1 nov 2014

SATURDAY SATURDAY

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Vol. 1 No. 256

Sanctity of Truth

/newtelegraph

N150

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

Meet CEOs of Nigeria’s advertising agencies

I

n any economy, you could glimpse the relevance of any sector by its sheer impact on the

wellbeing of other businesses. Although a few sectors that exert such enormous influence could be

cited, but there’s hardly any one that commands the sort of indispensability that the advertising

industry flaunts.

In simpler terms, a company’s bottomline is inevitably tied to the ability of the

advertising agency that oversees its marketing communications profile to create for it a cutting

edge campaign which could help such company gain an ample slice of the market.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

NEWS

NO CEASEFIRE WITH FG, ‘SHEKAU’ INSISTS IN A NEW VIDEO }6 30 FEARED KILLED IN GOMBE BLAST }6

Mutiny: Court orders stay of execution in convicted 12 soldiers’ suit }4

congress: abia pdp ignores court order }8

fire outbreak at pdp rivers secretariat }9 SHOWBIZ

JONATHAN vs amaechi

Your day of reckoning will surely come

WAR

WEIRD MC

From Ijoya to gigs for politicians }19 STREET DIARY

You’re not my prefect. You’re elected just like me

WITHOUT END

AMINAT AKANNI

}48

I killed my stepdaughter because her dad neglected me }11

Sheikh Gumi: 2015 ambition of Jonathan, Buhari may lead to bloodshed

}45-46

Tambuwal fights to retain seat... ‘He’s a political prostitute’- Abba Moro }4

2

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

Contents | 01.11.14 CONVERSATION

Biking Across Borders

Chief executive officer of Lakeside Energy, Toyin Adebola, speaks of his pasion for bikes and the motivation to ride his bike, along with three friends, across 17 African countries

}13

INSTYLE

Floor-length Beauties A floor-length dress is the perfect choice for an evening occasion. But you should always choose an appropriate style to suit the occasion

}15

SHOWBIZ

Sex for Movie Role It may seem trite, but rumours that producers may be soliciting sex from young female artistes eager to strike fame just won’t abate. Actress Oge Indiana speaks of her experience

}22

THE ARTS

Celebrating a Master Sculptor Acolytes of sculptor and painter, Abayomi Barber, organises an exhibition in Lagos showcasing 42 artworks to commemorate Barber’s eighty-sixth birthday anniversary

}18

TV&RADIO

Addictive Telenovelas Since making their debut about two decades ago with hits like The Rich Also Cry, Nigerian television audiences seem to be yearning for more

}33

SPORT

Synthetic Blues Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, has said the national team’s players are determined to beat Congo in the Africa Nations Cup qualifier even if the country took the match to a synthetic turf

}25 Plus: Street Diary 10 | Love&Living 35 | Milestones 50

Comment

I

Our wasteful food culture

n a recent report, the United Nations (UN) said the world wastes enough food to feed an estimated two billion people. The situation is the focus of a joint new online report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP), launched recently in Rome.

The report, entitled the Global Community of Practice (CoP) on Food Loss ...Reduction, was produced with the goal of becoming “a global reference point” in the facilitation of information sharing between stakeholders such as public entities, civil society and the private sector.

In the report, Ms. Maria Semedo, the FAO Deputy-Director-General for Natural Resources, said with more than 800 million people in the world still suffering from hunger, saving food is of paramount importance.

She stressed that “when food is saved, the resources used to produce it are saved. Reducing waste and losses by not creating these in the first place should be a priority for all.’’

The UN estimates that roughly 30 per cent of global food production, that is 40-50 per cent of root crops, fruits and vegetables, 20 per cent of oil seeds, meat and dairy products and 35 per cent of fish, are either lost or wasted. These losses in food items amounting to some 1.3 billion tonnes are enough to feed two billion people, it added.

Miffed by the report, IFAD Vice-President, Mr. Michel Mordasini said global efforts to reduce the “unacceptably high” rates of food loss must also be holistic.

He pointed to the role of smallholder farmers who, he said, were “most vulnerable and noted that “available technical solutions have to be made accessible and affordable to those farming communities.”

He added: “I am, therefore, encouraged by the fact that the Global Community of Practice on Food Losses will engage with and tap into the knowledge of farmers and practitioners, as well as researchers, development agencies and policymakers.’’

Food loss and waste refer to the edible parts of plants and animals that are produced or harvested for human consumption but not ultimately consumed by people.

In particular, food loss refers to food that spills, spoils, incurs an abnormal reduction in quality such as bruising or wilting, or otherwise gets lost before it reaches the consumer. Food loss is the unintended result of an agricultural process or technical limitation in storage, infrastructure, packaging, or marketing. Food waste refers to food that is of good quality and fit for human consumption but that does not get consumed because

it is discarded, either before or after it spoils.

Food waste is the result of negligence or a conscious decision to throw food away.

Economically, food loss and waste amount to wasted investment that can reduce farmers’ incomes and increase consumers’ expenses. Environmentally, food loss and waste inflict a host of impacts, including unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions and inefficiently used water and land, which in turn can lead to diminished natural ecosystems and the services they provide.

It is germane, therefore, that Nigeria urgently begins to adopt clear-cut approaches to solving food loss and waste such as facilitating food redistribution or donation, using evaporative coolers in places where refrigeration is unavailable, introducing hermetically sealed plastic storage bags for crops, using small metal silos, using plastic crates instead of bags for crops, among others.

Changing food date labels to reduce consumer confusion about when food is unsafe, conducting consumer awareness campaigns about how to reduce household food waste and reducing portion sizes at restaurants and cafeterias are also useful measures that the country now needs to immediately work on. This non-exhaustive list hints at the spectrum of approaches available across selected stages of the food value chain.

In Nigeria, there is the exigent need to provide good roads that can enable farmers transport their commodities to high consumption centres more quickly as well as provide adequate storage and processing facilities. This is because moving goods from the North to Lagos, for instance, is quite cumbersome, and by the time they finally get to their various destinations, they are no longer farm- fresh and would have lost substantial nutrients and, in some cases, become contaminated, hence, unfit for human consumption.

Besides, the cost on the economy and welfare of the household is enormous; therefore, the wastage should catch the attention of investors and entrepreneurs who should invest to not only reverse the trend, but also latch on to this to promote export, reduce importation as well as guarantee food sufficiency in the country. It is imperative that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, states’ ministries of agriculture and the various departments of agriculture at the local government levels work in sync to stop this menace. Success in reversing the ugly trend will surely lead to greater and better employment opportunities. It will also improve the revenue profile of the country and assist in no small measure to diversify the nation’s mono-cultural economy.

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief n Eric Osagie Deputy Managing Directors n Gabriel Akinadewo

Felix Oguejiofor Abugu

Managing Editor n Suleiman Uba Gaya

Editor, Daily n Yemi Ajayi

Editor, Saturday n Laurence Ani

Editor, Sunday n Emeka Madunagu

Deputy Editor, Saturday n Waheed Bakare

Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz

Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins

Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam

Ag. Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi

News Editor n Ndubuisi Ugah

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed

Ag. Sales/Circulation Manager n Uchey Okezie

Head, Graphics n Timothy Akinleye

Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

3

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

Take two for the price of one, from October 6, 2014.

Read the International New York Times in every Monday Edition of the New Telegraph

Nigeria’s authoritative Newspaper in Business and Politics

www.newtelegraphonline.com

www.facebook.com/newtelegraph

www.twitter.com/newtelegraph1

4

News

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

Tambuwal fights to retain his seat Onwuka Nzeshi, Tunde Oyesina, Biodun Oyeleye,

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Abuja/ Ilorin

n a bid to retain his seat in the House of Representatives, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and his new party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday dragged the Federal Government and six others before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, over the withdrawal of his security aides and what he describes as an attempt to declare his seat vacant.

Tambuwal in the suit filed at the registry of the court through his counsel, Jubrin Okutepa (SAN), is asking the court to declare that the attempt to declare his seat vacant as a member and Speaker of the House is unlawful and unconstitutional.

The speaker had during the week defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, a development which led to the withdrawal of his security details by the acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sulemain Abba.

The development, however, emerged on a day the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, while commenting on Tambuwal’s defection, described him as a “political prostitute”, whose stock in trade was to shuttle from one political party to the other.

Moro said the defection of the speaker and other lawmakers, including those making similar moves would not affect PDP’s chances in the 2015 election.

“Fundamentally, if you look at the antecedents of some of these politicians especially Tambuwal, you know that he had moved from party to party; he was in ANPP from where he

lMoro: He’s a ‘political prostitute’ lI didn’t host Speaker, says Ihedioha moved to PDP, and now he has moved from PDP back to APC which is the incarnation of ANPP,” Moro said.

However, Tambuwal in the suit cited as defendants the national Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mu’azu; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Inspector General of Police, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice as first to seventh.

He prayed the court to declare that he remains a member and the speaker of the House until the expiration of his current term of office on June 5, 2015.

Tambuwal also wants the court to declare that withdrawal of his security details when he has not been removed from office as speaker and member of the House is illegal and unconstitutional.

He, however, prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from taking any steps to interfere or infringe on his rights and privileges as the speaker of the House and as a member before the expiration of his term.

He also wants the court to give an order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC from accepting any nomination of candidates or organising a by-election for the purpose of replacing him.

Also, Tambuwal wants an order of mandatory injunction compelling the IG and the AGF to restore his security details and all other rights, benefits and privileges appurtenant to members of and the office of the speaker.

In a 40-paragraph affida-

L-R: Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulure; Vice-President Namadi Sambo and Chairman, Island Club, Mr. Ademola Dada, at the 71th anniversary lecture of Island Club in Lagos... yesterday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

vit deposed to by Tambuwal himself, he averred that “On the 28th day of October 2014, the PDP and its national chairman threatened to forcibly remove me from office as the speaker of the House of Representatives, adding that the threat was made public as reported by some national dailies of October 29.”

He further averred that House and the deputy speaker on October 30 began to strategise on how to unlawfully remove me from office as speaker of the House of Representatives.

“That I know that on the 30th day of October 30, 2014, the IG at the behest of defendants withdrew my security details hereby exposing me to danger of bodily harm all in their bid to forcibly remove from office,” Tambuwal stated.

The plaintiff also averred that he had become apprehensive that the defendants would use unlawful means to make good their threats if the court did not intervene to stop them.

In a separate suit filed by Dr. Tunji Abayomi on behalf of Tambuwal, Abayomi prays for a temporary order of court directing the return of the security aides of the speaker pending the determination of the suit.

Abayomi also prayed the court for an order restraining the defendants from interfering with the rights and privileges whatsoever attached to the office of the speaker pending the determination of the suit.

Also, the Buhari Campaign Organisation, yesterday pleaded with President Jonathan to protect and guarantee the security of Tambuwal.

Spokesman for the group, Osita Okechukwu, said the appeal had become necessary as the sudden withdrawal of the security details attached to the speaker had exposed him to danger.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, has described a media report that he hosted

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal to a reception, after the latter defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday.A statement issued

by Ihedioha’s Chief Press Secretary, Oke Epia, said the deputy speaker did not host Tambuwal to reception after defecting from the PDP. “Not only is the false report a figment of the imagi-

nation of those who intend to cause disaffection between him and the PDP, the deputy speaker strongly denies that any such thing happened.“It is on record that the deputy speaker is a founding member of the PDP, has remained in the party since 1998 and will continue to protect and promote its interest and fortunes.”

Advertising CEOs CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

So the era - like the 60s and 70s - when the few advertising agencies that existed then were mere fringe players in the country’s economic life, is long gone.

In its place has emerged a bustling industry with turnover figures that are just as impressive as those posted by the blue chips they manage.

With the economy getting even more robust and fuelling much stiffer competition, the importance of advertising agencies grows

inevitably. From its marginal position of the bygone era, the industry has today grown into the mainstream and the proof is evident in the several advertising budgets they control on behalf of multinationals, banks and other businesses with healthy balance sheets.

New Telegraph will on Monday launch a series that looks at the chief executive officers in this industry that helps turn companies into iconic brands. Their compelling tale will surely be a pleasant revelation.

Mutiny: Court orders stay of execution in convicted 12 soldiers’ suit Our Reporters

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Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Army to stay the execution of the death sentence passed by a court martial on 12 Nigerian soldiers, who were tried and convicted for mutiny.

The order, which was made on October 28 by Justice Gabriel Kolawole in a fundamental rights case filed by the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, was against the Chief of Army Staff, Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Mogadishu Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison,

lYou have no case against me, officer tells Army

Mogadishu Cantonment, Brigadier-General B.T. Ndiomu, had convened a nineman General Court-Martial, to try 18 soldiers for mutiny, insubordination and other military offences, which took place in Maimalari Military Barracks on May 14.

The GCM convicted and sentenced 12 soldiers to death by firing squad, a development which compelled Agbakoba to approach the Federal High Court, to set aside the death sentence, on the ground of violation of fundamental human rights violation of the soldiers and inconsistency with the 1999 Constitution.

The Chief of Army Staff and the commander of Army

Headquarters Garrison were both represented by their counsel. The case was called in court on October 28 with the case number - FHC/ABJ/ Cs/708/14.

However, the counsel to the army requested an adjournment, which the court obliged by adjourning till December 8 but not without ordering for a stay of execution of the death sentence, pending the determination of the case.

The implication, it was gathered, was that the army has been stopped from carrying out the death sentenced, pending the determination of case.

Meanwhile, one of the officers standing trial alongside

95 other soldiers, for alleged mutiny and other offences relating to disobedience to service laws, has filed a “no case” submission, before the General Court Martial (GCM), sitting at the Army Headquarters (AHQ) Garrison in Abuja.

In law, an accused person standing trial for a criminal offence, is allowed to enter a “no case submission”, if he believes that the proof of evidence brought by the prosecution, does not establish any prima facie case against him, to warrant his standing trial.

Saturday New Telegraph gathered from a military source, that the officer (name withheld), through his counsel, had asked the GCM,

headed by Brig. Gen Musa Yusuf, to dismiss a one-count of alleged breach in channel of communication preferred against him, by the army authorities.

The source who asked not to be identified, further disclosed that the prosecution team had sought a short adjournment to enable them to respond to the no case submission entered by the accused officer.

The army has begun trial of the first set of 59 soldiers, who are standing trial on offences bordering on alleged mutiny, assault, absence without leave, house breaking, conduct prejudicial to good orders and service discipline, as well as offences relating to public property.

Some of the officers fac-

ing various charges before the GCM are: Lieutenant Colonels SS Tilawan, DB Danzang, IC Ogamanya, SU Abubakar, Maj. II Sakaba, Capt. M. Hamadikko, Capt Z. Alhaji, Capt.

MB Abdullahi, Capt. SY MUSA, Lieutenant T. Garba, Lieutenant F. Ogunleke, Lieutenant A. Abdullahi, Lieutenant IM Okoro, and Lieutenant D. Wunuji.

Members of the GCM, apart from Gen. Yusuf, who presides, are: Col. U.I Mohammed, Col. M.L Ibrahim, Col. R. Abubakar, Col MM Bunza, Col. J.D Gontor, Col. KN Garba, Col (Abimiku as well as Col. G.A Ugwueze.

Col. A.T. Ibrahim and Lt. Col. V.O. Olatunji are Waiting Members, while Lt. Col. Ukpe Ukpe, is the Judge Advocate.

OpeningShot

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2014

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

5

1 NOVEMBER, 2014

‘I am in a better position to talk about kidnapping’

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Chief GUO Okeke, Managing Director and Chief Executive of G.U.O Group of companies and former presidentgeneral of the Onitsha Market Almagamated Traders Association in Anambra State, recounts his travail in the hands of kidnappers. He spoke with OKEGWO KENECHUKWU in Onitsha

Having been a victim of kidnapping on a few occasions in the state, what is your take on the ongoing to curb the malaise?

We owe our thanks to the almighty God and then to our dynamic governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano. He is working seriously with the law enforcement agencies, the Police, Army, Navy, DSS and the Vigilance group, thereby bringing them together as a team. That is why he is succeeding.

Moreso, with this arrangement, it will be difficult for anybody or group of persons to think they can maneuver these team because every security apparatus is in use, if you manoeuver the Police, the Drug law Enforcement Agencies will fish you out because they know all the dangerous spots or the SSS, so there is no hiding place for them now in the state. You must also have heard that the governor has sought the assistance of a retired Commissioner of Police, by name Aduba who now heads the State Vigilante. It is a wonderful calculation. I will advise other governors from the South-East to borrow a leaf from Governor Obiano’s security measure if the South-East wants to fight kidnapping.

What was the experience like?

I said so because I am in a better position to talk about kidnapping in Anambra State. In 2007, my son was kidnapped from the University in the State, we fought back and with the help of security agencies, we arrested some of them and discovered that some of the suspects were students.

In 2009, I was kidnapped in the church by over 18 hefty men armed to the teeth with rocket launchers, machine guns, AK 47 rifles, among other dangerous weapons. They took me to an unknown place and in the end, they released me. When I recovered from the shock, I fought back and they were arrested and over 20 pieces of AK 47 and 11000 pieces of live ammunition as well as rocket launchers and other numerous weapons were recovered from them.

They were charged to court but along

the line, some of them were questionably released on bail and they disappeared till today.

I petitioned the attorney general of the state and that of the federation, the then governor of Anambra State Mr. Peter Obi, the Anambra State House of Assembly, the Anambra State commissioner of Police and even the comptroller of Prisons in 2012.

The state assembly constituted a panel of enquiry and myself, my counsel, attorney general of the state then Mr. E.D Chukwuma and DPP of the state were all invited to give evidence and up till today the outcomes of the panel of enquiry of the state Assembly and that of the state government are yet to be released.

While that was going on, they kidnapped my younger brother in 2013 with a warning that if I obstructed them further, they would waste me. They kept phoning me and I gave those numbers to the police, SSS and SARS and I thanked God they did a wonderful job by capturing some of them.

As if it was not enough, in October, 2013, they chased me with about four heavilyarmed men in G.R.A Onitsha and raided my vehicle with over 90 bullets but as God may have it I and my driver took cover inside the vehicle and escaped unhurt. This is why I said that I am in a better position to talk about the kidnapping insurgence in Anambra State and the present war against them.

Some Obiano’s critics have continued to criticize the demolition of criminal hideouts in the state on the ground that some of the hideouts may not be Kidnappers’ houses as some are unfinished buildings?

Do you agree with them sir?

Frankly, it was by the grace of God that this battle is recording huge success. Those who criticize the demolition of hideout may be some of the agents of the hoodlums.

There is no one who has been in Anambra State over 10 years ago who does not know that our people living in United

States, Germany, France, Europe even Lagos and Abuja no longer come home.

And even when they come for burial ceremony or traditional marriage the stop at Enugu or Abuja but today, the story is no longer the same. Our people have started coming back home without fear or molestation. They no longer do their wedding ceremony outside the state and even foreign investors have started investing in the state and we are happy with our Governor. Governor Obiano has four pillar projects and in all he is marvelous and today, the slogan will Willie work has changed to Willie is working.

As a renowned transporter, how did you receive innovations in telecommunications industry?

Improvements in telecommunications constitute a break-through all over the world. It does not affect the transport industry as speculated instead it encourages us to invest in other transport systems, including aviation, railways and others. We cannot continue to go anti-clock wise while the rest of the world is moving. Thank God President Good luck Jonathan is upgrading and renovating airports, railway transport and it is a global investment that any serious-minded businessman would like to invest in. On the other hand, the automobile industry of the country is growing. The federal government is constructing roads and in the next 10 years if we have good network of roads, the transport system will continue to grow from strength to strength.

It will also encourage us from limiting ourselves to motor business as government investment has also opened our eyes’ to what is going on in other parts of the world.

The Igbo have not taken a definite stand on whether to support President Jonathan’s second term bid in 2015 because of some perceived grievances. What is your position?

You see, even Jesus Christ was criticized while on earth over 2000years ago. In the same vein, people don’t appreciate what

they have until they lose it. It did not occur to our people that since independence, none of us from the former Eastern region has ruled this country. Those who are agitating should look back at our over 38 years of military dictatorship and leadership. Jonathan cannot rebuild what was destroyed over these years in less than four years. He cannot do it over night. He is moving gradually and I should advice that we exercise patience with him. Yes, people claim the Enugu International Airport was awarded by the Late Yar’Adua’s administration, they also forgot that it did not take off until Jonathan came in. He resurrected the file, dusted it and give life to it.

On the 2nd Niger Bridge you know some people have used it as a political bargain. Today work is on-going now and the 2nd Niger Bridge is not only for us, it is for the entire country. Some of us who are highly experienced do not believe on selfishness, we always stand for the truth.

What’s your reaction to the recent defection of former Gov. Peter Obi? I am not a politician, but in life, people are entitled to their opinions depending on what they want at a particular time.

Politicians can do anything to get political powers. We have heard a lot of rumour of how some want to become ministers, Ambassadors and vice presidential candidates in 2019, so it depends on some one’s ambition.

Our counterparts in the Northern Nigeria believe that an average Igbo man is insatiable and when you look at our quest for power, money and every other thing you see reason in their claims. You see our people don’t like team work and that is why it has become practically impossible for us to get what we want at the national level. We don’t play politics of this county as a team because every body demands for his own self interest, either for himself, his wife, children or relations thereby throwing the public interest to the dog. We must learn how to play politics as a team if we must succeed.

6

News

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

Three arrested as explosion No ceasefire agreement kills 30 in Gombe motor park with FG, 'Shekau' insists Ahmed Mari

TRAGEDY Another bomb explodes in a motor park killing and wounding several people

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Ndubuisi Ugah hree suspects have been arrested in connection with an early morning bomb explosion at the Gombe State owned-motor park, in Jeka da Fari area of Gombe metropolis at 9:30 a.m. yesterday, leaving about 30 persons dead and several others injured.

The explosion is coming barely a week after a bomb blast occurred in Azare, Bauchi State, where many people were injured.

A National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) official from the scene of the blast said about 30 people had died

at first count.

“I have counted more than 30 dead bodies, but the death toll is likely to rise,” the official said, while several others were seriously injured and were taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) and the Gombe Specialist Hospital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), quoted the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kudu Nma, as telling journalists in Gombe, that a vehicle with an inscription ‘Yobe Line’ was reported to have brought the suspected bombers to the park.

According to him, a vehicle which was suspected to have carried the bombers who came in with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) was recovered. "Unfortunately for them, they were caught when they were about to run away,” he said.

The NAN reported that the explosion had gone

off around 9.30 a.m. at the park, leaving many dead and several others with various degrees of injuries.

The explosion had occurred at a time when many passengers were at the park boarding vehicles to various destinations.

NAN reports that there was pandemonium around the area immediately after the incident as hundreds of youths from different directions descended on the park.

They threw stones at security personnel and other rescue workers who were evacuating corpses and the injured.

The security operatives had to shoot into the air to disperse the rampaging youths.

The bodies of the victims were later conveyed to the Gombe Specialist Hospital, while those injured were also taken to other hospitals for treatment.

At the Specialist Hospi-

tal, a mortuary attendant who pleaded for anonymity said 23 corpses were deposited there.

Meanwhile, the park and the surrounding area have been cordoned off by the police, while normalcy had been restored.

Also, many residents of the city have been visiting the hospital, trying to check if their relatives were among the victims.

In recent months, Boko Haram has stepped up its efforts, kidnapping young women and teenagers from homes and schools.

On October 18, the day after the Nigerian military announced that it had reached a ceasefire agreement with the group, Boko Haram went on a house-to-house search for young women in two Nigerian towns, taking 60. Last weekend, Boko Haram kidnapped 30 teenagers, including girls as young as 11 years old.

Maiduguri

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he self-acclaimed leader of the Boko Haram terrorists, Abubakar Shekau, yesterday refuted the claim by the Federal Government that the group had reached a ceasefire agreement with the government.

The sect leader in an 11-minute video clip said the purported ceasefire was a deceit.

"We have not entered into any agreement with either the Nigerian government, the Chadian government or any ambassador as claimed. They are all lies," Shekau said.

Shekau said the group had not appointed anybody to speak on its behalf as claimed by one Danladi

Ahmed, stressing that they were not in any negotiation with any government or individual.

"The Chibok girls are still with us. We have given them out into marraiage to our members. There is no agreement between us and the government that we are going to release the Chibok girls. They are all lies," Shekau stated.

The sect leader maintained that the Dutchman is still in their captivity and "is busy crying. If we like, we are going to matchet him or do whatever we want to do with him."

The Federal Government had recently announced a ceasefire with the sect, after a meeting was held in Saudi Arabia between the two parties.

The Week Ahead

Sambo to attend NOGARTEL lecture today Vice-President Namadi Sambo will today attend a lecture in honour and memory of late Dr. Rilwan Lukman, which is organised by the Nigerian Arts Group in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), at the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event, which has as its theme: ‘Modern Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry: Enabling New Partnership’, is under the chairmanship of Chief Philip Asiodsu, while Kaduna State Governor, Ramalan Yero, and his Lagos State counterpart, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, will be the host governors. The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, her Information Communication Technology counterpart, Ms. Omobola Johnson among others will be the speakers at the occasion.

WFEO, NSE hold WECSI parley Nov 2 The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in collaboration with World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO) will hold this year’s World Executive Council Meeting and World Engineering Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure (WECSI) from November 2 to 7 at the International Conference Centre and Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

A statement issued by the organisers stated that the conference is set to be the biggest international event on engineering and infrastructure to hold on African soil as it is expected to attract engineers and other professionals from over 100 countries.

President Goodluck Jonathan (2nd left) his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan (left), Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (2nd left) and his wife, Rachael (right), during the visit of the President and his wife to the state at the Government House Helipad, Yenagoa.

Burkina Faso President resigns amidst unrest

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urkina Faso’s President, Blaise Compaore, has announced his resignation, following violent protests at his attempt to extend his 27-year rule.

Compaore, who issued a statement yesterday, said the presidency was now vacant, while calling for elections to be conducted within 90 days. It was also gathered that his whereabouts remained unclear as at yesterday, according to Reuters news service.

However, a military chief, Gen. Honore Traore, yesterday said he had taken over the reins of power as head of state.

On Thursday, protesters angry at Compaore’s attempt to amend the constitution set fire to parliament and government buildings.

Following the protests, Compaore said he had agreed not to seek another term, but that he would remain in power until a transitional government had completed its work in 2015.

However, the opposition continued to demand that he resigns. Its leader, Zephirin Diabre, urged protesters to occupy public spaces.

There were cheers when an army spokesman told the crowd gathered in front of army headquarters on Friday, that Compaore had left office, AFP news agency reports.

Compaore’s statement, read on television, said: “In order to preserve the democratic gains, as well as social peace, I declare

a power vacuum to allow the establishment of a transition leading to free and fair elections within a maximum of 90 days. For my part, I think I have fulfilled my duty.”

However, Reuters news agency reported that a heavily armed convoy believed to be carrying Compaore was travelling towards the southern town of Po. France welcomed the resignation, saying it: “Allows a solution to be found to the crisis.”

Ogun to host National Council on Education conference Ogun State Government said it has put in place arrangements to ensure a hitch-free hosting of the 60th National Council on Education, (NCE), meeting between November 3 and 7.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Odubela, said preparations had been concluded to ensure that Governor Ibikunle Amosun declares the meeting open on November 6.

Odubela said the NCE meeting, the highest education policy making body in Nigeria, would be attended by commissioners for education from the 36 states of the federation.

Coroner asks TB Joshua to appear Nov 5 The coroner sitting on the inquest into the collapsed building on the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Chief Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, has insisted on the appearance of Prophet T.B. Joshua before the court to give his own account of the incident on November 5.

Counsel representing the church at the inquest, Jude Nnadi (SAN), had earlier hinted of the likelihood of the non-availability of the pastor, saying he might not be able to give a first-hand account of the incident since he was not a witness.

1 NOVEMBER 2014

Jonathan in Yenagoa for PDP ward congresses today Anule Emmanuel Yenagoa

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday travelled to Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, where he is expected to participate in the ward congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Otueke, his home town.

This is coming a day after he picked the Nomination and Expression of Interest forms to seek reelection in 2015.

He is expected to participate in the selection of delegates in his ward ahead of all primaries for the emergence of candidates vying for different elective offices at the state and national level on the party's platform.

While picking the party's form at the PDP's secretariat in Abuja, Jonathan had said: “Let me thank the leadership of our party and all members of our party for believing in

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me and for giving me the right of first refusal.”

Accompanied on the trip by his wife, Patience, the President told the PDP officials that “I would have still picked the forms if you did not give me the automatic ticket. But giving me the right of first refusal has attracted more people than it ordinarily would have.

“Let me use this unique opportunity to thank the PDP Governors’ Forum for providing the N2 million for the procurement of the EOI form and the N20 million for the procurement of the nomination form.

“Let me also thank members of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) for providing N2 million for the EOI form and N20 million for the procurement of nomination form. And let me also thank so many Nigerians that I cannot enumerate because it is quite difficult," he said.

AGULERI Chinedu emerges Gulder Ultimate Search 11 winner

NEWS IN BRIE F

After the rigorous screenings at regional level, trainings and profusely tense drillings at the Gulder Ultimate Search 11, Ubachukwu Chinedu has beaten 13 other contestants to clinch the grand prize.

The month-long expedition held at the mysterious forest of Aguleri, Anambra State, with contestants, Cosy Joe, Loretta, Ikenna E, Ikenna I, Noela, Otto, Evi, Chinedu, Sharon, Samantha, Joshua, Blessing, Sandra and Afolabi in fierce battle of survival.

Chinedu, 24, emerged winner from the forest quest that required co-travellers to find the helmet of a legendary general who lived many centuries ago. Other runners-up are Cosy Joe, Afolabi E. Olusegun and Samantha who was the last girl standing.

20.71

The growth rate of passenger air travel of Abuja airport (international wing) in 2012-2013.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

KANO Jonathan: Kwankwaso summons Sanusi

Barely 24 hours after a reported reconciliatory meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the Kano Emirate Council led by Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the state Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, yesterday summoned the Emir to the Government House, over the issue.

Although, Kwankwaso and Sanusi met behind closed door for about 30 minutes.

Sanusi had met with President Jonathan this week where they held a closed door meeting in company of some members of the Emirate Council Chiefs, which sources claimed angered Kwankwaso.

39%

The percentage of population under 15 years old in Mauritania in 2012.

Source: Un.org

7

OWERRI 'FoI Act not binding on states'

Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in Lagos has declared that the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act is not binding on the 36 states of the federation.

Delivering his judgment in a suit filed by Legal Defence and Assistance Project Limited/ GTE against some states of the federation on Friday, the judge held that the FoI Act, being an enactment of the National Assembly, is only binding on the Federal Government and its agencies.

He added that the Act was neither a residual law nor a law on the concurrent list of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The judge further ruled that if it was the intention that the FoI Act to be binding on states, the Houses of Assembly of each of the 36 states of the federation.

43,094 The total area (in sq. km) of Denmark.

Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

El-Rufai picks nomination form, vows to rescue Kaduna l Oduntan joins Ogun senatorial race Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

F

ormer Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Nasir el-Rufai, has picked his governorship nomination form under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), vowing to rescue Kaduna State from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

El-Rufai, who arrived the party secretariat in company with his supporters yesterday, said: “We are here with my team to fill our Expression of Interest and nomination forms to contest for the governorship of Kaduna State.”

“We shouldn’t allow

people to cheat us and make us slaves. We must all vote wisely and vote competent people to man our state. I will not make any disparaging comment against any one because at the end of the day APC is one family and we will unite to defeat PDP,” he said.

Meanwhile, a senatorial aspirant on the platform of the APC, in Ogun East, Seyi Oduntan, has formally indicated his interest to vie for the exalted office, having paid the prescribed sum of N3.8 million and collected the EoI and nomination forms, from the party headquarters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

'Cynthia was my girlfriend' Akeem Nafiu

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he trial of four accused persons over the murder of Cynthia Osokogwu, at a hotel in FESTAC resumed yesterday before Justice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos High Court, Igbosere, with one of the accused persons, Okwumo Nwabufo, indicating that the deceased was her girlfriend.

Nwabufo, the first accused person, who was led in evidence by his counsel, Chris Opara, said that contrary to the claims that they met on Facebook, he came across the deceased at Shoprite in Lekki, in 2011, where he had gone

for shopping.

The accused further told the court that apart from being lovers, he had already proposed to the late Cynthia and they were about getting married.

Nwabufo, who claimed to be a car dealer and also a part-time Accounting undergraduate student of University of Lagos (UNILAG), said: “The late Cynthia was my girlfriend and we were very close. She visited me in Lagos and she has been to my house up to five times.

I have been very helpful to her doing everything a boyfriend can do to his girlfriend like monetary support, moral support and advising her always.”

L-R: Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Messrs Gerald Ironna and Raphael Nnanna Igbokwe and Managing Director of Arab Contractors, Mr. Mohammed El-Edaros, during an inspection of progress of work on the dual-carriage Owerri-Elele-Omanelu Road facilitated by the deputy speaker…yesterday

Falling oil price, blessing to Nigeria –Aganga DIVERSIFICATION The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, says Nigeria should look beyond oil.

Mojeed Alabi and Sola Adeyemo

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Lagos and Ibadan

ather than brooding over the falling oil prices globally, Nigeria's Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, has told Nigerians to see the development as a blessing in disguise. He said that with 44 other solid minerals in commercial quantity combined with the rich human resources, Nigeria's hitherto reliance on oil as the major source of revenue had done more damage than good to the nation’s economy.

l Ajimobi raises the alarm over dwindling allocation to states In the same vein, Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has raised the alarm over the dwindling and delayed federal allocation to states by the Federal Government, warning that the state might not be able to pay the October salary to workers and carry out other financial obligations unless the situation was promptly addressed.

Speaking yesterday as the guest lecturer at the sixth convocation lecture of the Bells University of Technology, (BELLSTECH), Ota, Ogun State, Aganga said the present diversification efforts of the Federal Government had helped greatly in placing Nigeria's economy as the best on the continent.

The minister, who spoke on the theme: ‘Emergence of Nigeria as Africa's Leading Economy: Challenges for the Future’, said with $510 billion worth of invest-

ment in the country, Nigeria now ranks 26th largest economy in the world.

He, therefore, insisted that rather than grief over the dwindling fortune of oil, Nigerians should support the present administration's efforts to diversify the economy through its various programmes and policies including the industrial revolution plan, agricultural transformation, power reform, among others.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the occasion and university's Chancellor, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, pledged the commitment of the university to quality education and research, and requested the Minister to support the institution's initiatives with start-up facilities.

The university's ProChancellor, Dr. Kola Jamodu, said the drop in the crude oil price only further

made the lecture pertinent than ever before.

The university's ViceChancellor, Prof. Isaac Adeyemi, dwelt on the strengths of the institutions, saying being the first Nigeria's private university of technology, it had attracted both local and international partnerships ensuring smooth developmental growth.

Meanwhile, Ajimobi, while fielding questions from journalists in Ibadan, shortly after declaring open this year’s National Council on Development Planning meeting, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, on Friday, said the allocation to the state had been reduced by almost 40 per cent.

He added that even the allocations were not being released as and when due owing to what the Federal Government described as a fall in the price of crude oil.

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1 NOVEMBER 2014

ADO-EKITI Ekiti pays October salary

N EWS I N BRIEF

Ekiti State Government on Friday said it had paid October salary of workers, promising to clear the August and September backlog inherited from the previous administration soonest.

A statement by the Special Assistant on Finance to the Governor, Chief Toyin Ojo, in Ado-Ekiti, said teachers, civil servants and other categories of workers in the state had been paid.

He added that for local government employees, their October salary would be paid after the mandatory Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting on Monday.

Ojo, who thanked the workers for their understanding, said the October dues of pensioners had been paid as well.

13,000

The number of adults and children estimated to be living with HIV in Mauritius in 2008.

Source: Blatantworld.com

IKEJA Covenant varsity matriculates 2,151

The Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, has matriculated about 2,151 students for the 2014/2015 academic calendar year.

Conducting the matriculation ceremony yesterday, the university's Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Regents, Dr. David Oyedepo, said the university was committed to raising a generation of future leaders, who would be committed to rebuilding the nation's battered image.

Oyedepo, who was represented at the event by a member of the Board of Regents, Bishop Thomas Aremu, added that the institution would continue to train students who would restore human dignity and the nation’s lost glory through qualitative education.

YOLA Adamawa governorship: Ribadu commends PDP

Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has welcomed the decision of the People Democratic Party (PDP) to zone the 2015 governorship to Adamawa central.

In a statement yesterday, the former EFCC chairman said such decision would ginger the strength of the party in the next general election.

“Our great party has proved its mettle by standing with an agreement that was entered into and documented under the guidance of the Senate President and other key party leaders. This is refreshing step and a source of encouragement for party members at the grassroots," he said.

20.04

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Finland in 2011.

