THE AFRICAN SOCIETY Vol 7 | Issue 10 | February 2014 by Design2Pro

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“I will attempt the Impossible in 2014”

GHANA PROPOSES FIRST EVER SKY STADIUM

Super Actress Nadia Buari Says

Proposed Black Stars Sky Stadium in Kumasi

By Lucky LANRE-OJO

he queue at the gate of the Ghanaian High Commission in Ottawa was particularly long this dull winter morning. Koﬁ Yaw, staff of the High Commission was spotted handling Visa Forms to applicants, most of whom are of Asian and Caucasian stocks. These Forms are to be completed and submitted at the entrance with an application

fee of $100. The applicants wore a weary look from the biting effects of a depressed economy and an inclement weather condition. Winter, this year, has been very harsh. The temperature had dropped below minus 40 in most cities and heaps of unremoved snow had paralysed economic activities. Early in the year, government had had to raise income tax and cut down on workers’ wages due to the prevailing ail-

ing economy.

Economic Prosperity On the other side of the Atlantic, the scenario was different. The Ghanaian government in Accra had announced its plan to construct the ﬁrst ever Sky Stadium in Kumasi. This Billion-Dollar project is to be completed within six months, as part of preparations to host the next World Cup Soccer Tournament in 2018. Ghana has recorded a

boom in the mining of Gold this year. The economy has soared, with an all time low inﬂation rate of less than two percent. By the same token, the Nigerian leader was quoted on CNN as saying that his only problem now is how to spend the stupendous wealth accruing from the country’s Oil windfall. Aside from huge revenue from oil and gas, the second largest bitumen decontinued on p(9)

orn in Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana, I am the Daughter of Alhaji and Hajia Sidiku Buari. My father is a very huge ﬁgure in the Industry of Art in Ghana, holding several positions including that of being the president of the Musicians Union of Ghana. His leaderships extend beyond the boundaries of Ghana into the international world where he holds very key positions such as the Vice President of International Federation of Musicians. Also as a successful

producer, director, musician and actor, his inﬂuence in my life is obvious and evident in my present career as an actress. My mother who is a beautician on the other hand has been the secret behind my outlooks since childhood. As the ﬁrst child of the family, I have always pushed to desire the accomplishment of Herculean task, a tendency that makes me an inspiration to both my siblings and friends and continued on p(6)

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The world’s biggest family Ziona Chana has 39 wives, 94 children and 33 grandchildren • He lives with all of them in a 100-room mansion • His wives take it in turns to share his bed • It takes 30 whole chickens just to make dinner

iona Chana was born in the mountains of Mizoram state of India, sharing borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar about 70 years ago. He is head of the world’s biggest family and says he is ‘blessed’ to have his 39 wives. Ziona Chana also has 94 children, 14-daughters-inlaw and 33 grandchildren.

They live in a 100-room, four storey house set amidst the hills of Baktwang village in the Indian state of Mizoram, where the wives sleep in giant communal dormitories. The family is organized with almost military discipline, with the oldest wife Zathiangi organizing her fellow partners to perform household chores such as cleaning, washing and preparing meals. One evening meal can see them pluck 30 chickens, peel 132lb of potatoes and boil up to 220lb of rice. Coincidentally, Chana is

also head of a sect that allows members to take as many wives as he wants. He even married ten women in one year, when he was at his most proliﬁc, and enjoys his own double bed while his wives have to make do with communal dormitories. Yet, he says he

has not stopped looking for new wives. ‘To expand my sect, I am willing to go even to the U.S. to marry,’ he recently told London Daily Mail. He keeps the youngest women near to his bedroom with the older members of the family sleeping further away - and there is

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

a rotation system for who visits Chana’s bedroom. Rinkmini, one of Chana’s wives who is 35 years old, said: ‘We stay around him as he is the most important person in the house. He is the most handsome person in the village. Another of his wives, Huntharng-

hanki, said the entire family gets along well. The family system is reportedly based on ‘mutual love and respect’ One of his sons insisted that Chana, whose grandfather also had many wives, marries the poor women from the village so he can look after them.

THE AFRICAN SOCIETY

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AFRICAN SOCIETY THE

President Our Team / The African Society is a Editor-in-Chief monthly Tabloid pubLucky Lanre-Ojo lished by The African Sosocietyafrican@yahoo.ca ciety Information Bureau (ASIB). The views ManaginginEditor expressed this newsCharity Nzelu paper do Ijeoma not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publishers. Although, all Contributors reasonable care Adeniyi is takChief Adetola en, the publishers do not Prof. Metta guarantee theSpencer accuracy John Edem made by of statements contributors, advertisers or culled from othGraphics & Layout er sources. All Rights ReMevlana Media served.

Solutions Inc.

Tel: 647-499-6008 President/ computertrusting@gmail.com Editor-in-Chief

Lucky Lanre-Ojo to: All Correspondence (societyafrican@yahoo.ca)

The Editor-in-Chief,

Managing 1016-1229Editor Weston Rd,

TorontoIjeoma Ontario, Charity Nzelu M6M 4P7 Canada

Contributors Tel: 647-713-7566 Chief Adetola Adeniyi Prof. Our Metta TeamSpencer John Edem Society is a The African Patricia monthly Eyamaro Tabloid published by The African Society

Graphics Information Bureau (ASIB). The views expressed in this Design2Pro.com newspaper do not QHFHVVDULO\ UHÀHFW WKH All Correspondence to: opinion of the publishers. The Editor-in-Chief, Although, all reasonable 1016-1229 Weston care is taken, the publishers Road, do not guarantee the Toronto accuracy Ontario, of statements M6M Canada made 4P7 by contributors, Tel. 647 713 advertisers or 7566 culled from other sources. All Rights Join Our Team Reserved.

The African Society Join Our Team Newspaper is currentThe Africanfor Society ly looking hardworkNewspaper is currently ing individuals wanting looking hardworking to gain for hands on experiindividuals wanting to ence with a professiongain hands on experience al media organization. with a professional media Iforganization. you believeIfyou you have believe what it takes you have whatto it join takesour to team, join ourplease team, e-mail please (soe-mail cietyafrican@yahoo.ca) (societyafrican@yahoo.ca) with your with yourresume resumeand andletter of intent. letter of intent. continued from p(1) more especially, to children who I love and who look up to me as someone to learn from while I also consider them as my best friends to learn from. Having gone through the Ghana system of education, I am currently a holder of BFA degree in Fine Art from the University of Ghana, Legon. Not satisﬁed with this meager achievement, those who know me wonder why I incessantly continue to exhibit more penchants for higher education. Acting has always been my ardent passion, dating as far back as my days in elementary school; I was always a regular member in the drama and dance groups. Though I will concede that at that time I was a bit nervous most often before people, a thing I’m yet to get over, the beneﬁt here is that, because I always fear, I always prepare to do the best leading to who I am today. It is true as the saying goes that “they who fear nothing prepare for nothing, hence fail for doing nothing

Lucky Lanre-Ojo societyafrican@yahoo.ca

ne of the beauties of Canada in summer is her deep green vegetation. Trees and lawns alike wear this army color throughout the second half of the year before fall, when trees begin to shed their leaves and natural colors. Fall gives way to the biting cold and chilly wind of winter, which climaxes sometimes at a temperature as low as minus forty degree Celsius (-40oC). As one drives around town, a common sight during winter is the consequent drying up of trees and the dull brown color of all vegetations. In a continent like Africa, where Energy is a serious challenge, these trees can be mistaken for dead and cut down for the kitchen. But, in North America and other parts of the Western hemisphere, experience teaches that, no matter how dry a tree looks in winter, it will bounce back in summer, and therefore should not be cut down. This natural principle can very well be applied to life. One of the greatest lessons of life is, nev-

NEVER CUT DOWN A TREE IN WINTER er to write off anyone who is not dead. It is only in the grave that opportunities don’t exist. Even at that, we have heard of dry bones coming alive again. According to the Thesaurus English dictionary life is deﬁned as, “Getup-and-go”. This dynamic meaning captures the

role to play, and that is to get up and go. Jesus Christ did not only raise Lazarus from the dead after four days in the grave, but made a powerful statement that underscores the whole essence and possibilities of life. He says, “Loose him and let him go.” (John 11:44). So, it was not suf-

er Last, but Tough People do, Robert Schuller says, “Life’s great achievements start with a dream, and …ironically, great dreams come with an awful lot of problems.” Most often than not, the tougher the challenge, the more glorious the outcome, but that is if you don’t quit.

ety. This edition is dedicated to the unseen hand that has propelled our progress this far, without which men would have gloated and boasted in vain. It is remarkable that the same intervention that took the Israelites across the Red Sea on dry land also buried their enemies in the womb

possibilities that life offers, especially in the face of intimidating challenges. One, it presumes the possibility of a fall. Two, it points to the possibility of rising and does not stop there, but goes on to show that progress can be made after overcoming life’s setbacks. That is exciting! Now, these possibilities cannot be taken for granted. The fallen man has a

ﬁcient raising Lazarus up; he must be loosed so he can make progress. Wow! By the same token, The African Society is mounting up with wings like the eagle. Although, stories of the world’s most successful people are replete with “valley and mountain” encounters, they ultimately outlive the storm. In his bestselling book, Tough Times Nev-

Last month, our interview with Toronto’s Police Chief, William Blair has been widely applauded within the African communities; particularly, Somali, Ghanaian and of course Nigerian communities. We are humbled by this show of appreciation, and therefore, we are even more determined to pursue journalism at its very best, for the betterment of the soci-

of the sea. This is the reason we are emboldened not only to move forward but to record giant strides in the pursuit of our Godgiven dream. Until we come your way next month, I will leave you with Robert F. Kennedy’s all-time inspiring statement, which says, “Only those who dare to fail greatly ever achieve greatly.”

“I will attempt the Impossible in 2014” to prepare”. It came as no surprise when with my debut in the Ghana film industry playing a vital role in the movie “Beyonce, the president’s daughter”, I performed creditably. I have ever since caught the attention of a larger section of both the local and international communities. Most people’s opinion about me is that of a rising superstar and they often compare me to some Hollywood superstars. It is never rare an expression in my statement, my desire to someday be like these Hollywood stars I’m often compared with. To reach this goal, I have made it my purpose in life to make art a treasure for valuing morals, a pleasure for learning virtue and to bring meaning to nature through art. My uprising success in the entertainment industry has made me to be admired by many and making my influence in movies travel very far. This has led to the constant offers I receive by the Nigerian film industry to play major roles in most movies. The secret to my uprising success is simply self-motivation and the quest to always carry a practical message to my audience. I find acting the most powerful medium

to inﬂuence people’s moods and opinions on very key societal issues. As a paragon of virtue, I try to be very modest as much as I can all the time, humble, warm, loving and trustworthy. I uphold these principles upon my belief in God and upon the conscience of the faith I have in my maker. I trust that how far I’ve come and how far I will go rest in the permission of my God. For it is said, “No man can accomplish his mission in life without the permission of God” I am Nadia but many of my lovely fans love to call me ‘Beyonce’ a name I personiﬁed in my recent successful movie. The year 2013 marked a memorial period in my life. It was the year of an amazing success in my career. The year when my directorial debut, “The Diary of Imogen Brown” received the biggest premier ever in Ghana (Accra, Takoradi and Kumasi). I couldn’t be grateful to God for anything more than His blessings in 2013. It is impossible to forget 2013, the year when I received the honor of being the most searched Ghanaian actress. I remain indebted to all my fans whose online reading about me made

this honor a possibility. 2013 led to the discovery of the impact my fans, my family, my friends, my foes and my faith in God made on me. My fans in 2013 were simply incredible. Together in your thousands we broke all the premiering records in Ghana. I am deeply indebted to you for your love and patience. My family is my team and my team is success. This is how my family helped to inﬂuence my success last year. Their sleepless nights have given birth to the day in which we shall all remain glad and rejoice. Thank you for how you endured the odds to ensure you even every challenge that came our way. Through all the times, in all times and at all times my friends showed themselves friendly all the way to making success a collective possibility. To you all who were there for me, I pray God will be there for you this year. I can’t forget how the criticisms of foes impacted my life. For while the love of my fans, family and friends warmed and cushioned me, the odium of my foes warned and cautioned me. But during this period of different experiences in 2013, the faith I kept in God

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

kept me, and the same faith I fought for, also fought for me to make all things work together for my good. It will be very hard to forget 2013 because it was the year when what I believe in people made people believe in me. This was the driving force behind of my success last year – my belief. Aside these, my personal success afﬁliates are my associates in business and sponsors who believed in my brand to either support me or do business with me. To you I will remain forever indebted. The days ahead will put us ahead of our competitors. To all of you my fellow industry players, partners and producers who helped advance my talent, I remain obliged. Your input has determined the output of this Nadiamania the whole world sees. Thank you! I also owe a lot of love and gratitude to my fans overseas whose continuous reading about me helped me become the most searched actress in Ghana. I promise to keep you reading this year with more positive weightier matters. I’m grateful! The part social media played in my success

last year cannot be overemphasized. My loyal fans on Twitter and other media networks whose love and encouragement saw me through the year, I pray God’s grace helps you run your race this year without much hurdles. Just know I love you dearly! To you special people who watching Nadia in a movie is a delight, I wish you all, all you wish for yourself in 2014. For buying and watching my movies all these years especially in 2013, I say you will never lack any good thing this New Year. For by you I was kept at the apex through the whole year. Thank you so much! My friends of the press, I press on by your writings. Your input cannot be measured, but treasured as one that kept me on top. To you I say, the Spot you shed Light on made me the spotlight of millions. Thank you! I revere our partnership. Once again, to my fans all over the world, I say a big thank you and Happy New Year to all of you! I love you all dearly! Having achieved all these successes in 2013, in this 2014 we shall attempt the impossible together with God!

THE AFRICAN SOCIETY

Wife Sues Husband for Spending More Nights with Second Wife F

rom Nigeria comes this story of a 35-year-old woman, Maryam Mohammed, who recently sued her husband, Adamu Mohammed, who she claims is spending more time in bed with his second wife. “My Lord, whenever it is my turn for the night, my husband would sneak into the bedroom of my second and spend the night there,” she told the court. The neglected Maryam, who lives in the Sabon-Lugbe area of Abuja with her polygamous family, told the court that not only was her husband being selﬁsh with the sex, he was also selﬁsh with the food. Maryam told the court that she depended on her

parents for food as her husband “no longer gives me food or money for my feeding”. Adamu has denied the allegations and said a “prolonged illness” makes it difﬁcult for him to “satisfy her

needs”. He is contesting the divorce and has asked to court not to grant her suit. Presiding Judge Haruna Masanawa has adjourned the case until June 3 when the couple is expected to appear with their parents.

Newlyweds give each other pizza portraits I

f you ask proud bride Natasha Morris, the sign you’re really in love is when the groom paints your face… on a big pizza base. She and her new husband, Kieran, had likenesses of each other created out of toppings including ham, sweetcorn and tomato purée to celebrate tying the knot on recently. They had ordered so many pizzas together from takeaway chain Domino’s that ‘it felt right to incorporate them into the most special day of our lives’, support worker Mr. Morris explained. The two pizza portraits were created by Nathan Wyburn after support worker Mr. Morris and his student wife, from Bury, Greater Manchester, put in a special request to Domino’s.

