Daily times e magazine issue 2

You’re a political prostitute, Kashamu replies Daniels

By Ugochukwu Onyeocha In response to a recent comment describing him as suffering from political inexperience

and over-confidence by the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniels, the Chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South-

West, Mr. Buruji Kashamu, has described the former Governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, as” someone suffering from an overdose of political prostitution.”

P28

Kashamu spoke in response to a statement credited to Daniel on Sunday in some national newspapers where the ex-governor described Kashamu, a chief of the PDP in Ogun State, as

aily Times NG AUGUST 4 - AUGUST 10, 2014

Only Hi-tech Rigging can defeat Aregbesola –Temionu P8

Are you really convinced that Fayose won the June 20 election in Ekiti in all fairness?

I do not want to comment on the Ekiti militarised governorship election and its advanced technology-assisted victory. But since you want me to say something, l will give you a hypothetical example...

I thought cancer was a death sentence Did you ever enjoy your childhood?

–Survivor

P14 Aregbesola

Because I am a deep person.

Unusual delicacies for adventurous people

told them you were going into

entertainment?

Nigeria and her tribal marks P24

Marriage is not on my mind

P13

–D Prince

2

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

news Fashola To Declare Open NYSC ‘B’ Orientation Course

Nigeria Varsity Releases Result Four Hours After Examination

by Sodiq Adekunle s.adekunle@ folioholdingsgroup.com

commence August 5 to 26, 2014 while the second stream of the same Batch will start September 1 to September 22, 2014.“The Orientation Course is the first activity of the one year National Service. It is designed to induct corps members into the NYSC programs and prepare them for the challenges of National Service.

The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola is expected to preside over and formally declare the Orientation Course for the first stream of the 2014 Batch ‘B’ open on Thursday, August 7 and the second stream of the same b a t c h o n We d n e s d a y, September 3, 2014,” adding that “the Chief Judge of Lagos State will administer the oath of National Service on the corps members.”

by Joy Ekeke j.ekeke@folioholdingsgroup.com

The Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, will on Thursday, August 7, declare open the Orientation Course for the first stream of the 2014 Batch ‘B’ of the National Youth Service Corps, at the State NYSC Orientation Camp, at Iyana-Ipaja,lagos The Lagos NYSC Assistant Director, Public Relation.

Faniyi Belinda Said the orientation course will commence nationwide between August 5 and August 26.

“In Lagos State about 4, 000 corps members are expected to participate in the 2014 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Course, which has been divided into two streams. Belinda said The Orientation Course for the first stream will

In less than four hours after the conduct of its post-UTME screening exercise for Fourteen Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty Eight candidates (14,648), the authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, have released the results of the exercise with over ninety (90) candidates scoring 300 marks and above out of the available 400 marks.

A release from the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that out of the total number of 14,648 who participated in the screening, Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy Nine(7,779) candidates scored Two Hundred (200) and above.

Interestingly, seven out of the eight candidates who emerged 1st, 2nd and 3rd applied to read Law while the eighth candidate applied to read English Education.

One candidate scored 360, two candidates scored 352 each, and each of the remaining six candidates scored 348 to all emerged AKINADE, Oladayo Felicia (45027699HD), who scored the highest and came first got 360 (Law); two others, whose scores follow closely and came second are ADEAGBO, Folakemi Olanike (45737901HC), 352 (Law) and KOYE-LADELE Mofehintoluwa O(47368712CI),352 (Law), while third position goes to ILOABUCHI, Emerie Collins (47185750II) ,348 (Law) ; AYODELE, Timothy O l u w a s e u n (47189939DE), 348 ,( Law); ODELAMI, Akintomiwa Akinleye (47194139EE), 348 ( Law); A JAYI, John Jesuferanmi (47198557HJ), 348 ( Law) and OJO, Isaiah O l a o n i p e k u n (47356218GI), 348 (Edu/Eng) respectively.

The University 's spokesman therefore enjoined candidates, their parents and, or guardian to check their

Daily Times

children's and wards re s u l t s o n t h e University's website.

Meanwhile, the ViceChancellor of the University, Professor Bamitale Omole, has applauded the academic and administrative soundness of the members of staff, whose dedication to duty was described as a masterpiece, particularly on the just concluded post-UTME screening exercise. He thanked them for making the academic progress and overall development of the University their priority.

e-Newspaper Team

JULY 28 - AUGUST 03, 2014

Mr. Fidelis Anosike

Publisher/Chairman

Mr. Noel Anosike Group Managing Director

Mr. Semiu Makanjuola Managing Director

Gabriella Osamor

Managing Editor

Augustine Aminu

Assistant Editor

Tunji Makanjuola

Science & Tech

Ugochukwu Onyeocha

Politics & Business

Opeoluwani Akintayo

Leisure, Entertainment, People

Sodiq Adekunle

Sports

World & Africa News

Joy Ekeke

Metro

Iyanu Oni-Orisan

Funmi Salome Johnson Copy Editor Lara Adejoro Adesola Akindele

Metro & Health Arts & Culture

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

3

news Election 2015: No Collection Of Permanent Voters' Card By Proxy, INEC Insists

by Lara Adejoro l.adejoro@folioholdingsgroup.com

Ahead of the 2015 general elections across the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has warned that no one would be permitted to collect the Permanent Voters’ Registration Card (PVC) by proxy.

The Commission’s Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega made this known at a 2-day workshop for administrative secretaries and electoral officers cutting across 12 states in the Federation,in Calabar, Cross River State.

Professor Jega who was

represented by the Cross River State Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, said, all eligible voters would be required to be present at the point of collection and their thumb prints registered to ensure a credible and reliable register of voters.

He added that electorates must provide evidence of personal collection, while participants must ensure that the names of all who collected are written on the Distribution Register (D.R), a control measure that section 16 of the Electoral Act empowers INEC to adopt in issuing of voters cards.

Gunmen Shoot Worshippers, Kill 1 In Kaduna

by Lara Adejoro l.adejoro@ folioholdingsgroup.com

At least one person was on Sunday killed and several others injured following an attack on a Catholic Church in Ungwan Pau-Pau village,

Kachia local government area of Kaduna state by unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani h e r d s m e n .

The incident was said to have occurred at about 8 am on Sunday when the gunmen invaded the Church during Sunday

w

o r s h i p .

Eye witness said a young man who was guarding the Church was killed while several others sustained injuries from gun shots and were rushed to the hospital in the area for treatment.

Cholera Kills 27, 1000 Others Treated For Symptoms At Biu Refugee Camp

by Lara Adejoro l.adejoro@folioholdingsgroup.com

The Borno State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Salma Anas Kolo, on Sunday said 27 persons have so far died of cholera at one of the internally displaced persons camp and hospitals in Biu. The commissioner who

spoke on phone from Biu where she had proceeded from Maiduguri to monitor the case of cholera outbreak from one of the two camps established by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for over 10,000 displaced persons from Damboa said 16 persons

died in the IDPs camps while 11 others died in the hospitals they were taken to for treatment.

Dr Kolo revealed that over 1,000 persons were so far treated by health personnel at the camp for cholera symptoms, with 30 people on admission.

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

4

news

Osun Polls: PDP Accuses APC Of Hiring OYES Cadets As Adhoc Staff

by Ugochukwu Onyeocha u.onyeocha@folioholdingsgroup.com

Osogbo- The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Osun State chapter on Sunday charged the e l e c t o ra l u m p i re , t h e Independent National E l e c t o ra l C o m m i s s i o n (INEC) against hiring and utilising members of the O s u n Y o u t h Empowerment Scheme (OYES) as ad hoc staff for the forthcoming August 9 governorship election in

the state.

The PDP revealed that it had obtained credible information that some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have infiltrated INEC and were fraudulently enlisting OYES cadets for recruitment as ad hoc staff for the election.

The party which made this known in a statement issued by the Director of Media and Strategy of Osun PDP, Prince Diran Odeyemi, specifically accused Senator Isiaka Adelekeof forcing INEC officials to recruit OYES cadets for election duties in his constituency.

T h e s t a t e m e n t re a d s , “Many APC chieftains were alleged to be involved in this desperate move to avert defeat and commit fraud through OYES cadets

that are being recruited in place of the National Yo u t h S e r v i c e C o r p s members to work on the day of Osun governorship polls, but we can only confirm Adeleke’s involvement.

“What they have been doing is to substitute the NYSC members with OYES cadets and get uniforms of the corps for them.

Adeleke is deeply involved in this and we have strong evidences against him.”

The party advised members of OYES to be wary of antics of the APC leaders by declining to be fraudulently enlisted for election duties, saying “any OYES cadet caught by the security operatives will face the consequences alone, because we know those behind this illegal move will go underground

i m m e d i a t e l y t h ey a re caught.”

It a dde d t ha t : “ T he s e cadets are citizens of Osun that are being misused by Aregbesola and his men and we won’t like any calamity to befall them.

They should learn from what happened to members of APC criminal group called ‘State Boys’ that were caught in Ilesa and ferried to Abuja by security personnel.

“Till this moment, leaders of APC that armed and had hitherto used them to destabilise the peace of Osun State and territorise its people could not rescue them. Even Aregbesola, their commander-in-chief has disowned them.

Members of OYES cadets should learn from this and not fall victim of the d e s p e ra t i o n by

Aregbesola, Adeleke and other APC leaders.”

In his response to the allegations levied against h i s p a r t y , t h e spokesperson of the APC in Osun, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, called on the PDP to report to INEC if they have evidence to back their claim and described the allegation as illogical.

He said, “ The illogical content of their allegation shows how empty they are. If they were thinking properly they won’t say the APC is enlisting OYES cadets for election, when the conduct of the election is squarely on the doorstep of INEC. They really don’t know what to say. They have perfected their plan to rig the August 9 election and they are looking for excuses.”

Top Aides Desert Shettima, Describes Governor As Myopic Maiduguri- The political adviser to Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State governor and a Senior Special Assistant to the g ov e r n o r , A l h a j i Yu s u f Adamu and Nana Amina respectively have ended their relationship with the governor, with their decision to pitch tent with the former governor of the state and Borno political strongman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

Sources close to both officials revealed that the decision to dump Shettima, was due to Shettima’s continued deteriorating relationship with Sheriff.

The Senior Special

Assistant, Nana Amina, who was the younger sister to the Commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Honourable Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai told newsmen in Maiduguri that, “no one needs to be told which way the wind is blowing, because everybody in the state knows that the wind is blowing against the current administration.”

According to her, “if Shettima has been a good listener, the situation w o u l d n o t h a v e deteriorated to what it is now. He remained adamant, only listening to

people who are pulling him deeper into the sinking mud by encouraging him to play god as well as remain in his fantasy, thinking he has no problem when even a small child in the street of Maiduguri knows that the governor is in big trouble, both from his political godfather and the people of Borno State who voted him in 2011 for failing to meet up to their expectations.”

When newsmen contacted the Political Adviser on phone, he said that, he has sent his letter to the governor on July 31, 2014.

He reasons was that he cannot continue to work

with a mediocre, who has continued to bit the fingers that fed him, who has continue to fail the people of the state and who has continued to fail even himself “Kashim is not a politician, we have the game and knows how to play it. We pull votes for him and have continued to advise him, well. But he thinks only of himself and not the masses. How can a governor be buying houses left, right and centre in the mist of Boko Haram crisis?

How can a governor be buying hotels left, right and centre when his people are being killed and school

children kidnap? How can a governor be so myopic as to building a mansion for himself in this situation in Borno state where every home and person is crying for the lost souls. We have advised but he refused to heed, so, we think it is time to leave.” Adamu said.

5

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

african news

Workers Killed in Somali Bombing At least three women have been killed and seven others wounded in the Somali capital after a remotely detonated bomb exploded in a busy market, police and witnesses say.

It was not immediately clear who was behind Sunday's bombing.

