9th May, 2015

A media partner of

SATURDAY Saturday, May 9, 2015

Vol. 2 No. 444

Sanctity of Truth

/newtelegraph

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

N150

No amount is worth acting nude, says Nollywood } 22 Actress, Omowunmi Dada

ADAMU MU’AZU

CAN THIS MAN SURVIVE?

X-ray of forces against embattled PDP chair Onwuka Nzeshi

F Abuja

or some, it’s not a question of if but how soon the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu

Mu’azu, would resign.

But there is a hint of self-assuredness about the way he has carried on since his party was pushed down the pecking order by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that suggests his resignation might not be anytime soon. None-

No rift }5 between Fashola and I, says Tinubu

theless, given the mounting opposition against him and the emergence of some conspiracy theories with regard to his party’s huge loss , the prospects for survival seem quite grim.

Was it complacency, a case of treachery as alleged by some party members or

simply that the APC mustered a formidable challenge the PDP could not withstand? The answer to that are as varied as the multiple interests that nurtured the PDP from the outset.

SEE FULL STORY ON PAGE 45

Troops recover Boko Haram’s video recordings of executions

}6

2

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

Contents | 09.05.15 INSTYLE

The Cobalt Blue Look If you’re thinking of adding one unique colour to your wardrobe, then it should be striking and vibrant cobalt blue also known as electric blue

}15

THE ARTS

SHOWBIZ

Feminine Brushstrokes A solo exhibition by emerging Nigerian artist, Lateef Olajumoke, which rounded off in Lagos recently offered art enthusiasts insights into the life of women

}18 No Spat

Actor Odunlade Adekola who struck fame starring in Yoruba movies speaks about his rumoured spat with fellow actor, Bolaji Amusan

}21

INVESTIGATIONS

Reining in the Dogs Reports of rising cases of feral dogs attacking humans have prompted calls for stringent laws relating to ownership of pets

}23

SPORT

Subscription Pains Viewing centres for major European leagues are lamenting over low patronage after Multichoice implemented a 20 percent hike in subscription

}27

DESTINATION

Six Nights in Addis Ababa A Saturday Telegraph correspondent recounts an interesting time in Ethiopia and also the not-so-flattering experience travelling there

}42 Plus: Investigations 23 | Perspectives 42

SATURDAY

Comment

Minimising wastage in varsity system

N

igeria may be heading for a proper education destination, considering this year’s budgetary allocation, in which for the first time in recent years, the sector is receiving the lion’s share of the national budget.

As laudable as Federal Government’s decision to prioritise education this time around in the scheme of national planning by departing from the age-long norm-education sector occupied the backstage, particularly coming behind defence and other security formations and sectors of the economy might be the fears now is how the budget, like others before it, would translate to improved system and delivery output.

Apart from the staggering dearth of facilities and decayed infrastructure bedeviling the sector as a result of long years of funding starvation, the concern that Nigerians should express is whether there is going to be provisions for effective implementation of the budget, to the extent that the quantum of the funds allocated would go directly into addressing the actual needs of the sector.

With education sector receiving the lion’s share of the budget, the hope is rising that Nigeria’s education sector, which today has remained backward and undeveloped, reflecting poor standard, acute shortage of facilities, dearth of functional libraries, obsolete laboratories without chemicals and reagents, limited admission space especially in the nation’s universities, among others, is set to bounce back.

By and large, such hope may after all become a mere wishful thinking, if the spate of monumental wastage of resources in every level of the sector, especially as it concerns financial management of our tertiary institutions, ministries of education, parastatals and agencies is not checked.

However, the recent five-day training of 60 members of non-teaching staff of the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, organised by the management in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, deserved a proper re-examination in order to curb the

excesses of some school administrators.

Aside the 60 non-academic staff, on the trip to the Middle East country for leadership training, were principal officers of the university, the Secretary to the Ogun State Government (SSG), as well as other resource persons from Nigeria.

For a university that is still grappling with development in the face on underfunding, due to the government’s inability to fund the institution effectively, this needless capital flight and waste of limited resources should be checked.

Despite, the claim by the university that the training trip was facilitated and sponsored through funding allocation from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the trip to Dubai for ad-hoc training in a hotel, when there are several conducive training environment in Nigeria that could have been used is condemned in its entirety.

As condemnable as this may be, the university management, to a large extent, has demonstrated an uncanny fervour for misplaced priority and waste of resources in the face of limited available funds that requires prudence spending.

Meanwhile, the TASUED management’s recklessness, exemplified in the recent Dubai trip, should be enough for TETFund to forthwith reassess its requirements and mode of allocation of funds to institutions of learning.

To ensure prudent spending of TETFund allocations, if the mode of accessing the funds reviewed and timely too, the Federal Government’s motive to address the rot in the education sector and reposition it for the challenges of the 21st Century would become a mere jamboree due to mismanagement by some university administrators who believe that such “free money” should be spent freely on frivolities.

In as much as, we should encourage staff development and overseas trainings particularly for certification such as Master’s, PhD programmes and other exchange programmes with reputable institutions, taking a huge figure of 60 non-academic staff members on foreign ad-hoc training to Dubai sparks suspicion, because such training do not necessarily entail overseas training.

DAILY TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

Eric Osagie

Editor n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor n Suleiman Uba Gaya

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, Saturday n Ndubuisi Ugah

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed

Sales/Circulation Manager n Oyebanji Abiodun

Head, Graphics n Timothy Akinleye

Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

3

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

SPECIALonREPORT The 8th Senate’s Fresh Generation Godswill Akpabio

Aliyu Wamakko

Jonah David Jang

Stella Adaeze Oduah

Samuel Egwu

Theodore Orji

Mao Ohuabunwa

Uche Lilian Ekwunife

Buruji Kashamu

Jeremiah Useni

Abubakar Kyari

Ben Murray Bruce

Peter Nwaoboshi

Biodun Olujimi

Dino Melaye

Monsurat Sunmonu

Bayero Usman Nafada

Bala ibn Na’Allah

Isiaka A. Adeleke

Abubakar Danladi

Adeola Olamilekan

Binta Masi Garba

Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim

Mustapha Bukar

Duro Samuel Faseyi

Fatimat O. Raji-Rasaki

Shehu Sani

Mustapha Bukar

Philip Aruwa I Gyunka

Buhari Abdulfatai

Suleiman O. Hunkuyi

Osinakachukwu Ideozu

Danjuma La’ah

Bassey Albert Akpan

Olanrewaju Tejuoso

Mohammed A. Ohiare

Nelson Asuquo Effiong

Achonu A. Nneji

Sabo Mohammed

David Umaru

Umaru Ibrahim Kurfi

Barau I Jibrin

Nnaemeka Anyanwu

Clifford A. Ordia

John Enoh Owan

Mathew A. Urhoghide

Utazi Godfrey Chukwuka

Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi

Gbolahan Dada

Abdul-Aziz M. Nyako

Francis A. Alimikhena

Olaka Johnson Nwogu

Ogba Joseph Obinna

Tijjani Yahaya Kaura

Donald Alasoadura

Rose Okoji Oko

Yele Omogunwa

Ogola Foster

Gershom H. Bassey

Suleiman M. Nazif

Malam Ali Wakili

Abdullahi A. Gumel

Marafa Bashir Abba

Yahaya Abdullahi

Abdulrahman Abubakar

Salihu Hussain Egye

Mohammed Garba

Ighoyota Amori

Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

Ahmadu Abubakar

Mohammed Hasan

Isah Hamma Misau

Ibrahim Abdullahi

Muhammad Ubali Shitu

On June 4, 2015, the eighth Senate of the National Assembly will be inaugurated. Of the 109 Senators who will be taking their seats, 74, representing 66 per cent will be fresh in the upper chamber.

Who are these fresh Senators? What are their backgrounds and antecedents? What quality of debate and contributions are we likely to see from them?

These and more will be the kernel of a special report by New Telegraph on that day. The report presents a unique opportunity for family, friends and associates of these fresh Senators to felicitate with them.

For enquiries and participation: Call Biodun: 0802-301-5582, Taiwo: 0803-304-2915, Onwuka: 0803-733-9843, David: 0810-759-1663

4

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

9 MAY 2015

Police arrest two as suicide bomber kills two, injures 10 in Yobe Ndubuisi Ugah and Hassan Jirgi

Y

Damaturu

obe State Police Command yesterday said it has arrested two persons suspected to be Boko Haram members, following the killing of two persons and injuring of 10 others by a suicide bomber at the College of Administrative and Business Studies (CABS), Potiskum.

The police also said in a statement issued in response to the bombing, that they had arrested two suspects and recovered one AK 47 rifle and ammunition from them.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

It was gathered that the two persons who were killed in the attack were confirmed dead after the suicide bomber had in the early hours of yesterday blew himself up while injuring 10 others in the process.

A source close to the scene of the attack, said: “We have evacuated 12 people with serious gunshot wounds to hospital from the scene of the shooting attack.”

Many students at the college said the attacker with explosives strapped to his body blew himself up when he ran out of ammunition. Meanwhile

R-L: President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari; his personal aide, Alhaji Sarki Abba and a worshipper, during the Jumat prayers at the Mambila Mosque in Abuja …yesterday.

the students were made to pass through security screening before entering the campus.

An eyewitness said the gunman had fired on a crowd waiting at the gate to be screened shortly past 8a.m.

“We had just started a class when we heard gunshots coming from the direction of the gate and we instantly realised we were

Jonathan, Obama, Netanyahu congratulate Cameron Olushola Ricketts with agency reports

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan, alongside his United States counterpart, Mr. Barack Obama, Francois Hollande of France and Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, yesterday congratulated Prime Minister David Cameron and the Conservative Party of Great Britain on their victory in the country’s general elections.

Other leaders, who congratulated Cameron, include former France President, Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy; Spain’s Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy and US Ambassador to UK, Matthew Barzun President Jonathan in a congratulatory message issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, assured Cameron and the Conservative Party of the best wishes of the government and people of Nigeria as they prepare to form a new British Government backed by the clear majority in parliament which

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

they won in Thursday’s elections.

The statement reads in part: “The President expects that the historic relationship between Nigeria and Britain which received a significant boost during the past five years of his Presidency in Nigeria and Mr. Cameron’s first term in office, will continue to blossom in coming years for the benefit of both countries and their citizens."

On his part, Obama said: “I congratulate Prime Minister Cameron on his impressive electoral victory."

Hollande in his remarks, said he phoned Cameron “to congratulate him on his success in the election" and has invited him to Paris once his government has been formed.”

Similarly, Netanyahu tweeted in his congratulatory message to Cameron, saying: “Congrats to @David Cameron on impressive victory and renewed mandate. I look forward to working with you on shared goals of peace and prosperity.”

under attack which made us to rush out of the class,” a student, Tijjani Musa, said.

According to another student, Mustapha Umar, the gunman managed to pass through the gate amid the chaos that broke out after he began shooting.

“He kept firing sporadic shots,” but was chased by a group of students who were frantically trying to subdue him. When he ran out of ammunition he detonated the explosives under his robe, killing himself but no one from the crowd,” Umar told the Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Following the explosion, residents in the area were said to have led in the rescue operation to evacuate other persons affected by the incident to the Potiskum General Hospital, while the institution was cordoned off.

An eye witness, Mallam Yahaya, said few minutes after the explosion, they rushed to the scene and discovered that two persons had been killed with one of the victims burnt beyond recognition.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Potiskum General

Hospital, said one person died while10 others were injured. He said the hospital was still awaiting details of the attack as the police was still working on the issue.

Equally, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Toyin Gbadegesin, an assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who confirmed the incident to journalists, said the suicide bomber blew himself and others.

The Rector of the college, Mallam Ali Kadugun, confirmed the incident and said about seven people were injured, while one person was feared dead.

5

Tinubu: No rift between Fashola and I Ndubuisi Ugah

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ational Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, yesterday dismissed reports that there was a rift between Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and himself.

Tinubu, in a tweet dismissing the media report credited to Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwan Akiolu, that there was a rift between Fashola and himself, said: “Between Fashola and myself, there has never been any fight, only disagreements over procedures in the past.

"It borders on the party’s position. All this is in the past.

What we have achieved politically in Lagos and Nigeria is a result of teamwork, political compatibility and vision.”

It will be recalled that there have been many unconfirmed reports that there were serious disagreements between Tinubu and Fashola towards the end of Fashola’s first term in office as governor of the state.

Akiolu had while speaking at an event marking the 2,900 days in office of Fashola said it took his (Akiolu) intervention, and the grace of God to reconcile the two of them.

Akiolu said: “I am not a partisan politician, but I am a politician of Iga Iduganran. I am not afraid of any person or anything. I can only fear God. I am also not afraid of death, but I am not going to die now. When there was a controversy between Tinubu and Fashola, all the elders and monarchs throughout the federation called me to intervene.

Forex: CBN mulls easing naira rules Ayodele Aminu

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has started talks with banks and currency dealers on how to loosen foreignexchange trading restrictions while still maintaining stability in the naira, people familiar with the discussions have said.

The Financial Markets Dealers Association, a Lagos-based industry body, according to Bloomberg news, met this week to put a proposal together that may be presented to the regulator as early as next week, two of the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private, said.

The FMDA will recommend ways to increase trading and liquidity in the foreign-exchange market, while at the same time avoiding speculative demand that might significantly weaken the naira, they said.

The central bank of Africa’s biggest oil producer has implemented several

l Interbank rates rise on treasury bills sales

measures since December to bolster the naira, which has weakened 19 per cent against the dollar since the end of June, by limiting the buying of dollars in the interbank market.

In February, it introduced a so-called order-based trading system in which banks can only buy foreign currency when they have matching orders from clients that need to import goods.

The apex bank hasn’t made any decision to change the trading rules currently in place, Ibrahim Mu’azu, a spokesman in Abuja, said by e-mail.

Mr. David Adepoju, the Lagos-based president of the FMDA, said by phone that he was on holiday and referred requests for comment to Adebayo Adeyemo, the vice president, who didn’t immediately respond to an e-mail.

The naira weakened 0.8 per cent to N200.55 per dollar at 4:25 p.m. in Lagos yes-

terday. The unit has closed at between N198 and N200 almost every day since the start of March. One-month naira-dollar volatility dropped to the lowest level in six years last month as the CBN’s rules took effect.

The restrictions have left the naira overvalued and stopped many foreign investors, including Morgan Stanley and Aberdeen Asset Management Plc, from buying local-currency bonds until the currency weakens.

The regulator has also tried to prop up the currency by selling down its foreign reserves. They stand at $29.7 billion, the lowest in a decade, according to HSBC Holdings Plc. The CBN will probably have to let market forces have a greater say over the exchange rate if Nigeria is to preserve its reserves, according to Razia Khan, head of Africa economic research at Standard Chartered Plc. “It makes sense to as-

sume that there will be some adjustment in the regime to allow for greater flexibility,” Khan told reporters in Lagos on May 5.

Meanwhile, Nigeria interbank lending rates rose 3.25 percentage points week-on-week yesterday to 9.25 points on average, driven by large treasury bills sold at both primary and secondary market by the central bank, which soaked up liquidity from the system.

The apex bank sold about N250 billion ($1.26 billion) in the open market operations bills and N150.6 billion worth at an auction last Wednesday.

“The market has been very liquid from the spillover from budget allocations and large matured bonds two weeks ago, but the outflows to fresh treasury bills sales drained some liquidity and caused rates to rise yesterday,” one dealer said.

6

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

WASHINGTON DC ENUGU ZARIA ‘Michelle Obama’ll not attend Handover schools before May Kaduna awards N3.51bn Buhari’s inauguration’ 29, Methodist Church insists water contract

N EWS I N BRIEF

ST

Wife of the United States President, Mrs. Michelle Obama, will not attend President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari's presidential inauguration on May 29, the White House has said.

“The First Lady will not be travelling to Nigeria,” Caroline Adler, communications director in the first lady’s office, said in an email Thursday.

The clarification by the White House followed reports that Michelle would represent President Barack Obama at the inauguration.

Nigeria’s ambassador to the US, Ade Adefuye, confirmed with local media that the outgoing Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan had extended an invitation to the US government for Buhari’s inauguration.

The Methodist Church has called on the Enugu State Government to handover public schools in the state to their original owners before May 29.

The Methodist Archbishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Christopher Ede, made the call at the commencement of the 40th anniversary of the church in Enugu on Friday.

He said 59 public schools made up of three secondary schools and 56 primary schools were returned to the Methodist Church.

“But the policy was such that the government is still holding part of the administration of these schools, including staff salaries and the control of payment of fees. Due to the free education policy of the state government, we collect not more than N2, 000 per student as fees,” he said.

91

3,473,340

The sex ratio of men to 100 women in the 60+ age group of Costa Rica in 2012.

Source: Un.org

The total number of votes scored by APC in the North East zone in the presidential election of Nigeria in 2015.

Source: INEC

Kaduna State Government yesterday awarded a N3.51 billion contract for the rehabilitation and expansion of Zaria water distribution network.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the contract was awarded to two firms, Bran and Lubbe Water Engineers Nigeria Limited and Mothercat Nigeria.

The Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr. Ado Dogo, who signed the contract agreement on behalf of the government, said it would be completed within 24 months.

Dogo said the water distribution network to be laid in Zaria city, Palladan and Samaru, would cover 201 kilometres.

18.89%

The percentage of the club-trained players by France clubs in 2011-2012.

Source: Football-observatory.com

IG warns CPs, Area Commanders over roadblocks Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

T

he Acting InspectorGeneral of Police (IG), Mr. Solomon Arase, yesterday threatened disciplinary action against commissioners of police, police area commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in states where his ban on police roadblocks has not been complied with.

Arase, who spoke in Enugu after the graduation ceremony of the Batch One of the Tactical Intelligence Command and Management Course at the Police Intelligence School, Enugu, warned that if any police team is arrested mounting roadblocks contrary to his order, the team would be severely dealt with.

Fielding questions from journalists after the passing out ceremony of the officers who were trained in police intelligence, the IG said the directive on police roadblocks across the country

was still in force.

He said: “The commissioner of police, the area commander and the divisional police officer (in charge of the locations in question) will be queried. I have told them repeatedly, I have given them sufficient time to dismantle them. So, if they have not, I hold them precariously liable.

“It remains in force. I am not going to tolerate it. I don’t think it is performing any useful function in our internal security matter. I have already sent out some squads to the six geo-political zones to ensure that the ban is strictly enforced.

“Just as I said awhile ago, removing roadblocks does not mean we are abdicating the responsibility of policing the country. While we are removing the roadblocks we are reinforcing the highway patrol teams that will be in place to give members of the public that psychological reassurance that the environment is being policed,” he explained.

Subsidy fears threaten fuel shortage as importers hold back Ayodele Aminu

F

L-R: Registrar, University of Ibadan, Mr. Olujimi Olukoya; National President, University of Ibadan Alumni Association, Mr. Kemi Emina; Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Adewole, at the National Public Service lecture organised by the institution’s alumni association in Ibadan …yesterday.

UAE banks ‘close’ Nigerian politicians, others' accounts Ndubuisi Ugah

F

with agency reports

resh facts has emerged that a diplomatic row may broke out between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following reports that some banks in Dubai have closed bank accounts of Nigerian politicians, students and business operators.

The development, it was gathered, is not unconnected with the May 29 inauguration of the Presidentelect, Muhammadu Buhari.

However, it was gathered that thousands of Nigerians with bank accounts in Dubai on Thursday received notices that their bank accounts had been closed without explanation, according to an online news

portal, Per Second News.

Some said the banks were trying to eliminate risk, but a source in the UAE’s Ministry of Finance said the policy was to prevent money laundering, especially from Nigerian politicians hiding under the pretext of paying school fees for their children to smuggle millions of dollars into the country.

Per Second News gathered from a top official of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) that the move was a fall-out of the country’s new Central Bank Laws prohibiting Nigerians not working in the UAE from possessing accounts in any local or foreign banks.

With the new monetary laws by the apex bank, all accounts of Nigerians that are not linked to work in

the UAE have been closed and cheques issued in favour of the customers cashable in five working days.

Investigations also revealed that the politicians who have allegedly stashed away huge sums of money in Dubai and other locations in the UAE were already panicking over the fate of their money and were moving to safeguard their finances.

“It’s going to be a huge scandal for politicians and businessmen who go to Dubai to hide their money.

And if really they are closing non salary accounts of Nigerians in Dubai, we are going to see something we have never seen before, scandals,” a top government source said.

Politicians with huge sums of money in Dubai are said to be mounting

pressure on the Federal Government to intervene and prevent a breakdown of diplomatic ties between both countries.

Meanwhile, efforts to get clarifications on the development from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs proved abortive.

uel shortages are set to worsen in Nigeria as international traders and local marketers back away from imports over fears that the cash-strapped new government will halt costly subsidy payments.

Already, lines at petrol stations in the major cities are blocking traffic as Africa's largest crude oil exporter runs out of domestic fuels. The shortage in some rural areas is even more acute due to a payment battle between independent retailers and the government.

“We have exhausted our stocks," said Stanley Yakubu, a worker at the Forte Filling Station in the Maitama neighbourhood of Abuja. “We thought government and marketers have resolved their issues but supply is very slow in coming.”

Traders according to Reuter news, said new bookings for vital tanker imports

of transport fuel into Nigeria had slowed to a trickle, and some cargoes offshore were being redirected to other regions.

Efforts by outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012 to end expensive subsidies, which would have doubled gasoline prices, led to riots in the street.

The steep drop in world oil prices would have cushioned consumers from any withdrawal of subsidies, but gasoline prices would still jump by roughly 30 per cent if the current capped price of N87 per litre is allowed to move closer to the N115 it would cost without the government support.

Additionally, as subsidies cover the difference between the capped price and the cost to buy the fuel on the international market, marketers worry Nigeria could end the payments without letting capped prices rise, leaving them to shoulder the potentially sizeable price difference.

Troops recover Boko Haram’s video recordings Emmanuel Onani Abuja

T

roops have captured video materials depicting gory pictures of trials, “stoning” and executions

by Boko Haram, according to PRNigeria.

The development, the online medium said, was confirmed by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris

Olukolade.

“A number of vital materials, apart from arms and ammunition, have been recovered which are being subjected to intelligent analyses.

We don’t want to say much about that now,” PRNigeria quoted the DDI as saying.

According to the online medium, “As terrorists continue to scamper following relentless pursuit by Nigerian troops, they have

often left sensitive materials including arms, ammunitions, ICT gadgets and video recordings behind.

“PRNigeria gathered that many of the video materials captured by the troops are currently being analysed by military experts. Some of the videos included recording of scenes of trials, beheadings, executions, stoning, floggings and those taken during preparations for suicide attacks."

9 MAY 2015

Lagos seals house for rearing dangerous animals Muritala Ayinla

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he Lagos State Government yesterday sealed a building where snakes, crocodile and other dangerous animals are reared.

The government described the moves as part of the efforts to protect lives and property of the residents, saying it would not condone illegal rearing of dangerous animals among the residents.

Saturday Telegraph gathered that the building located at 13 Alhaji Abass, off Adebowale Street in Ojodu Berger, was found to be habouring dangerous and wild animals such as panther, water snakes, giant Eagle, crocodiles among others.

It was also learnt that some of the animals strayed away which also posed as serious danger to neighbours and passersby.

The building was discovered by the officers of the Ministry of the En-

vironment through the House-to-House Awareness Campaign during state monthly environmental sanitation.

In a statement signed by the ministry's Director of Press and Publicity, Mr. Fola Adeyemi, the property owned by one John A. Adekanbi was discovered to be harbouring dangerous animals and was shut immediately after no genuine reason for rearing the animals.

He said: "Consequently, a seal order was placed on the property and the evacuation of the animals and junks within the premises was done

by Messrs Origin Garden Zoo and Sanitation Services Department of the Ministry of the Environment respectively."

Meanwhile, Dr. Abiodun Afolabi, director Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance, who led the exercise, also said that they discovered heap of vegetal waste and other junks around the building.

Jonathan hails Shonekan at 79 Anule Emmanuel ABUJA

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated former Head of Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan, on the occasion of his 79th birthday anniversary.

The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said Nigeria owes the former Head of State a huge debt of gratitude for his immense contributions to national development.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I write to felicitate with you on the occasion of your 79th birthday anniver-

sary, tomorrow, May 9.

“Over the years, you have always readily given yourself to the cause of peace, stability, growth and development in our country, Nigeria. For this, we owe you an enduring debt of gratitude,” President Jonathan wrote to Shonekan.

The President wished Shonekan a very happy birthday and prayed that God Almighty would continue to guide and bless him.

President Jonathan has similarly felicitated with Chief Jim Nwobodo who also celebrates his 75th birthday tomorrow.

The president personally wrote a letter to the former leader.

April 11 polls exposed Jonathan’s wife -Akari

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irst Lady Patience Jonathan’s unsuccessful effort to undermine Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State backfired with the April 11 House of Assembly election, Chairman of Bayelsa Grassroots Initiatives (BGI), Chief Peretimi Akari, has said.

Akari, who addressed journalists in Lagos yesterday, sad his position stems from the victory recorded at the just concluded polls, which he said, was a manifestation of his group’s determination to expose all the enemies of the state.

Akari said: “Bayesla State has spoken with the April 11 polls despite the show of shame by Mrs.

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Jonathan and her political thugs. Why President Goodluck Jonathan kept mum as his wife stifled the state of needed federal presence, just because she is not getting her ways.

That beats us hollow?

“Though Jonathan speaks on the need for Bayelsans to continue working with Dickson for a continued developmental stride since assumption of office three years ago, his actions are contrary as there has not been deliberate effort to support the state on infrastructural development from the presidency. Take a visit there and you will discover that all the projects in Bayelsa State are state funded.”

FCT Tribunal orders arrest of six council chairmen

NEWS IN BRIEF

ST

The Code of Conduct Tribunal has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of six development council chairmen in Adamawa State for their failure to honour its summons.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar, who gave the order in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the spokesman for the tribunal, Mr. Ibrahim Al-hassan, also ordered that the six accused persons be arraigned in court on July 16 to face their trial.

The order followed an application by the counsel to the accused, Mr. Sunday Sotikere, to withdraw services to his clients, which the tribunal granted.

YENAGOA

OSOGBO Buhari’ll give youths priority, says Aregbesola

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday assured youths in the country that the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, would include them in the scheme of things, while their plights would be given adequate attention in order to move the country forward.

Speaking through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths, Sports and Special Needs, Dr. Akinyinka Esho, at the swearingin ceremony of the 2015 Batch ‘A’ corps members deployed to the state, Aregbesola described the All Progressives Congress (APC) - led government’s template for the youth in the country as second to none.

He, however, charged them to cooperate with the incoming government to be able to transform the country.

86,600

The total area (in sq. km) of Azerbaijanr.

Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

7

Alamieyeseigha denies governorship bid

Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, has described as complete fallacy and an act of mischief, media reports that, he is planning to run for the governorship of the state under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement yesterday, Alamieyeseigha said he had neither nursed nor discussed any plans to run for the governorship of the state with anybody and called on his teeming supporters and the people of the state to disregard the reports, as they were the handiwork of mischief makers.

According to him, he remains a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and has no intention to abandon the party, let alone running for an office under the platform of another party.

28,500

The total number of internet users in Jersey in 2007.

Source: Blatantworld.com

19%

The percentage of population under 15 years old in China in 2012 Source: Un.org

Unpaid salaries: Bauchi workers give Yuguda May 12 ultimatum DEADLINE

Workers issue governor ultimatum to pay up backlog of two months salaries or face industrial action.

Mohammed Kawu

W Bauchi

orkers in Bauchi State have poised for a showdown with the out-going Governor Isa Yuguda-led government over the nonpayment of March and April salaries.

Consequently, the workers led by the organised labour have given the state government May 12 ultimatum to pay the backlog of two months salaries or face industrial action.

A statement jointly signed by the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),

…as Labour vows to shut down public service next week Hashimu Gital; Trade Union Council (TUC) Mohammed Misau and the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC) Chairman, Aliyu Mohammed, said the ultimatum for the payment of the backlog of salaries was part of the resolution reached at a recently held meeting of leaders of the organised labour.

The statement stated: “That payment of March and April salaries be made on or before May 12, that failure to meet this demand will lead to withdrawal of services of the workers.”

Meanwhile, fresh facts emerged yesterday that the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has concluded plans to call out its members on an indefinite strike if plans to issue sack letters to over 1,000 employees of NIMC is eventually carried out.

Giving this indication in

Abuja yesterday, the ASCSN Secretary-General, Alade Lawal, expressed regret that the Federal Government had continued to condone and encourage lawlessness of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) management in spite of reports submitted to it on the happenings in the organisation.

The union expressed disdain that the NIMC Director-General, Mr. Chris Onyemenam, had continued to flout court orders in respect of his unpopular decision to sack more than 1,000 senior employees for no just cause.

“The directive by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity that parties should maintain status quo pending the determination of the trade dispute on the matter and that of the head of Civil Service of the Federation that he

must subject himself to the court process at the Federal Court of Appeal, Abuja, by staying action on the planned sack have been treated with contempt.

“As we write, Mr. Onyemenam who claims to be a lawyer has summoned NIMC Board meeting for next week to ratify his decision to throw more than 1,000 senior employees into the labour market so that he can replace them with his kith and kin from Delta State as he did after he retrenched more than 5,000 junior workers in 2012,” the union regretted.

The ASCSN emphasised that since all legal means available to the union to check the excesses of Onyemenam had been frustrated by the Federal Government, the union had no other alternative than to paralyse the entire public service.

L-R: Head of Department, Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Dr. Abigail Ogwezzy-Idisika, Founding Dean, School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Prof. Emovwo Biakolo and President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Femi Adesina, at an event organised by the United States Consulate in Nigeria to commemorate this year’s World’s Press Day, in Lagos…recently

8

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

FCT LOKOJA FCT PDP to APC: You’re too Jonathan’s wife to attend 'We will revive bombed Tao FM' boastful, arrogant women conference in Congo The Senator representing Kogi Central

N EWS I N BRIEF

ST

First Lady, Patience Jonathan, has departed for Brazzaville, Republic of Congo to participate in the celebration of the 30th anniversary Congo Assistance Foundation, an NGO of Congolese First Lady, Madam Antoinette Sassou-Nguesso.

A statement issued by her special assistant on media and publicity, Ayo Adewuyi, yesterday said she was joining other African First Ladies for the event.

The foundation, Ayo said, was established in 1984 and had engendered social action in the areas of health, education, skills acquisition in favour of indigent people of Congo.

The president’s wife runs similar organisation in Nigeria, the Aruera Reachout Foundation, which also focuses on the upliftment of women and children, the needy and imprisoned.

242

The total area (in sq. km) of Saint Pierre and Miquelon.

Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

Senatorial District in the Senate, Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, has said the people of Ebirland will leave no stone unturned to bring back to life the recently bombed popular community radio station, Tao FM, located in Kuroko, Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

A statement signed by the Senator’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Michael Jegede, said: “The bombed Tao FM is a radio station that is as dear to us as a people in Ebiraland. Any attempt to bring down the station is obviously an attempt to silence Ebira people. But I must say that we can never be silenced as a people, just like we were never conquered in history as a people.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as display of arrogance and false the statement credited to the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the Presidency and the PDP are not cooperating in the transition process.

In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, the PDP said such statement was aimed at heating up the polity.

“We can confirm that the APC Transition Committee led by Mallam Ahmed Joda has met at least twice with the Presidency team led by Vice President Namadi Sambo while the Timipre Sylva-led APC Inauguration Committee has been meeting almost on daily basis with the PDP team," Metuh said.

87.02%

The percentage of the individuals using the internet in United Kingdom in 2012.

Source: Itu.int

83

The sex ratio of men to 100 women in Indonesia in 2012.

Source: Un.org

South-West APC Senate caucus endorse Lawan Chukwu David Abuja

T

he South-West caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Senate, including the newly elected senators from the zone yesterday in Abuja, adopted Senator Ahmed Lawan as their candidate for the Senate President position.

Saturday Telegraph learnt that 12 out of the 13 newly elected senators met at a private residence of one of the members in the Asokoro district of the nation's political capital in Abuja and adopted the senator from the North-East zone, as their preferred choice candidate for the office.

One of the senators who attended the meeting, who spoke to our correspondent on conditions of anonymity

said they engaged in a lot of arguments before they came up with their position.

He said: “The 12 senators-elect with the exemption of Mr. Tayo Alasoadura, who was unavoidably absent at the meeting, argued for hours but at the end of the day, we came up with the choice of Lawan.

“It was generally agreed that we will formally communicate our position to the leadership of the APC just as our colleagues in the NorthWest had already done.”

When approached for comment on the purported resolution, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Senator Ajayi Boroffice (Ondo North), confirmed that the meeting was held but denied that the elected senators endorsed a particular candidate.

‘PDP fared better under Dickson’ Dayo Ayilara

A

Traffic chaos at the Mile 2 end of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway caused by petroleum tankers in Lagos…yesterday

Gunmen kidnap ex-CMD, wife in Ekiti ABDUCTION

A former medical director and his wife are abducted by gunmen in Ado-Ekiti.

Adesina Wahab

F

Ado-Ekiti

ormer Chief Medical Director of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Patrick Adegun and his wife, Kikelomo, were on Thursday night abducted by gunmen at the entrance of their residence in Okele area of Ado-Ekiti.

Their kidnap came on the heels of the abduction of a senior nurse at the Federal Teaching Hospital, IdoEkiti last Sunday.

In the Ido incident, one man was shot dead, while the victim, Margaret Aladenika, is yet to be found.

As a result of the ugly incidents, the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria in Ekiti State

has asked its members in EKSUTH to stop work until the Adeguns are found.

The Chairman, Dr. Olusola Aduloju, who lamented the insecurity in the health sector, said his members would not work until the safety of members is guaranteed.

A source in EKSUTH said members of the Adegun family were yet to be contacted by the kidnappers while the whereabouts of the ex-CMD and his wife were still unknown as at press time.

The source said Dr. Adegun had earlier attended a wake keep at Nova Primary School, GRA in Ado-Ekiti and left the place in his Toyota Avensis car before calling at his wife’s shop and took her and drove to their residence.

“On getting home, they saw that the gate had been blocked with another car.

And as they were making efforts to call the driver to order, they were manhandled and cramped into

the car and the abductors drove away speedily.

