Binder1234567890 saturday december 13, 2014

SATURDAY SATURDAY

Sanctity of Truth

Saturday, December 13, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 298

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N150

Nwobodo family feud over } 10 burial of first son gets messier

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NWOBODO

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES

CRASHED

DREAMS

l Inside story of why Atiku, }47 Kwankwaso and others fell lThe intrigues, the power play

TEWA onasanya

BUHARI

KWANKWASO

ATIKU

OKOROCHA

NDA-ISAIAH

Publisher in love with shoe designing } 13

GUBER

fall of JONATHAN’S ex-ministers

}50-51

No governorship }6 candidate yet for Imo PDP - Party secretary NEMA says death toll in Jos blasts now 32 }5

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SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

Contents | 13.12.14 INSTYLE

For His and Hers As a season of goodwill, Christmas often entails the sharing of gifts. Here are a few tips on how to make this annual ritual a more exciting experience for both gender

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THE ARTS

Painting Resilience A solo exhibition by the Nigerian artist, Zinno Orara, at the Mydrym Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos, highlights his impressionist and stoic outlook

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SHOWBIZ

Breaking Stereotype 21-year-old singer, LAX, is among that rare breed of artistes who are shattering the stereotype that music isn’t a particularly exciting profession for children from immensely wealthy background

}22

SPORT

Blues for Special Athletes It’s an anticlimactic tale for Nigeria’s physicallychallenged athletes - usually the redeeming face after a lacklustre showing by regular athletes at major tournaments - as many openly solicit alms

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TRAVEL PERSONALITY

Dreams in the Skies For Irene Mutungi, it’s simply not enough to revel in the novelty of being Kenya’s first commercial female pilot; she’s hoping her story will inspire others

}41

DESTINATION

Calabar Festival It’s already celebration time in Cross River State as residents get in the party groove for Africa’s reputedly “biggest street party.”

}42 Plus: Voices 12 | Love&Living 35 | Edgar’s World 52

Comment

Embarrassing jail breaks

I

n recent times, the nation has been inundated with worrying reports of prison breaks in some parts of the country, causing serious concern for any peace loving, and law abiding citizen. In one of such incidences, unidentified assailants stormed the Federal Prison in Ado Ekiti shattering it with explosive devices.

The assailants were said to have stormed the new prison with seven Hilux buses and shot at everything in sight before setting the inmates free. A prison official was reportedly shot during the attack while 20 security dogs were killed. Scores of inmates serving various jail terms, including hardened criminals were set free.

There was also another disturbing report that gunmen stormed the Medium Security Prison, Minna, Niger State, broke into the cells and set free over 250 inmates. Reports said they over powered the officials, and broke into the record and armoury rooms carting away weapons and bullet proof vests.

Within the same period, unknown gunmen attacked a Federal Prison in Koton-Karfe, Kogi State and freed 144 inmates. According to an eye witness, the insurgents invaded the prison in a commando-style raid and operated for more than three hours unchallenged, and that security operatives arrived the scene when the damage had been done, and the assailants long gone. The operation left one person dead, and two others injured.

It was the second time in two years that the Koto-Karfe prison was breached.

In 2012, 119 awaiting trial inmates were also freed by attackers and many never returned. Koton-Karfe, a fishing community located on the Lokoja-Abuja road, is close to the River Niger; about 15 minutes drive to Lokoja and about 100 kilometers from Abuja.

These frightening reports, which have the capacity to upset any decent society would not come to life if the needful had been done, and precautionary measures put in place to nip such occurrences in the bud. Government has consistently failed to put in place workable mechanisms to put a stop to the embarrassing but dangerous pastime of prison attacks.

Already, a group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has asked Nigerians to prepare to live

with the harsh reality of an unprecedented rise in organised social crime and other forms of violence in the country, as a result of the jail breaks.

It is a well acknowledged fact that the Nigerian penal system does very little to correct and reform offenders, instead turning the petty thief to a hardened criminal. Because of the number of inmates in the prisons, which in many cases overshadow the number they are meant to accommodate, officials and facilities are overstretched, creating inhuman conditions for the inmates to live with.

A lot of the prisons in Nigeria lack modern security, reformatory or recreational facilities in line with global standards, making them a relic of the colonial days. Regrettably, corruption has done a lot of harm to the system; as monies budgeted for the upkeep and improvement of the prisons hardly get to the final destination.

Many inmates in most prisons in the country today have no business being there, contributing to the congestions which has become a major characteristic of the nation’s prisons. There is the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s penal system while government and the private sector must come up with funding mechanisms to build well protected and fortified prison facilities.

Government should imbibe the character of ensuring that officials who display ineptitude in their duties are not accommodated, to ensuring that they are devoted to their jobs. Hence we commend Minister of Interior, Abba Moro for suspending the Controller of Niger State Prisons, Musa Maiyaki, , the Officer-inCharge, and all officers on duty the day the jailbreak happened.

The judiciary has a major role to play in the efforts to establish a decent penal system, by ensuring that the prisons as much as possible do not harbor awaiting trial inmates longer than necessary.