In recent weeks, alShabaab fighters have increased gun and bomb attacks in Mogadishu, with the latest incident on July 5, when its fighters attacked the presidential palace.

The women killed in the blast were city workers, who were cleaning the

s t re e t s w h e n a b o m b hidden in a rubbish pit ex p l o d e d i n t h e b u s y market sector known as Hodan district of Mogadishu, police said.

"We heard a big blast, and then I could see the old mothers who were cleaning the scene lying, some of them dead and others screaming," Nuria Ahmed, a mother of four who lives near the scene, told Reuters news agency.

"The bomb was wrapped in a big, black plastic bag and then placed inside the rubbish along the Taleh street

"I counted three dead and seven others injured. I was the first person who arrived for help. It is very unfortunate if mothers are the target."

Reuters' witnesses saw the three dead female city cleaners and the other seven injured at the scene and at Madina hospital.

"A remotely controlled roadside bomb killed three female city cleaners and injured seven others in Hodan district. The militants hid the bomb inside a rubbish pit," Major Ali Afrah, a police officer, told Reuters.

African culture: Wolof of Senegal The term "Wolof" also re f e r s t o t h e Wo l o f language and to their states, cultures, and traditions.

It is thought the Wolof people originated from a Baffouri population in the Sahara before it became hostile to farming due to desertification. As the e n v i r o n m e n t deteriorated some of them drifted into the Senegalese areas of Futa Toro and modern-day s o u t h e a s t e r n Mauritania. With the Arab conquests of around 640 AD they were forced to move into north and east Senegal where over time villages developed into autonomous states such as Baol, Kayor, Saloum, Dimar, Walo and Sine the overall ruling state being that of Jolof who came together voluntarily to form the Jolof Empire.

Legend has it that in

Wa l o t h e fi s h e r m e n from several villages argued vehemently over firewood which lay along the edge of a lake at Mengen. Just before matters developed into violence a mysterious p e r s o n c a l l e d Ndyadyane Ndyaye (Njanjan Njie) arose from the lake and shared out the firewood fairly among the men and promptly vanished m u c h t o t h e i r bafflement. The decision was made to try and catch him so they feigned another argument and when he appeared he was caught.

T h e W o l o f p e o p l e 's traditional culture and practices have survived the colonial era and are a strong element of the Senegalese culture .

Prior to traditional Wolof wedding ceremonies, the parents of the groom-to-be sends elders to the girl's

parents with kola nuts and money to ask for her hand in marriage. The girl's parents consult their daughter and either consent to or reject the proposal. If accepted, the parents of the bride to be distribute the kola nuts among the family and neighbours.

"Wolof" is the name of the native language of the Wolof people. At least 50% of Senegal's population are native speakers of Wolof.

M e m b e r s o f neighboring groups are often bilingual and can understand Wolof

African Union forces along with the Somali army launched a new offensive this year against alShabab, which has been accused by US intelligence o f b e i n g l i n ke d t o a l Qaeda.

Several towns have been taken back from the group, but officials say al-Shabab still controls large sections of the countryside and some settlements, from where they have been able to continue their guerrillastyle campaign.

The group has also staged attacks outside Somalia, including one at a Kenyan

shopping mall in September that killed at least 67 people.

Billions of Dollars Will be announced at Africa summit for Funding

The United States will announce nearly $1 billion in business deals, increase funding for peacekeeping and commit billions of dollars to expanding food and power programs in Africa during a summit this w e e k , U . S . a n d development officials say.

U.S. officials said the Aug. 4

to 6 summit in Washington of nearly 50 African leaders hopes to showcase U.S. interest in the fast-growing region through a series of government-private partnership deals to boost trade and investment.

The spread of the deadly E bo l a v i r us i n L i be r i a , Guinea and Sierra Leone is also a reminder of the vast development needs that persist in some of the region's poorest countries, despite rapid economic growth and investment.

Administration officials have played down questions over whether the summit is in response to China's growing presence in the region. Instead, they have emphasized American interests go beyond Africa's oil and minerals, where China is focused.

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

6

world news

Israeli Ground Troops Begin to Withdraw From Gaza Israel withdrew most of its ground troops from the Gaza Strip on Sunday in an apparent winding down of the nearly monthlong operation against Hamas that has left more than 1,800 Palestinians and 60 Israelis dead.

Even as Israel said it was close to completing its mission, heavy fighting raged in parts of Gaza, with at least 10 Palestinians killed in an alleged Israeli airstrike near a U.N. shelter, according to U.N. and Palestinian officials. The U.S. and the United Nations condemned the attack in unusually strong

terms.

And with Hamas officials vowing to continue their fight, it remained uncertain whether Israel could unilaterally end the war.

Israel launched its military operation in Gaza on July 8 in response to weeks of heavy rocket fire, carrying out hundreds of airstrikes across the crowded seaside territory. It then sent in ground forces July 17 in what it said was a mission to destroy the tunnels used by Hamas to carry out attacks.

Hamas has fired more than 3,000 rockets into Israel during what has

90 Bodies Pulled Out After landslides in India

90 bodies have been recovered so far by rescuers after l a n d s l i d e s t ra p p e d dozens of people last week in a western Indian village.

At least eight people were pulled out alive after the landslides hit Wednesday following heavy monsoon rains.

"There are almost no chances of finding survivors now unless some miracle happens," said Suresh Jadhav, a deputy district chief in Maharashtra state. He

said up to 65 people remain missing.

The landslides were reported around midnight Wednesday in Malin, a village in Maharashtra's Pune district, near Mumbai.

Emergency crews are expected to clear the debris and pull out any remaining survivors or bodies, he said.

The university got involved when its staff learned the workers were piling the bones in a massive heap, fully exposed.

turned into the bloodiest round of fighting ever between the two enemies.

Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, an Israeli military spokesman, confirmed the bulk of ground troops had been pulled out of Gaza after the military concluded it had destroyed most of the tunnel network.

He said Israel had detected some 30 tunnels that were dug along the border for what he called a "synchronized attack" on Israel.

"We've caused substantial damage to this network to an extent where we've basically taken this huge threat and made it

minimal," he said. The army had thousands of troops in Gaza at the height of the operation.

In southern Israel, armored vehicles could be seen rolling slowly onto

the back of large flatbed trucks near the Gaza border, while soldiers folded flags from atop a tank and rolled up their belongings and sleeping bags.

Seventy Years on, Europe Remembers Roma Genocide Looking back, Krystyna Gil remembers her Roma grandmother told her to "never forget " what happened.

Though she was just a child during World War II, when the Nazis began s y s t e m a t i c a l l y exterminating Roma in her native Poland, she has done just that.

"I was five years old at the time. I became an orphan.

The love of a mother and a father, I do not know what that means," she said.

"My grandmother told me 'never forget'. So even though many years have passed, I still remember."

Gil, now 76, was among more than a thousand who gathered on Saturday at the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Poland to remember the genocide of Roma people carried out by the Nazis.

The ceremony was held on

the 70th anniversary of one of the worst mass killings of Roma, when nearly 3,000, many of them children, were taken to the gas chambers at Auschwitz on the night of August 2, 1944.

"We join together here in pain, in memory of the victims," said Roman Kwiatkowski, head of the Association of Roma in Poland.

"Here we consolidate as a people, not only in relation to our past but also our future," he said at the ceremony, held on the o c c a s i o n o f t h e International Day of R e m e m b ra n c e f o r t h e Holocaust of the Roma.

Around a thousand also marched through Budapest to mark the date. Many of those killed at Auschwitz came from Hungary, where Roma make up between five and eight percent of the country's population of 10

million.

To g e t h e r w i t h h e r grandmother, Gil was the only member of her family to survive an anti-Roma pogrom in Szczurowa, a small village in southeastern Poland, in 1943.

Between 220,000 and 500,000 Roma were murdered by the Nazis -- a tragedy the community refers to as "Pharrajimos", which means destruction in their language.

Of that number, 21,000 met their end at AuschwitzBirkenau after being forcibly deported from across Europe.

"It is a genocide that has been forgotten by Europeans, and that should change," said Thomas Schobesberger, a 23-yearold Austrian who had travelled from Vienna for the ceremony.

7

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

politics PDP Rebounds Amidst Intrigues, Restructuring

by Ugochukwu Onyeocha u.onyeocha@ folioholdingsgroup.com

The foray of the All Progressives Congress (APC) into the Nigerian political arena was heralded with so much fanfare and hope. For some, mostly its chieftains and die-hard supporters, the registration of the party signalled the beginning of the end for the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

The ruling PDP had trod the political arena like a colossus. She had been in power since 1999 and even boasted that it was going to rule the country for an uninterrupted 50 years and at some point, it seemed like it was going to be as she had said.

The APC’s emergence was f u r t h e r h e l p e d by t h e implosion within the ruling PDP which saw a couple of

bigwigs within the PDP storm out angrily from the convention of the PDP. Among the aggrieved members were the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Former National Chairman Alhaji Kawu Baraje, National Secretary Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, seven serving State Governors and a host of Senators, Reps and others.

The cracks within the PDP really helped to strengthen the APC to a large extent as five of the aggrieved governors decamped with h o rd e s o f s u p p o r t e r s .

Senators, Reps and others followed suit and finally it seemed that the PDP was only waiting for 2015 to bow out as things seemed to have fallen apart and the centre could no longer hold.

The emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a string of

lightning reversals for the ruling party created the impression that the end had indeed come. Recent happenings however show that such was an exaggerated forecast.

In the last six months, PDP h a s m a n a g e d a remarkable rebound that puts it strongly back in play. And it has done this through a combination of direct action and a splice of good luck. The exit of the governors and legislators of the New PDP (nPDP) to APC seems to have helped rather than destroy the party as recent events have shown calm and togetherness in the party.

This relative calm seems to have allowed the party to put its house in order and be in a position to launch a very devastating counterattack.

Never write off anyone has always been a mantra in the political arena and it seems many did write off the PDP too easily. First, the party used the courts to help checkmate the increasing wave of defection back in the National Assembly. That singular move helped to ensure that the party maintained its leadership of both houses in the National Assembly at a time when it seemed the APC was gaining the upper hand in the National Assembly.

PDP also acted wisely to relieve itself of its former chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, whose leadership style and chequered tenure had alienated some critical stakeholders in the

party, especially the allpowerful governors. His replacement, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, seems to have steadied the ship of the party by being more of a team player and bridge builder. Muazu has been widely celebrated in PDP as a master strategist and the game changer.

Recent elections conducted within the country except for LG elections in APC controlled states has shown that the party has not fared badly as expected. The Anambra governorship elections in November 2013 showed that the PDP was still a force to be reckoned with despite the short length of time it had to prepare for the elections.

While many considered the South West as the exclusive domain of the APC, the governorship elections in Ekiti has put the entire region and the country at large on alert that the PDP is still much around and those who had earlier written off the party are doing so at their own p e r i l . T h e re s o u n d i n g victory of the PDP and its candidate, Mr Ayo Fayose seems to have reawakened the PDP and that seems to have sent a

signal to other parties who partied so soon.

The Ekiti victory seems to have spurred the party to life and its recent tour of the South West seems to have bolstered its chances to acquire more states in the region where it did not boast of a single state in 2011. If it manages to score another upset by defeating the APC in Osun, the PDP will be telling other parties to look out for another four years of dominance. Only time will tell if that would happen.

Also, the recent activities in Adamawa which led to the impeachment of Murtala Nyako as governor and the resignation of Bala Ngilari as deputy has gifted the state back to the PDP as the acting governor is a member of the PDP and majority of the members of the House of Assembly.

If the same fate that befell Nyako happens to AlMakura of Nasarawa State, the PDP would have captured a minimum of three states in less than a month.

However, all this in no way should suggest that the APC or any other party should be written off as the battle for the upcoming general elections heats up.

