corinthians 2:11) (KJV) There is no situation or challenge that cannot be overcome or survived, and I repeat – no situation is too hard for the believers to overcome: financial problems, extra-marital affairs or the like - as long as the couple is willing to stop giving excuses, change attitudes and work on their relationship. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. (1Peter 5:7-9) (NLT) Couples need to realise that Satan will try to attack their marriages to upset and bring them down both spiritually and physically; rob them of joy, peace and fulfilment; and throw the whole family into confusion. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (1Peter 5:10) (KJV) (From the book: 30 Things Wives Do That Hurt Their Husbands)

Divine lifting Pharaoh said without Joseph, no one is permitted to move or do anything in the entire land of Egypt. Here was a slave who was serving a term of imprisonment for what he did not do. But out of the prison, God lifted him to the palace in just one day. Only God can do this kind of lifting. No wonder David said in Psalm 30:1, “I will extol thee, O Lord, for thou hast lifted me up and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me”. David acknowledged the fact that it was God that has lifted him up to be a king in Israel. Here was someone who when they were calling for all the sons of the father to attend a feast, he was forgotten. Listen; no matter who may have forgotten you in the past, I see God stalling the promotion of all the other people in your group until your name is included in Jesus’ name. The good thing about God’s promotion is that it goes with Joy. You don’t have to engage in unwholesome practice in order to preserve it because God who put you there will not let you be removed. No wonder Proverbs 10:22 says, “the blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it”. Do you want a promotion that will allow you to sleep well at night? Then turn to the Lord. To enjoy this lifting which comes from God, you must have a relationship with Him. If you are not in a covenant relationship with God, you cannot enjoy this promotion from God. For all the people that God promoted in the Bible, we observed

that God was with them. In Acts 7:9, we read, “And the Patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt, but God was with him”. It was because God was with him, hence he was lifted. Daniel also had a relationship with God. In Daniel 1:8, he purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat. You need to be born again. Secondly, you must be one who not only hears the word of God, but obeys it. Every lifting is traceable to obedience to God’s instruction. Proverbs 13:13 says “whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed; but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded”. Also, in Deuteronomy 28:1, we are told, “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth”. If you want God to set you on high above all the nations of the earth, then you must be ready to hearken to all His commandments. Finally, you must be diligent in your business if you want to enjoy God’s lifting. God does not condone laziness. Proverbs 10:4 says that the hand of the diligent makes rich. In proverbs 22:29, we are told that the diligent man in his business will stand before kings and not mean or obscure men. May God lift you high in your endeavours in Jesus’ name

Praise & Worship

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Sunday, October 21, 2012

How to communicate with your deceased loved one (ii) Footprints with Dr. Tunde

Ojewole Email: ojewolea@babcockuni.edu.ng Phone: 08058299434

onfucius exclaimed: “we don’t know life: how can we know death?” Saul Bellow concurs: “ignorance of death is destroying us. Death is like the dark backing a mirror needed; if we are to see anything.” We need not be scared. The Bible has not left us in the dark. There are biblical records of people who died and were resurrected such as the Shunammite’s son (2 Kings 4:8-37), Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:41-56), son of widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-17), and Lazarus (John 11:3812:11). None of them brought back horror stories from death. None was conscious of anything that transpired during their state of “deadness” (whether on earth, in the grave or in heaven). This is because the dead knows nothing (Eccl 9:5-6). Death is not a vehicle that transits the deceased to glory, as many are assured in consolation that their loved ones are enjoying the bliss of heaven, and as stated in some death announcement notice: “transition to glory!” Death neither brings the righteous to heaven’s gate directly at death nor takes the wicked straight to hell. Emphatically, the Bible makes it clear that the dead body returns back to dust from where humanity was created, while the spirit of the dead person returns to God (Job 34:14, 15; Psalm 104:29; Eccl 3:20; 12:7; John 5:28, 29). Niels-Erik A. Andreasen portrays the death experience as a “slipping into an unconscious state in which all normal mental functions such as thinking, planning, loving, hoping, and believing cease” (cf. Eccl 9:5, 6, 10; Ps 88:3-7). Ancestral worship is a fallacious delusion, no matter how appealing it is in many traditional societies in the world. This is the belief that the spirits of ances-

Holy Inquiry with Pastor Paul

Nkirukah E-mail: pstpaul11@yahoo.com

Dear pastor, Why are General Overseers or Senior Pastors and their wives called ‘mummy’ and ‘daddy’; meaning that their wives are also occupying the office of pastor, as their husband is? Is it biblical? Dominic, from Calabar, Cross River State. Dear reader, I want to let you know that there is nothing wrong in calling the General Overseers and their wives ‘Daddies and mummies in the Lord’, but when it comes to the extent of worshiping them, it is no more biblical. I will also like to inform you that even God himself recognises them like that. Let’s carefully examine the scriptures

tors still live on after death and that their survivors must feed them, appease them, and follow their instructions. The Bible does not teach nor support the concept of the immortality of the soul in anyway. At death, the soul dies and does not keep existing. The complete living human being is called a soul, not that he/she has a soul (Gen 2:7). The soul that sins dies (Ezek 18:4, 20). Therefore, souls are not immortal but mortal. In other words, death brings the entire life to a total termination/cessation. This implies the human life activity has no continuation of any kind at death. Consequently, all forms of human life come to end. Even though, memories of the life lived well by the deceased lingers in the hearts of the survivors as well as in God’s mind, but the deceased themselves are totally unconscious of anything (Isa. 49:15; Neh. 13:14, 22, 31; Eccl 9:5-6). Ecclesiastes chapter nine (9) reveals the following about the dead. They neither receive rewards for their works anymore, nor are they aware of what happens on earth (vs. 5); their love, hate, and jealousy vanishes, including their involvement in life’s activities (verse 6); their thoughts, knowledge, and wisdom are no more, and they will not work or plan any more (verse 5, 10). (See also Psalm 146:4). More so, the dead has no remembrance of anything (Psalm 6:5). They cannot even praise God after death (Psalm 88:10, 11; 115:17; Isa 38:18). Hence, the belief in the continuous existence of life is unbiblical and contrary to the scriptural teachings on resurrection and judgment. It is akin to modern spiritism.

Consequently, any attempt to communicate with the dead by means of occultism, spiritism, or the use of a medium should be condemned and fought as falsehood (Ex 22:18; Lev 19:31; 20:6, 27; Deut 18:9-13; Isa 8:19, 20). Isaiah 8:19 asks this question: “why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” The witch of Endor was Satan’s agent to rejected king Saul and he did not bring up the real prophet Samuel, but a familiar spirit (1 Sam 28). Moreover the story of Lazarus and the rich man that Jesus told in Luke 16 is a parable and not a real story. Satan has more deceptions he is planning for the last days and we must be warned. He will mimic and impersonate angels and even Christ (2 Cor 11:13-15). He is desperate to perpetrate his first lie that the dead are not really dead. He told Eve: “You shall not surely die!” (Gen 3:4). The belief in the natural immortality of the soul is not from God. It is unbiblical and pagan. Do not be deceived by the wrong teachings concerning the conscious state of the dead, worship of saints, veneration of the dead, purgatory, reward at death, prayers and baptism for the dead, eternal torment, and universal salvation. Be biblically informed! Death is same and common to all human beings, whether saint or sinner. If the righteous or wicked are immediately rewarded with instant gate pass to heaven or hell, the biblical teaching about resurrection, would be meaningless and unnecessary. However, they are all reserved in their graves until the trumpet shall sound

Answer these questions and win a prize 1

Who prevailed with men and God? Provide scriptural evidence.

What is the meaning of John and who is his father?

How many men went to war with Gideon against the Midianites? Supply the passage.

•Please, be informed that the first correct entry via text message wins the prize. See next week’s column for answers to the quiz. Send your answers with your names to 08054238905. Gifts: courtesy Babcock University.

(John 5:28-29; 1 Thess 4:16-17; 2 Cor 5:10; Heb 9:27). At that glorious day of resurrection, death will be finally destroyed and its power will be broken. So this mystery of death should not be a frightening thing to the righteous ones who have been redeemed by the precious blood of the Redeemer and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself holds the keys to life and death and has defeated the power of the grave. Hence, the righteous will be victorious over death with Christ at resurrection. The Apostle Paul reveals that Christ second coming will be “in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. The trumpet will sound; the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ ‘Where, O death is your victory? Where, O grave is your sting?’” (1 Cor 15:52-55). “No one should be afraid to die, who has understood what it is to live” said Thomas Fuller. Matthew Henry agrees: “he whose head is in heaven needs not fear to put his feet into the grave.” If you live your life for Christ; dying is as fearless as going to bed at night. Then you can testify like the talented Leonardo da Vinci who said: “while I thought I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die.” Therefore, “to die well is the action of the whole life.” •Tunde Ojewole, Ph.D., is the University Pastor and Associate Vice-President for Spiritual Life, Babcock University. For enquiries: ojewolea@babcock.edu.ng; 08058299434/08060376577

Answers to October 7, 2012 Quiz 1.

Job- Job 1:1, 12 NIV

Grievances; one another- Col 3:13 NIV “on the palms of my hands” –Isaiah 49:16

Is General Overseer’s wife also a pastor? below for clearer understanding. Ephesians 6:1- 3 reads, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Verse 2; “Honour thy father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise.” Verse 3; “That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” According to verse 1 of the scriptures above which said we should obey our parents in the Lord for this is right, parents here, I believe, comprise father and mother because it takes a man and woman to make up parents. So, if God himself can call them ‘parents’ or ‘father and mother in the Lord’, I don’t think there is anything wrong in calling them Mummy and Daddy, in as much as you do not worship them like some Christians used to do, because some people takes men of God to be God. Moreover, let’s study Matthew 19: 4 – 6. The Bible states, “And he answered them and said unto them, have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female? And said, for this cause shall a man leave the father and mother, and shall cleave to his

wife, and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore, they are no more twain, but one flesh: What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” In Genesis Chapter 2 verse 25, the Bible says that two of them shall be naked but they will never be ashamed of themselves. This means that if husband and wife are one, they ought to work together in unity to achieve success. It is said that behind every successful man there is a woman. If that should be, ‘mummy in the Lord’ also can be recognised in the church. In Isaiah 51:1 – 2, the Bible says, “Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are dug. Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you; for I called him alone. Do you see God say I called him (Abraham) alone? But he also said we should also look unto Sarah his wife as our mother, which means we should recognise and emulate them. I hope you know that Abraham was a man of God. See Genesis 20, verse 7. There, God called

Abraham a prophet. My dear, I will conclude that you obey, honour and recognise both as your spiritual parents, but don’t worship any of them like is being done by so many people in the church. Only God is to be worshipped. Furthermore, is it only pastors’ wives you complain about? What about presidents and governors’ wives that are called First Lady? Do you think that they are greater than pastors’ wives? My dear, as you can see through the scriptures above, there is nothing wrong in calling your senior pastor and his wife ‘daddy and mummy’ because, the way your earthly parents care for you pertaining to the physical things, that is also how your spiritual parents (General Overseer and his wife) care for you, pertaining to the spiritual things. In conclusion, let me quickly remind you about the scripture above in Ephesians 6: 3 which says that by obeying and recognising them as parents in the Lord will make you live long on earth. Continue to do so, so that you also can live long on earth.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Movies & Music