“Though, they didn’t take the victim’s car away. Immediately we noticed that, we called the police and the Department of State Security (DSS) and they have started making contacts to ascertain their location,” he said.

On the order to down tools, Aduloju said: “We are taking this step so that the government can provide security for us. We are tired of this situation and we have ordered our men in EKSUTH to withdraw their services until our member and his wife are found."

When contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joshua Ibine, said the police had swung to action and expressed confidence that the Adeguns would be rescued in good health.

On the part of the state government, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Information, Mr. Lanre Ogunsuyi, said the government was deeply worried

about the security situation.

He appealed to the doctors to shelve their resolve to suspend work until Adegun is found, saying such step would not be in the interest of the state, particularly for those with critical ailments.

Ogunsuyi said: “Police and the state government will make Ekiti secure for health workers and every worker in the state. We will put in place good measures for people to be able to move without hindrance.

"We urged them to go back to work because suspending work in the hospital will aggravate the problem. But we are going to keep our strategy to ourselves for security reason.

We will hold consultations with the doctors to know what their fears are and how to fashion out ways of providing security.

“To us as a government, every kidnap is criminal and condemnable. We are working with the Commissioner of Police to tame criminality in the state."

group, Greater Bayelsa Youth for Change (GBYC), has come hard on President Goodluck Jonathan-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government, saying the party fared well under Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson.

Leader of the group, Abadi Timi, said at a media briefing in Lagos, that: Dickson succeeded in keeping PDP in the state more formidable despite all odds.

“President Jonathan’s lack of focus, led him to undermine his state, instead of supporting Dickson who has been with him all through,” he said.

He said: “As at today, Dickson has so repositioned PDP in the state, which resulted in the April 11 polls’

victory by the party with 20 out of the 22 announced results. This is more of a referendum of the Dickson’s administration, because, he had inherited an entirely House of Assembly members dominated by Timipre Sylva loyalists.”

Timi said, “another area we looked at is Dickson cordial relationship with labour. This is exemplified by the recent Labour Day reduction of PAYEE tax by 20 per cent. The implication here is that being federal government taxation, Dickson will be paying the shortfall on their behalf.

The workers fell short of endorsing him for second term as he relates very well with each section of the state economy. By this action Labour declared him the ‘Most Popular Politician On Workforce.’

FIRS, LIRS task Nigerians on prompt payment of tax Temitope Ogunbanke

O

fficials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) have charged Nigerians, especially women entrepreneurs to contribute to the development of the society through prompt payment of taxes.

Speaking during a seminar on ‘Tax Forum for Businesswomen’ organised by DFID Growth and Employment in States (GEMS) and NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) in Lagos, FIRS Deputy Director (Tax Controller), Medium Tax Office, Lagos Mainland, Mr. Moshood Salami, said government should expand its tax net to meet the current economy challenge in the country due

to the drop of oil price in the international market.

He also implored individual and corporate organisations to be transparent to tax officials, adding that people should pay tax to constituted authority at FIRS, state internal revenue and local government committee to improve government’s Internal Generated Revenue (IGR).

Also speaking, LIRS Deputy Director, Mr. Bisi Ali, said all residents individual, irrespective of their nationality were chargeable to tax in Nigeria on their worldwide income and therefore people must pay their tax to help government build infrastructure, provide law and order, improve economy and provide adequate environment for business to thrive in the country.

9 MAY 2015

Aviation Africa forum targets $80bn profit Andrew Iro Okungbowa

A

frica aviation market will be on focus next week as the world’s leading airlines, aviation stakeholders, ministers, International Airport Travel Association (IATA), experts and others in the travel world hold the maiden edition of the Aviation Africa 2015 forum, targeting over $80 billion of the untapped market.

The forum, which opens tomorrow at Le Meridien Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), will underscore the potential of the African aviation market.

The two-day event, which will be chaired by Alan Peaford (MBE) will also have in attendance the President of Dubai’s Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Airline, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum.

Aviation Africa is de-

signed to forge a crucial dialogue among the aviation industry’s leading stakeholders on the social, economic and political benefits to be gained from wideranging improvements to the infrastructure in Africa.

Aviation in Africa currently supports more than 6.9 million jobs and over $800 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) across African nations.

It is speculated that the market annually can further add 155,000 jobs and $1.3 billion in GDP through the effective liberalisation of just 12 key markets, including Ghana, Kenya and South Africa among others, according to an independent report published by the IATA. “Aviation Africa 2015 will fill a void in the aviation calendar and give Africa a real chance to progress quickly, effectively and safely,” Peaford said.

US envoy lauds role of journalists in 2015 polls Lanre Odukoya

U

nited States Consul General in Nigeria, Jeffrey Hawkins, has commended the Nigerian media for its coverage of this year’s general elections.

Hawkins, who said this at a parley organised by the consulate in commemoration of the World’s Press Day, said: “The news media, like their peers in other parts of the world shoulder a heavy responsibility to inform and educate the electorate in some cases placing themselves in harm’s way.”

The occasion, tagged, Assessment of the News Media’s Performance Covering this year’s elections was an assemblage of journalists across the media spheres who all critically participated in analysing the historic elections.

Hawkins, who shared

time with the journalists, also said: “We are aware that some courageous journalists were injured during the elections. By providing the Nigerian electorate timely, factual, analytical, and objective information to help them understand the issues where the candidates stand, the news media lived up to a universal professional standard and contributed immensely to a healthy and functioning democracy in Nigeria. You and your peers deserve kudos for a job well done.”

The US Consulate General, Public Affairs Officer, Dehab Ghebreab, moderated the session which had Head, Digital Strategy, Premium Times, Emmanuel Ogala, Host and Producer, Channels Television, Chamberlain Usoh, Head of Department, Mass Communication, University of Lagos, among others as resource persons.

RTEAN tasks Buhari, Ambode on living standards Juliana Francis

T

ricycle Owners and Drivers Association of Lagos, an affiliate of Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) Lagos State council, has congratulated the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari and Lagos State governor-elect, Mr. Akinwumni Ambode, urging them to improve on the living standards of the masses.

In a statement made available to Saturday Telegraph, chairman of the association, Ayenogun Babatunde, said the victory of the two leaders actualised the desires of Lagos residents

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

and Nigerians as a whole.

According to him, while the winning symbolised the desire of the people, it was, however, vital for Buhari and Ambode to meet the yearnings of Nigerians.

He said: “Buhari and Ambode should endeavour to change and touch the lives of an average Nigerian, with a view to better it.”

While congratulating other elected politicians, Ayenogun appealed to those who lost in the just concluded elections to join hands with the incoming administration, in order to move the nation forward. see news extra on page 54

DEKINA

ASABA Election Tribunal receives 40 petitions

The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Delta State says it has received 40 petitions so far from individuals and political parties in the just concluded general elections.

A breakdown of the petitions shows that the governorship election has three, House of Representatives seven, the Senate one and the House of Assembly 29.

The Secretary of the tribunal, Mr. AlSadiq Abubakar, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba, that the tribunal would hold its inaugural sitting soon.

Abubakar said: “So far, a total of 40 petitions have been received by the tribunal. Although we have sat for some exparte applications before now, however, we will be having our inaugural sitting very soon.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

ST

47.43

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Korea Republic in 2006.

Source: Itu.int

Kogi CJ decries youth involvement in cultism

The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasir Ajanah, has decried increasing youth population in prison custody over cultism related offences.

Ajanah spoke on Thursday at the Federal Prisons Dekina, while reviewing the warrants of 23 awaiting trial inmates.

According to him, secret cult membership has become a national problem.

“This is a disturbing trend and I hope that very soon, we will get round to solving the problem,” he said.

He said generally, there was an increase in crime rate in the state.

Ajanah said the situation in the prison with 23 awaiting trial inmates this year was unlike last year when he met only nine of such inmates.

9

ONITSHA Ekwunife mourns NUJ scribe

The Senator-elect for Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, has expressed shock over the death of the Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, Ms. Ifeoma Anumba.

Ekwunife in a statement issued by her Media Assistant, Uzor Emmanuel, described Anumba’s death as devastating, especially in her prime when the country and entire humanity need her services most.

She described the late NUJ secretary as a very diligent and hardworking young lady.

The statement read: “It is with deep sense of sorrow and bewilderment that I commiserate with the family of Anumba of Nawfia community and the entire members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra Council, over the death of their daughter and secretary, Ifeoma Anumba.”

$29m

The total amount of salary/ winnings of Lewis Hamilton (Racing) for 2014.

Source: Forbes.com

104

The sex ratio of women to 100 men in Bahamas in 2012.

Source: Un.org

Dickson reads riot act to newly sworn-in commissioner, aides CHARGE

Newly sworn-in officials in Bayelsa State given matching order by governor.

Chris Ejim

B

Yenagoa

ayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, yesterday charged the newly sworn in Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Esueme Dan-Kikile and two special advisers to generate sound ideas that would further consolidate on the achievements of the government.

The Special Advisers are Dr. Seiyifa Koroye (Strategy, Documentation and Community Relations) and Mr. Lloyd Ineye-Owonaro (Local Content Matters).

Dickson, who gave the charge at the swearing in ceremony of the officers at the Government House, Yenagoa, urged them to demonstrate absolute commitment to the ideals enshrined in the restoration agenda and the Peoples Democratic Party.

He said the call had become imperative as they are coming into the government at a critical time, when the administration expects loyalty and dedication from its officials to enable it to deliver on its mandate amidst daunting challenges.

While addressing the new commissioner, Dickson urged him to re-engineer the information ministry to achieve

CHANGE OF NAME OJO

I formerly known as Adeyoola Esther Omosalewa now wish to be known as Ojo Esther Omosalewa.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

effective dissemination of government policies and programmes as well as enlighten the people on their civic responsibilities.

Highlighting the dangers of inadequate information on government’s activities in the state, the governor said mischiefmakers, who indulge in

blackmail and propaganda for parochial gains would misguide the citizenry.

He said: “You are not deployed to the Ministry of Information and Orientation not because you were the publicity secretary of our party but because we know that you can communicate government’s

policies and programmes, and also effectively communicate the constraints of our government.

“This is because there is the challenge of effective marketing and communication of our achievements to the citizenry of our state and the Nigerian society particularly."

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (HEADQUARTERS) STATE SECRETARIAT COMPLEX, GWADANGAJI BIRNIN KEBBI, KEBBI STATE, P.M.B 1070 BIRNIN KEBBI

TENDER NOTICE

INVITATION TO TENDER The Kebbi State Ministry of Education wishes to invite interested and qualified Contractors to submit their applications for prequalification for the execution of the following Project.

1. Rehabilitation of Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman Library Complex Birnin Kebbi CONTRACT NO: KBSTB/MOE/162/2015.

SCOPE OF WORKS ARE THE FOLLOWING: 1. Library Complex.

2. Wall Fence 3. Security and Mosque 4. External Electrification QUALIFICATION FOR BIDDING Interested Companies, Firms and Individuals Contractors are invited to submit prequalification documents before obtaining Tender Documents as follows: a) Company Profile b) Certificate of incorporation by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) c) Evidence of Registration with Kebbi State Tenders Boarder (STB) d) Evidence of Technical, Operational and Managerial Capabilities. e) List of similar jobs secured and completed. f) Financial Capability from a reputable Bank. g) Current tax clearance for 3 years.

All prequalification document listed above should be submitted to the office of the permanent Secretary Ministry of Education immediately after this advertisement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 1. Tender information and instructions shall be given only to Companies/Contractors that have been screened and found suitable.

2. Only per-qualified Companies/Contractors will be eligible to collect Bidding Documents from the office of the Secretary State Tenders Board on Payment of non-refundable Tenders fee of Twenty Five Thousand Naira. (N 25,000.00) only.

3. Completed Tenders Documents should be returned to the Secretary, State Tenders Board on or before the 18th May, 2015.

Signed ALH. BALA T. YELDU Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education Kebbi State.

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9 MAY 2015

A requiem A

Angela Davies hat is one of the most noticeable fashion piece on a woman. That is because they easily draw attention to the face, which brings to mind an old saying: “if you want to get noticed, then get a hat.”

Hats have been around for a very long time, precisely since the 17th century and it is reputed to have originated from Britain. But over time, the fashion scene has witnessed the evolution of hats as churned out by milliners.

As the years passed, hats slowly lost favour, even for weddings and church with only a proportion of the congregation donning them.

However, in the 1980's and 90's hats became popular again for weddings and special occasions.

The late Princess of Wales, Diana’s passion for wearing hats, inspired this, to a large extent. She wore hats to add a sense of sophistication to her persona in the early days of her marriage. With this, new hat designers emerged and therefore made the '90s a resurgent period for hats across the world.

Even in Nigeria, there were a few notable milliners who were known for their creative hat designs in that era. These milliners attracted women with their varied hat designs; consequently hats became the number one fashion accessory for fashion conscious women especially English hats.

At a time in Nigeria, many believed that wives of pastors and dedicated church workers are the only women who wear hats. Indeed, they seemed then to be the only ones who wore hats in different colours and styles. Also, milliners wear hats to show off their works and equally attract interested clients.

When it comes to hats, no one wears headwear like the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.

The Duchess of Cambridge has long mastered the art of the hat wearing even before she became a

royal, so it was not a surprise when she was voted ‘Hat Person of the Year’ in an online poll conducted by the Headwear Association in 2012. She is known to wear a wide range of hats with ease to different occasions.

In recent times, women are hardly seen wearing the wide brim hats and milliners have taken time to explain the likely reason. Today’s hats are all about infusing the western with the traditional in a very alluring and creative way.

According to Blossom Gabriel, chief executive officer, Kraftitude Afrik, “Today women who wear hats are very few. A hat most times is connected with the church but these days’ women do not feel the need to cover their hair while in church. Gele too is in vogue so most women who are not workers in their churches prefer to go on lace or Ankara outfits and tie complementing gele. Gele is trending more for women than hats. This is because hat is a borrowed fashion trend.”

However, she added that, “Although there are different styles of hats, however, English hats are limited to wearing with just English outfits. One trending hat style is the turban hat. This hat style can be worn with both traditional and English outfits and to any occasion.

It is more in vogue than the English hats. The turban hat is a longer kind of hat but it is colourful and unique. It is made with tafetta fabric. Some women who are not in tune with fashion wear native attire with English hats which is a fashion blunder. But there is nothing you cannot wear with turban hats. It goes on English gown, dinner, evening gown, suit just like bead necklace styles that go with both traditional and English outfit. We also have the fascinators as well. It is also important to note that wearing of hats is not limited to churches and weddings. Today, some women wear hats to different events and they make fashion statements. I personally wear hats

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9 MAY 2015

for hats...well, not yet to other social events aside church and weddings.”

For women both young and old to start wearing hats again like the '80s and '90s, milliners need to create more awareness and also churn out colourful and chic hat styles that will be attractive to wear. Even in churches, we need to start discouraging women from opening their hair and embrace hat wearing.”

Bunmi Adeyinka, chief executive officer, My Treasure Things Hats stressed that women still wear hats, but fascinators and hatinators are the new trends.

“We should understand that there is an emerging trend in fashion. It is not that women don’t wear hats anymore; it is just that it is being worn in different styles unlike years back. Today, many women do fascinators and hatinators.

“The difference between a fascinator and hatinator is that a fascinator is small while a hatinator is more like a hat but not as big as a hat. Hatinators cover the hair properly while fascinator may and may not cover the hair. So women prefer to wear fascinator and hatinators instead of the wide brim English hats.

In African society, people think hats are old fashioned and meant for church only but abroad it is not like that.”

In the United Kingdom, women wear hats seven days of the week because that is the queens standard. And every year, they do what they call Ascot race where women wear only hat to the event. In the first place, hats are not exactly a cultural thing for us; it's an imbibed tradition. So, in reality it is not as if women don’t wear hats anymore but the trend has also changed from just wearing a complete hat to wearing fascinators and hatinators. These headpieces are suitable with both English and traditional attire because they are not regular hats. Materials used in making fascinators and hatinators ranges from a sinamay, net and lace materials. Turban hats are also in vogue. It has been trending for a while too but I prefer the fascinator and hatinators.

“Aside wearing these headpieces to churches, they can also be worn to parties. So you will find women wear them at cocktail, dinner and all manner of parties. But one thing for sure is that hats cannot replace gele and that

is because hat is British and gele is our culture.”

There was a time milliners dominated the fashion scene, so why their sudden disappearance? “I think millinery is coming back and that is why somebody like me is back into it. When something starts newly, there is a lot of money in it. So I think people came into the business because of the money but once they saw that a lot of people came into the business, they backed out because they were not earning as much as they had bargained. To be candid, the art of millinery is not easy, it takes commitment, goes beyond money and you must have the passion.”

Fascinator A fascinator is a small ornamental headpiece that fits on the head held in place with an Alice band type base, headband or even a small comb. It is always lightweight and usually features feathers, beads or flowers. However, the 21st century fascinator is embellished with crystals, beads, loops of ribbon and attaches via a comb or headband.

Others have a small, stiff, flat base that can be secured with pins.

The use of the term fascinator began in the 1990s when such headpieces became popular for wearing at weddings without ruining women lovely hairstyle. The sole purpose of a fascinator is hair decoration. The fascinator always sits at an angle on the head as if perching on top of the well-groomed hair and complementing the look of the hair. A cross between a hair accessory and a cocktail hat, a fascinator with veil is also quite common.

Hatinators Hatinators are the perfect “half way house” between a hat and a fascinator usually worn on a wider Alice band. It can be the size of a side plate up to the size of a dinner plate, which is angled on the side of the head. It is comfortable to wear, extremely stylish and modern.

Hatinators come in lots of different shapes, colours, style and sizes. This style of millinery is very fashionable.

For the first time ever the popularity of the fascinator and hatinator has taken over from the regular hats.

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

SaturdayLetters You have a right to be heard. Send your letters and photographs to saturdayletters@ newtelegraphonline.com. Letters should not be more than 150 words and must have the name and address of the sender.

Q uotes of the week “I emphasised the need for train system in terms of developing an effective mass transit in any nation. We will be talking about mass transit and you cannot talk about mass transit using taxis, small cars, even the luxury buses. It will be too expensive.”

- President Goodluck Jonathan.

“What the nation needs now is genuine reconciliation of all sections of the country and not otherwise.”

- David Mark, Senate President.

Occupants of this vehicle are likely to have anything but a safe journey

Celebrating Prince Tony Momoh at 76 Dear Editor, Prince Tony Momoh was born on April 27, 1939, and recently turned 76. The former minister of information, veteran journalist and politician was the Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011 when Buhari contested the presidency. In fact, the Prince from Auchi in Edo State was one of those who successfully midwifed the merger of the Congress of Progressive Change (CPC), the Action Congress for Nigeria (ACN) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

He willingly sacrificed his position as a national chairman of the CPC in order for Nigeria to have a stronger or more formidable opposition capable of seizing power at the centre.

Indeed, Nigeria needs more men and women of honour who are willing to sacrifice their personal ambitions and positions for the greater good of the country.

Tony Madue, Delta State.

The need to establish more vocational schools in Nigeria

Dear Editor, Nigeria is a country with so many universities but unfortunately, many students graduate every year without getting employed. So many graduates roam the streets without any hope of gaining employment in the nearest future. I would therefore advise the incoming government of General Muhammadu Buhari to establish more vocational schools so that people can learn to use their hands to work and be self-employed. In today’s Nigeria, people need to learn skills which would help them earn a living by themselves, instead of looking for non-existent jobs from white collar companies.

The establishment of more vocational schools in the country would help empower our youths and solve the problem of unemployment in the country.

Uche Dave, Lagos.

Constant power supply as the best solution to unemployment in Nigeria Dear Editor, From May 29, the incoming government would be saddled with the harrowing task of seeking ways to provide employment for millions of Nigerian graduates and youths. Like some others have previously said, I am of the opinion that all the government needs to do is first provide constant electricity supply and then the jobs would start coming.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Exploitation of Ijegun residents by filling station operators Dear Editor, Since the present fuel scarcity began, it has become clear that one of the parts of Lagos hardest hit by the scarcity of fuel is Ijegun, in Ikotun, Lagos. That is because since the beginning of the year, operators of filling stations around Ijegun and Ijagemo road have brazenly increased the pump price of fuel with impunity. Today, a liter of petrol at petrol stations in Ijegun and along Ijagemo road, Ijegun costs N150 as against the normal price of N87 per liter. The residents are being forced to pay such outrageous prices for fuel without any intervention from government. Ijegun/Ijegamo is like an abandoned part of Lagos and government, through its relevant agencies need to monitor the illegal activities of filling station operators in the area.

Alao Tomi, Lagos.

Political office holders and Governance Academy Dear Editor, Most people would argue rightly that the major problem with Nigeria is bad governance. For this reason, I would suggest the establishment of a school dedicated to governance which must be attended by all political office holders before they assume office. A situation where people who have no idea on how to govern the country win elections and begin to provide bad governance can no longer be tolerated. Anybody who wins an election in Nigeria should be sent to the Governance Academy which would train them on necessary skills required for proper governance or proper service to the people.

Anthonia Enu, Akure, Ondo State.

That is because if Nigeria gets its power challenge right, many companies that left the country in the past because of poor power supply will start coming back and in so doing, employment opportunities would be created for the youths. Again, if we have constant power, people would be more empowered to own and operate their own business at a cheaper cost. Constant electricity supply would encourage Nigerians to be creative and work harder. It would encourage the establishment of many factories and industries which would create

a lot of jobs, and also encourage many small and medium scale businesses to spring up, including online businesses and home offices which are dependent on power. Buhari must do three necessary things to succeed in office. He must fight corruption, get it right on power, and resuscitate or rebuild the refineries.

If only the Buhari administration can get it right on power supply, Nigeria’s economy will blossom again.

Richard Columbus, Aba, Abia State.

“We have to play a series of friendly games against better opponents; big opposition as that will really go a long way in helping us prepare better. Such games will expose our weaknesses and we’ll have time to correct them before the World Cup.” - Asisat Oshoala, reigning African Women’s Player of the Year and Super Falcons striker.

“We have known those who are not reliable and who should not be trusted.

Some of them left us immediately after the presidential election and the APC should beware of these chameleons because they were the same people who shamelessly destroyed the PDP” - Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chairman of PDP Elders Council in Imo State.

“I think the incoming government will be ill-advised to reverse privatisation and liberalisation of power generation, transmission and distribution because any attempt to do that would be to set Nigeria back many, many, many decades.”

- Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Minister for Power.

“Having survived the horrific crime of rape and sexual violence, these children and women should be spared further physical and mental torture by ensuring that they are urgently allowed access to all necessary medical treatment. Such medical treatment must be provided on a non-discriminatory basis.”

- Adetokunbo Mumuni, SERAP executive director “Prof. Alkali doesn’t know what he is saying. How does he expect us to plan, when the PDP-led Federal Government has bluntly refused to cooperate with us in ensuring a successful transition?

As we write, the transition committee of the Federal Government has yet to hold a single meeting with our own transition committee, neither have they given us a line of handover note.”

- Lai Mohammed, APC National Publicity Secretary.

“I think President Jonathan is absolutely correct to have rejected the Constitutional Amendment Bill. But that is not the same thing as saying I disagree with all the proposed amendments.”

- Festus Keyamo

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2015

SATURDAY

WeekendDelight 13

C o n v e r s at i o n

Instyle

basil

Brooch: The multipurpose accessory p.16

TV & Radio Finding the right Poise p.34

Love & Living ‘He jilted me because we were not old enough to marry’ p.35

Hospitality

The Moorhouse Ikoyi: Away from prying eyes p.41

akalonu

‘Sweet Breeze blazed the trail for undergraduate musicians’ The ‘70s and early ‘80s were periods that represented the heyday for indigenous pop music in Nigeria. At the heart of that creative ferment was Sweet Breeze, a four-man band whose large repertoire of ballads thrilled music fans across the country.

A member of the now defunct band, Basil Akalonu, tells Eto Nwa Ogbankpa how it all began and what became of other members Growing up I was born in Lokoja in Kogi State. But as a kid I went back home to Enugu to be precise. I started my primary school in St. Mary’s, Lokoja, but went back to the east and continued at St. Bridget’s Primary School. After that I also went to St. Patrick’s College, Asaba, where I started my secondary school education.

The war cut it short and I finished at Sacred Heart College, Aba, in today’s Abia State. After that I also attended Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Enugu, where I did accountancy and later went to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, where I studied marketing.

Growing up was like every other normal child and I grew up in a middle environment. We did all the crazy things young people did back then; Like going to parties, playing music and also travelling.

I travelled a lot.

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Forming a band I would say life for Sweet Breeze began after the civil war.

We came back home and I met other friends in Owerri and we

Akalonu aka Basy Cole (2nd right) in a file photo with band mates, from left: Dallas Kingsley Anyanwu, Jackie Moore Anyaora and Vincent Iketaonye

formed the Blossoms. With the Blossoms we did that all through the war. We got together and went to Aba. We got in touch with a proprietor who now changed the name to Blue Birds. Then from the Blue Birds I went to play with the band called the Strangers of Owerri led by the late Bob Miga.

I was still being pushed by my parents to further my education after the WASC and I sat for and got admission into IMT Enugu in 1972. My parents were very strict and religious people. They also wanted me to do things when they want it done. But in all they allowed you to express your talent, however education was their priority.

While in Enugu we had groups like Goddy Okwu and the High Breeds; we had Stone Face Iwuagwu; we also had some other groups but then coming to the Sweet Breeze, it was an amalgam. Interestingly, I had come out and played with the High Breeds a little bit. Then Dallas and Jackie Moore were with Stone Face.

When we came out from that group we had Roy Obika who later left for Canada and Vincent

Iketuonye took over his space.

Sweet Breeze was like a group of friends. We met, came together every weekend just playing with instruments. I think there was this programme on the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) then called Now Sound produced by Chief Pal Akalonu (his elder brother.)

He was aware that every weekend we met in my house.

That weekend he came to my place to see how we can salvage a situation. The Actions were billed to perform that evening in the programme, but eventually as at 3.00 or 4.00pm they had not arrived. That was how we moved into the vehicle and were rushed to the studio to play. All of a sudden in the studio somebody said, ‘what is the name of this group?’

We could not answer. So a lot of suggestions were coming up.

One thing I remembered was that what remained constant was the word Breeze. Somebody said The Breeze and another person said Sweet Breeze. That was how Sweet Breeze stuck.

Members of the band Interestingly, we were all stu-

dents. Dallas Kingsley Anyanwu who was in IMT hails from Amaraku in Imo State; I was also in IMT; Vin Iketuonye from Ozubulu in Anambra State was a student of the University of Nigeria Nsukka and Jackie Moore is from Umunkwo in Imo State. Dallas was a singer and a keyboardist.

My role then was drums. Vincent Iketuonye was a bassist and Jackie Moore was the lead guitarist.

Touring Nigeria It was exciting. We were lucky and after that our first album or recording, Across the Desert, gave us the hit. We were given a lot of offers to play in different cities - in the east, in the north and the west, particularly Lagos. It was an exciting thing and we also put up an image; the image then was looking at this group, the first group of graduates and undergraduates that were playing music. So it was another appeal to the audience. I must tell you that we were the in thing then.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

14

Weekend Delight

| Conversation

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

‘I quit my job so I could watch activities of FESTAC live’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

Musical influences For me, when I was growing up I wanted to be an economist. But coming from a musical family - my father played accordion very well, my elder brother was a producer and broadcaster - I was exposed to a lot of music in the house.

Our influences in those days were the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Rock, led by Led Zeppelin, Mick Jagger and a lot of them.

What fascinated me about drums was when my brother took me to a concert when Louis Armstrong came to Nigeria and visited Enugu. As a young boy my brother took me there. I watched this man. He had a lot of instruments around him and he was playing the drums and I felt this must be a very powerful person.

My early ambition was to learn how to play base guitar, but after the show I left it to play drums.

My first job I was working as an assistant auditor in the Daily Star then in Enugu. I worked for three years and decided to quit because I did not find challenges even though I was touring the nooks and crannies of this country. Actually I wanted to quit because I wanted to watch the World Black Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) in Lagos and I was not allowed to go.

I had to resign in order to witness FESTAC. I could not imagine not seeing the artistes and the different events lined up for the festival live.

Going our separate ways I will not say that we quit because what happened was that at a time a lot of us felt that it was also nice for us to further our education. That was how some of us had to leave the country and others stayed behind.

We first signed with Feathers Records before we moved to EMI in Lagos. We did Across the Desert with Feathers and rounded off our contract before moving to EMII. However when some of us moved abroad for greener pastures the label changed to Tabansi Records because it was Esbee Family that recorded and remixed some of the songs.

Basically they could not be playing abroad under the same record label.

Tracking the other band members Jackie Moore is still in New Jersey, United States.

Dallas is back here in Nigeria. He is a pastor. Vincent Iketuonye is an agriculturist

in Ozubulu, Anambra State, taking care of his plantation and I am here in Abuja as a public relations, marketing and entertainment consultant and generally taking care of things here. Actually, once in a while we also meet and decide on doing one or two shows. Our last performance was during the funeral rites of the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa (Charly Boy’s father) in Oguta.

Words for younger artistes The only advice I can give is hard work. I do not want to compare music of our days and music of today because it’s a different generation. This is what I call the physical generation. So everything about them will embody some physical attributes. But in all that, you can still get some of them that have good rhythms. But one thing they lack much is the lyrics. The message is not there unlike our time when we talked about love, revolution, sending a message to the public. Now it is basically the rhythm.

On copyright There are some sad cases like the case of one of our late brother and uncle, Ndaa Herbert Udemba of the African Baby Dance Band. I once read in a newspaper where Sir Victor Olaiya was credited as the composer of the song, Bottom Belle. I wrote to the reporter whose byline appeared on the article and told him that he was wrong. Herbert Udemba was the originator and composer of that song.

The reporter did not make that correction in the next publication. The man was still alive and his sister’s last son is also a media personality with one of the leading newspapers in Nigeria. The copyright situation is unfortunate. People who handle it do not understand what it is all about. That is the problem we have in Nigeria. When we were in PMAN, there were documents we sent to the federal government which we felt would have been taken care of by now.

As I speak Sweet Breeze and the music of past stars dominate our airwaves, parties and gatherings, but no royalty is being paid.

Dreams I want to live a fulfilled life. I want to take care of my kids and see them grow to become responsible members of the society. My biggest fear is failure. To some extent I have been able to avoid it in some areas.

As I speak Sweet Breeze and the music of past stars dominate our airwaves, parties and gatherings, but no royalty is being paid.

AKALONU

Current pastime I am now engrossed in piecing together a Wonderful Bongo Music Festival.

After Osita Osadebe’s demise you can see there is no highlife anymore. Even Sir Victor Olaiya is very old now. I once told him it’s a pity that after him there are no highlife stars coming up.

Bongo music should be encouraged. Some years back some group of boys met me in Owerri and said they wanted me to advise them on the kind of music they should play. I told them the basic thing is highlife and a hint of bongo and pop.

Most of them did not have that flair. They are into makosa and reggae. There is this brand of music which we were part of when we were growing up and at-

tending wakes, weddings and events which is bongo music. A few of them took my advice. Today, it is the rave in the east and gradually it is being appreciated in all parts of the country.

I now felt that the Bongo music should be marketed nationwide or internationally. So the best way to do it is to organise the Bongo Music Festival so that we can bring all producers, sponsors, marketers together and give them the opportunity to view this brand of music and from there see how we can take it up. This is the idea behind the Bongo Music Festival.

We have fixed the festival for December this year in the east and we are hoping it will attract over 30000 to 40000 music enthusiasts.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

Get the cobalt blue look I

Angela Davies

f you are thinking of adding one unique colour to your wardrobe right now, then it should be striking and vibrant cobalt blue also known as electric blue. Electric and bold, cobalt blue is a stoking fashion trend that has no boundaries and looks great when teamed with a variety of colours and detailing.

This versatile, intense and elegant shade of blue should be a wardrobe staple as it instantly draws attention to the wearer.

The colour is easy to wear and suits every skin colour.

There are lots of outfit ideas in this shade of blue like evening gowns, jumpsuits, pant suits and dresses. It coordinates well with a plethora of colours like yellow, coral, black, white, sky blue, pink, gold and silver.

And because cobalt blue is such a bright shade, it is appropriate to wear it with understated accessories.

Cobalt blue is the perfect mix of trendy and sophistication for

any occasion. So to ensure you maximise the chic appeal of cobalt blue, you should bear these simple rules in mind.

Tips

• Don’t go head-to-toe in cobalt blue. Instead, it is appropriate to break it up with complimentary colours like nude, yellow, gold, silver, white and black.

• Avoid combining with colours that will distract the stunning colour of cobalt blue.

• Match your cobalt blue outfit by teaming with gold or silver accessories. You can also try complementing with a black statement necklace or earrings for a classic chic look.

• Make it fun by adding bright stilettos, flats, pumps or try adding a complementing belt.

So make charming and flattering cobalt blue outfit a must have in your wardrobe for that chic appeal.

Instyle

15

16

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

Accessories to live for

Brooch: The multi-purpose accessory Brooches are an excellent way to accessorise an outfit as well as add that final touch that will complete your look. ANGELA DAVIES writes.

B

rooches are one fashion accessory that has been under-utilised.

This may be because many women do not know how to use them to accessorize their outfit. But, over the years, brooches have evolved from just been solution for a wardrobe malfunction to a transforming clothing jewellery.

These fashion decorative accessories which are usually attached to clothes with hinged, rotating pin or clasp are unique types of accessories. Not only do they add style to an outfit, they also give importance to a woman's overall fashion statement.

These accessories come in different designs, sizes and materials like Swarovski, crystals, feathers, gold, silver, sea shells, pearls, amongst others.

Here are different wears to wear your decorative brooch fashion accessory.

• You could use a brooch as a closure for a gaping shirt instead of using safety pin. This will also add style to your look.

• Hold your shawl or scarf in place - Instead of always adjusting your shawl or scarf; why not let a brooch do the job for you? It is appropriate to

use a brooch to hold it in place or just to add some fun to it.

• Attach it to your dresses- It can be attached to a wide variety of dress styles. However, for wrap dresses, it can be pinned where the fabric crosses over.

• For fun and zest, add brooch to your jean pocket or your dress lapel.