Doing so would surely be at the peril of those who do such. One of America’s finest authors and humourists, Mark Twain o n c e re s p o n d e d a f t e r reading published reports of his supposed illness and death, “the report of my d e a t h w a s a n exaggeration.” For the PDP, that seems to be the case.

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

8

politics

Only Hi-tech Rigging can Make Aregbesola Lose - Temionu In this interview, Chief Tunde Temionu, a four-year Publicity Secretary of All Progressive Congress Lagos East Senatorial District, tells MU'SODIQ ADEKUNLE why APC was defeated in the June 20 gubernatorial election in Ekiti State and the chances of the party in the forthcoming election in Osun State

Are you really convinced that Fayose won the June 20 election in Ekiti in all fairness?

I do not want to comment on the Ekiti militarised governorship election and its advanced technologyassisted victory. But since you want me to say something, l will give you a hypothetical example. If a boxer is clever enough to hit his opponent below the belt, and the referee declares him a winner, not having observed the low blow, the defeated boxer should accept defeat and reserve his energy to fight another day. That was exactly what Fayemi did in Ekiti.

In politics, you hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Elections are always rigged at the collating

centres, not at the polling units. Before the E kiti election, the military and the police kept Ekiti State in a total curfew. Then, key political leaders in Ekiti were arrested.

Moreover, a monitored voter card innovation tagged “Permanent Voter Cards” (PVC) was used for the first time in the electoral history of this country. The PVC system reduced the number of eligible voters in Ekiti State to a very manageable figure (a small number is easier to manipulate). As a result, m a n y w e r e disenfranchised. So, to your question, you win some, and you lose some. Every election comes with its own gift; it is only a narrow minded person who capitulates when he is

supposed to fight on.

Many people attributed the failure of APC in the Ekiti State election to the disagreement between Opeyemi Bamidele and the leadership of the party (APC), how true is this?

You might see it as a failure.

But who has failed, was it t h e p a r t y o r O p ey e m i Bamidele? If it was a reality that enemies used him to play the role of a spoiler against APC, he was the most affected victim. He has suffered more consequences of his political mistakes than any other politician that I know of. The leadership of the party which he failed to reconcile with (hoping that he had Ekiti State in his pocket) had catapulted him

to the top. Has he become a governor now? And what is the future of his Labour Party in Ekiti State? It is a costly political mistake to have left certainty for uncertainty. Certainly, his present political atmosphere is not the most joyous and favourable to him. His calculations were wrong.

aspirants are eligible. In this circumstance therefore, destiny has a very important role to play.

For example, Nigerians voted for MKO Abiola to become our president, but God said “NO”. That should be enough lessons for us.

Human beings conduct primaries, but God picks a governor, period.

H ow d o y o u s e e t h e chances of Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State for a second term in office judging from the likely bandwagon effect of the June 20 Ekiti election?

If good governance is the requirement for winning the forthcoming election in Osun, Aregbesola has left his footprint on the sands of caring governance in that state. Certainly, he has the support of the grassroots and a very large majority of the elite in Osun. But if it is going to be another election based on high-tech rigging, then one m u s t b e v e r y c a re f u l , because it is not possible to be cleverer than the person who laid ambush for you.

But some aspirants are not comfortable with the party’s leadership. Every aspirant wants to be anointed by the leadership of the party.

Well, that may be the wish of those aspirants. But my leaders have not told me of arrangements to anoint any aspirant. In all the meetings that I was privileged to attend, the information was that the party’s candidate would emerge through a democratically conducted primary election. That all the aspirants are still on the field soliciting party members’ support is a clear indication that no one has been anointed.

Do you think there will be levelled playing ground in Lagos APC considering the calibre of aspirants that want to have the party's ticket to contest?

First of all, I wish all the aspirants the best of luck.

And I also want to remind them that two persons cannot simultaneously occupy the potential vacancy. And I also believe that as Nigerians, all the

Some of the aspirants are spitting fire, saying that if they are not given the party’s ticket, hell will be let loose. Some are saying that they will do in Lagos what Bamidele did in Ekiti. What is your comment?

It is not possible for the primary to simultaneously favour all the aspirants. But it is possible for some people or a mole to have won the contract to destroy APC in Lagos State. Do it the Bamidele way and get

9

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

politics the same result as Bamidele!

Should destiny take its course, in this regard, what do you think will be the likely reaction of aspirants; likes of the former Commissioner f o r H e a l t h , D r . L e ke Pitan; Dr. Tola Kasali; Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Senator Gbenga Ashafa; Mr.Tunde Fowler; Dr. Obafemi Kadir Hamzat; Senator Ganiyu Solomon and Mr. Akinwumi Ambode?

Yo u r h a v e a s ke d a n interesting and factfinding question. Evidently, apart from Mr. Akinwumi Ambode and Mr. Tunde Fowler, all the aspirants are beneficiaries of the party. They had at one time or another enjoyed the blessing and support of the party leadership. By virtue of their positions, they are all leaders of the p a r t y. A n d a s m e n o f honour and stakeholders, who are fully aware that the party does not belong to one person or a group of persons, they are like people living in glass houses, who must not

throw stones.

In this regard, what do you know about these individuals, their eligibility and other qualities?

No doubt, I know some of them to an extent.

Subjectively, by all standards they are all qualified to be governor.

For instance, I know Dr. Tola Kasali to be a reliable party builder in the East Senatorial District. No matter how smooth or rough the political situation might be, he can never be a party to the destruction of the APC that he contributed immensely to its growth in Lagos East.

Dr. Leke Pitan is a selfsatisfied person. He has never been identified with political violence or thuggery. As an elitist politician, it will take him only a short while to completely blend with the grassroots. Thereafter, the sky is his limit. Like other aspirants who have benefited from the party’s leadership style, all things being equal, he has the right to benefit again. But one thing I am sure of is,

his medical consulting room cannot disappoint him. A good contestant must be propelled by variable outcomes The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji, is a seasoned politician and the number three citizen of this state. By virtue of his position, he is a member of the party’s supreme apex caucus in the state. Should there be the need for the caucus to take a decision on any pending matter in the state, including the governorship race, he (Mr. Speaker) would certainly be a part of such a decision. He has that edge over other aspirants.

Senator Bariyu Gbenga Ashafa is a gentleman to the core. His constituency projects and support for the grassroots were an additional value to the achievement of the leadership of Lagos East.

Destiny catapulted him as former permanent secretary of Lands to the political arena and he became the serving senator of the district. I do not see it possible for him to over react should there

be a temporary delay in his political ambition, because he is not a do or die politician.

Although I am not that close to Tunde Fowler, from my observation and what people say about him, he is neither a difficult person nor an enemy of progress The Commissioner for Works, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat, is another man that I have respect for.

Although he is not a loud politician, he has a solid progressive political background. Not that we are very close. But on the few occasions that we spoke one-on-one, even without his wearing beads, his posture signified nobility, his approaches and princely disposition reflected the blue blood in him.

While some of the aspirants mentioned have been circumspect in their utterances and actions, others seems to be offensive. Won't this doom the success of the party?

Yes, due to inordinate ambition and the wrong

approach, the aspiration of those who are perfidious to the party may be destroyed. Certainly, the party leadership will not fold its arms for vandals and political rascals to take over the party. A person who wants to be anointed by intimidation is like a baptismal applicant who chooses to disobey baptismal instructions from the priest or his baptismal godfather. Since baptism is the prerequisite for the admission of Christians into heaven, such an applicant may remain unbaptised, and a semi-Christian.

Consequently, he will have problems with admission into the kingdom of God. Some reasons why aspirants must not throw stones in a glass house are: evidently, they rode on the coattails of Asiwaju as an anointed son to become chairman, and thereafter, to the House of Reps, and to the Senate for the first and second terms. Some of them did well as a legislator, thanks to positive godfatherism.

Abia 2015: You Are Day Dreaming, Orji Tells Umeh

by Ugochukwu Onyeocha u.onyeocha@folioholdingsgroup.com

Umuahia- Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has dismissed the recent boasts made by the National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, that the party will sweep the polls in Abia State come 2015, describing the claims as empty, bogus and lacking substance.

Orji who spoke through his C h i e f P re s s S e c re t a r y,

Charles Ajunwa, said Umeh was day-dreaming and lost in self illusion by thinking that APGA “which is nonexistent in Abia ” could capture the state in 2015.

U m e h h a d w h i l e commissioning the state secretariat of the party in Umuahia, said APGA would sack the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party from Abia government house in 2015 and transform the state in accordance with the visions of its founding fathers and great leaders from the East like late Michael Okpara, and Sam Mbakwe .

Faulting Umeh’s claims, Orji said it was impossible for APGA to snatch Abia from the grip of PDP which had remained in control of the state since 1999, adding that the opposition including APGA is long dead in Abia .

He said the giant strides recorded by his PDP-led administration had made it near impossible for PDP to be uprooted in the state in the near future.

Orji advised Umeh to stop junketing around with a false identity of selfacclaimed Igbo leader

meant to deceive the gullible minds and less politically informed folks when in fact, PDP according to him is the party that can properly project the Igbo interest.

The Governor therefore enjoined residents of the state and Ndigbo in general to disregard Umeh and his propaganda , and stay put with PDP, assuring that the continued support of Ndigbo for President Goodluck Jonathan will not go unrewarded.

10

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

politics

Osun Election: Tension over Presence of Soldiers, DSS A resident in Ile-Ife, Mr. Seun Eludayo explained that the area has always been peaceful, noting that the presence of security men was not enough to stop violence.

He said, "Osun, especially Ile-Ife is very different and bringing soldiers or police will have zero effect. We only respect constituted authorities here, no soldiers can control us. If thousands troop of soldiers stand with guns and just only Ooni of Ife or some traditional rulers stand, we will respect our rulers and not gun. There are just here to cause unnecessary tension and to scare people.

"Let me tell you, we have 'unseen' powers here. We can make their guns not to work or make them start shooting themselves if they pass their boundary. We don't fight conventional

crisis here. Our fight is beyond what they can control , our weapon is beyond theirs."

A trader in Mayfair area of Ile-Ife, identified as Iyamoje added, "When we heard that soldiers will be coming, most of us didn't believe, but here they are.

They have been parading in trucks and we are not sure everything will be alright.

The method we have adopted is to keep some of our goods in the store and bring out few.

“We are scared of a situation where there will be problem between the youths and the security men. We are just hoping that all will be well," a trader selling cloths in Osogbo added.

At Okefia, children and adults were seen running inside their houses when soldiers drove pass the area.

Our correspondent learnt that the residents were scared to see the security personnel with guns and other weapons.

An octogenarian in the area, who spoke in Yoruba, said, "In my over 80-year that I have lived, it is only during military regime or when there is war that you see this. And when you see them during millitary regime, you dare not wait, you have to excuse them to pass. The way they speed made us thought they were

coming to attack us. It is one of our children in university that told us to stop running that they are not aiming at coming to attack us."

When our correspondent visited Osogbo, motorists in the area also complained that frequent movement of the security personnels no longer allowed them to pick and alight passengers as desired.

The transporters said they are scared the security men would punish them if their vehicles were obstructed.

While pleading with a passenger who fell from a bus, one of the drivers said, "We are sorry. Soldiers are around and they may want to pass at anytime. We have been warned by our leaders to be careful and not to obstruct them so that we won't be used as scape goats."

Ahmed Is Breaking Electoral Law- PDP

Section 99 (1-3) of the Electoral Act stipulates that the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.

“It is even worst when one realizes the fact that the said Town Hall meeting, where the second term ambition of the Governor is now being sold by appointed aides of the governor to the unsuspecting members of the public, is being funded from the public purse.

Ahmed through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Dr. Muyideen Akorede and the state chapter of the APC said it was untrue that Ahmed was violating

electoral laws.

Akorede said, “It is therefore totally untrue t h a t t h e A h m e d administration is breaching electoral laws by organising town-hall meetings.