Source: Itu.int

12.3m

The estimated number of NCD’s deaths in Western Pacific region by 2020.

Source: Who.int

Army pulls out 15 generals

F

ormer Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (NAEME), Maj.-Gen. Thompson Oliomogbe, has commended soldiers for their contribution towards maintaining internal security, especially the battle against insurgency in the country.

Oliomogbe, who made the commendation at the pulling out of 15 generals of the corps in Auchi, Edo State, on Friday, charged the younger soldiers not to take anything for granted in their career.

Oliomogbe urged them to extend same cooperation he enjoyed from them to his successor, adding that they should also invest in learning, self-development and skills acquisition.

He urged his retired colleagues to try and retain their credibility by promoting the ideals of the profession.

He urged them to ensure that their actions reflected oneness just like the coun-

try, though with diverse ethnic groups, was one indivisible entity.

He also appreciated the civilian workers for the success of the corps during his tenure.

Those pulled out along with Oliomogbe were Maj.Gen. Kefre Ekwo, Maj.-Gen. Nnemeka Maduegbunam, Maj.-Gen Martins Airende and Maj.-Gen. Abbas Adekanye.

Others were Brig.-Gen Idi Adamu, Brig.-Gen. Patrick Onaghise, Brig.-Gen Samuel Ayo, Brig.-Gen Peter Aremu, Brig.-Gen. Jacob Amao and Brig.-Gen Joshua Ibilaye.

Others included Brig.Gen Ibrahim Alawode, Brig.-Gen.Samuel Adesogan, Brig.-Gen. Chukwuka Ani and Brig.- Gen. Abel Okpeki.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Chief Patrick Obahiagbon, Chief of Staff to Edo Government and Capt. Pius Senebe, attended the ceremony.

One feared dead as robbers attack bank Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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A scene of the bomb blast that occurred at Gombe line motor park …yesterday

photo: nan

Ebola: Nigeria protests maltreatment of citizens, names 22 culprit countries INJUSTICE

The Federal Government has decried the continued maltreatment of Nigerians over the Ebola Disease

M

inister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Aminu Wali, on Friday protested the continued ‘discrimination and profiling’ of Nigerians by some countries over the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa.

Speaking at an interactive session with members of the diplomatic corps, Wali named 22 countries that had targeted and discriminated against Nigerians, since the index case of Ebola in Nigeria.

He said it was regrettable that discrimination

against Nigerians had persisted, in spite of the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaration that Nigeria was Ebola-free.

He said it was regrettable that some countries had chosen to flout WHO rules and protocols on preventing the spread of the virus, through deliberate policies of stigmatisation and discrimination.

According to him, the foreign ministry has received unpleasant reports that Nigerians have been targeted and discriminated in Bahrain, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon.

Other countries discriminating against Nigerians are Cuba, Gabon, China, Egypt, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Zambia.

Also on the list are Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Namibia, Seychelles and

South Sudan.

The minister expressed dismay that even top government officials on working visits abroad had suffered discriminatory practices by the countries.

He noted that it was “intriguing’’ that it took time for the international community to acknowledge the valiant and effective measures taken by Nigeria to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

“It is, therefore, my hope that this briefing will assist in expunging any negative notion about the Ebola Virus in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Wali called on the international community to increase assistance to the countries afflicted with the deadly virus.

He pledged that Nigeria would continue to assist neighbouring countries and share its experience on the successful control of the virus with the rest of the world.

A Nigerian, Mr. Suleiman Mohammed, who is the Honorary Consul to Mongolia, recounted how he was detained for six hours in Seoul after alighting from his flight.

He said he was detained for several hours by the immigration authorities in South Korea alongside with Nigeria’s ambassador to South Korea, Ambassador Desmond Akawor.

Mohammed said the incident happened on September 9.

He added that he was subjected to the same treatment when he was transiting through South Korea even after he had shown no symptoms of the virus.

In his remarks, the High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago partly blamed the discrimination against travellers from West Africa on the international media and ignorance.

andits on Friday once again robbed the Ifaki-Ekiti branch of an old generation bank, carting away millions of naira and leaving one person feared dead.

This is just as security agencies in Ekiti State are worried why the branches of the bank have become the targets of armed robbers.

The branch robbed experienced a similar fate about four years ago, while last year the branch of the bank in Ikere-Ekiti was invaded by robbers who left trail of blood.

About four and a half years ago, the branch of the bank in Okeyinmi, Ado-Ekiti, was robbed and a number of people killed.

A little over two years ago, the branch of the bank

in Ilasa-Ekiti was robbed and four policemen at a nearby police station were shot dead in the attack.

Just like the Ilasa-Ekiti and the previous armed robbery operation at the Ifaki branch, eyewitnesses said the armed hoodlums first attacked the nearby police station and riddled it with bullets.

The robbery gang, said to number about 30, reportedly rode on motorbikes and shot sporadically into the air.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Mr. Victor Babayemi, the robbers came into the town on motorbikes and shot into the air in a manner that created panic, during which a bank official was said to have been wounded and had been taken to the hospital for treatment.

Abia PDP ignores court order

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s the crisis rocking Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepens, the party has vowed to hold delegates’ congress today, despite an Abuja High Court order restraining the party from conducting any congress.

A reliable source alleged that Governor Theodore Orji alongside party members have pre-arranged a congress with a doctored delegates’ list set to be adopted and ratified by illegal party officials.

The National Assembly caucus had a few days ago petitioned the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji

Adamu Mu’azu and the National Working Committee (NWC) over the illegal composition of congress committee by Orji and Abia PDP. A source close to the trio of Senators Uche Chukwumerije, Nkechi Nwaogu and Enyinnaya Abaribe, told our correspondent that Abia National Assembly Caucus members had since distanced themselves from the purported congress and advised party loyalists not to allow political jobbers take advantage of them.

However, efforts to get the state PDP Chairman and Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Orji to comment on the issue proved abortive.

1 NOVEMBER 2014

FG partnering foreign groups to free Chibok girls –Moro Cephas Iorhemen

D Makurdi

espite several failed attempts to ensure the rescue of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls, the Federal Government has said it has evolved another tactic by strengthening collaborations with her foreign partners to ensure their release any moment from now.

Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, who said this while fielding questions from journalists yesterday in Makurdi, Benue State, said the issue of the release of the girls was currently on the table of the Federal Government in the current efforts to end insurgency in the North- Eastern part of the country.

Moro expressed optimism that the Federal Government would win

the war against terror, following the crisis that had rocked the ranks of the sect as a result of the demise of their leader, Shekau.

“At the moment, our foreign partners and collaborators are helping in supporting Nigeria to arrive at a peaceful resolution of the matter, and one of the issues that is at stake now is that the Chibok girls will be released as part of the process of resolving the conflict.

“The release of the Chibok girls is on the table in the current effort to end insurgency, and now the insurgents are divided into various sectors especially with the death of their leader, Abubakar Shekau. So, the Federal Government is committed to ensuring the release of the girls and reunite them with their families,” Moro said.

PDM shut out at convention venue Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

T

he Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), yesterday could not hold its National Convention as the party’s delegates were shut out of the venue by security personnel, who claimed that they were acting on ‘orders from above’.

The party, which had booked the International Conference Centre (ICC), in Abuja for its convention was locked out from the venue with security men flooding the centre.

According to the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim, delegates to the convention, who had been accredited at the party’s national secretariat were denied access to the venue when they got there.

He stated that when

the national leadership of the party and the Convention Planning Committee (CPC) got the news that their members were barred from entering the premises, they proceeded there to ascertain what the reason was before being told it was an order from above.

Ibrahim told Saturday New Telegraph through his spokesperson that further inquiries from the security men at the ICC did not yield any result as the security personnel kept mute.

Speaking further, he said the venue was booked in January this year with a deposit of N1.5 million and the balance of N754, 000 paid on Tuesday this week.

He stated that the money was receipted for and no communication whatsoever on the contrary till yesterday evening.

Umeh expresses shock over death of members in road accident

T

he National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, has expressed shock over the death of three members of the party in a ghastly auto crash on their way back to Owerri, Imo State, from Abuja.

The three party officials, Mr. Tony Mgbeahurike, the state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Obinna Ibe and Uche Okeke, died in the auto crash at Uromi, while returning to Owerri from Abuja where they accompanied one of APGA's governorship aspirants, Barr.

Okey Eze, to collect his Expression Of Intention(EOI) and Nomination Form from the National Secretariat of the party to enable him to contest for the

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governorship of Imo State.

The Organising Secretary of the party in the state, Chief John Iwuala, is lying critically injured in hospital.

In a condolence message signed by Umeh's Media Assistant, Mr. Stan Okeke, Umeh, in the message to the Chairman of APGA in the state, Mr. Peter Ezeobi, and all members of the party, expressed his deep sorrow over this tragic incident, while he heartily condoled with the bereaved families and prayed God to grant their deceased eternal repose.

“We also pray God to save the life of John Iwuala who is still lying critically injured from the accident in the hospital, and enjoin our party members in Imo State to take heart,” Umeh said. see news extra on page 53

FCT PDP holds ward delegates' congress today

NEWS IN BRIEF

IKEJA

The ward congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will hold across the country today.

The congress is meant to elect three ad hoc delegates, who will participate in the nomination of the party's gubernatorial candidate in their respective states.

Apart from the governorship candidate, the elected delegates will also nominate PDP candidates for the national and state assemblies as well as the election of national delegates who will participate in a special national convention for the nomination of the presidential candidate of the party.

According to the electoral guidelines released by the party for the primary elections, one of the three ad hoc delegates shall be a woman.

3m

The number of people newly infected with HIV in 2003.

Source: Who.int

Okei-Odumakin seeks release of Chibok girls

President of Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, has urged the Nigeria security forces to step up efforts and strategies at ensuring that all the remaining students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, who were abducted by the Boko Haram sect are rescued.

Speaking yesterday at a programme organised to mark 200 days of the abduction of the Chibok girls, Okei-Odumakin called on Nigerians, regardless of faith or ethnic differences, to unite to end the reign of terror in the country.

“With grieving minds, yet with deep faith in God, Nigerians remember today the sad incidence of 200 days ago, in which more than 200 schoolgirls were abducted by dreaded terrorist gang known as 'Boko Haram'.

$198bn

9

MUBI Mubi invasion, a bad omen for Nigeria – Atiku

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the recent Boko Haram overrun of Mubi and the hoisting of their flag in Adamawa State’s second largest town, as a tragic act and a worrisome affront to the corporate integrity of Nigeria.

The Turaki Adamawa, who was abroad when the sordid incident took place on October 29, told a group of journalists on arrival on Friday, that: “with what I have gathered so far from online news reports and other sources from Mubi town, the situation is very unfortunate and undermining for our country.”

The estimated annual global investment over the next 40 years to ensure that water use can be made more efficient, enabling increase agricultural, biofuel and industrial production.

Source: Unesco.org

33.4m The total population of Albania in 2012.

Source: Un.org

Suspected arsonists set Rivers PDP secretariat ablaze INVASION Timely intervention by neighbours saved the Rivers State PDP secretariat from being set ablaze by arsonists Emmanuel Masha

A

Port Harcourt

group of persons suspected to be arsonists on Friday set the Rivers State secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ablaze.

The incident, which occurred at 4.30a.m. took the security guards at the premises by surprise as the arsonists stormed the state

party secretarial along the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway.

It was gathered that the hoodlums had gone to the place with four litres of fuel, poured it on the main entrance to the conference room of the secretariat before setting it on fire.

It, however, took the timely intervention of neighbours, who were woken up by the shout from the security guards manning the building, for the fire to be put out.

The incident happened less than 24 hours after a group of governorship aspirant on the platform of the PDP organised a rally to express their dissatisfaction over the ‘no zoning’ stand of the party in the state.

Speaking on attempt to

raze the PDP secretariat, one of the security guards, said they were inside when they noticed that a group of four young men came close to the main door to the conference hall of the secretariat.

“We watched them as they came at about 4.30a.m., but one of us who confronted them was warned to leave the vicinity or be ready to lose his life. Immediately they left, we began to shout for help and neighbours that were already asleep came to the rescue,” another security guard said.

Reacting, the state PDP Chairman, Mr. Felix Obuah, blamed the incident on the activities of desperate politicians, who do not want the ward con-

gresses to hold in the state.

Obuah said: “In the early hours of today, some group of boys invaded the State Secretariat of the PDP, locked the security guards at the premises, poured petroleum product (fuel) on the two-storey building, which ignited fire that could not create positive impact on the ground floor of the PDP State Secretariat."

Also, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dan Bature, who visited the place, ordered a 24-hour surveillance at the premises of the state PDP secretariat.

Bature, however, pledged that the police would apprehend those behind the dastardly act and bring them to justice.

Nigerian musician, Mr Innocent (2 Face) Idibia (left), and Chairman, Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, at the presentation of a "Vote Not Fight" campaign plaque by Idibia, in Abuja…yesterday

photo: nan

Voices Will you call off a wedding if you discovered that your spouse has dated one of your siblings? p.12

Street Diary SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2014

‘We stole over 15 cars in churches’ wedding receptions’ D etectives attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos State Police Command, have arrested a husband and wife who are the brains behind some car thieves popularly known as the ‘Catholic Church Car Thieves.’

The couple specialises in using master keys to remove vehicles from churches premises.

In Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Aguda, Surulere, they had removed four vehicles. The gang also used to target Redeemed Churches, wedding receptions and other occasions.

The couple has been identified as Mr. Julius Olaiya and Mrs. Olaiya.

Julius is also addressed by people as Pastor.

It is however unsure whether he’s pastoring a church or it’s just a mere nickname. Detectives have asked him, but he denied being a real pastor.

One Idowu Fatai has also been arrested along with the couple. Detectives are now hunting for another member of the gang, alleged to be the son of a popular royal father in Lagos State.

According to the police, the son of the royal father had been on police wanted list for long.

A police source said that the keys used in removing cars from where they are parked, were manufactured by the pastor.

After his arrest, he told police that he bought a knife and filed it into a key.

Revealing the couple modus operandi, a police source said: “Pastor would go to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Aguda, with his wife. They would go into the church like genuine members and few minutes before closing time, the wife would come out of the church. She’ll look for any car, parked in a way that would be easy to drive out.

“She’ll attempt to open the door.

If no one challenges her, she’ll know that the owner is not near. She’ll stand close to it and by the time the Priest says ‘Peace of Love’ to one another, the husband would come outside, holding a bunch of key. Once he sees his wife close to any vehicle, he would know that was the targeted car.

“He’ll now walk towards her like a servant. Once she sighted him, she would start insulting and cursing him, acting like he was her driver. He’ll quickly use the master key to open the door, while apologising profusely. Part of the game was for her to be gorgeously dressed. Once he opens the door, she would sit at the back, while he takes over the driver’s seat and drives away.”

The couple claimed that they had only done it four times at the Catholic Church, but detectives believed it was more than that.

Pastor said he had actually wanted to try a fifth time at the church, but did not succeed because, “the vehicle had security and stopped on the way as he

They dressed well to churches, posed as guests at social events but their aim was to steal cars which they sold to buyers at Ladipo market, Lagos. Taiwo Jimoh, Camillus Nnaji and John Edu report.

Fatai quickly dismantled the security and within minutes they were at Ladipo. The Rav 4 was sold for N600, 000. was escaping. He and his wife abandoned it,” said a cop.

SARS operatives have since discovered that the gang used to take every stolen vehicle to Ladipo Spare part Market by Toyota, Oshodi Bus Stop for dismantling.

The gang members said that it did not take the men at Ladipo Market up to five minutes to dismantle a vehicle.

Pastor told the police that he used to avoid flashy cars because he discovered many of them had inbuilt security, which can immobilise the vehicle.

“They sell Camry car for N250, 000, depending on how neat it is. Pastor said he had not sold any Camry beyond N400, 000,” said another police source.

According to Pastor, he and his wife used to operate alone before they welcomed Fatai into the gang.

Fatai is one of those who used to assist the couple to dismantle vehicles at Ladipo.

He became a member of the gang after he asked Pastor while he finds it difficult to bring cleaner cars. Pastor confessed to him that most of the clean cars had inbuilt security. Fatai told him that he could disable any type of secu-

The popular auto parts market in Ladipo, Lagos, where the robbers sold cars they stole from churches like our Lady of Fatimah (top)

rity.

A source said: “Immediately Fatai joined, their first attempt was at a Redeemed Church, located at Adeniji Jones, where they moved a Rave4.”

Before the gang attempts to move any vehicle, they carry out surveillance on an area to know the easiest route of escape.

On the day they went to the Redeemed Church, Fatai was the one watching for prey. The owner of the Rave4 and his kids went into the church and Fatai followed, to know where they would sit.

When the service was about to start proper, Pastor used his phone to flash Fatai. It was a signal for Fatai to step out of the church. Fatai pointed to the Rave4 and walked away.

He went to Jolly Friend Hotel to wait.

“Within seconds, Pastor came to the hotel to pick Fatai. They passed through Seriki Arron Street, maneuvered and came out of Awolowo Way. It was at GRA, Akinjobi Street, that the vehicle stopped,” said a police source.

“Fatai quickly dismantled the security and within minutes they were at Ladipo. The Rave4 was sold for N600,

10

000. But they had only collected N400, 000 before they were arrested.”

Fatai said he did not know the numbers of car pastor and his wife had stolen. But that he and pastor had stolen more than 15 cars.

Revealing how the gang also used to steal vehicles at wedding receptions, Fatai reportedly said: “We’ll dress like guests to attend the event.

We watch as people park their vehicles and monitor the particular spots they would sit. I go into the reception with the car owners, while Pastor stays at the car park.

“If the people who came in the targeted vehicle are not complete on the table, we would not make a move. Once Pastor moves the car, he’ll alert me. We’ll meet at a designated venue.”

The police explained that the last three vehicles stolen by the gang were sold by Fatai. The three cars are; ‘End of Discussion,’ ‘Toyota CRV’ and ‘Camry.’

Fatai said he sold them to a car dealer at Abeokuta, adding that the buyer had not paid him.

The gang met its waterloo after it stole a car belonging to a couple who went to OkeArin, Lagos Island Market, to buy lace materials.

The gang tailed the couple from Island to Mushin and watched as they left the ‘Honda Baby Boy, car and walked into a building.

They quickly moved the car.

Barely minutes after, the wife of the owner of the car came out to pick something in the car and couldn’t find it.

She alerted her husband, who alerted the tracking company he registered the car with.

The tracking company called the police, alerting them that the vehicle was heading towards Ogun State, through Sango-Ota. Policemen from Sango Police Station waited on the highway for the gang. They were arrested. The car was handed to the owners.

Fatai confessed that they were taking the car to a buyer at Ogun State, who is the son of the royal father.

At Our Lady of Fatima’s Catholic Church Aguda Surulere Lagos, our correspondent met with the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the church, who pleaded anonymity. He confirmed that a young man, who was not a member of the church, was apprehended last month trying to use master car keys to unlock one of the church members’ car. The CSO stated that the suspect was handed over to the police for further interrogation.

Another member of the church, Mr. Obioha, said the church was aware of such incidents, adding that since the young man was arrested, nothing of such had occurred again.

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

Street Diary

11

I killed my stepdaughter because her dad neglected me, says stepmother A

John Edu minat Akanni, 24, who kidnapped her husband’s four-year-old daughter, strangled and dumped her in the carnal at the Orile area of Lagos State, has finally confessed her reasons for committing the crime.

Akanni, a hair-dresser said she killed the little girl because of her husband nonchalant attitude towards her and her son.

She said: “I never meant to kill the little girl, but my husband’s attitude pushed me to do it. He neglected me and my son.”

A Lagos Island resident, Moshood Mubo, on October 3, reported at Adeniji Adele Police Station that two of his children were missing since 6pm same date when they went to buy biscuit along the street.

Police spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, later identified the missing kids as Lateef Mubo, 7 and Nofisat Mubo, 4. Nwosu said that Akanni was arrested with one of the missing children, Lateef, at CMS Bus Stop.

Investigation revealed that Akanni had killed Nosifat.

Recalling how her husband, Moshood Mubo, a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) fueled her anger, Akanni said: “I called my husband a day before Sallah festival, asking him how he expected me and my son to celebrate the festival since he had refused to give us money.

He hadn’t sent money to us for a while. I was surprised at the way he reacted. He was harsh and insisted I should not call him again.

He said he didn’t have any money and would send when he has. He then switched off his phone.”

She said she had no choice but to celebrate the festival alone, feeling dejected and neglected by “a man I called my husband.”

She continued her narration: “The following day after the festival, I didn't know what came over me.

I quickly headed to Lagos Island.

The initial plan was to see my husband. I wanted to ask him why he was harsh to me. But on getting to the street, he resides, I saw his two kids, a boy and girl. They were kids of the senior wife, Funmilayo Mubo.

“They were playing outside.

They know me. I deceived them. I lied to them that their mother said I should bring them to her. They followed me and I took them to Ibadan, Oyo State, that day; to spend the night because it was already late. At 4:30am the following day, I carried the girl who was four-year-old to an abandoned building.

“It’s an abandoned building and the ground floor was always flooded. Some Muslims use the upper floor for prayers. On getting there, I held her hands and legs, and threw her into the water. I watched her slowly gasp for breath, struggled and died. When I noticed the day was getting lighter, I rushed back home and I met her elder brother, still sleeping. Later that day, I heard that the corpse of a girl was found

I held her hands and legs, and threw her into the water. I watched her slowly gasp for breath, struggled and died.

Akanni

in the building where Muslims used to pray.”

According to her, people who found the corpse alerted the police, but she pretended to be shocked just like other residents in the area.

Few hours later, she received call from Moshood, explaining to her how an unknown person kidnapped his two kids. Moshood begged her to be vigilant with her son, which she had for him.

“I told him no one could try such a thing with my son. I decided to bring the boy back to Lagos and drop him right at the spot where I kidnapped him and his little sister,” she added.

Akanni said she regretted her action, adding that Devil pushed her to kill the little girl. She said: “I was not in my right senses when I killed that child. If my husband had been fair to her and my only son, I wouldn't had nursed such evil inten-

tion and carried out the act.”

The grieving mother of Nofisat, Funmilayo, have asked rhetorically, “Where do you expect me to get another baby like Nofisat? When my husband introduced Aminat to me as my co-wife, I welcomed her. Even when she was arrested, she told the police that Nofisat and I did not offend her. My question is this; why did she kill my daughter?”

Moshood said it was his waywardness that led to the death of his daughter.

In a chat with our correspondent, Moshood said: “My waywardness led to the death of my daughter.”

He said he was living comfortably with his first wife at Adeniji Adele before he met Aminat who became his second wife.

He recalled: “I met Aminat on Lagos Island and we started a relationship. Two months into our courtship, she told me she was

pregnant. I didn’t want an abortion, so I told her to keep the pregnancy that I would take care of her and the baby.” Immediately he took the decision, Mubo went to Orile and rented a mini flat for her, “because I didn’t want her to live with my first wife here on Lagos Island.”

He added: “After I had rented the apartment for her, I go there thrice in a week to see her. I stay most of the times on Lagos Island because my business is at Idumota market.”

Mubo also explained that he discovered that shuttling between Orile and Lagos Island was tasking and thus told Aminat to come to his shop whenever she needed money for her upkeep. Part of the upkeep was that on every Eid-el Kabir celebration, to avoid clash between his two wives, he would kill a ram or a cow and share it between the women.

Mubo added that two days to Eidel Kabir, he was busy with customers in his shop when Aminat called, demanding money to buy clothes for her son. He said: “I was attending to a customer and I shouted at her. She dropped the phone. The following day, which was the eve of Sallah, she called me again to ask for the money.

“I promised her that I would come to her house on Saturday which was the Eid-el Kabir day. I told her I would come with the boy’s clothes.”

Mubo said that on Friday night, he went to Nofisat and Lateef’s Arabic school around 8pm to see them.

The kids rushed out of the class and asked what he bought for them.

He said: “That was how I gave them money to go and buy biscuits along the street. A few minutes after my kids left, their mum came and asked after them. She said she wanted to show them the clothes she bought for them.

“I told her they went to buy biscuit. She dashed out to search for them, because it was late. We went to the house where they went to buy the biscuit, but the woman told us they had gone.” Mubo said that when they could not locate the kids, they left for Ilorin, Kwara State, to seek traditional intervention. He was still in Ilorin when he got a call that Lateef was seen with his second wife at CMS Bus Stop and she was arrested.

Voices

SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2014

12

Will you call off a wedding if you discovered that your spouse has dated one of your siblings?

It depends on what went in their relationship

I will continue with the marriage For as much as I love the girl, we will settle it after the marriage as I will want to know the reason why they parted ways. I will not leave her but to continue with the marriage.

– Mathias Yakubu, student

That is a very serious case o! Well, I will only react depending on what went wrong in their relationship.

– Azike Vivian, student

I won’t No, I won't since I really love her, I will stay with her.

Everyone has a past, once dating my sibling is just like dating other guys

– Oladeji Adebowale, student

I can’t go ahead with the wedding

Well it depends on the manner of relationship my sister had with the guy. If she shows sign of feelings that she still likes him, I won’t marry him but if she doesn’t have any feelings I will definitely marry him. Old things are passed away.

Of course, yes, dating is different from marriage.

Dating is not an assurance of marriage. All dating at times do not lead to marriage, so it is not an offence at all.

– Olaosebikan Rosalinda Omobola, student

I will call off the wedding So long as it is before the wedding ceremony, I don't think I can continue with the relationship but to call it off.

– Ridwan Gbolahan, student

– Maxwell Deborah, student

I will go on with the wedding

It depends on the scenario It depends. If they still had an affair after I had known him then that is unfaithfulness and I will call it quit. But if he knew we are sisters, and he failed to tell me before the wedding, I will call it quit because that man is dangerous. But if he didn't know, but he only knew a day to our wedding, then I will overlook it.

– Blessing kyakaspa, civil servant

Yes I will go on with the marriage because my sister dated him in the past not at present and for the fact that we are planning our wedding means I really love him.

Once there is love binding us

I will not bother as much as I still love her and she loves me too without pretense. I think I will go on with the wedding programme.

–Timmy Amadi, civil servant

– Ajaguna Elizabeth, student

It depends on the situation that warranted their break up but to be on the safe side I will not go on with it but to call off the marriage.

– Lawal Adedayo, photographer

It is not an offence

If I find out they had sex when they were dating I won’t marry him but if they didn’t have sex I will move on with the wedding because nowadays good men are hard to find.

– Amos Ifeoluwa, student

I will definitely marry him

As for me, I can’t go on with the wedding programme because if we end up getting married the home stands the risk of being broken. They might still continue behind me.

– Ayilara David, engineer

I will call it off

I will if there was no sexual relationship

I will marry him

I will definitely go on with the wedding, because he is my sister's ex and not present lover. I am not born to be the only one that will date him. My wedding is the most important day of my life and it can't be ruined.

It will depend on many things Inasmuch as there is no child between them, no bad occurrence that led to their separation and if there is true love existing between both of us then I will go ahead with the wedding. Such is life.

– Opawumi Gbenga, banker

– Olaiya Gbemisola, student

I will consider the circumstances first First, I will say it's impossible because I believe all such issues would have been dealt with before talking about marriage. But if however it turns out so, I will find out what happened, why and based on that I will decide on what to do next.

– Akindele Opeyemi, civil servant

compiled by

AYILARA DAYO, FAITH AIDEVO OBADAN, TOPE DADA and JOHN EDU

I will go ahead

Sure, I can marry her in as much as they don't date anymore; any guy who feels jealous about his spouse's past is not ready for marriage. Maybe he should go for marriage counselling again.

– Kelechi Okorie, businessman

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2014

WeekendDelight 13

C o n v e r s at i o n

Instyle

Toyin Adebola

The crop top and skirt p.15

Showbiz

Weird MC: From Ijoya to political gigs p.19

TV & Radio

We really can’t have enough of Telenovelas p.33

Love&Living

‘My wife’s childlessness made me love her more’ p.35

Renee

Why we want to visit 17 countries on bikes

Toyin Adebola wears many hats.

Apart from being a musician and a businessman, he is using his passion for bike to tell the beauty of Nigeria and Africa. Next year, precisely on March, he will be embarking in a historic ride together with three bikers across 17 countries. The chief executive officer of Lakeside Energy Limited tells OLUSHOLA RICKETTS the strenuous walk to realising his dream.

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

DEFINING TOYIN ADEBOLA I am an individual who tries to stand out in anything I do. I am an entrepreneur and that’s basically what I do for a living. I run a

few businesses that relate to the oil industry.

I am the first of 10 children and I was born in Kano 45 years ago. I had all my education in the North and I graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in 1999 before I moved to Lagos in 1992. I am also a musician and I have released seven albums between 2000 and 2014.

I host a worship concert, Toyin and Friends (three times a year) and I am a motorcyclist also. I love motorcycles and adventure.

WARM REMINISCENE My dad is from Ogun Sate, while my mum is from Ekiti State. It was basically my dad’s work that moved my parents to Kano. My father was working with the Ministry of Education, so after he got married to my mum they settled in Kano. My mother was a nurse there and they gave birth to all of us in the North. My most interesting memories were in primary school and secondary schools. I went to three different primary schools in Kano. I grew up with Hausa kids, rode bikes with them and did all sorts of things. Riding bike in Kano 35 years ago is quite different

from what is it now. Learning to ride, going to farm to steal mangoes and sugarcanes were good memories. I also learnt how to speak the language and I cherished it. We played basketball, soccer and other games together.

Those days were really fun.

TALE OF CRISES IN THE NORTH The perception that northerners are aggressive is not true. Education is not balanced in Nigeria right now and so is enlightenment too. Though they listen to news a lot and probably know current affairs than we do in the South, it is easy to use religion to manipulate the few who are not so enlightened.

It happens a lot in the North than any other part of the country. That is their weakness, but they are a very accommodating people.

Most of my friends and business partners till today are mostly northerners and I feel more comfortable with them. What binds them together is also their strongest weakness, which is religion. They are faithful worshippers and CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

14

Weekend Delight

| Conversation

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

‘Biking is no passport to death... danger lurks everywhere’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 3

they are faithful to a fault. And that same faithfulness to their religion is the problem.

They are not violent people by nature. I grew up and ate with them. Sometimes when I think of what is going on there now tear drops from my eyes. I even worked in Maiduguri, one of the brutal states. We started experiencing conflict when there was religious crisis, but I later relocated to Lagos for greener pastures. There were better jobs in Lagos with good pay and most head offices were in Lagos. It was only the Bank of the North that had head office in Kano, so I felt it will be better to go where head offices were located.

OBSESSION FOR MUSIC When I was growing up, I was a loner. I didn’t like being around people and I still don’t like it much. I like my privacy and I didn’t keep friends. So, my best companion was music. I listened to songs like Love Zone, Bobby Brown, Soul Train, etc a lot.

When I g0t back from school all I did was to listen to music. So, I eventually took to music in the church and I also did a bit of drama at the church. I learnt how to drum too. Music is however not a profession for me because I actually spend my money on it. But I think if you have to do anything good you have to love it. And music is also an avenue to express my love for God and to pass message across to people. I tell my life story with music and I sing song of hope and inspiration. I like to encourage people because I have gone through a lot in my life, so I like to think of those experiences and how God has been faithful. I do gospel music but different genres. I do a blend of many things; RnB, hip-hop, rock, etc. It depends on my mood.

MAKING OF TOYIN AND FRIENDS WORSHIP CONCERT I used to be the choir coordinator in Daystar Christian Centre, but eventually I left the choir because I became very busy.

Once I returned to Nigeria in 2006 after a brief stay in America I did not fit into the choir anymore; I then thought of a concert.

We started 2005 and our last edition was on September 25. So, for nine years we’ve been at it. Initially, we were having it every two months, it later became four times in a year, but we now have it three times in a year. We have had Frank Edwards, Sammie Okposo, Buchi, Nathaniel Bassey, Kore and a host of others on the concert. I am very satisfied with what we have achieved so far because I see it as fulfilling to bring people together in a room just to worship God in a relaxed atmosphere.

FORAY IN BUSINESS I used to work in the petroleum industry like I said earlier. I worked with Conoil Plc. and other oil companies. What I do now is that I provide logistic and training support for the oil sector, but we are also working on expanding to other areas. We broker transactions between people who want to sell and buy. We also hire ships for our clients and we provide other activities that have to do with loading and delivering of petroleum products. The name of my company is Lakeside Energy and we are located in Apapa, but we are moving to Ikeja very soon.

TOYIN AND BIKES My love for bikes began in my early teens. My father brought a bike which he tended to use as a vehicle for his book store. It was supposed to be a means of transportation for the book store keeper, but it didn’t work for my dad for too long.

The bike was sitting at home doing nothing, so it became my toy. If you grew up

“What binds (Northerners) them together is also their strongest weakness, which is religion. They are faithful worshippers and they are faithful to a fault” in the north and with Hausa children, you will most likely know how to ride bicycles and motorcycles. It was just normal; it was then a way of life. So I knew how to ride at the age of 13. It was a means of transportation to pick my younger ones in school. I rode almost every kind of bikes that was available in Kano then. But I couldn’t think of bike again when I moved to Lagos because I was trying to stand on my two feet.

When things became settled the thought of riding motorcycles visited me again. I have not featured in any competition because I don’t compete with bikes; what we do it to check for the loudest, most beautiful, etc. Right now I have four bikes but in the past two years I used to have eight bikes. I would also encourage my children if they are interested in riding bikes because my father encouraged me. Even when I became an adult and started collecting bikes, my father loved it. For people that think it is an easy passport to death, there is danger everywhere as long as you move around.

Inasmuch as you take precautions, use helmet and learn how to ride properly, one is secured. Though I wouldn’t encourage my children to ride bikes professionally, I won’t stop them if they indicate interest in it. But my kids are grown up now and none of them is even showing interest.

A QUEST TO TOUR THE WORLD It is an idea out of the erroneous conclusion that Africans are not interested in adventures; that it is only the white race that loves adventure. We wanted to do something different; something that will bring positive global attention to Nigeria and the African continent. What most people know about Nigeria all over the world is negative, so we want to tell the world that there are positive things in Nigeria. We are touching 17 countries and four bikers would embark on the journey. We have one of the best adventure film companies, Tan-

glewood in the United Kingdom, to film and broadcast it live. The creative director of Tanglewood will fly into Nigeria and ride with us through all the 17 countries and the tour ends in Canada. It is going to last for two months. Among the countries we intend to touch are Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Belarus, Russia, Alaska and Canada. We are going to skip Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia because of the Ebola virus. All the moments will be captured, filmed and broadcast live online. We are going to open a website for that and it will be on all the social media platforms as well.

We will also have a DVD of the journey to be made available for the public. We are going to mingle with the people, culture and other bikers in the visited countries.

It is sad that motorcycling in Nigeria is largely unorganised, though we still have some groups that come together. I belong to one, the Eagles Motorcycle Club. There is a national association also, but I think we still need to be more organised in the way we do things FUNDING THE TOUR The good news is that we have former president Olusegun Obasanjo as one of our patrons and we are hoping that we will get Alhaji Aliko Dangote to be our grand patron. We got some bigwigs behind us because they have seen the beauty of what we are trying to do. But we have been doing most of the funding by ourselves. Corporate organisations have indicated interest too, but I am going to keep their identity secret for now. We are in discussions. We are quite sure of the sponsors because it is a huge media and marketing opportunity.

MAKING EVERYTHING WORKS OUT I don’t really know how I do them; I just do them. I make out time because music, business and biking are all important to

Adebola and fellow bikers with their patron, former President Obasanjo

me. Somehow I believe God gave me the grace to be able to multi-task. And I don’t allow that to affect my duty as a father. I want to be the best friend of my children and I do my best to fit into their worlds.

KEY TO SUCCESS I think I am a very determined person and I don’t take “no” for an answer. I don’t allow what people say to distract me from my goals and objectives. And when I believe in something I throw everything into it and trust God to bless the work of my hands. I work with successful people too and I know they are hardworking and highly focused. So I learn from them because I believe that hard work has no option and there is no alternative to being smart. This is what I try to apply in everything I do.

GREATEST LESSON IN LIFE Change is permanent and one has to be dynamic in life to survive. You have to strive to be different from everybody because it stands you out and always try to get result.

SCARY PERIOD The most challenging moment in my life was 1992 when I just got to Lagos in search of greener pastures. Also my experience in 2006 was traumatising because financially it was hard. I lost jobs, my car was stolen and I was already married with two children. I lived in a three-bedroom flat in Akute, (a Lagos suburb) but I had to furnish one room because there was no money. Though the rent was cheap due to the location, it was a tough time and I didn’t furnish the other rooms for many years. My relationship with my wife was affected too and I don’t blame her at all.

What saw me through was my faith in God and determination to succeed. I knew I had to work hard and I did my best.