• Wear a brooch on your suit/blazer lapel - Adding a lovely brooch to the lapel of your suit or blazer is a good way to add personality to your outfit but you have to contrast the suit colour to your brooch.

• You can also add a cute brooch to your hat and bag for some alluring look.

However, a good tip for wearing brooches without ruining your outfit because of where they are been pinned, is to simply attach a small piece of foam inside as you fasten the brooch. If you decide to wear brooch on your outfit, let it be the focal point, hence, avoid over-accessorising.

So, if you want an accessory that is versatile and beautiful, then, opt for a brooch.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

MY STYLE

17

Attention-grabbing simplicity Fashion designer, Veronica Achor, instantly attracts attention with her simple yet striking dress sense. ANGELA DAVIES writes.

How would you define your style?

My style is simple but striking.

My outfits are always simple but they are attention-grabbing.

What determines the kind of outfits you wear?

Most times it is the occasion I am going for.

Which outfits take up the most space in your wardrobe?

You will find mostly dresses because I look smart in them since I am very petite.

Is there a particular fashion rule you live by?

Simple, comfortable but striking.

Is there any outfit you will never be caught wearing?

I will never be caught wearing

jeans. I prefer to wear leggings instead.

would you like to be?

A lovely wristwatch.

Fashion item you cannot do without I cannot do without earrings and wristwatch.

Best designer Zara. I like the fit, finishing, detailing and styles of their outfits.

Can you recall the most expensive fashion item you have ever bought?

That would be a wristwatch.

Signature perfume It's Zara, also. The fragrance is simply divine.

What kinds of shoes hold a special appeal to you?

I love wedge because it is balanced and I feel comfortable in it.

How do you love your hair?

I love full hair because of my stature. Full hair brings out my face and makes me look big.

What kind of jewellery appeals to you?

I love small nice-looking earrings. I love the simplicity of small earrings.

If you were a fashion item what

How do you love your makeup?

I love it simple but when I am attending an evening event, I wear dramatic makeup to suit the event.

Best colour Pink because it is a lovely feminine colour.

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

Jumpsuit

Facts

Creative director of Viv La Resistance, Mo Alatise, is a designer who has been able to combine fashion and arts, therefore, creating bold, timeless and sometimes mysterious pieces, all from the most exquisite fabrics. She launched the fashion label January 2010.

A sari consists of a drape varying from five to nine yards (4.57 meters to 8.23 meters) in length and two to four feet (60 cm to 1.20 m) in breadth that is typically wrapped around the waist, with one end draped over the shoulder, baring the midriff.

Givenchy is a luxury French brand of haute couture clothing, accessories, perfumes and cosmetics. It was founded in 1952 by designer Hubert de Givenchy.

Nail art is a creative way to decorate nails. It is a type of art which can be done on fingernails and toenails.

Oni

T

he fashion showdown this week is between television host, Dolapo Oni and actress, Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju.

And the outfit in contention is jumpsuit in different styles which both ladies wore to the same event.

Oni wore a green tube jumpsuit with a gracious V-neck which features two side pockets, concealed zipped closure and tie-up feature at the back which she wore to the official

Akindoju

launch and premiere of EbonyLife television series, Desperate Housewives Africa which held on Tuesday, April 28 at Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos. She styled her look with earrings and maroon with black and gold detailed pumps. Her makeup was subtle and she nicely styled her side part locks.

Akindoju on her part wore an orange sleeveless jumpsuit to the same event. The jumpsuit featured two false front as

well as two deep side pockets.

She accessorised her outfit with earrings, floral brooch, gold wristwatch, gold and black ankle strap sandals and black and gold clutch. She harmonised her look spotting subtle makeup and long curly side part hair.

Although both ladies rocked different colours and styles of jumpsuit, however, who in your opinion rocked it better? Is it television host, Oni or actress, Akindoju?

SATURDAY

The Arts SATURDAY 9 MAY 2015

Deconstructing the rich man’s wife

Reflection with

Tim Akinleye 08098668480

timwriteswell@gmail.com

A solo exhibition of acrylic paintings by emerging Nigerian artist, Lateef Olajumoke, which opened recently in Ikoyi, Lagos, offered teeming art enthusiasts and critics insights into the life of women, particularly from the angle of a rich man’s wife, through series of works that seek to call attention to the fact that she, like the ‘poor man’s wife’ has challenges from the psychological, sociocultural and economical, write TONY OKUYEME and EBERE AMEH

A Living Sacrifice

sensitive confidences, deal with occasionally competitive family members, and be the orderly and nurturing heart of the home itself. More publicly, she is often the one who is approached to secure favours, is called on to resolve sensitive conflicts, and even to procure forgiveness for another from her husband. All the while, she is the backbone of her husband,” said Chigaza Hanum, curator of the exhibition.

“In my view, Olajumoke has pitched his tent as a fine modern artist. Looking at the exhibition as a whole, brings to light a picture of what the future of art in Nigeria might look like – unique, versatile, and boundarypushing, while still retaining the authenticity and traditional techniques of our past.”

Since his foray into professional art in 2010, Olajumoke, a town and regional planning graduate of the Lagos State Polytechnic, and one contem-

I advocate peace, love, harmony and the spirit of togetherness at home, in the society and the world at large porary Nigerian artist that is fast creating a niche for himself in the visual art sector, has been involved in seven exhibitions at different cities, with the latest being the just concluded Diaries of a Rich Man’s Wife.

The exhibition captures the vicissitudes of the ‘perfect’ wives in contemporary African society. Colourfully presented with painstaking detail, Ola-

jumoke, who uses his art to educate as well deal with social issues, addressed the lives of women, who though deserve appreciation and admiration, are most times, neither recognized nor loved.

Talking on the reason for the theme, Olajumoke said it was inspired by the need for society to appreciate the role of women as a wives, mothers and leaders.

“My environment plays a great role in my works and these ones are not exceptions.

The theme, is inspired by the need to bring back family love that is fading away and to reunite the society as a solution to continual disorder in the society,” he added.

“I decided to communicate my views and proffer solutions through my work. The incessant breakups in many homes, the continuous disorder in the society and the need for love and togetherness, coupled with the appreciation of the hands that rock the cradle are what I addressed in the works. I advocate peace, love, harmony and the spirit of togetherness at home, in the society and the world at large.”

Olajumoke explained.

The exhibition, which ran from the 18th through to the 30th of April, was highly successful as it witnessed a huge turnout of art lovers. Curated

by Chigaza Hanum of Strip of Gaza, the exhibition was proudly sponsored by Lagos Inland Revenue Service, Arian Capital Management Limited and Lost in Lagos.

Speaking on the exhibition, artist said that “the public acceptance was awesome. It was extremely successful and totally unbelievable”.

Versatile in the use of diverse media, Olajumoke says he admires great artists like Pablo Picasso, Tom Fedro, Gustav Klimt; and coming home, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Kainebi Osahenye, Prof. Yusuf Grillo, Tolu Aliki, Duke Asidere and El Anastui, and sees them as his role models.

There are two that battle for my soul: One who strives to win with love, And other desperately my soul to conquer; There's one who died to save my soul, There's another restless always to destroy.

There's one requiring of me a living sacrifice Yet another, out to steal, to destroy and to kill!

You see, I was made for worship and service, To praise and to glorify my Maker; But the accuser came and made corruptible That which was made for a purpose.

Christ came to endure the shame of the cross, Becoming poor, giving all to reconcile, And to lead me back to the Beginning.

Now, as a living sacrifice: an offering, I place my life before God, Every part of my body daily, early, I dedicate to His service in prayer, So Lucifer may not find idle to employ.

With a gaze steadily on Him fixed, His word shall renew my mind in His will.

And His Spirit in me leading the way, Grafted wholesomely to the body of Christ, Attentive to divine leadings: Be it preaching, helping, teaching, Guidance, giving aid in distress, Or helping the lowly with a smile, My body, my spirit, my soul, I yield.

Love shall come from the centre of me As I eschew evil to embrace good, Being fervent for God in approved humility, Always on the go for my Master, no wavering.

At hard times, my prayers shall resonate; I shall be generous to God and His people, Willingly share a laugh, or dry some tears Diligently following divine steps of Christ.

This is my living sacrifice to my Maker.

Photo: devotedconversations.com

Olajumoke

W

omen, all over the world, play important roles in the family.

While the challenges and responsibilities sometimes differ in varying dimensions, some of the issues have, as it were, universal resonance. The place of love, mutual respect for each other – husband and wife – for the survival of a home, especially, between couples cannot be over-emphasised.

Olajumoke, in Diaries of a Rich Man’s Wife which opened on Saturday, April 18 and ran till April 30, at the Moor House Hotel, Ikoyi, brings on canvas the “‘behind the scenes’ life of the wives who are often in the shadow of their wealthy and powerful husbands… He turned the spotlight on these ‘well heeled’ women to explore the wide range and complexity of their roles as wives, mothers, and as women in public and private life”.

Besides, the art exhibition reveals innovation in its fledgling stages, showcasing the unique and exciting pieces created by Olajumoke, whose works are diverse and varied, but connected by this drive to innovate and explore: each piece expressing the desire for continually pushing at the boundaries of art thinking and methodology.

“The unique challenges of these women often revolve around their need to balance domestic and family life with the added responsibilities that come with being the wife of someone in a position of wealth and power. On the personal side, she must guard

18

Inspired by Romans 12 Copyright © Timothy May 8, 2015

:

SATURDAY

Odunlade Adekola No rancour between Mr. Latin and I over Glo deal

p.21

ShowBiz

OJB Jezreel A singer’s most trying times

p.20

SATURDAY 9 MAY 2015

19

African China: Young artistes shunned me for collaboration African China became famous for his attacks on the government through his music. But things have not been the same for the artiste lately. He speaks with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS. What is happening to African China?

I am working on an album. The latest song I just dropped now is titled Amen. It is a political song, centered on the whole crises during the just concluded elections. I cannot contest with mediocrity, the kinds of music people listen to nowadays (are mediocre) because I lecture people with my music.

I don’t just go to the studio and turn anything into a song. I am not that type.

Since I cannot compete with them, I had anything to take a break. I am ready to come back now.

Do you mean that most songs out there are below standard?

I don’t want you to quote me wrong, but we all know that the contents of the music we listen to these days are questionable. You need to look at lyrics of song before you could say it is a good music. Tuface do good music; we have some other artistes who do good music.

Should we expect the video of your new single soon?

The video is already out; we dropped it last week.

You’ve done some hit songs in the past; when should we be expecting another?

My style of music is not the kind where one wakes up in the morning and goes into the studio to make. You have to be very careful about what you say. If you say rubbish you know where you will end up. I studied the late Fela Kuti for a long time. Fela backed his music with facts and I sing facts too.

So, I have to do my research very well and I have to take things easy. If I rush things like many artistes do, I could miss the purpose of my music. You must not rush into music because of the fear that you might not be relevant anymore. It is not about you; it is about what you are giving out to the people.

But I still thank God I have been able to establish myself as a brand.

How was your growing up like?

It wasn’t rosy at all. I really struggled to get to where I am today; that is why today I have to stand up and defend my people and beloved country. If this country gets scattered today I don’t have anywhere else to go to. Life was very rough and tough as a kid and I didn’t grow up like a normal kid. I can proudly say I had a quality education in school. But on the other side, my rough background has contributed to who I am today. I am a stronger person.

When did you realise you wanted to do music?

I got into music when I was seven

I would feel bad if my kids don’t take after me, but such is life.

They are already in a music school years old. My father was a music lover, so he had this turn table set that I inherited from him. Though my father never supported my decision to do music, my brothers and sisters were behind me. Whenever anyone referred to my dad as Papa China he would warn such person seriously. But things changed when my music was becoming popular. He became proud of the name and he was very popular too.

What does it take to do good music?

It takes patience, consistency and you must be truthful to yourself. If you are not truthful to yourself, you are going to take a wrong turn. And once you are firm on the ground people will start to push you around. Producers will tell you that this is not trending and before you know it, you would deviate from what you know how to do best.

How do you get inspiration?

I get inspired by the street and the people. I am more concerned about the people and I get myself informed on a daily basis. If you look at my phone, I am on almost all the social media networks and I have media applications for platforms like CNN, AIT, Channels among others too.

Do you have plans to collaborate with younger artistes who are making waves presently?

I am not ready to start begging anyone to do music with me. It is not a bad idea and I had made attempts to reach some of them because I realise that my fans want it, but I don’t get to hear from them. I’ve been shunned many times by artistes for collaboration. I don’t want to mention names, but they do it a lot.

How long have you been in marriage?

I have been in marriage for seven year and blessed with two kids.

How do you describe the experience?

It could be rough and sweet at the

African China

same time. If anyone says marriage is sweet all the time such person is lying.

If you are married you would have an idea of what I am saying. But that is life and you have chosen your partner.

It is not easy to bond with someone from different background and family.

You don’t know someone from anywhere and the next minutes you get married and start having children. If you pay attention well couples hardly have problems with the kids; they have problems with each other because they are from different backgrounds. The only thing we could do is to embrace God when issues come up.

Are your children into music too?

I would feel bad if my kids don’t take after me, but such is life. They are already in a music school. I just want them to have the basic knowledge of

music and take their decision.

How did you handle scandals, especially relating with women?

I did nothing but to stay away as much as I can from women.

What is your concept about life?

We should respect people around us. I take respect so serious and respect is reciprocal.

What does fashion mean to you?

I love to look good and my choice of dress depends on the occasion. I do formal dress if I know it is a corporate event.

How do you manage your dreads?

It is really a big task. I go to saloon almost every time to make sure it is in a good shape.

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

LANRE ODUKOYA

SHOWBIZ TODAY

08059296445 lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

OJB Jezreel: A singer’s most trying times

I

t's quite a grim time experience for the family of ailing producer, songwriter and singer, Babatunde Okungbowa, otherwise known as OJB Jezreel. There are fervent prayers for the entertainer to return to his feet. It has emerged that he has left the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital where he’s being treated for acute renal disease. OJB had completed the third stage of the five-dialysis treatment required to keep him alive. Inability to continue paying admission fees forced him back home.

The dialysis is once a week and there are two more weeks for him to round off the session which the family now has to attend from their Surulere, Lagos, home. Still in very frail shape, Ritu Ghatourey’s words may be making sense to the 51-year-old more than anyone else now. “If there’s a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering. Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death, human life cannot be complete,” the writer had noted.

How exactly did OJB get to this critical stage again? We learnt that after the transplant he had in October, 2013 when his first wife, Mabel, donated her kidney at the Columbia Asian Hospital, India to give him a second chance to live, the entertainer has never returned to India for medical checkups for whatever reasons best known to him.

Upon return, he completed a five-bedroom flat apartment in his mother’s compound in Surulere, Lagos, got a few toys - a Range

COSON chairman, Okoroji, enrolls with NEIHIS

C

hairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji, has joined the list of highly influential personalities to enroll on the Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Insurance Scheme (NEIHIS), a private customised health insurance scheme for the practitioners of the entertainment industry.

Representatives of NEIHIS made the official presentation of Okoroji’s identity card and relevant documents available to him at COSON secretariat in Lagos last week. The team commended him for being one of the first set of stakeholders to enroll on the scheme.

Speaking shortly after the official presentation, Okoroji,

who was full of praise for the scheme enjoined all entertainment practitioners to enroll in other to safeguard and manage their health properly.

“I am happy to be one of the first set of subscribers on this scheme and I must say it has reawakened the entire industry to the need of placing premium value on our health.

This is one of the best things that ever happened to our industry and I enjoin all practitioners to come on board. This is not the time to play politics with our health,” he said.

NEIHIS is a private health insurance scheme for practitioners of the entertainment industry, which is endorsed by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Nuella Njubigbo returns to work

N

ollywood actress and wife of movie producer, Nuella Njubigbo, is delighted to be back on set after one year of maternity leave. The actress, who has received several tongue lashing from fans over her public display of affection towards her better half, Tchidi Chikere, has long been absent from the screen due to her pregnancy, of which she later had a successful delivery some months back in the United States of America.

“I had a good day on my first day at work after almost one year of maternity leave,” she wrote on her Instagram.

Nuella is currently on set with fellow actress, Ngozi Ezeonu, in a movie directed by Ifeanyi Ogbonna.

OJB and first wife, Mabel

‘My music is a divine assignment’ Gospel musician, Solagbade Sola, has three albums to her credit. She tells OLUSHOLA RICKETTS about her love for music and forthcoming album.

How did you come about music?

To me, I see music as a mission I must fulfill. Music is my divine assignment, a mandate I must carry out without excuses.

I didn’t just venture into music; I have serious passion for it. I started singing as early as five years old. When I was in primary school I led the cultural group.

What is your view on secular music?

I like music that adds value and gives hope. It must also lift the soul of the listeners. And I believe salvation is a gift from God. Evangelist Ebenezer Obey has been passing wonderful messages to people long before he gave his life to Christ.

What is music to you?

With music, I feel fulfilled. It gives me the opportunity to express my gratitude to God while people around will equally be blessed.

Are you under any label?

God has been my promoter for now. I gave my work to about three companies recently and all of them endorsed it. They told me they love the work, but we didn’t strike a deal. What I deduce from that is that most record labels don’t want to spend money to promote artistes. I am not discouraged, however. I do get invitations from churches to perform and I use the opportunity to sell my albums. But I get support from Zplus Music International and Dapart Music. They help me in distribution.

What do you call your music?

I would say I am into purely gospel music. I am a gospel music minister.

Do you have any mentor?

Basically, someone I respect so much and I call my mentor is Mama Fasoyin. She is a woman who sings with so much passion. I also appreciate Bukola Bekes; she is full of life whenever she sings.

Njubigbo

Rover Sport, a Chrysler saloon car and a high end Infinity Jeep. This is largely why it’s hard to believe that it was for want of money. Meanwhile, other patients who went under the knife at the same time with him were said to have returned for check-ups at least twice. The nephrologists, according to a source, were particularly sympathetic to his cause knowing his profile. They were said to have been worried when he didn’t show up at the time he was due for check-ups.

Whatever the case, OJB needs our prayers because it's not a particularly rosy affair in the home front. Mabel, the first wife, is the only one left with him by the bedside; other wives, Ama and Korede are reportedly not as enthusiastic. Mabel is the only one running around to seek funds from close family member and friends. Financially, it’s a down time for the singer. The posh cars are intact, so is the mini fortress he built and these and more explain why he was said to have frowned against soliciting funds publicly again. At first, it was assumed there would be some intervention in his favour from the partnership he had with the BowTie Kidney Foundation until the NGO’s helmsman, Joseph Edgar, said, “we have since gone our separate ways with OJB and that’s why he may not be benefitting from the scheme.

Moreover, we’re re-launching the foundation shortly.”

But friends and his family are strengthened by the fact that artiste, Ifeanyi Dike, had survived kidney failure twice.

What are you working on currently?

My latest work comes out later this month. The album is titled Ayo Mi Ti De. It has five tracks with beautiful and inspirational messages.

How do you get your inspiration?

I get my inspiration from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit ministers to me most times in my dream. I might be cooking at home and inspiration comes.

Sola

Where do you see gospel music in the next five years in Nigeria?

I see gospel music becoming better than what it is now at present.

What is the greatest lesson life has taught you?

You have to pursue your purpose with prayers, vigour and determination. You need to know your purpose and where you are going. Life has taught me to be self-motivated and depend only on God regardless of what men say.

What are the other things you do?

I work as a payroll administrator in a human resource company in Lagos.

What does fashion mean to you?

I love colourful, beautiful, smart and comfortable outfits.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

ODUNLADE ADEKOLA No rancour between Mr. Latin and I over Glo deal

Showbiz

21

Top Yoruba actor, Odunlade Adekola, launched a unisex beauty shop in Abeokuta, Ogun State, penultimate week. His admission into the University of Lagos to study mass communication last year also stirred some buzz. In an interview with LANRE ODUKOYA, the entertainer speaks about his new enterprise, rumoured impasse with Bolaji Amusan, another Yoruba actor popularly known as Mr. Latin, among sundry issues.

Why did you open D3 Executive Concept?

Glory be to God almighty. To be sincere, a lot of good plans get onto one's mind but it takes God's mercy and favour to make dreams gets actualised.

D3 Executive Concept is just one of the plenty things I want to do but I'm just being careful in exploring my entrepreneurial potential as I should not put too many sticks into the fire at a go. I launched D3 as my own way of generating employment for young and hardworking people in my community. As at the day of the opening, we had 12 people on board so that means we are reaching 12 households and as such, it keeps getting a multiplier effect on the society as a whole.

Celebrities stormed the launch of D3 and it turned out to be an elaborate outing, was that your original plan?

Well, no. My personality has been known over the years as a person who doesn't like a noise or doing things elaborately. Many of our guests today are here through the word of mouth.

I also sent BBM broadcast messages, and people turned out through that alone. I appreciate the presence of Mr. Latin, Madam Shaje, Kemi Afolabi, my parents and most especially, my darling wife. My family has been so supportive.

What makes D3 Executive Concept unique?

A lot of things are unique about D3.

I can emphatically say we have modernised the way it used to be done. I'm not saying those before us are doing things badly, but we are here to make it better. Our driving force is to make anyone who visits our lounge ‘Look Better.’

a need for me to upgrade my personality and also being educated is so important in a society like ours, so I had to fall in line with what is dictated.

I'm happy to be back in school and I must say I'm becoming better and well informed by the day.

Your colleague, Kunle Afolayan's movie, October 1, suffered a major blow from piracy. How do you think this can be curbed?

It's painful. I must say this piracy can be tamed solely by two factors. Firstly, the government needs to battle this scourge more decisively. We need a major clamp down on their operational bases. Pirates aren't from heaven, so they are people like us so we can reach and penetrate their ways. Then we need our fans and friends to be re-orientated. They should always buy the original copies.

They themselves know the original ones from the pirated copies.

No one produces five movies in one CD and sells for N100. They should remember we have people to care for and ideas to bring to life through acting. Our craft should feed us and our families. It is wrong for some people to be in a corner and be feeding on our sweat. The piracy menace is eating so deep into us and we all should support the death of the vice.

In the last general elections, you openly supported the All Progressives Congress with the likes of Pasuma, Desmond Elliot and co.

Will you rather become a politician someday?

I can't say anything for now. Work-

Adekola

ing for any politician is all about choice. My closeness with Desmond Elliot also played its part. We got each other's back over time. You know when you like someone, you just follow what they do and love them.

Ironically, at times you may not even know much about the person. I supported those who I believe can do it. I love Desmond and my daddy, Alh. Lai Mohammed, because he is articulate and he also in the APC. Politics happens everywhere but for now, I can't say if I will join politics or not.

Are you leaving acting for business?

I swear to God, I love my acting job as much as I love myself and I will still continue to pray to God to keep pushing me up in my career as an actor. Nollywood is paying me well, so I have no reason to leave the industry.

I'm only expanding my frontiers and supporting the government in creating more wealth and making the society better in my little way.

Apart from movies and D3 Concept, what's the next stop for you?

It is when it is set that we'd disclose it. As soon as it is coming out, people will know.

Your admission into UNILAG last year was pleasantly shocking. How did you summon the courage to return to the classroom given your job schedule?

Knowledge is endless. We keep seeking for it. I discovered there was

With Mr. Latin at the launch of his D3 Executive Concept, a unisex beauty salon and boutique in Abeokuta, Ogun State, recently

Is it true there’s an unbridled rivalry between you and Mr. Latin?

People that started this rumour did so because they wanted to put food on their table and they decided to do it with my name. Mr. Latin is my boss and has been so supportive since I started in the industry. He is a brother and we talk a lot on the telephone. The only time I ever travelled to Austria, he was the one that facilitated it.

You mean the Globacom endorsement deal didn’t pitch you against him?

Before they contacted him, I was the first person they called. They asked me to help them contact him and that was all. When they called me, I immediately called him and said, “Oga, Glo called me and asked for your number.” When they wanted to sign the deal, he told me and he has been with them since. So there is no such thing between us.

Are there reasons to keep appreciating fans even when some spread cruel rumours about your person?

I keep appreciating them because if one is working and no one is appreciating it, it makes it obvious that one is empty. I'd keep telling them to always call my attention to anything they are not comfortable with in me so I can make amends and get better. They should support us with prayers too as no one is infallible.

We are all humans and we are not perfect.

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Showbiz

How did you get into acting?

When I was in secondary school, I wanted to become a lawyer. Right from secondary school days, I have always loved things that are art-related. I was in Igbo cultural troupe in primary school, Yoruba cultural troupe, drama, literary and debating club as well as executive in press club in secondary school. So, when it was time to enter into the university, I thought it was appropriate to study creative arts and not law anymore. Yes, I have that law thing inside of me; sometimes my friends call me human rights activist because I hate when people are mistreated. I tend to fight for people’s rights and all that, but I think I am more artistically inclined. So, I studied creative arts at the University of Lagos.

When did you join Nollywood?

When I was in the university, after lectures we would go for auditions and sometimes we got paid for smaller roles. But I started basically from the stage; I used to do more of stage plays in school. Whenever we had practical in school, film directors from outside school would come and watch us. If they like your performance, they would call you for their own production. So, it started like that then I moved to doing series like Tinsel, Needle Eyes, My mum and I, Bella’s Place and some others when I was in the university. But after my National Youth Service Corps in 2012, I decided to take acting as a career which gives me fulfilment.

Which was your first movie?

My first movie after graduation was The Gods Are Still Not to Blame. It was a modern adaptation of Ola Rotimi’s The Gods are Not to blame.

What were the challenges you faced?

When I started acting, the major challenge was getting to be known and trying to convince people of your talent that you are relevant in the industry. I had to go for auditions and not expect the roles to come to me. It is now that I can sit at home and receive calls from people and producers who got my contact from other producers.

How was growing up?

Growing up was fun and not fun. It was fun in the sense that I have three elder brothers and we used to watch wrestling a lot. I am the only girl and I learnt a lot of things from them. My parents were very nice but they were equally disciplinarians. My parents didn’t allow us have so many friends growing up. My brothers used to bully me a lot and I remember wrestling with my immediate elder brother and he gave me a wrist breaker, which twisted my ankle. I couldn’t walk for two weeks. After that day, I stopped wrestling with him.

Would you say having grown up in the midst of three boys made you a tomboy?

Somehow yes. I am very much in touch with my feminine side but sometimes I just want to seek solace and find comfort in being a tomboy by wearing sneakers, jeans and sometimes not caring about makeup. But now as an actor, I cannot go to some events without wearing making; I have to be very feminine. The tomboy part of me even helped me in one of the drama series, Tales of Eve, where I played the character, Daniella. Daniella was a tomboy character but it wasn’t hard to play the character. In fact, I even suggested to the producer that I should wear Mohawk hairstyle to best por-

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

Omowunmi Dada

No amount is worth acting nude Fast rising actress, Omowunmi Dada’s love for the arts led her to study creative arts at the University of Lagos, shelving her early dream to become a lawyer. She speaks with ANGELA DAVIES. tray the character, but he said I should just do cornrows for the character. I am in touch with my feminine side, but the character, Daniella, was not at all. In fact she can’t even fathom why a lady would use earrings, braid her hair, use makeup or even wear a dress. When I am interpreting my roles, I love to be very thorough.

No doubt you are a fast rising actress.

But is there any role you would reject?

I believe that the essence of acting is to tell a story. Once I believe in the story, I would pick up the role. The only role I will not take is the role that portrays the

story I do not believe in. Majorly, the essence of our arts in general is to educate and inform people. So if I feel the story doesn’t necessarily educate in anyway and people cannot take anything as lessons from the story, then there is no point being part of that story.

What is your unique selling point as an actor?

It is my quest and yearning for versatility. I don’t like to be stereotyped. The farther a character is from Wunmi as an individual, the more interested I want to be because aside acting to help people learn, I equally want to key into different people’s psychol-

ogy. If I am playing the role of a woman who has been raped by maybe six men, I want to key into their psychology, feel their pain and know what exactly they are going through. Even after the rape, in their day-to-day life, I want to know how they come to terms with that part of their life and live above that stigma. I want to play different characters so that I can key into different people’s psychology that way, it is adventurous for me as an actor.

How challenging was your role as a boxer?

It wasn’t easy playing the role of Moremi in that movie and that was because growing up I liked wrestling, not boxing.

But then I had to learn the rudiments of boxing. I was trained to the point that I was so good to be a professional. The movie centres on a girl whose name is Moremi. She grew up in an environment where her father beats up her mother and when she couldn’t take it anymore, oneday she left the environment. She started living on the streets but she was a good girl. She became a boxer and had to fight physically for her chance in life and she made it.

What are your other passions aside acting?

I love presenting, writing and I do voiceover as well. I also help proffer solution. I love listening to people’s story so that I can give counsel; I roll more with people who are way older than me so I get to learn from them. Then I love to mentor young ones.

Any crush on any celebrity?

No, I don’t have any. Trust me when I say that I don’t.

Are you in any relationship?

Yes I am.

Is he in the entertainment industry?

He is not. I have never dated anybody in the industry.

So tell us about your ideal kind of man?

I love a God-fearing and calm man with a sense of humour. I love someone who will respect me as an individual and respect my profession. It is not easy to say you want to date an actor. You have to be understanding and understand that the same way you go to work 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday and sometimes Saturday is the same way too an actor goes to work. And everything you see the actor do is work, nothing personal.

What’s your greatest fear in life?

It is not living up to who God has destined me to be.

Any regrets in life?

That would be not going into modelling when I was much younger.

How much do you think is right to take up a nude role?

First of all, you cannot pay an actor’s worth. If you give an actor one billion dollars for a role, it’s not enough. The reason why I say it’s not enough is because the character that person will play will live after the person is dead. And the lessons that would be learnt as well as the lives that would change cannot be quantified with money. Whether I want to play a nude role or not, the truth is that you cannot pay an actor ’s worth. No amount of money on earth is right for an actor because our job is such that when I look at a lot of legends who have come and gone but their movies still inspires, and educate us, then you will know that no amount of money can be paid for this.

Dada

Investigations SATURDAY TELEGRAPH 9 MAY, 2015

Dogs are said to be good companions.

They could be a delight when properly nurtured as many of them are trained to provide security in the immediate neigbourhood for their owners. But, ISIOMA MADIKE, in this report, narrates how dogs in Nigeria, in recent times, have constituted nuisance and posed health challenges for the larger society

Abraham and his mum (inset Abraham)

23

photo: www.forumspotz.net

Dogs on the rampage

F

emi lives within Demurin neighbourhood in Ketu, a suburb of Lagos. He is the last child of a family of six including his parents.

Elkabadu, their dog, barked regularly to draw attention to any unwelcomed guests to their household. However, Femi, who is the baby of the house plays with it a lot and enjoys seeing their family dog run after his father.

The man feeds the dog playfully with its favourite; some grinded meat bones. It is usually a delightful display of companionship between man and dog.

But, not everyone in the house enjoys this scene. For instance, Femi’s mother would complain ceaselessly and tries, though without success most times to stop her favourite son from playing with the dog.

However, an incident changed all that. The dog saved the family from thieves, who had come to steal their valuables when all the occupants of the house were fast asleep. Before that incident, burglars had constantly wreaked havoc in some other houses within the

Isioma madike

Editor, INVESTIGATIONS isioma.madike@newtelegraphonline.com © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

The couple was driving with the dog in the car through the Ikeja shopping mall, when it turned on them and attacked them. The man and his wife, both suffered serious injuries, with witnesses saying they were bitten repeatedly in the arms. During the attack, the wife was able to call out for help, while the husband stopped in a parking lot and managed to jump out of the vehicle. The woman was said to have been attacked when she attempted to get the dog under control.

Passers-by had to use sticks to hold the dog down while they waited for animal control officers from a nearby private company within the Alausa vicinity to take it away while its owners were taken to the hospital at the Bank Anthony end of the state capital.

Just recently, another woman, who went to visit her friend at Olodi-Apapa area of Lagos State, was bitten in her Dogs in a snarling mood like this could become a real menace if unrestrained

breast by a dog. The victim, identified photo:www.informationng.com as Helen Asuquo, was said to have visneighbourhood without any resistance While dogs are pleasant companions ited one Mary Alaegbu in her residence of any sort. “I never knew Elkabadu that can be trusted, they could, when im- along Kirikiri road. When she arrived at could be that brave to ward off threats properly handled, inflict untold injuries the veranda of the house, Asuquo saw and provide reliable security for us. I that could prove fatal. In recent times, Alaegbu’s crawling baby and decided now realise how useful the dog is to my it has become apparent that one of dog to cuddle him. It was then that a dog, family,” she said. roles, especially as an attack instrument named Whiskey, probably misconstruin homes, is somehow underestimated. ing her action as an attack on the baby, In many other families, dogs also play important role as protectors, and are ofToday, dogs do not only attack perceived ran out from the backyard and bit her in ten trained by owners to attack. From the enemies but have, in recent weeks, the breast and the baby fell from her laps. ages past, dogs have proven invaluable turned to owners and their households.

According to neighbour’s account, to man either as flock shepherd or huntTalk about a dog gone crazy, a couple “the dog will not allow a stranger get er's companion in the forest. Today, some around Akowonjo area of Lagos would close to that baby because it is the owntell a better story. They had to be hospihave been tempered to become guards, talised after they were attacked by their while others serve as pets. Unfortunately, CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 own pet dog. this partnership is not without concerns.

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Investigations

C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 2 3

er’s child. The stranger did not know that the dog does not allow strangers to touch the baby. When she came the baby’s mother was inside their apartment. Before she would come out of the room the dog had given her friend a real shock. The dog bit her in the breast,” the neighbour said.

The fatal dog attack on a six-day-old baby named Juliet at Alagbado in Ogun State will equally horrify parents and animal lovers alike. The tragedy comes barely a week after Alaegbu’s dog bite saga, and just three days that another four-year-old Chioma was killed by her family’s bulldog at Onipanu in Lagos. It has, indeed, been a distressing and terrifying roll call. But despite this, most owners of dogs will still look at their docile pet and say there is no way it could ever turn into a killer.

But, they have often been proved wrong. According to veterinary doctors, dogs, whatever their breed, are dangerous and are never safe to be left alone with a baby or child, no matter how well-trained; they will revert to their natural instincts if they feel threatened or in danger, they say.

