Leadership news

17.10.14

No. 74

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

N200

NIGERIA'S FIRST FRIDAY NEWSPAPER

www.leadership.ng Leadership Newspapers

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2015

Unrelenting Governorship Aspirants, Candidates

David Umaru

Gbemi Saraki

Mohammed Abacha

Musiliu Obanikoro

Adamu Waziri

Ifeanyi Ararume

...will they be lucky this time around?

BY BODE GBADEBO, Abuja

Many governorship aspirants angling to occupy the Government Houses of 29 states across the country in 2015 are becoming recurring decimals as some of them have been nursing the ambition and had tried their luck even before the advent of the present Fourth Republic in 1999.

Like the popular saying goes, ‘there is no harm in trying’, it had in the past worked for others whose perseverance and persistence earned them the number one ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

PDP Sets Fresh Hurdle For Senate-bound Govs Mu'azu, govs meeting fails to reach consensus South South gov, senator clash before Jonathan

Chibok Diary

DAY

186

Apc Asks Jonathan To Stop Using Chibok Girls As Pawns

lantang lg: tribunal nullifies pdp candidate's election, declares 10 dan dul winner

jonathan submits confab resolutions to nass

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> Page 2

5

Spectrum licence: Fg targets N35bn revenue

Mutiny: army bars media from covering trial 5 of 97 soldiers 15

#BringBackOurGirls 186 day

Friday, October 17, 2014

Editor’s Note Thank God it’s Friday!

You know when it comes to finding out what’s happening around the globe, there is nothing quite like leaning one elbow on the chair and going through our much-loved Leadership Friday.

As always, we are constantly on our feet to keep you updated, with substantial and quality news, so you have no reason not to enjoy reading.

Without further ado, I will introduce this week’s line up…

This edition features a lot of interesting articles. FRIDAY EXTRA remembers the Aluu 4. Remember those four Uniport boys that were gruesomely murdered in Aluu community sometime ago? Just like yesterday, it’s been two years already. It’s so unfortunate how innocent lives are being wasted in this country without any form of justice.

ESSENTIALS features Robby Ricketts, a Jazz fanatic who believes that “saying you don’t like Jazz, is like saying you don’t like fruits”. Be sure not to miss his exciting interview with Chinelo Chikelo.

On MY TOWN this week, one of our reporters captures the recreational centres’ in the nation’s capital. In a place like Abuja, tourism beckons as parks and recreational centres are scattered across the city. Go through to find out the best places to go to while in need of some relaxation.

“You drown not by falling into a river, but by staying submerged in it” For Feedback: fridayleadership@leadership.ng

CHiBOk in THe Week Saturday, October, 11, 2014 as the stay in captivity of the Chibok school girls who were abducted by the Boko Haram terrorists on april 14, 2014 turned 180 days the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) group joined other well-meaning Nigerians on the occasion of the International day of the Girl Child to renew the call for the safe release of the girls.

Meanwhile, arrangements were concluded for the kick-off of the Global Week of action organised by the BringBackOurGirls group and the families of the abducted Chibok school girls and end humanitarian tragedy.

Sunday, October 12, 2014 as the Chibok School girls clocked 180 days in Boko Haram’s captivity, the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) group has expressed doubt as to whether any sincere effort was being made to rescue the girls.

Monday, October 13, 2014 aggrieved father of twin girls, Sarah and Ruth, who were among the abducted Chibok school girls, Mr Paul Lalai, expressed his gratitude to the BringBackOurGirls group for its steadfastness and resilience in pushing for the rescue of the girls.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014 In continuation of the BringBackOurGirls group’s Global Week of action to commemorate six months of the abduction of the Chibok school girls in april, the group planned a march to the presidency to express the urgency of the abducted girls’ rescue.

Meanwhile, in its effort to update the people, the National Information Centre (NIC) invited the BringBackOurGirls group to its briefing on the abducted Chibok school girls.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014 The federal government reacted to a statement credited to former President Olusegun Obasanjo that the abducted Chibok school girls may never return, saying the government was on course to see that the girls were rescued alive and would not be distracted.

Thursday, October 16, 2014 as part of the activities to commemorate six months of the abduction of the Chibok school girls, the BringBackOurGirls group visited the UK, Chad and Niger embassies to push on with its demand for increased global action to rescue the girls.

Today Friday, October 17, 2004 The all Progressive Congress (aPC) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to release the abducted school girls if indeed he knows their whereabouts as alleged in some quarters, rather than seeking to make political gains out of their release.

Meanwhile, the BringBackOurGirls group holds a prayer session during the Jumat prayers today for quick return of theBY abducted ChibokIROKA COMPILED UGOCHUKWU school girls who are still in Boko Haram’s captivity.

L-R: CSP Aina Adeso, DPO Aswani Division SP Muaedipue Aremu, DPO Ago Division; CSP Awgu Ginikachukwu, D.P.O Isolo Division; CSP Ochogwu Ogbeh, DPO Ilasa Division, ACP Muhammed Garba, Area D Commander, Mushin; Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, president, Women Arise; CSP Fidelis Okafor, and others during a combating/preventing crime through community policing organised by the police community relations committee (PCRC) area D command in Lagos yesterday.

APC To Jonathan: Stop Playing Politics With Chibok Girls

BY BAYO OLADEJI, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to release the schoolgirls who were abducted in Chibok over six months ago if, indeed, he knows where they are, rather than seeking to make political gain out of their release. ''Mr. President, tongues are wagging that you know where the girls are and that you want them to be released only when it will give you the maximum political advantage.

"We don't know if this is true or not, but if it is, please release the girls now,'' the party said in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. ''It is cruel and unconscionable for anyone to use these girls as pawns on a political chessboard.

They have now been in captivity for over six full months. Please end the agony of the girls' parents

and indeed of all Nigerians,'' it said.

APC said the body language of President Jonathan since the unfortunate abduction of the girls points to the fact that he knows more than he is willing to admit on the issue, and that he had exhibited nonchalance over the plight of the girls ''First, the president waited for all of 19 days before even admitting that the girls had been abducted, losing a critical window of opportunity to rescue them from their abductors. When eventually he was forced by global pressure to admit that the abduction is real, Mr. President and his wife chose to subject the girls' parents and others to untold verbal assault and mental torture. ''A little over a month after the girls were abducted, the Chief of Defence Staff said the security leadership in the country had located where Boko Haram is holding the abducted girls.

Since then, Nigerians have been waiting for the girls to be rescued, to no avail."

BBOG Holds Prayer Session For Chibok Girls Today

BY ChIkA MEFOR AND EJIkE EJIkE, Abuja

In continuation of the commemoration of the six months abduction of over 200 school girls at Chibok, Borno State, the BringBackOurGirls group will today hold a prayer session for the quick return of the girls.

The group, which is a citizen-led advocacy group, had since April 30, 2014, sustained daily advocacy for the abducted Chibok schoolgirls, and as part of its activities for the Global Week of Action, will during the Jumat Prayers of today offer supplications to Allah (SWT) for the safety, strength and swift rescue of the 219 Chibok schoolgirls and all others in captivity.

The group noted that this was in order to collectively re-commit this global issue to the hands

of the sovereign God. "we are confident that the prayers of the righteous and all religious faithful avails much," the group noted.

In a statement signed by Obiageli Ezekwesili and Hadiza Bala-Usman, the group also noted that on the same day, its members would hold special Asr prayers from 3:45pm at the Unity Fountain, opposite Millennium Park, Maitama, Abuja, and urged members of the public who wish to join in the Asr prayer to come join them.

Also, the Christian faithful among the group are to hold a prayer service from 2pm-3pm on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at the Unity Fountain, Abuja.

The group also urged all churches to offer special prayers during their respective church services on Sunday of the same day.

...As compiled by ABAH ADAH

If you are a leader of peace, listen to the discourse of the petitioner. Be not abrupt with him; that would trouble him. ― Egyptian Proverbs

our stand

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October 17, 2014

The Return Of Fayose

P

eter Ayodele Fayose’s second term as governor of Ekiti State has just been inaugurated. This is both intriguing and historic. It is the first time that a politician would beat incumbents in a row to snatch gubernatorial victory. It was very much so that he was impeached on charges of fraud and incompetence, even as they are still being contested in court.

But no one is in doubt of his attachment to the grassroots.

Therefore, it was gracious of his immediate predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, to concede defeat soon after the June 21 2014 Ekiti State gubernatorial election.

Fayose’s political engineering is very peculiar. At home with the masses as much as with the elite, his grassroots politics flourishes on “stomach infrastructure”.

As social scientists and researchers try to grapple with that political disposition, Fayose has used it to redirect the focus of electioneering in Nigeria. At the swearing-in ceremony, the “new” governor promised to institutionalise the new definition of infrastructure.

But we think he has to shift attention to good

governance now. Food may be a desideratum for the masses, but governance thrives on good, people-oriented policies and the provision of basic infrastructure like roads, healthcare, as well as employment and industry. He has given the extent of the financial burden placed on the state by his predecessor, but we urge him not to lose sight of what the borrowed funds were invested in. Rather than jettison all that his predecessors did, we implore the governor to cash in on the momentous occasion and the groundswell of goodwill to smoothen the rough edges created in the heat of politicking and proffer a blueprint, and alternatives

Ag. Editor Hassan Gimba Ahmed Deputy Editor Kazeem Akintunde Editorial Board Safiya M. Adamu, Chairman Christian Ochiama, Deputy Chairman Standards Aniebo Nwamu, Director ’Lara Olugbemi, Assistant Director

where necessary, to improve on the state of affairs in Ekiti.

Fayose, in our opinion, owes himself and his constituents a duty to chart a rapprochement with the opposition and work steadfastly with the people to bring to them the dividends of democracy, so as to ensure a future beyond the instant gratification. The time seems right and the fortuitous circumstances that led to his early exit in his first coming should remind him that he has a divine mandate and unfinished business with his people.

Dismantling everything put in place by Fayemi, in our view, is a double-edged sword.

As an experienced politician, he must associate expediency with diligence to be a better governor this time around. We are persuaded to urge Fayose to extend a hand of fellowship to Fayemi, other critical stakeholders like the courts, the legislature, civil servants, traditional rulers, opposition parties and pressure groups, the intelligentsia, security agencies and artisans, to ensure the peaceful co-existence necessary for him to provide good governance. The crisis that preceded his swearing-in should be food for thought for him and his administration.

Founder Sam Nda-Isaiah Chairman Hajiya Ireti Kingibe Group Managing Director Azubuike Ishiekwene Group Executive Directors Michael Okpere Dr Kazeem Durodoye Divisional Directors Iyobosa Uwugiaren Ademola Oladosu Salisu Alhassan Bichi General Managers Aminu Abubakar Sule Abdulmumin Balogun Zipporah D. Tanko Joy Adekanye

Leadership

Holdings

Managing Director Abraham Nda-Isaiah Executive Director Nnamdi Samuel New York Office Mohammed Bello Shehu London Office Dr Bello Salihu Johannesburg Office Abiodun Oguntuase

A chain is no stronger than its weakest link.

— Egyptian Proverb

LEADERSHIP is a national paper symbolically embedded in the nation’s capital.

We shall stand up for good governance. We shall defend the interest of Nigerian people even against their rulers, and we shall raise our pen at all times in defence of what is right. These are the values by which we intend to be assessed.

We shall never, ever for any reason forget the noble reason of our coming into being: For God and country!

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October 17, 2014

LIVING TO BE 100

One health tip daily Limit Your Cell Phone Use Some 200 studies point to health hazards like brain tumors and infertility that may be due to long- term cell phone use, especially among children, An Italian court recently found a direct cause link between extensive cell phone use and brain tumors. Keep your cell phone an arm lengths away when not in use, says electrosmog expert Guy Hudson, and text rather than talk whenever you can.

Unrelenting Governorship Aspirants, Candidates ➔ FROM COVER

seat in their states. Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State is a good example of people who tried more than once before achieving their aim of occupying an elective office.

While the contest for governorship seats in Nigeria has since become keenly contested, the undying spirit and zeal to occupy the exalted seat by these recurrent aspirants at some point, perhaps, remain their beacons of hope to get it right someday. In this regard, some prominent and recurring aspirants who are currently oiling their political war machines will readily come to mind.

Mahmud Kanti Bello A frontline politician and engineer from Katsina State, Mahmud Kanti Bello was elected into the Senate of the aborted Third Republic in 1992 having failed to clinch the governorship ticket of the defunct Social Democratic Party(SDP) same year. He was also elected into the 5th and 6th Senatesbetween 2003-2007 and 2007-2011 on the platforms on the defunct AllNigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and the ruling Peoples DemocraticParty (PDP) respectively.

He is back to the opposition camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC) where he intends to have another shot at the Katsina StateGovernment House in 2015.

David Umaru He is the opposition’s undisputable governorship aspirant in NigerState. He emerged candidate of the defunct ANPP and Congress forProgressive Change (CPC) in 2007 and 2011 respec-

Kanti Bello

tively.

No doubt he is a dogged fighter as he has not relented in challenging all the election results at the court, perhaps relying on the general feeling in the state that he was always rigged out by the powers that be.

He was unanimously endorsed by his party, APC, to contest the Niger East senatorial by-election last month which he lost again to the PDP candidate. Nevertheless, Umaru remains the aspirant to beat inthe APC for the next governorship election in 2015.

Aminu Bello Masari Masari came to limelight when he became the speaker of the 5th House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011. In 2011, from his vantage position of the speaker, he threw his hat in the ring for the race to the Katsina State Government House on the platform of his former party, the PDP. He actually fell out with the PDP and the late President Umaru Yar’Adua when the latter was the outgoing governor of the state over the governorship ticket.

His defection to the defunct CPC to get the ticket was also met ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

PDP Sets Fresh Hurdle For Senate-bound Govs

By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

Strong indications have emerged that some second term governors, especially those elected on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who are eyeing the Senate in 2015, may have some hurdles to cross ahead of nomination.

A meeting between the PDP national chairman, Dr Adamu Mu’azu, and governors elected on the platform of the party, which took place on Wednesday night at his residence, failed to reach a consensus on the vexed issue of endorsement and automatic tickets for first term governors, Senate-bound governors and their preferred successors.

They are expected to reconvene over the weekend, but a party source said ‘acceptable conditions’ are likely to be given to the outgoing governors who want the PDP ticket to go to the Senate.

“They cannot have everything they want,” the source, a member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), told a team of journalists in Abuja over the weekend.

According to him, the party was worried that even though it desired that some its ranking senators returned to the Senate in 2015, the activities of some of the governors had become ‘big constraints on the way of the party’s desire.’

As the party tries to manage this development, a south-south governor (names withheld) and the senator representing his senatorial district openly confronted themselves before President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa last week over the Senate ticket for the zone.

Aside confirming that there were, indeed, pressures from the outgoing governors on Mu’azu and President Jonathan over the issue of automatic senatorial tickets for the two-term governors, the NWC member disclosed that the national leadership of the party had concluded plans to meet with the governors to reel certain conditions.

“The truth is that the pressure has always been there since the issue of the president’s endorsement was concluded at our last NEC meeting. It has taken a very dangerous dimension because of our desire to strengthen our National Assembly, especially the Senate, so that the polity could benefit from their wealth of experience, but the governors and their desire to all

go to the Senate is setting a big constraint on our desire for this.

“While we believe that the governors are our field commanders, we cannot say in the same breath that our senators are no more useful and should be discarded; so we have outlined some acceptable conditions that will guide both the governors and the senators; because, especially the governors, they cannot have everything for themselves without consideration for others.

“We are going to tell them politely that if a governor wishes to go to the Senate, fine, but such one cannot be the one to anoint his successor; and, if at all, let the senator any governor wishes to replace also take the governorship slot,” he explained.

The disclosure by the NWC member came on the heels of the report that a south-south governor had lured the senator representing his (the governor’s) zone to Aso Villa to see the president.

According to him, as soon as they settled for discussions, the governor told President Jonathan to ‘look for something for the senator’ after the elections because he (the governor) was already set to supplant the senator at the National Assembly.

“It was very embarrassing that the senator had to pointedly tell the governor that if he wanted to go the Senate, he (senator) was ready to be governor. It took the intervention of the president to calm frayed nerves because it was becoming a heated argument between them in the presence of Mr President,” he said.

It was gathered that the governor did not welcome the response of the senator because he had already endorsed someone to take over from him in 2015.

It has emerged that in Enugu State, Governor Sullivan Chime is set replace Deputy Senate President Ekweremadu just as his Ebonyi State counterpart, Martin Elechi, is touted to be keen take over from Senator Chris Nwankwo.

In Delta, it is Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan versus Senator James Manager even as Cross River State governor Liyel Imoke has not hidden his readiness to replace Senator Ndoma-Egba with Hon John Eno. It is Akwa Ibom State governor Godswill Akpabio trying to displace Senator Aloysius Etok just as Benue State governor Gabriel Suswam is battle ready to upstage former PDP national chairman, Senator Barnabas Gemade.

A person with a wound on his head keeps touching it. ― Egyptian Proverb

Mu’azu

In Niger State, Senator Nuhu Zagbayi’s stay in the Senate might be abridged as Governor Babangida Aliyu has indicated an interest to take it over.

As Governor Jonah Jang and Senator Gyang Pwajok are likely going to swap positions in Plateau State, Bauch State governor Isa Yuguda is running for the seat occupied by Senator Adamu Gumba.

PDP Gives Go-ahead To Officials Over Pro-Jonathan Events The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has finally cleared its elected officials to participate in events organized in support of President Goodluck Jonathan’s candidacy ahead of the 2015 presidential election.

This comes 48 hours to the grand finale of the mega rally by the Transformation Agenda of Nigeria’s (TAN) scheduled to hold in Abuja.

Before the sole endorsement of President Jonathan by the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC), the National Working Committee (NWC) had barred its elected officials from participating in any group activity that endorsed the president.

But a statement by the PDP national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, yesterday read: “Further to the endorsement of Dr Goodluck Jonathan by NEC as PDP’s sole presidential candidate, the NWC has cleared all elected party officials at all levels to attend and fully participate in any event organised in support of his candidacy.

“By this, all elected party officials and party members are at liberty to fully be involved in events and activities organised by groups or individuals supporting President Jonathan for the 2015 general elections.”

The PDP presidential primaries, which has Jonathan as the sole candidate, is scheduled to hold on December 6.

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October 17, 2014

2015 Elections: INEC Moves To Ascertain Number Of Internally Displaced Persons

By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

Concerned by the high level of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) ahead of the 2015 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has engaged the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) on how to make Nigerians, who have moved from their original locations to other places, to vote during the elections.

INEC chairman Professor Attahiru Jega made the request on Tuesday when the director-general of the institute, Professor Oshita Oshita, and the management team paid him a courte-

sy call at the commission’s headquarters, Maitama.

Activities of insurgents in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states have displaced tens of thousands of people in the region.

Jega, while lamenting that the IDPs could be denied the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right, requested the institute to undertake a study of the issue to determine their number, especially in the states under emergency rule, adding that INEC would explore the possibility of using the Institute for training and research.

He said the aim was to “to see how the commission can reach those people,

register them, so they can vote in the elections.

The chairman called for collaboration with the Institute in addressing security challenges in the run up to the 2015 general elections, with a view to ensuring not just free and fair polls but very peaceful elections in the country.

Speaking earlier, Professor Oshita had acknowledged the good work of the commission and its efforts to address security challenges as it prepares for the 2015 general elections, adding that the institute was engaged in the process of training judges deployed to serve at election tribunals.

Jega

Mutiny: Army Bars Media From Covering Trial Of 97 Soldiers

By Bayo Oladeji, Abuja

Minimah

The Nigerian Army yesterday placed an embargo on media coverage of the on-going military trial of some 97 officers and soldiers accused of mutiny and conspiracy to commit mutiny among other allegations.

On Wednesday, the charges against L.Cpl. Andrew Ogolekwu and 58 others who were arraigned on two count charges of conspiracy to commit mutiny and mutiny began and all the accused pleaded not guilty.

Although the president of the court, Brig-Gen. M. S. Yusuf, had earlier promised to make it an open court, that was not to be again because when journalists arrived in the court yesterday for the continuation of the trial, they were asked out of the court mid-

way into the proceedings.

It all began when the second prosecution witness, who is the second in command to the commanding officer, 111 Special Forces Battalion, Lt-Col Timothy Opulum, PW1, began to give evidence.

As he was speaking, an unidentified man went round the court, whispering to journalists that an “officer outside wants to see you.”

When asked what the problem was, the plainclothes man, suspected to be an Army personnel, said “I don’t know.”

Outside the courtroom, spokesman of the garrison, Colonel Aliyu Yusuf, however, appealed to journalists to bear with them, saying that the Army would send invitations across to the journalists at the right time. He said

the need to promote national security informed the action.

During the court proceedings on Wednesday, there were serious issues of national security bordering on military operations raised and considered in the open court, which were said to be putting ongoing operations in the North East at risk.

At a point during the proceeding, the court-martial president, who was discomfited by the revelations of military strategies, had to stop the witness and both lawyers, explaining that his action was informed by the need not to probe into matters that could endanger national security.

In spite of this, the defence lawyers appeared ready to ask all the sensitive questions if they would help to save the necks of their clients.

Unrelenting Governorship Aspirants, Candidates

Jonathan Submits Confab Resolutions To Nass

➔ FROM PAGE 4

By Adesuwa Tsan and Edegbe Oemwingie, Abuja

with a stiff challenge from Senator Lado Danmarke, who upstaged him through the court. But he is not relenting as he is also angling for the APC ticket come 2015.

Musiliu Obanikoro Barring any last minute change of mind, in three days from now, Obanikoro will cease to be the minister of state for defence given his governorship ambition for the second time. ‘Koro, as he is fondly called, is a thoroughbred ‘Lagos boy’ and is well known in Lagos politics at least since 1999.

He served as the state commissioner for home affairs and culture between 1999 and 2003 under former Governor Bola Tinubu before he contested and won a senatorial election on the platform of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) to represent Lagos Central zone in the Senate.

While in the Senate, Obanikoro dumped the AD for the PDP on whose platform he

contested the 2007 governorship election but lost. However, he is back again after seven years to vie for the same position for which he was given up until Monday next week to quit as minister.

Adamu Maina Waziri The ambition of the former minister of police affairs to govern his native Yobe State has not waned since he took the first shot in 2003 on the platform of the PDP. He won his party’s primary for the second time but lost to the late Yobe State governor, Mamman Ali, in 2007. He also aspired in 2011 and lost the primary election to the late Usman Albashir.

A source close to the Fika Emirate-born politician told LEADERSHIP Friday that Waziri’s undying interest was to serve his people at home irrespective of any political appointment he might have got at the national level. He is currently angling to get PDP’s nod to fly its flag in 2015 against ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

The House of Representatives has disclosed that it has received the report of the National Conference and will start considering it next week.

Chairman of the House committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon Zakari Mohammed made this disclosure while briefing journalist yesterday.

The spokesman of the House said the lawmakers intend to act fast on the recommendations, saying “the report has been sent to us by the presidency and we a studying it”.

“I can assure you of one thing that anytime from next week we will start considering the compressed version sent to us”, he added.

“We are here to make good laws that will better our constituents and PIB is one of such laws that will unbundle the oil industry and provide jobs for Nigerians”.

Mohammed also gave the assurance

An absent person has his excuse. ― Egyptian Proverb

Jonathan

that they will consider all pending bills before their assembly’s tenure elapses, stating, “this House will touch all bills that has passed third reading and make sure they do not spill over to the 8th Assembly”.

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October 17, 2014

Unrelenting Governorship Aspirants, Candidates ➔ FROM PAGE 5

the incumbent.

Mukhtari Shagari Shagari is currently the Sokoto State deputy governor and frontline PDP aspirant for the next governorship election.

He is a former federal cabinet minister in ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government after which he returned home in 2010 to secure his party’s ticket for the 2011 governorship election. But as fate would have it, a political deal was brokered in order to ensure victory for the PDP in a state governed by the opposition party then. The deal saw Shagari forfeiting his ticket to become the deputy governorship candidate to Governor Aliyu Magatarka Wamakko, who was seen to be more popular then, and who became the flag-bearer without going through the primaries.

Wamakko and Shagari are now estranged and the latter is poised to achieve his initial ambition of becoming the governor of the Seat of the Caliphate next year.

Adegboyega Dosunmu Popularly called Dr Ade Dosunmu, this former director-general of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) was the PDP flagbearer in the 2011 governorship election in Lagos which he lost to the incumbent governor. He has reportedly shown interest in contesting the next election.

Salihu Sagir Takai Takai was the first runner-up in the April 16, 2011, governorship election in Kano State, trailing behind the incumbent, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, with not too great a margin.

He is gearing up again on the platform of the PDP, having defected alongside his godfather and former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shekarau, who is now the minister of education. However, there is no gainsaying that he will have to cross many hurdles, with the field full of many other aspirants, before he can fly PDP’s flag in 2015. In 2011, he emerged candidate of the defunct ANPP with Shekarau’s backing.

Haruna Saeed Kajuru Kajuru contested on the platform of the defunct CPC in 2011 and lost gallantly to the then incumbent governor of Kaduna State, the late Patrick Yakowa of the PDP. The late governor polled 1,334,319 votes while Kajuru, who was the closest opponent, polled 1,133,564 votes. But undeterred, he has since indicated his interest to occupy Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in 2015 on the platform of the APC. Yakubu Lado Danmarke A former senator from Katsina State, Danmarke is said to be a stupendously rich businessman. An enigma of sorts, not a few people have wondered how he was able to occupy coveted elective of-

fices without any remarkable academic pedigree.

Danmarke was a councillor in his native Kankara local government area where he was later elected the chairman of the local government. He also got elected to represent the Kankara/Sabuwa federal constituency in the House of Representatives and later moved to the Senate to represent Katsina South senatorial district from 2007 to 2011.

He scuttled Masari’s bid to contest against Governor Ibrahim Shema on the platform of the CPC in 2011 when he became the party’s flag-bearer through a court ruling, but on the eve of the election, unconfirmed reports had it that Danmarke sold out to the PDP. Now, he has pitched his tent with the newly-formed Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) with the intention of vying for the governorship seat again next year.

Ifeanyi Araraume Ararume was elected the senator for Imo North senatorial district of Imo State on the platform of PDP in 1999.

He won the PDP primaries in 2007 to become candidate for governor but his party had a preference for Dr Charles Ugwu.

He protested the decision and secured a Supreme Court ruling in his favour. Instead of obeying the court order, the party expelled him and chose not to field a candidate for election, leaving the field open for Ikedi Ohakim of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) to win the election. Ohakim later defected to the PDP. Ararume is currently oiling his political war machine to take another shot at Douglas House in Owerri in 2015.

Dele Belgore A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from a lineage of legal luminaries in Ilorin, Kwara State, Dele Belgore’s late father, Justice Babatunde Mahmud Belgore, was the longest serving Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria from 1988 to 2001. His uncle, Alfa Salihu Madibbo Belgore, was also a onetime Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Apart from the fact law flows in the family veins, the name Belgore rings a bell in Kwara, which the younger Belgore wishes to govern.

He was the ACN candidate in the 2011 election but lost to the incumbent governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed.

He has now re-aligned with the PDP from where he intends to take another shot at Government House, Ilorin, in 2015 if he eventually gets the party’s ticket later in the month.

Taoheed Adedoja Adedoja became minister of sports under President Goodluck Jonathan’s government around 2010 after he lost the PDP governorship ticket to former Governor Alao Akala in 2007. He has picked the expression of interest form to contest the 2015 governorship election in Oyo State on the platform of the PDP. Adedoja is a reputable educationist

from Ibadan and is said to one of those clamouring for an Ibadan native to occupy the coveted Government House in Agodi, Ibadan, in 2015, but he will have to slug it out at the party level with the likes of Akala, Teslim Folarin, Seyi Makinde and some other aspirants.

Prof Adedoja, who agreed that other aspirants in other parts of the state had constitutional rights to vie for the position, however, warned that PDP might lose the election if the party fails to pick its candidate from the state capital, Ibadan.

Jimi Agbaje Another notable figure seeking to contest the Lagos governorship poll is Olujimi Agbaje. He dumped the defunct Action Congress (AC) to contest the governorship election in 2003 on the platform of another party.

His recent defection to the PDP has been celebrated as a welcome development by many people in the state while others have accused Agbaje of being a mole of the APC in his new party.

Gbemi Saraki This former senator is the most prominent female governorship aspirant in the country today having contested as the candidate of ACPC in 2011 against the incumbent Governor Abdulfatah of Kwara State, who was ironically backed by her brother and former governor of the state, Bukola Saraki.

Gbemi Saraki is set to contest the 2015 governorship election again on the platform of the PDP and has reportedly written a letter to the chairman of the state chapter of the party and its Elders’ Committee to that effect.

Despite the backing of her father in 2011, she lost the election, and not a few would like to see how she will singlehandedly pull through this time around with her brother in the APC. Deji Doherty Doherty contested the Lagos State governorship poll thrice in the past and is now poised to get the PDP ticket in the October primary.

He is said to have shunned entreaties to dump the party for the ruling APC in the state and he is leaving no stone unturned in his new bid to occupy the Government House at Alausa in 2015.

Mohammed Abacha Abacha is the eldest surviving son of late head of state, General Sani Abacha, and he has never hid his intention to rule the north’s most populous state of Kano.

In 2011, Abacha sought the defunct CPC’s governorship ticket but lost in controversial circumstances. He has since defected to the PDP where he is gearing up for the 2015 contest for Kano State Government House. It was gathered that his defection to the PDP earlier in the year was part of a larger political strategy by some Presidency officials to cut Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to size, but only time will tell.

A deaf husband and a blind wife are always a happy couple. ― African Proverb

Masari

Agbaje

Takai

Kajuru

NEWS/ 7

October 17, 2014

Group News Editor: Tony Amokeodo

LEADERSHIP Award, Recognition Of Transformation In Agric Sector – Adesina By ruth tene natsa, abuja

Minister of agriculture and rural development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina has said that the LEADERSHIP Public Officer of the Year 2013 Award given to him by LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group would inspire him and his team in the sector to do more for the country.

According to him, while the award is also a recognition of the tremendous transformation going on in the agriculture sector which President Goodluck Jonathan had embarked on in his transformation agenda, the overall goal was borne out of the urgent need to rapidly diversify the economy.

Adesina said, “I wish to thank the LEADERSHIP Newspapers for this honour of being awarded the Public Officer of the Year. I am highly honoured and humbled by the award. There is nothing more important than the opportunity to serve one’s nation, the place of ones

birth. Noting more fulfilling than working to help create hope and opportunities for others.

“As Mohandas Gandhi said ‘ The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others’. That has always been my life ambition, passion and drive, and will remain so. This Public Officer of the Year award by the Leadership Newspapers will inspire me and my team to do more”.

Maintaining that agriculture is the future hope of the country, the minister said, “Agriculture is where the future of Nigeria lies. Our nation faces huge challenges with the decline in global demand for crude oil as the Euro zone weakens, demand from the US reduces sharply as they found shale oil and gas.

“So, much has been achieved, with the hard efforts of the president, spurring farmers, governors, commissioners, private sector and banks in a remarkable drive to unlock the potential of agricul-

ture in our nation”.

Adesina thanked state governors who he said have been remarkably supportive of the reforms in the sector, even as he applauded farmers’ president, for his remarkable support without which he could not have achieved so much in a short period of time.

Noting that all public servants and citizens of the nation should rise up to build the country, he listed those he dedicated the award to include “All the friends of Nigeria’s agriculture, the working Nigerian farmers, all my dedicated and hard working staff in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and State Ministries of Agriculture across the nation. ”Others are “All my colleagues in the Federal Executive Council, private sector agribusinesses, Central Bank of Nigeria and commercial banks. National Assembly, state and local governments, and the journalists who have helped to tell our story - this is a collective effort”.

I Dedicate Success On Ebola Management To Nigerians – Jonathan

By George Agba, Abuja

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday dedicated the success of the containment of the Ebola Virus Disease to Nigerians, saying on its own government would not have performed any magic without their cooperation.

According to him, government only succeeded in curbing the spread of the disease because of the “buy-in by the ordinary Nigerians” who adhered strictly to the health guidelines set out by government, some of which was a departure from the norm.

Jonathan spoke during the launch of the Elumelu Nigeria Empowerment Fund in support of the victims of terrorism in the North Eastern part of the country, at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

He said, “When government said we must be mindful of gatherings, of handshakes, we should not move corpse unnecessarily, even churches that I was afraid will resist because of practice of Holy Communion having 1,000 people sharing the same cup and so on, stopped that practice within that period. Even the saluting by shaking people were suspended by religious organisations within that period.

“Nigerians became mindful, friends stopped embracing themselves saying until we get out of ebola. So it had the buy-in of the populace. Of course that is why we succeeded so fast otherwise we couldn’t have. There is no magic government would have used to solve that problem, no president or state governor will claim any credit. The credit should go to the ordinary Nigerians.

APC Faults Attempt To Cover Up $9.3m Arms Deal By bayo oladeji, Abuja

Minister of agriculture and rural development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina receiving the award of the LEADERSHIP Public Officer of the Year 2013 in Abuja on Tuesday.

2015: Buhari Laments N27.5m APC Nomination Form

By Bayo Oladeji, abuja

Former head of state and a presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) General Mohammadu Buhari, yesterday lamented the high cost of fees to obtain forms to contest presidential primaries.

He made this remarks yesterday at the APC National Headquarters where he received both the expression of interest and nomination forms, after presenting the evidence of paying the N27.5 million requested for the forms.

He said, “It is a pity that I could not influence this amount that has to be paid like was done for the ladies who are trying to participate and for the disabled. I looked left and right and could not read sympathy on anybody’s face and so, I kept my trap and felt heavily sorry for myself-

because I don’t want to go and ask anybody to pay for my nomination.

“If I could recall, in all the contests I have always tried to pay for myself at least for the nomination. But N27.5 million these days; thank God I have a personal relationship with the chairman of my bank. I called him and told him that the forms are coming and so, whether my account is in red or green or black, you must honour this, otherwise, I will lose the nomination.

“I was about to go to Kaduna today and I told the chairman and he said, you better pick the form and keep a straight face. That means that there is no excuse.

I thank God that we have gotten to this stage and all speculations will now cease and now, in the best tradition of democracy, people can now follow their candidate into the arena.”

In his remarks, the visibly elated national chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who described Buhari as a harbinger of change in spite of his age, said, “The N27.5 million is to separate the boys from the men. We know you and don’t expect you to have N27 million under your bed. But I expect that there are Nigerians who will vouch for you any day and who are ready to stand by you any day and that is the result that we have obtained today.”

Oyegun, who said he could confidently say Buhari’s decision to join the race showed the quality of leadership APC is offering the country, just like the other aspirants, added that if there is no consensus his leadership would give the ‘cleanest’ primary.“If there is no consensus, my leadership would be offering the ‘cleanest’ primaries.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the alleged attempt by the PDPled federal government, working with some members of the National Assembly, to cover up the smuggling of $9.3 million to South Africa on a private plane, saying the coverup plans will fail because the issues involved transcend Nigeria.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the cover-up attempt manifested clearly at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, when Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha curiously refused to entertain a debate on a motion seeking a probe of the issue that has further ridiculed Nigeria in the global community.

It said the refusal of the deputy speaker becomes even more suspicious amid allegations that some members of the House has each received $50,000 bribe to quash the motion.

APC however hailed its members in the House of Representatives for staging a walkout to protest against the inexplicable decision not to allow the issue to be debated on the floor of the House.

According to the APC, the party’s lawmakers have in their action, aligned with the majority of Nigerians who are eager to get to the bottom of how such a huge amount of money could be smuggled into another country by the Nigerian authorities, despite being fully aware of the limitation on the amount of money that can be taken into any country.

Honorable is the person who is aware of his power, yet refrains from inflicting bad things onto others Egyptian Proverbs.

8/ NEWS

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2015: Falana Laments Citizens’ Docility, Urges Scrutiny Of Candidates

By Olaolu Oladipo, Lagos

A Lagos based civil society activist, Mr. Femi Falana, has lamented perceived indifference of Nigerians to the build up of the forthcoming general elections scheduled for next year.

Speaking at the 7th Annual Law and Social Development lecture organised by a Lagos based law firm, Bamidele Aturu and Co, Falana counselled Nigerians to scrutinise the credentials of those presenting themselves to be elected into public offices.

According to Falana, the need for the interface between the electorate and

the aspirants has become imperative if the right caliber of people that would solve the numerous problems afflicting the country are elected into office.

“The forthcoming general elections present another opportunity for the people to ask questions and scrutinise all those putting themselves forward to be elected into various offices. We need to do background checks on them to see how suitable they are for public offices.

“Unfortunately, it is only in Nigeria that you find people who can barely manage or have failed to manage their homes coming forward and even winning elections without people com-

ing to ask for the background or to ask them how they intend to solve the problems plaguing the country”, he said.

Appraising the build up to the polls scheduled for early next year, he regretted that most of those putting themselves forward to be elected into the various political offices have failed to present the needed blueprint for moving the country forward.

“We have a crop of people coming forward, telling us all that we have heard before like telling us that they will provide water but not telling us how they intend to do it”, he stated.

L-R: Executive Secretary, LASTVEB, Engr Olawumi Gasper, represents the Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, Director of International Cooperation, Mr Shogbuyi, representing the Honourable Minister of National Planning, Director, Education and Society British Council, Dr Jo Beall during MIND THE GAP - Employability Skills Event in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO BY BENEDICT UWALAKA.

Obasanjo Charges Military Trainees On Strategy

By Gbenga Adeboye, Abeokuta

Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces have been charged to strive to know more about their environment in their quest to have additional knowledge about military strategy and planning.

Obasanjo gave the charge when participants of the National Defence College, Course 23, Group 3, who are on a five-day geo-strategic tour of Ogun State, visited him at his Hill Top residence in Abeokuta .

The former leader urged the participants to put in their best in everything they do as they move ahead in their quest to gain more knowledge about their chosen profession.

“You are here to learn the practical aspect of your profession up to your rank. You will now move to what I will call the high command or higher com-

mand, where you learn about high command and strategy.

Strategy not only in terms of your planning as a military or paramilitary or even as a high public officer, but also strategy as far as the issues of your committee is concerned,” he stated.

