Sunday, February 24, 2013 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

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Flooding

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NIMET prediction: Still, cause for alarm

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Musician, Lanre Teriba, shot in South Africa P. 7

L-R: Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah; Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; visiting Brazilian President, Dilma Rouseff and Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyah Rufa’i, at PHOTO: STATE HOUSE the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

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Ojukwu’s memorial library building demolished ...in midnight attack Uwazuruike: We’ll find those responsible

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ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS ORJI KALU Chairman NUHU RIBADU Chairman, committee on strategy & research FEMI FANI-KAYODE Chairman, mobilisation committee SENATOR GRACE BENT Deputy, mobilisation committee FAFA DAN PRINCEWILL Finance committee chairman SENATOR EMMANUEL ONWE Media committee PROF. MAHMUD JEGA Vice chairman, media committee

OTHERS Bode George Wale Babalakin, SAN Gbemisola Saraki Lawal Shuaibu Uba Sani Senator Umar Argungu Olusegun Awolowo Hon. Uche Ekwunife Senator Musiliu Obanikoro

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Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

February 24, 2013

Sidi

Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Lagos.

Flooding

PIX: FEMI AJASA

Anuforom

NIMET prediction: Still, cause for alarm The rains are here again. The painful memories of the last rainfall are still poignant. Many were rendered homeless in the deluge of that season. But, with the coming rainfall, the questions are: What are the preparations to avert a recurrence of last year’s catastrophe? What really has been the outcome of the measures taken by government in the wake of the last rainfall? Head, Special Investigations, Isioma Madike, in conjunction with state correspondents, report the strategies of state governments in preventing the looming disaster, especially in the wake of the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET’s) prediction

Niger and parts of the Niger Delta have higher chances of having more rains in 2013 than in previous years. He, therefore, advised people in such areas with high risks of flooding to ensure early planning. “We have just released the rainfall prediction for 2013. The summary is that based on the conditions that were prevalent at the time of making the prediction, we are predicting that the amount of rainfall for the North-West areas of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara and environs is likely to be above normal in comparison to 2012. “Relevant authorities are advised to use NIMET’s updates issued regularly to control possible adverse impact. In 2013, the length of rainy season is predicted to be normal in most parts of the North and South. However, longer than normal length of the season is likely for most of the central parts of the country and over parts of Yobe, northern Cross River and parts of the South Western states,” he stated. To collaborate Anuforom’s prediction, a director in the agency, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwodu, further explained that onset of rainfall is expected between late February in the southernmost parts of the country, third week of April in the central parts and first week of June in the extreme North. For the agricultural sector, he said with the normal growing season predicted for 2013, farmers are advised to commence

limate change has, no doubt, contributed to a rise in extreme weather events - including higherintensity flooding in Nigeria as seen in recent years. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has predicted, as it did last year, that this change will increase the frequency of rainfall in 2013, which may also increase the prospect of flooding and erosion, especially around the coastal areas. It advised the Federal Government, States as well as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other related organisations to ensure adequate preparedness to reduce the nation’s vulnerability to weather-related natural hazards or face the possible occurrence of emergencies nationwide. With memories of 2012 flooding still fresh, the agency’s Director General, Dr. Anthony Anuforom, said in Abuja recently that this year’s rainfall pattern would not be different from what the country witnessed last year. He noted that the annual rainfall amount is expected to be above normal in comparison to 2012 in the northwest areas of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Zamfara states and environs, while the rainfall amount will be below normal in Ogun, Oyo and Kebbi States. He further disclosed that catchment areas of River

NO CAUSE FOR ALARM –LAGOS GOVERNMENT

field establishment of their crops within the period when the rains have fully set, except for tuber and root crops. He said dry spells are likely to occur in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe, and Borno states, particularly in the month of June. He further advised that farmers in the southern and central parts of the country should plant tuber crops before the full establishment of rains, adding that those in Kebbi, Taraba, Niger and Anambra axis should also endeavour to plant early maturing crops. Nwodu advised NEMA and other related organisations to ensure adequate preparedness for possible occurrence of emergencies. As if to justify the predictions, the first rain this year, coupled with climate statistics, is already causing ripples among rain experts and city residents alike. This is understandable. The painful memories of the last rainfall in which many were rendered homeless and millions of property washed away, are still poignant. Though, the Federal government earmarked N17.6 billion as direct financial assistance to states affected by the 2012 flood, which its agencies are supposed to mange, not much has been done in the area of future planning. Out of the huge amount, N13.3 billion went to states, while the nation’s ministries of works, environment, NEMA, National Commission for Refugees as well as Presidential Technical Committee on Flood Impact Assessment shared N4.3 billion. President Goodluck Jonathan confirmed that so far, about N2 billion has been expended to bring immediate response to the critical situation of the affected areas. These have gone into majorly relief and rehabilitation of victims. The President said that “NEMA has so far spent N1.314 billion to provide immediate relief materials. The Ministry of Works spent N556 million on the repair of collapsed bridges and the construction of bye-passes; while the Ministry of Environment has spent N95 million on sundry CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

‘KWARA GOVT HAS NOT TAKEN STEPS TO PREVENT RECURRENCE OF LAST YEAR’S FLOOD’

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Sunday, February 24, 2013

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No cause for alarm –Lagos government

Underground drainage in Uyo

Opening up of the channel to effectively deflood Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 relief measures.” The committee is co-chaired by Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) while Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr serves as the chief fund mobiliser. In pursuant of their objectives, the committee was reported to have realised over N11 billion in what was described as the first leg of its fund raising. However, the Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammed Sani Sidi, appears to have keyed in into the advice of NIMET. He assured that the agency had put in place necessary measures to avert flooding this year. He said this had become imperative in order to avert the possibility of the reoccurrence of the flooding that ravaged parts of the country last year, saying, “the prediction of torrential rainfall is true and the states to be affected have equally been informed to prepare ahead. We are prepared and ready and have put in place contingency plans.” Though, Sidi did not mention the contingency plans his agency has put in place, his counterpart at the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NISEMA), Alhaji Mohammed Shaba, says that managing disaster is a not an event, but a process. “It is continuous both in response and recovery, hence the need for urgent pro-active steps by all stakeholders in the country,” he said. But, the stories from the states on their preparedness for the coming rains appear not to be inspiring. There is virtually nothing on ground in most states to fire up optimism that there will be relief when the rains come. For instance, in Niger State where many believe that the issue of flooding has been a major challenge over the years due to the presence of three hydro power producing dams, nothing concrete is being done to checkmate the impending disaster. Though, Sheba said it was the reason why the state government years back set up re-settlement centres at Akere, Wushishi, Muregi and Lavun local government areas of the state. According to him, as part of measures towards addressing any eventualities, additional six re-settlement areas are being established in Manbei-Danshita, Lavun, Jegi, Mokwa and Yelwa. Others are in Bina, Lapai, Alawa, Shiroro, Dabogi and Wushishi local government areas of the state to carter for last years’ victims as well as people living in places at the risk of flooding. He explained that those staying around risk areas would be relocated there even before the rains come and called on the federal government to give adequate attention to people and areas affected by flood in the country to prevent further loss of lives, farm lands and properties. He claimed that 30 percent of Niger’s land mass is covered by water, hence easily flooded while stressing that Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro dams that release so much water from their spill ways during rainy seasons add to the problem. Sheba stated that the Niger State government alone may not be able to cope with the enormity of the flood challenge, hence the appeal to the Federal Government to give the state a helping hand in this regard. According to him, “If we cannot have Hydro Power Area Development Commission (HYPPDAC), then the state producing power for the nation should be given percentage funds to care for the problem, just like the NDCC, or the 13 percent derivation given to oil producing states in the nation. This is because the money Niger State gets from the federation Account will not be enough to address the issue in view of the number of persons displaced, farm lands and properties destroyed, each year. It cannot do it alone.”

Clearing of canal in Katsina

Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu

Bello

Sheba disclosed, however, that NISEMA has constituted a Disaster Rate Reduction Club for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state that go to various parts of Minna to clear the drainages that are filled with debris. Besides, he said that there have been series of sensitisations and interface with people in rural areas, especially the flood-prone ones. “These are ongoing at the moment; the people are been warned of the impending danger,” he said. During such meetings, according to him, the people are told what steps to take in case it happens. Apart from that, he also stated that his agency has entered into partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), State Vehicle Licensing Office (VIO), and the Ministry for Health as well as opening the Emergency Call Center for quick response during disaster times. In spite of the efforts of NISEMA in Niger State, the state government seems to be contented with complaints than making efforts at complementing what NISEMA is doing in the state. It is the same story in Bayelsa State where flood mitigation tasks have been described as Herculean. Many believe that efforts to check subsequent floods in the state may not be achieved given the alleged nonchalance attitude exhibited by the state government as release of funds to tackle flooding in the state has become a tall order. Over the years, previous administrations in the state had paid lip service to this hydra-headed problem. Annually, communities, including parts of the state capital, Yenagoa are consumed by flood, resulting to displacement of residents. In the history of the coastal state, last year’s flood, which occurred between October and November, was the most disastrous. Currently, a group, Bayelsa State

Post-Flood Management Committee appointed by Governor Seriake Dickson is embarking on an assessment tour of the flood-ravaged communities in the state. Chairman of the Committee, Chief Francis Doukpola, told Sunday Mirror that he would present an insight of the problems and solutions to check flooding in the state immediately after the tour. But, another member of the 15-man Post-Flood Management Committee, who confided in our correspondent, expressed fears that the N500 million in the coffers of the committee’s bank account would not be enough to offset all the problems observed from the assessment tour. Speaking to Sunday Mirror, a rights activist and State Project Officer of Environmental Rights Action (ERA), Alagoa Morris, noted that flooding has been an annual incident in the state. “The water level rises above normal in the swamps, ponds, lakes, creeks and rivers. When all the seemingly lower grounds have risen and overflow their banks, then the water will begin to find its level, flowing and spreading as the environment permits,” he said. Morris equally suggested that the state government should minimise those things that encourages climate change, such as excessive logging/felling of trees, bush burning as well as gas flaring. For Tari Dadiowei, a lecturer and environmentalist in the state, the impact of last year’s flood still lingers; he described the issue as a nightmare to all those who were affected. “It was a misery, especially among the low income earners and the mighty in the society. We have seen flood as a big threat to development because of the colossal destruction to life, crops, infrastructure and properties beyond endurance. We must, therefore, make concerted efforts to mitigate future occurrence, particularly in the years ahead now that NIMET has given us early warnings of heavy rainfalls this year. High rainfalls and low reliefs may be implicated as causing flooding in the Niger Delta and may, therefore, affect our traditional farming practices,” he explained. In Kwara State, a chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mohammed Dele Belgore, has also called on the state government to “as a matter of urgency, take steps to avoid another flood in the state.” Belgore, who was the ACN governorship candidate in the 2011 general elections, said government has not taken “any concrete and aggressive measure” to prevent a recurrence of last year’s flood, which claimed life and destroyed property and farmlands in many parts of the state. “As another rainy season approaches, we enjoin relevant authorities in the state to take steps to avoid another flood,” Belgore said in a statement by his media aide, Rafiu Ajakaye. His advice came days after NIMET issued a flood alert in which Kwara was listed among the states prone to heavy flood this year. Although, the Kano State government said it had adopted a number of measures to avert rain and rain-related disasters this year, the only visible sign seems to be the formation of a drainage committee. The committee is charged with the responsibility of clearing and evacuating all disposals in drainage and waterways within and outside the state capital. The government has also decided to demolish all structures, which tend to block the drainage system including buildings on waterways. The Senior Special Adviser to Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on drainage, who doubles as the Chairman of the Drainage Committee, Alhaji Idris Bala Barkum, said CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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The Big Read

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Kano creates new waterways, demolishes illegal structures

Oyesiji Akwa Ibom State’s waste disposal vehicle and equipment

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 members of his Committee were drawn from the Ministry for the Environment in response to last year’s flood disaster, which claimed some lives in Feggae local government area and destroyed properties worth several millions of naira and rendered thousands homeless. The Committee, according to its chairman, will among other things create new waterways to ensure free flow of water and study the master plan of the metropolitan drainage network system, as well as join hands with self-help Community Development Associations to organise Annual Community Development Seminars as part of the measures to prevent future occurrences of rain disaster in the state. “Our action in demolishing illegal structures are backed by law since 1976 and the state law also empower the agency to impose fine on defaulters. We have also advised potential builders to always liaise with the agency before embarking on any such construction,” added Alhaji Isiyaku Kura, Managing Director of KNUPDA. However, it is not all gloomy everywhere as the bitter experience of the last two years appears to have motivated the Lagos State government to adopt measures towards mitigating the incidence of flooding this year. Though, the state was lucky because the impact of the 2012 floods was not intense. But, with the unclear certainty about the coming rains, many Lagosians have already begun to develop grey hairs as they anticipate the consequences the imminent flooding will cause, particularly those living along the wetland areas. Yet, the Lagos State government has assured that there is no cause for alarm as it is fully prepared for the coming rainy season. The state Commissioner for Environment, Tunji Bello, said the government is putting everything in place to prevent flooding before the commencement of rains. Bello said he recently inspected drainage projects across the state to enable residents see what the government is doing in terms of drainage construction, cleaning and clearance. He added that some of the projects started last year have been completed while the ones commenced this year are ongoing and nearing completion, preparatory to the coming rainy season. “I am not saying that there will not be flooding, but because we are prepared for it, the consequence will be minimal. The most

important thing is that we are prepared for it. If rain falls continuously for three or four days, there is no how there will not be flooding, but the intensity of the flood will not be there because of our preparation towards it. We were able to cope last year. We hope to cope better this year,” he stated. Also in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the state government has embarked on various measures to avoid a repeat of the flood disaster not only in Ibadan but other major towns in the state. The measures include the clearing of blocked drains, dredging and de-silting of streams, especially on Ona River that runs through the metropolis. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said contracts have been awarded for the reconstruction of the major bridges and roads affected during the flood and works are on-going steadily on them, particularly the bridges at Apete, Secretariat-Bodija, Olomi and Ogbere. “Works have also begun on recently damaged bridges and roads like Agbongbon Bridge, Simeon Adebo\Davies Hotel/ Blessed Water Road, Simeon Adebo/Adeyi, Awolowo Road, Orita Aperin/Omowumi/Olorunsogo Bridge, Failed portion opposite Orogun Junction, along U.I/Ojoo Road, Mokola/Cele/Barrack Junction Road/Bridge, Salami Estate/Bodija Road, Ona River at Olubadan Avenue, Oluyole Estate,” he said. He added that the Oyo State Environmental Management Agency (OYSEMA) is relentlessly embarking on sensitisation and advocacy programmes to all the 33 LGAs of the State while demolition of structures erected on statutory set-backs is being effected with over 60 houses on flood plains demolished and more still slated for demolition. “Government also engaged in massive sensitisation measures, especially with the residents and stakeholders of flood-prone areas on one-on-one basis, as well as on the radio and television. Part of the pro-active measures government took was to work in partnership with the World Bank. Because the task of reconstructing these bridges is so massive and is beyond the state government alone, immediately after the flood, the governor met with officials of the World Bank and did a power-point presentation on the case of Ibadan flood disaster, upon which the bank sent its representatives to the state for an assessment. The report has culminated in

the bank, with the support of the Federal Ministry of Finance, agreeing in principle to grant the state government the sum of N200 million emergency reliefs, which is almost ready,” Adebayo added. In Ogun State, the government has trained 200 youths in flood disaster management ahead of the prediction of peak rainfall in August and October by NIMET. The state Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Lanre Tejuosho, told Sunday Mirror that the training was organised through Ogun State Emergency Management Agency (OGSEMA). “Before OGSEMA officials arrive, the people in the various communities can also come to assist in cases of emergencies. They can give first aid when faced with casualties in case of flooding and fire accidents. We have to build the capacity of the community, train them on how to protect themselves, their homes, properties and prevent risks,’’ he said. The Commissioner also stated that the government had commenced creation of additional dumping sites in various local government areas and recycling process of waste products as a way of ridding the state of refuse. He also said that environmental marshals were being sent out on environmental sanitation days to ensure that the exercise was observed by various households in all the cities of the state. Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of Ogun/Osun River Basin Authority, Femi Dokunmu, said the measure adopted by his agency in 2012, which helped at taming the menace of flooding, would still be adopted this year. Dokunmu said the River Basin Authority would repeat the system of early release of water from its reservoirs to ensure that none of its dams causes to flooding. “Those measures have proven to us over the past years that such were effective tool at averting flooding and we hope to repeat same this year”. The Akwa Ibom State government has also adopted the pipe jacking technology system, after a careful feasibility of the topography and the terrain of Uyo and its environ. Pipe jacking is a trenchless installing prefabricated pipe below the grounds surface. The process, according to experts, is carried out using a steerable tunnel boring machine as well as hydraulic jacks locked Insides a pit. The hydraulic jacks thrust pipes from a drive shaft to a reception via the tunnel boring machine. Pipe jacking

Barkum

utilised laser-guided targeting, which result in extreme accuracy in the line and grade of the pipe installation. The technology can be used to accommodate very deep as well as shallow tunnel depths. Also, the Ministry for the Environment has presently implemented an integrated waste management system for cleanup, collection, transportation, disposal, treatment, and recycling to improve the hygiene and sanitation of the state, particularly in the capital city. As an environmental protection strategy, the ministry regulates effluent discharge, environmental hazards, as well as ground soil water contamination. In Plateau State, the Special Adviser to Governor Jonah Jang on Media and Publicity, Ayuba Pam, said the state government is doing everything possible to ensure that no part of the state is affected by flood during the coming rainy season. He said government has since discovered that the flood was largely caused by blockage of waterways. “We discovered that some people built on waterways thereby obstructing free flow of water. It is in order to correct some of these abnormalies that government has set up a taskforce on city renewal, which is working to remove illegal structures and buildings without approved plans. Government is also working to open up blocked drainages and construct new ones as part of measures to avoid incident of flooding,” he said. Flooding, according to experts, can cause a range of health impacts and risks, including death and injury, contaminated drinking water, hazardous material spills, increased populations of disease-carrying CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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Sunday, February 24, 2013

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‘Kwara govt has not taken steps to prevent recurrence of last year’s flood’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 insects and rodents, moldy houses, and community disruption and displacement. As rains become heavier, streams, rivers, and lakes can overflow, increasing the risk of water-borne pathogens flowing into drinking water sources. Downpours can also damage critical infrastructure like road, sewer and solid waste systems, triggering sewage overflows that can spread into local waters. Cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Yenagoa and Warri, where older sewer systems carry sewage and rain water in the same pipes, are at greater risk for sewage spills. During heavy rains, these pipes cannot handle the volume of storm water and wastewater, and untreated sewage is often discharged into local waters where people swim and play. Exposure to pathogens from sewage and unclean water can infect vulnerable communities with illnesses like cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, and norovirus, which cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, and fever. An environmentalist, Leslie Adogame, says “it appears that governments have not yet learnt any lesson going by the level of preparation. From the first heavy rains this year and climate statistics, it is likely that heavy and more intense flooding is imminent and the country might be worse for it when it happens this time. The environmental impact of flooding can be quite wide-ranging and ravaging. The food crises and the anticipated ‘deepening of poverty’ which may result from this, my greatest concerns are the immediate environmental implication, which in most cases is a combination of all impacts of excessive flooding,” Adogame said. He believes there is more to be done by the state government to avert what happened last year in many parts of the country. Adogame, who is Executive Director, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development, advised Lagos State government and other disaster prone states to step up their flood disaster action/management plans.

Adogame

Also, the President, Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin says by now government at all levels should concentrate efforts in the clearing of the major waterways and canals in their various territories to ensure free flow of water through the drainages into the canals and rivers. “Government must take serious the removal of any structure that obstructs the free flow of water. Any structure that is built on drainages, canals or close to the rivers, seas and oceans must be demolished as soon as possible. Government and the people should ensure at this time that there is regular desalting of the drainages and gutters in the streets and street corners. There will also be the need to set up a special task force at this time that will enforce the regular and prompt disposal of refuse from homes and deposit points. Refuse must be cleared from waterways and canals and ensure that civic education on proper refuse disposal is carried out through the running of jingles on radio and public enlightenment. Ibuchukwu Ezike, Executive Director, Civil Liberty

Organisation, has echoed the sentiment of Okei-Odumakin. He says that governments should, as a matter of urgency, activate all the canals in the country, drainage systems and other related facilities. This, according to him, will help reduce incidences of flooding and allow free flow of water along its course. However, Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action, has blamed the flood situation in the country on the “lack of coordination by the managers of the various dams in Cameroun and Nigeria. There ought to be systematic and controlled release of water from the dams before they get to catastrophic levels. This was not done. The result is what we saw last year. The two countries must be pragmatic this time around.” For Kayode Oyesiku, a lecturer at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, “the major challenge over the years has been that development comes before town planning. Urban flooding occurs primarily in towns located on flat or low-lying terrain, especially when little or no provision has been made for surface drainage or where existing drains are blocked by municipal waste and refuse. There is no drainage,” said Oyesiku. In Osun, the General Manager, Osun State Environmental and Management Agency, (OSEMA), Tunde Oyesiji, says his state’s “Ecological fund is excellently and judicious made use of to tackle environmental problems. The issue of environmental education is being intensified; apart from this, the present administration is trying to mitigate the current heavy flooding by widening and clearing river courses in the state to allow free flow of water.” Additional reports by Augustine Madu-West (Kano), Priscilla Dennis (Minna), Emma Gbemudu (Yenagoa), Femi Oyeweso (Abeokuta), Kemi Olaitan (Ibadan), Tony Anichebe (Uyo), James Abraham (Jos) and Adeolu Adeyemo (Osogbo).

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NEWS

Sunday February 24, 2013

Ribadu, Kalu, Saraki, Fani-Kayode, others fl oat political group B MUYIWA OYINOLA

arely three weeks after the formation of the All Progressive Congress (APC), about some frontline politicians from various geo-political zones of the country are working on the formation of another political association. This is part of the political permutation for the 2015 general election, as some politicians are bent on giving President Goodluck Jonathan a run for his money at the poll. Though, yet without a name, the group, Sunday Mirror gathered, last met on Wednesday till the early

hours of Thursday in Abuja as a non-partisan political organisation with the aim of instituting good governance in the country. The group which started with 37 members and was then called G37 is chaired by a former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, the group has met at least five times in the last few months, in the house of a senator in Maitama, Abuja, with the attendance said to be getting better with every meeting. At the last meeting on Wednes-

day, over 200 prominent politicians were in attendance. Among those at that meeting were Senator Gbemisola Saraki, who is the vice chairman of the group, Akin Osuntokun, the secretary, a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, Odein Ajumogobia (SAN), a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, Ambassador Fati Abubakar, Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambas-

sador Musiliu Obanikoro, a former Minister of Aviation in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Femi Fani-Kayode, and Chris Uche (SAN). A source said the group is mainly concerned about how to stop the drift in the country. It was learnt that the last five meetings have been used to discuss the state of the nation, especially the issue of insecurity. “We are concerned about total leadership. We are concerned about the wellbeing of

Nigerians and how the leadership treats the followers. If you look at the names of members, you will see that it cuts across all the political parties. We have PDP, APGA members in the fold”, the source said. To achieve its aim, several committees have been formed by the group Some of the committees include Mobilisation, which is chaired by Fani-Kayode, with Senator Grace Bent as deputy; the Finance Committee is chaired by Fafa Dan Princewill, while Media is

chaired by Senator Emmanuel Onwe, with Prof. Mahmud Jega as vice chairman; Ribadu heads the Committee on Strategy and Research. At the last meeting of the group, prominent businessman, Dr. Wale Babalakin, and George were some of those in attendance. Other members of the group include Lawal Shuaibu, human rights activist, Uba Sani, Senator Umar Argungu, Olusegun Awolowo, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, and Hon. Yemi Arokodare.

APC can’t dislodge PDP –Lamido OBIORAH IFOH (ABUJA) AND A ZA MSUE (K ADUNA)

he Jigawa state governor Sule Lamido has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as an octopus party, too large for the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC) to dislodge in the 2015 general election. The governor was reacting to the mega party’s statement that it will flush out PDP in 2015, Lamido, who is the reconciliation committee Chairman of Adamawa PDP crisis, said APC is a gathering of small parties. The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress of Progressive Congress (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) had recently merged into APC. Addressing journalists in Abuja where Adamawa PDP stakeholders came to present their case on the crisis, Lamido maintained that APC “Is a gathering of small parties. Small party plus small party, which is equal to smaller party, isn’t it? In mathematics you can’t get something out of nothing, so, small party plus small party equal to

a smaller party. Is this the party that will flush us out? The entire votes of all the parties nation wide put together is nothing, so which type of mathematics is this, it is a warped mathematics.” Speaking on his reconciliation mission, he said, “PDP is one family where you have people who believe in Nigeria with passion. We avoid anything that will bring anything bad to Nigeria.” Speaking on behalf of Adamawa stakeholders, Senator Mohammed Maina disclosed that the delegation of very senior elders of the PDP and all the elected members of the PDP from the state came to address the Sule Lamido committee on the current crisis in Adamawa state. “Already, we have submitted our memorandum to the committee and what we came to do today (yesterday) is to show them that what we wrote to the committee is a fact and not figures. “The state is a PDP state. Adamawa state has been a PDP state from 1999 till date and fortunately there is a move ...... and you know the committee set up by Mr. President to look into this crisis has been receiving memorandum and we

came today as bonafide members of the PDP, elders and elected members of the PDP to see the committee to ask them and ensure that the PDP does not break up in Adamawa state. “Right now we are waiting for the outcome of the SuleLamido committee. You remember that the committee was set up by Mr. President to look into the crisis and ensure that the crisis is resolved so that no harm is done to PDP. Adamawa state is a PDP state,” he said Asked to clarify the information that some aggrieved members threatened to decamp to other parties if the resolution does not favour governor Murtala Nyako, Maina said “I assure you that there is nothing like that at all. “I have told you that Adamawa is a PDP state, where are we defecting to? We are the foundation of this party in the country. In our zone it is only Adamawa and Taraba that have been PDP states from 1999 till date. All the other states are either under ANPP, some were in ANPP before, but Adamawa has been in PDP and we will remain within PDP to strengthen our party.” On the several court cas-

Retiring GOC, 82 Div., Maj.-Gen. Olayinka Oshinowo, being pulled out of service in Enugu on Friday. PHOTO: NAN

es trailing the Adamawa crisis, Maina said “when the crises are resolved they will withdraw the cases from the court. We are praying for the resolution of the problems.” Meanwhile, youths in the northern part of the country have called on President Goodluck Jonathan to declare his intention for 2015. Apart from that, the youths, under the aegis of Arewa Youths Forum (AYF) are saying the president should react to the statement credited to Niger State governor and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum, Dr. Aliyu Babangida that he had signed an

agreement to spend only one term in office. A statement signed by AYF’s National President, Gambo Gunjugu said, “As Nigerian youths, we believe that the president holds it a duty to personally react to the allegation of Babangida Aliyu as keeping mute over such weighty revelation will not augur well for the polity. This is because we believe that many of those who are speaking for the president might not be at the meeting when the agreement was signed or not signed as the case may be. “We are watching to see what our leaders can bequeath to us before

then. Governor Aliyu has made an allegation, let President Jonathan state his own side of the story before all Nigerians”. The statement further urged northern leaders to close ranks stressing that the division arising from the revelation of Aliyu on the single term agreement was disgraceful. “The youths who are keenly watching the political terrain are worried that instead of putting their heads together to advance the cause of the region and the country in general many of the politicians have turned themselves into unofficial spokesmen of Mr. President.”