“We reject this allegation as the new instalment in the opposition party’s panicky effort to malign the high performing Ahmed administration through falsehood “Indeed, PDP is the one contravening electoral rules while playing ostrich as evidenced by its leadership’s rallies in the North West and North Central, the town hall meetings by one of its governors during which the subject of his successor

was freely discussed and the opposition party ’s campaigns by subterfuge.”

APC in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari, said the ongoing town hall meeting in the state is one of the numerous channels engaged by Ahmed-led administration to ensure participatory governance and democracy.

“The APC is in full compliance with all provisions of the electoral law.” He said

by Sodiq Adekunle s.adekunle@folioholdingsgroup.com

Barely five days to governorship election in Osun State, residents of the state said they live in fear.

According to them, the presence of soldiers and Police officers from the Department of State security is strange to them.

Our correspondent, who s p o ke t o s o m e o f t h e residents in Ile-Ife, Ilesha, Ede and Osogbo, gathered that the residents believed that the security personnel were deployed to arm them.

It was also learnt that traders in Ile-Ife and Osogbo areas of the state no longer fully display their goods for sales.

Few of traders told our correspondent that they are scared that youths may want to confront the soldiers.

by Ugochukwu Onyeocha u.onyeocha@folioholdingsgroup.com

Ilorin- The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Kwara State chapter has sounded an alarm over recent activities of the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which it said are violating the electoral law of the land which forbids campaigns until 90 days to an election under the guise of holding town hall meetings.

The state PDP Publicity Secretary, Rex Olawoye, in a statement on Sunday said

t h e p a r t y w a s ‘disappointed’ that Ahmed, who should ordinarily be in the forefront of ensuring strict observance of the rule of law, was allegedly violating the electoral law.

Olawoye said, “ We are alarmed that under a dubious façade of Town Hall meeting, the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed and his aides, have surreptitiously begun electioneering campaign ahead of the 2015 elections, in clear breach of the constitution, the Electoral Act and relevant INEC guidelines.

“It bears repeating that,

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

11

business Effective Planning & Goal Setting For SMEs

by Joel Osebor

The desire to succeed in business and life is a strong drive in every human or small business owner. The j o u r n ey t o r e a c h t h i s success point is another game entirely.

Most SMEs dream of hitting over N100m in their first year of business activities, some target to become industry leader or market leader, while others desire to remain competitive and profitable. The “magic wand” to making these desires and wishes become reality is imbibing the principles of effective planning and goal setting in our everyday business decision.

Effective Planning is deciding where you want your business to go and how you will get there before taking an action. It is determining the course of action to achieve your business goals. This is critical for every SME (new

o r ex i s t i n g ) . We m u s t continuously evaluate and re-evaluate where want our businesses to go..

Effective planning will help SMEs: - Have focused direction - Enhance business and personal effectiveness - Facilitate goal attainment - Assist coordination process - Aid organizational reposition and growth Step 1 Set specific goals. Without specificity, you do not know what you are reaching for or when you have achieved your goal. Instead of writing; Increase sales of the business; a specific goal would read; Increase gross sales by 15 percent

by December 31 of this year. This tells you exactly what you are going after in the planning process. A s p e c i fi c g o a l m a ke s i t easier to plan the objectives you need to reach in order to achieve it.

Step 2

Develop goals that can be measured. If a goal cannot be measured, it is impossible to monitor how w e l l y o u a re d o i n g i n reaching your goal. In the a b ov e ex a m p l e , a 1 5 percent increase in sales is measurable. A business owner can easily look at sales reports and income data to determine if sales h a v e i n c re a s e d by 1 5 percent at year-end. When setting measurable goals, it may be helpful to set minigoals with it. With our example, a business may also implement quarterly increases that would be needed to reach the overall 15 percent increase in sales for the year. This can ensure the business remains on target through the year.

Step 3 Implement business goals that are attainable by the business and its employees. If you have a brand-new business, becoming number one worldwide in your industry in the next year is likely not

an attainable goal. It is important that the goals you set can actually be reached based on the current resources of your business. If unattainable goals are set, it is only setting up your business and your employees for failure. Do not set unreachable goals as a way to motivate. Give employees goals they can reach, so when each minigoal is achieved, that in itself will be a motivator.

Step 4 Establish relevancy when planning and setting goals.

Some business owners will go overboard in setting goals for the business. The goals will focus on areas of the business that are not important or will not have a great impact on the overall direction of the business.

Decide what is the most important thing your business must achieve during this period. This item should be something that if you were only able to accomplish this one goal, you would be proud of your

business. Then set secondary goals that support it. This will ensure they are relevant to the success of your business.

Step 5 Attach deadlines to your goals. Without time lines, goals are useless. In our first example about increasing sales, Increase business sales; is not a timely goal. However, our specific goal gives a deadline of December 31 of this year to increase sales. This provides a deadline for the goal. It gives a time when the goal should be measured to determine whether the objectives have been achieved. All goals that are set should have a time line attached so that you can measure and track your successes, and conversely, see where you might need to improve.

G o a l S e t t i n g i s fundamental to the success of a business and also achieving your personal goals.

12

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

business

Nigeria In Need Of Alternative Revenue Earner As Demand For Oil Drops

by Ugochukwu Onyeocha u.onyeocha@folioholdingsgroup.com

The emergence and rapid rise in the demand of new energy sources like shale oil in major oil importing nations like the United States of America and a couple of Asian nations is surely biting hard on the Nigerian export market. In recent years, economists as well as financial analysts have continued to clamour for the need of diversifying the Nigerian economy in regards to the overdependence on crude and recently, reports on the nation’s crude differentials and demand at the international market have revealed a huge drop which analysts have tipped to be the biggest in the last two years.

With particular reference, a large quantity of Nigerian crude oil cargoes for August export has remained unsold, even as September

loading schedule was released to market, thereby increasing pressure on already weakened differentials. Further reports also showed that about 20 or 25 Nigerian cargoes were still on sale out of a total of 65 for August export. Traders said that this was the biggest supply glut they had seen for years and that sellers may be forced to keep differentials at multi-year low to attract buyers.

Some oil market observers a n d a c o u p l e o f independent analysts are of the belief that the return of Libyan crude to the market has helped to reduce the demand of Nigerian crude and its re-entry into the market was also weighing heavily on prices. The 340,000 barrel-per-day El Sharara oilfield resumed operations after protesters ended a four-month strike.

The preliminary loading schedule for September

shows that Nigeria’s Qua Iboe crude stream will load 380,000 barrels per day (bpd) including two cargoes deferred from August. This released programme schedule shows a drop from the initially planned 398,000 bpd in August.

Excluding the deferrals, Nigeria will export 10 c a rg o e s c a r r y i n g s o m e 317,000 bpd of the benchmark grade in September. Other grades on the list including Bonny Light and Forcados were broadly in line with levels from last month.

September cargoes to emerge so far includes, Bonny Light: six cargoes, (167,000 bpd), Forcados: seven cargoes, (225,000 bpd), and Bonga: four cargoes, (133,000 bpd).

Traders said they would assess levels for September cargoes in the region of $1.20 over dated Brent, though offers had yet to emerge.

Royal Dutch Shell has yet to lift a force majeure on output from its EA field, which was declared in June, a spokesman for the company said recently.

Nigeria’s crude oil production averaged 2.26 million b/d in the first quarter of this year, bolstering the country’s economic growth rate to 6.21 per cent during period, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

Oil output was 30,000 b/d lower than average production of 2.29 million b/d in the corresponding period last year, but it was higher than the 1.87 million b/d at the end of 2013, according to the data.

“As a result, the growth ra t e o f re a l G D P w a s recorded at 6.21 per cent in Q1 2014, higher than 4.45 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2013,” the agency added.

The statistics office said it expects the economy to grow by 6.19 per cent in 2014, up from 5.5 per cent last year, on the back of rising oil output.

Meanwhile, the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria has recently highlighted the imperative for the country to focus on better utilisation of its vast natural resources within the country, in view of the recent shrinking of international market for crude.

The Chairman, SPE Nigeria Council, Bernard Oboarekpe, said: “Where we export our crude oil to

is changing. The United States (US) does not import from Nigeria as it used to in the past. So, we are now looking for new markets.

Also, there are new oil and gas discoveries in other African countries and it means that we cannot continue to do business as usual. Things have got to change,” “ I f w e g row o u r o i l production only to export almost everything, then we cannot produce much value to the country, he said. “And of course, the export market is being challenged and so we have to look for other ways to create value,” he said.

“If the export market for crude oil were to dry up, what are we going to do?

This is the time for us to think about how to convert the natural resources in the country into useful products. With the population we have and a growing economy, we can create more wealth within the country.”

However, while many continue to wonder what this recent drop means for the country who relies heavily on its crude exportation as its major source of deriving revenue, the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Andrew Yakubu has said the country’s oil production was presently at over 2.3 million bpd, and expected to rise further as the government clamps down on oil theft and sabotage attacks on production facilities.

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

13

people Marriage is not on my mind- D'Prince

by Opeoluwani Akintayo a.opeoluwani@folioholdingsgroup.com

Cool, calm and calculated best describe the persona of Mavin Record's act, D'Prince.

His attraction for things that would hardly catch anyone else's attention, like keeping golden fishes as pets, to opening an Instagram page for his dog…you know, such things seem romantic to ladies.

No wonder his female fans love him so much and would think his 'banana' was a free for all but no, he's been with Inorie Fotso since 2011.

It would interest you to know that Charles Enebeli, a.k.a, D'Prince was born in Ajegunle where he spent his early days and, guess what? He still misses A J City a lot.

Read this interesting chat with him; So how do feel having a father who is musically inclined and is so interested in your career?

I feel happy and fulfilled to have such supportive parents. I couldn't have asked for anything better because they have always advised and supported us in our music career. I pray God continues to bless them.

What was growing up in Ajegunle like?

Wow. I spent early parts of my life there. I would say it w a s a n a w e s o m e ex p e r i e n c e a n d a n ey e opener in that it connected me to the streets and helped m e under sta nd cer ta in things about life in relation to my music career.

So what were your experiences like while there?

Anybody who knows Ajegunle very well would

know the city has so many street jamborees and all that. And I was always privileged to take part with my brothers and friends. It was a wonderful experience.

So you started your career from singing during street carnivals?

Yes. That was where it all started. Back then we always made sure to be part of the artistes outlined to grace the stage and it was always fun.

beans just yet.

Would you describe your going into music as fate or a family thing?

My going into entertainment is a mixture of fate and my environment. Like I said earlier, I come from a family with high taste for music so music was bound to happen somewhere along the line.

So you pray?

Why not!

Yeah because most people have this perversive t h o u g h t a b o u t entertainers I don't blame them for having such thoughts though. That's what the industry has made people think, they think we are all

Does that mean you miss the fun there?

Yes, sure I do.

But you can't live there anymore since you're now rich?

No I can't live there anymore. Schooling and career obviously took me away from there. But I go there frequently on visits because I still have some of my pals there.

You must feel chuffed knowing that Don Jazzy is your brother.

Above everything, I'm proud to have a brother like him.

He's a very good person and I am proud of his achievements. However, I am my own person and have come to achieve a lot too. So it's not like I'm resting on him to always do everything for me. God has been helping me too.

So what have you been up to these days?

I'm working on an upcoming project which takes me in and out of the studios. So my fans should watch out for new songs soon.

Can you give us a scoop from that project you're busy with?

Errrm, it's still in the oven and I don't wanna spill the

embarrassing how they treated and responded to me even while on stage.

You know how you feel whenever you get on stage and the audience don't even know your song…that's one of the worst experiences an artiste can ever have.

But I wasn't discouraged. I was determined to be popular. And as God would have it, months after my debut single dropped, I went back to the same city and same show and by then, everybody was screaming and singing the lyrics to my songs. It was a turning point for me.

Why did you change that old haircut of yours with the blonde sides?

I love to try new and exciting haircut.