About 70 per cent of inmates in most prisons in the country are on the awaiting trial list.

Governors and chief judges of states in the country should also make it a point of duty to exercise their power of prerogative of mercy to help inmates languishing in jail without trial, especially for offences that do not warrant them spending as much time as they already have.

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

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Managing Editor n Suleiman Uba Gaya

Editor, Daily n Yemi Ajayi

Editor, Saturday n Laurence Ani

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13 DECEMBER 2014

Plateau govt, NEMA confirm 32 dead in Jos twin blasts Ndubuisi Ugah and Musa Pam

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Lagos and Jos

lateau State Government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), yesterday confirmed that 32 persons were killed, while 47 others injured in the Jos twin bomb blasts, which occurred on Thursday.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Abubakar Badu, while briefing journalists in Jos yesterday said the figures were arrived at after consultations with all security agencies and stakeholders who were involved in the rescue operation.

Badu said, “You will recall that about 7p.m. on December 11, two bomb blasts rocked the Terminus area of Jos city leaving in its wake destruction of lives and property. The Plateau State Government sympathises with families that lost their loved ones and prays for the quick recovery of those injured. Government commends the security agencies for bringing the situation under control.

“Reports so far received from security and other relevant agencies this morn-

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l Police detonate two more explosives l U.S. condemns Jos, Kano bombings ing indicate that 45 persons were injured, while 32 others were killed by the twin bomb blasts. Government wishes to assure all that it will give the necessary support to the security agencies in other to unravel those behind this wicked act.”

On its part, NEMA through its North Central Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Abdulsalam Mohammed, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos, that the corpses had been deposited at the morgue.

Mohammed, while speaking through the Assistant Chief Planning Officer, Mr. Mohammed Suileman, said: “So far, the number of casualty we have now by our record is 32 death and 47 injured people who are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals in the state. But we are still working round, apart from the rescue mission we did Thursday, we are still visiting the hospitals where the injured are being provided medical care such as drugs and some other medical items to assist the hospital where the injured are being treated in Plateau Specialist Hospital, Ola Hospital and

Bingham University Teaching Hospitals.”

Saturday New Telegraph gathered that two explosives were also discovered yesterday and were immediately detonated by the Special Anti-Bomb Squad (SABS) from the police headquarters.

According to an eyewitness, a victim of the blast and who is currently receiving treatment at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Mr. Yahuza Umar, the blasts occurred at 6:30p.m. by two female bombers.

He said when the incident happened, he was close to the market on his way home when he heard a deafening sound.

Another victim, Abdullahi Yaro, who is a trader could not talk but was shedding tears when Saturday New Telegraph visited the Plateau Hospital.

But when Saturday New Telegraph visited the scene of the blasts yesterday, heavy security presence was witnessed as the area was cordoned off while traders whose shops were located at the areas were seen stand-

ing at Rwang Pam Street close to Ahmadu Bello Way, discussing the extent of damage caused by the blasts.

In his response, the Senator representing Plateau North and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Gyang Pwajok, condemned the blast.

Meanwhile, the United States has condemned the bomb attacks in Kano and Jos, describing the incidents as unfortunate.

Seven people were killed in Kano earlier in the week, while many others died in a similar attack in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, on Thursday.

The U.S in a statement issued in Abuja, said: “This senseless attack on the innocents in Jos’s commercial Terminus district follows on the heels of another bombing attack in Nigeria’s second largest city of Kano on December 10, in which four persons were killed and seven injured when two female suicide bombers attacked the Kantin Kawari Textile Market."

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Jonathan: No amount of sabotage will ground Nigeria Anule Emmanuel Abuja

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday stressed that no amount of sabotage both within and outside the country would deter his administration from curbing the current insecurity being experienced by Nigeria and restore peace for the citizens.

He acknowledged that government was being frustrated by some elements who did not mean well for the country.

President Jonathan spoke when he held a meeting with creativity professionals at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said: “One of our greatest challenges and I have to thank you for observing that one minute of silence in their honour, is these security challenges.

But we are working very hard, we have our frustrations, we have issues of sabotage internal and external but we are working very hard and by the grace of God we will overcome.”

He said the creativity professional had brought value to governance and social issues in the country.

President Jonathan told

his guests that they were not just entertainers, as they were creating a positive image for Nigeria.

“I recall as a Vice-President, during one of our deliberations, one of the ministers raised concerns about urging you to reduce the voodoo and fetish things in your movies. But I said the way I see some of the films, they resemble the kind of things I use to read in Hardly Chase Novels when men were boys. In Hardly Chase, if you commit a crime you must surely pay for it.

“So, the way I look at the films, those who use negative powers never succeed in the end. Though I don't know much about the industry but watching it as an ordinary person, I have seen that they are rather preaching good values because negative powers will land you where you don't want to be and you should not go there."

The delegation, which was led by Nollywood actor, Segun Arinze, thanked the President for recognising their efforts in transforming the society by giving them grants to make better films as well as training their members abroad.