NIGERIA IN BRIEF Many feared dead as violence breaks out in Taraba

Many people have been feared killed as violence broke out on Saturday in Wukari, Taraba State. According to online news portal, The Eagleonline, the violence was said to have erupted after an argument over a mosque turned bloody. Some men were said to have engaged in an argument over a mosque, though the details were unknown.

Sources at the scene said one of the men was holding a gun. In an attempt to forcefully take the loaded gun from the man, an accidental discharge occurred, killing one of the men at the scene instantly. This then resulted in a free-forall, with several persons already confirmed dead. The Eagle Online reports says the violence is still raging.

Musician, Lanre Teriba shot in S/Africa Musician, Lanre Teriba, has been shot. The incident took place in South Africa where he had performed alongside Dele Taiwo at a Valentine’s show tagged ‘Praise Night Concert’. The event which took place on February 15 at West End Theatre, G2 Entrance, Pretoria Show Ground, Pretoria West was a huge success but it didn’t end well. Teriba was attacked immediately after the show by some unknown assailants. While valuable items like Blackberry Porch, Ipad, gold wrist watch and money were taken away

from him . He was also shot in the leg. He was later rushed to a nearby hospital in Pretoria for prompt treatment. Information reaching us today is that Lanre has fully recovered and will be performing at Praise Night 2 which will take place at Luli Luli Hotel, Portgieter street, Pretoria, South Africa, alongside Dele Taiwo . The event is powered by Light Magic Entertainment Lanre confirmed the attack on him but was quick to add that he is better now and well in shape for tonight’s show .

Plateau killings: Residents, STF trade blames Residents of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State and members of the Special Task Force (STF), deployed to maintain security in the state are trading blames over Thursday’s attack by gunmen, which left no fewer than 10 people dead in the locality. Since the attack, which occurred at Koghum village, residents have continued to bemoan their fate with many accusing members of the STF of doing nothing to prevent the attack. Some of the residents who spoke with Sunday Mirror at the weekend in Jos wondered why the attackers were able to carry out their evil deeds successfully despite the heavy presence of security roadblocks in the area.

News

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Ojukwu’s memorial library building demolished CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

he Ojukwu Memorial Library building in Owerri, the Imo State capital, was yesterday night reduced to rubble by unknown persons. The building, located at 2 Ralph Uwazuruike Street, Area G, New Owerri was being built by the leader of the Move-

ment for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Ezeigbo, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, in honour of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. The building, when completed, would have also served as a research centre on Igbo studies. The MASSOB leader, who was not around at the time of the incident, said he had gone to Oraifite for

the burial ceremony of Mr. Emeka Okwuosa’s father in company of Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu. According to him, it was on his way back that he received a call from one of his members informing him that the building had been pulled down by unknown persons. “I had gone to Oraifite in Anambra State with her Excellency, Iyom Bianca Ojukwu, for the burial

Visiting President Dilma Rouseff of Brazil (left) and President Goodluck Jonathan (right) at the Presidential PHOTO: STATE HOUSE Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

Nigeria’s system encourages corruption –Bolaji Akinyemi HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

ormer minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, has described corruption as a hindrance to Nigeria’s development, saying the nation’s system encourages corruption. Akinyemi stated this in Akure, Ondo State capital, during the inaugural lecture entitled ‘Leadership, democracy and development; a paradigm relationship’, organised to usher Governor Olusegun Mimiko for his second term in Office. He lamented that in Nigeria of today, values no longer exist unlike in the 60s and said the whole system embraces corruption and other vices. His words: “Parents not only encourage their children to cheat to beat the system, they aid and abet the children in the nefarious activities. No one believes anymore in the concept of society. “In my youth, to be accused of theft or any other criminal offence was tantamount to being banished from society. To be convicted was tantamount to suicide. But now, no one

asks for the source of the wealth. “People in jail, accused of murder, run for and win elections. More than a score of members of the Nigerian Senate have Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) court cases against them. Only in Nigeria do you steal billions and escape with less than a million naira fine. “To move forward, the political elite must make a conscious effort to arrive at a consensus that will be the outcome of negotiation, give and take compromises. “No one can be a billionaire in this present Nigeria without being corrupt. To be a millionaire is still alright but if you are a billionaire, you are corrupt; that means you are cutting corners.” The former minister, however, described the Ondo State Governor, Mimiko, as Obafemi Awolowo of the present day, saying the myriads of developmental projects being executed by Mimiko’s administration attested to the fact. Akinyemi pointed out that Mimiko’s concept of government, implementation and execution of devel-

opment-driven projects can be likened to Awolowo’s style of administration. The guest speaker listed some corrupt practices which some people enrich themselves to include, tax evasion, using government money for personal business, going through illegal means to win contracts from the government and host of other corrupt practices. “We must find a way to building a nation where no man or woman is oppressed, where no man or woman is marginalized, where there is hope for everyone, where a man or a woman through hard work, honesty and integrity will have the opportunity to achieve his dreams. When dreams are killed and vision dulled, the nation is finished,” Akinyemi affirmed. In his remark, the chairman of the occasion, Dr Christopher Kolade, commended the state Governor-elect for the various achievements he had been able to make during his first term in office. He advised him to see his re-election as an opportunity to further develop the state, serve the people and God.

ceremony of the late father of Mr. Emeka Okwuosa; on my way back to Owerri, I received a call from one of my members that some people had demolished the Ojukwu Memorial Library in Owerri. He said those who carried out the act were seen escaping in a 406 Peugeot car. “But I don’t know those who are responsible for this dastardly act but we intend to find out,” Chief Uwazuruike said. He further disclosed that in the past two weeks his security personnel had reported seeing some strange faces surveying the site but that he had told them not to challenge them to avoid clashes. However, one of the MASSOB members, Sunday Peters, narrating his experience, said that when they heard a loud explosion, they immediately rushed to the site only to see about four men scaling the fence to the back street where they parked their 406 Peugeot car with which they made their escape.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Israeli expert tasks Nigeria on anti-graft war A n Israeli expert, Dr Joseph Shevel, has advised the leadership of the country to muster the political will by supporting the anti-corruption agencies in whatever form they take to ensure that indicted public officials, including ministers are punished in line with the provisions of the existing law on corruption. He said the war against corruption would have more bite if some of these indicted high profile personalities were sent to jail. Dr Shevel and his delegation who were hosted to media dinner by Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) said in Israel the war against corruption has no respect for anyone. ‘As I speak with you now, a former president and serving minister of Finance are in jail for corruption’. Dr Shevel, President of Galilee International Management Institute, a globally rated institution in capacity building development, was at ICPC headquarters in Abuja as part of efforts to help build investigative and crime detection amont the commission’s work force. He said there was no way Nigeria could realise its full socio-economic potentials and become a lead-

ing country if corruption continued to thrive and those who perpetrated it were allowed to walk away without appropriate sanctions. Shevel noted that Nigeria needed to learn from the experiences of Israel where punitive sanctions were meted out to any corrupt official without any regard for political power on influence in the country. While noting that corruption is not peculiar to Nigeria, he, however, pointed out that the challenge of fully repositioning the ICPC for operational efficiency was one of those that government needed to address in order to realise the country’s full potentials. He declared: “If the commission fails to win the anti-graft war through failure of the government to provide it all necessary supports, then Nigeria will fail. “I am sure that corruption is actually contradicting economic and social growth and if corruption will be widespread in Nigeria despite the wealth of Nigeria in terms of intelligence, natural resources, everything Nigeria is proud of, then Nigeria will not take off if ICPC is unsuccessful in fighting corruption.”

This Day in African American History

February 24: On this day in 1811—Bishop Daniel A. Payne, Reformer and Educator of the African Methodist Church is Born! Bishop Daniel A. Payne was born in Charleston, South Carolina to free black parents, London and Martha Payne. He attended a private school in Charleston, South Carolina and later continued his studies at Gettysburg Seminary in Pennsylvania. Bishop Payne was the first Bishop to have formal theological seminary training, and did a great deal of studying on his own. Payne was ordained an elder in the Lutheran Church in 1837; he was admitted to the Philadelphia Annual Conference in 1842. Payne later became the first African American president of a black college in the western world, serving as president of Wilberforce University for sixteen years. In this role, he advised that the school be purchased by the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. He was elected the Historiographer of the AME Church in 1848, and later as Bishop at the General Conference in New York City on

May 7, 1852. Payne was also a notable author, and his books, History of the A.M.E. Church and Recollections of Seventy Years, were his greatest works and have become an authoritative source of history of the first 75 years of the church. Payne went on to build churches in Washington D.C., New York and Baltimore. Bishop Payne’s commitment to education and self-improvement had a profound impact on A.M.E. church’s interest in trained ministry.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MURITALA AYINLA

t least no fewer than 10,000 residents of Iganmu-Alawo community in Apapa Iganmu Local Council Development Area may have been rendered homeless yesterday when the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit demolished a forty-yearold community. Sunday Mirror exclusively gathered that the evacuation was carried out to enable the government execute its 1,008 housing estates planned to be located in Ijora-Badia under its Lagos Homes housing scheme. Stranded and traumatised resident looked dejected and confused, apparently thinking of where to lay their head in the night. Some stood be-

he Federal Government has completed the procurement process for the construction of a 2nd Niger Bridge with Julius Berger/AIIM Consortium emerging the preferred bidder. Julius Berger/AIIM Consortium emerged after slugging it out with other world-class construction companies which include, ARM Consortium, Bouygues Consortium, China Harbour Consortium and Johnson-Matiere Consortium. The project, which is packaged under Public Private Partnership arrangement for a period of 25 years, will be delivered under design, finance, built, operate and transfer model. The Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen who briefed journalists in Abuja at the weekend on the progress made on the road project, said that the Federal Government had earmarked N30bn under Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment(SURE-P) Programme as part of its contributions to the project.

side their properties in the scorching sun, wondering of where to keep them if it rains. Speaking with Sunday Mirror, the chairman of the task force, who led the demolition exercise, said the state government can no longer allow continuous existence of slum in the area, saying there was no way government can allow slum in the heart of the state with mega city plan. He said: “There is no way we achieve mega city status with this kind of slum in this area. You can see it is swampy area. The Nigerian Breweries is very close and there are some other industries around here and to allow slum to remain here is not acceptable. If they are allowed to

...As Lagos demolishes 40-year-old community homes

Onolememen said that the ministry had obtained a no objection from the Infrastructure Concessioning Regulatory Commission(ICRC) which regulates all transaction under PPP. He noted that having obtained the no objection, the ministry had launched into the second phase of the project which included detailed Hydrological and Topological Survey, Geotechnical Survey, detailed Environmental Impact Assessment and In-depth Traffic Survey of the project. The minister said,” We have gone through painstaking procurement process that has lasted for about 13 months and at the end of the procurement, a preferred bidder has emerged and we have since obtained a no objection from the ICRC, the regulatory authority for all PPP transaction in our country and no objection also provided that we move into the 2nd phase of the transaction discussions.” He added that building the 2nd Niger Bridge was one of the election promises of President Goodluck Jonathan to the people of Nigeria, stressing that getting a world class construction company to handle the

project signaled the commencement of the journey toward the actualisation of the project. With the dilapidating state of the 1st Niger Bridge, there have been calls, particularly from the people of the South-East of Nigeria, for the construction of a 2nd Niger Bridge. The President had at the inception of his administration promise to deliver the 2nd Niger Bridge and the emergence of a preferred bidder for its construction, is first bold step towards the realisation of the project.

stay here people will still complain that why is government allowing slum in the heart of the city.” “Obviously there is no resistant from anybody; they have been cooperative because they were rightly informed. So there is serious cooperation; some of them are already removing their roofs. More than six months we have been on this matter, telling them to vacate the place. The relevant ministries are on ground to ensure they vacate the place. The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders are on ground to implement government plan to ensure they leave

MURITALA AYINLA

ollowing the reports of the plan by the dreaded Boko Haram group and its faction, Jama’atu Ansaral Muslimana Fi Biladis –Sudan to launch attack on Lagos, the State Government yesterday urged Lagosians to ignore the threats and not panic. State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr. Lateef Ibirogba and his counterpart in the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello who addressed journalists shortly after monitoring of the monthly sanitation exercise assured

Health workers’ strike paralyses services at OAUTH complex patients in the wards. A doctor who spoke with NAN on condition of anonymity, said that the workers started the strike on Thursday with only the doctors attending to the patients. He added that the hospital was running skeletal services and hoped that the strike would be called off on Monday. He said that their demand

this place. Ours is to enforce government’s decision.” When asked if there are plans to build anything on the swampy portion, Sulaiman said: “I am not a policy maker I don’t know anything about that. This place belongs to the Federal Government, FG, and if they have any approval from the FG, they should come and meet government with their papers. They should go to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and show them the papers they have. If they have papers definitely government will listen to them but definitely they can’t remain in this area.” But residents lamented the short notice given to them by the government,

claiming they were only briefed by the state government officials on February 20. They said the Federal Government allocated the land for them in 1973 when they were initially evicted from Iganmu where National Arts Theatre is located. Speaking with Sunday Mirror, the Baale of Iganmu Alawo Community, Chief Lucas Owosheni Medunoye, bewailed the sudden demolition of their structures without proper notice. “We were formally living in Ilaje-Iganmu where the National Arts Theatre is but the Federal Government moved us to this place to enable them build the Arts Theatre in 1973. I cannot say specifically

included the implementation of the report on harmonisation in the health sector and promotion of health professionals from CONHESS 14 to 15. ``No less than 90 per cent of the patients were discharged before the commencement of the strike. ``We retained those that their condition required strict medical attention, to save their lives,’’ the doctor said.

the number of people living here; we are more than 10,000. The state government gave us the quit notice on February 20.” Another resident, Ganiyu Rufai, who hitherto lived in a church located within the community, told Sunday Mirror that his family and his church members had been rendered homeless by the eviction. His words: “We appealed to them to give us consideration but they refused. We are very useful to the government. I can say that is why we had been spared over the years, despite all the rumours of the likely demolition of this place. We are very surprised that government demolished our houses. We have no power but we are appealing to them to consider providing shelter for us.”

Rubble of the demolished homes

Lagos govt allays fears over terror threat

NIGERIA IN BRIEF

The strike by federal health workers at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) complex, Ile-Ife, on Friday paralysed services at the institution, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. NAN observed that health care services at the hospital were skeletal and most offices were deserted, with only the doctors attending to the few

10,000 residents rendered homeless

FG set to begin construction of 2nd Niger Bridge OLUFEMI ADEOSUN

News

Sunday, February 24, 2013

•Orders transporters to vacate Ojuelegba under-bridge that government is not resting on its oars on provision of security, urging residents to go about their normal business. Ibirogba urged Lagosians to go about their normal businesses, saying there is no cause for alarm. He said: “Nobody prays for any bad thing to happen in Lagos. Lagos is first or second home to most Nigerians; God almighty will continue to protect Lagosians. As a government, we are not resting on our oars to provide security to the people of Lagos. Nothing untoward will occur in La-

gos. Lagosians should not panic over the report. “I will say categorically that Lagos is safe, Lagosians should not entertain any fear. We have done all we are supposed to do for Lagosians to live safely. I want to just tell them to go about their normal duties without entertaining any fear. “The idea of Boko Haram coming to attack Lagos is nothing to scare anybody. This is a proactive government and Lagosians have confidence in their government. Lagos is home to everybody and I don’t think anybody in a right frame

of mind will want to extend act of terrorism or violence to Lagos. No matter how you look at it people have one interest or the other in Lagos.” Meanwhile, the State government has ordered removal of commercial vehicles operating under the popular Ojuelegaba Bridge, just as it appealed to residents to ensure a flood-free Lagos in 2013 by cleaning their drainage channels. Bello, who bemoaned the unkempt area of the bridge, said efforts are in top gear to complete dredging and construction of drainage channels across the state, warned residents to desist from erecting structures on drainage channels.

Two Boko Haram suspects shot dead by JTF in Kano Military-led Joint Task Force in Kano yesterday shot dead two suspected terrorists of the Boko Haram sect, while several others sustained gunshot injuries. The attack occurred at a JTF checkpoint in Gunduawa in the Hadeja Road area of the city according to a military source, who confirmed to our correspondent that gunmen in a Sienna Bus attempted to attack the check point which was repelled.

Sunday Mirror gathered that the bus with nine occupants, including a woman was singled out from a long queue for screening by the security personnel, adding that two men in the bus immediately pulled their pistols in an attempt to shoot at the security men, who responded by gunning down two of the suspects. An eyewitness, who demanded anonymity told this

reporter that: “Our vehicle was behind the Sienna bus in a traffic jam caused by the check point, immediately the military men sighted the vehicle, they surged towards it and immediately ordered everyone in the vehicle out in apparent attempt to screen them, in fact, it was only the Sienna bus which was ordered out of the queue, suggesting that they might be working on information.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Man in the News FEBRUARY 24,, 2013

The Octopus

…Flies 200 managers to Dubai K AYODE FASUA

DEPUTY EDITOR

e turns 46 today, Nigeria’s N renowned lawyer, pol politician, businessman and en entrepreneur, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, O OFR. As congratulatory messages pour in on the joy of this occasion, occasio Ibrahim, who is publisher of National Mirror Newspap Newspapers and the Newswatch titles, w will not hesitate to describe 22013 as a year of bountiful a addition for the Energy Gro Group, the ever growing con conglomerate he runs as the Group Direc Managing Director. Famous as tthe legendary Octopus Octop in the manner he has spread his tentacles te through unb unbeatable business acum acumen and manpower d development, Ibr Ibrahim’s entrepreneu entrepreneurial adventures cut across 16 companie companies with interests in oil a and gas, banking, hotels, industry, media, property and insur-

ance. Harvard-trained and forever in love w with intellectual pursuit, Barrister Ibrahim is Nigeria’s N Tom and biggest investor in the Island of Sao Tome Principe, where he has just established a worldt class university, the first of its kind in that oil-

rich nation. In recognition of his contribution to that Island, he was bestowed with the rare honour of Honorary Consul for Sao Tome and Principe to Nigeria. Also, Ibrahim’s NICON Insurance Seguros is the major insurer of the government of the Island. His name similarly rings a bell across the globe, as he has huge investments in Ghana, London, the United States and the United Arab Emirate (UAE). It is on record that Ibrahim has rescued many corporations from their hiatus. His acquisition of NICON Insurance has helped to revive the dying corporation. Besides, in the media, it is a double-take for this Corporate Surgeon at 46. The National Mirror newspaper was once in the throes of death as it required a reformist to spur it to life. Then came Ibrahim, who bought it over and took it to his corporate theatre, as it were. The result today, is the newspapers’ resounding success in the market. Another instance: The Newswatch magazine which was bequeathed to four handlers following the murder through parcel-bomb of its pioneer editor-in-chief, Dele Giwa, was successfully rescued from its parlous state, to make legendary Giwa smile in his grave. Twenty-six years after Giwa’s death, the magazine had not only whittled down in quality, its staff members were pauperised as they were at a time owed 13 months’ salary. Wrenched, the poor workers not only gasped for salvation, they particularly perspired for a helper. Then came Jimoh Ibrahim. Today, the magazine has been stabilised, and from it, has come Daily Newswatch newspapers, under a different management. Not done, Ibrahim, also in the banking sector,

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, February 24, 2013

adds another year The ultra-modern postgraduate complex at OAU, Ile-Ife, donated by Dr. Ibrahim

bailed out tottering Oceanic Bank branch in Sao Tome; he injected fresh funds into it and then rebranded it as Energy Bank just immediately after he floated from scratch Energy Bank of Ghana, which in two years is celebrated as Ghana’s most liquid bank. Meanwhile, activities are in top gear to convene the Energy Group’s GMD annual conference in Dubai where Ibrahim has a sprawling business. 200 mid-career officers and managers across all the subsidiaries have been chosen for that intellectual immersion. Only last year, no fewer than 50 participants were taken to a leadership conference held in London by the Energy Group. The highly rewarding conference had as theme: ‘When the risk is you, where is corporate reputation?’ Also this year, all is set for the take-off of University of Sao Tome. Come September, the university will be inaugurated and it will matriculate 200 students, to start with. The event is bound to attract the crème de la crème in Africa and in the education world. Also, a Vice Chancellor will soon be named for the institution. Still in the education sector, Barrister Ibrahim will hand over a multi-million naira ultra modern complex to his alma mater, the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, where he got his honorary doctoral degree as Doctor of Business Management (DBM) two years ago. He is the youngest ever to be so honoured. That year, he was honoured along with other eminent Nigerians who included the current Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; a retired Supreme Court Justice, Justice Bola Babalakin, and Mrs. Folake Solanke (SAN). According to the university authorities, these eminent Nigerians were considered qualified for the award due to their contributions to the development of the society. For the Energy Group itself, where several thousands earn a living, 2013 is a year of expansion. Plans have reached the final stage to hand over the Energy filling stations in various parts of the country to dealers who have passed the litmus test in the conditions laid down for their hand-over. In the same vein, in this year of bountiful additions, 10 mega fuel stations will soon spring up in the United Kingdom (UK) to be called, Energy 9ja; in commemoration of Global Fleet’s 10th anniversary in August.’

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STORIES THAT TOUCH YOU

Ibadan’s night of rainstorm rage FEBRUARY 24, 2013

KEMI OLAITAN

hen Madam Bolanle Onadeko and her family went to bed last Sunday in their residence located at Olunde area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at about 9.00 p.m., they never envisaged that in less than three hours, they would be forced to wake up. They never, in their wildest dream, imagined that a calamity was lurking in the corner, no thanks to the rainstorm that accompanied the first rain recorded in major areas of the ancient city of Ibadan. The woman, in her late forties, was fast asleep in her four-room apartment when suddenly a heavy storm, with strong winds, broke through the window, with splashes of rain already in the room. She was forced to hurriedly rush out of bed to ascertain what was happening. As Madam Onadeko was about to wake other members of the household, the storm violently dismantled the roof of her house. Recounting what befell her household in an emotionladen voice, she lamented that the house was what was left for her and the children by her late husband who laboured for more than 10 years to erect it. She said the tragic event would forever be etched in the memory of the entire members of her family. Her words: “The destruction is just too much. As a poor widow, where will I get money to put the building back to its former shape? Who will help me and where will I run to?” However, Mrs Onadeko is not the only victim of the rainstorm which has been described by many as a hurricane. About 10,000 other houses were affected. While shops and stalls were also destroyed, schools and worship centres were not spared. Power Holding of Nigeria Company Nigeria (PHCN) electric poles were also affected as trees felled by the ferocious storm lay on most streets of the city. Between Ire-Akari area and Olomi/Academy bridge, about five filling stations were badly damaged. Indeed, some of the filling stations had their selling pumps blown off. Similarly, owners of vehicles parked along the streets had a bitter experience as the storm dismantled roofs of buildings and threw them on the vehicles. Areas worst hit by the storm include Ajegunle, Igodalo, Academy, Omiyale, Olomi, Olunde, Ayegun, Aba-Alfa and Jaloke, Papa-Eleye, Aladi, Ire-Akari, all in Oluyole local council area. Others include Osungbade, Odo-Oba, IdiAro, Challenge, Felele, among others. For the people of Olomi and other communities in Oluyole local government area, they had their problem compounded as the storm dismantled most of the electric poles erected by PHCN for the restoration of electricity in the area, which had been in darkness for over 30 months. One of the station managers of the filling stations which had their pumps and roofing sheets blown off by the fierce storm who spoke to Sunday Mirror on condition of anonymity, said had the incident not occurred at night, there would most probably have been a high casualty rate. “We must thank God that it was in the night that it happened; this is because I could not have imagined that if the workers and passers-by that usually seek shelter from the rain were to be around, and these iron rods fell on them, it would have been disastrous,” he lamented. He however added that a representative of the station had been sent to the head office in Lagos to brief the management about the incident, expressing optimism that the damaged pumps and the blown off roofing sheets would soon be rectified. A resident of Soka, Mr. Remi Adegoke, expressed grief

Residents of one of the affected buildings with their belongings outside

A badly affected building

A resident in front of one of the affected houses

that virtually all the buildings in the area were visited by the storm, which either had their roofs blown off or their fences dismantled, saying, “those whose roofs were not destroyed could not but be pulling water out of their rooms in the dead of night. On my part, the fence of our house collapsed and we had to be sweeping water out of the room.” Chairman of the Olomi Landlords and Landladies’ Association, Alhaji Mukaila Olayode, who disclosed that he lost 10 shops and a building to the rainstorm, however, stated that he had resigned to fate since nothing happened without God knowing about it. While he likened the incident to the presumed sinful nature of the people, he noted, “I believe our sins are just too much, thus God is annoyed”. Pa Bashiru Olaogun said, as an old man, he could not do anything during the storm, an experience he would not wish for his enemies much less his friends. He added, “No one will dare to enter that storm and do anything funny; life is more precious than anything. I had my roofs blown off and the rain was falling on me and my family members. Three rooms including my sitting room were affected. I will need about N1,000,000 to fix them”. He pleaded with the state and local governments for assistance to victims of the disaster. Chairman of Oluyole local government, Prince Abass Alesinloye, whose council is probably the most hit by the

storm, while commenting on the incident, said the level of the damage was more than what the council or even the state could handle, maintaining that it was beyond normal. “The only thing we are doing is to offer palliative measure to resettle the victims. I think we will need the assistance of the Federal Government in the calamity of this nature. A school at Kolajo area had to send its students back home because of the incident; you see the result of that on our schools,” he lamented. With the magnitude of destruction wrought by the fierce rainstorm, officials of the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) last Monday arrived in the state to have an on-the-spot assessment of the situation. Forms were also distributed to the victims to fill to ascertain the level of their losses in the event that relief materials are made available by the government. State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has also visited the communities to empathise with victims of the disaster. He assured them of government’s assistance while he similarly directed the state NEMA to provide succour for the people affected by the tragedy. The governor, who was deeply touched by the disaster which claimed several properties, also directed the council chairmen of all the affected areas to go and assess the extent of damage and provide immediate relief to the affected people.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES

PDP and the many challenges of Bamanga Tukur P 15

Obi

FEBRUARY 24, 2013

THE IDEA OF DEMOCRACY IS THAT THERE SHOULD BE A PARTY IN POWER, AND AN OPPOSITION THAT SHOULD BE VIBRANT THAT WOULD TACKLE THE PARTY IN POWER ON ISSUES, POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES. AS LONG AS THEY BRING UP POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES FOR US TO DEBATE ON, WE WOULD VERY MUCH TAKE THEM – CHIEF OLISA METUH

Umeh

MUYIWA OYINLOLA (L AGOS) AND DENNIS AGBO (ENUGU)

he crises rocking the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have eventually polarised it into three factions including the one led by the sacked former National chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, another led by the Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi that has now appointed Chief Maxi Okwu as its chairman while the third one is being driven by the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, into the newly formed All Progressive Congress (APC). Of the three factions, an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), recently admitted that Victor Umeh remains the national chairman of the party that the commission recognises. Even though the Enugu State Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike a fortnight ago delivered a judgement that left the party without leadership, Victor Umeh immediately appealed against the judgment and pleaded for stay of execution of the judgment until the appeal is determined, which makes him remain the national chairman of the party until the final determination of the case. Crisis started in the party last year when Umeh indicated that APGA would like to present a presidential candidate in 2015 general elections and that the party would like to go into an alliance with other political parties for the purpose of forming a strong union to win national elections. It was alleged that Umeh’s position did not go down well with both the Presidency and Obi who is believed to have subsequently plotted for Umeh’s removal. Not long after that, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State made a statement that APGA was on its way to extinction. Since that pronouncement, Ndigbo have been seeing both Chime and Obi as foot soldiers of the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing them of plotting to destroy the Igbo dominated political party. Almost immediately, one Jude Okuli filed a suit against Umeh, asking that Umeh be stopped from parading himself as the national chairman of APGA. On Tuesday July 31 2012, the Enugu state Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike, failed to vacate the interim order he gave on July 25 2012 restraining Umeh, from convoking any local, state or national meeting of APGA. Justice Umezulike rather extended the ex parte order till September 17, 2012, asking Umeh to “endure” because according to him “reflection of these cases is of course

Okorocha

Babangida Aliyu and 2015 presidency P 14

Briefly Why we converted bond to loan, by Amaechi

The desire of the Rivers Government to complete on-going projects informed its decision to convert a N100 billion bond to loan, Gov. Chibuike Amaechi said in Port Harcourt on Friday. Amaechi made the clarification shortly after signing into law the state budget of N490.3 billion and the state’s internal revenue bill into laws. He said the executive asked the legislature to convert the already approved N100 billion bond to loan to complete projects before the rainy season. The governor commended the legislators for passing the appropriation bill and promised that the executive would commence its implementing immediately. “I have always told my cabinet that we must go by our budget; nobody should spend outside the budget. There should not be any extra budgetary expenditure because I will not approve it. “I like to know that every expenditure is backed by the budget. Nobody should undermine the authority of the State Assembly,’’ he said. Amaechi promised that funds from the budget would be attached to projects. “I will ensure you get copies of the projects so that you can do your oversight function. “Ask commissioners what are they doing with the money and I can tell you how the loan will be spent,’’ the governor said. He said that N40 billion would be allocated to the Ministry of Works and N20 billion to the Ministry of Education to complete primary and secondary school buildings.