He further urged the participants to continue to learn more about the issues of the country as they cannot learn about strategy without knowing the environment of their country.

“You cannot learn about strategy, about the issues of your country without knowing the content, the makeup, the specialties if you like, even what I will call the idiosyncrasy of your tour.”

Now, we know what I call the content and if you like the context of things that have happened, things that are happening and things that

may happen.”

“Not only that, you must also know the environment in which your country is situated”, Obasanjo said.

The elder statesman decried the vacuum left by Nigeria in the leadership role it should be playing as the largest country in Africa saying, “By population, we are the largest country in Africa, I believe that by the end of the year, our population, if calculated from 2006, will not be less than 180 million. So when you look at our human resources, in terms of the people that God has endowed the country with, then, why are we under-performing now?

“Has God not given us enough resources to play the role? If God has given us, what is missing and how can we bring that which is missing?” Obasanjo queried.

Everything you can imagine is real.

Pablo Picasso, Spanish painter and scuiptor

Assembly Protests EFFC’s Detention of Edo Speaker, Majority Leader, Over Alleged Forgery

By Patrick Ochoga, Benin City

Members of the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) led House of Assembly yesterday protested the arrest and detention of their speaker, Hon Uyi Igbe, majority leader, Hon Phillip Shaibu and the chief whip, Hon Folly Ogedengbe by the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) in Abuja over alleged forgery of the signature of Hon Razak Momoh who recently defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.

It would be recalled that the crisis among the state legislators deepened last Saturday when over 200 armed thugs invaded the official residence of the lawmakers located along Ihama road in Benin City and descended on APC lawmakers, their family members and properties. The attack was viewed by many as a reprisal to an earlier assault on PDP lawmaker, Hon Razak Momoh, a fortnight ago.

Addressing journalists at the Legislative Quarters yesterday, the assembly’s chairman on Information, Hon Kabiru Adjoto, also raised alarm over the health conditions of the majority leader and speaker who were said to have sustained bullets wound, alleging that the duo were denied access to their doctors by officials of the anti- graft- agency.

Adjoto told journalists that they were authoritatively informed that Igbe collapsed twice in EFCC’s dungeon because of his failing health condition and appealed to Nigerians to prevail on the agency to immediately release the lawmakers.

2015: Yero’s Commissioners Resign

By Midat Joseph, Kaduna

Two serving commissioners appointed by Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State have tendered their resignation to the state governor.

LEADERSHIP Friday authoritatively gathered that the commissioners of Women Affairs, Mrs. Comfort Amwe from Sanga local government and her counterpart with the State ministry of Youths and Sports, Bashir Zubairu Birnin-Gwari from Birnin-Gwari local government tendered their resignation on 10th October.

LEADERSHIP Friday had exclusively reported that the governor gave the commissioners interested in contesting any political office up to 10th of this month to leave the stage.

The governor’s decision followed the embarrassment he received in Sanga local government during his visit to commiserate with the people over the recent killings fortnight ago.

A Government House source told LEADERSHIP Friday that the commissioners resigned to pursue political ambition and to contest for seats in the House of Assembly.

Though our correspondent could not get the former Youth and Sports commissioner despite all efforts, his Women Affairs counterpart, Mrs. Comfort Amwe confirmed the story.

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October 17, 2014

Lantang LG: Tribunal Nullifies PDP Candidate’s Election, Declares Dan Dul As Winner

Senate Backs Bill To Prohibit Violence Against Persons In Nigeria

By Achor Abimaje, Jos

By Jonathan Nda-Isaiah, Abuja

Plateau State Local Government Election Appeal Tribunal sitting at High Court 6 in Jos, the Plateau State capital yesterday voided the election of Hon. Godwin Nanmwa Kumzhi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Langtang North Council election held on February 25, 2014.

The tribunal further declared the candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Chief Daniel Dul, as the lawful winner of the poll.

In his judgement in a petition filed by Dul, challenging the propriety of the declaration of Kumzhi, Justice J.D. Mann fur-

ther dismissed the preliminary objection by the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) on whether Kumzhi was validly declared winner by the PLASIEC. The tribunal held that the declaration by the chairman of PLASIEC, Peter Dalyop, was wrong on the grounds that it was based on the advice of the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Edward Pwajok, as PLASIEC is an independent body that has its own legal adviser.

According to the tribunal, the Plateau AG should not have been consulted because of the independence of the PLASIEC. In resolving the matter, the tribunal de-

clared that the declaration of the results of seven polling units that made up Jat Ward by the PLASIEC was wrong and voided the declaration of Kumzhi of the PDP as winner of the election.

Justice Mann then declared Dul of the DPP as duly elected by the majority of the lawful votes cast in the Langtang North local government election on February 25, 2014.

The judge consequently directed PLASIEC to issue certificate of return to Dul forthwith and order the appropriate authority to swear him in as the duly elected chairman of Langtang North Local Government Council immediately.

L-R: Imo State gubernatorial aspirant, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, PDP Director of Organisation, Mr Adewale Fatona and PDP National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, during Ararume’s purchase of PDP Expression of Interest Form for Imo State governorship election in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO BY ADEFEMI ADEWUYI

2015 Presidential Race: Jonathan Blasts Buhari

By George Agba, Abuja

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday described as uncharitable the charges leveled against his administration by the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), saying such denigration of his effort in transforming Nigeria was unbecoming of a political leader of Buhari’s stature.

“The retired General is free to renege on his well-publicised pledge not to seek elective office again, as he has done, but we urge him to conduct his presidential campaign with greater regard for the truth”, the pres-

ident stated.

At a press briefing with journalists at the presidential villa, Abuja, Jonathan, who spoke through his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, was reacting to Buhari’s claim during his declaration to contest the 2015 presidential poll on Wednesday that, apart from the decline in all critical sectors of life, election rigging has continued to thrive in the country under the current administration.

But Jonathan urged Buhari “To eschew unbecoming false accusations against others like a true elder statesman and to focus his campaign on more original ideas for the

promotion of peace, stability, unity and progress in our beloved nation”.

Describing the former head of state’s position as most uncharitable and inexcusable accusation against his administration, the president drew the attention of Nigerians “to the total lack of originality in the hackneyed manifesto offered to Nigerians by the APC presidential aspirant.”

“All that General Buhari promises to do are already being done by the Jonathan administration to the acclaim of ordinary Nigerians and there is no evidence before Nigerians that the APC leader and his acolytes can do them better”, he added.

Rivers Guber: PDP Lacks Quality Candidates – Amaechi

By Anayo Onukwugha, Port Harcourt

Rivers State governor and chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Mr. Rotimi Amaechi has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has nothing to offer the people in the 2015 general elections as it has no credible candidates but corrupt politicians.

Amaechi stated this yesterday during an inspection tour of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Complex, in Greater Port Harcourt City, in preparation for the October 25, All Progressives Congress (APC) mega rally.

The governor said, “Rivers people need to vote out PDP and vote in APC in 2015. The quality of candidates PDP is offering are people who are prepared to cart away state funds”.

Amaechi also condemned the call for another Ikwerre governorship candidate as his successor after his eight years in office and described those behind the propaganda as prophets of doom.

“There are people whose interests you must protect. Ikwerre people were not born into the state just to become governors at the

expense of other Rivers people. If we cried against injustice when the Bayelsa people were with us, then Ikwerre people should not lead the onslaught to say that Ikwerre must always get governorship because they have the number to achieve that.”

On the proposed APC mega rally, Amaechi said, the mega rally which targets 69,000 APC supporters in the state was designed to showcase the popularity of the party in the state and prove that the APC is not a billboard party as widely speculated by the presidency and PDP to score cheap political points.

Put a rope around your neck and many will be happy to drag you along Egyptian Proverbs

The Senate yesterday backed a bill to prohibit all forms of violence being perpetrated against persons of diverse strata in Nigeria by passing two harmonised bills to this effect for second reading.

Leader of the Senate, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, who sponsored the first bill titled: “A bill for an act to provide for the elimination of violence in private or public life, in peace and conflict situations; to prohibit, prevent and punish all forms of violence in the society and to provide maximum protection and effective remedies to all victims of violence 2014”, explained that the second one, which was also enlisted in his name, emanated from the House of Representatives.

The other related bill is entitled, “A bill for an act to prohibit violence against persons and for other matters therein 2014”.

He therefore moved a motion for the two documents to be harmonised and fused as one bill before debating on it.

The motion was unanimously supported.

The two bills were subsequently referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters for further legislative work and expected back in plenary in one week.

Kogi APC Slams Gov Wada Over Performance

By Bode Gbadebo and Thomas Abijah, Abuja

The Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a swipe at Governor Idris Wada over the performance of his administration. Chairman of APC in the state, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo in an address to mark the nation’s 54th independence anniversary in Lokoja, said the state is presently going through its worst times in history.

In the address titled, “Performance Evaluation of the Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada” which was made available to LEADERSHIP Friday yesterday, the opposition party chairman said the Confluence State has also been infected with a “socioeconomic Ebola” by the ruling government in the state.

“As Nigeria turns 54, it becomes duty bound on us to evaluate its fatherly rules on its citizens. The fact that we are majorly lessprivileged shows the irresponsible status of Nigeria, by extension, Kogi State.

“Kogi State is going through its worst times in its history. It is going through a ridiculous and embarrassing state it has been infected with a ‘socio-economic Ebola’ that requires urgent and wholesome attention.”

He added that Governor Wada has continued to be very busy doing nothing by touring the state commissioning already commissioned projects.

“The recent mass defection of PDP major stakeholders in our state to APC is a clear indication that the people of Kogi State are tired of the PDP government. They want a state where citizens can truly get justice, equity, fair play, security, education, employment food, social security, security of lives and property and good governance,” he added.

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LEADERSHIP FRIDAY October 17, 2014

MAIHAJJ Congratulates Nigerians On Hitch-free Hajj

By Al-Amin Ciroma

A media group, Media Awareness Initiative for Hajj (MAIHAJJ) has congratulated all Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia over the successful completion of Hajj rites.

This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the organisation’s national chairman, Garba Ubale Dambatta and national publicity secretary Muhammad Kabiru Yusuf, respectively.

MAIHAJJ also commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), states pilgrim welfare agencies, air carriers and other stakeholders for the effective coordination and organisation of the annual Islamic ritual exercise.

“We want to specifically commend the NAHCON and the air carriers for a smooth inbound operation in spite of the inevitable challenges faced at the initial stage especially the visa delay and the technical hitches experienced by the air carriers.”

2015: Gov Akpabio Deserves Senatorial Seat, Says CNYDO

By Ebriku John Friday, Abuja

A youth organisation known as Concerned Nigeria Youths Development Organisation (CNYDO), yesterday said the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio deserves a senatorial seat at the National Assembly to continue his uncommon transformation agenda.

Speaking on the rapid transformation of Akwa Ibom State within eight years by the Akpabio led administration, president, CNYDO, Mr. Joel Edegba, described the governor as a patriotic and selfless administrator that has taken the people of the state to an enviable height.

Edegba also commended the governor for giving the people the best of service and delivering people oriented projects that could stand the test of time and compete with others in any part of the world.

2015: Niger Guber Aspirant Preaches Peace By abu nmodu, Minna

A Niger State governorship aspirant, Alhaji Saleh Sahabi, has admonished politicians and electorate to shun violence and other vices associated with electioneering as the nation is on the march to the 2015 general elections.

Saleh, who is contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), gave the advice yesterday in Abuja after picking his nomination form at the party’s national headquarters.

According to him, “Nigeria has reached a stage where the rest of Africa should see us as the true leader on the continent and begin to improve on the way we do our things including conduct of elections.”

He opined that leadership should draw its legitimacy from the people in order to give room for orderliness in the society.

Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose taking the oath of office before the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, during his inauguration in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday. With them is the governor’s wife, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose.

PHOTO BY NAN

Fayose Takes Oath Of Office, Promises Better Services

by ALO ABIOLA, Ado-Ekiti

The new Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose who was yesterday sworn-in has pledged to serve the people more than he did during his first stint as governor.

Fayose, who contested the June 12 governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), having polled of 203, 090 votes while the erstwhile Governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had 120, 443 votes.

The governor who was returning to the office he left exactly eight years ago, took the oath of office and allegiance adminitered by the state chief judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola alongside his deputy, Dr Olusola Eleka.

At the event held at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, six members of the State House of Assembly who defected from APC to PDP were received into the party by the national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu. .

Fayose Appoints 10 Cabinet Members

Barely five hours after his inauguration, as governor, Fayose has approved the appointment of 10 persons as members of his cabinet.

Those appointed include the former permanent secretary in the state Ministry of Education, Dr Mrs Modupe Alade as secretary to the state government.

Former deputy editor with the Tribune newspapers, Mr Idowu Adelusi was appointed chief press secretary to the governor. The former state attorney-general and chaiman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ado-Ekiti Branch, Mr Owoseni Ajayi was appointed as special assistant to the governor on legal matters and Mr Kayode Oso as Special Assistant to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure.

Others are Mr Sola Owoeye, Special Assistant to the Governor on Protocol, Mrs Sola Olowookere, Personal Assistant to the Governor, Abuja, Chief Toyin Ojo, Special Assistant to the Governor on Finance, Mr Sunday Anifowose, Personal Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties and Stomach Infrastructure, Mr. Sunday Omosilade, Personal Assistant to the Governor on Domestic Matters and Mr Lere Olayinka , Special Assistant to the Governor on Information and

Social Media.

According to a statement by Adelusi, the appointments take immediate effect.

In his inaugural speech, Fayose at the well attended ceremony, said his intention was to replace poverty and want with plenty and prosperity.

He said, “This we intend to achieve through the following five cardinal programmes of empowerment, development of agriculture, infrastructural development, education, science and technology, health, security, public service”.

The governor, who drove into the venue of the inauguration in a 1965 model of a Mercedes Benz 200 car in company of his wife, Feyisetan, promised to work out strategic partnership with the federal government and its agencies and make contribution to human and natural resources to the country’s commonwealth to secure the state dues.

On the financial positions of the state, Fayose claimed that his new administration is inheriting a debt profile of N57billion.

He appealled to the people of the state to show understanding at this trying period and find a lasting solution to the immediate challenge.

Food Poisoning: NAFDAC Set To Regulate Use Of Pesticides, Veterinary Medicine

BY ISAIAH BENJAMIN, Kaduna

National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has indicated readiness to ensure adequate regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine and the use of pesticides as part of efforts to reduce food poisoning in the country.

The director general of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii disclosed this to farmers and producers of animal feeds and veterinary medicine practitioners in North-West zone yesterday, stressing that pesticides are very toxic and have the ability to cause poisoning.

The agency’s boss who was represented at the “Awareness Workshop on Safe and Responsible use of Veterinary Medicines, Pesticides and Animal Feeds” by the director of Veterinary Medicine and Allied Product, Dr. Bukar Ali Usman said, safety in the use of pesticides and medicines is a vital aspect of regulatory control that must be addressed.

He however disclosed that the agency created the directorate of veterinary medicine and allied products with a view to effectively control food-borne hazards at every stage of the food chain, “from the stable to table and from farm to the fork”.

Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever Walt Disney, founder and CEO of the Walt Disney Company

According to the NAFDAC DG, “The management of the agency in the past concentrated its efforts on winning the fight against counterfeit, fake and substandard medicines. Having achieved a considerable level of success in this fight, it has become necessary for the agency to focus on other aspects of control of regulated products such as the safe and responsible use of veterinary medicines, pesticides and animal feeds. Safety of medicine should not end with registration only.

“Therefore, effective monitoring of safe use of pesticides is necessary.

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October 17, 2014

REPORT OF THE

TRANSFORMATION

AGENDA

zi go .N Dr joon Ok

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

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The Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan has been hailed as successful in several areas like agriculture, power, roads, macro-economic stability, foreign-direct investment inflow, and the health sector, among others. Critics cite poverty, youth unemployment, insecurity and the contracting middle class as evidence that the Transformation Agenda is not working. So who and what do you believe? Welcome to the Situation Report.

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LEADERSHIP in a bid to provide a true and objective picture of the successes and challenges of the Transformation Agenda is publishing THE REPORT OF THE TRANSFORMATION AGENDA as told by the key actors themselves in their own words unedited.

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Ministries, Paratatals and Agencies who have made impactful contributions to the Transformation Agenda are invited to tell their success stories in the REPORT OF THE TRANSFORMATION AGENDA. Private sector companies and contractors who have successfully executed Transformation Agenda projects are also invited to show and tell their success stories in the historic REPORT OF THE TRANSFORMATION AGENDA.

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BUSINESS NEWS 15

October 17, 2014

business news FAAN Committed To Improved Security Processes At Airports

By NKEM OSUAGWU, Lagos

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that it is improving security processes across the 22 airports owned by the federal government through installation of safety and security equipment.

The managing director of FAAN, Mr Sale Dunoma, stated this in a message to the Airports Council International (ACI), Africa Regional Assembly, hosted by the Airport Company of South Africa (ACSA) in Durban, recently.

According to him, the FAAN provided an effective platform that led to the successful fight against ebola in Nigeria by co-ordinating screening

processes.

The FAAN team, lead by the director of Airport Operations, Captain Henry Omeogu, showcased the transformational strides in airport operations with the simultaneous remodelling of 22 airports across Nigeria.

The theme of the two-day conference which is ‘Service Excellence’ attracted 59 member-airports in Africa operating 251 airports. The director-general of the ACI worldwide, Angela Gittens, said airports should build brand loyalty and provide service that differentiate them from others to attract air travellers.

According to her, passengers can forgive almost anything at an airport as long as they feel safe and it is clean.

Declining Revenue: FG Appoints Consultants On Cost Reduction Measures

BY NSE ANTHONY-UKO, Abuja

The dwindling government revenue occasioned by lower price of Nigeria’s crude oil in the international market has made the federal government to embark on cost reduction measures.

One of such measures is the appointment of consultants to look into how to reduce the cost of governance and, thereby, ensure judicious use of the available resources.

The director of banking of supervision at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs Tokunbo Martins, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja while briefing the press on the outcome of the Banker’s Committee meeting held at the apex bank headquarter.

In attendance at the briefing were Mr Sani Yinka of IBTC Bank, and Mr Peter Amangbo of Zenith Bank Plc. Martins, who disclosed that the state of the Nigerian

economy is sound in view of the positive and encouraging macroeconomic indicators, stated, however, that because Nigeria is part of the global economy, any unpalatable happenings within the global economy is bound to affect Nigeria.

One of the unpalatable happenings, according to her was the dwindling price of oil in the international market which she said had greatly affected Nigeria revenue. To manage the crisis situation, she said the government had to hire consultants to come out with ways of reducing the cost of governance.

Martins said the apex bank had also keyed into the cost reduction mesures by facilitating import substitution, a policy, which she said would make Nigeria to produce locally some of those things that are hitherto being imported, and thus conserve government revenue.

Follow these reports on leadership.ng/business

Nigerian Stock Market Drops By 2.1%

by OLUSHOLA BELLO, Lagos

Investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) continued to sell off their stakes, causing the stock market to drop by 2.1 per cent yesterday.

Also, major stock exchanges recorded sharp drop in value yesterday following the release of the United States (US) data which accentuated fears about the crippling state of the global economy.

There is an indication that the

sell-off by the foreign investors in Nigeria was sparked by the weakening value of the naira and declining oil prices. The market capitalisation declined by N260 billion or 2.1 per cent to N12.710 billion from N12.970 billion recorded the preceding trading day.

Similarly, the NSE All Share Index (ASI) dipped by 2.01 per cent or 787.80 points to close at 38,490.67, from the 39,278.47 achieved on Wednesday.

Yesterday’s loss is the biggest single-day decline since February

13, 2014.

Forte Oil recorded the highest price loss of N10.90, to close at N207.10 per share. Wapco trailed with a loss of N6.15 to close at N116.85, while Dangote Cement dipped by N4.94 to close at N215 per share.

On the other hand, Seven Up led the gainers’ chart by N15.13, to close at N162.86 per share.

Honeywell Flour gained 16 kobo to close at N3.85, while Cutix grew by nine kobo to close at N1.97 per share.

L-R: Head, Business Operations, Forte Oil, Tunji Rabiu; Forte Oil’s Brand Ambassador, Tiwa Savage fueling the vehicle of a customer at the company’s retail outlet in Lagos, managing director, Katelink Ventures, Mrs Catherine Udeogu, group chief financial officer, Forte Oil, Julius Omodayo-Owotuga during Forte Oil Plc 2014 Customer Service Week held in Lagos. PHOTO BY BENEDICT UWALAKA

Spectrum Licence: FG Targets N34.8bn Revenue

By Chima Akwaja, Lagos

The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has set a revenue target of N34.8 billion ($224 billon) from the auction of 2.6 Gigahertz (GHz) spectrum licences slated for December 2-5, 2014, in Abuja.

The commission is offering 14 licences of 2 X 5 MHz FDD paired spectrum in the 2.6 GHz band ranging from 2500 – 2570MHz and 2620 to 2690MHz (totalling 2 X 70 MHz) for auction on a technology neutral basis. The NCC set a generic reserve (GR) price, the minimum price at which a licence shall be sold for one lot of 2 X 5MHz for N2.49 billion ($16 million).

The executive vice chairman of the NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah, said for roll-out of services, the regulator intends to follow the International Telecommunication

Union (ITU) recommendation setting aside spectrum in the 2.6GHz band for the provision of Advanced Wireless Broadband Services to support the delivery of broadband wireless services nationally.

The NCC had in February this year auctioned 30MHz band in the 2.3GHz spectrum which was won by Bitflux Communications with the bid price of $23.25 million above Globacom’s offer of $23.05 million for the same spectrum licence. According to the Information Memorandum (IM) released on the NCC website, the commission decided to adopt for the licencing of 2X70 MHz paired spectrum available in the 2.6 GHz band.

The proposed licencing of 2.6 GHz spectrum was influenced by the need to open up the space for the delivery of present and future generations of broadband

services to subscribers in consonance with the Nigerian National Broadband Plan of 2013.

Juwah said the NCC has consulted with the relevant industry stakeholders to determine the demand and the best way to issue the spectrum.

“Based on these and observations of developments in international licencing trends, the commission has decided to licence the available 2X70 MHz slot in slots of 5 MHz to be aggregated by applicants through the spectrum auction process.

“Each lot of 2X5 MHz represents one eligibility point.

An applicant that pays the IBD for six lots will have a total of six eligibility points. The reserve price for an applicant will be calculated as the GR multiplied by the number of lots applied for by the applicant.

Not saved every movement is money progress; SomeDanish movements areMoney just ataken, way offreedom burning fats! ― Israelmore Ayivor Money is as good as gained.

Proverb forsaken. ― German Ayivor

16 BUSINESS NEWS

October 17, 2014

We need Accurate Records on ATA, Not Stories – Lawmaker

BY Ruth Tene Natsa, Nassarawa

The chairman, Board of Trustees, National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has called on the federal government, through the minister of agriculture and rural development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, to furnish Nigerians with concrete up to date and correct information, backed with figures and statistics, on all the various aspects of the implementation, achievements and failures of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).

He said this was necessary “in view of the developments in some states like Kebbi where the figures and statistics that had been put in public domain by government are being disputed by the farmers who have been complaining of being abandoned after being made to grow rice.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the National Agricultural show, which began yesterday in Nasarawa State, with the theme ‘Investing in Agriculture: Imperative for Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security, Job Creation and Poverty Reduction,’ the lawmaker said the theme was appropriate to, and speaks to

the main aim of the ATA. According to Adamu, “We are in full support of and have been doing all we can to ensure the success of the president’s ATA with its stated mission of achieving a hunger-free Nigeria. It is the adoption of an overall strategic focus instead of isolated projects and plans to develop strategic partnerships to stimulate investments. It focuses on the creation of value chains and its emphasis is on job creation and the empowerment of millions of Nigerians.

Adamu expressed concern at the underdevelopment in the nation’s agriculture sector, saying that “our country in the 1960s was a major player in the global food market but it is no longer the case today. Now, we cannot feed ourselves and we import food to the tune of about $3 billion. We import food items at the rate of about 11 per cent which is unsustainable He lamented that a sector that once produced all the nation’s food requirements with a lot left for export, employed over 70 per cent of the nation’s active workforce and contributes up to 40 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) and six per cent of foreign exchange earnings have been left to decay.

Jonathan Launches N1.5bn Elumelu Nigeria Empowerment Fund

by NSE ANTHONY-UKO, Abuja

The founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony O. Elumelu, has announced the launch of the Elumelu Nigeria Empowerment Fund.

The fund which was launched

by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, yesterday, in Abuja, is to help revitalise the economies of post conflict and disaster communities across Nigeria.

Jonathan also announced the donation of N250 million to the fund.

The Elumelu Nigeria Empowerment Fund was created out of the N2.5 billion donated by the Tony Elumelu Foundation and Heirs Holdings companies. This donation was announced at the Presidential Fundraising Dinner for the Victims Support Fund in July 2014.

While N1 billion was immediately disbursed to the Victims Support Fund, the remaining N1.5 billion now serves as the initial seeding for the Elumelu Nigeria Empowerment Fund. The fund

will focus on communities like those in the Niger Delta and Jos. “Rehabilitating distressed communities will require interventions not just from the government, but also from the private sector. Therefore, I am pleased to see that one of our private sector leaders, Tony Elumelu, stepped up in a big way – making a major contribution to the Victim Support Fund – and that his effort did not end there as he has now created the Elumelu Nigeria Empowerment Fund,” said Jonathan.

L-R: Minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke; Vice President Namadi Sambo; President Goodluck Jonathan; founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu and director, Central Bank of Nigeria, Stanley Lawson during the launch of the N1.5 billion Elumelu Nigeria Empowerment Fund to revitalise the economies of post conflict and disaster hit communities across Nigeria, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

PIB Report Ready – Reps

By Adesuwa Tsan and Edegbe Odemwingie, Abuja

The report of the Ishaka Bawa-led House of Representatives Adhoc Committee on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is ready and is billed for presentation, it was disclosed on yesterday.

The House of Representatives spokesman, Zakari Mohammed, made the disclosure at a media briefing at the National Assembly (NASS).

Mohammed said the report has already been circulated to federal lawmakers, while hinting that the report will be considered soon on the floor of the House of Representatives.

He also debunked reports that “unseen hands” were frustrating the presentation of the

revolutionary oil and gas legislation. His rebuttal came amidst a PIB cashfor-passage allegation that filtered round the NASS. He said: “We don’t give credence to rumours. The PIB is a very sensitive legislation. A number of issues have come up

with political and zonal connotations. There are no unseen hands stalling the presentation of the PIB report.

“The PIB is ready and will change the workings of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and also generate employment.”

LEADERSHIP had

exclusively reported on September 21 that some of the PIB report recommendations seen revealed a complete review of licencing rounds and investment/ contract renewals in the case of Joint Venture (JV) Licences and Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs)

between International Oil Companies (IOCs) and the Nigerian government.

In other recommendations, “discretionary powers” of the president to allocate oil blocs has been replaced by competitive bidding,

Not every movement is progress; Some movements are just a way of burning fats!

― Israelmore Ayivor

except for Nigerian owned oil companies.

Also, the powers of the petroleum minister in the proposed National Oil Company and subsidiaries have been considerably reduced in line with the proposed commercialisation of state-run oil coy.

October 17, 2014

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October 17, 2014

TOURISM 19

October 17, 2014

East Africa Adopts Akwaaba As Official Tourism Expo

L-R: Chief executive officer, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Mrs Dayo Keshi; minister of tourism, culture and national orientation, Chief Edem Duke and permanent secretary, Mrs Nkechi Ejele during a press briefing on the pre-NAFEST programme in Abuja, recently. PHOTO BY CHIKA OKEKE

NAFEST: Experts Seek Peaceful Co-existence Using Cultural Heritage Stories By Chika Okeke, Abuja

Stakeholders in the tourism, travel and hospitality industry have consistently sought avenues for promoting national unity and peaceful co-existence among different ethnic groupings in Nigeria.

Their anticipation finds expression in the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), a national festival that aims to achieve peaceful coexistence through cultural heritage.

The importance of tapping Nigeria’s cultural heritage to achieve peaceful coexistence formed the major highlight of the media briefing on the forthcoming 28th edition of the NAFEST held in Abuja.

The 28th edition of the NAFEST is scheduled for hold from October 1926, 2014, in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State.

The NAFEST is an annual fiesta aimed at promoting cultural interaction, peace and national integration through renditions of various cultural events such as traditional dance drama, arts and crafts competition, children’s essay writing competition, children’s painting competition, traditional children’s story telling competition, traditional wrestling, traditional cuisine competition, traditional furnished apartment and among others.

The theme of the event, ‘Celebrating Nigeria @100: The Role of Culture as a Vehicle for National Unity’ would draw participants from the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, relevant non-governmental organisations, schools, institutions and

international agencies.

The week-long event, which would be officially declared opened by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on October 21, is organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), a parastatal in Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation.

In his address, the minister of tourism, culture and national orientation, Chief Edem Duke, called on stakeholders to employ the virtues of our cultural heritage towards promoting understanding and peaceful co-existence saying that there was no alternative to peace.

He said that the theme of the festival was chosen after careful consultations and meetings with the chief executives of culture in the federation, adding that it was intended to serve as sober reflection on our existence for over 100 years and how the cultural sector has succeeded in unearthing various indigenous products as well as practices that had promoted peaceful co-existence.

Duke was hopeful that the cultural market would further enhance the exchange of ideas among the craftsmen and women, thereby, enhancing the economic viability of the cultural sector through job creation and empowerment. He further called on the media to propagate and project the positivity inherent in Nigeria’s cultural values maintaining that the NAFEST was a platform for addressing various challenges such as security, poverty and

youth restiveness.

For her part, the chief executive officer of the NCAC, Mrs Dayo Keshi, called on the media, government, non-governmental organisations and stakeholders to enlighten people on the importance of the NAFEST towards promoting unity, peace and cultural heritage. On new innovations introduced in the NAFEST, she added, “Something that have existed for a long time has come with new innovations but moving forward, we might want to strengthen more of the structures that will give strength to the product of our cultural industries because that is what brings the unity we are talking about in the NAFEST.” While describing the cultural industries as being significant to our existence as a nation, she noted that due to its significance that the event has garnered Nigerians from diverse religious and ethnic background to celebrate our cultural heritage.

Keshi, who appreciated stakeholders for their support in developing the sector, was optimistic that she would build a formidable, vibrant and strong sector through their collective efforts.

Also speaking, the commissioner for culture and tourism, Ebonyi State, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, revealed that about 3,000 artists would attend the festival even as he revealed that the state governor, Dr Martin Elechi, inspected the facilities and accommodation on October 11, saying that they were fully prepared to host the festival.

The East African countries comprising Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda has adopted Nigeria’s famous travel and tourism trade exhibition, Akwaaba African Travel Market, as the official Tourism expo in West Africa.

Akwaaba, which is the only African member of International Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ITTFA) holds annually from October 26-28 at the Convention Center of Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos and coordinated by an expert in tourism and travel industry, Mr Ikechi Uko. This was announced by the principal secretary, Ministry of tourism, Kenya, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed, at the just concluded Magical Kenya Expo which ended on October 10 at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), Nairobi.

The event which was declared open by the acting president of Kenya, William Ruto attracted 179 participants from 39 countries. However, the Virgin Atlantic Airline, a leading European carrier would be exhibiting in this year’s edition of Akwaaba while the popular Ugandan Comedian, Daniel Omara Pkwiiyulli, would thrill guests at the event.

Earlier, the East African countries adopted three regional events for enlistment in tourism calendar such as Magical expo in Kenya, Kwita Izina in Rwanda and the martyr event in Uganda as well as five international events such as WTW London , ITB Berlin , JATA Japan , Indaba South Africa and Akwaaba for West Africa.

Banex Hotel Introduces Innovation For Hospitality Industry

By Samson Echenim, Lagos A hospitality outfit in Lagos, Banex Hotel and Suites has introduced additional innovations to boost hospitality and tourism business in Nigeria, with the newly acquired electronic car that would convey guests around the hotel premises.

The newly opened four-star hotel in Anthony Village, with 60 rooms is one of the chains of companies owned

by Banex Group that currently employs over 600 Nigerians.

On a recent tour of the hotel by journalists, the group chairman of Banex, Rev Victor Mbanisi, said, “In addition to nearness to a police post, proximity to the local and international airports without hitting any traffic gridlock and access in and out of Lagos for local guests are great advantage inherent in our location.”

Mbanisi also revealed that the hotel would commence hospitality industry franchise in less than a decade, saying that the company was already constructing additional hotels in Lekki, Abuja and on McCarthy Hill, Accra Ghana.

According to him, “Making our own impact in the tourism industry means a lot of things to us. We are determined in building totally unequalled homes for business people and tourists which provides absolute comfort, but at a very affordable cost. For instance, with our kitchen-kitted service apartments, expatriate tourists and families live their full, making major living decisions at their own pace.”

For her part, the hotel’s general manager, Mrs Svetlana Alexandrovn, said with the hotel’s style and pampered luxury, there’s a special experience for every guest.

The system will always be defended by those countless people who have enough intellect to defend but not quite enough to innovate.

Edward de Bono, Maltese physician, author, inventor and consultant.

20 AGRICULTURE

October 17, 2014

AgriC REPORT Farmers at work

WFD: Achieving Food Security through Family Farming The 2014 World Food Day (WFD) is an annual event celebrated every October 16 around the world with the aim of sensitsing nations on the need to support agriculture as a means towards ensuring food security. Ruth Tene Natsa writes on Nigeria’s journey to food security.

Family farming is considered the main food producing source in Africa and around the

The 2014 World Food Day (WFD), with the theme “Family Farming, Feeding the World, Caring for the Earth “began on Monday with a sensitisation walk by agriculture stakeholders in the federal capital territory (FCT), school debates, a symposium, seminars and food exhibitions by farmers among other activities.

Nigeria is one of the 11 African countries believed to have achieved the millennium development goal (MDGs) Goal 1 of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, with a further success in the reduction of its food import bill from $6.9 billion in 2009 to less than $4.3 billion by the end of 2013.

The progress was made possible by the smallholder farmers (family farmers), who comprise majority of Nigeria farmers, as many lack the wherewithal to venture into commercial farming.

While this method of farming is mostly subsistent, it provides most of the food needs of the nation with a little to spare.

Unfortunately, while the family farmers constitute the bulk of food producers for Nigeria, they

are grossly challenged by poor funding, low infrastructure, low yielding seeds, poor access to government subsidised seeds and fertilisers, lack of markets for their harvest, poor storage facilities, ageing population and lack of sufficient private sector investment in the sector among others.

The 2014 WFD theme, according to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) is targeted at celebrating family farming/farmers, who are said to be the major producers of food and other agriculture products around the world as they own over 500 million farms, out of the 570 million farmlands, according to FAO statistics.

Speaking with journalists at a symposium marking the WFD in Abuja, yesterday, organised by the ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with the support of the FAO, country representative in Nigeria, Loise Setshwaelo, said, “the purpose of the annual event is to keep sensitising every one about the need to support agriculture towards ensuring food security.”

She said family farming is considered the main food producing source in Africa and around the world. “FAO statistics shows there are 570 million farms out of which 500 million are owned by families. The food we eat and all agricultural products are produced by the family farms and farmers,” said Setshwaelo.

“We are supporting the WFD which is organised by the government and the theme was

derived from the recognition by the UN that family farming is important in food production and agricultural development not only in developing countries and regions like the sub Saharan Africa but globally.”

She emphasised that rural women contribute a lot to the development of agriculture but are not recognised: “We have seen a big gender gap, especially in agriculture.

A lot of the support is not reaching the rural women who are serious farmers in their own right. They are not able to access the inputs.” She asserted that there were a lot of issues the world and the government needed to look at to support the rural women who are the major components of farming in Africa comprising more than 60 per cent of the farming population.

“The FAO is not going into the country to practice agriculture.

For us, it is a matter of advocacy to sensitise the government, stakeholders and everybody that is involved that it is important to support the rural women whether in agriculture or any other enterprise that they are involved in. Because our focus is on agriculture, we are advocating for support in agriculture,” she said. For his part, the national president, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr Kabiru Ibrahim, said the nation still has a long way to go in achieving food security because it is not giving enough attention to farming and agriculture development.

An Egg Per Day Reduces Risk of Cancer – Experts

By Ruth Tene Natsa, Abuja

Experts have said that the daily consumption of one egg per day is not only healthy but can help reduce the risks of cancer by 44 per cent for women who consume at least six eggs per week.

Speaking at the World Press Conference to mark the World Egg Day in Abuja over the weekend with the theme: An Egg A Day For the Nigerian Child,” the national president, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Dr Ayoola Oduntan, said, “eggs are tasty and versatile as they help regulate the brain, nervous and cardiovascular systems of breastfeeding mothers, children and young adults.”

Oduntan debunked the age-old belief that eggs have high cholesterol contents and are not healthy.

Oduntan said findings published by the Harvard School of Public Health emphasised that moderate egg consumption, defined as one egg per day is not associated with increased risk of heart disease and does not have negative impact on cholesterol.

Speaking on the economic benefits of eggs to the nation, the President said “despite the fact that eggs contributes 25 per cent to the agriculture gross domestic product (GDP) and employ over two million people with the potential to do over 300 per cent more, thereby, employing over eight million people and generating income across the nation. Citizens were not yet taking the full advantage of the full benefits of eggs consumption.”

He advocated a change of attitude to egg consumption, saying a minimum requirement per capital consumption of eggs should be a minimum of 120 per person annually, against the 60 currently being consumed. He added that the “economy of the egg in Nigeria is enormous as an egg a day for 50 per cent of the population will generate a daily economic value of N1.7 billion.”

The president, again, reiterated the need to introduce daily eggs consumption into the school feeding programs across the states; the nations Prisons feeding program; part of the feeding program for the various peace keeping operations all over the world; as well as part of the nation’s Emergency program as a means to creating a healthy balance diet for Nigerians and the world at large.

The head of department (HOD), Dietetics, National Hospital, Mrs Sarah Abagai, who also spoke at the event, cautioned that while eggs was healthy and was recommended across all ages, it was key that it be taken with moderation among adults.