Sunday, October 21, 2012

d crafts meets fashion verbs Creations ches style pulse

Monday M ond on da 2nd day 2nd of October, Octtob ober ber, Proverbs Pr Crens unveiled its latest collection, Style se, at the Radisson Blu Hotel Victoria and, Lagos. Guests, including some men, rooped in their numbers to witness he unveiling. A variety of items were available, including accessories, gorgeous skirts, juicy tops, stunning clutch purses and hand crafted bags amongst others. Speaking at the event, the CEO of Proverbs Creations, Bukola Adenuga disclosed that the inspiration for the ollection was the urge to put out omething new and refreshing, to help dies revamp their style. Proverbs is now in its 12th year of degning items for lovers of fascinating, uisite but functional fashion acceses. Adenuga said that Proverbs’ purwas to get their customers that nod ile when they walk into a gathering. of the hits of the day was the hand designs on the Ololade

was indeed a carnival-like atmosphere at the upscale Silverbird Galleria hen the crème de la crème in Nollywood and by extension, the entertainment circuit attended the exclusive premiere of the much talked about movie, odrush’ a few days ago. The movie which was directed and produced by Dimeji Ajibola of Flipsyde Stus, had in attendance Nollywood superstars like Segun Arinze, Uche Jombo, Nse pe Etim, Emem Isong, Bimbo Akintola, O.C Ukeje, Gabriel Afolayan, Nse Ikpe im, Producer of ‘Last Flight to Abuja’, Obi Emelonye, Anthony Monjaro. Others clude; Adams Ibrahim of Soundcity, Okey Bakassi, Aisha Abimbola, Matse, Sunknmi Omobolanle, Lancelot Imasuen, Bolanle Ninolowo, Lee Lee Byoma, Ijeoma gu, Chelsea Eze, former Beat FM presenter, Oreka Godis among others. ‘Channel O’ presenter, Denrele hosted the movie’s red carpet; he was spotted in a rown shiny attire with long and weird shoes to match. He virtually conducted the ctivities on the red carpet on the night and he did well as usual. The cinema hall was filled to capacity with many people sitting on the floor while a few others leaned against the wall of the hall in an attempt to watch the movie. The movie certainly lived up to its billing as it got the audience cheering and crying as well. Some of the scenes of the musical flick were too emotional for comfort. The duo of Nollywood actresses, Uche Jombo and Nse Ikpe Etim amongst others had heavy eyes during the movie as they connected with some emotional scenes in the movie. The producer of the movie, Dimeji Ajibola could not contain his joy after the premiere “I am indeed overwhelmed and proud to have these wonderful people here tonight for this premiere, I am even happier because they love and appreciate ‘Hoodrush’, they spoke kindly about it and connected with the movie. The people at home need to see this movie too. ‘Hoodrush’ is certainly a big plus to all that Nollywood stands for”. The movie has been described as one of the best if not the best in the industry this year. Scenes moved many to cry and the loud ovation that greeted the end of the movie signaled the happiness and satisfaction that people experienced at the end of the movie. “This is a very good movie, I cried in the hall,” Nse Ikpe Etim said after the movie. After the movie, the fans of the movie, carried the director and producer of the movie, Dimeji Ajibola and Gabriel Afolayan up on their shoulders and were chanting the names of the duo, apparently satisfied with the efforts of the duo in the movie, it was indeed an emotional moment for the two of them. The movie, ‘Hoodrush’ is now showing in all cinemas across the nation. Already, the movie has been tipped as the best movie of the year 2012 as the cast and storyline of the musical flick compares to none at the box office. Some of the stars that were at the premiere shared their thoughts on the movie. Nollywood actress and presenter, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi opined that: “to the best of my knowledge, ‘Hoodrush’ is the first musical film to be produced in Nigeria and it would seem it was worth the wait!. M Black, another member of cast said, Dimeji Ajibola was the writer, producer and director of the movie, he did great, he hould be saluted for his creativity’’. Sally Samuel, a public relations personnel commented on the movie by saying, f you haven’t seen the movie, ‘Hoodrush’ you are missing. The best musical thrill. Congrats to the cast and crew. Well done’’. In the same vein, Patrick Michael ared his thoughts on the movie by saying, “The first time I ever cried for a guy in a vie was in the movie ‘White Waters’, actor, O.C Ukeje made me cry again”.

2face, Dbanj to headline Top 10 Mics concert If you are a lover of exciting music concert then you will be glad to know that ‘African Queen’ crooner, 2face Idibia and former Mohits Records’ leading star and now GOOD Music artiste, Dbanj will on Friday, November 30, 2012 at the exquisite Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, lead other Nigerian acts like Femi Kuti and Sir Shina Peters to perform at this year’s Top 10 Mics concert. ‘Top 10 Mics’ concert, which is in its sophomore year, is being organised by entertainment powerhouse, Koga Studios. The concert will have ace humorist Bright Okpocha alias BasketMouth as its host on the night. The presenter of the popular TV show, Big Friday, is expected to reel out rib cracking jokes to fans. Award-winning and multi-platinum selling singer, 2face Idibia is one of the selected music stars who have proven to all and sundry that talent and right positioning are keys to recording enduring successes in the music business. He has, over time, created a unique niche and reputation for himself. The former Plantashun Boiz member was the first Nigerian to sell his music CD for N1, 000 amidst other notable accomplishments. The Koko Master made his incursion into the Nigerian music industry with his hit song ‘Tongolo’ from his ‘No Long Thing’ album in 2005 and has after that churned out hit after hit in his career which has seen him cart away many music awards both at home and abroad. Also billed to thrill fans at the concert is Afro-beat sensation, Femi Kuti. Music fans

would recall that he showed class and dexterity when he recently featured on the track of Nigerian Idol host, Ill rhymes titled ‘Teacher’. It was the first time the Afro-beat maestro would collaborate with a rapper and it turned out to be another hit. Ladies’ favourite, Flavour has endeared him to the ladies with his waist twisting dance style; his hit track ‘Onyi Na Tumo’ is enjoying massive reviews and rotation. For legendary Afro Juju exponent, Sir Shina Peters a.k.a Shinamania, fans are in for a big treat as his songs are still in high demand in the industry. The man who shot into limelight in the late 80’s is still a toast of many as he enjoys a massive patronage for high end shows. The concert’s maiden edition held last year at the expansive Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS). But it is moving to the upscale Eko Hotels and Suites this year. Top music acts that headlined last year’s concert include the likes of 2face, MI, P Square, Femi Kuti, Mocheddah, Obesere, Duncan Mighty, Wizkid, Eldee and Sir Shina Peters. Speaking on the artistes that would headline this year’s concert, Anu Awoseyi of Koga said, “the choice of 2face Idibia, Dbanj, Flavour, Femi Kuti and Sir Shina Peters cannot be faulted as these gentlemen are very successful in their genres of music, picking them was a stroll in the park”. It was also learnt that crooner, Flavour, who was initially billed to perform at the show, is no longer part of the concert.

Luni goes wild on latest music video Rising Nigerian rap sensation, Luni, has returned to the music scene with the very infectious and creatively crafted new music video for his latest single titled ‘One Thing Two’. After bursting unto the scene last year with the massive ‘Lakulli’ and making a huge splash on Nigerian radio airwaves with his sophomore record the infectious ‘One Thing Two’ - earlier in the year, this long awaited and hugely sought after music video is now igniting the music video scene. Directed by the dynamic Paul “Gambit” Obata and centred on a boring office going wild and letting its hair all the way down, the music video for ‘One Thing Two’ is an infectious visual representation - not only of the excellently catchy single but also of Luni’s witty lyrics, wordplay and contagious flow. Everything from Gambit’s clever use of creatively-crafted emoticons and imagery to the humorous typography and dialogue to the enthralling party scenes gives this music video a welcomed fun-filled edge and makes it a must watch. Luni (pronounced “loony”) is an acronym for “Like you never imagined”. It is the name of emerging Lagos-bred, Benin-born rapper. What probably stands him out from the crowd is his dis-

tinct delivery and witty, intelligent lyrics. Beginning as a young teen clumsily mimicking Tupac in the privacy of his living room while struggling to recite the lyrics, his love for rap music grew deeper as he began to immerse himself more in the culture and listen to such Hip-Hop greats as Notorious B.I.G, Jay-Z and Nas among others. He began to pencil down his own songs and soon developed an acute and unique sense of lyricism and in 2001; he began recording his own original music. He went on to the university where he blossomed into a truly prolific rhyme junkie while rapping under the alias ‘Thrill’ and performing on a few major shows which included “Music Talk” in 2006. He later became known as Luni in his final year at university With his massive debut single ‘Lakuli’ already becoming a certified street anthem in Nigeria, Luni blesses fans with a brand new track titled ‘One Thing Two’. The song has a fusion of Afro-Pop and Techno music styling which sees Luni showing off his wit and word play, lyrical dexterities and such great ease as he raps on a genre where most certified rappers dread and shy away from.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Connecting

Vanessa with

Vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com

How to know when you’re being used -the male angle Lots of people want to ride in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. -Oprah Winfrey

kechi is a spare p a r t dealer in the popular Ladipo Market in Lagos. Although, he didn’t go to the university, he has tried so much to upgrade himself to fit into the circle of friends he has always desired Models to belong and mingle with. All through his life, he has struggled to move out from the poverty-stricken life he was born into by hustling to make a living. He has now attained a level of success in the society where his wealth has bought him a measure of respect among his peers. Even the so-called educated ones now respect him when he talks in their village town hall meetings. One thing Okechi desires more than anything right now is to marry a girl who went to the university. His friends have laughed and told him it was a pipe dream but he has vowed to make it a reality as soon as possible. One day, a beautiful female banker, Amaka, walked into his shop and solicited him to open an account with her bank. He was so taken in by her beauty that he did not think twice before moving all his money from his former bank to the bank where she works. After the transaction, he started making his interest known to her. Initially, she didn’t respond to his overtures, but after much persuasions and promises of more business transactions, she agreed to go out with him. Okechi was so overjoyed and awed that such a lady agreed to be his girlfriend that he spends lavishly on her and fulfils her every whim. Whatever Amaka wants is what she gets. When he proposed, she said ‘’yes’’ but with conditions that he should buy her a car before they even go for marriage introductions. He was about going to the car dealer shop to get the car when one of his close friends called him to order and asked him to open his eyes to the deceit of this girl. ‘‘Guy, you are being used by this girl. Have you made proper enquiries about her? I heard in the grapevine that Amaka is seen around town with one boy I was reliably told was her boyfriend during her university days. Please shine your eyes well,” his friend warned him. Initially, he didn’t want to believe him, but when he sat back and put one or two things together concerning some strange behaviour Amaka had been exhibiting lately, he decided to investigate and find out for himself. He soon discovered things that shocked him to his bones. Amaka has been cheating on him with another man! She has been using

him to meet her financial needs while engaged to marry her boyfriend. He felt so stupid and used. He should’ve been more careful to gauge her true feelings for him before lavishing her with gifts and money. It is truly a terrible feeling to realise that you are being used for material gain by people you hold in high esteem. It is even more painful when it comes from the person you love. The harsh reality facing the world right now is that a lot of people feel there is no point in being in a relationship if there are no fringe benefits. Among the ladies in Nigeria today, true love seems to have flown out of the window and replaced with so much greed and avarice for material possessions that men are finding it increasingly difficult to discover who loves them for real. Here is my joker. If you want to find out whether you are being used in your relationship, just deprive your partner of that ONE THING and see how they react. Do they complain and leave or do they stay with you through thick and thin? Guys listen; check out these signs that could help you know if she’s into you or just using you for selfish reasons: • When she keeps you around ONLY for the things you do for her. • When she stops picking your call because you didn’t give her the money to make her hair or buy a personal stuff. The truth is that a girl who genuinely loves you will be with you even when you are broke. • She doesn’t talk about you to her close friends and relations. She keeps you around for what you can do as her personal ATM. • If you spoil her and she doesn’t reciprocate by also giving, albeit in her capacity. It means one person is gaining all the benefits of the relationship; if she does nothing for you at all, you need to move on. • If she shows no interest in meeting your friends and family, it means she really has no invested interest in you as a complete person. Once again, she’s using you for what she needs and nothing more. • When she does not show any desire to call you, respond to your calls or go out of her way to spend quality time with you unless you force her. • Watch out for ‘’how to know when you are being used-the female angle’’ in next week’s edition.