APGA: The unending crisis •Obi, Okorocha’s plan for party, Umeh demanded. However, Umeh through his Counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), appealed the ruling, reminding the appellant court and the general public about provisions of the law. Umeh in his appeal said he is dissatisfied with Justice Umezulike’s ruling especially on the extension of the order ex parte on him to over 48 days instead of the constitutional seven days or maximum of 14 days. According to Umeh, Justice Umezulike erred in law when as a trial judge he acted without jurisdiction when suo muto he extended the order ex parte made on July 25 to September 27, a clear 48 days that is contrary to provisions of the law. Umeh went ahead to site Umezulike’s particulars of error referring to order 39 rule 3(3) and 4 of high court rules of Enugu State 2006 which states that “an order ex parte shall abate after 7 days and where it is to be extended on the application of a party, shall not be for a period exceeding 7 days from the day the extension is granted.” Meanwhile, perturbed by the inability of the Chief Judge to vacate the interim order, Umeh petitioned Justice Umezulike and asked the Chief Judge to disqualify himself from the suit. Most outrageous was the fact that Umeh alleged he promptly applied for a copy of the proceeding dated 31 July 2012 but till date has not been favoured with a copy. He therefore came to a strong believe the unseen forces behind are pulling the strings to frustrate APGA and deal with him as the national chairman of the Party. A plot to break the ranks of APGA National Working Committee crumbled when Umeh leadership of the party moved swiftly to nip it in the bud. Investigations revealed that the plot was hatched in Awka and allegedly had the backing of the Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi. Obi was alleged to have dispatched his former Commissioner for Local Government to Abuja to perfect the deal. NWC members were allegedly approached with N2 million which was later increased to N5 million, in addition to N200,000 made available for transportation, but only six of them agreed to the deal as the majority chose to remain with Umeh. Umeh effectively foiled the plot to dismember his executive by convening an emergency NWC meeting where the “saboteurs” were suspended and a seven- man

committee set up to investigate their action. The NWC meeting suspended indefinitely over anti-party activities included- Deputy National Chairman (North), Sadeeq Massalla and National Vice Chairman South East, Morgan Anyalechi. Umeh, also set up a seven-man disciplinary committee with Alhaji Tayo Sowumi, National Vice Chairman, South West as Chairman, and Bar. Ifeanyi Mbaeri, National Legal Adviser, as Secretary. Reacting to the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Kayode Idowu, said the Commission does not recognise the purported suspension of Umeh and Shinkafi, noting that INEC monitored the last National Convention of APGA conducted on February 10, 2011 where the present National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party was re-elected. Idowu said: “The commission does not recognise two people in a shouting match. There are processes for the removal of party executive. People cannot stay somewhere to say they have sacked somebody.” On February 8, 2013, Justice Umezulike, sacked the entire Executive Councils of APGA, starting from the national executive council down to the ward levels. Umezulike said that the 2006 election that brought in Umeh’s executive expired on December 2010, adding however the due process of the party’s election was not followed on February 10, 2011 to elect a new set of executive since Umeh and co were elected through voice vote instead of secret balloting even when nobody contested the position with Umeh. But in his reaction to the judgment, Chief Umeh said that the verdict by Justice Umezulike did not come to him as a surprise, as he had reached the same conclusion even before trial as earlier published by newspapers. The crises got to a head recently when Imo State Governor, Owelle Rocha Okorocha, who is in Umeh’s camp joined nine other governors in Lagos from three other political parties to form the All Progressive Congress (APC). Okorocha, the governor from the South-East, it was gathered was mandated to drag other governors in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

Politics

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Babangida Aliyu and 2015 presidency

Babangida, Jonathan and Musa

MUYIWA OYINLOLA

iger State governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, last week perhaps confirmed the speculations of pundits that he is indeed interested in the presidency come 2015. Aliyu, leader of the Northern Governors’ Forum last week in what could be summed as the justification behind his ambition declared that President Goodluck Jonathan reached an agreement in 2011 with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and governors to serve only one term as president. This declaration was made last week Saturday during a live radio programme, Guest of the Week, on Liberty Radio (91.7), Kaduna, has already ignited the race towards the 2015 presidential poll, as the governor had now become one of those to watch. Aliyu during the media chat said the rumoured interest of Jonathan in seeking a second term in 2015 should be taken as a mere speculation. His word: “I recall that at the time he was going to declare for the 2011 election, all the PDP governors were brought together to ensure that we were all in the same frame of mind. “And I recall that some of us said given the circumstances of the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua and given the PDP zoning arrangement, it was expected that the North was to produce the president for a given number of years. “I recall that at that discussion, it was agreed that Jonathan would serve only one term of four years and we all signed the agreement. Even when Jonathan went to Kampala, in Uganda, he also said he was going to serve a single term. “For now, President Jonathan has not declared a second term ambition and we must not be speculating based on those who are benefiting from the campaign. “I think we are all gentlemen enough so when the time comes, we will all come together and see what is the right thing to do.” Meanwhile, the presidency has denied Aliyu’s comments that PDP governors signed an agreement with President Goodluck Jonathan prior to the 2011 presidential elections that he would only run for a single term. Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, who made the presidency’s position known in Abuja stated that Jonathan did not sign any agreement with anyone and advised the governor who is rumoured to be nursing a presidential ambition to go about his pursuit without making what he called “frivolous allegations” against the President. He said, “President Goodluck Jonathan did not win the presidential election in

Governor Aliyu’s state, Niger. Anybody who has a presidential ambition, it is such a person’s constitutional right to have ambition. Aliyu’s comments came at a time there were speculations that the party was planning to foist the candidacy of Jonathan on the party and make him the sole candidate of the PDP for the 2015 poll. In that case, the party would skip primary election for that office. It has been alleged that the party’s top hierarchy of the party had agreed to amend its constitution to accommodate the new thinking. But denying the speculation, the party’s national publicity secretary, Mr Olisa Metuh, said there is no truth in the account. He said: “I can tell you that under the constitution of this party, and the way we run our programmes, we are going to have primaries in 2015. We are completely unaware of any move to change the constitution of the party. “The constitution that we have, which was passed at the last national convention, provides that we must have state and national convention.” Metuh, however, maintained that party could amend its constitution if it wanted to do so. According to him, “A constitution can be amended at any time if the members decide to do so, or when the need arises. I’m just telling you what the law is at the moment. Even the constitution of the country is being amended; the constitution of the party can be amended if they (party leaders) decide to.” It will however be recalled that in July 2011,President Jonathan indicated that he would be sending a bill to the National Assembly to elongate the tenure of office of the President and Governors from the present four years. As against the fouryear term elected officers currently enjoy, the bill would propose a single term of six years for the President and Governors. It was also stated that President Jonathan’s tenure would not be affected as the amendment would only take effect from 2015 According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, the proposed bill “is borne out of a patriotic zeal, after a painstaking study and belief that the constitutionally guaranteed two terms for Presidents and Governors is not helping the focus of governance and institutionalization of democracy at this stage of our development.” It was also contained in the statement that the President is “concerned about the acrimony which the issue of re-election every four years generates both at Federal and state levels.” It will also be recalled that discordant tunes trailed Jonathan’s proposal of a sixyear single term as many suspected the president had hidden agenda.

Former governor of old Kaduna state, Alhaji Balarabe Musa at the wake of the proposal said if accepted, the proposal could alter the 2015 elections. “If his proposal is accepted, you will be surprised that before 2015, he will declare another intention to declare for 2015 Presidency. If the PDP could not accept the zoning system, they would definitely not accept excluding Jonathan in 2015. “So, what will happen is that just like he did in 2011, he will do in 2015. He has not demonstrated any confidence that he will complete his current tenure and he is already talking about 2015. This government is controlled by money powers. “He could want to use money to achieve his agenda but Nigerians should ensure he doesn’t bastardise our constitution and Nigeria’s politics. He has already bribed the governors and the National Assembly by saying they too should benefit and that tells you he has a hidden agenda.” In his own view, the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Niger State during the last general election, governorship candidate in Niger State, Bawa Bwari, said the problem with the six year- single tenure has to do with elongation, and not the concept. “It’s the elongation there that is the problem. What do you want me to say? For any responsible government, there are so many issues that should be a priority. This issue of single term tenure is a distraction. If it’s for patriotic reasons, it will be good but there is a question mark for first term governors. Secondly, Nigerians don’t trust Jonathan because of what happened with zoning. People will not believe he is doing it for patriotic reasons.” Aliyu overtime, according to analysts been seen a predictable voice among the

Northern governors against the second term ambition of Jonathan. In May last year, The 19 northern governors including Aliyu defended the Presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, in the last poll MajorGeneral Muhammadu Buhari, on the latter’ s comment on Jonathan’s administration. Buhari’s party had described the Jonathan administration as the “most corrupt ever,” in response to the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party’s attacks on his person over a comment in which the retired General threatened bloodshed in 2015 if the government dared rig the elections.The northern governors said Buhari’s comment was in order, observing some other Nigerians had made worse comments. Aliyu, during a question-and-answer session with journalists after the Forum’s meeting in Kaduna, noted that Buhari had only sought to keep the Federal Government on its toes in order to ensure a freeand-fair election in 2015. He noted that Buhari’s statement was subject to different interpretation and cautioned eminent Nigerians against further inflammatory statements that could heat up the polity. He said, “In a democratic system every individual has his ways and there are many of us whose ways of communication are quite different from others. Give the same statement to somebody, he may have used a different vocabulary. “Again, certain facts are understood, that if this happens that would happen, I think it is a natural thing to do. Maybe those who may be too concerned have not looked at what other eminent Nigerians CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Interview ENCOUNTER WITH A NEWS MAKER FEBRUARY 24, 2013

APC won’t survive 2015 –Ex-Oyo SSG Prior to the 2011 general election you were with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Why did you leave the party for the Accord Party? You know we were in the PDP together with Senator Rashidi Ladoja . But when we were there, we later found out that it was necessary for us to have an alternative platform in order to counter the problems of the PDP. We knew that the PDP lacks discipline. We knew they were unruly , we knew they were plan less but we thought they would change so he left before I left. When I found out that there was no change in the PDP I had to follow suit.

Mr Ayodele Adigun was the Secretary to the Oyo State Government during the administration of Senator Rashidi Ladoja. In this interview with Ayo Esan, he speaks about issues as they affect the state and the nation’s politics. Excerpts:

You are familiar with Oyo Politics having been involved in so many elections in the state” Of course What do you think is the future of Accord Party in Oyo State politics The future of Accord Party in Oyo state is very bright . The people have tested the PDP , PDP has floundered. They have tested ACN they have known that the ACN is not up to the task, apart from the sloganeering and unnecessary propaganda they brand all over the place. The people have come to realize that the ACN is an oppressive party. It has destroyed the people’s means of livelihood through the destruction of their properties through their brigandage . They go about to destroy people’s property . We are not saying that it is not good to beautify the cities, but you see in trying to beautify the cities you must take into consideration the plight of the citizens. You know that for their welfare they depend on this road side trading why don’t you give them adequate notice. Why don’t you relocate them before you bring in the bulldozers. After all, development should be aimed at the man not man for development. Only last week, the Oyo state government called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release the money and government properties recovered from Senator Ladoja . You were the Secretary to the State Government during his tenure as governor, how would you react to the call ? I only pity the Head of the government and the so called executive. To the best of my knowledge they are legal illiterates .If you have been following the case you will know that no money was impounded or embargoed in the account of Ladoja and none of his properties was seized by the EFCC. Conversely the fund in question was found in the account of Chief Adewale Atanda. It was found in Heritage Holding which belongs to Adewale Atanda and some of the properties were recovered in his premises not in Ladoja’s premises. So it would be wrong and libelous for the state executive and the Head of government to claim that the EFCC embargoed the account of Ladoja. It was never so. It is far from the truth and they should go and crosscheck in the court and get the legal position. Besides I will advise the Attorney-General , who should be very clear in the picture to advise his colleagues not to embark on any libelous journey.

Adigun

To many people the Local Governments election should have been conducted in the state. That should have been the real test to know the strength of the political parties. What is your feeling concerning the non- holding of local government election and if it holds today, how do you think the Accord will perform?. The non- holding of local governments election up till date is an admission of fear on the part of the incumbent governor. The incumbent governor definitely knows that if election is held today, the Accord Party will win not less than 30 out of the 33 local governments. I am sure of my facts. The fact is that ACN is not on ground now. If they doubt it, let them go and conduct the election. The Accord Party will win hands down. The PDP is in comatose in Oyo State and they can’t get their bearing again . They have about four factions and it is no longer at ease with them and the centre has fallen apart. I know there are four factions of PDP in the state. Arapaja/Jumoke Akinjide on one side; Otunba Alao-Akala one side; Teslim Folarin/ Hosea Agboola one side and Dejo Raimi/ Oyelese and co one side. So they are four. So they cannot come together to provide any solution to the myriads of problem in Oyo state . That is the way it is. So it is only the Accord Party that is busy welcoming new members. It is only the Accord Party that is capable of admitting new members now. It is only a foolish

man or somebody that has mental problem that will go and join ACN now, even though they are in power.. The people are fed up with the ACN government. That is the situation in Oyo state now. You have been writing many articles in the newspapers to condemn the Ajimobi government in Oyo state and many believe that being a technocrat you are doing Senator Ladoja’s dirty job. Don’t forget that I contested the primaries with Ladoja in 2003 and I know my onions . Yes. You said I am a technocrat I wouldn’t deny that , but I know my onions . I know what is wrong and what is right . At my age and with my level of education, nobody can dictate to me. So for anybody to infer that Ladoja is using me is wrong. Was it Ladoja that was using me when I was criticizing Alhaji Lam Adesina when he was governor? Go and ask Ladoja. He will tell you I have a very independent mind. I will tell you what I have in my mind and I would not cut corner in saying that . So when I criticize Ajimobi’s government I know what I ‘m doing . It was simple economics, and my criticism was aided by my deep knowledge of administration of the state for some time now. You say you want to collect N50bn bond for housing but we know that Oyo state people will not embrace any housing estate. They don’t want to live in barracks. If you provide sight and services to them they will appreci-

a it. They will patronize you but if you ate a are building housing estate they will not p patronize you. Late Lam Adesina built ssome units along Egbeda road in Ibadan, b between 1999 and 2003, the place is about a quarter subscribed now. Ladoja built ssome units on Owode road, that is Abeokutta road, if you are passing by the road you w will notice that most of the houses are unoccupied. If you are familiar with this part of the country, look at the one built on Ikire road by Alhaji Shehu Shagari several years ago, the houses are falling apart now nobody is looking after them. Nobody is embracing them. If you go to Oyo town the same thing, they don’t want to embrace housing estate. They want to build houses on their own . You say you want to take loan to build houses I will say you have got that concept from outside . You have not researched into the need of the people before embarking on that infertile and futile journey. You say you want to build agric silos, grain silos in Oyo state . The Federal Government has giant silos on Ife Road , it has silos in Oyo . The state government has giant produce warehouses in Igboora, Moore Plantation, in Ayete, in Oyo in Iseyin and Kisi. If you go to these warehouses and silos they are empty. There are no grains. The fact is that we don’t produce enough grains in this part of the country. I am a poultry farmer I know that if you need grains you go to Niger State , Katsina, Zamfara and Kano State to procure grains. So if we don’t produce enough grains here why are we now installing silos . The other time, the Commissioner of Finance was saying that we are going to soon import grains here and I just laugh at him. Instead of saying you want to improve the prices of agricultural products in your state so that you can produce enough grains, you want to put the solid first before you plant the grains which is myopic. You say you want to construct circular road with the proceeds of the bond. The fact is that, that road was conceived by Ladoja administration. The engineering design was awarded by Ladoja’s administration. That is a statement of fact. The idea was to involve Private partnership Let private people bid for it. If they win it, let them build. They will erect the toll gate there and then the state government will collect taxes. May be from N100 you take N20. You don’t say you want to build it on your own. You now contract the toll collection to somebody. By doing that you are encouraging embezzlement. There is this merger among opposition parties which has led to the formation of the All Progressive Congress (APC) . If the party wave the olive branch will the Accord join the party. I don’t think so. We don’t need any merger at this point in time. Let us go and try our individual effort. Those who came together are even strange bed fellows They have different orientations . When they started sharing posts now problems would come up. There would be big problems among them. Why don’t they just build their individual parties . They are likely to run into problems sooner than later.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, February 24, 2013

A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM OFR PUBLISHER All the Facts, All the Sides STEVE AYORINDE

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HEAD, GRAPHICS

Ending the Oyerinde murder controversy

e are once again compelled to revisit the Olaitan Oyerinde murder saga. The first time we did, it was the focus of our editorial on Friday September 7, 2012 entitled: The puzzling Oyerinde murder investigation. We made the May 4, 2012 murder of the late Deputy General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Private Secretary to Governor Oshiomhole of Edo State our concern because of our abhorrence to all forms of unlawful killing and the perceived shoddiness with which the security agencies were handling the investigation. Unfortunately, that shoddiness has persisted up till now, straining interagencies relationships; causing bad blood among functionaries of governments; and exacerbating social tension in the country. Just last Wednesday, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, betrayed the emotional agony he had been going through when he told his new Police Commissioner, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, on a courtesy visit to him that he would not rest until he got justice for his late aide. The governor had last month caused a stir when he called for the dismissal of Peter Gana, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police that coordinated the investigation into the murder of Oyerinde, alleging the DIG was either shielding the real killers or he was a conspirator. Though the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, dismissed the indictment as unfounded, he was not forthcoming with supporting evidence beyond saying that since the case was in court, it would be subjudice discussing it. He promised that at the appropriate time, the police version of what happened would be made public. While agreeing with the IGP that discretion is expected from all the interested parties in the Oyerinde

murder case, especially against the backdrop of its being in the court, there are fundamental facts of jurisprudence raised by Governor Oshiomhole that cannot be glossed over. First is the apparent inconsistency in both the Police and State Security Service investigations. They made contradictory claims on the identity and motives of the perpetrators which cast serious doubts on their reports. The police said Oyerinde was a victim of a hit job, naming Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director of African Network for Economic

IF ALL THESE INCONGRUITIES EXISTED IN THE INVESTIGATION CARRIED OUT BY THE

POLICE, IT STANDS TO REASON THAT THE WRONG PERSONS WERE THOSE ARRAIGNED FOR THE BRUTAL MURDER OF

OLAITAN OYERINDE.

and Environmental Justice (ANEEJ) and a friend of the deceased as the sponsor, on account of which he was kept in custody for one and a half months until a Benin high court ordered his unconditional release on August 16, 2012. However, the police case against Ugolor had earlier collapsed on August 1, 2012 when the SSS paraded a gang of six suspects in Abuja, which publicly accepted responsibility for Oyerinde’s death. The most damning repudiation of the police position on the case came from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Edo State Ministry of Justice. Responding to an October 29, 2012 request from the office of the IGP for legal advice on the use

of the evidences gathered on the murder case, Edo DPP had made the following observations. First was that some of the suspected killers and the gun allegedly were already in police custody before the May 4 murder of Olaitan. Second, two of the suspects, Danjuma Musa and Muritala Usman, were said to have been in the custody of the Edo Police Command since April 24, 2012 over unlawful possession of cartridges. And third, the cut-to-size locally made gun allegedly used for the murder was said to have been recovered on April 24, 2012 by Esigie Police Division, Benin City. If all these incongruities existed in the investigation carried out by the police, it stands to reason that the wrong persons were those arraigned for the brutal murder of Olaitan Oyerinde. Should that be the case, the question that begs for an answer is who were those behind the murder of the late aide of Governor Oshiomhole on May 4, 2012, and what was their motive? The House of Representatives has mandated the committees on Police Affairs and Justice to look into the matter to determine the veracity or otherwise of the allegation of coverup and professional misconduct levelled against the police in its own investigation. February 27 has been fixed for the public hearing and the following principal functionaries of the federal and Edo State governments, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Director-General of SSS, and the Edo State Attorney-General, have been summoned to appear before the law makers. We salute the courage of the House and commend them to do the needful so that the nation would be spared the perennial embarrassment of unresolved deaths and all aggrieved parties placated by the outcome.

Reminiscences FEBRUARY 24 IN HISTORY 1945: Egypt’s PM assassinated

The prime minister of Egypt, Dr. Ahmed Maher Pasha, was assassinated after reading a declaration of war against the Axis powers.

1961: Human-like bones discovered in Tanganyika

Dr Louis Leakey discovered humanlike bones in the Olduvai Gorge, Tanganyika (now Tanzania) which were believed to be the ancestors of modern man.

1968: S’Vietnamese forces recapture Hue

American Marines and South Vietnamese soldiers recaptured the city of Hue from North Vietnamese forces.

1971: UK announces new Immigration Bill

A new Immigration Bill was announced to restrict Commonwealth citizens’ automatic rights to remain in the UK, they would be treated with the same restrictions as any other person applying to live and work in Britain. This bill was in response to the public concern about a large number of immigrants entering Britain.

1981: Prince Charles announces engagement to Lady Diana

The Prince of Wales announced his engagement to Lady Diana Spencer ending months of speculation by the tabloid press.

1997: U.S. - FDA names birth control pills

The FDA named six brands of birth control as safe and effective “morningafter” pills for preventing pregnancy.

2006: Brazil art stolen in Rio de Janeiro

Gunmen took advantage of Brazil’s carnivals to steal paintings by Picasso, Dali, Matisse and Monet from a Rio de Janeiro museum. The thieves threatened the Chacara do Ceu museum’s security guards with a hand grenade. They then shut down the internal security cameras and slipped into the carnival. Pablo Picasso’s The Dance, Salvador Dali’s The Two Balconies, Henri Matisse’s Luxembourg Gardens and Claude Monet’s Marine were stolen.

2011: China - Shanghai declares one-dog policy

The city of Shanghai in China announced a one-dog policy. The city had abundance of unlicensed dogs and in 2010, over 140,000 people reported bites from unlicensed dogs. The new rule would force owners of unlicensed dogs to relinquish their pets to authorities.

Opinion

Sunday February 24, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Illogicality of Centenary celebration Uncensored U nc

Sheriff S Folarin

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

hat is Nigeria’s true age? 53 years? 100 years old? What? President Goodluck Jonathan and the legion of his predecessors would say Nigeria is 100 years since 1914. The members of the three arms of government would agree with them and roll out the carpets and the drums to celebrate 100 years of ‘Nigeria’s existence’. Ceremony and events contractors and their cronies in government would seize this ‘centenary’ opportunity to make fortunes, from billions of dollars of contracts. Every October 1, all Nigerians celebrate independence from colonial rule. On October 1, 2010, Nigeria became 50 years old since total decolonisation in 1960. The entire world joined us in the lavish ceremony of golden jubilee. But the authorities have said that by 2014, Nigeria would have become 100 years old since colonial amalgamation of the North and South. Logically, if we are to go by the colonial experience in calculating our age, then we may have to begin from 1897, when Flora Shaw, Lugard’s girlfriend, had the privilege of honeymoon with her imperialist strongman to invent and ascribe to our geographical entity as ‘Niger area’ (Nigeria). Or we could take it from 1900, when formal colonisation was established in the area called ‘Nigeria’. We could even take it further to 1906, when the fabrics of amalgamation were etched with the merger of western and eastern Nigeria.