Like the Olodi-Apapa dog horror, a 45-year-old commercial driver, known as Saturday Akpomose, narrowly escaped death after he was attacked by seven dogs at Ajah area of Lagos State in April.

The timely intervention of residents and passers-by saved the driver from the dogs.

Akpomose, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, had gone to the area with his wife to visit his in-law, Christian Peter, when the dogs pounced on him.

According to investigations, the dogs, owned by a navy captain, were being taken out to ease themselves at a nearby uncompleted building, when they saw Akpomose and seized him. The matter was reported at Ogombo Police Division, which referred Akpomose to the General Hospital at Akodo, for immediate treat-

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

‘Keeping ferocious dogs ment due to the severity of his injuries.

“My wife and I went to visit my in-law on Sunday. He lives at Okun Ajah Road, in Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area. Later, on Tuesday morning, I just strolled out of the compound and came across the dogs. As I stepped out, I saw a security man coming out with several dogs. They were very huge Alsatian dogs. I was terrified when I saw them and as I tried to go back in, they overpowered the man holding them.

“As I bent down to pick a stone and scare them away, they pounced on me and that was all I knew. They bit me in almost all parts of my body. As I screamed, some residents came out and tried to scare away the dogs with sticks. My screams even woke up my in-law, who was asleep in the house. At a time, I became weak and unconscious and it was the people who rushed me to the hospital,” Akpomose recounted.

Also, the news that a young boy died from dog bite after his father died from a similar cause did not only unsettle Mologede Estate, an unplanned but tranquil neighbourhood in the Meiran area of Lagos but jolted many Lagosians a few years back. It was one of the unbelievable tragic stories of mad dogs that Nigerians have come to live with in recent times.

James Musa, a boisterous 13-year-old had relocated to Lagos from Abuja, after a rabid dog fatally bit his father in the Federal Capital Territory. On the often deserted inner roads in the estate, Musa and his teenage friends played football. They would kick the ball into any neighbouring house where residents would scream at them to get them right back on the streets.

Unfortunately, Musa, out of fear of

Ajiboso

reprimand, hid the incident from his aunt and her husband. According to reports, the cycle of deaths did not start with Musa. A huge Alsatian dog owned by a resident of the estate, had allegedly caused the string of deaths, which now has Musa and Aishat, a 21-year-old National Diploma graduate on its list.

Musa allegedly touched the dog while playing with his friends, which infuriated the dog as it jumped on him, mauling the boy just under his right eye. “Unknown to its owners and neighbours, the Alsatian was not done with its deadly mission.

Without provocation, it bit Aishat on her right palm on the night of the same day it attacked Musa,” reports said.

Yet, the one Nigerians would not forget in a hurry occurred in October, 2014.

A four-year-old identified as Omonigho Abraham was the victim. He had unexpected encounter with two savage dogs.

Abraham allegedly had his scalp eaten up by the two dogs and dragged across Adegboyega Street, Akesan Estate, in the Igando area of Lagos State.

The dogs did not stop there. They further chewed Abraham’s skin and exposed his skull during the attack. He was said to have been dragged through his parents’ compound for more than one hour while policemen and sympathizers watched helplessly at the entrance of the house for fear of being attacked by the savage dogs.

No fewer than seven policemen from the

Igando Police Station reportedly stood at the gate, confused.

The immediate elder brother of the victim, seven-year-old Osemudiamen, who was said to have witnessed the incident said, “we were riding a bicycle in the compound when the big dogs Jack and Gadhafi started barking at us. Later, they moved towards us. My elder brother and I quickly ran upstairs and locked the door while Omo (Omonigho), who could not run fast, was left behind.

“When he got to the door, he knocked that we should open for him and as we did, one of the dogs forced his way into the house with him. We all ran out. Bobby jumped down from upstairs and I also jumped. But Omo could not jump, so the dog attacked him. The other dog also joined in the attack and there was nothing we could do,” Osemudiamen.

Another eye witness also recounted that “the police came, but there was nothing they could do. The dogs were growling as they ate the child alive and that sent fear into everyone. Nobody could move inside to challenge them. Everybody was just shouting in confusion and wielding sticks.”

The victim’s mother, who was away when the incident happened, said, “when I got there, I met a crowd. They asked me not to go inside, but I refused to listen to them. One of the dogs emerged from the corridor with blood stains in its mouth. I ran inside. The other dog, on sighting me, pounced, but I fought back. It later ran away. I called on people who joined me to take him to a hospital. This has been a nightmare I want to wake up from.”

This, perhaps, may have been why a man identified simply as Solomon had angrily maimed a stray dog for pestering him and eventually killed it. However, his seemingly wicked act angered three police officers, who were instructors at the Mobile Police Training Camp, Gwoza, in Borno State, as they tortured him to death. The officers, Sergeant Adewale (alias OC Gbale), Corporal Ezekiel and Corporal James, were later dismissed and put on trial in a civil court for culpable homicide.

Police also arraigned a 34-year-old woman, Blessing Eluwa, in a Magistrates’ Court at Sango-Ota, Ogun State, for allowing her dog to bite her neighbour. Eluwa, who lives at No. 4, Ehiorobo Street, off The Bells area, Sango-Ota, faced a two-

The dogs were growling as they ate the child alive Akpomose on his hospital bed

A dog dragging a victim's leg photo: dog.biteynaija.com

SATURDAY 9 MAY 2015

SATURDAY

FREE

Sport Splash 25

Feature

DStv fee hike: No longer at ease for viewing centre operators p.27

EPL

Man United seek to end winless run at Palace p.28

News

Oduduru rues World Relay final miss p.30 Shooting Stars' Suraju Sodia (right) in action against Kwara United's Hammed Jimoh in a recent league match

Interview

My dream is to be the best in the world – Ajetunmobi p.31

Why Dangote prefers Arsenal to Nigerian clubs, by Obaseki A Vincent Eboigbe

The Team Vincent Eboigbe l Assistant Editor Ajibade Olusesan l Correspondent Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

former chairman of the Nigeria Premier League, Oyuki Obaseki, has stated that poor administration of Nigerian clubs discouraged Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, from investing in them, preferring to do business elsewhere.

Africa’s richest man, Dangote, had, in a widely circulated report on Tuesday, said that he would buy English Premier League side, Arsenal.

Dangote in the report stated: “I still hope, one day at the right price, that I will buy the team (Arsenal). I might buy it, not at a ridiculous price but a price that the owners won’t want to resist. I know my strategy.

“We have $16bn-worth of investments in the next few years. Right now I want to take my own business to a certain level. Once I finish on that trajectory, then maybe.”

The revelation has since generated varied responses with many Nigerians suggesting that the businessman should invest in a Ni-

gerian club as “charity begins at home.”

Obaseki disagreed vehemently. He pointed out that the way the domestic clubs are managed is a huge disincentive to investing in them.

“Dangote can’t invest in the domestic clubs due to poor administration. You can’t expect him to put money in a bad product. I think it is a good decision to buy Arsenal and I wish him luck,” Obaseki said.

“Some businessmen have, in the past, tried to put money in the local game but they got discouraged. Mike Adenuga, chairman of Globacom for instance, was involved in the league at some point but due to poor management he pulled out and entered into a partnership with Manchester United in England.”

Obaseki also noted that Dangote reserved the right to put his money where he feels he could get good returns since the world is now a globalised economy and the man is a businessman.

"It is not about sentiment. Dangote is a businessman who is always on the look out

for a good investment opportunity, so I see no reason he can’t put his money in Arsenal,” Obaseki added.

“The world is a global village now and people can invest their money in any part.

Ifeanyi Ubah has taken over at Gabros International, so some people are still investing in the domestic league. I pray that he succeeds.”

Obaseki also asserted that the Nigeria Football Federation under Amaju Pinnick was making good strides in the attempt to develop football in the country.

He however stated that those who, in the past, had scuttled the development of the game in the country were still around with their unwholesome intentions.

He said: “My hope is that they will give Amaju a chance because he is doing a good job. But the problem is that the people with bad intentions who hang around football, and they are walking around free, will begin to plan coups to destroy him. My prayer is that the ancestors of football will descend on such people and bring them down.”

26

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

Nigerian League Rendezvous No.

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Giwa FC

7

4

2

1

10

5

5

14

2

Gabros

7

4

1

2

8

3

5

13

3

Sunshine

7

4

1

2

10

6

4

13

4

Tourists

7

4

1

2

12

9

3

13

5

El-Kanemi

6

4

0

2

7

6

1

12

6

Heartland

7

4

0

3

11

10

1

12

7

Enyimba

7

3

2

2

6

6

0

11

8

Kwara Utd

7

3

2

2

6

7

-1

11

9

Nasarawa

7

3

1

3

8

8

0

10

10

Abia Warriors

7

3

1

3

6

8

-2

10

11

Kano Pillars

7

3

0

4

6

6

0

9

12

Taraba FC

7

2

2

3

7

8

-1

8

13

Dolphins

7

2

2

3

5

6

-1

8

14

Warri Wolves

5

2

1

2

5

3

2

7

15

Shooting

6

2

1

3

4

5

-1

7

16

Sharks

7

1

4

2

8

9

-1

7

17

Akwa Utd

7

2

1

4

3

7

-4

7

18

Rangers

7

2

0

5

9

11

-2

6

19

Bayelsa Utd

7

1

3

3

3

7

-4

6

20

Lobi Stars

7

0

5

2

5

9

-4

5

Top Scorers 5 GOALS Shuaibu Ibrahim (Giwa FC) 4 GOALS Mfon Udoh (Enyimba) Bright Ejike (Heartland) 3 GOALS Victor Yakubu (Wikki Tourists) Esosa Igbinoba (Nasarawa Utd) Chisom Chikatara (Abia Warriors) Segun Alebiosu (Kwara Utd) Ubong Ekpai (Kano Pillars)

I need to step up my game – Ekpai

Sunday, 10.05.2015 - 8. Matchday Taraba vs Gabros United Enyimba vs Giwa FC Bayelsa United vs Dolphins FC Lobi Stars FC vs El-Kanemi Warriors Akwa United FC vs Wikki Tourists Rangers vs Heartland FC Sunshine vs Shooting Warri Wolves vs Nasarawa United Abia Warriors vs Kwara United Kano Pillars vs Sharks FC Shooting Stars' Rashid Olabiyi (right) in action against Kwara United

Battle of Stars:

Adepoju talks tough T he Akure Township Stadium on Sunday will be the venue for the battle of Stars between Nigeria Professional Football League teams, Sunshine Stars and Shooting Stars of Ibadan.

The Matchday Eight game promises to be a cracker as players from the two sides have been talking tough.

Speaking on the game, Shooting Stars midfielder, Adepoju Taofeeq, said the Ibadan side could easily snatch the three points in the game.

“We are not going to Akure for jamboree,” he said.

“I am expecting positive result, because we have put our house in

order hence the good results in recent time. I also think the outcome of the match against Kano Pillars on Wednesday will be a morale booster for us against Sunshine Stars.

“We have the players that can get the result in Akure. It will also interest you to know that we have some of their players in our team now which will serve as an advantage for us.”

Shooting Stars will be banking on Nigeria U-23 striker, Junior Ajayi, to get the goals, but will have to be aware of the threat posed by Sunshine Stars’ Tunde Adeniji, who scored a brace against Heartland at the weekend as well as Prince Aggreh.

Adepoju

K

Enyimba, Giwa highlight Matchday Eight fixtures

E

nyimba International of Aba will on Sunday welcome league leaders, Giwa, to the Aba stadium in one of the Matchday Eight Nigeria Professional Football League fixtures.

Giwa took the league by storm since the beginning of the new season culminating in the team topping the table with 14 points from seven matches.

Last term, the two sides played out a goalless draw in Aba with Giwa winning the second leg 1-0 in Jos. League champions, Kano Pillars, will be hoping to revive their season against Sharks of Port Harcourt, after three consecutive defeats against Heartland, Kwara United and Shooting Stars of Ibadan respectively.

Despite playing well in the three games, Pillars failed to score a goal and will be looking forward to their strikers getting back on the scorer’s sheet.

Lobi Stars will be praying for luck to shine on them in their home game against El-Kanemi Warriors as they seek their first win in the new season after seven games.

FC Taraba will be at home to newly promoted Gabros International while Bayelsa United will also be at home against Dolphins of Port Harcourt.

In Uyo, home team Akwa United will welcome Wikki Tourists; Kwara United will be the guests of Abia Warriors in Umuahia.

ano Pillars striker, Moses Ekpai, has said he needs to work harder after going through three games without scoring a goal for the Nigeria Professional League champions.

The striker, who at the beginning of the season, said his target would be to score 26 goals, informed League Rendezvous that he could still achieve the target at the end of the season.

“I will make sure I score 26 goals, it is not a difficult thing as long as I am focused and dedicated,” the former Akwa United striker said.

“I have played three matches now and unable to score, which means I should work harder.

“I don’t think it is because I have not been getting the passes from my team mates; what I need to do now is to become more of a team player.”

Speaking on his experience since joining the champions at the end of last season, especially on the issue of security in the North, Ekpai said he had been enjoying himself in the state.

He added: “I am playing for the first time in the North; I moved from Akwa United to Pillars and when I wanted to go to Kano, I was scared of the issue of Boko Haram, but when I arrived, I realised the security is far better than people have portrayed it.

“The most important thing is for you to know where to go and don’t stay out at night.”

The player who was part of the Super Eagles team that played Uganda in a recent friendly match, although on the bench, promised to continue to work hard for his club so as to be invited to the national team on a regular basis.

LMC explains reason for announcing referee assessors

O

ne of the innovations by the League Management Company at the beginning of the 2015 Nigeria Professional Football League season was the introduction of referee assessors.

The major job of the assessors is to assess the performance of the referees during games across vari-

ous centres in the country.

However, there have been reactions to the announcement of the assessors during matches with some people believing that should be something done discreetly.

Reacting to this, the Chief Operating Officer of the LMC, Salihu

Abubakar, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent said all over the world referee assessors' identities are not a secret.

“From FIFA to CAF, referee assessors are known and ours cannot be an exception,” Abubakar said.

“The job of the referee asses-

sors is to report the performance of the referees, whether they perform well or not, we also have some private eye reporting events at every centre.

“Nobody is aware of the identity of most of the private eye, because we want the best for the league. If a referee misbehaves

during a game, club officials and even fans too, their job will be to report such incidents and proper action will be taken by the LMC.” He also called on the media to focus more on the Nigerian league and give it a better coverage so as to reignite fans’ interest.

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

27

DStv fee hike: No longer at ease for viewing centre operators A

Ifeanyi Ibeh vast majority of football lovers in Nigeria have been hooked to European football for as long as they can remember. For most of these individuals, it has become an addiction as they constantly crave for their next dose of European football the way a cannabis addict looks forward to his next wrap.

But unlike the marijuana addict who has to go to one of the numerous black spots to be found across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria to get his high in the midst of fellow addicts, these "addicts" of European football troop out in large numbers to sports bars or, as is mostly the case, viewing centres to fulfil their cravings alongside other birds of a feather.

Unlike the sports bars, which target certain type of clienteles, the viewing centres have no such status levels as anyone, from the highest to the lowest in the society can be found enjoying a game of football, and for a little sum of money, at one of these viewing centres, some of which are set up across open spaces with nothing other than a thin tarpaulin sheet acting as a veil between the customer and passers-by.

For years it has been a symbiotic relationship between customers and operators of these viewing centres who, in most cases, have no other source of income besides their shabbily constructed viewing centres, as is mostly the case,.

But all that may change following the recent price increase introduced by MultiChoice, operators of the hugely popular Digital Satellite Television, otherwise known as DStv. On March 3, MultiChoice announced a 20 per cent hike in its subscriptions fees for all its bouquets, including its DStv Premium bouquet favoured by most viewing centres, with effect from April 1, stating that the price increase was necessary for it to continue to offer the best service in local and international entertainment to its subscribers.

As a result, the subscription fee for DStv’s Premium bouquet rose from N11,650 monthly to N13,980, while the subscription fee for the PVR Premium Access, that used to be N13,450, rose to N16,140.

Two Lagos-based lawyers, Osasuyi Adebayo and Oluyinka Oyeniji, on behalf of themselves and all DStv subscribers in Nigeria, commenced a class-action suit against MultiChoice at a Federal High Court in Lagos, asking for an order to compel the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission to enforce the pay-per-view scheme by which subscribers would only pay for programmes watched.

The judge on April 3 ordered MultiChoice to defer effecting the price hike until “further notice”.

This court order was however not adhered to by MultiChoice. Counsel to the pay TV, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), said his clients did not obey the order because it was made after the new price had gone into effect.

“An injunction cannot be granted in respect of a completed act,” he said.

“By the time the order was made, the price increase had been effected. The order was made on April 2 and we were served on April 8. The price increase took effect from April 1,” Onigbanjo added.

Besides, he said MultiChoice was not bound to obey the order since it is already challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

He also pointed out that the order stated

Before now, the fees used to be between N50 and N70, but we can no longer afford to charge that amount photo: www.thisdaylive.com

photo: theadvocatengr.com

A combo of photos shows from top, fans watching football matches at various viewing centres

that “status quo” should be maintained, arguing that status quo as at the time the order was made meant the new subscription rates, not the old prices.

While private home users have the luxury of switching to lesser bouquets, operators of these viewing venues, at least those among them who are keen to remain in business, have no option but to stick with the premium package.

As a result, viewing centre operators have increased their "gate fees" to compensate for the tariff increase. But just as this rise has had an effect on viewing centre customers, it has also come at a cost for the operators.

Most of the viewing centres visited by Saturday Telegraph showed that the level of patronage on match days has dipped

photo: www.informationng.com

owing to the price hike.

In Egbeda, a suburb in Lagos, most viewing centre operators on the average now charge between N100 and N150 as against the average price of N70 that was the case prior to the increase.

“Before now, the fees used to be between N50 and N70 but we can no longer afford to charge that amount otherwise we would all run out of business,” lamented Yinka Ogundele, a former banker turned viewing centre operator.

“I was a banker but this is the only job I have been into since I lost my job a few years ago. I have been taking care of my family with my earnings from this business but I may have to start looking for something else to do because business, is no longer as it used to be.

“You know how the electricity issue is in this country, so I need fuel to power my generator otherwise the few customers who can still afford to pay the new rate will go somewhere else.”

Biodun Kazeem, who runs a viewing centre in Agege, also in Lagos, said: “Some of my fellow operators haven’t opened since the increase while some now operate only on days when they are sure they can recoup their money as it is not easy, especially when you add rent into the equation.

“I am lucky that this land belongs to me otherwise maybe I would have stopped because I no longer enjoy huge patronage,” added Kazeem, who’s viewing centre can accommodate around 150 people.

“I used to make between N10,000 and N40,000 on match days. I could take care of my subscription fee with whatever I make on a good weekend but I haven’t made up to N40,000 since I paid for my subscription. But I am hopeful the situation would change.”

Part of Kazeem’s optimism stems from the fact that more private home users who have been put off by the price hike would likely take the option of patronising viewing centres to satisfy their desire to watch top class matches especially with the European football season set to hit its climax in May with the UEFA Champions League final.

But Ifeoma Chukwu, who operates a viewing centre in Ayobo area of Lagos, doesn’t share his enthusiasm.

According to her, since the price hike, a number of viewing centre operators have lost a considerable number of their customers to restaurant and beer parlour operators who also beam European football matches at their establishments.

“They now prefer to go over there,” said the university undergraduate, pointing in the direction of a bar which, as it turns out, is run by her parents. “They can watch as much as they want so long as they buy beer, peppersoup or both.

“There are so many of us (operators) in this area so we don’t make so much money.

Some have long packed up and I am sure many more would pack up if they (MultiChoice) don’t revert to the old rate because I don’t think people in this area are ready to spend N100, which used to be enough to watch two matches, to watch just one match. But we are lucky we have a bar nearby,” she added.

ayern Munich will be out to secure a confidence-boosting victory over Augsburg on Saturday ahead of a huge UEFA Champions League task.

Bayern, already crowned German champions, collapsed in the first leg of their semi-final against Barcelona in Europe's premier club competition on Wednesday, conceding three times in the last 13 minutes.

That gave the La Liga leaders a 3-0 home win and set up their likely progression to a final against either Juventus or Real Madrid in Berlin on June 6.

While Bayern will take heart from their Champions League quarter-final - where they lost 3-1 at Porto only to turn the tie around with a 6-1 home win in the second leg - achieving the feat against Barca is expected to be considerably tougher.

Augsburg, punching above their weight in sixth, will however be desperate for a result as they strive for European football next season.

Markus Weinzierl's side occupy one of the two UEFA Europa League spots, but have won just two of their last 12 matches.

With Werder Bremen, Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund all snapping at their heels, a heavy defeat would strike a major blow to their chances of securing a top-six finish with just another two matches remaining after this weekend.

B

Bayern target confidence boost against Augsburg

ith Bayern Munich having already wrapped up the Bundesliga title, the chase for guaranteed UEFA Champions League football intensifies on Saturday as Borussia Monchengladbach host Bayer Leverkusen.

W

M

chester United, however, would be unjust. Stories and rumours emerged of Zaha not turning up to suggested training sessions and partaking in extracurricular activities making him the butt of a never-ending, highlyexpensive joke.

But under Palace manager, Alan Pardew, Zaha has formed an exceptional partnership with Yannick

man United seek to end winless run at Palace

Kick-off: 5:30pm

having tailed off with a winless run of three.

Dieter Hecking's men - set to meet Borussia Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal final on May 30 - will be hopeful of halting their poor run of form at struggling Paderborn on Sunday.

ers for the first time since leaving them permanently last summer.

Erstwhile United coach, David Moyes, whose mantra valued points over panache and passion over pace, managed to coach the flair out of Zaha during the tricky winger’s time at Old Trafford.

But as Zaha steps out onto the Selhurst Park pitch he will not only

chengladbach with three games left to play, and many are dubbing Saturday's clash 'the battle for third'.

There is still a possibility both sides could finish in the top three, of course, with second-placed Wolfsburg's league campaign

anchester United will look to end their scoreless and winless run today (Saturday) when they travel to Selhurst Park in London to take on a Crystal Palace side that have also not won or scored in their last three games.

It’s difficult to believe that the Red Devils have not scored since

The teams sit third and fourth respectively, with only the top three earning an automatic place in the group stage of Europe's elite club competition.

Leverkusen's 2-0 victory over Bayern last time out kept them within two points of Mon-

eal Madrid can ill-afford a slip-up against Valencia on Saturday on the back of a UEFA Champions League defeat at Juventus.

Real lost 2-1 to the Italian champions on Tuesday in the first leg of their semi-final.

While the defeat is far from catastrophic, they will face a tough ask at Santiago Bernabeu against a Juventus side who are excellent in defence.

It is understandable that much of their attention will be on overturning the deficit and progress to what would most likely be an El Clasico final against Barcelona.

But before facing Juve they have a crucial Liga fixture against fourth-placed Valencia, who came from behind to beat Real 2-1 in January thanks to goals from Antonio Barragan and Nicolas Otamendi.

Real remain two points adrift of tabletoppers Barca despite a seven-match winning streak. Just three matches of the season remain and the leaders face a Real Sociedad side on Saturday that beat them earlier this season.

Carlo Ancelotti will desperately hope for a repeat - and victory

R

NO TEAM 1 Bayern 2 Wolfsburg 3 Gladbach 4 Leverkusen 5 Schalke 6 Augsburg 7 W. Bremen 8 Hoffenheim 9 Dortmund 10 Mainz 11 FC Cologne 12 Frankfurt 13 Hertha 14 Hamburg 15 Paderborn

P 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31

PTS 76 62 60 58 45 43 42 41 40 37 36 36 34 31 31

Bundesliga

TABLES

at Barcelona.

Midfielder Dani Parejo has netted in their last three matches and the 26-year-old is the club's top Liga scorer this season with 12 goals.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side beat Eibar 3-1 last time out and Sevilla's loss to Real Madrid meant they moved three points clear in fourth.

Bale

Real turn attention to title race

Global Football Special

Gladbach host Leverkusen in battle for third

www.newtelegraphonline.com

NEW TELEGRAPH

oma's bid for automatic entry into next season's UEFA Champions League group stages comes to a crucial juncture at struggling Milan on Saturday.

Rudi Garcia's side moved back into second after a 2-0 win over Genoa was followed by Lazio's slip-up at lowly Atalanta, in which they drew 1-1.

With only the top two assured of a place in the group stages of Europe's premier club competition next season - third must go through qualifying the stakes are high for Roma, one point ahead of Lazio, at San Siro.

A shocking run of form, which saw Roma win just three of 15 league games, put their Champions League hopes in severe jeopardy but back-toback wins over Sassuolo and Genoa lifted spirits.

Seydou Doumbia has recovered well from a knock and is expected to play. Midfield star Adem Ljajic is doubtful, though, after travelling to Germany to see a specialist following back pain.

Meanwhile, Milan defender, Philippe Mexes, who spent seven years at Roma, acknowledged his side "really can't do much worse" than their current form of five Serie A games without a win.

"We have to stay united, as we all need our team-mates," he told Milan Channel. "We know the fans are not happy and it's up to us to get them back on our side.

R

Milan set to test Roma’s Euro credentials

28 Sport SATURDAY N 9 MA

Piatti

Olympic champion Anthony Joshua, who has a Nigerian mother and a father of Nigerian and Irish descent, is happy to delay an inevitable blockbuster against Tyson Fury until his heavyweight rival has a world title belt around his waist.

Fury currently holds the British belt, which Joshua is in contention for, but the outspoken traveller is set for a world title shot against reigning WBA, IBF and WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko in the near future.

Bolasie whilst Jason Puncheon has found a new home drifting in the middle of the pitch. What is especially noticeable, though, is Zaha’s newfound defensive contribution.

He is able to be an asset to his full backs whereas previously he was a liability.

M

Brooklyn Nets general manager Billy King has revealed that the franchise will make agreeing new deals with Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young their priority this off-season.

Lopez and Young have player options on their contracts, and if they choose to opt out then they can become free agents.

"Internally, the next big step is to keep Brook and Thaddeus here," King said at his annual end-of-season news conference. They both have shown indications they want to be here in their exit interviews, and we want them here, so it's incumbent on us to get that done."

Brook Lopez

Kyrie Irving has described Cleveland Cavaliers teammate LeBron James as the "greatest player" following the team's win over the Chicago Bulls.

The points guard told ESPN: "There wasn't one possession where he wasn't dominant. When he has that mindset, he's the greatest player playing our game right now."

LeBron James

arcelona midfielder Andres Barca have not lost since a surIniesta has warned against prise 1-0 home defeat to Malaga complacency ahead of Satur- in February, winning 16 of their day’s vital clash against Real 17 matches since.

Sociedad at Camp Nou. Barca will head into the fixture in a buoyant mood after putting one foot in the UEFA Champions League final with a 3-0 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

But Barcelona must keep their eye on the ball as they only lead La Liga by two points with three matches to play. Arch-rivals Real Madrid are snapping at their heels and have won seven league matches in a row.

"We shouldn't start thinking that nobody can beat us," said Iniesta. "We have to keep doing this. If we stop, there are other very good teams and when you least expect it, they can beat you." Iniesta

B

Buoyant Barca wary of complacency

ats Hummels believes European qualification is still in Borussia Dortmund's hands ahead of Saturday's clash with Hertha Berlin.

Dortmund beat Bayern Munich on penalties to reach the final of the DFB-Pokal last week, but could not back that up with a win at Hoffenheim last weekend as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Defender Hummels scored a 35thminute equaliser, but a winner was not forthcoming so Jurgen Klopp's

against Valencia - that would put his Real side top of the table.

Valencia arrive in Madrid in good form, having lost just one of their last 14 Liga matches - a 2-0 defeat

11:30 14:00 14:00 14:00 17:00 17:00

NO TEAM 1 Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 3 Atletico 4 Valencia 5 Sevilla 6 Villarreal 7 Bilbao 8 Malaga 9 Celta Vigo 10 Espanyol 11 Sociedad 12 Vallecano 13 Elche 14 Getafe 15 Levante 16 Almeria 17 Eibar 18 La Coruna 19 Granada 20 Cordoba

PTS 87 85 76 72 69 54 48 47 46 46 43 43 40 36 35 32 31 30 28 20

P PTS 35 83 35 70 34 70 35 65 35 61 35 58 35 57 35 53 35 47 35 47 35 44 35 42 35 40 35 35 35 35 35 34 35 34 34 33 35 27 35 26 P 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35

La Liga

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

EPL

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

P PTS 34 79 34 64 34 63 34 59 34 52 34 51 34 50 34 49 34 48 34 43 34 43 34 41 34 41 34 41 34 40 34 37 34 33 34 27 34 24 34 16

31 30 31 30 31 27

Serie A

16 Freiburg 17 Hannover 18 Stuttgart

elegation-threatened Cagliari could benefit from Juventus attention lying elsewhere when the two sides meet in Turin on Saturday.

The 18th-placed Cagliari gave their unlikely hopes of Serie A survival a boost with a thumping 4-0 win over rock-bottom Parma on Monday that saw them close within six points of safety.

Just four matches remain in the season but Cagliari have Atalanta, who sit 17th, in their sights, and will hope Juve - crowned Serie A champions for a fourth season in a row last week - rest and rotate their squad.

Juve's focus will be firmly on the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.

Massimiliano Allegri's men secured a well-earned 2-1 home win over Real Madrid in the opener earlier this week.

And new Cagliari coach Gianluca Festa hopes their win over Parma has given his squad the belief they need to avoid the drop.

"The boys have become aware of their capabilities," Festa told the club's official website. "[Parma] was a good performance, a new step…to feed hope. Surely we will continue to play with that desire and commitment until the end."

After a winless run of 11 matches, which included nine defeats, Cagliari have won two of their last three, with a tremendous 3-1 success at Fiorentina last month raising spirits.

A party-like atmosphere is expected at Juventus as they play their first league match at home since retaining their Scudetto, secured through a 1-0 win at Sampdoria.

Juve's home end will be made up of 9,500 school children, though, after the stand was shut as punishment for clashes with Torino fans in April. The stand has been re-opened as Italian Football Federation accepted Juve's proposal to put school kids in the 'Curva' instead.

R

Cagliari hoping to shock ‘distracted’ Juve

Mexes

proach when Dick Advocaat brings his side to Goodison Park this weekend.

Martinez saw his team beaten 3-2 by Villa last time out as

Sunderland remain firmly in the mire - a point adrift of safety in 18th - but will be buoyed by their four-point haul against Stoke City and

Southampton is sure to have bolstered Advocaat's hopes of completing the great escape having taken over in March with the club winless in seven.

Everton wary of ‘fearless’ Sunderland verton manager Roberto Tim Sherwood's men took a Southampton in their last two E Martinez expects Sunder- huge step towards ensuring outings. land to mirror Aston Villa's ap- their Premier League status.

Saturday's 2-1 victory over

Bundesliga Saturday Bayern v Augsburg 14:30 Dortmund v Hertha 14:30 Frankfurt v Hoffenheim 14:30 Hannover v Bremen 14:30 Gladbach v Leverkusen 14:30 Stuttgart v Mainz 17:30 Sunday Paderborn v Wolfsburg 14:30

SERIA A Saturday Juventus v Cagliari AC Milan v AS Roma Sunday Chievo v Verona Cesena v Sassuolo Palermo v Atalanta Udinese v Sampdoria Empoli v Fiorentina Parma v Napoli

17:00 19:45

11:00 16:00 18:00 20:00

Levante v Atl. Madrid Villarreal v Elche Almeria v Malaga Celta Vigo v Sevilla

Sunday

15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00

Granada v Cordoba Barcelona v Sociedad Real Madrid v Valencia Ath. Bilbao v La Coruna

La Liga Saturday

EPL Saturday Everton v Sunderland 12:45 Aston Villa v West Ham 15:00 Hull v Burnley 15:00 Leicester v S’ampton 15:00 Newcastle v West Brom 15:00 Stoke v Tottenham 15:00 C. Palace v Man United 17:30 Sunday Man City v QPR 13:30 Chelsea v Liverpool 16:00

FIXTURES

side missed a chance to go seventh.

Currently ninth with just three matches remaining, Dortmund need to finish fifth or sixth to book a spot in next season's UEFA Europa League if they fail to win the DFB-Pokal final against Wolfsburg.

Looking ahead to the Hertha clash, Hummels told Dortmund's official website: "Unfortunately, we've missed the chance to set ourselves up with a better starting position in the Hummels table for the last few weeks.

Europa-chasing Dortmund host Hertha

look to send a message to Moyes, Ryan Giggs and van Gaal, who all told him he wouldn’t amount to a top-level player, but he will look to deal a crushing blow to Manchester United’s Champions League aspiration.

To place all the blame on Man-

SPORT BRIEFLY

for this match. Whatever the formation, the goal is the same as always: We will go out there to win. We will be playing at a tough and very difficult ground, but we know what we want from the game. We go there with the conviction of getting the three points."

Anthony Joshua

alencia visit the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday looking to take another step towards securing a topfour berth in La Liga. And Pablo Piatti knows he and his teammates will need to take their chances in order to beat a Real Madrid side coming off the disappointment of their midweek UEFA Champions League loss to Juventus.

Valencia defeated Real at Mestalla in January and, after seeing Carlo Ancelotti's side suffer a 2-1 Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat to Juventus on Tuesday, head into the game in high spirits.

"We are confident about our chances," winger Piatti said. "We are aware that we will have opportunities against Real Madrid and we must be at 100 per cent to take advantage of them.

We should be focusing on everything we can do, both in attack and defence.

"The manager will have a good plan

V

Valencia set to take chances against wounded Real

Ribery

their 4-2 derby win over Manchester City on April 12.

As a result of back to back losses to Chelsea, Everton and West Brom, Louis van Gaal’s side are slowly losing the race for a top-three finish which guarantees an automatic ticket to the group stage of next season’s UEFA Champions League but will fancy their chances of returning to winning (and scoring) ways against a Palace side whose players may not approach today’s game with the seriousness it deserves having already guaranteed themselves another season of Premier League football.

But there would be one player in the Eagles’ line-up who would likely be doing all he can to ensure the Red Devils return to Old Trafford with their tails tucked in-between their legs. And that player is Wilfred Zaha.