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Weddings Engagements CELEBRATING THE JOY IN MARITAL BLISS OCTOBER 21, 2012

Veteran actor, Larry Koldsweat’s, son takes a wife

You have a story to tell us about your wedding/engagement, or your new born baby. Please call this line: 08051980588

BABIES OF THE WEEK

ANGELA DAVIES

he households of Koldsweat and Kaffi on Saturday, September 22, were full of festivities and happiness when their children Chinedu Koldsweat and Abigail Kaffi exchanged marital vows. The couple was joined in holy matrimony at the Dominion Chapel, Abuja, amid pomp after dating for a long time. After the church blessings, guests moved to Nanets Suites for a colourful reception. The venue was magnificently decorated in purple and lilac which incidentally were also the colours of the day. The beautiful bride, Abigail, looked breathtaking in her beautiful, sequined three-quarter sleeve wedding dress. She harmonised her look with lovely bridal accessories. Fair-complexioned Chinedu complemented his bride in a black suit which he paired with a white shirt and purple tie. They looked lovely together. The couple happily danced to every gospel tune as they looked into each other’s eyes. There was no dull moment at the reception as guests were treated to enough gospel songs, assorted food, wine and drinks. Chinedu is the first son of veteran Nollywood actor-turned pastor, Larry Koldsweat. Larry is the Head Pastor at Seed of Favour Ministry International, Abuja while Chinedu is a resident pastor. Even though Larry Koldsweat is no more into acting, he had the support of his former colleagues. The event was star -studded as the likes of Onyeka Onwenu, John Okafor a.k.a. Mr Ibu and Zack Orji, among others were in attendance.

Charis Oluwatosin Chibunkem Bolajoko was born at Araba Medical Medical Centre, Ekoro-Meiran, Lagos to Pastors Sanmi and Opeyemi Bolajoko. He was delivered at 5.00 p.m. and weighed 3.4kg. According to Opeyemi, “during the pregnancy I did not crave for any special food as I savoured every delicious food available. I also enjoyed eating fruits like watermelon, apple and all”. Were there obvious physical body changes? “Well, I didn’t have any unusual body changes aside from my protruding stomach. I also looked prettier during the pregnancy,’’ Opeyemi said. What do they love about Charis? “We love the fact that he sleeps a lot and also does not disturb,” she stressed. What do they want him to become in future? “It is my desire to see him take music production as his career, she revealed. What is the meaning of his names, Opeyemi said, “Charis means grace; Oluwatosin in Yoruba means God is worthy to be served and Chibunkem in Igbo means God is mine.”

Longtime lovers, Christopher, Deborah in marital bliss

ovebirds, Christopher Adeogo Adebayo and Deborah Adebukola Awolode, performed their traditional wedding on Saturday, October 6, with the support of family members, friends and loved ones. The stylish traditional wedding took place at the

bride’s family house at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. The couple was stunningly dressed in gold and purple-coloured traditional outfit. The bride, Adebukola, gracefully dressed in gold lace iro and buba, a purple aso oke with a touch of gold iborun and gele. She completed her bridal look with a costumed jewellery set of gold with purple stones. And a make-up that matched her outfit. Christopher was also fully clad in the Yoruba traditional outfit. He wore a gold buba and sokoto, purple aso oke agbada and fila, with a touch of gold. Besides knowing each other for years, and attending the same primary and secondary schools, the lovebirds also studied in the same university Olabisi Onabanjo University. They hail from Ogun State as well. Having been friends for a reasonable length of time, Adebukola did not hesitate to accept Christopher’s proposal when he did. Little wonder, they call each other sweetie. According to Christopher, he calls her sweetie because she makes his world sweet while Adebukola calls him sweet because he means everything to her. They revealed that they would spice up their marriage by continuing to love and tolerate each other and also by making God the centre of their home.

Dorcas Abimbola Akin-Bright was born at the Headquarters’ Church of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Ebute Metta, Lagos to Akin and Deborah AkinBright. She was delivered at 9.50 p.m. and weighed 3.5kg. During pregnancy, Deborah revealed that, “I had a normal appetite for food. I also ate a lot of fruits and vegetables. But I felt general body weakness in the later months of the pregnancy.” What do Abimbola’s parents love about her? Excited Deborah said, “Abimbola smiles a lot. I love her hair too.” What do they want her to become in future? Deborah said she would want her to fulfil God’s purpose. “I would like to see her fulfil God’s purpose for her life. However, any career she chooses to follow, we will support her as her parents.” What is the meaning of Abimbola? “Abimbola is a Yoruba name that means, “Born with wealth”, Deborah explained.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A Fashionista’s

World OCTOBER 21, 2012

I won the crown beating 18 contestants –Miss Museum Tourism, 2012 Precious Uduak Okon is the current Miss Museum Tourism, 2012. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, she speaks about her passion for Nigerian cultures and what she went through to win the beauty crown. Excerpts: Can you tell us about the Miss Museum Tourism, 2012 pageant? It is a pageant organised by the Nigerian National Museum, Onikan, Lagos, under the National Commission for Museums and Monuments. The purpose of the pageant is actually to promote our cultures. You know that so many people have this erroneous belief about cultures and museums. They actually think that there are some kinds of horrible creatures in the museum, so to say. That was why the museum actually prepared this pageant to pick a lady that is actually interested in Nigerian cultures in order to encourage the rest of the youths to embrace our cultures. You know that our culture is like our foundation; it is that important because without our foundation we may not stand. This is comparable to a house without a solid foundation; it is likely to crumble with time. In that wise, the National Museum actually needed an ambassador that would project it and our culture well. Hence, they organised a pageant which I eventually won. , I’m one of the ambassadors that would promote our cultures and encourage our youths to learn more about our cultures and origin. Do you think the youths would be interested in this? Yes, why not? We have unique cultures, no doubt about that. It’s true that our youths are so Eurocentric in nature but I’m here to encourage them to come and pay visits to our national Museum, learn one or two things from what they are going to see, especially those of them that are studying History, Archeology or courses that would have to do with our cultures. There are so many things you would benefit from mere coming to see for yourselves. Museum is a place of research, where our treasured relics are being kept. When you visit you would get to learn more about the root of our cultures. Isn’t it interesting that there was a relic that was on tour in Europe, America and Asia, now it is back to Nigeria at the National Museum for exhibition? It is Ife object and it is one of the best objects in the world. It is a beautiful thing for youths to come and see what Nigerian cultural materials are. Some of these materials are being promoted outside the country but it is a pity that we, in Nigerian, are not even interested in them. What are your duties as Miss Museum Tourism 2012? My main duty is to promote the National Museum and Tourism in general. You know museum is one integral aspect of tourism. My duty is to encourage our youths to pay more attention to the museum and to promote tourism. Now that you are a beauty queen, what are some of the things you are not supposed to be caught doing? As queen, I would have to comport myself. I’m not actually supposed to be seen everywhere. The key word is that I would just have to be natural. I would just have to be myself. How was growing up like? When I was a child, I used to love my carriage and poise a lot. I was good at wearing high-heel shoes and walked like a lady before a wall mirror. When I started growing older, I developed keen interest in fashion and beauty. That was what lured me into modelling. I’m a model apart from the fact that I’m a beauty queen. It was while doing some modelling jobs that people noticed and began to tell me to give beauty pageant a try. I did and I won, beating the other 18 contestants from different ethnic group. When Miss Museum Tourism pageant came up, I enrolled because it would provide me an avenue to learn more about Nigerian culture. It is a good platform to proclaim our cultures to the rest of the world.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Opinion

Sunday October 21, 2012

NAFDAC’s new anti-counterfeiting strategies DUROJAIYE OLUMUYIWA

he menace of counterfeit and substandard drugs is no doubt one that has been on the front burner of national discourse as far as the safety of the health of Nigerians is concerned. This led to the setting up of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) by the Federal Government in 1993 with a clear mandate of safeguarding the health of the nation through the provision of effective regulation of the food, drug and chemical sector of the economy. While NAFDAC’s mandate covers the food and chemical industry, it is the drug market that draws the most attention, no doubt because of the pivotal role the sector plays in the health of the nation, and because of the lucrative nature of the sector, which makes it attractive to unscrupulous counterfeiters out to profit at the expense of the safety of Nigerians. Over the years, successive Director- Generals of the Agency have come up with different strategies to curb the menace of fake drugs and each in his or her own way have helped to significantly address the problem working together with officers of the Agency. According to studies conducted by NAFDAC from 2001 to 2012, there is a positive trend in the progressive decline in the incidence of counterfeit medicines in Nigeria. In 2001, counterfeits stood at 40% due largely to the indefatigable effort of the NAFDAC team under the then Director General, Prof. Dora Akunyuli, this was reduced to 16.7% in 2005. Shortly before she left the Agency however, there were threats of resurgence of the incidence as counterfeiters too have not rested and have also

continued to come up with novel ways of evading detection by NAFDAC and other law enforcement agencies. A study carried out in 2008 shortly before the arrival of the current Director General of the Agency, Dr. Paul Orhii, on the Quality of Anti- Malarials in Sub-Saharan Africa (QAMSA) puts the incidence of the faking of anti-malarial drugs at 64%, which led the new DG declaring a zero tolerance war on counterfeits shortly after assuming office. In the past, a common strategy adopted by NAFDAC is the use of NAFDAC registration number on packages to be able to detect fake drugs. But drug counterfeiters taking advantage of the growing access and sophistication in printing technology now manufacture fake drugs affixed with fake NAFDAC registration number and package them in such a way that they closely resemble the original registered by NAFDAC, thereby circumventing the checks put in place by the Agency. It is in realization of this fact that the current administration of Dr. Paul Orhii came up with a strategy that is not just only effective but one that is also guaranteed to place the Agency many steps ahead of the counterfeiters in such a way that every of their moves is anticipated, checked and thwarted by the Agency. One such strategy is the introduction of cutting-edge technology by Dr. Orhii that has provided a more profound method of detecting counterfeits on the spot. Technology like the TRUSCAN machine for example have been deployed by the Agency at the ports and entry points of the nation to carry out on the spot check of drugs before they are cleared into the country. The Agency’s officers have also gone to the 36