It took the skilful food artist three hours to craft them before a delivery driver brought them to the wedding reception at Samlesbury Hall in Preston. ‘We were overwhelmed to see our faces on the pizzas and the guests absolutely loved them,’ Mr. Morris said. Ahmed Faraz, manager

of the Bamber Bridge Domino’s branch that arranged the delivery, said: ‘We are really excited that Domino’s are able to be a part of Kieran and Natasha’s big day. ‘It’s been really fun working behind the scenes to create the pizzas for such big fans and we wish them all the best for the future.’

Two-Headed Lamb Born In Ghana N

ews from Ghana says a two-headed lamb was born recently near Tarkwa, Ghana. The double-domed black and white lamb was born next to Sackious Ventures, a spare parts and general goods dealer’s shop, according to MyJoyOnline. The animal is reportedly completely normal in all other respects. Little other information is known about the lamb, but one person who is doubly interested in the twoheaded creature is Todd Ray, star of the AMC TV series, “Freakshow.” Ray has the largest collection of two-headed animals in the world, according

Man Wakes after 21 hours in Morgue Fridge A

South African man awoke to ﬁnd himself in a morgue fridge – nearly a day after his family thought he had died. Health department spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said the man awoke 21 hours after his family called in an undertaker who sent him to the morgue after an asthma attack. Morgue owner Ayanda Maqolo said he sent his driver to collect the body shortly after the family reported the death. Maqolo said he thought the man was around 80 years old. “When he got there, the driver examined the body, checked his pulse, looked for a heartbeat, but there

was nothing,” Maqolo told the Associated Press. But a day after staff put the body into a locked refrigerated compartment, morgue workers heard someone shouting for help. They thought it was a ghost, the morgue owner said. “I couldn’t believe it!” Maqolo said. “I was also scared. But they are my employees and I had to show them I wasn’t scared, so I called the police.” After police arrived, the group entered the morgue together. “I was glad they had their ﬁrearms, in case something wanted to ﬁght with us,” Maqolo said.

He said the man was pale when they pulled him out. “He asked, ‘How did I get here?’” Maqolo said. The health department said the man was then taken to a nearby hospital for observation and later discharged by doctors who deemed him stable.

Blind Man Sues another Blind for “Enticing Wife” S

haibu Ibrahim, a blind man, recently took his best friend, another blind man, to court for allegedly “enticing his wife” according to the News Agency of Nigeria. Ibrahim, 26, told court in Nasarawa that his former friend, Shehu Sarki, who is also the head of the Blind People’s Association in the area, had been having an affair with 23-year old Lami, Ibrahim’s wife.

He says Sarki had been the one to arrange the marriage only months back. “Sometime in June 2013, our chairman, Sarki, helped me to get a woman, Lami, for marriage,” Ibra-

him told the court. “After our marriage in July, Sarki later enticed my wife and took her away from my house. “I later discovered that my wife is staying in one of his rooms and he has been sleeping with her.” What’s even more bizarre, having an affair is illegal in Nasarawa state because if convicted, Sarki could spend two years in jail.

Boy, 6 Drives 3 miles to get Chinese Food A

six-year-old boy really, really wanted Chinese food, so much so that he slipped the car keys, snuck out of the house while his family slept and drove the family’s Ford Taurus station wagon just to get it. He didn’t get too far, however. Motorists in Lapeer County, Michigan called the police to report erratic driving and when stopped by authorities at about 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, the six-year-old revealed his morning plans. Having hit a street sign near his house and cracking

the bumper, the boy told police that he planned to get the car ﬁxed and then stop by for some Chinese food. “I don’t know how he was able to operate everything and see at the same

time,” Deputy Karl Sapp said. “Apparently, he was close enough that he could reach the pedals.” It is not clear if police pressed charges.

Hunter Mistakes friend as Antelope; shot and killed him to Guinness World Records, including a two-headed goat, a two-headed chicken and two living two-headed six-legged bearded dragons. Ray, who displays his collection at the Venice

Beach Freakshow in Los Angeles, doesn’t know if the animal is still alive, but hopes the owners pay close attention to the animal’s heads to see if one is more dominant.

30-year old Ekiti State native is facing murder charges after he shot his hunting buddy who he claims he mistook for an antelope. Police arrested Musibau Mustapha for the wrongful death of Sunday Ijasa. Both

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

men were hunting over the weekend at Igbara Odo Ekiti when Mustapha said he mistook his friend for an antelope and shot him.

Ekiti State police spokesman Victor Babayemi conﬁrmed the incident and says investigation into the crime is underway.

THE AFRICAN SOCIETY

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Samathan and Hubby when the going was good

ndy Lamb was suffering from renal failure and was only being kept alive by dialysis sessions, until his wife Samantha persuaded him to take one of her kidneys. Mrs. Lamb, 41, lost more than 3st in weight to make sure that she would be healthy enough for the transplant operation in October 2009. The couple was even ﬁlmed for a BBC show which documented the story of her gift of love. But they did not live happily ever after. Just a few years after the life-saving procedure, their marriage was over when Mr. Lamb walked out on his wife in August 2012. Mrs. Lamb is adamant that her husband started having an affair with her friend – a claim he categorically denies. He moved his belongings out of their marital home one evening while she was working a night shift at Tesco. He also took the TV and stereo before posting the keys through the letterbox without a note or letter, she claims. The couple, from Ivybridge, Devon, met when they were both drivers for a private ambulance ﬁrm and started dating in 2004. After a brief split, when they had to live apart from each other for a short period of time, they decided to get married in 2007. However, Mr. Lamb’s condition meant he soon became dependent on dialysis sessions. His wife explained: ‘He needed a new kidney or he would die. He was on dialysis

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three times a week. I told Andy he should go through with it [the transplant]. ‘He had children from an earlier relationship and he wanted to be there for them.’ Mrs. Lamb says she now regrets donating the kidney to her husband and wishes she could have it back – if only to donate it to someone more deserving. She told the Sunday People: ‘I would deﬁnitely go through the operation again but I wouldn’t give the kidney to him. ‘I hate him. If I could, then I would take it back and give it to someone else. ‘Obviously I don’t want people to be put off putting their names on the organ donor list. ‘But all I want from him is his name on the divorce papers.’ Mr. Lamb, 45, who denies having an affair with his wife’s friend, said: ‘I never wanted her to donate her kidney because it was a big risk. But she insisted and I’ll always owe her my life.’ He added: ‘I loved her but our relationship wasn’t working. We had big rows and her family never liked me. ‘Despite what Samantha believes, I have never been with her friend. I just helped her to train her dog.’ The mother-ofone now wants a divorce and says that she is trying to get on with her life – although she is reminded about the break-up whenever she sees her 4in operation scar. She does have one comfort, however, saying: ‘At least he always has to remember where his kidney came from.’

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Call Finch & Milvan location at: 416-740-9922 VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

THE AFRICAN SOCIETY

GHANA PROPOSES FIRST EVER SKY STADIUM continued from p(1) posit in the world has been discovered in Ondo State, thereby creating job opportunities for over 500 000 unemployed youth. At the recently concluded Summit of the United Nations in Geneva, Nigeria had even demonstrated her magnanimity by donating $100M to Canada to help rehabilitate victims of the recent snow storm and blackout.

International Cooperation Congo, on its part, agreed to look into requests by some countries to freeze and repatriate government funds stolen from Western Nations and stocked in Kinshasha by government ofﬁcials. The Western countries include Switzerland, Britain and the United States of America. In a similar vein, Rwanda’s fame as a generous nation is fast spreading in international circles. To mark its independence-day celebration, Rwanda wrote-off all foreign debts valued at $10.5B. This debt pardon is considered in many circles as a reward to Western countries that supported Rwanda’s recent invasion of neighbouring Uganda. Beneﬁciaries of this humanitarian gesture include Japan, Australia, Sweden and Denmark.

Foreign Affairs Americans who have expressed fears that Republicans might rig the forthcoming Presi-

dential Elections have nothing to worry about after all. Liberia and Sierra Leone have agreed to send observers to forestall any form of electoral malpractice in God’s own country. The Liberian leader has further agreed to send troops to the Philippines to quell rebel insurgence on the capital city, Manila. On the other hand, Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) rose from its recent conference in Zimbabwe last week with a decision that brought smiles on the faces of international observers. According to the Heads of government, Southern Africa alone will produce enough food next season to feed

the whole world. The CHOGM also penalized the United Kingdom for meddling in the Middle East crisis without the consent of African leaders.

Military Cooperation Niger Republic has reviewed its military assistance program to the West with a view at increasing military aid to France and Germany. The country had recently acquired ultra-modern military equipment from Togo, and promised to ship her old armoury to Paris and Frankfurt before summer. The one I found most interesting is that Sudan will set up a mil-

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itary base in Buffalo in a bid to assist US and Canada in their efforts to deal with terrorist activities. It is not clear if this effort is geared towards winning North American support for Sudanese leader’s ambition to launch a pre-emptive strike against South Sudan under the suspicion that the tiny country possesses weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Both countries have put up feeble opposition to Sudan’s expansionist agenda in recent times.

Respite at Last It is hard to ﬁnd Blacks on the streets of Toronto these days, save for a few on student exchange

programs. Last December, the last batch of Africans returned to their countries due to reports of political stability and economic prosperity back home. Immigration Canada had late last year introduced certain incentives targeted at African Skilled Immigrants, ostensibly to discourage them from returning to their countries. Similar policies are daily broadcast by other Western Nations over the BBC, VOA and CNN to no avail. The shortage of professionals in North America and Europe, especially in the medical field has generated so much concern in recent times. This is even worsened by demands from Ghanaian doctors to be paid in Cedis, which these countries find too exorbitant owing to the high exchange rate of the Dollar to Cedis. Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa is wearing a beautiful look this weekend as Ethiopia prepares to host this year’s African Union (AU) Summit. World leaders are expected to join their African counterparts on the last day of the Summit to celebrate five decades of uninterrupted Democracy in Africa. At last, I thought, Africa has regained her lost glory. She has become the most beautiful bride around the globe, sought after by her colonial Lords. At least it feels good again to be African. While I was still basking in this euphoria, I suddenly jolted awake. Alas, I had been dreaming.

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We Cater to All Occasion VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

THE AFRICAN SOCIETY

GHANA

Ghanaian emerges tops at London School of Economics

Ghana Pays Tribute to Komla Dumor (Oct. 3, 1972 – Jan. 18, 2014)

he London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) named a Ghanaian student as the overall best performer in the Organizational Behavior Program at its graduation ceremony in 2013. Nana Yaa Antwi-Gyamﬁ, 26, beat 25 other students in her program to receive the prize from the prestigious university, where she had been studying for her master’s degree on a Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) scholarship. No stranger to academic success, Ms Antwi-Gyamﬁ, who graduated from LSE with distinction, has a long history of scholastic achievements dating back to her days in junior high school, where she obtained 10 As.

Ms Nana Yaa Antwi-Gyamﬁ (right) being congratulated by ofﬁcials of the London School of Economics and Political Science.

From there, she only grew, placing second in Ghana in the 2005 West Africa Senior School Certiﬁcate Examination (WASSCE) and being named the best candidate in General Arts.

At the University of Ghana, she majored in Accounting and graduated with First Class honors in the Business Administration program.

Advice to students

s Antwi-Gyamﬁ, who plans to stay within the realm of academia and hopes to pursue a PhD in the near future, said her early love for reading had really been beneﬁcial to her studies and advised other students that reading was key. “It not only gives you a strong grasp of the English language but also opens your mind to different angles,” she said. She advised students against the mindset that particular subjects were “off base” for some people and stressed the importance of

focus and determination in overcoming challenges. “I really didn’t like Mathematics, but I kept working at it and got better. I would just like to tell people that it isn’t true that some people are not good at certain things,” she explained. Finding a balance so that one did not become single-focused was also very important, according to Ms Antwi-Gyamﬁ, who is heavily involved in her Accra church’s drama group and is also an aspiring poet and writer on the side. Above all, she said she

believed that it was by the grace of God that she was able to achieve so much. On what was next, Ms Antwi-Gyamﬁ said she hoped to use her skills to help bridge the gap between academia and the real business world, ensuring that academic theories translated into functioning business practices here in Ghana. “While I can deﬁnitely see the attraction of remaining abroad, I think this is where most of the skills and knowledge are needed. Ghana will always be home,” she said.

Ghana’s Stable Electricity Supply receives Boost Abu Dhabi company to build new power plant

n Abu Dhabi based energy company, TAQA has agreed with the government of Ghana to build an additional facility to generate 300 megawatts of power at the Takoradi Thermal plant. Apart from that, the company is also willing to support Ghana in liqueﬁed natural gas to undertake industrial activities. This was the outcome of a meeting held between President John Dramani Mahama’s delegation to Abu Dhabi and the management of TAQA Group of Companies at the Abu Dhabi Palace Hotel on Tuesday, January 21. President Mahama has been in the oil-rich country for the past three days and attended the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Renewable Energy conference and held discussions with other leaders. TAQA has already constructed some projects at

the Takoradi Thermal plant. Apart from completing power projects at Takoradi, the company is also expected to complete another facility at the plant that will generate 110 megawatts of energy by the end of 2014. The additional 300 megawatts would start soon after the completion of the current 110 megawatts under construction by the end of this year. President Mahama said the completion of all those projects would make the precarious power situation in the country a thing of the past and pave way for Ghana to become a net exporter of power. He said Ghana’s target of generating 5,000 megawatts of power by 2016 was on course and that it would be achieved with the active involvement and partnership with the private sector. “What we really need now is the Liqueﬁed Natu-

ral Gas in addition to what we have to streamline our supply and consumption in the country,” President Mahama said. The Group has also said with the additional 300 megawatts of power and the Liquefied Natural Gas it would also enhance the supply of electricity and potable water to the Western and Central regions. TAQA also expressed interest to invest in other sectors in Accra and later expand such investments to other parts of the country and promised to come to Ghana to finalize talks and negotiations on such investments. Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Buah, Minister for Energy and Petroleum, said his Ministry would pursue some of the good practices he learnt from the renewable energy conference to be implemented in Ghana as soon as possible.

hanaians all over the world have been paying tributes Ghana-born BBC TV presenter Komla Dumor who died suddenly at his home in London at the age of 41. Until his death, he was a presenter for BBC World News and its Focus on Africa program. Undoubtedly one of Ghana’s best-known journalists, he joined the BBC as a radio broadcaster in 2006 after a decade of journalism in Ghana. Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama said on Twitter that his country had lost one of its finest ambassadors. “Komla’s many friends and colleagues across Africa and the world will be as devastated as we are by this shocking news.” The Convention People’s Party (CPP) of Ghana described the late BBC broadcaster, Komla Dumor as one who typified excellence in all that he did. “He excelled in his profession, first as a Ghanaian and African, then an international journalist,” according to CPP chair, Samia Yaba Nkrumah. “He was objective, neutral and professional, demonstrating commendable courage, patriotism and a keen sense of responsibility to his roots. He did all this with exceptional style that radiated joy and enthusiasm as reflected in his unforgettable smile. “Komla deeply impacted on many journalists and professionals and we urge our youth to emulate his example in striving to do their best in any endeavor while maintaining an independent

way of thinking wherever they may ﬁnd themselves.” The statement noted that Komla Dumor made Ghana and Africa proud, when he mounted the world stage through the BBC platforms to prove that the African is capable of achieving excellence. “Death certainly cannot extinguish the light Komla has lit, erase the contributions he made, nor the good feeling he gave us all whenever he appeared on our screens or spoke. Sometimes the young show us the way, and Komla has done just that. The accolades and awards he has received only conﬁrmed wide recognition of his contribution in uplifting his profession, his people and nation. “Komla Dumor, you made us all in Ghana proud. You made the whole of Africa proud. You gave us hope that we can, with many like you, show the whole world that we are capable of managing our affairs and managing them well. Komla, may your family take comfort in the fact that you represented the best in us and that their burden of grief is mutually shared with the world. “Boss player, pride of Ghana and Africa, the CPP family salutes you.” The former Joy FM super star, and host of BBC’s Focus on Africa program and the same time a presenter, BBC World, passed on in his home in London on Saturday, January 18, 2014. Komla Dumor featured in New African magazine’s November 2013 list of 100

most influential Africans. It said he had “established himself as one of the emerging African faces of global broadcasting”, who had “considerable influence on how the continent is covered”. Komla Dumor was born on 3 October 1972 in Accra, Ghana. He graduated with a BA in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Ghana, and a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University. He won the Ghana Journalist of the Year award in 2003 and joined the BBC three years later. From then until 2009 he hosted Network Africa for BBC World Service radio, before joining The World Today program. In 2009 Komla Dumor became the first host of Africa Business Report on BBC World News. He was a regular presenter of Focus on Africa and had fronted the program the day before he died. He travelled across Africa, meeting the continent’s top entrepreneurs and reporting on the latest business trends around the continent. He interviewed a number of high-profile guests including Bill Gates and Kofi Annan. Last month, he covered the funeral of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, whom he described as “one of the greatest figures of modern history”. Dumor is survived by his wife, Kwansema, with whom he had three children

Asantehene Otumfuo is not dead – Manhyia O

tumfuo Manwerehene Nana Baffour Osei Brentuo Hyiaman V has denied rumors that the Royal Occupant of the Golden Stool Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has passed on. Debunking the speculations, Mawerehene, Nana Baffour Osei Brentuo Hyiaman V said there is no iota of truth in the speculations

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

and disclosed that currently Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is in South Africa and will be returning to the country soon. He added that though they have heard about the rumor, they are patiently waiting for the arrival of His Royal Majesty before an ofﬁcial release will be issued to that effect. Ghanaians should be

calm and not be alarmed, His Royal Majesty is healthy and will soon be returning to the country from his ofﬁcial visit to South Africa, he assured. He, therefore, admonished people who have been posting such information on the various social networks about the alleged demise of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to refrain from such an act.