1960 marked freedom from imperialism; it meant freedom from oppression, exploitation, discrimination, neo-slavery and undermining of cultural and national identity. 1960 was the year of liberty and emancipation from forced and suppressive hegemony. That was a symbolic year that a potentate assumed statehood and province became a nation. It is an unforgettable year in the annals of any nation. One can therefore logically say that Nigeria was berthed in 1960. And that, incidentally, has been the deal until now. 1914 is becoming the big deal. In 1914, Lord Lugard, acting on instructions from the Colonial Office in London, merged northern and southern protectorates, and then transformed it into a British Nigeria. It was neither an African invention, nor did it take into cognizance the cultural heritage or fundamental differences of the peoples. It did not care about the erstwhile sovereignty of the great empires and kingdoms such as Oyo, Benin, KanemBorno, Nupe, Sakwatto (Sokoto), Kororofa (Jukun), Itsekiri, Ijaw, and so forth. It cared less about their statehood before the colonial plunder. It simply cared much about the potentials of economic exploitation as well as administrative convenience of the colonial expedition. 1914 marked a horrible turning point in the political history of Nigeria. It was the year of the nightmare. Culturally, historically and politically distinct groups were lumped together without consultation. There was no principle of natural evolution. Nor was it a product of indigenous conquests which could have resulted in natural unity, such as was the case when Benin brought many states under its suzerainty. The amalgamation has been our albatross for ages. It is the cause of our eternal disunity. It was the reason tribal/ethnic political parties emerged at different stages of our democratic life. It has been the cause of ethnic balancing principles (federal character) in our

army, police, civil service, higher institutions, zoning formula in politics, contract awards, structural development, allocation of resources, coups and countercoups, etc; all of which have been counterproductive for us as a ‘nation’. The amalgamation of strange bedfellows resulted in the 1966 pogroms in which thousands of Igbos were killed in the north, and ultimately resulted in the 1967-70 Civil War. 1914 amalgamation is the cause of several cases of ethnic and regional skirmishes. The reason westerners (Yoruba) are crying blue murder today over exclusion from top national positions in government is a long-term effect of strange amalgamation. Boko Haram is today on the rampage because they are not enjoying any dividends from amalgamation. There are many calls for sovereign national conference today because of that strange amalgamation. Yet, we are celebrating ‘100 years of Nigeria’. 1914 was a sore year of completion of long years in servitude under foreign rule and heavy yoke of pains. The white man simply came and put the house in the shape of what would make things easy for him. What should a sensible people do when they inherit or occupy such house? They will re-arrange it to make things easy for them. They will not stay glued to what will not work for them. They will intelligently search out the best ways to reorder the structure so as to co-habit or separate peacefully. People celebrate years of breakthroughs and freedoms. No one remembers years of slavery, fiefdom or inglorious past. The United States has never celebrated the year the British established the 13 colonies. They do not even remember it. They glorify 1776 (year of Declaration of Independence), 1783 (year of victory over British overlords), and 1865 (when the nation won a huge victory over separatism). Nations, world over, do not celebrate 14451500 when the Trans Atlantic slave trade

began with the export of some blacks to Portugal from the Benin Kingdom. They celebrate 1833, when slave trade was banned in England and 1862, when slavery was pronounced illegal. Wise people celebrate freedom. So, what is the basis for the celebration of 1914 by Nigeria? We have been worse off with the catastrophe of 1914, than being blessed. When we try to balance the regions or ethnic groups in any situation, we fail. But when we act on merit and give no credence to federal character, we succeed. The Nigeria victory in the just concluded African Cup of Nations is a clear example. Keshi is a southerner. Amokachi, from the Middle Belt; Shorunmi, southerner; Okpala, southerner; 21 of the 23 players, southerners. If I am right, only Ahmed Musa and Yobo Joseph are northerners. And what happened? 1914 (federal character) was not a factor to consider and Nigeria succeeded! What we do not understand is that we should be calling a National Conference or Sovereign National Conference in 2014; rather than celebrating unintelligently. We need deeper inflections on our past and we need to dwell on the trajectories of our differences. Forgetting our differences is not ‘gonna’ work. Remembering our differences should be the game plan, so as to avoid offending one another and engaging in fisticuffs all the time. Let our leaders stop pretending that there is a lot of gains to celebrate. If there are gains to celebrate, we can pop up the champagne on October 1. 1914 and 2014 are certainly not good symbolisms for any elaborate ceremonies. 2014 should rather be a moment for sober reflection on the wastefulness of that 1914 amalgamation, and a period to re-strategise. •Dr. Folarin is a Senior Lecturer and Head of Department, Political Science/International Relations, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

Mimiko and the tasks ahead Kayode K Fasua

kayodefasua@nationalmirroronline.net (07043855192; SMS only, pls)

amrod-straight governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Rahman Mimiko, mounts the dais of historic hue today, as he takes the oath of inauguration as the fourth civilian governor on a second mission in a state created 37 years ago. In the interregnums had been military governors or administrators some of who came from other parts of the country to mount the chummy duty post of governor. Besides the military rulers, other previous democratically elected governors of the Sunshine State are Chief Adekunle Ajasin (1979-83) and Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua (1991-93), both who governed before current Ekiti State was excised from Ondo State. Others who governed Ondo after the creation of Ekiti State are Chief Adebayo Adefarati (1999-2003), Dr Olusegun Agagu (2003-2009) and now, Mimiko. Out of the ex-governors, Ajasin and Adefarati are deceased.

For the Ondo Town-born governor, the

road to this day has been one coursed by a concatenation of events for which even before the perfunctory ritual of the terminal oath-taking, the governor cannot but look ahead in deep contemplation, both for his past activities and the challenges ahead. In arithmetic terms, the performance rating of Mimiko in the last four years can be adjudged as impressive on the strength of his victory at the October 20, 2012 governorship election in which he secured the mandate that begins today. But like football, politics is not mathematics per se. While some of the Ondo public see Mimiko as having performed beyond their expectation to deserve another term, others in the opposition loathe the works of his entire four years, describing them as fluke. The circumstances that brought Mimiko to power in 2009 were as emotive as they were spiritually benumbing. Here was a man who was declared a loser in the 2007 governorship contest against Governor Agagu, still refusing defeat and going ahead to challenge Agagu’s victory at the election petition tribunal. After bouts of legal fireworks, Mimiko came out tops as the tribunal, after cancelling election results in four local governments and some wards where it detected malpractices, recounted and declared Mimiko winner. The Court of Appeal, which was at the

period the final ‘bus stop’ for election petitions, affirmed the victory, thus sacking the Agagu administration to usher in a new comer. Four years down the lane, Mimiko and his Labour Party in the state are well under the klieglights as it were, as all can attest to the performance of the governor on the stump of a solo party that is the LP. Indubitably, the immediate attraction for anyone visiting Akure, the state’s capital after a long spell or even for the first time, is the sleek transformation of the erstwhile pedantic state capital. The legion of single-lane, bumpy roads have been expanded to double-lanes and are now a great component of a new-look, gleaming Akure city. A recent visit to other communities like Owo, Idanre, Ondo and Ile-Oluji also attested to the modest efforts of the governor to make long-lasting impressions on the locals through the presence of one social infrastructure or the other. Apart from building more school buildings now, than the first two years of his administration, Mimiko, a medical doctor, has helped reduced child-bearing mortality rate drastically through his ‘Abiye Care’ programme in which a personal physician is assigned to each pregnant woman and nursing mother, with toll free telephone

facilities offered doctor and his patient. Though the administration has also boosted agriculture in the interior, the recession in waterway transportation affecting the Ondo seaport is an avenue due for attention between the state government and the federal maritime authority. A major appeal, however, to Governor Mimiko as he assumes office for another term is the need to rally the federal authorities towards the dualisation of the Akure-Ondo-Ore road as this tricky road has been the Golgotha upon which promising road users had been slain. If the Federal Government continues to footdrag regarding the urgent attention needed by the road, the state government can rally its resources for the dualisation and then present the bill to the Federal Government for monthly reimbursement through increased federal allocations. Besides, in this second term, efforts should be geared at industrialisation through partnership with the private sector, to further reduce unemployment ravaging the ranks of the youths. Clearly, for a man who seeks to ride on the horse of power for another four years, there must be a purpose. So, today at the Akure township stadium, all are exultant to know what Mimiko has in stock for them. Welcome again, Mr. Governor.

Passion

Sunday, February 24, 2013

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Wife or not, I’ll still chase my dreams –Davina Patience Achema, fondly known as Davina, is the Chief Executive Officer, Davina Secrets Nigeria Limited. Apart from running a bead-making business in Lagos, she has been busy improving her career in music. This Afro pop exponent, after releasing two albums, Adura and Dreams, is set to quit spinsterhood next month. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, the Conflict Resolution undergraduate of National Open University, reveals what she would be doing to spice up her marriage Your name is Patience Achema but you are popularly known as Davina, how did you come about this name? My parents named me Patience. I legalised Davina when I was going into the music industry. I’m a music artiste cum jewellery designer. I have been in the music industry since 2005 when I performed in the Star Mega Jams, alongside other acts in the music industry. Although, I took some break later from the industry, I’m fully back again as I have just released my latest single entitled Femi.

other’s dreams. I don’t think I will stop doing anything because doing that will just put me in a rot. I will just put a leash on activities and not overdo anything, that’s all. Nothing crazy, but I will even look sweeter and keep my figure in check. So watch out for all these.

You are the CEO Davina Secret Nigeria Limited, what is this all about? Davina Secret Nigeria is a customised jewellery company.

What would you do to prevent your marriage from crashing? I will continue to do what I have already been doing - not to nag and stress him; to always support my man’s passion and dreams and making sure there is peace at home. I will pray he does same for me.

You will be getting married in a few weeks; how do you feel about this? I feel very happy to be getting married and I believe when you find the right one, it is the best thing that can happen to a human being. I’m very excited right now to have found a soul mate. Why the excitement, but you have always known that you would get married someday? Yes, but getting married to a heartthrob is so interesting, exciting, fulfilling and the best feeling ever. Knowing you love each other regardless of your differences, loving each other absolutely is amazing. For how long has Eric Nwadinobi dated you? We have dated uninterruptedly for over three years. It’s like yesterday. He says that all the time anyway. What did you do right to remain as number one in his heart for three years? What I think I did to be number one in his heart is the fact that I do not nag or stress him. He knows I’m contented with whatever he gives me, and I pray for him and appreciate whatever he gives me. Now that you will soon be a wife, are you going to remain Davina the pop star, with huge hair, sizzling passion for jewellery and a fashionista? Are you going to start dressing like a typical African mum? My dear, I will continue to chase my dreams, to perform on stage, design jewellery, organise events. I will still remain a motivational speaker and so on. I will continue doing those things. I’m happy he supports me in my career all the time, and we learn to support each

How many children do you hope to have? I’m hoping on having just two kids, ‘Naija hard o, to train sef no easy.’ If I have two children, I’m done. Then my hubby and I will try to give them the very best. This is my prayer.

Will your dressing become old-fashioned? Never! My bum shorts will stay on; my miniskirts will remain short; my party dresses will stand out, my Davina huge hair will stay that way. Nothing will change, it will only get better. You know my style has been chic and when I get married it will still remain so but I’m going to be trendier, get more traditional wears for outing, some Indian saris to entertain guests and some more evening wears. How do you see marriage? Marriage is what you make of it. If you treat your man nicely, he will treat you same way. If you keep your side of the deal, he will keep his side of the deal. If there are things you used to do with your man while he was courting you that made him happy, continue to do it even after marrying you. What pet name does he call you? He calls me baby, sometimes I call him baby. But whenever he upsets me, I call out his full name or I call him young man. What do you do to make him happy? I buy him things he loves. For instance, in December, I bought him a lot of fireworks. He loves it and I also take him to a nice Calabar Kitchen or Chinese Restaurant to spoil him a little. When you took him home to your mother, what happened? The first time my mum saw him, she loved him because of his funny ways, and he is generous.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Applause

‘Admire, emulate positive traits in other women but don’t envy them’ Kehinde Aiyeola is the founder of Winnies Castle of Love Orphanage Home in Ibadan. She loves herself as a woman. At 48 and married with three children, she insists she has a purpose in life as a woman. She advises women in this interview with Adaeze Amos to emulate positive traits in others but never envy them because within every woman is a hidden treasure. Why did you choose to take care of orphans and not opt for breast cancer awareness which so many ladies are into? We all can’t be doing the same thing. There are different types of humanitarian needs around us. I believe each of us has our own passion and burden for one thing or the other. My heart is in making differences in the lives of orphans and vulnerable children. What are some challenges in taking care of vulnerable children and orphans? Any regrets so far? The two main challenges that most of us involved in a project like mine face are financial constraints and the misconception people have about our motive for running the project. People are always suspicious when you ask for financial support. Some believe you are running the project to exploit them and make money. You will find that people are more comfortable giving you products: foodstuff, toiletries and clothes instead of cash. Some believe the money will be used inappropriately. In as much as we appreciate people giving us products, there is also the need for financial support. For example, at Winnies Castle, our children attend a local, private school and I can’t do product barter with the owner of the school in place of cash payments. There are other things we use cash for while running the project, like staff salaries, and general running and maintenance of the project. The challenge has always been the lack of cash. Have you any regrets? I have no regrets and I don’t believe it will come to a time where I will regret running this project. The one who gave the vision has been faithful in making provisions for us, though rough at times, God has always shown up in time of need. What makes you happy about serving and giving back to humanity? I am happy when I see the results or should I say the difference I am making in the lives of orphans and vulnerable children. I am happy fulfilling my God-given purpose. The fulfilment I’m receiving based on what I do is a sense of achievement. Given that Nigeria is a male-dominated society, has that once made you question God about your sex? The question never crossed my mind, if I must tell you the truth! I see no reason why I should. I have a purpose in life as a woman so I am content being a woman and both men and women should complement each other. Are you comfortable in your skin as a woman? Certainly yes! But a little touch here and there wouldn’t hurt! Could you tell us about your educational background? I went to the Oyo State College of Arts and Science, hold the Ordinary National Diploma from Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta, received a postgraduate diploma from London Metropolitan University as well as a postgraduate diploma in Management Studies What thrills you about life? Meeting new people, making friends and being who I am. Setting goals and achieving them, all excite me.

What makes your day? Loving and being loved in return. What are some of the awards you have bagged so far? Life Changers Awards 2011 for Best Development and Initiative. What have you been doing right to ensure your marriage withstands turbulence? I have been married for 26 years. We have had our own share of ups and downs like most marriages but endurance, tolerance of each other’s weaknesses and respect for one another have kept us together. Some people believe that women are their own worst enemies; what have you done to bring peace, love and unity among the womenfolk? I have had the opportunity to counsel a few women in my time and have spoken at a few women conferences on conflict management in the home. I thank God that I am still in marriage for this length of time despite our challenges. Some of us (women) can be a bit complicated but the key thing is to believe in, love yourself as well as others. Appreciate and be thankful for who God has made you to b e . Don’t try t o

be somebody else. Be true to yourself. It is good to admire and emulate good and positive traits in other women but don’t envy them, because you have in you a hidden treasure yet to be discovered. Try and find it and be happy for who you are. What have you contributed to womanhood to ensure we have more love for ourselves? I treat fellow women with respect. I see good in all women, so I help to bring out the best in those I have come in contact with by empowering them to discover themselves and impact on others. Who are the Nigerian women you admire and why? Rev. Mrs Dele George, the founder of Little Saints Orphanage Home. I admire her for her work and achievements so far in changing lives. How do you feel when you hear stories of divorce, especially of those most people look up to as role models? It is sad that marriages are dissolved too soon. We no longer have tolerance and endurance for each other. There are too many distracting and conflicting factors all around us. The love of many is so conditional that it is no longer sustaining the relationship again. It is so sad.

Faces & Events

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Darey and Waje performing

Basket mouth

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Kim Kardashian and Darey

Darey, Kim Kardashian, 2Face, Banky W, Ice Prince, Waje, Tiwa Savage, others dazzle at Love Like A Movie concert 2Face and Darey performing

fricaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s King of R&B, Darey Art Alade blew the minds of many Nigerians with the special love concert tagged Love Like A Movie LLAM which held on Sunday, February 17, 2013 at the Conventional Centre of the Eko Hotel and Suites. The concert which was hosted by Darey and Kim Kardashian featured performances from 2Face, Waje, Banky W, Ice Prince, Moâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Eazy, Zaina among others. Darey Art Alade Zaina performing

Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi, Kim Kardashian and Maria of Beat FM

Nkiru Anumudu, Ruth Osime, Kim Kardashian, Korede Roberts, wife and Mo Abudu

Tolu,Timi Dakolo, Waje, Banky W and Praiz

Funlola Aofiyebi

Mo Eazy

2Face, Kaffy, Zaina, Kim Kardashian, Darey, Tiwa Savage, Waje and Mo Eazy

Former Cross River First Lady, Onari Duke and children with Kim Kardashian

Tosyn Bu

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EDIFYING GOD

QUOTE is understanding understanding that that itit is challenges faith. You need challenges faith. You need understanding before before the the understanding word of of God God comes comes upon upon word you. you. –Pastor Bamidele –Pastor Bamidele

Sunday February 24, 2013

s a boy, home was a tiny wooden bungalow shared with nine siblings; a life lived beneath a corrugated iron roof, playing outdoors in the dusty red dirt in a rural African village. As a man, however, he could be about to move into the most luxurious palace of them all. Cardinal Peter Turkson, born in a two-room shack 170 miles from Ghana’s capital, is currently the bookmakers’ favourite to become the next pope. If selected, it would make him the first African pope in modern times. And it is something that his family and friends in Nsuta-Wassa, a small mining settlement set amid rolling hills and lush forest in western Ghana, are struggling to believe. “It is quite incredible that someone from here could become pope,” said Dunhill Pawosey, 62, a life-long friend of Cardinal Turkson. “But we have total faith in him, and know he will do an excellent job. It is very exciting for us all.” Another family now lives in the tworoom house. Excitement spread through this rural district of Ghana recently, soon after Pope Benedict XVI revealed the decision that surprised the world becoming the first pope for 600 years to announce his intention to resign. The 85-year-old told a gathering of cardinals in Rome that he no longer had the “strength of mind and body” needed to lead the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics. He will step down on February 28, meaning that the 117 cardinals will gather to elect a new leader – likely to be in place by Easter. And amid the frenzied speculation as to who will take over from the ageing pontiff, the 64-year-old Ghanaian was marked as one of the early front runners. The cardinal himself seems amused at the speculation, saying back in 2009: “Why not? We’ve had Kofi Annan as Secretary General of the United Nations... he had his problems, but he did it. Now we have Obama in the United States. “So if, by divine providence, God would wish to have a black man as pope, I say thanks be to God!” Furthermore, he is known to be highly regarded by Benedict; to be a likeminded social conservative against gay marriage, condom use and abortion, and to share his interest in academic study of the scriptures. But unlike Benedict, who was raised in relative comfort in the southern German region of Bavaria, Cardinal Turkson’s childhood could not be further removed from adult life in the marble halls of the Vatican. “We would shimmy up the coconut

When you honour God, He reciprocates –Pastor Okereke 30

Briefly Anglican Church consecrates three new bishops Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev Nicholas Okoh will consecrate three new bishops today, February 24 at the Cathedral of St. Jude, Ebute Meta, Diocese of Lagos Mainland. The three new bishops are James Odedeji (Diocese of Lagos West), Simeon Borokini (Diocese of Akure) and Geoffrey Okorafor (Diocese of Egbu). One striking thing about the three bishopselect is that they were picked from within their dioceses. Until his election, Ven. Odedeji was the Dean of Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja. The Very Rev Borokini served as Provost of the Cathedral Church of St David, Akure while Ven Okorafor was vicar of Zion Anglican Church and archdeacon of Okpala archdeaconry. The three men are already undergoing a one-week retreat preparatory to the consecration. The Church of Nigeria is the largest in the Anglican Communion with 165 dioceses.

POPE’S SUCCESSOR:

Mothers’ union donates beddings to hospital

Ghana prays for Turkson to reach marbled halls trees to collect the coconuts,” said Mr Pawosey, whose parents lived opposite the cardinal’s family. “We worked together at the slaughterhouse in the village, making small change by carrying the meat up to the market. We played a lot of table tennis too – it was his favourite. We were always together, right from when we were small boys.” The pair went to the village school together, which at that time meant lessons inside the Catholic Church. A purpose-built school was only erected long after they had left. “The students all know that the Cardinal studied there,” said Aaron Yorke, 25, an IT teacher, who was marking books in the

shade of a chestnut tree outside the school rooms. “It shows them that, if they put their minds to it they can achieve anything.” Mr Pawosey said: “He was very smart at school, and always good at Bible study. He was quiet and thoughtful. But he had a quick temper and strong principles. If someone was wrong, he would tell them.” But he added, with a chuckle: “He’s softened now, though.” The kind of music enjoyed by the young Cardinal Turkson was very different to the choral chanting of the Vatican. “We played in a band together - I was on drums, and he was on bass,” recalled Mr Pawosey.

How to identify a true prophet,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

The Church of the Lord Aladura, Lagos North Diocese last week donated beddings to the General Hospital, Ifako/Ijaye. According to the coordinator of the Mothers’ Union of Aladura church, Mrs Florence Abosede Owolana, it is part of the church’s contribution to the hospital. “We are celebrating Mothers’ Union week and we found it worthy to come here and contribute our own quota here. We don’t want to go and be throwing parties about instead we believe these materials are needed here”. Public Relations Officer of the Union, Elder Abosede Odelabu, said the contribution was part of the church’s sacrifice too. “We have been doing this for a lot of hospitals and motherless babies’ homes ánd we believe this will not be the last,’’ she said.

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.

Understanding

pure sex –Rev. Izuchukwu

by Pastor Samuel 33

Praise & Worship

Sunday February 24, 2013

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Ghana prays for Turkson to reach marbled halls

Cardinal Turkson

CONTINUED FROM 27 “We’d play Afrobeat stuff in the 1960s – James Brown, that kind of thing. He liked James Brown a lot.” When the young man told his friend he was thinking of becoming a priest, Mr Pawosey encouraged him. “I told him he should do it. I knew he’d be good at it. His father wasn’t sure – he thought he had too quick a temper! But his father was the same. The cardinal has a scar below his left ribs from where his father beat him with a saw. “Both got much more mellow with age. And the Cardinal is a very kind man now.” Nor has he forgotten his roots, it seems. As a gift to Mr Pawosey, he organised a blessing of his marriage at the Archbishop’s residence in Cape Coast – a huge honour to his old school friend. Mr Pawosey tells a story of how, on a recent visit, the Cardinal walked eight miles with him to visit a friend without thinking to hire a driver. The Cardinal’s younger brother, Matthew, 62, is the only remaining sibling to live in the village. The rest have spread far afield – several are in the capital, with some living on the coast in the town of Takoradi. His youngest brother lives in Canada, and a further brother, Dr John Kofi Turkson, a noted energy expert working for the United Nations in Denmark, was killed in a Kenyan Airways plane crash in 2000. “He comes back to see me, and he remembers everyone,” said Matthew Turkson, a retired miner, who lives with his wife, Vick on one of the hills above the village in a small bungalow surrounded by banana trees. “This is his home. Because our father was a miner, we were expected to become miners, too. I did. But it wasn’t for him.” The boys’ father, Kobena Turkson, was a miner in the manganese mine that dominates Nsuta. He was also a carpenter, making furniture in his spare time to help put food on the table. “He was a nice man, and very principled,” said Isaac Essel-Moses, procurement officer at the mine. “He worked at the Church, and everyone knew him.” Over 700 people now work on the site, which since 1909 Ogunleye has blasted

manganese out of the rock before processing it and sending it by rail to the coast. It is one of Ghana’s main industries – along with gold mining and, now, oil. Mr Turkson worked on the mine all his adult life. “He lived long enough to see his son made a cardinal, and it made him so very proud. He was a very religious man, and making his son a cardinal was God’s way of saying thank you for all his hard work.” Their mother, Maame Aba Dansowa, ran a vegetable stall in the market. “She would go out into the small villages and come back with vegetables and eggs to sell,” said Beatrice Dante, 58, a childhood friend who now has her own market stall. “I remember that the mother would go to the village and bring back bush meat, and we would all have a feast.” A few hundred yards down the road, a different family is now living in the Turkson house. As an employee of the mine, Mr Turkson had to vacate the staff premises when he retired. But the current inhabitants are delighted that the man who may be pope grew up in their house. “It makes me so proud,” said Rebecca Brace, 40, a mother of six, holding sixmonth-old Josephine in her arms. “And it proves that God makes the impossible become possible. Otherwise how could anyone from here go on to do that?” Ghana’s 25 million people are among the most religious on Earth. Music blasting out at 5am is more likely than not to be the infectious drum beats of Evangelical gatherings, rather than a late-night club. Every taxi and bus bears scripture quotations, kitsch softfocus images of Christ, or else moralistic urgings such as “Keep the faith” and “Trust in the Lord”. With per capita GDP at just over £900, a wide gulf between the wealthy elite in the capital and the rural poor, and a life expectancy of only 64, perhaps many Ghanaians have to put their faith in the Lord. Shop owners seek divine intervention: “Blessed Business Centre” sits beside a sign for “Holy Driving School”. Huge billboards promise salvation to those who go to hear a growing band of bigname preachers.