states of the federation and the FCT with the TRUSCAN machine paying unscheduled visits to medicine outlets to fish out counterfeit drugs and destroy them. NAFDAC is the first medicine regulatory agency in the world ever to deploy the technology and its effectiveness in curbing the menace of fake drugs has not only drawn the attention of international medicine regulatory agencies but has also made the agency’s DG, Dr. Orhii the toast of the moment among foreign governments and in the industry. Other technologies deployed by the agency to fight counterfeiters are the text messaging system (Mobile Authentication System) that puts the power of drug detection into the hands of the consumers who can send a direct message using the code on the drug they are about to purchase to verify whether it is genuine or fake. There are also other additional technologies like the black eye and the Radio Frequency System technology introduced by the agency to help in the detection of fake drugs. The result speak for itself: three and a half years after Dr. Orhii came on board, the incidence of counterfeiting has been reduced drastically by the Agency. A national survey on quality of medicines using TRUSCAN device was conducted by NAFDAC across the 36 states and the FCT between January 2010 and April 2012. The result of the survey showed that the incidence of counterfeiting has been reduced to 6.4%. Another survey on the quality of medicines was conducted in Lagos State in May, 2012 using the TRUSCAN device. Tests carried out on medicines comprising anti-malarials, anti-biotics, anti- diabetes and anti-inflammatories showed that counterfeiting was at 3.8% in the

state which is significantly less than the national average. Lagos is less than the national average in this regard because of the emphasis placed by NAFDAC on the state as it is the main transmitting line to the nation. In addition, the Agency’s enforcement directorate is domiciled in Lagos, a factor which has increased the level of surveillance, the level of awareness and enforcement efforts. These results in so short a period has drawn the attention of regulatory agencies in Kenya and Sierra Leone who have sent people to study NAFDAC’s success in the use of cutting-edge technologies. Dr. Orhii has been invited three times by the Council of Foreign Relations in America to explain how NAFDAC is winning the war using cutting-edge technology. Interestingly, part of the DG’s lecture was used by the Council of Foreign Relations in its report to President Barack Obama, which also formed part of the US President’s submission at the G8 summit in May, this year. Another strategy introduced by NAFDAC is the WHO-Prequalification pursued by the Agency for Nigerian pharmaceutical companies. This is a paradigm shift introduced by Dr. Orhii who felt that it is just not enough condemning China and India for the importation of fake drugs into the country but for national security reasons also, Nigeria must increase its self-sufficiency in the availability of drugs. This new approach signals NAFDAC’s shift from just merely acting the policeman, to an agency that is a catalyst for national development. •Olumuyiwa, a public affairs analyst, lives in Lagos.

NEMA and disaster management in Nigeria MUSA ILALLAH

ntil two years ago, not many Nigerians knew much about disaster management or the existence of its coordinating body in the country, which is called National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA). When Muhammadu Sani Sidi, a former Commissioner in the then Architect Muhammadu Namadi Sambo-led Kaduna state government, was appointed to oversee the affairs of NEMA as its Chief Executive Officer and DirectorGeneral in September 2010, little or nothing was known about the agency. Since assuming office, Sidi as an astute administrator, humanitarian and a politician with a difference, has tried all he can to re-position the agency as a fast-growing disaster management arm of the government of the federation. He has with all seriousness emphasised the need for collaboration and partnership with all stakeholders in disaster management (DM). He has embarked on a transformational programme for the agency and shifting it from being a mere relief intervention outfit to being an active, proactive agency working day-in, day-out, to deal with disasters through a number of disaster risk reduction (DRR) measures. Indeed, DM in this country has now moved up to the next level. He has in the last two years prioritised DRR through

international cooperation, experience sharing and capacity building. He has placed so much emphasis on the cycle of disaster through prevention, mitigation, preparedness and rehabilitation at all times. Local and foreign capacity building for staff and all critical stakeholders by Sani Sidi is no doubt one area that has continuously attracted his attention and funding. This is done though normal training sessions and also through simulations, particularly at the Jaji armed forces simulation centre. This further enhances the state of preparedness of all stakeholders. The total, timely and commensurate funding of six Nigerian universities to offer courses at post graduate levels on DM in the country has further boosted the profile of DM in the country. Such Universities are ABU Zaria, FUT Minna, University of Port Harcourt, UNN Enugu campus, University of Ibadan and University of Maiduguri. This is in the area of promoting research activities within the context of DM in the country. Today, even an editorial in one of the Nigerian newspapers- Leadership Weekend of September 22, 2012- said, “NEMA is one agency that works. Its impact has been felt by almost every one and everywhere, at least in the last two years”. There is no gainsaying in the fact that NEMA under the focused and able leadership of Sani Sidi has gone beyond provision of relief materials, resettling vic-

tims of disasters and responding with all its might to disasters like fire, flood, road accidents and lately bomb blasts among others. Regrettably, the states’ SEMAs and LEMCs at the local levels are certainly missing in action. Even though they also receive funding from the ecological accounts, the states and the LGAs respectively always look on to NEMA for all disasters in their areas of jurisdiction even where the disasters are within their coping capacities. The NEMA DG has left no stone unturned in his advocacy visits, information dissemination and public enlightenment on all DM issues at the headquarters and in the 7 zonal offices of the Agency across the country. Such approach has greatly improved public image and perception of the agency in the eyes of its stakeholders and members of the public. The relentless efforts of Sidi in ensuring that DM in the country is practised within the confines of global best practice is an evidence of his commitment to move DM to the next level in the country. This effort has paid off with the development of policy documents that will stand the test of time. The national disaster framework and the national contingency plan are today legacies that will outlive the tenure of Sani Sidi in NEMA. These documents are to respectively be a manual for coordinating DM structures in the country and provide requirements and plans for humani-

tarian responses for 10 000 displaced persons during emergencies. In his attempt to improve response time by NEMA and its stakeholders to disasters and with a view to containing minor disasters and reduce the chances of them growing to full scale emergencies, Sani Sidi created a toll free line of 0800. CALL NEMA (0800 2255 6362) for the purpose of responding promptly to distress calls. Added to this, is the state of the art full operational capacity (FOC) of its mission control centre (MCC) by the COSPAS-SARSAT secretariat which is a satellite based equipment that provides maritime, aviation and land distress alerts and location information for search and rescue services. Satisfied with the giant strides in DM by Sidi in Nigeria, The Gambian government recently commissioned NEMA to assist it set up a national emergency management agency for the country. Sani Sidi’s modest landmarks in NEMA in general and DM in particular are too numerous to mention in one swoop. His other achievements are put in the archives for now. So far, the story of DM in the country under the leadership of Sani Sidi has been so far so good. What he needs now and forever is continuous support and collaboration from all stakeholders and staff to further improve on his •Ilallah wrote from 15 Wurno Road, Kaduna

Politics

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Benue flood problem is a failure of disaster agencies’ Hon. Emmanuel Jime is a two-time House of Representatives member from Benue State. He represents Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency. He spoke with Henry Iyorkase in Makurdi about his constituents affected by the recent flooding and the impeachment threat on President Goodluck Jonathan by the House, among others. How is the legislative business so far? I believe so far so good. We set before the House of Representatives a very ambitious programme as encapsulated in our legislative agenda. What that has done is to put the House on a footing. It also means that we are now more committed to doing legislative duties in order to ensure that we can beat our chest. Hopefully, two years down the road, I can say that we have been able to achieve what we set out to attain in that agenda. As you know, we have a very able leadership. Rt. Hon. Speaker Aminu Tambuwal has been up and doing; he is actually also gingered just like the rest of the members of the House. Currently, what we are doing is the oversight, which we have embarked upon to monitor the performance of the Budget 2012. Before I leftAbuja, we were actually in the process of compiling reports of the findings that we went out to do. I have to say also that when the president presented the budget, the unity of purpose of the National Assembly was manifest. This is something that I haven’t experienced before, especially in the 6th Assembly. We are now pulling together in one direction as a parliament. The house recently threatened the president with impeachment over the 2012 Budget implementation and some other issues. Have the issues been resolved or is the house no longer considering the move? Well, I don’t know where this thing about threat of impeachment is coming from except from the media. What I recall was that before we went on recess, everybody was aggrieved and I think this is something that concerns us in this nation that the implementation of the budget and the years gone by hadn’t been ‘up to the scratch’. If we want to achieve a level of progress as a nation, then we must take seriously budget implementation. Until we are satisfied that we are making progress in that direction, it will seem to me that development is going to elude us for some time. As to whether it was a threat that was issued, I recall when we were about to go on recess, there was a debate regarding budget performance, which eventually led to this oversight that we did recently. In the course of our debate, one of our colleagues in his contribution said that we could explore all constitutional means to ensure the budget was properly implemented. Of course, that can be interpreted to mean that we were issuing an impeachment threat because that obviously was one of the constitutional means available to us. I hasten to say that we could do more, but surely at the point that we are when that discussion was had on the floor of the House and then two months after, there is improvement in the FCT budget implementation. I can’t speak for other sectors of the economy. Whether it was interpreted to mean that we were issuing a threat to the executive or otherwise, I think the major motive behind the discussion was to spur the executive in the direction of making sure that the budget implementation was actually elevated. The president is considered weak as far as the security of the nation is concerned. What is your take on the situation in the country as regard security? It is very easy for someone to offer criticism that the president may appear weak in certain areas. But in truth, what I have for the president is sympathy rather than criticism. I am not one of those who think that the job of securing a nation is singularly the responsibility of one individual. You have to recognise the fact that the president has all manner of appointees who work under him. You have service chiefs and members of the security committee down the line, some of those who also have responsibility for taking certain decisions. Most important is the recognition that security is something that all of us as a nation must come together to work on. The whole idea of some people thinking that because ‘I am outside of government, that its only the responsibility of someone who is in government to provide security’, even when that really is the core principle upon which good governance is built, I

argue that we must recognise that everybody has a role to play in this. In a democracy, there are certain things you have to do. I will give you Example. When President Olusegun Obasanjo sent out the military to Zaki-Biam and to Odi. We know the public hue and cry even if within the context of what he was doing, he might probably mean well. But because he had a military background, he was acting purely from that angle. In a democracy, questions begin to be asked. But the security agencies are responsible to the president? Maybe, perhaps, he has not done enough to call people to order. Surely, the security agencies are answerable to the president. So, if they fail in their duty and the president is not taking action, that might appear to be weakness on his part. Perhaps, maybe it’s a mixed bag actually to be able to come away with criticism of that nature. All said and done, I believe that we all have a stake and a responsibility, whether you are in government or outside of it. Those who should provide information, for instance, to the police, are they doing their part? Is the police engendering enough confidence in the people so that they can provide information? These are issues that not only the president but everybody who is involved must now begin to look at. We must also agree that there is a consensus that we need to actually be more engaged in the process of securing ourselves. Recently, the Federal Government released some money as relief to flood victims of which Benue State was allocated N500 million. Do you see that amount as substantial to alleviate the people’s problems, considering what you have seen? Let me say when the House resumed from recess, I raised the first motion that concerned this issue of flood. Of course, subsequently other colleagues have taken up the issue as the days come because the flood has expanded beyond the scope of Benue and River Niger. My take then was that, we probably should have been more prepared and better able to respond. I will take this question first from the angle of preparedness. Our response to tragedy, whether it’s flooding, accident or any of the natural disasters that normally will occur, is saddening. We are simply never ready to respond to any tragedy of any magnitude. In the 21st century, where science has proven that mankind can overcome natural disasters, not completely, but to be able to reduce in some cases to a minimal impact, it is sad that in this country, we still are not taking advantage of the possibilities that science has provided. There is going to be rainfall in a particular season that is heavy; I think science is able to predict that. Now, what do you do with the information that you receive? First, I expect that the information is passed out to the agency that has responsibility, for instance, if it is flooding, then of course those responsible for clearing drainages, making sure that waterways are cleared so that debris are removed. The foreknowledge that a tragedy is about to happen, which forewarns us to be able to tell the citizenry ahead of time that ‘please at this moment you must evacuate. We have seen this happen in most parts of the world, it’s also happening here’. When I raised my motion concerning the flood, Makurdi was under siege; the first question I raised was, water is said to have been released from the Lagdo Dam on the River Benue in Cameroun and it’s precisely because of the release of large On the issue of what the Federal Government sent to the flood ravaged areas, the first is to congratulate the president on the effort. It’s one thing for pronouncement by the president, it’s another thing when actually this intervention would be on the ground, because there are certain processes that need to be undertaken. I welcome the release of N500 million because for whatever it is worth, it is going to add to the amount of support that is required. Definitely, N500 million can never ever in whatever estimate be enough. But does it assist? Yes, it does. I am aware that the state government has stepped in, camps have been created, and people are now housed in those camps which