THE AFRICAN SOCIETY

ENTERTAINMENT

Ini Edo to Be Thrown Out By Her Husband? W

hen sultry Nollywood actress, Ini Edo’s husband travelled out months back and left her behind in Nigeria to “do her thing” many didn’t suspect anything was wrong as it is not unusual for a husband to leave his wife behind to attend to some business issues and return home. But days turned into weeks, her husband didn’t return; weeks have turned into months now and it’s obvious Ini Edo can

no longer hide her pains. A source said that she has been complaining secretly to a few friends about her husband’s ﬁght with her. She has done all she could to make him “forgive me even if I’m wrong” but it seems her efforts are not really working as she had expected. And it’s getting bad. Another source disclosed that the major issue is Ini Edo’s inability to get pregnant and give her husband a child after three

years of marriage. It is said that the man was advised against marrying her due to her “past” but he ignored the warning all because he wanted to marry a celebrity. Anyway, the home front is no longer seems at peace and the man is not even coming home to touch his wife so they could try harder maybe the pregnancy would come. Some say he may be planning to send her out... But is that the best solution?

6 Naija Celebrities with Sexy Abs M

ost Nigerian men are known for their “pot” bellies. However Nigerian Celebrities are now holding it down for the Naija men. Checkout the sexiest six pack abs from 6 Naija men:

1. Jim Iyke Jim Iyke is often referred to as the bad boy of Nollywood movies. He has over 100 Nollywood ﬁlms to his credit. Jim Iyke is sexy and handsome! After ending his 6 years relationship with the Jamaican born actress, Keturah Hamilton, the calm dude is digging it out with Nadia Buari, Ghana’s beautiful and talented actress.

3. P-square 2. Ikechukwu Onunaku Ikechukwu is a Nigerian rapper and performer. He was born in Manassass Virginia to Nigerian parents and raised in Lagos. He is probably most famous for his hit single “Wind Am Well” ft Dbanj and Don Jazzy. He certainly has great and sexy abs.

P-square are a Nigerian R&B duo composed of identical twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye. They rank high in the list of Nigeria’s sexiest men. In December 2011, they were signed to Akon’s Konvict Music label, and in 2012 they signed a record distribution deal with Universal Music South Africa. P-Square have won many awards in Africa and beyond.

5. D’Banj

4. D’prince D’prince is the younger brother of Don Jazzy, CEO of Mavin Records. His big brother might be the Mavin boss but this ﬁne young man sure is the boss of everything sexy.

Dbanj is one of Nigeria’s sexiest Entertainer, ak.a Africa’s Micheal Jackson. He recently parted ways with Don Jazzy, CEO of Mavin Records. Dbanj is a charismatic entertainer whose athletic physique certainly commands attention. His song Oliver twist was once played on Eastenders and was named top 10 in the British Music Charts.

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

6. Iyanya Iyanya, the kukere Master, is deﬁnitely one of the sexiest Nigerian men alive. He is called the waist Breaker. The former Project Fame winner and multi award winning artiste combines both great physique and an awe striking voice.

THE AFRICAN SOCIETY

I WAS INJURED IN A SLIP/TRIP AND FALL INCIDENT – WHAT SHOULD I DO? S

lip and falls or trip and falls refer to that group of cases where an individual slips or falls to the ground and suffers harm due to a dangerous condition on someone else’s property. Typically these cases are rooted in negligence. They are based on a claim that the property owner was negligent in allowing some dangerous condition to exist that caused the slip or trip that resulted in injuries. A condition that causes a person to trip may be as simple as a sudden change in height of a smooth walking surface, sudden poor lighting conditions, unexpected loose objects in a walk way etc. Slip and falls injuries on the other hand typically result from icy or wet surface conditions in the nature of a concealed danger leading to serious injuries. These injuries range from soft tissue injuries, to bruises, fractures, concussions and head injuries.

Liability Slip and fall claims in Canada are based on the notion that when a person slips or trips, they can sue the party that negligently caused the circumstanc-

es that led to the injury. This means that an injured person can make a slipand-fall / trip and fall claim against the property owner or occupier where the injury occurred because of the occupier’s negligence in permitting a dangerous condition to exist. Who is an occupier? An occupier includes an owner or tenant of premises and includes those in physical possession of the premises where the slip / trip and fall occurred. An occupier includes the person or corporation in CONTROL of premises where the incident occurred. An occupier may also include persons responsible for maintaining or repairing the premises. In essence, the owner, occupier, tenant or person responsible for the condition of the premises or all of the above, owe a legal duty of care to members of the public to take such care as in all the circumstances is reasonable to ensure that persons entering onto the premises are reasonably safe. This duty of care extends to both the condition of and activities being carried on within the premises. Determining whether there has been a breach of

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the ongoing duty to make the premises safe involves an analysis of each speciﬁc situation. For these reasons it is vital for victims of a slip and fall / trip and fall to consult a personal injury lawyer to determine their right to compensation as soon as possible. The foundation for liability of the occupier frequently arises through one or a combination of the following failures (a) to either have a system of inspection (b) to inspect (c) to have a system of appropriate maintenance (d) maintain properly or adequately or warn of a hazardous situation (e) or correct a known danger.

Compensation C ti Compensation ﬂows from liability. If there is no liability there is no compensable injury. If on the other hand there is liability, the injured person usually has the right to recover compensation for any or all of the following compensable heads of claims: Pain and suffering; Loss of the enjoyment of life; Loss of the amenities of life; All income losses and compensation for any losses of earning capacity which includes all losses of future income, loss of ﬁnancial opportunity and competitive advantages;

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Loss of housekeeping and home maintenance capacity including any associated expenses; Past and future medical expenses; Rehabilitation and care costs and; Any other out of pocket expenses; Additionally, in Canada spouses and other family members are able to claim for losses of care, guidance and companionship as well as compensation for provision of services caused by the injury and other ﬁnancial losses. A personal injury Lawyer in assessing your case will be interested in all the circumstances, as to how fast the injured person was walking, whether that person was proceeding in a safe manner relevant to the conditions at the time, what foot wear was worn at the time, if there were any warning signs and whether there were other issues that may have caused the slip and fall. Finally, a personal injury Lawyer will investigate immediately who owns the property where the injury occurred. If the property is a side walk and that side walk is owned by the municipal-

ity, notice must be served within 10 days of the injury or discovery of the injury. This is a very easy deadline to miss hence it is critical to Consult early in order to preserve the right to sue. What should you do if you have been a victim of a slip/trip and fall incident that causes you injuries? Call 911; Inform you treating Physicians of all your accident related limitations and how the incident occurred; Document your injuries -photograph the injuries and the scene of the slip/trip and fall; Write down the names and contact information of any witnesses; Consult a personal injury Lawyer as soon as possible to serve appropriate notices; If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as a result of the negligence of another person, it’s a good idea to get a free consultation from a personal injury Lawyer immediately to obtain compensation for your injury. Bode Odetoyinbo is a Barrister at Odetoyinbos LLP (905) 487-6333 www. lawyer4me.com

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Tel: 416 843 8514 VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

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THE AFRICAN SOCIETY

SPORTS

Reasons Yaya Toure Beat John Mikel Obi to African Player of the Year Title

Yaya Toure

Mikel Obi

anchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure was named the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Footballer of the Year. It is a third straight title for Toure, who also won December’s BBC African Footballer of the Year award. He was up against fellow Ivorian Didier Drogba, of Galatasaray, and Nigeria and Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi. “What I am doing now, I am doing very well and I am very happy about that,” Toure said after receiving his award. But he acknowledged that it had been a difficult choice for the national team coaches and technical directors who take part in the vote. “”It was quite tight - because it there were good opponents in front of me. Obi Mikel was doing well - and Drogba as well, so I was thinking maybe I would lose it. I

am lucky today, I am very proud of myself,” he said. Toure, 30, emulates Abedi Pele and Samuel Eto’o with a hat-trick of wins. Ghanaian Abedi Pele won three in a row between 1991 and 1993 while Cameroonian Eto’o took the award from 2003-05. Toure may not have won a major trophy for club and country last year but his class has shone through at both domestic level and for the Elephants of Ivory Coast. Toure’s form also led to him being the only African to be included on the 23-man shortlist for FIFA’s World Player of the Year. His closest rival for the CAF award was Mikel, 26, who helped Nigeria win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa and also featured in Chelsea’s Europa League win. Former Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu was the last Nigerian star to win the prestigious award in 1999.

Minister slams Bafana Bafana as ‘useless losers’ after CHAN exit

Germany Line-Up Cameroon Friendly to Prepare To Face Ghana at 2014 World Cup

Black Stars of Ghana

ermany have line-up a friendly against Cameroon to test their side against an African opposition in preparation towards the clash with Ghana at 2014 World Cup. The Europeans will play fellow World Cup ﬁnalist the Indomitable Lions in one of its ﬁnal warm-ups for the tournament in Brazil. The match is scheduled for June 1 in Moenchengladbach. Germany also plays Poland on May 13 and is looking for an opponent for a June 6

Cote d’Ivoire: World Cup 2014 - Ivory Coast Will Be Based in Sao Paulo

livid South African Sports Minister chastised the national squad Monday as “useless bunch of losers” after it crashed to Nigeria in the group stages of the African Nations Championship. Fikile Mbalula said Bafana Bafana’s performance on Sunday, January 19 when it suffered a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria to exit the tournament, was “not even lackluster, it was useless,” and a “disaster”. The squad is “just a bunch of unbearable, useless individuals,” he told a news conference. Hosts South Africa needed only a draw to advance to the quarter ﬁnals of the continental tournament, with only locally based players. South Africa’s national squad has in recent years performed dismally at most international competitions, despite repeated

match, one day before departing for Brazil. German Football Federation general secretary Helmut Sandrock says the coaching staff wanted Germany to play against a “strong African team” ahead of the tournament. Germany’s group includes another African team, Ghana. Cameroon is in the same group as World Cup host Brazil and is coached by a German, Volker Finke. Germany’s other group rivals are Portugal and the United States. Cameroon also plays Mexico and Croatia.

S Bafana Bafana players changes of their coach. “We indeed have a crisis of monumental proportions,” said the minister, adding it’s not a crisis of talent, but one of organization. “That mediocrity that was displayed, we must never wake up to that again.”

abri Lamouchi, Elephants coach led his ﬁrst press conference of the year. before an audience of journalists, the Franco- Tunisian technician exposed part of the program of Côte d’ Ivoire ahead the upcoming World Cup. We learned that the band including Didier Drogba will be based in Sao Paulo. “Our base camp is quite far (from the venues of the matches), admitted the former midﬁelder. But other nations are much farther than us. [...]Ivoirians do not know mujch about the reality there: the complexity and vastness of this country. We should also take into account the temperature difference between the North and the South of Brazil. [...] No nation has its base camp in the North (where Drogba and co will play

two matches, Editor’s note) because it will get very hot,” he said. Regarding friendlies, Lamouchi said that his team will play two games to keep the physical freshness before the start of the competition. However, opponents have not yet been determined.

Adlene Guedioura says Algeria can cause a shock at the World Cup C

rystal Palace midfielder Adlene Guedioura believes Algeria can spring a surprise at this summer’s World Cup finals, when Algeria will be competing in their fourth World Cup. The African side have been drawn against Belgium, Russia and South Korea in Group H as they look to progress from the group stages for the first time in their history. Guedioura admits Belgium are favorites for the group, but believes Algeria can make history by reaching the second round. “I am quite happy with the draw, I think it is quite an open group,” Guedioura told

Sky Sports. “I think the favorite team is going to be Belgium for sure because they have a lot of players who are playing for the top clubs in Europe, but for the other three it is going to be a chance for us to be qualiﬁed for the next round. “To do well in the World Cup is, starting from now, you need to be prepared. “We want to be the team that is going to create a surprise. “I know it is going to be tough, but I have big motivation and big expectation to do well. “We need to work hard and prepare our-

selves very well, but we want to do something we have never done and be in the second stage. “We want to do something historic for our country and we want to make the Algerian people proud.” Guedioura featured in all three games in the last World Cup in South Africa 2010 and he admits it was a dream come true to represent his country at the ﬁnals. “We want to do something historic for our country and we want to make the Algerian people proud.”