Instyle

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

Floor length beauties Angela Davies

O

ne great outfit that every woman should possess is a floor length dress. They are comfortable and look flattering on any type of figure.

A floor-length dress is the perfect choice especially for an evening and other special occasions as they come in a variety of styles to express your personal style while still looking feminine and outstanding.

Women have many options when choosing a floor-length dress. However, you should first decide where you will be wearing it to as well as the time of the event as this will help you to choose an appropriate style to suit the occasion. Floor-length

dresses come in an array of colours, fabric, style, cuts and more to select from.

The styles include strapless, sleeveless, one shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti strap, cap sleeves and more.

They also come in other styles like A-line, empire waist and snuggly fitted. The floor-length dress you select should accentuate your shape while concealing your flaw areas. Hence, it is ideal for women to choose a dress that will look stunning with their body type.

An elegant way to wear a floorlength evening dress is to choose one in a striking colour and style and then dress it up with accessories like jewellery, clutch and a pair of high heels to add sophistication to your overall look.

Note that when choosing a floorlength dress for that special or evening event, you should choose and wear one that is comfortable, stylish and accentuates your silhouette.

15

A touch of bling

A touch of bling United Kingdom-based actress and producer, Theodora Ibekwe-Oyebade, has a style that exudes an elegant simplicity. She makes her fashion statement with beautiful bespoke gowns, writes ANGELA DAVIES. How would you define your personal style?

I prefer to wear simple yet classy outfits with a touch of bling.

What determines the kind of outfit you wear?

It depends on the type of event. At most premieres, you would see me in gowns as it is mostly an evening event. However, for a dinner or afternoon event, I would usually wear a simple dress.

What kind of outfits take up the larger space in your wardrobe?

I do have an inordinate amount of evening gowns because of the so many premieres and award ceremonies I have to attend.

Favourite piece of clothing and accessory That will be bespoke dress and designer bag.

Is there a particular attire you would rather not be seen wearing?

I rarely wear armless dresses and when I do, I always wear a jacket or cardigan. And I am not into wearing plunging necklines that leave nothing to the imagination.

Ene Lawani

Most expensive clothing or accessory ever bought?

My gold jewellery set.

Fashion accessory you cannot do without?

My designer bags Signature perfume It is Dior’s J’Adore.

Best designer?

My best designer is Desiri Couture.

How do you love your hair?

More often than not, you will find me wearing a pony tail.

How do you love your make-up?

Not too heavy, simple. My hair stylist and makeup consultant is Libeks BC, she knows how to make me up to look natural yet classy.

What kind of shoes do you love to wear?

I love wedges as they are very comfortable.

Dakore Akande

What types of jewellery appeal to you?

I love to wear fashion jewellery.

Kiki Omeli

Dolapo Oni

What is your best colour?

My best colour is royal blue.

Oyebade

16

Instyle

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

Accessories to live for

Cute kitten heel shoes

Facts

Ladies who dread wearing high heel shoes should opt for comfortable and versatile kitten heels that work for almost every outfit. ANGELA DAVIES writes.

Ewemade ErhaborEmokpae is the creative director of Shakara Couture label which was founded in 2004. She followed her passion and attended the London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins to be professionally trained in millinery, dress-making, fashion illustration and personal styling. The label is recognized for being heavily influenced by a colourful fusion of African and Western vintage fashion.

K

itten heels are comfortable, elegant and stylish. When it comes to comfort, kitten heels have advantage compared with stiletto heels because of the shorter heel length.

So what defines a kitten heel? It is typically a stiletto heel that does not exceed two inches in height. However, today, designers churn out kitten heel variations ranging from elegant to cute.

The shorter heel featuring a slight curve provides just a touch of extra height and lengthens the leg without an ultra-high heel while offering the look and feel of pumps.

Wearing kitten heel shoes is a good start for women who are learning to wear heel to help them manage their balance. The kitten heels are comfortable and balanced as such they can be worn with any type of outfit for different events. They look good when paired with short skirts and dresses by adding a soft touch. Opentoed versions will add a touch of elegance to your outfit while a traditional pump version will add a classic element to a business outfit.

From basic black pumps with a kitten heel to embellished shoes, there are a number of styles, fabrics and colours to choose from to make your fashion statement. Consequently, you can find kitten-heeled shoes in styles ranging from opened-toe heels, pumps, sling backs down to strappy sandals.

Remember that kitten heels give the glamour of high-heels without adding the extra height.

So, you could choose a classic black pump or a brighter colour for added versatility.

FASHION ETIQUETTE

Appropriate skirt length for the office

Kitten heels were first introduced in the 1950s.

The Roman Empire rocketed the bracelet into popularity as the Roman women were obsessed with golden cuffs even fashioning bangles out of coiled gold and copper.

White gold hoop earrings are rhodium plated to give them a high shine finish.

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

White blazer with black pants

T

T

he office environment is not a place to show off your well-toned legs in mini-skirts. It is also inappropriate to wear tight fitted skirts above your knees to your workplace. Instead, opt for kneelength skirts which are both flattering and appropriate or midi skirts which goes way beyond the knees. These skirts could be pencil, Aline or even flared.

If you decide to wear a longer skirt, consider a well-tailored skirt that hugs your curves paired with a beautiful top.

As much as possible, avoid slits that extend above the knee.

However, if you do opt for a longer skirt, a sleek black pencil skirt with a short slit is a nice way to add feminine detail without getting too inappropriate in the workplace.

Leonard

Ogbonna

he fashion showdown this week is between Nollywood actor and model, Ik Ogbonna and Nollywood actor, Federick Leonard. And the outfit in contention is a white blazer and black pant.

Ogbonna showed up on the green carpet of this year's Nollywood Movie Awards which held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos on Saturday, October 18, looking dapper in a one button shawl lapel white blazer which he paired with a black pant.

The model coordinated his evening look with a white and black polka dot which featured a white collar and sleeves, black tie and tie clip, red rose, gold bracelet, stud earrings, signet ting and eye glass. He completed his dapper look with a pair of suede shoes.

Bearded Leonard also wore a one button shawl lapel white blazer with a black pant to the same event. However, he styled his look with a crisp white long sleeve shirt, black bow tie and pocket square. He also accessorised with a black leather wristwatch, silver signet ring featuring a black stone, eyeglass, and earring. He completed his look with a pair of black leather shoes.

Although both bachelors wore a similar outfit but styled them differently. In your opinion, who do you think rocked the white blazer and black pant better? Is it actor cum model, Ogbonna or actor, Leonard?

Trends

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

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Vimbai Mutinhiri

Sexy in matching crop top and skirt

Titilope Sonuga

Joselyn Dumas

Adunni Ade

H

Don't let inhibitions ruin the crop top and skirt

Angela Davies

ave you noticed the matching skirt and cropped top combo that is trending? This trend is becoming popular since it shows off just a slice of flesh and makes up for a well-coordinated, chic and sexy look.

These ensembles have been trending for some time now, and it is doubtful if they will leave the fashion scene any time soon. Fashion connoisseurs’ accessories these outfits differently to suit their personal style as well as the event. As seen at recent events, the matching skirt and crop tops trend is gradually taking over the red carpet with fashionista’s flaunting their welltoned stomach.

Everyone from Selena Gomez, Lupita Nyong’O, Rhinna, Lady Gaga, khole Kardashian and Anne Hathaway have all rocked the cropped tops and matching skirt at different times instead of wearing a dress.

The beauty about this ensemble is that the crop top allows you to show some skin in a sexy, chic way that is totally trendy and appropriate. The best way to rock this trend is to pair the crop top with a high-waist skirt as this could minimize and even eliminate any midriff flaunted.

As much as crop tops are trending, you need to be bold with well-toned stomach to wear this flattering top.

These ensembles come in different styles, lengths and fabrics to select from. The top could be form-fitting

featuring halter neck, round neck, short sleeve, sleeveless, spaghetti strap, and even three quarter sleeve; it all depends on your style preference. Also, the skirts range from midi to minis skirts, A-line, maxi and form-fitting styles to make your pick. The options are limitless; however, all you have to do is fine and wear the perfect one suitable for your body type and get ready to make heads turn at that event.

Before you completely write off the matching crop top and skirt trend, you should bear in mind that there are different styles to select from depending on your personal style and preference. You do not have to be overtly sexy if you don’t want to. You should be comfortable with whatever length of crop top and skirt style you choose to wear. However, bear in mind the fact that your dressing cannot be complete without accessories.

Tips on how to rock the matching cropped top and skirt trend l Wear this style only if you have well-toned stomach. l Keep it simple for a more subtle look because cropped tops styles are attention-grabbing enough. l For a more formal event, wear a cropped top that features a long fitted high waist skirt is appropriate.

It will give a trendy and sophisticated look. Longer skirts balance out the sexy top. You should choose a sleeve style for the top that depicts your style. l If your style is more feminine or if you are trying to

conceal your hips, then, opt for an A-line, full skirt.

If you are going to wear a mini skirt, cover up more on top and select a look that features sleeves. l If you want to give the illusion of fuller hips, then, select a snug skirt in a bold print or stripes. l If you are busty, then you have to be conscious of the type of cropped top you choose to wear. That is because you don’t want to look like you are stuffed in your shirt. l If wearing a fitted crop top might make you feel anxious about how much stomach you are showing, then, try a loose fitting style. However, pair it with a form-fitting skirt to keep your look balanced. l Wearing a crop top with maxi skirt combination is a fun look that does not go overboard. l You could also opt for a lacy or delicate fabric crop top and skirt style with decorative embellishments for a special evening event. l Finally, glam up your ensemble with clutch, pumps, strappy sandals, earrings and bracelets.

If you dare to bare some skin but don’t know how to, you could take inspiration from the fashionistas rocking this trendy and chic ensembles on this page.

Rocking a matching crop top and skirt combination is all about balance. So find the right one for your body type and get ready to turn heads on the red carpet at your next event. l

The Arts SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2014

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86 brushstrokes for Barber, legendary sculptor Former apprentices of Abayomi Barber with a distinguished career in art are showcasing 42 artworks in an exhibition titled, Gbangba D’ekun: Four decades of Visual Art Exploration, to celebrate the sculptor who turned 86 recently. FLORA ONWUDIWE writes.

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n the exhibition that pays tribute to their mentor, acolytes of Abayomi Barber’s naturalism and surrealism has demonstrated their individual artistic self-expression. The exhibition was declared open on October 23 at the Red Door Gallery, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The legendary Barber appreciated the efforts of the artists that dedicated the one-week exhibition to commemorate his birthday and also uphold the legacy for which the Abayomi Barber School of Art was established. “They are doing their best, but I still believe that they can do much better. The young people are doing their best and I want them to do the very best that they can. The artist learns any other trade other than to draw, paint or sculpt to produce figures and images,” he stated.

Barber, quite adept at painting, sculpture, stage design, drama and classical music gave kudos to the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) for establishing copyright law to curb piracy. Recalled the time when “an artist could walk into the studio and copy a work of art and present it to the public as his own work without realizing that he was cheating. But now it is not so.”

On the challenges that affect the industry, he said: “the challenge is part of living; the harsh economy is affecting everybody and it is also affecting the artists too. I don’t see any challenge among the artists as long as they believe in what they are doing, they should go on doing it. The Bible says whoever endures till the end is the one that will be saved, a better time will come.”

Asked what informed the decision to celebrate the octogenarian, the chairman, Abayomi Barber School of Thought, Bunmi Lasaki, said: “today October 23rd is the birthday of Abayomi Barber. The old students of Barber School of Art, those who had been under his tutelage, we have made it as part of our culture to always celebrate his birthday. This also is one of the effort at celebrating him while he is alive, we don’t just want him to pass on and we celebrate him; we want him well celebrated while alive, we want

Portrait of Gen Murtala

by Abayomi Barber

him to see as much as possible how we are able to hold our own.

It is a compendium of several efforts continuing the legacy of the school to further showcase current efforts of the students of this school and to celebrate the birthday of the legend.

“The warm embrace he offers the young ones that come to him, he instills confidence, he helps every aspiring apprentice to exhume the inherent talent that is still in him. He allows you to explore your own inherent capacity and encourages that which comes naturally out of you.

“If you look at the various exhibit at the show, despite the fact that you could see the similarity of the Barber’s school, you still see the individuality of each student. He has been able to bring out from each student the individualism that resides in everyone of us.”

He also explained the philosophical underpinning of the Barber School. “The school does not believe in African art remaining in the perceived naive caricature illustrations of the Stone Age that is expected of an African by the Western world. Barber School believes Africa should be able to produce art that can stand the test of any contest anywhere in the world.”

Lasaki, a holder of a Higher National Diploma in sculpture from the Yaba College of Technology titled his work, A O Muerejoba, inspired by the Yoruba folklore used to awaken consciousness.

Olatunde Barber, the son of

Ise Ona

by Bunmi Lasaki

Lasaki and Barber

"We don’t just want him to pass on and we celebrate him; we want him well celebrated while alive"

the celebrant titled his work of art, The close of day, a landscape piece facing the sunset. Here he is being metaphorical, hinting that man is expected to work hard at his early days. The young Barber must have been inspired by his father’s retirement who is aging

gracefully at 86. “There is morning time in a man’s life;, there is afternoon and evening. It is a bright evening you worked hard in your earlier days, you worked hard at noon, when it is time for retirement you are relaxing and having a good time, it is a satisfied life,” the artist said.

With regard to Toyin Alade’s The birth of a new day, he said: “I think it is more about my childhood fantasy and fear. It lightens the beginning of the day to a woman giving birth , the excitement she feels when a woman opens up and the boat shows a fisherman bringing fish from the sea as a source of continuation of life, for if we have food life continues.” Here, it is difficult to relate the fisherman bringing fish from the boat with the expectant mother, because every woman that has gone through child birth

always cries out in pain. But he explained that “in Yoruba land if a woman wants to give birth it is always on a mat, it is all about the beginning of the day“.

For Adebayo Akinwole, his choice of art would not have been if Barber had not sculpted a portrait he found fascinating. He said Barber has always been the source of his inspiration right from his youth which he spent in a palace.

“I came across his work when I was 12 years old in 1968. Baba did a portrait of my my own grand-father, the late Ooni of Ife, Sir Aderemi. Baba (as he fondly calls him) made the miniature sculpture of my grandfather and I was so impressed to see the work. Then in 1980 when my grand-father gave up to the ghost, he made another bigger artwork and that was what inspired me to come and train under him as a sculptor.”

He showcased three pieces of sculpture. Although he also paints, but he has decided to major in sculpture. “When I joined him in 1985 I took up the challenge that I was going to specialize in sculpture.” According to him, he grew up in the palace and used to witness the festivals commemorating the life and times of Moremi and that was how he was inspired to produce a bust of Moremi.

Other former apprentices include: Muri Adejimi, Olumuyiwa Spencer, Busari Agbolade, YemiMorolari, Shina Adeladan, Akeem Ganiyu, Iretiola Spencer, Olukayode Fadipe, KentIdeh Late and Olu Okekanye.

Tony One Week, Bob Manuel Udokwu Lock horns in Anambra

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Oge Indiana Producers have asked me for sex

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ShowBiz SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2014

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Weird MC: More politicians are knocking at our door after what we did for Aregbesola With its hilarious video, Weird MC's (real name Adesola Idowu) song, Ijoya, became a somewhat street anthem and sealed her reputation as a hip-hop star. But her imprint appeared recently on the political turf after it emerged she had composed campaign songs for Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. She tells OLUSHOLA RICKETTS why she is diversifying and plans for a new album

"We are in the public’s eyes, so I don’t bother myself about what people say"

and culture. It is something I am grateful my late parents did for us. I am grateful they brought us back home and we could mingle with the Nigerian culture and society. It is wonderful to have the combination of African and western cultures.

How has it been with you?

I'm diversifying and we are building up.

It is not just music anymore; we do motivational session, social media consultancy for politicians, among other things. We just finished a major campaign for Governor Rauf Aregbesola. If you had followed it you would know the role we played there. That for me opened new opportunities for the brand and more politicians are knocking at our door right now. The label too, 0907 Entertainment, is there which shows that I am an entrepreneur as well. We have just one artiste, Shuley Dee, on the label right now. Watch out for her; she is really gifted.

How did you break in the industry at a time it was largely dominated by the male folk?

What I did was to put out good music. That is simple. I was not sentimental about it or believe that because I am a lady it would be an easy ride. I came in and I worked hard. I dropped Allen Avenue and it was everywhere.

Ijoya came in and Riranwo too. It is not about gender; it is about your content.

If your content is strong people would embrace you, though it might take time in some cases.

Ijoya was an instant hit; did it ever occur to you that the song would go far?

I had an incline, so to speak, that the song would be a big song, but I didn’t know it would go as far as it did and it is still on the move. The song keeps renewing by itself. When we performed at the Afrika Shrine during Felabration, the reception was massive. I always tell people that Ijoya is not just a song, it is a gift from God. The video of Ijoya was animated; what gave you the impression that Nigerians would appreciate it?

I like unique things; that has been constant about my brand. If it has been done I don’t want to do it. I have a pacesetter instinct and I didn’t what to do what everyone had done. Though we had already shot a normal video for Ijoya, but I felt it was just a wasted effort and the director was dragging it. So I thought of a plan b and I wanted something different.

I stumbled upon a guy on the internet, Obinna Owuekwe. He specializes on animated African movies. I asked if he can do a music video and he sincerely replied that he wasn’t sure. But the moment he heard the song he was arrested and insisted he wanted to be part of it. He asked me to send pictures and luckily for me I had mini camera. I filmed some of my gestures and I emailed everything to him. He put the video together and in six weeks it was ready. He was someone I had not met before and a particular friend of mine was even worried. I paid for the service without meeting him. He kept sending me

bit by bit, so I was part of the process and I added my ideas. Immediately he finished I sent a window media file to MTV base and they demanded for 24 hours to have the video. This was 2006.

So when should we be expecting another hit from you?

We are working. I just don’t want to make the discussion rowdy I would have loved to play some songs. We have shot a new video for the song, Fiesta. We dropped the single briefly, we tested the waters and the reception was so wonderful. So we decided to shoot the video. I don’t want to say this is when the video would hit the screen, but it would not be long.

Why do you prefer the name Weird MC? It is just a unique name. I was actually part of a group known as the Weirdos, but I decided to go solo at some point. I kept to the name Weird MC because I wanted to sound different.

How do you feel when you hear or read unflattering stories about you?

We are in the public’s eyes, so I don’t bother myself about what people say. I always tell any artiste that the day you take that step into limelight you’ve lost the right to defend yourself or be treated equally like an average person. There would always be stories about you, but it is part of the price to pay. For every dream or desire, most especially being a public figure, there is a price to pay. When you are a sports man, actor, musician or politician, you have a price to pay. And this is part of it. People would say things about you; it comes with the territory What were the childhood memories you still cherish?

Growing up for me was a wonderful thing. I was partly raised in the United Kingdom and later I moved to Nigeria. So coming back to Nigeria it was such a wonderful experience learning a new language

Do you think we are doing enough content wise?

That is not up to me to decide; it is up to different artistes. It is an individualistic thing and a personal decision. Do I want to keep bombarding the airwaves with sex and alcohols? Or do I want to strike a balance? But I always feel that the best way to go about it is to strike a balance and that is why I respect the likes of Asa, Nneka and a few artistes too. I think it is a decision of an artiste to decide the kind of songs he or she wants to be known with.

We all know evergreen songs and the rewards attached to them because of how relevant the contents are. Look at the likes of Shina Peters, Onyeka Onwenu, King Sunny Ade and Christy Essien-Igbokwe.

The legacy you want to create or pursue is up to you as an artiste Are you dropping any album soon?

Yes, we are working on my album but I can’t give a specific date now.

How would you describe fashion?

I do not follow fashion, I create my style. I might like what is trending at that moment but you won’t see me doing it. I try to represent myself. I tell people that there is fashion and there is style. I prefer to be identified with style because fashion is seasonal; it comes and goes. But style is a signature.

How do you love to be remembered?

I want to be remembered as one who came, who saw and who conquered.

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Showbiz

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

LANRE ODUKOYA

SHOWBIZ TODAY

lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

Tony One Week, Bob Manuel lock horns in Anambra

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ore than any time in showbiz history, artistes have expressed an overwhelming interest in politics. Even those who aren’t in the race for this or that office immediately are beginning to disclose their intentions to run in the nearest future. Interestingly, for the first time perhaps, two famous artistes would test their might beyond the world of make. The artistes, Tony "One Week" Muonagor, and Bob Manuel Udokwu have started flexing muscles as they are vying for Idemili North constituency in Anambra ‎State House of Assembly. While Udokwu who is from Ogidi, is a member of APGA, Tony One Week is from Ugamuma, Obosi and is a member of APC. Though many have begun to query the real reason scores of Nigerian entertainers are now more politically-driven, they all claim it’s for service is the ultimate motivation. Some of those vying for different political offices and who may become "honourables" in 2015 are Abolore Akande (9ice) and Kate Henshaw who are contesting for a seat in the House of Representatives while Desmond Elliot and Tony Tetuila are both seeking a seat in the House of Assembly. They all stand to enjoy the benefit of fame if the electorate equate stardom with quality governance. The legion of artistes whose fleeting fancy now is the party nomination form may need to learn the ropes miles apart from what obtains in showbiz lest they taint the names that cost them years build.

E-BRIEFS

Mercy Johnson’s hubby gifts her Range Rover Sport for new child’s sex M

Yinka Ayefele’s Dad for burial in January

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he burial of Yinka Ayefele‘s recently deceased father, High Chief Taiwo Ayefele, who passed away on his 76th birthday, Sunday, October 12, has been slated to hold in January 24, 2015. The burial rites billed to take place in January is contained in a burial plan released by the Ayefele family of Ipoki-Ekiti, Ekiti State. It would commence with a lying-in-state ceremony on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at the Ipoki Ekiti Civic Centre from 5pm while the service of songs holds on Friday, January 23 at Orita Market, Iwaro Street in Ipoki Ekiti. The final burial ceremony of Pa Ayefele who is survived

by Yinka, Niyi, Oluwole and Olumide Ayefele will hold at Our Saviours Anglican Church in the same town on Saturday, January 24.

ercy Johnson-Okojie is enjoying the sweat of her labour, not from Nollywood, but one from a ward in the hospital in far away U.S. She got another car gift from her excited husband, Prince Odi Okojie, after the man became aware of the sex of their new child during pregnancy. In 2013, Mercy Johnson got a Lexus SUV gift from her hubby after the birth of their first child in December 2012, a daughter named Purity. Okojie got her a 2013 model of Range Rover Sport SUV as soon the scan revealed that his wife would be giving him a boy. In mid-October, the actress welcomed their second child, a baby boy, in the United States of America and has since been christened, Henry. Mercy Johnson got married to her sweetheart on August 27, 2011 at a Christ Embassy Church in Lagos.

2face on broadway, lures fans with tour he 2face Live Triple Threat Tour is T a celebration of 2face Idibia’s The Ascension album as well as the newly

Elvis Chuks again

N

ollywood actor and producer, Elvis Chuks, has acquired a brand new Range Rover. The actor who was recently in the news for his recent outburst regarding the just-concluded BON Awards in Rivers State shared the good news via Blackberry Messenger, saying: "Say hello to my new car. Range, Super charged 2015." Although he refused to dwell more on its worth and the rest of it, the car is valued at $110,400 approximately a little over N18 million in Nigerian currency. Chuks, who started as an actor in Nollywood has become a producer in the last few years in the Nigerian movie industry has churned out enthralling works.

unveiled Face to Face 10.0 and Rewind, Select and Update albums across major cities in Africa and the rest of the world.

The tour will accommodate autograph sessions, club party sessions, media sessions and concerts.

It kicked off successfully on Friday, October 24 at the Ikeja City Mall and was well attended by fans and celebrities.

Some celebrities in attendance are Kwam 1, Weird MC, Wunmi Obey, Kenny St. Brown and Chief Tony Okoroji. It was supported by Infinix Zero, Black Brother Baby, Marco Martinez and Spinlet.

The next edition designed to be a concert will hold this Saturday at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja from 6pm. It will feature performances by 2face alongside MI, Naeto C, Niyola, Tony One Week, Dammy Krane, Joel and more.

The Abuja edition will also feature a Vote Not Fight element like the Lagos one did. Vote not Fight is a voting campaign of the 2face Foundation. The event is been put together by NM Encore and Yankeetech.

Ramsey Nouah plans monthly dinner with fans

N

ollywood hunk, Ramsey Nouah, has expressed his desire to organise a monthly dinner with his fans where he expects to interact with them. The actor said he would be doing this as a show of appreciation to them (fans) for supporting his movie career over the years. Ramsey expressed gratitude to his fans for still throwing their weights behind him and urged them to continue.

Nouah recently returned to the social media after a long time off. He said the lucky fan for each month would emerge from a meet and greet session on his social media platforms. He added that he will take time to answer their questions during the sessions.

According to him, three questions would be asked monthly and the winner of the questions will be hosted to a dinner.

Showbiz

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

their kids there. Back then it wasn’t easy for some of us. I am talking about six years ago. Entertainment is the only thing we youths could feed on; the elders have taken over politics and refused to leave.

Since music producer Benjamin Obadje who goes by the moniker, Spellz, struck gold with Chuddy K’s Gaga Crazy, he has produced a few other hit songs for the likes of Tuface, 9ice, Banky W, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, Dammy Krane, among others.

But he tells OLUSHOLA RICKETTS that it was not a walk in the park.

How was the experience like when you were struggling to make a name?

It wasn’t easy. I did a lot of free jobs, though there were some beats I wouldn’t give out free. Even when I wanted to give it for free, I look for big names and it helped me grow.

When you also give stuffs for free you are gaining experience in a way.

My first deal came when I was in 300 level. My roommate was the son of the former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala. We were good friends and we actually had a radio station then. He was the MC, I was the DJ. One day he told me we were going to Ibadan to meet someone. The person had heard some of the jobs I did, which were mostly free. So I got 3.5 million naira to produce four artistes and I was to do three songs each for them. It really blew my mind because prior to that I was collecting four thousand naira to make a beat. It was even free most times. It was good but also bad in some sense because it exposed me to some things that were negative. For me to have that money at that level, it didn’t really work well for me, but I got up. The money didn’t kill my passion.

It's ironic that you're behind a few hit songs and yet your name doesn't quite resonate. What could be the reason for that?

I am not really after the hype or publicity. I make music because I have passion for it. I don’t do music for awards, but thank God we have some like the Nigerian Entertainment Awards in New York I got last year and some others. I have always loved music since I was like seven years old. Anytime we go to church, I would want to stay near the drums or speakers. I feel a lot of people know who Spellz is and have danced to my music. They might not know me in person, but the name rings a bell. And the industry itself recognizes me and I am so grateful and I fulfilled for that. I believe my work speaks for itself. Even at home, no one knows me as a musician; they just know me as a neighbour.

How did you acquire the moniker, Spellz?

It comes from the way I perceive people feel when they listen to my beat or work. Spellz is a magician or a production wizard. But people call me different names. They call me Benjamin Spellz, Magic Boy and Listen too. Listen is actually the signature I leave on most songs I produced.

Did your parents support your passion for showbiz?

Initially they didn’t. I always knew that they would not allow me to pursue music as a career because everybody in my family is a first class holder and it is only right for me to go that line. But as a child, my dad always listened to music and it actually influenced me. We also had musical instruments at home. I got to learn how to play the guitar and later the drums. In my secondary school then it was either you did business studies or music. Most people did not show interest in music, as they called it the most useless subject in the class. We were just eight that went for music; every other person chose business studies. That was where I started learning the real rudiments of music. Though after my junior class I stopped going for the classes, you would still see me in the music hall.

When exactly did your music career begin?

I started as a rapper and I write a lot too. I later started writing poems because I saw that rap music was not expressing everything I wanted to put out because it was too personal back then. You had to be a gang star. But from there I felt that I should be making beats too. When you are trying to stand tall you would try so many things as an artist before you get what

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Spellz

'I transform up and coming artistes into stars' you need. But rapping and singing have actually helped me. It influenced the way I make music and write songs. I co-write songs with artistes a lot.

What did you study at school?

I studied computer science at the Covenant University and I missed a lot of classes just to concentrate on my art. I got into the university and halfway I knew it was not my calling. I don’t know if it had happened to any other person, but it happened to me. I still pushed and stayed in school, but I spent most of my days pursuing something else. When it came to exam period I didn’t study so there was no way I could score good results. I was improving in music at the expense of my academics. So when I got to 300 level I actually opted out of school.

It wasn’t easy, though.

How did your parents take that?

I actually started producing music when I was in 100 level. I knew they didn’t want a musician in the

house, so I always had to hide to make music with my head phone.

By the time they found out what I had been spending my time on it was too late. Although they fought it and did all manner of things to stop me, I guess the passion for music was too strong. So we had disagreement and I wasn’t in the house for like eight to nine months.

I didn’t run away; I just left because I knew it wasn’t a conducive place to grow. I came back when everything was settled.

"I got into the university and halfway I knew it was not my calling"

Do you plan to return to school someday?

I don’t plan to return to school to study what I am not passionate about. I don’t think at this point I should waste my time; I am not saying school is a waste of time. I feel if I need to go to school again I should go for a degree in sound engineering or music composition. It is just that in this part of the world we don’t see such things as profession.

It is now that entertainers are having endorsement and getting recognition that everyone is pushing

Which song would you say brought you fame?

It was tricky. Gaga Crazy by Chuddy K actually brought me into limelight, but I was hoping it would be On Point, 9ice featuring Wizkid.

But Gaga Crazy came doing the fuel subsidy and was everywhere. That was the genesis for me. After then I had made a lot of hit songs, but that was the first. Making the song happened in 45 minutes.

Did you know that the song would go places?

There is no way in this world an artiste would know how big a song would be. So we never knew that; we just knew it was a good song. We went to three different places before we could get the mix that we wanted.

What makes your production different?

For me I am like water. I have produced all genres of music. I even do classics like Love In Yellow which I did for Tiwa. I am very versatile; I can make dancehall, R&B like Banky W’s Good Loving, etc. I think versatility is my selling point. I know how to transform up and coming artistes. I did Jupa and the song Olawale (MTN project Fame winner) featured Tiwa. I am working on Evelle, the winner of Nigerian Idol. But I think one of the biggest so far is Dammy Crane.

I produced My Dear and Amin. We wrote Amin together. It is not just about music for us; he is like my brother and we are very close.

How has it been working with the likes of Tuface, 9ice and Banky W? There is a reason why they are up there. They are very humble and their work rate is great. Everyone knows Tuface to be so humble and gentle. Working with him was nice and we are still working together. Banky is a boss, but not the kind that bosses you around or scares you. His kind of boss brings people together.

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Showbiz

How did you get the lead role in Antique?

As a new face in the industry, I have been looking for opportunities. My aunt sent me the audition notice so I went for it. It was even the last day, a Sunday. I was so reluctant to go for it, but I went at the end of the day. And I got a call that I was shortlisted, so I went back for another round of auditioning. I was later called back to play the lead girl, Uki of the movie, Antique.

During audition did it ever occur to you that you would be picked?

Oge Indiana is a very confident person and I believe in myself a lot. And I am very prayerful too. So, there was no time I feel intimidated by any one. I knew I had the skills to propel in the audition, though there were also equally good people. I believe God’s favour was on my side too.

What is the tale behind the film?

There is a young innocent girl, Uki, who is a farmer’s daughter and there is chaos in the land.

But there was once prosperity in the land before disaster struck. Strange beings came and took the Antique, which symbolises wealth, happiness and many more. So when it was stolen, the witch doctor says the Antique has to be returned. The heir to the thrown was so sick at that time too and he could die anytime soon. The Oba has four daughters and the only son was sick. So, an innocent was sent to retrieve the antique. She was sent with three warriors to the land where mere mortals were forbidden. The movie features the likes of Olu Jacob, Funsho Adeolu, Akpororo the comedian, Gabriel Afolayan and lot more.

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

Oge Indiana: Producers have asked me for sex Young actress and model, Onyeonwu Oge Indiana, recently got herself a lead role in a movie, Antique. The movie, which features Olu Jacob, Gabriel Afolayan and a host of others, was premiered in Lagos some weeks ago. The graduate of Theatre Arts, University of Benin, shares with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS her journey into acting.

business girl too because I sell Indian stuffs.

I model and dance too. I won Miss Amvictorious Super Model Contest two years ago. It was about creativity, passion and intelligence.

I actually came from school to participate in the contest in Lagos. It was the first time they did it in Nigeria. I got myself thousands of dollars, clothing line for a year and contract deal. I don't want to do much of dancing again at this point.

You seem quite young; when did you start acting?

I started just last year, but I have done like 10 movies or more.

What makes you different from others?

We have different ways of interpreting scripts. I can interpret different characters in different ways. I have so much swag and confident in the way I carry myself.

What kept you going when the roles were not coming?

There are always ups and downs and the industry is highly competitive. I am always steadfast and prayerful. I am this kind of person that is very reserve too. I don’t make so much friends and I keep to myself a lot.

When is the film hitting the cinemas?

It will be in the cinemas November 7 and it hits the market two weeks later.

Some weeks ago there had a private screening for the movie; how was that day like?

It was wonderful, though I got there an hour late because I was actually on set. But people could not recognise me; people were saying I was so pretty than how I was in the movie. They had to make me up and turn me to the character I was in the movie.

Is this your biggest movie so far?

I have done some series and movies, but I would say this is my biggest because it is a cinema movie.

I was beginning to think theatre arts at some point, but he (my dad) is a professor and I was afraid to tell it to his face

Is Indiana your name?

I wasn’t named Indiana at birth. My mum goes to India a lot; she does business and my family friends are in India too as well. People started calling me Indiana because most of my things are from India and they say I look like them. That was how the name came about and my role model is Aishwarya Rai. I love to see her movies.

How was growing up for you?

I had a whole lot of fun as a kid. People thought I was too intelligent for my age. I acted as an adult even when I was still a child.

Why did you settle for life as an entertainer?

I actually wanted to study law, but when my professor father studies a child he could easily tell what would suit such person. I was thinking I wanted to be a lawyer because I like to defend people and I don’t like to be cheated.

But at the same time I was very creative when I was younger; I could dance and act. He saw so much energy in me. I was beginning to think theatre arts at some point, but he is a professor and I was afraid to tell it to his face. So I choose law as my first choice and told him that I don’t mind putting theatre arts as my second choice.

To my surprise, he replied that it was my field.

I had to get a fresh form and fill theatre arts as my first choice and today I didn’t regret it. I am happy that my parents stood by me.

Are you the only child?

I am not. We are four children; two boys and two girls. I am the third child.

Is acting the only thing you do?

I would say I am a

As an undergraduate and a pretty girl how did you deal with boys?

I always let people know their limits; I could be friendly and unfriendly. I hate harassment, so I tell people what I like and dislike. I am also not the kind of girl who becomes friends with people suddenly; I must have taken my time to study you. I am disciplined; I think I learnt that from my dad.

Could you do anything to interpret a script?

Of course as a professional I can interpret any role, but I cannot go nude because I have my pride to protect. I can go semi-nude, though. I am a Nigerian; I am African and you know what that means in this part of the world.

Has a director or producer demanded sex from you to play a role?

I have seen situations like that and I have experienced it too, especially when I just came in newly. They would tell you that you are beautiful and talented but you still need to do what others are doing. I let them know that is why I am different from any other person.

People could do it, but I would never succumb to such pressure because I know what I got. I believe when you are not confident in yourself, then you would settle for less.

I know no man can make me except God. I have experienced it many cases, but things are better now. When they know your kind of person they would be forced to accept you for who you are.

What is the craziest thing you’ve done for love?

I cannot really remember any crazy thing I had done for love. I had actually travelled for love and I am a kind of person who loves my comfort zone. You must be very important for me to travel to see you.

Are you seeing anyone at present?

Yes, I am in a relationship.

What should we expect from you in the next five years?

I intend having my own production house.

I would see how Nollywod, Bollywod and Hollywood could work together more.

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

Showbiz

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‘I am not your regular musician’ Up and coming singer, Samuel Olayinka Jegede aka SOJeggs, is determined to leave an imprint on the music scene. He has started on a good note with the launch on his 12-track album. The Osun State-born artiste speaks with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS. How did you come about the name SOJeggs?

Well, my real names are Samuel Olayinka Jegede and the name SOJeggs was taking out from there.

When exactly did you start singing?

I started music when I was young. I started in the Church choir, but professionally I would say I started in 2002. That was when I starting recording and learning how to produce music beats under the tutelage of my elder brother known as Jiggy Jegg. Music is in my blood and it is what I enjoy doing. I do it because of passion, not for the love of money or fame.

Are you signed on any label?

I am not under any label at the moment. I understand that people are not ready to help new act anymore. This is the reason I try to work and promote my own music by myself.

What is your kind of music?