Hon. Jime

allow us individuals to now move into those camps to see what can be done. This is one tragedy that I think has brought out common humanity to the people because of the response by Nigerians. I think much more responses will come and that clearly indicates that we are waking up to the reality that we need to be our brother’s keeper. Other Lessons are prominent as well. You had visited the flood victims at various camps in Makurdi with donations of relief materials. What motivated you? As you know, I represent this constituency and naturally, this is a tragedy of monumental proportion that we had never seen as far as I can remember. Therefore, as part of the human community, I feel that when tragedies such as this happen, people must respond in a way that might bring succour to these members of our community who may be suffering. In addition to the fact that I represent the constituency, I variously made interventions. I actually started this whole thing by moving a motion on the floor of the House on the first day of resumption when I noticed this. Also, apart from the motion that I have raised, I have done intervention by writing official letters and visiting the offices of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) inAbuja. We’ve done all the talking before and I think what was needed was to follow it up with action. In what specific ways is the National Assembly collaborating with the affected states in finding abode for victims? I mentioned a motion that I moved, which comprised certain resolutions of the House. Subsequent to that motion, there has been 10 other motions raised by different members from various constituencies who have been affected by this. Part of the resolution of the National Assembly is to be more scientific in the way that we approach issues such as this because in all of human endavour, I think it’s proven now that science has assisted with knowledge for us to be able to, if not, totally eliminate tragedies such as this. For instance, the present case that we are dealing with started from heavy rainfall this year which is predictable because science can predict the amount of rain that you can have in a year. We should know that it’s going to be heavy rainfall this year and that means there is the likelihood of flooding. The National Assembly is collaborating in the area of conducting an enquiry into the real causes. When we have identified what the real causes are, then we can establish the level to which our agencies were responsive or unresponsive. Was there negligence? Once you are able to establish negligence, then we will apportion blames. How would you appraise the general principles of the 2013 appropriation bill provided to the joint session of the National Assembly by the President? I think the budget that was presented by the president, like all previous budgets, is tall on ideas. I would support the budget to that extent. I agree especially with the physical responsibility that government finally appears to be waking up to. I’ve argued before and I’ve maintained my position that no country can develop properly where the recurrent expenditure profile of government is higher than capital. In all of our history even with this particular budget, you can see that the recurrent is taking close to 70 per cent of the total budget of the federation, leaving only about 30 to capital. I think we should be more disciplined in terms of our physical regime and that is what for me is even encouraging as far as this budget is concerned.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

as Senate obe

Abdulahi Maina

on the activired chamber ations. obe commitigations and e senate. nt announceman Senator

Politics

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Aloysius Etok that his committee was going to reopen the probe of the pension funds met with strong opposition by the chairman and management of the PRTT. In the petition to the senate president, Maina and the top management of the task team who have been invited to appear before the senate probe committee accused the probe panel of alleged witching hunting and victimisation. They (petitioners) made it pointblank that they have

since lost confidence in the ability of the Senate investigative panel to conduct an unbiased investigation. They wondered why an issue, that is the management/administration of pensions in Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pension Office that was disposed off during the last investigation exercise has to be exhumed again. They (petitioners) also alleged undue favouratism by the senate probe committee to protect Dr. Shuaibu Teidi Sani, former director with the pensions board who was allegedly found to have misappropriated huge sums of money. “To our utmost surprise, the leadership of the Senate probe committee was very polite, accommodating and so friendly to Dr. Shuaibu Teidi Sani, this is a suspect who was arrested of pension loots running into billions of naira seized from him. “Shuaibi Teidi Sani was protected by the Senate committee and given ample time to talk and present his position without interference unlike the chairman of PRTT (Maina) who was also hosed down each time he wants to explain very important point thereby making the ‘hunter to become the hunted,’ the petitioners alleged. The petition reads in part: “We have received yet another invitation dated October 3rd 2012 requesting that we appear before the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, State and Local Government Administration for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive investigation into the management/ administration of pensions in Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pension Office (CIPPO) which was addressed during the public hearing earlier conducted during the year by the same committee. “During the Senate hearing, Nigerians witnessed through a live TV transmission the high level of persecution against the task team. “From the first day of our appearance before the Senate committee, our chairman was declared ‘wanted’ and was ordered to be arrested by the police, while the committee embarrassed and vilified him as if it is a crime to sincerely sacrifice for this country. “Senator Aloysius Etuk used the police to harass and prevent the chairman of the Pension Task Team from going to the mosque for Friday prayers, a serious breach of personal religion rights, as a Muslim. “He also asked on one occasion that the legal adviser of the Task Team to be detained by the police for presenting a medical report showing that the Task Team chairman was ill. “Even during the Senate committee’s hearing in Abuja , it had already convicted the Task Team as guilty when the duo of Senators

of Kogi Speaker, House leadership

ater during the flood that ravaged three Senatorial Districts of the

trailing the recent crisis in the s well as stakeholders in the state, Human Rights and Conflict Resot and alleged that its independent 1 members found their ways into the leadership even when the ensix weeks to embark on oversight d are due to resume on the October

group, Comrade Idris Miliki said ng witnessed in the state dialogue situation. important arm of government as societiy and therefore should not nally.

The activist called on the state governor to act as a father to all by maintaining neutrality and urgently intervene in the face off. Reacting to the issue, a non-governmental organisation, Movement for Accountability and Good Governance, MAGG, called on the ousted leadership of the house to eschew bitterness by embracing the new leadership of the house which he said was democratically elected. National President of the association, Comrade Adex Ozi-Shaibu who congratulated the new Speaker, Honourable Momoh Jimoh Lawal said the Nigeria constitution was very explicit on how to remove the leadership of the house when found wanting. He disclosed that for the new leadership to have obtained 17 members out of the 25 as stated in the 1999 constitution which requires the 2/3 of the majority members, the impeachment was already done in good faith stressing that the former leadership of the House should embrace peace for the overall interest of the state. From the legal view, the former Chairman of Lokoja branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Barrister Williams Aliwo who

Etuk and Kabiru Gaya appeared on television studios and press conferences condemning the PRTT while their investigations were still going on. “That there are elements of vindictiveness because the investigation has now changed to a personality affairs as the committee demanded in writing that the chairman PRTT should present his educational qualifications, letters of appointment, and all letters of promotion for investigation. “This shows a personality attack on the person of our chairman. “To our utmost surprise, the leadership of the Senate probe committee was very polite, accommodating and so friendly to Dr. Shuaibu Teidi Sani, this is a suspect who was arrested of pension loots running into billions of naira seized from him. “Shuaibi Teidi Sani was protected by the Senate committee and given ample time to talk and present his position without interference unlike the chairman of PRTT (Maina) who was also hosed down each time he wants to explain very important point thereby making the ‘hunter to become the hunted.” Senate spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who neither admitted knowledge of the existence of the petition nor its non-existence however told Sunday Mirror that it was not enough for such a far reaching allegation to be made against the institution of the parliament but there was the need for such an allegation to be fully substantiated. He stated that it did not surprise the senate that such an allegation was being made against it, particularly in view of the weighty indictment of the petitioner by the probe committee and adoption of the indictments by the senate. Abaribe said the senate would not in any way be discouraged from doing what the parliament considered as being in the best interest of the Nigerian electorate. He none the same assured that the senate would look into the petition in its usual manner and come up with a decision that would be for the interest of the Nigerian public. For now, Nigerians may have to wait a little further to know how the decision of the leadership of the senate concerning the latest probe will go. There are two possible scenarios here; firstly, the senate may insist that the probe panel should go ahead with the investigations, especially if the senate does not find any substance in the petition or in the alternative, the red chamber may reconstitute a new probe team to carry out the assignment where the senate finds substantial evidence of bias in the petition.

spoke with Sunday Mirror on the issue said the impeachment was faulty since the mace which is the symbol of authority was not on the table during the proceeding. He lamented that the new political class in the state has now resorted to the use of raw power without respect for the rule of law. Aliwo, who condemned the act added that the assembly itself under its former leadership had at one time or the other legitimized illegality when it inaugurated a lawmaker who won a case at a court of first instance as its member when the loser has a right of appeal. According to him, Kogi House of Assembly has lost public confidence due to its continued endorsement of illegality. “There was a particular case where a member of the house, Damian Adejoh was removed by the Federal High Court in Lokoja and winner, Gabriel Olofu who won the case which is expected to be appealed was immediately sworn in instead of waiting for the determination of the court process under the watch of the ousted leadership by the clerk of the House. As political manoeuvring continues in the raging battle, the odds are clearly working against the-Bello led leadership as his kinsmen have deserted him hinging this on the fact that the Speakership position was still retained by one of their own.

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Sunday, October 21, 2012

GROWING UP with

Aunty Angela growingup5@yahoo.com

Hello children, How did you find your studies last week? I hope that having rested at the weekend, you are prepared for this week’s class work. In this edition, we have a lot of interesting articles for your reading. I wish you a lovely week.

I’m a little teapot

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

POEMS

I’m a little teapot Short and stout Here is my handle Here is my spout

When I get all steamed up Hear me shout “Tip me over and pour me out!” I’m a clever teapot, Yes it’s true Here let me show you What I can do I can change my handle And my spout Just tip me over and pour me out!

WHO INVENTED WHAT…?

Alexander Fleming discovered Penicillin During the First World War, he led a team of doctors to treat the soldiers. There Alexander observed that the wounds of soldiers got infected due to bacteria and killed many of them. After the war, he did research on bacteria. As a part of the research, he was working with Staphylococci bacteria. One day he made a mistake of placing the container in which the bacteria were present on a table and left it there overnight. The next day Alexander observed that fungus in blue colour was formed in the container due to the outside atmosphere. The bacteria under this fungus were destroyed. He understood that there was some matter in the fungus which killed bacteria. Fleming did research on that matter and could separate a small brush-like substance. Penicillium in Latin means small brush and so he gave the name Penicillin to that substance. Although, Penicillin was invented in 1928, it took 17 years to be brought into utilisation. With this the era of antibiotics began. Nowadays, Penicillin has become the first and one of the most widely used antibiotics. Fleming was given the Nobel Prize f o r the invention of Penicillin.

enicillin was the first antibiotic and it was discovered accidentally by Alexander Fleming, a Scottish biologist and pharmacologist in 1928. Fleming was born in Scotland on August 6, 1881 in a farmer’s family as a last child of eight children. He lost his father when he was just six. His mother was working on the field and he was studying in a nearby school. He later joined high school in London where his brother was staying. However, his studies were stopped because of financial problems and had to join a shipping company as a clerk. At the age of 20, he entered St. Mary’s Medical School. He was a champion in rifle shooting, swimming and water polo. He began research after graduation.