The Week Ahead NJBC covenant summit begins tomorrow NEW Jerusalem–City Baptist Church (NJBC), Ikotun, Lagos, will host its annual covenant summit from tomorrow to December 15. A statement issued by the church said the two-day event would have two sessions on each day.

The theme of the summit, ‘Capacity of the Word’, will have Revd. M. A. C Oladejo, ministering, while Revd. Akin Faniran, will be the chief host.

S’Court hears Jonathan’s eligibility suit Dec 16

L-R: Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi; representative of the Vice President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and Chairman, Board of FRSC, Mr. Felix Chukwu, at the 12th National Summit of Special Marshals in Abuja…yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

2015 budget in fresh trouble as oil sinks below $63 Adeola Yusuf

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he 2015 budget faced a fresh threat on Friday as crude oil, major revenue earner for the country, slipped to below $63 a barrel, its lowest since July 2009.

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude exporter, which depends largely on proceeds from crude to service over 85 per cent of its budget has sliced its benchmark

for oil in the 2015 on two occassions-$85 to $73 and $73 to $65.

But with the new price of $63, the federal government may reconsider another cut in the benchmark, an industry source said, maintaining that this became neccessary to save the country from the major economic shock awaiting it in 2015.

“The successful implementation of the budget is a major cause for concern

now. With $63 per barrel price, the oil benchmark of $65 will make the budget to run at deficit and the trend now will simply means that something urgent should be done to safeguard the country’s economy,” he said.

The demand for Nigeria's oil will touch its 12-year lowest in 2015, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has predicted.

The organisation, which swiftly cut the forecast for how much crude oil it will need to provide in 2015 to the lowest in 12 years, says that the same fate will befall 11 other member-states.

This came amid surging U.S. shale supplies and reduced estimates for global consumption, where it was gathered that the cartel had lowered its projection for 2015 by about 300,000 barrels a day, to 28.9 million a day.

The Supreme Court yesterday fixed December 16, for hearing in an appeal lodged by a stalwart of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Umar Ardo, challenging the verdict of the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, refusing to join him as a party in an appeal filed by Cyriacus Njoku.

Nomination of candidates by political parties will close on December 18, two days after the apex court has heard Ardo's appeal.

In the substantive suit, Njoku had approached an Abuja High Court in 2012 to stop Jonathan from re-contesting in 2015. But Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi on March 1, this year dismissed the suit for want of jurisdiction.

Dissatisfied, Njoku proceeded to the Court of Appeal at which point Ardo sought to be joined as co-appellant but failed.

Tambuwal’s suit adjourned to Dec 16 A Federal High Court in Abuja will on December 16 hear two applications seeking to stop further hearing in the suit filed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, to stop the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from removing him as speaker.

The people of Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, had applied to be made parties to the suit but the trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, refused their applications.

They were dissatisfied with the refusal of the court to join them and had consequently filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal.

They asked the trial court to stop further hearing until their appeals were determined.

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13 DECEMBER 2014

FCT

APAPA 60 ships berth with foods, petroleum products

N EWS I N BRIEF

Sixty ships laden with various good are to arrive in Lagos ports from yesterday to December 25.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said this in its daily publication, ‘Shipping Position’, made available to journalists on Friday in Lagos.

The document indicated that 20 of the expected ships would arrive with containers and foods.

It reported that nine other ships were being expected to arrive with petrol, aviation fuel, kerosene and diesel.

The document stated that eight ships containing fresh fish were also being expected.

INEC barred from recognising Akwa Ibom PDP congress result

An Abuja High Court yesterday restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from forwarding to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the result of the Special Congress it held in Akwa Ibom State on December 8 for the purpose of producing a gubernatorial candidate in the state for the 2015 general elections.

Justice Y. Halilu, who granted an ex-parte application that was filed by a chieftain of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State, Chief Ime Effiong Ekanem, ordered the party not to send the outcome of the said congress or the name of any one as it gubernatorial candidate for the state until January 5, when the substantive suit will he heard.

DUTSE Ishaku emerges Taraba PDP governorship candidate

Former Minister of State for Niger Delta, Darius Ishaku, on Thursday emerged Taraba State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for 2015.

The primary election was held at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, five days after the PDP governorship primaries were held nationwide, as a result of controversy over the zoning arrangement.

There was also the controversy over the list of delegates to be used for the primaries.

Former acting governor of the state, Alhaji Garba Umar and another aspirant, Musa John, were said to have stepped down for Ishaku.

Islamic leaders kick against closure of Egypt consul office Temitope Ogunbanke

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slamic leaders under the aegis of League of Imams and Alfas in South-West, Edo and Delta States, have expressed their dissatisfaction to the move to close down the Lagos consul office of the Egyptian Embassy in Nigeria.

The group in an open letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Arab Republic of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry, titled, ‘Proposed closing of Lagos Consul office’ said the proximity of South-West and South-South to Lagos could not be compared to Abuja where the embassy has another consul office and therefore asking people from these areas to travel down to Abuja would amount to putting their lives at risk as a result of bad road networks in some parts of the country.