October 17, 2014

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October 17, 2014

BAZE UNIVERSITY ABUJA Learn, to Live

SALUTE to our HERO and

elder STATeSMAN

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80

Congratulations on your 80th Birthday Celebrations and award of LEADERSHIP PERSON OF THE YEAR. My family and I join millions of Patriotic Nigerians in congratulating the amiable General, Elder Statesman and father of one Nigeria as you attain a glorious eighty years of age. Your outstanding leadership, level headedness and unassailable patriotism led Nigeria through her most trying times. You have left indelible footprints on the sands of Nigerian history.

May the Almighty God who has blessed you so much continue to guide, protect and direct you Amin.

Happy 80th Birthday General Yakubu Gowon and congratulations LEADERSHIP Person of the year.

Go On With One Nigeria.

General

YAkUbU GOwOn GCFr DATTI BABA-AHMED PhD Signed: SEN. YUSUF Pro Chancellor, Baze University, Abuja

23

October 17, 2014

BIRNIN KUDU OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION (BIKOBA)

JAMUHIYATUL MOSKURUBILAI LI TORIKAT TIJANIYAT OF NIGERIA

This is to inform the general public that the above organization has applied to the corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the companies and Allied natter Act 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above has applied to the corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the companies and Allied natter Act 1990.

TRUSTEE Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje - Chairman Dr A. T. Abubakar - Member Barr. Buba Aliyu - Member Mall. Abubakar Badawi - Member

(1) Sheik Alhaji Dr Moskuru Adewale Hammed (Missioner) 2. Alhaji Salaudeen Ismail Afolabi (3) Alhaji Afikode Akande Kazeem (4) Mr Lamidi Rasheed Olatunde (5) Mr Adegbola Isiaka Adebowale (Secretary) (6) Alhaji Adelaja Akeem Aderemi (7) Mr Ogundokun Akeem Olayide (8) Mrs Hammed Arowoshoba Olayemi Rofiat [Amirat] (9) Alhaja Raji Ayisat

IBADAN CATERERS ASSOCIATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. AROKODARE OLUFUNKE GBEMISOLA - President 2. MRS. ADA OKERI - Secretary 3. DERIN DAVIES OLUFUNKE YEWANDE 4. OLASHORE KEHINDE OLADIPUPO THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES-: 1. To foster unity among members.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To organize and unite all member of the association 2. To enhance the prestige of Govt. College Birnin Kudu in the education, economic, social and cultural spheres 3. To promote cordial relationship among member and enhance the general welfare of the school 4. To undertake other activities which are conducive to the attainment of the aims and objectives Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: (1) To promote the fundamental principles of islam and encourage every muslim to adopt the high spirit of islamic moral codes (2) To promote the spirit of brotherhood among the component members of the society.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

THE TRUMPET OF TRUTH BIBLE CHURCH This is to inform the general public that the above CHURCH has applied to the corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the companies and Allied natter Act 1990.

3X2 SPACE FOR SALE

3X2 SPACE FOR SALE

TRUSTEE 1. PROPHET DR ABIMERIN STEPHEN 2. IJEBOR GODWIN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the gopel of Jesus Christ.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

1X1 SPACE FOR SALE

1X1 SPACE FOR SALE

1X1 SPACE FOR SALE

1X1 SPACE FOR SALE

1X1 SPACE FOR SALE

1X1 SPACE FOR SALE

24

October 17, 2014

Bernard Okhakume MC & A Weekly Digest market consumer advertising 08053040003

mcaandadigestweekly@gmail.com

“…Before I forget, it pained me hard, that the Late Dr. Adadevoh who stopped Sawyer of Liberia from killing us all with ebola was not one of those honoured at the last national honours award. Bernard, please stop talking to me about patriotism, as the Nigerian nation honour only those that are not honourable”. Unanimous.

I like to think the theory of SOCIAL CONTRACT is a carry-over from the notas-popular terms of contractual engagement between a consumer and a brand. In one of our earlier articles on nation-state as a brand, we did establish the interrelationship between both considerations; on the one hand, the brand, by reason of its offer, makes certain promises by which it is responsible to the consumer. It is on the basis of the brand’s promise/offer the consumer engages (with) the brand.

In terms of competition, as among alternative leadership camps in a political system, it is on the basis of persuasive presentation, and the TRUST infused in making promises, that the consumer engages a given brand as against the competition or possible alternative(s).

Taking from the target consumer’s choice from among available alternatives, he/she projects into a futuristic experience that unveils at brand usage, it remains for the chosen brand to deliver on its promise.

Brand Jonathan (2)

As in political setting, it is the responsibility of the brand of choice, to earn the trust of its target consumer. By reason of the consumer’s decision to invest his/her funds in the purchase of the given brand, as invited by the promises the brand makes, both parties enter into a definite contract (in this case let us use commercial contract). The consumer’s payment for the chosen brand is a VOTE for that brand as against competing other brands.

In brand management, consumer experience is key and fundamental. As a deciding factor, the consumer’s experience determines whether the brand will succeed in the market place or not. We all look out for the consumer’s experience, as brand managers. If the consumer is happy as a result of the initial experience, the brand wins. If on the other hand, the consumer’s experience is negative, the brand might as well go to retirement. Simply put, the contract between the brand and the consumer is determined by the consumer’s experience.

The electorate’s vote is an investment.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, submits in his consideration of the need for a government, as separate from the sovereign (the populace), that …when the government exceeds the boundaries set in place by the people, it is the mission of the people to abolish such government, and be-

Agbaji Chinedu business 1:0:1 Agrobusiness with Agbaji Chinedu 08035004617

Ugu vegetable also known as Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) popularly known as Ugu (It’s Igbo name) across Nigeria is by far, the most consumed vegetable of any kind in Nigeria. It is used to prepare varieties of dishes and it’s very nutritious too.

When you talk about soup in Nigeria, you are directly talking about ugu because; almost all Nigerian soups are cooked with this vegetable Vegetable farming happens to be one of the easiest agricultural engagements, and any kind of edible vegetable is always in hot demand all year round. One good example is An acre size Ugu farm is capable of turning in above N500,000 and it will take you less than N60,000 to cultivate one acre farm of fluted pumpkin.This is because all round the season the demand is high.

However Federal Government plan to export fresh vegetables worth $10 million this year, Mr. Mike Kanu, Deputy Director, Horticulture in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, said this. Kanu said this in Umuahia at the commencement of the distribution of two tonnes of telferia seeds (ugu seed) to selected farmers in Abia.

He said that the Federal Government was

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poised to transform the horticulture value chain as well as promote the sale of perishable goods from Nigeria in the international market.“Federal Ministry of Agriculture through the horticulture value chain called for the list of vegetable farmers producers of especially telferia, which is popularly known as ’Ugu’.This vegetable is one of those vegetables that are in high demand within and outside Nigeria. And based on its importance in the entire economy especially in health, providing the necessary vitamins and also as a major source of income to some major states in Nigeria.

Mr. Kanu said that the farmers would be expected to establish 200 hectares of telferia farm across the country.with this you will understand that ugu farming is now a hot business that should not be left to the hands of the locals alone, We have what we call the Agricultural Fresh Producers Growers and Exporters Association of Nigeria (AFPGEA) with major key players like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the Dangote Groups. Ugu has lots of health advantage which helps in maintaining a good health for the body and it’s advisable for people to consume the vegetable in large quanti-

gin anew. Suffice, therefore, there are set boundaries. In other words, there are expectations, as in the case of the BrandConsumer relationship. In governance, such expectation are as determined clearly by the people who have invested their votes, as a representation of their individual rights, in establishing THE GOVERNMENT. Let us go back in consideration of the brand-consumer relationship. Here, there is a fundamental institution premise for co-relation, and that is FREEDOM of participation. In brand management this freedom is commonly referred to as free market or perfect market. The agelong theory of perfect market, underscore free competition, free (market) entry and exit, commonality of information (including price movement), presence of options, free choice and independence of

purchase decision.

All of the above encapsulates consumer’s freedom of choice and competitive environment among brands. In the face of this freedom, competition and freedom of choice thrive. It is this same freedom of choice that underlines political leadership and governance.

Now, in the presence of this freedom in the political space, there is DEMOCRACY. I am not one to ascribe perfection in democratic system and operation to any one country or group of countries in the name of ‘developed world’. To me, time and chance happen to all men. Democracy can thrive everywhere in the globe, in so far as the system and operators permit it. In the first and second republic Nigeria, in comparative terms, I enjoyed some measure of democracy. Electorates could tell what Awo block is stood for, as indeed the other political groups. At worse, it was easy for electorate to make their choices based on INFORMATION from the political parties. In comparative terms, patriarchs of our democratic system are perfectionists, compared to what we have today.

That takes me to the brand management aspect of the responsibilities we owe to the success of our indigenous democratic system and process. ➔ TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

Ugu Farming: A MultiMillion Naira Venture

ty and regularly, because of its tremendous health benefits. If you want to age less and prevent disease broccoli leaves, kale, sweet potato, spinach and pumpkin spinach, are the best deal.

Pumpkin is chock full of goodness. You can tell by its bright color that it’s going to be going to be good for you. Not only is pumpkin loaded with vitamin A and antioxidant carotenoids, particularly alpha and beta-carotenes, it’s a good source of vitamins C, K, and E, and lots of minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and iron.

Ugu Seed

Stretch your legs as far as your quilt goes. — English proverb

Pumkin Seed (Ugu seed) is secondary to the the pumpkin leaves. Unlike the leaves that are used to prepare different types of Nigerian recipes, the seeds are only cooked and eaten by a few; the seeds are contained in large pods comparable to the cocoa pod.

Each seed contains a dicot nut whose taste is close to that of cooked groundnut or walnut.

What is taken for granted is the potential economic value of the ugu seed, as it a potential raw material for an array of products that include: sausage, biscuit, cake, ice-cream, e.t.c.Ugu seed products are developing side by side with the massive production of the Ugu leaves they are all in hot demand.

Farming Requirment • Land:you need a land that is fertile to farming ugu so that your return on investment will be high. If the land is not as fertile as it should be you can use manure i.e. chicken manure while farming.

• Ugu seed: A good quality ugu seed should be used • Farming Equipment: This depends on individual and financial capacity.

FRIDAY EXTRA October 17, 2014

By Anayo Onukwugha

M

INSIDE

onday, October6, 2014 made it exactly two years after four undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt, were gruesomely murdered by people described as members of community vigilante group in Umuokiri-Aluu in Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State. Biringa Chiadika Lordson, Year-Two Theatre Arts; Ugonna Kelechi Obuzor, Year-Two Geology and Mike Lloyd Toku, Year-Two Civil Engineering and Tekena Elkanah, a diploma student of the university, were extra-judicially killed following allegations that they were armed robbers.

The accused persons included the 59-yearold traditional ruler of Umuokiri-Aluu community, Alhaji Hassan Welewa, Lawal Segun, 28, Cynthia Chinwo, 24, George Nwadei, 20 and Ekpe Daniel, 30, others were; Okoghiroh Endurance, 24, Gabriel Oche, 33, Ozioma Abajuo, 23, Endurance Edet, 27, Ikechukwu Louis Amadi, also known as ‘Kapoon’, 32, David Chinasa Ugbade, 30, Chigozie Evans Samuel, 22 years and Lucky Orji, 43. However, in October2013, Justice Letam Nyordee of the State High Court, Port Harcourt granted bail to four out of the 12 persons standing trial, including the traditional ruler, Alhaji Welewa, while three more suspects were arrested by the Police.

One of the accused, Orji, who was dismissed from the Police for his involvement in the murder, was indicted by other suspects, as a policeman who joined the in beating the late students and even ordered the villagers to kill them. Until his dismissal, he was attached to the Isiokpo Divisional Police.

The arrest of Orji may have been prompted by not just his indictment by other suspects, but by a petition written to the Rivers State House of Assembly by parents of Lloyd Mike Toku and Tekena Elkanah Kalio, two of the murdered students, where they accused officers and men of Isiokpo Divisional Police headquarters of failing to protect the lives of the students. In the petition, jointly signed by Mr. Toku Mike of Ogbogbo Compound and Mr. Friday Elkanah of Kalio Compound, all in Okrika Town, Okrika Local Government Area of the State, the petitioners demanded the policemen on duty on that fateful day should be made to face the full wrath of the law. It reads in part; “Our collective humble prayer to this hallowed chambers is that it could have been anybody’s child being killed and so, justice should prevail and the killers, watchers and the police on duty on that fateful day should face the full wrath of the law so that this will act as a deterrent to others.”

The petition, which was dated October 13, 2012 and addressed to the House through the member representing Okrika Constituency, Hon. Belema Okpokiri said from testimonies of relatives of the slain undergraduates, the Isiokpo Divisional Police headquarters, was aware of the tragic incident. The petitioners said; “There are several eye witness accounts showing that the Isiokpo Divisional Police were well

Baringa, Ugonna, Takena and Mike

Uniport 4: Two Years After aware of the events as they unfolded and were at some point in time there at the scene of the crime and left after which our sons were brutally lynched.” The first count of the five-count charge preferred against the accused persons, as they appeared before a Port Harcourt Magistrate Court, presided over by Mr. Emmanuel Woke reads that “the 13 accused persons and others at large on October 5, 2012, at Omuokiri, Aluu community in the Port Harcourt Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: murder and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code Cap 37laws of Rivers State, 1999.

Count two reads that “the accused persons and others at large on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did murder one Ugonna Obuzor by lynching and burnt him to death and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code cap 37 volume 111 laws of Rivers State,1999.”

They were also accused of murdering Lloyd Toku Mike, Chiadika Biringa and Tekena Elkanah, by lynching and burning them to death and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 volume 111laws of Rivers State, 1999. Although the presiding magistrate ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody until December 20, 2012, he however, said the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear a case of such magnitude and directed that the case file be returned to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for possible reassignment to a higher court.

While Nigerians and the international community await the December 20 date for the suspects to reappear in court, parents, and relatives of the murdered students as well as human right activists have not relented in their call for justice to prevail.

To Professor Joseph Ajienka, an indigene of Okrika Town, the home-town of two of the murdered students and Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, only justice can satisfy the bereaved families of the four slain students of the institution.

Ajienka believes that members of the public, especially those who watched the gory lynching of the young men on prejudged charges will also expect nothing, but justice to be done with respect to the incident.

He said; “Nothing but justice will satisfy the bereaved families and the general public that watched the gory lynching of the four young men on charges they were yet to be subjected to proper legal scrutiny.

“In a society that is governed by the rule of law, it would be expected that all those directly and remotely connected with the heinous murder of the students will be speedily brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to follow such unacceptable conduct.”

Due to the fact that Aluu Community, popularly seen as an off-campus suburb, due to its proximity to the main campus of the University, began a ghost town following violent protests by students in the wake of the murder.” The Vice Chancellor called for the setting up of a police post in the community to restore confidence on students and other residents, who had fled the once- busy community. For Angus Obinna Chukwuka, a Port Harcourt -based Constitutional and Human Right lawyer, every culprit concerned with the gruesome murder of four students should face the music of the law. Chukwuka also called for the overhaul of all law enforcement agencies in the state as well as a ban on the activities of vigilante groups that are either not registered, or not conducting their task in conformity with the law. He said: “The brutal murder of the four students

is perhaps the worst of its kind in recent times. No doubt it is an apt demonstration of absolute barbarism and man’s inhumanity to man. Clearly the degree of insincerity, indignity, and intolerance with which people relate with each other in this country Nigeria is what has found an expression in this absurd manner. “It is disturbing that the vigilante groups have claimed that the murdered students were suspected armed robbers.

Whereas news filtering in is that these were students who clearly went on demand for their debts and were over whelmed by a whistle-blowing debtor and false alarmist.

The false alarm that they were thieves was not investigated by the vigilante. “All these show insecurity in the country. The failure of the police and our law enforcement agencies is what has given rise to emergence of heartless vigilante criminals. The law enforcement agencies should be overhauled. Vigilante establishments all over the country should also be overhauled. All such vigilante groups that are not registered, or conducting their task in conformity with the law should be automatically abolished and culprits in respect thereof punished.

“Those registered and or approved should undergo thoroughbred-orientation and training.” Not a few persons believe that the trial of the suspected killers of the students would have gone far, if not concluded, if the judiciary workers in the state, under the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) had not embarked on a indefinite strike, thereby paralyzing all court sittings in the state. From the look of things, although it may take decades, but it seems there is hope for the murdered students would finally get justice as one of their mothers, Mrs. Chinwe Biringa always said; “The only thing that will give me joy is justice. I want justice for my son.”

Best Places to Ride In A Hot Air Ballon Big Questions & Answers nobel 10 ultimate top list Why... answers to scientific questions

26 CULTURE

October 17, 2014

By Patrick Ochoga

Group of palace chiefs

Igue: A Unique Benin Festival Where gods Are Revered Igue Festival is one of the ways the people of the great Benin Kingdom and the paramount king in the land known as Oba annually appease their ancestors who have guarded them throughout the year. The occasion usually attracted sons and daughters of the Kingdom and tourists alike. PATRICK OCHOGA writes on the significance of the popular annual festival.

T

his heroic and age-long Benin festival which is usually done during the end of every year attracts foreigners who are interested in the ancient Benin

Empire.

Secretary of Benin Traditional Council, BTC Irabor Frank told LEADERSHIP on behalf of the Oba in an interview described Igue as one of the festivals in ‘Ugie’ which encompasses all the festivals celebrated in the yearly Benin Calendar.

The palace scribe also noted that all the festivals have their significance and dates of celebration, which include Otue Ugierhoba where all chiefs go to the palace to pay homage to the Oba, Igue Edohia, the day all Benin sons and daughters, irrespective of religious affiliations perform their worship and thank their God through the appeasing of the ancestors as well as celebration of the outgo-

ing year, while the Ugie Ewere depicts good wishes and blessings to all homes where a special kind of the leaves gotten from the bush is given to all. The sticks are used to sweep the compound early morning, signifying that we are sweeping away our sorrows, pains an misfortunes as we approach a new year”, he said.

On the issue of rituals, Mr. Irabor posited that the Igue festival is part of Benin tradition where sacrifice must be made in one form or another as done in other religion.

“To thank or appease your God, you make sacrifice of using olive oil to anoint or bless members, same way we slaughter animals in the public before we eat it.

I can subscribe to it as rituals of interior motives when it is done in secrecy but when done in the open, it is legitimate like the one our Oba does”, he explained.

The BTC Secretary also highlighted that during the festival, special prayers

made by chiefs or priests are for the peace of the country, the home state, all government officials as well as progress in the land.

The Oba spokesman said the Ugie festival which is the parent body of all festivals in the Benin Kingdom is a combination of different events by different Obas of the Benin Empire.

He specifically narrated that all the kingdoms, chiefdoms and dukedoms that make up the empire usually bring gifts of different kinds to the Oba during Otue Ugierhoba, meaning paying of homage to the Oba is now restricted to the Benin Chiefs.

The Benin Traditional council Secretary further said the Igue Festival was celebrated in other lands that made the defunct Benin Empire, but with the ever invasive Western culture and educated elites, the festival is observed in few parts of Nigeria and some Western nation where the Oba usually sends rep-

resentatives to monitor and supervise the rituals.

The BTC Scribe further advice all whose spirit is in tune with the practice to join the Oba and other Benin sons and daughters as well as several foreigners to celebrate this year’s festival schedule to commence soon.

He also frowned at people that fail to desist from spelling the Benin as ‘Bini’ which was introduced by some colonial masters and educated native.

The Edo people strongly believe that their king’s luck (uhunmwun n’oma”) is inextricably bound with their own. It involves the entire population and usually lasts for 7 days. It begin with the anointing of the Oba’s head with Orhue (signifying purity) and with the blood of numerous sacrificial victims from the human being (in the distant past) to cows, goats, sheep, chicken, tortoise and snail. The anointing is performed

by Isekhurhe while the slaughtering of victims is the function of Ehondo with the special knife called Abieze.

The Edo people strongly believe that their king’s luck (uhunmwun n’oma”) is inextricably bound with their own ➔ continued on the next page

If you are patient in a moment of anger, you will spare yourself one hundred days of tears.― Egyptian proverb

culture 27

October 17, 2014

Igue: A Unique Benin Festival Where gods Are Revered ➔ from previous next page The chiefs then pay homage to the Oba by dancing before him with their Eben. After that it is general merry-making in the palace forecourt, UGH’OZOLUA (UGHA - OZOLUA). The dancing and feasting in the Palace will go on, to be joined three days later by the members of the Royal family performing their own separately and individually in the own homes. The IHOGBE are generally summoned privately to the homes of the members of the Royal family to offer the sacrifices to their Heads in much the same way that the ISEKHURHE led done in the palace.

Cows and goats are most frequently slaughtered, and kola-nuts (evbee) and coconuts (ivin-Ebo) are essential parts of the libation. Three days later, the rest of the population celebrates their own separately and privately. Igue brings everyone back home to the ancestral domain (igiogbe) for feasting and merry-making, and no family is ever too poor to celebrate it.

How It All Started It is said that after Ewere entered the harem, she began to think of her sister, Oyoyo, and cried every day. Oba Ewuare again sends a message to Ogieka, demanding him to allow a visit to her sister.

The request became was pregnant by Ogieka and Ewere was very happy to see her sister, but on arrival Oyoyo decided to marry as well. So the two sisters became wives of the Monarch.

When Oyoyo became the Oba sent her to the Ihama at Idunmwhogbe for proper care and there she gave birth to a daughter. As a token of his gratitude, the Oba awarded the Ihama the Odibokofo, ( a large collar made of red beads) and gave his wives the right to dress in the Oba’s wives. This elevated the Ihama to a higher position than ever before and the bead had been worn by every Ihama at every Ugie Ewere ceremony till date.

Throughout his reign, every year the Oba celebrated Ugie Ewere that is the anniversary of his happy and prosperous marriage to Ewere at the Igue festival where Ihogbes present symbolic Ewere leaves to the Oba. The Bini for history have a long lineage of Obas, and Igue is alkso an occasion to celebrate Ugie- Evhoba among other occasions. During this period , the anniversary of their deaths is celebrated by the Bini and for seven days appeasement is made to the spirit of the departed Obas. This is done to invoke their blessing on the reigning monarch and their family and subjects.

During the seven day of elaborate traditional and cultural activities, Bini chiefs are seen in their beautiful traditional regalia, including the (Queens). It is a very occasion of their public appearance and traditional dances are displayed by the chiefs to the admiration of the monarch.

As the chiefs display their dancing skill with their decorative Eben symbol of authority, they chorus incantations, and using Edo proverbs they communicate wisdom, pay homage and answer questions through gesticulation during the Ugie dance the palace.

Benin indigenes queue up to present the Oba with the Ewere leaves during Igue festival

The Ayobahan of Benin Kingdom, Chief Osamede Adun in a dance procession to the palace during the Igue Ewere ceremony.

A cross-section of some palace chiefs led by chief Isekhure (5th from left) holding the Ewere leave

Stealing may bring profit, but hanging costs far more. ― Cambodian proverb

28 royalty

October 17, 2014

By Abah Adah

The Ohinoyi Of Ebiraland: HRM Ado Ibrahim

The Palace of Ohinoyi Of Ebiraland

His Royal Majesty (HRM), Alhaji (Dr.) Abdul Rahman Ado Ibrahim born on 7th Feb. 1929.

He assumed the office of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, 2nd June 1997, after the passing away of the former Ohinoyi, Alhaji Sanni Omolori who ruled for 40 years and 40 days as Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.

Alh.(Dr.)AbdulRahman Ado Ibrahim attended a Nursery and Quranic School and later finished his primary education from NA School in Okene, Kogi State in 1940. He later went to Ondo Boys high School and Oduduwa College and

rounding up his secondary education in 1949.

He obtained a B.Sc in Economics from London School in 1954 and an MBA from Harvard business School, 1959.

His enthrownment as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland was a grand occassion, attended by thousands of Ebiras and international diplomats and was broadcast on major Nigerian Television stations for days. He rules Ebiraland from his magnificent pavillion, AZAD Palace named after his son. The palace is rated as one of the most beautiful palaces in West Africa.

Ado Ibrahim

roots

Kunta Kinte: A Slave With Distinctve Quality Kunta Kinte was one of 98 slaves brought to Annapolis, Maryland aboard the ship Lord Ligonier in 1767, and despite many years in bondage, he never lost his connection to his African heritage. Kunta Kinte’s experience symbolizes the struggle of all ethnic groups to preserve their cultural heritage.

The Heritage Tale According to the book Roots, on the day of the birth of Kunta Kinte in 1750, in Gambia, West Africa, his grandmother Yaisa, laughed with joy as she witnessed the birth and special blessings of the firstborn boy of her son Omoro and his wife, Binta. Eight days later, during the naming ceremonies, the Alimamo prayed over the infant, entreating Allah to grant him long life, success in bringing credit and pride and many children to his family, to his village, to his tribe -- and finally, the strength and the spirit to deserve and to bring honor to the name he was about to receive.

In his writings, author Alex Haley, depicts the scene so vividly that one can imagine being in the very spot on that eventful day. One seems a part of the history of an African family whose distinguished lineage is being recited as far back as two hundred years, as the Arafan (the village Griot) lists the names of the Maurentanian forefathers of whom Kunta’s Grandfather and namesake Kairaba Kunta Kinte, had often told himself. The names were great and many for the Mandinka tribes’s holy man. And this distinguished lineage and the oral history continue today through their descendants of the present, the author himself, his brother George, former state senator from Kansas and their youngest brother, Julius.

Roots, the saga of an American Family, is a documentary dedicated to the Haley’s family Griot, their grandmother, Cynthia Haley who told the stories of her ancestry to her grandchildren, among whom was Alex Haley. He lis-

The idiot who has his eye on your wife is like a blood sucking fly.

tened intently and, after many years of research and journeys in search of the facts, was able to produce, in writing, substantiation of that oral history. His grandmothers’s recountings of the family history perpetuated it in the minds of her children, who in turn passed it on to the minds of men all over the world, for all times. She created the symbol for all Africans of black American families, and thus she helped all of us to know, as the author pointed out “...who we are.”

The Kinte Distinguished Lineage Gambia, West Africa, 1750 Birth of Kunta Kinte, grandson of Kairaba Kunta Kinte, the holy man of the Mandinkas of Juffure; son of Omoro; father of Kizzy; grandfather of Chicken George; great-grandfather of Tom Murray; great,great-grandfather of Cynthia Murray; great,great,great-grandfather of Bertha Haley; great,great,great,greatgrandfather of Alex, George and Julius Haley.

— Egyptian Proverb

FRIDAY EXTRA 29

October 17, 2014

nobel

A Century Of Prize Winners

Adolfo Esquivel (1931– ) It is hard to fight for human rights in a country under a dictatorship, and the difficulties only increase when the entire continent leans toward totalitarian regimes. Adolfo Perez Esquivel struggled through such a situation, expanding his activities from his native Argentina to all of Latin America. In recognition of his important work and undaunted spirit, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1980.

Born in Buenos Aires on November 26, 1931, Perez Esquivel had an interest in the arts from an early age. He studied architecture and sculpture at the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes (National School of Fine Arts) and the Universidad Nacional de la Plata (National University of La Plata) before taking up a professorship in architecture. For the next 25 years he taught primary, secondary and university courses in Argentina, but he always had a passion for helping the poor and dispossessed of his country.

In the 1960s he was active in Latin American Christian pacifist groups and became involved in the lobbying begun at a joint conference in Montevideo, Uruguay, to create an organization to oversee all nonviolent movements on the continent. In 1974 he abandoned all other professional activities to dedicate himself full time to coordinating this organization, known as Servicio Paz y Justicia (Service, Peace and Justice).

In 1976 he started an international campaign aimed at pressuring the United Nations into creating a Human

For the development of computer-assisted tomography.

Allan Cormack (1924-1998) The acronym CAT has become commonplace, and it stands for computerized axial tomography. It is an important method of diagnosis in modern medicine and was developed by two scientists working independently.

One of them was Allan MacLeod Cormack, the nuclear physicist who was a co-laureate of the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Shortly before World War I, the Cormacks left the north of Scotland and moved to the South African city of Johannesburg, where their three children were born. Allan, the youngest, only lived for a short time in that city, since his father’s job as an engineer for the post office required the family to move frequently. After his father’s death in 1936, however, the family settled in Cape Town.

In high school he dedicated himself to astronomy and began to study mathematics and physics with enthusiasm. When he discovered that there were few opportunities to earn a living in astronomy, however, he followed in his father’s footsteps and took a course in electrical engineering at Cape Town

peace

Rights Commission. To such an end, a document was drawn up denouncing breaches of human rights in Latin America. In the spring of 1977 Perez Esquivel was arrested and remained imprisoned - and was tortured - by the Argentinan authorities for 14 months.

He was released in May of the following year, but under the condition that he report regularly to the police, among other restrictions. Gradually the pressure was eased, and he was given the opportunity to visit Europe, when he went to Oslo to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. While incarcerated he was also awarded the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize, and in 1999 he received the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award.

El Servicio Paz y Justicia, of which Adolfo Perez Esquivel became secretarygeneral, is now well established. It divides Latin America into three regions, with a central office in each one, and under these are the national organizations. The general coordination is carried out from a central office in Buenos Aires. Servicio Paz y Justicia maintains a Christian perspective and has close contacts with the clergy, particularly with South American bishops, but its principal task is, as always, promoting human, social and economic rights.

In all his activities Perez Esquivel follows a fundamental principle: the fight can only be undertaken by nonviolent means. He has written a book about his experiences, published in 1995, entitled Caminando [unto al Pueblo (Walking Together with the People).

physiology & Medicine

University. Two years later he left engineering and took up studying physics full time.

For his graduate work Cormack went to St. [ohns College, Cambridge, as a research student. He worked in the Cavendish Laboratory under the guidance of Professor Otto Frisch.

A year and a halflater he accepted an invitation to work in the Physics Department in the University of Cape Town and returned to South Africa.

Cormack then started to work in the field of nuclear physics, but there were very few scientists working in this area in South Africa. At this time his American wife wanted to return to the United States, and he willingly agreed to the move since there were much better research opportunities on the other side of the Atlantic. He worked at Harvard University, where he carried out experiments with the cyclotron (a particle accelerator) and at Tufts University.

In 1957 his family moved to Winchester, Massachusetts, where he died on May 7,1998. Godfrey Newbold Hounsfield also received half of the prize.

For his defense of respecting human rights and feeling of hope when faced with Argentinean military rules.

News that’s for money today will be for free tomorrow.

— Dominican Proverb

Culled from the book ‘Nobel’

30 FRIDAY EXTRA/Best places to...

October 17, 2014

Ride In A Hot Air Ballon

Hot balloons have never really gone out of fashion, despite an appreciable history

W

e are moving at the speed of the wind.

The other great thing about ballooning is the other unknown: You obviously know your departure point, but you have no idea where you are landing. That’s part of the excitement.

Many have benefited from that unknown firsthand, with legendary balloon pilot Buddy Bombard. Early each morning, before the wind picks up, or sometimes in the late afternoon-when the winds are downthey go up in his balloon. They end up landing in the backyard of a beautiful private estate and chateau. Despite the surprise arrival, the owners would invariably come out into their fields with an impromptu buffet of fabulous wine and cheese to welcome them!

There seems to be a natural connection between California’s Napa and Sonoma wine country and ballooning, for good reason, too. Wine Country Balloons offers sky-high tours starting at the crack of dawn from Santa Rosa. Where you go depends on the weather conditions, but typical

bird’s-eye views include the Pacific coast, the rolling vineyards of the Russian River and Sonoma valleys, and the redwood forests. What’s cool about this company is that you can also participate in the process of inflating and deflating the balloon by learning about it while still on the ground.

Talk about a year-round destination.

Aspen and Snowmass, Colorado, are blanketed in snow in the winter, wildflowers in spring and summer, and foliage in the fall. So what better way to view it all than from above? Above It All Balloon Company takes off at sunrise and, depending on the conditions, can cross over some lower mountains toward the west (most other balloon companies stay in one main valley).

Best time to go? September, when Snowmass holds both a balloon festival and a wine festival, and the mountains are blanketed with the golden glow of changing aspen trees is undoubtedly the best time to take a balloon ride over New England, when the changing foliage creates a wild palette of colours.

But the region also contains unique topography that makes the view from

above particularly distinct. Balloons Over New England operates from Quechee, Vermont, home of the 165foot Quechee Gorge, the deepest gorge in the state formed more than 13,000 years ago by glacial activity and the still-flowing Ottauquechee River.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, is known as the Balloon Capital of the World for good reason. Its cool morning temperatures and predictable wind patterns make for excellent flying conditions, not to mention the unbeatable views of the Rio Grande Valley and the Sandia Mountains.

Experts come here because of

May no lies be not spoken against mecamel in theabout presence of God. A camel does tease another his humps.

——Cambodian Proverb Egyptian Proverbs

something called the “Albuquerque box,” or a set of wind patterns which make it easier to navigate the balloons. Most enthusiasts will head to Albuquerque for the famous balloon festival, but those interested in the process behind the product shouldn’t miss the Albuquerque Balloon Museum. The $12m, 59,000-squarefoot museum covers everything about ballooning history, navigation, and science with interactive exhibits and historic memorabilia. What’s really wild is that the building even looks like a balloon inside!

Albuquerque is host to the International Balloon Fiesta every October, the largest balloon rally in the world, with 10 days of launches, fireworks, and festivities. What started off as a promotional stunt in 1972 with 13 balloons has grown to more than 700 hot air and gas balloons with hundreds of pilots from 19 countries. The 10,000-foot Sandias form the backdrop, and the October ➔ CONTINUES ON the next PAGE

...Ride In A Hot Air Ballon FRIDAY EXTRA 31

October 17, 2014

International It’s one thing to experience the dramatic vistas of the ancient city of Teotihua-

➔ FROM PREVIOUS PAGE wind patterns gently increase altitude of the balloons. In fact, on some mornings during the festival, you can see as many as 400 balloons floating in all directions. The favourite time at this festival is 5:45 a.m., when lighted balloons participating in the Dawn Patrol take off while it’s still dark.

Almost every evening around 5:45 p.m. is the Balloon Glow, where you can walk among the balloons as they are grounded, burners fired and lit up from within.

How about a great balloon race that just keeps going and going?

The Great Forest Park Balloon Race, a free event in St. Louis, Missouri, in September, stands out because the balloons actually launch from a park in the middle of the city. Crowds of around 30,000 gather to watch as 70 “hound” balloons chase the Energiser Bunny “Hot Hare Balloon.” The balloon dropping a baggie of birdseed’ closest to the Energizer Bunny balloon is declared the winner.

Insider Tip Balloon festivals are a photographer’s dream and a family-friendly event. It can be quite an emotional experience to see these colourful giants launch into the air all at once. To find a balloon festival anywhere in the world.

can in Mexico. But to see it from above is an entirely different experience altogether. Located about 30 miles northeast of Mexico City, this archaeological site contains some of the largest pyramids built in the pre-Columbian Americas (the name Teotihuacan loosely translates into “the place where the gods were created”). The multi-level compounds, temples, plazas, and caves are dominated by the 200-foot-talI Pyramid of the Sun, one of the largest pyramids in the world. On the northern end of the main boulevard sits the Pyramid of the Moon, and within the sprawling Ciudadela square is the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. When you think of the history of these holy sites, seeing them from above is a truly special experience.

France is the birthplace of hot air ballooning, so it’s fitting that there is a fullservice ballooning resort there. At Buddy Bombard’s Europe, you can spend anywhere from five to eight days drifting over medieval castles and vineyards, while spending your nights at an 18th-century chateau. One-third of each day is devoted to ballooning, which is done at such a low level you practically graze the treetops. In fact, you’re so low you can even speak to people on the ground! The remainder of each day is spent land-based, sight-seeing with private guides and exploring the restaurants of Europe.

The closest thing to flying over the moon is taking a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia, Turkey. The landscape is covered in tall rock spires known as hoodoos, or fairy chimneys, and a view from above is inspiring. Kapadokya Balloons sets off every day at sunrise, though the location varies based on the wind conditions of the day. Once you complete your journey in the sky, you head underground! Cappadocia is known for its underground cities and cave hotels that are actually carved into the unique rock formations.

Sure, you might expect to see African game from the perspective of a 4x4, but how about from the sky? Since hot air balloons are nearly silent, you can creep up on wildlife without disturbing them. One of the best areas to view from above is the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, simply for the diversity of wildlife packed in a relatively small area.

In South Africa, a safari in Kruger National Park is a must. But make the experience even more memorable and personal by adding a dawn hot air balloon flight just outside of the park, overlooking the rolling Mpumalanga and the Sabi River valley. Beauty spills as far as the eye can see, with dense foliage, small hills, and views of the mountains off in the distance. Not many Americans are familiar with the scenic beauty of Western Australia, which is exactly why you should go.

Urban landscape or sprawling vineyards? In Australia, you can choose to flyover Melbourne-one of the only major cities in the world that offers hot air balloon rides over the city center-or over ‘the famed Yarra Valley wine country.

With Global Ballooning, the Melbourne flight gives an overview of the entire city at sunrise and then drifts into green outskirts. The wine country ride starts at Rochford Wines and soars over the Yarra Valley.

Insider Tip Go in April during peak harvest season and follow up the balloon ride with a steam train tour to some of the top wineries in the region.

Absence is the enemyListen of love; with askindness the distance for aisclear fromexplanation. the eyes, so it is from the heart.

— Dominican CambodianProverbs Proverb

32 friday EXTRA

October 17, 2014

why?

... answers to everyday scientific questions

Why Does Radioactive Material Have A Half-Life?

Radioactive material has a half-life because this is how we describe the rate at which the material undergoes radioactive decay.

Radioactive decay is the process by which a radioactive element, known as a radio nuclide, changes into a different radionuclide by shooting out subatomic particles or energy. The giving off of subatomic particles or energy is known as radiation.

The half-life of a radionuclide is the length of time it takes for half of the atoms in a sample to decay.

For instance, bismuth-212 has a half-life of just over an hour. This means that if you started with one thousand atoms of bismuth-212, in an hour there would be about five hundred atoms left. The others would have decayed to a different radionuclide. After another hour there would only be around two hundred and fifty atoms of bismuth-212, and after three hours there would be one hundred and twenty-five.

An analogy is with flipping coins.