FUNNY ANIMAL PICTURE

DID YOU KNOW......?

‘Everyone has a unique tongue print’

Can you imagine monkey’s using a laptop? It is really funny indeed.

Do you know that similar to fingerprints, everyone also has a unique tongue print? There are no two tongues that are same. The tongue is also the only muscle that is not attached to something at both ends.

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TONGUE TWISTER

Growing Up

Sunday, October 21, 2012

RIDDLES

What can you catch but not throw? Answer: A cold.

ANIMAL FACTS:

You throw away the outside and cook the inside. Then you eat the outside and throw away the inside. What did you eat? Answer: An ear of corn.

A bitter biting bittern Bit a better brother bittern, And the bitter better bittern Bit the bitter biter back. And the bitter bittern, bitten By the better bitten bittern, Said: “I am a bitter biter bit, alack”

Give me food, and I will live; give me water, and I will die. What am I? Answer: Fire. I have holes in my top and bottom, my left and right, and in the middle. But I still hold water. What am I? Answer: A sponge.

JOKES

‘I’m drawing God’

A kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they drew. She occasionally walked around to see each child’s artwork. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked her what she was draw-

ing and the girl replied, “I’m drawing God”. The teacher paused and said, “But no one knows what God looks like”. Without looking up from her drawing, the little girl replied, “They will in a minute”.

Wear a brown tie A patient came to his dentist with problems with his teeth and the following conversation followed. Patient: “Doctor, I have yellow teeth. What do I do? Dentist: “Then, wear a brown tie.”

BRAIN TEASERS

Which creature walks on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening? Answer: Man. He crawls on all four legs as a baby, walks on two feet as an adult and then walks with a walking g stick as an old man. If there and

are three th apples you take away two, tw how many do you m have? Answer: If you take two apples, then you have two of h course. co

QUOTE Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible. – Francis of Assisi Children, you can send your contributions and pictures through this email address growingup5@yahoo.com or call telephone number: 0805 198 0588

Tortoise •Tortoise is a land turtle and its body is covered by shell. •The top part of the shell is the carapace, the underside is the plastron, and the two are connected by the bridge. •The shell of tortoise is prepared of 60 different bones and all are connected to each other. •They are unable to swim or float in water. •Female tortoise lays around two to 12 eggs in deep holes and leave. The

hatchling takes 90-120 days to incubate •The sex of the tortoise is determined by looking at its tail. Male tortoises have long tails whereas females have short tails. Male tails are kept tucked to the side. •Most of them are herbivorous; that is they eat grasses, weeds, leafy greens, flowers, and certain fruits but some eat insects also. •They withdraw their neck in shell for protection from predators.

POP

•They are active during the day time and rest during night. •Mostly tortoise species can live up to more than 100 years of age. •Tortoises do not have teeth •Adult tortoise can survive for many years without access to the water. •Tortoises have good eyesight and an excellent sense of smell. •Their unique and strong shells are responsible for their longevity.

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STORIES THAT TOUCH YOU October 21, 2012

I ate nothing for 5 days –Kidnapped Osun Speaker’s wife WALE FOLARIN

Alhaja Muibat Salaam, wife of the Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly left her shop that day, it did not occur to her at all that evil men were on the prowl. She had completed her business of the day, at about 7 p.m., and like every good wife, she was going home to take care of her husband. She had no forewarning that kidnappers were lurking around. According to her, “I noticed the car behind mine and they tried to force me to a stop. But I managed to stop where there are people so that I could get help. All of a sudden, the men used their hen

car to block mine and I was wondering what they were up to. I came out of the car holding my bag. Initially, I thought they were armed robbers, so I wanted to hand over my bag to them, but they just pushed me into their car and sped off.” Despite the presence of people around, all hope of rescue was dashed when they saw guns and so were forced to back off. As soon as they succeeded in abducting her, the captors simply sped off. After driving for a while, they stopped and switched vehicles, by moving into a trailer, probably to ward off any trail. In her apprehension, Salaam could not focus. Her words: “It was like

a drama. I was shocked and I was so much afraid. I was pushed into the back seat of the car and the men were holding guns. I could not say the direction that we went; they were just going all in the night. I was so afraid and I was praying to God to save me. After driving for about two hours, they stopped in the thick of the forest and brought me down. They then took me into the forest where they kept me.” However, the hostage takers were not the violent type and did not beat her up: “They slapped me twice when they asked if I was the wife of the Speaker and I denied. I later admitted when they slapped me. Apart from that they did

not subject me to any torture.” She had rejected every meal offered to her because she had been scared of getting poisoned. It was like a dry fasting period as she stayed hungry all through: “They offered me bread and La Casera drink which I refused to take because I was afraid of being poisoned. Throughout my stay with them, I never drank water or ate anything. For five days, I took nothing, I was just praying to God to save me and I thank God for answering my prayers and that of many others who were praying for me.” Her prayers indeed paid off. On the fifth day, mercy came from God. He provided deliverance for her:

Alhaja Muibat

“It was in the afternoon on the fifth day. I just started hearing voices. I had some men questioning my abductors, asking them what they were doing in the forest. Suddenly, they started exchanging gun shots. The men who I later discovered to be vigilance men over-

powered my abductors who ran away. They arrested four of them and they thought I was one of them. But I told them who I am and explained how I was kidnapped and brought into the forest. The men then took us to the police station,” Salaam said.

Charity groups celebrate children, world unity ONUKWUBE OFOELUE

t was a period of dance, music, fanfare, and also, of worship as two charity organizations based in Nigeria and United Kingdom hosted children in the city of Lagos. With over 100 children performing and double that number as audience, the children dazzled the crowd with their performances as Gauranga Foundation and Action Charity Trust collaborated to make the day one to remember. The children, made up of both Nigerians and Indians danced, performed plays and also sang to the glee of the crowd who had assembled to witness the event. Part of the side attractions were lectures delivered by different religious leaders including an Ifa priest, a Hare Krishna monk and a teacher of the Bahai Faith. The venue was Geeta Mandir, Palmgrove Lagos, and by noon, the place was already packed full with children who have come to enjoy the day. While some played at the playground, others got to preparing for the business of the

day, the Children’s Peace Festival. The Children’s Peace Festival is an annual event that has been organized by the two organizations above for some years now. Its aim is to teach the young ones the unity of humanity in the midst of diverse race, religion and culture. According to Obidike Nnochiri, president of Action Charity Trust, Action Charity Trust is organized exclusively for charitable purposes to support the educational, nutritional, and medical needs of the global community and to foster self-sustaining communities throughout the developing world. Nnochiri explained that the principal reason for the event was peace in the world: “people of different ethnic groups, race, religion and nation need to know that we humans are all the same thing, and created by one God. Therefore, unity and peace among us all is of utmost importance. This programme is to remind everyone of the importance of this, especially the young one in order to learn love and not hate from childhood”. One of the main pur-

Obidike Nnochiri

poses of the educational programme will be to instill in children a greater sense of self-worth and pride in their culture, and through greater exposure to alien cultures, more tolerance and appreciation of other people’s differences. Atop a colourful podium, equally colourfully-dressed children performed group after group. First, a couple performed a duet which they did in an Indian fashion, and then this was followed by a dance. The kids, aged between two and five danced and did acrobatic display. Next were more

Some of the children who participated in the event

grown-ups, who performed the play with the theme of selfless love. It was a play about Lord Krishna’s headache. In it, Lord Krishna, who is the supreme God had a headache. He told everyone that the only ting that would cure him was dust taken from the feet of one of his worshippers. But if such dust touches his head, it was considered a ticket to hell for whoever owns the dust. So, everyone refused to give the dust from their feet for fear of going to hell. Finally, the gopis, who were the most dedicated worshippers learnt of it. They

offered a cartload of dust from their feet and gave it. The result was that Lord Krishna told the people that gopis have proved that they are the ones who love him most, since they were ready to risk going to hell for his sake. It was a very entertaining play. Finally, another group of children came in and performed the Unity Dance. Towards its end, all the performers came out to perform, and its climax was the raising of the Nigeria and India flags, an act which attracted a standing ovation from the crowd.

Khushi Dhanwani Aum

Speaking to the media on the show, one of the sponsors, Bhagavati Kanta, who came all the way from the United States stated that the event was a good way to encourage mutual understanding between peoples of the world, to encourage peace and unity and foster love. On her part, Khushi Dhanwani’s Aum who runs a music school and trained the children thanked the organizers for the show. She expressed joy that, despite practicing for just three days, her students were bale to deliver their songs and drama very aptly.

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Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES OCTOBER 21, 2012

Don’t go to unqualified persons for eye tests, Optometrist warns

VANESSA OKWARA

hen someone is referred to as being farsighted, it means the person can clearly see objects at a far distance rather than the ones close to them. Most people with farsightedness usually have problem reading, sewing or doing anything that have to do with close supervision or observation. Farsightedness, also known as Hyperopia, is an eye defect that can happen at any age and is not gender discriminatory. According to the National Eye Institute in the United States, farsightedness, also referred to as long sightedness, is a common type of eye defect where distant objects may be seen more clearly than objects that are near. Hyperopia affects about 25 per cent of the population. An optometrist and owner of Clear Visions Clinic in Oke Afa, Lagos, Dr Uloma Onyema, explains what happens in the eyes when farsightedness occurs. ‘‘The cornea is a special layer on the surface of the eye that does most of the work of bending light as it enters the eye. Light must be bent properly so that it creates a sharp image. When parallel light rays pass through the cornea, they should be bent just enough to meet and focus on the retina. So farsightedness occurs when light entering the eye is focused behind the retina instead of directly on it. This is caused by an eye that is too short or small or the cornea is not curved enough or flat. It can also occur if the focusing power of the eyes becomes too weak,’’ she said. In farsightedness, the light rays meet at a point behind the retina. This causes nearby objects to be blurred. It could be said that the eye is too short back to