The group in the letter signed by Grand Imam, Oyo State/President, League of Imams and Alfas, Sheik Haroon Shuara and the Publicity Secretary, Sheik Habeebullahi Adam Al-Ilory, also noted that

the proposed shut down of Lagos consul office would affect the vast majority of Nigerian Muslims and would also inconvenience many Egyptians living in Lagos and other SouthWest states.

It therefore urged Shoukry to borrow a leaf from embassies, which apart from allowing online application, still maintain consul offices in Lagos and Abuja.

“The proximity of SouthWest and South-South to Lagos cannot be compared to Abuja where the embassy has another consul office. Apart from this, asking people from these areas to travel down to Abuja will amount to putting their lives at risk as a result of bad road networks in some parts of the country.

"Although there are available flights from any part of the country to Abuja to ease movement of visa applicants, the economic reality of Nigeria today will make it difficult for the majority of those willing to visit Egypt to make use of this alternative means of transportation."

Buhari is the choice of Nigerians, says Aregbesola Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke (left), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, at the opening ceremony of bankers’ committee retreat in Calabar… yesterday

No governorship candidate yet for Imo PDP, says party secretary

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he Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said a candidate is yet to emerge for the party, following the crises that trailed the December 8 governorship primaries, which took place at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

Fielding questions from journalists in Owerri, the state’s party Secretary, Mr. George Egu, carpeted the Electoral Panel that conducted the primaries for denting the image of the party in the state, which had been commended throughout the country, following the peaceful conduct of other primaries from the House of Assembly to the Senate.

Egu said: “I called the chairman, Chief Nnadi Anyaehie, who has been in Abuja and he told me that Imo PDP has not filed a governorship candidate yet.”

He said the party was still awaiting the arrival of the Electoral Appeal Panel to look into the crises trailing the conduct of the election.

It would be recalled that

l OPOCA predicts doom for party l ‘Why election was marred by irregularities’ one of the aspirants, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, had petitioned the party hierarchy, alleging that the votes counted by the electoral body was more than the voters who cast the ballot, and therefore asked that he be announced the winner.

However, the panel announced the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, as the winner with 346 votes, while Araraume was said to have polled 336 votes and came second.

In the same vein, a group, Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA), has called for the cancellation of the governorship primaries in the state, describing it as a charade that lacks any iota of credibility.

The group noted that if the primaries were not cancelled, it would herald doom for the party in the state.

The group warned that if the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP should fail to heed its

warning, the party should as well forget Imo for 2015 as OPOCA would ensure that no Orlu man vote for the PDP in 2015 elections.

The National President of OPOCA, Dr. Samfo Nwankwo, Deputy National President, Chief Rex Anunobi and the National Secretary, Eugene Dibiagwu, who signed the petition, said OPOCA would do everything within its powers to ensure that Orlu people who make almost half of the state resist the electoral fraud called primaries.

OPOCA noted that out of the 1,017 votes cast, 11 were declared as void leaving a total of 1,006 valid votes cast.

Meanwhile, indications emerged yesterday on why the governorship primaries were marred by irregularities.

A statement made available to Saturday New Telegraph, said: “While, there were accreditations

of electors, the accreditations were neither transparent nor reliable due to the non use of authentic Identification such as the voter registration cards, the accreditation was conducted exclusively by the state’s caretaker chairman alone.

“There was no record of the actual number of the accredited electors in the entire exercise as required by election law. The announced valid votes allotted to the various aspirants proving the fact that the irregularities that commenced from the accreditation of voters continued all through the exercise.

“Objection by the agent of some aspirants during the counting process such as Dr. Vitalis Ajumbe, the agent to Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, was not heeded even though these agents could not authenticate the votes assigned to the aspirants due to their inability to visualise the ballot papers."

l Ajimobi congratulates ex-head of state

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sun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has said the emergence of former Head of State, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is the best democratic pill to galvanise Nigerians towards the needed change.

He said the former Head of State is not just the candidate of the APC but that of the entire Nigerians who had been yearning for a dramatic and total change.

Aregbesola, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, was quoted as speaking shortly after the declaration of Buhari as

the presidential candidate of the APC after the primaries held in Lagos.

“We must congratulate Nigerians for the emergence of Buhari as the presidential candidate of our party. The excitements, commendations and jubilations that have greeted the election and consequently the announcement of Buhari are clear demonstrations of the fact that Nigerians have been anxious and now poised for an immediate change in the country."

Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has congratulated Buhari on his emergence as the party’s standard bearer for the February 15, 2015 presidential election.

Obanikoro sues PDP Wale Elegbede

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he former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, yesterday filed a suit against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at a Federal High Court in Lagos, vowing to pursue justice using legal means.

Addressing his supporters at his Ikeja GRA campaign office, Obanikoro said his decision to approach the court was to urge the party to expedite action on the petition he wrote to the national headquarters of the party to

cancel and conduct fresh primaries in the state.

While noting that the election was manipulated in favour of the declared winner, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, he averred that , “The 48 hours timeline stipulated by the PDP Electoral Guideline to address our appeal has elapsed without a response from the party after submitting our petition on Tuesday.