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

Adlene Guedioura: Looking to make history at World Cup

THE AFRICAN SOCIETY

INVESTIGATION

INVESTIGATION: Inside Nigeria’s Ruthless Human Trafﬁcking Maﬁa continued from p(40)

Forza Speciale It is on the windy Sunday evening of October 6 that I make my first contact with the outer ring of this mafia. A big party with VIPs is on the cards; the kind of party an ordinary girl, or rather ‘product’, as we are called by traffickers, is not usually invited to. But I am currently on a fortune ride: Oghogho’s favorite. Additionally, I have been classified as ‘Special Forces’, or ‘Forza Speciale’ as my new contacts say, borrowing the Italian term. It’s a rule of thumb, I understand, that a syndicate subjects girls to classification through a check on their nude bodies and I, too – in the company of some male and female judges, headed by a trafficker called Auntie Precious – had been checked. I had received the highest classification. “This means that you don’t have to walk the streets. You can be an escort for important clients,” Auntie Precious had told me in a soft, congratulatory tone. The ones of ‘lesser’ classification were referred to as Forza Strada, the Road Force. The party is held at a gorgeous residence along the Aguiyi Ironsi Way in Maitama, Abuja. This is designed to be a festive end to a great day, in which we went to church, hung out at the choicest places in town, shopped and got dressed in a suite at the Abuja power citadel, meeting point of the elite, the Transcorp Hilton. “The ‘dividend’ is not from prostitution and trafficking alone, but Oghogho won’t tell me what the other source is.” It is more like an orgy. Male and female strippers entertain guests, drugs abound, alcohol is everywhere in unrestrained flow; there is romping in the open. Also, big bags of money are changing hands. Barely an hour after we arrive, Oghogho receives a big jute bag, which is delivered from another room. As we walk out and she puts the money in the boot of her car, she smiles at me. “Don’t worry; very soon, you’ll get to receive dividend.” This ‘dividend’ is not from prostitution and trafficking alone, but Oghogho won’t tell me what the other source is. “When you come on board fully, you’ll know.” A retired army colonel from the Abacha era sees to it that we are not disturbed. “He has top connections and sees to a smooth flow of the business,” Oghogho tells me.

Pick pocketing training How ‘top’ these connections are, I ﬁnd when I am taken with a group of girls to be trained in pick pocketing. We, a group of ten ‘products’, are placed at various crowd-

ed bus stops in the suburb of Ikorodu, where we must ‘practice’ under the guard of two army ofﬁcers, a policeman as well as a number of male ‘trainers’. The policeman doesn’t even bother to cover his name badge: Babatunde Ajala, it reads. The general operation is supervised by Mama Caro, popularly called Mama C, a 50-something, light-complexioned, busty woman. Her deputy is a Madam Eno. Mama C has told us that pick pocketing is a crucial skill for the Forza Speciale: we will need to be able to pick valuables from clients. She adds that the pickings are added to the girls earnings, so we will be able to pay off our debts– commonly called ‘meeting our targets’ – in a short time. When I perform dismally, Eno rains abuses on me. We are all to stay at the bus stop until I pick an item from somebody. It is already 11 PM. Tired, hungry and angry with me, Adesuwa, Isoken and the policeman guarding my group pick some extra pockets and hand me the items, so that I can show them to Eno. “We practice pick pocketing under the guard of two army ofﬁcers and a policeman” The next day, the bumpy journey to the ‘training camp’ appears endless. My fellow ‘products’ are snoozing and I battle to stay awake, wondering if we are tired or drugged. I note the bus moving off the main road somewhere around Odogunyan, into thick bushes, almost a forest. We stop at a compound guarded by armed military men. As my fellow ‘products’ wake up, it is clear that they think we are still in Lagos.

New names and indenture The next day starts with strip tease and lap dance training after breakfast, and thereafter poise and etiquette. Five other girls have arrived in the meantime. They are all graduates, leaving for Italy fully aware of what they are to do there. “If I get caught by local police, I will just tell them I was trafﬁcked against

my will,” one of them, Gbemi, says light-heartedly. “I don’t think oyinbo (white man) will believe Mama C if she says that I am there voluntarily.” I receive a crash course in pedicure and manicure because I am so bad at pick pocketing. “You’ll be utilizing these skills at my wellness centre in Italy,” Mama C says, after scolding me for being lazy and testing her patience. “You will be working on only men whilst wearing sexy dresses. That will enable you to attract customers.” “Mama C makes us sign a statement that we have willingly embarked on the journey” Later, Mama C makes everyone sign a statement that they have willingly embarked on the journey and that they are to return certain sums as professional fees to her. No girl is given a copy of what she has signed and the amount varies inexplicably: while Isoken signs up for a debt of US $100,000, I will have only US $70,000 to pay. We are told that we will receive new passports with false names and even false nationalities in Cotonou. I am to become a Kenyan, Mairo South African, and so on. “I have boys in the Benin immigration ofﬁce,” boasts Mama C.

Horror A just-arrived traditional ‘doctor’ then puts us through rites that involve checking the horoscope of each girl as well as collecting some of her blood, ﬁngernails, hair and pubic hair. He then picks out four of us as ‘problematic’ and says we will bring ‘bad luck’. Either he is really clairvoyant or he is a professional security operative who has run background checks on us, because he is right about at least three of the four. Two of us have had unfortunate earlier experiences involving deportation back to Nigeria and are possibly known to the authorities in Europe. I am number three.

What happens next is like a horror movie. As we ‘unlucky’ four, are standing aside, Mama C

talks with five well-dressed, classy, influential-looking visitors. The issue is a ‘package’ that Mama C has promised them and that she hasn’t been able to deliver. The woman points at me, but Mama C refuses and for unexplained reasons Adesuwa and Omai are selected. We all witness, screaming and trying to hide in corners, as they are grabbed and beheaded with machetes in front of us. The ‘package’ that the visitors have come for turns out to be a collection of body parts. The mafia that holds us is into organ traffic, too. “We all witness Adesuwa and Omai being beheaded in front of us. The ‘package’ that the visitors have come for turns out to be a collection of body parts. ” With all of us trembling and crying, I and the other three ‘unsuitable’ ones are herded into a separate room. Mama C comes later to take me to yet another room for questioning. Angry beyond measure, she whips me all night, telling me to yield information on the ‘forces’ protecting me. “You are going nowhere,” she keeps shouting. “I have invested too much in you!”

Clearing the ‘spirit’ The next morning Mama C eats her breakfast while I starve: I have last eaten the previous morning. When she finished, and whilst the ‘approved products’ leave for Cotonou, Benin, to commence their journey to Italy, Mama C takes us four ‘unsuitables’ to visit three new, different ‘doctors’: one in the Agege neighborhood of Lagos, the second in rural Sango Ota village and the third in remote Abeokuta in Ogun State. She clearly believes in traditional ‘medicine’ and is desperate to find a treatment for the ‘demons’ we are said to carry. The first two ‘doctors’ agree with the first one that I am bad news, but the third, after roughly cutting off most of my hair, declares me free from the ‘spirit’. The ‘evil spirits’ in the other

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

three girls, meanwhile, have been ‘beaten out of them’ with dry whips. Back at the camp the ﬁrst ‘doctor’ rages at Mama C for approving me, insisting that the ‘doctor’ who ‘freed me from the spirit’ is a fraud. “This girl will bring about your downfall! You will end up in jail!” I am all the more convinced that he possesses not supernatural powers, but certain information. The syndicates are well-connected and someone may have told him that I am not who I say I am. The ‘doctor’ keeps repeating that ‘forces’ are protecting me. But Mama C insists that she is not to lose her investment. “The ‘doctor’ keeps repeating that ‘forces’ are protecting me. But Mama C insists that she is not to lose her investment.” Meanwhile, new ‘products’ have arrived to pass through the rites that night. The whole camp is again in the grip of fear as chilling screams indicate that some of the new arrivals – two girls and a young man, I learned later – are also murdered. “Oghogho, I wonder what actually brought you here. I never expected a girl like you to venture into this,” says one of Mama C’s errand boys, as he enters the room I had again been locked in later that night with a plate of food. He seems well disposed to me. “You found and returned my Blackberry that I lost during one of the pick pocketing training sessions,” he explains. I had not realized the escort whose phone I found had been this boy; then, he had worn a cap pressed deep into his eyes. “Other girls would just have kept my phone,” he says. “You don’t belong here. I keep wondering what level of poverty has made you endanger yourself. You don’t deserve this.” The plate of food is all I need to get my strength back. We are to travel the following morning.

Escape As we are about to leave, I lose my phone to the army ofﬁcer. Searching all of us, he

has taken Isoken’s phone already and she has pointed at me to divert attention from herself, saying I had a phone too. He takes mine at gunpoint. I can only thank the heavens that it is dead. I had been upset because it didn’t charge the previous night, but the fact that it won’t switch on is my second lucky break: it has a lot of pictures and conversations I have recorded in the camp. The disadvantage of losing my phone is that I can’t contact our colleague Reece, who is to help me once I get to Cotonou. I also can’t communicate with my editors back in Nigeria. All along the road leading up to the border, police and customs officers wave and greet Madam Eno and our head of operations, Mr. James. Nigerian Immigrations and Customs officers also greet us warmly at the border post itself, whilst enquiring if there is anything in it for them today. “Welcome, Madam! How have sales been?” Eno: “Not much.” “But your batch was allowed entry yesterday, so why claim you haven’t been making sales? “ Eno: “We are not the owner of yesterday’s batch of girls. We own these ones in this bus.” “Haaa! You want to play a smart one? Not to worry, your boss will sort all this out with us.” The officers then wave the minibus through without any form of documentation. The original plan was for me to go with the transport as far as Cotonou, the capital of our neighboring country Benin. But I don’t want to stretch it any longer. The border is usually very crowded and I plan to escape as soon as we are there. It works. Just after the Seme border post, in front of a crowded, muddy market, I run. Merging with the crowd, I take my top off – I have another top under it – and cover my head with a scarf. The army officer is following me, looking for me. I dive into a store and lose him. “Just after the Seme border post, in front of a crowded, muddy market, I ran.” I travel the twenty kilometers from the border motor park to Cotonou by minibus taxi. Colleague Reece – alerted by a phone call the driver helps make to her to ensure that she will be there to pay him – will wait for me there. Upon arrival, I see a woman I recognize from her Facebook photo. “Reece?”“Tobore!” She cries and holds out her arms to catch me. “I am safe.” This investigative was conducted by PREMIUM TIMES in partnership with ZAM Magazine of Netherlands

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ALL JOY AND PRAISE AS FOURSQUARE GOSPEL CHURCH (LOVE ASSEMBLY) TORONTO CELEBRATES THANKSGIVING AND ORDINATION SERVICE J

anuary 26, 2014 will remain a remarkable day in the memories and lives of teeming friends and congregation of the fast-growing Foursquare Gospel Church a.k.a. Love Assembly in Toronto. The vibrant and Holy Spirit-ﬁlled church held its annual Thanksgiving service at the church sanctuary, located at 955 Wilson

Avenue, Unit 13 amidst pump and pageantry as ministers of God from all walks of life joined the congregation and invited guests to make the service a memorable and anointed one. Senior Pastor Stephen Akinwekomi was full of praise to God for the opportunity to serve in His vineyard. Pastor Apanisile, the

guest speaker also led the congregation in a colourful and electrifying thanksgiving session. Among the men of God that graced the service were Pastor Ojo; Pastor and Mrs. Caleb Abbas of the Gospel Essence Ministries, Toronto; Pastor David and his wife Sister Oluwafemi Omotola of Heavenly Minded Minis-

tries; Pastor Aladejebi of the Christ Apostolic Church and a host of other distinguished ministers of the gospel. At the end of the anointed Thanksgiving Service, Pastor Akinwekomi led other ministers of God to or-

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

dain four dedicated church members as Assisting Pastors, Deacon and Deaconess. They are: Bro. Adedoyin Adelowo (AP); Bro. Yinka Onifade (AS); Bro. Raﬁu Kuteyi (Deacon and Sis. Margaret Oladele Olar-

inmoye (Deaconess). Food and drinks were thereafter generously distributed to all members of the church and their guests in take-away packs. Captured here are pictures from the colourful event.

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Linu inus nus Ali obtained his law deg degree gree att Ah gre Ahmadu maadu madu ad Bello Unive Univ University, nivvvee Nigeria and was one of the pioneer candidates of the Internationally Trained Lawyers Program m oof the University ty of of Toronto. Toron He He was wa called lled to the he Nigerian Bar in 1990. In Ontario he is a duly licensed lawyer by the Law Society of Upper Canada and a NNotary Public. ublic. ubl lic. He also obtained obt btaine ined a do ine doctorate te degree degr egre in law in 2007. He has over 20 years combined experience in teaching and practising law. Dr AAli alsoo worked worked inn the th enforcement enforc forc men ment ent department en departm of the On Ontario ntttario ario Sec Securities ecuritiess Co ecur CCommission where he researched and wrote several legal memora for randa or the t prosecution pros prosec secution of securiti curities ties fraud. He has authored a bbookk tit tititle tled e C Corpo rpo porate Criminal Liability in Nigeriaa and several articles in p ppeer review journals and bbooks ookss. ooks. s. DDr.rr.. AAli Ali's i''s areas of practice include:

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Ask the “AGENT” Teddy answers your questions

ear Teddy: My boyfriend and I have lived together for 3 years; we are getting married and want to own a house instead of rent. How do we know it is time? Jackie in Mississauga Dear Jackie: Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Just as you fulﬁll one dream, you have decided to go after that dream house to start your lives as husband and wife. The list of pros and cons between renting and owning can be huge and it is a very personal decision between you and your husband. Here are the top questions you need to ask yourselves and answer honestly. Buying a house is a massive emotional and ﬁnancial decision. Do you manage your money well? Will you be able to budget for things you don’t know you need to budget for? As renters you haven’t had to worry about roof, plumbing, windows, landscaping, taxes… all things you now need to consider. Owning a home means things you don’t expect to go wrong, just might, and you have to be ready. How busy are you as a couple? A house means you can’t just close the door and walk away every Saturday

and Sunday. Maintenance both externally and internally takes time. Are you ready for that? How much does it cost to live comfortably now? Make sure you don’t become ‘house poor’ by biting off more house than you can afford. Work as a couple to determine what you are willing to give up for a home of your own and what things you don’t want to do without. Before you start shopping for a home, sit down with a realtor and/or mortgage consultant and know exactly what you can afford. Don’t be emotional when you are looking for the ‘white picket’ fence dream home.

to stay ahead of the game. If you can sit on what you own during a down, it will always come back. If you are worried about making a bad real estate purchase chances are that in time any bad move can be made into a good one. In real estate, time is always your friend. Look at this way, your mortgage is a way to ensure you are forced to save money! You will always have equity in your house as long as you buy in at a comfortable level, don’t overextend yourself. Dear Teddy; My wife and I are ﬁghting over houses while shopping for a new place to live. How do I convince her to stay on budget? Manuel, Milton

Dear Teddy; Is it a good time to buy a house or should I wait until the market drops? Scott, Woodbridge. Dear Scott: If I had a crystal ball and could determine the future I would let you know ﬂat out what to do, but none of us know when the real estate bubble will burst or high it will ﬂy. Real estate does have ups and downs, but the downs are never lower than the previous up, so you always manage

Dear Manuel: You will be happy to know that almost all couples have trouble seeing eye to eye when house shopping. Use your agent as the negotiator between the two of you and look to him for logical, experienced advice. You both need to agree to let the experts guide you during this experience so you don’t fall into the 4 common mistakes of house hunting! Don’t skip on the home inspection. No matter how much you love a house

at first sight, make sure you get the home inspection. Those inviting walls, wrap around porch and fireplace to cuddle in front of, may be hiding some defects you aren’t aware of. Costly repairs in roofing, electrical and plumbing will make your ‘dream’ home a nightmare! Sit with your wife and make a list of what you both “want” and what you ‘need’. There are deal breakers that you can’t live without and they should be made clear between the two of you and your agent. If you need a certain neighbourhood, certain size yard, attached garage or 3 bathrooms, then stick to those needs. If you want a walkin closet, a finished basement or stainless steel applicances, now that these are negotiable and can be invested in at a later date. Leave your emotions at home. Buy within budget, listen to your agent and make sure you own the dream, the dream doesn’t own you. Think about your budget and act wisely. Trust your mortgage broker to keep you at a reasonable rate and acceptable amount for the price of the property. When a bidding war starts on a

property you just have to have, your broker may be able to renegotiate on your behalf. Act wisely and don’t get caught up in the excitement. Question: Is there anything I can do on the cheap to make my house look better? M. Morrassutti, Aurora Dear Morrassutti: There are many budget-friendly projects that add to the beauty and selling appeal of your home. You could give the kitchen a quick face lift with a new faucet, cabinet door handles or update light ﬁxture. Liven up your bathroom with nice faucets, add vases and plants as design elements and make sure vanity mirrors are clean and bright. Add a fresh coat of paint. Fresh paint can make everything look clean and bright. Go for a neutral colour though! You might think scarlet red as an accent wall in the dining room is fabulous, but it may have people seeing red. Create more storage! Try revamping tired closets. Put in do-it-yourself

wire racks or add shelving. Enhance the lighting by changing up with recessed lighting, add ambience with dimmer switches. Speaking of switches, even adding modern switches and outlet plates can spruce up a room. Get all your carpets cleaned! If you don’t want to splurge on new ﬂooring do your best to add pizzazz to the old. To Submit your own questions please send to Tedewere@gmail.com or visit www.Househookup. ca. The best question of the month will be published and the Submitter will receive a FREE House Evaluation or FREE Home Inspection. No obligation. No commitment. Knowledge is FREE.