Did you notice that haircut made you look razz?

Really?

Yes. This one looks normal on you now Like a perfect gentleman abi? Thank you.

What about your girlfriend. How does she cope with all the attention you get from ladies?

S h e ' s b e e n a n understanding person

But even though you had a father and elder brother to assist, sure you had challenges at the beginning?

Basically you know how the struggle is for an upcoming a r t i s t e . Yo u h a d t o g o through the downs and hustles of the game but you always have to remember to be focused, persistent and pray because with God, there's always light at the end of the tunnel.

pagans…I believe in God o and pray a lot.

Which is your most embarrassing moment as an upcoming act back then?

I had a couple of them, but I re m e m b e r w h e n I fi r s t released my debut single.

But before then, before I became popular, anytime I went for shows, people didn't really know me and it was always quite

Would you have even tell us if she complains?

No, not at all. My girlfriend understands what being an entertainer is all about so, she doesn't complain.

You've been dating her since 2011, so are getting married soon?

My elder brothers aren't even married yet, so I don't think I need to rush into marriage.

14

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

health I Thought Cancer Was A Death Sentence -Survivor Six years ago, a Nigerian and an American citizen discovered she had stage 3 aggressive breast cancer. Emerging a survivor, she says, there is life after diagnosis of cancer.

by Lara Adejoro l.adejoro@ folioholdingsgroup.com

When she was diagnosed in September, 2008, Juliet Uzoma-Aguwa had thought the lump she had was leftover breast milk, "because I had just stopped breastfeeding my younger daughter." So she went to a hospital in Michigan where she lived with her husband and two beautiful daughters, Chigozie and Chisom.

After a series of tests, "I was told to go for a biopsy where tissue from the breast is removed and examined for signs of breast cancer. By the time my husband and I went back for the biopsy results,

I had already done the crying, the anger, and the denial.

"I was young. How could I have cancer? I didn't have any family history of the disease. And I just had about a few months left to graduate with a degree in M e d i c a l C a s e Management."

Continuing, she said, "When we got in to see the doctor, she seemed nervous, like she didn't want to tell me what they had found. So even before she said the words, I knew I had breast cancer.

I was only 34. Within 2 months of my routine medical check. I can't tell you the shock and the disbelief of how my world spiraled out of control. The

moment I heard the word cancer, everything else went blank."

Speaking with Daily Times, a professor of Radiology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Professor Ifeoma Okoye said, "breast cancer progresses very fast but with early detection, people live longer."

An estimated 100,000 new cases of cancer is reported in Nigeria annually. Breast cancer accounts for about 40 per cent of women cancers, closely followed by cervical cancer, 17.9 per cent, lymphomas and ovarian cancer are next.

According to an expert of breast cancer research at the Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center at

Providence Portland Medical Center, breast cancer grows by simple cell division, beginning as one malignant cell, which then divides and becomes two bad cells, which divide again and become four bad cells, and so on.

"Breast cancer has to divide 30 times before it can be felt. Up to the 28th cell division, neither you nor your doctor can detect it by hand,” he said.

Unsure of what tomorrow brings, all Juliet could say was: “I want to raise my kids because nobody can love them better than I can''. And her doctor responded, ''Oh, yes, you are going to and that was all she could tell me at that point.

“I thought and acted like it was a death sentence, thoughts of my daughters and my husband of five years, flooded my mind and I thought I would drown in my tears.”

No, this can't happen.

My daughter is going to die?

Telling her older daughter who was three and half years old at the time was hard because she did not understand. “We said, the bad guys attacked mummy's boobs, and we are trying to fight them.”

When her mother in Nigeria got wind of the news, there was silence and then she said, ''No, this can't happen. While am alive, my daughter is going to die?'' Then, she

boarded the next flight to the United States.

Undergoing Surgery Even with her condition, Mrs Uzoma-Aguwa never gave up. She summoned courage to run few more tests at the hospital to confirm the extent of damage and was advised the best treatment was to have a surgery, as the only way forward.

“It was the hardest decision of my life at such a young age, when I had so many plans for the future which included getting back into the movie world eventually, a passion that I had long left behind due to marriage and family but was constantly taunted by it.”

Juggling her surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and work became so hard for her to care for her family. “At the time, I would have loved to put them into daycare to keep them away from partaking in my pain. “ T h e d a y s m y chemotherapy weighed me down,” she said. “My medical facility (Froedtert Medical College of Wisconsin) was very resourceful and excellent in assisting me with some of my needs and made me feel hopeful towards the future.”

The surgery is done, chemotherapy and radiation over, “though my body didn't quite feel like it was mine, sometimes due to the healing process but I was positive and strong on

15

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

health the fact that life had so much more after these diagnoses.”

Courage To Dare Having gone through all the stages of treatment and emerging a survivor, “I can only say that I am proud to be standing today.

However, she realised that there were many African women and men that were not privileged with the information that she had nor access to the treatments that she had, Juliet's vision for Courage To Dare Foundation was

formed. “I knew I had to do something for the thousands of people all over the world who can't access information and treatment.”

Through her foundation, Juliet is determined to ensure that individuals of African descent have access to information about breast cancer and have access to preventative mammogram screenings.

“My organisation plans to go all over West Africa empowering women to speak up about their conditions and to seek

help. Our lives are stories we must tell to inspire the world and leave a legacy.

“My legacy, I hope will be to inspire African women who seem to have lost hope that there could be life after the diagnosis of cancer.”

Juliet says, “these days, I f e e l a s t h o u g h b re a s t cancer gave me a new life.

Before I had breast cancer, I worked hard at being a mother and a wife, and I think one of the things I neglected most was me. So after cancer, I decided that you only have one time to

live your life.

“I am going to keep talking about breast cancer because people have to know that being diagnosed with the disease doesn't

mean that they are going to die, that with early detection and quick action, they can survive breast cancer.”

New Drug Target For Leukemia Identified A new drug target for treating leukemia has been identified as part o f t h e l a r g e s t ev e r genetic analysis of tumor growth in childhood blood cancer.

Using genetic scanning t e c h n i q u e s , researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center identified 6,023 long, non-coding strands of RNA active in immune system T cells taken from a group of Tcell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients.

Publishing their

findings in the journal Cell, the researchers describe how they were able to block the action of one of these RNA strands - leukemiainduced non-coding activator RNA-1 or "LUNAR1" - which had the effect of slowing leukemia progression.

L o n g - c o d i n g sequences of RNA, such as LUNAR1, are increasingly recognised as being important in regulating cell functions, say the scientists. Previously, they were thought of as

"junk DNA," which helps to transcribe DNA w i t h o u t f u l l y assembling proteins.

"Our study shows that LUNAR1 is highly specific for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and plays a key role in how this cancer develops," says Iannis Aifantis, PhD, a professor and chair of pathology at the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone, and an early career scientist at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Some Nuts 'Help Diabetes Blood Sugar Levels' Eating tree nuts appears to help lower and stabilise b l o o d s u g a r l ev e l s i n people with type 2 diabetes, according to a new Canadian study.

Tree nuts include a l m o n d s , B ra z i l n u t s , cashews, chestnuts, coconuts, hazelnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, walnuts, pine nuts and

pistachios. They do not include peanuts, which are legumes.

However, Dr Richard Elliott, Diabetes UK research communications manager says in a statement: "These findings draw on evidence from short trials, many of which were of low quality.

Owing to these limitations,

further research will be needed to find out whether or not tree nuts carry particular benefits for people with type 2."

While nuts are high in fat, it's healthy unsaturated fat and while they can also be high in calories, participants in the clinical trials did not gain weight.

16

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

sports Commonwealth Games: Show of Fame and Shame for Nigerian Athletes While Nigerian athletes made record breaking achievements, they also engaged in activities that belittle the country's image in the just concluded Commonwealth games in Scotland. MU'SODIQ ADEKUNLE reports

Nigeria's impressive stride began at the 2014 Commonwealth Games with all three male athletes on Sunday, July 27 qualifying for the semifinals of the 100m Men's event and it is now turning into a memorable 2014 Commonwealth Games for Team Nigeria who have so far won six medals at the competition.

The athletes came through from their respective heats to secure qualification for the semifinals taking place on Monday.

While Marks Jelks qualified in heat three which he won comfortably in a time of 10.28seconds, Monzavous Edwards who ran in heat six,finished in second position in a time of 10.40seconds behind England's Adam Gemili who won the race in

10.18seconds.

Ogho-Oghene Egwero also completed the roster for Nigeria, placing second b e h i n d S o u t h A f r i c a's Akani Simbiwe with a time of 10.38seconds.

Nigeria has so far won one gold, two silver, and one bronze medal at the games which holds in Glasgow, Scotland.

Te a m N i g e r i a a l s o clinched two silver medals taking their tally to: 1gold, 2silver and 1 bronze medals won just after three days of action.vYinka Ayenuwa won a silver in the men's 69kg category, lifting 301kg (130 snatch, 171 clean & jerk), while Ndidi Winifred also clinched silver in the Women's 48kg category after he was able to do a 206kg lift.

Nigeria's Blessing Okagbare completed a

Glasgow 2014 sprint double by winning the women's 200m ahead of English duo Jodie Williams and Bianca Williams. The 25-year-old, who won Monday's 100m, claimed victory in 22.25 seconds.

The 25 year-old track queen, who won long jump silver and 200m bronze at t h e 2 0 1 3 w o r l d championships, got off to a quick start in the women's 100m and maintained her form throughout to clock a games record of 10.85secs.

200 meters is her major specialty and the long jump, where she equally has bright chances of overhauling the opposition.

H ow ev e r , G ov e r n o r Emmanuel Uduaghan, many said, singlehandedly nurtured the African track queen,

Blessing Okagbare, to emerge top internationally w i t h t h e p rov i s i o n o f training grants.

No wonder Dr. Uduaghan, was part of the 80,000 ecstatic crowd that witnessed the setting of a new Commonwealth sprint record by the Deltaborn star athlete.

In addition to yearly training grants for Okagbare, even before she burst into the national scene, Dr. Uduaghan had last year approved a three-year training grant of $360,000 to the Delta born Africa's fastest woman amongst other incentives to enable her succeed.

Speaking on the governor's gesture, Chike Ogeah, Delta State Commissioner for Information said, "Dr. Uduaghan had single handedly taken up the

responsibility of nurturing Okagbare from her humble beginnings to her present status as an international athlete.”

All these joy did not just last for long. It was not quite long that the Nigerian athletes began to fumble.The seemingly fall o f s o m e o f c o u n t r y ’s athlete began with the women team out of table tennis events.

The team’s last game was in the women’s doubles when the pair of Funke Oshonaike and Cecilia OtuAkpan were beaten 3-0 by Malaysia’s duo of Lee Beh and Sock Ng. In the singles’ event, Edem Offiong, who had boasted that she would win gold, was bundled out by Joanna Drinkhall in the round of 64 (main draw).

The most disappointing aspect of the defeat was

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

17

sports that the game ended in a 40 bashing of the African champion by the English lady.

Also, her compatriot, OtuAkpan suffered the same fate in the hands of Singapore’s Taiwei Feng.

Ganiat Ogundele who made it to the main draw after 100 per cent record in the preliminary round fought hard against India’s Shamini Kumaresan but exited the competition after 4-3 loss to the Indian.

What would have been a consolation for the female team also evaporated into thin air, as the partnership of Oshonaike and Aruna Quadri in the mixed doubles was booted out by Singapore.

The team also failed to make it beyond the knockout stage in the team event, where the male counterparts clinched

bronze.

Since the inclusion of table tennis in the Commonwealth Games, the female team has not made any meaningful impact like their male counterparts.

Most embarrassingly was that Nigerian gold medallist, Chika Amalaha, has been provisionally suspended from the ongoing Commonwealth Games after a competition drugs test resulted in an anti-doping violation.