Imagine that a flipped coin that comes up tails is like a radioactive atom that has decayed, and then imagine you have a thousand coins

and once an hour you flip them all and then throwaway the ones that turned up tails. After one hour you would have roughly five hundred coins, after two hours you would have two hundred and fifty, and after three hours you would have one hundred and twenty-five.

Why not just have a number that tells you how long it will take for a radioactive atom to decay?

Such a number might be called the ‘lifespan’ of a radionuclide. The reason that we use half- life instead of lifespan is that radioactive decay is a completely random process. It is controlled by something called the uncertainty principle, which means that it is impossible to say for certain exactly when a radioactive atom will decay. It is only possible to state the probability of that decay.

For an individual atom of bismuth-212, it is possible to say that over the course of an hour there is a 50 per cent probability that it will decay, but there is no length of time over which it is possible to say with 100 per cent certainty when it will decay.

Although it is astronomically unlikely, it is possible that any

single atom of bismuth-212 still won’t have decayed in a thousand years. So we have to use a measure like half-life, which involves probability.

Bismuth-212 has a relatively short half-life, but the radionuciide with the shortest half-life is

More precious than our children are the children of our children.

— Cambodian Proverb

helium-5, with a half-life of just 7.6 x 10-22 seconds, which is less than a billion trillionth of a second.

The radionuciide with the longest half-life is tellurium-128: 2.2 x 1024 years (2.2 trillion trillion years).

Culled from Why?: Answers to everyday scientific questions

October 17, 2014

Your Entertainment and Lifestyle Guide

Bobby Ricketts

For The Love Of Jazz Music Believe the liar up to the door of his house and no further than that.

esseNTials PlaylisT

razak’s diary TaTTles ― Egyptian Proverb

34

October 17, 2014

before you READ As we all know, there are various genres of music. But in Nigeria today, 3 genres are the most popular Pop, Afro pop and Afro beats. we seem to have forgotten about Jazz. Our cover today is the amazing American Jazz saxophonist Bobby Ricketts.

The American cultural envoy talked to Chinelo about his love for Jazz and Fela’s music.

In TATTLES this week, Chris Ihidero examines the dearth of R&B singers in Nigeria. Using Darey as an example, he talks about how the Nigerian music industry has forced R&B singers to change their style to remain relevant. Read the article and let us know if you agree with Chris or not.

In recent weeks, MTV Base has been in the

news. Not for the right reasons though.

They recently a list of Africa’s Hottest MCs and made the error of tagging neodancehall act Burna Boy a rapper. With the brouhaha surrounding their list of Nigeria’s best songs, it seems MTV is on a roll.

Meanwhile, KCee has denied saying anything about Tiwa Savage’s marriage.

KCee himself is not one to talk about

anyone’s marriage as his own marital status is unknown.

Did you Clarence Peter’s dad Sir Shina Peters has autographed many boobs?

Read all about it!

Enjoy the weekend! fridayleadership@leadership.ng follow us on Twitter @essentialsng

one TO WATCH

Essentials Playlist

MTV Base Top 10 Hottest African MCs 1. Cassper Nyovest Hits in the past year: “Doc Shebeleza”, “Gusheshe”, “Phumakim”.

The 24 year-old rapper might be beefing with AKA, but what we are more interested in are the hot sing-along tracks he keeps dropping. From “Gusheshe” to “Doc Shebeleza” all the way to the current hit “Phumakim”, it’s really hard not bumping to his melodic rhymes.

2. K.O Hits in the past year: “Caracara”, “Mission Statement”.

K.O’s second solo single “Caracara” has proved that for him making hits is standard procedure with or without his fellow band Teargas. If “Caracara” is anything to go by, we simply can’t wait to hear his full album due out later this year.

3. Ice Prince Hits in the past year: “N-Word (Remix)”, “I Swear”, “Shots On Shots”.

Now l get why Ice Prince called his latest album ‘Fire of Zamani’. He meant it! And the fire clearly shows in his music. With his most recent video for N-Word Remix and a string of impressive collabo’s, it’s clear why he’s a BET award winning rapper.

4. AKA Hits in the past year: “Run Jozi”, “Congratulate”.

AKA might be known for speaking his mind, which usually rubs off the wrong way on fellow rappers, but at least he has the talent and swag to back it up. Not only does his music have staying power, but he also has attitude. That top rapper, super star attitude. He knows his worth and it seems to be working for him.

5. Burna Boy Hits in the past year: “Don Gorgon”, “Yawa Dey”, “Run My Race”.

Burna is probably the most authentic rapper right now. From his Jamaican inspired sounds in “Yawa Dey”, to his sometimes retro style and always distinct tone, his music always leaves an impression. That old school vibe and hardcore image sets him well apart from the rest.

6. Sarkodie Hits in the past year: “Adonai”, “Shots on Shots”, “Inflation”.

MAMA Best Hip-Hop award winner,

BET and MTV EMA nominee, Sarkodie, has had an illustrious year with some impressive features under his belt. Taking Best Hip-Hop and collaborating with Miguel at the MAMAs, to hit producing features on Ice Prince and Fuse ODG tracks. Sarkodie has remained at the top of African rap.

7. Olamide Hits in the past year: “Goons Mi”, “Story for the gods”, “Sitting on the Throne”.

Olamide is a celebrated street hop act that is steady writing the revolution of indigenous rap music in Nigeria’s blossoming music industry. While controversy trails him over being Naija’s most consistent artist, King Badoo’s career can boast a record of features and releases.

8. iFani Hits in the past year: “Ingoma Ezimnandi”, “Chocolate & Vanilla”. iFani is known for his tongue-twister Xhosa rhymes and distinct fashion sense. His hooks are catchy and his verses playful and witty. And with multiple bangers on his debut album, ‘I Believes in Me’, it’s no wonder he’s hot right now.

This rapper manages to keep his music fun and relatable with a bit of soul in it.

9. Phyno Hits in the past year: “Alobam”, “Man of the Year”, “Authe”.

Phyno is one superstar who has enjoyed loyalty from fans that cut across his Eastern roots. Prior to the release of his debut album, ‘No Guts No Glory’, his singles “Ghost Mode ft. Olamide”, Man of the Year (Obago), Parcel, and Anamachi Versachi catapulted his fame while songs like ‘O Set ft. PSquare, ‘Icholiya ft. Ice Prince & M.I’ and the controversial ‘Authe ft. Flavour’ after the album release, kept him on a chilling fourth gear cruise.

10. Duncan Hits in the past year: “Tsiki Tsiki”, “Khayalami”, “Tsiki Tsiki (Remix)”.

Duncan’s debut album topped local iTunes charts upon release and is still dominating the South African album sales chart. His Kwaito inspired rap takes you straight to the township. His new, his fresh and he’s worth keeping an eye on!

— Courtesy tooxclusive.com

Anger Management If you love Charlie Sheen, then this is the series for you. The series revolves around Charlie Goodson (Sheen), a one-time minor league baseball player who struggled to take the next step due to recurring anger issues. Thanks to a female therapist, Dr Kate Wales (Selma Blair), Charlie was able to get his issues under control and finally make it to the major leagues. But he had a relapse during a big league game, breaking a bat over his knee in anger and causing a career-ending injury. The incident inspired Charlie to return to school and become an anger management therapist. Charlie is divorced from his one-time wife, Jennifer (Shawnee

Smith), on whom he cheated multiple times during his baseball-playing days.

The two still see a lot of each other, mainly due to having joint custody of their teenage daughter, Sam (Daniela Bobadilla), who has her own issues with OCD. Charlie has a complicated relationship with Kate, who is not only his therapist, but also his best friend and a sex-only love interest. He holds regular group sessions in his home for anger management patients, and also does anger therapy at an area prison. Anger Management broke a ratings record with 5.74 million viewers on its series debut night, which ranks as the most-watched sitcom premiere in cable history

movie review The Equalizer Genre: Thriller Director: Antoine Fuqua Year: 2014 In The Equalizer, Denzel “Eff-Yeah” Washington plays an ex-special forces operative Robert McCall who thought he had retired to a highly routine, painfully boring, extremely quiet and private life. While he spends his days working at a local hardware super store, he spends his sleepless nights at a local diner reading books and having chats with fellow night-crawlers.

When his most frequent chat partner,

a young prostitute named Elena (Chloë Grace Moretz) gets beaten up by her Russian Mobster boss, McCall has to return on a path which he thought he had left behind and “equalize the odds”. The only problem is, this isn’t just a group of mobsters, and it’s a criminal organization. The Equalizer is actually more of a moody, dark, action, drama and thriller with a very straight forward, highly predictable and cliché story.

— Reviewed by Awojide Olumuyiwa Sylvester of sodasandpopcorn.com

group REPORTERS Abisola Alawode DESIGN & LAYOUT Chukwudi J. Nwabueze, Iniobong Ekong

ACTING EDITOR Hassan Gimba Ahmed

Founder Sam Nda-Isaiah Chairman Hajiya Ireti Kingibe GRP MANAGING DIRECTOR Azubuike Ishiekwene GRP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Michael Okpere, Dr. Kazeem Durodoye

Your weekly ESSENTIALS is filled with exclusive interviews, amazing articles from guest columnists and contributors.

35

October 17, 2014

Essentials Taste

Nigerian Chicken Stew (Tomato stew) Nigerian chicken stew is a tomato and pepper based stew which is used mainly as a compliment to dishes such as rice, yam, potato, bread, plantain and a host of others. For this dish, you can use any type of chicken you have in your house but personally, i love using broiler chicken because it has got more meat than any other type of chicken. If you're a little bit health conscious and you want to keep the fat down, you could take the skin off the meat because that's where most of the fat deposits lay.

To give the stew a nice colour and bring out the taste, i use a mixture of three different peppers; Red bell pepper "Tatashe" Chilli "Shombo" & Scotch bonnet "Ata Rodo". These three peppers have different levels of "heat" with scotch bonnet taking the highest heat rating.

P.S: In the Nigerian Market, most of the frozen chickens sold are "Old layers" (They've got less flesh with strong bones). The broiler chicken is mostly sold alive (Usually white in colour with more flesh and soft bones).

Ingredients: • 1 kilo Chicken (Cut into parts)

• 10 medium sized plum Tomatoes • 4 medium sized Red bell pepper "Tatashe" • 10 Chilli pepper "Shombo" • 6 Scotch Bonnet "Ata rodo" (Or Less) • 1 medium sized Red Onion, chopped • 1 tablespoon Thyme • 1 tablespoon Curry powder • 4 Garlic cloves, minced - Optional

•3 Seasoning Cubes, crushed • Salt to taste Directions: Step 1: Wash the Chicken severally with clean water. Add the chopped onion, Crushed seasoning, Thyme, Curry, and Salt to taste. Pour in just enough water to cover the content of the pot.

Ofe Akwu (Palm nut soup)

I learnt how to prepare ofe akwu from one of my closest and dearest friends.

As a typical Igbo family with core traditional values, it wasn't unusual to hear the thumping sounds of mortar and pestle pounding away the flesh of the Akwu every Sunday afternoon in her family house. During my university days whenever there was a short break, i remember travelling all the way from Enugu state where my school was located down to her house in Anambra state to spend the weekend just so i could enjoy this native dish with white rice which was usually well prepared from scratch. This is definitely one of the tastiest Igbo soups I’ve come across and a favourite among many.

Ofe Akwu which simply means Palm nut soup in Igbo language is a native Nigerian soup, popular in the eastern part of Nigeria. It's quite similar to Banga soup which is also palm nut soup but native to the people of the southsouth with the only difference being the type of spices and herbs used in preparation. For Ofe akwu, you could either use just Nchuawun as i did in this post or a combination of Nchuawun (Scent leaves) and Ugu "Pumpkin" leaves. When you go to buy Palm nuts "Akwu" it's always best to pick the right types to get the best result. There are usually two types of Akwu sold by the traders: The "Agric'' (which is fleshy and therefore would give you more oil extract) and the "Native"(looks smaller but is known to be sweeter). It's always advisable to combine both to get the

maximum benefits. Ofe Akwu is mostly used as a stew for white rice in the east but in some other parts, it's used as a soup and taken with "Swallow" i.e. Garri/ eba, Semolina, Fufu, wheat meal, corn meal etc. For me, i love taking mine with both rice and swallow.

Ingredients: • 1800kg Fresh Palm Nuts (2 Derica cups) • 800g Beef (Red meat), Cut in chunks • 400g assorted meat : Cow Intestines, Tripe a.k.a Shaki • 1 Red Onion, Whole • 1 Cooking spoon Crayfish, Ground • 2 medium sized Dry fish / Smoked Fish • 1 medium sized Stock fish "Panla" a.k.a.Okporoko (i skipped this) • 2 Seasoning cubes. Crushed • 2 Red scotch bonnet pepper (Ata rodo),

Ground • 1 Ogiri Okpei (Substitute: Dawadawa) • Salt to taste • A handful Scent leaves "Nchuawun" • A handful Pumpkin Leaves Directions: Step 1: Rinse the palm nuts 2-3 times with water then place in a medium sized pot. Add clean water just enough to cover the palm nuts in the pot and cook on the burner for 15-20 minutes till the nuts get soft. You can check this by biting into one of the nuts.

If it's soft, then it’s ready. Strain the liquid used in boiling out and place the palm nuts in a mortar and pound with a pestle till the skin separates from the kernel. Scoop the pounded nuts into a clean bowl and add water into it. Squeeze and strain the palm oil into

A woman will be twice bound when her chains feel comfortable. ― Egyptian Africa

Cook on medium heat for about 20 minutes. Add the minced garlic, leave to simmer for 5 minutes - Set the pot aside.

Step 2: Remove the Seeds from the Tatashe, remove the stalk from the chili pepper and scotch bonnet. Wash the peppers thoroughly and place in a blender with the Tomatoes. Blend into a smooth puree.

Step 3: Pour the blend into a medium sized pot and cook till the liquid evaporates leaving the concentrated tomato paste Step 4: Add Vegetable oil into the concentrated paste and fry for about 5 mins. Make sure you stir once in a while to prevent the paste from burning. Once it's well fried, you'd notice the oil separate from the paste.

Step 5: Gently pour in the chicken stock with the chicken inclusive. Stir and leave to cook further for 10 -15 minutes on medium heat.

Step 6: Turn off the burner and serve as a compliment to dishes such as rice, yam, potatoes, bread, plantain.

a bowl Step 2: Wash and place the Beef and assorted meat in a different pot. Add the Crushed seasoning, chopped onion, Pepper, Salt and water just enough to cover the meat in the pot.

Cook till the meat gets tender leaving the concentrated meat stock within.

Step 3: Prepare the ogiri okpei by placing it in a small bowl of water.

Mash it up to dissolve -Set aside.

Step 4: Prepare the stock fish (if using any) by soaking it in hot water to soften for 10 minutes then rinse with clean water. For the smoked fish or dry fish, all you need to do is open it up from the middle, then remove the bone and gut. Rinse and set aside Step 5: Pour the extracted palm nut liquid in a medium sized pot and cook for about 10 minutes. Gently add the Beef and assorted meat (Including the stock "Meat water").

Step 6: Pour in the Ogiri okpei liquid, Add the Smoked fish and stock fish (if you are using any), Add the ground crayfish. Stir and leave to cook with the pot covered for 25-30minutes.

Step 7: Place the Scent leaves together and thinly slice with a knife. Repeat the same for the pumpkin leaves "Ugu" if you are using any. Add the chopped leaves into the pot of soup and leave to simmer for 5 minutes.

Turn off the burner and serve with Boiled rice or your favourite swallow.

— Courtesy Dobbysignature.com

36 TATTLES Between Snoop Dogg And Iggy Azalea The on-going feud between Iggy Azalea and legendary rapper Snoop Dogg has been described as the ‘World’s most random rap feud’ and it all started when Snoop posted a picture mocking Iggy’s makeup-free face.

Snoop posted the photo showing an albinolooking woman with cornrow braids and the caption “Iggy Azalea no make-up.” Many of Snoop’s 3.5million-plus followers were also tickled by the derisive picture, as it scored thousands of likes and comments within hours. Well, Iggy got wind of the picture and blasted Snoop on Twitter, saying “why would you post such a mean picture on Instagram when you send your body guards to ask me for pictures every time we are at shows.” Snoop responded by posting another picture online of him wearing a platinum blonde wig under the words: Snoop Dogg and Iggy Azalea beef? Will this feud ever end?

Chris Brown’s ‘Ebola Tweet Apology’ Not Accepted By Fans American musician Chris Brown is not a doctor he doesn’t even play one on TV and he’s now learned to keep his mouth shut when it comes to important medical issues like the Ebola crisis. Recently, Chris tweeted that “I don’t know but I think this Ebola epidemic is a form of population control.

S**t is getting crazy bruh.” The immediate and furious backlash included that followed was definitely expected. “You’re not a smart person at all,” and “You believe this based on what evidence? Oh yeah, none” and “Why morons gotta be famous?”

Chris conceded defeat after just 3 minutes by tweeting, “Let me shut my black ass up!” But the angry responses kept coming.

This is not one of Chris’s finest moments.

Wizkid Is An Ungrateful Person – Samklef

Popular musician WizKid is currently in the eye of the storm over issues bordering on attitude and excessive collaboration charges from his fellow artistes, Samklef and lately Saeon.

It all started when WizKid allegedly labelled his former producer Samklef’s beats ‘Amateur’ in a recent interview and Samklef, not taking the comments siting down replied WizKid immediately. He made his feelings known in an interview with Linda Ikeji. “I’m not happy with WizKid. I am angry because he’s going about disrespecting my talent. I like his music but l don’t like him as a person anymore. The reason I don’t like him anymore is, why do you go about spoiling other people’s business?

I never spoiled your business, never came out to say anything bad about you for four years. So why would you go to an OAP and tell the OAP that the reason why you no longer work with me is because my beat is amateur.

Sound Sultan’s Wife Is Not A Fan Of His Music Musician, fashion designer and entrepreneur Lanre Fasasi, aka Sound Sultan recently made a shocking revelation that his wife, Farida Fasasi is not a fan of his music.

While speaking in a recent interview with NET, the ‘Naija Ninjas’ boss said ‘My wife does not listen to my music, she likes listening to Blackface and Bob Marley.’

Sound Sultan, a devoted Muslim, married his long term Igbo Christian girlfriend, Chichi Morah in 2009 and his wife has since converted to Islam after getting married to the Satellite Town bred star, fully adopting the Islamic faith and the name, Farida.

The union between Sound Sultan, whose career started in 2000 with the release of his hit single, ‘Jagbajantis,’ and his wife, is currently blessed with 3 children.

Entertainers Invest N1 Billion In Hospitality Businesses With Nigeria standing tall as the fastest-growing hospitality sector in sub-Saharan Africa, according to data collected by W-Hospitality Group, top entertainers in the country have also delved into the sector, investing almost N1b this is according to NET. Though some of these entertainers have failed in operating few of their investments, others have teamed up with experts in the sector to invest heavily and wisely. From Comedian, AY’s recently opened ‘MVP Lounge’ to 2face Idibia’s ‘Rumors’ and Dayo Adeneye’s D&C Suites and bar; entertainers keep investing in the hospitality sector in recent time. Other entertainers who have invested in the hospitality sector are Femi Kuti ‘Afrikan Shrine’, Victor Olaiya, Stadium Hotel, and Flavour, 2nite Klub.

October 17, 2014

40 year old Spanish Actress and mother of two Penelope Cruz was recently named the Sexiest Woman Alive according to Esquire magazine’s annual list of desirable female beauties.

Kim Kardashian has the World’s Best butt! This is according to recent research commissioned by Longevita plastic surgeon Prof. Dr Fuat Yuksel . And over 45% percent of women seeking to enlarge their butt in the last one year want what they now refer to as ‘The Kim’.

TiSPY

Name the musician that has a nightclub in Festac?

I'm Not That Rich -Genevieve Nnaji Star actress Genevieve Nnaji was a guest on TV show ‘The Truth’ with Olisa Adibua.

In the interview, she opened up on almost everything - from her fashion line to her career, life as a single mum, her ideal man and music.

Let’s talk about relationships - are you currently in one? Are you looking at settling down at some point? I know you’ve heard that question a lot of times but tell us the truth now. “*takes a deep breath* I think everyone is prioritizing and so am I. It’s not like I don’t want to settle down, want somebody and until I find that person, there’s no thoughts of me settling down. I’m not looking, I’m a woman, we are not allowed to look.”

When was the last time you had a boyfriend... do you have one now?

“I don’t have a boyfriend now” Ok, so what are you looking for in a man? Your ideal guy, what are you looking for in a man?

“I am that person that eats with her eyes, like I need to be attracted to you. Definitely. There has to be physical attraction that will draw me to you but at the end of the day, it’s your mind I’m going to fall in love with. I’m probably looking for a friend, someone who shares a like mind and somebody who is confident. Aww, I love tall guys. I’m short you have to think of the kids.”

On marrying a guy she is richer than “How much money do I have? I’m not even that rich. I pay tax, I pay rents, I run an office, I have staff. So, talk about the money I spend, not the money I make.” she said.

The Things

They Said “I didn’t say anything about Tiwa Savage’s marriage”

–Musician Kcee “Life sweet die” – Musician Davido

FLiRT “I don’t want to settle down until I find the ALERT right person” –Actress Genevieve Nnaji

GOT A CELEB GIST? GET IN TOUCH!

TATTLES 37

October 17, 2014

TATTLES with Abisola Alawode

OUR EAR-ON-GROUND

Dearth Of R&B Singers It is a known fact that some Nigerian musicians do not have a ‘genre’ of music. The need to have that ‘club hit’ or club banger has blurred the lines between the various genres of music for them. And apparently, Chris Ihidero feels the same. Below is a story he published recently.

“It’s overcast Friday afternoon with light showers as I drive on the streets of Lagos.

Predictably, traffic is beginning to build up and drivers look determined to get to their destinations before the legendary Lagos traffic ruins the rest of their day. It’s been over a week since we buried my friend and boss, so I’m still in a somewhat sombre mood. The song playing on the radio is jarring and disruptive of my reflective mood, so I change the station and happen upon Darey Art-Alade’s powerful voice belting out ‘No Stars’, one of my favourite songs by him. That’s when it hit me: What have we done to this Darey? More than that, what have we done to singers capable of moving us emotionally, singers who didn’t ask us to dance but just to listen, reflect and allow ourselves be stirred?

I first heard Darey sing live when an organization I belong to organized a tribute event for his late father, the great Art-Alade, at O’Jays Bar and Restaurant in Yaba. On that night, he took on the great Francesca Emmanuel (great soprano) in a vocal context that left the audience spellbound.

The next time I paid attention to him was when he participated in the Project Fame talent show. His rendition of Luther Vandross’ ‘Dance with my Father’ remains my favourite version of that song. Darey went on to lend his amazing vocals to many songs that show the endless possibilities of a Nigerian who can do music without latching onto the bandwagon of what we now call ‘Jollof’ music. Before you accuse me of elitist pretensions, please note that I am a great fan and advocate of ‘Jollof’ music: I do not subscribe to the notion that music must make sense, or that it must be enduring. I believe it is perfectly okay for some songs to have a lifetime equal to that of the average mosquito; 2 weeks.

When I listen to Darey’s music and visualize him in a live performance, I see concert halls, a stage, a grand piano and an attentive audience. I see romantically lit smoky cafés and a tight 6-man band

Congratulations are in order for Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson Okojie. She recently gave birth to her second child, a baby boy.

Congratulations Mercy!

serenading an enamoured clientele. I see Darey first and foremost as a balladeer, blessed with a great voice and using that voice to exploit his listener’s range of emotions, driving them from anger to laughter, from sadness to joy and back to tears. I can afford to dream and see Darey in this light, but present day reality suggests that if music is to pay Darey’s bills and provide him access to a quality life, Darey cannot afford to dream like me.

Nigeria is blessed with amazing vocalists who I suspect would have loved to stick to ballads, soul and R&B but cannot because there isn’t a critical mass that can support that kind music. The brands that sponsor concerts and events are generally not interested in artistes that make songs that cannot get fans to fill a stadium. Look at the trajectory of the careers of artistes like Banky W, Timi Dakolo, Age Beeka, Waje, Ibiyemi, Omawumi, Etcetera (more soft rock though) and this reality hits you hard. The Banky that was conceived in Mr Capable has been aborted in transition to a pop star with a dash of R&B. And Banky is one of the most brilliant songwriters you will ever meet.

Timi basically sings for government since his albums have refused to sell and concert promoters won’t put him on their bill. Age Beeka has disappeared for about a decade now. Jeremiah Gyang is also missing. You suspect that with that astounding voice, Waje would have loved to be making a different kind of music from what she’s currently doing, even if she’s excelling artistically. We have all been aware of Omawumi’s vocal dexterity for a while, but I wonder if we will ever get to experience the full range of her abilities through songs we don’t have to dance to. Etcetera has been reduced to the reincarnation of the author of the Book of Lamentations: he currently

PUBLiC “I have signed autographs on many boobs” DiSPLAY –Sir Shina Peters

spends his waking hours writing about what everybody else is doing wrong in the industry and perhaps spends his sleeping time dreaming of being a musician again.

I can’t remember the last time I heard a new Ibiyemi song, and let me tell you this: Ibiyemi has the most soul-stirring voice in this industry. I should know. She wrote and sang ‘Do you see me’, the soundtrack of my first short film, Big Daddy. She did it in one take and all of us in the studio that day still talk about the experience. Let’s not talk about Iyanya and Tiwa Savage. Or maybe we should. Iyanya won a Singing contest but became a star from rolling his waist. Tiwa was doing R&B before relocating to Nigeria, where she has had to employ side boob, a flash of nipples and long legs to assist her voice in making her a pop star. This country swallows its best and spits them out in shapes even they don’t recognise.

My Darey conundrum is made more frustrating by the fact that when Darey makes songs like ‘Sisi eko’ and ‘Special fever’, songs that I, great fan of his ballads, wish he wasn’t making, he doesn’t do badly. In fact, if other pop artistes were making those songs I would have said ‘great stuff!’ But I am a biased fan, one who isn’t concerned with the realities Darey has to face on a daily basis, the business vs. artistic decisions that he has to make to ensure that he finds a space to operate in an industry that largely supports only pop music. I really don’t care.

I just want a Darey album filled with ballads.

I fear that a generation of brilliant singersongwriters will be washed away by the tidal waves of the ‘flavour of the moment’ syndrome being currently enjoyed by pop music. I feel sad that musicians like Darey are basically powerless in the face of this reality, except they reject compromise and embrace starvation.

Comedienne, actress, Radio and TV personality, Helen Paul recently opened a multi-million naira film school called Helen Paul Theatre and Films Academy. The film academy located in Ogba, Lagos, is said to be a dream come true for the media personality.

Davido is indeed going places! He was recently nominated in the ‘Best International Performance’ category for his song ‘Aye’ at the Soul Train Awards set to hold on November 7 in Las Vegas.

He is the only African on the list.

Baseline music’s first lady Saeon recently released her debut EP ‘I Am Saeon’.

The EP according to Saeon encompasses what and who she truly is. She also said she hopes her many fans can relate to her through this EP.

TiP FOR “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value” THE TOP –Albert Einstein

Call Bisola on 08126995258 Or e-mail at friday@leadership.ng

FEATURE

38

October 17, 2014

For The Love Of Jazz Music

1

Why do you like Jazz?

American musician and saxophonist, Bobby Ricketts cannot imagine anybody who is not partial to jazz music, because, “Saying you don’t like Jazz, is like saying you don’t like fruits,” he said.

CHINELO CHIKELU chats with the artiste on this music genre, its unique features and dispenses forty years worth of wisdom to empower Nigerians who aspire to push boundaries in their career.

It’s a tough question because I like and had the opportunity to perform different kinds of music. I don’t separate music into genres. To me, there are two types of music – good music and bad music. The most static feature is the element of improvisation – creating in the moment. And that’s probably why I like it. I like the opportunity within a song structure to elaborate the story being told, and to contribute my own story. Saxophone is great in any kind of music but especially Jazz music. Jazz is an area the instrument has been taken above limitations of what it can and can’t do.

There are different kinds of Jazz, pianist Jazz, Jazz singing, Jazz tapdancers and many more. Does that mean that Jazz could be any kind of music and played with any kind of instrument?

Oh yes. There are Jazz artists on every expression, whether trumpet, saxophone, on the piano, organ or Jazz vocalists. It is an expression that often times you could hear it in the tempo of the music or the harmonic complexity of a music piece.

2

The present generation believes Jazz music is an acquired taste. Do you think so?

I disagree. It is impossible to say, “I don’t like Jazz”, that’s like saying, “I don’t like fruits”. Jazz is many things; it’s an entire spectrum of colours and flavours. There is no one thing that is Jazz. And if anyone says they don’t like Jazz, it’s because they have not heard the type of Jazz that appeals to them. It’s not an acquired taste. There are many examples of where Jazz shows up in our daily lives, where people are not even aware that they are listening to Jazz.

For example, if you are watching a Hollywood movie, and they fade out of a scene, with a jazz soundtrack, that’s probably John Coltrane or Miles Davis which is most definitely Jazz, people are caught up in the moment. The music contributes to that feeling and you will be surprised how often Jazz is used.

Further, there are many forms of Jazz, as there are many performances of Jazz. It could be that the performance you heard was not truly compelling. I find in my own journey that there’s always a way into people. My attitude is such that I don’t have the arrogance to just show up on stage and do what I do, without caring about the audience’s experience. I respect the audience, and I read audience’s expression, its vibe and change my repertoire at the last moment or slide into things in different ways to ensure I connect with them.

Another popular trend is that a lot of people use Jazz in the marketing context.

3

How does that work?

Well, when you find certain demographics appreciate your music, it draws a nice gig. They serve nice wine and bring in a sophisticated kind of music, and people get swept up in the lifestyle rather than the music. And that might be the understanding of Jazz in that particular area. There are other parts of the world where that understanding is quite different from what is found elsewhere.

I am always for anyone giving me the opportunity to make a living with Jazz music. On the other hand, I will like to see more places that offer live music, prioritize the music and the people playing it a little more than they do, at the moment.

4

So they are not top priority now?

I’ve heard of Fela Anikulapo Kuti and listened to his works. I have not studied him

It depends. You can change that too. I discuss this in seminars. Artists have to respect the context of their working conditions. If you are playing at a café and they want you in a corner somewhere, where you are supposed to play softly so people can hold conversations, under those terms, that’s fine as a musician trying to make a living. But I tell them, you can still be compelling in your expression, without turning up your music or violating the terms of your contract. There’s a certain way you can put your heart and soul into it, that guarantees people will start turning around and paying attention to the music. In that sense, it is up to the musician to convey to ears that there’s something going on here worth listening to.

Ricketts

5

It is what is tangible versus what is abstract. Anytime, someone sings, we understand automatically because they use words. We understand the expression. Thus, you either like the story, or you don’t like the story and it resonates within you.

Whereas with instrumentals –it is without words - we are left to our imaginations.

A monkey is a gazelle in its mother’s eyes. ― Chinese proverb

Why does Jazz singing draw more fan base than instrumental Jazz?

FEATURE

October 17, 2014

39

For The Love Of Jazz Music

6 7

Have you heard any Nigeria Jazz musicians?

There is so much music to study and this is my second time in Nigeria. In fact, I find that there is much to discover here. I’ve heard of Fela Anikulapo Kuti and listened to his works. I have not studied him. I do know there are many musicians in West Africa. However, I am not as knowledgeable as I’d like to be but that can change.

I guess that contributed to the urge to do your own unique thing. How would you encourage Nigeria artistes, who find it hard to find their niche, so they don’t get sucked into the mainstream music we hear today?

They have to be true to themselves. In any aspect of life, you have to be true to yourself and that carries over to the music you choose to create. The term ‘artiste’ is overused.

People call themselves artistes even when they are not. It is only recently that I could call myself an artiste, because I had been a professional musician for most of my life.

It means fitting into the situation, it is not the mainstream; there are certain qualifications one must have so that people can call you for work. “Hey, we need a saxophonist, can you be able to do this or do that”, just so you can be qualified. That is more of being versatile. It has nothing to do with my personality but my ability to make a living.

On my own time, I always go for developing my own expression and I sought opportunities to emphasize that, while I ensured the mortgages are paid. Until eventually you arrive at a stage where you have the choice that what you have developed is strong enough that people are asking for it. It is about being true to yourself, telling your story and being willingly to work harder than most people. There is a lot of work involved that people don’t see. I demonstrated that at the workshop as concerns my career and its progression. On the surface, it looks like I did it overnight. I stressed, however, that it took a lot of trials and errors, and a lot of failures. Sometimes you fail 80 per cent of the time before- the 20 per cent of triumph. And that’s why we do what we do.

Whether you play sports or music, anytime you try to do something that is extraordinary or beyond boundaries, you are going to fail but you have to keep trying. That process is the journey most people don’t want to make.

8 9 10

Who is your favourite Jazz artiste?

I have many. I love John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Candlebar. Lately, I have been listening to Gregory Potter, an emerging Jazz artiste. I don’t have one favourite.

What’s your best musical collaboration?

We have not recorded yet. But my favourite musical collaboration is with my very close friend, ‘Mo’ Mars Pleasure. He is a genius, plays the keyboard, trumpet and bass. He’s played with some of the greatest name in the history of music, from Earth, Wind and Fire to Michael Jackson. We also work together to make music. When I play with him, I give my extra cent worth and, he makes me sound better.

As the cultural envoy of the US Department of State, how do you propose to employ your musical skills to encourage music in Nigeria?

I started somewhere to get where I am. There are a lot of people that would like to do what I had done. What I do is share what wisdom I have accumulated that has helped me along the way. I share it to empower, inspire and motivate people to do the same thing. Although my vehicle of empowerment is music, we bring together people from all walks of life to provide tools or inspiration of sorts that when they go back to their personal lives they can apply it.

Ricketts performing on stage

14

What’s your opinion of Nigerian artistes?

I think they are talented people. I worked with Shola Emmanuel, who owns the band I played with throughout the tour. I believed he might have picked up some pointers that are beneficial to his career. For instance, you have your audience and you have your expression. But you have to communicate with people and you won’t deliver by hitting them over the head with a hammer. You have to meet them where they are, then draw them into What was the craziest response you have had your journey. That’s the topic that came up in one of the radio interviews I had, when from your audience after a performance? a caller pointed out the kind of element in Nigerian Jazz, he wanted to hear. I was I was playing a song, a ballad, ‘When I Fall in Love’, outside of Boston. listening, and taking notes and I thought “this is useful information”.

I had my eyes closed and I gave it my all. When I got to the last note, people started clapping and I opened my eyes, everybody was standing and it was What are the unanswered questions Nigerian raining dollar bills.

11 12 13

Do Americans do that?

15

musicians sought?

They want to know how to get to the next level. I help break down the steps to get there, so that it isn’t just a dream anymore, Apparently, that was the first time I saw it. It wasn’t just a few dollars. it becomes tangible.

I am talking about music, not manufacturing a pop star. I am It was raining dollar bills plus a standing ovation. talking about creative artistic pursuits. You have to want to define yourself. If you want to achieve certain levels you going to have to want to work hard. Likewise, you can decide not to and be satisfied with where you are. I am not going to tell people What about your reception in Nigeria? “be a musician”. But if you want to get to the next level in your artistic career, you People just groove to it. They are reserved till afterwards. But you see must be willing to do the work. It is a personal journey, of trial and failure. When there’s a connection. They are into the music, they nod along. But people feel they can’t do something or that getting to the next level isn’t going to afterwards they come up and say, “Oh my God, you changed my life”, happen, it isn’t about living in a developing country. It is about the voice in their which didn’t seem so at the beginning. But apparently there was a connection. head which says, “I can’t do it”. That is the greatest challenge for artistes.

A person with a wound on his head keeps touching it.

― Egyptian proverb

COLUMNS

40

October 17, 2014

Diary

Razak’s

guest column Things I Hope Never

To Do Before I Die

co s y raz z y @ ya h o o. co m

I’m an impulsive guy with an insatiable thirst for adventure. This is all about my dalliances & escapades.

Clueless It’s been close to two years since I started keeping a diary, but, all of a sudden, I can’t seem to get my mind on what to enter today. Once it was fun, but this week, I have come under the hammering blues – please, I am not talking about Chelsea – that which affects writers.

True, no matter what you think of me, I love to think of myself as one.

Back to the point: I am clueless. Completely clueless and respite-less. Should I ditch my diary? I plan to sell the right s to shoot it as a low-budget movie to my friend who owns TripleEye Images. I just hope he can find some use for it and pay me handsomely.

It’s been almost two weeks since my soaraway experience with the Bauchi ‘kobnomi’ crew. Two weeks since my deliverance from that funny place by Etim. Two weeks since I did that little ‘prat,prat,prat’ when I thought I was going to ease myself. Two weeks since I returned and found a Bhaira-less flat. Two weeks of loneliness.

But could Etim have been ribbing me when he said “Idiot; you are pining away because Bhaira is not here. The week she informs you that she will be returning, you just get yourself into another romantic entanglement. Ol’ boy, you are a problem-child o”?

It’s been one week since my elder sister’s son (that should be my nephew) left my house. He is 18 and I have only set my eyes on him twice.

When he was two and when he turned 10. I guess I’ll see him again when he turns 26. Sebi, it’s now an eight-year thing na?

Rum, rum,rum…

I looked at my phone and cringed. It was a WhatsApp message, but I didn’t want it to be from the office. I was still recuperating (from the ‘kobnomi-cal’ experience). When I decided to check, it was Bedlam (sorry, diary, I didn’t tell you the pet-name we coined for my nephew.

Yes, the one who just left my house last week).

You see, his name is Danlami. Nobody wanted to call him Dan, because he would be mistaken for a Christian. No one wanted to call him ‘Lami, because it sounded feminine. His mother settled for ‘D’lam’. As funny as it sounded, it stuck! But I rechristened him Bedlam while he was creeping. Fellow was a tornado on his then yet-to-be-formed knees. He crept into the house while you were in the bathroom and got your boxers around his tiny head. He poured your warm cup of coffee over his head and bawled for a few seconds, only to start smacking his lips when he discovered that the hot liquid was sweet, as well. He could hold onto your ears or the family jewels if it would give some balance to prevent him from falling flat on his tiny backside. He could creep until he was directly above the television and then try to dislodge it from its place. He observed his siesta under tables

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and chewed the head off all his toys. He chewed buttons and sucked on his toe. He was bedlam.