What’s President Jonathan’s exit strategy for 2015? By Demola Adeniran

any leaders in history always have a Plan B or exit strategies to allow a free passage from eternal disgrace while others simply chose to fall on their swords. Adolf Hitler was believed to have committed suicide in a hidden bunker after the fall of Nazi Germany in 1945 just as Samuel Doe of Liberia decided to ﬁght till he was captured and killed by forces of Yormie Johnson in 1990. Idi Amin Dada escaped to Saudi Arabia after Julius Nyerere’s Tanzania sacked his tyrannical government in 1979 and one of the reasons why Robert Mugabe is still ageing into the Zimbabwean sunset is because he did not have a cogent Plan B. He prefers to expire in ofﬁce even long after his expiration date. Since we know elections are a game of probabilities, is it not therefore in place to ask our President, Goodluck Jonathan what his exit strategy is in 2015? Now

before any of his die-hard supporters begin to tear me apart, I must say here that it is absolutely democratic to ask for President Jonathan’s exit strategy in the light of the provision of the constitution of the Federal Republic, which allows for a singular renewal after the ﬁrst term of four years. Therefore, if in 2015, President Jonathan decides to seek a renewal of his mandate from the Nigeri-

an people and he got rejected? Has he thought about preparing to handover? I think it is better for him to start planning for it now since he is already three years late. For President Jonathan, the 2015 election is that of probabilities and not possibilities, except him and his supporters know something the rest of Nigerians do not know, the odds of him getting a renewal from Nigerians baring all unforeseen circumstances is dangerously close to naught as we speak. The poor odds affecting his chances of a reelection at the moment are essentially his fault mainly because he failed to abide by the second law of political attraction, which states that: ‘by the second application for a second term in ofﬁce, an incumbent must have a good story upon which to ride back to power’. So the question then is what is President Jonathan’s good story that he wishes to

sell to the Nigerian electorates for 2015? If some of the excuses we see on his behalf in some newspaper columns and online forums are a feeler of what would be packaged in his defense for campaigns in 2015, then I think it is DOA. The President should search for other stories contrary to the one spun by some people and even himself that his administrative failures were mostly as a result of detractors and inherited problems. By now, the President should know that the job of a Nigerian President have a description that entails existing problems. And in applying and attaining the position, the President has undertaken the responsibility of resolving these problems. It is grossly irresponsible to collect the salaries and perks of the office of the President and then blame your dead and alive predecessors for your inabilities of fulfilling the obligations of the same office. Falling on such excuses might not be a good tale to tell Nigerians after the Cinderella story of ‘shoelessness’ in 2011. The time factor surrounding him as a

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

relatively unknown quantity has since changed and the President must understand that he is no longer a new bride in the eyes of Nigerians, no matter what any of his aides tell him. For him to even stand a chance of a re-election in 2015, President Jonathan needs a total overhaul of everybody around him because they have become obsolete with time and reality. The fact that they even contributed to him not having a good story to sell to Nigerians for 2015 is an excuse to discard them all into the trash can. In actual fact, some of them did him more harm than good with their lackluster performances as well as the extra pounds of stinking baggages associated with their proﬂigacy and prodigalities. Some even hurl stones into the market place forgetting they stay in a glass house with the President and more than often times; Nigerians are more peeved with the fact that the President does nothing to these aides when they hurl these stones. Then again the environmental dynamics for his reelection of 2011 is surely different from that of 2015.

For the President Jonathan to understand this, he would need to obtain the ﬁnal composite map of 2011 elections that ushered him in as the President; and then get the one that looks to favor the opposition in 2013. The layman on the streets of Wuse, Oshodi, Ariaria, Sabon gari and Trans-Amadi motor parks understood the problems facing the PDP nowadays. The term ‘we voted Jonathan and not the PDP is as dead as a dodo for 2015’. From all indications in this New Year, things are bound to be worse as many of the President’s aides would want to shield themselves from a possible change; meaning, they would isolate the President and run for cover under a political association different from where the President is. Therefore for an advice, President Jonathan’s best exit strategy should be to face the Nigerian masses and deliver on his hitherto electoral promises of 2011 to the best of his ability in a space of twelve months. Failure to do this will conclude the deﬁnition of a failed legacy, which might not continue beyond 2015.

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RELATIONSHIP

Make Your Spouse Your Everyday VAL E

xpressing your love to your spouse is very important if you want to have a happy marriage. Being in love has its peaks and valleys. More often than not, even in the valley love still resides. Learning how to do this–among the mixed messages, badlands and even betrayal–is where expressing your love can be a challenge. If you consider your spouse as your real “significant” other, go ahead and let the good times roll in your expression of love. The bottom line is you are not perfect and neither is your spouse, but they are “significant” to you… aren’t they? If your spouse is not expressing love in ways that are meaningful to you, you owe it to yourself and your spouse to tell them what you want. You cannot be happy in a relationship if you complain and point the ﬁnger all the time, but fail to communicate what your needs and wants are. Ladies, if you want your husband to draw you a bath, don’t say to him, “You never draw me a bath” since the one word that he will hear is, never. The best way to communicate the fact that you want him to draw a bath for you is to ask, “Honey will you draw a bath for me?” If you want quality time with your husband and a minute of his iP-

hone-free time instead of gifts, then let him know. Gentlemen, if you want your wife to stop coming to bed with rollers in her hair or with full-length pajamas on, tell her… or better yet show her what you’d like to see her wear to bed, even if it’s her birthday suit. You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to purchase lingerie. Be sure to communicate what you’d like to see with love so it’s well received. We are born to love and sometimes we crave whatever signs of love we’re not getting, and take for granted the ones we do receive. The feeling of elation that we call romantic love is deeply embedded in our brains. For example, Valentine’s Day is one day a year and perhaps the most celebrated romantic day of the year. Sexy lingerie, ﬂowers, chocolates, a romantic dinner, all things romantic will be on the hearts and minds of men and women across the country. Your Valentine really should be in your heart daily. Celebrate your love for each other seven days a week, 365 days a year! Create time for romance and interject that passion into your daily lives. Provide a simples soft answer like, “Let me get that for you, Honey.” It’s a kind gesture. Or express a sincere com-

Pay Special Attention to your Wife on Valentine Written by Clark Cothern

pliment such as, “Baby you sure look good this morning,” as your honey heads out the door for work. Make a pack with your mate for Valentine’s Day this year. Agree to do something fun every week. Even if it’s something simple like taking a bath together with candles around the tub. Take a walk holding hands or play a fun game. Watch a comedy movie together and be sure to laugh out loud. If you can, take a weekend break away from home and the kids. Be sure to pack something sexy and a surprise gift for your sweetheart. It won’t matter what it is because it’s the surprise and thought that matters most. Don’t let your marriage sink into despair without making an effort to keep it strong. A strong marriage includes things like faith, respect, kind communication, romance, great sex, and infusing fun into your daily, weekly and monthly routines.

alentine’s Day is coming up and here’s something to keep in mind. This holiday probably means more to your wife than it does to you. Do yourself a favor and show her that you really care. It will be worth your while, guaranteed. You may think that your wife knows that you love her. You may think that she knows you appreciate her. But how should she know? Think about it, when was the last time you took her in your arms, looked into her eyes and shared your deepest feelings? Now is the time! “So tell me,” I asked my wife, “what’s your idea of a heartfelt, genuine expression of love on Valentine’s Day?” I was curious because the commercials had convinced me that the only way my sweetheart would know I cared was if I gave her expensive gifts like diamonds, a fur coat or a two-week cruise to the Bahamas. “Well... ” my wife thought for a moment, “I

hough Valentine’s Day is traditionally viewed as a woman’s holiday, your husband might just be the rare man who appreciates some good old-fashioned romance. Ignore the nay-sayers who claim that all men hate February 14th and make this a night that is just about celebrating the two of you. You can keep it lowkey and still be romantic.

Cook Something Yummy The way to a man’s heart really is through his stomach, as Danielle Kyrillos pointed out. Make him something home-cooked and delicious, or if you don’t cook, order his favorite ahead of time. Have some of his favorite drinks on hand, so you can pair the romantic meal with some wine or beer. You can use this as an opportunity to combine a date with a gift as well, by choosing an expensive scotch as a nightcap to your meal, or adding a gift certiﬁcate to his favorite restaurant.

knowing him well. Don’t resort to cliche Valentine’s Day items like teddy bears or even just a card. Get him some movies or videogames, that gadget he has been eyeing, or the sports equipment he wants. It doesn’t have to say “Love” on it to spell romance. It just has to be a heartfelt gift from you. Plus, if your husband previously rejected Valentine’s Day, he might start to like it more after unwrapping a gift he really wants, instead of the expected kitsch.

Choose a Thoughtful Gift

Set the Mood with a Massage

Choosing a gift for your husband should be all about

When surveyed by Kait Smith of Your Tango, 57

percent of men said that they would appreciate a special massage for Valentine’s Day. Get out the essential oil, put on some soothing music, and give your husband some TLC. Better yet, take turns giving massages to each other. You deserve one too! If you want to try something new on your date, you can practice new techniques, such as Swedish massage or deep tissue massage. Massage is a proven stress reliever, and in addition, it involves care and comfort, according to MayoClinic. com. Swapping massages will make your husband feel loved, and can be quite erotic as well.

Go to Bed Early 32 percent of men surveyed told Smith that they would be happy to spend the entire day in bed, fooling around, while a majority of both men and women would opt to spend a romantic weekend out of town. Since you’re staying home this year, you can recreate that sense of lounging at a resort by taking him to bed with you – and staying there.

ahh over a particular perfume when we go window shopping, then going back later to buy a small bottle for me.” Schedule time to visit the perfume counter with her later this week. “Or a small bouquet of ﬂowers delivered to me at work so my co-workers can see that my husband did something sweet.” “So you’re saying that a husband doesn’t have to take out a second mortgage in order to satisfy the expectations of his wife on Valentine’s Day?” “Not at all. In fact, the small gestures, handwritten notes and tiny personal touches – rather than something over the top – warm a woman’s heart.” “So I should cancel the airplane that’s scheduled to bomb our yard with rose petals?” She laughed. “That’s probably a good idea.” Clark Cothern and his wife, Joy, celebrate their 30th Valentine’s Day as husband and wife last year in Michigan.

Why I Don’t Celebrate Valentine’s Day

How to Make a Romantic Y Night at Home for Your Husband on Valentine’s Day T

think coming home to a clean house would be a great start. I’m usually tired after work, so that would be a great way to say ‘I love you.’ ”OK, I thought, that I can handle. I mentally checked off the cruise. “What else says, ‘I care’?” “Um, remember the time when you and the kids had dinner ready? That was priceless.” Check off the fur coat. “So,” I continued, “if a ﬁve-pound box of chocolates communicates affection, then would a 10-pound box say it twice as loudly?” She laughed. “No. That would say I need to double the number of workouts over the next week.” Check off the huge box of candy. “What really stands out,” she explained, “are the simple things that show you have paid attention to the details in my world.” “Not that I haven’t been paying attention, but like what?” “Well, like making a mental note when I ooh and

ou may think I’m weird, but I don’t really care if I don’t get flowers on Valentine’s Day. Or candy. Or diamonds. Or even a dinner out. But I would prefer something to all these grand, tangible gestures of love and commitment and affection. I prefer that my husband love me all year long. Bret and I first discussed this concept when my son, Charlie, was born. Nearly 22 years ago, I hurt his feelings when he brought me roses to celebrate. Seeing the dejected look on his face, I asked him what was wrong. “Well, I did this nice thing, but you don’t seem to care that much about it.” Clearly, Lucy, I had some ‘splaining to do. “It’s not that I don’t like it. Roses just costs so much money. And I’d rather spend our money on going out somewhere together than on flowers that will be dead in three days.” After a lot of talking, we reached a place of mutual understanding. We both feel like this: While romantic gestures are fine, they shouldn’t replace daily love, respect, commitment, communication, affection, nurturing... Do I really need to go on? When we use chocolates and flowers and jewelry as a fallback, we really disrespect those we promised the world to! When we haven’t had an intimate conversa-

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tion with our spouse in over a month about something other than work or the kids’ schedules, we don’t deserve to be let off the hook by showing up with a dozen roses. Love me well the other 354 days of the year, please. That’s what I really want. So, choose wisely what you plan to do on Valentine Day. While it’s perfectly ﬁne to adhere to the Most Overblown Romantic Holiday of the Year, do so only

if you will also resolve to be romantic on other days. Do so only if you’re willing to listen to your mate discuss politics or car engines or free agents whenever he feels the need. Do so only if you will willingly commit to weekly (or even monthly to start) date nights that will help nurture and complete your marriage. Do so only if you show up in the little things: family dinners, long walks, holding hands in the car, attending church together.

Unexpectedly she entered my life This woman, this angel, who became my wife She captured my heart and soul Warming a place once so dark and cold This woman, this angel, to love and embrace With a gentle touch to caress her face Her words of love, so honest and true She whispers to me when the day is new She provides a home ﬁlled with love A home blessed by GOD above This woman, this angel, GOD would bless A baby to hold and gently caress For eternity we shall adore and love Our children from heaven above This woman, this angel, wife and mother I know there can be no other This woman, this angel, and mother; she is my life This woman, this angel, and mother; she is My Wife. Dedicated to my Val; Ijey my Love!

THE AFRICAN SOCIETY

AFRICA

Malians in Libya helped to return home U

pon request of the Malian Government, IOM recently carried an operation to assist the voluntary return of 163 Malian stranded in Libya for several months. Most of the stranded migrants in this group had initially left Mali for Algeria. With the money earned working in the Northern African country they jointly bought a boat to make their way towards Lampedusa in late July 2013, an island known as a prime transit point for migrants wanting to enter Europe, particularly those originating from Africa. On their way to Lampe-

dusa, the migrants got lost at sea until they were rescued by a Gibraltar ship in Libyan national waters and transported to Tripoli.

Migrants were transferred to the Alhamra center in Libya (80 km away from Tripoli), on their way to returning home.