The 16-year-old Amalaha provided an ‘A’ sample on July 25, shortly after winning the women’s 53kg category, which revealed traces of diuretics and masking agents.

Amalaha had a ‘B’ sample tested at a laboratory in London on July 30.

The Commonwealth Games Federation Chief

Executive, Mike Hooper, said: “We (have) issued a formal notice of disclosure to an athlete following an adverse analytical finding as a consequence of an incompetition test.

"That athlete is Nigerian weightlifter Chika Amalaha who was tested on July 25th. That athlete has now been suspended from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.”

Hooper added: “(the substances) are diuretics and masking agents. In general terms, these substances are on the prohibited list for two reasons – firstly in weight category sports they can be used to unfairly aid weight loss … and secondly, their use has been reported in attempts to mask the presence in the body of other prohibited substances.

“The relevant processes, as detailed in our antidoping standard for the Games, are now being followed and Ms Amalaha has pursued her right to have her ‘B’ sample tested.

This will take place at an accredited laboratory in London, July 30. Upon receipt of those results the process will continue.”

But, Sports Minister and Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Ta m m y D a n a g o g o expressed sadness over the drug-test failure by Team Nigeria’s first gold medalist at the on-going 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, Chika Amalaha.

He was convinced that Amalaha is innocent, an angry Danagogo warned that officials as well as coaches who are found to aid or condone cheating

would face severe sanctions from the NSC. Amalaha, who was the heroine of Team Nigeria at the African Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana last May where she won three gold medals in her weightlifting event, failed the first test conducted on her after her Games’ record lift in the 53kg category and suspended pending the result of the B sample.

“The first sample drugtest failure of our female weightlifter is very embarrassing and I feel so saddened although I’m still convinced that the 16 year old Amalaha is innocent and hope that she doesn’t fail the ‘confirmation test’,” the Minister said from the Games venue in Glasgow.

Long List of Nigerian Athletes Who Failed Drug Test The positive test by Nigerian female weightlifter, Chika Amalaha is the latest setback for weightlifting, which has been marred by doping cases.

Nigeria’s weightlifting team didn’t compete at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games because of a doping ban imposed in 2001 after four members of the squad failed drug tests.

Four years ago in New Delhi, three Nigerian runners failed doping tests.

Folashade Abugan was stripped of silver medals in the women’s 400 metres and 4x400-meter relay after testing positive for a steroid.

Osayomi Oludamola had her gold medal in the 100 metres taken away after testing positive for a banned

stimulant and hurdler Samuel Okon, who did not win a medal, also tested positive.

Two Welsh athletes had to withdraw over doping offences committed ahead of the Glasgow Games.

European 400-meter hurdles champion Rhys Williams was ruled out on Friday after being charged with an anti-doping violation at the Glasgow Grand Prix on July 11.

His Welsh teammate, Gareth Warburton, who had been due to compete in the 800 metres at the Commonwealth Games, is going through a U.K. AntiDoping disciplinary procedure after being charged with earlier antidoping offences.

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

18

leisure Faces @ Prof. Olu Aina Son's Wedding It was all fun and celebration as the son of the Honourable member of Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC ), Professor Olu Aina, Segun Raymond Aina and his heartrob, Motunrayo Rufina Ajadi, took their wedding vows in the presence of God, family and friends.

The couple Mr & Mrs Segun Aina.

The couple Mr & Mrs Segun Aina.

From right, Former Minister for Aviation Prof& Mrs

From left, Mrs Thersa Alade Ajibola, the couple Mr&Mrs

From left back row officiating bishops: Catholic Bishop

The couple Mr&Mrs Segun Aina and the Parish priest of

Segun Aina and elder brother of the bride that stand in

of Minna RIght Revd Martins Uzonkwu, Catholic Bishop

the Catholic Church Of Divine Mercy. Lekki, Monsignor

for the late dad Wale Ajadi and Princess Dolapo Oni.

Ibadan Dr. Gabriel Abegunrin and Bishop of Oyo

Pascal Nwaezeapu.

Catholic Diocese, Right Revd Dr Emmanuel Badejo. Front row , the couple Mr&Mrs Segun Raymond Aina flanked by their sponsors Sir&Lady Benedictt Olusegun Adigun.

Dr Sid Weds Fiance, Simi Osomo One among the Mavin Record's artistes, Dr.Sid walked his boo, Simi Osomo down the aisle last weekend.The couple had their traditional wedding at the bride's family house in Lekki, Lagos and here are some fun faces present to honour the couple. The superlative nuptial which saw the cream de la cream of the society grace the occasion, was held at Catholic Church Of Divine Mercy Lekki. Lagos state.

The couple Mr & Mrs Esiri.

The Groom, Don Jazzy & Friends

Timi Dakolo, Funke Akindele & Timi’s Wife

19

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

leisure

NAIL ART: How-To Get Half-Moon With a French Tip Twist

by Opeoluwani Akintayo The art of nail polishing is something every lay must work at. You don't have to always visit the salon for manicure and pedicure cos you too can do it yourself.

Follow these Julie Kandalec simple rules and you'll be smiling.

Tools you'll need: 1. Red polish 2. Gold Polish 3. Striper brush

1. Prep and paint. File your na i l s i nt o t he de s i re d shape, push back your cuticles — DO NOT CUT THEM! — and apply a basecoat. Then, paint your nails with two coats of an orangey red.

2. Paint the arc of a gold half-moon. Outline a half circle over where the moon of your nail would be with a striper brush and use a gold polish.

3. Fill in the half-moon.

Using the same gold polish, carefully fill in the halfmoon with the striping brush.

4. Add the French tip.

Switch to the regular bottle brush from the gold polish, and create a smile line along the tip of your nail that's super curved and mirrors the half-moon at the base of your nail.

Finally, swipe on a top coat.

Half of A Yellow Sun Hits Cinemas Celebrity hairstyle of the week Everyone knows Eva's trademark is h e r M o h a w k hairstyle.

We love the fact that she's creative with it so it doesn't look boring and same all the time.

S o m e t i m e s , depending on her mood, she uses crazy colours in it and other times, just like this one, she's a bit conservative.

Rapper Eva is our celebrity hairstyle pick for this week…hope you like it!

It ’s Eva!

20

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

metro (lagos) Female Suicide Bombing: An Emerging Tactics Of Terrorism

by Lara Adejoro l.adejoro@dailytimes.com.ng

Has anyone ever thought a woman created to be the giver of life will be brainwashed into becoming one who now pushes her children to death? Who could ever imagine that a woman could conceal a device fabricated in an improvised manner incorporating lethal chemicals designed to kill under her veil covering her head and chest for the sake of modesty.

Even though the pictures of terrorists on our minds have been that of a fierce looking, desperately wicked man seeking whom to d ev o u r b u t , N i g e r i a i s currently witnessing the rise of female suicide bombers in northern Nigeria.

Women have in recent times stabbed the hearts, pierced the soul and caused wailing, pains, heartaches and sorrow to empathisers and survivors of loved ones who are

victims of their dastardly acts.

Terrorism in Nigeria took a significant evolution in April 14, 2014, when one of the major features was the use of women against the Nigerian government by the dreaded terrorist sectBoko Haram to demand the release of its fighters in exchange for the over 200 school girls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, (GGSS) Chibok, Borno State.

As the government is yet to permanently quash the uprising by the sect in the north-eastern Nigeria, the sect now have a shift to include women in its operations, in response to increased pressure on male operatives.

The first reported female suicide bombing occurred last month, June 8, 2014, when a woman died in an attempt to attack a barracks in Gombe State.

The lady suicide bomber who primed herself with an improvised explosive device was intercepted by troops mounting a security

checkpoint at a Barrack entrance while she was attempting to gain entry into the barracks.

According to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a private, tax-exempt institution focusing on international public policy issues, women are especially vulnerable to recruitment by militants for two main reasons. First, the violent loss of their loved ones may lead to a desire for revenge, making them relatively easy to convince to carry out terrorist attacks.

Second, militants reportedly recruit some women, including individuals who have not lost loved ones, because t h ey a re p e rc e i v e d a s emotionally vulnerable and thus easy prey for militants.

On Friday, July 4, the military arrested three female Boko Haram recruiters. One of them named Hafsat Usman Bako, is said to be the widow of a Boko Haram fighter. The women are said

to have targeted widows and young girls, promising them marriage to Boko Haram members.

At least five persons lost their lives in Kano following twin explosions on Sunday, July 27th . The first blast went off at Kofar Nasarawa, near the North-West University was carried out by a 16year-old girl according to the Kano State police commissioner, Mr Aderenle Shinaba. While the second explosion happened at St. Charles Catholic Church on Zungeru Road in Sabon Gari.

Also, a suspected female suicide bomber blew up herself at the NNPC mega station in Hotoro, Kano, on Monday, July 28th, killing three persons and injuring 8 others. Barely four hours after this attack, another female suicide bomber targeted the Trade Fair Complex in Kano, wounding six.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Times, President, Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, said, "I sincerely and prayerfully hope that this is nothing than insinuations. By the grace of Almighty God, they are insinuations and remain just so.

"Our girls cannot be used as suicide bombers.

Although the terrorists have no human face and may be capable of doing it, but our hope remains that they are rather safe. I do not see myself in the light of discussing our girls as cat's paw used to

perpetrate these heinous crimes."

She said, the suspect arrested in connection with the incident attack targeting General Muhammadu Buhari, is said to have disguised as a female. "I elect to anchor my opinion on this premise. So, if you say they are the girls, I say check well if they were only disguised. We implore our President, Governors of States, our military, and every s t a ke h o l d e r t o c o m e together andlet’s end the reign of terror in our country."

The Federal Government on Wednesday, July 30th arrested a 10-year-old girl in Katsina State, suspected to be a suicide bomber.

Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Ishaq Akintola also said, terrorism is an anomaly in a normal society.

"In a society where there is welfare, good governance, terrorism is an anomaly. But in a community where the people are not taken care of, where the people are unemployed and disgruntled, they will have to vent their anger on the society.

"The view of the Islam is that terrorism is Haram. It is forbidden. Islam believes you cannot fight people unjustly and you cannot take your life.

There is no terrorism in Islam," he said.

21

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

metro (abuja) Nyanya Gwaranda: Nasarawa's Sodom and Gomorrah

by Augustine Aminu a.aminu@folioholdingsgroup.com

Have you ever heard of Nyanya- Gwandara?

Perhaps not, but it's a place where everything, from the good, the bad and the ugly happens day and night. The area is located some 35 kilometers from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja along the Abuja- Keffi road, just before you get to Masaka.

Nyanya-Gwaranda is a mixture of slum, suburban and one of the road side towns in Nasarawa state where the rich, the poor, the educated and the illiterates melt in a pot of wild but very silent pleasure.

However, people have dubbed the Nyanya Gwandara New Site as Nasarawa's Sodom and G o m o r ra h . W h a t o u r reporter saw was more than meets the eye.

From the road, it was initially difficult to locate one of the popular sites as it was hidden from the road by artisan workshops and few

selling stalls. Our guide knew the way and passing behind one of the workshops, our reporter was greeted by a bubbling “community” ruling itself amidst booze, music, meat, prostitutes and Casanovas.

The place is dotted by drinking joints made of wood and old corrugated roofing sheets, the regulars who were having a nice time had looks suggestive of “who is this?

What is he looking for?”

The “community ” is loosely divided into sections with each having its specialty in terms of goods and services ranging from kinds of drinks and meat to categories of call girls.

The first section has regular drinking joints which has drinks such as beer, wines and goat and cow pepper soups and fresh fish with girls hanging around looking out for any man that might beckon on them.

Inside are other sections including those of local drinks such as palm wine, burukutu, local gins and

assorted kinds of meats including pork. The hot spot of the community is the dog meat section where crowds gather around the butchers' table arguing over favorite parts. The meat taken from the cooking pot very hot has people waiting to devour it with pepper and a cup of hot drink in their left hand.