The former Manchester United winger will face his former employNEW TELEGRAPH AY 2015

Sport

29

30

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

Eight detained in Georgia for match fixing P

olice in Georgia have detained eight persons for match fixing. Some of the detainees are football (soccer) players.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the detainees include the president of the football club Stu Tbilisi, one former football player, a representative of the betting firm IbtsBet, players of Football Club Kharagauli Ckherimela and two others.

Investigators determined that the detainees agreed with several teams in the national football championship to rig matches. The advance deals were paid for by amounts varying from 10,000 to 20,000 laris (about USD 5,000 to USD 10,000).

After fixing the matches, bets were placed at online betting websites and the money that was won was shared among the accomplices.

The case is being investigated as a crime that may be punished by from four to six years in prison.

Georgia’s Football Federation responded that it is cooperating with the ministry to find those who are involved in match fixing.

“We hope that football players involved in national championship, trainers, judges and other people employed at clubs will acknowledge the extent of damage that has been done to Georgian football and quit participating in such deals,” the statement read.

Tony Adams seeks £150m for Aston Villa takeover bid

F Oduduru (right) race to finish line with an unidentified athlete

Oduduru rues World Relay final miss

W

Charles Ogundiya orld Junior Championships silver medalist in the 200m, Divine Oduduru, has rued the failure of Team Nigeria to qualify for the final of the men’s 4x200m relay at the recently concluded World Relays Championship in the Bahamas.

The men were on the verge of qualifying for the final, as one of the best losers, after finishing fourth in their heat.

They were however disqualified for an

error during baton exchange.

“I started the race for Nigeria and I was already toe to toe with the Jamaican before exchanging baton with the next person,” Oduduru said.

“After the race, we were already rejoicing that we were through to the final only to realise that we have been disqualified.

“It was painful, but there was nothing anyone could do about it. I was already looking forward to competing alongside my role model, Usain Bolt, but there will surely be another time.”

Despite a sloppy second exchange, Jamaica managed to retain their title in 1:20.97mins, but their win was a far cry from their triumph last year when they won in a world record of 1:18.63mins.

France won the silver with Germany winning the bronze medal.

Nigerian men failed to win a medal at the championship, the women however gave the country something to cheer, winning gold in the 4x200m and also a direct qualification to the Olympic Games in 4x100m relay with their seventh place finish in the Bahamas.

ormer Arsenal and England defender Tony Adams is looking to secure £150 million to launch a bid for Premier League club Aston Villa, according to Sky News.

The broadcaster has learnt that Adams has been working with former Chelsea FC and IMG executive Paul Smith to put together a potential bid.

The pair are believed to have formed a new company called 'Halo' which they hope will boost their efforts to secure a stake in several clubs in Europe.

Aston Villa's American owner Randy Lerner put the club up for sale over a year ago and is believed to still be keen to sell the Midlands club.

Adams

Okpekpe Race: Amike, Osheku, Ali hail Itemuagbor Ajibade Olusesan

F

ormer Nigeria track and field stars, Henry Amike, Tony Osheku and Yusuf Ali have hailed Mike Itemuagbor and his company, Pamodzi Sports Marketing, for upgrading the Okpekpe Race to a world class road race recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federation.

The 10km Okpekpe road race, a brainchild of Itemuagbor, was late last year granted a bronze label status by the athletics world governing body.

'Mike Itemuagbor has made Nigerians proud. He has done tremendously well in the development of athletics, especially road races. I believe the government should just take advantage of the leverage he has brought into the sport to move it

further up there,” said Amike, ex-national 400m hurdles record holder.

According to Osheku now a coach, “Since 2008 when the IAAF started labelling road races, I can't remember any road race that has been so recognised in West Africa than the Okpekpe race. The two other races recognised by the IAAF in Africa are the Cape Town Marathon in Cape Town, South Africa, in September and the

Marathon du Gabon on November 29, in Libreville, Gabon.”

Similarly, Ali added that, “Pamodzi Sports Marketing is a leader in sports marketing, sponsorship, hospitality and rights acquisition business in Nigeria.”

This edition of the race will hold next Saturday in Okepke, Auchi, and it will be the first that will be organised with a bronze label status hanging around it.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

Sport

31

My dream is to be the best in the world – Ajetunmobi Ajetunmobi

You won the last Nigeria Table Tennis Federation President's Cup after a long time away from the local scene Yeah, I was very happy winning the tournament. I played Kazeem Makanjuola who everybody knows as Ajangbadi in the final and it was a tough one for me. He used to be my boy but I was happy that he has grown up so fast and he gave me a lot of problems in the match. It shows that there have been great improvements in table tennis in the country since the current board of the NTTF took over. I think I was able to overcome him because of my experience. The young players are improving, the home-based ones are giving their foreign-based colleagues a run for their money which is good.

I know that if we continue this way, we will have a better future for table tennis in Nigeria.

What would you say the problem was with those who were in charge of the game before now?

I don’t want to talk about those that have gone, I can only say that the current man in charge has been doing great and we are happy to have somebody like him as the president of table tennis in the country.

You have not been so active in recent time, in fact you have not made any improvement in the International Table Tennis Federation players rankings, what is the problem?

It is funding. Let us take a country like China for example, they have plans for their players, many of them are sponsored to competitions across the world but we don’t have something like that. The new NTTF president is doing his best but he cannot possibly cover all the players. If I have to go to Germany, Portugal, Spain, Kuwait to play in the world tours, this

He was touted as the next big thing in table tennis in Nigeria but Seun Ajetunmobi said he had been slowed down by lack of funding and personal problems. He is however upbeat about bouncing back to reckoning, he told AJIBADE OLUSESAN. Excerpts… requires a lot of money and there is no such funding.

One of your colleagues, Aruna Quadri, has brought the attention of the world to Nigeria with his performance; what is your take on this?

Whether we like it or not, Aruna is the best player in Africa at the moment.

I am happy for him and I pray for him to go higher.

But Egyptis still the best country in Africa at the moment…

Nigeria will take over soon. The All Africa Games is very near and I think we can show our stuff there if we prepare very well for the tournament.

Do you plan to go with the Nigerian team for any of international competitions this year?

I am targeting the All Africa Games.

We can invite Segun Toriola, Aruna Quadri, Seun Ajetunmobi, Ojo Onaolapo and look for one other player to join them for that competition. I don’t think it is right to invite just any player for that big competition.

So what do you want to do about your rankings?

It is not that I do so badly on ITTF rankings. The last major tournament I went to, I got to the last 16 and I have not been to any tour since 2013 due to some allegations they leveled against me.

Can you let us into that?

I cannot say much about that, it is now in the past and I don’t want to remember

it because it affected me a lot.

That must be a painful experience but your fans will still want to know what the problem was Well, I don’t want to go into details, they lied about me that I did something bad which I did not, that was in Portugal, they asked me to bring my passport and they checked it and found nothing incriminating. I thank God it is now in the past.

You are playing in Portugal just like Aruna, are you thinking about leaving your club?

Oh yes! By the grace of God I may move to a club in Belgium or France this year. My father, brother and mentor, Segun Toriola, is one of those who is helping me with this.

People thought you should be the one to take over from Toriola; why have you not been able to do that?

I think it also boils down to support.

I can be the best if I have the chance.

Moreover, I think it is also important they give people like us the chance in the national team. We can come and fight for our places in the team, let them organise competitions and let’s see who is who. I can be the best, if I am given the chance What does this game mean to you?

It is not only table tennis, sports generally can give you life. You can develop your future and everything with sports if you put in your best

Have you had any moment in your career when you felt like quitting?

There has not been a serious one really. Maybe, when we had a little problem in the national team, something like hatred or some people back-stabbing you and things like that but I thank God there is nothing like that anymore.

Which match has been your toughest?

I think it was in 2013 at the World Championship in Germany when I met the world number 50, I made some mistakes, I was very angry because I felt I should not have lost that match.

Who is your role model?

It has to be Toriola. He has done a lot in the game. He was an African champion for a long time, he was a Commonwealth Games champion and he is still doing his thing even now.

Who encouraged you to take up table tennis as a career?

I think my elder sister and people in my area in Ibadan. There were a lot of table tennis activities in my area in Ibadan and I used to be the champion.

My sister saw what I could do and she encouraged me to go to the stadium for competitions and I did well, but my dad did not want me to play table tennis, he said I must face my education but some people helped me to talk to him that sport might just be my destiny, and I thank God he allowed me. I have travelled to so many places because of table tennis. I have gotten to where I never thought I could be because of the game.

Where do you want to be in the next five years?

I want to be like Aruna Quadri, I want to be the best in Africa and probably in the world. I can do it, I have the talent, I just need the support to achieve my dream.

32

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

Lifestyle

Vonn moves on after break-up with Tiger

The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.

- Paulo Coelho, Alchemist

L Shayk

Ronaldo’s ex, Shayk, ‘moves on’ with Hollywood star

C

ristiano Ronaldo’s former WAG Irina Shayk seems to have adapted to life without the Real Madrid superstar with ease, as the Russian model was spotted “making out” with Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper.

Bradley, 40, who split from 23-year-old model girlfriend Suki Waterhouse in February, looks to have hit it off with the also newly-single Irina at Rihanna’s Met Gala after-party.

The Mirror claim that the pair have been seeing each other for a few weeks, as they have been spotted out and about together on multiple occasions, prior to Rihanna’s Met Gala after-party.

According to the reports, Bradley and Irina arrived and left the event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City separately on Monday, but once behind closed doors, were quick to find each other and were not concerned by onlookers seeing their blossoming romance.

They stayed until the early hours at Richie Akiva’s Up & Down nightclub where Rihanna’s party was hosted.

A source revealed that the pair were partying with a small group – which included Leonardo DiCaprio – but disappeared into “the karaoke room,” where “they were making out”.

“They were very close all night,” the source added.

Up close with Kevin Boateng’s Melissa Satta

Melissa

M

eet Melissa Satta, the Fiancée of Kevin Prince Boateng.

The Schalke player, who has also played for Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and

Portsmouth, is enjoying a decent season in Germany, sitting fifth in the Bundesliga.

And while talking about Boateng, why not take a look at his mrs? The ridiculously

hot model once confirmed that the midfielder suffered a thigh injury because the couple have sex 7-10 times a week. That’s right, 7-10 times a week.

Vonn

indsey Vonn has been appointed as an honourary ambassador for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.

US skier Vonn is the first foreign individual selected for the role and she joins a list of high-profile South Korean sports stars including former Olympic figure skating champion Kim Yu-na and Texas Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo.

'My goal for my entire career is to promote skiing, not just in America but across the world. It's an amazing sport,' Vonn said in a news conference in Seoul.

Vonn, 30, an Olympic gold medalist and the all-time wins leader in women's World Cup Alpine skiing with 67, missed the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, nursing a knee injury.

She plans to compete in Pyeongchang and visited the construction site of the Games' alpine skiing venue this week.

'My goals for the next Olympics are to try to win the gold medals,' Vonn said.

'The site looks very challenging ...

It's very steep and (with) a lot of jumps which I really like. I'm looking forward to seeing it with the snow on and actually being able to run the course.'

One of the most recognised winter sports figures in the US, Vonn recently announced that she ended her relationship of nearly three years with golfer Tiger Woods but refused to answer questions about the split.

'I don't really want to talk about my personal life,' Vonn said. 'I think I said everything in my Facebook post. I will just leave it at that.'

Mayweather sued by ex-girlfriend over violence

F

loyd Mayweather faces a lawsuit after the mother of three of his four children sued him for defamation on Tuesday.

Josie Harris is asking for $20million (£13m) after claiming that Mayweather, in an interview with Yahoo last month, lied about her being on drugs during a domestic violence incident in September 2010.

Mayweather told interviewer Katie Couric that he was trying to hold Harris back during the altercation because she was on drugs.

Harris is the mother of three of Mayweather's children and claims that he punched and kicked her as she slept on a couch in their home and dragged her around in front of their kids before he was arrested.

Mayweather was arrested after police said he punched Harris in his Las Vegas home, where the couple was living with three children.

Stories courtesy Dailymail

Josie

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

has serious implications' count charge of causing breach of peace and allowing her dog to cause harm to her neighbour. This was in March. She was accused of negligently allowing her Alsatian dog, which should have been chained or caged, to bite one Herny Omoniyi.

However, animal doctors have expressed concern about the indiscriminate rate of dog ownership without commensurate monitoring efforts from government. They have called on relevant authorities to establish an animal registry and a tagging system as a precondition for pet ownership in the country. They further propose an annual anti-rabies vaccination, which they said is compulsory for dogs.

In what looks like a response to the doctor’s request, the Lagos State government, following the death of a boy in Badagry area of the state as a result of dog bite, vowed to clampdown on stray dogs within the metropolis. Expressing government anger at the incident, Commissioner for agriculture, Enock Ajiboso, disclosed that a dog bit the boy in Badagry and he was rushed to the Badagry General Hospital but died later after he was withdrawn from the hospital by his parents.

The commissioner lamented that of recent there had been an increase in cases of dog bite, especially by stray dogs in Badagry area. He cited a case of a young boy bitten by a dog in that neighbourhood a few months ago. “On investigation by the local health officers and which was corroborated by our veterinary officers in charge of the area, symptoms exhibited by the boy prior to his death were consistent with that of suspected rabies, which he must have contracted from the dog,” Ajiboso said.

To him, a dog that went on biting anything it came across was not a normal dog and must be thoroughly investigated.

According to the commissioner, in most cases where there is unprovoked biting by a dog, especially a dog that is once friendly, then rabies is highly suspected.

Rabies is a viral disease that affects all warm blooded animals. The disease is common among dogs, particularly dogs that are not vaccinated against the disease, as well as stray dogs that lack care. The disease is transmitted mainly through bites. Studies show that if a dog has rabies, it will die within two weeks.

There are symptoms peculiar to dogs

Local dog trainer

Collins

Olarinde

infected with rabies, such as excessive salivation, unprovoked and aggressive biting of anything it comes across, aggressive feeding on anything that dogs will normally not eat, paralyses and eventual death.

The commissioner warned anybody affected by dog bite to wash the site of the bite thoroughly with soap in running water and immediately seek medical attention. “By the time the symptoms of rabies show forth in man, especially after a dog bite, death is almost inevitable, because there is no cure,” he said. He nonetheless,

appealed to residents to take any wild dog roaming the streets and suspected of having rabies, to the nearest local veterinary clinic for thorough examination instead of killing it in order to certify its state of health.

He warned all pet owners to be responsible by making sure that their pet animals were not allowed to stray, as well as carry out all necessary vaccination programmes. According to him, government would no longer tolerate stray animals, especially dogs, attacking people and causing havoc.

In Nigeria, dog breeding has been on the rise in the last three decades, particularly the foreign breeds. This happens without due consideration for the right environment and handling skills. As a matter of fact, some people cannot identify the dog they own by their breed, let alone their pedigree and temperament.

Unknown to these people, ownership of some of these dog breeds has been prohibited in some European countries, America, Canada, among others due to the various havocs they have wreaked on the society.

Incidentally, people get bitten by dogs on a daily basis and usually, children are the most vulnerable targets of attack.

Investigations have revealed that male children bear much of the brunt of attack because they are the ones that will naturally want to explore playing with dogs with no natural sense of fear. It is a situation that is worrisome because it often leads to very deleterious consequences for the victim.

With aggressive dogs, it is clear that a lot depends on someone’s interactions with these animals. This is because most dogs attack when people fail to manage their relationship with them or with plain naivety, they do not appreciate the psyche of dogs and often cross the thin line of safety when they should not. However, researchers have not come to any conclusions as to whether a dog can just decide to bite an individual or not.

What is certain is that there are predisposing factors that influence the decision of a canine to bare its teeth and apply the slammer on a victim. These factors are generally nature and nurture-related, with more bordering on how people relate with dogs.

Dr. Olutunde Olarinde, a Veterinary

photo: www.nigerianeye.com

Dogs have the instict to defend themselves and be aggressive to strangers

Investigations

33

Surgeon/Clinician speaks of the implications, risks and treatments of dog bites.

Preventing and controlling rabies both in humans and pets, according to him, cannot be much different.

“Preventing rabies is by avoiding contacts, fights and then bites from other pets or stray animals whose rabies immunisations have not been confirmed to have been done and verified .This is in addition to avoiding your pets roam about carelessly and mingling with stray animals and wild life, rabid or non-rabid and most importantly, regular, consistent, conscientious and preventive vaccinations and re-vaccinations of your pets. There is no cure or treatment for a rabid animal or pet and death of such pet or animal is inevitable,” he said.

Wound management of a person bitten by a suspected animal or pet, he said, is very important. “This should start by immediate, first-aid treatment of the affected bite site(s) by washing thoroughly with soap and running water. It washes away much of the virus shed in the saliva of the suspected rabid animal from the bite site(s). If available, applying ethylated spirit, antiseptic solutions or a virucidal agent like povidine-iodine solution will further kill and reduce the viral load. It is also important to confirm and verify the rabies immunisation status and to see a genuine and qualified veterinarian,” Olarinde advised.

To him, the government is not helping matters. “We have the Task Force Lagos Ministry of Agriculture and Stray Animal Control Programme. Their duty is to take custody of any stray animal seen. It would have been a very good opportunity also for the government to make revenues because revenues could be made from selling vaccination. When they hammer the need to vaccinate their pet, people would be persuaded to come with their pets for vaccination.

“If there are bills and acts to go with it, I personally would be happy. It would be like killing two birds with a stone. But these agencies are not also equipped with the necessary tools for work, how will they perform their duty. Because you expect the Task Force to come to AbuleEgba in search of stray dogs on foot due to the fact that there is no vehicle. If the government would step in and work together with these agencies then, it would be better for us,” he added.

Dogs are some of the most adorable pets a person can have. There are very few other pets that can even come close to a dog. Not even a cat can beat a dog in being a man's best friend. From the ages past, dogs have proven invaluable to man either as flock shepherd or hunter's companion in the forest. Today, some have been tempered to become guards, while others serve as pets. However, while they are pleasant companions that can be trusted, they could inflict untold injuries that could prove fatal. Also, dogs are known to transmit rabies, if an infected dog bites a human being.

But a veterinary doctor, Wilson Ekaun, argued that while the Europeans and the Americans detest vicious dogs, Nigerians, would prefer them for security. According to him, as long as Nigerians are left unprotected in the face of mounting security challenges, the only way to get personal security is to fortify oneself with ferocious dogs to deter intruders and criminal element from attacking.

He said the issue of promulgating a law that seeks to prohibit owning some of these wild dogs in Nigeria may not work because government has abdicated its responsibility of providing security to the citizens. In like manner, the immediate past chairman, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Lagos Chapter, Dr. Oladapo Collins, said, although, keeping ferocious dogs has serious implications, Nigerians need their services for now.

• Additional report from Chinyere Onah.

TV & Radio with Angela Davies

Programme summary

TELEVISION

TVC Saturday @ 7:00 pm It’s a talk show with a fusion of inspiration and entertainment that showcases the best elements of the African society.

The White House (LTV)

Saturday@ 4:30 pm It is a hilarious drama series which revolves around the daily happenings between a landlord who is a retired soldier and his tenants.

Talk Radio (Inspiration FM) Saturday @ 8 am It is a news and current affairs programme which addresses issues in the news with interviews of the critical drivers of the subject matter.

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

A

bimbola Olasope is a presenter and newscaster with City FM who likes to add value in everything she does. This is evident in her presentation which always leaves listeners with something to ponder over and gain from as well.

She gives counsel on the night show, Lights Out. She also excites and empowers children on The City Kids Show every Saturday afternoon. Olasope equally profiles gospel and inspirational songs on The Singspiration Zone on Sunday nights in the city.

Olasope

34

This weekend

The Teju Babyface Show (TVC)

City FM's Olasope

SATURDAY, 9 MAY, 2015

Anchor, Mavi Isibor

Finding the right Poise H ow well do you project yourself in the midst of your colleagues and friends? Likewise, how much do you know about basic etiquettes that will help you interact and interface properly with people especially in the work environment?

One programme where the host talks only about etiquettes every week on how to become a good executive in the work place is called, Project Your Poise Show.

In the last edition of the programme, the host, Mavi Isibor, talked on the topic, “handshake.” However, the show kicked off with different videos showing people exchanging diverse kinds of handshake to buttress the topic to be discussed.

Talking from the confines of an office, Isibor began by stressing that, “People sign documents and cheques. Your signature authenticates your cheque and that’s why they pay because it is credible. Handshake signatures you because the way you shake hands with people determines how people interact and interface with you.”

Explaining how a handshake determines how people interact and interface with you, she warned that when shaking anybody, you should ensure that you are not doing the bone crusher. That is pressing and shaking the hands so hard that the person screams or is in pains. She also cautioned ladies who instead of shaking hands properly, simply give the tips of the fingers believing that that is being ladylike. “You are not being ladylike doing that. As a serious business minded and goal oriented person, your handshake should be firm, direct and brief.”

Talking about the double hand handshake which is a major handshake blunder committed in this part of world which is believed to show courtesy and respect. Isibor clarified that, a double hand handshake is a no-no even if it is it is believed in this part of the world that when you do the double hand handshake, it means the person who is covering the hand of the other person is big-

ger, better, higher in status and also shows a sign of respect. Instead, she advised that you should hold your own wrist as that is the best way to show respect in this part of the world. She added that people must shake from the elbow and not from the shoulder.

Isibor also highlighted the following rules associated with proper handshakes.

According to her: • Do not shake everybody in a huge gathering. Instead, shake the people in your path and then acknowledge the others.

• Face the person and make eye contact.

As you shake hands, you should look into the person’s eyes to show the fact that you have absolutely no animosity towards that person.

• Your grip should be firm, but don’t break any bones because it is not a competition.

• Women should initiate the handshake.

Women have the right to decide whether they want to shake hands or not. Etiquette says that there is absolutely nothing wrong with a woman not wanting to shake hands.

You should wait until the lady extends her hands for a handshake. However, the exception to this rule is age and hierarchy. This means that if you meet your boss or an older person; you should wait for the person to stretch their hands first before you do as a woman.

Isibor added that, poise is Integrity, Competence, Communication and Etiquette (ICCE). And for you to become a professional you must have character and character is all about reliability and trustworthiness.

Project your poise show is a 10-minutes enlightening, engaging and insightful programme anchored by etiquette icon, Isibor and the aim is to make great executives. It airs on Television Continental (TVC) on Saturdays at 6:30 pm. So, if you want to know more about etiquette especially how to become a great executive as well as behave well in public, then tune in to watch this programme.

STV

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Smooth FM 98.1 Saturday 6:00 Breakfast in Bed 8:30 Soul Food 9:30 Entertainment News 10:00 Smooth Book Review 11:00 Total Football 12:00 Metro Life 5:00 Luxury Soul 09:00 Late Night Blues

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Smooth Motivations Music Mix Sunday Brunch Music Mix Soulfully Yours Music Mix

Radio Lagos Saturday 09:00 Lin lin gigo 1:00 Oyin momo 2:30 E da wa lohun 4:00 Oba Orin 6:00 State News 7:00 Lagbo Regal 8:30 Ohun enu Yoruba 9:30 Mito Heme 10:15 Music 11:00 Iroyin ni soki

Sunday 9:00 Lin Lin Ledo 11:05 Mukulumuke 12:00 World News 1:00 Music 2:00 Orita Aje 3:00 Iroyin ni soki 7:45 Music 9:30 Igbalaye 10:00 National News 11 :00 Ironyin ni soki

SATURDAY

Dear Love Doctor, ‘He wants to marry me, but he doesn't have money'

p.37

Life Experience

'I'm a Harvard graduate and my partner is a high school dropout'

p.36

L ve&Lv ng SATURDAY 9 MAY 2015

35

‘He jilted me because we were not old enough to marry' Confession

Maria, my love, you know very well that I love you. Everyone knows that. But the fact is that I don't think we are old enough to marry

Some people say age is simply a number. But in marriage, maturity and age may well matter a lot. In this story, a girl in love mounts pressure on her boyfriend to marry her regardless of their youthfulness.

As narrated to Michael Uchebuaku

I

t all began several years ago while I was at the University.

I was staying with my aunt in Lagos and school was on vacation, so my aunt suggested I go spend the holiday with the children of her close friend in Kaduna.

The family of my aunt's friend was a very happy one. Patrick was her most handsome son. He was 24 years old. We fell in love at first sight. Maybe because we seemed to have a lot of things in common.

Patrick loved playing chess or ludo whenever he was less busy, and I was also passionate about both games. So, everyday, after we had had our lunch, he would call me to play chess with him. I was very good at chess.

That was one game Patrick and I couldn’t do without. We competed seriously to see who would emerge as the regular winner, but it was very hard to tell, because if he won the first game, I would win the next game.

The most interesting part of my holiday with Patrick and his family was that Patrick enjoyed taking me out whenever I was bored.

Patrick's mother seemed pleased as we grew more and more fond of each other, and when the holiday ended and it was time for me to depart, she encouraged us to keep in touch.

Back home, I missed Patrick so much, but we communicated through phone calls, e-mails and text messages.

In some of my e-mails, I told Patrick never to cheat on me with another girl, in spite of the distance. I longed to have him by my side, but there was nothing I could do about it.

I was still a virgin then, but I was a big girl. I was 21 years old, tall and curvy. Men always admired me because of my beautiful shape but I couldn't bring myself to date any

man other than Patrick.

After a long interval of about nine months, Patrick decided to travel down to Lagos to visit me.

I went to the motor park to receive him with open arms. When I saw him again, I melted in his arms.

“Maria, you look so beautiful, I wish I could eat you raw,” he said to me.

“You too, look as handsome as a prince as usual,” I said.

We continued flattering each other as we hugged each other.

Patrick slept in a hotel that night.

But the following day, I took him home and introduced him to members of my family. Everyone approved of our relationship and before long, my family and friends were beginning to ask me when Patrick and

I were going to get married.

I tried to make Patrick understand that I loved him and really wanted to marry him, but his reaction always surprised me whenever I raised the issue of marriage.

Patrick said that both of us were not old enough to get married. He would always say: "Maria, my love, you know very well that I love you.

Everyone knows that. But the fact is that I don't think we are old enough to marry. I'm only 24 and you're just 21. So why don't we wait for at least five or six more years before getting married?"

Although I wasn't pleased with his statement, I made it clear to him that I wanted to marry in my early twenties since as a woman, I was already ripe for marriage.

"Age is nothing but a number. So there is nothing wrong with us getting married now. If we love each other, what prevents us from getting married even though we might still be young?"

Patrick would always be silent whenever I argued in that manner. However, I did something which on hindsight, I now consider as a mistake.

I told my mother to help me convince Patrick's mother on the need for us to settle down as soon as possible. My mum agreed and talked to Patrick's mum to put pressure on Patrick to marry me as soon as possible.

Both my parents and Patrick's parents agreed to jointly sponsor our wedding.

I heard that Patrick reluctantly agreed to heed his mother's advice, and before long, a wedding date was set. Since Patrick's parents had a house in Lagos, they decided to relocate to Lagos six weeks before the wedding to help with the preparation.

However, on the morning of our wedding day, Patrick's parents awoke to find that he had run away from home.

A search was quickly conducted and even the police were involved. But all our efforts were in vain as Patrick was nowhere to be found. It was clear that he had jilted me on our wedding day because he felt we were not yet old enough to get married.

Patrick jilted me because he felt we were not old enough to marry. Even though I had tried my best to apply pressure on him, he had only pretended to agree with me just to please his mum. Now it was clear that he wasn't going to be forced to marry me against his wish.

I am now older and wiser. I am now married to somebody else. I only found the strength to forgive Patrick after my parents talked to me and his parents begged me to forgive and forget. I have forgiven him. But I can never forget what Patrick did to me 10 years ago.

36

Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

Jilted boyfriend gets revenge by posting photo of ex-girlfriend performing sex act Love News

A

jilted lover got revenge on his ex-girlfriend by posting a photo to Facebook of her performing a sex act - and also threatened to send it to her parents.

Christopher Lees tormented his nurse ex-girlfriend after they broke up and she fell pregnant by another man.

He created a fake Facebook profile containing the image and added a message saying he would send it to her parents.

The 27-year-old, of Wilsford Close, Druids Heath, admitted a charge of harassment at Birmingham Magistrates' Court. He was sentenced to four months, suspended for a year, ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work, pay £500 compensation and £105 costs.

The judge also made an indefinite restraining order banning Lees from contacting the victim.

Deputy District Judge Miller said: 'The harassment included putting on Facebook a photo of her performing a sex act.

'The reason why this is serious is that it is grossly insulting and damaging to the victim.

'I have to think about the gravity of the offence and deterrence of others. Everybody must know if they do this they will

almost certainly risk losing their liberty.'

But the judge accepted the image had been taken down after a couple of hours, and it was unlikely it had been seen by anybody else apart from Lees and the victim.

Last October Justice Secretary Chris Grayling vowed to clamp down on revenge porn - the distribution of a private sexual image of someone without their consent and with the intention of causing them distress.

He announced it would become a criminal offence, with a maximum jail term of two years.

Photos posted to social networking sites Facebook and Twitter come under the offence, as well as those that are shared via text message.

David Palmer, prosecuting, said the defendant had been in a five-year relationship with the nurse.

Those convicted of revenge porn – the distribution of a private sexual image of someone without their consent and with the intention of causing them distress – can face two years in prison under new laws.

It has been made a specific offence, covering the sharing of images both online and offline, in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, which came into effect last month.

It means that images posted to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter will be caught by the offence, as well as those that are shared via text message.

Images shared via email, on a website or the distribution of physical copies will also be caught.

Victims of revenge porn have previously found it difficult to have pictures removed from the internet.

Many sites where the images are hosted are based outside the UK, and requests to remove content are often ignored. In some cases, asking for removal results in more attention being brought to the images.

Courtesy: Daily Mail.

Life Experience

'I'm a Harvard graduate and my partner is a high school dropout' I always imagined I would end up with a smart man. For years, I stupidly thought his intelligence would be measured by the framed degrees on his wall or how complicated his job title sounded on LinkedIn. Then Myles came along.

He didn’t even know what LinkedIn was — plus, he left high school before his eleventh year came to a close. But I’ve learned more from him than I have from any other man in my life, and he has never tried to teach me a single thing.

I’m the first person in my family to attend college, let alone graduate school. My father was a blue-collar worker who was up at 4 AM every weekday without complaint, and my mother was a devoted woman who quit her job to stay home with me.

We had enough to live comfortably, but not much more. Unlike the majority of parents in Richmond Hill, GA, mine were tremendously supportive of my education, particularly my Korean mom.

There was no place in our small Southern town for me, a nerdy, biracial girl. My peers called me hauntingly cruel names — you might have cringed when Hermione was dubbed “Mudblood” but I wept for her — and my teachers, at best, shot pitiful looks at me and made snide (and ignorant) comments about my dad “bringing a woman back from China.”

I was eager to leave and make a life for myself that would make me forget about where I came from — that started with a certain kind of education.

Over the next several years, from

Emory to Harvard, I was getting it all right academically and professionally, but behind the scenes I was a mess. I was disenchanted with the brutal competition that surrounded me, and I regularly suffered from anxiety attacks and three-day benders of binge eating. More than once I slept in the backseat of my car with a sea of empty McDonalds wrappers at my elbows.

I spent two years struggling to make a toxic relationship work with a fellow Harvard grad boyfriend.

He was exactly the kind of guy I felt like I should be with, but he insisted on keeping our relationship a secret because he was in a “visible position of leadership” — he was an actor turned Unitarian Universalist minister and founder of a progressive spiritual community, which only gave him the opportunity to spend a night with a woman who worked with him.

After my graduation from Harvard, I was exhausted. Instead of following in the footsteps of my colleagues and applying for jobs that would have made my mother proud, I decided to take a break from the rat race and attend yoga teacher training.

That’s where I met Myles, who was a senior teacher on staff. The first time I saw him, I was struck by the fullness in his eyes — there was laughter, compassion, wisdom, and even mischief.

Overall, he had a gentleness about him.

His accent was so thick I couldn’t understand his name the first few times he said it, leaving my face red with embarrassment. There was an instant attraction and a cheesy feeling like we had known each other for years.

On our first night out together, as we exchanged the obligatory personal information, he asked me what I moved to Boston for.

“I went to Harvard University for graduate school,” I said, expecting the same reaction I had gotten so many times before. He smiled, but there was no gasp or jaw drop.

“Wow, good on you,” he said, then added, “How did you like it there?”

Nobody had ever asked me that.

They would either inquire about what I studied or simply stare at me in disbelief. Strangely enough, this piece of personal information didn’t shock him — or impress him, for that matter.

“Um, I guess I liked it,” I stupidly stuttered. He gave me an all-knowing look that sent shivers down my spine, then he involuntarily chuckled.

“That’s not so convincing.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. He joined, continued on page 38

Love Songs

Kiss Daniel

Woju Na so na so na so Kiss Daniel G-Worldwide Yeh Verse 1: No be you I carry come But na you I go carry go Sisi Agbarigo eh ya Yo wey Nor be you I dey check on o But na you I wanna know know know know know Sisi Ferari o eh ya Yo wey Refrain: Very sweet Very nice Baby tu di du di du Odikwa tight (Odikwa tight) Sho’ mo pe o sexy Ma lo robo ya iro ni Otun mo pe o de wa pa O wa fe ma buga si emi Chorus: Woju o Le le le le le le le Baby ko ya woju o Le le le le le le Ko ya woju o Omo de yi le le le le le Baby ko ya woju o La la la la la la Verse 2: Nor be you I want to buy But na you I want to marry Sisi Agbarigo eh ya Yo weh Nor be you I dey give eye o But na you I want to give my life to Baby o o Refrain: Very sweet Very nice Baby tu di du di du Odikwa tight (Odikwa tight) Sho’ mo pe o sexy Ma lo robo ya iro ni Otun mo pe o de wa pa O wa fe ma buga si emi

Love Poem

Joanna Fuchs

Fool for Your Charms Every day with you gives me a thrill; All my dreams you richly fulfill.

I’m a fool for your charms; You belong in my arms; Love me; please say that you will.

*Send your love poems along with your name and number to ireto007@yahoo.com

Romantic Joke

Married to a twin

Dan married one of a pair of identical twins.

Less then a year later he was in court filing for divorce.