I do all kinds of good music, but I major in afro pop because I enjoy the melody and people had told me several times that it suits my voice.

Also, I believe that one of the most important things in life is change. I know I can help inspire change with music through the messages in my song. I am not a regular artiste that would appear on the scene and disappear after a little time. I take time to write my own songs.

What message do you seek to spread with your music?

I speak mostly about the happenings in the environment, though based on the inspiration

that comes my way at that period. My music is also influenced by what I see every day.

Who are your mentors?

My mentors are Lagbaja, Sound Sultan and Shola Allison.

How far did you go with your academics?

I am a graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), the department of cooperative and business management.

What projects are you working on at present?

I am working on my video album. I intend to shoot like five videos from my album, Olaju.

I launched the album last year November at The Place in Lagos. I have shot three videos at present and the videos were directed by UJ Production.

What do you do apart from music?

Everything I do right now is nothing but music. I am a choir director and I earn some money doing that. I am into other areas in entertainment such as teaching people on audio production, managing artistes and producing songs.

What would it have been if it wasn't music?

I would have gone into business, importation or oil business.

Do you have any fear in the industry?

Right now I have nothing to fear about again in the industry because I had really taken my time to study the industry. So I believe with God nothing is impossible.

‘Passion & Praise brings people together from all walks of life' Music and fashion enthusiast, Funmi Oyelede, is the founder of Passion & Praise, an annual music concert. She speaks with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS on this year’s edition which took place last month in Lagos.

What informed Passion & Praise conference?

Passion & Praise is borne out of the desire for true worship in the body of Christ and we have been doing this for 13 years now.

The theme of the year edition which was held at Sheba Hall, Ikeja, Lagos, was Overflow. Our core values are righteousness, excellence, kindness, integrity, nobility, love etc. I am the visioner of the Passion & Praise, though I have associates too. Based on my experi- ence I realised that we don’t really have enough time to come together and worship God. And apart from the conference we train people; we train choirs. It is a place of the supernatural and a programme where we can worship God unlimited. We gather people from all walks of life just to express ourselves in the presence of God. What made this year's show different?

One of the major instruments we used was the trumpet because the Holy Spirit told me that we should blow the trumpet and sound the alarm.

Trumpet signifies celebration. Also October 1, the day of the event, was the country’s Independence Day celebration.

That the programme was held on the day alone made it unique. There is need to celebrate the goodness of God regardless of the challenges we are facing as a country.

What would you say is the significance of the conference?

It is a reflection of the great things God has done for us as a people. We would remind ourselves that the country is not about the structure, but individuals. At this edition and previous ones,

speakers upon speakers spoke about issues key to the development of the country and roles individuals needed to play to make the society a better place. We also pass the message of hope. We are always praying for the country and individuals; we should not overlook that because we believe that for every challenge we face there is a testimony ahead. Whenever I have the opportunity I tell people that I believe so much that this country would get better. We have so many countries that have had one problem or the other. If there had no people that stood up and fought we would not be hearing about them today.

What do you do apart from the yearly conference?

I make bridal dresses and I train people on fashion designing.

I do customised designs too. Also, I am a music director and an assistant worship leader with Daystar Christian Church. Since I have my time for myself it is easier to concentrate on one area without affecting the other. Now that I am not at work I have my tailors working. I make my plans very well and I write them down if there is need. We are also working on my album and we believe God to put it out by April next year.

What kind of music do you do?

I do R&B, soul and highlife music. It depends on my mood and the event. But we touched almost all genres of music at the conference.

Was this the direction you wanted to follow as a child?

I have always wanted to be distinct in whatever I do and I believe everybody wants to be too. I was from a music background; my grandfather died a pianist, my father used to write songs and my mother is in the choir till date. My siblings too are into music one way or the other too.

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Showbiz

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

... a finger on the city’s pulse

CONFLUENCE

LANRE ODUKOYA

Spectacles at Governor Uduaghan’s 60th birthday

Dagogo Agbor slows the roll, delves into politics

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agogo Agbor, who goes by moniker the, "Lagos night club biggest spender," has unceremoniously gone under the radar. He had before then not been as frequent as he once at high society pubs where he earned the reputation. Those in the know insist that Agbor has found a better essence of living other than lavishing his fortune on frivolities. Many street savvy patrons of clubs still find it hard to grasp that the man who reputedly hit town with an average of N3m per night rarely comes partying again.

Further checks revealed that the flamboyant party character plays big in real estate and he might just be flaunting his mysterious wealth. Agbor may well be just another pseudonym to shield his genuine identity from many. His real name according to an inside source is Gerald Azonobo and he oversees the Fitzgerald Group and Meekly properties.

Our checks also revealed he is gradually putting structures in place to launch into politics.

Close friends say he became a rich man trading in oil and gas. Outside of his known commercial undertakings, Gerald a.k.a Dagogo is said to be multiplying his riches bankrolling a couple of deals for a stake or outright commission. There are rumours he is the face behind a quietly growing pharmaceutical outfit. Sources also concede that much of his wealth goes into philanthropy.

Since he stepped out of his old shoes as the biggest spender in Lagos pubs, no one has been able to fit into his shoes. And the baton has flailed among lesser spenders since he threw in the towel.

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Society matriach, Nike Akande, warms up for 70th birthday

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wo-time minister and boardroom colossus, Chief Nike Akande (CON) is one society woman who seems to get better with age. Like the fabled phoenix, she appears more regal and charming just when you think you have seen the best of her. Little wonder the high society can hardly wait to celebrate with her as she marks her 70th birthday today at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Information gathered from the home front of the Akandes indicates that she is set to celebrate her 70th birthday with pomp and ceremony. Her husband and Eketa Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Adebayo Akande (MFR) is sparing no cost to celebrate his graceful wife. The invitation letters, rolled out already, is exquisite in quality.

Every step of the preparation appears to indicate that the celebration would be her classiest shindig so far. Little wonder major fashion designers around the Lagos metropolis are said to have been very busy on account of the impending ceremony.

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rom son Toju’s expertise on the guitar in honour of his father, to the arrival of the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, to the attendance and impactful participation of His Lordship, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, to the involvement of President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the involvement of the unsung nobles and popular money-bags from far and near, and the blinding flashlights telling the story of the 60th birthday celebration of Governor of Delta state, Emmanuel Uduaghan, you could tell that the world was there. The October 22 grand celebration in Delta State was a two-part affair with a lecture aimed at promoting inter-ethnic and religious harmony held at the Dome Centre, Asaba, and a thanksgiving service at the First Baptist Church, G.R.A.

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18. PLUM 22. OWU 23. ARO 24. MAL 25. SIP 26. ULULATE 15. SALAWA 19. LAMP 20. GURU 21. DOS

Gambians mad with Jim Iyke for partying with president

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n Gambia, controversial actor, Jim Iyke may have crossed the thin line between fame and infamy.

Gambians are outraged after he honoured the invitation of President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia on his 20th anniversary as president.

The 49-year-old Jammeh took the position through a military coup he masterminded on 22 July, 1994, after 29 years of civil rule.

A ten-day long celebra-

tion marking 20 years since the coming to power of the Gambian leader largely seen as a dictator was concluded last week in the country.

Gambians took to social media to express their displeasure with Jim Iyke.

Commenting on Facebook after the story was posted by popular Gambian TV personality, Fatou Camara, Gambians berated President Jammeh and the actor.

SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2014

FREE

Sport Splash 25

Table Tennis

ITTF urges Nigeria to build on Quadri’s feat p.27

Super Eagles

Keshi’s return sparks controversies p.27

Premier League

Manchester Derby: City, United clash at the Etihad p.28

Interview

How doughnut got me a foreign deal –Ikpe Ekong p.31

Synthetic turf or not, Eagles must beat Congo - Onazi S Ajibade Olusesan

The Team

Vincent EboigbelAssistant Editor Ajibade Olusesan l Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing

uper Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, has said the national team would not be deterred by the antics of their opponents in taking their Africa Nations Cup qualifying match to a synthetic pitch, saying they would beat Congo in Brazzaville regardless.

Eagles struggled when they played against Sudan on a synthetic turf earlier October. The Nigerian team lost 1-0 to the Sudanese, their first defeat in the hands of the North Africans since 1963.

And the Nigeria Football Federation has learnt that the Congolese are also taking the African champions to an artificial pitch, raising fears that the national team may struggle again as they fight to revive their floundering dream of qualifying for the African Nations Cup in 2015.

But Onazi told our correspondent that although it was difficult to play on an artificial

turf, admitting that the pitch really slowed down their play in Khartoum, he insisted that they had made up their mind to fight with everything to win in Brazzaville.

He said that at this point they must be ready for all the antics of their opponents as the race for the two tickets from group A intensifies.

“I have to be sincere with you, it was kind of tough playing on an artificial turf, it really affected us in Sudan.

I am not trying to make an excuse for our loss but it is far easier to play on grass than artificial turf.

“But we are not going to be stopped this time around even if the Congolese take us to an artificial turf. We are going to throw everything into that match even if they take us to a sandy ground. We cannot afford to slip again and we cannot tell Nigerians that we failed just because we played on an artificial turf, we just have to be in Morocco by the grace of God,” he said.

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SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

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Nigerian League Rendezvous MATCH DAY 37: (2ND NOV 14) BAYELSA UTD VS LOBI STARS AKWA UTD VS HEARTLAND FC TARABA VS CROWN ABIA WARRIORS VS SHARKS WARRI WOLVES VS GOMBE UTD RANGERS VS NASARAWA UTD SUNSHINE VS KADUNA UTD GIWA VS EL-KANEMI WARRIORS KANO PILLARS VS NEMBE CITY DOLPHINS VS ENYIMBA

Enyimba, Dolphins planning an accord game?

Stories Charles Ogundiya

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atest report emanating from some stakeholders in the league indicates that the duo of Enyimba International of Aba and Dolphins of Port Harcourt are planning an accord game in their week 37 league game in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Some of the people who spoke with League Rendezvous asked the League Management Company to monitor the game so as not to bring the league into disrepute.

A win for Enyimba in the game will take the team a step closer to the league title given that their last game at home is to defending champions and league leaders, Kano Pillars.

It was learnt that there are plans by the home team, Dolphins, to give the game to Enyimba while they (the former) would be allowed to win the Federation Cup later in the month.

Both Enyimba and Dolphins contest the federation cup final.

But the General Manager of Dolphins, Joe Johnson, said the allegations

were unfounded as they could not afford to lose against Enyimba in front of their fans.

“We are expecting nothing but total victory against Enyimba. We are playing in front of our fans which will be an added motivation to the players.

“Don’t also forget that two things are at stake: we are meeting them in the Federation Cup final and failure to defeat them now will affect our psyche ahead of the final, so we need to defeat them,” he said.

Peter Abaje, the Media Officer of sister club, Sharks of Port Harcourt, however said with all eyes on the game, there was no way anybody would be going for an accord.

Abaje said: “The fact that Dolphins will be playing against Enyimba is an added motivation for the players to come out smoking in the game. Also the reputation of the players and coach is very much at stake and the Stanley Eguma (Dolphins coach) that I know will not want anything to tarnish his reputation.”

The stage is set for a winner takes all match in the garden city of Port Harcourt.

Glo league table

Sunshine Stars against Kano Pillars

Did you believe you could achieve this level of success in such a short time as a player?

Although I am a dreamer, I honestly wasn’t expecting it to be so fast. My dream was to hit it big, but I didn’t know it will come as fast as this. I am really grateful to God Almighty for what He has done in my life.

The dream came faster than expected.

What was your parents’ reaction to your career?

At first they were not in support because of their preference for education, but when they saw my persistence and how good I was, they decided to give

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18

8

10

52

38

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Enyimba

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17

9

10

46

25

60

21

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Warri Wolves

36

18

5

13

46

35

59

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Nasarawa Utd

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17

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41

35

56

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5

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36

18

2

16

38

42

56

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16

7

13

47

36

55

11

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Dolphins

36

15

9

12

44

32

54

12

8

Rangers

36

16

6

14

43

36

54

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9

Heartland

36

13

13

10

34

25

52

9

10

Sharks

35

14

10

11

41

33

52

8

11

Sunshine

36

13

12

11

47

44

51

3

12

Akwa Utd

36

14

9

13

27

30

51

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13

Giwa FC

34

14

8

12

34

31

50

3

14

El-Kanemi

36

13

9

14

38

31

48

7

15

Taraba FC

36

14

5

17

31

41

47

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16

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36

13

7

16

37

39

46

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36

14

3

19

44

52

45

-8

18

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11

5

20

32

49

38

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Nembe City

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23

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Appointment letters: Gateway officials call for government intervention

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ome officials of Ogun Stateowned team, Gateway FC, have accused the management of the club of not giving them a working contract as they seek government intervention.

According to one of the coaches who pleaded for anonymity, they have been working with the club for a year now without appointment letters just as the agreed sign on fees

are yet to be paid.

“We really want the government to come to our rescue. We have been doing this because of the love we have for the club, but it is time we know where we are going,” said the official.

“When we came we had an agreement on what we are getting, all we are saying now is that they should give it to us in black and

My parents proud of my success – Udoh Despite their reservation about his football career at the beginning, joint Nigeria Professional Football League top scorer, Mfon Udoh, tells CHARLES OGUNDIYA, that his parents are now proud of his achievements. Excerpts:

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me their blessing. I have put in everything I have because it is what I love doing. I have kept at it and now I am reaping the reward of hard work. I am grateful to God that it is paying off now.

My parents are so proud of how far I have gone and what I have achieved in my career.

Stopping education for football, is it worth it?

I never dropped education for football. What I am doing now is to concentrate on football, but I intend to combine the two later maybe outside the country.

Combining both in Nigeria will be very tedious especially the way our league is structured: playing on Wednesdays and on weekends. I am still ambitious.

What is it about Akwa Ibom state, producing joint top scorers in you and Emem Eduok?

It shows we are really blessed in Akwa Ibom State, and it also points to the fact that we are also working hard to be relevant in the society.

Do you think you can still break Jude Aneke’s goal record?

Of course it is very possible, but one thing I want to clarify

is that I am not competing with anybody. I am currently competing with myself. My personal target was to score 20 goals which I have succeeded in doing, the next target is to surpass Aneke’s record which is a personal target and this is not because someone else is trying to do so too. I’m just striving to achieve what will make me happy.

Are you disappointed that you have not gotten any invitation to the national team despite your performance?

I am not disappointed or annoyed; it just makes me work harder so that they will not hesitate to invite me to the national team. Coaches know the players they want in their teams. If they had wanted me I would have been invited. Been ignored was like a challenge to me to work hard to improve on my game.

If invited what are you bringing to the team?

I will offer what I have been offering, what the coaches saw that informed my invitation in in the first instance. I promise goals and good performance.

Udoh

white so that we know where we stand.”

In a quick reaction to the allegation, a top club management official who spoke with our correspondent but doesn’t want his name in print said the allegation was a big lie.

The official said: “How on earth will somebody say he is working without a contract and has been collecting salary every month?"

Sport

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1 NOVEMBER 2014

27

ITTF urges Nigeria to build on Quadri’s feat

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Ajibade Olusesan he performance of Aruna Quadri should rub off on the fortunes of table tennis in Nigeria. These are the views of President, International Table Tennis Federation, Thomas Wiekert, after being thrilled by the brilliant outing of Quadri at the just concluded ITTF World Cup in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Speaking during a briefing over the weekend, the ITTF helmsman said Quadri’s feat was a sign of development of the game in Nigeria.

Wiekert, a former German national star who played alongside Nigeria’s trio of Sunday Eboh, Francis Sule and Olawunmi Majekodunmi in the 1980s, said he was not surprised by the display of Quadri but was amazed by the way and manner the Nigerian beat three of the top players in the competition.

“I am surprised with the skills of Aruna Quadri because I had played against some Nigerian players in the past and I know that they are very talented. I also want to say that that the climax of this year ’s World Cup was the scintillating display by Quadri, who not only caused upsets but defeated three top rated players in a row and this alone for us was the major highlight of this championship. This is a good sign of development in Africa and we are indeed fascinated by the extra-ordinary skill of this young Nigerian.

I think this goes to show that

Quadri

Keshi’s return sparks controversies � Ezeugo, Dosu, Elaho speak

Ifeanyi Ibeh

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resident Goodluck Jonathan’s mandate to the Nigeria Football Federation to recall Stephen Keshi as Super Eagles coach has elicited mixed reactions from football stakeholders in the country.

Keshi was let go by the NFF after picking just four points from the national team’s opening four games of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

But will now return to take charge of the remaining two matches in the qualifying series.

But while some football stakeholders have lauded his recall, others have condemned the decision recalling the onetime Super Eagles skipper.

“Everything just looks messy. Everything about this does not feel right. I don’t even know why Keshi would even consider accepting to come back and take the job,” said former Super Eagles midfielder, Emeka Ezeugo. “If I were in Keshi’s shoes I would tell Mr. President a big thank you and walk away, which is something he ought to

have done long ago, especially after the World Cup. “What is he going to do right now that would surpass all he achieved in the last two years,” asked Ezeugo.

Another former Nigeria international, Joseph Dosu, however applauded the decision which he believes will bring lasting peace in light of the long-running tussle for the leadership of the NFF between Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa.

“If the return of Keshi will bring peace back to Nigerian football, so be it,” said the former goalkeeper. “I want to commend Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa for the negotiation which has led to the withdrawal of the court case which has led to us escaping FIFA’s hammer.”

Former Super Eagles winger, Friday Elaho, also craves for an end to the leadership crisis. He said: “To be honest, I’m just tired of the endless crisis in Nigerian football. The court cases, Stephen Keshi out today, back the next day, are not helping our football."

President Cup: Danagogo tasks stakeholders on talent hunt Comfort Chukwu

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inister of Sports, Tammy Danagogo, has asked stakeholders of the President Cup to discover new talents for the national team through the competition.

His comment came while declaring open the stakeholders' retreat at the Abuja National Stadium on Thursday.

The Minister said talents discovery was a cardinal part of his administration's transformation agenda and the philosophy of the President Cup. "You must breed future stars, productively engage the youths amongst others," he told stakeholders.

He urged the stakeholders at the retreat to lay the foundation for a memorable competition that begins November 15 all over the country.

"At this point, it is needful to bluntly put it before all participants and other

stakeholders that this tournament must not be treated casually, you must be focused and steadfast to ensure that we set enviable events management standards for other segments of the nation's sports to emulate."

Stakeholders' discussion include: event guidance, ethics and operations, qualitative officiating of youth soccer tournament and effective security in a tournament environment.

Danagogo

the game is growing in Nigeria and efforts must be made by Nigeria to sustain this so that other players can emerge just like Quadri,” Wieker said.

He admitted that he was not really surprised with the Nigerian player, saying that Nigeria has a tradition in the game. “I had played against some of Nigeria’s top players like Francis Sule, Sunday Eboh and Olawunmi Majekodunmi and I am aware of the enormous potential of the players. Even stars like Atanda Musa and Segun Toriola were indeed great players, so I was not surprised.

But what was a bit surprising to me was the way the player conducted himself to endear himself to German fans with his superb forehand,” Wiekert added.

Also, the President of African Table Tennis Federation, Khaled El-Salhy, was full of praise to the Portugal-based Nigerian, describing his performance as heroic.

Wonder Goal: Etebo makes it back-to-back for Warri Wolves Charles Ogundiya

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arri Wolves striker, Etebo Oghenekaro, has followed in the footsteps of Freedom Omofoman to make it back-to-back successes for Warri Wolves players in the Glo Premier League Wonder Goal Award.

Warri Wolves thus became the second club to produce two winners in a row as Etebo emerged the seventh winner after Omofoman who was voted the sixth winner.

Rangers International had earlier had two players, Osaguona Ighodaro and Emeka Eze winning the first and second edition of the award.

Etebo secured 72.2 percent of the votes to beat a field of four other nominees including the League’s joint top scorer, Emem Eduok of Dolphins who came second with 12.8 votes. The other nominees, Bobby Clement of Heartland scored 9.8 percent of the votes leaving Bayelsa United’s Samuel Tswaya with 5.3 percent in fourth place.

Fans who participated in the voting exercise chose Etebo’s goal in Warri Wolves’ defeat of Bayelsa United on Match Day 32 in Benin.

Etebo will thus receive the N100, 000 prize money when the presentation ceremony holds in Warri on Sunday during their Match Day 37 fixture against Crown of Ogbomosho.

Ibrahimovic

aris Saint-Germain will be confident of keeping up the pressure on Ligue 1 leaders Marseille when they tackle Lorient on Saturday.

The reigning champions have yet to taste defeat this season and head into the encounter on the back of successive league victories.

That has helped Laurent Blanc's side overcome a frustrating start to the campaign that saw them draw four of the opening six games.

PSG now sit four points adrift of table-topping Marseille, whom they play next Sunday in what seems certain to be a clash of first versus second.

To guarantee that is the case, however, Blanc's men must first overcome Lorient at Stade Yves Allainmat.

PSG could be significantly bolstered, too, by having Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic back in their ranks.

Man Utd 143 56 45

Cisse

Isaac seeks success

wo of the hottest striekrs in the Russian league, Ahmed Musa and Hulk will come face-to-face in the top-of-thetable clash between CSKA Moscow and Zenit on Sunday.

The Super Eagle striker, Musa, has scored five goals in the last eleven league appearances for CSKA this term and the hosts will count on him to wreck Zenit who are atop the league table 29 points, four more than CSKA. The excellent run of coach Andre Villa Boas has been driven by Brazilian striker, Hulk, who has scored seven goals in eleven matches.

In England, Mikel Obi is expected to play a part in Chelsea’s tie with QPR at the Stamford Bridge today. The Nigerian came off the bench in their 1-1 draw at Man Utd last weekend and also played 90 minutes of football as the Blues beat Shrewsbury Town in the Capital One Cup. Brown Ideye returned to West Brom’s starting line midweek but his combination with Victor Anichebe in the Capital One cup loss to Bournemouth was not excellent and he will be keen to make an impression if given the chance against Leicester today.

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Stories by Ajibade Olusesan

Musa faces Hulk in top-of-the-table clash

Musa

EAGLES FOCUS

Sport

Venue: Etihad Stadium Time: 2:30pm

Manchester Derby

City, United clash

Head-to-head

Man City Played: 143 Win: 42 Drawn 45

Lukaku

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apiss Demba Cisse could return to the Newcastle United line-up this weekend against Liverpool.

The striker has missed the last two games with a knee injury, but boss Alan Pardew described him as ‘touch and go’ ahead of Saturday’s game at St James’s Park.

Newcastle go into the game buoyed by a stunning

win over Manchester City in the Capital One Cup. That followed on from victory over Spurs on Sunday, and Pardew wants his players to keep exciting the Newcastle fans – starting this weekend.

“We are winning games again and that’s what the fans want to see,” he added. “We have got a group who can excite the fans."

Cisse set for Liverpool clash

Global Football Special

“I’ve scored back-to-back Premier League goals now so I only want to look forward.

“I’m working very hard and I’m almost at 100 per cent. I think the best has yet to come.

“I put myself under pressure, I really want to succeed and I really want to help my team-mates and the club by scoring goals, by winning games. It’s nothing special, it’s nothing new.”

PSG aim to stay in touch P

verton striker Romelu Lukaku says he is now back to being fully fit after starting the season with a toe injury that he admits slowed him down.

The Belgian international has now scored in back to back games and says he wants to carry on in his scoring form and help his team win more games.

“It was a slow start but now I’m getting where I want to be,” he said.

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Lukaku back to full fitness, ready for Swansea

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

NEW TELEGRAPH

28 SATURDAY N 1 nove

PTS 22 22 16 16 16 15 15 15 15 13 11 11 10 9 9 8 7 6 4 3

NO TEAM P PTS 1 Bayern 9 21 2 Mö’gladbach 9 17 3 Wolfsburg 9 17 4 Hoffenheim 9 17 5 Leverkusen 9 16 6 Mainz 9 14 7 Hannover 9 13 8 Paderborn 9 12 9 Augsburg 9 12 10 Köln 9 12 11 Frankfurt 9 12 12 Schalke 9 11 13 Hertha 9 11 14 Stuttgart 9 9 15 Dortmund 9 7 16 Hamburger 9 6 17 Freiburg 9 5 18 Bremen 9 4

Bundesliga

NO TEAM P 1 Juventus 9 2 Roma 9 3 Milan 9 4 Sampdoria 9 5 Udinese 9 6 Lazio 8 7 Napoli 9 8 Inter Milan 9 9 Genoa 9 10 Fiorentina 9 11 Verona 8 12 Torino 9 13 Sassuolo 9 14 Cagliari 9 15 Palermo 9 16 Atalanta 9 17 Empoli 9 18 Cesena 9 19 Chievo 9 20 Parma 9

Serie A

P 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

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La Liga

NO TEAM P 1 Barcelona 9 2 Sevilla 9 3 R'Madrid 9 4 Valencia 9 5 Atletico 9 6 Celta Vigo 9 7 Málaga 9 8 Villarreal 9 9 Vallecano 9 10 Espanyol 9 11 Eibar 9 12 Getafe 9 13 Almería 9 14 Granada 9 15 Bilbao 9 16 Deportivo 9 17 Sociedad 9 18 Córdoba 9 19 Elche 9 20 Levante 9

PTS 22 22 21 20 20 16 15 14 11 10 10 10 9 9 8 8 6 5 5 5

PTS 23 19 17 16 14 14 14 13 12 11 11 11 10 10 10 9 9 8 7 4

B orussia Dortmund captain Mats Hummels is hoping the challenge of facing Bayern Munich can help kick-start his side's dismal season.

Jurgen Klopp's men have endured a torrid Bundesliga campaign to date and currently find themselves on a six-match winless league run, with five of those matches ending in defeat.

That uncharacteristic run of form sees Dortmund languishing down in 15th, just three points off the foot of the table.

However, after picking up a 3-0 victory at St Pauli in the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday, Hummels, in an interview with Soccerway, senses a potential upturn in fortunes, despite the

uis Enrique will come up against familiar opposition as Barcelona aim to regain momentum in La Liga at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Barca had not conceded a single league goal prior to last Saturday's crushing 3-1 Clasico defeat at the home of arch rivals Real Madrid.

The top five in the Spanish top flight are now separated by just two points, with Barca ahead of secondplaced Sevilla on goal difference alone.

And the Catalan giants will be desperate to return to winning ways on Saturday against their coach's former

side, who sit sixth in the table following an encouraging start to the campaign under Eduardo Berizzo.

The celebrations continued for Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid, who are now just a point behind Barca and Sevilla, after Saturday's Clasico success.

The Portuguese won the 'Best Player', 'Best Forward' and 'Best Goal' prizes at La Liga's annual awards ceremony, and his pursuit of a third Ballon d'Or gathering pace ahead of a weekend trip to Granada, which will see Real go in search of an 11th straight victory in all competitions.

Barca look to bounce back

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term and have won three consecutive derbies.

At the Etihad they won 4-1 with Sergio Aguero scoring twice in an early hammer blow during David Moyes’s reign.

Edin Dzeko helped himself to a double in a 3-0 win for City at Old Trafford, opening the scoring inside of a minute.

Manuel Pellegrini looks set to resist the urge to start Silva behind Aguero, with Dzeko likely to partner the Argentine through the middle.

Martin Demichelis could start ahead of Eliaquim Mangala, with the likes of Van Persie unlikely to get in

Messi

magnitude of the task that lies ahead.

"We've never had to go through anything like this, it dents your confidence," he said. "But we've taken a great step forward [against St Pauli].

"We've got a big game coming up on Saturday. It's a massive challenge, but if there's one game that's going to get confidence levels up, it's the one against FC Bayern."

Dortmund won 2-0 the last time these sides met in the DFL-Supercup, but their domestic form has nosedived since the August showpiece.

Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge's declared his interest in Dortmund attacker Marco Reus earlier this week and the timing of his comments should add extra edge to this weekend's clash.

Dortmund aim to end slump at Bayern

and Manuel Pellegrini’s side will be striving to halt the rot and rebound with a victory against the club’s bitterest rivals Manchester United found some of their old spirit to rescue the latest of points at home to Chelsea last weekend.

Didier Drogba headed the Blues ahead as Chelsea looked to secure an away day win, however they couldn’t hold on. Branislav Ivanovic was shown a second yellow card and from the resulting free-kick, Robin van Persie smashed a loose ball home.

Manchester City recorded two easy wins over their city rivals last

Venue: Allianz-Arena Time: 7:30

he first Manchester derby of the season takes place tomorrow, as the champions Manchester City host Manchester United Sports Mole can report.

Manchester City fell even further off the title pace last weekend, after they lost away to West Ham United.

Morgan Amaflitano opened the scoring for West Ham, before Diafra Sakho doubled their lead with a header, meaning David Silva’s effort was no more than a consolation.

Manchester City’s reign as the Capital One Cup champions came to an end as they lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle on Wednesday evening

PREMIER LEAGUE

NO TEAM 1 Chelsea 2 Souton 3 Man City 4 West Ham 5 Arsenal 6 Swansea 7 Liverpool 8 Man Utd 9 Everton 10 Hull 11 Tottenham 12 Stoke 13 West Brom 14 Newcastle 15 Aston Villa 16 C'Palace 17 Leicester 18 Sunderland 19 QPR 20 Burnley

nder-pressure Parma coach Roberto Donadoni faces a potentially decisive clash against Inter at the Stadio Ennio Tardini on Saturday.

Donadoni's men have slumped to the foot of Serie A after taking just three points from a possible 27 this season, with the former Italy boss reported to be on borrowed time.

After their 3-1 defeat to Sassuolo on Saturday, president Tommaso Ghirardi hinted that Donadoni's reign could come to an end with further losses against Torino and Inter.

"The next two games will be very important," explained Ghirardi, with a reversal at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino making this weekend's fixture even more crucial.

And Parma face an Inter side who are on the up, with a four-game unbeaten run in all competitions underlining their new-found confidence.

U

Crunch time for struggling Donadoni

at the Etihad

Michael Jordan doesn't think too highly of President Barack Obama's golf game.

In fact, he thinks it's downright "s---ty."

In an interview with Ahmad Rashad, Jordan was asked to name his dream foursome. President Obama first made the cut, then didn't.

"I've never played with Obama but I would," said Jordan. "But no, that's okay, I'd take him out. He's a hack, it would be all day playing with him."

Michael Jordan

Bundesliga Mainz v Bremen Hamburger v Leverkusen Hannover 96 v Frankfurt Stuttgart v Wolfsburg Bayern v Dortmund Sunday Mö’gladbach v Hoffenheim Köln v Freiburg Paderborn v Hertha

Serie A Napoli v Roma Empoli v Juventus Parma v Inter Milan Sunday Chievo v Sassuolo Sampdoria v Fiorentina Torino v Atalanta Udinese v Genoa Milan v Palermo

igerian youngster, Isaac Success, will be looking forward to scoring his first La Liga goal when his side, Granada, hosts rampant Real Madrid today.

The former Golden Eaglets striker has played seven times in the league since breaking into the first team of the team this season but he is yet to register a goal.

However, the Flying Eagles player is now under pressure to hit the bull’s eye and will fancy his chances in the big match today.

Real are on a rollercoaster ride after winning their last six matches including the 3-1 victory over Barcelona last weekend and this will surely be a big test for the lowly-rated Granada.

Similarly, Ikechukwu Uche will be hoping to add to his three goals season tally when his Villarreal host Valencia.

The former Getafe hit man scored both goals in their 2-0 win against Almeria penultimate weekend but failed to find his bearing in Villarreal’s 2-1 loss at Sevilla last weekend and he will want to make an impact in another big match on Sunday.

Still in Spain, Ramon Azeez played one hour of football when Almeria were handed a 1-0 defeat at home by Bilbao last weekend and the Nigerian and his teammates will be keen to make amends when they travel to Lavente. The Super Eagles player has played six league games and he is expected to feature in this one.

N

Andy Murray feels he deserves a place at the ATP World Tour finals after consistently performing well in big tournaments in 2014.

Murray has won three of the five events he has entered since the US Open, claiming titles in Shenzhen, Vienna and Valencia.

"I put in a lot of hard work the last few weeks," said the 27-year-old. "A lot of tough, long matches and if I get into London I deserve to be there because it's your results across the year "And my results in most of the tournaments, most of the big tournaments this year, have been good enough to be in the top eight.

Andy Murray

Sebastian Vettel has indicated hopes of being released early from his Red Bull contract were blocked by the team.

He said that :"But yes, obviously I'm not allowed to do the test for any team after the race in Abu Dhabi, although right now it's not really my focus.

"I think there are reasons for that and you can understand what they are."

Sebastian Vettel

SPORT BRIEFLY

LA Liga Saturday Granada v Real Madrid Atletico v Córdoba Barcelona v Celta Sociedad v Málaga Sunday Bilbao v Sevilla Villarreal v Valencia Levante v Almería Elche v Espanyol Monday Vallecano v Eibar

Premier League Saturday Newcastle v Liverpool Arsenal v Burnley Chelsea v QPR Everton v Swansea Hull v Southampton Leicester v West Brom Stoke v West Ham Sunday Man City v Man Utd Aston Villa v Tottenham

FIXTURES

behind often.

Gael Clichy will start ahead of Aleksandar Kolarov, whilst James Milner is favourite to beat Jesus Navas to the right wing spot.

Wayne Rooney is expected to start, despite being an injury doubt, and will feature for the first time since a red card against West Ham. Juan Mata is the favourite to make way for Rooney, having failed to excel when given the chance to operate in a number 10 role.

Marouane Fellaini has been excellent in the last game and a half and will continue in midfield alongside Daley Blind.

against Real NEW TELEGRAPH emBER 2014

Sport

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Sport

Vincent Eboigbe olo players will gleefully rehash the phrase “polo is the sport of kings or the king of sports” but will quickly add in the same breath that the game is not elitist.

Whether it is elitist or not, the cost implication of playing the game is such that it enforces a kind of natural selection and makes it less accessible to the average man on the street.

Barbara Zingg of Kaduna Fifth Chukker explains the underpinning idea behind the famous phrase.

“It is derived from the long history of polo. As you may know the game was played by kings in those days so it was seen as the sport of kings. Naturally the phrase flowed therefrom. Does that make the game elitist? I don’t think so,” says Zingg.

Manager of the premier polo club in the country, the Lagos Polo Club, Segun Erewumi, while admitting that it could be expensive to get involved in the game, however said an aspiring player doesn’t have to break the bank.

“Polo involves money. Beside the pony that is expensive to acquire, you have to take care of it in terms of feeding, medical and general grooming. For this you need to have a groom who will cater for the horse,” Erewumi informs.

“The grooming will involve having a veterinary doctor who comes to check the pony at least once in a month. In fact I can tell you that even when the horse dies you still have to take proper care of it by burying it, well not necessarily like a human being but the horse has to be properly interred. This is important so that it is not sold and consumed as meat so as to avert a situation where the drugs and injections it had been given harm human beings.”

As a by-product of the patron and groom relationship, polo tends to spawn an in-house settlement system for grooms who take care of the ponies, some of these grooms end up playing the game, and this is one way an average person, without the financial muscle, can hope to play the sport.

And in the Lagos club there is a long stretch of buildings that serves the dual function of stable where the horses are kept and as homes for the grooms. The grooms also have their families living in these quarters.

This stretch of houses can be more easily accessed from the Falomo end of Awolowo Road than the main entrance from the Ribadu Road end both in Ikoyi. Abubakar Bobby Brown is a groom resident in one of the houses in the stretch and he gives some insight into what he does.

“My owner (that is the way he put it) is Magudu Dantata. I take care of his horses, ensure they are well fed; we feed the horses on grass, corn, millet etc. My job is to make sure they sleep in clean environments. The Argentina horses don’t like dirty environments so I have to ensure that everywhere is neat,” says Bobby Brown.

“In the mornings the head groom comes around to inspect the entire place to ensure that it is clean. We check the hooves of the horses to detect any signs of sickness, there was a time we lost 50 horses to African sickness, so we have a doctor who comes in to check the horses.

“Some of the grooms also play polo, using the owners’ ponies. It is expensive buying horses or the

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

Polo the ‘king of sports' striving to pull popular following

how they say it Polo action from the last Lagos international championship at the Ikoyi Club

other gear so this is how people like me can hope to ride.”

Erewumi concurs: “Yes there are still people who play the game who are not necessarily rich. A player could have a patron who funds his involvement and then you also have a situation where the grooms who take care of the ponies play; what happens is that they (grooms) who play use the horses and other equipment of the patrons whose ponies they take care of.”

The regular polo season spans the beginning of October to the end of April; this suggests that the rainy season is not the best time for the sport. The rest of the year is known as the off season, but players still manage to keep busy by engaging in club chukka when it possible.

They play club chukka at weekends - Saturdays and Sundays and also on Wednesdays, while they engage in stick and ball something like a training session on Fridays.