Daily Times engaged a young lady whose name is Rose (I was told girls don't give their real names in that place) in a discussion about the endemic Ebola disease. Here is the conversation.

Reporter: Do you know Ebola?

Rose: What is that, is it a drink?

Reporter: No, it's a new disease.

Rose: Ha! I don't know it o.

Reporter: It's a deadly disease in town now.

Rose: Wetin concern me, na for big men and women now.

Reporter: No, anybody can contract it; it 's something that everyone needs to be careful about.

People need to mind the

way they eat bush meat now, because they spread the disease too.

Rose: Na today, when a big man wants to import something to do his business, they will tell us there is something wrong with our way of life.

One common feature of the place is girls. Though each section has its type of girls ranging from the apparently “local” to the “exposed”.

Further into the arena, are countless girls smoking and drinking and perhaps waiting for customers. Many of them in their teens and 20s were either drunk or getting tipsy.

According to findings by Daily Times, the “big madams” who own the business in the c o m m u n i t y w e re a l s o engaged in sexual activities and they have their own special customers.

A fat woman on a motor bike was making her round as she collects savings from customers and she kept shouting at the top of her voice.

Perhaps, she was also tipsy.

At the far end of the community some boys gathered, playing snookers and smoking.

Some of them drank as they watched the games and waited for their turn.

Beyond is a make shift in which the locals call “short time”. Deals between the call girls and their customers are usually settled there.

Gwandara New Site is not a place for the never do well as there are lots of big

and expensive cars packed around. The most intriguing thing about this place is that you could see a lot of big or modern cars parked at this place. The attention of the reporter was caught by a senior police officer greeting some people.

A man who gave his name as John Inusa confessed that he was a regular caller at the place. “I come here almost every day to relax with my friends”, he said.

He said “real life” in the place starts at about 8pm to 11pm. "You have not seen anything now. Give them the next two hours from now, the whole place will be like Wuse market.

All the girls you see here are set for business."

Asked if the people are not afraid of the insecurity in the country, he said “truly, the place has no security, everybody here behaves anyhow.

Everybody must die, that is one thing we must all k n ow. O n e n e e d s t o unwind after a long day's work if not, frustration will even kill somebody,” he said.

The reporter could not wait till 8pm to see the “life” as he had to leave for the FCT before it got dark.

22

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

relationships In any relationship, there is a kennel of hope that this one might just be the one. If you have been able to find your Mr. Right then you've got to read this:

How Much Will My Wedding Cost?

by Stella Anokam from NaijaGlamWedding.com

Photo Credit: Obi Nwokedi at http://photographybyobi.co.uk

Soon after the excitement of a successful marriage proposal wears out, one of the most common questions newly engaged brides-to-be and their g ro o m s h a v e i s " H ow much will my wedding cost?" Some even start asking their married friends how much they spent on their own wedding ceremony.

If that sounds like you, then you're not alone.

Figuring out how much to budget for your wedding is an art, not rocket science, and starting to plan your wedding cost based on someone else's expenses is a wrong way to start.

Why would you do that?

No two weddings are the same – the only way that another man's wedding budget will work for you is IF you plan to use the same venue they used, wear the same suit/ wedding dress they wore, invite the same number of guests they invited and do every single thing the same way they did. And, that's even if the price of wedding things have not changed, which is very unlikely.

So, here are some guides to help you out in determining how much your wedding will cost.

Confirm Cash at Hand

You shouldn't even think of borrowing money to organize your wedding.

Confirm how much cash you have at the bank, and also confirm how much financial support you can get from family and friends. Don't plan your wedding with promised money. Ask for help on time and set a time frame for when to gather every promised money.

Set a Wedding Budget Now that you know how much cash you have, it's time to decide on exactly how much you want to spend for the wedding. Set a specific amount that you

plan not to spend more than.

After that, make an expense list. This is similar to what you do before shopping for food items – divide up your wedding budget into amounts you should spend on the different wedding areas, such as: · Bride and groom's attire (for the traditional wedding, for the white wedding) · Reception (catering/ food, drinks, decoration, w e d d i n g c a k e , photography etc) · Venue hire and so on Be Realistic – Trim the

Guest Number The guest size is the main element that adds up to a wedding cost – invite more people and be prepared for a big, fat wedding cost.

If you plan on inviting fewer people, you can cut down up to 30% cost. Less guests would mean that you will spend less on the food and drinks, as well as on the venue (smaller venues cost less). And, to further cut down on costs, consider having your reception at a free (e.g. your parents' backyard) or cheaper venue.

It's no longer a 'shame' to have a small wedding in Nigeria – thanks to our

23

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

relationships Just Do It! Instead of trying to fit into someone else's wedding budget, set your own budget based on the type of wedding you want, and how much you have. And, don't be deceived – you can have a fab wedding at

any amount, as long as you are realistic. By the way, these days we are seeing the rise of 'small w e d d i n g s ' , w h i c h a re generally cheaper and classy too.

About the Author Stella Anokam is the editor of NaijaGlamWedding.com blog where she gives away free wedding planning templates and writes articles on practical wedding planning tips that wow guests and won't

break your bank but instead wow your guests.

F o l l o w h e r o n Facebook.com/naijaglam w e d d i n g a n d Twitter.com/naijaglamWE D

The Wedding Ring

possible to find some form of peace and happiness in your married life, as much as you will allow us to Ofcourse. So, do follow the tips and advise we offer to find some semblance of true contentment.

“Understanding never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up, and happiness? Never comes to an end.”

Contrary to general opinion, “Marriage, can be a bed of roses!” but first understand 'no pain no gain' “to be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of your comfort zone.” For peace and happiness in your home, you must be the fool most of the time and fully apply yourself to the business of marital bliss.

Never to be used as a threat, Never to be said in jest.

But if you apply the under listed with deep faith, your quest will be realised:

caught up in our emotions.

It's your ability to manage your thoughts, feelings and actions when tensions are high in your relationship that counts.

Look always for the truth, don't be distorted or clouded by the need to be always right, heard or understood.

celebrities who are leading the way with exclusive, strictly-by-invited, small weddings.

Just think of how to take care of the uninvited – parlour party or invite them to the post-wedding thanksgiving.

Do you know why the Marriage ring is placed on the Fourth finger from the Thumb of your left hand? Because it's the only Finger that has a vein which is Directly connected to your heart!

“For a clearer vision and to be fully human, there must be challenges!”

Mankind from creation has always failed when left alone to navigate this journey called MARRIAGE. It's been one struggle after another and without help in general, marriages have taken wrong turns, missed the preferred goals, failed to see the right paths and consequently, failed to arrive in peace and happiness at the destination, and those that did get there, did so with lots of confused baggage

and some, seemed completely lost.

They simply cannot find the route to true peace and happiness. Why? A prophet called Jeremiah did say “I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”

Anyone who tries to direct his own steps without accepting qualified and divine help inevitably faces frustration. Truly, we all do need help and direction sometimes!

Here we will, God willing, help you as much as is

ANTIDOTES FOR A LASTING, PEACEFUL AND BLISSFUL MARRIAGE Remaining Married Is Not Just Enough, you must strive to stay and remain in love with each other. Make sure you do not use words that hurt, destroy or kill the spirit and soul of your spouse.

Remember there is life and death in the tongue some words are not to be used lightly, joked with or thrown at each other. The word Divorce is one that should Never be spoken,

Best Friend Relationship: T h e re i s m o re t o j u s t remaining married, if you Purposely spend time getting to know yourselves and develop a life-long best friend relationship.

This way you won't just re m a i n m a r r i e d , b u t remain and stay (marriedly) in love.

Guard Your Spousely Time: There is more to work, kid's activities, TV, internet, carrier building etc, If you haven't been dating or spending quality time with each other as a couple in your beginning years, you are opening the door to loneliness for latter years.

Do not allow anything, except God; once in a while to come between you and your spouse's time.

Your Side, Your Spouse's Side and the Truth There are always three sides to every story and/or situation. This is especially true for relationships. In times of challenges, most persons are only able to see and focus on their own concerns. It's difficult to see things from a different perspective when we're

No 'Upgrading' Your spouse is more than a significant other; there is one person in this entire world that can call your spouse “my husband or my wife.” YOU! Your relationship is not one to be taken lightly it's a joyous 'life sentence'. This mindset sets the tempo for a life long relationship.

Love Language Learn your love language and speak it, often. This will help you grow through whatever challenges you might face together. Add some really domestic sexy moves to your marriage.

One of the best things you can do is to find things that you enjoy and do them together, just the two of you. Date yourselves regularly.

God bless.

What are you both doing or not doing to stay in LOVE with each other?

Tell us, write us to help you find marital bliss.

24

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

art & culture How Safe Are Our Dialects?

by Lara Adejoro l.adejoro@dailytimes.com.ng

W i t h N i g e r i a ’ s independence in 1960, it became evident that despite her multi-ethnic background and multiple languages it had to solve the problem of language and culture diversity which will in turn enable nationalism. Nigeria boasts of over 350 ethnic groups and lately reported to have over 500 indigenous languages.

Communication in English language is much more popular in the country's urban communities than it is in the rural. The other major languages are Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Ibibio, Edo, Fulfulde, and Kanuri.

An extinct language is a language that no longer has any speakers, or that is

no longer in current use.

E x t i n c t l a n g u a g e s a re sometimes contrasted with dead languages, which are still known and used in special contexts in written form, but not as ordinary s p o ke n l a n g u a g e s f o r everyday communication.

However, language extinction and language death are often equated.

Normally, the transition from a spoken to an extinct language occurs when a language undergoes

language death while being d i re c t l y re p l a c e d by a different one. For example, some Native American languages were replaced

by English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, or Dutch as a result of colonization.

According to recent publications, as economic and cultural globalization and development continue to push forward, growing numbers of languages will become endangered and eventually, extinct.

In a country like Nigeria where there are so many ethnic groups and languages, you could hardly see a child or an adult speaking his/her native language.

Some are even very proud to tell you that they don’t know how to speak the language because; they

Nigeria And Her Tribal Marks

by Joy Ekeke j.ekeke@folioholdingsgroup.com

Many Nigerians have marks on their faces to indicate their ethnic identity. It is believed that the best way of identifying people of the same ethnic group is the similarity of their tribal marks and in the case to protect their interests.

This tradition began hundreds of years ago in the days of the slave trade and continues today often for security purposes.

Speaking with Daily Times, Mr Segun Oluwagenga said, in the olden days when a child is born, the parent will want the child to be given traditional tribal marks as a way of expressing that he is the

legitimate father of the child as well as a way of identifying the child in their family ethnic group or lineage.

Stressing that, Yoruba tribal scars have a variety of patterns and meanings, they appear as a series of cuts and lines across the face to identify our regional heritage.

Dare Babalola said, am

w e re n o t b o r n i n t h e village. While many are condemning this act, most people are busy saying that, it is the product of civilization. Most children only know their hometown by name but have neither visited their on holidays or even know the directions to such places.

Constant use of the language will also help in mastering the language.

Some people have blamed school proprietors for the declining nature of our native languages. Most school proprietors prefer foreign languages like, English, French among others to our own native dialects.

Some parents do not even make any attempt at teaching their children their languages. They keep teaching them English.

Some parents organize extra moral classes where they are ready to pay huge sum of money for their

children to learn foreign languages like, French, Spanish, English among others.

Environment also contributes. Where you live and stay determines the language you will know more.

Another problem is caused mostly when the husband and wife are not from the same tribe. When the two parties are not from the same tribe, the only general language they understand is either English or a pidgin language. Although, if the parents so choose, the child can learn either or both languages.

It is not only our languages that are not safe, our tradition and culture are not safe. Therefore, it should not be a surprise that you might be the last generation to speak your “father tongue”- native language.

from Oyo state, back then when Oyo people used to travel from one town to another so many people where getting lost and some did not know their way back home. Parents decided to give their children tribal marks so that people can recognise them.