“In the light of this development, we have proceeded to the Federal High Court, Abuja, to seek redress over the outcome of last Monday's PDP primaries."

13 DECEMBER 2014

Synagogue: Court fixes TB Joshua’s suit against coroner Dec 22

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n Ikeja High Court on Friday fixed Dec.22 for hearing in the suit filed by the Founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet Temitope Joshua, against the Lagos State Coroner, Mr. Oyetade Komolafe.

Justice Lateefat Okunnu fixed the date after she was informed by Mr Femi Adamson, counsel to the Lagos State Government, that the respondent was served with incomplete court processes.

The judge, therefore, adjourned the hearing and directed Joshua’s counsel, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to serve Adamson with all the relevant processes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Joshua had sued the coroner following the ongoing investigation into the collapse of the church’s guest house.

A total of 116 persons were killed after the sixstorey building collapsed on September 12.

In the originating summons, Joshua is asking the court for a judicial review of the proceedings before the coroner's inquest.

He asked the court to declare the coroner's summons on him to personally appear before the inquest as unconstitutional and a breach of his right to fair hearing.

Meanwhile, Komolafe, who had on Wednesday dismissed Joshua's application to stay proceedings on the inquest, has adjourned further hearing till December 15.

At the resumption of proceedings on Friday, Komolafe said the inquest would take evidence from two media houses, Channels Television and Television Continental on the matter.

Patronise local manufacturers, FG directs DISCOs Amadi Nnamdi

I

Abuja

n line with measures to ensure accelerated development of the industrial sector in Nigeria, the Federal Government has directed all the electricity distribution companies in the country to patronise local manufacturers.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, said this yesterday, during a one-day stakeholders’ forum on metre and transformer manufacturing in Nigeria organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Abuja.

Aganga, who was rep-

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resented at the forum by the Director, Industrial Development and Inspectorate, MITI, Mrs. Awobokun Omotanwa, said the ministry had received series of complaints from local manufacturers on nonpatronage and the influx of meters and transformers into the country.

“The misconception

by Nigerians that locallymade products are of sub standard even when it is obvious that imported ones are inferior needs to be addressed using procurement regime as a tool to develop local patronage. Let us collectively ensure that we use local patronage as anchor to improve standards of Nigerian goods and services,” he said.

MINNA Eyakenyi inaugurates IMT/ TB management team

NEWS IN BRIEF

Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, has inaugurated a joint Interim Management Team (IMT) and Technical Board (TB) to ensure the effective implementation of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) restructuring plan.

The IMT is purely a transitional management/project delivery team comprising of seasoned and reform-oriented managers put together to work with the technical board to implement FHA restructuring plan for a period of 18 months, starting from November 1.

OBALENDE Fire guts Police hqtrs annex

An inferno on Friday destroyed a section of the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters Annex, Kam Selem Street, Obalende, Lagos.

It was learnt that the fire, which started at about 6.30a.m., consumed several offices on the topmost floor of the force annex building.

Though the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained, it consumed some property while no life was lost.

An eyewitness alleged that the fire might have been caused by an electrical surge, adding that the late response of fire servicemen also worsened the situation.

It was gathered that officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), alongside firefighters later arrived at the scene to curtail the inferno.

21

The number of countries that lie entirely within one trans boundary basin.

Source: Unesco.org

103 The sex ratio of women to 100 men in Mexico in 2012.

Source: Un.org

ABUJA

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has cautioned politicians against coercing its ad hoc staff, mostly members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) engaged for the elections to engage in electoral malpractices.

Chairman of the commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, at a meeting with religious leaders on the peaceful conduct of the election in Abuja, praised the performance of corps members during the 2011 general elections, despite few recorded cases where some of them found them-

selves with no alternative than to surrender to threats and intimidation by do-ordie politicians.

Jega urged the clerics to use their exalted positions to advise political actors to eschew violence, play by the rules and promote peaceful practices.

“Politicians are your followers, they belong to your spiritual organisations and many of them actively seek your blessings and prayers for their political quest. You are well positioned, therefore, to influence them towards conducting themselves with civility and decorum, as is necessary to ensure peaceful and successful conduct of the forthcoming elections,” Jega noted.

MUBI Emir of Mubi returns

The people of Mubi town in Adamawa State on Friday jubilated, following the return of the reinstalled Emir, Alhaji Abubakar Isa, after the military recaptured the town from insurgents.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Isa was in Saudi Arabia as the state Amirul Hajj, when insurgents attacked the town in October.

The residents lined the streets of Mubi and waved to the emir as he headed for the Mubi Central Mosque.

The residents chanted: ‘Baba yadawo, Baba yadawo’ meaning ‘Baba is back, Baba is back’.

“This is one of the happiest days of my life and I pray things have normalised for the better,” Buba Ibrahim, who was among those that trooped out to welcome the emir, said.

1,513

The number of pending asylum seekers of Tajikistan at the beginning of 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

Boko Haram attack claims 17 in Borno Ahmed Miringa and Dan Atori

A

Maiduguri and MINNA

t least 17 people were feared killed, while many houses and shops were torched when Boko Haram insurgents attacked Gaji Ganna village in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.