Why North Korean Kim Jong Un was barred from Mandela’s Funeral F

NB Stadium, sight of President Nelson Mandela’s memorial eulogy, had plenty of empty seats but one individual was prohibited from entering. North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un showed up but he was turned away at the gate by South African ofﬁcials. When he asked why he was told that he stands for everything that President Mandela abhorred. He told the ofﬁcials that he and Nelson actually had a lot in common, such as a love for basketball, a love for Big Macs, and a love for

the art of pole dancing. Kim Jong Un was told that he could watch the services from a closed circuit television. He did not like it but he said that as long as he could have some egg

rolls he would be okay with it. The North Korean leader and his party of 17 were provided with egg rolls, Crab Rangoon, fortune cookies, and Diet Dr. Peppers.

Central African Republic MPs elect ﬁrst female president B

angui mayor Catherine Samba-Panza, 59, has been elected interim president of the Central African Republic, making her the first woman to hold the post. She beat her rival Desire Kolingba in the second round of voting by the interim parliament. In her victory speech, Ms Samba-Panza urged Christian militias, known as anti-balaka, and Muslim fighters in the exSeleka rebel movement to end the bloodshed. “I call on my children, especially the anti-balaka, to put down their arms and stop all the fighting. The same goes for the ex-Seleka - they should not have fear. I don’t want to hear any more talk of murders and killings,’’ she said, the Associated Press news agency reports. Cheers broke out in the

South African to Be First Black ‘Afronaut’

Businesswoman Catherine Samba-Panza is seen as politically neutral

National Transitional Council, which serves as an interim parliament, when Ms Samba-Panza’s victory was announced. Ms Samba-Panza won 75 votes in the run-off, against 53 for Mr. Kolingba, the son of a former president. The election went to a

second round after Ms Samba-Panza failed to secure an outright majority in the ﬁrst round. Six other candidates were knocked out in the ﬁrst round. About 129 members of the 135-seat council took part in the secret ballot, AFP reports.

o one in Mandla Maseko’s family has ever stepped outside South Africa, but the young township DJ is set to rocket into space next year. From the dusty district of Mabopane, near Pretoria, 25-year-old Maseko has landed a coveted seat to fly 103-kilometres (64 miles) into space in 2015, after winning a competition organized by a US-based space academy. He beat off a million other entrants from 75 countries to be selected as one of 23 people who will travel on an hour-long sub-orbital trip on the Lynx Mark II spaceship. The former civil engineering student -- who was forced to put his studies on hold because he could not pay the fees --will experience zero gravity and a journey that normally comes with a $100,000 price tag. Unless a rich black African books a tourist space ticket and blasts off before next year, Maseko will become the first black African to enter space. The “typical township boy”, who still lives at home with his parents and four siblings, was named one of the winners on December 5, only a few hours after the death of the country’s first black president, Nelson Mandela. He said he immediately thought of such “firsts”, not only Mandela but also Barrack Obama, the first black president of the United States. In his exhilaration, he also imagined a conversation with Mandela. “I have run the race and completed the course, now here is the torch’, “Maseko thought the president would have told him.” ‘Continue running the race and here’s the title to go with it; go be the first black South African to space’.” His improbable journey from a middle-class township to the thermosphere began with a leap from a wall. The initial entry requirement for the competitors was to submit a photograph of themselves jumping from any height. His first choice was the roof of his parents’ threebedroom house but his

Mandla Maseko mother Ouma said “no”, fearing it was too high and that he would break his legs. He settled for the house’s two-meter (more than six feet) perimeter wall and a friend captured the feat using a mobile phone. The picture has helped propel Maseko, who works part-time as a DJ at parties, to new heights. He finally secured his seat on the rocket after grueling physical and aptitude tests in the contest organized by AXE Apollo Space Academy and sponsored by Unilever and space tourism firm Space Expedition Corporation (SXC). It was a dream come true for a man from a humble background. His family says they never doubted the one-time altar boy at a local Anglican church, who now sings with a local township gospel choir, would be a high-flier. “While I was pregnant with Mandla, I knew I was going to give birth to a star,” said Maseko’s mother. His 18-year-old sister Mhlophe agrees: “I don’t know what comes after space. I’m sure if there was something he would go.” Born to a school cleaner and an auto tool maker in Soshanguve township near Pretoria, Maseko has neighbors high-fiving him for putting South Africa’s townships on the “galactic map”. His long-term plans are to study aeronautical engineering and qualify as a space mission specialist with the ultimate dream of planting the South African flag on the moon.

South Africa’s Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom sees Maseko “as a role model to the future generation of space professionals and enthusiasts.” His experience could not have come at a better time “when Africa is gearing up its space ambitions” as host to the world’s biggest and most powerful radio astronomy telescope, said Hanekom. The director of that project, Bernie Fanaroff, also hailed young Maseko as an ambassador for science. “Anything that raises the proﬁle of science up there must be good because it brings to the attention of young people what they can achieve in science and engineering.” Curious young neighbors often stop Maseko’s 13-year-old sister Mantombi on her way home from school and ask, “What is space? What is space?” “A very unique place,” she tells them. “Space is a very special place.” Maseko spent a week at the Kennedy Space Academy in Florida where he skydived and undertook air combat and G-force training. While there he met and posed for pictures with US astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who was the second man ever to set foot on the moon after Neil Armstrong as part of the 1969 Apollo 11 space mission. For Maseko, the encounter was magical. “This is how it feels to be out in space,” he recalls thinking.

Archbishop Criticizes Nigerian and Ugandan anti-gay laws The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written to the presidents of Nigeria and Uganda, after being asked about laws there penalizing gay people. The letter said homosexual people were loved and valued by God and should not be victimized or diminished. Nigeria and Uganda have both passed legislation targeting people with same-sex attraction.

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The letter is also addressed to all primates (heads of national Churches) in the worldwide Anglican Communion. Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury and John Sentamu of York said the letter was a result of "questions about the Church of England's attitude to new legislation in several countries that penalizes people with same-sex attraction".

THE AFRICAN SOCIETY

NEWS

Ontario to hike minimum wage to $11 an hour T

he Ontario Liberal government is raising the minimum wage to $11 an hour as of June 1, 2014. Premier Kathleen Wynne made the announcement at a news conference in Toronto on Wednesday January 29. The 75-cent-rate increase is the ﬁrst rate change since 2010, when the Liberal government froze it at $10.25 an hour. The government will introduce legislation to tie future increases to the Consumer Price Index, which was a key recommendation of Ontario’s Minimum Wage Advisory Panel.

The new rate would be announced on April 1 of each year and take effect on Oct. 1. Moreover, the rate will not go down even if the cost of living decreases. “We want to ensure that minimum wage keep up with the cost of living, so that we can improve the standard of living for hardworking people, many of whom will be working a

couple of jobs,” the premier said. Wynne was asked if she thought the move will be supported by everyone. “I think that the vast majority of people in Ontario understand that it’s very difﬁcult to make ends meet living on minimum wage and that there needs to be a fair way of allowing minimum wage to keep up with the cost of living,” she said. Although anti-poverty activists and labour groups were hoping for $14/hr, Wynne said she was worried about the impact such a large hike would have on businesses. “So that’s why I believe

Study: Women most attracted to guys in trucks the most fetching members of the opposite sex. Women ranked these styles as cars that attractive men drive:

f you ﬁnd yourself without a date this Valentine’s Day, maybe it’s not you. Maybe it’s your car. According to a new survey by Insure.com, women say that attractive men tend to drive black Ford pickup trucks. Men report that attractive women drive red BMW sports cars. The survey of 2,000 men and women asked what type, brand and color of vehicle are driven by

• Pickup trucks: 32% • Sports cars: 27% • SUVs: 16% • Sedans: 11% • Hybrid or electric: 9% • UPS truck: 4% • Minivans: 2% • Mail truck: 1% The top brands of car for attractive men, as ranked by women, were Ford (16%), Chevrolet (13%) and Porsche (11%). Women overwhelming-

ly point to black (53%) as the color of cars driven by good-looking men, followed by silver (16%) and red (13%). Here’s how men ranked car types for attractive women: • Sports cars: 39% • Sedans: 22% • SUVs: 20% • Pickup trucks: 10% • Hybrid or electric vehicle: 6% • Minivans: 4% Men envision desirable gals in BMWs (16%), Mercedes-Benzes (14%) and Porsches (10%). The top car colors for attractive women were red (40%), black (23%) and silver (14%).

that this is a fair adjustment to the minimum wage and it gives businesses predictability. The thing I hear from the business community most consistently is that they want to know what the rules are, they want to know what the next step is going to be, and this will give them that predictability.” Wynne also said the Conservative Party “doesn’t seem to care” about peo-

he last of three Ottawa teenage girls who ran an underage prostitution ring was convicted Wednesday January 29 of 30 charges. The now-17-year-old girl, arrested with two others in June 2012, cried as Justice Diane Lahaie found her guilty of all but three charges. They included procurement for the purpose of prostitution, human trafﬁcking, making child pornography, sexual assault, child luring, uttering threats and unlawful conﬁnement, CBC News reported. The teen, who can't be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was the ringleader among the three girls, who were aged 15 and 16 at the time of their arrest. The two others pleaded guilty last year midway through their trials. One received the maximum allowable sentence of three years, less credit for time

served, while the other has not been sentenced pending a psychiatric report, the Ottawa Citizen noted. The ringleader's long trial revealed how the three teenage pimps coerced other girls, aged 13 to 17, into becoming prostitutes. The victims were lured through Facebook and other social media to come to a south-end Ottawa housing complex to hang out. The girls, some drugged, were then taken elsewhere to meet clients. The girls were beaten, conﬁned and forced to hand over their earnings, court was told. Some were stripped and photographed nude, with photos texted to clients. One was shot naked in a bathtub, too drunk to move, CBC News said. What the judge called a "vile enterprise," while sentencing one of the other teens last week was ex-

posed when a mother called police after her 13-yearold daughter came home in tears after what the mother thought was a sleepover with a friend. One victim, also 13 at the time, testiﬁed about being forced to have oral sex with a 40-year-old john in his car. One of the johns has been charged with sexual assault. In her closing argument, Crown prosecutor Fara Rupert said the ringleader was "guided by greed, without any regard for the damage that she inﬂicted physically and emotionally,” upon a “population of vulnerable girls," Metro News Ottawa reported. The defense called no witnesses in the trial and submitted written closing arguments. The teen will be sentenced at a later date.

(CFIB) warned that hiking the minimum wage hurts low-skilled, low-income workers — the very group it’s supposed to help — because it forces small ﬁrms to absorb the cost through reduced hours or job cuts. The $10.25-an-hour rate in Ontario and British Columbia is about middle of the pack for provinces and territories, which range from $9.95 in Alberta to $11 in Nunavut.

Calgary woman who dumped three newborns in trash gets 18 months in prison A

Calgary woman who dodged a murder charge after tossing three of her newborn babies in a dumpster is getting 18 months in prison for infanticide. Alberta Queen's Bench Justice Peter McIntyre sentenced Meredith Borowiec to the jail time in addition to the 18 months she had spent in custody before being released on bail, The Canadian Press reported. Borowiec was convicted earlier of two counts of infanticide in the deaths of two of the newborns in 2008 and 2009, and pleaded guilty to aggravated assault involving a third baby who survived after a passerby heard it crying from inside the dumpster. In an ironic twist, the baby's father was among those who unwittingly helped rescue his own child from the trash. "You've shocked the community and you've

Ottawa teen girl who led underage prostitution ring convicted of 30 charges T

ple of all income levels and that the NDP doesn’t seem to have a position on the issue. In July 2013, the province launched an advisory panel to review its minimum wage rates. It received over 400 submissions from organizations, businesses and individuals across the province, and held 10 public consultations on the issue. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business

shamed yourself," McIntyre said in sentencing Borowiec on Wednesday. "This is a terrible case." McIntyre convicted Borowiec of infanticide instead of second-degree murder because her professed mental state at the time of the births raised doubts about her intent to kill. That and other factors figured into his sentence. "The sentence must reflect sentencing principles, but all three incidents happened when your mind was disturbed after giving birth," he said. "You co-operated with police. Without your admission to police about the first babies, there would be no case against you." The Crown, which is appealing the murder acquittal, wanted Borowiec to spend eight to nine years in prison, while her lawyer argued she should not receive any more jail time.

McIntyre also put the 32-year-old woman on probation for three years. The details of the case horriﬁed Calgarians, who more than a decade ago witnessed a similar case in which two infants were abandoned by their mother in her apartment for days and died while she visited her boyfriend. Borowiec told police she knew the newly-born babies were alive before she put them into trash bags and dropped them into garbage bins, CP reported, but she said she never actively harmed them. In a video interview with police after her arrest in 2011, Borowiec said she heard a noise "like a kitten" after the birth of the ﬁrst child. In the second birth, in the bathroom of her apartment, Borowiec said she heard "a tiny cry" coming from the toilet.

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford named in jailhouse beating lawsuit T

oronto Mayor Rob Ford faced fresh controversy on Thursday January 30 from a lawsuit ﬁled by his sister's former boyfriend alleging Ford conspired to have him threatened and beaten while in prison. Ford's lawyer called the allegations ﬁled with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and released late Wednesday false and irresponsible. The plaintiff in the lawsuit is Scott MacIntyre, the former common-law spouse of Ford's sister, Kathy Ford. MacIntyre was charged after a January 2012 altercation with the mayor, and later pleaded guilty to threatening him. The mayor, who gained global notoriety after he admitted in November that he had smoked crack cocaine while in a "drunken stupor"

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and had driven after drinking, is running for re-election as the mayor of Canada's largest city. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Rob Ford's criminal lawyer Dennis Morris said the allegations in the ﬁling are "without fact or foundation." He called them "irresponsible and spurious." The ﬁling says MacIntyre sent Kathy Ford a letter from jail. Ford learned about the letter, and "understood it to be a threat" by MacIntyre to go public with details of the mayor's drug and alcohol abuse. The suit alleges that Ford, until recently a high school football coach, conspired with one of his assistant coaches to have MacIntyre threatened and assaulted. Two former players incarcerated with him

delivered verbal threats, the ﬁling alleges. It does not identify MacIntyre's assailants. The defendants are Rob Ford, his assistant coach Payman Aboodowleh, former team member Aedan Petros and the Ontario government. Reuters could not immediately reach Petros, Aboodowleh or any representatives for comment on the allegations. The Globe and Mail newspaper, which had been investigating the story before the lawsuit was ﬁled, said Petros did not reply to written requests for an interview, including a letter with detailed questions that was delivered to him through correctional services. The province did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

THE AFRICAN SOCIETY

Mixed-race baby business ﬂourishing in Ghana I

n Ghana, they are regarded as hotcakes. Their complexion put them on a fairly higher pedestal, as they are the ones every guy or lady craves to date – the half-caste! But ever thought that a time will come for half-caste babies to be bred in Ghana? Well, thanks to modern science, one can have a halfcaste or mixed-race baby without necessarily having to marry or have sexual intercourse with a person of different race. Following in the steps of artiﬁcial insemination, a novel venture to create a new society –‘Half-caste World’- on the African continent is bourgeoning in Ghana’s capital, Accra. As ridiculous as it may seem, considering the fact that the word ‘half-caste’

denigrate one’s status in society, especially in Europe and the Americas, advocates of this enterprise be-

lieve the creation of this breed of people of bi-racial identity positions Africa for a better future.