His wailing sent everyone reaching for cover.

It was that shrill. Sorry, he wasn’t my sister’s son, exactly. He was her son, exactly, but she was her secondary school-graduating gift to the house. While everyone was rejoicing that she had hit it big with four As and 4 Bs, she hid the big result under her pinafore; a two-month-old pregnancy. After that public-but-not-so-public announcement, there was bedlam in the house for one book. Baba threatened to kill anything which moved or distracted him from his deep thoughts. Thoughts which caused his brows to furrow so deep, very much like ridges on a hill-side farm. Zarah, my sister, had delivered Bedlam seven months later and Baba. By this time, all the tension had subsided and parents tried to outdo his mother in their bid to show him love. She was married now, but Bedlam did not find favour with her husband, so he lived with one of our uncle; some stingy fellow who worked with Shell. All the stingy guys came from Mam na’s side.

Bedlam, it was, who sent me a WhatsApp message.

“Uncle, I feel lonely in Uncle’s house. I miss your place,” he wrote.

“No, you missed the hugs of all the girls in that evening class you normally attend,” I replied.

“I’m not kidding. You are warm compared to the rest of them.”

“Kai, don’t talk sentimental crap, you sound like a homosexual,” I warned.

“No, I’m an honest person and it spills over,” he wrote.

“Every place has its own palava, you know?

Just a little more time and you’ll experience the freedom which comes with adulthood and its huge consequences,” I wrote.

“It’s not about freedom; nobody will ever understand,” he wrote. The bedlam sounded really down.

“You must understand that no one will really understand you. That’s why you are who you are. When people say ‘I understand,’ you should run away. That’s the biggest indicator that they don’t.”

“Also, when people talk about themselves, you think you understand. You don’t, but you can’t tell them that…”

“I always feel alone,” he wrote back, getting to the point.

“You are the only one who knows that. Others want you to be okay, to be normal and act it. We go through life pretending to understand one another; we don’t. It’s all pretence.”

“You should write a book oh, you are getting too philosophical.” He was brightening up.

“I am even surprised at myself,” I confessed.

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A man’s ruin lies in his tongue.

As part of my job description, I interview potential employees. I always want to know their short term goals and long term goals. For those already working with me, I can randomly ask, “Can you maintain your current lifestyle without salary?” I asked one of my co-workers this question and he replied, “For now, I still need salary. I have not saved enough to start up my dream business. I need this year’s Xmas Bonus to travel to Dubai”. He went further to tell me about things he hoped to achieve and places he hoped to visit before he died.

My brother’s friend told me that even if he was shot at, the bullet may hurt him but he would never die until he had acquired all the wealth he wanted to acquire.

Recently, I was thinking of all the things I hoped to achieve before I was forty.

It also made me realize that there were things I hoped NEVER to do before I died. Never is a strong word but they are things I am comfortable with not doing.

Trying to be anyone other than Geraldine: Being someone else is a waste of the person I am. I enjoy my unique quirks and twists. I admire people and their distinct skills but I don’t want to use anybody as a yardstick or moral barometer for myself. Being someone else is like having a fusion of about twenty persons in me. This will lead to a personality clash. Being a good employee at a job I hate: I would rather resign than be unhappy daily at a job I hate. I can’t skilfully pretend to be happy with a job that saps my selfesteem and ridicules my self-worth. I’m not going to the grave as the respected employee of a soul-crushing company that wouldn’t even notice my demise.

Saying I have no regrets: That would be a lie. We all have things we regret whether we accept it or not.

They may not be huge mistakes but silly petty stuff. I regret not having a duet with Michael Jackson or Whitney Houston. I silently regret not having a baby when I was much younger. It wouldn’t have been funny then, but now, it would have been fun. My child and I would have set fire to the rain. I regret not buying anything expensive for my mother. I regret not telling her daily how much I loved her and how much she meant to me. Worrying too much: Worrying, especially about those things that haven’t happened yet, is useless. Why should I worry about how children would turn out when I haven’t even had them yet?

Staying in an abusive relationship: It may feel hard to get out of a bad relationship but it’s not worse than staying in it and wasting everyone’s time. I won’t spend the rest of my life with a violent lover. If I have to be with a panel beater, it should be with one who panel beats on vehicles only.

Dressing accordingly: Why should I wear black or dull colours for a funeral? If I want to wear all colours of the rainbow, I should. That is my own way of giving the deceased a colourful farewell. I will definitely wear jeans and sneakers to a Sunday Church service. If you were paying attention to the priest, I am sure you wouldn’t notice my dressing. I won’t wear aso-ebi. Why wear the same material with people you don’t like?

Taking people who care about me for granted: I hope not to hurt people who genuinely care about me. I hope to be grateful to my stylist who takes extra time to make my hair beautiful. I hope to show more appreciation to the tailor who makes my dresses. He bears all my tantrums and gives me a fantastic combination of my taste and an ideal dressing. I hope never to hurt, even with words, the driver who finds joy in running personal errands for me. I hope to not hurt Queen (my dog) who is a better human than most Homo sapiens I know. Her allegiance is unparalleled.

Feeling bad about having “too much” or “too little” sexual experience: My sexual acrobatics would not be something to give me restless nights. I have no desire in medals or remedial classes on sex.

Ageing gracefully: I am supposed to look old. I wouldn’t put in so much effort just to look forty when I am eighty. No Botox, no cosmetic surgery of any kind. I am going to be close to a living corpse and scare the hell out of people.

Leaving a testament: I would not leave my loved ones with an instruction. Let them use their intuition and discretion. I will not write an accurate will. Let them fight it out.

In this way, my legacy and all of its glorious mystery will live on, now and for the duration of my family’s disputes. To spice things up, I may leave a blank will that looks like, “…to my darling Chiboy, I promised to mention you in my will, hi”.

Dying: I hope not to die. I want to be immortal. I have so much to not die for. I need to experience the hot air balloon. I want to have dinner with my sweetheart at the great Noma restaurant of Denmark where the cost of a meal for 2, without wine is $600. I would love to savour the culinary specialties of Chef Rene’ Redzepi. I would love to swim with Belugas in the Cook Inlet in Alaska. I would love John Legend to sing “Tonight” to me while I sleep and I would love to wake up to the sonorous voice of Juice Newton singing me “Angel of the Morning”. No, I won’t die now. Dying would defeat this journey of life. Live as you would have wished to live when you are dying. Now that we are alive, let’s maximize our positive potentials. Don’t let time and chance pass you by. We only live once, but if we do it right, once is enough.

— This article was written

by Geraldine Ogwe

— Egyptian proverb

FrIDaY EXTRA 41

October 17, 2014

big

queSTIonS & anSwerS quickfire

What is the point of pubic hair?

Why do I feel cold and shiver when I have fever?

A fever is when your body increase its internal thermostat, found in the hypothalamus. If you exercise hard or if it’s a hot day, your body temperature might increase, but the thermostat remains at around 36.8 degre centigrade. When you feel hot, the hypothalamus tries to correct this with sweating and increased blood flow to the skin. But with a

Pubic hair probably evolved as a visual advertisement of sexual maturity and as a collection device for smelly pheromones to further entice potential mates. The distribution of the apocrines sweat glands that produce these pheromones neatly coincides with the areas on your body that grow public hair.

Studies have shown that women may unconsciously use the whiff of these chemicals as a way of assessing how genetically different a potentail partner is from themselves. This offers an evolutionary advantage because a wider genetic variation in your children improves their ability to fight disease and parasites.

It has also been suggested that pubic hair acts as a cushion to protect the sensitive skin in this area during intercourse. But it’s just as likely that sensitivity in this area has itself evolved to compensate for this dampening effect.

fever, it’s the thermostat that has risen. This means your body temperature is now below 36.8 degre centigrade, so you feel cold; shivering is an attempt to raise your temperature.

The higher body temperature may help fight infection by speeding white blood cell production and slowing bacteria reproduction.

What causes the diverse colouring of bruises?

Bruises are injuries that cause bleeding under the skin. Because this blood has leaked from the capillaries, it isn’t part of the circulatory system any-more and lies stagnant in the spaces between your cells.

Initially, the haemoglobin in the red blood cells will still have some oxygen bound to it and so will appear deep red. Within a few minutes, that oxygen will be released to the surrounding tissues and the bruise will darken to more of a purple colour. After that, white blood cells are mobilised to begin the clean-up. Over the course of a week to 10 days, the dead blood cells are broken down, engulfed and metabolised. The haemoglobin pigment is progressively converted to biliverdin (a greenish colour), to bilirubin (yellow) and to hemosiderin (golden brown) before finally being cleared away.

May no lies be spoken against me in the presence of God. ― Cambodian Proverb

50,000

Cases of pneumonia in the UK caused by the flu virus very year

42 FRIDAY EXTRA

October 17, 2014

ultimate top list 7

10 BOOKS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD

1

THE BIBLE BY VARIOUS AUTHORS, CIRCA 30-90AD There can be no doubt that the Bible has done more to change the face of the world than any other book. A mere two hundred years after it was created, it brought about the conversion of the entire Roman Empire from paganism to Christianity.

Since then, Christianity has become the largest single religion in the world (with 2.1 billion adherents). The oldest and largest of the Christian groups is the Roman Catholic Church whose membership (1.05 billion) is equal to the size of all other Christian groups combined.

The Bible comprises two books: the Old Testament (taken from the Greek edition used by Christ and the apostles), and the New Testament (written by some of the apostles of Jesus after his death, including St. Paul who did not meet Christ during His lifetime).

The Gutenberg Bible (a copy of the Latin Vulgate) was the first book ever published on the printing press.

The Bible is the most purchased book in the world.

2

THE QUR’AN BY VARIOUS AUTHORS, 650-656AD The Our’an is the holy book of the Islamic religion. The founder of Islam, Mohammed, told his followers he had been given revelations by the Angel Gabriel. These revelations (spanning twenty-three years) form the basis of the Our’an.

After Mohammed’s death in 632, the Our’an was recorded by word of mouth only; it was not for another twenty years that the various memories of his words were collected and combined.

The Our’an is considered by Muslims to be the last revealed word of God (after the Old Testament and the New Testament of the Christian Bible). In recent years much debate has occurred over the content of the Our’an, with its opponents claiming that it advocates war and murder of non-believers. Muslims generally claim that this is not the case and state that opponents of Islam are taking the text out of context.

3

THE SUMMA THEOLOGICA BY ST. THOMAS AQUlNAS, 1265-1274 The Summa Theologica is a multi-volume set of books that outline, in the most precise manner, the doctrines and beliefs of Christianity. It was held in such high regard, that second to the Bible, it was the book most used for reference at the Council of Trent (1545-1563). Its influence was felt all across the Christian world as the reforms of the Council of Trent were implemented.

To this day, The Summa Theologica is the primary teaching tool used in Roman Catholic seminaries and its author is regarded as a Doctor of the Church (a title reserved for only thirty-three great thinkers in the history of Christianity).

It is also worth noting that St. Isidore (popularly considered Patron Saint of the Internet) is also seen as a Doctor of the Church.

4

THE RIGHTS OF MAN BY THOMAS PAINE, 1791 Paine, an English writer, influenced American democracy, and democracy in general, with his writings. According to Paine, the sole purpose of the government is to protect the irrefutable rights inherent to every human being.

Thus, all institutions which do not benefit a nation are illegitimate, including the monarchy (and the nobility) and the military establishment.

When the French Revolution broke out, Paine went to France where, despite his ignorance of the French language, he was promptly elected to the National Convention. His absence from England at this time was fortuitous because the publication of The Rights of Man caused such a furor in the country that Paine was put on trial in absentia and convicted for seditious libel against the crown.

5

EITHER/OR BY SOREN KIERKEGAARD, 1843 Either/Orportays two lifeviews, one being consciously hedonistic and one based on ethical duty and responsibility, in two volumes. Each lifeview is written and represented by a fictional pseudonymous author and the prose of the work depends on which lifeview is being discussed. For example, the aesthetic lifeview is written in short essay form, with poetic imagery and allusions, discussing aesthetic topics such as music, seduction, drama, and beauty. The ethical life view is written as two long letters, with a more rgumentative and restrained prose, discussing moral responsibility, critical reflection, and marriage.

This book, by the father of existentialism, has been highly influential with other existentialists. Despite its great popularity, it was not published in English until 1944. Existentialism is a philosophical movement that claims that individual human beings have full responsibility for creating the meanings of their own lives.

6

THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO

BY KARL MARX AND FRIEDRICH ENGELS, 1848 This tract, written by Communist theorists Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels at the behest of the Communist League, has become one of the most influential political tracts in history. The manifesto suggested a course of action for a proletarian (workingclass) revolution to overthrow the bourgeois social order and to eventually bring about a classless and stateless society.

Perhaps the most famous quote from the work reads: “The Communists disdain to conceal their views and aims. They openly declare that their ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions.

Let the ruling classes tremble at a communist revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. Working men of all countries, unite!”

Never speak untruth and falsity knowingly.

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCHES IN ELECTRICITY BY MICHAEL FARADAY, 1855 Faraday was an English chemist and physicist whose many experiments with electricity ultimately led to his invention of electromagnetic rotary devices, which formed the foundation of electric motor technology. Although he received little formal education and thus higher mathematics like calculus were always out of his reach, he went on to become one of the most influential scientists in history.

It was largely his experiments that led to electricity becoming viable for use in technology.

During his lifetime, Faraday rejected a knighthood and twice refused to become President of the Royal Society.

He died at his house at Hampton Court on August 25, 1867. He has a memorial plaque in Westminster Abbey, near Isaac Newton’s tomb, but he turned down burial there and is interred in the Sandemanian plot in Highgate Cemetery.

ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES BY CHARLES DARWIN, 1859 This book by Darwin IS considered a seminal work in the field of evolutionary biology. It proposes that over time, through natural selection, species evolve. It was a highly controversial book as it contradicted many religious views on biology at the time. Darwin’s book was the culmination of evidence he had accumulated on the voyage of the Beagle in the 1830s and expanded through continuing investigations and experiments since his return to England.

The book is readable even for the non-specialist and attracted widespread interest on publication. The book was controversial, and generated much discussion on scientific, philosophical, and religious grounds.

8

THE SECOND SEX BY SIMONE DE BEAUVOIR, 1949 The Second Sex is the best-known work of Simone de Beauvoir who wrote the book after attempting to write about herself. The first thing she wrote was that she was a woman, but she realized that she needed to define what a woman was, which became the intent of the book. It is a work on the treatment of women throughout history and often regarded as a major feminist work. In it she argues that women throughout history have been defined as the” other” sex, an aberration from the “normal” male sex.

Simone de Beauvoir (a pioneer of the feminist movement) argues that women have historically been considered deviant and abnormal. She submits that even Mary Wollstonecraft considered men to be the ideal toward which women should aspire.

9

ATLAS SHRUGGED BY AYN RAND, 1957 Atlas Shrugged was Rand’s last work before she devoted her time exclusively to philosophical writing. This book contains a variety of themes that would later become the core of her philosophy, Objectivism. She considered it to be her magnum opus and is it the most popular of her nonfiction work. While the book was largely a critical failure, it had enormous popular success.

As far as influence in the world, the Objectivist philosophy gave much to the Libertarian movement, which has enjoyed great popularity around the world.

In a three-month on line poll of reader selections of the hundred best novels of the twentieth century, administered by publisher Modern Library, Atlas Shrugged was voted number one.

10

— Chinese Proverb

Culled from the book ‘Ultimate top 10 list’

FRIDAY EXTRA 43

October 17, 2014

titans

of history

NERO

AD 37-68 He showed neither discrimination nor moderation in putting to death whomsoever he pleased. – Suetonius

T

he emperor who ‘fiddled while Rome burned’, Nero was the last of the JulioClaudian dynasty that took Rome from republic to oneman rule. Raised amidst violence and tyranny, he ruled with ludicrous vanity, demented whimsy and inept despotism.

Few mourned his abdication and death amidst the chaos that he himself had created.

Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus was born in AD 37 in the town of Antium, not far from Rome, while the Emperor Caligula - Nero’s uncle - was on the throne. Like so many, he was to suffer at Caligula’s hands - forced with his mother Agrippina into exile when she lost favour with the emperor. Agrippina was Caligula’s sister. Their incestuous relationship supposedly ended when she plotted to overthrow him: Agrippina ranks as one of the most poisonous women in Roman history. Mother and son were allowed to return by Caligula’s successor, Claudius, who had recently executed his nymphomaniacal empress, Messalina. In AD 49 Agrip-pin a became the emperor’s fourth wife. Claudius not only adopted Nero as his son but made him joint heir to the throne with his own son by Messalina, Britannicus.

Agrippina, however, was unwilling to allow nature to take its course and in AD 54 she supposedly poisoned Claudius.

Relations between mother and son were also flawed, and when, in the following. year, Agrippina realized her hold over Nero was slipping, she conspired in a plot to replace him with Britannicus.

On discovering the conspiracy, Nero promptly had his rival poisoned and banished Agrippina from the imperial palace on the pretext of having insulted his young wife, Octavia.

Despite such intrigues, the early years ofNero’s reign were marked by wise governance, largely because much state business was handled by shrewd advisers such as the philosopher Seneca, the Praetorian prefect Burrus and reliable Greek freedmen. This relative calm was not destined to last.

Increasingly assured, Nero sought to free himself from the control of others and exercise power in his own right.

The first to feel the consequences of his new assertiveness was his mother, who had continued plotting behind his

back. Tired of her machinations, Nero resolved to do away with her in AD 59.

When an initial attempt to drown her in the Bay of Naples proved unsuccessful, the emperor sent an assassin to complete the job.

Legend has it that, realizing what was about to happen as the killer approached, Agrippina drew back her clothes and cried, in one final act of scorn for her matricidal son, ‘Here, smite my womb!’

With his mother out of the way, Nero’s reign quickly sank into petty despotism.

Burrus and Seneca were both brought to trial on trumped-up charges, and though eventually acquitted lost much of their influence. Yet, even as he gained greater control over the levers of power, so the emperor appeared increasingly to lose touch with reality. He became infatuated with Poppaea Sabina, wife of one of his friends, and resolved to marry her. According to the historian Suetonius, Poppaea’s husband was

‘persuaded’ to grant her a divorce, while Nero’s wife Octavia was first exiled and then murdered on the emperor’s orders - paving the way for the Nero-Poppaea union.

In AD 64, a huge fire swept through Rome which the emperor observed with indifference, supposedly playing his lyre. Indeed, according to the Roman chronicler Tacitus, Nero himself was behind the inferno, which was started to make room for his new palace. In fact he probably helped extinguish the fire and gave shelter to the homeless in his gardens. But his reputation for being frivolous, feckless and inept was established. In an effort to divert attention, Nero sought a scapegoat, thus beginning his persecution of the Christians. Tacitus recounts the atrocities committed: ‘Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths.

Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or

Man fears time - Time fears the pyramids. ― Cambodian Proverb

were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.’

Increasingly convinced that rivals were plotting against him, Nero had any potential critics executed, including, in AD 62-3, Marcus Antonius Pallas, Rubellius Plautus and Faustus Sulla.

Then, in AD 65, a conspiracy led by Gaius Calpurnius Piso to oust the emperor and restore the republic was uncovered. Nearly half of the forty-one accused were either executed or forced to commit suicide, Seneca among them.

Taking himself increasingly seriously as an actor and neglecting his duties as the Roman economy faltered and disorder spread, Nero began to sing and act on the public stage, spending more time in the theatre than running the empire. He also fancied himself as a sportsman, even taking part in the Olympic Games of AD 67 - ostensibly to improve relations with Greece, but more likely to milk the obsequious praise that invariably greeted his efforts. He won various awards mostly secured in advance by hefty bribes from the imperial exchequer.

By AD 68, elements within the army which the dilettante emperor had largely ignored - decided that things could not continue. The governor of one of the provinces in Gaul rebelled and persuaded a fellow governor, Galba, to join him.

Galba emerged as a popular focus for opposition to Nero and, crucially, the Praetorian Guard now declared their support for him. Faced with the desertion of the army, Nero was forced to flee Rome and went into hiding; a short time later, he committed suicide with the words ‘What an artist the world is losing in me.’

His . legacy was one of unrest across the empire, as Rome suffered the Year of the Four Emperors, during which civil war broke out between competing claimants to the throne. Hostilities ended only with the emergence of Vespasian and the founding of the Flavian dynasty.

Culled from the book ‘Titans of History’

44 FEATURE

October 17, 2014

Ibn al-Haytham – The First Scientist When learning about the Muslim scholars of the past, it is easy to be amazed by their brilliance, accomplishments, and contributions to the modern world. Each provided a lasting legacy that changed the world in their time and today. One scientist in particular stands far above the rest. He is Ibn al-Haytham, the great polymath who lived from 965 to 1040.

He was born in the Iraqi city of Basra during the Abbasid Caliphate. He came about 100 years after the establishment of the House of Wisdom in Baghdad. Undoubtedly the culture of learning and advancement present in the Muslim world at that time had a great impact on him from an early age. He studied Islamic sciences and soon became a mayor of the city of Basra. During this time, he continued to study, focusing on sciences and other empirical subjects. His big break, however, would come in another part of the Muslim world.

Ibn al-Haytham in Egypt During his time as mayor of Basra, the Fatimid rival caliph in Egypt al-Hakim (the Fatimids were Ismaili Shias who rejected the caliphate of the Sunni Abbasids in Iraq) heard of an idea that Ibn al-Haytham had to dam the Nile. AlHakim was a man of contradictions. Although he was the leader of the heretical Ismaili branch of Shiism that most scholars of the day completely rejected, he opened up his domain to anyone who could benefit it. Al-Hakim invited Ibn al-Haytham to come to Egypt to attempt his radical idea to dam the Nile.

After travelling down the Nile to see where a potential dam could be built, he realized his plan could not go into effect with the technology of the day.

There happened to be one problem: alHakim was known to be act irrationally ruthless, and acted quite insane on occasion. In order to escape some kind of punishment, Ibn al-Haytham pretended to be even more insane than alHakim himself! This daring idea saved him from excecution, but placed him under house arrest in Cairo for the remainder of al-Hakim’s life – 10 years.

Those 10 years didn’t even seem as punishment to the brilliant scientist.

During this time, he got the peace and quiet he wanted to pursue his research.

During this time, he dived into the study of light. He wanted to understand what light is, how it works, and how humans see objects. Although what he studied and discovered was truly revolutionary, the way he researched was one of his biggest contributions.

He was the first scientist in history to insist that everything be proven through a given method for discovering new information – the scientific method

Pinhole Camera

Newton

The Scientific Method Today, it is understood to students of science that everything must be proven.

You cannot make claims about scientific theories based on assumption without experimentation. Before Ibn al-Haytham, that was not the case. The ancient Greek philosophies of science still held weight. The Greeks believed that scientific fact can be discovered through reason, or simply attributed to the actions of the gods. Ibn al-Haytham knew better.

He was the first scientist in history to insist that everything be proven through a given method for discovering new information – the scientific method.

Western textbooks today usually give little information about the history of the scientific method. Usually the ancient Greek philosophies are mentioned, followed by the “revolutionary” work of Roger Bacon, Galileo Galilei, and Isaac Newton. The truth that is forgotten is that those European scholars stood on the shoulders of Ibn al-Haytham (and other Muslim scientists). Without his ideas about proving scientific theories, we may still be living in a time when speculation, superstition, and unproven myths are the basis of science.

The Book of Optics Using his revolutionary scientific method, Ibn al-Haytham takes leaps and bounds into the field of optics. In his book, The Book of Optics, he was the first to disprove the ancient Greek idea that light comes out of the eye, bounces off objects, and comes back to the eye.

He delved further into the way the eye itself works. Using dissections and the knowledge of previous scholars, he was able to begin to explain how light enters the eye, is focused, and is projected to the back of the eye.

In a similar way, he is the first to study the phenomenon of the pinhole camera.

The concept of a pinhole camera is simple: a box with a tiny hole on one side is able to project an image of whatever is outside onto a side of the box on the inside. Those familiar with the way modern

cameras work will notice that that is how cameras work in general, but today with the addition of lenses. Ibn al-Haytham was able to build these pinhole cameras hundreds of years before the modern development of photography as we know it.

The basic way a pinhole camera works He also studied the way light is affected when moving through a medium such as water or gasses. From this, he was able to explain why the sky changes color at twilight (the sun’s rays hit the atmosphere at an angle, causing refraction). From this, he was able to calculate the depth of the earth’s atmosphere, 1000 years before it would be proven by spaceflight.

The translation of The Book of Optics had a huge impact on Europe. From it, later European scholars were able to build the same devices as he did, and understand the way light works. From this, such important things as eyeglasses, magnifying glasses, telescopes, and cameras were developed.

Beyond Light As if revolutionizing the way humanity understands light and leading to the development of things we can’t live without in the 2000s wasn’t enough, Ibn alHaytham also pioneered in other fields.

In 1020s and 1030s, he wrote numerous books on astronomy. He wrote about the mistakes of the Ptolemaic model of how the stars and planets move and provided a more realistic view of the way the universe works (although he knew the earth to be a sphere, he stuck to the ancient Greek idea that the earth was the center of the universe).

He completely refuted astrology as a scientific subject. Continuing with his firm belief scientific ideas needing to be proven, he came to the conclusion that the ideas of astrology were not rooted in any type of science, but in the thoughts and feelings of astrologers. He also noted that astrology directly contradicts one of the main ideas of Islam – that God is the cause of all things, not astronomical bodies.

He had a great influence on Isaac Newton, who was aware of Ibn al-Haytham’s

A razor may be sharper than an ax, but it cannot cut wood. ― Cambodian proverb

works. He studied the basis of calculus, which would later lead to the engineering formulas and methods used today.

He also wrote about the laws governing the movement of bodies (later known as Newton’s 3 laws of motion) and the attraction between two bodies – gravity. It was not, in fact, the apple that fell from the tree that told Newton about gravity, but the books of Ibn al-Haytham.

Since he was also trained in the traditional Islamic sciences, he also wrote on how to use empirical methods to disprove a false prophet, and how to use math to calculate the prayer direction towards Makkah.

In a precursor to modern psychology, he researched the effect music therapy can have on humans and animals.

Legacy The list of accomplishments and contributions of Ibn al-Haytham goes on and on. The truly amazing thing is that he wrote over 200 books, but only around 50 have survived till today. What he discovered that we do not even know about probably far outshines even the amazing works that have made it to the present day.

Newton directly built upon the ideas of Ibn al-Haytham Unfortunately, his contributions have been overlooked since his death. While he was never someone who cared for the fame and prestige that came with being a great scholar, the unawareness today’s world has about his contributions is unsettling. When his books were translated into Latin as the Spanish conquered Muslim lands in the Iberian Peninsula, he was not referred to by his name, but rather as “Alhazen”. The practice of changing the names of great Muslim scholars to more European sounding names was common in the European Renaissance, as a means to discredit Muslims and erase their contributions to Christian Europe.

Regardless, his brilliant mind inspired countless others who stood on his shoulders. It is not a stretch to say that without his research, the modern world of science that we know today would not exist.

feature 45

October 17, 2014

P

ropelled by the need to save the lives of thousands of students and other young Nigerians cut down by the seemingly endless acts of terror in the country, a new initiative by some Nigerian youths who are also known as StandupforNigeria marched towards the United Stated Embassy in Lagos on October 9, 2014 with a mission. Their aim was to drop a 7-page letter to United States President, Barack Obama, urging ‘America, her friends and allies’ to intervene to help end terrorism in Nigeria.

The youth initiative made up of students from various higher institutions in Lagos state and young professionals believed that United States of America has been a long friend of Nigeria and for over 54 years of Nigeria’s independence, the country had maintained both trade and diplomatic relations. In time of great need like the situation where over 200 school girls have been missing from Chibok in Borno state for over 180 days and the wanton killing of other students as well as other Nigerians in the northeast states, there is every need for the world’s super power and her allies to mobilise action against the forces of Boko Haram and its sponsors in Nigeria.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP Friday on why Obama should assist Nigeria, StandupforNigeria leaders, AbdulKareem Temitope of Lagos State Polytechnic, Olanrewaju Ogundipe, University of Lagos, Salvador Babajide, Yaba College of Technology, Nurudeen Temilola, Lagos State University and Sanusi Olayide, Federal College of Education, Akoka said they could have been victims of terrorism but because of the fact that they are studying in Lagos.

“Young Nigerians are particular targets of Boko Haram’s insurgency. Several of our brothers and sisters were slaughtered while asleep in their dormitories at the College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe State.

“More than 20,000 other Nigerians have lost their lives, many of them also members of our generation. And of course, America’s First Lady Mrs Michelle Obama herself joined the awareness-raising campaign concerning the schoolgirls kidnapped from Chibok in

Through the office of the President of the United States of America, we call on the government and people of America urgently to take all steps reasonably possible by way of military, logistical and other forms of support to stem the tide of terrorism and attendant humanitarian crisis in Nigeria

Boko Haram: ‘Why We Want Obama To Intervene’ As the Nigerian government continues the war against Boko Haram in the northeast, a youth initiative in Lagos with the name StandupforNigeria recently wrote a letter to President Barack Obama of United States and allies requesting action in support of Nigerians in pain.

AGBO-PAUL AUGUSTINE writes on some of the issues raised in the letter.

Borno State earlier this year,” it said.

StandupforNisgeria also revealed that the brutality against innocent Nigerians have been going without the knowledge of the outside world hence, the need for Obama to lead a multinational relief effort for victims of terrorism and to put a check on the menace of Boko Haram in Nigeria.

“Through the office of the President of the United States of America, we call on the government and people of America urgently to take all steps reasonably possible by way of military, logistical and other forms of support to stem the tide of terrorism and attendant humanitarian crisis in Nigeria.”

While calling on President Obama, it said policies and politics must not take precedence over the lives of the ordinary man in Nigeria who is being killed daily without reasons. Nigeria’s friend must stand up for Nigeria even as the federal government is taking the war against terrorism to the door steps of the insur-

gents.

They echoed Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, recent request that the force of arms being used against ISIS in Iraq and Syria be extended against Boko Haram in Nigeria.

The group also said Article 1 of the United nations Charter calls for signatories, ‘To maintain international peace and security, and to that end take effective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace’.

Consequently, the United States champions human freedom where liberty and human rights is respected rather than tyranny and terror as seen in Nigeria. It said the US has led the world in uphold-

You always learn a lot more when you lose than when you win. ― African proverb

ing this commitment. To defend that commitment, the country is currently leading other allies to fight the dreaded Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

On that premise, StandupforNigeria reminded President Obama of his recent speech to the American people in the build-up to the current airstrike against ISIS: “we stand with people who fight for their own freedom. And we rally other nations on behalf of our common security and common humanity.”

To them, Nigeria is currently fighting for its own freedom and very survival, and desperately need the help of its friends and allies.

They also challenged the US and her allies that: ‘where is the strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy Obama the Foreign Te r r o r i s t Organisation known as Boko Haram?’

Nigeria as a nation have been battling to find a working strategy against Boko Haram for over four years with lots of casualties in human and material resources which has virtually paralysed the economy of the three most affected states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

Would President Obama be pressured to act decisively on Boko Haram? Experts in international affairs told LEADERSHIP FRIDAY that the US policy on global terrorism is enough reason to intervene but will the Nigerian government willing to cooperate as in Iraq and Syria?

Other factors that may hamper any American intervention they say, is the damming report recently by Amnesty International of an alleged gross violations of human rights by the Nigerian military.

The military were accused torture of arrested members of the insurgent group as well as some Internally Displaced People (IDP).

If the strong denial put up by the federal government is anything to go by and the rumoured visit to Obama and David Cameron of the United Kingdom by President Goodluck Jonathan over NigeriaUS and UK arms deal, the hope of getting the attention of the Americans to Nigeria’s plight is positive.

The group however stated in their letter that the United States is not a signatory to the Roman Statute that created the International Criminal Court. There is also an act; the American Servicemembers Protection Act (ASPA) which empowers the United States to use ‘military force’ to free their servicemen if on trial at the ICC amongst other provisions.

As the request of the Nigerian youths finds its way to the desk of President Obama, the youths remain positive of a better response form the American leader.

46 my town

October 17, 2014

By Rabiu Garba

Abuja: Where Tourism Beckons At the inception of this current democratic dispensation in 1999, the then President Olusegun Obasanjo ignited celebration amongst practitioners in the tourism industry that his administration would accord tourism a pride of place in governmental affairs. Though, little was achieved by that government in this regard, successive administrations have been working assiduously to up the ante of tourism development in Nigeria .

In view of its huge potentials as a foreign exchange earner, the Federal Capital Territory Administration under Sen. Bala Mohammed’s superintendence has been working tirelessly to develop Abuja ’s tourism potentials. The first thing he did on assumption of office in 2010 was to set up a committee headed by Otunba Runsewe to re-engineer the activities of Parks/Gardens in Abuja with a view to making them attractive to tourists and those in need of relaxation/fun.

No doubt, Abuja ’s pivotal position as the nation’s capital city has invested it with the enormous responsibility of not only providing a place of abode for millions of Nigerians, but also seen as a tourism destination by foreigners. Abuja is indeed a land with quintessential diverse tourist attractions and opportunities; endowed with beautiful and amazing tourist sites, it is also bountifully blessed with natural and man-made economic resources.

Tourism is an industry with a big growth potential and it is growing at a speed that is tangential with the expectations of optimists of World Tourism Organization (WTO). Tourism has become a fiercely competitive business. For tourism destinations the world over, competitive advantage is no longer natural, but increasing man-made driven by science, technology, information an innovation.

From all intents and purposes, tourism has the potentials of spawning entrepreneurship and to create new services necessary to drive other sectors of the economy in order to strengthen rural communities and create employment.

So, this vital sector of the economy has been attracting attention of this administration, especially in view of the forecast of its potential benefit and contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation.

Apart from the restructuring of the Parks and Gardens in Abuja, which has made them attractive to tourists, another major tourist attraction being is the 37-storey World Trade Centre currently on-going at the former Bakassi Market under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement with the Churchgate Group.

Equally, the Abuja Town Centre project valued at $2.7billion, which is expected to be handled by the Chikason Group, will bequeath to the nation’s capital city a world-class 24-hour business district comparable to Manhattan in New York , Oxford Street in London or the Champ D’Elysee in Paris . In the same vein, the

Millennium Park

Jabi Lake is one tourst attractions in Abuja.

planned development of Abuja Film Village in Kuje Area Council is also important in this regard. When completed, foreign film makers are expected to flood to Nigerian to shoot their films, thereby generating huge foreign exchange for the nation.

Even the single biggest private sector investment, the Abuja Millennium City, estimated at $18billion when completed has the potentials of attracting tourists to Nigeria, especially from neighbouring countries who may wish to replicate similar gigantic project in their countries.

According to a statement, “The tour is best suited for those who might want to explore Abuja on a spectacular scale; those keen on making good use of their leisure and those even desirous of enjoying quality time with family or friends.’’

City Sightseeing Abuja plies over 14 designated stops, cutting across 24 exciting sights such as the National Assembly,

Wonderland Amusement Park , Silverbird Galleria, Millennium Park , National Park & Zoo, among others.

Meanwhile, some area councils in FCT are already an embodiment of tourist attraction. For instance, in Bwari Area Council, the most noticeable among the tourist sites is the Ushafa pottery and ceramic industry. This site has hosted a lot of dignitaries both local and international. The likes of former US President Mr. Bill Clinton and his daughter and one time Vice President of America, Don Quayle; Premier of China and Vice-president of Germany have visited Bwari Area Council at various times.

Ushafa today stands out as a tourist haven in Nigeria . Other tourists sites include the Ushafa cave, Bwari cave, Ushafa ancient house, Poyipe hill about 100 metres above sea level, where a family of three were said to have turned into different sizes of stones, the Ayidegh-

A child’s service is little, yet he is no little fool that despises it.

eloyis cave, Dutse Makaranta where a chief herbalist mysteriously turned into a stone.

For these efforts in boosting tourism potentials in the territory to have any meaningful effect, the following measures must be holistically pursued and clinically implemented. Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) must shake off its current lethargy and expeditiously clear pockets of mountainous refuse dumps dotting the Abuja landscape; FCTA’s current appreciable efforts in taming insecurity must be sustained and pursued to logical conclusion; it must embark on sensitization programme aimed at educating residents of the territory on the importance of tourism, just as power supply must be substantially increased.

If these measures are implemented, tourism in Abuja would be greatly enhanced.

—Garba, a public affairs analyst, wrote in from Abuja

― African Proverb

KANNYWOOD trends

By Al-Amin Ciroma

October 17, 2014

email: alaminciroma@gmail.com. GSM: 08033225331 (sms only)

Capacity Building In India: Participants' Cry Of Lack Of Proper Funding Beneficiaries were granted the exact amount they had applied for – Project Act-Nollywood

T

he finance ministry under its Project ACT-Nollywood grant has finally approved the 40 days training of the practitioners of the Hausa film industry. The gesture was to existing practitioners for short, intensive training courses in an Asian college for media studies to study trends in filmmaking in order to learn and adhere to global best practices by improving the reach and effectiveness of the filmmakers. So far, about 17 beneficiaries of the grant are currently undergoing the rigorous training.

While the filmmakers see the training as something good that will bring positive changes to the industry, they equally cry of marginalisation by the project coordinators as no adequate funding approved to them compared to their counterparts in Nollywood. At the drop of a hat, they feel the training is inevitable that they can’t afford to walk away, but they are seriously not taken care of. “We all know Project-Act Nollywood is part of federal government’s effort to liberate the motion picture industry in Nigeria in order to meet up the global challenges, which is very positive.

Our counterparts in Nollywood were the first to enjoy the grant, they were enrolled at the best film academies in the United States with full funding, but the way we were treated is quite alarming,” cried one of the beneficiaries.

While responding to the allegations, the Project ACT-Nollywood said, all the beneficiaries you enquired about were

granted the exact amount they had applied for in their online application to the Capacity Building Fund. Project ACT is not in a position to ascertain whether or not the amount applied for by applicants is adequate enough to sustain their living costs for the duration of their course - nor is the programme in a position to fund all upkeep costs where above reasonable amounts. This is to enable more applicants to benefit from the training fund. It is however assumed that applicants have requested for the amount of resources they require for their training and upkeep.