In Minna, the Niger State capital, came a report that the state police command has rescued two Lebanese expatriates working for an indigenous company, Triacta Nigeria Limited, which is handling the construction of BidaMokwa Road in the state.

But a resident of Gaji Ganna town, Malam Jibrin Audu, who fled to Maidu-

l Two expatriates kidnapped, rescued by Police in Niger l Your end has come, Oyedepo tells insurgents guri, said the insurgents, who invaded the town at 6:40 p.m. on Wednesdays started shooting sporadically, torching shops and some selected houses in the town.

He said: “The insurgents in Hilux vehicles and motorcycles stormed the town at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday and started shooting sporadically, burning shops and selected houses.”

Another resident, Garba Abdullahi, told our correspondent on the phone that he earlier fled to the bush but when he learnt that the insurgents had left, he returned to the town to pick his two wives and children.

He said: “When I re-

turned to pick my family members I counted 17 corpses littering the streets including my neighbour’s corpse, while some houses and shops were still burning.”

Efforts to get to the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Gideon Jibrinm, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), for confirmation and official statement proved abortive, as his phones were switched off at the time of going to press.

In the same vein, the expatriates, who are engineers and identified as Alfred Feris and his colleague named Marwa, were said to have been abducted at gun point while at the

Stop coercing ad hoc staff, INEC warns politicians Onyekachi Eze

7

A fire outbreak at the Nigerian Police Force headquarters annex, Kam Selem house, Obalende, Lagos…yesterday

construction site at 4p.m. on December 8.

Saturday New Telegraph gathered that the abductors kidnapped the expatriates and fled in a Mercedes Benz car to an unknown hideout.

A source, who craved anonymity in a brief chat with the Saturday New Telegraph on Friday in Minna, said the suspected kidnappers were said to have set the vehicle ablaze with a view to concealing some vital information about their real identities from the police and other security agencies.

The command’s PPRO, Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, a DSP, who confirmed the incident, said the victims had been rescued from their abductors.

Meanwhile, President of the Living Faith Church Worldwide (aka Winners’ Chapel), Bishop David Oyedepo, has said Nigerians will soon heave a sigh of relief, following unabated killings through suicide bombings by the Boko Haram sect in the North-East.

Speaking at his ministry’s Shiloh programme, the visioneer of the annual prophetic Convocation of the Winners’ family said, “Today, Friday December 12, 2014 marks the end of the harassment of Boko Haram in Nigeria” insisting that Nigeria had been delivered from these fundamentalists.

“I am sponsored by no one; I am a servant of the Most High and except I am not sent would you ever hear again of these terrorists’ mindless killings in the country. Their end has finally come,” Oyedepo said.

8

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SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

FCT

IKEJA APC commended stakeholders for successful convention

N EWS I N BRIEF

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed its gratitude to the security agencies, the media, party members and supporters for their contributions to the success of the party’s National Convention and presidential primary election.

APC in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said going by the efforts and perseverance of these groups, it was now clear that Nigerians were ready to make the necessary sacrifice for change.

“What this shows is that with proper political leadership and guidance, our security agencies can be the best in the world. We are indeed gladdened by their sacrifice. As always, the Nigerian media played their watchdog role with a rare commitment and impressive professionalism.

6.5m

The total population of Libya in 2012.

Source: Un.org

MPPP picks Santuraki as presidential candidate

Mega Progressive People’s Party (MPPP), on Friday, picked Alhaji Hamisu Santuraki as its presidential candidate for the 2015 election.

Santuraki, who was the former national chairman of the party, was unanimously adopted by members of the party as flag bearer.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that before the emergence of Santuraki, there was a disagreement between other purported presidential aspirants.

NAN reports that immediately Santuraki was introduced to the house as the sole candidate of the party, Dr Sam Nwani, also an aspirant, disagreed with the decision.

2%

The percentage share of Oil and Gas sector to Nigeria’s capital importation in 2009.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

FCT Court hears PDP’s suit against Tambuwal Jan 19

An Abuja Federal High Court has fixed January 19, 2015 for hearing in a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking to unseat the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed adjourned the case on Friday after hearing the submissions of PDP’s counsel, Mr Mike Ahamba (SAN), Tambuwal’s counsel, Mr Mahmoud Magaji (SAN).

He also heard the submission of the counsel to the House of Representatives, Mr. Jibril Okutepa (SAN).

The PDP had approached the court with a motion ex-parte seeking an order compelling the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, to declare Tambuwal’s seat vacant.

1.6

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Angola in 2009..

Source: Itu.int

We don’t keep two account books, NNPC tells Buhari Adeola Yusuf and Johnchuks Onuanyim

T

he management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has raised strong objection to the allegation of fraud against the corporation by former Head of State and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), describing it as “political mischief.”

In a statement made available to journalists, the corporation stated that coming from a former minister of petroleum under whose watch a similar allegation of fraud was made, Buhari’s statement smacks of political mischief as he should know better than to peddle beer parlour gossip as facts.