"Tell the court why you want a divorce," the judge said.

"Well, Your Honor," Dan started, "every once in a while my sister-in-law would come over for a visit, and because she and my wife are identical twins, sometimes I'd end up making love to her by mistake."

"Surely there must be some difference between the two women," the judge said.

"Exactly, your honor. That's why I want the divorce."

9 MAY 2015

Relationships & Love Advice Dear Love Doctor, There is this guy that I dated for some time, after which we went our separate ways. Now, he has come back proposing marriage to me. I care about him but he doesn't have money. His business is not stable. He has serious problems with his business. I’m still a student and I have several needs that require money, and he complains about not having cash if I demand for money. I’m just confused. Please what should I do?

From Judith.

‘He wants to marry me, but he doesn't have money'

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Judith, Since you say you are a student, I believe your parents are taking care of your education.

So you should try your best to manage the little resources you have, and don’t see your man as a meal ticket or as somebody who should sponsor your education.

However, true love, not money, should be the foundation of marriage. Therefore, you need to first ask yourself if you actually love this guy, before thinking of his business. If you actually love him, there is nothing wrong in agreeing to marry him. But because his business isn’t stable at the moment, you can give him time to stabilize his business and organize his affairs before the marriage, so that everything would work well.

Blackberry Connection Nkechi, 29, from PH, a graduate and beautiful, wants a man of 32 to 35 years for a relationship that will lead to marriage.

He must be a Christian and working or businessman in the East. BB pin: 293AE0D5.

• Connect with Mike on WhatsApp or BlackBerry Pin: 7ab29e22 or 21978F71 for details on how to send your BlackBerry or Smartphone Connect request.

• Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 to link up and for direct hookup.

Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

H♥♥K UP...find your heart’s desire Women SEEKING relationship/ marriage

MEN LOOKING FOR RELATIONSHIP/ MARRIAGE

♥ Tosin, 43, from Kwara, a Christian, works, 6ft, AA genotype, needs a man between 44-50 years for marriage. 08137398286.

♥ Sani, 49, from Bauchi, needs a responsible, working or business woman of 25-55 years from any part of Nigeria; Muslim or Christian.

08021365991.

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♥ Cyril, 43, from Adamawa, based in Abuja, needs a responsible Christian or Muslim woman for marriage. 09026554435.

♥ Uchechi, 35, a graduate, tall, fair, from lmo, in PH, needs an evangelist or God fearing Igbo man for marriage. 08052366993. ♥ A lady, 34, single mother of two, business woman, needs a mature man of 50-55 years for marriage. 08134634943. ♥ Precious, 25, from Imo, sexy, pretty, needs a man above 30 years for intimate relationship and care. 08170325210.

A girl whose number is 09098192687, is asking

Odd News

Woman seeks rescue from boyfriend in online pizza order

A

von Park, Fla. (AP) — A central Florida woman helped save herself and her children by sending a message in an online pizza order that asked employees to call 911 because she was being held hostage.

The Avon Park Pizza Hut employees spotted what Cheryl Treadway wrote in the comment section of her online order. Employees recognized Treadway as a regular customer and called the sheriff's office.

Highlands County Sheriff's deputies went to the home, where they were greeted by Treadway, who was carrying a small child. She told them her boyfriend, Ethan Nickerson, 26, was inside the home, armed with a knife. Her other two children were also inside.

Treadway and the child were escorted to safety.

WFLA-TV reports Lt. Curtis Ludden started talking to Nickerson through a closed door.

"His first words were, of course, 'I'm not coming out because I know I'm going to jail,'" Ludden told the TV station.

It took about 20 minutes for Ludden to talk Nickerson into coming out peacefully. The children were not harmed.

According to an arrest report, the couple had been arguing throughout the day, as Nickerson carried a knife.

When Treadway started to leave to pick up her children from school, Nickerson grabbed her and took her phone away.

He went with her to the school.

Deputies say she eventually talked Nickerson into letting her use her phone to order a pizza. But immediately after sending the request, Nickerson took the phone back.

Nickerson was arrested and now faces multiple charges including aggravated assault with a weapon without intent to kill, battery and false imprisonment. He remained in the Highlands County Jail on Wednesday and bond has been set at $45,000. Jail records didn't indicate whether he has hired an attorney.

Authorities credit Treadway's quick-thinking and the fast response by deputies for a peaceful conclusion.

"I don't know if I would have thought of it," Ludden said of the message in the pizza order.

"I mean it's just something she did so naturally. The boyfriend never knew about it until he saw us coming around the corner."

The cry for help was also a first for Pizza Hut manager Candy Hamilton.

Courtesy: Daily Mail

Wedding Traditions

♥ Emmy needs a loving person in Lagos as his online business partner. Text 0704 510 6540 or 08131161840. ♥ Uche, 32, HIV positive, from Abia, wants a very fair, pretty, slim, working girl of 18-24 years who works with any federal establishment. +234 8107968407. ♥ Kingsley, 36, businessman from Anambra, living in Edo, needs a God fearing working or business lady of 23 to 34 years for marriage.

08039318878.

Lovers’ Answers Game: The rule: Ask the opposite sex one question about love, and choose your lover from the top 3 answers.

37

all men: "Why do some men want to marry virgins, and who will marry those girls they deflowered?" *Call Mike: 07031028714 to send questions or issues.

13 gold pieces as a pledge of groom's dedication: Philippines

T

raditionally in the Philippines, the groom’s family pays for the wedding and the grandparents act as the primary witnesses or sponsors. The bride’s gown is often custom made and both the bride and groom wear white. It is bad luck for the bride to try on her dress before the wedding day and to wear pearl jewelry, which is considered a bad omen. The groom wears a sheer, long-sleeve button-up shirt (barong tagalog) that is worn un-tucked over black pants with a white t-shirt un-

derneath.

As in Spanish weddings, the groom presents his bride with 13 gold pieces as a pledge of his dedication to his wife and the welfare of his children.

These are carried in by a coin bearer who walks with the ring bearer. A white cord is draped around the couple’s shoulders as a bond of infinite marriage and veils of white tulle are draped on the bride’s head and groom’s shoulders to symbolize two people clothed as one.

Courtesy: Irish Central.

38

Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

True Story

‘I took my cheating husband’s hair'

M

y husband Richard and I had been married for seven years and I thought we were reasonably happy. I won't say we hadn't experienced our fair share of rocky patches but then who doesn't?

I was first attracted to Richard because of his dark good looks, his charisma and his silver tongue. He had slick black hair and fierce blue eyes, a perfect jaw line and broad shoulders.

His real talent though was that he made me feel beautiful and downright sexy; in a room full of stunning women he could make me feel as though I was the most desirable woman on earth. I was painfully aware from day one that these were qualities not completely lost on other women.

Wherever we would go I would see the looks. Ladies not only looking Richard up and down but sizing me up as well. I could almost hear them thinking 'What is SHE doing with HIM?' I'm not classically attractive but I have some good attributes I believe. I'm not tall but I'm curvy in the right places.

I'm not a blonde but I have a natural curl to my auburn hair. I don't have blue eyes but Richard has always told me that my brown eyes are very soulful.

I don't hate myself but like most other women - in fact most other people - there are days when I really would love the power to make my derriere smaller or add a foot or two to my height.

I'm keenly aware that there are some gorgeous women out there and that some of those gorgeous women have occasionally caught my husband's eye. Call me naive but I honestly thought that this was as far as it ever went.

That was until the awful day when Richard left his mobile phone at home...

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 6

and soon enough we were roaring like two idiots. The truth quickly came out — I was so grateful for my time there, so proud of what I accomplished, and I learned more than I ever thought I could, but it was an extremely stressful period that robbed me of my health and happiness. He listened with such open ears it brought me to tears.

It was an honest conversation I had been bursting to have with someone.

A week later, he was on a plane back to Byron Bay, and two months later, I was selling all my belongings in Boston and moving to Australia to be with a man I barely knew. And to teach yoga, which is what I told my less than ecstatic parents. It was the most rash, irresponsible decision I have ever made.

I arrived with just $220 USD in my pocket. It was the first day of 2014, and I was forced to adjust from a New England blizzard to one of the hottest recorded days in Australian summers. (Turns out, that’s not so hard.) Myles welcomed me at the airport

I was just on my way out when I heard the familiar ring tone - the 1812 overture, what does that tell you? I found the mobile still on the coffee table, it was Richard calling from the office. He asked if I could drop the phone off to him on my way to work.

It wasn't a problem.

I hung up and that's when that little voice spoke to me. The one that says, "Go on...you know you want to". I hesitated only momentarily. I told myself that I trusted Richard but I had to see.

I opened his message inbox and scrolled down. I was almost at the end and starting to feel very tacky when my eyes locked onto the second last message. It was titled 'Tonight...can't wait!' The sender was 'Annie'.

My head spun and my vision blurred for a moment. I opened the message. The words almost didn't make sense, I had to re-read them several times before I could actually comprehend what was going on.

Something about meeting that night for drinks and then "well...we'll see".

I felt nauseated. It was so brazen.

I checked the top of the message, it was dated two weeks earlier. My mind raced; two weeks, two weeks!

Yes, there was a dinner, a work dinner.

Richard had said - oh God - Richard had said that partners weren't allowed. I thought it was strange but I thought we trusted each other.

Richard is an engineer so long hours are par for the course. We even used to joke about him 'working late', as though the idea of him cheating was so very ludicrous that we could make cliched jokes about it.

I wanted to smash his stupid phone against the wall but suddenly an eerie calm washed over me. I can't explain it.

I drove to his building and delivered his phone as promised. I was just about to turn and head for the

elevator when he called out, "I'll be uh..you know...'working late' tonight again honey" and then he laughed a very dry laugh.

I didn't acknowledge him. I veritably shook with rage as I headed for my car. I numbly made it through my day and I literally crashed into the lounge as soon as I got home.

Later, I opened a bottle of red and chewed my way through three quarters whilst barely watching some TV show about vampires when it struck me.

Richard used to boast about his 'glorious head of hair'. He would proudly tell me that all of his family were gifted with the 'hair of the Gods' and that he felt really sad for all the 'baldies' out there.

I thought it was all tongue in cheek but now that I know what I know I actually think he was serious. He used to slick his black locks back most days with Bryl Cream. He would make it this big part of his morning routine and he would barely grunt dare I talk to him during this daily coiffing ritual.

I headed for his vanity drawer and pulled out his beloved hair product. It all came to me in a flash of inspiration - oh how glorious. I scooped out the hair cream into the toilet and flushed it away forever. I then pulled out some of my hair removal cream from my drawer and replaced every ounce of it.

I slept barely a wink that night and when Richard crept in after one a.m. I actually smiled. At six fifty (after three goes at the snooze button), I tried

not to look as my cheating husband smoothed hair removal cream into the 'hair of the Gods'.

We sat down to eat breakfast and I asked a few coy questions about how his night had been. He looked me straight in the eyes and told me how hard he'd been working!

That's when it happened. He started scratching at first. 'What's wrong sweetheart?' I enquired sweetly. 'I'm not sure' he said distractedly as he scratched more anxiously now. 'My scalp is itchy...burning' he spat before running to the bathroom. I followed.

'Quick wash your head' I cried and Richard threw his head under the shower and blasted himself with hot water by accident, screaming all the while. I stifled a snigger. He then ran his fingers all through his painful locks (I have to say that the hair removal cream I use is not the polite formula that eases hair off, it's the industrial strength stuff).

As he inspected his hair and scalp, great wads of hair came out in his fingers. I'll never forget the look on that man's face as his pride and joy fell to pieces in the bathroom mirror.

We have naturally divorced since I'm sure 'Annie' was none too amused now that Richard had joined the 'baldies' that he'd once pitied.

Whenever I have a bad day I think about the hair cream incident and I smile a wicked little smile. Cheating is a horrid bitter thing but revenge is so sweet.

'I'm a Harvard graduate and my partner is a high school dropout' wearing a white T-shirt and a wide grin.

That night, we spent three hours at dinner chatting about our interests and the injustice of the American criminal justice system, which he knew a scary amount about. We shared our experiences of being teased incessantly as children — his mixed heritage and short stature landed him in one too many fights — but while my voice was full of bitterness, he had clearly already reached a place of forgiveness.

“I’ve realized it’s just a waste of time hating people who were horrible to me. What good does that do?” He said calmly, swishing around the remainder of Cabernet Sauvignon in his glass.

As he introduced me to all his friends and family during the next few months, I noticed how comfortable he was with the silences that usually make others squeamishly anxious. He was giving; yet he wasn’t a pushover. He lent money to buddies in need and he rushed to help

his friends if they were overwhelmed with their kids.

I began teaching yoga at the same studio where Myles had been working for a few years.

Men and women alike told me that he had made a difference in their lives, not only by instructing them in the yoga room but also by being a mentor in how to live a peaceful, healthy life.

He was an articulate and humble instructor, a role he had spent 10 years perfecting around the world.

One lazy afternoon as we basked in the sun on the shores of Seven Mile Beach, he nonchalantly mentioned that he dropped out of high school when he was only 17.

“I hated school. So I never went back,” he said, not in the slightest bit embarrassed.

“Really?” I was shocked, “Didn’t your parents care?”

“No,” he smirked, “they weren’t even together so they didn’t give a shit. Plus, all my friends were dropping out too.”

“But… you’re smart,” I said.

And I meant it. He shrugged.

“Only because I’ve learned so much from seeing the world.”

Since then, he has reminded me daily through his actions that consciousness and knowledge aren’t necessarily bought within the walls of a university. He has taught me that my academic achievements mean nothing if I can’t find it in myself to treat others with respect, including and especially those who have wronged me. Using my education to make myself seem important was putting me further into isolation.

The winter holidays of 2014 marked the first time I was proud of the man I was bringing home to meet my parents. I didn’t care about his status or how important his career sounded. I was confident that his humor and heartfelt personality would win them over — and I was right.

I was inspired by his generosity to revisit my hometown with an open heart. All the anger that

had built up over the years was only wearing on me, and I was ready to let it go. I reconnected with people from my high school. I visited with the few friends who were kind to me when nobody else was. There was no more parading around my so-called accomplishments, which immediately forced me to be real, to be human.

All the small, gradual changes I made in my life since I’ve been with Myles have come back in twofold. I'm happier than I've ever been, emotionally and physically. I'm still working on letting my anger and pride go, which will be a lifelong process, but I feel lucky to have someone by my side who reminds me to be patient, to laugh at myself in moments of heightened seriousness.

Does he still get "to" and "too" mixed up? Yep, much more than he should. But thankfully I couldn't care less.

Courtesy: xo.com

SATURDAY

Travel &Tourism SATURDAY 9 MAY 2015

39

Travel Personality

Muyiwa Salami: The Nigerian travel industry is comatose p.40

Hospitality

The Moorhouse Ikoyi: Away from prying eyes p.41

Apple

Cereal

Banana

Bedtime snacks for your delight CHEF'S CORNER

Destination

Six nights in Addis Ababa and a race against time p.42

Eating healthy is the global trend with dieticians and other researchers insisting on the right combination of menu set and at the appropriate time. ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA outlines some of the best bedtime snacks for a trendy you.

N

ot many people consider snacks as part of meal and the trend is that people snack at all time and without necessarily paying attention to the combination snacks. This habit, dieticians and other scientists say is not ideal enough in this era of eating healthy. They advice that care must be taken when it comes to snacks, especially bedtime snack as it has the potential to either make you maintain the right body weight or obese.

When it comes to snacking within an hour or two of your bedtime, there are few things to consider: First, research does link late-night calories to the potential for weight gain. One study found

Carrots

that eating right before turning in can make your snooze time more restless, and that sets you up for fatigue the next day. Also, latenight noshing tends to be associated with stress eating, which leads to overindulging in high-fat comfort calories.

On the other hand, trying to catch sleep when your stomach is making scary growling sounds isn't a smart idea, either.

Your sleep quality will suffer, and you'll feel tired and famished in the morning – both of which can lead you to overdo it and mess up your healthy-eating plans.

For a perfect you, try out any of

these low-calorie, sleep-inducing snacks that won't have you wake up feeling bloated: Non-fat chocolate pudding cup: The creamy chocolate pudding goes down easy, but it doesn't contain the fat that can sit in your belly like a rock all night.

One single-serve pack racks up about 90 calories.

Two Slices of white-meat turkey: Turkey is loaded with sleep-inducing tryptophan and low-fat, high-quality protein. A few slices won't run you more than 100 calories.

Baby carrots: Super-nutritious with lots of crunch, these little or-

ange will fill you up long enough so you doze off. And all for four fat-free calories per carrot.

An Apple with a spoonful of peanut butter: Apples have lots of fiber and a satisfying crunch. The protein in the peanut or almond butter also fills you up without feeling heavy in your stomach.

String cheese: Although it is processed but one serving of this snack contains filling protein and fat, so you feel satiated—and it only packs about 80 calories.

Cheese also packs the amino acid tryptophan, which may help make you drowsy.

A banana: Not only are bananas loaded with satiating fiber and relaxing tryptophan (for only about 100 calories each), but they're the perfect late-night nosh.

A Bowl of cereal: It is about the whole-grain, complex carb kind (oatmeal or corn or bran flakes) that's easy to digest and gives you 200 calories or less per bowl. Pour in a little milk for extra tryptophan and protein. For about 100 to 150 calories, you get the relaxing powers of tryptophan from the dairy, as well as satisfying protein. Plus, yogurt can help calm your stomach, so you're less likely to wake up with heartburn or indigestion. *Recommended by Philadelphiabased nutritionist, Janet Brill, Ph.D., R.D., author of Blood Pressure Down.

TRAVEL BEATS Emirates, South African Tourism sign marketing deal Dubai targets 20 million tourists by 2020

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Emirates has signed a joint marketing deal with the South African Tourism (SAT), the marketing agency of South Africa, which is aimed at growing the number of visitors from the Middle East to South Africa.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed by the South African Tourism chief executive officer, Thulani Nzima, and Emirates' senior vice president, Commercial Operations for Latin America,

Southern and Central Africa, Orhan Abbas, during their talk at the Arabian Travel Market 2015, which held in Dubai. The South African Minister of Tourism, His Honourable Mr Derek Hanekom, who is attending the travel market, was also present at the signing ceremony.

The agreement extends until 31 May 2016, and provides a framework under which Emirates and South African Tourism will work

together and explore various marketing initiatives aimed at promoting South Africa in various regions in the Middle East which will be identified by the two parties.

The deal will see marketing activities such as attendance of tourism trade shows and fairs, trade familiarisation trips, product presentations and workshops, amongst others, be undertaken to achieve the parties’ objectives.

Dubai has announced that its sight is on attracting at least 20 million tourists by 2020 to the emirate. This was disclosed by the chief executive officer of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), Issam Abdul Rahim Kazim.

Kazzin made the revelation at the Arabian Travel Market held recently in Dubai where it was disclosed that China is the biggest source market for the emirate with countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are also among the other major source markets.

In 2014, 13.2 million visitors was

recorded by Dubai. The number of Chinese tourists surged by 25 percent year on year, Kazim said.

Commenting on a gradual comeback of Egypt's tourism, Kazim said Dubai does not take Egypt as a competitor in the tourism sector as the two offers tourists different kinds of travel and leisure products and services.

Dubai stands for beach holidays, family entertainment, shopping, leisure and business, he added.

He also said that The World Expo 2020 in Dubai, the first Arab city ever to host the world-famed event, will be a major boost to the emirate's growing tourist markets.

40

Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

Muyiwa Salami: The Nigerian travel industry is comatose Muyiwa Salami, managing director of Dvine Travels and Tours Limited, Ibadan, speaks with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA on life as a travel agent and tour operator spanning over a decade and the state of the Nigeria travel industry.

D

Company’s profile vine Travels and Tours Limited, an Ibadan-based travel outfit is a one-stop shop, offering travel services for individuals, families and corporate bodies, ranging from tour packages, ticketing, travel management and advisory, airline services, hotel accommodation, visa procurement to transport services.

Passion for travel Muyiwa Salami has always had passion for travelling. It was that burning desire to see the world, which led him to the world of travel and eventually became business for him. As he grew up learning the rudiments of travelling business, he, therefore, decided to spend the rest of his life in not only furthering his passion but sharing his world with others.

“I wouldn’t say I was inspired to go into the business, rather, I would say the passion and interest I had in travelling were the two major forces that propelled me into the business,” he says, revealing that the decision to go into the business was a well thought out process.

“I didn’t just get into the business by accident as it is what I was cut out to do from the beginning. I learnt the ticketing aspect, the risks and everything that has to do with the business from the masters,” says Salami.

Truly he learnt the trade from the masters of the craft as he has over the years grown into his own as a passionate lover and promoter of the travel business. Today, his company, Dvine Travels and Tours Limited, is one of the leading travel companies in Nigeria and a reference point for many because of the successes and accolades that it has garnered over the years.

A committed professional More importantly, Salami who is the driving force behind the company has also proved himself as a dedicated and forthright promoter of travel as well as an advocate for the Nigeria travel industry. His company is a member of both the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) and the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) among others.

He is the vice president of NANTA's Western zone and South West, NATOP, positions which he earned by dint of his contributions, hard work, belief, commitment and outspoken nature as well as uncanny drive in the promotion of Nigeria tourism both within and outside the country.

His commitment and belief in the promotion of the Nigeria travel industry is such that Salami hardly spares any resources in flying the flag of Nigeria at international forums, especially at travel and tourism trade shows across the world.

Name it, from the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, ITB Berlin, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) to FITUR and many more. He is there and in most cases his company would be the only travel firm from Nigeria.

Yet, he is not discouraged by the fact that he is a lone ranger in most of these international trade shows and the fact that the government doesn’t seem to recognise his efforts and commitment. He takes it in his strides.

He puts it to his commitment and the fact that he is not doing it to be recognised by either the government or people but rather to ensure that people all over the world, especially, the professionals and travel and tourism stakeholders know that Nigeria tourism is well and alive.

And the fact that he gets the needed exposure, knowledge and information, is for him very crucial to his development and that of his company.

Today, Salami ranks as one of the top rated professionals in the country who are adept, professionally sound and knowledgeable about the trade.

He is not the loud mouthed expert that you see all over the place, very self-effacing, calm and calculated as well as very efficient and effective, rising to the occasion whenever the need arises. He has grown to earn the respect and honour of his ever increasing clients because of his professional disposition to them and the customer care that his company offers and the recognition of his professional colleagues for his cerebral nature and commitment to the industry and business of travel.

To be the best ever “My dream has always been to be the best in the country and a shining example to others. That is why we strive hard at Dvine Travels and Tours to give our numerous clients the best services we can ever render,” he reveals of his vision. Hence he is virtually everywhere trying to sell his services and promote the country’s tourism industry.

Besides, he looks to owning an airline business in the future, saying, “I also see us having Dvine Aviation Services in the future while I’m not ruling out the aspect of going fully into airline business.”

Staying atop The experience of operating as both travel agent and tour operator, he says, has been a mixed one but interesting as well. “It has been a mixed one,” he says, describing the journey as not too smooth but something to behold.

He adds, “It is normal in business as you don’t expect the road to be smooth always. There have been ups and downs but to the glory of God, we’re still in business and doing excellently well. In this kind of business,

which is seasonal, only the company with good knowledge and versatility in the industry can survive.”

All attention is focused on the oil sector and that is the reason the industry is still not where it is supposed to be

No strong government policy The Nigerian environment, Salami says, has been a tough one with array of challenges. Top on the list, according to him, is the lack of government policy and guideline for the business.

“The challenges are enormous and tasking. There’s no government strong policy to support our efforts, we’re the one striving hard to make an impact, there’s no government policy to regulate the industry.

“For several years I remain the only travel and tour agent exhibiting at the Nigeria business stand at the World Travel Market in London every year, the same goes for ITB Berlin. I pay so much to Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) to exhibit under the Nigeria stand at these events.”

The industry is yet untapped Nigeria travel and tourism industry, he says, is worth billions of naira but laments the fact that the industry is untapped hence the nation and even the practitioners are not making anything out of it. “The industry is worth several billions if properly tapped,” he laments.

“It is a better alternative to the

oil industry if properly tapped; the industry can sustain our economy.

The Nigeria travel industry is in comatose, as the industry is not given the deserved attention. All attention is focused on the oil sector and that is the reason the industry is still not where it is supposed to be today,” he adds.

Knocks for the government The NANTA vice president blames the government for neglecting the industry, a factor, he says, is responsible for the poor state of the country’s domestic tourism. “How many tourist sites have the government backing? He queries.

“Have you come across any advert in the newspapers or electronic media where certain tourist sites are promoted by the government?

I think it’s high time the government agreed that our domestic tourist sites can generate as much income as the Niger Delta oil. Do you know how much is being generated at Osun Osogbo Cultural Festival annually? There’s a tourist site in Atlanta called Stone Mountain, the government generates a lot of money from that Stone Mountain but with the Ikogosi Warm Spring what do we have?

“It’s simply hard and unprofitable to promote domestic tourism,” he concludes.

Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

HOSPITALITY

HOSPITALITY BITS African Business Travel Association Forum for May 21 in Nigeria

The Moorhouse Ikoyi Away from prying eyes

The African Business Travel Association corporate travel management forum is bill to hold in Nigeria at The Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, on May 21.

The half-day main focus is entitled, "Delivering on Customer requirements in an everchanging Corporate Travel environment" with sessions in areas such as: - What Customers want from their TMC's and Suppliers in a changing business travel environment - The impact of plummeting fuel prices on the local business travel industry - Industry adaptability for continued sustainability - An update on airline commission cuts and the subsequent newly emerging business models.

It is open to all ABTA members and all local business travel professionals in senior management positions and travel and tourism trade professionals based outside of Nigeria with interest in industry trends, challenges and opportunities in the region.

The Moorhouse Ikoyi has a splendid array of facilities boasting customer friendly services, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNBOWA.

T

he Moorhouse Ikoyi is tucked away in the serene end of Ikoyi – Bankole Oki Road, a shouting distance from the ever busy Ikoyi Club. It comes with its own attractions, part of which is the calming and soothing effect, which the hotel’s environment has on you.

In there you get the feeling of being closeted in a peaceful cocoon.

Locked safely away from prying eye and serenaded by its many pleasures and colourful appeal, the home beckons you to come explore to your fill its diverse offerings.

The hospitality outfit caters to the high end market and those with a discerning taste seeking for a blend of comfort delivered by professionally trained hands whose core mandate is treating guests to satisfactory services.

Ethiopian Airlines commences flight to Tokyo

One of the rooms

Rooms It offers 94 rooms, all furnished and fitted with the best luxury for the comfort and relaxation of guests.

The categories of rooms include Superior, Luxury and Executive suite, with such amenities as king size bed, flat screen, tea/coffee facilities, expresso machine, bathroom and extra shower, complimentary wi-fi, a minibar and free ironing service.

Families or groups would also find the rooms well suited for their communal use as there are connecting rooms to accommodate them.

fet and a la carte are on the hotel’s bill while the M Bar offers guests a relaxing and peaceful alcove with choice wine, champagne, beverages and cocktails of different tastes and classes.

Dining/Wining The hotel’s Laquarelle Restaurant and M Bar are a diner's delight with colourful and exotic scenery. Both continental and African dishes are served with rich blend taste. Buf-

Conference Conference and event planners can also look to the hotel for hosting of different events as it offers tastefully furnished meeting rooms of different sizes.

The swimming pool area

The meeting room

Leisure It offers some kind of upscale leisure and entertainment packages for its guests during weekends and holidays, taking into account the tastes and needs of its mixed class of guests.

It has an outdoor swimming pool with inviting sit–out area to unwind and savour some cocktails while its fitness centre boasts an array of facilities for guests to enjoy work out sessions and other keep fit routines as well as massage.

Ethiopian Airlines has commenced flight to Tokyo, flying into Tokyo Narita International Airport in its codeshare partnership with Star Alliance member, All Nippon Airways, Japan’s leading airline.

The thrice weekly flight, which started last month, is the only direct connection between Africa and Japan, and will be operated through Hong Kong with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The chief executive officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group, Ato Tewolde Gebremariam, described the new services as part of the airlines' dedication to offering the best service ever to its global clients: "As the only direct service between Africa and Japan, our flights to Narita will give our customers the best possible connectivity options and will play a critical role in enabling greater people-to-people, investment, trade and tourism ties between a rising Africa, the second fastest growing region in the world, and a highly industrialised Japan, the third largest economy in the world."

Tokyo is one of the world’s most populous metropolis and serves as Japan’s political, economic and cultural hub. Japan is the world’s third largest economy and one of the main financial and economic centres with growing investment, trade and tourism ties with Africa.

NEW TELEGRAPH PARTNER HOTELS B E N E F I TS There are lots of benefits to derive as one of our partner hotels. For enquiries and details on how to join the programme, please contact Andrew Iro Okungbowa: 08023152195 (sms only), e-mail: iroandy@ymail.com or Chinyere Opara: 08063768131 (sms only) e-mail angela_ curtis-2@live.com

41

ABA

FESTAC, LAGOS

LAGOS

REE DANIELS HOTEL AND SUITES

ABA

Panda Hotel Suites & Lounge

42 Travel & Tourism DESTINATION

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

Six nights in Addis Ababa

Entrance to the African Union building, Addis Ababa

Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa, with its hospitable people, rich culture, attractive outlook and enchanting architectural appeal, offers simmering attractions, writes CHARLES OGUNDIYA who was at the city to cover the recent African Junior Athletics Championship.

T

Departing Lagos his was not the first time I was flying with Ethiopian Airlines but the experience on this particular trip was quite different, almost turning out to be a nasty one. I had arrived the departure hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, early on this fateful day for departure formalities to avoid the heavy traffic that is associated with the airport.

But my excitement would soon wane the moment I presented my tickets and other travel documents to the official at the Ethiopian Airlines' check–in counter, as I was informed by the officer I could not be checked in for the flight due to the class of ticket I had. This was surprising given that the complimentary ticket was issued by the airline.

It took several meetings and calls to some officials of the airlines and others before reprieve came as I was issued a temporary boarding pass with the promise of being issued with the proper boarding pass at the departure point.

Relieved, I made for the immigration point only to run into another brick wall as the immigration officer refused to allow me through and requested to see the official who issued the temporary boarding pass. Frantically I raced to Ethiopian Airlines counter with another soul tale and after much pleading, at this time, the clock was ticking away, one of the airline’s officials reluctantly agreed to come along with me to see the immigration officer.

After the explanation by the airline’s official I was waved on and literarily had to engage in a race of my life to the aircraft as I was apparently the only passenger left on the ground as others had long checked in with departure formalities almost concluded. Panting and unsettled, I quickly kept my hand luggage in the overhead compartment and hurriedly eased into my seat.

I could have missed the flight really barring the fact I had to part with some cash, a sad reminder of the underhand dealings at the airport right from the airlines check-in counter through the immigration point with all sorts of uniformed men pretending to check out your profile or conduct body search on you. But it is just a subtle message that you could be spared the trouble if you showed some appreciation.

Catching my breath and regaining my composure, I began to feel and look around as the cabin crew carried on with their duties. It was only then I discovered that I was seated next to a colleague, Yemi Olus of the Making of Champion (online media outfit) who was also on the same mission as I. After exchanging pleasantries, we delved into every topic that caught our fancy as we tried to catch up on old times. At interval our minds drifted back to the trip, what awaits us at Addis Ababa and the athletics championship that we were attending: The 12th edition of African Junior Athletics Championship.

We spoke glowingly about Addis

A sky-view shot of Addis Ababa

Ababa and its many imposing structures, with the headquarters of the African Union taking a central place and we spoke about visiting the building which has bestowed on the city the title of "the political capital city of Africa". during the course of our stay. We also spoke of the people, their cuisine and culture, among others.

Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa The flight was a smooth and comfortable one with the cabin crew pandering to the needs of the passengers as much as they could meet. Arriving Bole International Airport, the hub of Ethiopian Airlines, one was shocked and of course, impressed by the number of aircrafts on the fleet of the airline. It reminded one of the good old days of

the defunct Nigeria Airways.

It was a sad moment but one had to put that memory out of the way fast enough and feel the atmosphere and enjoy the unfolding scenery as we made our way to the immigration point. The formalities went on smoothly, starting from the Ebola check, which has become routine across various airports in Africa, to the point where I applied for and got my visa on arrival.

I was also greeted by somewhat surprising and interesting scenery at the currency exchange counter where I went to exchange some of my dollars for the local currency, Ethiopian birr. Back home in Nigeria a dollar exchanged for N228 while a dollar in Addis Ababa was exchanged for 20 Ethiopian birr. I was surprised to discover how strong the local currency was.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

Travel & Tourism 43

and a race against time Done with all the formalities, we approached a security official on how to get to our hotel, Edna Addis. He gave us a direction and told us what to do and in fact directed us to join the other passengers queuing up at the car park for buses that are designated to transport passengers to their different hotels. Also, he told us to tip the bus drive once we get to our hotel.

Well, this was something that we are already familiar with.

The food After checking into my room, I walked down to the restaurant for a late dinner and was pleasantly surprised to discover what was on the menu list. I recalled that one’s reaction went thus: ‘‘Wow, so much leafy stuff.’’ Eventually, I settled for something that I sounded nice to me - Chicken Kebab with rice.

But I was disappointed when I saw the food, full of leafy vegetable. Interestingly, this became my daily meal during my sixday stay in the city.

Addis Ababa I woke up as early as 6am (4am in Nigeria) the following morning. The weather was quite cold and I decided to take a hot shower. After breakfast of bread and juice, my colleague and I decided to go for our accreditation before the first event of the day at the stadium.

We approached the hotel’s receptionist for direction and guide on how to access the stadium. He quickly arranged a taxi cab to take us to the accreditation centre and when the taxi arrived, I had to try hard not to laugh. It was a rickety old model Lada taxi which the driver had to push the car to start. It appears that here the older the taxi, the better.

The centre for the accreditation was the Ethiopian Youth Sports Academy, a massive facility built on 24 hectares of land.

This was one of the many facilities put in place by the government of the country to help cushion the economic effect on the common man on the street of Addis.

According to one of the country‘s rising stars, Warkanesh Berhanu, the academy is welcome in a country where many elite athletes are forced to train themselves as the country lack adequate professional facilities.