In spite of this however, the sport attracts a high level of sponsorship from the corporate world for reasons that are linked to the high net worth of polo players. During its annual major competition which attracts players from South Africa, United Kingdom and as far afield as Argentina, the club in Lagos for instance gets huge money from sponsors, but Erewumi cautions against being carried away as he insists that the expenses are so massive that even the sponsors money are not nearly enough.

There are still people who play the game who are not necessarily rich

“I can tell you that if you get N40m from a sponsor they will come with their own conditions.

They may tell you the players to bring and the artistes too especially for the awards night,” points out Erewumi.

“Sometimes we have visiting ponies from places like Ibadan, Kaduna. Adamu Atta for instance can come with as many as 40 Argentinas for our competition and we have to accommodate them. In the past we’ve had to build a temporary stable complete with electricity, water, food etc. That can take as much as N10m or even more.”

The manager however added that clubs have various ways of raising funds to augment what they get from sponsors. He listed other sources to include members’ subscription as well as stable fees, which relate to what members pay to keep their horses in the club’s stables.

The surface for the sport of polo is grass for obvious reasons. The hooves of the horses dig holes in the ground and they have to be filled.

The grass has to be well taken care off to grow properly. This again, according to Erewumi involves huge funds.

In spite of this however, the game continues to maintain a core following that, come hell or high water, remains faithful. Even more importantly the game is beginning to attract recruits from segments of society not seen as the normal polo crowd.

Bowl in When the umpire starts or resumes a polo match by rolling the ball down the center of a lineup of players, same as throw in.

Chukker Term used for period of play in polo, seven and a half minutes long, there are six chukkers in a polo match.

Appealing Claims by players for a foul, expressed by the raising of mallets above the head. Mallets are polo stick used to hit the ball Flagman An unofficial goal observer appointed to signal by waving a flag over the head if a goal is scored, or under the waist if no goal.

Field Usually 300 yards long by 160 yards wide and outlined by sideboards.

Goal

Anytime the ball crosses the line between the goal posts, regardless of who (including ponies) knocks it through.

Overtime play When the score is tied at the end of the last regular chukker, the first team to score wins.

Third man The referee sitting at the sidelines, if the two umpires on the field are in disagreement, the third man makes the final decision.

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

How doughnut got me a foreign deal –Ikpe Ekong

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Ikpe Ekong was in the Nigerian squad to the 2004 Nations Cup in Tunisia where he played two matches as the Super Eagles won bronze medal in the tournament. He recounts to Ajibade Olusesan some of the momentous events of his career, his pastoral calling in Sweden and more. Excerpts...

One of the critical issues in Nigerian football at the moment is the sacking of Coach Stephen Keshi and the appointment of Amodu Shaibu as his successor. What do you make of the whole scenario; do you think the new NFF was right to ask Keshi to go at this point?

I cannot say it is a right or wrong decision, because NFF and the coach must have come to some kind of agreement. But as a people we still have to learn how to be patient, we have to be patient with our coaches when results are not coming. I can remember that most people were calling for the sack of Keshi during the preliminary stage of the last African Nations Cup but they ended up celebrating him after he won the tournament. We have to be patient as a people.

What do you think the problem is with our football?

So many controversies in our football and it is about power.

When Keshi was there he had so many enemies and Amodu should be ready for the same enemies, I am talking about inside enemies, people working with you, smiling with you but are ready to bring you down.

Keshi himself said he was sabotaged by some people, are you suggesting the coach was correct?

He is very correct. My advice to all is that NFA people must stop fighting against themselves. Jesus said in Mark 3:24-25 that if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand, and if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. That is why we are not able to stand for long .

were fortunate to travel abroad early in their careers without playing for major clubs in the Nigerian league.

I was blessed to have travelled early in my career, I left in 1996 but I would have travelled long before then, let’s say around 1991 even when I was still in high school. Let me shock you, what really gave me the breakthrough was just a doughnut I offered a friend. I was the captain of Julius Berger feeders’ team and the late Chief Idama wanted to sign me but I refused. I think that was in in 1993, 94 because I knew my place was in Europe.

We had a powerful feeders squad then, myself, Azubuike Oliseh, Kingsley Amunike, Chuks Nwoko (who later played for Malta national team) Opara Obumneme and many other good players I cannot mention. One day we were at Euro 65 ( Berger yard) training ground , I think about 45 of us and I had two pieces of doughnut and I had just finished eating one, I did not know how the Holy Spirit communicated to me, but a voice just said to me 'give the last doughnut to the man next to you'. Guess who it was? Azubuike Oliseh . So I struggled, because I was not sure of my next meal and Azubuike's elder brother, Sunday Oliseh, was playing abroad so he could afford to eat anything but I finally obeyed that voice.

Azubuike took the doughnut and

How did you start playing football.

Was it something you really set out to do?

I knew I was going to be a professional sportsman because I was talented in handball, table-tennis, football and long distant race. At 13 I had to decide with my dad who was an ex-football player which of these sports to pursue as a career.

We were looking at handball and football but we eventually settled for football. Let me tell you, I was so close to representing Nigeria in handball as a kid in the 80s.

You are one of those players who

...as a pastor

Ekong in the colours of his club, AFC United of Sweden

It is a big shame that our national team is a place of corruption where merit means nothing.

whispered to my ears that I should come to Festac Town (FHA field) that evening that his brother, Sunday, sent a scout to pick players to take abroad. I was the only one who got that info rmation in my team, so I went and Azubuike introduced me to their eldest brother Barrister Churchil Oliseh who said to me that “my kid brother said you are a good friend’ Yes, I replied, we were good friends, but the doughnut t made a way for the vital information.

So many players came that evening, my goodness; I wondered how I could begin with that kind of crowd. So in one of the trial matches I paired Azubuike in the middle of the field and I did very well and I was taken to Festac 77 hotel which is now Golden Tulip Festac to discuss my foreign deal and from that moment I became a professional player.

You started with Reggina of Italy how would you describe your stay at that club?

It was not a bad experience for me. The coach that signed me was Carlo Ancellotti. The Italian league was the best back then in the 90s.

But you struggled to tie down regular playing time at the club as you spent so much time on loan away from Reginna, why?

Because they had quota for foreign players. They had big name foreign players when I joined the youth team but when they saw that my level was higher than the youth team and didn't want to lose me, they had to send me on loan.

I did pre-season training with the team at my age then because the Italians back then don't give young ones such privilege.

Your stay in the national team was also short-lived because you featured only in the 2004 Nations Cup. Was it due to injury?

No, it was due to corruption.

Corruption! How? A player of my quality doesn’t need to settle anybody before I will be given a place in the starting 11.

My performance should be my guarantee, it is a big shame that our national team is a place of corruption where merit means nothing.

You are now a minister of God why did you abandon professional football an to go into full gospel ministry?

I had a successful 20-year football career without major injuries knocking me out, I did not even go through any operation as a player until God told me in 2012 to stop playing. I have been involved with the ministry since 2006 though.

I have been privileged to see Our Lord Jesus in my dreams about four times but in 2009 He came to me again and told me personally to gather His people. And now I am a pastor in Stockholm and also preparing to start a branch in Nigeria this year by the grace of God. I never planned to be a pastor, although I have always had the fear of God. It is fulfilling purpose; what I know is that God does not exist because of us, but we exist because of Him.

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SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

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Why I dumped Balotelli - Neguesha

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iverpool striker Mario Balotelli was certainly doing plenty of brooding on the pitch on Sunday, and he may have a similar expression off it after seeing the latest gorgeous snap from ex-fiancee Fanny Neguesha.

The Daily Mail carries the quotes from the 24-year-old model, who explains that she feels no bitterness towards the Italian striker, but admits she was unprepared for the pressure of being a WAG. The couple were engaged in March 2013, but split last month.

Fanny said: “It’s definitely over between Mario and me. But I want to highlight this: we have no quarrel. I wish Mario all the best in his life and his football career.

“If you have loved someone, you can’t hate him because a relationship went wrong. I can be deeply disappointed in him, but I don’t wish him bad things. If he needs me, I’ll be there for him. As a friend.”

Reflecting on their relationship, she added: “Mario was my first big love. But I hope there’s still another big love left for me. I’m still young.

One day I want to get married and have kids – what else?”

The source adds that, Balotelli has yet to rediscover his best form since moving to Liverpool from AC Milan in the summer for £16m, scoring just once for the Anfield club.

Lifestyle Meet busty model that tears Ronaldo, Balotelli apart

T

his shy and retiring model, Sophie Reade, has been ‘romantically’ involved with two stars of the world game and as such deserves some closer attention.

There were reports that Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Balotelli have both had a fling with the model.

Neguesha

Reade

Muller spotted in woman's dress W

Muller

inning the World Cup, everyone else was desperate to know the secrets of Joachim Low's Germany team - why exactly were they so successful?

Well, a new film about Die "Do not take life Mannschaft's journey to World Cup too seriously. You glory in Brazil could answer that queswill never get out tion.

Combining behind-the-scenes foot- of it alive". age from the German camp with high- Elbert Hubbard lights from those epic matches, 'Die Mannschaft' promises to lift the lid on – Albert Einstein how it was done.

The trailer for the film, which premieres in Berlin on November 10, shows the togetherness and camaraderie that carried Germany to victory - and a few rather bizarre moments.

For example, Bayern Munich striker Thomas Muller, who scored five goals at the World Cup, is seen wearing a bright pink Dirndl - the traditional Bavarian female dress - at the team's Stories courtesy Dailymail breakfast.

Maradona and girlfriend, Rocio

Maradona accused of beating girlfriend

D

iego Maradona has been labelled a psychopath after a video emerged appearing to show him assaulting his on-off girlfriend.

In the video, Maradona, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 before managing the side with less success, can be seen getting up from his sofa and ap-

proaching his girlfriend Rocio Oliva to have a go at her for using her mobile.

Oliva filmed the 53-year-old walking towards her spluttering: 'You still looking at your phone?'

He then appears to strike her although he later claimed to have only hit the phone from her hand.

TV & Radio with Angela Davies

Telenovelas … We really can’t have enough of them

T

elenovelas made their debut on our television screens years ago. Then, both men and women were addicted to the few ones that are aired. Once, the time of airing drew near, ardent viewers would sit quietly on their sofa to watch these interesting and intriguing series.

I could still remember that sometimes neighbours came into our sitting room scampering for space on the sofa or even on the rug just to catch a glimpse of their favourite Telenovela. And once the episode for the day ends, they would sit down for a few minutes to discuss and try to predict what will happen in the next episode.

Some of the Telenovelas back then were Secrets of the Sand, Lady of the Rose, Paloma, Raquel and many more with intriguing storylines.

Interestingly, today, almost all the local channels air different interesting and spellbinding Telenovelas and their biggest followers are women.

Some men do not even want to hear the mention of any Telenovela as they feel it is a sheer waste of time.

Ask any woman to mention any current running Telenovela the first one they will mention is Refuge for Love which airs on Galalxy television.

Personally, I follow this soap opera whenever I run into it. It is exciting, spellbinding and sometimes you get angry if you miss an episode. It keeps you glued to your sofa and television screen. I know many women love this Telenovela but I didn’t know they could go to great lengths just to watch it; even when they are on the move.

This experience was real but funny, all for Refuge for Love. Just the other day, I boarded a keke at Ogba on my way home around 6:15 pm on a Thursday and the woman who should be in her mid-40’s sitting on my left brought out a Techno phone with an in-built television from her handbag. Not minding where she was or who was watching, she switched on the phone, tuned to the TV, adjusted the antenna, plugged the ear phone and focused on the screen. Immediately, I knew she was watching Refuge for Love. She smiled, giggled, stamped her feet and laughed intermittently.

Just to confirm my suspicion, I craned forward to catch a glimpse of the screen and truly, I was not wrong.

She is not the first woman I have seen watching this same Telenovela on a Techno mobile phone TV. Sometimes, when there is no power supply, women reserve fuel so that they will turn on the generator once it is few minutes to the time. I asked myself, what is it about this particular soap opera which women are so addicted to?

Refuge for love or Shelter for Love as it is called is a Mexican Spanish-language soap opera. It is a remake of the Venezuelan Telenovela ‘La Zulianita’.

The story revolves around Luciana Jacinto a beautiful, happy girl who lives in a village with her family. After the death of Galdino, her adopted father,

she flees to the city because of the constant sexual harrassment of Don Aquiles, boss of the town.

On getting to the city, Luciana got a job as a maid in the mansion of the Torreslanda family in Mexico City where Rodrigo, the first son of the family has the reputation of being a great womanizer. But little by little, the sentiments of Rodrigo for Luciana become an intense and profound love.

A strong attraction grows

between Rodrigo and Luciana, which develops into deep love. Rodrigo decides to end his engagement with Gala to secretly marry Luciana and together they faced anyone who is against them.

Later, Luciana realizes she is pregnant; she decides not to tell Rodrigo and have her baby on her own. Rodrigo, on the other hand, marries Gala and lives in hell because she makes his life miserable.

Rodrigo and Luciana kept facing different obstacles from his mother, Roselena, Gala, his wife and her mother, Julieta who vowed that they will never be happy together. The situation became worse when Luciana gave birth to their son and he was kidnapped and dumped at a refuge site to die

by Roselena and heavily pregnant Gala on a rainy night. A homeless musician takes the baby believing the mother was dead. When Luciana wakes up and does not see her baby, the pain drives her crazy and she spends her life looking for him while keeping busy with pottery and working in her father’s office.

Refuge for Love airs on Galaxy television between Wednesday and Fridays at 6:00pm. The running time is 41–45 minutes. As the story unfolds, a lot of women are eager to know how this thrilling soap opera filled with love, betrayal, hatred, denial and friendship will end.

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2014

This weekend AIT

TELEVISION

SATURDAY 06:00 Turning Point 06:30 Cartoon 08:00 Infotech network 08:30 Destiny encounter 09:00 Cartoon 10:30 Sports file 12:00 AIT reports 12:30 Passion of Love 2:00 Welcome to Nigeria 3:00 Best of sports 4:00 World news 6:00 Trends 6:30 True Nigerian 8:30 AIT news hour 9:00 Family ties 10:30 Views and tunes 11:30 One mic 00:00 Ait news 00:30 Movie SUNDAY 06:00 Turning Point 06:30 Spirit of praise 07:00 Hour of salvation 07:30 Cartoon 08:00 Catholic Mass 11:00 700 club int'l 12:00 The week in review 12:30 The genda agenda 2:00 Front line 3:00 Mini jojo 4:00 World news 5:00 Personality, places & places 5:30 Our ladies, our pride 6:00 Hitlist N Cruzin 7:00 The valley between 8:00 AIT news hour 9:00 Tales of Eve

O

n - A i r- P e r s o n a l i t y, Omotunde Adebowale-David better known as ‘Lolo1’ of Wazobia FM and news reader for Cool FM is a graduate of law from the Lagos State University, (LASU). She has a natural flair and love for communication.

In her biography, Lolo 1 said, “I am a humorous, social and

an extremely extroverted personality who loves to entertain.

I love to have fun and do fun things; I love to read and am also an incurable romantic. My philosophy in life is that life is an endless circle, everything always comes around. So I love to do to others what I would love done to me. Besides all, I am an energetic and eclectic lady.”

Lolo 1 is also a comedienne.

GALAXY TV LAGOS 5.30 6.30 8.00 8.30 10:00 1:00

Galaxy top 20 Disney animal Superfans challenge Movie Sports Edge Ile Alayo

1.30 Celebrity zone 2.00 Ntfs 2.30 Premier league 5.00 Two faces 5.30 Refuge for love 6.00 Real woman 6.30 Circle of interest 7.00 Galaxy news 7.30 Nollywood 9.00 Galaxy news 10.00 Gulder ultimate search 11.00 Primetime Africa 12:00 Wonderful wld of disney 1.30 Fighting spirit Sunday 6.00 Disney animal 7.00 Reel Nollwood 7.30 Refuge for love 8.30 Movie 10.00 campus life 11.00 Abule iroko 12.00 laarin osere 12.30 Disney family hour 2.30 Hour of salvation 3.00 Democracy 5.00 The one who couldn’t love 6.00 Two faces 7.00 Galaxy news 8.00 The super mom season v

RADIO

Radio Continental Saturday 6:00 News at Dawn 6:10 Saturday Special 7:00 Music 7:30 Papers Today 7:45 Saturday Special 9:00 Who's Getting Married 9:30 Good Living 10:00 Saturday Sports 12:15 World Beats 1:00 Fan Zone 4:00 Me & You 5:00 World News 7:30 Afrobeat Tonight 9:00 Single Life 10:30 Old School Groove 12:00 Whispers

Omotunde Adebowale-David a.k.a Lolo 1

33

EKO FM

Saturday 05:00 News on the hour 07:00 P.P.A./Programme promos 07:10 Divine connection 07:15 Morning news 08:30 Weekenders sport 09:00 Music 10:00 The news 3:00 Top ten countdown 4:00 Cover story 4:10 Woman tori 5:00 National news 12:00 Webcast

Sunday 6:00 News at Dawn 6:05 Hymns Inspired 7:00 Music 7:30 Press Report 8:00 Church without barriers 10:30 Think you know the Bible 12:00 World News 12:15 (RAGGAE) 1:00 Chart Busters 2:00 Lagos News 2:30 Palaver 5:00 World News 5:15 Studio 102 7:00 Woman's Own 8:00 Sunday Evening Groove 10:00 Music 12:00 Whispers Sunday 6:00 Divine hour 6:55 Marital bliss 7:00 Weather report 7:15 Morning news 10:00 News 12:00 News summary 3:05 Rhumba jamz 4:00 Music 5:00 National news 5:10 Make it happen 7:00 African news 7:10 Jesus the light - sponsored 9:10 Something for singles

Short Story SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

Writer in focus:

Ahaoma Kanu

34

The River Benue Massacre (2) continued FROM LAST week

"A

beg make una mercy us, no kill us…. abeg". The cries and pleadings increased as more people could be heard

descending.

"Sit down on the ground as you come down", the soldiers commanded.

"Ewoo…. Chukwu nyelu anyi aka..", One woman prayed. I could hear them very well from where I was and I sat up on the floor of the cubicle listening to the horror happening outside.

"Everybody come out!" the stern warning came again. I was scared stiff and didn't know what to do. Okechukwu and Ekene opened the lid of the box they were hiding and peeped at me. I saw the fear and uncertainty in their eyes; I was not crying nor weeping but tears were rolling down my face. They looked at me to know if they should obey the orders. I motioned for them to remain inside and they slowly and quietly covered the lid of the box. It seemed the sudden discovery of the cargo in the coaches shifted all the attention of the soldiers to that place. More sound of shuffling feet coming down was heard; I just heard the thud on the ground and the cries of the women as they pleaded for their lives.

"Sergeant, search all the coaches", the commander ordered. I heard the cries of the children among the people, their mothers tried to stop them from crying by covering their mouths so that their cries will not annoy the army men. The search began, but was not thorough as I had imagined; the compartment we were, was not searched; another hand of God. Some moments later, I heard the boots of the soldiers jumping down. The search was over as the sergeant reported to his superior that all was clear and that they truly carried palm oil.

"Bring those bloody drivers here", the commander hollered.

"Oya, move idiots", the soldiers started shouting.

"Where did you carry these people from?" The commander asked. Nobody answered him.

"You don't want to talk again?" He threatened. " Kaduna", someone supplied, it was unmistakably the voice of Jasper. The interrogation seemed not to finish and was taking a forceful dimension as Wale and the rest were beaten to produce answers.

"Where for Kaduna?"

"It was the Red Cross sir", Wale, who had gotten all the blame naturally, said in defence, "They told me to carry them down to the east on my way to Port Harcourt".

"The Red Cross? That American woman. I will make sure that headquarters hears about this", the commander said in annoyance. For the next few minutes, all seemed quiet as the officer conversed with his soldiers. They later came back and went to where the people were.

“If you know you are Hausa or Yoruba here, raise your hand", one of the soldiers announced. He repeated the question over and over, as it seemed that nobody raised a hand.

The Sergeant then called on the people to stand up, the noise following such activity followed.

"I want you people to listen attentively, women go to one side and the men go to the other side of the rail now!" he in-

structed. As the movements started, the voice of a man shouted, "Ha choro igbagbu anyi", raising an alarm of the plot to kill them. There was instant pandemonium as some of them took to their heels while the women started shouting in a loud voice.

"Stop! Stop!" the Sergeant tried to caution but the Commander, on realizing what was happening, shouted loudly, "Shoot, Shoot the bastards!" At once, the soldiers opened fire on the people.

The shots were numerous and thunderous; you could hear the screams of the people as the bullets hit them. The whole atmosphere was charged with gunshots, screams and painful shrills of death. I was shaking all over as the shooting went on and kept calling the name, "Jesus! Jesus, Jesus". The cries and exclamations of the people as the bullets hit them were agonizing and cut through the soul like razor, as the sound of their bones and skulls crushed at the impact. After what seemed like forever, the shooting stopped. Everywhere became quiet; the sound of a child crying was the only sound audible, some few shots fired and it was all quiet. Dead quiet. The whole place smelt of gunpowder and blood. The marching feet of the soldiers resumed.

"Check them all and make sure they are dead, search their pockets and collect their money, rings and necklaces", the Commander ordered. This time there was not the complimentary, "Yes Sir", it looked like the soldiers were watching their handiwork, which I knew, was unpleasant. They started going through the bleeding dead bodies.

"You idiots should go and help them", the commander shouted, "You are lucky I am not in my bad mood today, you would have all be gone by now".

"Yes Sir, Yes Sir", came the replies of familiar voices. Wale! They survived. I couldn't control the sudden urge to peep, in order to be sure they were alive.

I stood up from my hiding place and tip-toed, out of fear rather than courage,

"Check them all and make sure they are dead, search their pockets and collect their money, rings and necklaces", the Commander ordered.

to a small opening in the mechanism of gears and looked. I saw a man dressed in a military uniform holding a lighted cigarette, standing and watching. That would sure be the commander I figured; he was tall and lanky, had a square face with three ugly tribal marks on each cheek and cannot lay a claim to being handsome. His face looked as ruthless as his heart. I then looked ahead, what I saw made me gasp. I saw the soldiers standing on one side while Wale and the rest were going through the pockets of the dead bodies littered on the ground. The bodies all soaked in blood were dehumanized further as they were stripped of their clothes in order to get to their pants and under wears. A soldier held what looked like a brown bag for collection of whatever was found. Umaru seemed to startle at one of the bodies, he jumped back suddenly and started pointing to the body; the person wasn't dead yet.

One of the soldiers came close, pointed his rifle at the body and shot with a loud bang. I let out a scream. The commander heard my cry and turned suddenly, looking towards the engine. His hand went to his holster and held up his pistol. At once I went back to my hiding position.

"Sergeant", I heard him call.

"Yes Sir", came the reply.

"Did you search the engine room?" He asked.

"Yes Sir", the sergeant replied. I waited for more instructions from the devil but none came. I quietly covered myself with the overalls and lay down sobbing. After a long while, I heard one of the soldiers ask his commander.

"Sir how are we to dispose of them?"

He asked, "Should we load them back for their people to see?"

The Commander remained silent.

"Sir, it is getting dark", the soldier reminded him. Then the Commander ordered with a devilish voice.

"Throw them into the river."

"Yes Sir", the soldier saluted and marched off relaying the instruction.

"Make una throw them inside the river quick quick", he called out to the others as he went towards them. For the next hour or so, sounds of the bodies splashing in the river below were heard. A little while later, a truck came along.

"Sir, they are here", the soldier, I suspected to be the sergeant, informed his commander.

"Call those drivers for me", he ordered.

The sergeant called Wale and the rest.

When they all came, he started talking to them.

"You people better not try to save those people again, if I ever catch you again, your bodies will be eaten by vultures.

Understand!" He hollered.

"Yes sir", they chorused. I heard someone retching.

"You dey vomit because you carry dead body", the sergeant taunted him.

"This one no get liver, he no go fit be soldier", one of the soldiers said and they all started laughing.

"Do you smoke?" The Commander asked.

"Yes Sir". It was Wale; he was the one throwing up. I recognized his voice.

"Here, smoke some cigarette, it will help you get some heart", the commander offered. The other soldiers kept laughing. Wale muttered his thanks. The Commander then asked his boys how much they got. "₤836, 66 shillings, with many goodies", he was informed.

"Give the driver and his friends ₤50", he ordered. I heard some movements.

"Are you not going to say thank you to Oga?" The sergeant barked, "If it were Major Amin you all will have died".

"Thank you Sir, Thank you Sir!" came the quick response of Wale and friends.

"God bless you Sir", Umaru included.

"You better leave at once, the night group are here and you are blocking the bridge", the Commander said as he marched out.

"Sergeant", He called out.

"Yessah!"

"Tell the boys to meet me at the mess by ten, so we can have some beer".

"Yessah".

The message was passed to the soldiers who started cheering their commander.

They entered the truck that dropped the new group of soldiers and started heading out, to the barracks I believe, to meet their families and maybe to the mess later in the evening, to have some beer and drink to the success of yet another killing of some bloody bastards.

TO BE conCLUDED NEXT week

Love News

Dear Love Doctor, 'Should I leave my husband?' p.37

‘Bill Cosby raped me'

p.36

L ve&Lv ng SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2014

‘My wife's childlessness made me love her more' Love Confession In Africa, childlessness in marriage is many a time a cause of divorce or separation. However, in some cases, like this story shows, love conquers all.

Like the skies can’t stop being blue, I can’t stop thinking about you.

S

tella and I got married in a quiet ceremony in church and our marital life began with great expectations. But against our expectations, months turned to years, and we remained childless. After six years without a child, my relatives and members of my immediate family began to question my manhood. “Osas, are you sure you’re okay?” my eldest sister asked me. “If you know you cannot impregnate your wife, I think it is better we see a fertility specialist or a doctor.” I swore that I wasn’t going to consult anybody and that I was man enough to impregnate any woman in the world.

After waiting for two more years to have a child in vain, my eldest sister advised me to marry a second wife. I totally rejected the idea of my marrying a new wife. I maintained that in Europe and America, childless couples remained like that without children and lived happily ever after. But my sister reminded me that we were Africans and that an African man was incomplete until he had a child, especially a male child.

I went ahead and married a second wife. But to my horror, soon after my second wife came to live with us she began to show her true colours. First,

she fought my first wife and injured her on the head. Then she started stealing my money and whenever I confronted her over it, she heaped insults on me, saying that as my second wife, she had the right to take my money without my permission.

My second wife soon became pregnant. But six months into her pregnancy, she had a miscarriage and she accused Stella, my first wife of being responsible. The next thing she said was that she didn’t want to see my first wife again in the house. She insisted that I must send away my first wife if I wanted us to live together. She also said she didn’t want to see any of my relations too in the house, because according to her, some of my relatives could be colluding with my wife to harm her.

It made me feel so sad. I knew that Stella, my first wife, was a gentle and loving person who couldn’t hurt a fly.

My relations also were nice people. So, for my second wife to say that she didn’t want to see my first wife and my relations was too much to bear. I advised my second wife to learn to live in peace with all. But rather than heed my advice, she continued making trouble and fighting with my first wife and my relations.

In her folly, my second wife thought she’d come to stay and so, could do as she pleased. But she was wrong. I sent her packing last month.

And Stella, my relations and I, now have peace of mind. I’ve come to realize that life is not all about children.

Our happiness & peace of mind are equally important.

Although we have no children, my wife is still the loveliest woman in the world because she brings me joy. Some people think that if you’re a childless couple, you must either marry a second wife or adopt children. That is African mentality. But we don’t reason that way. It’s not compulsory we adopt a child or take a second wife just because we have no kids of our own. My wife and I have decided to remain happy together even without any child. The nightmare of marrying a second wife is now a thing of the past.

Romantic Quote "In your light, I learn how to love. In your beauty, how to make poems. You dance inside my chest where no one sees you, but sometimes I do, and that sight becomes this art." ― Rumi

MODEL OF THE WEEK

Victoria

35

vhkysam@gmail.com

36

Love&Living

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

‘Bill Cosby threw me down on his bed and pinned me by my neck' Love News

W

hen comedian Hannibal Buress delivered his recent merciless tonguelashing at Bill Cosby, calling him a serial 'rapist', there was one woman who was paying particularly close attention.

When Barbara Bowman was a teenager she was emotionally and sexually abused by the TV star and in an exclusive interview with MailOnline she describes in chilling detail how Cosby manipulated her into believing he was a father figure and took advantage of her youth, vulnerability and yes, even ambition, to have his way with her over and over again.

'I was drugged and raped by that man,' she tells MailOnline. 'He is a monster. He came at me like a monster. My hope is that others who have experienced sexual abuse will not be intimidated into silence by the famous, rich and powerful. If I can help one victim, then I've done my job.'

Raised in Denver from age nine by her mother, Barbara soon began studying acting and modeling. By 13, she became a client of J.F. Images, Denver's top agency at the time.

What began as a dream in 1985 with a private 'audition' for Cosby ended two years later in screams for help while being pinned down to the comic's hotel bed.

Barbara, now 47, says it's time to end her code of silence — a silence that at least 13 other victims have followed — spanning three decades.

'I'm finally revealing all of my full story in hopes that others will learn to read the tell-tale signs of abuse and not wait as long as I did. No one believed me for years. They said Bill would never do that. That it was preposterous. But I'm putting my name out there and standing behind these words, just like Burress. No more code of silence.'

Now, 25 years after the multiple incidents of drugging, sexual as-

l Actress reveals years of rape at hands of TV legend

M

EVELYN CHAMPAGNE KING

Love Come Down (Love come down) (All the way down) No sleep last night Been dreaming of you Please hold me tight 'Cause I can't help the way that I feel I just can't help the way that I feel Deep in the night You took my heart Now danger's in sight 'Cause I can't help the way that I feel I just can't help the way that I feel Do do dit dit dit dit dit dit do do do Baby you make my love come down You make my love come down Make it come all the way down Oh you make my love come down Baby you make my love come down You make my love come down

"My motivation to speak now is to expose Bill Cosby as the animal that he is"

sault, and even rape at the hands of the now 77-year-old Cosby, Barbara said: 'I've been silent too long.

It's time to raise a fuss. I'm a real person that this happened to. And it's taken decades to get over what he did to me.

'I thank Hannibal Burress for speaking out over and over again, despite the threats from the Industry that it could ruin his career. He is standing up for me and the other women who are too afraid to speak out.

'And the timing couldn't be better. It sickens me to think he'll be on TV again, playing a father, no less.'

Barbara's fear is that her perpetrator will actually hit the NBC

airwaves again, as soon as next summer in a new sitcom, playing a patriarchal father figure, just like he played the quintessential family man Dr Cliff Huxtable on The Bill Cosby Show in the 1980s.

'Maybe he should also teach his fictitious TV family how to escape the talons of sexual predators. Bill used to tell me that he was my father figure and that I needed to trust him as a father, 100 percent.

Then he'd drug me and attack me.

I was to afraid to talk back.

'He told me over and over again, "Trust me like I was your father." He zeroed in on that like a laser beam.'

While other victims were allegedly given hush money to prevent them from going public with their accusations, and another settled after filing a court case against Cosby, Barbara is free to speak out.

'I never took shut up money. My motivation to speak now is to expose Bill Cosby as the animal that he is. He went after me in that hotel room like an animal with such sexual prowess and force that he couldn't control himself. And at 19-years-old, I knew it would be the last time he would ever get the chance to hurt me this way again.'

'I rejected his proposal because he is a divorcee'

y name is Ugo and I live in Lagos. I'm 19 years old and I’m dating a guy of 40. I met him after my NECO and fell in love with him.

One reason I love Felix is that he’s very sensitive and responsive to my needs. He’s the only man that understands me.

Felix told me that he is a divorcee.

He said he married his ex-wife out of sympathy and that after their wedding, he discovered they were incompatible.

Their incompatibility finally led to their divorce and now he has found true love in me.

Felix begged me to accept him for whom he is and give him my love.

He treats me like a lady, with respect and compassion. From the first day we met he promised to marry me.

And he backed up his words with action by coming to see my parents three months later. But unfortunately, my parents refused to give him my

Love Songs

Life Experience

hand in marriage.

I’m from Imo state while he’s from Benue. I’m the first daughter of my parents in a family of seven.

My parents said they wouldn’t let

me marry any man outside my state.

They also say the age gap between us is too wide.

Another thing they said was that my first husband cannot be a divorcee, because I’m too young to marry a divorcee.

But the fact is that I love this man so much and I can’t imagine life without him. I told my aunt and she said that the age difference does not matter because age is nothing but a number.

I’ve tried to talk my parents into allowing me to marry me but they’ve bluntly refused.

I had to tell Felix that my parents are not in support of our marriage. We both wept when I told him that our marriage cannot work out.

But now, I’m angry with my parents because I feel they’ve made me lose the only man I ever loved. I feel miserable, and I’ve warned them that if I don’t find another man to love me like Felix, I’ll run away and marry him.

Can't do without your tender love There's no way out And I can't help the way that I feel I just can't help the way that I feel Your love has a force, got me under your spell So take me, I'm yours And I can't help the way the I feel I just can't help the way that I feel Shoo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, oh Baby, you make my love come down You make my love come down Make it come all the way down You make my love come down Baby, you make my love come down You make my love come down

Love Poem

Jean Gabor

The Child In Him I loved the child in him so innocent and sweet The mischief in his eyes the blush upon his cheek The tender way he spoke that showed me that he cared The touch of his warm hand that gently touched my hair The smiles that we shared that filled my life with glee For when I was with him I found the child in me

*Send your love poems along with your name and number to ireto007@yahoo.com

Romantic Jokes

PERFECT WOMAN

Bill is almost 29 years old, his friends have already gotten married, and Bill just dates and dates.

Finally a friend asks him, "What's the matter, are you looking for the perfect woman? Are you that particular?

Can't you find anyone who suits you?"

"No," Bill replies. "I meet many nice girls, but as soon as I bring them home to meet my parents, my Mother doesn't like them. So I keep on looking!"

"Listen," his friend suggests, "Why don't you find a girl who's just like your dear old Mother?"

Many weeks go by and again Bill and his friend get together. "So Bill. Did you find the perfect girl yet. One that's just like your Mother?"

Bill shrugs his shoulders, "Yes I found one just like Mom. My mother loved her, they became fast friends."

"So are you and this girl engaged, yet?"

"I'm afraid not, my Father can't stand her!"

1 NOVEMBER 2014

Relationships & Love Advice

'Should I leave my husband?'

Dear Love Doctor, I don't know what is the right thing to do. I have been with my husband for 8 years.

We have 3 kids. 5,4, and 10 months. I have never been truly happy with my husband. I got together with him at a time in my life that was very difficult and I was looking for someone to take care of me. He was able to do that for me. He is a good provider... but a lousy husband. He constantly picks fights, treats me like a sister and not a wife.

But now I've met a man I love and he wants me to leave my husband for him. Should I leave my husband for him?

From Queen.

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Queen, The reason your marriage isn't happy is because you married a man who loved you and you married him because it was convenient and he was a good provider.

This man is the father of your children Do you think he doesn't know how you feel?

In a way you trapped him

Love&Living

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

and used him by letting him think you loved him. That is so wrong. Now you have children and the fairy tale has turned into a nightmare.

You honestly think your husband is happy knowing you don't love him?

I think you need to stop being a selfish narcissistic person and think about your children and the man who has put up with you all these years.

If you want daily love tips or advice, download The Color of Love Guide on your iPad and iPhone. Search for ‘Color of Love’ on your Apple App store now and download the App. *Send your comments/stories to Love Doctor. E-mail: ireto007@yahoo. com. For free marriage/relationships counseling, or if you have fibroid, fertility problems or need a male or female child; call Love Doctor Mike 07031028714, 08131161840. Visit lovedrmike.blogspot.com

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37

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Young mother pretended she was dying of cancer to get friends and family to pay for her £10,000 wedding - and she even tricked her own husband Odd News

A

young mother defrauded friends and kindhearted strangers out of thousands of pounds by claiming she had terminal cancer -and even deceived her own husband into thinking she was dying.

Danielle Watson, 24, said she had late-stage cervical cancer from January 2012 to claim donations, freebies and cut-price deals for her upcoming wedding worth almost £10,000.

The then 21-year-old administration assistant of Rowhedge, Essex, even brought forward her wedding by several months to April that year so she could walk up the aisle with new husband Chris before radiotherapy and chemotherapy made her hair fall out.

But in fact she had minor surgery for a treatable gynaecological condition and had never been diagnosed with, or treated for, cancer.

She aroused suspicions by failing to provide proof of her illness and demanding all donations be paid to her

"She aroused suspicions by failing to provide proof of her illness and demanding all donations be paid to her account"

account. She then revealed in June 2012 that she was pregnant.

She had denied six counts of fraud but - appearing pregnant again - dramatically changed her pleas on the first day of her trial at Basildon Crown Court, sitting in Southend, and now faces the prospect of a jail sentence.