The country is well over two thirds Christian, and a further 16 per cent of Ghanaians practising Muslims. Catholics account for 15 per cent of the population of this former British colony, which is proud of its democracy, stability, and religious tolerance - and was singled out for Barack Obama’s first visit to Africa after he was first elected US president. And Ghana’s religious fervour left its mark on the young Peter Turkson. In 1961 he left Nsuta-Wassaw to study in various seminaries across the region; firstly in Saltpond, near Cape Coast, and then in 1973 moving to New York. Whilst in the US, he found a night job as a cleaner at a bank – where at one point he was almost arrested. Dr Joseph Marrota, an orthopaedic surgeon, recalled that a passerby had spotted the young man roaming through the closed bank and called the police. “It was 8 or 9 o’clock and they wanted to know what he was doing there,” Dr Marrota told the New York Daily News. “He told them the truth, that he was cleaning the bank. They were going to arrest him and he had to call the cleaning service. He almost got taken away.” On his return to Ghana, two years later, he was ordained at the cathedral in the town of Cape Coast – the country’s first capital, and the most important religious hub for Catholics. By 1992, he was Archbishop. “Without a doubt, he would make an excellent pope,” said Father Matthew Edusei, rector of the seminary in Cape Coast where the cardinal first studied, then taught. “He is respected on all sides for his objectivity and listening to everyone. And, of course, it would be wonderful for Ghana.” What would Cardinal Turkson bring

to the role? “One of the most important things is to have a vision of how you see the world,” said Father Edusei. “His strength is that he is fascinated by the basic questions of life, and has a way of putting it across and making it accessible. “He also has a huge range of experiences. And as an African priest, he sees the long list of material wants that people have, and realises that merely satisfying these is not the solution. “Provided there is enough for basic human dignity, he sees that getting all we want in life will not solve problems. He sees that there is a need for something beyond the material.” Sister Margaret-Rose runs the Archbishop’s house – where the Cardinal resided during his tenure, from 1992 to 2009. “He was such a kind man,” she said, beaming with pride. “Everyone loved him. He surrounded this house with trees because he loved nature. He was very humble and friendly.” Had she ever had the chance to go to Rome and visit him since he left? “I would love to,” she said with a huge smile. “Please, pray for me!” Back in Nsuta-Wassaw, the several thousand inhabitants are all praying for “their” man to be chosen as the new pope. “It would make us all so, so happy,” said Mr Pawosey, his childhood friend. Would he have another party, like the one he threw when Peter Turkson was made a cardinal? “Really, Madame, for sure!” said Mr Pawosey. “Try and stop me. This would be a wonderful thing for us. For us, for Ghana and for the world.” •Culled from The Daily Telegraph

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Praise & Worship

Sunday February 24, 2013

Sound mind goes beyond knowledge –Pastor Adewunmi What motives you to worship God? What is the location of that which motivates you to worship? Is it in your soul or you mind? Some would do everything to acquire knowledge. Pastor Segun Adewunmi, Presiding minister of House of Prayer Ministry, insists that the centre of your personality which motivates your worship must relocate from your soul to your spirit. Excerpts:

“F

or God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Tim 1:7

A sound mind is that mind that reasons thoroughly and comes up with the best solution in all situations. It is the mind that is reliable to make the right judgment and decisions at all times. The mind or the intellect is the thought-organ of the soul. Other organs of the soul are the emotions and the will or volition. The quality of what the ‘Will wills’ depends on the accuracy of the judgment of the mind. The mind also moderates the activities of the emotions. The disposition of these three organs decides the personality of the individuals. Man, therefore, is a reflection of his mind. In actual fact man cannot decide what happens to him or in his environment but he is in position to decide his reaction to the situation. His reaction decides his personality. This too, is the function of his soul. The Bible speaks about our soul as follows: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2 The above says we can only prosper if our soul prospers. I think this is because the soul drives our lives. I think the phrase “as thy soul prospers” actually means in the proportion of the prosperity of our soul. That means the real factor of prosperity is the quality of our soul. If we therefore analyze what makes the soul to prosper according to 2 Timothy 1:7, it is the spirit of God. The spirit of God does not relate directly to our soul but to our spirit. The above says that our spirit, when we are born again, will no longer be dominated by fear but will go ahead to drive our lives with power, love and sound mind. I think it means while our soul drives our lives, our spirit drives the soul. In fact the bible says Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be wit-

nesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. I believe this power is the power of enablement and its name is the Holy Spirit. It means our day to day running and management of our lives is guided by the Holy Spirit. Power without Sound Mind But we have examples of people that received power but had no sound mind and there-by became vulnerable to taking wrong decisions. Example was King Saul who had the power to prevail in all encounters but took wrong decisions out of fear. The text in 1 Samuel 10:6-7 means he could accomplish his desires because of the power of the Holy Spirit in him: “And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.” And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.” He fumbled and could not live to expectation in the following circumstances. 1. He disobeyed God by taking spoils in the battle with the Amalekits 2. He failed to take up the challenge of Goliath who boasted against Israel for forty days. 3. He went against the young lad, David, for almost thirteen years in order to kill him. But he did all the above and committed other sins out of fear. Fear comes into our lives when we lack proper understanding of God. Fear is actually the product of ignorance. Ignorance is the lack of true identity of God or after knowing him, we still allow our lower nature to supercede our higher nature whereby we are unable to live up to expectation. It is a situation where we prefer the short time gains to our salvation. The real power that decides our success or failure is that which motivates our worship. What the bible says in 2 Timothy 1:7 is that True believers

are the people cured from fear as the driving force of their lives but rather have their lives driven by power and love and this enables them to take right decisions at all times: “Sound Mind”. Lives of most believers today are ruled by fear because the real foundation of their faith is defective: when Jesus asked his disciples who people thought he was, they gave Him various descriptions, based on his parentage, his miraculous works, His teachings and other dimensions of his life. Peter eventually revealed his true identity as the Messiah which means “He who comes to sacrifice Himself ”. Followers of Christ therefore are people that have come to sacrifice their lives. The real identification features of such people are love and power and sound mind, the motivational force that drives their Christian worship. Their real goal is meeting the target of God in their lives. They believe that God has absolute power and can not lose control. They also believe that the love of God for them is absolute. In decision making, a sound mind considers these scriptures: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Roman 8:28 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor 10:13 “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Cor 12:10 The above means whatever situation a believer finds himself is within the purpose of God. Hardship can only be a harbinger of joy and blessings. The purpose of God and His steadfastness never ceased. The sound mind is that of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego demonstrated the soundness of their minds Daniel 3:16-18:

Adewunmi

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king that we will not serve.” Their decision and bold deposition led to the acknowledgment of the supremacy of God. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor 10:13 Nothing happens to a believer that is beyond the control of God. God says about the Egyptian as follows: “For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so” Exodus 14:3-4 The delay and some form of confusion suffered by the people have a purpose in their favour. The purpose was that their enemies will be deceived to come against them and be permanently destroyed. Sound mind therefore goes beyond knowledge; I think it is about perspective. It is not enough to know what God

intends to do, we need to know and appreciate why he would do it. Complete understanding comprises not only his Acts but also his ways. “He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.” Psalm 103:7 The Bible says it is the spirit that searches the dept of God; it is therefore the mind that is completely subjected to the spirit that will be called sound. By this I mean the unregenerate soul has no capacity to comprehend God. It has to be driven by the spirit to make it sound. Incommunicable Attribute (Another Spirit) “But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it” Num 14:24 We insist in our Church that the centre of your personality and indeed that which motivates your worship must relocate from your soul to your spirit. When this happens, three very important extra ordinary instruments from God will perfect your thought and actions. 1. Omnipotent dimension of God: You begin to do the impossible. 2. Omniscient Dimension of God: You begin to see the invisible 3. Omnipresent Dimension of God: You begin to reach the unreachable. The above make you god over your environment and situation.

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Sunday February 24, 2013

How to identify a true prophet, by Pastor Samuel Pastor Samuel Daniel of Global Grace Church, in this episode, exposes the tricks of fake prophets. Excerpts:

Samuel

oday, we want to talk about who is a true prophet. Why? Because a lot of people have been parading themselves as prophets of God in the land yet they are not. People are led to call them prophets, both the genuine and the fake alike; and this has degenerated to the point that it is difficult to know who is a real prophet.

The truth is that the presence of a fake is evidence that there is an original somewhere. Just like you find adulterated products in the market, the fake ones came into existence because there is an original product that is in great demand. That is to say there is still a prophet in the land. God has shown us how to identify a true servant of God, a true prophet. He said in the book of Leviticus, ‘if a prophet prophesies, do not begin to doubt him yet. Listen to his words first, if his prophesy comes to pass then believe him; say indeed this is a

true prophet of God. But if that prophet begins to do otherwise, you can then decipher who is a true prophet and who is not’. There are many people today who are prophesying with familiar spirits. But after familiar spirits finish prophesying, they cannot offer solutions because familiar spirits are incapable of giving any solution. They can imitate what true servants of God do, but they have no solution. If they give you solution, it would be one that entangles you more than it would require higher anointing for one to come out from the initial problem. Babalawo sees vision but cannot give solution to what he sees. I want to draw your attention to Micah, the prophet. He is one prophet that is different among the other 400. The Bible recorded that there were 400 prophets standing against 400 prophets. Today, history is repeating itself; many ministers are pack-

Praise & Worship ing messages along selfish motives. But one man has come onto the stage with a different approach. Why don’t you listen to him first to know why he differs from them all? You may say who is this newcomer? Are the others not men of God? Yes, the Bible recorded that there were 400 men of God at the disposal of Ahab, and that they prophesied falsehood to the king. Even some of them performed prophetic action. The Bible recorded that one of them bent a stick into the shape of and ark and said that is how God would do to the enemies of the king of Israel. People believed him because of the prophetic action he performed. Yet, it was a wrong prophesy. It did not come from the throne of grace. Micah, however, came and prophesied differently from the rest prophets. While the rest prophesied what the king would like to hear: it is going to be good, it is well, your kingdom will leave forever. But Micah said, “Thus said the Lord, I saw Israel running like a sheep without a shepherd.” That is what is going to the children of Israel; they will go to this war and scatter because their shepherd will be smitten. Ahab said I know you never prophesied something good. The Bible says Micah himself was surprised that he alone differed in his prophesy. But immediately heaven opened unto him and he said, “I saw heaven open, I saw God gathered with His angels and God said, ‘Who will go and make Ahab to be destroyed’.” The scripture says that angels gave one advice or the other but none came up with a good device because angels do not harbour bad intentions. The Bible further records that a strange spirit, a lying spirit just appeared and said he would go and do the job. The spirit said “I will enter the prophets of Ahab and cause them to speak lies.” At the end, Micah was arrested and put into prison because he said something different. Today, some people are saying who’s this man that is saying something different? I know that there are great men of God that have PhD, MSc and whatever qualification you can think of. But God is not in PhD or in master’s degree. God is beyond PhD and academic qualifications. Why am I saying this? Today, there is a prophet in the land. You can be sure that I, Pastor Samuel Daniel, am a prophet of God. For instance, I saw the glory of Nigerian soccer being restored in 2013. I prophesied beforehand that I saw Nation’s Cup being flown from Abuja to Lagos. I predicted that God wanted to bring the cup to Nigeria. Precisely, I said that the quarter final would be a a crucial contest and that if Nigeria could secure a win in the quarter final game, the country would carry the cup. As it turned out, God did it just as prophesied. Everyone knows that the quarter final was the hardest encounter our team played and they came out victorious. Today, God has brought Nigeria’s soccer glory back. Last Wednesday, I prophesied that I saw that a famous world artiste would die and that the artiste’s death would shock the world. Just the other day, we heard that one famous artiste was shot. Again, I have predicted that a world-class footballer would die. That footballer is one of the best in the world. His death is ordained by God. His demise would shock the world. Just watch. After that, I have also predicted that a great man of God, a General Overseer that is well known all over the world, would die. He is going to die because his time is up. That man of God is precisely a Nigeria. When it happens, you will hear it. His death will shake the world; but the truth is that his work on earth is done already. What about Nigeria’s national issues? God wants to restore the glory of the country. Nigeria is going to be one of the best countries in the world; the first in Africa, followed by South Africa. Now it looks like nothing is happening for Nigeria. But she is going to improve so much that the whole world will be looking upon her. God is re-

storing the glory of Nigeria. Mark it because when this prophesies come to pass, we will know those who are true prophets of God. A prophet is one that says the mind of God and it comes to pass. If you want to know more, you can consider coming to one of our fellowship meetings. Maybe God will locate your own issue for you to know the reality of what he is doing in our midst. There is no prophecy that has ever been mentioned here that has not come to pass. All you need to do when you come here is pray that God should open your own case and I tell you, you will be glad you did. Hear me, any solution that a prophet will give you regarding your issue, if it is not in line with the Bible, please do not use it because it is not of God. For example, if a prophet saw a vision that you will die, that you should go and buy a coffin and bring one ram; you will bury it and do this. Brother, sister, that is an occultic solution; it is not of God. If you saw a vision about someone who is about to die and you want to prevent such untimely death, there is another way of removing it so he won’t do that kind of occultic sacrifice. There is no amount of sacrifice that any man can do that will be greater than that our Lord Jesus Christ did on the cross. You may have come across some prophets who saw similar visions to some persons, and if the person cannot buy the coffin and ram, they would say, bring the equivalent in naira, even dollars. How much involved is obviously so much. Let me tell you, the prophet may be saying something, but the solution is not real. God has a way out that is simpler than the devil’s ways. Most times, God may direct his servant to tell the afflicted person, “Roll at the altar”. The altar is where God marches His feet. As the person rolls on the altar, death will be rolled away. Must you collect money before your solution will come. Let me tell you, you don’t have to pay any other price because there is no price you can pay more than that Jesus Christ paid on the cross of Calvary. Any prophet that asks you to bring money for your problem to get a solution, brother, sister, mark that prophet, he is not a true prophet of God. Freely we receive and freely we must give out. Do not mind the fake prophets, the anointing of Elijah in still in this land. God is using Pastor Samuel Daniel to reveal different cases and issues in the land. Today, God is showing us events to come concerning our national issues. Some people think that Nigeria will split. She is in the process of transformation. In fact, what is happening now is God ordained. He is using the present state of affairs to restore Nigeria to the position he has ordained it to be. For example, I saw God preparing a man who He wants to use to restore the glory of this nation after the reign of President Jonathan. I am seeing that man coming from the East. Mark it, because it will come to pass. God has also given the name of that man. Prior to his emergence, I see a clash between Northern political leaders and their counterparts in the South-West. During the mix-up, God would cause His choice of leader for Nigeria to be picked and installed. He has been grooming that man from time. During his administration, Nigeria would witness unusual breakthroughs. Precisely, there will be free education from primary to tertiary institutions of learning at the federal level. Mark it, a man God is preparing from the Eastern part of Nigeria will succeed Jonathan and will take this country to where God has ordained it to be. It shall come to pass. It is another test case for you to know that Pastor Samuel Daniel is a true servant of God. •For counseling contact Pastor Samuel Daniel via email globalgracechurch@ ymail.com , www.globalgracechurch.org or phone:08060143296, 08164392405

Praise & Worship

How old is ‘Sure Word Assembly’? That should be about 14 years. Sure Word Assembly was founded on July 3, 1998. We are 14 going 15. Why the name ‘Sure Word Assembly’? We believe that there is nothing that God does outside His Word. If God wants to do anything, first of all, He would send His Word. How did God create the world? He spoke it into being. He said, ‘let there be’ and there was. The Bible says that when His people were in trouble and distress, they cried unto Him and He sent His word and His word healed and delivered them. Everything will pass away but the word of God abides forever. That is why His Word is so strong and so sure that we can hold Him by His word. God is not a man so He cannot lie. He will bring all that He has promised to pass. He cannot fail so God’s Word is sure. Apostle Peter called it a more sure word of prophecy. By the time we were prepared to start our church, these were the things that came to my mind so we called it Sure Word. We also understand that you’re an author. How many books have you written? I have written over 10 books. The first book I wrote is titled ‘Choose to Grow.’ It was borne out of the burden to teach converts to grow in the Lord. It is your choice to grow in the faith and you need to give yourself to God and give yourself to the spiritual discipline that will help you to grow. That was published in 1995. Another book I have written is ‘10 Simple Ways To Get A Divorce & 10 Ways To Avoid It.’ That’s an eye-popping title but it’s actually a satire. Many marriages have been helped by that little book. Then I have written a book I like to read again and again titled ‘You’re Sitting On A Goldmine.’ It is a book on business and finances. I think that book has made more impact than any other book that I have written. It details what you have to do to create wealth from nothing. I have another book which is being celebrated all over titled ‘No Second Fiddle.’ It is premised on the statement that you can actually be the best in life no matter where you are. You clocked 50 recently. What does it feel like? It feels good. When I clocked 50, I posted somewhere that I don’t have to wonder any more what it feels like to be 50 because

finally I have made it. I think it’s a milestone. I am grateful to God. What makes it so special that I turned 50 is that I look back at my life and I find out that I have cheated death at least four times. When I was about six years old, I fell into a well. It was during the civil war and the place was so flooded that nobody knew there was a well there. I was walking with my step mum when suddenly I slipped and fell into the well. I would have drowned but by God’s grace I held onto something and my step-mum was able to rescue me. My second experience was in my secondary school days. I had entered a vehicle to a football match along with other fan club members and the vehicle somersaulted. The last thing I remembered was singing our club song and then I saw myself sitting by the road side with policemen all around me and I was happy to be alive! The third time was when I was in the university. I remember I was going to pick my bursary cheque and head to the bank. I was on a motor-bike and we were traveling at full speed. Suddenly, a car crossed the road without any warning. I sat at the back of the bike knowing we were headed for an accident but there was nothing I could do about it! Then I heard a bang and I saw myself lifted up. I fell the head first on the tarred road but, by the grace of God, where my head hit was a pothole filled with sand in the middle of the road! That was what saved me. The fourth one was in Lagos here. My wife and I were returning from Golden Gate Restaurant after an event. It was about 9pm in the night. I was driving and my wife was sitting by me and as we were approaching the Third Mainland Bridge, I realized that some vehicles were slowing down in front of me and before I knew it, a car had blocked the road and I saw very young boys, all armed to the teeth. Robbery wouldn’t necessarily mean that I survived death but what makes me count it as escaping death was that as they were trying to rob us, one of the guys cocked his gun to shoot at me. I don’t know what I did for him to want to gun me down but another guy, a member of the gang pounced on him and pushed the gun away from me. I think if the guy had not done that, I probably would have been dead! So when I turned 50, these things came back to my mind and I was so happy that God kept me alive and that’s why I believe God is going to give me a long life. If I didn’t die in the first half, He

Sunday February 24, 2013

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In life, I’ve cheated death four times –Pastor Inyang The General Overseer of Megalife Centre, which is the international headquarters of ‘Sure Word Assembly Church, Pastor Dennis Inyang looks cherubic at 50, attributing it to an endowment for a life devoted to the service of God. The Megalfe Centre is located on Ago Palace Way, Lagos. In this interview with the Deputy Editor, Kayode Fasua, Inyang tells of how he began the church, his challenges, successes and prospects. Excerpts: will keep me alive in the second half. The Bible guarantees that I will live to a very old age. 50 years after, what’s been your greatest regret, what are those things you’d want to do differently? There are always things one could do differently with the benefit of hindsight though I can’t really think of any right now. But there is something I wish that I could change. I had a great relationship with my mother. When I look back I wish she had lived long enough to see who I have become, to see how her little boy turned out, because she laboured and did so much for me. She did not live long enough to see me grow up. She went to be with the Lord in 1991. That’s one area I wish I could change. At the time she died she was actually living with me because I was her only child. So how are you rolling out the drums for your 50th birthday anniversary? We will celebrate my anniversary on April 20 and the thanksgiving service will be on April 21. Our church has decided that they want to make it a big thing. My friends from Lagos and outside Lagos have been notified already so we believe that we are going to have friends and family

Inyang

join us to give thanks unto God. Let me use this medium to invite all my friends that I may not be able to personally reach and all my well wishers to come and share my joy. It’s a time to celebrate my life and to celebrate what God has been able to do through me. When I remember where God has brought me from, I have no choice than to celebrate God’s grace. I talked about cheating death four times. I also cheated poverty. At a time in my life, I was in deep poverty. I had no food to eat, no clothes to wear and no roof over my head. Things were so bad that I was merely surviving on the goodwill and charity of my friends. Sometimes I would visit them when I thought I would catch them having a meal. As you can guess, it didn’t always work. When I came to Lagos, I returned to square one. I used to eat on credit and trekked long distances along the express because I had no fare. One day, life lost meaning to me and suicide appeared a quick way to end all the suffering. Thank God I snapped out of it. I then poured myself into what God has called and anointed me to do. Today, food, clothes, accommodation and cars are not my problem anymore. God has confirmed

a revelation He gave to me in those bad times. I had the opposite of Pharaoh’s dream. In my dream, seven fat cows ate up seven lean cows. That is why I know the good times are only beginning. How many years have you spent in the ministry? I got into full-time pastoral ministry in1995. That was about 18 years ago. But I have been in ministry right from when I got born again. I feel I should make a clarification because of my understanding that anyone serving God in any capacity is in ministry. Would you buy a private jet if you had the means? At my level of ministry right now that does not come into the configuration but because I have so many things to do, there could come a time of ministry that I might need a private jet. If that becomes a need to function in the ministry and God gives me the resources to do that then, certainly I could. What is important is purpose. But right now, it is not on my mind, it is not a priority. I have a lot more to do with money than to buy a private jet. If you doubt it, bring the money and see what I will do with it.

Cleric canvasses right process in choosing political leaders AYO ESAN

ational President of Centre for Righteous Living, Rev. Solomon Adegbolagun, has called on Nigerians to institute the process of choosing its political leaders, saying the business of administering the affairs of the nation should not be placed in the hands of opportunists, but should be left

with committed and serious-minded individuals.

Adegbolagun, who made this call at the monthly meeting of the organisation when he hosted the leaders of the group from different parts of Lagos in a special lunch session, also charged the church to be at the vanguard of such leadership training. According to him, most of the current believers don’t have the required training because

the Church has not been able to train leaders who can face the challenges of governance. “If you look at other professions, except you are trained you cannot practise. In Nigerian politics, anybody just comes and he becomes the leader without a full preparation for the challenges of leadership. If anybody wants to succeed in government, he needs to have the thorough knowledge and teachings about

governance and what leadership entails. Even in the scripture, leaders were prepared and trained. That was how Daniel got into governance, but in the Church today, there is no leadership training, there is no Sunday school for leaders, and we need to have them. We need to do the same in Nigeria if this country should survive,” he advised. On Nigeria’s Centenary celebration, Rev. Adegbolagun con-

gratulated the entire Nigerians on the Federal Government’s commencement of the Country’s Centenary Celebration but was quick to advise the Government to have more emphasis on things that could unite and stabilize the people of Nigeria. He said, “The Celebration is welcomed because this is against the backdrop of the prediction that the nation would not stay together for this long.”

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Praise & Worship

Sunday February 24, 2013

Love is above all Family FORA wit Pastor N. C with

Amaefula

E-mail: familyfora@yahoo.com Phone:08060315052,

“B

ut earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and grace (the higher gifts and the choicest grace). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all – love.” 1 Cor. 12:13

Love is the greatest thing in the world. The word ‘Love’ means different things to different people. Everyone who has experienced love expresses it from his or her own point of view. The week that just ended (February 14) witnessed the world’s acclaimed Valentine Day (Lovers’ Day). Would it be an overreaction to ask how many are really in love and what is their reason for loving? You will be shocked to hear different embarrassing stories told of people who claim they are in love. The reason for being in love determines the lasting effect of such love. Many people are in love for frivolous reasons. Others claim to be in love but their motive is so self-centered and short-lived. Some so-called love is what I can describe as illusion and yet some are

hallucinating in the name of love. Many have killed their imagined loved ones as a sacrifice to their ill-gotten wealth. What a mistrusted kind of love! The negativities and ignorance of what love is has really led many into committing atrocities while in search of love. The above notwithstanding, the love that will make a woman to denounce and deny her father’s name, her people and place to be attached to a man with whom she has pledged to stay with all the rest of her life is indeed worthy of commendation (Ruth 1:16-17). This can be looked upon as a sacrificial love but how many survive the test of time? Some have fallen in love at one time or the other but could hardly survive the scar from the brokenness of such fall. Others who were able to gather and mend their relationship have refused to leave the past behind for fear of recurrence. Furthermore, the many hurdles and stumbling blocks on the way of love is an indication that there is something about it that we really need to understand in order to fulfill the word ‘love’. Some spouses express their love in words and others indeed. However, love is meant to be thought, spoken and acted upon. C. S. Lewis says “why love if losing, hurts so much? We love to know that we are not alone”. Loving and being loved is what makes life worth living. What a wonderful assurance of security when a wife knows that her husband loves her. She car-

ries herself in dignity and satisfying pride. There is nothing that brings greater fulfillment to a woman than to know without much struggle and brain storm that her husband approves of her in love. Love is the energy of life. It is what motivates people to get up each day and keep moving. Life is full of energy sapping activities. On the side of the husband, so many things are competing and seeking for equal opportunity within the framework of his heart. His work is paramount above others, his nuclear family, friends, extended family and social status/responsibilities. These activities can be challenging and if not properly managed can result to frustration and rejection. However, when such a man enjoys the company of a loving wife with the right expressions, attitudes and contributing thoughts, he will always have a refilled energy to keep moving on. The same is applicable to a wife who struggles to fulfill her aspirations in life as a good wife/partner, mother, daughter-in-law, sister and a successful career woman. How on earth will she be able to make it without the strength she draws from a caring and appreciative husband. Indeed, there is no substitute to true love so love your spouse. Having a good understanding that love is synonymous with the existence of man; a demand is therefore placed on him to discover the best way love will be expressed to maximize his relationship with his spouse and others.

The book of I Corinthians Chapter 13 is God’s way of inculcating and approving the idea of love to man. It is called the love chapter of the Bible. There is a saying that “it is not possible for one to give what one does not have”. God first demonstrated love to man, by giving his only begotten son, Jesus Christ. The fact that man’s deluded mind in search of value and fulfillment will always reroute God’s purpose and ways to suit his/her state of despondency, yet it does not reduce God’s view and standard. There may be fact in ignorance and mode of operation of love, but it does not affect the truth that GOD IS LOVE (John 3:16). So anyone who desires to practice genuine and true love must first experience the love of Christ in his life through salvation. It is only on this premise that such a one will be able to express real love. It is not possible to express what you have not experienced. Even when your spouse fails in his/her commitments of love, Jesus’ love does not fail. There is a vacuum in your life that only LOVE can fill. So stop pretending that you do not need it rather start tending towards this love which is Christ. It is only then you will realize what true love is and be the true love of your spouse for indeed Love is above all. •For Counseling and Prayers: Email: nneomamaefula@yahoo.com or call +2348060315052, +2348187464031, +2348052157173

Understanding pure sex –Rev. Izuchukwu Presiding Minister, Assemblies of God Church, FESTAC (II), Revd Chukwudebelu Izuchukwu, flays promoters of reality movies, blue films and describes them as abusers of real essence of sex. In this edition, he unveils the essence of pure sex. Excerpts:

rink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant rose; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? Pro.5:15-20. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. Gen.2:25. Beloved; sex is invented by God for his legally married children. Unfortunately, those brought up under super spiritual duper mentality miss out here. There is the sexual aspect of marriage meant to be enjoyed by couples. Over the years, the church kept mute on this aspect and it battered many marriages. Conspiracy of silence is more disastrous than discussing it. Without mincing words, every couple needs a sound and balanced kingdom education on the subject of sex. Sex is both sweet and bitter depending on your understanding and approach. Sex organs are placed in front presumably for the easy reach of all and sundry, but too deep to dig a foolish person’s emergency grave. The best person to teach sex is its inventor. God gave us the Bible as the manual for operating the system called sex. There is nothing to learn from porn, blue or adult film and the likes. As a matter of fact, the brain behind it is totally ignorant of the essence of sex. Whatever you do not understand its purpose, you naturally abuse. These people that promote ‘Reality Movies’, as they suggest, are abusers of the real essence. The spirit possessing the performers of this film goes along with the video tape. Anyone

that views it is automatically possessed whether he acknowledges it or not. I have repeatedly told any believer that truly wants to be absolutely in charge of his sex life to have nothing to do with adult film. In my growing up days as an unbeliever, we used to go to cinema hall. We had nothing like digital or video compact disc in this part of the world then. Most cinemas then used to house women of easy virtue popularly called prostitutes. The agenda behind their showing blue film was primarily to get the men’s emotions aggravated so they could be sexually aroused to patronise the awaiting women of less moral value. You cannot be watching adult or reality film and be clean; prayer, fasting and violent faith notwithstanding. Any film that is sex suggestive be it from Hollywood, Nollywood, Bollywood (China-wood or Firewood); is a trap targeted at your spiritual life from the pit of hell. Friend, whatever you do not put under control shall definitely go out of control. It behoves you as a kingdom child to place your sex life under control. These days of digital satellite television are also relatively evil. There are some stations that are out to portray nudity in virtually all their programmes. It is no longer news that pornography is gradually eroding homes consequent upon the indiscretion of these media practitioners. In my university days as a student of Mass Communication, a lecturer quoted a world personality who said, ‘Sex, nudity and violence sell movies well and fast’. The famous Big Brother Africa (BBA) is not left out here. It all began with a petition sent to the House of Representatives and National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) containing damaging allegations regarding the BBA reality show. The complainant had asked that BBA be yanked off the screen in Nigeria. The petitioner had claimed there was an incident of rape and other lewd conducts while the show lasted.

Both the parliament and Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation warned the organisers, Electronic Media Network Limited (MNET) and producers, Endemol, that subsequently, ‘Sex remains a taboo in the show’. It was declared sex-illicita.

Interesting issues about sex

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath no power over her body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your inconsistency. 1 Cor. 7:1-5. Interestingly, sex is not a new phenomenon. It is as old as man; though civilisation has gone far in improving on our understanding about sex. There are certain crude or archaic aspects of sex that knowledge gained through information has helped to reshape and put in order. In fact, everything including sex is updated and enjoyed consequent upon acquired knowledge. For example, my granny neither understood nor enjoyed marriage the way I do now. She once shared with me that then, a wife seldom slept with her husband in the same room. It is the husband who usually invites or visits the wife anytime he desired sex. That it was most unlikely for a woman to request for lovemaking from her husband as it was regarded as cultural deracination then. Sex was traditionally relegated to an exercise considered to be carried out only in the night. The wife uses a white chalk to cross

Izuchukwu

her door to inhibit the husband’s entry if she was going through her monthly flow. She dared not say it with her mouth. And if a woman has an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until even. And everything that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: everything also she sitteth upon shall be unclean. And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water; and be unclean till even. Levi. 15:15-21. Till date, some traditional cum spiritual churches still disallow women undergoing monthly flow from having equal fellowship with others. They are usually kept outside the auditorium to avoid contaminating the pure consequent upon their imposed impurity. Some of these churches that are yet to imbibe the liberty granted women in the New Testament need to be visited by advocates of Women Liberation Movement. Apostle Peter refused to kill and eat in Acts of the Apostles chapter 10. His ignorance stemmed from the Old Testament injunction that they should not eat such birds. Unknown to him that God had moved from Exodus to Acts of the Apostles, yet he was tied to the old order. •Presiding Minister, Assemblies of God FESTAC 2, Plot 268A&B, 4th Avenue, FESTAC Town, Lagos. izuchukwudebelu@yahoo.com +2348028390885, +2348056027044, +234704414424.