Facts Farsightedness, also referred to as long sightedness, is a common type of eye defect where distant objects may be seen more clearly than objects that are near. The main symptoms of farsightedness are difficulty seeing near objects clearly, headaches, and eyestrain. Parents should make sure that they take their children for proper eye tests before they resume school each year. front, or alternatively that the cornea is too flat. Dr Onyema stressed that farsightedness often runs in families. People whose parents have hyperopia may likely get the condition. ‘‘Many children are born with a degree of farsightedness, but some are able to coun-

ter it with strong eye muscles. These muscles squeeze and stretch the lens just behind the cornea, which fine tunes the focus after the cornea does most of the work of bending light. In some children, the close vision becomes naturally sharper as they reach adulthood. But as people get older, their eye muscles become weaker and after 60 years most people have difficulty seeing things that are close to them.’’ Eye care professionals have pointed out that the eyes of humans stop growing around nine years old. If a child is still a bit farsighted when the eye has stopped growing, the eye can usually adjust to make up for the problem. This is called accommodation. But as we age, our eyes can no longer adjust as well. If you are farsighted, the problem becomes more obvious. Starting at about age 40, your eyes begin to lose the ability to focus on close objects in a condition called presbyopia. You may start to have trouble with close work. As presbyopia gets worse, near and distance vision will become blurred, until you need glasses for correction. What are those signs and symptoms to look out for to know if you are farsighted? Dr Onyema said, ‘‘the main symptoms of farsightedness are the difficulty in seeing near objects clearly, headaches and eyestrain. Although, a lot of people experience hyperopia differently, if you are reading your morning newspaper and it is getting increasingly blurred, you’re likely to notice. In reality, the process is sometimes just too slow for the brain to detect. The thing with farsightedness unlike shortsightedness is that some people may not notice any problems with their vision, especially when they are young, until they get to middle age. For people with significant hyperopia, vision can be blurry for objects at any distance, near or far. If that person is observant, he will notice that nearby objects may appear blurry; he will need to squint to see clearly. The person will always have eye strain, burning sensations and aching in or around the eyes for others. They may experience general eye discomfort or a headache after a prolonged interval of doing close tasks, such as reading, writing, computer work or drawing. There is no specific way it happens to all the people with hyperopia. People come into the clinics with varied complaints and we will test them to be specific which type of refractive error they have,’’ she explained. Since eye problems are associated with different CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

HEALTH NEWS

HIV/AIDS prevalence drops in Katsina, says SACA HIV/AIDS prevalence rate has dropped from over three per cent to two per cent in Katsina State, the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA), Dr Muntari Hassan, has revealed. Hassan made the revelation in Katsina when members of the state’s Youth Coalition Against AIDS, Drugs and Violence called on him in Katsina.

He said that the reduction of the infection was achieved through continuous public enlightenment and sensitisation by the agency and some non governmental bodies. Hassan noted that the assistance being provided by various counselling and testing centres had also facilitated the reduction of the infection in the state. The secretary said that SACA

was making contacts with the state’s Ministry of Justice toward establishing an antistigmatisation bill that would address the problem of stigma and discrimination against HIV/ AIDS victims in the state. The Coordinator of the coalition, Mr Suleiman Salisu, said the objective of the association was to sensitise the public on the dangers of HIV/AIDS, drug abuse and violence.

Gynaecologist advises pregnant women against stress

A gynaecologist at the Optimal Specialist Hospital, Lagos, Dr Richard Nworah, has advised expectant mothers not to engage in stressful work during pregnancy to stem the alarming rate of maternal mortality. Nworah revealed that stress could also be detrimental to the health of the

babies and urged pregnant mothers to always remain stress free to help their babies’ development and future behaviour. ‘‘Pregnant women need to be educated in recognising when they have stress, the consequences and some of the simple things they can do to make a difference. Women

should always be careful because stress during pregnancy can affect the baby’s temperament and neuro-behavioural development,” he said. He also advised them to stay away from any situation or environment that would make them to go through stress for the safety of their baby.

Wellness

Know your organs The scrotum is part of the male’s external genitals and it is continuous with the skin of the lower abdomen. It is located directly behind the penis and in front of the anus.The scrotum is the sac (pouch) that contains the testes, blood vessels, and part of the spermatic cord. Its other features The scrotum is a thin-walled, soft, muscular pouch underneath the penis containing two compartments to hold the testicles, the glands that produce sperm, and one of the epididymides, where the sperm is stored. The scrotal wall is a thin layer of skin lined with smooth muscle tissue. The skin contains more pigment than that of surrounding areas and has many sebaceous (oil-producing) glands and sweat glands, as well as some hair. The two compartments of the scrotum are distinguished externally by a middle ridge called the raphe. Internally, the raphe connects to a muscular partition, the septum, which serves to divide the scrotum into its two areas. Each testicle (small balllike structures that produce sperm and hormones) is connected to a cord, called the spermatic cord, which consists of blood vessels, tubes, and nerve and muscle fibers. The scrotal sac The major function of the scrotal sac is to keep the testes cooler than 37 degrees Celsius (ninety-eight point six degrees Fahrenheit). The external appearance of the scrotum varies at different times in the same individual depending upon temperature and the subsequent contraction or relaxation of two muscles. These two muscles contract involuntarily when it is cold to move the testes closer to the heat of the body in the pelvic region. This causes the scrotum to appear tightly wrinkled. On the contrary, they relax in warm temperatures causing the testes to lower and the scrotum to become flaccid. The temperature of the testes is maintained at about thirtyfive degrees Celsius (ninety-five degrees

Sunday, October 21, 2012

The Scrotum

Fahrenheit), which is below normal body temperature. Temperature has to be lower than normal in order for spermatogenis (sperm production) to take place. In response to heat or total relaxation, the scrotum becomes very loose and soft, with a smooth surface, and the relaxed muscle fibers cause the testicles to hang farther from the body. These changes in the scrotum illustrate the primary function of the scrotum, which is to act as a natural climate control center for the testicles. The temperature in the scrotum is a degree or two lower than the usual body temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The testicles need this lower temperature in order to carry out their job of producing viable sperm. If the testicles are kept at body temperature or higher for a prolonged period, infertility or sterility can result. The scrotum continually monitors the environment for temperature changes and responds automatically in the way that is best for the production of healthy sperm. Sensitivity of the male scrotum A male’s scrotum is very sensitive to touch and can be a source of sensual pleasure. Some men enjoy having their scrotum stroked and fondled during sexual activity with their partner. A gentle massaging of the scrotum from underneath, cupping the testicles in the palm of the hand is often sensually pleasing to a male. Failure of the scrotum to cool the testes, which occurs during high fevers or, in some animals, during the hot months, causes temporary sterility. Swollen scrotum or testicle may or may not cause pain. Possible causes of scrotum swelling can include: • hydrocele (fluid accumulation in the testicles) • spermatocele (testicular cysts) • testicular cancer • varicocele (swollen spermatic cord) Some of the diseases that can affect the scrotum include: tumors, cancers; inflammation and swelling of the testes as a result of infection or physical injury

Head injury (4)

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Your

BONE Health with Dr. Olatunji Idowu

Late signs of significant head injury and raised pressure within the brain and skull include a dilated pupil, high blood pressure, low pulse rate, and abnormal breathing pattern. Coma may be present if the patient doesn’t waken completely and is defined as a prolonged episode of loss of consciousness. There are different levels of coma, and the Glasgow Coma Scale is one way of measuring its depth. What is the Glasgow Coma Scale? The Glasgow Coma Scale was developed to provide health care practitioners a simple way of measuring the depth of coma based upon observations of eye opening, speech, and movement. Patients in the deepest level of coma: • do not respond with any body movement to pain, • do not have any speech, and • do not open their eyes. Those in lighter comas may offer some response, to the point they may even seem wake, yet meet the criteria of coma because they do not respond to their environment. Glasgow Coma Scale Eye Opening Spontaneous 4 To loud voice 3 To pain 2 None 1 Verbal Response Oriented 5 Confused, Disoriented 4 Inappropriate words 3 Incomprehensible words None 1 Motor Response Obeys commands Localizes pain 5 Withdraws from pain

6 4

Abnormal flexion posturing Extensor posturing 2 None 1

An awake person has a Glasgow Coma Scale of 15, while a person who is dead would have a score of 3. The abnormal motor responses of flexion and extension describe arm and leg movement when a painful stimulus is applied. The term “Decorticate” means that the cortex of the brain, the part that deals with movement, sensation, and thinking, is not working.”Decerebrate” means that the cerebrum, the cortex, and the brain stem that controls basic bodily functions like breathing and heart beat, is not working. The scale is used as part of the initial evaluation of a patient, but does not assist in making the diagnosis as to the cause of coma. Since it “scores” the level of coma, the GCS can be used as a standard method for any health care practitioner to assess change in patient status. When should I contact a doctor about a head injury? It is not normal to be unconscious or not fully awake. Emergency Medical Services (call 911 in your areas if it is available) should be activated for persons who have sustained an injury.

If you have any problem or question about your musculoskeletal system (bones, joints and muscles) do send me a mail at tunjiidowu@live.com for advice. Meanwhile, your comments and feedback on the issues discussed are highly welcomed.

Parents urged to take wards to optometrists for eye tests CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45 refractive errors such as nearsightedness or astigmatism, experts warn of the need for you to go and see an eye specialist to diagnose particularly the defect you are experiencing. An eye care professional can diagnose hyperopia and other refractive errors during a comprehensive dilated eye examination. People with this condition often visit their eye care professionals with complaints of visual discomfort or blurred vision. Dr Onyema bemoaned the fact that a lot of Nigerians still visit quacks for their eye problems and they end up getting the wrong diagnoses and medications from these people. ‘‘It is a very sad event in the country that people who do not belong to the optometrist association of Nigeria are still allowed to operate openly in our country today. You can see them at the Lagos Island and other major markets in the nation. A lot of people go to these shops that sell lens and frames for their eye tests and end up getting wrong prescriptions for their eye problem. Nigerians should stop going to such unqualified persons for their eye tests. These people only use the poster with the lettering, A, B, C to diagnose,

but this is mostly used to look for nearsightedness (myopia), but it can’t detect farsightedness or the extent of the damage. This is why it’s often missed in school eye tests by teachers who only go by using the lettering board to check children with eye problems. This is not enough. Parents should make sure that they take their children for proper eye tests to an eye clinic owned by an optician before they resume school each year, especially if different refractive errors such as myopia and farsightedness runs in the family,’’ she advised. The expert explained that a proper eye test in an optometrist or ophthalmologist’s office involves sitting in a chair with a device called a phoropter or refractor attached at eye level. You look through the device at a wall poster and the eye doctor slips various lenses in and out of your field of view. This test can detect both farsightedness and nearsightedness. ‘‘The goal of treating farsightedness is to help focus light on the retina. Hyperopia can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery,’’ she added. Experts reveal that most farsighted people don’t need treatment. Your eyes can usually adjust to make up for the problem. But as you age and your eyes can’t

adjust as well, you will probably need eyeglasses or contact lenses. Glasses or contact lenses can help at any age if farsightedness is more than a mild difficulty, if not refractive surgery is often suggested to help correct the problem. ‘‘Refractive surgery aims to permanently change the shape of the cornea which will improve refractive vision. Surgery can decrease or eliminate dependency on wearing eyeglasses and contact lenses. There are many types of refractive surgeries and surgical options should be discussed with an eye care professional. Procedures to reshape the cornea, such as LASIK, can be done for milder cases of farsightedness. For severe farsightedness, surgery can replace the clear lens of your eye with an implanted lens. But many eye specialists question whether these procedures are a good choice for anyone. Most farsighted people can have very good vision with glasses or contact lenses. ‘‘Farsightedness is not a disease, and most farsighted eyes are otherwise normal and healthy. ‘‘If you are farsighted, get regular eye exams, and see your eye care specialist if you have changes in your vision,’’ the expert counselled.