The statement said: “It is sad General Buhari, one of the founding fathers of the NNPC who himself has tasted virulent but false allegations deliberately con-

cocted to cast the corporation and the public sector management of the nation’s oil and gas industry in bad light, would be the one to allege that NNPC runs two sets of account books ‘one for public consumption and another for insiders.’

“We consider General Buhari’s allegation in bad taste as it is nothing but a deliberate political mischief calculated to cast the corporation in opprobrium all in a bid to shore up his political capital.

“We find it difficult to understand how a former head of state, who has also served as minister of petroleum resources could believe that NNPC keeps two sets of account books to perpetrate fraud, knowing that NNPC is the most audited and scrutinised agency in the country.

“In the past one year alone, the corporation has had its books scrutinised and audited by the Senate Committee on Finance and an external auditor, PriceWaterhouseCooper (PWC)."

Adamawa PDP stakeholders petition INEC

S L-R: A customer with First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mrs. Funke Dada; Divisional Head, Retail Banking, Mr. Olu Akanmu; Executive Director, Lagos and South-West, Mr. Femi Bakre; Iya Oloja General of Nigeria, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo; Iya Oloja of Alade Market, Ikeja, Mrs. Elizabeth Adenuga and Divisional Head, Human Resources and Change Management, FCMB, Felicia Obozuwa, at the presentation of the bank’s Personal Business Account certificate of insurance in Lagos... yesterday

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

2015: Okorocha emerges Imo APC governorship candidate OKOROCHA WINS

Rejected at the national level, Okorocha is rewarded at home with APC ticket.

Steve Uzoechi and Biodun Oyeleye

I

OWERRI and Ilorin

mo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has picked the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in absentia as he was in Lagos for the party’s National Convention, which ended yesterday evening.

Also yesterday, a former governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has described the election of General Muhammadu Buhari by delegates as the presidential candidate of the APC as a reflection of the strong resolve of the party to rescue Nigeria from the Peoples

…Saraki hails party’s primaries, pleads for unity Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government.

Okorocha’s emergence as the party’s governorship candidate in the state came barely few hours after coming fourth in the APC presidential primary elections at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

During the Owerri event, which took place at the International Conference Centre, the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Planning, Uche Nwosu, who was secretly adopted as the APC governorship candidate by the party’s delegates, announced his withdrawal from the race.

Speaking before the ratification of the governor’s candidature, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mr. John Alamba, said the party had the power to substitute any candidate that withdrew from the race.

Nwosu, in his brief

speech, said his withdrawal from the race was based on personal and family reasons, adding that the interest of the party supersedes his personal ambition.

Apart from the delegates, also present at the event were all the state executive of the APC, except the chairman who was in Lagos, members of the Okorocha’s cabinet and other state appointees.

Meanwhile, Saraki in a statement expressed delight over what he termed “the uncommon level of transparency apparent throughout the convention”, saying the conduct and outcome of the election had given the APC a big edge in the coming elections.

The statement reads, “It is not happenstance rather it shows that it is easier for people to take a fall if they know that the fight was fair

and the rules applied generally. The feeling of fairness and deference to the will of the people and loyalty to the party then follow.

Never in the annals of party presidential primaries in Nigeria has there been such infectious atmosphere of novictor-no-vanquished.

“This eminently qualified Nigerians put aside personal loss and ambition for the greater vision of a changed Nigeria. This reflects the unflinching and collective resolve of the APC to see Nigeria rescued from the abyss this current administration has plunged her into.

“You will agree with me that the quality of the ideas that were put forth in the various manifestoes by our aspirants, showed truly, the APC is bringing change not for a few but change for all Nigerians to move us together, forward."

ome Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders under the aegis of Adamawa PDP Stakeholders and Aspirants have petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the way and manner the party conducted the recent State and National Assembly primaries.

The stakeholders in a statement made available to Saturday New Telegraph, said the conduct of the party’s primaries was in violation of the laid down rules and court order.

The statement which named Prof. Andrawus Sawa, Halima Hayatu, Senator Abubakar Girei, Gen. Aliyu Kama (rtd), Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Modibbo, Awwal D. Tukur, Markus Gundiri, Senator Grace Bent Jackson, Dr. Francis Zira, Commodore

Sali Bodes (rtd), Commodore James Pukuma (rtd), Aishatu Dahiru Binani, Capt. Altine Inuwa (rtd), Binoes D. Yaroe, Capt. Gar Doga (rtd) and Gen. Haladu Hananiya (rtd) as members of the group, urged the PDP to resolve the feud in the interest of the party.

The group stated: “Adamawa State PDP Stakeholders and Aspirants of all cadres wish to express our displeasure with the way and manner our great party which was built and nurtured with our sweat had been deliberately thrown into confusion.

“This is with a view to imposing unpopular candidates against the wishes of the people which will extinguish the fortune of our party both at the state and the national levels with intention to truncate democracy.”

TAN: Jonathan, an attractive, marketable product

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he Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) has described President Goodluck Jonathan as a very good and attractive product to market.