“Half-caste World is founded to transform Africa into the land of riches and beauty, the land of every man’s dream. We believe life began in African and will end in Africa,” the advocates posted on their Facebook page. The campaign is targeting both African couples and single women who are desirous of giving birth to half-caste babies the opportunity of a lifetime at a relatively affordable cost. Although the advocate of this campaign has not revealed his identity, investigations conducted by www.infoboxx.com pointed to one Augustine N.K. Boateng, a graduate of “University Mohammed Premier”hotc in Morocco. When contacted on a

phone number provided on his newly created website, he declined to provide details on the procedure and the level of patronage, saying “I just started it and wouldn’t want to involve the media at this early stage”. However, our investigation revealed he started operating about four months ago from Madina Estates in Accra. It was further revealed that Boateng provides gametes from almost all nationalities including the UK and the US at a cost of 3,000 US Dollars upwards, depending on the process and the individual’s request. There are questions about how gametes are procured, the insemination procedure and even the regula-

tory regime. Boateng claims that the procedure to insert the “gametes can be done both in a clinic and at home.” The Half-caste babies entrepreneur prides himself of giving women and couples half-caste babies with “mental and physical beauty”. “A new world has begun and it is like the tide, you either swim along or get left behind. You too can be a blessing for the next generation,” he posted on Facebook. To Boateng, there is what he has termed “a vast racial gap between Africa and the rest of the world” which ought to be bridged through breeding of halfcaste on the continent. Meanwhile, some Ghanaians have questioned the rationale for such a venture.

A Rethink on Degrees from Ghana I

N their desperation for university education, Nigerian students now rush to Ghana, where most of them fall prey to the scam of burgeoning degree mills to acquire certificates of dubious distinction or no academic value. The racketeers operate from one-block institutions or portakabins, pompously labeled as universities. There are 50 privately-owned universities approved by the Ghanaian government, most of which are involved in this academic charade. The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (Nigeria), Julius Okojie, said in August 2013 that Ghana had only four recognized universities. This is instructive. The rest are affiliate institutions. The rot in these so-called citadels of learning was the focus of a 10-day tour by The PUNCH late last year. There are about 110,000 Nigerians currently studying there, according to records at the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana. They pay outrageous tuition, just as their brethren in business who are fleeced before being allowed to operate despite ECOWAS protocol on free trade. According to Wale Babalakin, Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of

Nigerian Universities, these fees result in capital ﬂight of about N160 billion annually from Nigeria to Ghana. This ﬁgure was higher than Federal Government’s education budget in 2011. At one such one-block university — Accra Institute of Technology — which claims to be the equivalent of the famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, there are about 2,000 students, out of which 1,200 are reportedly Nigerians. The school also runs a “doctoral programme” in a rented and uncompleted structure, and charges between $1,300 (N202,800.00) and $1,510 (N235,560.00) per session, accommodation and feeding excluded. However, at public universities, fees for foreigners vacillate between $6,000 (N936,000.00) and $8,000 (N1,248,000.00) per session, while those studying medicine pay as much as $18,000 (N2,808,000.00). The bottom line is that whether in a legal or a sham university, a Nigerian student in Ghana pays through his/her nose. Nobody knows this better than Ademola Onafowokan, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana. He laments,

“…thousand and one, oneblock and many mushroom universities (are) set up to target Nigerian students yearning for education…. But, sadly, they are not cheap as Nigerians pay in dollars. These universities are just pure business ventures.” Apart from the difficulty of gaining admission at home, many youths may have been attracted to these schools by their compromising incentives of completing a four-year academic programme in three sessions, and admission of those without requisite entry qualifications. From reports, infrastructure deficit makes a resonant statement in these institutions. Welltrained lecturers, teaching and research, all of which aggregate to define a qual-

ity ivory tower are alien to these pseudo-academic setups. A university worth its name is a global heritage. As an intellectual enclave, it is riveted by the pursuit of knowledge. These quacks in Ghana do not even hide their pretensions. Regrettably, our youths do not understand the difference between the two. Many of them may have fallen victims already, but many more need not be caught in the labyrinth any further. Through enlightenment by the NUC and the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana, a rescue drive could reduce the damage. It is in this context that we situate Okojie’s effort in stopping the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, from awarding its degrees to students

studying at one Hallmark Educational Bureau Nigeria Limited. The two institutions, NUC says, ran foul of its regulations on affiliation. Indeed, the situation in the country is barmy. In May last year, the NUC closed 41 illegal universities out of the 67 that have found Nigeria a safe haven. Lagos alone is home to 12 of such institutions. Students from these bogus institutions, who are in their thousands, may have been the patrons of the one-block institutions in Ghana to satiate their appetite for university degrees. One of the schools, with just four rooms, runs undergraduate and postgraduate programmes up to the doctoral level. As a purported affiliate of a Caribbean university, it did not care a hoot about obtaining a license to operate. “As a business school, our affairs are not run by the NUC, hence, certification from the NUC was not required,” an official of the school cheekily said. We disagree with this. Again, recurrent strikes by Nigeria’s university lecturers, which make the academic calendar indeterminate, compel parents who can afford it to enroll their children in Ghanaian uni-

versities. For instance, from July 1 to December 17, 2013, academic activities in public universities were frozen by a strike, which the Academic Staff Union of Universities embarked on over decrepit state of infrastructure and unpaid allowances. It was only called off after the Federal Government acquiesced to the immediate release of N200 billion and a commitment to inject N1.3 trillion into the system over a ﬁve-year period, to address the rot. Pointedly, our students’ exodus to Ghana is etched in our misbegotten public policies and ethos that have relegated education to the background. The carrying capacity of the universities cannot match the exponential increase in the number of students seeking admission annually. Out of the 1.7 million that applied for admission in 2013, only 520,000 got admissions to universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. The facts starkly stare everyone in the face. A government that gives N1 billion each to its nine newly-established universities for takeoff, but unashamedly budgets N64 billion for the Abuja City Gate, apparently, has not got its priorities right.

Addo Kufuor endorses Akufo-Addo for 2016 A

former Defence Minister in the Kufuor administration is rallying support for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as ﬂagbearer of the New Patriotic Party in the 2016 election. Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor is convinced the party’s twice defeated ﬂagbearer represents the NPP’s best chance of snatching the presidency from the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Who leads the opposition party to the 2016 presidential election is a question that threatens to divide the NPP; some senior politicians like Dr Koﬁ Konadu Apraku, have publicly expressed their desire for a change in leadership. But even be-

fore Nana Akufo-Addo declares his intention as to whether he is running for the nomination or not, many party bigwigs and grassroot supporters have insisted that he must lead the party for the third time. Dr. Apraku himself, former health minister Richard Anane, twice-defeated ﬂagbearer candidate and Alan Kyerematen are believed to be nursing ambitions to vie for the nomination.

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

However, Dr. Addo Kufuor says the leadership and political maturity shown by Nana Akufo-Addo after the Supreme Court dismissed a petition challenging the outcome of the 2012 election had endeared him to many Ghanaians and therefore makes him the NPP’s best bet. He said “the party will do itself a lot of good if it endorses a Nana Addo and Dr. Bawumia combination

for 2016”. Dr. Addo Kufuor who is a member of the party’s Disciplinary Committee was speaking in an exclusive interview with Nhyira FM in Kumasi. He called on all party sympathizers to use established structures to address their grievance instead of rushing to the media to create unnecessary anxiety among grass root supporters

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YOUR HEALTH

Caring for your Hair in winter let it sink in with something like Nivea Visage Rich Regenerating Night Care

xperts say harsh winter weather and a change in temperatures can be hair’s No. 1 enemy. Here’s why and what to do. From hat hair to static electricity, split ends to dry frizz, when winter weather hits, a bad hair day can last an entire season. In fact, even if you live in a moderate climate, experts say you’re still susceptible to hair-raising changes as the seasons pass. “The environment can have some of the most damaging effects on hair in both summer and winter, but in winter it’s often worse because people generally don’t take as many precautions to protect their hair. Sun exposure (which can be as intense on a ski slope as it is on a beach) combined with a blustery winter wind (which can snarl hair) as well as snow, rain, and icy cold (which makes hair brittle and dry) can all come together to create some pretty bad winter hair days, says Chavez. What’s that you say? You plan to spend all your time in the ski lodge with a hot toddy – and not a ski pole – in your hand? Not so fast snow bunny – winter is still your hair’s enemy. The reason is indoor heating, which experts say can be something akin to spending an entire afternoon under a hair dryer! “It’s not quite as dramatic as the damage would be from that, but it certainly gives you an idea of what indoor heating can do to your hair,” says fashion runway stylist and Boston salon owner Marc Harris. The good news: No matter what’s causing your winter hair woes, you can take both protective and replenishing steps. At the top of the list for most stylists: regular use of a thick, rich, If you are blessed with thick or curly African-American hair, or ultra thick, heavy Asian hair, you need a thick, heavy conditioning hair pack – a deep treatment you leave on for about a half-hour, once or twice a week. But because these hair types generally hold oil at the roots – one reason the rest of the hair can seem so

ultra dry it’s especially important not to condition the area closest to the scalp.

How to Prevent Dry Skin this season It happens to the best of us no matter how well we take care of our skin – cold winter weather can mean dry skin and chapped lips. The cold and wind contrasted with the extremely warm heat that we have indoors can cause havoc on your skin – on your face, body and your lips. But you don’t have to go through the entire winter season with uncomfortable, dry and itchy skin – there are ways you can both soothe and moisturize your skin so you can face the cold weather feeling comfortable and your skin feeling soft! Also, don’t forget to keep hydrated by drinking a lot of water! Here are Kidzworld’s beauty tips on how to take care of your skin this winter! Face Since the skin on your face is more sensitive, it’s important to keep it well moisturized and to be gentle with it. Don’t overscrub it with too many facial scrubs – keep in mind that the smaller the granules, the gentler it is on your skin so look for a cream scrub and only use it twice a week at most. In the winter, switch to a gentler cleanser than the one you use during the warmer months. Try Aveeno Active Naturals UltraCalming Moisturizing Cream Cleanser, $5.99 Your skin is producing less oil than it does in the summer so try a creamier, more moisturizing formula and cut down to just washing your face at night before bed if you can. Moisturize your face while it’s still damp and

Lip’s Care Unfortunately your lips are much more prone to be chapped in the winter. And the type of chapstick you’re using on your lips could make a big difference between dryness and well-moisturized lips. Don’t exfoliate your lips with the same scrub you use for your face. This will break down the natural barrier your lips need to hold in moisture. If you must exfoliate your lips, just gently use a warm washcloth and then apply a petroleum-based lip balm immediately afterwards like Aquaphor Lip Repair, $4.99. Wax-based lip balms give less protection against dry, chapped lips. If your lips feel especially dry and irritated, switch to a fragrance-free lipgloss as it has less irritating ingredients. Try..... Body

Skin Moisturizer.The moisture and heat from the shower helps the lotion sink. Use a body scrub a couple of times a week if skin is feeling particularly dry. Use a thick body butter on your knees and elbows to target particularly hard to moisturize areas.

conditions are stressors such as hot showers (water draws moisture from nails as it evaporates from skin) and drying products, like polish removers with acetone, alcoholbased hand sanitizers, and dishwashingliquid.“Washing dishes is just about the worst activity for nails,” says Miami dermatologist Leslie Baumann. Time to break out the rubber gloves.

The Protection Plan

It’s normal for the skin on your body to feel dry, tight, a bit scaly and irritated in the winter months, especially the skin on your legs. Switch to a moisturizing shower gel or soap like Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash. Get into the habit of using body lotion all over your body right after you get out of the shower. Try Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry

Winter Nail Care Tips Cold temperatures bring snowball fights, hot chocolate–and, quite often, craggy nails and cuticles. Since winter’s dry air is especially rough on hands, it’s a good idea to have a weatherproofing plan right at your fingertips.

Why Nails Hate Winter Two words: moisture loss. “Healthy nails contain 18 percent water on average,” says Erin Gilbert, a New York City dermatologist. “In winter, you’re constantly moving between the hot, dry air indoors and the freezing temperatures outdoors. These extremes can reduce the moisture level in your nails, leaving them dehydrated.” Dried-out nails are more likely to break, split, and chip. Compounding the harsh climate

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

Intense hydration is the name of the game. Nails are made up of ﬂattened dead cells containing keratin, but moisturizers can make them ﬂexible, supple, and less likely to split and break. So when you reach for that rich winter hand cream (which you should apply after every hand washing), get in the habit of slathering your nails, too. If you have polish on, just massage the cream into the cuticles to help stimulate healthy nail growth, says Baumann. Look for lotions that contain urea–a humectant that helps hold moisture in the skin. At night, rub on cuticle oil (in a pinch, olive oil also works). And once a week, step things up with an intensive treatment. Gilbert recommends soaking nails in lukewarm water for no more than 10 minutes, then coating them with cuticle oil and slipping on cotton gloves for at least an hour.

You Can Prevent Peeling feet Along with your arms, thighs and sides of the abdomen, the lower legs are one of the most common areas in which you experience dry skin, according to the National Institutes of Health’s Medline Plus website. This condition can result in itching and

peeling, serving as a nuisance during winter months when cold winter temperatures rob your skin of moisture. Causes Dry skin on the legs can be caused by a number of factors, including the eczema or bathing too frequently, according to The New York Times Health Guide. Other factors include aging, living in an arid or cold temperature and the amount of time you spend outdoors. Dry skin is especially prevalent during the winter months when cold temperatures and low humidity reduce the amount of moisture available for your skin, according to the University of Iowa Hospitals &amp; Clinics. Identiﬁcation When you rub your hands over the skin of your legs, you may feel roughly textured skin, according to the University of Iowa Hospitals &amp; Clinics. Very dry skin will appear cracked, as if there are ridges on the skin. The skin also feels tightened on the legs, as if someone is pulling the skin. Itching also is common in dry lower leg skin. Treatment If your dry leg skin is mild, applying a moisturizer two to three times per day– especially after getting out of the shower– can help to keep the legs moisturized. Because your leg circulation may be affecting your ability to provide moisture to the skin, massaging this lotion in can help to boost circulation. If your leg skin does not respond to over-the-counter treatments, your physician may prescribe a special cream or ointment to encourage skin exfoliation and moisturize the legs. Using a humidiﬁer to add moisture into the air also may help if you live in a dry climate. Warning In some instances, dry lower leg skin can indicate a more serious problem. This includes when your lower leg skin itching and dryness interfere with your ability to sleep or if you have scratches on your skin that do not heal with time. This can be an indicator that you have poor circulation in the skin.

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Untold story of the legendary ALABUKUN POWDER and its maker

Blessed Jacob

dulate, the Blessed Jacob, sat at the work table in his laboratory, writing the notes which contained the formula for what would ultimately be known as his famous patented medicine, Alabukun Powder. This was in the year 1918. It was early in the evening of another hectic day at his place of work, a functional combination of ofﬁce, consulting room and laboratory-cum workshop. His single minded pursuit of the goal of establishing an indigenous medical/pharmaceutical brand was legendary. He had displayed the same purposeful determination when at the age of 14, he decided to uproot himself from his ancestral town of Ikorodu and he had embarked on an exploratory journey which took him three months on foot to establish a domestic and commercial base in Abeokuta. His very modest, but cherished “headquarters” was built in the Sapon area of Abeokuta, a mere walking distance from the site of his future three-storey landmark home in Ijemo Agbadu. With the day’s work ﬁn-

ished, he supervised the ritualistic tidying-up of the ofﬁce, a task in which some of his children were willing and excited participants. Soon it would be time to join his friends for a few games at tennis at the Abeokuta Tennis Club, and then go off to his home to join his wives and children for dinner. His face, which could sometimes bear the disconcertingly combined countenance of both a ﬁrm disciplinarian and a mirthful father in equal measure, was today aglow with joy. He, a black man and member of the Yoruba ethnic group had triumphed against the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that the British colonial authorities had placed in the path of ambitious “natives”. He had penetrated the fortress of British-dominated commercial enterprise in nascent Nigeria, to become one of a very small group of Nigerian entrepreneurs in the colony. He had reasons to smile. From the modest, but gradually escalating proceeds of the sale of Alabukun Powder, Alabukun Mentholine and other locally made products – all produced by him – the Blessed Jacob was able to realize his overarching desire, which was to underwrite all the expenses associated with sending his children to the land of the erstwhile colonial rulers, Britain, to further their education. One after the other, his offspring went off to study at Durham, Newcastle, USA and Lon-

don to qualify as educationists, medical doctors, lawyers and engineers. They returned to Nigeria to join the pool of highly educated and successful professionals for which Abeokuta has been particularly famed in Nigeria history. Alabukun’s offspring have prospered and have made immense contributions to Yorubaland and to Nigeria in their various professions and spheres of endeavour.