The structures that populate most of the streets are skyscrapers which serve as residential buildings for the indigenes to enjoy compare to my country where accommodation is a big issue for the citizens.

The cab driver who has become our official tour guide informed us that the welfare of the citizens is paramount to the government of the country.

Accreditation glitches We had planned on spending less than 30 minutes at the accreditation centre, but how wrong we were in our estimation as the situation we met on ground totally was a chaotic one due to the shoddy arrangement by the organisers. To begin with, the volunteers attending to athletes and officials were unable to locate the pictures and details sent days earlier by my colleague and myself for accreditation hence the need to start the process all over again.

After taking pictures and writing down our details again, the computer suddenly pack off as it was attacked by virus while an engineer was called in. This took a while to get back to life and for us to complete the accreditation process. It however took the intervention of the head of communication of the competition, Dagmawit Amare, for things to return to normal.

But we were relieved to discover later that the events scheduled for the afternoon session were postponed to the eve-

Chicken kebab with rice

ning. Given the long hours it took us to get through the accreditation process, we never gave it a thought that the cab driver could be waiting for us around the corner. In any case, we had paid him his fare the moment he dropped us off.

But it turned out that we were wrong; turning the corner, there he was patiently waiting beside the cab for us. What a good soul he is as he later told us that he had to wait for us because he knew that we would find it difficult getting back to the hotel as visitors who are not familiar with the terrain. He was also magnanimous enough to accept what we were able to offer as fare for his long wait.

Competition proper Team Nigeria gave us enough to cheer about with their performance at the competition but it was sad I couldn't visit so many places of interest in the city. The locals rejoiced with Team Nigeria, praising the level of performance of the athletes and rising to celebrate whenever a Nigerian athlete was competing.

It is noteworthy to say some top Nigerian hit songs were played during the event and the locals sang along with other athletes from other countries.

An encounter with hoodlums Away from the comfort of the hotel and the stadium, the secretary of the

Airplanes in the fleet of Ethiopian Airlines at the Bole International airport

Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Olumide Bamiduro and I decided to feel the city by taking a stroll. It turned out to be a bad decision on our part as we were almost mugged in broad day light by two of the local miscreants.

But we were saved by our alertness and natural instinct as the miscreants discovering that we were wise to their intrigues and devices quickly backed down and headed to a different direction to our relief.

some sensitive sections within the building, which on a normal visit, we would not have the privilege of accessing.

On our way back, we visited a market called Nigeria Street where we bought some souvenirs and other items.

Although we failed to make the send forth party organised for all participants due to tiredness and the need to wake up early the next day for our trip back to Nigeria, the trip was enjoyable and memorable.

African Union building The dream of visiting the African Union building was almost a mirage as one was told that security checks at the building is on the red alert and visitors with no serious business are not easily allowed. However, on a Sunday prior to our departure for Nigeria, the technical director of the AFN, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, decided to lead us to the place.

We made the trip to the building in style as Nesisama put a call to the military attaché to AU, who sent his driver to pick us. We did not only visit the place alone, but we were able to visit

Hard to say goodbye It was an emotional night when we all have to say goodbye to the people in the hotel, athletes from other African countries and especially my roommate, Hidee Egbers, a Dutch, who was one of the coaches with Team Nigeria.

Row of shops at a local market on Nigeria Street, Addis Ababa.

Journey back home The trip back home was sweet. This time around, I had no issue checking in at the airport and without much delay we boarded the plane back home. However, I look forward to a repeat visit to Addis Ababa but this time a leisure visit and not official one.

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

SATURDAY, 9 MAY, 2015

SATURDAY

Politics COVER 45

Cover

Can there be a resurgence for PDP? p.47

Personal Finance Adherence to rules, key to success in stock investing p.48

ADAMU MU'AZU

A CHAIRMAN'S HEADACHE

Features

Nigerian prostitutes ply their trade in Italian forest p.50

“Anyone who has lost something they thought was theirs forever, finally comes to realise that nothing really belongs to them.” ― Paulo Coelho Onwuka Nzeshi Prologue For 16 years, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has held sway in Nigeria. The party which regards itself as Africa's largest political platform on account of being the dominant political party in the continent's most populous nation had once boasted that it would remain in power for at least 60 years.

The party had at that time won the presidential race back to back and had assumed that it would remain the party to beat in every future election. Its confidence was based on its assessment of the political environment. It had in its fold, the high and mighty; wealthy and influential from across the country.

At the peak of its reign, it had no viable rival as the motley crowd of political parties in the opposition camp were too feeble to challenge the ruling party in any electoral contest.

Then came the historic decision of three opposition parties namely, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to fuse into one. The merger gave birth to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and that marked the beginning of the decline of a once mighty political empire.

In the build up to the 2015 general elections, there were as many as 14 political parties in the race, but it was obviously a straight fight between the PDP and APC. The keenly contested election eventually produced Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the APC as winner and has put paid to the dreams of the PDP to remain in power for six decades.

The agony of defeat Since the results of the February 28 presidential elections were announced and Buhari declared winner, the PDP has been in a state of confusion.

President Goodluck Jonathan, the leader of the party seized the moment to display uncommon statesmanship when he conceded defeat and congratulated Buhari on his victory. The party first took the loss soberly as though it were a bad dream whose memory would fade away soon. But as the days rolled by it became clear that the big masquerade must quit the stage for another to perform. As Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian lyricist and novelist once said: "Anyone who has lost something they thought was theirs forever, finally comes to realise that nothing really belongs to them.”

The PDP has suddenly realised that power is transient and that today's ruling party could become tomorrow's opposition party. Members of the party who have been occupying prominent positions in government are currently preparing their handover notes, packing their personal belongings as the reality of transition dawns on everyone.

Post-Election Trauma But this transition has not been hitch-free.

Apart from the mutual suspicion between the PDP and APC on the modalities for the change

Mu'azu

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

46 Cover

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

PDP's defeat and power tussle

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 5

of guards, the ruling party has been engulfed in an internal crisis. Like someone who had a scuffle with his neighbour, was brutalised and relapsed into a coma, the PDP has woken up to conduct a mental post-mortem on what led to its defeat at the polls.

The leadership of the party and its members are now at logger heads. Each one is accusing the other one of being responsible for the failure of the party to win at the general elections. Some members of the party, particularly the state governors have blamed the defeat on the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Adamu Mu'azu and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

They want the current leadership at the headquarters of the PDP to resign and give way for a new leadership to rebuild the party. The accusation is that Mu'azu and his team stood aloof during the electioneering campaigns and offered no resistance to the attacks launched by the APC on the ruling party.

On the other hand, Mu'azu and the NWC have accused the PDP Presidential Campaign Council of frittering away the opportunities of the PDP by their vociferous attacks on the personality of the APC presidential candidate in the election. They said that rather than concentrating on the ruling party's track record of achievements, the Campaign Council launched hate campaigns that denied them votes from certain regions of the country.

There have also been insinuations that some party stalwarts who were given enormous resources to mobilise support for the PDP simply diverted the campaign funds to their private pockets.

Everyone appears aggrieved that the party failed at the election, but there seem to be no agreement as to why the mighty fell. The party is passing through what some analysts have referred to as the post- election trauma.

The Game Changer At the centre of the crisis is Muazu, the man fondly called the "game changer".

Muazu, a former governor of Bauchi State became the Chairman of the party after the resignation of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur from the same position. Before Tukur vacated the office, he had a running battle with a group of governors elected on the platform of the party. The governors were uncomfortable with the way he managed the party.

He was accused of high-handedness when he suspended Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State in a bid to instil some discipline in the system.

It was Muazu who changed the game in the party. As a younger person, his style of leadership was significantly different from Tukur's who was perceived as belonging to the old school. However, his permissive style of administration opened the party's flanks to the invaders and eventually brought it to its waterloo.

The Truce In a bid to avoid an implosion in the PDP, President Jonathan and other leaders of the party have brokered a truce between the warring groups in the party. The party has constituted a Post Election Review Committee to conduct an investigation into the failure of the party at the recent polls. It has urged all its members to cease fire and avoid making utterances that could trigger more disharmony.

The committee headed by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has been charged "to take a critical look at the preparations and build-up of the PDP to the general elections and determine its adequacies and lapses; trace the origin and process of the seeming decline of the party in its electoral performance; ascertain

President Jonathan with Mu'azu

the degree of anti-party activities, compromises and outright sabotage that may have contributed to the misfortunes of our party at the elections;" as well as "identify different groups in the party who were to play critical roles before and during the elections and determine the effectiveness or otherwise."

The committee, which has three weeks to submit its report, is also expected to review and determine the adequacy of the structures for the 2015 general elections and how those structures functioned and "to propose a road map for the party to recover its past glory and definitely win the general elections in 2019."

Would Mu'azu Survive?

Until this committee submits its report, the fate of Muazu and members of the NWC will remain hanging in the balance.

Although, the NWC has up till next year to exhaust its lawful tenure, the struggle to change the leadership in the party will continue in the coming months. It is instructive that three governors of the party who are members of the committee were absent at the inauguration of the committee. They include Chief Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo (Gombe) and Chief Theodore Orji (Abia) and their absence has been blamed on communication gap. Insiders in the party believe that their absence was an ominous sign that the battle is not over yet.

The ruling party has hardly ever had a smooth transition in its leadership. The tenures were usually short and turbulent except on very few occasions. A former Governor of the old Plateau State, Chief

Members should cease fire and avoid making utterances that could trigger more disharmony

Solomon Lar was the first National Chairman of the party until November 1999 when Chief Barnabas Gemade came on the saddle.

Gemade, served out his two year term but his attempt to seek re-election in 2011 was frustrated and he gave way to Chief Audu Ogbeh, a former Minister during the Second Republic. Ogbeh was elected to serve for four years following the adoption of amendments to the party constitution allowing party officials to serve for four years.

Again he ran into trouble with the PDP and was forced to resign.

Ogbeh was replaced by Dr Ahmadu Ali first in acting capacity. Ali subsequently was elected at the national convention in 2005.

Ali , a retired military officer, had a rath-

er smooth reign working with President Olusegun Obasanjo, another ex-military officer.

Following the zoning of the office of national chairman to the Southeast, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, who originally was a member of the opposition All Peoples Party, (APP) emerged as a consensus candidate for the position.

Ogbulafor’s ascension as national chairman came during the era of President Umaru Yar‘Adua, whose illness changed a lot of things in the party and the country.

With the death of Yar Adua in May, 2010, Ogbulafor fell out of favour with the new men in power due to his activities in the previous regime.

A criminal case involving him in the past was resurrected and he was forced to step down soon afterwards to pave the way for Dr. Okwesileze Nwodo.

Nwodo’s efforts at reforming the party was equally resisted by the state governors elected on the party's platform. He also had problems at home with his state governor, Mr Sullivan Chime, over the control of the local party structure. This triggered a legal action against him and a court injunction was slammed against him to kick him out of the seat.

Nwodo's deputy, Dr. Haliru Mohammed, stepped into the saddle but was soon replaced by Alhaji Kawu Baraje who served as national chairman until the election of Tukur in March 2012. Of course, Tukur is the immediate predecessor of Muazu, the man who changed the game.

It is uncertain how and when exactly he will exit the scene.

Cover

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

Nwodo

47

Tukur

Can there be a resurgence for PDP? M Dominik Umosen

ay be this might sound paradoxical but the electoral drubbing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last general election might just be what the party required to realise the enormity of its responsibilities as the ruling party.

Now that this privilege, this position of political reference has been snatched by the APC, reclaiming its lost glory and acceptance will definitely require conscious effort, patience, creativity and even long-suffering. The road to achieving this will not be easy for the party, but it is not impossible, if the will to bounce back is there.

But the road to achieving this will certainly not be found in the trending messy feuding and hilarious blame game by members which the Senate President, David Mark, described as the surest route to political oblivion that it must avoid. Accusations and counteraccusations by members, including the unfortunate row between party chairman, Alhaji Usman Mu’azu and Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti, over alleged responsibility for the stunning defeat, will further distance the party from its desired objective of recapturing power.

Like Mark noted, the party has already been wounded and the bruises from that electoral defeat constitute the bruises over which he said the PDP should not continue to moan, unless it wants to accelerate its political suicide.

That also explains why President Goodluck Jonathan advised party members who are still sulking, to push the defeat into the past and join hands to reinvent the party, instead of trading blames.

The blame game got so nasty when

Gov Fayose said he had evidence that Mu’azu sold out the party to APC. And in a swift riposte, the embattled chairman, in turn, attributed the party’s electoral defeat to the hate campaign that the controversial governor persistently hurled but which did not stop MajorGeneral Buhari from winning the election.

While the chairman and the governor lay sprawled on the canvas, even extending their most unbecoming conduct to the social media, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party and the presidential campaign organisation were also trading blames, further deepening public dismay.

This hilarious circle of squabbles, feuds and scape-goating that marked responses to the stunning electoral defeat invariably projected the party as a rowdy assembly of people without the capacity to accept defeat gracefully.

This is the import of Mark’s warning that the totality of the actions and utterances of members since the sensational electoral trouncing by the APC, is capable of accelerating the self-destruction of the outgoing ruling party, should not be taken lightly but with all the seriousness it deserves.

Dismayed at the media war which has spiraled into the social media in a desperate bid to trade blame for the party’s sensational electoral defeat, the Idoma-born senator said that the party risked destroying itself if members did not sheathe their swords and return to the more ennobling objective of rebuilding the party for future political relevance.

"The PDP is already haemorraging and unless we stop the bleeding and find the necessary therapy, we may be heading for the final burial. The party

Ogbulafor

is already in a comatose status and we should do all we can to resuscitate the party rather than this unnecessary rancor and buck passing.

"Everybody should come together and rebuild the party. We have gotten enough bruises. We need not inflict further pains on ourselves with continuous bickering. Enough of this blame game. We should return to the drawing board and need not wash our dirty linen in the public anymore," he advised.

Rather than dissipate energy in the embarrassing show of apportioning blames as the governor and the chairman are doing, which further weakens its capacity to rebound and enhances the unfortunate image of a rowdilydivided house, this is the time to restrategise or go back to the drawing board as Mark advised.

Further trading of blames, Mark said, will further weaken the party, thus preventing or delaying its capacity to mobilise for self re-invention. Of course, as has been noted, the party is already battered and brutalised.

So, what should be uppermost in the minds and calculations of committed members, who are ready to sit out the frustrating wait in the political cold, is how to achieve quick recovery.

Wallowing in self pity and trading blames would not facilitate speedy recovery which is what the PDP requires at this moment. A tactical retreat to the drawing board, as Mark advised, will afford members the opportunity to reevaluate strategies and concentrate on those that promise the speediest political re-invention.

What has already been made easy for the party is the painful realisation by Nigerians that it lacks internal cohesion and focus. Resorting to open quarrels and trading of blame for responsibility for electoral loss is akin to tantrums of frustration. Not the resolve of someone who wants to regain lost favour which the APC is not in a hurry to surrender. Regaining its lost position at the top will not be facilitated or enhanced by tantrums symptomatic of a rainbeaten chicken.

Personal Finance SATURDAY TELEGRAPH 9 MAY, 2015

I

48

Adherence to rules, key to success in stock investing

Segun Edwards

t is no longer news that risk of loss is involved when you invest in stocks.

So, intending investors are always advised to consult their financial adviser.

You must have seen from the events of the recent past that making money from stock investing is not for the faint of heart.

If anybody spoke to you about the gains of the market without stressing the risks, he only stated half the truth.

Now we all know better. Yet, everything said about that possibility of morethan-normal returns, when you invest in stocks, remains true. It's just that to hope to do so successfully, you not only need to dig in for a relatively long stretch, you also desperately need a set of proven rules to guide your actions. It's not so much of any complicated strategies as it is of a commonsense, disciplined approach.

Stock investing success If you want to challenge yourself to a golden performance in the stock market in the years to come, consider building a set of operating rules to work with. Such rules provide a framework to guide your actions and minimise (even eliminate) the likelihood of decisions dictated by the emotions of the moment. Driving investment decisions by emotional dispositions often leads to unsavoury results. With a set of sound guiding rules, you only need to apply the discipline to stick to them. On the whole, that substantially boosts your chances of success. Why? Because your actions are based on principles that can stand, over time.

If you are working to draw up your stock investing rules, you can consider including some of these ideas: Discipline is Key Most times, investors act on the spur of their emotions at a point that proper reasoning has taken flight. The market may be extremely bullish and they expect it to ever remain so, or it is very bearish and they fear the market is dead and act accordingly. To perform more than averagely, you need to exercise the discipline to operate by your rules, not the fears or unbridled greed that can result from market trends. That should be your rule number one.

Core business fundamentals, not price action, count more Market price movements drive a lot of investor action. The price is moving up and you rush in to take advantage. Sure, taking advantage of opportunities for gain is the reason you invest. Yet, not all price movements add up. You need to be sure that the core business activities of the company support the action you want to take.

Watching and following price may work for a short term, but is likely to fail you going forward, if not supported by business fundamentals. That's why you need to vigourously evaluate companies you want to invest in, except you're simply gambling. If a company's business is not trending well and there are real difficulties, but its market price is pushing up notwithstanding, can that be a good candidate for long-term investing? Even in the short-term, it can only be crazily

Driving investment decisions by emotional dispositions often leads to unsavoury results speculative. Target companies based on your findings about their business strengths and potentials and you can plug in and wait. If the price is driving up and your analysis can support that trend, that's timely, too. If you can't explain what's going on or in fact, it runs counter to your expectation based on available information, you should spare yourself the agony.

If you join in what you don't understand in this market, you will be left in the cold when those who undertstood it have pulled the rugs.

Protect your capital and keep your profits That's easily a laudable investment objective, but how hard it is to accomplish!

Yet, simple rules and the discipline to stay with them is all that it will cost. Big losses set you back. It takes so much to recover from a major loss. If you've lost 50 per cent of your portfolio value in the current market downturn, it will require a 100 per cent rebound for your portfolio to get back to its original position. Not impossible, but obviously a tall order.

That requires setting a limit of loss tolerance, even before you plough in your money. If you want to weigh issues and evaluate them while your stock is heading down, it could be substantially gone before you realise it. If you pre-set your action parameters, you act when conditions are met and that could save a lot of trouble. If you allow, say, a maximum of 15 per cent loss on your investment, you're out by the time a N1 million investment is down to N850,000. Without a clear guide, you'll still be studying the trend and consulting "experts", even as the value hits N500,000 and less.

Even for your unrealised gains, you need that protection to ensure you don't lose them. If your stock is up 70 per cent, that's great, but remember it's not in your pocket until you sell. If the stock is still heading up, there is certainly no justification for cutting short your gains by sell-

ing off a winning stock. But how do you ensure the sweet story doesn't suddenly turn sour?

As often happens, the price can come cascading down suddenly and all your gain is gone before you realise it. Part of the difficulty is that the early price drop will seem like a correction. Most times, stocks on a power drive will still halt along the way at some resistance levels, but will power on after some correction drop. Thinking a correction may be the case could mean that you wait too long, just as selling at the least slow-down could mean selling prematurely. Your solution to all that headache: set rules you will follow, without any regret. Ensure that before a substantial part of gains already made on your stock could be gone, you've sold and crystallised your profit. The market is dicey and needs alertness, all the time.

It certainly doesn't help your financial growth to watch gains accumulate and then fizzle off. Consider a trailing stop strategy or other protective system, but set it before you need it.

You need a margin of safety When you buy, it helps your position to have a significant margin of safety. All major investors seek this margin of comfort.

Simply put, it means you buy at a price substantially below the current valuation of the stock. The market today could be said to be ripe on this count: many key stocks are trading far below computed value. That minimises your risk of going wrong. Chances are more that the price will edge towards the real value, which is great for your investment. So decide on your acceptable safety margin and check that potential investments offer that much.

Limit your exposure It's great when a stock is performing well and you'd want all your money it or in a particular sector that is thriving.

You can call it a concentration strategy

to maximise impact. Problem is that it is grossly risky. No individual stock performs well forever and no sector can be on a cruise all the time. The business environment is marked with ups and downs and individual companies and sectors have their difficult moments.

Plugging large chunks of your resources into concentrated positions over the long haul will prove too risky and could cause a major damage. Your safer bet is to spread out. You need to specify your limit of exposure in single stock position.

Know when to sell Investing for the long haul assumes you stay invested over a long term. You can call it a "buy and hold" approach, but that's only if there is a preset strategy for exiting stocks that fail to advance your objective or which meet your sell conditions. if your stock hits a 200 per cent gain but you watch it go down to a 40 per cent loss because you must hold, you don't need a diviner to show that you won't get anywhere.

Don't ignore signals You also need to decide how to respond to signals that emerge. Most market developments don't drop suddenly: hints are emitted, but often ignored by investors. If you want to do better, you need new rules for picking valid signals that throw up and using what is beneficial to your interest.

Don't go to war unprepared Stock investing may not be war, but the hazards are as threatening. While the spoils of war are the reward of victory at battle, the ultimate price is the possible corollary. The stock market has always offered the opportunity to earn good returns, forget the bear market that may be all you see about the market presently. Yet, the potential to lose money is always as high, as the same bear market has driven home.

Perspectives

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

49

Nigerians in the Diaspora and our foreign policy

I

n his first outing after he was appointed by late President Umaru Yar’Adua as the minister of foreign affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, told a gathering of diplomats, foreign affairs analysts and journalists at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos, that there would be a radical change in Nigeria’s foreign policy.

The occasion was the opening of a conference on “Foreign Policy and Nigeria’s economic development” precisely on July 30, 2007.

The policy shift, Maduekwe said, would rebrand the country’s foreign policy and centre on Nigerians at home and those in the Diaspora. He called it “Citizens Diplomacy.”

“We are going to provide the necessary synergy between foreign policy and domestic affairs and make our citizens the focus of our foreign policy. In other words, we intend to democratise our foreign policy. It is now going to be Citizens Diplomacy because whatever we are doing, our citizens must be our focus,” Maduekwe said.

I had, in an article then, argued that there was nothing unusual about the nostrum policy, though considered to be novel by Maduekwe. My take was that serious countries had long realised that foreign policy cannot be isolated from domestic policy. In other words, foreign policy is an external projection of a country’s domestic affairs.

Maduekwe, however, shot himself in the foot when at another occasion, he attributed the 2008 xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa to the perception that they (Nigerians) travelled to the former apartheid enclave with a lot of cash. But contrary to his claim, xenophobic attack is not just intentional, but premeditated and the recent ones have given credence to that belief.

Ironically, despite the xenophobic attack, many Africans still find South Africa a safe haven that will liberate them from the shackles of poverty and deprivation at home. Worse is the perilous voyage on the Mediterranean Sea by desperate, but resolute young Africans in search of greener pastures.

T

Waheed Bakare on Saturday 08124877036 (sms only) waheedbakare2003@yahoo.com Last week, the belly of the sea became a cemetery as no fewer than 900 African migrants perished in what has been described as the worst singular Mediterranean migration tragedy. Yet many more thereafter have been rescued after they became marooned on the sea while just on Tuesday, another 40 African migrants were lost to the tidal wave of the Meditterranea Sea. Considering the risk involved, why will young men and even women choose to become homeless itinerant crammed into rickety boats traversing the Mediterranean Sea for months before reaching their destination or risk taking hard drugs to countries where such crime is punishable by death?

The recent killings of four Nigerians after they were found guilty of trafficking hard drugs into Indonesia has brought to fore, once again, how Nigerian missions abroad relate with Nigerians in the Diaspora or assist them when they fish in troubled waters.

In the case of the executed Nigerians, there was little or nothing the government could have done to save them from having a date with the executioners because it is about the legal system of the country and not morality. There has always been a conflict between morality and law. It is, however, safe to say the two lexical items are distinct and this is why the argument that law is what it is and not what it ought to be is a universal truth that remains valid at all times. A law may appear to be imperious, but ignorance of such law cannot be an excuse to extricate offenders as was the case of the executed Nigerian quartet.

A law may appear to be imperious, but ignorance of such law cannot be an excuse to extricate offenders as was in the case of the executed Nigerian quartet Although quite a number of Nigerians who ran afoul of the law of their host country were not circumspect, their misdeed should not preclude the Nigerian government through its foreign missions from providing legal assistance where and when necessary.

Having covered the foreign desk as a journalist, I have come across cases where Nigerian staff shunned citizens who either knowingly or inadvertently ran into problems abroad. Of recent, I met a Nigerian returnee from Libya who spent over four decades in the North African country and informed me that there are still many Nigerians in Libya. It is worrisome to hear that such Nigerians are being used mainly for “dirty jobs” in the war-torn country. The danger in this is that such people may return home to become monsters or foot soldiers for terrorist organisations either on the continent or even in the country.

When I inquired about how coordinated

the evacuation of Nigerians from Libya by the Nigerian government was, he painted a gloomy picture of how some arrogant staff of the Nigerian Embassy did not help matter.

This culture of shunning Nigerians who run into problem abroad by their home government’s representatives or the presumption that any Nigerian who runs afoul of the law in a foreign land is a criminal cannot be right. Nigerians in the Diaspora should be protected as much as possible.

I have observed over time that Nigeria remains one of the slowest countries in terms of response to evacuating its citizens from warravaged countries and when such evacuations happen, they are largely uncoordinated compared to other countries’.

The only instance that readily comes to mind when the Federal Government demonstrated its regard for the protection of its citizens in the Diaspora was when late President Yar’Adua insisted that the appropriate authorities should investigate the allegations that a group of 130 Nigerians were maltreated on board a British Airways flight on March 27, 2008.

The airline had ordered the Nigerians on board its aircraft to get off its London-Lagos flight after they protested against the maltreatment of a Nigerian deportee on board.

With developments at home, Nigerians will continue to leave the country as long as poverty, unemployment, insecurity and lack of basic amenities remain problems. But once these problems are solved, travelling outside the country in search of greener pastures will become less attractive.

As part of the solution, the government should, from time to time, re-orientate those at home about the danger of going abroad to commit crimes. Also, since those who ferry people across the desert or through the sea are not ghosts, they should be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

If charity must begin at home, let our foreign policy start from home by matching rhetoric with policy implementation that will see a good projection at home that is well replicated in our foreign policy.

Confronting Nigeria’s crisis of purpose

he central mantra of the incoming General Muhammadu Buhari administration is ‘Change.’ Within the local political context of that word, ‘change’ means to cause to be different; to give a completely different form or appearance; to transform; a transformation or transition from one state, condition, or phase to another. In effect, change also is a synonym for ‘transformation,’ which is the central mantra of the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan administration!

If the intellectual architects of the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) governance blueprint labeled ‘change’ genuinely intend to give real meaning and traction to this quirky mantra they must then confront certain fundamental dissonances that are hobbling the evolution of a genuine Nigerian state. First, some pertinent posers.

As nation-states go, is Nigeria a false construct? Are her constituent ethnic nationalities fundamentally incompatible?

Are the premises of her 1914 amalgamation conceptually flawed or a product of intellectual vagrancy by the British colonialist? Is her sovereignty proclaimed in 1960 a tainted diadem? From introspection, the subsisting crisis of purpose or faith in the Nigerian state apparently stems from a deliberate opacity in clarifying these fundamentals. Manipulations by greedy, often myopic elite, feed the contrived hurdles in constructing a modern state.

An unexpected situation posing serious problems that need urgent resolution is one way of defining a crisis. While comparable to a disaster, it is not quite one. An embryonic disaster perhaps; a crisis requires immediate and radical action. If circumspect

The Nation-State With Louis Achi

achilouis35@gmail.com action is promptly taken, the impending tragedy will not occur. Significantly, when the serious problem that a crisis provokes is met, considerable good will flow from having successfully risen to the critical situation.

On the other hand, a crisis of faith or purpose is a term commonly applied, especially in Western culture, to periods of intense doubt and internal conflict about a person’s preconceived beliefs or life decisions. A crisis of faith can be contrasted to simply a period of doubt in that a crisis of faith demands reconciliation or re-evaluation before the person can continue believing in whichever tenet is in doubt or continuing in whatever life path is in question.

The crisis under reference compels an uncompromising decision: either sufficiently reconcile the cause of doubt with the belief or decision in question, or drop the belief. Within this context, when “a person” is substituted with ‘a nation’, the coin drops and the problem with the current Nigerian state is thrown up in sharp relief.

Today, Nigeria, spared of the disintegration foretold by local and offshore doomsday seers, is nevertheless navigating a phase of intense self-doubt and internal conflict:

socio-economic, political, knowledge-centric, cultural, religious and moral - about its being.

This fundamentally equates a crisis of purpose or faith. This compelling but hardly unique scenario demands “reconciliation or re-evaluation” before the nation can continue believing in whichever tenets are in doubt or continue in whatever life path is in question.

In Nigeria’s case: the national question.

Dodging the core issues is both intellectually lazy and dishonest. The Nigerian state must respond properly to this crisis of purpose in its being because as Socrates counseled, “the unexamined life is not worth living”. Sheer realism dictates this course. This was the real challenge before President Jonathan’s ‘Transformation Agenda’ and this now confronts the ‘Change Agenda’ of President-elect Buhari.

It bears repeating that today Nigeria is faced with multi-hued crises from diverse sectors. The only difference is the sense of expectancy as a new administration assumes power. But still some 22 days to the swearing-in of General Buhari one curious fact stands out like a sore thumb – poverty

and security crises gnaw at the innards of this expansive embryonic nation-state of extra-ordinary promise. Some theorists posit that some of the human crises tearing at the soul of many Nigerian geo-political zones have linkages to a loss of faith and increasing self-doubt. They have a point here.

These internecine crises have translated to extreme human underdevelopment and pervasive poverty, fundamentally a ticking time bomb which needs to be diffused.

What to do? Confronted by a far bloodier, enervating crisis of faith, Ethiopia with over 80 ethnic nationalities willy-nilly settled for a national conference in 1991.

Today, ethnic federalism - the product of that ground-breaking internal conversation is powering modern Ethiopia, a country today grounded on law and progressing rapidly - measured by key parameters of human development and progressive social re-engineering.

I recall that in August 1995, the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), which was approved by the Constitutional Assembly in September 1994, came into force, and FDRE was officially proclaimed. The core of the new ethnic policy in the new constitution embodies the formation of a federal state based on ethnic regional autonomy and equality of all ethnic groups. Ethiopia’s ethnic federalism is unprecedented on the continent but it is working.

It required Ethiopians, not Martians from outer space to achieve this landmark.

Real leadership is required to confront Nigeria’s crisis of purpose.

Can General Buhari provide this? Big question!

SATURDAY

Voices How will you cope with a snoring spouse? p.52

Features SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2015

50

Nigerian prostitutes ply their trade in Italian forest D eep inside the forest of Italy lies loads of sex workers who come from Nigeria. According to statistics, there are currently 10,000 to 20,000 Nigerian sex workers in Italy.

In the early 1980s, Nigeria, Africa and France had a lot of immigrants that came to work in Italy.

At first, they just did farming activities in some tomato farm land. However, when the farm closed, in order to survive they had to start making money.

As men remained at work in the fields of the southern regions of Italy where organised crime thrives, and the line between legitimate and illegal enterprises is often blurred, the first Nigerian women began to independently work as prostitutes.

The eerie makeshift atmosphere of the sex camps represents a clear sense that the economic and social crises are degrading the condition of everyday life for a vast range of people in many parts of the world and that the global elites’ who answers to these crises cannot provide any solutions, regulations or reprieve in the near future.

For over 20 years, the women of Benin City, a town in the state of Edo in the south-central part of Nigeria, have traveled to Italy to work in the sex trade. Every year, successful ones recruit younger girls to follow in their steps. Most migrant women, including those who end up in the sex industry, have made a clear decision to leave home and take their chances overseas.

The underground economy attracted immigrant workers providing them jobs without regulations. In a market strongly segmented by gender, age, educational qualifications and population shortages with immigrants, problems are worsened by a political system and public opinion where xenophobia is widespread.

But the income sex workers make is still minimal, sometimes only 10 euros only. Many sex workers from Nigeria have chosen to work in the forest; they will place a mattress in the forest to provide sexual services on it.

In this corner of Italy they use their own way, to seek a way out.

Photographers Paolo Patrizi used their cameras in recording several Nigerians sex workers in the forest.

They are headstrong and ambitious women who migrate in order to escape conflict, perse-

Police officers accosting a prostitute

cution, environmental degradation, natural disasters, and other situations that affect their habitat and livelihood.The success of many Italos, as these women are called, is evident in Edo, partly in the form of grand houses built with remittances. Therefore for many girls, prostitution in Italy has become an entirely acceptable trade.

They have chosen a variety of ways to exploit their personal assets. These range from being erotic dancers, to real contact work of varying levels of intimacy.

• Source: www.paolopatrizi.

com

Time out... commercial sex workers await clients in their forest hideout

Boy, 17, arrested for anal sex with schoolgirl Juliana Francis

D

etectives attached to the Oke-Odo Police Station, Ile-Epo, Lagos, have arrested a 17-year-old identified simply as Emmanuel for allegedly having sex with a Junior Secondary School (JSS3) girl.

According to the police, the 14-year-old girl, identified simply as Kafila, was taken to the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, (LASUTH), Mirabel Centre, where it was discovered that she was not only sexually violated, but was also abused through the anus.

A police source further added

that the anus was raw and bloody.

The source said: “The girl’s anus has torn.”

While the suspect admitted having sex with the girl only once, he denied having anal sex with her.

It was learnt that Kafila slept in Emmanuel’s house overnight.

When she did not return home, her parents organised a search party to look for her and later reported at the police station when all efforts to trace her whereabouts proved abortive.

When the girl was quizzed if she had been sexually violated, she said no. Emmanuel was also asked, but he also denied ever

touching Kafila.

A police source said that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the police station was not convinced about Emmanuel’s claim and had directed that Kafila be taken to Mirabel Centre for further medication examination.

At the centre, medical findings showed that she had not only being raped, but also abused through the anus.

When Emmanuel was confronted with the medical report, he broke down, crying that he had sex with Kafila only once.

He said: “Yes, I had sex with Kafila, but not through the anus.

She had had two lovers before me.

I know that for a fact.”

The suspect also said that he was not interested in Kafila until she started chasing and wooing him.

“Whenever I come to fetch water, she would be chasing me.

I swear I didn’t have anal sex with her,” Emmanuel said.