Praise & Worship

Sunday February 24, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2013, a year of mixed blessings –Pastor Bassey

astor Bassey James, founder of Royal House of Faith Ministry, Lekki, Lagos, has asked Nigerians to seek God to in order to avert imminent danger of bloodshed, crashes and other natural disasters that will sweep across the globe this year, warning that there is going to be earth-shaking events in the nation’s political arena. Pastor Bassey emphasized that it has been revealed to him spiritually that this year is going to be very tough. “I won’t say the year will be bloody but there is going to be some level of revenge, but we are praying that it doesn’t come to pass; we are seeing massive revolt or what I call divine revolution. The president will surprise Nigerians in his actions, deeds and words. It is not going to be business as usual. Most of those people who are stealing the country’s money will end up in jail both the serving and the past governors; ministers will be called to give account of their stewardship. There is going to be shake-up in the Senate and in the House of Representatives,” he stressed. Speaking spiritually, Pastor Bassey maintained that December 12 last year, ,the kingdom of God took over power from the kingdom of Satan. However, he said that the enemies of Nigeria will go out of their way to cause confusion, bloodshed and destruction in the country and in most of the African countries, but God in control. Because his love on his people. Saying that we should pray for past rulers and those who have been in government, especeially past presidents in Africa, Nigeria,

and other Africans countries, Bassey stated he had begun to pray for President Obama because of his enemies. In his own words, “a lot will happen, and we pray that God will continue to take care of our space because I don’t want to be negative in my prophetic pronouncements. I have to be positive because things that devil want to do, we counter it through prayers but we are encouraging Christians to be more committed especially in the North, because the enemy is on bloodshed assignment.” According to him, the church will continue to increase in strength and power and we encourage those who are idols worshippers to retrace their steps and come back home to embrace Christ because these powers, these evil forces will lose grip because God himself has taken away power from Satan. He spoke further: “It is going to be a year of mixed blessings in the sense that some will be crying and some will be dancing. I don’t want to talk about political issues because so many things will happen but as I earlier said, the President is going to have it tough doing certain things but we also must commit his family to God.” Committing some powerful people in the South-East, some musicians, especially juju musicians, to the hands of God, Pastor Bassey urged artistes, actors and musicians to be very close to God. “They need to encourage themselves by worshipping the true because idol worshipping are already collapsing”, he said. The man of God also said Nigeria should pray against flood and all manners of natural

disasters that we have not experienced in this country in the past. According to him as he once prophesised and it indeed came to past, there will be massive flood in this country in such a way that it never happened. Nigeria should pray against this as God will always protect his own people. Speaking of end-time and the Church in Nigeria, he said the anti-Christ is already taking over his own disciples. As he put it, “it is going to be a battle of who will follow who. Those who will follow God will be blessed and the issue of the mark of anti-Christ will surface from 2013 because the number 3 is a mystery. The year 2013 will be very mysterious, a lot of things will happen, people will be seeing signs that they don’t understand both in the Moon, Sun, and in the space that are controlled by God because God controls the universe. The sign of the anti-Christ will be so visible in many parts of the world through evil gathering or meetings; they are the generation of vipers, the generation of very evil men who will want to control the world and political powers. The homosexual kingdom will expand, the church of anti-Christ will try to increase their membership, and they will penetrate the political space and the church”. He continued, ”though there will be a lot of pressure on Christians and pastors, you don’t need to submit. Right now, some of the pastors who have made covenant with Satan for membership, for power, promotion for whatever means to enhance their ministry and life style are going to crumble. There is going to be a massive purge in the church.

Bassey

There will be massive demotion, transfer of ministers in some of the big churches and those who are affiliating with the kingdom of Satan and have massive crowd are going lose out because God is sitting on His throne and God judgment is going to start from the Church because from the spiritual point of view, Satan is already operating in the churches and the righteous will be separated from the wicked.” Pastor Bassey appealed to those pastors and people who have one level of affiliation or the other with Satan to quickly disengage and go back to God because He is more capable of giving them more power and more grace to do His work 2013 and beyond.

Peace in the midst of storm, says Pastor Olusore Are you surprised at why you are experiencing life’s storm? Are you wondering how you can ever come out of it? You can always have peace over your storm if you will focus on God and do His will. Senior Pastor of Livinglight Church, Pastor Israel Olusore, says God is saying to you now, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Excerpts:

“ATime to stop the joy of your enemies, says Pastor Okereke nd the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: And they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, what manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark.4:35-41

You can always have peace in whatever storm you find yourself. The fact that God has revealed His will to you has marked you out as a target for the devil to hinder you from seeing the manifestation of the will of God; but the good news is, no matter the intensity of the storm, Jesus is right there with you and committed to giving you peace right in the middle of that storm. Peace is God’s will for His children. Peace and joy are rooted in obedience to God and His son. Life’s problems can only receive lasting solution as we look to the only wise God and commit ourselves to obeying Him in faith. Looking to the Word of God is looking unto God; His Word is His voice, His Word is His Will. Embracing the Word of God for living does more for us than any other thing. He sent His Word and embracing

that Word by applying it brought about their healing and deliverance. Ps.107:20. They looked unto Him and were lightened and shame was removed from them. Ps.34:5. Every time we turn to God as we fellowship with Him through His Word, light fills us up and God goes to remove the shame the devil has programmed for us. No matter what you’re facing now, God is too faithful to fail, He is able to bring you out and He will surely put you over. Right inside that challenge, God is bringing you out and you’re emerging a champion. In spite of what is going on around you, the evil news flying around, the discouraging comments to you by men, that negative medical verdict, the economic pressure and all the battering of the devil on your mind, God will still cause you to triumph over them. For you see, He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you, that in whatever stimulation you find yourself He is there for you to preserve you. Matt.28:20, Isa.43:13. God loves you too much to allow you to be destroyed by any storm of life, so tell yourself that you’re coming out of that storm smiling and praising God. The storm will not kill you so TRUSTINGLY rest in God allowing Him to bring you out. If you’ve committed your life to Jesus, you can trust Him to speak to the storm in your life while you hold your peace. He said for us to be still and know that He is God and that He will be glorified among the heathens and on the earth no matter the intensity of the storm. “God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, And

though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah there is a river whose streams shall make glad the city o God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah come, behold the works of the LORD, who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. That is what God has done and will do for you in the midst of that storm. God is saying to you NOW “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge and He is too faithful to fail. Too faithful to leave you helpless, you will enjoy the early help of God from now. 1Cor.10:13 says God will never allow us to be overcome by any evil; He is watching out for you because He cares for you. He is ever there for us even in the midst of trouble to give us victory. Isa. 43:1-5. “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. [2] When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.[3] For I am

Olusore

the LORD your God,The Holy One of Israel, your Saviour; I gave Egypt for your ransom,Ethiopia and Seba in your place. [4] Since you were precious in my sight, you have been honoured, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life.” He loves you more than you love yourself and will do anything to preserve you in the midst of that storm. That thing that is out to destroy you shall be destroyed and you will give God praise. Right now I speak peace to your life in Jesus’ name. The storm will pass away and the author of that storm (the devil and his agents) will be humiliated, but you will still be standing and shouting halleluiah, praise the Lord because God desires your deliverance than your destruction. So stand up right now and shout HALLELUIAH!!!!!! And I see whatever is out to capsize your ship of destiny drowned today! This is your day! This is your week!! This is your year and season of change!!! God is showing up for you today!!! His help abounding in your life! His favour covers all your errors in Jesus’ name! And remember: “JESUS IS LORD!!”

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Praise & Worship 37

Sunday February 24, 2013

A cross section of women during their programme

Rev. (Mrs.) Cecelia Onitiri

Divine agenda for Nigeria unveiled, says Rev Onitiri TAI ANYANWU

n these trying moments of our national life when some people are inclined to think and speak about imminent breakup of the country, Rev. (Mrs.) Cecelia Onitiri of Christ Living Church a.k.a. Heavenly Light Ministries, Lekki, has urged Nigerians to be calm because the Lord is watching. The woman of God and widow of the late Prof Akintunde-Cole Onitiri, has in recent times been used by God to reveal upcoming events in the country and the world as a whole. Speaking exclusively with Sunday Mirror last week, Revd Onitiri declared that the Lord would manifest His power in 2013 and confound the wise, particularly on issues concerning Nigeria. Relating her revelation as she communed with the Almighty God, Onitiri pointed out that the time has come for Nigerians to wake from the air of confusion that now permeates the land. However, she warned that Nigerians must be watchful; adding, “I say awake; for when a man goes to sleep and leaves his house unattended, the enemy will come at the dead of night and lay confusion on his household. “See the enemy has sown unproductive seeds on your soil, your soil is bringing forth discontentment, strife, hatred, division and greed. Awake Nigeria and re-till your soil, to nurture productive fruits – fruits of love, growth, oneness, and unity that will bring togetherness amongst your people. I formed you for greatness and it hurts to watch you disintegrate.” The woman of God regretted that Nigeria was boiling slowly and assured that God had promised not to allow the country to reach a boiling point. She also warned that God can only move mightily in the land if Nigerians sincerely drew closer to God. She also has a message for other servants of God in the country. God told me in

a revelation on December 31, 2012, “Shepherds of my flock should be watchful. I need their hearts, for what does it profit them to gain the whole world and then suffer eternal damnation. I am watching them and their iniquities have not escaped me. But I am a merciful God.” See details of Revd Onitiri’s revelation for Nigeria and other countries below: Friday, October 16 @ 1:34 a.m. I am the Lord thy God; is anything too hard for me? In this year of manifestation, I will manifest my power and I shall confound the wise. Be careful therefore of your thoughts. Be watchful therefore of the things you see. Be guided therefore of your moves, be slow to condemn and learn not to be too critical. I say again, be watchful of the things you see. Be watchful. 2:45 a.m. Tuesday, December 25 @ 1:12 a.m. Israel my chosen, the sound of laughter, the sound of joy, rejoicing is at hand. You are blessed of me forever. Be watchful and look carefully for the signs that I, the Lord, will show you. I say, be watchful. Be watchful, O ye Egypt, oppressors of my people Israel. But Egypt will oppress Egypt. Murmuring will occur in camps, mistrust amongst the ranks. There will be isolation. But watch and observe what I, the Lord will do. I say watch. 1:40 a.m. As I was to go to bed, the Lord continued talking to me. Time now is 1:45 a.m. Awake O Nigeria from your slumber, I say awake; for when a man goes to sleep and leaves his house unattended, the enemy will come at the dead of night and lay confusion on his household. Nigeria Awake. The time has come, I say, the time is here for Nigeria your country to awake. See the enemy has sown unproductive seeds on your soil, and it is bringing forth discontentment, strife, hatred, division, greed. Awake Nigeria and re-till your soil, to nurture productive fruits – fruits of love, growth, oneness and unity that will bring togetherness amongst your people.

I formed you for greatness and it hurts to watch you disintegrate. Awake Nigeria and listen to my voice; it will teach you right, lead you right and help you stay right. Nigeria, you are boiling slowly and the temperature is rising, but I, the Lord will not allow you to reach the boiling point. I want to heal your land; and save your people. Be watchful, protect your youths, for they are being misused; pray and save your nation from pulling apart. The lawmakers should be guarded, watchful, so that one of them may not through his unguarded utterances plunge your country, nation into unexpected problems. But you are my chosen, you are beloved, I watch over you; watch your weather, aviation sector, watch out for fire incidents, take precautions; I say again, Nigeria awake so the problems befallen you can be seen clearly so you can control and avert disaster. Awake Nigeria. 2:10 a.m. December 27. 12:35 a.m. Observe the climate of the world, the changes taking place, take measures to protect and care for your inhabitants. I gave Noah the Ark, make adequate shades and protection for your inhabitants, for both the cold and the heat. Store and preserve your grains. Guard against leanness in the year, awake Nigeria, the storm is gathering, but I, the Lord, would calm the storm, keep your eyes open to see. My children, come closer to me, draw near to me, so I can manifest my power in your land. The clouds are gathering, draw near to me. When you draw near to me, the clouds will disperse and you will then see clearly. Draw near to me and be watchful. All nations of the world shall witness the manifestation of my power. I will cause things to happen and events will take place in different nations to the surprise of all. Be watchful of what you see and be careful with your speech. Events will take place in several parts of the world; you will hear, see and glorify my name. Be watchful.

I am the Lord, is anything too hard for me? I can turn situations around, move mountains, level valleys, make new ways for India, Portugal, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mali, Liberia, Bolivia, Hawaii, Kenya, Somalia. 1:05 a.m. Dec. 31, 2012, 11:55a.m. I speak to you once more about your country, Nigeria. Pray for the wives of those who govern your nation, those in positions of authority and power, pray for them. I have said, be watchful of the things that you see and hear. I will manifest my power, shepherds of my flock should be watchful. I need their hearts, for what does it profit them to gain the whole world and then suffer eternal damnation. I am watching them and their iniquities have not escaped me, but I am a merciful God, a time for repentance is come. Announce to them to repent to escape my wrath for failure to hearken to my word will lead to their dislocation. I, the Lord, have spoken, anyone with understanding should hearken to my warnings. Peace to you all. 12:14 p.m. After I have signed off, obviously after the salutation, thinking that was the end of the message, the Lord spoke to me again by 12:20, five minutes after and said, “He whom the Father loves, he chastises.” This was repeated very clearly three times. 12:40 p.m. (with a very strong voice) Why are the shepherds of my flock in slumber? Evil have pervaded your land, they sit in their high and exalted positions, with pretentious lips failing to call upon me with sincere heart to deliver your nation. I am sounding a call for repentance, a change that will bring life, prosperity and goodwill to your nation. Arise, chime the bells, cry unto me so there will occur a permanent change for goodness in your land. I am the Lord, I change not. Is anything too difficult for me? I change things and circumstances; I will cause a change, a pleasant change, to fall upon your land and you will praise my name. Once more, I say, peace unto you all. 12:50 p.m.

Praise & Worship

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday February 24, 2013

Fearfully and wonderfully made

he Psalmist declares: “for you formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with you” (Ps 139:13-18). It is life-changing news to my heart that “I am fearfully and wonderfully made!” “I am God’s awesome wonder.” I am the handiwork of a careful intentional maker. He was not playing dice when He formed me! He made His masterpiece! I am special to God! So are you, my dear reader! Do not swallow what the wicked world has tried to drum into your mind. You are what God says you are: “fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image!” When you consider the marvels of the human body: the DNA, cell, brain, eye, skin, and other body parts, you would agree with the Psalmist. The human body is mysterious, sophisticated, and vibrating with energy. It is an infinitely fascinating fountain of secrets. If we were to line up the length of the DNA of one person, it would stretch across the entire diameter of the solar system. If the information in DNA is written down, it will fill over 1000 volumes of the encyclopedia! Consider the wonder of the skin, the structure and strength of the bones; and the dynamic balance of the muscles. The human physical being is patterned after

God’s marvelous purpose. The brain is the most extraordinary and complex design in the universe. It acts as the home to the mind and human persona. The cherished memories of life, dreams and hopes for the future are secured by the brain. It coordinates the symphony of perception that gives purpose, passion, motion, and emotion. It is the seat of human judgment. The human brain cell can hold five (5) times the information contained in the complete Encyclopedia Britannica. The human brain has an average number of 86 billion neurons. “Technically speaking, the human mind has a hard disk of infinite gigabytes of memory, and its RAM is immeasurable.” Its potential of processing power is overwhelming. Heart pumps 75 times every minute; 40 million times per year; about 25 billion times in a life time. Each beat discharges 4 ounces of blood; 3,000 gallon per day; 650,000 gallons per year! The heart produces enough energy per hour to lift a 150 pound man to the top of a 3-story building. It produces enough energy in 12 hours to lift a 65 ton weight one foot off the ground; and enough power in 70 years to lift a battleship out of the water! The nervous system of the human body is a system of information, communication, and control. It is after this amazing system that inventors have invented and patterned wires and optical cables. “The nervous system allows us to perceive, to interpret and to respond to events from the environment.” God has you wired! He connects your heart to

His! The function of the digestive tract and the related organs, the longevity of the heart, the formation and function of nerves and of blood vessels, the cleansing of the blood through the kidneys, the complexity of the inner and middle ear, the sense of taste and smell, and so many other things we barely understand—each one is a marvel and beyond man’s ability to duplicate. Truly, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. We must be grateful to our Creator and marvel not only at His knowledge but also at His love for us! You are more than molecules. You are more than a bundle of connected organs. You are more than the colour of your skin or the height you have reached above sea level. You are more than just a piece of art from a master artist. You were made in the image of God. Humans are physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual beings. They cannot be split into separate segments. There has to be a complete unity of the being to maximize and optimize our usefulness and fulfillment in life. To divide or fragment is fatal. We are spiritual beings, whether we like it or not, know it or not. “It is beyond our control, because it came from the hands of the Creator. Our life will be complete only as we live in harmony with Him and respect the integrity and unity of how He made us.” Imagine that a bird is locked in a cage with diamonds, food, water, air conditioner, and all kinds of decorations. The bird will still feel out of place because it is meant to be free in the sky! This is your condition when you minimize or deny your spiritual dimension. You can

Answer these questions and win a prize 1.

Who strengthened Jesus as He prayed at the garden of Gethsemane?

Who wrote that Jesus was a lamb without blemish or defect?

3. Biblically and in line with the Gregorian calendar, which is the first day of the week? •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.

never fulfill your destiny when you compartmentalize your life and shut out your spiritual expression. “People think that they are free because they can do whatever they want, but they are prisoners of pleasure. . . Formal freedom is not enough to be truly happy. A country or government can guarantee freedom of the body, but not of the soul.” [Alejandro Bullón, Signs of Hope, Ghana: Advent Press, p.7475]. Many people are still prisoners of their complexes, tendencies, selfishness, ambitions, envies, and vices. Even when your body begins to sag and fail, and you feel like you “outwardly waste away” (2 Cor. 4:16), the renewal experienced inwardly through the power of the Holy Spirit provides the hope and peace we crave. True transformation occurs on the inside (Rom. 12:1–2). You may be defaced, but you are not erased. Your worth in Christ is immeasurable. You are God’s adopted child. The Holy Spirit dwells in you! You carry God’s power in you. God’s creative genius lies in you. Kingship and dominion reside in you. Power of praise can release the supernatural into your life. The power of life and death is in your tongue (Prov 18:21). Christ in you is the hope of glory (Col 1:27). God has given you all that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3-4; Eph 3:14-20). You are seated with Christ in heavenly places (Eph 2:6). In Christ, we reign OVER the earth, not on earth! You are fearfully and wonderfully made! Rejoice! Lift your head high up! Walk like a prince/princess! •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 February 10, 2013 Quiz 1.

“Father, into your hands I com mit my Spirit.”-Luke 23:46.

Paul-Romans.

Isaiah 53:12

Does praying in tongues get you filled with Holy Spirit? Holy Inquiry with Pastor Paul

Nkirukah E-mail: pstpaul11@yahoo.com

Dear pastor, some people say you must be able to speak in tongues to be considered as being filled with the Holy Spirit. Is this correct? –John Adio, Ilorin, Kwara State Dear reader, I wonder how you come about this question. Did any man of God or Evangelist preach or teach you something about this? Did you read it from any book or had argument with somebody about it? Nevertheless, it does not really matter how you derived it or where you got this information. I am only afraid that you must have been fed with something confusing to have warranted you to now want to call for proper education on speaking in tongues. For your own good and benefit of my numerous readers on this page, you cannot speak in tongues to be

filled with the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit. There is a popular saying that, “No one can be right or wrong until it is confirmed from the scriptures. So let us quickly take a good look at the scriptures below for a good confirmation and understanding. John 7 : 37 – 39 reads: In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink, 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water, 39 But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified. Taking a very deep thought on the scripture above, you will understand that one cannot and can never speak what is not in him, that is why the scripture above stated that out of the belly shall flow the living water. The scripture also informs us that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Let’s quickly take a glance at it: Matthew 12: 34 reads, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. To prove this beyond every reasonable doubt, let’s

acquire more understanding through the scripture below. Acts 2 : 1 – 4 reads, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting, 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them, 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. According to the scriptures above in verse 4, it is very obvious and very evident that one can only speak in tongues after he is filled with the Holy Ghost, if I may ask, if one can speak in tongues when filled with the Holy Ghost, what then will he be speaking? It is obvious that one cannot and will never speak what is not in him, because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, if it is so, how can one speak what he does not have in him. My dear, don’t be deceived or carried away with what you hear from people without you been convinced. All you need to do is confirm from scriptures, because anybody can make mistake, we are all hu-

man, no one is God and that is why the scripture is given for correction. There is no how one can speak in tongues to be filled with the Holy Ghost, but you are filled with the Holy Ghost before you can speak in tongues. One thing you have to understand here is that before you can speak the main positive tongues, you must have been in spirit; how do I mean? I mean that speaking in tongues is a spiritual language, so for you to speak the language of the spirits you must be in the spirit. You don’t just wake up in the morning without fervent prayer or praising or worshiping God with emotion and then, you say you are speaking in tongues. You must be filled with the Holy spirit before you can speak in tongues. The simple truth is that, if you speak in tongues to be filled with the Holy Spirit, or just for doing sake, you will be wasting your time and prayer, and going contrary to the word of God. Know this my dear, tongues speaking is the evidence to show that you are filled with the Holy Ghost. I believe you can understand better now. Stay and remain blessed as you work in obedience to the word of God.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

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Passion

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Single’s Bliss

Pregnancy Talk

with

Adaeze Amos Why you may not deliver on your Estimated Date of Delivery (EDD)

an you remember the first time you went to see your doctor after missing your period and the pregnancy test confirmed your pregnancy? If you were observant, the first thing doctors usually do is to ask for the last date of your flow (menses). Once the date is supplied, you see them make some calculations on a piece of paper or with the aid of a calculator and pronto you are told your Estimated Date of Delivery. This pleases so many pregnant mums as that helps to get the mind ready for the big day when you would be told to PUSH! But the funny thing is that most women seldom fall into labour on their estimated date of delivery. Stella, a good friend said her water broke two weeks after the date her doctor gave her. According to her, days after the date she was given made her feel she was waiting for eternity. But Charity, a sister, who was a first timer in the labour ward said her water broke a week to the date she was given.” I was amazed when I felt warm slimy fluid dribbling down my legs and when I checked, behold my show. I was rushed to the hospital and it wasn’t long Isaac, my baby slipped out of me just with a slight push,’ she said, excitedly. Now, the question on the lips of many pregnant mums is how doctors arrive at the (EDD). Well the calculation is simple if you can follow their format of calculation. But first and foremost, know it that the estimated date of delivery is erroneously referred to as the expected date of delivery. This then means that you are not expected to deliver on the very date you are given. How is it calculated? Health experts said it is calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period. Did you ask why? Because the first day of the last menstrual period is a defined landmark. Therefore the estimated date of delivery is 40 weeks or 280 days from this landmark. Still confused? Okay let’s make it simple. If for instance the last menstrual period was 13/4/09, the estimated date of delivery can be calculated as follows 13/4/12 + 7 (days 20) + 9 (Months 13th month January) + 1 (new year 2010). The estimated date of delivery is therefore January 20, 2010. Have you seen how simple it is? The New Year was added because a 13th month has to be in a new year. If an addition of seven to the date progresses to a new month, one extra month has to be added to the nine months. Guess another easy way out? An early ultrasound done in the first trimester and early second trimester can give a very reliable estimation of the date of delivery. But ensure it is done in the first or early second trimester as scans done at advanced gestational age such as in late second trimester and third trimester are not reliable for dating pregnancies because the error margin can be as much as 10-16 days. Sure many would prefer the ultra-sound method, right? But hold on! Did you ask whether it is compulsory to deliver on your EDD? The answer is no! As a matter of fact, health experts affirmed that only four per cent of women deliver on their estimated date of delivery. About 55 per cent deliver after their EDD but before the 42nd week. About 25-30 per cent of women deliver before the EDD but after 37 weeks. While five to ten per cent of women progress to prolonged pregnancy. Want to know what prolonged pregnancy is all about? Keep your fingers crossed till next week. Cheers!

Tobore Ovuorie …a peep into the world of a seriously searching sister!

am Akpomiemie but my friends call me Akpos baby while others know me as da colourful Warri baby! Beginning from this moment, I’ll grant you the privilege of peeping into my world and it’s indeed the kind that may send your eyes popping out and hair standing! Definitely, if you’re like me, you’ll kiss a big grin on your lips! *Winks* Mine is not the regular diary session, but I must warn you ahead that I’ll reveal some, if not all of your secrets in subsequent editions. Oh! Did I hear your heart pounding? Don’t worry; I’ll begin with my friends and I today. I have very interesting friends; while some can’t stop amusing me, others like Simisola, I hope and pray, will stop pissing me off with their grand pretense! Well, I’m still keeping her as a friend for very good reasons I would divulge later on. Simisola is one hell of a pretender! Kai! You need to see how she condemns me at my back for flaunting what nature gave me. Is it my fault that my frontal attack is in proportionate measurement with my backward defense which is made more pronounced by a very tiny waist line? Is it my fault that these African supple assets which are firmer and stand better than those of a teenager becomes more pronounced as a result of my flawless and spotless skin? Well, it’s not my fault that men salivate and wear foolish grins each time I pass by them. But I’m certain that my African pride may not be the only reason for her frequent stabs. The fact that her boss found me and still finds me ravishing is the unsaid wahala! It was a rainy Friday afternoon and I went to pick a cheque from Simisola at her office. She had owed me N40, 000 for like six months- can you imagine that! And when she finally called me that eventful day that I could come for my money, I dashed down. On getting there, her boss was just leaving the office and we bumped into each other at the door! Shuoooo! I never knew that my sister-Mary-brand-of-skirt wearing friend had been eyeing her boss and she never told me. Am I a magician to have known? Well, to cut the long story short, her boss’ jaw fell to the ground when he saw me! We immediately became friends, yes, right at the door! I kuku didn’t know he was her boss and that she had something for him until I got to her desk! Oh yes, after exchanging numbers of course. At Simisola’s office, she told me wonderful things about her boss such as he is caring, very generous, kind, and blablablabla. She never mentioned she secretly admired him o! Even if she did, the boss wouldn’t have looked her way in the first place. Simisola is not as tall as I am. In fairness to her, she is not a dwarf for a lady but she is like a tray- no mass attack or defense! Nothing for a guy to hold and daydream about! She’s like an effigy! To make matter worse, she dresses like one Nkechi that’s just arrived the city. Even village girls dey try pass her! Hmmnn, she only started fixing weaves just recently after we made endless jest of her. Na wa o! Even the weaves are obsolete ones! She keeps claiming a Christian mustn’t be flashy as if the rest of us are either devils or from Jupiter! As I was saying, her boss wouldn’t have considered her because I could tell immediately we bumped into ourselves that he’s a correct guy who’ll have taste for only the best. Definitely, Simisola doesn’t fall within this group. I had barely arrived the studio- oh! I didn’t tell you, I do some stuffs for a radio station here in Lagos, when her boss called. I could tell what he wanted from the tone of his voice and I must be honest, I didn’t mind; after all, I wasn’t planning on marrying him since Simisola had told me he’s married. I’m yet to meet any lady who would have resisted Alex. Standing at six feet plus, deep chocolate complexioned Alex, I later discovered is always a centre of attraction wherever he went. Besides his voice, he has this indescribable thing about him which wows women and even fellow men! So, you now understand why I was also wowed. Let me whisper this to you: he is also very loaded cash wise! *Big grin* Well, our initial chat on the phone went well and before we knew it, we were seated very close to ourselves in a posh restaurant on the Island later that evening. One thing led to the other and we ended up spending the night together in one of the most luxurious hotels right there on the Island. Oh! Wondering just like that? Well, stuffs do happen! That night, he simply called and told the wife that he was going to be in a meeting all through the night! PERIOD! Meeting! And it certainly was a meeting to be remembered as it fertilized more fond memories. I must confess, disastrous ones as well!