Although the coordinators under the finance ministry responded to the cries of the stakeholders in India, but Kannywood Trends gathered that the Nollywood stakeholders enjoyed more fund compared to the Hausa filmmakers. The coordinators however quashed the accusation, saying that it is absolutely untrue. Adding that the beneficiaries were granted the exact amount they requested for at the application stage, plus an additional NGN 147,000 for each trainee to handle visa fees and return flight tickets; the latter had not previously been applied for but Project ACT and were requested to the Program at a later stage. “Our Program on an exceptional basis, granted the additional request made in spite of this having been omitted in the original application made to Project ACT. To sum up, Project ACT which is not meant to cover every cost of a training trip - has paid for training fees,

L-R: Ishaq Sidi Ishaq, Indian-based actor Ameen Khan and Ali Nuhu on arrival at the airport New Delhi, India

flight costs, boarding and lodging and visa costs of these 19 applicants,” said Project ACT-Nollywood team.

Going forward, should there be a way the Project Act-Nollywood will rescue the situation, as some of them are already crying for help in faraway India?

“Project ACT granted the amount requested for by applicants at application stage, plus an additional amount that had not been factored into the application on an exceptional basis. The Project is not able to approve piecemeal amounts as there is a transparent process in place which applies to all candidates and it must be respected to

maintain the credibility of the program. In response to a letter from AREWA’s National President dated July 31, 2014, we explained that the Capacity Building Fund strictly covers tangible and verifiable costs such as tuition, accommodation and travelling expenses.

“Having the Federal Government’s grant covered the bulk of the costs related to this training opportunity, and it is our hope that the beneficiaries in question have prepared themselves to match the commitment shown by the Government with personal commitment to the strengthening of their skills,” submitted the team.

...Our Experiences In Indian Academy – Beneficiaries Although most of the Kannywood stakeholders declined to make any comment on the matter, because they were caught between two stools, others shared their experience at the academy; Hamisu Iyantama: “I am happy to be here not for the fun of it, but for importance of acquiring much knowledge as a filmmaker. First the school, Asian Academy of Film and Television is one of the best film schools not only in India but in Asia as a whole.

So we are privy to be exposed in some professional ways of learning an A-Z of film related matters, ranging from script to screen.

“It will give us a window to explore professional ways film techniques, production and exhibition. And I think it will go a long way to help in redirecting our course in Kannywood.” He said.

Lamido Iyantama is one of the founding fathers of Kannywood. He is an actor, producer and director. He ventured into active politics in 2006 and

for governorship race on the platform of the Action Democratic (AD) during 2007 elections. His political ambition was thwarted after he was sentenced to 15 months in prison by a mobile court for not registering his film ‘Tsintsiya’ (The Broom) with the Kano State Censorship Board. He won his appeal at the Court of Appeal in Kaduna where he was acquitted. ‘Tsintsiya’ won the 2008 Zuma Award for Best Film on social issues.

Bashir Abdullahi Rijau: “Originally, when the idea of this project came to me, I told myself that this will be good thing that will happen to Kannywood. Not for anything, but because we need to acquire wealth of experience in the field as stakeholders in the industry. Yes, one of the success stories here is that most of us who lack international flavour of filming have gotten the opportunity to see things for themselves as well expose to originality.

“New Delhi is a beautiful city, the environment is serene and enabling for

• (From Left) Umar Gombe, Hamisu Iyantama, Resource Person, Aminu Mohammed Sabo and Bashir Rijau at the Academy in Noiha, Delhi, India

students to have great knowledge of everything they need to know. And by time we come back, we shall see to the best of Kannywood,” he said.

Rijau is one of the Abuja based filmmakers. Over the time, he takes part in various film related activities.

A professional graphic artiste, Rijau is known for his expertise in the entertainment business. He is one of

An onion shared with a friend tastes like roast lamb.

— Cambodian Proverb

organisers of the first ever successful movie awards, Savannah International Movie (SIM) awards held in Abuja, 2010.

He produced and directed ‘Sarki Jatau,’ adapted from the works of the famous Dr. Abubakar Imam’s ‘Magana Jari Ce.’ He is the CEO of GrafArts Limited Abuja, also the Chairman, Arewa Filmmakers Association of Nigeria (AFMAN), Abuja chapter.

weekend flavour With Solomon Nda-Isaiah

October 17, 2014

Rising Singer, HB, Back With New Single

By Samuel Abulude, Lagos

Emeka Ike

AfricaMagic Has Ripped Off Filmmakers – Emeka Ike

By SAMUEL ABULUDE, Lagos

Accomplished actor and filmmaker, Emeka Ike, is not happy about trends in the movie industry and he is not keeping quiet about this.

For a movie industry that prides itself as self-sustaining and set for an upward drive, the Nigerian movie industry, tagged Nollywood, has stalled as other African movie industries are poised to churn out more quality movies and have been giving our movies a torrid time competition-wise.

Emeka Ike picks holes in the guild of actors and argues that against the backdrop of what we see in Nollywood, the welfare/ remuneration of actors has not been attractive.

The ebony black actor, who won the celebrity version of the Guilder Ultimate Search years ago, insists that Africa Magic channels, a product channel under Mutichoice, has not developed the industry.

Instead it has taken advantage of creative people of Nigeria and paid them pittance for their works, a sad development. He added that because Nigeria and in fact Nollywood has not mastered the business of

filmmaking and to a large extent showbiz, and because of that lacuna the industry is suffering.

He said: “I want to categorically say that Africa Magic channel has ripped off actors and filmmakers.

Go to other countries where the business of filmmaking and acting is done, TV channels pay content owners and intellectual property owners a huge fee for their works based on a contract. We were earning more and doing better before the advent of Africa Magic.

All the paparazzis that you see is a smokescreen.

“Because the business side of the entertainment industry is left untapped and undeveloped, Nollywood is bleeding and we need to do something about it.

My colleagues are afraid of talking because of being ostracized or labelled a troublemaker but the truth must be told. South Africa have handled the business side of arts and entertainment well and that is why their movies keep winning awards to our detriment.

We started this revolution before them and Ghollywood but now they have caught up. My brother, we need to tell ourselves the truth.”

Ini Edo Prepares For Single Life

Jackson

Ini Edo

Dakolo

Timi Dakolo, DJ Xclusive Join Gordons, Yinka Davis, Ice Nweke, Others For Historic Love Musical

By SOLOMON NDA-ISAIAH

Critically acclaimed Soul singer Timi Dakolo and superstar music-man DJ Xclusive will bring Lagos alive on November 2, 2014, as they join comedian Gordons, singer Yinka Davis and a host of others for this love musical.

The event is organized by Limitless Minds Africa in conjunction with Cool fm and Oracle Experience Limited. ‘Love Is…the Musical’ holds at The Eko Convention Centre, in Lagos on November 2, 2014.

Additional highlights of the night will be special appearances from popular OAPs like Mannie and ZOE. To be hosted by TV personality Andre Blaze, the extraordinary show will showcase exhilarating performances from internationally trained dance professionals from around the world.

The show is created and directed

by Ice Nweke. The inspiring intimate story is a clear portrait of the lives of three beautiful women on a journey in search of the true meaning of

love.

Ice Nweke has successfully merged the world of Realism, Expressionism and Surrealism into one beautiful masterpiece on various stage globally. Produced by Clementine Vervelde, the musical is a richly textured stage production that captures the deep-rooted insecurity in relationships, which is currently spreading into the fibers of our society.

Other special guest artists include Ranti Ihimoyan, Donna the Poet, Sheila, Efe Paul and Sasu, Frank Konwea and Kay Strings.

According to the director, ‘the musical is a polished production, with classy costumes and stunning vocals. Advance theatre: Comic and dramatic, Sensual and lyrical, acrobatic, Romantic and ultimately inspiring dance moves’.

Dance is often the best way to express your emotions and feelings; Love is the show is a combination of music drama and spoken words all in the endeavor to give a definition to the word love. Ice added.

Cheso Shines At His Listening Party By anthony ada abraham, Abuja

By Samuel Abulude, Lagos

Indeed Ini Edo has joined the growing market of celebs once married but now single.

The Akwa-Ibom State-born actress, Iniobong Edo, has changed her Twitter handle to inidelicious01. The actress is apparently removing all traces of her ex-husband, Phillip Ihegiwani, from her life.

Her marriage hit the rocks recently and the actress had gone out to publicly announce her divorce and reasons for the dissolution, debunking the rumour of her being faithful to her hubby.

Fast rising RandB Singer, Mba Jackson popularly known as HB, is back and better. The young and handsome singer has gradually carved a niche for himself after he launched into the music scene in 2012 with his first hit singles, 'Carolina' and 'Body'. Both songs earned him recognition both locally and internationally HB’s talents is unmistakable as he can best be described as the young Sinzu, formerly known as Sauce Kid, when he did a remake of Sauce Kid with his Carolina single in 2012. Being the most sought after artists in Festac Town and beyond, his fan base gave him more recognition around his locality and beyond.

He just released a new hit entitled 'Vanessa' and celebrated his birthday and listening party for the new single at the Big Ballers Club in Festac Town, Lagos. Celebs like Patoranking, CEO BigBallers Club, J Cash, YSG producer Dapiano, CEO Coal Records, YEMi, CEO DMG Records, K.money, Wizzy Pro and others graced the party.

"I promise never to disappoint my fans as I am putting in a lot of hardwork in my works. Already I'm in the studio recording some great songs which are going to feature some of the big names in the music business," HB said.

It was a night of dance appreciation and fulfilment when Alien Prose Entertainment came back in the news, this time for pulling a mad show at the Federal Capital City to unveil a seventracker effort put together by one of its front burner act, Cheso.

The preface listening event went down on October 8 in a top-notch style, witnessing the attendance of some of the biggest names in the broadcast and entertainment industry in Abuja.

The show opened with furious traffic at the red carpet where

there was a full representation of the press, from national dailies like the Sun newspaper and LEADERSHIP to electronic platforms like DTN, Trends & Rachael, MyTV, NAN, and a whole lot of other independent content builders.

Juliet, a.k.a. the Brown Skin Girl, looked red hot in a blue dress as she led the red carpet hosting before other TV presenters joined in the red carpet buzz, hosting for their respective stations.

About 45 minutes later, the guests had poured in and the show kick-started shortly after the Brown Skin Girl closed the

Cheso on stage

red carpet and handed over to Big Mo of Wazobia FM to run the rest of the show alongside Abuja’s most celebrated disc jockey, DJ TTB.

October 17, 2014

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50 NEWS EXTRA

October 17, 2014

Fight Against Poverty: Patience Jonathan Calls For Unity Among African Leaders

By Pual Chiama, Abuja

As the world sets aside 17th October, 2014, as an International Day for the Eradication of Poverty with this year’s theme: ‘Leave No One Behind; Think, Decide and Act Together Against Extreme Poverty,’ the First Lady and President, African First Ladies Peace Mission( AFLPM), Dame Patience Jonathan, has called on African leaders to unite and fight against poverty in all its ramifications.

This was contained in a message delivered to a group of civil society activists and advocates during a courtesy visit to her recently.

A press statement made available to LEADERSHIP FRIDAY yesterday and signed by media assistant to the first lady, Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, quoted the first lady as emphasizing that the “African continent is known to have the highest rate of poverty, destitution and the lowest per capita income, including a population of

women and children malnourished and underweight” and called on African leaders to formulate proactive policies on sustainable basis, as a strategic approach to kicking poverty out of the continent once and for all.

She echoed that the African Peer Review Mechanism, APRM, the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, including the post 2015 Development Agenda should be on the front burners of Africa development policies on how the continent can get rid

of poverty and extreme hunger.

According to her, it is estimated globally that about 842 million people are undernourished and about 99 million of them are children under age five, with Africa having the highest number.

“These concerns informed Mrs Jonathan’s passion and drive for her pet project, A. Aruera Reachout Foundation, ARF, geared towards the vulnerable children and the less privileged in the society,” the statement added.

‘Inciting Unrest In 2015 Elections Threat To Presidency’

By Chikelu Chinelo, Abuja

Youths Initiative for Better Governance of Nigeria has said that the Northern Elders ultimatum on the missing Chibok girls are nothing short of threats aimed at inciting political unrest in 2015 elections.

The group charged Nigerians to take collective responsibility on matters of security as against the innuendos actions of the Northern Elders. It also urged political parties to quit casting aspersions on one another, since the neither the PDP nor APC is to be blamed for the country’s problem.

The group’s statement signed by Barrister Osadolor Solomon Isioma indicated that the judiciary has dismissed attempts by some factions to prove that President Goodluck

Jonathan has served a full term in his incumbent office. He advised that they adhere to the decisions of the Abuja High Court as presided by His Lordship, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi and Hon. Justice Evelyn Anyadike precision.

According to the decisions of the court, the president has not yet served his two terms as substantive president and that it does not create credence to the allegation of first oath taking as contemplated in the Nigerian constitution.

Further Justice Anyadike states that “the suit to challenge President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 Presidential bid is void for lack of merit, abusive and runs foul and iniquitous of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

l-R: imo State gubernatorial aspirant, Senator ifeanyi ararume, PDP Director of organisation, mr adewale Fatona and PDP national organisation Secretary, aihaji abubakar mustapha, during the purchase of PDP expression of interest Form for imo State gubernatorial election in abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY ADEFEMI ADEWUYI.

October 17, 2014

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October 17, 2014

Hauwa Booth WOMAN ON THE LOOSE

Ff:@ofastupidwoman: Read @ www.diaryofastupidwoman.com

Tit-bits

Our Fledging Football What’s with the backward trend in our football?? So from Keshi we are back to Amodu?? What’s the calculation here? Hahahahaha, shebi we thought with Amodu we had the worst; then Siasia comes in and moves things a few notches up. After some flashes of brilliance, we sacked Siasia for not getting a World Cup ticket in the most scandalous manner. With Keshi we had a coach who was eulogized for many reasons and with his pedigree in Africa, we were actually honouring our own, who other African countries desperately sought. Keshi comes in, does his bit

and for a while we enjoyed his success.

Then the slide comes and we bitterly complain, er, well, most times with reason, but the NFA’s move going back to Amodu screams we prefer where he left off. Why would a brand new NFA of young men go back to the past? What is our obsession with has-beens? Why do we like recycling and indicting the younger generation (that is slowly aging, sef)? And why are we so forgetful? Was this not the same body that literally chased Amodu out of office?

By the way, have we started grooming a new group of ‘Super Eagles’?

Abuja Municipal Area Council On The Prowl AMAC, as they are ‘fondly’ called, in conjunction with the Police are on the prowl seeking whom they can ‘devour’. That was the scene that played out at Kcity Plaza. Nigerians, it is very important for you to read, have some knowledge of the law and your rights so as to be able to stand your ground in the face of hostility and intimidation (actually that is what is most important in this terrain). It is also good to attract attention while this is ongoing so that you have witnesses to whatever is going on. One such business owners was ready for them. This is the tactic: AMAC goes around with various demand notices from signboard fees to business premises ‘negotiable’ fees to bogus demands. Once AMAC determines you haven’t ‘complied’, the Police, who are armed to the teeth to protect society against the menace of these ‘criminals’ jump in! So they had come to arrest this business owner and lock up her shop. She had paid one

bogus demand too many and had had it! She demanded for the arrest warrant and the basis for which she was being arrested. The Policeman was furious that she would demand for an arrest warrant. The crowd that had formed went wild with their phones; recording videos and taking pictures (don’t you just love technology?). The Policeman grew irate and threatened to arrest innocent bystanders (talk of getting rid of dangerous elements!) when AMAC staff made consultations and were told to leave her.

In case AMAC isn’t aware, there is a procedure for the recovery of legitimate money that is due to them and that is via the court not through the hiring of Policemen to go round shops intimidating, harassing and collecting negotiated sums. It is because no one has taken the pain to go to court to have this matter settled that they are having a field day. But after what I saw, it is only a matter of time.

WEEKEND THE GREATEST PRISON PEOPLE IN, IS THE FEAR OF WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK BiTES LIVE

FEEDBACK: LET’S HEAR FROM YOU

There is a growing concern that the traffic lights and what they mean could have changed and no one thought to inform us Abuja drivers! What does a simultaneous red and green light mean? What does a red light changing to total black mean? And half working traffic lights? *asking for a friend*. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SILVERBIRD! Someone is sleeping on the job...again. Whoever is in charge of providing up to date timings of movies on the website and the information screen at the counter is clearly challenged. The whole aim is for movie theatre goers to have information and plan properly, for say example: movie date night! The timings were so off, that it was unbelievable. However the staff at the counter was brilliant. He noted the problem, our frustration and disappointment after being misled by the info that he did Customer Recovery. He apologized and offered two freebies. Business owners, you’ll be amazed what going the extra mile to soothe a customer after a cock-up can fetch you. Kudos, on that SILVERBIRD! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Our version of ‘Game of Thrones’; ‘Games of Throne’ has started with the rash of Presidential declarations being made... +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Quite a number of Nigerians have started taking their health seriously. As early as 5am you see people walking or jogging with all body types. However, there are also an increasing number of incidences where men of the underworld attack or attempt to attack people exercising. Na wa o! I really don’t know what they want to rob people of in that state. Anyway, as you come out to keep in shape be careful.

Watch out at the bridges and where there is some form of vegetation.

Enjoy your weekend.

Road Works

Since road resurfacing, upgrading and construction is going on and as a citizen, I felt it was my duty to assist the Government. I decided to go round and earmark some of the roads that quite easily can be overlooked so that they could be attended to. There are quite a few but I will champion one: the road leading to the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Mabushi a.k.a. VIO. You will agree with me that the road that leads to such an integral part of the driving experience in FCT should be up to scratch especially as Ministry of Works is in the opposite direction with a nicely tarred road leading to its gate! I think it is only fair that drivers should drive

on a nicely tarred road to where they have to get to acquire a license, number plate, vehicle documents and do other miscellaneous things.

Remember, given the nature of our system, numerous visits will have to be made to that office. I am sure it was as a result of the number of vehicular breakdowns and flat tyres that a huge workshop has been opened directly in front of the VIO office. Then the car park! Oh, I am sure it can be graded. I didn’t say interlock the area, haba, just level the place. It is already an experience to either fall in the hands of the VIO or make a visit there but must the whole experience be unpleasant?? SOS,biko.

Hello Readers, thank you for reading and spreading the word about this page. We are now ready for your feedback. Let’s hear your take. Constructive criticism and contributions will be published. Send thoughts to diaryofastupidwoman@gmail.com OR 08055241197 via TEXT ONLY. Don’t forget to include your name and location. Please bear with us if yours doesn’t make it onto the page.

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October 17, 2014

Ahead 2015, We Must Not Forget That Chibok Girls Are Still Missing

Stanley Nkwocha Our Eye On Power And Politics

08038011382 (text only)

Between Tambuwal, Ihedioha’s Aspirations

Since the release of 2015 electoral time-table by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), needless to state that the political tempo in the country has been ‘ballooned’ with permutations taking centre stage. It is just for President Goodluck Jonathan to declare his intention to seek reelection, for the real fireworks to begin.

But as the president prepares to tow the lines of others who have so declared, he must be told in very unequivocal terms that he carries a moral burden on the plight of the Chibok girls for as soon as he declares, almost everything including governance will be relegated to the background.

That for 185days and still counting, the poor girls from Chibok are still in the captivity and dungeon of the Boko Haram sect and obviously being subjected to all forms of human indignation is better left imagined.

Even more vexatious is the fact that aside the federal government’s abandoning of its regular briefing as performed by Mike Omeri, the director general of the National Orientation Agency, the government of the day wishes no one speaks on the plight of the girls.

The president would soon declare.

He will name the director general of his campaign organisation who in turn will begin to roll out the programmes of action as it affects the president’s campaign across the country.

As the election sets in, it would be most dishonorable if President Jonathan and his campaign team suddenly find a reason to visit these states. It would even be more damning if the president goes to campaign in these states. In any case, we would be on standby to ask him why poor Chibok town and its poor girls remained abandoned for this long.

If the truth must be told, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has not and will never forgive the duo of Rt. Hons. Aminu Bello Tambuwal and his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha for defying its zoning arrangement in 2011 and defiantly mounting their present seats.

As 2015 approaches, however, it is Tambuwal who seems to be the better of the politicians. Even the blind need not be told that it is only a matter of time before Tambuwal moved over to the APC and I can predict, become the next governor of Sokoto State.

It is Ihedioha who I pity the most. Just to clinch the PDP’s ticket for Imo State, he has turned a ‘good boy’ licking the boots of the powers that be in the PDP. Meanwhile, they laugh at his gimmicks.

If there is one politician in 2015, who would lose it all and become an ordinary Nigerian after the elections it is Ihedioha.

Ihedioha has eaten his cake and simply cannot have it back. I see him in the shoes of Senator Ibrahim Mantu after 2015 for I know the PDP is waiting to teach him some hard core lessons!

Feedback: hotstan10@yahoo.com Stan’s Memo

i

Anyone who imagines they can work alone winds up surrounded by nothing but rivals, without companions. The fact is, no one ascends alone - Lance Armstrong

Musings

Seven ministers have resigned their positions to contest the governorship elections in their various states. Those who didn’t think the coast was clear for them quietly stayed put and held onto the ‘bird at hand’. A good example is the Federal Capital Territory minister, Senator Bala Mohammed. As I wish them the best of luck in their aspirations, I just hope the ‘arrangements’ that saw them resign to contest is ‘solid’. Or else…

His Excellency 2015: A Different GMB It Must Be Re-enters Governor Ayo Fayose

That Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (GMB) effectively ‘locked down’ Abuja last Wednesday as he declared interest to run for the 2015 presidential election is no longer news. In an emphatic show of political strength the crowd which gathered at the Eagle Square venue of his declaration ensured that its presence re-vibrated across town, leaving trails of heavy traffic build-ups as well as roads diversion.

But beyond the seeming political razzmatazz, Gen. Buhari this time must come differently especially in terms of policies and programmes. Buhari , like Atiku must also come with a well understood and explainable blueprint.

I say this remembering the 2011 presidential candidates’ debate which featured Nuhu Ribadu of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau of the All Nigeria Peoples

Party (ANPP) and General Muhammadu Buhari of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). Including Jonathan’s lone debate , it was Shekarau who displayed a high level of practical understanding of issues as aside criticising the policies of President Goodluck Jonathan and his PDP – led government, he did the reasonable: providing elaborate alternatives in virtually all sectors of the economy , whereas both GMB and Ribadu exhibited that they were bereft of ideas and clues.

Every presidential aspirant, much more candidate, must in 2015 spare us the usual ‘I will fight corruption, construct more roads, build more schools and equip our hospitals which have become mere consulting clinics’ mantra and discuss the issues deeply. If corruption or the health sector for instance is in focus, Buhari like others, must present to us a clear-cut programme of action for the sector and how such will practically and I repeat will practically be deployed in revamping the sector.

Buhari cannot, on every occasion continue to run campaigns on integrity alone. He must this time think out of the box and illustrate to us like President Barack Obama does in the United States that he possesses the practical and technical understanding of the economy and governance of Nigeria and proffer step by step solutions to remedy it. We must be spared the shallow performance of the 2011 presidential debate and really get deep with issues in governance. The ride and crest on populist orgy must stop.

The battle he fought to oust APC’s Dr John Fayemi appeared like a child’s play when it came to preserving his victory and eventually getting sworn in as governor of Ekiti State. For Governor Peter Ayo Fayose, it was battle extraordinaire all through , whether at the pre or post election stage.

His first term in office was not the best of terms. I am sure that even he as an individual in retrospect would not find his tenure amusing. But providence has a way of smiling on faces it chooses to and clearly has chosen Fayose again. It is entirely up to him to write this phase of his life on the platform he so desires.

With just four years to spend and nothing more, Governor Fayose must know that what he owes God, himself, his family and Ekiti people is rare service. The battles of the past few weeks must not be a wasted effort. While there is no Obasanjo to torment life out of him he is lucky to have a gentle friend and an ally in the person of President Jonathan whom he shares the same umbrella with. If Fayose’s tenure turns out catastrophic again in the next four years , it would not only be unfortunate but totally unforgivable.

Power Play: Pinnick Vs Keshi Like a bolt from the blues, the Nigerian Football Federation(NFF) has sacked Stephen Keshi as the coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles team.

Needless to state that last weekend’s loss to Sudan laid the

foundation for the sack even after Keshi battled to remedy himself last Wednesday by beating Sudan 3-1.

Prior to his sack, newly elected NFF president, Amaju Pinick had fired the warnings

throwing out his dislike for Keshi as soon as he was elected.

He made no pretence at his intent to dispense with Keshi as soon as he mounted the throne. To this, Keshi dared him to. It is now clear that

‘power pass power’.

In the history of the nation’s football, no coach has had to be sacked after an NFF meeting which lasted till 3am, but for Keshi’s. Talk about enforcing a threat!

You lament not the dead, but lament the trouble of making a grave; the way of the ghost is longer than the grave.

Naerls forum

October 17, 2014

National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, ABU Zaria Contact: Dr M.K Othman - 08065571637. mkothman@gmail.com

Integrating Agricultural Research For Sustainbale National Development: The Waapp-Naerls Agricultural Innovation Platform The National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services is in collaboration with many international organizations and development project platforms in order to bring innovation and best practices to Nigerian farmers responsively. One of such platforms is the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Project (WAAPP) Nigeria. The NAERLSWAAPP collaboration is broad-based and it involves the institutions working on different initiatives to help Nigerian farmers increase their productivity and generate sustainable wealth through the adoption of technologies and best practices.

The imperative for such formidable partnership is the fact that on many occasions, stakeholders in agriculture have shown their bitterness about the low percentage of agricultural research reports and innovations engaged by the private sector and government for easy take over by small farm holding income farmers to development the country’s economy. The level of technology adoption by farmers and replication for commercial purposes by private manufacturers will definitely sustain the usability of such technology because pick-up prices will be cheap and repairs and services will be easier

based on the availability of spare parts.

This is operational possible when farmers are confident that what they adopting will be available all the time, and will not affect their productivity projections.

Thus, farmers’ involvement in research processes is critical to local ownership and sustainability.

The emergence of Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D) presents an opportunity to address any development problem such as stated above. The IAR4D innovative principles influence the integration of research agenda into national development plans while also recognizing the need for greater organizational capacities among stakeholders. Operationalization of IAR4D revolves around successful establishment and operation of an Agricultural Innovation Platform (AIP). An innovation platform is defined as ‘a space for learning and change. It is a group of individuals (who often represent organizations) with different backgrounds and interests: farmers, traders, food processors, researchers, government officials etc. The members come together to diagnose problems, identify opportunities and find ways to achieve their goals. They may design and implement activities as a

Group photograph with women farmers after the inauguration

platform, or coordinate activities by individual members. Innovation platforms are particularly useful in agriculture because agricultural issues tend to be complex. They involve different biophysical, socioeconomic and political factors, and concern various formal and informal institutions.

By bringing together stakeholders in various sectors and from different levels, innovation platforms may be able to

identify and address common concerns more effectively. Innovation platforms can be used to explore strategies that can boost productivity, manage natural resources, improve value chains, and adapt to climate change. Some innovation platforms focus on single issues; others deal with multiple topics. ➔ TO BE CONTI UED NEXT WEEK

ceo spot

Seidu Onailo Mohammed: Shaping NASRDA For Global Relevance

BY PAUL CHIAMA, Abuja

The director-general/chief executive officer (CEO), National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Professor Seidu Onailo Mohammed, has seen it all, having reached the pinnacle of classroom learning as a professor before investing his time into public service and administration.

As the DG, NASRDA, Mohammed occupies a very sensitive seat with great determining influence over how Nigeria is viewed in the comity of international community in this era of competitive relevance in space, science and technology. Without exaggeration, Mohammed’s position as NASRDA DG is a case of putting a square peg in a square hole.

Born on August 17, 1960 in Abejukolo, an ancient town in Omala local government area of Kogi State, Professor Mohammed began his educational pursuit in Ankpa, Kogi State where he had his early education.

The DG also holds a Master of Science degree in Soil Survey, Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems from the International Institute for Geo-information and Earth Observation, Twente University, Netherlands. This qualification makes him suitable for the position he occupies for pragmatic impacts in Nigeria’s quest for advancement in space technology.

Above his MSc, Mohammed, in continuous search for academic advancement, also obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Environmental Remote Sensing from Bayero University, Kano (BUK). This additional feather in his cap of academic background further makes him more squareshaped necessary to fill the tasking square hole in NASRDA. Professor Mohammed’s scholarly adventures did not stop at BUK. Similarly, he attended University of Jos, Plateau State and Indian Institute of Remote Sensing in Dehradun, Uttah Pradesh Province, India, in effort to perfect himself in the area of remote sensing and space technology. As the quest continues to blossom, he also studied at Chicago University, USA. In the academia, the NASRDA DG has distinguished himself. He made tremendous impact in contributing to the existing body of knowledge in his chosen field by, having contributed over 40 publications in both local and international journals. He has also served as an elected member and board member, International Academy of Astronautics. He was also a trustee of the academy.

As they say, “knowledge is power”.

Mohammed brought this to the fore when, on November 3, 2013, an eclipse of the sun

occurred, causing widespread panic and curiousity. As some people got unnecessarily worried, some, especially the uninformed locals, linking the phenomenon with a possible end of the world, the DG helped to calm frayed nerves by admonishing Nigerians that the eclipse was a normal occurrence which should not cause panic.

NASRDA, under Mohammed, commenced an 18-month collaborative effort with Kogi State government when they signed a seminal land survey pact. The agreement which was signed in August, 2014 at a time the agency marked the third anniversary of August 2011 launch of Nigeria’s earthobserving satellite, Nigeria Sat-X into the orbit.

This commendable feat in commencing a collaborative effort with Kogi State government should be replicated with other state governments in line with Nigeria’s need to commercialise its satellite services. This is also imperative even as most Nigerians still live in doubt over the impact of Nigeria’s satellite services. Some people still hold the opinion that there is nothing yet to show for it, three years after its launch.

This is more so as there is the ever increasing need for Nigeria to master space technology in a world where there is competitive influence in global economy

Malice drinketh its own poison.— Chinese Proverb

Mohammed

which is technologically driven.

Another challenge before Mohammed as the NASRDA boss is to actualise the dream of Nigeria building its own satellite domestically. This will be a shift in progress from Nigeria Sat-X which was built by Nigerian engineers in the UK. Above all, it will generate more jobs for Nigerians.

Importantly, expanding Nigeria’s satellite services will, in no small way, improve boundary delineation among states, local governments and communities. This will in turn, eliminate boundary crises among governments and communities.

OPINION 55

October 17, 2014

Understanding And Celebrating Ghadeer (2) ➔ CONTINUED From last friday

By WAZIRI ISA GWANTU

At this point Ibada ibn Samit, a companion, rose and asked: “O Messenger of Allah! When that time comes, whom should we look up to for guidance?”

The messenger of Allah answered as follows: “You should follow and obey the People of my House (Ahlul-Bait).” They are the heirs of my apostolic and prophetic knowledge.

They will save you from going astray, and they will lead you to salvation. They would invite you toward the Book (Al-Qur’an alMajid) and my Sunnah. Follow them because they are never in doubt about anything. Their faith in Allah is unshakable. They are the rightlyguided ones; they are the Imams, and they alone can save you from misbelief, heresy and innovations.

Allah has commanded you to love my Ahlul-Bait. Devotion to them is made mandatory for you (Al-Qur’an al-Majid: Chapter 42, verse 23). They are the ones who are sanctififed (Al-Qur’an al-Majid: Chapter 33, verse 33). They are the ones endowed with virtues and excellence which no one else possesses. They are the chosen ones of Allah Himself.

Now I have been commanded by Allah to make this announcement:

At this point he held Ali’s hand, lifted it high and said: “Know ye all, of whomsoever I am the Maula (Master), Ali is his Maula (Master) O Allah! Be Thou a Friend of him who is a friend of Ali, and be Thou an Enemy to him who is an enemy to Ali. O Allah! Help him who helps Ali, and abandon him who abandons him”.

The speech was over. Muhammad Mustafa, the Messenger of Allah, had formally and officially declared Ali ibn Abi Talib to be the Sovereign of all Muslims, and had appointed him as the head of the State and government of Islam.

As soon as this announcement was made, another verse, the last one of Al-Qur’an al Majid, was revealed to Muhammad (saw).

It reads as follows: This day I have perfected for you, Your Religion and have Completed My favours on you, and have Chosen for you Islam to be your Religion (Chapter 5; Verse 4).

It was the 18th day of the 12th month of the 10th year of the Islamic calendar (March 21, 632) when the last verse of Revelation was sent down to this earth. The Revelation had begun in A.D. 610 in the cave of Hira in Makkah, and was brought to a conclusion in A.D. and in the plain of Khumm with the proclamation that Ali ibn Abi Talib would be the chief executive, after Muhammad himself, of the Government of Medina and the state of Islam.

The Last Sermon (Khutbah) Of Prophet Muhammad (Farewell Sermon) ➔ CONTINUED From last friday

By Ahmed Gimba Ahmed

One can heed words of wisdom and guidelines from the last sermon (khutbah) of the prophet (SAW). His sermons emphasized on the following: • Sacredness of a Muslim’s life and property. The importance of propagating this message to all others (A Muslim’s responsibility thus does not end by following the religion).

• A reminder that everyone is fully accountable for their deeds and Allah (God) will take every person into account. If everyone heeded to this fact alone, the world would be a much better place today.

• “Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you.” These words of the prophet are self-explanatory.

The prohibition of dealing with interest (Numerous accounts in Quran and Hadith prohibit taking, giving or being a part of any transaction dealing with interest).

• “You will neither inflict nor

suffer any inequity.” These words of the prophet are selfexplanatory. The awareness of satan and how satan can work to deviate us from the right path and doing evil things.

• Rights of women over men and rights of men over women.

• Treatment of women with kindness.

• Modesty and chastity in women.

• The importance of worshiping Allah (saying your five daily prayers [Salah]), fasting during the month of Ramadan, giving charity (Zakat) and performing pilgrimage (Hajj).

• Equality amongst all (blacks, whites, Arabs, non-Arabs, etc.)

• The need to establish justice.

• Islam is the final divine religion (Last prophet and Last Book).

• Let’s do our part in following the prophet’s message and propagating the message to everyone we know.

A.G. Ahmed wrote from Potiskum and can be reached at gimba_ahmad@ hotmail.com ➔ CONCLUDED

Ibn Hujr Asqalani writes in Isaba that after making this announcement, the Apostle of God placed a turban on the head of Ali Abi Talib, thus completing his coronation.

All the companions congratulated Ali on this glorious occasion when the Apostle of God Himself crowned him and proclaimed him his vicegerent and successor. Among those who congratulated him were Umar bin al-Khattab and the wives of the Apostle.

Hassan bin Thabit Ansari was the court poet of the Prophet, and he versified all important events. The coronation of Ali was one of the most historic events that challenged poetical talents. He composed a poem on this occasion which he dedicated to Ali. Following is a rough translation of his verses: On the day of Ghadeer Khumm, the Prophet and the Muslims called them out, and I heard him when he said: ‘Who is your Lord, and who is your master?” They all said: “Allah is our Lord, and you are our master, and no one among us can disobey you.”

So he asked Ali to stand up. When Ali rose, he held his hand, and said: “I select you as the leader after me. Therefore, whomsoever’s master I am, Ali is his master also.

Therefore, all of you become his true friends and supporters.”

The Prophet then prayed, saying; “O Allah! Be Thou a Friend of those who are the friends of Ali; and be Thou an Enemy of those who are his enemies.”

Another poet who composed verses on the occasion of the coronation of Ali, was Qays ibn Ubada Ansari. He said: When the enemy rebelled against us, I said that our Sustainer, Allah, is sufficient for us, and He is the best Protector that we can have.

Ali is our master and he is the master of all believers. This is borne out by Al-Qur’anal Majid, and it is so since the day when Allah’s Messenger said; “Whomsoever’s master I am, Ali is his master also.”

This was indeed a most remarkable event.

Whatever the Messenger of Allah said on that day, is final; it’s the last word, and there is absolutely no room for any argument in it.

Curiously and most incredibly, even a man like Amr bin Aas was “inspired” to dedicate a poem to Ali at Ghadeer-Khumm. Following is a distich of his composition: The stroke of Ali’s sword is just like that oath of allegiance which everyone took on the Ghadeer, and which made everyone bow himself before his (new) authority.

If the two verses of Qur’an relating to Ali’s coronation, are read in their chronological order, and in their historical context, their meaning will become clear. I shall quote them once again in a brief analysis; and for the facility of reference, I shall call them the first and the second verse. ➔ TO BE CONTINUED

56 NEWS NATIONAL

October 17, 2014

PSIN To Institutionalise Research/Devt Departments In Tertiary Institutions

By Christiana Nwaogu, Abuja

L-R: Dr Jaafaru Sa’ad, Galadiman Ruwan Zazzau; Alhaji Falalu Dalhatu, Zannan Zazzau at the palace of Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji (Dr) Shehu Idris in Zaria, recently.

Boko Haram Still In Charge Of Bama, Ngala, Kala-Balge – Reps Asks FG To Grant Qatar Airlines Landing Rights

By Adesuwa Tsan and Edegbe Odemwingie, Abuja

The House of Representatives yesterday said that despite reports that local governments in Borno State seized by Boko Haram have been reclaimed, some parts of Bama, Ngala and Kala-Balge are still under the control of the insurgents.

To this end, they have appealed to the

federal government to totally liberate the areas from the terrorists and return stability to the areas by increasing the security manpower.

This was sequel to the adoption of the recommendations of a motion moved by Hon. Abdulrahaman Abba Terab (representing Bama, Borno) on the urgent need to reclaim Bama, Ngala and Kala-Balge local government areas and other adjoining local government areas around Bama/Ngala/Kala-Balge federal constituency currently under the control of the Boko Haram insurgents.

Terab also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to liaise with their Cameroonian counterparts to provide relief materials to refugees numbering over 2000, who are currently in Fotokol, Kusuri and Garwa.

In a related development, the lawmakers have asked the federal government to grant Qatar Airways landing rights to operate at the Malam Aminu Kano and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe International airports.