Rebecca Blain, for Watson, told the court that with an 18-month-old child

and her second due in mid-November, her client had been worried about getting an immediate prison sentence.

Mrs Blain said: ‘One of those she told was her then to-be husband. Her own family all fell under the umbrella of that lie.

'She has told friends and family and she will have to learn to live and come to terms with the fact that she has told them what are the most despicable lies.’

Recorder Gerard Pounder said Watson had ‘preyed on human kindness’ and he could not guarantee she would avoid a custodial sentence.

Wedding planner Leigh Stewart gave Watson free help worth £1,100 through her Fantasy Dream Events business and then helped raise thousands more in donations.

Speaking outside court the 52-yearold mother of six said she had since closed down her business, partly because of what happened. And she still wants to know why Watson did it.

Mrs Stewart said: ‘It’s appalling, she affected my family, my life, my work.

Not just me, lots of people. I think she needs help. It is not a logical mind that does that.’

Courtesy: Daily Mail.

38

Love&Living

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

True Confession From Overseas

SEXUAL COMMUNICATION

‘I snatched my best friend's boyfriend'

Sex and Orgasm: Best sex positions to achieve orgasm

W

e were in our final year of high school, and my beautiful, highly intelligent and talented best friend, Fiona, had met the man of her dreams.

She was over the moon in love with him and I could understand why. He was caring and thoughtful, tall and goodlooking. He was serious eye candy and I found myself blushing in his company and often had impure thoughts about him.

Fiona and I were both equally ambitious to go to university the next year.

For the past six years we'd been inseparable, spending every weekend camped out at each other’s houses. We'd had our fair share of boyfriends along the way, but always remained true to one another in the name of female solidarity.

But I knew Ryan was different. He wasn’t just a distraction for Fiona, he was the one. We had our final exams to study for and they paced their time together, kindly including me on outings as often as they could.

When Ryan's parents invited Fiona to dinner to meet the girl of his dreams, I was invited along as well. They all seemed to adore her and when Ryan's father confided in me that "she was the girl he would marry", I felt the first twinge of jealousy set in.

I had never before felt jealous of her, because I loved her unconditionally as my best friend. While she was a natural blonde with bright blue eyes, I was confident with my smattering of freckles and hazel eyes. I felt we were both pretty in our respective ways.

Our school year ended on a high note, with both of us doing very well academically. Fiona was dux and we all went out to celebrate. Ryan was so proud of her and gave her an amazing commitment ring. I was green with envy.

When the university offers came in, Fiona was offered a full scholarship to study medicine at Otago University in Dunedin, New Zealand. I did not get into the medical course I'd applied for, but was accepted for a BSC degree at Sydney University in our home town. At first I was sad that we'd be separated, but then I remembered how envious I had been feeling lately. I reasoned some distance between us might be a good thing.

Ryan was inconsolable when he found out about her offer, as he'd just accepted a

W

'I had never before felt jealous of her, because I loved her unconditionally as my best friend'

new job in Sydney and this was to be the start of a rewarding career for him. They spent every living moment together leading up to her departure for university. I was left out of their plans. I felt sorry for myself and missed my best friend.

The time soon arrived for Fiona to move countries and leave Ryan and me behind. Ryan was as lost as I felt and he started to spend more and more time with me and my family.

I saw this as my opportunity and turned on all the charm. I was always so grateful to see him, chatting about Fiona and filling him in on her university gossip. One day I hinted that she’d met a fellow student she was pretty interested in.

This broke Ryan's heart, but I had no conscience. I knew that I wanted him for myself. I was prepared to go to battle and lose Fiona’s friendship for him.

They exchanged a few heated emails, with Ryan accusing her of cheating on him. She invited him to come over so they could sort out this misunderstanding.

He asked me for advice and I lied blatantly, telling him Fiona had treated all her past boyfriends this way. He believed me, as he reasoned I knew her best, and broke it off with her. I could tell her world had crumbled. She called me to chat and Ryan answered the phone. He was firm when he told her that it was really over between them and revealed that he was interested in me now. At last, I was victorious!

I cut all ties completely with Fiona, changed my mobile number, moved in with Ryan and warned my family that I wanted nothing more to do with Fiona.

A couple of years later we got married and Ryan supported me through university. Over the years we had two children

who both look so much like him.

A year ago Ryan was offered a career change with a move to Auckland, and I instantly thought of Fiona. It had been 12 years since we had seen her. We discussed it and both felt that if she were still living in New Zealand, we would have no problem seeing her again.

I found her email address and we began to chat. She was now a successful doctor practising in Auckland and was very happy to make contact with me again. Ryan and I decided to invite her over to meet our children.

When she walked in the door, she lit up the room with her beauty, grace and wonderful energy and I remembered just how much I missed her.

She looked amazing, toned and tanned, having just returned to NZ after a summer break in Europe, water-skiing and sailing in the Mediterranean. She'd done very well financially, far better than we had, and owned a lovely heritage home on the shore.

Next to her, with the rush of life and the exhaustion of motherhood, I felt like a wilted flower. I was envious of her lifestyle – she was planning a winter break to ski in the Alps. I realised that I'd missed out on her company all those years and could see how much Fiona lived, played and worked with vitality. I was envious and impressed at the same time.

Our children instantly fell in love with her too. Our young daughter asked her, "Why don't you have children of your own? You would be a fantastic mum.”

To which Fiona replied, “I've not met the man to spend the rest of my life with yet."

I looked up at Ryan then, and saw his eyes soften. I can’t help feeling responsible for destroying their hopes of a life together.

I really hope they never find out how I lied.

Courtesy: msn.com

Wedding Traditions

Washing the Bridegroom's Feet: Indonesia

D

o you love your husband enough to wash his feet in front of a crowd of a thousand of your closest relatives, family and friends? This is exactly what you are expected to do if you get married according to Javanese traditions.

Of course the husband should step on an egg before his bride washes his feet.

hen it's a mind-blowing, bed-rattling orgasm you're after, keeping it simple is absolutely key. Sure, wild, crazy, never-knew-mybody-could-bend-that-way booty keeps your lust life exciting, but if the goal of the moment is to break pleasure records, you have to stick to the basics. "Trying to accomplish complicated acrobatics distracts you from the sex itself, putting your focus on how you can contort yourself, rather than on just experiencing the sensations," explains sex educator Dorian Solot, coauthor of I (Heart) Female Orgasm. "When you want to climax, the simplest positions are often also the best positions, and with a few modifications, you can make them even more orgasm inducing than they already are."

You'll never see missionary position the same way again. "While on your back, put a pillow under your butt, lift your hips, and bring your legs up and back toward your shoulders, as though you're folding in half," says Solot.

This move allows him better ease of thrusting and deeper penetration — a perk for both of you. Plus, it can stimulate your G-spot. But consider this a warm-up — you're getting the zone primed for a more intense orgasm. Once your G-spot feels sufficiently stroked, put your legs down and have him get into coital-alignmenttechnique (CAT) position. "He's on top, but he lifts his pelvic bone upward, aligning it with your clitoris," says sex therapist Gloria Brame, PhD. "Then he rocks against the area until you peak." "The legs-up position is a slow burn that brings you to the brink and increases sensitivity. Then the addition of clitoral rubbing takes you over the edge in a bigger way than if you had done CAT alone," adds Brame.

You've probably tried an all-fours pose before (at least, we hope you have!). But while mentally the doggie-style position has great bad-girl benefits, in order to make it actually orgasmic, you need to modify it a bit. "Lie on your stomach, lifting your butt slightly so he can enter you," suggests Solot. "Your partner can prop himself up with his hands in a push-up position or lie on top of you."

Not only does this facedown configuration provide increased friction as he moves in and out, but you can gently grind your clitoral area against the bed as well.

With all the twisting and bending that goes on, sometimes sex can feel more like a cardio workout than a pleasurefest. That's why it's important to have at least one relaxed orgasm — inducing position in your repertoire. Such as this: "While you're on your back, he should lie on his side, turned toward you," explains Solot. "Swing both legs over his hips and thighs, making a bridge over them." Then, just let him gently thrust into you. If it takes you a while to climax, this pose is ideal. "It's not very aerobic, so the sex can go on for a long time without either of you tiring out," says Laura Berman, PhD, director of the Berman Center and author of The Passion Prescription. "When you want to climax, it's easy to touch yourself or he can use his top hand to stimulate you."

Girl-on-top tends to be a go-to for achieving orgasm...and for good reason! "It allows you to dictate the pace and depth of thrusting, but mainly, you have easy access to your clitoris," says Berman. "You can touch your C-spot, have him touch it, or rub against his pubic bone to achieve orgasm." But you can up the ante by literally pulling a 180. Twist around so you're pointed toward his feet in reverse cowgirl position. "Instead of straddling him, put your legs together, feet flat between his legs," suggests Brame. The benefits of this are twofold: With your legs together, the fit is even tighter, making the sensations more intense. Plus, there's increased G-spot stimulation, which combined with your own clitoral strokes, makes for an explosive orgasm.

SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2014

Travel &Tourism 39

Chef's Corner Tranos Moyo: 'Finding trained food handlers a huge challenge' p.40

Travel Personality 'Most people go into hospitality business for wrong reasons' p.41

Destination

A shot in the arm for Zimbabwean tourism p.42

HOSPITALITY INIOLUWA EKEOLERE visits Ikeja, Lagosbased Downtown Royal Hotel and discovers that although a boutique hotel, its services and vision are just as ambitious as any of the industry's big players.

D

owntown Royal Hotel has two different properties located at separate ends of Ikeja, Lagos. There is one within the GRA – Oladipo Bateye, which is the bigger and the other at Dipeolu, off Awolowo Way. Both come with posh and splendid ambience with a huge appeal.

The one via Awolowo Way may not be as big as the main hotel in Ikeja GRA, but it sure comes with its own appeal as it parades a blend of sophisticated and modern facilities. Its cosy scenery is what first does the magic as you walk through the door.

The manager, Darlington Anorue, gave the reporter a tour of the hotel, pointing out as he did so that every visitor here is treated like prince and princess. The facilities are people friendly and are actually devoted to the comfort and wellbeing of the staying guests, he said, adding that services are delivered by well-trained employees who have imbibed the culture of excellence. ‘‘Our Rooms have been exquisitely crafted and appointed to achieve a degree of comfortable luxury to satisfy the senses of every guest. Within each room lies sophisticated technology providing large selection of satellite and interactive TV channels as well as fast internet access,’’ he explained, stepping ahead of the reporter.

Truly, the manager is on point as you take in the well crafted rooms with artistic décor and well laid out amenities that include a large comfy bed,

The hotel's facade

Downtown haunt with a royal edge

working desk, flat screen TV and tea/coffee facilities. The different room categories include standard and deluxe rooms, business and executive suites. Of course, there is a private lounge that is fitted appropriately for the guest's comfort.

Dining is also set out in a luxurious and colourful restaurant where you can relax and enjoy a

good meal from continental to local delicacies. You can also enjoy a savoury drink from the choice selection of beverages, wine and champagne on offer.

You come away with the impression that everything here is defined by a refined taste steeped in luxury. ‘‘We have a serene environment for both tourists and

One of the artistically crafted rooms

business class customers who are looking for a place to come up with lucrative business ideas,’’ he said, beaming with smiles.

"We have the most professional staff in Nigeria because we encourage our staff to attend trainings and seminars, capacity building and customer service related trainings." He also speaks fondly of the hotel’s central location and the fact it's only a short drive to the airport. ‘‘We have a lot of tourists and business class customers as we are strategically located close to the international airport. We guarantee the best of hospitality." They surely do offer some classy service, but you have to look elsewhere if you're a fan of pulsating night life with ample entertainment. ‘‘It's a place for relaxation, but we don’t have the night life aspect because of the calibre of our target customers. We try to provide a quite environment for them. So we don’t have club or party. We also have maximum security for our customers.’’

NEW TELEGRAPH PARTNER HOTELS BENEFITS There are lots of benefits to derive as one of our partner hotels. For FESTAC, LAGOS

enquiries and details on how

ABA LAGOS

to join the programme, please contact Andrew Iro Okungbowa: 08023152195 (sms only), e-mail: iroandy@ymail.com or Chinyere Opara: 08063768131 (sms only)

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

ABA

e-mail angela_curtis-2@live.com

40

Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

CHEF’S CORNER

Tranos Moyo: 'Finding trained food handlers a huge challenge' Tranos Moyo, a director at the Culinary Arts Academy in Zimbabwe, is one of the country's highly rated chefs, ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA had a conversation with him during the recently held Sanganai/ Hlanganani, a travel and tourism trade exhibition, organsied by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority in Harare. He speaks of his passion for cooking and devotion to developing the younger generation.

Moyo

culinary school, he gives a resigned shrug. "The moment you move to start something on your own the more challenging it becomes. You want to ensure that it is very successful, good enough for the people and then for the country. But in a way, it is self actualisation and I am satisfied the way we are and where I am now today."

Moyo with students at the academy's food laboratory

W Background

but to be in business, how to start business and how then to lead. My passion is to see people develop, I am a trainer and at the same time a food lover, so I enjoy developing others and that is the reason why I then moved on to establish Culinary Arts Academy to develop young ones as far as proper skills are concerned."

Moyo’s other great ambition is to be a shrewd business man with an immense clout sufficient for him to sit on any board. "I have got the qualities to sit in a number of boards in any industry. So where I want to go basically is to move on to become a shrewd business person or business leader who can chair a number of boards."

But besides, he would love to see his college move to offer a degree programme. "By then I would have reached the height of developing people,’’ he adds.

The allure of the kitchen Moyo didn’t set out to be a chef but fate always seems to have its way. He ended up in the kitchen and within a space of over two decades, he has made name for himself in Zimbabwe where his name features prominently among the top chefs in the country. Having worked in many high end hotels and restaurants in a few countries like Zimbabwe and South Africa, he decided to take his passion a notch higher by establishing a cooking school – Culinary Arts Academy - where he now imparts the skill and knowledge he has acquired over the years to the younger crop of Zimbabwean aspiring chefs.

But how did it all begin? ‘‘It is very funny how I entered this industry. It was just a matter of visiting some of these outlets where food was being cooked and at one stage I saw someone cooking chicken.

To me, it was like cremating chicken, killing the chicken for the second time and the way they were doing it I didn’t like it. ‘‘I was young then, I was about 18 years and then I just wanted to know about cooking. It was just like a food fair and I began to find out how one can be responsible for feeding people and it was then that I was told of the opportunity in Bulawayo. ‘‘But basically I got offers to move into other professions but I ran away to Bulawayo to become a cook. It was just the love of food; not the love of food to eat, but to manipulate it and to serve quality food to others. The reason behind it is that I am passionate about food and about cooking. ‘‘I was not only preparing myself to be a chef

Challenges facing chefs He cites the challenge of procuring the right tools of the trade and remuneration as some of the vital issues being faced by chefs in the industry. ‘‘For you to come into the kitchen to produce quality food which is awesome, then you need the right equipment and that has been the biggest challenge in the country.

The more you make your food good and appetizing, everyone will move into your restaurant but you find out that the chefs are not well motivated. ‘‘They are not appreciated but slowly it is fading away and chefs are now being recognised in Zimbabwe like other countries of the world. Those who are motivated are now going out of their way to produce quality food, which is attracting people because you can’t separate the hotel from the food. ‘‘The other challenge is basically the lack of skills. Many don’t have the proper skill, hence climbing up the ladder is not an easy one.’’

ith over 21 years experience in the culinary world, Tranos Moyo has actually earned his stripes as evident from his profile: a culinary arts diploma at the school of Hospitality and Tourism in Bulawayo in 1995; a B-Tech degree in food and beverage management with Vaal University of Technology in South Africa and Master of Business Leadership Degree (MBL) with University of South; sous chef at Meikles Hotel; executive chef at Quality International Hotel; African Junction Restaurant; food production and pastry lecturer; group food and beverage manager and general manager at one of the Lodges in South Africa; training chef, Rainbow Tourism Group; and now founder and director at Culinary Arts Academy.

"It was just the love of food; not the love of food to eat, but to manipulate it and to serve quality food to others"

A lover of beef Chef Moyo's culinary artistry is quite evident when it comes to the cooking of beef which he describes as one of his specialties. ‘‘Basically, I love beef.

It is my best dish which I enjoy cooking mostly. But I'm an experienced chef with varied backgrounds, an all rounder, and pastry work is also one of my specialties. However, you tend to concentrate more on meat and sauces so that you quickly climb up the ladder to become an executive chef compared to pastry, which is basically difficult.’’

Running a culinary school Asked how challenging it has been running a

School's profile You could see the way he becomes animated when the subject moves to his school that it means the world to him. "Our company is a professional cooking school, we specialise in training chefs and those who adore food. We basically train chefs who are good for the industry and who are also good to start their own businesses. It is a cooking school run by professional chefs and basically the trainers are master chefs in Zimbabwe.

"It is a private school but registered by the ministry of higher education and also accredited by the city and guild. We have been in operation for three years now. This is our third year in a roll.

"You need to have four O’ Level and sit for two subjects through the ministry of education – cooking subjects on food preparation and food set subjects.

This is because we are taking people with passion for cooking.

"The industry needs someone who loves cooking, who loves food because it is not an easy industry - long hours of standing; you need to be planning ahead for your customers and listening to your customers.

"The future of the school is good because we have got a bigger plan to establish a state of the art cooking school. I'm hoping to migrate to a degree programme with specialisations and to now create that real Zimbabwe cuisine, which will appeal to the international community and make money for those who want to venture into entrepreneurship.

"That is a bigger plan going forward; we are not thinking small but we are thinking big and we are moving forward to establish that."

Zimbabwe’s food sector Like most chefs in the developing world, he gushes about the industry's "huge potential", but laments the fact finding properly trained food handlers is challenging. "We have a number of hotel schools but they are not enough. The industry has gotten to that level where we need training for all those who want to be food handlers or chefs to be properly trained in hygiene, in the art of food techniques and in the kitchen.

"They do a lot of on-the-job training but that is not good enough really for us to be competitive in the global village.

"It is a very good industry to be in for a chef who wants to grow and learn more about cooking.

Zimbabwean chefs are very good because we are very creative as a people and as chefs. Even those who are there without the proper training become passionate when they get there."

Moyo is married with three children – two boys and one girl.

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

Travel & Tourism

41

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

'Most people go into hospitality business for wrong reasons'

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The beginning ust like any young graduate of her age then she looked to having a fulfilling one year National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) stint with perhaps one of the high blue chip companies in the country where she hoped to begin an exciting life and career. But as fate would have it Ovat was destined for something else, to perhaps, an uncharted path where she needed to dirty her hands and pay her due if she ever wants to get to the top.

Fate threw her to the Cross State Tourism Bureau (CRSTB) where she not only developed interest in the tourism sector but etched a path for herself where she had to undergo retooling, training and mentorship to attain the specialist toga that she has today.

“My interest in the industry was triggered when I had the opportunity of doing my NYSC with the Cross River State Tourism Bureau. I was widely exposed to the industry through mentorship and training. I was retained after my service year and enrolled for more training and that was how I came to be one of the first Nigerians to become Certified Hospitality Trainers. In 2013, I applied for all my staff at the training school to be trained as Certified Guest Service Professionals (CGSP), making the five of us the first in Nigeria to earn this designation,” Ovat says of her career path.

At CRSTB she learnt the rope as she was deployed to work at various areas of the industry. A t a point, she stepped out of CRSTB to work at the University of Calabar Hotel where among others she discovered the dearth of training, professionalism and the culture of excellent customer service.

Ovat

Justina Afiegu Ovat reveals to ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA how she became enchanted with the tourism industry, working with the Cross River State Tourism Bureau and today she is one of the first few Nigerian certified hospitality trainer with a training school, Calabar Hospitality House Limited, Calabar, Cross River State.

The birth of Calabar Hospitality House Limited This discovery stoke a hunger in her, a hunger to see how she could possibly lead a vanguard in developing and promoting excellent service culture and professionalism in the industry. This also boded well with her inspiration and philosophy of life. “I draw inspiration from being able to impact knowledge and influence positive change. My philosophy in life is according to Socrates’ saying that ‘an unexamined life is not worth living.’’’

It was this hunger that led her into establishing the Calabar Hospitality House Limited, a special vehicle for impacting knowledge in the industry, thereby promoting professionalism and the culture of quality and excellent service delivery, which has been a deep rooted passion for her since entering the industry and discovery some of the inadequacies.

“Before earning the Certified Guest Service Professionals (CGSP) designation you must decide what to do with it,” she says even as she added that “I decided to establish a training school in other to improve the tourism and hospitality industry in Cross River State.

The vision of the Calabar Hospitality House Limited is to be a major education and training provider with pro-

If many people continue to visit the destination there is no doubt that businesses will improve.

The government recently launched a tourism road map to aide tourists

grammes and courses that ensure access to lifelong learning opportunities for all our people who have a passion for the Cross River hospitality and tourism industry.”

The mission “Our mission is to partner with relevant bodies and educational institutes in order to provide a quality academic service that guarantees the currency, relevance and integrity of its qualifications awarded to students. I am very excited about CHH Limited earning a distinction as the first certified guest service property in Nigeria from the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute. The certification further guarantees the integrity and authenticity of our programmes. ‘‘CHH Limited is all about providing high quality advice, training and assessment to the hospitality industry.

The idea of a training school is widely accepted especially with the kind of programmes we have packaged. CHH Limited is an outfit with a passion for developing capacity and manpower for the growing needs of the hospitality industry in Cross River State. We carry out trainings for individuals and corporate bodies. We are currently partnering with the Cross River State Hoteliers’ Association to provide quality programmes that ensure access to lifelong learning opportunities for all our people who have a passion for the industry,” she revealed of the current pre-occupation of her training school.

According to her, before CHH Limited came into existence, there was barely any recognisable form of professional or certified training for the industry in the state despite the fact that tourism was beginning to make waves in the state. “There wasn’t much training going on in the industry before now. Only branded hotels trained their staff according to their SOPs. But recently business owners are beginning to realise

that return on individuals is crucial to the growth of any business,” she added.

Cross River State tourism is improving Her observation is that the service culture in the hotels is the least desirable, “the service culture in our hotels is nothing to write home about.” However, she admitted that there is a lot to celebrate in Cross River State’s tourism industry.

“The hospitality sector in Calabar is really improving and taking shape. CRSTB with its licensing exercise is ensuring hotels comply with minimum requirements to operate within international standards.

“Development of Cross River State has come a long way. Through the initiative of the special adviser on Tourism Development, the Cross River Tourism Platform was inaugurated to further boost the destination Cross River." According to her, the industry has been of immense benefit to the people over the years.

“The people are benefiting from it. If many people continue to visit the destination there is no doubt that businesses will improve. The government recently launched a tourism road map to aide tourists,” said she but added, “my advice to the government is to continue the good work it has been doing and really take advantage of the spirit of the public private partnership as was initiated under the Cross River Tourism Platform.”

The fact is Ovat is enjoying what she is doing as she seems to be living a dream world, as she described the experience as fantastic and wonderful. “The experience has been wonderful because the tourism and hospitality industry is a diverse one that presents you with many opportunities,” she added.

However, she has also have to contend with a number of challenges, as she recalled that “the challenges I have faced are with having to deal with people professionally seeing as the industry in the state is relatively new and 90 per cent of the work force are untrained. And most people go into business in this industry for the wrong reasons.”

Other than these, she is optimistic of a bright and fulfilling future, “the future for us is very bright. We are dedicated to providing personal, professional and quality training and support to every level of the hospitality sector. Our courses are designed to build competences and awareness, help people master new skills and result in industry-endorsed qualifications.”

Collecting and reading tourism books While not engrossed with her training programme, attending workshops or seminars or even tendering to her family, Ovat, an avid reader, spends time collecting and reading books on tourism. “If I’m not working I spend time collecting books and reading about tourism and hospitality best practices. I read a lot of spy and epic fantasy novels.”

At the risk of being labelled a home groomed adventurer, she proudly said that her beloved destination Cross River remains her best destination describing it as “a destination rich with many tour sites and attractions.”

Ovat is from Cross River State and married with three children. She studied English and Literary Studies.

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DESTINATION

One of the pavilions during the expo

Sanganai/Hlanganani, a travel and tourism trade exhibition organised annually by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority got on to a new start this year, as it repositioned as a business to business platform and Africa's premier business exchange platform for interfacing with the world. ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA who was at the event presents its highlights.

Z

PRELUDE imbabwe has never hidden its intention to rise to earn status of one of the world's leading destinations while the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) the governmental agency responsible for managing, promoting and marketing its tourism has not spared any effort at crowing about the splendid tourism experience the country offers.

Sanganai/Hlanganani (meeting in Shone and Ndebele dialects), a travel and tourism trade exhibition is offshoot of Shanyai/Vakatshani and Zimbabwe International Travel Expo (ZITE). This year’s edition which took place between October 16 – 18 at the Harare International Conference Centre in Rainbow Towers, was part of that goal to bring the world to its feet.

Usually an all comers affair as you find virtually trade and businesses of all sorts in attendance at the yearly meeting, but few weeks into the hosting of this year’s edition, ZTA dreamt of changing the scope, content and colouration of the gathering.

The organisers scaled down its wide scope to a more specific expo restricted to the tourism trade. It was as a result named African premier business exchange and a platform dedicated to pushing the frontiers of Zimbabwe’s world of seven wonders, which its tourism has become and promoting Africa’s countries destinations as well. ‘‘Stakeholders and tourism players can expect a different Sanganai/Hlanganani in 2014 that has a new look, feel and spe-

A shot in the arm for Zimbabwean tourism

cial business,’’ said the chief executive of ZTA, Karikoga Kaseke. ‘‘Key changes will however be implemented over two – three years. It is not possible to implement all envisioned improvements in the short period leading to this year’s edition.’’

An indication that the repositioned expo was on to a good start emerged on the eve of the expo during the dinner organised by ZTA for the invited international buyers and media at the Rainbow Towers. It was a well attended evening affair and it was an obviously elated Kaseke who stepped on to the podium to welcome the guests.

Just before he launched into his speech, he cleared the air on the issue of Ebola, which almost dimmed visitors' enthusiasm because days to the event, a section of the Zimbabwean media widely reported the outbreak of Ebola in the country, leaving ZTA and the government to handle the faux pas.

The damage of this false report reverberated at the night’s gathering with Kaseke announcing the withdrawal of over 30 invited buyers for the event. But moving on, he expressed optimism on what to expect in the coming days as he assured the exhibitors and buyers of good business following the new philosophy of the expo. ‘‘Expect a lot of business exchanges because we have repositioned the expo as a business to business (B2B),’’ Kaseke said, noting that he expects a minimum of seven appointments to be conducted daily by the buyers. The buyer who notched the highest business appointment in the course of the three days expo would be honoured, he added.

The Expo From the first day at the expo, the entire exhibition grounds, covering 4,150 square metres took on bright and exciting colours, and the mood was thick with expectation.

Soon, the entire grounds became swarmed as exhibitors employed all gimmicks and tactics in the book to attract buyers and trade visitors in the first two days and the visiting public in the third and final day of

‘My intention is to encourage more and more East Africans to participate; I will like to bring a bigger group.

People want to learn, it is all about business'

the exhibition to their stands.

The roll call of exhibitors was a rich and diverse one: tour operators, travel agents, hospitality sector, educational institutions, national tourism boards, automobile, trade associations and government agencies in the service provider sector. Incredible India led the pack of countries at the expo, which included Malawi, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Egypt, Embassy of Indonesia and Kenya.

Invited international buyers and others from across the different continents, from countries as India, China, UK, Nigeria, Germany, Italy and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) bolstered the expo with their presence.

Besides the fluid business sessions witnessed at the various stands, there were talk shops like the Young Professionals Forum, Towards Green Tourism guidelines and ICT in tourism.

Thursday night witnessed a colourful buyers and media cocktail event held at the Meikles Hotel. It turned out to be very entertaining and as admitted by Kaseke, one of the most well–attended and outstanding events of the expo with Namibia - a co–hosts with Meikles Hotel - making a colourful pitch for its destination.

Another night of note was the formal opening and award ceremony, which held the following day at the main auditorium

of Rainbow Towers. It was an entertaining night with the Wahamanda Dance Troupe, Zimbabwe’s signature troupe enthralling the audience with their tantalising fertility dance and high sounding percussion and evocative music.

The night witnessed the doling out of awards to some of the high flying exhibitors and buyers at the expo. The recipients include the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe as best public institution; Chitungwiza Publicity Association as best publicity association; Mutare Polytechnic as best training institution; Khanondo Safaris as best tour operators; and Rainbow Tourism Group emerging tops at the accommodation category.

Others are Air Zimbabwe as best air-

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43

line; Hardwood for Africa led the exhibitors; India Tourism excited everyone with their highly creative and interactive stand in the international category while Khanondo Safaris earned the best Zimbabwe stand with India Tourism voted the best overall stand.

The numbers Numbers are always good metrics for measuring the success of trade expos and the details of the numbers released by ZTA at the end of the three-day meeting revealed the following: 115 companies were recorded with 690 exhibitors; 19 foreign stands, 95 foreign exhibitors while the number of international buyers was put at 80 and international media at 15. The breakdown of the buyers indicated that Europe had the highest numbers with 36 buyers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Netherlands, Slovenia, UK and Switzerland; Americas had two from the USA; Middle East recorded seven from Iran and United Arab Emirates (UAE); China had one from Hong Kong and Africa came close with 34 from South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia, Botswana and Uganda. Europe recorded seven media from UK, Ireland, Germany, Belgium and Netherlands; Africa had six from South Africa and Nigeria; and Americas had two from USA. The total number of meetings scheduled online was put at 1,030 while the actual numbers of meetings conducted was 1,620 while over 250 persons attended the workshops held as against the 150 expected. Given that the expo this year was a clear departure from the previous ones, one would have expected ZTA to celebrate a somewhat successful outing given the statistics, but Kaseke would rather be modest, scoring it an average performance against the pass mark that many of the staff were tempted to score the expo.

In all, one should think that ZTA has done well given the constraints, the Ebola hoax that almost overshadowed the event, the not too expofriendly venue and the fact that it is the first experiment in conducting a truly international standard travel trade expo. Going forward, Kaseke and his team would need to sit back and see how best they can turn the expo around and ensure it attains its potential. Hopefully, one looks forward to a much improved Sanganai/ Hlanganani come 2015.

Wahamanda cultural dance troupe entertaining guests at the opening/ award ceremony

Views from the expo grounds 'Offered opportunity for good business deals' Paul Friedrich, a German national with Afrika Reisen Exklusive and one of the invited buyers, said he was not disappointed with the outcome of the expo, as he never in the first place had high expectations. However, he said the second day was the most fruitful for him as he had good businesses conducted.

While he admitted that the expo helped put a gloss on the country's image, he however, wants some improvement in terms of organization. ‘‘The organization was not too good.

I think the conclusion is that it was not bad, but they have to work on the organization.’’

'It's a good attempt' ‘‘It is a good attempt,’’ said Waturi Matu of East Africa Tourism Platform, a hosted buyer from Kenya. According to her, it is time African destinations began to come together to showcase their wealth. She would love to see more African countries attending the expo given that it offers opportunity for inter regional tourism market to grow.

Having enjoyed the hospitality of the country and discovered its rich tourism offerings besides the Victoria Falls, which was perhaps the best known highlight of the country, Matu is now enthusiastic. ‘‘My intention is to encourage more and more East Africans to participate; I will like to bring a bigger group. People want to learn, it is all about business and that is the challenge that I am giving myself to come back and bring more trade operators. There is a market for people who want to experience more than one country or region,’’ she said, adding that it offers multi–countries packages.

'Warm, welcoming people' Efe Awhana of Avantgarde, a hosted buyer from Nigeria, said it offered a one stop opportunity for buyers to experience the Southern African region given there was a good representation of companies and operators from the region. He also commended ZTA for a work well done as it was a good moment for the country to tell its own story.

For him, the country is yet to be discovered because the few days he toured the country showed how warm, welcoming and hospitable the people are with a rich, beautiful and attractive industry, which needs to be truly discovered and explored.

L-R: Representatives of the Kenyan Tourism Board with the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Walter Mzembi and chief executive of ZTA, Karikogi Kaseke during the award ceremony

'Good opportunity to experience the country' For Victor Enwezor of Leisure Afrique, another hosted buyer from Nigeria, visiting and taking part in the expo was a good one. He was able to explore the country to experience its vast and rich tourism industry, he said, applauding ZTA for organising the expo and bringing people to savour the country’s tourism experience. He is convinced that on the long run, it would pay off for the country as many more people would come to know and visit the

country through this laudable effort.

'It's a very positive expo' Wendy Derera of the National Museum and Monuments was impressed by the expo, which she said offered her organisation the opportunity to expose its tourism offerings to the international community. ‘‘We are here to market our museum maybe we can get some international buyers. It is very positive, but very few buyers came this year compared to last year and there are very few stands compared to that of last year,’’ said Derera, attributing the low turnout to the Ebola scare.

'Quite impressive' The marketing manager of the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, Rufaro Mahondo, scored it as ‘‘quite impressive". But he concedes that "there are less international visitors this year. I understand that about 40 percent of the exhibitors did not turn up because of the Ebola issue. But in terms of the quality or standard of exhibition, it is very good and even better than the previous ones.

We are also experiencing difficulties in our economy; but otherwise, it is generally good.’’

'The new focus is good' Lenox Mhlanga, a media practitioner and teacher said of the expo: ‘‘I am very impressed with the exhibition of this year mainly because the focus has changed from just being a general exhibition to one where it is business focused. I think the whole idea is to try and encourage more visitors to come into this country. There has been a lot of negative press particularly in the international media about safety issues, about political issues and lately about the Ebola scare. ‘‘I believe that buyers who have been invited here and those who have managed to come have seen for themselves that Zimbabwe is a place to visit and not only that a place to do business in particularly the Germans who have been very positive and have bought a number of products from our local safari operators and other tourism operators as well. ‘‘I think it is positive, ZTA also has to do a lot of marketing or a lot of perception management in terms of the exhibition itself. Re-launching it as a business fair alone is not enough. I think from this point going to the next one they need now to educate the people, to say this is the approach that we are taking and this is the role that you have to play.’’

'Immensely benefitting' Violet Mhute, a Zimbabwean and president of Women in Tourism, Zimbabwe, whose organisation is exhibiting for the first time, said they have benefitted hugely from it. ‘‘This year’s Sangananai is good and I liked it because it was mostly on business. That is the main thing that I liked about it. We managed to speak to a lot of buyers, foreign buyers and

also local buyers. But as women in tourism, we want to do some partnerships, we are looking for investors who want to partner with us so that we can do bigger projects. ‘‘I think this was a good platform for us to meet with buyers and get as much information as possible so that we can be able to assist our members... Yes, I am excited about it because with the information that we have garnered I know that a lot of our members are going to be excited about it as well. We were able to get some linkages and synergies for them. ‘‘I see it growing bigger and bigger, Sanganai is going to grow because a lot of people here in Zimbabwe want to go into investment. I see it growing and in the next five years it will be recognised internationally."

'It's going to be bigger and better' Arvind Nayer, managing director of Exodus Holidays in India, an operator based in Zimbabwe who is also exhibiting for the first, described it as a good platform to explore: ‘‘It is the first time that I am actually participating at this event and it is quite good as far as the show is concerned. We have some good buyers; we have some very good local participation, which is very important to show the rest of the world what we in Zimbabwe have to offer. ‘‘The future is bright. There is a lot of expansion and opportunities as far as B2B is concerned and I am sure that in the very near future it is going to be bigger and better. I would just say going forward, well done, keep up the good work and let’s go forward.’’

'Good rebranding for Zimbabwe' According to Paul Bhebe, a consultant, given that the country has lost its tourism market due to politics, Sanganai offers the much needed opportunity to rebrand the country. ‘‘It's more like rebranding Zimbabwe as a tourist destination,’’ he said, pointing that some of the good points of the expo include encouraging regional tourism, platform for networking and attracting a number of international buyers. ‘‘I am impressed because I have attended few ones before and they were not business focused as this one because this is more of a tourism business.’’ He would like ZTA to target more international operators who can develop packages and investors who are interested in the hospitality sector.

'It has added value to us' Tranos Moyo, a director of Culinary Arts Academy, Harare, Zimbabwe, said it has added value to their institution as they welcomed a number of international buyers and visitors to their stand. ‘‘We have value for being here and we have clinched a number of deals with the SADC countries, which is good for us as we have value for our money,’’ he disclosed.

He scored the entire expo as fairly good but thinks that last year's was better. Barring the Ebola scare, he said the tourism expo would have had many more buyers and visitors.