Passion

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Connecting

Vanessa with

Vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com

Practical ways you can say ‘I love you’ to your partner

Heart-throb ...Find your soul mate here

Send text only to 08025253996

In need of a serious relationship/marriage I am Mary, a sexually active girl. I need a sexually active man for a relationship –08068684663 My name is Engr. Ekenechukwu, 42yrs old man, single, fair in complexion, Delta origin,6.2ft tall AA ,Engineer, based in Lagos, looking for a lady that is ready to settle down.contact: –08024923496, Tersoo Apera am a guy of 23 yrs old. live in Markurdi, I want a decent girl of age 18-20 for a serious relationship that can lead to marriage from any part of Nigeria –O8037964047, bemdodolab@yahoo.com Tochukw is my name. I am 40 years old form Enugu state. I Need a matured born again lady 4rm d age of 33 to 4o yrs who is very ready to settle down –08065193364. My name is Henry Ewuji, 39 years old, single business man based in Lagos from Imo state. I am fair in complexion, 5ft9’’ tall and good looking. I need a serious relationship that will lead to marriage with a matured lady between 33 and 43 years from any part of the country. –07064629543

re you still basking in the euphoria of the Valentine’s Day? Do you still relish the sweet memories of those magical moments when the love of your life declared his/her undying love for you? Its wonderful being in love, isn’t it? Loving someone and being loved back in return is one of the greatest cravings everyone yearns for. So, if you are among the few people in life who have found true love, I enjoin you to do all you can to ensure that the oil of love in that relationship does not dry up. Just like the engine of a car cannot funcModels tion to its maximum capacity without constantly changing and topping up the oil; the same is applicable to the bonds that hold your relationship. You have to constantly find ways to top up the love tank of your relationship or else it stands the chance of getting knocked up and you wouldn’t want that right? Let me ask you something: How often do you actually say “I love you” to your partner? Is there any need to say “I love you” if it is not backed up with action? Although professing undying love to your partner is very important, unfortunately it is not just enough. “I love you” must not be “said” with words alone; but must be backed up with action if you want that love to survive the test of time. While this phrase is a powerful conveyor of emotion, showing your love in other ways is just as significant, and possibly even more effective, at keeping a relationship alive and healthy. Your love must be backed up with action before it can hold water or weather the storms of life. There are practical ways you can show how much you love someone without uttering those three little words. First of all, your profession of love must measure up in your commitment to that person. Commitment is the foundation in which any relationship survives. There is no need to say “I love you’’ when you do not even make that person or the things that concern him/her a priority in your life. Make him/ her the number one person in your life by demonstrating it through active support. Being thoughtful and taking the initiative to bring happiness to your partner is another simple and practical way to say “I love you.” It’s the small things you do for your partner that really counts and not necessarily when you buy the whole world and put it on a platter of gold. Take for instance, a woman whose husband is extremely rich and provides for her material needs yet he’s uncaring and inconsiderate will live an unhappy life or seek that happiness in the arms of another man. Happiness in a relationship does not only consist in the abundance of what you possess but in the demonstration of love and care from both parties involved. Another way of professing your love practically is to always show your approval, gratitude and admiration for your partner on a daily basis. We all want to be shown approval for the things we do, whether it’s the way we provide for our family financially, the way we raise our children, the way we take care of the house, the way we do our jobs, the way we look, or our other personal accomplishments. Don’t be stingy with compliments! Show appreciation anytime your hubby or wife does anything for you, no matter how small. Compliment her looks and make her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. While the woman responds with loving words loaded with

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I am Eze, 40years old. I need a lady between 30 38 for marriage –07033434450 I am Moses, 25 years old. I live in Kaduna. I need a woman of any age for a relationship –07068169446 Olu a graduate needs a lady for a serious relationship. She must be God fearing and straight forward below 30 years old. –08032637636 My name is Ibrahim, a businessman based in Lagos. I need a Muslim woman who is financially stable for a serious relationship –08184195123 I am Musa, 28 years old. I am good looking and living in Abuja. I need a good looking lady between 20 and 25 years for a relationship –080875955529 I am Sunday, 37 residing in Lagos. I need a medical doctor as wife who is beautiful and God fearing –08138345723

respect for the man. Words are very powerful! What we say goes a long way to actually depict how we truly feel in our heart. You cannot say ‘I love you’’ in one breath and the next thing you are using hurtful and abusive words on your partner. Is that true love? Being constantly critical and only focusing on your partner’s negative attributes doesn’t say “I love you” very well. In fact, it’s demeaning and will drive him/her away from your life. Please recognize the damage your criticisms may be causing in your relationship. They are the little foxes that mess up a loving relationship; especially those that are petty and insignificant. Rather, choose your battles wisely and lovingly lay out any complaints you might have at the most appropriate time. Always respond to favours done to you by your partner with words of gratitude like “Thank you”, “I appreciate what you did” and “I admire you.” Such words can go a long way to straighten any ruffled feathers and give back the assurance that such a person is loved. Finally, endeavour to be your partners’ best friend, always willing to lend a listening ear and being there when they need you most. When you begin to say “ I love you’’ with action rather than with words, you will surely elicit a positive response from your partner that will reinforce the love both of you have for each other more than words can ever say!

Sly is my name. I am 33 years old, based in Lagos. I need a lady between 32 and 40 years old for a romantic relationship –08035117522 My name is Ola, 45 -50 years old divorcee residing in Lagos. I am not rich but I own a street I Lagos. I need a responsible lady, beautiful black and slim for a serious relationship –08023188304 I am Obaniyi, 45 years old good looking and handsome man living in Lagos. I need a working class woman or business lady between 35 and 55 years old –08061266599

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, February 24, 2013

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Sunday, February 24, 2013

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business

FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Sunday February 24, 2013

L-R: Deputy Country Senior Partner, PWC, Uyi Akpata, Accountant General, Lagos State, David Sunmoni, Managing Consultant, Brandsmith Consulting, Akin Ambode and Global Public Finance/Accounting Partner, PWC, Patrice Schumesch at the conference on Global Accounting and Financial Reporting by Governments held in Brussels, Belgium recently.

CSOs fault FG on disbursement of N17bn flood recovery fund TOLA AKINMUTIMI

ctionAid Nigeria, a non-government and non-profit organisation, and other civil society organisations in the country have criticised the Federal Government’s management of last year’s flooding crisis, which caused unquantifiable damage to lives and property in the country. They particularly frowned at the approach adopted in the disbursement of the N17 billion flood recovery fund. The groups called on various tiers of government to develop appropriate measures that would help them to respond proactively to any likely man-made or natural disaster occurrences this year based on the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s (NIMET’s) Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) 2013. Leading a group of other CSOs chieftains at a one-day Media Interaction on ‘Revisiting States Accountability on Emergency Response and Disaster Risk Reduction’ in Abuja at the weekend, was the ActionAid Nigeria’s Human Security in Conflict and Emergencies Manager, Gbenro Olajuyigbe. He noted that investigations on the strategies used in the disbursement of the N17 billion were not such that would benefit the victims of the flooding. Olajuyigbe believed that substantial part of the funds was devoted to provisions of commodity items, which in real terms will not really lift the victims from their traumatised state and reposition them socially and economically. “The question is, should our Emergence Response programmes in

the face of crisis be taken as charity as the last intervention by the governments during the 2012 flooding crisis clearly indicated or be seen by the various governments as a constitutional responsibility requiring proper planning and implementation on a sustainable basis? “What we have seen so far in Nigeria is that we have a suicidal adaptive capacity as a people. Rather that providing long term solutions to our problems, we develop adaptive measures. And our governments have continued to take advantage of the people’s docility in terms of human rights agitation for our constitutional rights for granted and by so doing, squandering our national resources on selfish agenda”, he stated. Others CSOs, who contributed opinions included, National Coordinator, United Action for Democracy (UAD), Jaye Gaskia and Coordinator, Society for Community Development, Abdul Atsegbua. In his comments, the National Coordinator of UAD said the disbursement of the N17 billion was done without carrying out a thorough assessment of the impact of the floods. According to him, those gathered were from aerial view, which included putting in place necessary mechanisms to guarantee against stealing of the fund. “The money was released without carrying out a thorough assessment of the impact of the flooding on the people but purely on the basis of what was captured from the aerial views of the disaster. There was no serious study carried out by experts at the villages where the real victims are based to determine what they actually need. Sharing of rice and other commodi-

ties may not necessarily be what is important to reposition the victims into their pre-flooding state. “What this approach implies is that public servants will steal part of the money because there is no accountability in the entire process. We need to start putting value into human lives in this country. For instance, the Senate just told us that 80 per cent of the N400 billion allocated to the Ecological Fund over the past 10 years were used to procure items that only benefit the officials managing the fund. The question is, who benefits from this? The contractors, traders, politicians and those who have the political linkages are the beneficiaries. I think the challenge for our governments in managing specially dedicated funds like the National Flood Disaster Fund and the Ecological Fund is entrenching transparency and accountability in the disbursement processes,” Gaskia said Atsegbua also agreed that the disbursement of the fund fell short of all accountability, monitoring and evaluation criteria since “only government alone is doing the disbursements without carrying along all relevant stakeholders, especially the civil society groups which can offer some support in areas of enlightenment and advocacy.” On the 2013 SRP by the NIMET and the level of governments’ preparedness to avert what was witnessed in the 2012 flooding crisis, the ActionAid report said that the disaster risk reduction plans at Federal and States’ levels remained totally inadequate to cope with the likely negative climatic and environmental challenges

that may be created if the predictions come true. According to the organisation’s selfsponsored nationwide, Hazard/Disaster Mapping exercise, there were no indications that any of the states is prioritising the five priority areas of the Hyogo Framework for Action adopted in 2005. Olajuyigbe, who gave participants insight to the report findings, said visits to many states across the country, particularly Delta, Kogi and Jigawa states, showed that although the state governments were showing some concern over the NIMET predictions but that largely there was little on ground to demonstrate that they will be able to build strong institutional base and create the professional manpower that can help in mitigating the impact of flooding disaster if it re-occurs. He explained that unless all stakeholders, including the media, work together to put pressure on government at all levels to accept the attainment of the five priority areas of the 2005 adopted Hyogo Framework for Action as barest minimum in our development agenda, “the hope of reducing disaster risks and catalysing development will be a mirage.” While recalling the various intervention initiatives of ActionAid since 2004 and its findings, which have always been made available to governments at federal, state and local government levels, the Human Security in Conflict and Emergencies expert re-affirm the need for the governments to implement the 10-point recommendations in the organisation’s 2012 Policy Brief in order to avert what was experienced in 2012. These include, the need by all governments to train officers at their response agencies by equipping them with skills, knowledge and technical competence for emergency-related response, developing systems and structures to ensure response to emergencies observe the concept of speed, quality and scale that assure human security and; incorporation of Disaster Risk Reduction component in their development agenda and allocating appropriate budgets for the activities. Others are, enhancing community capacity to carry out analysis of their vulnerability an coping mechanisms, setting up of State Response Desk and Relief Centres in high prone zones; de-politicising appointment into life-saving agencies; reviewing Emerging Dynamics and Conduct appropriate research into existing bodies of water and dams; training of communities on Conflict/Disaster Risk Reduction; and carrying out Disaster Mapping, Impact Assessment, review of and strengthening of coping mechanisms. In his contribution, the Programme Assistant, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), James Atusue, said there was also the need for the completion of the National Contingency Plan as well as replicating it at the state levels. He advised that “when these plans are developed, the governments must also have the political will of activating such plans as Nigerian governments are always better in responding to disasters rather than their prevention. This is because, according to him, there are people who benefit from such lopsided approach in disaster management.”

Business

Sunday February 24, 2013

Ex-CBN chief urges FG to provide effective guidelines for SWF

r. Titus Okunronmu, a former Director in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday urged the Federal Government to provide effective guidelines for the take-off of the Sovereign Wealth Fund. Okunronmu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that there was the need for sharing formula guidelines to ensure transparency.

According to him, states will not need the same amount of money at the same time, so the Federal Government needed to devise a way of meeting each state’s demand at different times. NAN recalls that Mr Uche Orji, Chief Executive Officer of the fund, on Feb. 21 after the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja, said it would begin full operations in March.

``If the government saves the money for the rainy day, when do they share it and who gets what? ``Will it get to the states when they need it or when the Federal Government decides to share it?’’ he asked. He said a critical issue of concern was who would control the sovereign fund because the money belonged to the federal, states and local

governments. Okunronmu said that saving money for the rainy day was not a problem but what it would be used for, adding that experience in the past showed that such funds were not judiciously utilised. He urged the Federal Government to implement a sharing formula that would impact positively on the people’s standard of living when the fund became operational.

Sokoto govt spends N3bn on MDG projects T

he Sokoto State Government said yesterday it spent N3 billion to execute various Millennium Development Goals projects in its 23 local governments within three years . The state Commissioner for Local Governments, Alhaji Faruk Malami, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto

that the projects were on health, water supply, women and youths empowerment . According to Malami, several hospitals and primary health centres have been rehabilitated and constructed, while others were equipped. “Several other health facilities were also up-

graded to the status of general hospitals and others were expanded. “Assorted drugs and hospital equipment were also provided to several health facilities. Pregnant women and children under five years are also being provided with free drugs across the 23 local governments of the state.”

Malami further said the measure was aimed at drastically reducing maternal and infant mortality across the state. “The state government is committed to ensuring the attainment of the MDGs goals by the year 2015 in line with the efforts of the countries in the comity of nations.”

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Bauchi govt to establish new markets

he Bauchi State Ministry for Environment said on Friday in Bauchi that it planned to establish three new markets within the metropolis.

A Director in the Ministry, Alhaji Umar Abulkadir, stated told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the measure was being taken to reduce congestion in market places. Abdulkadir said that the proposal, which was submitted few months ago, still awaited the approval of Gov. Isa Yuguda.

He said that the ministry intended to establish the facilities for trade in various commodities to make the environment conducive to members of the public. ``Three new markets were proposed and we are waiting for the approval so that the traffic and other congestion will be reduced in market areas. ``After the markets are set up, we intend to make each of them for certain commodities and all the petty traders will also have their stalls to de-congest other markets.’’

NGO enrols 200 female school drop-outs in Taraba

Taraba-based Non Governmental Organisation (NG0), Youth Progressive Association (YPA), has facilitated the enrolment of 200 female school drop-outs in schools across the state. The Chief Executive officer of the Association, Mr. Boniface Koson, made the fact known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jalingo. “Our investigation has

revealed that boys occupy 70 per cent of primary and secondary school enrolment in Taraba while the girls stood at 30 per cent. “It is in the light of this inequality that we deemed it fit to sponsor as many girls as possible to strike a balance,” Koson said. He said the NGO had already paid the school fees of the girls and would continue to provide learning materials for them.

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Sunday, February 24, 2013

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Dateline

SHAPING THE FUTURE WITH THE PAST FEBRUARY 24, 2013

KAYODE FASUA

n May 24, 1989, palpable tension had gripped the University of Benin (UNIBEN) campus in then Bendel State. Students were observed loitering about the premises of the students’ union building or gathering in groups, discussing at the top of their voices. The students were clutching copies of two handbills which contained purported misdeeds of the administration of military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, and some of his helmsmen. In the group discussions of the agitated students, they reasoned that at a time when government introduced Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), an economic policy which ordinarily dictates belt-tightening and frugality, it was an irony that the same proponents of the SAP were the ones milking the economy dry. The students apparently were expecting the student union leadership to address them, following which there would be declaration of Aluta (violent protest). The restless students were not disappointed. After a storming session, the student union executive in concert with the students parliament resolved on a mass protest. The leaders addressed the students one after another and before long, the latter were primed for a ‘mother of all Aluta.’ They at first embarked on a peaceful protest round some Benin streets and later in the day, they were granted audience by the state military governor, Colonel Tunde Ogbeha, who, when shown copies of the handbills, tried his best to repudiate allegations contained in them. But the next day, the protest turned violent, claiming no fewer than six lives. Among the dead were a policeman allegedly lynched by the rioters and a 15-year-old boy who was shot at close range by riot policemen at the New Benin Market area. After the dust settled on the hullabaloo, about 15 persons were placed on danger list at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. In Lagos, however, the controversial handbills had been circulated at the various institutions alright, but the students of the University of Lagos were at first reluctant to jump on the bandwagon. There, the student union leaders said they would require time to study and investigate the allegations contained in the bills. But while they still tarried to broach over whether to take to protest or not at the UNILAG, another incident was playing out at the Lagos College of Education (LACOED). Ninety-five students of the LACOED had been arraigned before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court, charged with the murder of two policemen during a riot embarked upon by the students a week earlier. The students saw the trial as trumped up, judging by a report they obtained that the policemen said to have died were actually alive. To further enrage them, the accused 95 students were not admitted to bail by the magistrate, who ordered them to be remanded in prison custody till the following month. That LACOED 95 trial thus was a fire-starter for the UNILAG students to join in the mass riot which was later branded ‘the anti-SAP riot.’

The riot proper So, by 4am on Wednesday, May 30, the UNILAG students, as in the days of the locust, trooped out of their Akoka campus, marching through Abule Oja to Moore Road before connecting Yaba College of Technology where they mobilised fellow students in the country’s premier technology institution. From YABATECH, the assemblage of angry students broke into groups and headed for various parts of Lagos to execute a mass action and make the city ungovernable. The platoons of rioters at their various beats in Lagos went into primary and secondary schools and conscripted pupils and students respectively, to participate in the protest. Woe betides any school head or teacher that tried to stop them. This action sent panic into parents, who ran helter-skelter in the streets, in search of their children. The rioters who had by now been joined by other youths and street urchins otherwise known as ‘area boys’, barricaded major roads and made bonfires which billowed into the sky in a joint, thick haze of fume. This naturally paralysed all commercial activities, as commercial motorists also withdrew their services. Public workers, artisans, traders and others had tales of woe to tell as they trekked long distances amid fear of possible attack. The rioters who chanted various slogans and war songs which included Babangida Must Go!, SAP Must Go!, apart from making bonfires, also set fire on official buildings and vehicles that belonged to government or those not in solidarity with the riot. To show solidarity, everyone in the street had to hoist leaves or have them tacked to their vehi-

Babangida

Falae

cle’s bonnet. The Lagos-Ibadan expressway which linked Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve-centre with other parts of the country was barricaded thus causing untold hardship to travellers many who trekked long distances. Others simply broke down. Riot police though initially caught off-guard at the effective mobilisation and execution of the riot, later buckled up as they reinforced from their various divisions and units, meeting the rioters ‘fire for fire’. At best, the rioters were armed with sticks, clubs, knives, cutlasses and cudgels. In isolated cases, some came out with dane guns. But the police responded first by shooting canisters of teargas but gravitated to the use of guns with rubber bullets. But as the riot intensified in severity, they began to shoot live bullets at the protesters, resulting in many casualties. When the dust cleared, no fewer than 10 civilians were killed while over 700 others were seriously injured. As Lagos was ‘burning’, a similar scenario was taking place in Ibadan, Oyo State. Though the poor economic condition in the country ascribed to the SAP policy and the revelations in the handbills also influenced the students of the University of Ibadan (UI), it was learnt that a local factor was a remote cause. On May 23, there was a students’ parliamentary meeting which was disrupted when a teargas canister was shot into the gathering. The meeting ended abruptly as everyone ran for dear life, to the anger of its conveners. Before the disruption, the students had gathered to discuss a case of one Mike Uyi, said to have been a student in the faculty of education for 10 years. The students said Uyi was an agent of State Security Service (SSS) and called for his expulsion. The students said Uyi must have been the brain behind the disruption of their meeting. The alleged SSS agent was the national president of Students Peace Movement of Nigeria and also, the leader of another group known as Peace Commando. The students marched to Uyi’s room at Sultan Bello Hall, packed out his property and set them ablaze. Hours after the incident, the students’ affairs officer of the university wrote a query to the students union, on the burning of Uyi’s property. Swiftly, the union replied the query, giving the authorities a 72-hour ultimatum to expel Uyi or face dire consequences. While the ding-dong continued, on Sunday, May 28, the students met with the state governor, Colonel Sasaenia Oresanya, demanding among other things, the expulsion of Uyi, the scrapping of SAP and that government must subsidise education. The students alleged that Uyi was actually a police officer and that his real name was Harrison Ugbile. So, from the next day, the students declared indefinite lecture boycott and as early as 6am same day, the union leaders had mobilised them for mass protest. But the protesters were repelled by policemen who fired teargas canister. However,

some of the students detoured and launched out through the Ibadan Polytechnic exit and poured into the streets. They were joined by thousands of others who included hoodlums and butchers. Though there was disputation on the Ibadan casualty figure, it was widely reported that two students of Loyola College, Ibadan, were killed. One basic factor in the riots which also occurred in many other parts of the country by students in higher institutions was that the students’ main umbrella body, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had given a May 29 ultimatum to the Federal Government to scrap the SAP. The expiry of the ultimatum snubbed by the government apparently engendered a nationwide mass upsurge of riots on the campuses. Though this was without prejudice to other local factors.

Anti-SAP: Students’ riots that shook IBB government

The controversial handbill The handbills that stoked up riots on the country’s campuses with an anti-SAP campaign as leech were in two parts. One of them reportedly contained features adduced to the May 1989 edition of Ebony magazine. The handbill quoted Ebony, a monthly magazine, as purportedly stating that Babangida was stupendously rich and had stashed some of the nation’s wealth in private accounts abroad. The alleged report also stated that the military president’s children were studying in Zurich, Switzerland and that his wife, Maryam, had a business empire abroad. The other bill, which centred on Babangida’s deputy, the Chief of General Staff, Rear Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, alleged that he too had taken the country’s wealth abroad and that he detained a businessman, Mohammed Bashir under Decree 2, that he was a security risk. But the handbill differed, stating that the real reason Bashir was being detained was because he outsmarted Aikhomu in a business deal. Closure of institutions As the riots raged across the country with each case showing that students on campuses belled the cart, military governors in respective states where the riots occurred closed down those institutions. The UNIBEN was first to be shut, followed by UNILAG. Governor Oresanya also announced the closure of the UI and the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. It was also learnt that the Minister of Education, Prof Jubril Aminu conferred with Babangida on issues relating to the disturbances, following which the Federal Government terminated the appointment of a lecturer with the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman, who was a radical and possibly suspected to have been one of the masterminds of the crises.

Politics

Sunday, February 24, 2013

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APGA: The unending crisis

Babangida Aliyu and 2015 presidency

zone into the alliance, and he has allegedly vowed to deliver the good. But in Anambra State, Obi and his supporters flayed Okorocha’s romance with the APC, saying that the Imo State governor “is bed mating with strange fellows against the interest of the founding fathers of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Obi, who is spearheading a faction of APGA backed by the supporters of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu. Obi has maintained that APGA is determined to retain the identity and core values bequeathed to it by its founding fathers and would not join any merger arrangement. Obi in a statement shortly after the national caucus of the party approved the appointment of Mr. Maxi Okwu and Alhaji Sanni Shinkafi, to serve as acting National Chairman and Acting National Secretary of the party respectively, said: “APGA as a party is not in merger with any political party but individual party members can go for that, as a personal arrangement. There are no two versions of APGA, we are only one indivisible party and that one indivisible APGA is not involved in any merger talks with any political party. The merger condition is that you have to surrender your identity and logo but we are not surrendering our logo, we are not surrendering our identity. Individuals can do so on their own.” The caucus meeting, it was gathered, was summoned to holistically review the High Court of Enugu State judg-

have been talking about. “I saw one that said Nigeria is going to be Somalianised. I saw another one who has been talking like there would be war tomorrow. That statement should be taken on its own value. “All of us who are involved in elections – political parties, contestants and voters themselves – we must all be careful so that there would be a semblance of good in whatever we do. But, again, like I said, certain people are so much in that position, they should be careful with certain vocabularies they use. So, both ways let’s take it on our own strides and ensure that future elections are seemed to be transparent and are seemed to be good.” Aliyu’s outburst makes him the second governor being viewed as eyeing the presidency after his Jigawa State counterpart, Sule Lamido, who is said to have been

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

ment, which ousted its embattled National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh; the merger and other incidental issues. Reacting to a statement allegedly credited to the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, that the real APGA was in support of the merger, Obi said the comments may have arisen out of sentiments of the environment. “I and Okorocha remain close as brothers and members of APGA. The governor of Imo State has sympathy for the opposition merger arrangement of the APC and he believes that it would serve best the interest of the party. I believe that APGA is an independent party and will remain so. And if I may quote our late hero, he says: ‘It is better to be a majority in a minority than to be a minority in majority, because nobody will hear your voice’. “We want our voice to be heard in this enterprise called Nigeria and we believe that APGA gives us that opportunity and we in APGA hold that reality so dearly to our heart,” he said. But Okorocha has maintained that whereas there are problems in his party, the party was committed to the merger. “Let me say that APGA is in the merger talks. We have our little challenges and we are just trying to sort out about who are the APGA-APGA and who are the APGA-PDP. But I can tell you that the APGA-APGA (the real APGA) is already in the merger talks.” While reaffirming his belief in APC, Okorocha said that the party would defeat the ruling PDP from the control of the central government in 2015.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

Amaechi

nominated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The former President, it was gathered had also tipped Governor Rotimi Amaechi as Lamido’s running mate. It will however be recalled that last month, Aliyu said that he had not declared for the 2015 presidency and also dismissed the purported commencement of his presidential campaign as untrue. He made the clarification in Minna when he received the Ethiopian Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr Ali Abdul Sulaiman, and the new Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. Musibau Akanbi. He disclosed that the PDP at the national level had barred aspirants from all campaigns for the 2015 general elections till 2014, adding that he was complying with the directive as a loyal party member and law abiding citizen. He explained that it was the National Youth Leader of the party, Alhaji Garba Umaru, who incidentally was from Niger, who led a delegation to Plateau to thank the PDP members in that state for voting for him during the national convention of the party. “This has now been misconstrued as a presidential campaign flag off by me,’’ the governor said. At that time, Aliyu, said his clarification of the situation was not an indication that he was afraid to contest for the presidency when the time comes. “If it is God’s will that I would come out, believe me I am not afraid I will come out because what will be will be but I am not out yet.’’