This is just as it has called on the government to lift the suspension on operations of Emirates Airline.

Push Out Polio Now, Rotary Warns Nigerian Communities

By Winifred Ogbebo and Victor Okeke, Abuja

Rotary International has called on communities and political leaders to support the final push to eradicate the wild polio virus or face the potential consequences of a new polio pandemic that could continue to cripple children in the country.

The chairman, Rotary Day Celebration Committee, Mr Seyi Olufadeju, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at a press briefing to flag off the week-long commemoration of the World Polio Day which is celebrated every 24th day of October.

According to him, polio eradication is completely doable, and the commitment of traditional, religious and community leaders could

result in preventing thousands of cases of paralysis and death, saving billions of naira.

“As you know, the number of cases in the endemic states is down by 87 per cent in 2014, compared to the same period in 2013.”

He said that Rotary International has contributed over $1.2 billion and countless volunteer hours to the protection of more than two billion children in 122 countries.

“For as little as US 60 cents worth of vaccine, a child can be protected against this crippling disease for life. After an international investment of more than US 89 billion, and the successful engagement of over 200 countries and 20 million volunteers, polio could be the first human disease of the first century to be eradicated.”

He said that since 1985, polio eradication has

been Rotary’s flagship project, with members donating time and money to help achieve the goal of reaching every child.

He added that following the progress made

by Rotary from 1970, Rotary, the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention came together to launch the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, which has benefitted from the tremendous support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Also in his remarks, the incident manager, Polio Emergency Centre, Dr Andrew Etsano said that the six confirmed polio virus in the country is predominantly in local government now as the last case was recorded three months ago in July 24th.

Finally, PDP Recognises LCDAs Created By Lagos Govt

By Olaolu Oladipo, Lagos

In a move considered by many as a shift in position, the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has finally acknowledged the validity of 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) created by the immediate past government in the state.

Former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu had created additional 37 councils to

the 20 constitutionally recognised ones, a move that created schism between the state and the federal government, leading to the withholding of funds meant for the local governments in the state by the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004.

The funds amounting to over N10billion were however released by the succeeding government of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua shortly after the administration

came into being in 2007.

Apart from the crisis the issue generated between both tiers of government, it also caused bad blood between the then Alliance for Democracy (AD) now the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ruling PDP. A change of stance by the PDP was announced by the state publicity secretary of the PDP, Mr. Taofik Gani in a statement issued yesterday.

Rather a piece of bread with a happy heart than wealth with grief.

Egyptian Proverbs

Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), has moved to institutionalise Research and Development Departments in all tertiary institutions in Nigeria as part of efforts to reposition public service activities and strategies in order to meet the present challenges.

The administrator of PSIN, Dr. Shehu Abubakar Misau made this known during a three-day retreat programme

by PSIN for staff of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) in Abuja.

He explained that aside aligning skills with market needs and increasing the quality of education in the country, the initiative will boost human resource, economic development and professionalism, if institutionalised. He added that the Research and Development Departments will be ICT driven.

According to Misau, the retreat was meant to create an interface between research and innovative outcome from institutions of higher learning.

The executive secretary of TETFUND, Prof. Suleman Bagoro said the initiative was timely as most of the present research findings in the tertiary institutions were moribund.

Group Declares Support For Jonathan, Holds Rallies Across The Country

By Abah Adah, Abuja

A group called “Yes We Will 2015”, has joined in the campaign for the re-election of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at the polls.

In a press release signed by its national leader and secretary, Onah David Adikwu and Mary Brian Esema respectively in Abuja yesterday, the group noted that its decision to support the re-election campaign was borne out of the landmark achievements recorded by the Jonathanled government that has transformed virtually all sectors of the economy.

The statement said, “In view of the transformation that has taken place and which is still taking place in all sectors of the economy today, the Jonathan-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government has done so well to deserve a second term to enable it consolidate on the achievements recorded so far. We are therefore calling on him to declare his intention without further delay.”

The group which highlighted its aims and objectives in the release said it is out to support the cause of good governance in Nigeria even beyond 2015 and called on all Nigerians to turn out enmass and call for President Jonathan’s re-election, adding that “it is only in that way that the current tempo of development can be sustained”. It further noted that the body was ready to partner with all politicians who may want to take advantage of the platform.

for the records 57

October 17, 2014

Rebuilding The Nation: Lessons From Other Lands ➔ CONTINUED FROM thursday

Being the concluding part of an address by Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, San, Governor of Lagos State, at the Leadership Annual Conference and 2013 Awards presentation on Tuesday October 14, 2014 at Thisday Dome, Abuja.

South Africa “From 1948 to 1994, apartheid was a system of racial segregation in South Africa enforced through legislation by the Afrikaner-dominated National Party and Broederbond organisations. Under the system, the rights, associations, and movements of the black residents of the country were curtailed.

Under the apartheid system, residents of the country were divided into four racial groups—”black”, “white”, “coloured”, and “Indian”, and a person’s classification determined where they could live, work or even walk, and what kinds of public services they were legally eligible to receive. A system of racial discrimination is a very vile and morally deficient system.

Its ethical underpinnings offend the Laws of God. When W. de Klerk became president in 1989, he opened the door wider to change and, in the same year, a still imprisoned Nelson Mandela contacted anti-apartheid leaders and put forward proposals for negotiations.

After the official abolition of apartheid, former President de Klerk apologised in his capacity as leader of the NP to the millions who suffered over the decades of racial discrimination. Adriaan Vlok, on his part, washed the feet of apartheid victim Frank Chikane in an act of apology for the wrongs of the Apartheid regime, and Leon Wessels released a public apology stating that he was convinced that apartheid was a terrible mistake that blighted ‘our land’.

A number of formal platforms were set up to ensure this. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), a court-like restorative justice body, was set up in South Africa after the abolition of apartheid.

People who had been victims of gross human rights violations were invited to give statements about their experiences, and some were selected for public hearings. Perpetrators of violence could also give testimony and request amnesty from both civil and criminal prosecution.

The TRC marked a crucial component of the transition to full and free democracy in South Africa. It laid emphasis on reconciliation.

So we can see that South Africa rebuilt by pursuing Truth and Reconciliation.

An important way in which South Africa is being rebuilt is through the deliberate inclusion of blacks in employment. Also,

slums such as Soweto were rebuilt and the general standard of living of the people has increased with blacks being able to get quality education which they were previously denied. This has led to the growth of the black middle-class Racially motivated land tenure policies were also repealed in 1994, and as whiteonly areas have opened to other races, the biggest post-apartheid population shift has been the movement of black middleclass residents from townships to formerly all-white suburbs.

Townships have also become the locations of museums and malls and are thus tourist attractions, a move which brings more income to the people of the areas who own local businesses. “ Rwanda “Unlike racial conflict in South Africa, what was at the heart of the Rwandan experience was ethnic distrust between the Hutus and Tutsis leading to discrimination.

What sparked off the horror that that the world witnessed for about 100 days in 1994 was an act suspected to be the murder of the Rwandan President, Juvenal Habyarimana who was of Hutu extraction.

The genocide was indescribable.

In situations where some people survived the violence and could recognize the perpetrators and their assailants, public reconciliation processes between the warring factions, Hutus and Tutsis, were conducted and encouraged.

The new government did not dwell on repairing something that was broken apart but rather sought to build a new nation devoid of ethnic identities, conflicts or prejudices. One of the first step was to abolish the system of ethnic identity cards. Then the establishment of leadership across ethnic lines.

Stringent efforts have been made to ensure access to education and improve the quality. Today, 97% of its children attend primary school, one of the highest rates in Africa. UNESCO acknowledged this feat by listing it as one of the top three countries invested in the improvement of and access to education, globally.

With two-thirds of Rwanda’s population under 25 and life expectancy at just 55, many have placed their hopes in the country’s youth. Children are discouraged from using labels that may bring about division such as identifying with one tribe alone. Rather they are encouraged and taught to focus on a common Rwanda.

After the genocide, the country struggled to reduce the number of deaths.

Today, Rwanda is often praised for its success on key health indicators. Deaths of under-fives have fallen from 230 per 1,000 live births in 1998 to 55 per 1000 live births in 2012.

Fashola

Infant mortality has also plummeted – from 120 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1998 to fewer than 40 in 2012. According to World Bank statistics, the country spends a good part of its national budget on health and education. In 2011, almost 24% of total government expenditure went to health and 17% to education.”

Again we can see forgiveness, public reconciliation and social and economic justice for all, especially women and children as what worked for Rwanda.

These are high ideals around which to build our nation. We must not wait for a genocide before we start.

Georgia “Georgia has been a part of Soviet Russia since 1921 and remained so until 1991.

In 1991, Zviad Gamsakhurdia, who was elected as the first President of independent Georgia stoked Georgian nationalism and vowed to assert Tbilisi’s authority over regions such as Abkhazia and South Ossetia that had been classified as autonomous oblasts under the Soviet Union.

He was deposed by a bloody coup d’état in December 1991, after which Georgia became entangled in a civil war which lasted until 1995. The inter-ethnic violence and wars led to Abkhazia, and South Ossetia achieving de facto independence from Georgia, with Georgia retaining control only in small areas of the disputed territories. About 250,000 Georgians were

A borrowed coat does not keep one warm.

— Dominican Proverbs

massacred or expelled from Abkhazia by separatists.

The three-year civil war led to a decade of political instability, and financial, economic and social crises. These events resulted in a severe deterioration of relations with Russia, fuelled also by Russia’s open assistance and support to the two secessionist areas.

In May 2005 Georgia and Russia reached a bilateral agreement and under it Russian military bases (dating back to the Soviet era) in its territory were withdrawn. In 2008, tension with Russia began escalating. In five days of fighting, the Russian forces captured Tskhinvali, pushed back Georgian troops, and largely destroyed Georgia’s military infrastructure using airstrikes deep inside the Georgia proper. The war displaced 192,000 people but it ended in August of the same year.”

Rebuilding Georgia “Reforms started as far back as November 2003, when the liberal-minded Mikheil Saakashvili took over from Eduard Shevardnadze as the president of Georgia. He embarked on a program of reform that led to improved quality of life for the people of the country. As the relics of the Soviet system were being flushed away, his government privatised state enterprises, invested in education, health, and infrastructure, and reformed ➔ CONTINUES on the next PAGE

58 for the records

October 17, 2014

Rebuilding The Nation: Lessons From Other Lands ➔ FROM previous PAGE

the police force to get rid of corruption in it. One of the ways in which the police was reformed was by increasing the officers’ salaries as an incentive.

Also, and importantly, the country began work to make the economy one which could be invested in. The process has been so consistent, despite rough patches in civil stability, that the country is currently ranked the 8th easiest place to do business in the world by the World Bank.

Today, bribery is almost non-existent in Georgia, and according to polls only one percent of Georgians respond that they’ve been asked for a bribe by police.”

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I started by telling you about my belief in the promise of Nigeria, I still do.

South Africa waited from 1948-1994 (46 years); Rwanda recovered in 18 years, Georgia was not free from 1921 – 1991 (70 years) and after 4 years of postindependent conflict and civil war, has rebounded in less than two decades.

What is instructive is that all these lessons and reforms came from within those countries. Their people, especially some outstanding leaders, led a moral and ethical renaissance, which delivered social and economic justice and results.

The question we must then ask is whether we are sufficiently dissatisfied with what we have.

If we are not, no leader, no matter how well intentioned, can lead us anywhere.

We must want change more than our leaders want it.

Our actions must demonstrate our unflinching desire for it like Mama.

If we want change, the elections in 2015 are a good place to start. No amount of ‘stomach infrastructure’ should be sufficient to influence our vote.

For me, the next elections is not so much about what the opposition brings as some people have argued.

I know that what the opposition does might or might not be helpful.

But I think there is another view that has not been interrogated.

If you and I are happy with what we have now, and some ambassadors say that they are, then nothing that the opposition does should change how we feel or how we choose.

Conversely therefore, if we are unhappy with what we have, the logical thing is to attempt to change it with our votes; and to change the next one if we do not find what we want until we find what works.

That is when the people will have truly claimed power.

Japan has changed Prime Ministers 9 times in 15 years. England has changed 3 in 10 years and who knows what will happen in May 2015?

Conclusion Let me begin my conclusion by sharing with you some material I dug up about Detroit in Michigan State as typical of what can happen if we make good or bad

Fashola

choices.

“In February 1802, Detroit became a chartered city, and four years later it was incorporated as a city in the Michigan territory. However, it was unincorporated in 1809, then reincorporated in 1815, at which time it had a population of 850.

When, in 1827, Detroit adopted its motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (We hope for better days; it shall rise from the ashes), no one knew just how good the years ahead would be, or that the city would once more experience bad times.

The mid-80s witnessed the rise of Detroit’s fortune as a city, as Bernhard Stroh opened up Stroh Brewery Company and acquired several brands over the years.

In 1896, history was made when Henry Ford took his first automobile on a test drive on the streets of Detroit.

He went on to establish the Detroit Automobile Co. Although that company failed, several other automobile companies would be birthed in Detroit.

Ransom E. Olds opened Detroit’s first auto manufacturing plant, Ford established his second car company, Henry Ford Co. Ford, which went on to become Cadillac Motor Co. Detroit.

Detroit went on to become the automobile capital of the United States of America, with companies like General Motors, Chrysler Corp, Packard Motor Car Co. and others also being headquartered there in the 1900s.

By 1950, with a population of 1.85 million, Detroit was responsible for 296,000 manufacturing jobs. And it was more than automobile. The famous Motown Records was founded in the city, and had great artists like the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and the Jackson 5 signed onto it.

Detroit was the modern day equivalent

of Silicon Valley in the United States of America at the time. It was the place for innovation and for bringing ideas to life.

It had a population of 1.8 million people and it had the highest per capita income in the United States.”

Trouble in Detroit “The first sign of big trouble came in the mid-90s as blacks moved into Detroit to work and live. Between 1945 and 1965, there were more than 200 violent racial incidents of whites attacking blacks in Detroit and almost all stemmed from the first or second black families moving into an all-white neighbourhood.

In July 1967 when The Twelfth Street riot occurred, during which black residents were pitted against the police. In five days of rioting, 43 people were killed, 467 injured, and more than 7,200 arrested while 2,000 buildings were destroyed.

As the years go by, such riots and the often near-state of anarchy in the city causes companies to begin relocating their factories and headquarters. It becomes cheaper for them to operate their manufacturing arm in other continents like Asia and this resulted in the downsizing and outsourcing of the auto industry.

Because Detroit’s economy was heavily reliant on the auto industry, and it had a history of racial battles, things went downhill. Thomas Sugrue, a history professor at the University of Pennsylvania, said of Detroit: “It’s been 60-plus years of steady disinvestment, depopulation and an intensive hostility between the city, the suburbs and the rest of the state.”

Although the influx of blacks into Detroit helped it to achieve economic rise, it led to a mass exodus of white residents.

Those who could moved out of the city, especially the white population.

A back does not break from bending.

— Dominican Proverbs

The population of the city also began to fall and in 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that Detroit’s population has fallen to 713,777, a 25 percent plummet from 2000 and the lowest level in 100 years. At the moment, about 83% of the city’s population is black.

Because Detroit’s finances are premised on a minimum tax base of 750,000 people, the decline in population had economic repercussions. A new law, Public Act 4, that allows the state to intervene in financially troubled local governments takes effect.

Another factor that contributed to the city’s downfall was its corrupt local government. Things got so bad that in 2013 one of its former mayors’ was sentenced to 28 years in prison for corrupt acts done while in office.

A review board describes Detroit as being in “operational dysfunction” and “unable or unwilling to restructure its finances”.

By July 2013, while other cities and states were crawling their way out of the economic recession, Detroit had hit rock bottom. The city had as much as $20 billion debt and so it filed a bankruptcy petition, becoming the largest municipal bankruptcy filing in history.

Time Magazine, in 2009, posited that the fiscal disaster was inevitable “because the politicians in Detroit were always knocking the can forward, not confronting the issues, buying off public employees by increasing their pensions. They were always kind of confronting the impending crisis by trying to make it the next guy’s crisis.”

Today, there are less than 27,000 jobs in Detroit. It also has about 78,000 homes abandoned by people who fled because of the high incidence of violence. The crime rate in the city is 5 times higher than the average in the United States.”

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, we must turn around from the road to Detroit.

We cannot kick this can further down the road for another four years.

The consequences will be grave, it will be global, and reverberating.

Without any more doubt in my mind, the singular recommendation that I can make for ‘Rebuilding the Nation and using lessons from other lands’ is that we must renew our values.

We must act now to rebuild our nation by choosing morality, high ethics and a value system that inspires.

These are the lessons from other lands, as we seek to rebuild our nation.

Another instructive lesson from other lands that we compared, is that the change has come from within.

Happy Birthday General Gowon, I hope that you and I and all of us will see the Nigeria of our dream. I also hope that we will start from today to rebuild the values that will take us to that dream.

I thank you for listening.

— Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN Governor of Lagos State ➔ Concluded

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OBJ: Gritty Maverick Takes Centre Stage Again! ➔ FROM BACKPAGE corruption, the deteriorating state of the economy, the decimation of the middle class which Baba had helped to revive, and worst of all the raging insurgency that was threatening the very foundation of the country, and instead lamely and depressingly concentrated on insisting that Baba lacked the moral right to say the obvious. Now, nearly one year after that letter, all the fears and concerns that Baba had raised in the letter were coming to pass. Unfortunately.

But characteristically, Baba remained undaunted. By August, when it emerged that Baba’s son had been injured in action while leading troops in the very dangerous battleground of the North East, the whole world, Nigerians in particular, put aside their prejudices and purged themselves of all sentiments and admitted that indeed the former President Olusegun Obasanjo towers head and shoulders above all his peers in his love, commitment and service to his country.

Thereafter the pilgrimage to Abeokuta started: The opposition All Progressives Congress leadership, the PDP leadership, the National Assembly leadership and

dozens of other political significant others all started queuing up to get a chance to pay homage, declare loyalty, or simply flow with the tide as they jostle to be in the good books of this tireless soldier who is always one step ahead of everybody.

This is where we are: Once again former President Olusegun Obasanjo is poised to play a decisive role in the course of Nigeria’s checkered history. There is no prize though for guessing what he would do: He would put the nation first , second, and last. The puzzle is to guess how he would react to the avalanche of courtship that are pouring in.

So far Baba hasn’t responded, nor has he asked anyone to respond on his behalf.

But we can speculate, especially since the stakes are so high that no one can possibly be immune to the consequences of whatever the present tragi-comedy situation eventual throws up.

Those who know former President Olusegun Obasanjo closely often smile benignly when an enthralled public expresses perplexity over what they perceive as Mr. Obasanjo’s increasingly intriguing behavioral swings. One moment he is cradling and nursing; the next he is ruthless and unrelenting. He is enigma itself.

Back in 2007 when Baba left office after successfully nurturing the first civilian to civilian transition, national public opinion about him was mixed. Those who never wavered in their criticism of him regardless of how many angels are swearing he is right, maintained their position and accused him of influencing the presidential election in favour of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They gave the former president no credit for anything he might have done right leading to the swearing in of Umaru Yar’Adua as his successor. Those with moderate views took a more nuanced position and reluctantly admitted that warts and all, Obasanjo had once again steered the country though to another milestone.

But outside the country, it was praises from east to west, from China to America to Europe. His friends in Africa, notably Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, John Kufour and the younger crop of African leaders who see him as a father figure were effusive in their appreciation of his stewardship of Nigeria. The world felt, and indicated by its actions in the way it feted him, that there was hope yet for the Word’s largest, richest and most influential black nation.

And in the estimation of the outside world

it was all thanks to the man who had ruled the country twice, 20 years apart; first as a military head of state (1976-1979) and later as a democratically elected civilian president (1999-2007) for a cummulative period of 11 years.

As the nation waits and Nigerians speculate on what Baba would do next, here is wishing the Grand Patron of the Republic God’s continous guidance so that, as he had done many times in the past, he would be the catalyst to the solution of what is seen by many as our country’s most dangerous challenge ever. Equally important is also the hope and prayer that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, would reflect deeply on his self confessed humble beginnings, the blessings that God has showered on him through no effort of his; consider his present circumstances and honestly search his soul; take an honest look at the dangerous egg shells that dot his future; and muster the courage to emulate his mentor by putting the country above any other considerations.

It is not yet too late. But time is running out.

—Muhammad, an honorary media adviser to former President Obasanjo, wrote via deengarba@yahoo.com.

Hon Ugwuanyi, Enugu North And Other Matters

By Ben Uroko

Analysts believe that Enugu north senatorial district has been marginalized in the polity of Enugu state since 1999 when former Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo’s tenure was cut short by the military government of the late Sani Abacha. Nwodo’s government then, which also included the present Ebonyi state, was run under the principle of Triangular Equilibrium, a policy Nwodo’s government adopted to equitably distribute the state resources according to the geo-political zones of the state. It was an egalitarian idea then, but subsequent development in the state proved him wrong.

He was succeeded by Governor Chimaroke Nnamani. Nnamani’s government, which ran for eight years, invariably concentrated on Enugu east senatorial district where most of the capital projects, both state and federal government, were built. Other zones of the state, Enugu west and Enugu north, were not favoured as Enugu east. The worst affected is Enugu north that was made to remain stagnantly undeveloped. The one that comes to mind is Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, which was removed from Nsukka, and relocated to Enugu east.

Governor Sullivan Chime, from Enugu west senatorial district, succeeded Nnamani.

He however did not toe the line of his predecessor as he relatively spread the cake of the state to other senatorial districts. But still some pundits from Enugu north claim that, like Oliver Twist, they need some more.

Political developments in the state in the past weeks show that something positive is in the offing for Enugu north senatorial district. This followed the endorsement of Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, representing Igboeze north and Udenu federal constituency in the National Assembly, as the consen-

sus candidate of the PDP in the 2015 guber election in the state. He was unanimously endorsed by the party’s stakeholders from Enugu north. Recall that Governor Chime had hitherto urged the zone to produce a consensus candidate to succeed him.

Former national chairman of the PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, said stakeholders and leaders from Nsukka senatorial zone of the state prevailed on most of the governorship aspirants to step down for a three-term member of the House of Representatives, Hon Ugwuanyi, to the become the zone’s consensus candidate for the 2015 election because ‘of the determination of the zone to produce the next governor of the state’ and ‘in order to reduce rancour and bitterness amongst interested parties and ensure smooth transition for the party’.

Among the aspirants that were present during the meeting include the Senate committee chairman for works, Senator Ayogu Eze; speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Eugene Odo; state chairman of the party, Engr. Vita Abba; former deputy governor of the state, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi; Hon. Pat Asadu, Prince Mathew Agu, Amb. Fidel Ayogu, Prof. Osita Ogbu, Chief Ikeje Asogwa and Prof. Simon Ortuanya.

Since Ugwuanyi’s endorsement, several associations and individuals have declared their unalloyed support for him. They include former local government chairmen of the state under the aegis of Association of Former Local Government Chairmen of Enugu State which endorsed Hon Ugwuanyi in a meeting last week. Also, the umbrella body of Nsukka people in Abuja has thrown its weight behind Hon Ugwuanyi, describing him as Godsent. The body, Nsukka Zonal Citizens Abuja, in a press briefing recently, said such decision by the party’s caucus in the senatorial zone would eliminate bickering and rancour

associated with elections. The president of the group, Barr Paul C. Eze, said the choice of Hon Ugwuanyi by consensus is an indication that he is generally accepted. He also commended Enugu state governor Sullivan Chime for endorsing Hon Ugwuanyi.

“Governor Chime has always been a candid leader and his contributions to the development of the state and the nation at large speak volumes. No doubt Hon Ugwuanyi will toe the line of Chime’s giant strides in the state. That stride of the governor has reduced unnecessary tension in the state. Enugu north senatorial zone remains indebted to him because of this singular act,” he said.

For Dr Sally Adukwu, an aspirant to the House of Representatives for Igboeze north and Udenu federal constituency, the choice of Hon Ugwuanyi is divine. She called on other aspirants to rally round him to move the state forward.

She said, “My message rests on the leadership style that our people desire in Enugu state. We have been people regarded as ignorant, and politically insensitive. I want to let our leaders know that we have become politically aware. We want a visionary leadership that will serve the people and not rule the people. The people want servant leaders.

People who are arrogant in leadership will no longer be voted for. That is a plus for Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. People have told stories of Hon Ugwuanyi’s generosity and I have come to conclude that he is God-sent. He is visionary. For him to come to this point, he has seen it many years ago. He should stay focused on his visions for the state. As long as he has visions for the state, he should create the path towards actualising them. He should not be distracted. I have not seen one person that had this kind of general acceptance in Nigeria. It could only be the case of MKO Abiola. I have not seen anybody who dislikes

Hon Ugwuanyi. Governor Sullivan Chime has set a pattern already. Celebrating mediocrity which used to be the case before Chime is gone. Then mediocrity had its way, and the state looked like an old woman in rags.”

Chief Charles Agadenyi Nwodo is the national chairman of the Progressives Action Congress, PAC. He is also from Enugu north senatorial zone of Enugu state.

He said, “If the will of the PDP stakeholders who represent the people is that they will use consensus to get the party’s candidate, there is nothing bad about it. It is part and parcel of democracy. Such limits crises and waste. But if there are dissenting voices, such voices should meet the stakeholders and seek redoing it. It is dangerous also to revolt against the stakeholders of a political party. It can be disastrous. Atiku Abubakar is an example. Democracy demands that voting should take place, but if through consensus a deal is struck, it beautifies it because of the benefits therein. It reduces intra-party crises.”

On the agenda for Hon Ugwuanyi if he is elected governor, Nwodo said, “When you are being chosen by the stakeholders in the state, you should work for the collective interest of the entire state. It brings collective peace to the state. That is the case of Ugwuanyi. Then coming from a disadvantaged zone, because Nsukka is disadvantaged as far as development is concerned, the onus rests on Ugwuanyi to put equity on ground to lift that zone up to work along with others so that it will be a game of equal partners in the spirit of brotherhood. That will bring about unity and peace in the state. We need a critical work on the education sector because development works on the brain of the people. We want to see our people compete among the academics.”

—Uroko wrote from Ezimo, Enugu State

Honorable is the person who is aware of his power, yet refrains from inflicting bad things onto others.

66

October 17, 2014

SCHOOLS, EDUCATION, & FAITH PLATFORM

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF

SPECIALISED CLASSIFIEDS PAGES EGBE ORE mEjILA OF HOLY TRINITY (ANGLICAN) CHURCH, EBUTE ERO, LAGOS

THE PRAYERSIDE CHURCH

UNLImITED GRACE mISSION

This is to inform the General Public that the above named CHURCH has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies And Allied Matters Act, 1 of 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named CHURCH has applied for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990

This is to inform the General Public that the above named CHURCH has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies And Allied Matters Act, 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Bro. (Chief ) Adebayo, James Agboola 2. Bro. Adenubi Akinbayo Adekunle 3. Bro. (Chief ) Adejumbo Adebayo Alabi 4. Bro. (Engr.) Ajai Akintola Bolarinwa Olanrewaju 5. Bro. (Chief ) Dr. Odumeru Johnson Kolawole 6. Bro. Kuyoro Mobolaji Oladipo 7. Bro. Kuyoro Olusesan Olusanya 8. Bro. Ven. (Engr.) Ogunmekan Ekundayo Olumuyiwa 9. Bro. Ogunmodede Kolade Taiwo 10. Bro. Amb Owoaje Olufemi Aina 11. Bro. (Chief ) Oyekunle Sunny Oladeinde 12. Bro. (Chief ) Sodipo Olubunmi

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. David Benenoch 2. Ify S. Ikediachie 3. Ekene Nduji - Secretary 4. Anthony Eigbe Omofuma 5. Orisowubu Mark Jamabo AImS AND OBjECTIvES: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to all nations.

AImS AND OBjECTIvES: 1. To render all services the Egbe Ore Mejula could do to ensure the progress and upliftment of the Church.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from this publication.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Signed: SECRETARY

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Olatnde Idowu Mola - Founder 2. Elizabeth Omolola Mola - Deaconess 3. Engineer Olugbemiro Adedeji (Bro) 4. Ezekiel Abona (Bro) 5. Ruth Omowumi Mola (Sis) AImS AND OBjECTIvES: 1.To propagate and expand the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in Nigeria and abroad through the preaching, crusades, electronic and print media, Christian literatures and publications.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from this publication.

Signed: T. O. ANYIRA ESQ WINNERS CHAmBERS AND CONSULTANCY KADUNA

LEKUEL E’mBE ASSOCIATION

ISAAC SOKUNLE OGUNTOYINBO FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION RESEARCH & SCHOLARSHIP

CHARITY OF PEACE FOR IDLE HANDS AND GENDER EQUITY INITIATIvE

The general public is hereby notified that the above ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. of 1990

The general public is hereby notified that the above FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. of 1990

The general public is hereby notified that the above mentioned INITIATIVE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act LFN (cap 20)

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Abayomi Bolarinwa - Chairman 2. Moses Olajide Iyaola - Treasurer 3. Oladapo Oguntoyinbo - Secretary

mEmBERS OF TRUSTEES 1. ADESIDA TITILOLA A. - FOUNDER/CHAIRMAN 2. BUKOLA ONIBIYO SECRETARY 3. AGUNBIADE JAIYEOLA MORUF 4. BARRISTERS OLASUPO OJO - LEGAL ADVISER 5. ADEMAYOWA ADESIDA - YOUTH LEADER

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Chief Patrick Agbe 2. Ogbiji Ogbiji Nyiam 3. Emmanuel Okamgbe 4. Jude Mgbekam 5. Tony Ngu 6. Isaac Ekpong 7. Simon Abuo AImS AND OBjECTIvES: 1. To promote and foster unity among the people of Mbube 2. To promote understanding and love amongst members through the encouragement of social interaction.

3. To encourage economic and social enhancement of the people.

4. To cater for members welfare.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja Within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

AImS AND OBjECTIvES: 1. To fund empowering programs and award scholarships to brilliant and disciplined indigent students.

2. To develop transparent techniques for awarding scholarships and funding research.

AImS & OBjECTIvES ARE: 1. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH. 2.PROMOTING ALL FORMS OF HUMAN RIGHT FOR PEACE, HEALTH, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT, SPORTS, GENDER EQUITY, SOCIO ECONOMIC, ARTS & CULTURE AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja Within 28 days of this Publication.

Any objection should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

Signed: ADESIDA TITILOLA

CHILD ABUSE PREvENTION AND YOUTH DEvELOPmENT ORGANIZATION

THE PATRIOTS KLUB OF OTAN-ILE

vOX TACITO HOPE FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above ORGANIZATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. of 1990

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. of 1990

The general public is hereby notified that the above FOUNDATION named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. of 1990

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Uzochukwu Isaac Kenechukwu Ifeanyi 2. Ikwujiozor Victory Chika 3. Ezeife Onyinye Uche 4. Ngutor Indyer Christopher 5. Iwuajoku Onyinyechukwu Uchechukwu 6. Dr. Timiebi Roripamo-Agari

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Isaac Ayomide Fasugba 2. Mr. Vincent Oladirant Fagbolagun 3. Alh. Atanda Ismail Fesogun 4. Mr. Azeez Olasunkanmi Ojo 5. Mr. Femi Francis Fagbeja

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rosemary Ifeanyichukwu Collins-Akachukwu 2. Temitope Olawunmi Fawehinmi

AImS AND OBjECTIvES: 1. To protect and ensure the well being of children and youths.

2. To ensure a health growth and dvelopment of youths and children.

AImS AND OBjECTIvES: 1. To protect the interest of its members.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja Within 28 days of this Publication.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja Within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

Signed: SECRETARY

AImS AND OBjECTIvES: 1. To use information based on research to empower and provide support for the general public with major focus on the poor, vulnerable and marginalised members of the society.

2. Helping the poor, vulnerable and marginalised to acquire the necessary information and skills to improve their lives.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja Within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

BIBLE ALIvE mINISTRY

IN THE HIGH COURT OF jUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUjA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF jUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUjA

Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

The general public is hereby notified that the above MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. of 1990

DECEASED NAmE AND ADDRESS

DECEASED NAmE AND ADDRESS

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT

Akuwudike Leonard Ikechi Plot 689 Idris Gidado Street, Wuye District, Abuja Who died on the 1st October, 2014 Dated at Abuja this 16th October, 2014.

Akuwudike Pamela Chiaka (Miss) and Akuwudike Eugenia Chibuzor (Mrs) Plot 689 Idris Gidado Street, Wuye District, Abuja The daughter and widow of the said deceased.

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

For booking or inquiry call

> HENRY UBIMAGO 08068640944

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT

Nze Augustine Onyemereuwa Nyanya Village, Opp. Old Timber Shed Abuja Who died on the 9th February, 2014 Dated at Abuja this 16th October, 2014.

Nze Joy and Nze Christian Nyanya Village, Opp. Old Timber Shed, Abuja The widow and brother of the said deceased.

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

> AUGUstINE 08032325988

> GLORIA OKwUM 08038722368

> ABIGAIL sAMBO 08064382438

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor (Mrs) Juliet Chinedu Blossom Yoila 2. Pastor Blossom Kalosa Yoila 3. Chijioke Samuel Osuji AImS AND OBjECTIvES: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja Within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: BARR. vINCENT O. ENEmOSAH

> GLORIA RAPHAEL 08061356519

> GLORIA ODIO 08034285851

> GRACE OJO 08035054444

67

October 17, 2014 AL-AMRUU BIL MAARUF FOUNDATION

ELITE ASSOCIATION OF CD/DVD DEALERS ELEME RIVERS STATE

The general public is hereby notified that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named mention association have applied for Registration under Party C of the companies and Allied Matters Decree no 1, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Dr. Yusuf Abdullahi Yusuf 2. Ibrahim Musa Abdullahi Esq 3. Basheer Muhammad 4. Kabir Musa Adam 5. Yusuf Muhammad Umar 6. Ahmed Auwal Salihu 7. Ashafa Abubakar Aim And Objective: 1. To provide public awareness and enlightenment on health, environment, poverty eradication, social, legal, economic, political, religious and other matters.

2. To provide support for education of children of the less privileged.

3. To provide social and religious platform for peace building.

4. To provide voluntary legal service to the less privileged.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission P.M.B 198 Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: HASSAN ISA ESQ 08032813456, 08037314654 www.pathsolicitors.com

TRUSTEES ARE: OKENWA ENERST AHAMEFULA OKOROAFOR KELVIN CHIBUISI SIESI FRED NKWOR EJIKE OTA AUGUSTINE

- Chairman - Secretary - Member - Member - Member

AIMS & OBJECTIONS: 1. TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS 2. TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registra –general, Corporate Affairs C omission P.M.B 198 Abuja within 28days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

HANDS OF MERCY WORLD OUTREACH

AFTERSCHOOL CENTRE FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT

ZION CITY PRAISE CHAPEL

This is to notify the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of Companies and Allied Matters Act. of 1990.

This is to notify the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of Companies and Allied Matters Act. of 1990.

This is to notify the general public that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of Companies and Allied Matters Act. of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Mrs. Sylvia Nkechi Osofisan 2. Mr. Christian Onyia 3. Professor Philip Tunde Osofisan 4. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Oboh

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mrs. Aja Enun 2. Ansa Henshaw 3. Mrs. Lucy Kanu

AIMS/OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel and to convert souls to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Aims And Objectives Are : 1. To assist young people find their career paths.

2. To build the capacity of young people to make informed career choices.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Stephen Hanson 2. Sister Emilia Matthew Otu 3. Ubong Okon Udoudo 4. Sister Esther Edem Akpan 5. Pastor Joshua Okon Bassey 6. Godson Lazarus Uwah

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

- President - Secretary

AIMS/OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel and to convert souls to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: Pastor Stephen Hanson (President)

CHURCH OF CHRIST RIVERS STATE

COMPLEX BROTHERS CLUB OF NIGERIA

IMO HEARTLAND ELITES ASSOCIATION

This is to notify the general public that the above named CHURCH has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of Companies and Allied Matters Act. of 1990.

This is to notify the general public that the above named CLUB has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of Companies and Allied Matters Act. of 1990.

This is to notify the general public that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of Companies and Allied Matters Act. of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Sunday Ani 2. Emeka Igwe 3. Ogonna Jude 4. Monday Philip Chukwu 5. Chukwuma Uche

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Benson Uzoma Ekpemandu - Chairman 2. Apostle Chinedu Anthony Chinedu 3. Mr Paul Osuji 4. Mr. Kenneth Onyekachi Nwadike 5. Mr. Odinakachukwu Onuoha Emmanuel

AIMS/OBJECTIVES: 1. To foster unity among members.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote peace, development and good governance in Imo.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Okere Christian 2. Joseph Akpan Etefia 3. Ekeogu Chukwumerije Uzoma 4. Isaiah Samuel 5. Ufford Friday Ntakpan 6. Johnson Francis 7. Takrih Godpower Samuel 8. Adighi Umeka 9. Uchey Darlington 10. Ewulonu Polycarp Odinakachukwu AIMS/OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: BARR. VINCENT O. ENEMOSAH

Signed: BARR. O. ENEMOSAH

Signed: BARR. S. N. CHUKWUOCHA; 08084933626

DIAMONDPEACE RESOURCE FOUNDATION

ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTORS

OLAMIDE ABIODUN KAREN FOUNDATION

This is to notify the general public that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of Companies and Allied Matters Act. of 1990.

This is to notify the general public that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of Companies and Allied Matters Act. of 1990.

This is to notify the general public that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of Companies and Allied Matters Act. of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mr. Neil Croucher - Chairman 2. Mrs. Funke Osibodu 3. Mr. Reuben Okoye - Secretary 4. Mr. Ernest Iheanacho Orji 5. Mr. Yusuf Abubakar

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Amb. Maria Bassey Williams 2. Mary Brian Esema 3. Pastor Onah David Adikwu 4. Amb. Adamu Datitjo Maidawa 5. Amb. Fatima Muhammed Bukar 6. Usman Hassan Darma AIMS/OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote peace and reconciliation in the troubled zones of Nigeria, Africa and the world.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

Raji

AIMS/OBJECTIVES: 1. To delibrate on issues of common interest relevant to the Nigerian electricity supply industry.