The enduring success of the Alabukun brand is now interwoven into the fabric of modern Nigeria medical history. The Alabukun Powder in particular is displayed and sold in thousands of pharmacies, markets and roadside stalls all over Nigeria. In many states in Nigeria, Alabukun powder is considered to be the obligatory cure-all for almost every ailment. In neighboring countries such as Benin Republic, Ghana and Cameroon, the eye-catching Alabukun brand is to be seen advertised everywhere. Alabukun products are sold in several towns and cities in the USA, the UK, in Europe, Brazil, Jamaica, and yes, even as far away as China. You can buy Alabukun products on-

line, off-line, under-bridges and over-expressways. Just last year, 2012, the descendants and family of the Blessed Jacob marked and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the passing on of this towering man. In a manner in which he would have been proud, the celebrations were modest and without fanfare. None of the governors of the various states in South West Nigeria in which the Blessed Jacob made huge contributions was present. Both Ogun State and Lagos State were in no way officially represented at this significant anniversary. However, we owe nobody any grudge because for a particular reason the family had decided to make the anniversary a low-key affair. Happily, his children, his grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren as well as the descendants and relations of the multitudes of his beneficiaries, patients, friends and employees, were all there to celebrate the history of this under-appreciated icon. And so, one year after this 50th anniversary, what are the physical edifices and buildings that can serve as a present and future testimony to his legacy, to his industriousness, to his trailblazing entrepreneurship? Even then a befitting memorial, indeed, a legacy, solid, towering structure such as a house has

severally suffered from uncaring and insensitive official arm. First to go was the magnificent family residence in Ijemo Agbadu with its unique granite-hued frontage and castle-like grounds which for more than half a century housed living quarters for family and friends alike – DEMOLISHED! Secondly, in 2013 the building (the first two-level building in Abeokuta, Sapon) the original birthplace and home of the Alabukun brand was – DEMOLISHED!! Thirdly, the storeybuilding that the Blessed Jacob built on the east side of Ikorodu Road and which for decades was the most significant landmark on that road before one reached the landmark Ikorodu Roundabout was also pitifully – DEMOLISHED!!! This sad history of willful disregard and disrespect for the legacies of those who came before us and who contributed so much to the nation that we today call Nigeria is abundantly exemplified in the tragic fate of Alabukun’s properties. We, the descendants of the glorious Blessed Jacob are so grateful and proud of his life. The education that he bestowed upon us, the wonderful example he showed in his personal and business life, his immense generosity and kindness of spirit, these are what we and our own descendants will never forget. For those who find themselves in power today,

and for those who were in power when all of the destructive acts described above were committed, we have only this to say: The act of destruction of the physical properties of those who did so much to make our nation great can never desecrate their names or their legacies. It is those who permit such destruction who should ask themselves this: “Is this the way to honour the past? Are we proud to announce to the world that we allowed history to be corrupted and eroded like this?” Finally, sad as we may feel about this story of demolition as chronicled above, we, the descendants, especially his children, are proud and grateful to God that our magniﬁcent Patriarch, Papa Chief Jacob Sogboyega Odulate – ALABUKUN – The Blessed Jacob – left us a legacy that can never be forgotten in the history of Nigeria. In life and in death he stands up in the development of Nigeria. What a man! What a hero! What a legacy! For more information on the life of this great man, I refer you to the book “Reaching for the Stars” an autobiography of one of his children – Chief Folake Solanke SAN. • This article was originally entitled “The happy life of a pioneer” and culled from Nigerian Tribune. The writer, Chief (Mrs.) Stella O. Odesanya, MFR, is the eldest surviving child of Chief J. S. Odulate – Alabukun – The blessed Jacob.

Kasapreko Alomo Bitters among top 5 emerging brands in the world A

lomo Bitters, the flagship product of indigenous liquor giant, Kasapreko Company, is among the top five emerging brands in the world, according to a CNN money poll. The poll by the largest business website takes into consideration best practices of companies across the globe and its potential to grow into emerging markets. Aside Alomo Bitters, other exotic spirits from Brazil, Mexico, China and Turkey were named as part of the top five. Kasapreko Company placed sixth in 2013’s Ghana Club 100 rankings and was awarded the most Innovative Company and the Manufacturing Company of the year in 2012 by Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC). It has fourteen brands to

its credit with Alomo bitters being its ﬂagship product. General Manager for Sales and Marketing, Kojo Nunoo said their latest feat attests to the quality of Kasapreko’s products. “It is a unique selling point for us to have been recognized by CNN money. It means there is something right the company is doing and we will not relent in our efforts”, he stated. Kojo Nunoo noted that with a vision to produce quality drinks for all, the company has since its inception focused on developing products derived from Africa’s rich heritage of herbs by using modern research and development methods to transform traditional recipes into desirable consumer brands. The Kasapreko Sales and Marketing Manager pointed out that quality is of utmost importance to the company

and thus will never compromise on the quality of their products. “We also collaborate with the renowned Centre for Scientiﬁc Research into Plant Medicine – CSRPM (Mampong – Akwapim) an afﬁliate of the World Health Organization in the development of our products and they supply the concentrate base for the production of our products”, he noted. Kojo Nunoo promised consumers of nothing but best quality products in the coming years. Since 2009, Alomo bitters has been meeting the health and ‘other’ needs of its users, however, there have been many unsavory tales about alomo as it is popularly called. Having interacted with consumers, sellers and distributors, the cause of this has been linked to the pres-

ence of a lot of fakes (counterfeit alomo) in the market. This is due to the fast-moving rate of this product and as such a lot of people want to make some quick cash off it. Furthermore, due to its intoxicating effect, many tend to abuse it, taking much more than needed. As a pharmacist, I believe the way to address this, is to enlighten the public on the right dose and the appropriate way of use. The Kasapreko company did not exactly indicate how much of the bitters that could be taken for its purported health effects. However based on the little information they gave and our knowledge of ‘bitters’ products generally, a dose of 30 ml which is 2 tablespoonful is to be taken per time-dose. This could then be repeated two or three more times

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

in a day. In this way you can maximize the health effects without incurring any adverse long term effects. Unfortunately, we see people drink as much as two or three bottles of 200 ml at a sitting claiming it makes them ‘feel alright’. This i iis an outright abuse. If you take so much over a long period of time, you may get the positive health results on the short term but be sure that it will be accompanied, by the unpleasant health effects of alcohol as time goes on. The long term health effects of taking more than the required amount irrespective of it’s alleviating

‘bitters’ effect basically bi ff iis b i ll the same as taking excess of vodka, whisky or rum. Some of these possible adverse effects include anaemia, increased risk of cancer and stroke, liver cirrhosis and reduced fertility. In addition, addiction could occur and that’s just a next door neighbor to various forms of mental illnesses.

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VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

THE AFRICAN SOCIETY

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 10 • FEBRUARY 2014

THE AFRICAN SOCIETY

DISCLAIMER

THE AFRICA MISSIONS CANADA INC. of THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD, CANADA IS NOT AN AFFILIATE OF AFRICA (CANADIAN) MISSIONS It has come to the knowledge of the authority of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Canada that an organization named “Africa (Canadian) Missions” was representing itself to the public and the entire world via the internet as being affiliated to The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Africa Missions Canada Inc. also known as Africa Missions, and the person of the wife of the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God. The said organization, Africa (Canadian) Missions” having a location on Albion Road in Toronto, once had the logo of The Redeemed Christian Church of God on its signage and the picture of Pastor (Mrs.) Adeboye, the wife of the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God who is the initiator of Africa Missions and the Logo of the Africa Missions Global on its facebook page. We appreciate that the name of the said organization, “Africa (Canadian) Missions” is confusingly similar to our organization’s name, Africa Missions Canada Inc. thereby you may be led to believe that this organization is sponsored by or affiliated with The Redeemed Christian Church of God and The Africa Missions Canada Inc., hence the need for this disclaimer. The Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Africa Missions Canada, the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God in the person of Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye, The initiator of The Africa Missions in the person of Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye, the Representative of the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God in North America and Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, North America in the person of Pastor James Fadele, and the Country Coordinator for The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Canada in the person of Pastor Femi Olawale, and members of the Board of Trustees of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Canada are in no way affiliated to the said organization called Africa (Canadian) Missions nor sponsor its activities. The Africa Missions Canada Inc also known as Africa Missions and African Missions North America (Canada Chapter) Inc. both incorporated in Canada in 2004 are affiliates of The Redeemed Christian Church of God and the innovation of Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye. For accurate information about Africa Missions Canada Inc. also known as Africa Missions and African Missions North America (Canada Chapter) Inc. please visit our website at www.africamissions.ca and www.rccgcanada.org . Should you have any question please contact the Country Coordinator of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Canada at 613 762 0975 or by email at folawale@rccgcanada.org.

Pastor Femi Olawale Country Coordinator, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Canada.

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THE AFRICAN SOCIETY

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INVESTIGATION: Inside Nigeria’s Ruthless Human Trafﬁcking Maﬁa N

igeria is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to trafficking in persons, specifically conditions of forced labor and forced prostitution. Trafficked Nigerian women and children are recruited from rural areas within the country’s borders ? women and girls for involuntary domestic servitude and forced commercial sexual exploitation, and boys for forced labor in street vending, domestic servitude, mining, and begging. Nigerian women and children are taken from Nigeria to other West and Central African countries, primarily Gabon, Cameroon, Ghana, Chad, Benin, Togo, Niger, Burkina Faso, and the Gambia, for the same purposes. Children from West African states like Benin, Togo, and Ghana – where Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) rules allow for easy entry – are also forced to work in Nigeria, and some are subjected to hazardous jobs in Nigeria’s granite mines. Nigerian women and girls are taken to Europe, especially to Italy and Russia, and to the Middle East and North Africa, for forced prostitution. Traffickers sometimes move their victims to Europe by caravan, forcing them to cross the desert on foot, and subjecting them to forced prostitution to repay heavy debts for travel expenses. During the reporting period, Nigerian girls were repatriated from Libya and Morocco, where they were reportedly held captive in the commercial sex trade. Six out of 10 people who are trafficked to the West are Nigerians. PREMIUM

TIMES investigative reporter, Tobore Ovuorie, was motivated by years of research into the plight of trafﬁcked women in the country, as well as the loss of a friend, to go undercover in a multibillion dollar criminal enterprise. She emerged, bruised and beaten but thankfully alive, after witnessing orgies; big money deals in jute bags, police-supervised pick pocketing, beatings and even murder. This is her story. We are 10 at the boot camp: Adesuwa, Isoken, Lizzy, Mairo, Adamu, Ini, Tessy, Omai, Sammy and I. We have travelled together in a 14-seater bus from Lagos, hoping to arrive in Italy soon. We are eager to get to the ‘next level’ as it is called: from local prostitution to hopefully earning big bucks abroad. But ﬁrst, it turns out, we have to pass through ‘training’ in this massive secluded compound guarded by armed military men, far from any other human be-

ing, somewhere in the thick bushes outside Ikorodu, a suburb of Lagos. Our trafficker, Mama Caro, welcomes us in flawless English, telling us how lucky and special we are; then she ushers us to a room where we are to sleep on the floor without any dinner. I had not expected this. We had exercised, through a risk analysis role play, in advance: my paper PREMIUM TIMES, and our partners on the project, a colleague–Reece Adanwenon– in the Republic of Benin, and ZAM Chronicle in Amsterdam. We had put in place contacts, emergency phone numbers, safe houses, emergency money accounts. We had made transport and extraction arrangements. Ms. Reece is waiting in Cotonou, 100 kilometers to the West in neighboring Benin, to pick me up from an agreed meeting place. But we hadn’t foreseen that there was to be another stop first: this isolated, guarded camp in the middle of nowhere. It dawns on me

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that we could be in big trouble. “Our trafficker, Mama Caro, welcomes us in flawless English, telling us how lucky and special we are; then she ushers us to a room where we are to sleep on the floor without any dinner.”

Risk analysis and preparation It had all started in Abuja, with me deciding to expose the human trafﬁc syndicates that caused the death, through Aids, of my friend Ifuoke and countless others. As a health journalist, I had interviewed several returnees from sex trafﬁc who had not only been encouraged to have unprotected sex, but who had also been denied health care or even to return home when they fell ill. They were now suffering from Aids, anal gonorrhea, bowel ruptures and incontinence. In the case of some of them, who hailed from conserva-

tive religious backgrounds, doctors in their home towns had denied them any treatment because they had been ‘bad’. I was also aware that powerful politicians and government and army officials, who outwardly professed religious purity, were servicing and protecting the traffickers. I wanted to break through the hypocrisy and official propaganda and show how, every day, criminals in Nigeria are helped by the powerful to enslave my fellow young citizens. My PREMIUM TIMES colleagues had done undercover work before; they had warned me of the risks, but had agreed to support me in my decision to go through with it. With my colleagues, and with the help of ZAM Chronicle, we then started in earnest. “I wanted to break through the hypocrisy and official propaganda and show how, every day, criminals in Nigeria are helped by the powerful to enslave my fellow young citizens.”

Oghogho I had advertised my wish to get to know a ‘madam’ whilst walking the streets of Lagos, dressed as a call girl. It worked. I had met Oghogho Irhiogbe, an accomplished, well-groomed graduate in her thirties (though she claimed to be only 26), and a wealthy human trafﬁcker of note. My lucky hunch to tell her that my name was ‘Oghogho’ too had immediately warmed her to me. She told me I looked like her kid sister and from then on treated me like a favorite.

“Don’t worry about crossing borders and getting caught,” she had told me. “Immigration, customs, police, army and even foreign embassies are part of our network. You only run into trouble with them if you fail to be obedient to us.” I already knew this to be true. Two of the trafficked sex workers I had interviewed had tried to find help at Nigerian embassies in Madrid and Moscow, only to realize that the very embassy officials from whom they had sought deportation had immediately informed their pimps. They had eventually made it back to Nigeria only after they had developed visible diseases, such as AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma. “Precious had already made enough money to start building her own house in Enugu, halfway between Abuja and Port Harcourt.” Oghogho Irhiogbe had been luckier. She owned four luxury cars, two houses in Edo State, and was busy completing the building of a third house near the Warri airport in Delta State. Others I had met through my initial ‘call girl’ exploits were clearly on their way to riches, too. Priye was set to go back to the Netherlands, where she worked before, to become a ‘madam’. Ivie and Precious were quite happy to go back to Italy. Precious had already made enough money to start building her own house in Enugu, halfway between Abuja and Port Harcourt. continued on p(14)

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