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Business FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS October 21, 2012

Stock market on a gradual rebound

Onyeama

JOHNSON OKANLAWON

imes have changed for investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, a frontier which has joined its peers in a relatively quick and sharp recovery from the global economic crisis, while advanced economies continue to experience deep and prolonged downturns. For instance, the equities segment of the bourse has recorded a year-to-date high of 25 per cent while developed economy bourses like the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard and Poor 500 Index and Euro Stoxx Index have managed to gain 9.36 per cent, 14.40 per cent and 9.89 per cent respectively. France CAC 40 Index rose by 11.07 per cent, while Japan Nikkei 225 increased by 6.38 per cent. Except Kenya Stock Exchange Index, EGX 30 Index and Germany Dax Index that recorded year-to-date

ONUKWUBE OFOELUE

roup Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria Plc (FirstBank), Mr. Bisi Onasanya, has emerged the winner of the 2012 Africa Investor’s Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) 50 CEO of the Year Award, beating six international contenders for the UNrecognized award. The award ceremony, which held at the just concluded UN General Assembly High-Level Segment

Oteh

return of 28.25 per cent, 56.31 per cent and 24.07 per cent respectively, others fell below the healthy rebound of the Nigerian bourse. Analysts at Meristem Securities Limited, an investment firm, attributed the gradual return to profitability to investor’s stake on expected 2012 companies’ positive performance. The investment firm noted that macroeconomic and exchange rate stability have also rubbed off on the market as declining yields on fixed income, diverts funds to the equities market. “We see the index return converge lower by year end,” it said. The Exchange was established in 1960 through the Lagos Stock Exchange Act of that year, but later changed to Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1977, following recommendations by the Federal Government Financial System Review Committee of 1976. Among those that signed the Memorandum and Articles of Association were Sir

Odumegwu Ojukwu, Akintola Williams, C.T Bowring, John Holt, and the Investment Company. The doyen of accounting, Mr. Akintola Williams, recalls that the “Late Ozumba Mbadiwe, who at that time was the Minister of Commerce and Industry, conceived the idea. He (Mbadiwe) came up with the idea. He spoke to a few of us who were his friends and we decided it was a very good idea and a committee was set up to see to the actualization of the idea.” The Exchange started operations with 19 securities listed for trading. Currently, there are 276 securities listed, made up of 17 government stocks, 50 industrial loans stocks and 209 equity/ordinary shares of companies, with a total market capitalisation of N2.23 trillion. Many of the listed companies have foreign/multinational affiliations and represent a cross-section of the economy, ranging from agriculture through

manufacturing to services. One of the factors that led to the significant growth of the Exchange was the regulator-induced recapitalisation in the banking and insurance sectors. The recapitalisation raised the market capitalisation, for instance, from the paltry N500 million market capitalisation in 1961 to N13 trillion market capitalisation in 2007. The Exchange has, however, witnessed its highs and lows. The most challenging period for the Exchange, perhaps, was the market crash of 2008, which resulted in the bourse shedding a record N4.7 trillion of its total market capitalisation. In a matter of weeks, the Exchange went from the best performing to the worst performing. But the market crash cannot completely be attributed to the NSE alone because it was a spillover effect from the mortgage sector collapse in America and Europe. Among the achievements of the Exchange during the boom period was the attraction of massive foreign investment from Europe, America, Asia, Latin America and most especially from other African countries. These foreign investments ran into trillions of naira. This, however, proved to be its albatross during the stock market crash in Europe and America/ Asia, as the foreign investors withdrew their investments or rather sold their shares to companies in Nigeria to offset losses incurred back home. That principally led to a run on stocks at the NSE, which eventually culminated in the collapse/crash in the market in 2008. Many factors, including corruption and poor leadership, were also identified as the reasons behind the big collapse, which has left a bad taste in many investors. However, the Federal Government tried to redeem the situation and in 2008, set up a committee, which came up with some recommendations to introduce market makers and share buy-backs. While these are yet to become operational, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) set up a 15-man National Committee to review the market structure and processes. Based on their findings, the then Director General of the NSE, Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, was removed and an Interim Administration was constituted to protect

investors in the market. Despite SEC’s intervention, which impacted negatively on the market, some market analysts believe that the market would be better for it in the long-run. According to David Adonri, Chief Executive Officer Lambeth Securities, the overall long-term performance of the Exchange has so far been impressive. He said that the All Share Index was at 25,710.55 points on September 27, 2012, from 100 points on January 3, 1984. He said, “From a modest beginning, the NSE experienced tremendous growth when the number of quoted companies soared due to Federal Government’s indigenization programmes of 1972 and 1976. Further growth was achieved in 1980s during Federal Government’s privatisation exercise and in 2005 when Nigerian banks were compelled to recapitalise.” “In terms of concrete achievement, the NSE has provided a longterm investment outlet for domestic investors since inception and also foreign investors’ from 1995 when the Exchange Control Act of 1962 and the Nigerian Enterprise Promotion Decree of 1989 were repealed. This enabled foreign investors’ unlimited access to the Nigerian capital market.” Adonri maintained that, till date, the Nigerian capital market has successfully aided capital formation for the Nigerian economy although mainly in the services and light industry sectors, adding that as a pioneer Exchange in the West African sub region, it has assisted in the establishment of Exchanges in Ghana, Sierra Leone and the Gambia. However, he noted that the NSE needs to deepen the market and reactivate the bond and primary markets. As part of efforts to deepen the market, the government appointed a new Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Oscar Onyema, who plans to transform the Nigerian stock market into a gateway for Africa. Onyema, who described the market as a goldmine yearning to be fully tapped, said the fundamentals of the market are very strong. “This is evidenced in the fact that the returns on investments of most of the companies quoted on this Exchange remain one of the highest in the emerging markets.”

First Bank CEO bags two awards Session at the New York Stock Exchange, United States, came at a time the bank was also declared the winner of the Corporate Award for Excellence by the Chartered Secretaries & Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN). The SRI 50 CEO of the Year award won by Onasanya is given to African CEOs, stock exchanges, listed companies, fund managers, stockbrokers and research analysts who follow the Africa Investor Index Series and Africa equities.

The award was launched in 2006 by African Investor in association with the United Nations. It will be recalled that the bank, among other initiatives, led other banks to commit to sustainable finance in Nigeria. The major objective of this initiative is to ensure transparency in managing our responsibilities for environmental stewardship, social-wellbeing and economic prosperity over the long term, while being held accountable to stakeholders and also develop

internal capacity required to manage the operating environment and social responsibilities. Responding to his emergence as the winner of the award, Mr. Onasanya said it is a testimony of the global recognition of the various CSR initiatives of the bank, adding that company chief executives have a responsibility to incorporate corporate sustainability goals and objectives into their business strategy, plan, budget and implementation programmes.

Onasanya

Personal Finance

Sunday October 21, 2012

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Subject: Four wives Inspirati with Lanre

Oyetade

NMMA Capital Market Award Winner 2004, 2005 E-mail: lanreoyetade@gmail.com, 08039428648

received the following mail from a friend about the necessity of taking care of our souls, which most people tend to ignore in the pursuit of fame, fortune and pleasure or even in the course of pursuing their lives’ ministries, and I thought it would be quite nice if I let my readers have access to it. Happy reading:

Four wives

“Once upon a time there was a rich king who had four wives. He loved the fourth wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best. He also loved the third wife very much and was always showing her off to neighbouring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another. He also loved his second wife. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

But then…

The king’s first wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly

Money Consult Your money questions Y t answered E-mail: lanreoyetade@gmail.com, 08039428648

Financial independence as a student

Dear Lanre, How can I be financially independent as a student as a student now? Reader, 08067439372. Dear Reader, Strictly speaking, financial independence, which means being free from money worries for an appreciable length of time, may be difficult for a full time student to attain. However, if the student takes up some means of earning an income on a parttime basis, he may be relatively financially comfortable. There are quite a number of things a student can do to achieve financial comfort, mostly dictated by the circumstances of his environment. When I was in school, for instance, I noticed that university students desired to decorate their rooms beautifully, so I got some glass jars and other materials and ‘built’ mini-aquaria for sale to students and nearby stores. This venture became moderately successful to the extent that I was able to ‘employ’ a fellow student on a part-time basis and was equally able to complement what my parents gave me. What exactly you can do depends on the circumstances that prevail in your area and you only need to look and think well.

What can I invest N500,000 on?

Dear Lanre, Greetings to you! Sir my name is AMOO TAIWO, 32 years old, living in Abeokuta, Ogun State. I want you to help with an idea on what I can use N500,000 for in Nigeria,

took notice of her!

One certain day

One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, “I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I’ll be all alone.” Thus, he asked the fourth wife, “I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No way!” replied the fourth wife and she walked away without another word... Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart. The sad king then asked the third wife, “I have loved you all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No!” replied the 3rd wife. “Life is too good! When you die, I’m going to remarry!” His heart sank and turned cold. He then asked the second wife, “I have always turned to you for help and you’ve always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?” “I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!” replied the second wife. “At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.” Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the king was devastated.

A lone voice

Then a voice called out: “I’ll go with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.” The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the king said, “I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!”

that will earn me cool and legitimate money. The money is my personal savings through the years. I want to quit my present job as a despatch rider. I need a business idea. I have some stocks too. Please help me sir. Regards. Thank you very much. Taiwo Olurode, articulatetaiwo1@yahoo.com. Dear Taiwo, Just like I have always pointed out, what you can profitably invest in will depend to a large extent on the opportunities abounding in your area. The question to ask yourself is ‘what need can I meet that people would be willing to pay me for?’ It doesn’t have to be something totally new. It could be something already in existence, which you can do better or in a new location. Look out for such things, and especially for those, which you have flair to provide and get into it, with advice from people that have already been in the area or from consultants. You may wish to pick a copy of the book, ‘66 businesses you can start and run on your own’ by Ladi Olatunji for further insight and ideas on the matter.

I speak to God for you!

Dear Lanre, I speak to God about you; for Him to grant you divine favour, unmerited mercy, and uncommon greatness. Deacon Ayodele Dada, 08055306761. Dearest Deacon, I thank you immensely from the bottom of my heart. More anointing, sir!

Is Nova Securities registered?

Dear Lanre, Please I want to know if Nova Financial and Security Consult is a registered stock broking firm and can I invest my money there? Dayo, 08079543687.

A great truth

In truth, we all have the four wives in our lives: Our fourth wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die. Our third wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others. Our second wife is family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave. And our first wife is our Soul.

Oft neglected

Our Soul: It is often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. I urge us to cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity.

Thought for the day:

Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you’re in the perfect position to pray. Pass this on to someone you care about - I just did same”

P.S:

Dear Readers, This will be the last article I will be writing on these pages, at least for now. This is because I have graciously been given another assignment by my Publisher, Dr Jimoh Ibrahim, OFR. However, this new assignment is within the media group of the conglomerate and I am certain you will get to read from me again soon. Cheers and, as always, I urge you to stay inspired in His presence!

Dear Dayo, The much I can tell you are that, going by records, Nova Finance Securities Limited is registered with the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

How do I start?

Dear Lanre, Sir, I’m a regular reader of your column in the Sunday Mirror. I’m a student and willing to invest in stocks. Sir, where and how can I start? Thanks. Tunde, Ifo, 08025948681. Dear Tunde, Depending on how much you have, you can start either in the primary or secondary market. If, like I suspect, your funds are low, I will advise that you start by investing in public offers (i.e. in the primary market), any of which you can buy either in a bank or through a stockbroker whenever available. You may then progress on to the secondary market, which requires larger funds, when you have pooled enough funds. You may get in touch with me on phone in the event that you need further clarifications.