He recalled how Kafila came to spend the night with him. He said: “I live with my elder sister and when she travelled Kafila came to spend the night with me. In the morning, her mother came with the police to arrest me. It was only once I had sex with her.”

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

Features

51

Mayweather ordered me to supply Bugatti in 12 hours – Okeke

Floyd Mayweather is known to the world as a man who loves to show off his wealth especially in his range of cars.

Floyd has over 10 different exotic cars and he is one who loves to show off and get the attention. However do you know that his car dealer is a Nigerian man who goes by the name Obi Oleke, 53.

Were you born in the U.S.?

I was not. My father is from Nigeria; my mother is from Ohio. I was born in Nigeria. My parents have been married for 57 years. When I was a kid, Nigeria had a civil war, so we escaped from Nigeria as refugees, just my mum and the kids.

Then we went back to Nigeria. My parents weren’t crazy about the school system. My mum’s best friend was in charge of Swissair for western Africa, so they shipped me off to Switzerland.

When did you first meet Floyd?

Back in 2008, 2009. I was general manager of a Ferrari dealership. A business associate brought him to the Ferrari dealership. That was the first time I met Floyd, and then I transacted on two Ferraris with him.

How has your approach to the business changed over the years from working at a Chevy dealership to now?

My parents sent me to school in Switzerland as a young child, so I’ve always been very close to the European cars. And that’s why I was with Volkswagen. I tried to get a job at BMW and Mercedes, but nobody would hire me in LA, so I just took a job with Lexus. And then from Lexus to BMW, Mercedes, Ferrari, Maserati.

How has it changed?

I focus a lot more on customer service. My focus is taking care of the client because when you go to a dealership to acquire a car, it’s basically they want you in and they want you out. It’s a numbers game. I like to focus time on taking care of the clients and spending time with the clients. And trying to do events that may be worth their while, or something that might be engaging to them. That’s how I view it.

With Floyd, I saw that he called you and said he wanted a Bugatti in 12 hours. That sounds like an impossible task.

He called me at 3 in the morning. This was Bugatti No. 2. The second Bugatti I sold him, and he wanted it in 12 hours.

This was approximately a year ago [in the lead-up to the first Marcos Maidana fight] because he wanted the car to drive to the gym that day. He wanted a different Bugatti to drive to the gym.

When he called you at 3 a.m., what was running through your head?

I was just getting accustomed to receiving calls from him in the middle of the night for the past six weeks. When he called me in the middle of the night, I would just basically keep the phone on.

That particular night, when he called me, my wife was like, “Oh, my God, honey,

Okeke

who is this calling you?” I picked up the call, walked downstairs as I’m talking to him, and he told me he wanted a car in his driveway in 12 hours.

I was a little foggy, obviously, I was in a deep sleep. So first thing I did was I hopped in the shower. You gotta wake yourself up. Got dressed, then I went to my office. I got to my office around 4:45, 5 in the morning. … Once I hung up with him, I’m just thinking of a strategy of how I’m going to get him this car in that time frame. …

I knew where there were a few cars. I said, well, I need to hop on a plane. I think I took a 7:30 flight out in the morning. I went to a destination that was closest to him that I felt I could get the car to him.

When I got there, they weren’t open yet.

So I went to IHOP, got some breakfast, then I went there and said I want to buy this Bugatti. They thought that I wasn’t serious.

I called my partner, wired the money. Then the problem was trying to get a truck to flatbed it to his home. That was the biggest problem. The biggest hiccup was trying to

Okeke (left) and Mayweather

find a specialised flatbed. When I called him, I said, “Champ, the problem is going to be getting the car to your house on a flatbed.” He goes, “I don’t care; just drive it to me.” I won’t tell you where I was, so I hit the road, and I drove it to him. That’s how I got it to him. …

On Bugatti No. 3, he called me at around 4:30 in the afternoon, and he wanted that car at his place by midnight. That was feasible because that car was in the LA area.

Is that just the life of a luxury exotic-car dealer?

He will call me on cars that are $500,000 and up. $1 million, $2 million, $3 million, that’s when I’ll get the call. I sold him a lot of [Rolls-Royces], and I sold him a lot of Bentleys. I don’t know if a franchised dealer is willing to do what I do. I don’t know if a franchised dealer is going to be able to take the phone calls in the middle of the night. I don’t know if they’re going to be able to open up their showroom in the middle of the night for him.

My rule with Floyd is one hour. Floyd will call me and say, “I’m on my way.”

He’ll call me at midnight, 12:30, 1, 2 in the morning and say, “I’m on my way.” That means he’s on his way to my dealership.

The only thing I ask of him is just give me one hour because I’ve got to get up and get ready and head to the dealership. My dealership is about 45 minutes from my house. He will call me in Las Vegas, sitting on his jet about to take off, and tell me he’s on his way. It takes him about 45 minutes to get to LA from Vegas. I try to give him service that nobody else will provide.

Do you think he’s trying to challenge you?

You never know what his next move is going to be. You never know. … I don’t know if he challenges me, I just know he has high expectations of himself, so

therefore there are going to be high expectations of everybody around him. There isn’t any room for mediocrity at all. It doesn’t exist. …

We’re in a restaurant at 12:30 at night in Vegas, and we’re just sitting there hanging out. He tells the guy to go to my car and get a bag. They get a bag, he goes to the bathroom, he runs out of the bathroom, out of the restaurant and just keeps running! It’s his security detail’s job to realise he’s going jogging [and] to hop in their cars and follow him for 7 miles! It’s incredible.

I’m at the Wynn resort in Vegas. He calls me at 12:30 [after] midnight, and Vegas is on fire. He says, “Obi, what are you doing?” I say I’m just hanging out.

He says, “OK, why don’t come meet me at Fatburger?” I go to Fatburger on the strip, and I hang out with him at Fatburger. From there, we go to his house. We’re hanging out at his house. Then these bags start moving around. I said, “Floyd what are we doing?” He said, “Let’s go to the gym.”

At 3:30 in the morning, he starts heading to the gym. He spars for one hour, killing these sparring partners. And then he runs out of the gym and starts running for seven miles. I have him on video.

He doesn’t care what time it is. If he feels the need to do what he wants to do to workout and train, he’s going to do it. I don’t know if he challenges me or if I’m just in this environment of his and this is just how he operates. It keeps me on my toes. It makes me want to work harder. It makes me think out of the box. I push myself harder. I take it all in stride, and I appreciate the opportunity. I make sure that I do whatever I can possibly do to meet and fulfill his needs and his demands. I view it as a blessing.

I know you said in that video that he forces you to raise your game.

Absolutely, I raise my game. It puts me out of my comfort zone. Sometimes we need to be out of our comfort zone.

He’s got a residence at the Ritz-Carlton in downtown LA. If he’s there for like a week, when he leaves, he will gather every single valet driver, 10 or 11 of them.

He will distribute anywhere from $8,000 to $10,000 to each of the valet guys. If you look at Floyd, and you look at the games he goes to, whether the Lakers games, the Clippers games, whatever game he goes to, whoever’s with him staffwise, they’re with him. They all watch the game. He doesn’t just buy tickets for himself and then leaves everybody outside. He buys tickets for himself and everybody. He brings them in to watch the game...

I was at his house the other night. I was trying to leave. I said, “Floyd, I’ll be right back” because I hadn’t eaten all day. … He said, “Don’t go anywhere, let me call my chef.” He calls his chef; she comes over an hour later and cooks this big meal for everybody. The guy is an anomaly. I’ve never met anybody like this man.

Would you think he was a fighter by just looking at his personality?

No. His personality, if you hung out with him and you never knew who he was, you would think he was a mathematician or a nuclear physicist. If you just looked at him and looked at his face and just talked to him, you would think that. He always has a strategy. … He’s a guy with a plan.

• Source: www.informationng.com

SATURDAY

Voices SATURDAY 9 MAY 2015

52

How will you cope with a snoring spouse?

I don’t disturb her

Love will conquer it

Funnily my wife snores.

There are those nights I will wake up to record her snoring and joke about it in the morning. Though it is quite disturbing, if you have to wake up in the night to pee and want to sleep again, just forget about it. I personally don’t disturb her since I know it is beyond her.

I have to be patient with him

– Nd Usoro, cartoonist

Snoring is a turn off for me That is the reason it is good to have a relationship before getting married. If she snores, the relationship cannot get to the level of her being my partner because I cannot deal with it. Snoring is a turn off for me.

– Badaiki Erom Shaggy, actor

There is nothing I can do I wouldn't do anything especially when love is involved. But if I have noticed it before marriage and after several complaints he refuses to change then I will have to decide whether to stick to him or quit the relationship.

– Adegoroye Bunmi, businesswoman

I would prefer to sleep in

separate room

I wouldn't know because I have never been with a partner that snores. And my parents and siblings don't snore. I would prefer to sleep in a separate room if that's the case.

–Stella Ihieme, fashion designer

He has to control it I cannot cope. I will try and make him to control it.

– Nnenna Unamma,

In some cases, it might be a habit so with such a situation, I will have to manage him and try my best to see he stops it because it could be me. So, I think issue like that needs to be handled with wisdom and love.

– Funmilayo Yusuf, businesswoman

I'll leave the room for him; there'll be a spare room. When I hear people snore I find it hard to breath.

– Slyvia Black, fashion designer

If we are married before she begins such a habit then I will have to find out the cause of it. Maybe it could be stress and by that solution measure will be applied to help her out of it.

– Yusuf Olatunji, civil servant

I would seek for medical solution I would rather not have her. If I do I would seek medical solution and if it continues we would live with it.

– Tolu Oladipo, auditor

I will adapt because of love

I will have to devise a

means to cope with her

Everyone has one habit or the other they are addicted to, so it's left for the partner to know how to manage the situation. If I will let her go because of that how do I know if the next person I'm going to meet can accommodate me.

So the fact that she could cope with me means she accepted my weaknesses and so should I too.

– Nija Akon, entrepreneur

student

I will sleep earlier Well, my wife does not snore. But if I am to cope with a snoring partner, I will try to sleep earlier than her because I might wake up later in the night and once I am up and hear her snoring I will not be able to sleep again. Even if I tap her to adjust her sleeping position the snoring will still continue after sometime.

– Winkie 'Lomo, Visa documentation manager

I will work on him I will complain to him about it, that it is irritating me but if he refuses to stop I will leave him to sleep alone. Maybe with that he will adjust. If I don't know about it before we got married then I will manage him and work on him for a change.

compiled by

ANGELA DAVIES, RICKETTS OLUSHOLA, JOHN EDU AND AYILARA DAYO

NYSC member

I can’t cope with him

I will seek for solution

It will require wisdom and endurance to cope with such a person particularly when you both are with relatives or friends visiting. So having such issue at hand I will swallow my pride and adapt to the nature because like they say ‘Love covers it all.’

– Ataire Patrick, businessman

I don't want to imagine it but I believe love will conquer it. And I will always tap him to change his sleeping position.

– Kemi Avungbeto,

– Bokry Bakre Jecinthia, civil servant

Special Report

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

53

'We won't compromise on doctrine just to attract members'

life to Christ - in the same church.

You may not agree to some aspects of administrations here and there is no where you would go to and agree with the administration one hundred percent. What I am saying is that if you love the scriptures and you want to stay in a place where you would hear the genuine word of God and especially in an organisation that is interested in your very spiritual life as an individual Christian, you wouldn’t find any other church to achieve that better than the Assemblies of God. This Church is ready to help you - even if that help includes disciplinary measures; because we have a goal of readying believers for Heaven and that involves periodic discipline whenever and wherever necessary. A genuine church of God must be concerned with what becomes of the lives and ultimately, the souls of the people under its care. Unfortunately, many churches today are scared of rebuking and disciplining their members so that they do not lose their financial contributions.

Rev. Ejikeme Ejim, the assistant general superintendent of the Assemblies of God Nigeria speaks of how the church has successfully weathered the recent crisis that eventually had to be resolved in court among other positive developments. OJIAKU KALU presents excerpts of the interview.

The church recently held a twoday leadership seminar. What was the theme of the seminar and how has it helped in moving the church forward?

It is still on the same theme that the church adopted for year 2015: The Great Awakening, and it is instructive that whatever meeting or seminar we hold this year, should purposely and intentionally inculcate some integrity of the theme into the consciousness of our people. Mark this, the church of God in general – besides the Assemblies of God - is in dire need of revival, some stirring from her deep slumber hence, the need for a great awakening.

Was the timing of the programme meant to score some point given the recent crisis in the church?

Yes, it was pre-planned. It’s been in our programme of work since 2014 because we normally draw out a programme of work before the advent of the next year. So last year, as our plan of work was being drawn up, this programme and its theme were arrived at, after a considerable period of prayer.

But again, there is no dismissing the fact that the timing eventually did add some values to the overall objective of the theme.

How does the verdict that went in favour of the church make you feel, and how do you plan to build from its platform?

Well, like every other AGC person, I would say that I was [and still] very happy over that positive development; and I would say that I was not surprised about the verdict. If there would be judgment anywhere on this Earth about the matter between Paul Emeka and the Assemblies of God Nigeria; and if ever the judges would be fair and firm, and if they would be just and upright while looking at every issue placed before them, they would see that the AGC as a godly body, has done its utmost best to accommodate Paul Emeka but despite all of that, he still decided to toe the very unfortunate path he has toed. For the Church however, it is now a realisation that is as unfortunate as it has been educative.

So, would this realisation compel subsequent leadership of the Church to reinvent the wheel in its

Rev. Ejim

extremely painful but not totally surprising. Nobody who understands scripture would be completely surprised because these things have been occurring and recurring through church history - from the first Church till the present time. People can rise through the ranks in the church leadership ladder but when it comes to spirituality, it is a different thing altogether - as many of them would not even measure average under God’s own scale. And this is why upon critically assessing the recent events in the Assemblies of God Church, I think we are dealing with reprobates. However, it is noteworthy that reprobates always suffer the consequences of their aversion to warnings and positive change.

But again, I must add that though the crisis was meant to undo the Church, it has ironically ignited untold spiritual rebirth among in the entire body.

treatment and placement of the pastors?

Well, you cannot help but have people who cannot measure up to expectations and no matter how small they are, you may discover that you still have an appreciable problems as a result of the telling effects of their actions or inactions.

You do not ride to stardom on the back of a whole group of ministers and turn around to tell your spectators that those ministers you’ve been seeing are not really what you think they are - and worse still, especially when the platform on which you are basing those statements are unacceptable and preposterous. That would not be reasonable. But then, that one person has misbehaved grossly, and the fact that that one person occupied a top office, does not invalidate the fact that they are many others who are sincerely serving God with everything they have got.

Despite the court judgement it appears the contention is not over yet. Does it worry you?

Well, it worries me in the sense that these days, everything points to the fact that people are backsliding very terribly while holding offices in church. And if you see the people holding those positions, they are seemingly established Christians in the churches – many of whom are heads of units and departments; and that could be

The church of God in general is in dire need of revival

The church in the past was said to have lost many of its youths to other denominations due, in part, to its rigid stance on doctrines. Has the current leadership reviewed the situation?

I don’t sing that chorus of the youth leaving the Assemblies of God Church because it has never been my experience as a pastor. I was born in the AGC and was dedicated and worshipped in the church as an unbeliever until I gave my

What is your personal goal?

While talking about my personal objective as a person, let me first of all say that I identify myself completely with the group objective. We are talking of spiritual re-awakening as well as renewed emphasis on missions and I identify fully with those.

But as an individual, my area of interest above all else, is that people who come to church should ensure that they have a real experience with Christ. If you come to church and you have not received Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, then what are you doing in the church? You must be totally surrendered to Him. So, what I am interested in seeing in the Assemblies of God and I say this whenever I stand to minister, is that everybody who comes into an Assemblies of God church must walk into a living relationship with Christ.

That means that in that relationship, you as a person have willingly, intelligently and wholly surrendered your entire life to Christ to the extent that you will never do or say anything unless and until He says so. So my personal objective is to be wholly satisfied in Christ; and this is what I have vowed to also help each member of the body of Christ to achieve during my tenure as a leader and in my remaining life on Earth.

I am totally committed to leading a clearly defined Christ-centred life as distinct from that of compromise. And please remember that I am interested in the fact that I am running a heavenly race. I am interested in what the Apostles said in Philippians chapter 3 verse 20 – that our citizenship is in Heaven.

So, as far as I am concerned, I hold a passport of Heaven and also that of Nigeria. But my Heavenly passport is much more important to me than my Nigerian passport.. I have a few years to stay on Earth; but I have the whole of eternity to spend with Christ, or in Hell – if I ever run wrongly, and I do not intend to go to Hell. So I am daily mindful of my conduct as I spend my remaining period on Earth. This is my personal objective.

54

News Extra

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

IKEJA Chidoka: 13 airports ready with airfield lighting

N EWS I N BRIEF

ST

The Federal Government has said 13 airports are currently being fitted with airfield lighting for improved productivity and enhanced operations.

Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, said this when he inaugurated the Common User Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) at the Domestic Terminal II of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

Speaking through a statement issued by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Yakubu Datti, quoted the minister as also promoting the concept of one-aviation.

Chidoka said: “Safety, security and comfort must be above board,” stressing that the concept of Measurement, Monitoring and Improvement (MMI) had become inevitable if the country’s aviation industry must move forward.

5%

The percentage of the population of women above 60 years of Comoros in 2012.

Source: Un.org

OGBA WAEC cancels 2014 results over cheating

The National Examinations Committee (NEC) of the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) on Thursday said it had cancelled results of candidates involved in examination malpractices at the 2014 examinations.

A WAEC official in the Public Affairs Department, Mr. Damianus Ojijeogu, said this in a statement issued in Lagos that the decision was taken at the 59th meeting of the committee.

Ojijeogu, who signed the communiqué of the meeting, stressedthat the committee reviewed a report on irregularity and special and clemency cases arising from the conduct of the May/June 2014 West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) at the meeting.

PORT HARCOURT We are ready for handover –Amaechi

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, has expressed the readiness of his administration to handover on May 29.

Amaechi, who dismissed rumours he would not be handing over the reign of governance on the date, wondered what he would be doing in office after May 29.

The governor averred that the entire cabinet had made ready their notes preparatory to the terminal date of his regime.

Amaechi, who spoke through the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, said: “We are ready for handover unlike the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the centre that is busy making new appointments and sacking people."

115

The number of mobile-cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of developed countries in 2010.

Source: Itu.int

2,801

The total number of male circumcisions done in Zimbabwe in 2009.

Source: Who.int

Imoke denies eyeing PDP national chair

G

overnor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, has debunked media reports that he is nursing the ambition of becoming the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Imoke, who fielded questions from journalists at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, on arrival from Abuja, said: “Like every other person, I also read that in the media.

Mind you, I have said at several foras that I will not run for any elective post.

“I do not know where that story originated from as I have never discussed it with anyone and I see it as a

Reconcile all Nigerians, Mark tells Buhari Chukwu David Abuja

T

Newly wed couple, Mr. and Mrs. Herve Dawodu, being handed over their marriage documents by the officiating priest, Monsignor Gabriel Osu, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos…recently

Police Commission promotes 460 ASPs, 172 DSPs Emmanuel Onani

l NEMA transports 4,000 Boko Haram returnees to Nigeria

he Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced the promotion of 632 officers to the next rank.

A statement signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations of the PSC, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, said 460 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs), were promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

Also, 172 DSPs were elevated to the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP).

The statement said the promotions took effect from March 12.

The statement, which noted that the decision of the commission was reached at its 11th Plenary Meeting in Abuja, reads in part: "The Police Service Commission

has approved the promotion of 632 senior Police Officers in line with its constitutional mandate to promote persons to offices in the Nigeria Police Force.

“Four hundred and sixty officers were promoted from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP) to the next rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), while 172 officers on the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police were elevated to the rank of Superintendent of Police.

“The commission took the decision at its 11th Plenary Meeting held in Abuja and presided over by its Chairman, Dr. Mike Okiro, retired Inspector General of Police.

“The officers were found to have satisfied the commis-

T Abuja

sion’s criteria for promotion which includes maturity on a rank, absence of Pending Disciplinary Matter, merit and establishment budget vacancy availability."

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced the transportation of about 4,000 Nigerian returnees that arrived Geidam, Yobe State, from the Republic of Niger to their various states.

The first batch of the returnees, numbering about 4,000, was carried on 18 buses from Geidam to Sokoto and Kebbi states.

Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sidi, who was represented by the Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Charles Otegbade, while re-

ceiving the returnees, said the number had risen to about 4,000 while available information indicated that more were being expected.

figment of the imagination of the writer.”

“I am not interested in any public office. I have been in public limelight for too long and I need to step aside but will remain a strong party loyalist and supporter. I do not nurse any intention to run for any public office.”

On the level of confidence he has on the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, Imoke expressed loyalty to the hierarchy of the party, adding that, ‘‘with the outcome of the last elections, we need to rebuild the party and not let it disintegrate.”

he President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, yesterday urged the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to take as priority genuine reconciliation of all Nigerians in order to assuage the feelings of some aggrieved persons across the country.

Addressing the congregation at a thanksgiving Mass ahead at the end of the 7th Senate at St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy, Apo, Abuja, Senator Mark also stressed the need to address the security problems in the country and also give priority to the welfare of the citizenry.

He said: “Despite different political affiliations on which public officers were elected, what must be paramount is the service, welfare and security of Nigerians irrespective of ethnic, religious or political differences.”

The politician canvassed the need to address the insecurity situation especially in the North-East zone ravaged

by Boko Haram insurgency.

He counseled public office seekers against desperation for power, saying:

“There is no need to be desperate for power, since power comes from God. Once we acknowledge this, we will not be at each other's throat.”

Mark gave credit to God for sustaining him throughout the eight years as President of the Senate.

He said: “My 16 years in the Senate and eight years as the President of the Senate is the Lord's doing, not by my own wisdom, power, intelligence or fame and influence.”

Earlier in his homily, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, counselled politicians to reduce the political tension in the country by avoiding a winner takes all syndrome.

Onaiyekan urged Buhari to take the nation as his constituency and carry everybody along in the scheme of things, adding, "Mr. President- Elect should see himself as the president of Nigeria and not of All Progressive Congress, (APC)."

He further admonished the incoming administration to use its campaign mantra of change to re-orientate and indeed change some of the negative attitudes of Nigerians in order to reposition the country for rapid development.

‘Satan caused Bauchi ethno-religious crisis’ Mohammed Kawu Bauchi

T

he village head of Gurum in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Alhaji Jauro Jiye, has attributed the polarisation of communities in the area that led to the incessant ethno-religious crisis in the communities to the devilish work of “Satan.”

Jiye, aged 80, who is also the Adviser on Miy-

etti Allah Cattle Breaders, said it was Satan that polarised the communities that were now sensitised on the importance of living together, which they inherited from their late fore-fathers.

Speaking at a peace parley the communities organised in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, the village head stressed the need for the residents to revive the peace pact, which bind them together for sus-

tainable peace as panacea for any meaningful development in the area.

Also in their separate remarks at the occasion, the youth leaders of Sayawa and Fulani Miyetti Allah, Yusuf Tafawa Balewa and Murtala Nuhu, said the build-up to the peace parley was organised by a member representing Tafawa Balewa, Bogo and Dass Federal constituency in the National Assembly, Alhaji Yakubu Dogar.

Sport Extra

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

9 MAY 2015

Super Falcons: NFF searches for friendly …after Mali dodge Nigeria in Olympic qualifiers

T

Adekunle Salami

Benteke (inset: Pearson)

Benteke named Premier League Player of the Month

A

ston Villa striker Christian Benteke has been named the Premier League's Player of the Month for April, while Leicester City's Nigel Pearson has scooped the Manager of the Month award.

Benteke scored five goals in four Premier League matches in April - strikes against Manchester United and Tottenham and a hat-trick against QPR to fire Villa to four vital points that lifted them clear of the relegation zone.

Pearson, mean-

while, led his Leicester City side to four consecutive victories prior to defeat to Chelsea as the Foxes hauled themselves a point clear of the Premier League drop zone from a seemingly hopeless position.

Leicester are looking increasingly likely to preserve their Premier League status under Pearson, who has courted controversy on several occasions this season and was forced to apologise after calling a journalist an "ostrich" following his side's defeat to Chelsea.

he Nigeria Football Federation is urgently in search of a quality friendly encounter for the Super Falcons following the late withdrawal of Mali from the Olympic qualifier earlier billed to hold on Saturday (today).

Falcons defeated Malian Eagles 8-0 in an All Africa Games qualifier last month.

NFF General Secretary, Muhammed Sanusi, said the confirmation of Mali’s withdrawal came from FIFA late on Thursday and the football body has been working on how to get an alternate match for the team.

“The players are ready for the encounter. The withdrawal is just too sudden and so the team will continue training and a match will be organized for them in the next one week or so,” Sanusi said Mali’s Female Eagles on Thursday pulled out of a first round qualifying fixture for the Women’s

Football Tournament of the 2016 Olympics.

A letter from FIFA informed the NFF on the development on Thursday evening.

“The Mali Football Federation has just formally notified FIFA of the withdrawal of its women’s national team from the Olympic qualifiers. Both leg matches of the 2nd round are cancelled and your women’s national team is automatically qualified for the 3rd round matches. Further details regarding the 3rd round will follow in due course,” wrote Gordon Savic, head of FIFA World Cup and Olympics Qualifiers.

Officials for the match from Equatorial Guinea, and reserve referee from Senegal had all arrived in Nigeriaon Thursday before FIFA confirmed Mali’s withdrawal.

The development means the Super Falcons have now qualified for the third round of the qualifiers, with the first leg coming up midJuly, ahead of a final round of qualifiers scheduled for October 2015.

Pele in hospital after prostate surgery

B

razil legend Pele has had surgery for a prostate condition after he was admitted to hospital for the second time in six months.

The 74-year-old three-time World Cup winner was treated in hospital for a urinary infection in November 2014 after having kidney stones removed.

The Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo described his condition as "stable".

But the hospital did not reveal when the ex-Santos star might be discharged. Pele, who has only one kidney, having had one removed towards the

end of his playing career, was treated at the same hospital late last year.

Widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, Pele scored a world record total of 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during his 21-year career, including 77 goals in 91 appearances for Brazil.

He was also named FIFA's Player of the Century and won 91 caps for Brazil, scoring 77 goals.

He played in 14 games at World Cup finals, scoring 12 goals, and was awarded the FIFA Golden Ball as the best player at the 1970 tournament

Super Falcons' Asisat Oshoala (right)

Memphis Depay: PSG interest ‘forced’ Man United into early signing

M

anchester United were "forced" to sign PSV Eindhoven forward Memphis Depay early because of interest from French champions Paris St-Germain.

Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal said the club wanted to wait until the sum-

mer to bring in the 21-year-old Dutch winger.

But after announcing a deal in the region of £2530m, Van Gaal said: "I have been forced to sign him.

"I had to handle it otherwise he would have signed for

PSG," he added.

Depay, who has scored 21 goals as PSV won this season's Dutch title , has signed a contract believed to keep him at the club until 2019.

He will join in June, subject to a medical.

Mayweather rules out Pacquiao rematch

F

loyd Mayweather says he will not fight Manny Pacquiao again after branding the Filipino a "coward" and a "sore loser".

Mayweather took his unbeaten record to 48-0 in Las Vegas with a unanimous points victory over Pacquiao last week.

Pacquiao, 36, claimed his performance was restricted by a shoulder injury, but Mayweather dismissed the explanation as an "excuse".

"He lost," said the American, 38.

"He knows he lost. I lost a lot of respect for him after all of this."

Mayweather says he did not detect any physical problem for Pacquiao during their welterweight contest. "Absolutely not," Mayweather said in an interview with Showtime, to be shown this week-

end.

"He was fast. His left hand was fast, his right hand was fast and he was throwing them both fast and strong."

Pacquiao is being sued for allegedly failing to declare his injury before the fight against Mayweather at the MGM Grand.

He had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff on Wednesday and would not be able to face Mayweather again for around a year.

Mayweather told ESPN earlier this week he would consider fighting Pacquiao again but backtracked on that in the Showtime interview.

"I change my mind," he said. "At this particular time, no, because he's a sore loser and he's a coward. If you lost, accept the loss."

Mayweather says his last fight before retirement will be in September, with Britain's Amir Khan a possible opponent.

Mayweather

55

Sport Slaming Adekunle Salami adekunles@yahoo.com 08050498539 (sms only)

Okagbare’s jibes and the task before Yakmut

A

dministration of sports in Nigeria is in total shambles.

At the beginning of every year, there is a calendar for various sport disciplines which enumerates the competitions to be staged or attended by the federations. There is a problem of hosting competitions in recent time because many of the sponsors are no longer keen to continue. Some pull out sighting economic crunch while others just disappear. It is very disheartening that some sport federations struggle to hold one or two competitions in a year. I cannot recollect the last time I heard about a national swimming competition in the country. The same goes for handball, badminton, squash, hockey, karate, judo, taekwondo, shooting and gymnastics.

It is a shame that Nigeria has neglected swimming and gymnastics that can generate multiple medals at international games. In some parts of the country, we have naturally talented youths that can swim and engage in all manner of acrobatic activities, but our administrators do not have eyes for such since they prefer instant result to a gradual developmental process.

During the week, Africa’s fastest woman, Blessing Okhagbare, acknowledged that Nigerian administrators prefer instant success. She said: “What a show of shame the administration has become. They (administrators) sit down, criticise the athletes back home that they are not improving or doing enough to be at the top but yet, they don't do anything to support them…Enough is enough with the shortcuts to success because, our nation and athletes are so better than this.”

If Okagbare speaks, one should listen. She is an elite athlete who was developed from Sapele, Delta State, to attain stardom. She should know. Administrators should think of long term programmes that could help young athletes come out good in their respective disciplines. The National Sports Commission is the apex ruling body that supervises the sport federations, yet many of the problems start from there, the very top.

I was almost in tears during the week when I learnt the NSC was broke. Reason: The body was expecting allocation from the federal government. One of the fallouts from the general elections was the failure of Nigerian youths in some sports disciplines to honour international competitions.

Those who managed to travel went on their own, spent personal money to boost the image of Nigeria.

However, it is obvious a change is required in the NSC. We expect such change from the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari. That informed the agenda series I wrote shortly after Buhari won the election. As fate will have it, a change of guard was effected only last week in the sports ministry when Gbenga Elegbeleye was removed as the Director General of the commission. The man who stepped in, Alhassan Yakmut, is a tested administrator from various fields including football. Yakmut, a former national volleyball player, is not a politician but a technocrat in the mold of Dr. Patrick Ekeji and Dr. Amos Adamu, who have both occupied that position in the past. With him, there is hope if the incoming government names a sports minister who is knowledgeable in sport.

It is no longer news that sport is heavily under-funded. It is a big problem the NSC has been confronting for years but it is important that the body is fair to other sports even with the little allocation from government. Sponsors should be encouraged to return to sports. The NSC will have to also be part of the drive to woo back sponsors since athletes need to attend competitions both at home and abroad to remain in top shape. Yakmut should put a stop to the neglect of other sports especially traditional ones like boxing, wrestling, table tennis. Nigeria has plenty of talents in these sport disciplines but regrettably, they are fading away due to the frustration from the NSC. They (athletes) believe there is no hope. We need concrete plans in place to reassure talented athletes in the country that they could attain stardom with the country’s developmental process. Restoring hope to Nigerian athletes is one of the herculean tasks before Yakmut as the DG of the NSC. During the week, he said: “As a professional, I will bring my training and experience to bear on the job to ensure that sports development in the country is moved to the next level.” We will always remind him of this pledge.

DESTINATION

Six nights in Addis Ababa and a race against time

SATURDAY

P.42

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Ifeanyi Ibeh

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2015

Sanctity of Truth

Perspectives

Nigerians in the Diaspora and our foreign policy

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Ronaldo, Messi intensify race for highest scorer

t can be argued that there are football rivalries bigger than that between Barcelona and Real Madrid, but there is currently no individual rivalry in football greater than that of Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

In the last eight years they have jointly won eight FIFA World Player of the Year ( Ballon d’O r) titles, five Pichichis and five European Golden Shoes.

They also have 452 La Liga goals between them with Messi scoring 229, and Ronaldo 219. Before then, Messi had scored 54 goals in the La Liga and Ronaldo 84 with Manchester United in the English top flight.

Currently, they are both head-to-head in the race for the Spanish top flight’s top scorer trophy – the Pichichi – and both players will proceed with their ‘respectful enmity’ for one another today (Saturday) when Barcelona welcome Real Sociedad to the Nou Camp and Real Madrid host Valencia at the Santiago

Bernabeu.

With three matches to go before the end of the La Liga season, and with Barca enjoying a two-point lead over Real, today’s games will not only go a long way in deciding where the title goes, but also who takes home this season’s Pichichi.

Barcelona’s mercurial Argentine has won three of the last five Pichichis and Ronaldo has picked up two.

This season, the ‘Atomic Flea’ has scored 40 league goals for the Catalan side, while ‘Rocket’ Ronaldo's hat-trick in last weekend’s 3-2 victory at Seville took his league tally for the season to 42.

And, as has been the case in six out of the last seven seasons, with the exception of the 2008/2009 campaign which went the way of Diego Forlan, the winner of the Pichichi is likely to win the European Golden Shoe as Europe's top marksman.

And why won’t either Ronaldo or Messi claim both the Pichichi and the Golden Shoe when their nearest rival for both awards, Atletico Madrid’s Antoine

Griezmann, is miles away with only 22 goals.

Only Messi’s Barca teammate, Luis Suarez, has muscled in on the fight between these two modernday gladiators in recent years, sharing the Golden Boot with the Portuguese superstar last season as both scored 31 goals in their respective leagues. Suarez hit the impressive tally in his final season at Liverpool to become the first player from the English Premier League to win the Golden Shoe award since 2008 when Ronaldo won it as a Manchester United player.

The La Liga record for the most number of goals by a player in a season is the 50 set by Messi back in the 2010/2011 campaign, while Ronaldo's best effort was 46, also in the same campaign.

But with Ronaldo admitting in a recent interview with French Football that their rivalry helps drive each superstar to succeed, it would come as little surprise if Messi’s remarkable 50-goal mark gets consigned to the annals of history at the end of the season.

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