PDP and the many challenges of Bamanga Tukur

Olagunsoye

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 soared relationship with the governors was when they again failed to honour the chairman at his 77 birthday anniversary. Only three governors namely, Theodore Orji of Abia, Isa Yuguda of Bauchi and the late Yakowa of Kaduna State that honoured him with their presence at the book launch of his biography, the ‘Global Villager’. The governors, it was noted, were all in Abuja as many of them turned up at the Presidential banquet that night and even Tukur himself expressed surprise. The frosty relationship had only intensified recently when the governors decided to challenge the powers of the national chairman over the suzerainty of the Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, as regard the running of the party in the state. The governors wanted to sound a warning that they would not compromise any attempt by the party leadership to interfere in the control of affairs in their states. Naturally, they took sides with their colleague in Adamawa and had even visited the National Headquarters to register their displeasure about the situation in Adamawa. They also followed up with several meetings at the Villa with President Jonathan, warning on the consequences of not allowing the party at the states to be under the care of the governors. It would be recalled that the genesis of the frosty re-

lationship among the governors and Tukur predated the present NWC. Before the National Convention, the northern governors had met and chosen former acting National Secretary, Dr. Babayo Shehu, as their candidate but President Jonathan had preferred Tukur and had insisted on him. The governors agreed with the President but have sworn not to have anything to do with the chairman. The role of the governors in the party politics is massive and they have no intention to lease such powers hence they hold tenaciously to it. Tukur has in recently been making frantic efforts to appease the governor through proposed visits to some of the governors, including Governor Amaechi. Faceoff with Nyako over Adamawa PDP: the crisis, decisions On the surface, the crisis in Adamawa PDP is linked to the fact that Mijinyawa Kaugama-led state executive of the PDP was forced on the party members illegally, but beneath the scenario was the raging personality clash between the governor and Tukur, firstly, on who controls the party; secondly on who succeeds the governor in the 2016 governorship election, and thirdly, who controls the state ahead of the 2015 presidential election. The crisis rocking the Adamawa chapter reached its elastic limit when the party’s headquarters dissolved the state chapter. The National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said a Caretaker Committee had been set up to manage the affairs of the party in the state, pending further directives. He cited Article 31, Section 2(e) and 29, 2 (b) of the 2012 amended constitution of the party, adding that the dissolution took place after repeated breaches of the constitution by the Adamawa State Chapter. The party leadership said the action by the state leadership was “contrary to the provisions of section 50(1) of the Constitution of the party, which among others, states emphatically that the NEC which the NWC acts on behalf of in this respect, is the final authority for the formulation of guidelines and regulations for

the nomination of candidates for election into public offices at all levels and conveying same to INEC or any other authority to whom it may concern.” Rising from a meeting presided over by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, the 10-man NWC, in what could aptly be described as a palace coup, rescinded its decision on the caretaker committee and further screwed it in that the congresses it had conducted were null, void and of no effect. It said the ward and local government levels’ congresses in the state were never authorised. Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, said they rescinded the dissolution of the Adamawa State executive, as it was never the decision of the party in the first place to conduct the congresses. Jaja, however, said the NWC at its 315th meeting on December 12, 2012, had agreed to reverse the dissolution of the Adamawa State executive that was dissolved on October 17, 2012. He said but for the helicopter crash that led to the death of Kaduna State Governor, Yakowa, and others, it would have been announced. Said Jaja: “The NWC in its 315th meeting of Wednesday, December 12, 2012, had rescinded the dissolution of the PDP, Adamawa State executive. The NWC had earlier dissolved the Adamawa State executive under Article 29(2)(b) wherein we acted on behalf of Article 31(2) (e) powers of the NEC. But it is instructive to note that the ward and local government executives of Adamawa State were never dissolved.” But Tukur in his reaction said that he felt betrayed by the actions of some members of the NWC as he had opted to stay away in all matters that affected Adamawa State. “This is just a case of betrayal of trust. The documentations and correspondence in this matter will justify that the congresses in the state were approved by the NWC”, Tukur stated. Ever since then, the NWC has never remained the same again. Only last Thursday, Tukur restated his disappointment on the NWC and, as it stands, no one knows where the ill wind will blow.

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Sunday, February 24, 2013

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SOUTH SOUTH

Zonal News

Sunday February 24, 2013

Over 250,000 benefitted from Delta health programme –Commissioner

ore than 250,000 women and children have been treated under the Delta State’s Mother and Child Free Health Care programme, Dr Joseph Otumara, the Commissioner for Health, has said. Otumara disclosed this at weekend when the National Good Governance Tour team inspected ongoing work at the 100-bed mother and child health care centre at the Warri Central Hospital. He said the services included the treatment of complicated cases involving women and children as well as provision of other services. Otumara said the free health care programme was initiated as part of measures to tackle maternal and child-related health issues. He said that the 100-bed centre being built at the

Warri Central Hospital would complement existing facilities and increase the hospital’s capacity to handle women and children cases. Otumara said the centre was sited in Warri because of the high rate of maternal and child health challenges in the area. He also said that the centre, which will cost more than N1 billion to build and equip, would be ready for use by April 2013. The commissioner said the major equipment needed for the take off of the centre had been procured and ready for installation. At Ubeji Primary School in Warri, doctors and other medical workers were seen attending to people who gathered there to receive free medical care. The commissioner told the team that more than 100,000 people had benefited from the services since

the programme was reinvigorated in 2008. He also said that more than 12,000 cases of cataract and many cases of fibroid, amongst other ailments had been treated through the scheme across

the state. Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Water Resources Development, Mr Chris Oghenechovwen, has said that the Regional Water Scheme project in Warri would be ready by

December. Oghenechovwen told the National Good Governance Tour team that the facility, which has capacity to treat 68,000 cubic litres of water per day, would serve communities in Warri North, Warri South, Ugheli and Sapele. He said the government,

which owes the contractor N2.4 billion of the N9 billion total cost of the project, was committed to completing the project. Mr Labaran Maku, the Minister of Information, commended the government for addressing the needs of the suburban communities.

Why Pope Benedict ‘really’ quit

ith four days to go before Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, the Vatican is being rocked by an explosive report that he decided to quit after learning of a network of influential gay prelates who were being blackmailed by gay outsiders. The revelation stems from Benedict’s ordering a committee of three cardinals to investigate the unauthorised release to journalists of Vatican papers the “Vati-leaks” scandal and to make the findings for his eyes only. Ironically, the two-vol-

ume, red-leather-bound cardinals’ report running nearly 300 pages was itself leaked. Pope Benedict XVI commissioned a probe that unearthed evidence of gay clergy members within the Vatican being blackmailed by gay laity. Italy’s leading newspaper, La Repubblica, reported this week that the report was turned over to Benedict on Dec. 17 and he decided that day to resign. The cardinals questioned dozens of Vatican officials and concluded the Holy See was corrupt-

ed by rival factions. “Everything revolves around the non-observance of the Sixth and Seventh Commandments,” the report said, according to La Repubblica. That’s a reference to “Thou shall not steal” for the alleged pilfering of the Vatican bank and “Thou shall not commit adultery,” which alludes to homosexuality. La Repubblica added that members of one faction were “united by sexual orientation.” “Some prelates are ‘externally influenced’ we

would say blackmailed by laity who are linked by bonds of a ‘worldly nature,’ ” the paper said. A similar report appeared in Italy’s news weekly Panorama, which named a Roman sauna where gay encounters allegedly took place. Other Italian news media reported that Benedict was shocked by the findings. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi had indicated the pope may meet with the cardinals who compiled the document before he steps down next Thursday.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, February 24, 2013

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Afolabi, Huck discuss possible P. 62 re-match

Omotosho set for P. 62 Vargas challenge

Sport

KEEPING YOU ABREAST OF SPORTING NEWS February 24, 2013

EURO BRIEFS

R ld shrugs Ronaldo h off criticism

ristiano Ronaldo says that criticism of his lifestyle away from the pitch “hurts” him and has played down reports of dressing room friction. Ronaldo revealed that he can accept what critics may say about his performance for Real Madrid and Portugal, but it is hard to deal with what is said about his life away from the game.

Pastore keen over Beckham’s debut

aris Saint-Germain midfielder Javier Pastore says he is looking forward to playing with David Beckham, who is preparing for his PSG debut. The capital club faces a huge game today when they host Marseille.

Ochoa claims Liverpool interest

jaccio goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa claims Liverpool are one of a number of clubs to have expressed an interest in his services. Ochoa revealed that the Premier League outfit enquired as to his availability during the January transfer window.

Edinson Cavani (left) in a Serie A action for Napoli against Juventus.

Give me Cavani, Mancini beckons on City

oberto Mancini has beckoned on the management of Manchester City to enable him secure the services of Edinson Cavani. The embattled City manager said he does not want the club to repeat the same mistake in this summer’s transfer window when the club is likely to go in pursuit of Edinson Cavani and Radamel Falcao. The Italian manager has never made any secret of his frustration at his club’s failure to secure his top targets in the summer of 2012 after winning the Premier League title. Mancini has tended to list transfer errors as a reason why

City currently trail Manchester United at the top of the table, a position which has led to speculation about his own future. But the 48-year-old remains focused on the job at the Etihad Stadium and wants improved business this summer, when Napoli striker Cavani and Atletico Madrid’s forward Falcao could be chased along with Santos’ Neymar and Liverpool’s Luis Suarez. Asked about Cavani, Mancini said ahead of today’s crucial game against Chelsea: “I like him but the entire world wants him. There are big players. “I don’t know what can hap-

Quarter finalists emerge at NNPC/Shell Cup P. 63

pen. Suarez plays for a top team like Liverpool. Cavani plays for Napoli. There’s Falcao but, again, all the managers like him. “Neymar is a good player, he’s young, but I don’t know if he’s ready to play in England, because the football is totally different. “I think he will go to Barcelona or Real Madrid where the football is more technical. But Cavani and Falcao would work in England. “They have experience. Both players are 26, 27. They are good enough to play in England.” New chief executive Ferran

PREMIERSHIP TABLE

Soriano and director of football Txiki Beguiristain will be heavily involved in any transfer business having replaced Brian Marwood in a reshuffle at City. Mancini suffered a breakdown in his relationship with Marwood last summer and has again never hidden this fact. “It’s important to realise we have made some mistakes,” said Mancini. “I have made some mistakes and the players have made some mistakes. But the first reason is because we didn’t do what we should have done in the summer transfer market - we worked really badly in the market.”

Cowbell Football Academy partners foreign consultant P. 63

TEAM

PTS

1. Man Utd

2. Man City

3. Chelsea

4. Tottenham

5. Arsenal

6. Everton

7. West Brom

8. Liverpool

9. Swansea

10. Stoke

-6

11. Fulham

-5

12. Norwich

-14

13. West Ham

-9

14. Sunderland

-7

15. Southampton

-9

16. Newcastle

-12

17. Wigan

-18

18. Aston Villa

-26

19. Reading

-18

20. QPR

-24

Home-based Eagles invitation should be on merit –Oruruo

Sport

Sunday February 24, 2013

Pistorius’ conscience 08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com will judge him, says Afolabi, Huck discuss possible re-match Steenkamp’s father T

Knockout W

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

BO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck (34-2-1,25Kos) and interim cruiserweight belt holder Ola Afolabi (19-2-4,9Kos) are to discuss the purse for their third fight which is expected to hold on March 2, in Germany.

with

The two powerful cruiserweight boxers have met twice in the past, with Huck recording a victory over the Nigerian in their first meeting while their second fight on May 5, 2012, ended in a draw. According to WBO regulations, the minimum bid for

IFEANYI Eduzor

the fight is $300,000. The WBO also stated that in a purse bid involving a contest between a WBO Champion and a WBO Interim Champion, “the purse division will not be greater than 80/20 and shall be calculated by the Championship Committee,

using a ratio based upon the average purse of each fighter’s last three fights. The purse discussion which will be presided over by the WBO President, Francisco Valcarcel, is expected to state how much each of the boxers will be paid at the end of the fight.

Omotosho set for Vargas challenge U Ola Afolabi(left) and Marco Huck, exchanging blows when they met last year for the second time. The fight ended in a draw.

Guerrero: I’ll end Mayweather’s reign F our-division and six-time world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (31-11, 18 KOs) has revealed that he is going to end the reign of pound-for-pound king, Floyd Mayweather Jr. (43-0, 26 KOs), when they meet on May 4, 2013. Speaking shortly after both

parties signed the contract for the fight, Guerrero noted that he is going to humble Mayweather whom everybody thinks is unbeaten, when they step into the ring. “Floyd Mayweather is a great fighter, but on May 4th, I’m going to end his reign as poundfor-pound king,” he said.

nited States of America Nigerian-based welterweight boxer, Wale “Lucky Boy” Omotosho (23-0-19 Kos) says he is ready to face fellow undefeated boxer, Jessie Vargas (21-0-9 Kos) to announce his readiness to go for a shot at the world title. The 27-year-old boxer, who relocated to the United States from Australia in 2011 after signing with Top Rank Promotions, will face his opponent on March 16, on the undercard of Timothy Bradley/ Ruslan Provodnikov fight. Speaking on the fight, Omotosho stated that he was fully prepared to face the 23-year-old Vargas whom he acknowledged to be a good boxer.

he father of Oscar Pistorius girlfriend, Barry Steenkamp says that the Paralympics’ champion will have to live with his conscience over the killing of his daughter, Reeva Steenkamp. Pistorius, 26, admits shooting Ms. Steenkamp, 29, but denies murder, saying he mistook her for an intruder. Speaking yesterday after the Paralympics cham-

Victory Group of Schools holds inter-house sports

Omotosho

“I know that Vargas is a good boxer who has been undefeated in all his 21 bouts, but he is going to meet a better boxer on March 16, when his unbeaten run will be broken,”Omotosho said.

pion was freed on bail pending trial; Barry Steenkamp noted that only Oscar Pistorius and God know what really happened. “It does not matter how much money he has and how good his legal team is, he will have to live with his conscience. If it didn’t happen the way he says it did, he must suffer and he will suffer, but if he speaks the truth, I can forgive him,” he said.

he First Annual Unified Inter – House Sports competition of Victory Group of Schools will begin on March 1, at the school’s play ground. The Victory Group of Schools includes Victory High School, Victory Grammar School and two Victory Home Schools, in Ojota, as well as Victory Home School Ode-Omu in Osun State. According to the school’s Sports Direc-

tor, Somade Vincent, all the Victory schools, except the one in Ode-Omu will be having their Inter –House Sports competition together same day . Also speaking, Managing Proprietor of the schools, Chief C.F.Olaniyan said the event will kick off on February 26 with a media briefing at the school compound, Bank Anthony Street, Ikeja by 11.00am.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday February 24, 2013

Quarter finalists emerge at NNPC/ Shell Cup ANDREW EKEJIUBA

ollowing the recent conclusion of the zonal preliminary matches of the 2013 edition of the NNPC/Shell Cup in nine cities across the country, ten schools have booked their tickets to play in the quarter-finals stage. According to the organisers of the competition, from the Osogbo centre, Government College, Ibadan emerged winners and qualified for the quarter-finals from Zone A ahead of their counterparts from Ondo, Lagos and Ogun states, while Henson Demonstration School, Benin qualified from Zone B in Ado Ekiti, where Kogi, Osun and the defending champions, Kwara Football Academy, Ilorin also participated. Others who qualified for the quarter-finals include, Annunciation School, Ikere, Ekiti from Zone C in Benin, Akunne Oniah Memorial Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra State from Zone

D in Enugu, Purple Krown College, Enugu, from Zone E in Yenagoa and Government Comprehensive Day Secondary School, Bauchi, from Zone F in Lokoja. Others are Government College, Maiduguri, Borno State from Zone G in Jalingo and Government Secondary School, Wuse, FCT, from Zone H in Keffi. Two schools also qualified from Katsina’s Zone I, because there were 5 teams in the zone. The schools are Government Arabic College, Gwale, Kano State and Sani Dingyadi Secondary School, Sokoto. Meanwhile, in the quarter-final fixtures slated for February 28 to March 3, Oyo State will battle Edo State in Centre One, at Sagamu, Ekiti will confront the winner between Anambra and Enugu in Centre Two, in Port Harcourt, while Sokoto will clash with the winner between FCT and Bauchi in Centre Three, in Minna. The last quarter-final match will be between Kano and Borno in Centre Four, in Kaduna.

Eagles: Home-based players invitation should be on merit –Oruruo DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

A Henson Demonstration School, Benin, Edo State, looking set to confront Government College, Ibadan, Oyo State at the quarter-finals of the 2013 NNPC/Shell Cup at Sagamu.

AYC: Flying Eagles ready to fly, says Pyabara SAYO OGUNDEJI

fter their 3-1 victory over their Egyptian counterparts in a tune up friendly in preparation for the 2013 Africa Youth Championship (AYC) which kicks off in Algeria on March 17, Flying Eagles and Sharks of Port Harcourt forward, Christian Pyabara, says the team is ready to take on the rest of the participating teams at the tournament. Ibrahim El-Sayed had

Cowbell Football Academy partners foreign consultant ANDREW EKEJIUBA

owbell Football Academy (CFA) is partnering with Mr. Sunny Izevbigie, an American-based coach and former Super Eagles player as a consultant on overseas career development for the players. Mr. Dudu Orumen, Rector of the CFA disclosed this during a training session of the academy at the

main bowl of the National Stadium in Lagos recently. He said beside the development of the players for football, the academy is also interested in their educational development. Orumen further revealed that Izevbigie got a scholarship to study at the Harvard University in the United States (US) after Nigeria won the All Africa Games in 1973, and some of the players in the academy can still

get such opportunity. Already, one of the CFA players, Tony Amolo has a scholarship to study in an American University. In a separate interview, Izevbigie said there was so much training that could be done for children right from the age of five, adding that because of the exposure of African footballers to European football, Africa has grown so much compared to what it was in the 1970s.

From L-R: Dudu Orumen, Rector Cowbell Football Academy, Chief Keith Richard, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Promasidor Nigeria Limited and Seun Kuti, Afro-beat singer at a training session of Cowbell Football Academy players at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Lagos recently.

put the Egyptians ahead but a goal from Abduljaleel Ajagun and Christian Pyabara’s brace ensured the John Obuh-led boys stretch their unbeaten run as the tournament draws near. Flying Eagles are the defending champions of the tournament and going by the team’s impressive outings in their friendly matches in preparation ahead of the tourney, Pyabara is optimistic Nigeria will retain the title. “Going into an impor-

tant competition like this requires an improved performance like that against Egypt in the friendly which obviously has raised our morale and we hope to build on that in the next few matches. “I am quite excited scoring in the friendly game, but football is a collective game which means we must all work collectively to form a formidable unit capable of emerging champions again in Algeria,” the Sharks striker stated.

Alake tasks government on grassroots sports development ANDREW EKEJIUBA

he Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Dr. Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo has called for concerted efforts at developing sports at the grassroots level in Nigeria. Oba Gbadebo stated this while speaking on the standard of this year’s Lisabi Soccer Competition among secondary schools in Egbaland, which spread across six local government areas of Ogun State. The Alake said, it is when all hands are on deck by various tiers of government, corporate organisations and philanthropists that sports at the grassroots can be given the attention it deserves, which will on the long-run have positive impact on Nigeria’s overall sports development. The paramount ruler who decried the attitude of focusing on sports development at the state and national levels, said unless emphasis are shifted

back to grassroots sports, Nigeria’s fortune in sports will continue to dwindle. He used the opportunity to congratulate the Federal Government, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Super Eagles players and their handlers led by Coach Stephen Keshi, for the victory the team recorded at the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nation in South Africa. Oba Gbadebo revealed that the annual Lisabi Soccer Competition has discovered several players who have gone to represent the state and Nigeria at various levels and called on coaches at the state and national level to storm the M.K.O Abiola Stadium to watch the semi-final matches.The two matches will be played tomorrow; Football College, OrileImo will battle Okenla Anglican Grammar School, Ifo, at 10am in the first semi-final, while Unity Grammar School will confront International Soccer Academy, Wasimi, in the last semi-final by 12:30pm.

board member of Rangers International of Enugu, Mr. Steve Oruruo, has advised handlers of the Super Eagles to ensure that injection of home-based players in future competitions is based purely on merit. Orurua described the Super Eagles winning of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the third time after 19 years as heart-warming and expressed his delight with Coach Stephen Keshi, and his colleagues for a job well done. He however, insisted that selection of homebased players during future international engagements should be gradual and on merit. He stated that the idea of giving the home-based players opportunity to showcase their skills was a welcome development, but cautioned against doing so at the altar of favoritism. According to him, the coaching crew should also learn how to show appreciation and recognition to our foreign-based players, regretting why a player like Osaze Odemwingie was not selected for the tournament. “For me, Osaze had always been a committed and faithful player when it comes to Nigeria’s international engagements, so, no matter what offence he may have committed, the coach ought to have given him a chance in the team,” Oruruo said.

Home-based Super Eagles striker, Ejike Uzoenyi

N I G E R I A

N873 Vol. 3 No. 11

Sunday, February 24, 2013

www.nationalmirroronline.net

N150

bn, amount the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) alleged was missing in solid minerals’ fund.

I N

F I G U R E S

N350

bn, sum President Goodluck Jonathan, said Nigeria needs yearly to meet its water and sanitation targets.

Abuja power play and the rest of us

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Comment

E-mail: nwaunah@yahoo.com Unah is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lagos

with Jim Unah

lbert Einstein once said, “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” Unarguably, Nigeria and its people have never had any real respite, any golden era, to look back to with nostalgia since the amalgamation of 1914 and the inauguration of nationhood in 1960. It has always been a rumble in the jumble; a story of slavery for and collusion with imperial masters; of colonial exploitation and struggle to extricate the people from the yoke and trammels of external bondage; a struggle that culminated in the substitution of one form of exploitation and oppression with another – the replacement of colonial invaders with local potentates and political actors who perceive the country and its vast resources as a “project” to execute for private ends or a “cash cow” to milk to nurture the private estates of its masters; rather than opportunity to deploy the vast human and material resources to heed the old testament command to take dominion of our own part of the earth and turn it into a terrestrial paradise for human happiness, as the

Caucasians and the Asians have done in their own side of the sunshine to the glory of God and comfort of mankind. Virtually all political decisions and actions in Nigeria are calculated by the actors to enrich their private interest, rather than promote the collective happiness and wellbeing of the generality of the Nigerian people. The only sector deregulated to serve the general purpose – the telecoms sector – has been so poorly regulated and so poorly supervised that it is a nightmare using a cell phone service in the country. The regulators compromise their integrity and sell out so easily to the service providers who mercilessly exploit and fleece the people that it is absolutely hairsplitting getting telephone calls through. One need not replay the crises and corruption in the power sector, the petroleum sector, the road and rail infrastructure sector, the public pension sector, et cetera, to conclude that the political actors in seeming control – the legislature and the executive and the judicial arm inclusive – are in no position to give purposeful leadership to the Nigerian State. But this can change if we change our thinking. Take the ongoing power play between the National Assembly and the Presidency over budget 2013, for instance. In whose interest is it? Certainly not in the interest of the Nigerian people; and not in the interest of the fledgling economy that begs for genuine surgical operation and attention. A budget process that was hailed by all as a

turning point in the history of the nation’s budgeting, has now turned awry because of a shameful power play between the lawmakers and the executive arm of government over gray areas that have gradually snowballed into irreconcilable differences. When a nation’s state actors get to a cul de sac, a dead end, as they now appear to be, what happens to the rest of us, especially to the business community who need information from the budget to make business projections and calculations? Why would the animosity of the lawmakers against a single individual in government service – DG of SEC – result in the denial of operational funding in the budget for an important agency of state, the Securities and Exchange Commission – SEC; just when the deft moves of SEC is bringing back investor confidence into the capital market? Is the sack of the SEC DG more helpful to the economy than the quick recovery of the capital market? Apart from the SEC DG problem, another so-called gray area of the budget, which the lawmakers say is a do or die matter, is the Constituency Project issue. The legislators say they need funding for constituency projects put in the budget to enable them execute some pet projects for their constituencies which voted them into office; more so now that the executive arm of government has failed to provide service and infrastructure for genuine economic activities to blossom. The people are hungry, angry and frustrated, and

Sunshine denies placing price tag on Oboabona HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

ontrary to media reports that a price tag of one million euros was placed on the Africa Cup of Nations winning defender, Godfrey Oboabona, by the management of his club, Sunshine Stars International Football Club, Akure, the club yesterday denied the report. The Chairman of the Ondo State Football Agency, Chief Segun Adagunodo, who stated this in Akure, said the club only had an offer of one million euro from one of the top flight teams in Ukraine. Adagunodo disclosed that the club is still studying the offer in conjunction with the marketer appointed for the player

and added that the Ukraine offer was one of the various offers from international clubs seeking the player’s services. “It was a misconception on the part of the journalist that spoke with me. What I actually said was that an offer of one million euro came from one of the Eastern European countries, specifically Ukraine, and I told the person that we are still studying it because an offer for Godfrey Oboabona will have to be taken with due consultations with our consultant, Mr. Emman Obichi, who has been appointed to manage him on behalf of Sunshine. “We cannot go behind the consultant and start doing otherwise, that is the true situation,” Adagunodo said.

they need respite from social service provisioning to assuage them; and hopefully prevent the eruption of mass revolt which beckons. Unfortunately, even the much vaunted constituency projects are not defensible, because they are mere surrogate versions of social amenities – mere boreholes and a couple of solar power poles displayed here and there that never genuinely provide the sort of energy required for real production activities. Even the problem of the executive not performing creditably to the benefit of the people can be shown to be the outcome of bribe taking by the lawmakers in the cause of their oversight functions. The Hembe-Oteh matter and so many other allegations of corruption on the part of the lawmakers from agencies of state compounded and complicated the problem of holding public officers truly accountable. If the lawmakers can re-assert themselves, reclaim their lost integrity and transparency in regulating activities in the executive arm of government, the conduct of public affairs would become more and more transparent, and it would be easy to hold executive functionaries accountable for their actions. The way to begin this process, in my view, is not for the lawmakers to embark in unhealthy power play with the Presidency and stall the activities of state; but to re-assert themselves and perform their oversight and regulatory functions as they should in the eye of the law.

Give me Cavani, Mancini P. 61 beckons on City CAF SUPER CUP RESULT Al Ahly 2-1 AC Leopard

PREMIERSHIP RESULTS Fulham 1-0 Stoke City Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa Norwich City 2-1 Everton QPR 0-2 Man United Reading 0-3 Wigan Oboabona

He also revealed that other offers that were not up to one million euros had come from various clubs before the Ukrainian team came up with its offer, and added that they are envisaging more offers from other foreign clubs for the defender.

West Brom 2-1 Sunderland PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES Today’s Matches Man City v Chelsea 13:30 Newcastle v Southampton 13:30 Monday, February 25, 2013 West Ham v Tottenham 20:00

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