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Battle of Egos

The unending war between President Jonathan and Governor Amaechi p.48

Controversy Rabble-rousing visionary? p.50

Perspectives

Monkey Cage: Compaore’s dangerous gamble p.50

Blood will flow if Jonathan, Buhari contest in 2015 –Sheikh Gumi Last week, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, the Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, stirred the hornet’s nest with a suggestion that both President Goodluck Jonathan and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari should not run for the presidency in order to avert a looming bloodshed that he foresees. Since then, Buhari’s supporters have called Sheikh Gumi all manners of names and in this interview with IBRAHEEM MUSA, the cleric explains why he took such stance.

Recently, you wrote two letters to both PDP and APC, advising them against fielding President Goodluck Jonathan and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as their respective presidential candidates. Why did you write those letters?

The reason for writing those letters is to try to avert a disaster that I foresee if they are allowed to contest. Why? Simply because what happened yesterday (2011 postelection violence) is most likely to happen in a bigger magnitude in 2015 when they contest, because all the parameters are there, in fact aggravated. So, for fear of loss of lives and in sympathy with those who lost their lives innocently, ethical issues demand that the two of them should forego their ambitions. If they don’t, then the responsibilities fall on their parties to do so because they are there to filter and see what is suitable for Nigerians. The question is the survival of the nation.

So, you foresee the post-election violence of 2011 happening again in 2015?

I see it in a bigger magnitude because the factors that can cause it are aggravated. A section of the country is so much depressed, suppressed and it feels cheated. So, that section will be disappointed if their candidate is not declared the winner in 2015.

In essence you are saying that the north is backing Buhari and the APC while the south is for President Jonathan and PDP. If either candidate wins, the section of the country whose candidate loses will not agree.

No side will agree.

Did the parties reply your letter?

None of the parties replied but I could © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

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Buhari:

Ruling divisively CONTINUED from PAGE 45

see that there are grievances from all sides, from their supporters. Some of them seem not to be happy about it.

Some said that I was expressing my personal opinion but this is more than a personal opinion. The nation needs a third voice, a voice that is neutral. To be honest, people are afraid of the government. So, nobody can speak to the government directly. People are also afraid of Buhari’s supporters because most of them are not well educated, they are also irrational and sentimental; most of them are underprivileged, suppressed and half-baked youths in a mammoth crowd who see him as a saviour. In fact, they see Buhari as the only saviour. That’s the danger.

You also wrote another separate letter to Buhari, what did you tell him?

I told him that being a Muslim and as an Islamic cleric, we Muslims should admonish each other. Muslims should give candid advice to each other; wata wassaw bialhaqqi wata wasaw bialssabri (Quranic verse) this verse means Muslims should give mutual advice in truth and in patience.

If my father were in Buhari’s shoes and he said he wanted to contest for the presidency, I would have given him the same advice that I gave to Buhari.

I will tell him not to contest; it’s not suitable for him because he was a religious leader. Even among Muslims, he was heading a sect. Buhari, even among northern Nigerians, is divisive politically. Not many people liked the way he ruled when he was the head of state. The same way, his supporters like him because of the way he ruled in the past. So, his supporters should not argue that the past is past and it should be forgotten because they are basing their love for him because of what he did in the past. Likewise, people hate him because of the past.

The past is very important. So, how can a leader who is divisive even in his constituency, rule the whole of Nigeria? We need somebody who will calm everybody’s nerves. Somebody who is neutral to everybody; be they Muslims or Christians, Northerners or Southerners.

One thing that you should also understand is that what I advised Buhari to do, I also advised Jonathan to do the same. But you could see the reaction of Buhari’s followers which is abusive.

When you are discussing issues that affect human lives, they have nothing to do but to abuse you, accuse you of being sponsored or somebody will question your credibility. So, you can see the reaction of these kind of people over what I said. What of if you shock them and declare that their mentor did not win election? Who can control them? Nobody. So, this is what I am trying to avoid by trying to put my advice to the national domain so that we discuss the matter. As we discuss, people will remove sentiments and see reality.

In the same letter to Buhari, you cited instances when Prophet Muhammad(SAW), barred someone

from being a leader not because he was not honest but because he was rigid to a fault. How does this relate to Buhari?

The Hadith is very explicit. One of the companions of the Prophet (SAW) asked him to give him a position of authority. The prophet said no. He said that “I love for myself what I love for you. You have a kind of weakness that you should never accept to lead even two people. And don’t even take an orphan’s wealth.‘’ This is the same man that the prophet (SAW) has said that nobody is truthful in speech like him. All the companions of the prophet (SAW) agreed that he does not like any worldly possession. He was of the view that gold and silver should not be kept for more than one day without being spent. This is the same man that the prophet advised against seeking for leadership because of certain weakness.

What is that weakness?

He was an introvert. The Prophet (SAW) said that he would live alone and die alone and will be resurrected alone. He didn’t know how to go along with the community. So, anybody who is an introvert is not fit for leadership. An introvert is somebody who doesn’t extend to people, it doesn’t matter if he is honest. The ability to control people is different.

Islam is a pragmatic religion; it knows human nature. You know that a lion is a very ferocious animal but if you feed it everyday with meat, this same lion will become your friend. So, human beings too, when you are nice to them and give them gifts, they will like you.

So, that is why you have security votes in government. This is money that is given to a leader to use it to pacify his people. In modern governance, it is accepted. It’s there in Islam too. One of the sub-divisions where money of Zakat is distributed is to give it to pacify people. Not to the poor but for anybody that money is needed to pacify him. So, the judicious use of money in pacifying people is part of governance.

But Buhari portrays himself as a no nonsense person when it comes to money. That already puts him in a corner. Because of that image which he has to protect, when he declared to run for the presidency, he went to the bank and borrowed money. What is this teaching the youth? Is that the right thing to do? Which bank even gave him the money? Which bank manager will approve such a loan and under which sub-head? How can a bank manager give out money for something that is a gamble? People have started doubting if really he borrowed the money as he claimed. For those people who don’t believe that he borrowed the money, his credibility is now on the line. A leader should be believed; when he says ‘A,’ let his ‘A’ be ‘A.’ So, it is either Buhari is telling the truth or not. If he is telling the truth, then he is teaching children the wrong way to approach leadership because people who love a leader should contribute for his cause. And if he is not telling the truth, then it is not good for us, especially we from this part of

Gumi

tators, we want people who reason, who are rational. We don’t want him at all because if he becomes president, his followers will become like Adolf Hitler’s SSS. We have to save this nation.

the country.

Are you regretting your action, based on the insults that you have received even from your ardent followers? I remember someone stormed out of your weekly Tafsir, promising never to attend again when you raised the topic last week.

It was just one person. And I’m very happy about it. Just like when a political scientist puts forward a theory, he needs to show its practicability. My theory is that if Gen. Buhari is denied the presidency in 2015, there will be violence. What is my proof? If my advice to him to step down will cause this violent reaction, what more if he is denied victory? So, I’m very happy with the reaction, which is natural and this proved my forecast right. That is why I want both he and Jonathan to step down. It’s not about their rights to contest; it is about death, about people’s lives. People had died because of Buhari, should he subject the same naive people to death again?

It is being alleged that you are campaigning for a certain APC presidential aspirant, that is why you want Buhari to leave the stage so as to pave the way for him. What is the truth of this matter?

I’m not campaigning for anybody!

I’m not like a politician who says something but means another thing else. I’m not campaigning for anybody.

But supposing I’m campaigning for somebody, what stops me Ahmad from campaigning for anybody!? Is it wrong? Just tell me that your candidate is better than mine but why should anybody resort to abuse? The fact that they abuse shows that Buhari’s followers are not qualified to have power because they will elevate this man into a Pharaoh; nobody can advise him, if you speak against him, they will kill you. We don’t want dic-

The followers of Jonathan are more educated and they benefit from the system.

And the followers of Buhari are more suppressed and less educated.

But has Buhari spoken to you since you went public with your advice?

No, he has not spoken to me before and after. I visited him when he was attacked by suicide bombers and commiserated with him. There is nothing personal about the issue; it’s more than Buhari, it’s more than me, it’s about Nigeria. I was in Makka in 2011 when people called me to pacify Muslims. I spoke and advised Muslims not to engage in violence. As I finished, someone from Zaria called me and said that I was pacifying the victims because in southern Kaduna, more than 500 people were massacred. So, you can imagine what will happen this time around. This is why I’m advising them. Their supporters can abuse me and I have given them the licence to abuse me and I will pacify them. It is better for me that way, than to pacify their relations when most of them are killed.

Some people are saying that you are continuing an old quarrel with Buhari because his relationship and your late father was a bit sour when he was the head of state....

Whoever says so is trying to condemn Buhari. Why? Because my father was an internationally recognised Islamic scholar, a man of high integrity and credentials that Buhari can never get. So, if Buhari will quarrel with my father when he was the head of state, it means that Buhari is not fit to be a leader. How can he be quarrelling with everybody? Quarrelling with people who are known not to be corrupt, people who are pious. People who have dedicated

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The nation needs a third voice, a voice that is neutral. To be honest, people are afraid of the government.

So, nobody can speak to the government directly

their lives preaching peace, you are fighting with them. If Buhari can quarrel with my father, definitely he will quarrel with me because I’m more temperamental than my father. (General laughter).

As an ex-military man, why didn’t you use the esprit de corps among the military to advise Buhari in private instead of going public?

I wrote an open letter to Buhari so that others can learn. Not because I didn’t have access to him. Who are these others? His followers. May be I have to explain this further. In Islam, when people exaggerated their love for Jesus Christ, God showed His human weakness. He asked that don’t Jesus and his mother eat food? God asked who can prevent Him if He wants to destroy Isa (Jesus), his mother and everybody on earth? Did God want to destroy Isa(Jesus)?

No. He was trying to show that He can destroy him. So, when people elevate somebody beyond his human capacity, it is Islamic to show his human weakness.

So, I have to show them, his followers, the weakness of Buhari, so that they don’t take him as a saviour. This is part of Islamic theology. So, it becomes imperative now when I see people mesmerised and infatuated that they have seen the light that will salvage them. It is my duty to show them that he is not the light because the light of God is a protected light. This one you are seeing is unprotected. Why? It will lead people to death. Just like insects in the bush, if you light up a fire, you will see them rushing from a distance to the fire, thinking that the light is for guidance. But when they come close, it will burn them. Politics is this kind of light that burns, it is only a religious light that will protect people because it will prevent you from killing, abuses and rascality.

Have you ever heard of any politician that teaches his supporters morals? In fact, they have thugs that they give drugs. So, any light that you see in a politician is the light that will destroy you.

Aren’t you afraid for your life because you earlier mentioned that some of Buhari’s

supporters are irrational?

There is that possibility. But my safety is negligible compared to the mass killings that I foresee if Buhari decides to contest election and he doesn’t win. And if a war starts in Nigeria, it is difficult to end it. I did not only address Buhari but I also advised Jonathan from contesting because the same thing will happen if he wins.

But have there been reactions from the Jonathan camp regarding your advice?

The followers of Jonathan are more educated and they benefit from the system.

And the followers of Buhari are more suppressed and less educated. There are few educated ones among them, even university graduates but not many of them are. So, the reaction of the Jonathan camp is more systemic and civil. I have seen paid advertisements by Governor of Akwa Ibom, distancing himself from my suggestion.

Ijaw people said that security men should come after me. So, their reaction is more civil than those who have been abusing me and even my mother. However, this shows that it is a serious issue because a segment of the society is afraid of Jonathan’s second term. So, that is why I suggested that he should give way for another person who will bring peace, tranquillity and stability to Nigeria.

For the purpose of argument, which people do you suggest should replace both President Jonathan and Buhari as the presidential candidates of PDP and APC respectively?

I don’t have anybody in mind. If Nigerians chose any two candidates, I’m together with them. What I’m proposing is to exclude people who can trigger turmoil. We don’t want turmoil in this country. We have enough. People are dying everyday. Innocent people have been killed, families have been exterminated. How can these same people, if they have conscience, come back again and say they want power? Power for what!? When you have blood on your hands and on the day of judgement you have to explain. And when these people are killed, none of these people on whose behalf they died will even go to their families and commiserate with them. So, it’s the duty of all patriotic Nigerians, including the media, to sensitise people. We shouldn’t allow Nigerians to kill one another in the name of politics. People keep saying that why don’t I go and sit with the General and advise him privately? My answer is, I’m not speaking to Buhari alone but to him and his fanatical supporters. I want to show them that he too has a human weakness that can even disqualify him for this position that his supporters want him to attain. Moreover, even if he gets it, he may not do what they want.

And the same supporters will start abusing him. This happened to Ali Ibn Abu Talib (cousin to Prophet Muhammad[SAW]).

People, who liked him, killed the Khalifa and made him the Khalifa. They found out that he couldn’t do what they wanted and in the end, they were the people that killed him. So, we have to learn from history and the vast knowledge of our literature and culture. That is why I advise the two candidates to sacrifice their ambitions for the sake of peace and stability. And if they do not, let the wise men and good Samaritans in the two parties do the right thing. If they don’t, then I am advising Nigerians to vote against these two candidates. Because anybody who doesn’t listen to advice before getting power, when he gets it, he will be a Pharaoh.

Since you know so much about power and governance, why don’t you join a political party and run for public office?

No, no, no. I don’t need to join politics because I told you that we need a third voice. In a boxing contest, there is always a referee. Likewise in a football match.

Without a referee, the two sports will be bloody. The nation needs a referee. I don’t need power at all. Yes, I’m satisfied with being a cleric, showing people the right way.

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‘Youths shouldn’t allow politicians to use them’ Though Lanre Ajegbomogun, veterinary doctor, security expert by profession, and the president of the Ekiti Youth Movement Association tells OLUSHOLA RICKETTS his view on Governor Ayo Fayose, the importance of dogs ahead of 2015 elections and other sundry issues.

Do you think the newly inaugurated governor of Ekiti State is the best man for the people of Ekiti?

I have really played a major role in Ekiti politics in the past and I am still doing more. Democracy recognises the will of the people and the Ekiti people said they want Ayo Fayose to be their governor. From all indications he had done it before and he did it very well. I don’t know why some people are still against him. As a matter of fact, before Fayose got there, I hardly go to Ekiti because there was no road. He managed to put roads in all the local governments and since then the state has been opened to more visitors. This last election I was on the ground and the majority of us in the Diaspora was virtually walking from house to house to ensure that Fayose got there because of what he did the last time. And the reason (Kayode) Fayemi lost was very simple and I would tell you that people do not want him because he doesn’t pay attention to the people at the grassroots. He found it difficult to wave to people if he is passing through the areas. People who are dominating Ekiti are the local government officials and teachers and he had issues with them.

But how come he is alleged to be a criminal?

That is just news. If he had any issue he should not have been allowed to pick the ticket. Why did the All Progressives Congress promise him senatorial seat?

If not that they breached the agreement, he wouldn’t have been jostling to be the governor of Ekiti again, but I see it as a blessing in disguise. Politics should be left in the hands of people who are well informed, travelled and exposed. I must tell you that regardless of what papers put out Fayose believes so much in the youth.

He also did more than his predecessors.

And if you could perform more than your predecessors it means you have done well.

How would you access the insecurity prevailing in the country?

I must give kudos to the new Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba. He has done so well, especially in the free and fair election recently carried out in Osun State.

I am expecting more from him because he

Ajegbomogun

is a man of integrity and a gallant officer that knows his onions. For the first time in the history of the Nigeria police, indigenes are allowed to man their areas. An average Hausa man does not know the terrain of Agege or Oshodi in Lagos State.

And I think we will start seeing the result of the move soon. People, especially the youth should not allow themselves to be deceived and used as thugs as the election is approaching.

It seems people do not fancy the use of dogs in Nigeria for security purposes unlike other developed countries. What could be responsible for that?

We would get there and it is becoming appreciable gradually compared to in the past where people don’t even believe animals or dogs could be treated. Once they fall sick they are allow to die or they kill them for food. But the advent of information has really changed the mentality of people to some extent. We cannot do without dogs in a society. If there is any building collapse we have dogs that are specifically trained to fish out human beings. Dogs are used for fight and rescue mission. I have clients that their dogs have rescued them many times from the hands of armed robbers. But why most people in Nigeria neglect dogs is as a result of the cost implication that comes with keeping a dog at home. A family that struggles to eat three-square-meal a day will obviously find it difficult to add a dog as a member of the household. There must be a budget for dogs in terms of drugs, feeding and vaccination because dogs are just like humans too. Keeping dogs is not as cheap as it seems, but they are very good for security reasons because in our environment picking up arms is prohibited. Their duty is to alert and when they do you can act fast. I also urge the inspector general of police to look into the area of using more dogs for security and crime prevention.

The recruitment of 16,000 policemen and women is also essential as the general elections are approaching. The last time I saw some of the dogs we are using for crises control, I was not impressed. They were not looking fast enough; their should be deliberate effort to make them be in good shapes. Dogs and mountain troops section require overhauling and better management.

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President Jonathan (left) and Governor Amaechi

P

A battle of egos

Onwuka Nzeshi

resident Goodluck Jonathan and the Rivers State Governor, Mr Chibuike Amaechi were like two brothers. They had a lot in common having been born and bred in the same environment. They both attended the University of Port Harcourt though, at different times and came into politics about the same period.

At the dawn of democracy in 1999, they both joined the People's Democratic Party( PDP) to pursue their political aspirations. Jonathan emerged as the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, while Amaechi became the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

By 2007, Jonathan had risen to become the Vice President while Amaechi had also moved up the political ladder to become the Governor of Rivers State. All these while there was no trouble between the two until the political equation was further altered and Jonathan was elected the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Amaechi rose to become the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum( NGF), a group with immense powers and influence in the polity.

Some analysts have attributed the crisis between the two personalities to the altercation, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan had with Governor Amaechi when she visited Rivers State about four years ago. In that ugly encounter, the First Lady exerted enormous influence as a daughter of

Prologue

Rivers State in her intervention on the urban renewal programme of the Rivers State Government. She however crossed the red line in her open rebuke of Amaechi over the demolition of shanties at the Okrika waterfront.

If that sowed the seed of rivalry between these two brothers from the creeks of the Niger Delta, the real battle began the moment Jonathan and Amaechi began to make their individual political permutations ahead of 2015. It is more or less a clash of interests fueled by personal ambitions.

Jonathan had had a fierce battle with some powerful interest groups on his way to the Presidency. The northern political establishment did not want him to succeed his boss, the late Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua, who died in office.

When the forces against Jonathan could not stop him from becoming the Acting President and subsequently President, they retreated momentarily but soon regrouped to ensure he did not consolidate his hold on power.

In 2011, the opposition against Jonathan was built around the arguments of a supposed power rotation between the North and the South and why the North should be allowed to produce a substantive successor to Yar' Adua. When this failed, a secret pact was purportedly made to limit him to a single term only.

Jonathan had had a fierce battle with some powerful interest groups on his way to the Presidency.

But as 2015 drew near and they saw that the so called pact was not going to be effective these same elements devised other means of fighting their cause.

Part of the game plan was to use the platform of the Nigeria Governors Forum with Governor Amaechi as arrowhead to ferociously attack the policies and programmes of the Jonathan administration.

In their calculation, these attacks coming from a "brother" of Jonathan would not only keep the sponsors away from public view but would be more convincing to the public. The ultimate goal, it seemed, was to create a negative image for the government of the day and make Jonathan unfit to rule the country.

When the Presidency understood the game, it also responded appropriately by breaking the ranks of the Nigeria Governors Forum. First, a separate forum was created for the governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party with Governor Godswill Akpabio as its chairman. Thereafter, the NGF election which was programmed to return Amaechi as its Chairman ran into a serious controversy as it members could not agree on a common leader. This tore the NGF into two factions and this literally disbanded the once powerful forum.

Undaunted by the demolition of their platform, the Group of Seven Governors ( G7) who alongside Amaechi had been at the forefront of

using the NGF to attack the federal government led an open rebellion against their political party.

In August 2013, they staged a walkout during a mini- convention of the PDP held at the Eagles Square, Abuja.

Those who staged the rebellion included the governors of Kwara State, Abdufattah Ahmed, Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko, Kano State, Rabiu Kwakwanso, Adamawa State , Murtala Nyako, Niger State, Muazu Babangida Aliyu and Sule Lamido of Jigawa State. They were joined by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kwara state governor, Senator Bukola Saraki. Th e rebels later converged on the Yar Adua Centre same day and announced the formation of what they called the New Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) under the leadership of Alhaji Mohammed Kawu Baraje, a former acting National Chairman of the PDP. The battle for the soul of the party dragged on for a while in the law courts until the PDP got a favourable court judgment that there was no division in the party. The rebels, having been beaten in their game, left the ruling party and joined the All Progressive Congress (APC) , the main opposition party in Nigeria. Since this defection, all hell had been let loose. It is from this opposition platform that Governor Amaechi and other aggrieved politicians obtained the full licence to launch their missiles against Jonathan on a daily basis.

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Politics

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An endless wrangle for supremacy

A

Dominik Umosen commanding percentage of Nigerians are still undecided if the reason(s) given for the frosty relationship that has endured between President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, on one hand, and Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, on the other hand, are really what both parties to the protracted feud have publicly-conceded. Even more remain unimpressed by the stated reasons of altruism often bandied by both sides to the conflict.

Even more may not remember that the defining moment of this ungraceful executive conduct was negotiated that day in Okrika, Rivers State, when the First Lady snatched the microphone from the governor at a public event and went ahead to chastise and upbraid him for insensitivity to the feelings of those to be displaced by plans by the state government to demolish some adjoining buildings to physically upgrade an existing school.

Apparently aware that drama derives maximum effect if it succeeds in grabbing equal attention, the visiting First Lady sprang to her feet and seized the opportunity of her kith and kin already assembled to make a meal of the tough-talking governor’s alleged tactlessness. Rising to the occasion , she hollered: “Listen, you must listen to me,” she told the totally-embarrassed governor, insisting that any talk about land, which is a scarce resource in Okrika, was a serious issue which should be treated as such.

“What I am telling you is that you always say you must demolish. That word ‘must’ you use is not good. It is by pleading. You appeal to the owners of the compound because they will not go into exile. Land is a serious issue,” she said.

Thoroughly feeling like the proverbial rain-beaten chicken, Amaechi shunned the elaborate reception for the fire-spitting First Lady who, herself, hurriedly left for Abuja that evening. Soon after, the convoluted diary of intrigues between the Presidency and The Brickhouse thickened and reached a crescendo when the Presidency accused Amaechi of using the instrumentality of the decimated Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, a faction of which Amaechi retained its chairmanship to unsettle the President’s administration and scuttle his second term ambition.

“Judging from his statements, associates and friends, current political relationships, positions on national issues and actions taken in the state (Rivers) and on the platform of the NGF, Amaechi could clearly be seen to be opposed to not only GEJ’s reelection bid but his administration, as it is.

“All our principal is interested in is to see that President Jonathan does not secure the PDP presidential ticket in 2015,’ the reliable source added. This plan, which was originally hinged on galvanizing other governors for support, appears to have crumbled with the endorsement of the president for re-election by the PDP governors, in addition to ineffectual and discordant opposition to the option of first and sole refusal of the party’s ticket granted the president by the ruling PDP,” a source close to the governor’s camp,

who preferred anonymity, told New Telegraph on Saturday.

Observers say that the plot to discredit the administration by subterfuge might have been a doubleedged sword from inception. For example, not only did attempts to enlist the support of other governors fail, the independent- mindedness of the NGF on issues eventually became its undoing, culminating in its disintegration into factions, with Amaechi retaining one chair and the other held by Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, thus ending its novelty as a robust and alternative platform in the possibility of executive excesses by the president.

Beyond allegations of a plot doomed from inception by exaggerated optimism, there is also the argument that resistance by some members of the NGF (before its integration), might have been manipulated by these influential governors into a reverse destabilisation plot which invariably facilitated its disintegration, allegedly with the active connivance of the Presidency whose displeasure with the forum’s hostile posture was well-known.

For example, among those who were not persuaded by the plot was Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State who reportedly declined appeals to lead the anti-Jonathan rally in the North-Central.

“The governor, who was approached with the offer for a critical role in the plot in London, reportedly expressed lack of interest in Amaechi’s ‘unholy war,” another impeccable source revealed.

“Count me out of this plot to destroy the president politically,” Suswam reportedly told his would-be recruiters. Others, especially favourably disposed towards the president, questioned the political propriety of a governor of South-South extraction spearheading the plot to discredit a president from the same region.

Prominent in this category, New Telegraph on Saturday learnt, is Governor

The governor, who was approached with the offer for a critical role in the plot in London, reportedly expressed lack of interest in Amaechi’s ‘unholy war

President Jonathan (left) and Governor Amaechi when the going was good

Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom who allegedly dusted up an ancient grouse with his Rivers State counterpart in a desperate bid to accelerate his fall from presidential grace.

According to those who know, Akpabio never forgot how he was allegedly snubbed by Amaechi when he went to appeal that the Rivers State Government should soft-pedal on plans to ban commercial motorcyclists in Port Harcourt metropolis; an order that eventually displaced thousands of Akpabio’s Annang kinsmen who hitherto dominated the okada business in the Garden City. When the opportunity presented itself for a volunteer to coordinate reprisal political attacks by the presidency against Amaechi, his counterpart in Akwa Ibom suddenly remembered the evergreen adage about how revenge is a dish best served chilled and heartily volunteered.

New Telegraph learnt authoritatively that Amaechi told confidants that his latest onslaught against the Presidency, including the allegation that the First Lady requested unfettered access to the Rivers State treasury, was in reaction to renewed plans by the Presidency to commence fresh onslaught against him, using some unnamed ministers. Another revealed that the governor, who has been accused of oiling Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa’s presidential ambition, maintains moles in the ruling party, including its National Working Committee, NWC. Sources close to The Brickhouse hinted that in this latest phase of the brawl ad infinitum with The Presidency, the governor appears to have emerged with the total desperation of an embattled animal. “President Jonathan is worse than Gen. Sanni Abacha in terms of human rights abuses.” He said this in Port Harcourt in reaction to attacks on members of the Save Rivers Movement, SRM, by gunmen suspected to be militants in a church in Bori Town in Khana LGA where two people were shot by the masked attackers.

“There is a serious danger for democracy because what you are seeing here is close to what Abacha was doing. This is an Abacha government.

Lives are being lost, people were being shot and journalists were being arrested. This is even worse because governors were not arrested under Abacha,” Amaechi said of the January 2014 event during which the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, SSG, Mr. George Feyi and Chief of Staff to the governor, Mr. Tony Okocha, escaped. The attack came a week after Senator Magnus Abe was reportedly shot, alongside other SRM members, with rubber bullets by police at Obior/Apkor.

Alongside other members of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC , to which he had since defected, Amaechi accused the former Rivers Police Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu, now an Assistant-Inspector General of Police, of being used to fight what he described as the president’s dirty political war.

To be fair to him, the governor does not seem to be under any illusion about the enormity of the unenviable task he set for himself.

According to him, his political travails are inescapable consequences of his determination to expose all forms of corrupt practices in the government. The primary reason to shoot him down, politically, he added, is what he described as the desperation by the First Lady to be seen as the political lord of Rivers, her home state, despite the fact that she is not even recognised by the constitution of the country since her office is not an elective one.

This pent-up anger, he said, is what culminated in the so-called Okrika show of shame when his microphone was seized and he was publicly-humiliated by the First Lady for daring to suggest the demolition of some buildings to make way for the upgrade of an existing school. The governor then chronicled alleged attempts by Mrs. Jonathan to control the state government.

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Politics

Impressed by the monorail, the schools turnaround and the slums regeneration projects, a detached observer will likely go for the latter. But these remarkable projects that once earned Governor Chibuike Amaechi huge acclaim have been all but eclipsed by political battles - a lot of them needless - in which the Rivers State helmsman had been embroiled. DOMINIK UMOSEN and EMMANUEL MASHA report.

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Amaechi:

Rabble rouser or visionary?

W

hen Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi became Rivers State governor in 2007, after serving as the speaker at the State House of Assembly for two terms, he had in a sense accomplished what many others can only dream of. During his stint as speaker, he equally had the opportunity to head the country’s conference of speakers. It soon turned out that the governorship comes with its unique challenges. That was the era Niger Delta militants were agitating for a fairer deal for the region and its people through the platform of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). That was equally when criminality was at its peak in Port Harcourt, as hoodlums, including those who hid under Niger Delta activism terrorized the people of the state in broad day light.

Amaechi would do the unthinkable then, by first branding the militants as criminals, and unleashing the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) on them. This forced many of the hoodlums to flee town, venturing in whenever the coast was clear. But Amaechi’s action made Port Harcourt to regain its sanity, and life returned to normal. But before the dust on militancy had settled, the governor had incurred the wrath of Chief E.K. Clark, foremost Ijaw and South-South leader, who was of the opinion that Amaechi’s blanket label of Niger Delta militants as criminals was unacceptable. In retrospect, Amaechi had been commended for flowing against the tide to curtail criminality in the state.

The challenges of those early years appear to pale in significance to the challenge confronting the governor at present. He is perhaps facing his toughest political test – trying to curb the ascendancy of his former chief of staff, and immediate past minister of state for education, Nyesom Wike, who is emboldened, motivated and determined to succeed his former boss.

Wike was the rallying point of the PDP when it appeared as if it was about to fall apart. Even though he was operating from Abuja, Wike has repeatedly maintained that he was close to his political base; was in tune with the grassroots and would continue to work in the party’s interest.

Little wonder that he got a rousing welcome at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when he officially returned to the state after his stewardship as minister.

But barely 24 hours after Wike's reception and international press conference to officially announce his intention to contest the 2015 governorship election, another crowd was milling around the Adokie Ama-

Amaechi acknowledging cheers at the mega rally in Port Harcourt

siemeka Stadium for a mega rally orgainzed by Amaechi to mark the seventh anniversary of his Supreme Court judgement against Omehia.

The calculation of observers had been shattered by the two politicians.

Of late, it has been difficult to pull a massive crowd in Rivers State, no thanks to the deep political tension in the state. In the aftermath of clashes between the supporters of Amaechi and Wike, the police took a bold stand against political rallies to ease the tension in the state.

At Wike’s press conference, he said he would defeat Amaechi if he contests for a record third term in office, stressing that he has the structure and the support to defeat any candidate that contests Rivers State governorship election in 2015. Wike also said that nobody could stop him from contesting in 2015, and that throughout his stint as minister, he never stayed outside Port Harcourt for a week.

He added: “If Amaechi should change the constitution and run for third term in office, I will defeat him.

I am very sure of the fact that I will defeat him,” he said “I have done so much with the leadership of the PDP. APC knows that if I run, I will win the election.

The ruling party (APC) is doing everything to plant moles in our party so that we will bring out a weal candidate.”

But on Saturday, the 26th of October, 2014, the crowd inside the main bowl of the new Adokie Amasiemaka Stadium, near the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa,

If the president is not watching they will give him security report.

was massive. In fact, it was filled to the brim. But thousands more were still struggling to get inside and be part of the mega rally organized by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to mark the seventh anniversary of his Supreme Court victory over his cousin, Sir Celestine Omehia, who governed the state briefly. Many others left in frustration because they couldn't access the stadium.

And when Amaechi finally mounted the podium, he sang, danced and made some comments which, although nuanced, left no one in doubt as to who his targets were. He said: "Today I decided to test my popularity. They have made too much noise. The president said we exist in posters and bill boards. So we brought a large bill board for him.

If the president is not watching they will give him security report.

“This stadium is 40,000 sitting capacity; I built it. One of them campaigning for governorship was the contractor to do the road. He abandoned the road and took 3 billion naira and left. Now he wants to become governor. I challenge them to integrity test, any of them, from Abuja to Rivers state. I have worked with them, I have their records, they are in the office of the governor. I challenge them to go ahead. The problem we have is that EFCC is no longer working. Corruption is at its industrial scale. We now have an industry called corruption."

Amaechi, who sang and danced round the gigantic podium, alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan ceded the state’s oil well to Bayelsa;

Former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu; Gen Buhari and other APC supporters

abandoned the East/West Road project, and refused to visit the state when the Ebola Virus Disease broke out, but visited Lagos State. Amaechi said that Jonathan has repeatedly demonstrated that he does not like the state and its people, and vowed to punish the PDP through the people's votes. He urged those who refer to Jonathan as “our son” to face reality that he “hates us,” noting that “he is not my brother; my brother is the person who delivers on his promises for me”.

As it stands now, Amaechi is not in good terms with some key politicians who had one time or the other being instrumental to his rise to power. The likes of former Governor Peter Odili, Sir Celestine Omehia, and the immediate past minister of State for education, Barr. Nyesom Wike, as well as former deputy speakers in the House of Representatives, Hon. Austin Opara, and Hon. Chibudom Nwuche are no longer in the same political camp.

They all have a common political opponent in Amaechi. But less than two years ago, they were all in the PDP, planning to make the state greater.

For Chief Omenazu Jackson, the national publicity secretary of the African Renaissance Party (ARP), and chancellor, International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, the Governor is an enigma, who has taken leadership to an enviable standard. “The Governor is a philosopher that has repositioned the democratic and political consciousness of Rivers State.

“Amaechi clearly knew the circumstances of his emergence as governor – that it was clearly a divinely orchestrated event backed by the people. That must explain why he set out to please only two constituencies: God and the masses. He had every opportunity to play politics as ‘business as usual’ and he knew he stood to gain a lot personally. But he shunned that in favour of the road less travelled."

Niger Delta activist, Ann KioBriggs, who has always disagreed with the governor on principle, while commenting on the feud between Mr. President and the governor said: “The issue is not just about two PDP leaders; I see beyond the issue of PDP in the matter because when a man takes solace in rubbishing his fellow kinsman just because of some selfish politicians from elsewhere, then something is amiss.”

Milestones

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‘Don't expect violent elections in 2015’ How long have you been in the ministry?

I have been in the ministry formally for 23 years, first, as a part-time pastor for nine years. My formal ordination as pastor saw me still practicing medicine and serving as pastor in another ministry for nine years in the far northern city of Kano before I answered the call and moved to Abuja in 2000 and started the Dayspring Christian Ministries.

At what point did it occur to you that you had this calling?

My life is an interesting one. I was not born a christian but somewhere along, I attended an Anglican Primary School as well as an Anglican Secondary School.

There, I romanticized with the idea of studying Christianity in greater details.

I heard preachings from people and read christian materials. I was versatile in reading and it occurred to me that someday something would happen.

I embraced Christ even in secondary school, but I wasn't serious until I got to the university and committed my life to the gospel of Jesus Christ in 1972.

I was a member of the Scripture Union in medical school and graduated after various positions in the Scripture Union. I was involved in the union as much as my medical studies could allow. I served in Bauchi State and while there, I found out that I became unserious again with my Christian life. But I remember that while an undergraduate in Benin, I established fellowships. But to be frank with you, I didn't want it and I tried to run away from the whole idea. So during my youth service, I stopped attending church because I didn't want to be a pastor. I wanted to be just a doctor.

I was a trained medical doctor and I just wanted to practice my medicine and live a good life. I wanted to rise to the top in my career and be able to help people around me. I knew that I had a passion for helping people because I don’t like seeing people suffer, which was what even spurred me to study medicine.

After youth service in 1981, it was appointment as a doctor with Kano Statecraft Health Services Management Board. I was in the public service for many years but throughout this period, I wasn't connected to the church but there was always this inner pull. When I saw that I couldn't run away from my destiny and my divine assignment, I went back to church and by 1989, it began to dawn on me that I had to commit my life to God so that he could use me in whatever capacity he wanted to use me.

I became a pastor in 1991 and was doing the work of God on part-time basis until 2000 when I left Kano for Abuja to start a very fresh world of working solely for the Lord.

I saw that Christianity made a lot of sense. The Bible made a lot of sense. in fact there were certain things we couldn't explain through science but I got the answers in the Bible. I thank God for using me to bring healing and comfort to people while I was in medical practice.

But then I had questions. I marvelled that when somebody dies, for example, all the organs are still there but no longer

Dr Charles Olowojoba, founding pastor and president of Dayspring Christian Ministries, Abuja, is a 1979 graduate of the University of Benin Medical School who has held various positions in the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) as well as in the Church. He tells ONWUKA NZESHI, about his journey into the ministry, his elevation and societal pressures on the Christian faith in Nigeria. functioning. What happened? Science couldn't answer that question. Science just tells you that the person is dead without giving you the reason why the person died. It tells you that cardiovascular arrest had occurred. But then, is that all? Man is complicated. We are capable of a lot of things and as a medical doctor, I just wondered: Did life end after death? If it didn't, where do we go? What really happens?

What is life? Who is a human being? How did we come here? Did we just drop from the sky? Did we, like some evolutionists will tell you, develop from some lower species? How come we are so complicated? How come we are so intelligent, so gifted? It was when I started to read the Bible that I began to find answers to these questions.

What is the truth about these miracles we find in churches today?