Oluwabunmi Akin said, “I have a tribal mark on my face and am not ashamed of my identity, in my village they cherishe tribal marks, we give our children marks on their faces, chest and we even do the local tattoos, the tattoos might appear as snake and lizard.

Explaining that, tribal marks are created using a s h a r p o b j e c t o r instruments such as razor blade, knives, glass, flesh is

cut from the skin to create a gash, which later heals and leaves a permanent pattern on the body or face.

The unique colour of the tribal mark is black because they make use of charcoal.

Akin said.

Hasiya Nahum said, my tribal mark is because of sickness, I was always falling sick when I was a child so my parents gave me marks on my face.

Most people make use of tribal marks as a form of i d e n t i fi c a t i o n , beautification and protection. When I was little my friends laughed at me because of my tribal marks, sometimes people don't even know my name they only identify me with my facial marks. She said.

25

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

early beginnings Unusual Delicacies For Adventurous People For so long, the 'point and kill,' fish, cow tail and goat head pepper soups were common cocktails in most eateries, but in recent times, Nigerians are becoming more adventurous and are trying out all kinds of uncommon delicacies such as snake, dog meat and even Carmel meat. Daily Times' investigations revealed some spots where snake and dog meat pepper soup are sold. It also discovered the snake market in Badagry where people go to buy smoked snake in bulk as well as the abattoir in Oko- Oba where camels are slaughtered and sold for those who are interested.

Lagos no doubt is a busy metropolis and a lot of people are busy during the week leaving little or no time for relaxation.

However, some in spite of their tight work schedule and busy week, find time to relax and recreate.

Some visit eateries while others simply prefer to go on a picnic.

These days, people are looking for new ways of trying out new things different from the norm, including their diet. Pepper soup joints are now trying out new recipes.

Right in the heart of Ikeja, precisely on Osho Street off Opebi road, Madam Grace Epah operates a relaxation spot where she feeds her customers with snake pepper soup.

Snake means different thing to different people.

For instance, in a certain village in Anambra State, snakes, (Pythons) are gods; worshipped and reverred to the point that it is a taboo to kill them. In the village, it is believed that the sight of snakes evokes joy in many homes.

C o n v e r s e l y, i n s o m e climes, people dread snakes and do everything humanly possible to kill the creepy animal. This is the irony of the snake pepper soup on Opebi, Ikeja, which like any other relaxation spots are gaining grounds in terms of patronage.

For the likes of Titilope

Abiola who works in Opebi, snake pepper soup is one delicacy she doesn’t miss every Friday evening ever since she discovered the joint some few months ago.

“I learnt about Osho Snake Joint through a friend who lives in Uyo. She said she discovered the joint when she visited Lagos in January. After she gave me the direction, I went there and have since become a re gula r c ustom er on Fridays,” she said.

Daily Times visited the joint and spoke with Madam Grace Epah, the restaurant operator who described her line of business as notall-comers.’ According to her, the business requires certain expertise to make the dish to taste for

customers. Epah disclosed that the quality of treatment given to the snake meat goes a long way in determining the second visit by customers.

“I have been in this business for six years. I had done the usual “point and kill,” but I needed something more challenging,” she said.

Another uncommon delicacy that seems to be in high demand now is the dog meat.

Initially, it was believed that people from south western part of Nigeria like the Effiks and Ondo people are known to be eaters of dog meat, however, people from different tribes are now embracing the dog

meat delicacy.

Still on Osho Street, in Opebi area of Lagos, there is a Dog meat pepper soup joint where people come in for their own share of the delicacy.

Madam Rosemary Akpan is the one behind the dog meat pepper soup joint located in Osho Street in Opebi area where she

26

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

pictures from archives feeds her numerous customers with her tasty dog meat soup with peppers and spices.

Akpan prides herself on doing wonders with dog meat, which her customers refer to as 4o4.

While speaking with Daily Times she said: “Dog meat is a very sweet meat and p e r s o n a l l y, I d o n’ t s e e anything wrong with eating it.”

According to Akpan, she takes delivery of about twenty to forty dogs on a weekly basis depending on the market forces but she said that sales are booming for her because gone are the days when people refer to those eating dogs as pagans; “dog meat awareness is getting stronger now,” she said.

While speaking with some of the customers at the joint, William Onasanya said; “Dog meat is very sweet and very cheap, compared to other meat pepper soups.”

According to another customer, Folajaiye Akinkunmi who is from Ondo State, he said: “The water that is used to cook the meat, when taken before the ingredients are added could cure rheumatism and arthritis.

When taken after the ingredients are added, helps to improve the sex life of the consumers.”

The third uncommon delicacy which is usually regarded as beast of burden is the camel. This animal has special traits and is adaptable to all weather conditions and is used for all purposes. It is used as a form of transportation and also as a carrier of loads. It is also used as food.

Although the Carmel meat is not popularly eaten in this part of the country but up north, the Carmel meat is just like any other

domesticated beef like goats, cow, sheep, ram and so on. A recent visit to the Agege Oko Oba Abattoir reveals that some carmels are sold there.

I n a n i n t e r v i ew w i t h a butcher at the abattoir, who spoke only on condition of anonymity, he reveals that camel meat like others is on sale at the abattoir. He, however, disclosed that the bulk of buyers come usually from as far as Cotonou, Benin Republic. “It’s is a sweet delicacy,” he says, pointing out that he had tasted it several times to know if it is good for food.

Another butcher, Mohammed Abu said Camel meat is available mostly on request as buyers are not many as yet. “The best age for a camel that is fit for food is from a year to three years,” he said.

He further disclosed that; “A camel tastes like the normal beef. The most prized part of the camel is its humps, which usually is full of fat. In the north, it is used to make burger and other culinary materials. They have mild flavour when prepared properly. It is reputed to be healthier than red meat, no doubt.”

“Camels may look malnourished, but are good sources of protein and vitamin E. Aside the meat, the milk is also very useful. It contains three times the vitamin C of cow’s milk and is rich in Iron and B vitamins.

A nomad can live on only camel milk for almost a month,” he says, stressing that its milk is richer in vitamins, minerals, and proteins especially when compared with cow’s milk.

While speaking with a Lagos based nutritionist, Shade Akindele she described snake meat and dog meat as any other.

“Snake or dog meat contains

protein like any other type of meat. Protein is necessary for many body systems, including the development of muscles.

Protein provides amino acids the body cannot obtain any other way, which do everything from

building cell walls, to regulating hormones.

Snake meat contains roughly 93 calories per 100g of raw meat, depending on the type of snake. Generally, all meat from whatever source can be eaten provided there is

no toxic substance in them before they are consumed, and provided they are cooked thoroughly. The emphasis is on thorough cooking because that will get rid of some of the toxic substances.” she said.

27

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

pictures from archives

Recipie For Shrimp and Octopus Soup (Caldo d Camarony Pulpo) This is a 'Caldo' or soup made with Shrimp and Octopus. This is for all the Mexican and seafood lovers. This soup can be eaten with Tortillas or Tostadas."

Ingredients · · · · · · · · · · · ·

2 qts water 2 lbs octopus (cut into 1 inch pieces) 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 cup carrots (diced) 1 cup diced celery 2 cups potatoes (cubed) 1/2 cup chile pepper (crushed dry pasilla) 1/2 cup chopped onion (or to taste) 1 cup diced tomatoes 11/2 lbs large shrimp (in shells) 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, optional) salt (to taste)

Directions Place the water in a large soup pot, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add octopus, and continue boiling for about 20 minutes.

While the octopus is boiling, heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add carrots, celery, potatoes, and pasilla pepper. Fry for about 15 minutes, adding the onion and tomato at the very end. The ingredients do not need to be fully cooked.

When the octopus has boiled for 20 minutes, add the shrimp in their shells to the octopus, and let it boil for 5 more minutes. Add the vegetables from the skillet and season with salt to your liking. If corn is used, put it in with the shrimp. Let everything simmer together for 15 minutes.

28

DAILY TIMES NG AUGUST 2014

opinions

You're A Political Prostitute, Kashamu Replies Daniels

by Ugochukwu Onyeocha

In response to a recent comment describing him as suffering from political inexperience and overconfidence by the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniels, t h e C h a i r m a n , Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South-West, Mr. Buruji Kashamu, has described the former Governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, as” someone suffering from an overdose of political

prostitution.”

Kashamu spoke in response to a statement c re d i t e d t o D a n i e l o n Sunday in some national newspapers where the exgovernor described Kashamu, a chief of the PDP in Ogun State, as “suffering from political inexperience and overconfidence”.

In a statement on Sunday by his media adviser, Mr Austin Oniyokor, Kashamu said, “It was Daniel that is suffering from overdose of political prostitution as a

result of his serial defeat in the battle for the souls of the various parties he sought to ply his trade.

“It is laughable that a renowned political prostitute like Daniel can refer to someone, who has defeated him several times as inexperienced and overconfident.

“What Daniel probably presumes to be his experience is how he uses party platform to negotiate and feather his own nest, just like he did in 2011. The national leadership of our great party, the PDP, is wiser now and will not fall for such tricks anymore.”

Kashamu listed the parties the ex-governor had traversed since his days in the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

He said, “Perhaps, he thought we have forgotten

that it was the same Daniel, who jumped from the Alliance for Democracy to the PDP, and from PDP to PPN, now PPN to LP, after the PDP made him all that he claims to be today.

“Now, he has gone back to LP and yet he says he wants to collaborate with us to chase away the APC g ov e r n m e n t i n O g u n State. We say ‘NO’. How can you collaborate with us to chase away the APC government when you are fielding candidates for the same offices, a p a r t f ro m t h e Presidency?

“We say these smacks of deceit and we would not fall for it. If you say you are the strongest party in Ogun State, we say let’s meet on the field. No need for any deceitful

collaboration.”

Kashamu noted that a few weeks ago, the Senate President , Senator David Mark, told the whole world that the PDP was not in any working arrangement with any party.

He added, “For the teeming members of the Ogun State PDP, Prince K a s h a m u ’s s o - c a l l e d political inexperience is good for them. It was the ‘political inexperience’ that made him defeat Daniel in the struggle for the soul of the PDP in 2011 and beat his PPN to a distant third position in the polls.

“If Daniel knows that he is experienced politically, h o w c o m e h e abandoned the PPN that he hijacked in 2011? Why did he not build it?”

Ekwunife Dumps APGA, Joins PDP Awka- The federal lawmaker representing Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunuk ofia Federal Constituency o f A n a m b ra S t a t e i n Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Uche Ekwunife, has defected from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the ruling Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP).

Ekwunife, who is the Chairman of the House C o m m i t t e e o n Environment, gathered the APGA ward and local government executives of her constituency together

in the first official meeting to announce her exit from APGA at her campaign office along the EnuguOnitsha Expressway.

She said that her exit was not borne out of any issue between her and the party but out of her desire to forge ahead without anybody destroying her political future.

The excited Ekwunife, b e f o r e t h e announcement, danced with party members who were obviously happy with their representative but when the news was broken, it was tears for

many.

She assured the party members of her commitment to continue representing effectively, the largest constituency in Nigeria with three local government areas, 51 INEC electoral wards and 621 polling units, having moved several motions and bills in the House as well as attracted so many infrastructural d ev e l o p m e n t s t o t h e constituency.

Honourable Ekwunife also intimated her constituents of the exit of four out of the five APGA

House of Representatives members that included, Cyril Egwuatu of Onitsha North and South, Afam Ogene of Ogbaru, Chris Azubogu of Nnewi North/South and Ekwusigo and herself.

Uche Ekwunife won the APGA ticket to run for the Federal House of Representatives in 2011 having lost in the governorship election of February 6, 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA).

In the Anambra governorship election of

2013, she lost in the controversial primaries of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, part of which may be her dissatisfaction to discontinue with the party hence her moving into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).