2. To make representations to relevant government ministries, agencies and regulators on policy, legislation and regulations relevant to the Nigerian electricity supply industry particularly the distribution sector.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

ASOWO

ORIAKHI

I, formerly known and addressed as HARUNA DEBORAH SER’MEN, now wish to be known and addressed as ASOWO DEBORAH SER’MEN. All former documents remain valid. Voice of Nigeria and the general public, please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as IKPONIWONSA VIVIAN, now wish to be known and addressed as ORIAKHI MAUREEN. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS JULIET NNEKA ONU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS JULIET NNEKA MAMAH. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ETOK ESTHER INYANG, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UDOH ESTHER EKANEM. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OGBA ENDURANCE UFEDO, now wish to be known and addressed as MUSA ENDURANCE UFEDO (MRS). All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

UDOH

ENDURANCE

AIMS/OBJECTIVES: 1. To bring succour and hope to the hurting.

2. To create awareness on health issues and to bring together medical personnel than can assist in provision of health care.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

Signed: DETAIL COMMERCIAL SOLICITORS

I, formerly known and addressed as Adeniyi Raji Soliyu, now wish to be known and addressed as Raji Soliyu Adeneyu. All former documents remain valid.

The general public, please take note.

JULIET

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Ms. Temitope Oluleye - Chairman 2. Mrs. Olubusola Ladipo 3. Ms. Taiwo Oluleye - Secretary

DAVID

I, formerly known and addressed as DAVID JOHNSON, now wish to be known and addressed as DAVID D. UMEZURIKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

VICTORIA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS VICTORIA ADANMA OGBONNAYA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS VICTORIA ADANMA OKEREKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

NANCY

KAZEEM

I, formerly known and addressed as NANCY A. CHRISTOPHER, now wish to be known and addressed as NANCY A. ERONMENE. All former documents remain valid.

The general public, please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as KAZEEM OLAYINKA LASISI, now wish to be known and addressed as KAZEEM LASISI OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

The general public is hereby notify that JOHNSON IBRAHIM BABA ADUKWU, JOHNSON B. ADUKWU and JOHNSON ADUKWU, are both answered by the same person. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ADELOJU OLAYINKA ALICE, now wish to be known and addressed as TEMITOPE-TAIWO OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TEMITOPE-TAIWO

68

October 17, 2014

EKWEDASIKE FOUNDATION THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.DR.BONNY IFEANYICHUKWU IBE 2.DR. (MRS) MEG ADANNAYA NWOSU 3.MR CELESTINE CHUKWUEMEKA IBE 4.BARR. (MRS) ANNE CHINYERE AKWIWU

5. MRS HELEN CHIKAODIRI ADESANYA 6.MR HENRY CHIMA IBE 7. MR FRANCIS CHUKWUMA CHUKWU 8.MRS ROSETTA NDIDI EMELE 9. EZE GODWIN E. SHIWEOBI 10. CHIEF THEODORE OLEDIBE

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.A FOUNDATION IN HONOUR OF CHIEF CLEMENT EJIOFOR AND CHIEF (MRS) THERESA ADAKU IBE OF OTEKE VILLAGE IN ABBA TOWN, ESTABLISHED BY THEIR CHILDREN, TO ENABLE THEM GIVE BACK TO SOCIETY, BY ENTRENCHING THEIR PARENTS LAGACY AND VALUES OF EXECELLENCE AND SERVICE DELIVERY TO THE COMMUNITY. 2.TO IMPROVE THE LIVING STANDARD OF THE PEOPLE OF OTEKE VILLAGE IN ABBA TOWN OF NWANGELE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE THROUGH SYSTEMATIC ASSESSMENT, PARTICIPATORY RURAL APPRAISAL MICRO ENTERPRISES AND INFRASTUCTUREAL DEVELOPMENT. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: OZIEGBE EKHATO 8C, BIKRA STREET, WUSE ZONE 4, ABUJA 08052736839

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS APPLICANTS FOR GRANT

Ekeh Nnaemeka God’s Will and Ngozi Chiaka Ekeh

Ekeh Killian Nwokocha University of Abuja who died on 3rd March 2014

Dabi Kwali Area Council Abuja The Son and Widow

Dated at Abuja this 16th October, 2014.

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

MASFA HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION

TRUSTEE OF NEW ZURU CENTRAL MARKET ASSOCIATION

This is to notify the general public that the above named FOUNDATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of Companies and Allied Matters Act. of 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named union has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for its registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. USMAN NA-INNA 2. STEVEN NWOZO 3. BUSHARI OJO 4. ALH. KUDIYA MAI YADI 5. MUHAMMAD MUSA 6. ALH. SAHABI TRADER 7. USMAN ADUBA 8. ABDUA-AZIZ ALIYU 9. ABDULLAHI IMAMU

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1)Mrs Kuranga Aduke Rahmat (2) Dr(Mrs) Aishat Akintobi (3) Engr. Abdulakeem Kuranga (4) Engr. Saheed Bolaji Kuranga (5) Mrs Falilat Shola Kuranga (6) Prof. (Mrs) Medinat Salman (7) Mr Kuranga Mohammed Kuranga (8) Lawyer Dare Akanbi (9) Mrs Risikat Lawal (10) Mr Kabir Lawal AIMS/OBJECTIVES: 1. To provide free healthcare.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote unity among the member 2. To promote market strategy 3. To protect the interest of member 4. To do all such other lawful thing as may be consider to be incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives or any of them.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

Signed: SECRETARY

ORO EMINENT PERSONS AND CIVIL LIBERTY ORGANIZATION

ASSOCIATION OF DRYCLEANERS AND LAUNDERERS, AKWA IBOM STATE CHAPTER

This is to inform the general public that the above named ORGANIZATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for its registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for its registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Mr Uwak Esedeke. Chairman 2. Dr Etim Frank 3. Okon Edet Antai - Secretary 4 Mr Martins Antai AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To fight against injustice discrimination marginalisation deprivation prejudice against ORO people and ensure they take their rightful place in the political and economic firment of Nigeria 2 To take all steps that are expedient within the bound if the law to enforce the civil liberty socio economic and enviromental right of ORO people within anf outside Nigeria Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. IDONGESIT DONALD JAMESON 2. SYLVESTER ENEFIOK IKPATT 3. UNYIME JOE AKPAN 4. JOSEPH EFIOK AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote members welfare and effective service delivery.

Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

IBADAN ALESINLOYE HOUSEHOLD, KITCHEN AND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE TRADERS ASSOCIATION

BIBIRE FRIENDSHIP CLUB OF NIGERIA

SANCTITY TRANSPARENCY AND PEACE INITIATIVE

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Club has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies And Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for its registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. BALOGUN FUNMILOLA 2. BETIKU OLUFUNMILAYO YEMISI 3. ADENIYI ESTHER TITILAYO 4. OLUMIDE OLURAYI 5. ILUPEJU SHERIFAT IYABO 6. ADEDAYO, MRS ADEJARE ALONGE 7. OMOLARA OWA

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Babatunde Azeez Tayo 2. Adele Dahud Olanrewaju 3. Abolarin Azeez Karim

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1 TO FOSTER UNITY AMONG MEMBERS 2 TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF THE MEMBERS 3 TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARKET 4 TO RENDER MORAL,FINANCIAL AND LEGAL SUPPORT TO THE ASSOCIATION ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

THE AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote peace, unity and love among members.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. AROHUNMOLASE OYENIRAN FELIX 2. BARRISTER ODEBUNMI ISAAC 3. ALOKHA OMOKHEKHAI SUNDAY 4. ODIGE ISREAL SURU EZIYOJA 5. KOLAWOLE JUMOKE ARINOLA AIMS & OBJECTIVE 1. To curb corruption & enhance transparency among citizenry 2. To organize free vocational training for youths & empowering them financially 3. To assist youths economically & financially Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

Berea Evangelical Mission

AME WO BA EGGON ASSOCIATION

COMMUNITY HEALTH AND ECONOMIC INITIATIVE FOR DEVELOPMENT

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration of its Trustees under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. Babatunde Ayoola Fajimi (JP) - President 2. Mrs. Ebunoluwa Fajimi, 3. Mr. Babatope Olatunji Gbenga 4. Pastor Kunle Olofin 5. Adia Okunade, Mrs. -Secretary

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mark Abashi 2. Patricia Yiggon 3. Maga Godwin 4. Prof. Victor Dugga 5. Esla Samson Madaki 6. Titus Ashiki Haruna

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The Aims And Objectives:.

1. Promote biblical literacy and Christian Discipleship through faith-based interdenominational theological education of believers, Church workers and gospel ministers; 2. Engage in Youth Ministry, Family, Life and Career Counseling for the development of the Body of Christ; 3. Engage in Rural Missions, Urban and Inner City Missions through Missionary Support and Help Ministries; Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

Signed: B. Y. Atsen, Esq.

Aisha

I, formerly known and addressed as Esther Philip, now wish to be known and addressed as Aisha Philip Ya’u. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

MOSUGU

I, formerly known and addressed as OTARO MOSUGU-MERCY ESEMEJE, now wish to be known and addressed as MOSUGU MERCY ESEMEJE. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

Mohammed

1X1 SPACE FOR SALE

I, formerly known and addressed as Aba Gana Modu Aji, now wish to be known and addressed as Mohammed Modu Aji. All former documents remain valid.

The general public, please take note.

The Aims and Objectives are: 1. To foster Unity of Eggon people at home and Diaspora.

2. To create avenue for harmonized common front on issues bothering Eggon people.

3. For the Eggon youth broad empowerment and capacity building 4. To carry out analysis and assessment of general development in Eggon land as to ascertain government presence.

5. Facilitate motivational programs every half year, to build investment capacity and empowerment for Eggon youths.

Any objection to this should be forwarded to The Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off AguyiIronsi Street, Maitama Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication.

OMOTORIOLAWAYE

Tondo-Pepple

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Danjuma Soniya Jedidiah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Tondo-Pepple Soniya Jedidiah. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

The Aim And Objectives-: 1. To assist the less privilege.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

Signed: Secretary

Signed: Trustees

I, formerly known and addressed as OMOTORIOLAWAYE IFEOLUWA ADEBISI, now wish to be known and addressed as OMOTORIOLAWAYE IFEOLUWA ADEBISI OKUNADE. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

The Trustees Are: 1. Sir. Olu Ogunrotimi 2. Revd. Joseph Onikanni 3. Alfa Segun Abdulrasheed 4. Mrs. Ajibike Adebomojo 5. Toyin Jemiriye

Wasiu

I formerly known and addressed as Wasiu Sule now wish to be known and addressed as Wasiu Ajiboye Tejumola. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

Oso

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Yunusa Oluwole Ayomide Omowunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oso Ayomide Omowunmi. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

DIANA

I formerly known and addressed as Anayo wisdom now wish to be known and addressed as Agbasimere Wisdom Anayo.

All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

HABIB

I, formerly known and addressed as JACOB ABIODUN OWOLABI, now wish to be known and addressed as MR HABIB ABIODUN OWOLABI. All former documents remain valid. The general public, please take note.

DIANA

I formerly known and addressed as MISS DIANA PAUL now wish to be known and addressed as MRS DIANA ESANGBEDO. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

ADEBIMPE

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEBIMPE JAYEOBA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADEBIMPE GAMI. All former documents remain valid. Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and the general public should please take note.

October 17, 2014 SEASIDE ESTATE RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for change of trustees under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990. from: seaside estate residents’ association, badore cac/it/no/29611 to: seaside estate residents’ community development association, badore The OLD Trustees Are: 1. Pastor Peter Ujomu 2. Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed Adeleye 3. Adeyinka Hassan Esq - Removed 4. Mrs. Anita Ebadan - Removed 5. Mr. Osy Odife - Removed 6. Michael Edeko Esq - Removed The NEW Trustees Are: 1. Olasunkami Oguntuase (Chairman) 2. Barr. Babasegun Adewunmi (Secretary) 3. Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed Adeleye 4. Pastor Peter Ujomu 5. Engr. Godwin Ikperite 6. Mrs. Abosede Botoku

- Elected - Elected - Re-Elected - Re-Elected - Elected - Elected

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME Any objection to this changes should be forwarded to the registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja within 28 days of the publication.

SIGNED: CHINANUEKPERE ONUORAH ESQ 08039422155

69 MOLITES EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

PUBLIC NOTICE

This is to notify the general public that the above named non governmental organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of Companies and Allied Matters Act. of 1990.

ASC-AFRICAN SPORTS CONSULTING LTD

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Aderemi Adegoke 2. Stephanie Famodun 3. Blessing Okoro 4. Ipinsokan Raphael

- Chairman - Secretary - Executive Member - Executive Member

AIMS/OBJECTIVES: 1. To improve the social and economic conditions of its members.

2. To develop and increase the political power of its members.

3. To promote socio economic empowerment for its members.

4. To implement programs required for the fulfilment of members’ basic needs.

5. To organise members for their promotion and progress in society.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

Federal republic of NIgeria companies and allied matters act, 2004 company limited by shares notice of final general meeting of asc-african sports consulting limited rc: 850882 In the matter of Asc-african sports consulting limited (Rc: 850882), in voluntary liquidation, members winding up, and in the matter of companies and allied matters act, 2004.

Take Notice that pursuance of section 408 of the above act the final general meeting of the above named company will be held at if registered office address, 20 Elias close Victoria Island Lagos on the 20th day of November, 2014 in the forenoon for the purpose of laying before such meeting the account of the winding up of the above name company and of giving any explanation-n thereof.

A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint (a proxy) (one or more proxies) to attend and vote in his stead. A proxy need not be a member of the company.

Date 14th October, 2014

Signed: STEPHANIE FAMODUN FOUNDATION’S SECRETARY

Signed: Liquidator OyinkaN alakija

LEGAL NOTICE

THE DUKE FOUNDATION

FINSOL GLOBAL FOUNDATION

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

This is to inform the general public that the above named FOUNDATION has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named FOUNDATION has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Owanari Bobmanuel Duke 2. Genevieve Xerona Bobmanuel Duke

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ANTHONY ONWUMA - CHAIRMAN 2. JOHNSON OKHUMODE EMMANUEL- SECRETARY 3. DAGOGO EMMAN IYEIMO - MEMBER 4. EFIYE LINUS BRIBENA - MEMBER

Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS APPLICANTS FOR GRANT Ochi Amirakpa Josiah Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Hannah Uduma Ochi and Amirakpa Ogonye Grace

Who died on the 31st August, 2014

Block C2 Flat 2B Karu Site

Dated at Abuja this 16th October, 2014.

The daughters of the said deceased.

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

ASSOCIATION OF WIVES OF LAGOS STATE OFFICIALS THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MRS OBAFUNMILAYO OLUYEMISI JOHNSON 2. MRS YEWANDE OLABOSIPO BADA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PROMOTE INTERACTION AMONGST THE WIVES OF LAGOS STATE OFFICIALS, PAST AND PRESENT,WHILST SUPPORTING THEIR SPOUSES WHO ARE IN PUBLIC POSITIONS, IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE. 2.TO EMBARK ON DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY, HUNGER AND THE ERADICATION OF DISEASES AFFLICTING THE LESS PRIVILEGED PERSONS OF LAGOS STATE. 3.TO UPLIFT AND EMPOWER THE WOMEN AND YOUTH OF LAGOS STATE THROUGH HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES AND PUBLIC ADVOCACY AND ENLIGHTENMENT. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: OZIEGBE EKHATO 8C, BIKRA STREET, WUSE ZONE 4, ABUJA 08052736839

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote, finance and maintain technical/professional colleges, universities, research laboratories and institutions of learning for imparting knowledge and undertaking studies.

2. To provide medical assistance to the less privileged, establish medical faciliteis and donate to people suffering from natural disasters.

3. To promote and assist in entrepreneurial development.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: BARR. BAMIGBOLA AYODEJI 08060071935

INDIGENT STUDENTS SCHOLARSHIP AND BURSARY INITIATIVE THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OKOLIE SAMSON 2. JOHNSON NATH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEDGED IN THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: ORJI GODWIN O. ESQ 08035444684

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote acquisition of skills among the youths.

2. To promote education empowerment amongst the less privileged.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: SUZIE DUNG 08038948951

YORUBA MUSLIMS ASSOCIATION THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ALHAJI MURTADHA ODUNMBAKU 2. DR. ABDUL WAASIU TUNWASE 3. ALHAJI MUFTAU SULAIMAN 4. MR GANIYU OLADEPO 5. ONAOLAPO JIMOH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO ENGAGE IN THE PROPAGATION OF ISLAM IN ALL ITS RAMIFICATION. 2. TO ESTABLISH ISLAMIC SCHOOLS AT ALL LEVEL WITH THE PRINCIPAL AIM OF EDUCATING OUR YOUTH AND MEMBERS, ISLAMIC PRINCIPLE AND GENERAL EDUCATION. 3.TO DEMONSTATE TRULY AND REALY THAT MUSLIMS ARE BROTHERS IN ALL OUR INTERACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, MUTUAL ASSISTANCE & PRACTICE MUCH OF THE EXCELLENT ACTIONS AND THE QURAN & HADITH. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: NKECHI C. NWACHUKWU ESQ 08032660577

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS APPLICANTS FOR GRANT

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS APPLICANTS FOR GRANT

DECEASED NAME AND ADDRESS APPLICANTS FOR GRANT

Iwezor Nneka Edith Retired Staff of Access Bank Who died on the 31st Janaury, 2013

John Iwezor guardian to Kaosisochukwu Iwezor Nurses Estate Mararaba, Nasarawa State The widow and son of the said

Dated at Abuja this 16th October, 2014. deceased.

Uzor Benedict Asigwike National Examination Council, Abuja Who died on the 19th July, 2013

Uzor Chike Benedict and Uzor Chukwujiuba Chinedu

Madaki Maikeffi

No 10 Gani Street New Silellite Town, Lagos State

Who died on the 15th July, 2014

Dated at Abuja this 16th October, 2014. The sons of the said deceased.

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

LOSSOF loss of OFDOCUMENTS document DOCUMENT LOSS

loss LOSS OF of DOCUMENT document PUBLIC NOTICE This is to notify the general public the Mr. chukwuemeka Emmanuel chinke who died on the 28th July 2011 at Abuja, had since been buried according to Christian rites. The general public to place take note.

This to notify the general public of the loss of original Right of occupancy in respect of plots No. MF 204 and 205 situated in Nyanya issued by FCDA belonging to Dsp Chukwuma Okoye. All effort to trace the said document prove abortive. If found, please return to the nearest police station. The general public to place take note.

Signed: HILARY OPARA mni

Signed: mrs. chinke on behalf of the family

National Sport Commission

Felicia Maikeffi guardian to Magret Maikeffi N0. 24, Engnr Philiph Street, Narayi, Kaduna State

Dated at Abuja this 16th October, 2014. The widow and daughtere of the

said deceased.

SIGNED BARR. HAFSAT SADIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

LOSSOF loss of OFDOCUMENTS DOCUMENT document LOSS This to notify the general public of the loss of original letter of allocation of a housing unit at Lugbe Estate,Abuja (House No. 16 and 18, 2nd avenue, 21 (d) 1 road) with reference Number FHA/ES/FCT/LG/ NHP/3BB belonging to YANKARI INSURANCE CO. LTD. ‘‘now presently known and referred to as FIN INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED. All effort to trace the said document prove abortive. If found, please return to the nearest police station. The general public to place take note.

70 NEWS NATIONAL Taraba: Why Acting Gov Can’t See Suntai – Sen Bwacha

By Jonathan Nda-Isaiah, Abuja

Senator Emanuel Bwalcha has revealed that the ailing governor of Taraba State, Mr Danbaba Suntai, is being shielded from his deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar, because of the deep-rooted suspicion that the latter wanted to remove his principal and take over as govrnor.

Senator Bwacha, who made this disclosure to Senate correspondents yesterday, said the suspicion arose following ceaseless unpleasant actions of the acting governor towards his principal since his involvement in a plane crash.

According to him, the acting governor’s actions and body language were pointers that he was not favourably disposed to seeing the governor back to office, hence the decision of those concerned about the governor’s health to keep him away from his deputy, whose desperation to hold on to power was causing tension in the state He said: “If we have empirical evidence that you are working towards sacking your principal, and from all available facts, you want him sacked and you are not able to achieve that, now suspicion will begin to emerge that other extra-ordinary means could be used, and that is why, for security reasons, nobody would even allow you to see him.

October 17, 2014

Collapsed Building: Coroner Orders Synagogue To Produce Guests’ Details

By Olugbenga Soyele, Lagos

The coroner conducting an inquest into the building collapse at the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos, Chief Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, yesterday asked the authorities of the church to produce the details of guests staying in the building before the incident.

The coroner who made the demand when he visited the scene of the collapsed building alongside other interested parties said the list of guests was needed to help in identifying the victims.

The Lagos State government had on September 26 set up the coroner’s inquest to ascertain the cause of the building callapse, which left about 115 people dead.

Most of the victims of the incident, which

serves as a guest house, were of South Africa nationality.

While being conducted round the scene of the incident by the chief security officer of the church, Sunny Okoji, the coroner stated that the manifest should be submitted to the chief medical examiner of Lagos State, Professor John Obafunwa, to aid his job.

Magistrate Komolafe said this in response to the lawyer to the church, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who had insisted that the pathologist did not need the manifest to identify the corpses.

Fagbemi had said, “Sir, I want to say that the purpose of coming here (Synagogue), as your lordship said, was just to see things for yourself and to reconvene in the court later.

“The second thing is, what exactly is the jurisdiction of the coroner; is it to determine

whether the building had defects or to determine the cause of death? I do not want a situation whereby we will embark on a journey that won’t take us anywhere. The law seting up the coroner, its function and duties is very clear.”

“I think the issue of identification of the corpses, we do not need any blood sample. If the families can come and identify the bodies, there is no need for blood samples,” Fagbemi said.

But Obafunwa disagreed with the lawyer, according to him during identification of disaster victims, the manifest would be needed.

The chief medical examiner insisted: “You cannot investigate a plane crash without having the names of the passengers on the aircraft.”

L-R: Former head of state, Gen Muhammadu Buhari with the APC national chairman John Odigie-Oyegun when Buhari collected his presidential nomination form at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, yesterday.

Court Orders Benue State Government To Allow Access To Information

By Paul Chiama, Abuja

A Makurdi High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State, presided over by Hon. Justice S. O. Itodo has given the Special Adviser to the Governor of Benue State on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs 14 days from the 9th October, 2014 to furnished the Plaintiff-Major General India Garba (rtd), a comprehensive and detailed information concerning the allocation of revenue from the Federation Accounts to the Vandeikya Local Government Area Council from January 2010 till the 9th October, 2014.

The Plaintiff instituted the case in the Makurdi High Court in Suit No. MHC/2565M/2012 in 2012 against the Special Adviser for Local Government and Chieftaincy, Benue State, after his request dated the 30th July, 2012 for details of revenue allocation to Vandeikya Area Council from January 2010 to July 30th 2012 was denied.

However, delivering judgment in the case on Thursday the 9th October, 2014, Justice Itodo, declared that the refusal, failure and or neglect by the Defendant to release the information requested by the Plaintiff concerning the allocation of revenue to the Vandeikya Local Government Area Council of Benue State of Nigeria from the Federation Accounts and expenditure of the same amounts, to a violation of Sections 4 (a) and 7 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

The Court further declared that by Section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, the defendant (as a Public Institution) by virtue of Sections 7 (1) and 31 of the Act is obligated to furnish the request of the Plaintiff information concerning the allocation of revenue to the Vandeikya Local Government Area Council of Benue State of Nigeria from the Federation Accounts and expenditure of the same.

PHOTO BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO.

APC Presidential Primaries: Kwankwaso Calls For Consensus

Mark to Kwankwanso: I can’t support your ambition

By Jonathan Nda-Isaiah, Abuja

Ahead the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries slated for December 2 this year, Kano State governor and presidential aspirant, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called for a consensus arrangement to choose the party’s presidential candidate In a similar vein, Senate President David Mark yesterday told Governor Kwankwanso that he (Mark) cannot support his presidential ambition on the platform of the APC. The opposition APC is threading softly on its presidential primaries as some candidates have called for a consensus arrangement while others are calling for direct primaries to choose its candidate.

Presidential candidates in the party are former military head of state, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, former vice president Atiku Abubakar, publisher of LEADERSHIP Newspapers Sam Nda-Isaiah and Governor

Kwankwaso Kwankwaso who paid a courtesy visit to the Senate yesterday stated that the APC was ready to either choose its presidential candidate through a consensus arrangement or primary election. While he personally supported the former, he, however, noted that the latter was good for the party The Kano State governor was received by the APC Senate Caucus in the Upper House led by minority leader, Senator George Akume and some members of the House of Representatives.

According to the Kano governor, “People are worried and very much concerned about the issue of primary elections. Let me tell you that our constitution has provided for consensus; it has also provided for elections.

“And for those of us who came from the PDP, we know the advantages and disadvantages of primary elections, but if you look at it critically from 1999 to 2011, every election year, PDP was having primary elections even when we had sitting president. In 2003 and 2011, we had primary elections, but all other parties were not doing primary elec-

tions in the actual sense of it. believe primary election is also good for the party.”

Meanwhile, Senator Mark told Kwankwaso not to count of his support for his presidential ambition when the Kano governor paid him a courtesy call at the National Assembly Complex to solicit his support for his aspiration. He, however, invited the governor back to the PDP. Mark said, “It is completely impossible for me to support you. Good as your wishes may be, I can’t grant them.”

According to him, “the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the correct platform to contest election and I have always advised the senators so. If you don’t make it in your new party, feel free to come back to us because you have always belonged on this side.”

Earlier, Kwankwanso, who described Mark’s leadership of the National Assembly as “powerful and responsible”, had said that though he was yet to formally declare his interest in the presidential race, he was in the National Assembly to see the Senate president, members and other officers of both chambers as part of his consultation.

Honorable is the person who is aware of his power, yet refrains from inflicting bad things onto others.

— Egyptian Proverbs

LEADERSHIP FRIDAY

sports PREVIEWS AND NIGERIANS ABROAD October 17, 2014

NFF Hires Audit Firm To Probe Maigari By salifu usman,Abuja

In a bid to start on a clean slate, the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has engaged an auditing firm, Pricewaterhouse to audit the accounts of the federation in the last four years of the immediate past administration of Alhaji Aminu Maigari. This was part of the resolutions reached at the meeting of the Executive Committee of NFF held at the Transcorp Corp Hilton Hotel, Abuja early hour of yesterday.

The board also among other things gave approval for the hiring the services of Financial Derivatives, another respected firm, to act as financial consultants

of the NFF, and Ben & Co to act as Management Consultants.

“This is all part of our vision to drive the engine of Nigeria football differently but energetically and to let the world know that we are determined to be transparent and accountable. All these decisions are being taken in the best interest of Nigeria football,” NFF President, Amaju Pinnick explained.

The board also commended the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons for their fabulous performance in the ongoing African Women Championship in Namibia.

Falcons have sailed into the semi finals of the competition ahead of their final match of the group phase against the host nation, having

Maigari

scored 10 goals and conceded only two.

The Super Eagles also received praise for their fighting spirit in the 3-1 defeat of Sudan in Abuja on Wednesday that keeps alive hopes of qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

I Expected Keshi Sacked Long Ago– Minister

Former Green Eagles captain, Christian Chukwu has said he was not a surprised that Stephen Keshi has been replaced by Shuiabu Amodu as the Super Eagles’ coach.

Chukwu, who was in charge of the Super Eagles to the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, said Keshi’s sack was long in coming.

“The federation just gave Keshi a soft landing as he has been lined up to be relieved of his duty for some time now,” said Chukwu.

He said the job of coach in football is all about hiring and firing and Keshi sack was not a new thing. “We also know that in the coaching business it is all about hiring and firing.

This is not the first time that Keshi or Amodu will be fired or

hired. Keshi has done relatively well and this shall be good resume for him in his future endeavour.”

Also former Super Eagles player, Friday Ekpo, believes the sacking of Stephen Keshi as Super Eagles was in the best interest of the country’s football. He said it will afford the country opportunity to put its football in order.

“Everybody saw it coming based on his performances and all the rest; not qualifying for the Nations Cup will always speak volumes for the Nigerian people.

“Whether we go (for AFCON) or not, let us put our house in order (and) make sure that things are done properly and then we start all over again,”

Scrabble: NSF Vows To Retain African Title

By Salifu Usman, Abuja

Minister of Sports and chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr Tammy Danagogo, said he was surprised by the NFF’s decision to sack Coach Stephen Keshi after Super Eagles 3-1 victory over Sudan on Wednesday.

He said the body ought to have taken the decision immediately after the team lost 1-0 in Sudan last weekend.

Stephen Keshi was relieved of his appointment as Super Eagles’ coach yesterday by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and replaced him with shuiabu Amodu as temporal coach despite his side’s home win against Sudan that kept them in the running for a place in the 2015 AFCON. Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, the Minister admitted that the NFF told him of the plan to fire Keshi after the 1-0 loss in Sudan, but he didn’t expect that they would still relieve him of his job after his team won 3-1 on Wednesday against Sudan.

“I don’t believe in hiding issues from the public. I was surprise that they took the decision of firing him. I am aware that there was continuous call to sack Keshi and I am also aware that it is the responsibility of the NFF to hire and fire coaches. So, it is their responsibility to do what they have done but I am still looking at it.

“I expected them to have sacked him long ago when the team lost in Sudan from the way they were reacting then. But I wasn’t expecting that they will sack him

Experts Hail Keshi’s Removal

By Salifu Usman, Abuja

after the team won on Wednesday.

So, I wouldn’t have been shocked if Keshi was sacked then.

The Minister also seems to have tactically endorsed the NFF plan to hire an expatriate coach to succeed Stephen Keshi after Super Eagles two remaining AFCON qualifier matches, insisting that whoever will take over the team must be of a high calibre coach.

“NFF is a group of sportsmen

and women and stakeholders who should know what they are doing.

I hope that they succeed in bring in new people that will change the dwindling fortunes of our football.

If they have come to a conclusion that they want a foreign coach, whoever they want to bring must be such a reputable coach that will beat the record of all the coaches we have had,” He said.

After winning African Scrabble Championship for nine consecutive times, Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) has vowed to retain the title for the 10 times.

The biannual championship is scheduled to hold between the 25th to 28t of October in Cape Town, South Africa.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP friday sports yesterday I Abuja ahead of the tournament, NSF president, Suleiman Gora, said Nigerian contingent consist of 26 players and 4 officials are expected to depart for South Africa next week ahead of the competition.

He said with the performance of Nigerian players at the just concluded Godswill Akpabio International Scrabble Classics in Uyo, he is sure of Nigeria victory in South Africa. “With the

performances our players during the just concluded Akpabio classics in Uyo, I am confident we are in the right path to defend our title in South Africa.

That championship has been held for 10 times and we have won 9 out of the 10. We only come second once. Our aim is to retain the title again,” he said.

He however, revealed that the players will be called into the national camp this weekend to sharp their brains in preparation for the championship.

The 10th edition of African Scrabble Championship was won by Rex Ogbakpa a member of the Nigerian contingent. Four countries competed at the tournament viz Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and hosts Zambia with a combined total of 49 players.

President Cup: Minister Inaugurates Organising Committee

By Salifu Usman, Abuja

Minister of Sports and chairman National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr Tammy Danagogo has inaugurated the main organising committee for the maiden president. The committee which is headed by Alhassan Yakmud, director of grassroots sports, National Sports Commission, is

to work closely with the board of the maiden President’s Cup headed ex international Kanu Nwankwo and National Sports Commission to ensure a befitting tournament.

According to the director general of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, the President Cup is designed as one of the strategic

plans of the commission to go deep into the hinterland in search of soccer talents.

He said the development was informed by the seeming dwindling performance and the prevalence of limited upcoming talents at the various stages of the country’s national teams and the need to look at the grassroots for early and qualitative replacement

Borrowing is bad, and paying back is always a loss.

— Egyptian Proverbs

if aging and tired legs.

The president cup which aim at uncover footballers of ages 1619 years who have not had the privilege to participate in any NFF CAF and FIFA organized competition and would serve as a reservoir for the national teams is expected to kickoff in all 774 local government areas in the country.

AMUSEMENT PARK

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO LOOK THIS CHEAP

— Dolly Parton

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY c

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NIGERIA'S FIRST FRIDAY NEWSPAPER

No. 74

Guest Column Garba Deen Muhammad

A

s a habit, the only virtue former President Olusegun Obasajo’s critics will grudgingly concede to him is his matchless love for his country, his obsessive patriotism that set him apart from all his peers, in war and in peace. Once while serving as Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters, the military equivalent of Vice President to General Murtala Muhammed, Obasanjo was about to enter a crucial State meeting when he received a message that his two-year old son Dayo, had just died. Obasanjo went into the meeting and participated actively.

Afterwards he informed his colleagues that he had lost his son just before the meeting. Appalled, his colleagues wondered why he didn’t rush home in the light of something so serious. His response was perhaps the best definition of his robust, vigorous, sometimes turbulent but always passionate relationship with his country. He said, as narrated by one of his biographers Adinoyi Ojo Onukaba: “My son is dead, I cannot bring him back. This country is waiting and I cannot keep her waiting”. Even in that period of nationalistic fervor, it is hard to imagine any act that could beat that. Later in life he was to reaffirm this passionate love for country in different guises, including when he was called upon to be the head of state after the assassination of General Murtala Muhammed. Obasanjo refused, declaring that he was through with the army and everything associated with government since the nation is so unappreciative. He refused to budge despite pleas from powerful colleagues.

Again according to Onukaba, it was only after an inspired General Abisoye had pointedly suggested that if Obasanjo would not accept, then they might as well invite leader of the failed coup that claimed Muhammed’s life, Col. Dimka to take over, that Obasanjo felt sufficiently moved to accept the challenge. Not many people

N200

17.10.14

OBJ: Gritty Maverick Takes Centre Stage Again!

But that is changing, ipso facto. Nowadays former President Obasanjo’s critics are either relapsing into silence, or sheepishly shifting ground, reluctantly, grudgingly admitting that they had been wrong about him all along

Obasanjo

would also give Baba the credit he rightly deserved over what he did when he took over. He lived up to his promises, following in Muhammed’s footsteps to the letter: from the pan-African thrust of their foreign policy which weakened Apartheid and helped to liberate some Southern African countries, to the courageous nationalists policies which revived national pride among Nigerians; to the all-important midwifing of the first ever successful transition from military to civilian rule in 1979. And yet despite all the many sacrifices that Baba had done for his country, his critics still prefer to judge him from their jaundiced perspective.

But that is changing, ipso facto.

Nowadays former President Obasanjo’s critics are either relapsing into silence, or sheepishly shifting ground, reluctantly, grudgingly admitting that they had been wrong about him all along.

When Baba’s son Lt. Col. Adeboye was shot in combat while fighting insurgents in Adamawa, one of his ardent critics, Col. Dangiwa Umar called me to admit that if Baba could allow his own son to be in the line of fire even though he could shield him with a single phone call, he (Umar) sends his best salute; admitting, finally that Baba is genuine. Not that it ever matters to Baba who is applauding.

Then there was the funny issue of a so called Third Term. Baba is possibly the only one of the 170 million Nigerians that is being judged, convicted and sentenced for an offense he never committed!

Some people have shockingly and stubbornly insisted that Baba was the sponsor of the advocacy for a tenure elongation campaign which sought to grant him a third term in office. On his part he had consistently insisted that he had nothing to do with it, and had challenged anybody with clear evidence to the contrary to come forward. Nobody has so far been able to provide such evidence (former FCT minister Nasir elRufai’s attempt in his book was no more than an unsubstantiated claim). And, in spite of himself, el-Rufai was indeed among the earliest callers to the Abeokuta residence of Baba to seek his countenance in his (el-Rufai’s) political adventures. That in itself is enough to counteract whatever allegations are contained in the former minister’s book of disputed recollections.

Even those who ask the logical question of why Baba did not stop the advocates of tenure elongation are merely being mischievous. The former president has maintained that he did not stop them because he was convinced the best way to kill the project once and for all

was to allow it to exhaust itself; reasoning, correctly, that if those who pushed for it tried and failed, then no one would ever try it again.

Which was exactly what happened.

The infamous project ran its course, got burnt out and died at the cradle of all democracies--the Legislature; and our democracy was the richer for it. And that is why, thank God, Baba now has the moral authority to tell Mr. Jonathan, who is himself toying with a similar idea, “Don’t do it”.

After 2007, Baba had kept a respectable distance from Aso Rock. Untill the need arose when then President Yar’Adua’s terminal illness presented a political crisis that required a commanding voice to intervene. Again Baba stepped forward and advised Yar’Adua to “take the part of hounour” by relinquishing power since he was apparently too sick to carry on.

That remark set in motion the series of events that enabled Mr. Jonathan to assume power as Acting President. This stabilized the polity and prevented what could have been a protracted political stalemate. After helping to install Mr. Jonathan as elected President in 2011, Baba again retreated to his farm, playing the international statesman, gradually supplanting the ailing Nelson Mandela as Africa’s pre-eminent political compas.

If all the major players in the Nigerian project had abided by

their covenants, the stage was set for an orderly, progressive transition in 2015 when a general election would usher in a new government that was to consolidate the nation’s democracy and move it to the next level.

But by the end of 2012 dangerous flaws had began to emerge in the way Mr. Jonathan was running his government.

It appeared he was president in name only, and that a provincial coterie of ethnic sycophants were inexorably determined to manipulate Mr.Jonathan’s soft demeanor to achieve personal objectives that are often in direct conflict with national interest.

Again, Baba, fearless, ageless and selfless stepped forward.

After three discreet letters to the President which were not even acknowledged, Baba, in December 2013 released what turned out to be the most dispassionate and candid advice to his erstwhile mentee, in the form of an open letter entitled “Before it is too Late” Although the letter was nuanced, candid, dignified and stately, it provoked the anger of the regime; and after a week, the government response was to ignore the issues that the letter highlighted concerning the fledgeling war on ➔ CONTINUED ON PAGE PAGE 65

GHANA MUST GO 2015: Jonathan’s achievements ’ll guarantee his re-election

— Orubebe

In Otuoke!

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