If you are scientifically-minded, you will miss it. God has done quite a few through my hands. If you look at miracles, you will see a supernatural force that is either suspending the laws of science or intervening in conditions that are strange. A lawyer came into one of our services some time ago and she was coming for the first time. She never believed in miracles and she never believed in the power of God. I said there is someone here who has one leg shorter than the other and if you don't mind please come out and get the shorter leg grow out and catch up with the normal leg right now.

She came out. Her daughter was reluctant to let her come out because she felt it would be embarassing. In the full glare of everybody, I commanded the leg to grow out in the name of Jesus and it grew out and became the same with the normal leg.

Now, how do you explain that?

How do you explain that someone has died.

I am a doctor, I know when someone dies. As a matter of fact, doctors are supposed to be authorities on that because when a doctor certifies a person dead, legally, it would take another body of doctors and a burden of proofs to reverse the decision.

I was a trained medical doctor and I just wanted to practice my medicine and live a good life Olowojoba

Do you agree with the allegation that modern pastors place too much emphasis on prosperity than on salvation of souls?

The answer to that question is yes and no. First let me start with the no, then I will go to the yes. It is not every church that predominantly focuses on prosperity. But if you look at the Bible and the ministry of Jesus Christ, who came to alleviate human sufferings and solve human problems, most of the things he did were either by teaching people or healing people. I read in the Bible that God never dropped money from heaven for anybody. There are principles by which our creator intends for us to enjoy our lives. There are laws that we ought to keep in order to stay healthy and enjoy our lives. For example, a young man or lady that sleeps around definitely will end up contracting some venereal diseases.

There are also principles regarding money. How to earn money. How to keep money. How to multiply money and how to spend money. There are also principles of how to invest money. By the way, these principles are never taught in our schools except that is your field of study. But we all spend money and we all need to be taught how to make and spend money.

I have discovered that the Bible is not all about sin and holiness. It is a book of life that guides our existence. If we violate these laws ignorantly, we suffer the consequences. For example there is the law of gravity which we are all familiar with. If anybody climbs a high rise building, no matter how spiritual you

are, if you don't take precaution. you are going to fall from there and be broken into prices. So common sense tells you that the law of gravity demands that you take some precautions when you are on a high rise building. To cross a road, you also have to take precautions to avoid being run over by fast moving vehicles. So that is what the Bible is all about- teaching people how to live life.

Although, there are some people who have majored in prosperity, God didn't ask us to major in prosperity. He asked us to major on how we can have a very warm, wonderful relationship with him and you cannot have a wonderful relationship with God and remain in sickness, poverty and any form of affliction.

Do you consider the recent $9.3 million seizure by South Africa and the alleged involvement of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor in the cash for arms saga as a stain on the reputation of a man of God? No. I don't see it as a stain. You see, many people don't understand many things. We vilify men of God when we don't understand the circumstances of their situation. I don't know the details of that particular issue. But I believe that would have been agitating the minds of the people is this: Is it morally justifiable for a man of God to own an aircraft? I want to ask a question too. Is it morally justifiable for a man of God or anybody ,for that matter, to actually drive a good car?

Now, the question is: what is wrong if a pastor's job requires a very tight schedule of shuttling from one point to the other which a commercial airline will not be able to meet and God gives him an aircraft to be able to meet that schedule? There is absolutely nothing wrong with that situation. What is wrong is to make the ownership of a private jet your sole priority or purpose. In other words, it will be wrong for a man of God to simply acquire an aircraft for the sake of it.

Whatever God gives to us in life, according to the word of God is to be used for the service of God. So we are not supposed to go after those things.

If somebody figures that a man of God requires a private jet... It is not every pastor that requires a private jet. What are you doing with it if you don't need it by virtue of the scope of your assignment?

I had a car and I was using it for ten years. I had enough money to buy another car but I didn't because I was attending to other pressing issues. Until it became necessary to change my car, I didn't do it. I didn't even do it myself, someone had to give me a car to be able to meet my schedules. That's just the way I look at it.

If somebody's ministry becomes so challenging that they need a jet to be able to cope and God gives a jet to the person so be it. We need to understand these dimensions.

I am not saying that is the only reason people are going for jets. There are pastors who have no business with jets at all because of the size of their ministry and their schedule. If it is something you don't need a jet for, why do you need to take all the money and buy a jet when there are many things to do?

52 Perspectives

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1 NOVEMBER 2014

O

Ken Opalo n Tuesday, protesters in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso’s second city, tore down a statue of president Blaise Compaore to express their anger at a proposed constitutional amendment to scrap term limits and extend Compaore’s 27-year rule. And in the capital, Ouagadougou, protesters clashed with security forces after some of them attempted to march towards the National Assembly. Yesterday, the Assembly debated the proposed amendment to the constitution to extend term limits from two to three consecutive terms. Compaore has been reelected four times since 1991, garnering 80.2 percent of the vote in the last election held in 2010. The announcement of the proposed constitutional change has elicited mixed reactions from the Burkinabe public. The opposition has called for a campaign of civil disobedience until the amendment is withdrawn. Bracing for opposition protests, the government ordered schools closed throughout the week ahead of yesterday’s parliamentary vote.

But will the protests succeed in stopping the president? Well, if previous evidence from other countries in the region is anything to go by, it looks like Compaore will have his way. Furthermore, Compaore is no stranger to term limit extensions. In 2005 he successfully ran for a third term on a legal technicality, arguing that the 2000 term limit law did not apply retroactively.

Since 1990, 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa have had leaders try to rewrite their constitutions to do away with term limits. Seven (64 percent) of these leaders succeeded (Burkina Faso, Chad, Gabon, Guinea, Namibia, Togo, and Uganda). Three failed (Malawi, Nigeria, and Zambia), in the face of erstwhile opposition from legislatures. In one instance – Niger in 2010 – attempts

by President Mamadou Tandja to extend term limits resulted in a coup. In previous work, I found that the dominance of the president’s party in the legislature was a good indicator of the likelihood of term limit extension. It is noteworthy that in the three cases in which attempts at term limit extension failed it was legislatures that rejected such amendments. And on this score, Compaore has a clear advantage. His party, Congress for Democracy and Progress, controls two thirds of the seats in the Burkinabe legislature (73 out of 111).

Barring a widespread uprising or a coup by Burkina’s restive military, it is likely that Compaore will extend his 27year rule beyond 2015.

The question of term limits is critical for the prospect of democratic consolidation in sub-Saharan Africa. As in Burkina Faso, a number of African countries have term-limited leaders who are likely to manipulate the rules to extent their tenure. These include the presidents of Angola, Burundi, Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone. With the likely exception of Liberia and Sierra Leone, presidents in these countries seem poised to alter their respective constitutions and stay in office. Some will do so on technicalities arising from ambiguities in the law, while others will have to rewrite the law through legislative amendments or referenda. And going by the previous record, pliant legislatures or manipulated referenda will most likely rubberstamp such amendments.

It is unfortunate that in the present age of global political turmoil, the world will most likely look the other way and let these leaders continue to entrench their rule in the name of political stability. Such a prospect is ominous not just for democratic consolidation, but also for political stability in these countries.

But why exactly should we care if

Protesters gather at Place de la Nation in Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, October 28.

Monkey Cage: Compaore’s dangerous gamble

Vote Share of Winners and Runners Up in General Elections

presidents choose to remain in office indefinitely? Furthermore, what if this is done in a “democratic manner” with the explicit consent of the people or their representatives – as some leaders like Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo have claimed?

We should care because both theory and empirical evidence suggest that leadership turnover is good for institutional development, democratic consolidation, and political stability.

Peaceful leadership turnover after elections is a good test of a country’s democratic credentials. But even when the ideal of open democratic elections cannot be attained, any leadership turnover is often better than none. This is to say that systems such as the one that existed under the authoritarian regime of the PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party) in Mexico, or the current Communist Party in China, are better than the highly personalist “life presidencies” of the likes of Nicolae Ceausescu, Mobutu Sese Seko and Mao Tsetung.

The former cases tend to provide for institutionalized rule, with clear modes of elite competition, recruit-

Since 1990, 11

countries in sub-Saharan Africa have had leaders try to rewrite their constitutions to do away with term limits.

(Source: Opalo, 2012)

ment and replacement. The latter cases are often a recipe for chaos and violent leadership turnover. They also stunt institutional development.

Furthermore, the lack of turnover facilitates the entrenchment of executive power at the expense of basic political and economic freedoms – for both political and economic elites, and regular citizens alike. This is because leadership turnover is often not just about presidents, but also about sets of elite coalitions. Rotating elite coalitions’ access to power creates conditions favourable to the emergence of systemic balance of power within the ruling class in a manner that enhances long-run political stability. As is shown in the figure above, over time leadership turnover is correlated with the convergence in the vote share (both in presidential and legislative elections) of the ruling party and the opposition.

This important fact was borne out in the just concluded Mozambican elections. Over the last two decades Frelimo, which has ruled the country since independence from Portugal, has observed term limits for presidents. And so while the outgoing president garnered 75 percent when he was reelected, his successor, Filipe

(Joe Penney/Reuters)

Nyusi, got a much lower 57 percent of the vote. So while the party will retain power in Maputo, this massive vote shift is likely to force realignments within Frelimo, ensuring that no single elite coalition is entrenched in power at the expense of everyone else. It also gives the opposition Renamo hope that with continued leadership turnover it may soon have a real shot at winning the presidency.

Lastly, leadership turnover generates legitimacy for the political system, regardless of whether it is democratic or not.

This is for the simple reason that it allows for institutional development beyond specific individuals and affords regimes a longer time horizon. With this in mind, it becomes clear why regularized leadership turnover, and not entrench rule by a single individual, is the best way to guarantee long-run political stability (and other normatively preferred outcomes such as sustained economic growth). Simply stated, there is a strong case to be made for presidential term limits, regardless of regime type.

Earlier this year I confronted President Paul Kagame of Rwanda with a question on term limits when he visited Stanford.

My question was simple: did Kagame plan to step down in 2017 when he will be constitutionally term limited? His answer was evasive. At first he rambled on about the need to shift focus away from whether he will step down or not, and instead concentrate on the gains that Rwanda has made over the last 20 years under his watch. He then concluded by saying that as to whether he will stay in office or not is beyond his control; that the people of Rwanda will decide. This can be interpreted to mean that when the times comes Kagame and his allies will do whatever is politically convenient, regardless of what the constitution says. The point that leaders like. Kagame, Compaore, and others, are missing is that the surest way to secure their legacy is to allow for the development of a political culture of peaceful leadership turnover.

The lesson for democracy-promoting states and international institutions with leverage vis-à-vis these leaders is that they should be encouraged to step aside, even if it means handing over power to their handpicked successors. In other words, emphasis should be on turnover, and not necessarily the process that generates it. Experience tells us that most turnovers eventually necessitate intra-elite realignments in a manner that, in the long run, might serve to entrench institutionalized rule.

Opalo is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Political Science at Stanford University. He blogs athttp://www.kenopalo.com/.

NB: This essay was written before Compaore announced his resignation Friday evening.

1 NOVEMBER 2014

Dangote now among top 10 most respected companies in Nigeria

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s a measure of its growing influence in the country and even on the continent of Africa, Dangote Group was last week adjudged one of the top 10 most respected companies in Nigeria.

Dangote Group, according to a recent research survey conducted

by BusinessDay Research and Intelligence Unit, BRUI, in collaboration with Jobberman.com, finished in the 10 category on the six parameters used in the survey across 12 cities of the country. Other companies recognised are GT Bank, MTN, FBN Holdings, and Diamond Bank among others.

Publisher of BusinessDay, Frank Aigbogun, said at the event that the media outfit made use of factors such as Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, innovation (advertising, pricing, product quality and packaging), quality of customer service, response to customer complaints and

a company’s ability to provide exceptional products/ services to select its list of top 100 companies.

On the other hand, Jobberman worked on workplace matrices which included company culture, salary benefits, non-salary benefits, prestige and company brand, management integrity and commitment to staff welfare in its own assessment.

Aigbogun said the team worked for over five months to arrive at the result and that two states from each of the six geopolitical zones of the country were covered in the survey, adding that the responses of people interviewed showed that they were interested in companies that touched their lives.

It would be recalled that the company has also recently emerged among Africa’s top 10 most valuable brands in a survey conducted by African Business Magazine, a pan-African business magazine.

Indigenous firms will drive Nigeria’s economy –SON DG Ndubuisi Ugah

D

irector General of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu, has said for the nation’s economy to attain its global status, indigenous firms should be encouraged to contribute their quota to nation building.

Odumodu, who stated this at a world press conference marking the 2014 World Standards Day, said: “Foreign investors in Nigeria are not likely to drive Nigeria to the global market as the future of Nigeria’s trade, that is, the global market lies in the hands of indigenous players.”

He stated that, “True, businesses start with trying to meet local before venturing to the regional and global markets but unless certain modules are set

News Extra

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

at onset or along the line, a limit is set that is never crossed.”

The SON director general, who explained that this informed SON’s move to establish the National Quality Policy, said the policy would be the bedrock of our quality matrix, including infrastructure developments and legal framework.

“Before now, we had no approved test laboratory but in the last four years we have put up a modern lab at our annex office in Lekki.

Our labs in Enugu and Kaduna are being refurbished but the most gladdening news I must give us is the Ogba complex, Lagos. The first 20 units in the complex are near completion.

Additional 15 labs are also planned for the complex. In the next 12 months, we expect the facility to become functional," he said.

OWERRI ACCN, INTA to hold roundtable on piracy

NEWS IN BRIE F

Irked by the negative impact of piracy in the country, the Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration Nigeria (ACCN) and the International Trademark Association (INTA), yesterday said plans had been concluded to organise a roundtable for the nation’s regulators and industry practitioners to discuss ways to effectively work together to address the counterfeiting and piracy issues in the country.

The event, which is in its sixth year has as its theme: “Practical Solutions to Counterfeiting and Piracy Issues In Nigeria,” will hold on November 6 at Four Points by Sheraton, Plot 9/10, Block 2, Oniru Chieftaincy Estate, VictoriaIsland, Lagos.

92

The sex ratio of men to 100 women in the 60+ age group in India in 2012.

Source: Un.org

53

FCT Amosun suspends Ogun RTEAN Petroleum Ministry sacks Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State four PTDF staff ABEOKUTA

has suspended the activities of the state chapter of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to forestall a breakdown of law and order as a result of imminent factional clash.

The suspension order was contained in a statement signed and made available to reporters in Abeokuta by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa.

Saturday New Telegraph gathered that the 2015 re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan had torn the state RTEAN apart, thus forcing the state government to intervene.

It was learnt that the Alhaji Mungisu Akinpelu-led RTEAN in the state had been pitted against the national executive led Chief Musa Isiwele Shehu over alleged refusal to drum support for the Jonathan project in 2015.

The Ministry of Petroleum Resources led

by Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke yesterday terminated the appointments of four General Managers in the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

The affected General Managers are: Jacqueline N. Guyil- General Manager, Strategic Planning and Documentation; Olajide Adebulehin- General Manager, Projects; Ahmed Z. Balarabe- General Manager, Administration and Human Resources; Ahmed Galadima Aminu- General Manager, Education and Training Department No reason was adduced for the termination of the appointments in a statement signed by the Head, Press and External Relations, PTDF, Kalu Otisi.

10.92%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Indonesia in 2010.

Source: Itu.int

5.5m

The total population of Kyrgyzstan (rep. 0.08% of world’s population) in 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

‘Boko Haram members have superior weapons to dislodge anybody’ SUPERIOR FIRE POWER The claim that the Boko Haram insurgents have superior fire power over the Nigerian Army has recurred.

Buhari Bello

A

Jos with agency reports

runaway Nigerian Army personnel (name withheld) has confirmed that the members of Boko Haram insurgents have superior weapons, which was why some of them had to withdraw during the sect siege of Mubi, Adamawa State, which is the hometown of the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh.

Speaking in an interview with the British Broadcasting

l Stop the killing of Mubi residents, Coalition tells Jonathan Corporation (BBC Hausa Service), monitored in Jos, Plateau State, the soldier alleged that: “Why we have to withdraw was because they had more sophisticated arms like AA and RCG but we don't have these weapons. We only exchanged fire for one hour and we decided to withdraw from the battlefield while attempting to enter our barracks in Mubi “If the government wants us to fight let them buy sophisticated weapons so that we can face them but if they don't want, let them enter anywhere in the country and capture where they want. Now the Boko Haram members are preaching to people in the town because all the soldiers ran away.”

He stated that it was not

true that the soldiers were trapped, pointing out that unless they were equipped, it was impossible for them to face superiority fireworks from the insurgents.

“You can't catch a thief with an empty hand. They are now conducting prayer sessions telling residents that they only came to fulfil their mission in the town,” he claimed.

According to him, hunger is currently threatening thousands of Nigerians who ran into the bush in the area for fear of their lives.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Mubi Women resident in Abuja has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to step up efforts to stop the wanton killing of innocent residents of their hometown (Mubi) in Adamawa State,

especially women and children who have been under siege by the Boko Haram terrorists.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, by Hajiya Aji Bello, on behalf of the coalition, said they were constrained to draw the President’s attention to the desperate state of residents of Mubi, following the obvious failure of the security operatives deployed in the town to stop the unhindered incursion by the insurgents.

“We are constrained to draw Mr. President's attention to the fluid security situation in Mubi and neighbouring towns and villages, after the security operatives in the area absconded giving room to Boko Haram elements to overrun the entire area," the group stated.

Usman assumes office as new NCAA DG Wole Shadare

C

apt Muhtar Usman on Friday assumed office as Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), with a declaration that his administration would focus on Safety, Security and Comfort in the conduct of flight operations in and out of Nigerian airspace in line with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

To achieve this, he said he would be guided by An-

nexes of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) and other appropriate legislations and conventions in line with international standard.

Usman was full of commendation for the management and staff of the authority for the hard work he said must have been put in for the retention of the American Federal Aviation Administration[FAA] International Aviation Safety Assessment[IASA] Category One.

L-R: Ibiene Oguntoyinbo, Yinka Oguntoyinbo, Managing Director, Logica Media Group, Dehinde Oguntoyinbo, Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Allenrose, Tokunbo Oguntoyinbo, Managing Director, LADTON Global Group and DM Oguntoyinbo, at the burial of their matriarch, Madam Evelyn Alali Oguntoyinbo (nee Ezekiel-Hart), in Oloworo, Ogun State…yesterday

54 Sport Extra

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

NFF confirms Keshi’s dramatic return T that is his opinion and the Technical Committee has approved, so be it,” he said.

Amodu in his October 27 letter addressed to the NFF President said; “As Technical Director of the NFF, I am ready and willing to help build a better relationship among Keshi (with whom I have enjoyed good working relationship in the past and who is still very close to me), the players and the NFF Technical Comm i t tee.”

Adekunle Salami

Agbim

Agbim to lead home boys for A’ Ibom Stadium opener

G

ombe United goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim, will lead the Super Eagles Team B in an international friendly to inaugurate the ultra modern Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo on Friday, November 7.

Ghana and Libya are top on the list of countries being considered for the friendly match.

Coach Stephen Keshi has also called up Emem Eduok and Mfon Udoh, the two men in the hot chase for the Top Scorer’s award in this year’s Premier League, as well as Gbolahan Salami, Rabiu Ali, Christian Pyagbara, Bright Esieme, Umar Zango, Solomon Kwambe and Azubuike Egwuekwe in a 24-man squad.

The players are to report at the Le Meridien Hotel, Uyo on Monday, 3rd November, 2014.

Full list Goalkeepers Chigozie Agbim; Daniel Akpeyi; Theophilus Afelokhai Defenders Solomon Kwambe; Idris Aloma; Chima Akas; Nelson Ogbonna; Azubuike Egwuekwe; Erhun Obanor; Bright Esieme; Umar Zango Midfielders Christian Pyagbara; Charles Henlong; Joseph Nathaniel; Stanley Dimgba; Rabiu Ali; Chinedu Udeaga; Kingley Sokari; Tony Edjomari Forwards Mfon Udoh; Christian Obiozor; Gbolahan Salami; Osaguona Ighodaro; Emem Eduok

F1: Hamilton faults double points system

L

ewis Hamilton says it would "suck" if he lost the world championship as a result of the controversial final-race double points system this year.

Hamilton is 17 points clear of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg with three races to go, starting in the US this weekend, and has nine wins to the German's four.

But, depending on results, he could win in Austin and Brazil and still lose the title if he retires in Abu Dhabi.

"It would suck if that was the case - big time," Hamilton said.

"But I'm not even going to put that negative energy

Gerrard open to move from Liverpool

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iverpool captain Steven Gerrard has revealed he could join another club if he is not offered a new contract.

The 34-year-old, who joined Liverpool's youth academy at the age of nine, ruled out the possibility of retirement when his current deal expires in May. "We will have to wait and see if that's at Liverpool or somewhere else.

That's Liverpool's decision," he said.

out there. I'm just going to try and do the best job I can with the car that I have and what will be will be, I guess."

Hamilton added: "This is the rule that they have brought in for the first time.

"Do I really agree with it? I don't know if any of us agree with it or do not agree with it, but it is the way it is and you just have to deal with it and just hope for the best really."

Messi more skilful than Ronaldo – Fabio Capello

B

arcelona's Lionel Messi is "more skilful" than Real Madrid's 2013 Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, says former England boss, Fabio Capello.

Messi, 27, will become La Liga's all-time top scorer if he scores twice at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Portugal's Ronaldo, 29, is 10th on the league's leading scorers list.

"Cristiano is a powerful player, with very good technique, but he does not possess the pure technical skill of Messi," Capello told AS. Messi has scored 250 goals in 284 appearances for Barcelona and is one behind Telmo Zarra's record for Athletic Bilbao in the 1940s and 1950s.

he surprise and dramatic return of Stephen Keshi as Head Coach of the Super Eagles was on Friday confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation.

In a twist at the secretariat of the football ruling body in Abuja, the NFF Technical Committee accepted the plea for his return, made by Coach Shaibu Amodu on Monday.

Amodu was announced to take over the senior squad in the early hours of October 16, after Eagles’ 3-1 win over Sudan in Abuja only took the team to third place in the Group A table of the Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Chairman of the NFF Technical Committee, Chief Felix AnyansiAgwu, on Friday said his committee accepted Amodu's plea.

“We have deliberated on Coach Amodu’s letter, and after speaking to my committee members, we decided to accept it and informed the NFF President of our approval,” Anyasi said.

In a reaction, NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, simply said on Friday that he had no objection to the proposal.

“I have never had anything against Keshi as a person. Amodu is someone we all respect and since

…Keshi makes U-Turn, invites Ike Uche, 24 others for Congo, S’Africa

Keshi

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Bet9ja supports sports award

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igeria’s leading Sports betting company, Bet9ja, has thrown its weight behind the 2014 edition of the Nigerian sports Awards by partnering with organizersUnmissable Incentives Limited towards a successful hosting of the event.

According to the Chairman of Bet9ja, Mr. Kunle Soname, the sponsorship of 2014 edition of the Nigerian Sports Award is in line with the company’s belief in the vision of the award which is recognising and rewarding excellence performance among Nigerian athletes.

“We are indeed very proud to come on board as a sponsor for the 3rd edition of the Nigerian Sports Award. We hope to sustain the partnership for a long time in a manner that will be mutually beneficial to the award organisers and Bet9ja,” he said.

oach Stephen Keshi has eaten his words by inviting in-form striker, Ike Uche, for the mustwin 2015 Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Red Devils of Congo and Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

Keshi who earlier in the month swore that he would never invite the Spainbased striker has invited him for the first time in nearly two years, and there is also a first senior team opportunity for Nasarawa United midfielder Tony Edjomari.

Home-based defender Solomon Kwambe also return, and Aaron Samuel (who got one of the goals against Sudan), Hope Akpan, Sunday Emmanuel and home-boy Emem Eduok have further chances after being called for the matches against theFalcons of Sudan.

Full list Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama; Austin Ejide; Chigozie Agbim Defenders: Elderson Echiejile; Juwon Oshaniwa; Efe Ambrose; Solomon Kwambe; Godfrey Oboabona; Kenneth Omeruo; Azubuike Egwuekwe Midfielders: John Mikel Obi; Ogenyi Onazi; Hope Akpan; Raheem Lawal; Omatsone Aluko; Tony Edjomari Forwards: Ahmed Musa; Emmanuel Emenike; Gbolahan Salami; Osaguona Ighodaro; Ikechukwu Uche; Aaron Samuel; Sunday Emmanuel; Babatunde Michael; Emem Eduok

GAMES/CROSS WORD PUZZLE Islands in the World-1

KEY WORDS

ELBA ANTIGUA BARRA DOLAK BATU BEAR DEVON BARROW GAMBIER CYCLADES BARBUDA HIIUMAA CURACAO AYON KAMARAN HEARD BALI LINISA

B A R R W N K A M A R

A H I M A O D K A Y O

R B U S F K A D A Y Y L L W O V E D O L A P Y D S I N S D T D N I

K A M A R A N A I G L

O F A A D R C B R A E A R A B U R A C U R G R B L F U H W D A B A

N

N

A

E

D

C

S

A

L

S D H D S I G L I A S U M W M B D A I R A E A B R E L R H E T U D C Y C

1

2

8

3

4 7

5

6

9 10

11

12

13

14 16 18 19 21 24 25

1 5 7 8 9 10 11 12

Having little value, (7).

Pressurized fluid stream, (3).

LGA in Lagos state, (3).

Internet Service Provider, abbr., (3).

--- Vegas, city in the USA, (3).

September, abbr., (4).

9th letter of Greek alphabet, (4).

Extremely, (2).

17

DOWN 1

A group of three, (7).

2 Attribute bad action to, (6).

23

3 Island, (4).

4 Instruction period, (6).

5 Rough terrain vehicle, (4).

26

16 17 18 22 23 24 25 26

Obstetrics, abbr., (2).

Former ECOMOG Commander, (4).

Small fruit tree, (4).

Town in Ogun state, (3).

Aerial for receiving sound, (3).

Indicating 'badly', (3).

Drink slowly in small amounts, (3).

Howl in grief, (7).

15 20

22

ACROSS

6 Pointed end, (3).

13 Sugar energy source, (7).

14 Area in Lagos Mainland, (6).

15 'Waka' music singer, (6).

19 Device producing electric light, (4).

20 Sikh religious teacher, (4).

21 Disk-operating system, abbr., (3).

21 Make vehicle engine go faster See solution on page 24

Perspectives

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

1 NOVEMBER 2014

E

ven though a democracy requires a free press to thrive and survive, increasingly, in modern times, the media is becoming the right hand of anarchy. Before we take a plunge into the depth of atrocities committed by the “fourth estate of the realm” it is important that we specify the category of the media that has earned this distasteful tag, and thereby limit the misunderstanding(s) that may emerge from this diatribe.

Social media, the freeloading internetbased all comers reporting affair has worked wonders for industrial media. Reports are uploaded and received at random on the World Wide Web, many of them unconfirmed and not authenticated. This brings to mind the Lifestyle website that claimed to quote Forbes in naming President Goodluck Jonathan as the 6th Richest President in Africa. Reading the report on the President’s $100m nest of wealth revealed the ignorance that abounds in our society. Facebook enthusiast took it to heart and used it as a rostrum to further vilify the president, the Peoples Democratic Party and all it stands for. I do not like the politics of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan: the harboring of people of questionable character in leadership positions; the wrist-slaps as punishment used on people caught with their hands in the till; the subtle, but silly debate that has emerged from the difference between stealing and corruption; this politics of pretensions and Machiavellian philosophy in a democracy is distasteful.

But no matter what kind of politics a person practices, in reportage and media coverage, facts are sacred.

So when freeloading armchair journalists concoct a story with no proper research, whatever political camp we belong to, we owe ourselves and our readers and viewers some level of decency to discourage and discard lies and half truths. A good angle to that story would be to find out how much the President is really worth which Dr. Reuben Abati says is the sole reserve of the Code

W

here is the Nigerian Stock Exchange? The shallowness of the market has just been resolved. PDP has just announced that they have concluded a very robust 'capital' raising exercise. 'Investors' from all over the country subscribed to the initial public offer and over 2 billion was raised and their share certificates would soon be issued.

APC had done theirs earlier with great success too although not as successful as PDP. In fact if you ask me APC did not try joo. Buhari had to go borrow money from the bank to pay for his forms. I wonder what collateral he dropped and what is the tenor of the loan and at what interest rate.

PDP has released a breakdown of all 'investors'. The list is so far and wide that from that alone one can safely guess that Johnny Boy will according to Okupe walk over whoever APC brings out. Various associations, individuals, dancers, witch doctors and even English teachers all bought 'shares'. My anger cannot be contained sha because I did not see my name in the breakdown. I had sent my post-dated cheque and had begged the same bank chief who gave Buhari the loan to honour mine. It is either he did not do that or Okupe and co forgot to present the cheque although it was dated October 1, 2015. You know I get sense. I want to be sure that Johnny Boy wins before they cash the cheque. I don't want to waste my hard earned money.

Before cutting the cheque, I thought seriously about who I will give my 10,000 Naira.

You see even though I live in Shomolu , the bastion of APC, I still had to be very objective. I have never backed a failed candidate in my career. I voted for Babangida when he became the very first military president. As he was making his broadcast from Bonny Camp, I hid under my bed and sent my strong support and only emerged the mo-

55

The Right Hand of Anarchy BUSINESS SENSE ALEX OGUNDADEGBE alexogundadegbe@gmail.com

gospel truth anything we read?

In Nigeria proprietors of Industrial Media (newspapers, magazines, television, and internet based) for profit get away with all kinds of shams for stories. So how on earth do you arrest prosecute or deter social media exponents who spread falsehood? The Industrial Media are consistently getting involved in “quickies” where something is published on line and they just copy and slam it into tomorrow’s dailies or broadcast it live on air without proper verification.

The recipe for anarchy lies in an unbridled publishing of falsehood, incomplete or unbalanced stories, some of which come from unsavory elements bent on causing chaos in larger society. Those broadcast media that feign concern for the viewing public and then broadcast gory pictures with no restraint are no better. No doubt the press has a duty to act as watch dog of society, but increasingly, we see men and women of the media being manipulated by the executive or legislature to the detriment of the same society they are supposed to watch. A free press and freedom of expression should not degenerate into a circus of misinformation and malignancy. Those who spread falsehood ought to be punished for it. A society that condones a lying media enhances anarchy of the highest order! So let us take time to check; especially those of us that surf the

Whatever political camp we belong to, we owe ourselves and our readers and viewers some level of decency to discourage and discard lies and half truths of Conduct Bureau to reveal. The Channels Television anchor who asked Abati how rich the President is surely did not expect an accurate answer. No matter what the Senior Special Adviser to The President on Media says at that time, it would be doubted. Sadly, the damage has been done, and we do not even know how much our president is really worth.

I swam against this shallow current of Face book users when I told those who had “googled” the garbage about the President’s $100 that it could not be true. The guns turned on me. One of the sharers of the story told me I am Mr. Ignorance. Her conviction was based on the unuttered premise that: If it’s googled then it must be true. How unfortunate. Any fool can upload anything on the Internet these days and should we believe as

APC and PDP Plc EDGAR’S WORLD JOSEPH EDGAR

josephsamsponedgar@gmail.com

ment I was sure he was in firm control. I also voted for Sanni Abacha and contributed a paragraph in his victory speech.

That place where he banned the eating of stock fish in his first speech as head of state, I wrote it. So this time around I had to analyse the field very well before I send my cheque.

APC have simply refused to field interesting candidates. Atiku is bald-headed and when he was vice president, he did not take my call one day. He worked with Obasanjo to strangle Tinubu as governor of Lagos State, so why is he going to dine with Oba of Lagos. Does he know how that one became Oba? Buhari is rather lean and has never worn a suit. If he wins, how will he be representing us at the United Nations.

He does not even have money, common N20m he does not have, when one Niger Delta boy just bought his wife a customized Rolls Royce and also dashed his sister 250 thousand for cooking a sweet egusi soup. That is the kind of candidate we want joo. Buhari has failed three times he should go and try council chairman in

My dirge goes to the stars that nepotism, gerontocracy and political shallowness will never let shine under the APC broom Daura.

So you see why APC is not doing it for me.

The space is so dull. Why is Tinubu not throwing in his hat. At least we will start to hear certificate wahala and all sort of Fuji parties everywhere. Tinubu at least will speak the English and shake Johnny Boy who would need to bring in Dame as reinforcement.

So PDP took my money. My reasons are not far-fetched. Jonathan did not have shoes and still does not have real shoes. I am connecting to that because I was not wearing shoes when I was hawking bread in Shomolu.

Jonathan's wife looks like my mum and they share a likeness for fresh fish. Jonathan has over the last eight years shown that you can

web at random.

Manipulation sets in when public offices use statistics as premise for their achievements or good news. Statistics are verifiable. So when the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development quotes the tonnage of locally produced food as having increased “tremendously”, someone ought to ask him why it has not had an effect on the price of food in the market. Statistics are not operating laws of the universe, although they have their place. For every set of numbers that tend to show improvement, there are another set somewhere that contradict the first.

We ought to look for both sources. Many times we find that so-called statistical evidence and empirical odds are misperceptions and someone’s justifiable spin. In the United States, for many years, there was a media outcry that the number of African Americans in jail exceeded the numbers in college(University).The study said that 603,000 black men enrolled in college in 2001 and 790,000 were imprisoned that same year. The study was later faulted because it looked at all black men who had been imprisoned that year and not those of college age.

The media is also being used to fire salvos. Governor Ayodele Fayose can say that his predecessor, Governor John Kayode Fayemi wasted money on building a government house, using the media to gain popularity and disparage his predecessor. Fayemi replies and says the man is an “Alawada”(Joker) that he should get down to governance. On each occasion the people’s confidence takes a battering.

As we move towards 2015, the media owe it to the public to redefine, “reenvision” and reinvigorate our collective psyche, rather than divide and disillusion us. That does not stop them from publishing real stories and being “damned” as the saying goes. But there is a road away from anarchy and that is the one they must choose.

ignore Amaechi with devastating effect.

He has shown that there is true democracy by emerging sole candidate without a contest. So I will vote Jonathan, he is the best and he will help me realize my dream of being a great hunter.

It's not too late for APC, they can quickly drop Buhari and Atiku and draft in Patrick Obahiagbon to come and destroy PDP with big English. I tell you when he speaks, the headache his big words will give us, we would not know when we will just thumbprint APC instead of PDP. When he speaks, all PDP strategists would just be concentrating on their dictionaries instead of campaigning.

That to me is the only way APC can win this election o.

PDP has won this round joo. Amaechi can kneel down in the stadium and pray all he wants this round is gone. PDP is showing better organisation, better coverage of the country, stronger candidates and better resolve to win.

Tambuwal just defecting at this late hour? Was he drinking akamu all these while. What does he hope to achieve. I hear he wants to be governor of Sokoto.

That is the jaga jaga that is APC. He waited to enjoy all the perks of a PDP-assisted speakership and in this last days he defects. I see political oblivion coming his way. Such a pity.

My dirge goes to the stars that nepotism, gerontocracy and political shallowness will never let shine under the APC broom. Stars like Fashola, Saraki, Amaechi, Fayemi and Oshiomhole. If they don't mind, my mama is about to launch a new party with the sole aim of fighting for the rights of the second wife.

Either of them can come chair the party.

Teheeheee!!!!

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el-clasico derby: Manchester

Priority test for Di Maria M

Adekunle Salami

anchester United’s crunch match with current league leaders, Chelsea, last weekend was a big match by any standard, but it does not fall into the A games of Angel Di Maria.

The Argentine has his priority of big games and he is not hiding it. He joined United on a five-year deal which is a record transfer fee of £59.7 million, the fifth most expensive transfer of all times and the highest fee ever paid by a British club.

The Manchester derby between United and Manchester City is top on the priority of Di Maria.

Interestingly, the first Manchester derby of the season, which is the first for the Argentine, holds on Sunday at the Ethiad Stadium.

“My love for Manchester United is from my tender age. As a professional, I think about big games in England like the Manchester derby home and away, United vs Liverpool in Anfield and the United vs Chelsea in

Stamford Bridge.

“I see myself in United shirt to play in these big games and so I look forward to these matches this season.

"I heard and read so much about the atmosphere of these games and I am eager to be part of it as a player. I am sure it will be a special feeling, especially if one could put up a good performance in the match.”

Di Maria has played eight games for Manchester United and has scored three goals with four assists. He scored his first goal for United on his Old Trafford debut on September 14, netting directly from a free kick in a 4–0 win over Queens Park Rangers.

Manchester United skipper, Wayne Rooney, said the inclusion of Di Maria in the team was a massive boost for the team.

“United is a big club. Di Maria is a big player and so it’s just perfect,” he said.

The Red Devils are going for the big derby this weekend without an away win yet this season.

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