TAN's Director of Operations, who was also a key member of the president’s Declaration Committee, Benchuks Nwosu, said this while speaking with journalists in Awka, Anambra State yesterday.

Nwosu said the incumbent president had performed marvellously well

with his transformation agenda/programme in every sector of governance and the nation's economy with the resultant effect of positively impacting on the lives of the generality of all Nigerians.

He noted that the process of selling the idea of Jonathan's re-election bid was made so easy because of the democratic dividends he had been able to deliver to the nation in his first tenure, which he noted was unprecedented in the political history of Nigeria.

13 DECEMBER 2014

Court strikes out suit against Amaechi, Wamakko, others

Tunde Oyesina Abuja

T

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday struck the suit filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeking to sack the four governors who defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, in a ruling that lasted about two hours held that the suit's originating processes were invalid, on the ground that they were wrongly issued and served on the defendants.

The PDP had last December, sued the governors, including former Adamawa State governor, Murtala Nyako and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), asking the court to declare the defecting governors' seats vacant, and for INEC to conduct elections for their replacement.

Nyako’s name was later removed from the suit shortly after his removal.

The remaining four are

Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara).

The party had, upon an order of court, served the originating processes on wrong address, which it claimed was the headquarters of the APC. On June 27, the party again obtained an ex-parte order for substituted service of the originating processes through newspaper publication, which it published on July 3 in Thisday newspapers.

The defendants came back to court to challenge the procedure adopted by the PDP in serving them, arguing among others, that the plaintiff failed to first obtained the leave of the court to serve through substituted means, and that the originating processes were not endorsed as required under the Sheriff and Civil Processes Act (SCPA).

The court’s ruling yesterday was on the applications filed by Ameachi, Kwankwaso and Ahmed.

‘How real estate stimulates economic growth’ Ndubuisi Ugah

I

n a bid to contribute and build a stronger national economy, the Managing Director, Grenadines Homes Limited, Mrs. Noimot Olatunji, has said the real estate sector has enormous potential that can be tapped as a stimulus for Nigeria’s economic growth.

She said in most developed economies around the world, the real estate sector contributes more to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) than other sectors, stating that Nigeria could not be an exception.

Fielding questions from journalists on the contribution of the real estate

News

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

industry to national development, Olatunji said the huge investment in numerous housing estates and social infrastructure

by Grenadines Homes was a testimonial of the significant contribution of the sector to the building of a stronger and prosperous Nigeria.

The managing director said Grenadines Homes was positioned as a solution provider in the affordable and luxury homes category for prospective luxury home owners.

She added that despite the challenging environment, her company was committed to timely delivery of quality houses.

IKEJA

MINNA PDP warns losers over utterances

NEWS IN BRIEF

Niger State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the conduct of the just concluded governorship primaries as flawless and a reflection of the wish of the people, adding that the failure of aspirants was borne strictly out of their inability to impress the people.

The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Hassan Saba, in an interaction session with journalists in Minna yesterday, also condemned the attitude of some of those that participated in the election, saying they were crying wolf where there was none.

“I am indeed pleased with the outcome of the PDP primaries. I hail the leadership of the party for the smooth process, which characterised the primaries," he said.

9

The number of people in refugeelike situation in Sri Lanka at the beginning of 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

Lagos to shut Oworonshoki bridge for 2 hours tomorrow

The Lagos State government yesterday said that it would shut Oworonsoki- Ogudu Bridge along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Kosofe Local Government Area tomorrow to enable it carry out the repair works on damaged expansion joint of the bridge.

In a statement signed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, the government said the repair work will be carried out by Messrs CCECC Nigeria Limited between 9a.m and 11a.m.

The statement said: “As part of the Traffic Management strategies during the exercise on the bridge, vehicular movement from Oworonsoki/ Ifako would be restricted to two lanes for the short period of the maintenance exercise."

$88bn

The estimated amount of financial support for renewable energy globally in 2012.

Source: Unesco.org

KANO Kwankwaso: I may consider senatorial bid

Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries has said he may consider calls for him to go for the Kano Central Senatorial Seat after due consultations.

Kwankwaso said: “I will consult with my people, friends and political associates on my future politically, and you should know that my being in the Senate will help in no small measure in tackling those talkative who have nothing to offer for the unity of the country. For now, I will make sure that I deliver Kano to the APC as a bound and ensure that PDP is defeated hands down."

€107.6m

The amount of money realized from TV rights by Tottheham in 2013-2014 season.

Source: Goal.com

Aggrieved PDP members shun reconciliatory committee PRIMARIES FALLOUT In Bayelsa State, short changed PDP members defy reconciliation moves, exit party.

Chris Ejim

A Yenagoa

ggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State yesterday shunned the reconciliatory committee set up by the party to assuage the anger of those that lost during the State and National Assembly primaries in the state, before going ahead to pick the tickets of the All Progressives Grand

…pick APGA tickets for assembly polls Alliance (APGA) for the 2015 elections.

Chairman of the party, Col.Sam Inokoba, had on Monday established a panel to reconcile members angry with the outcome of its primaries in the state.

The panel saddled with the responsibility of calming frayed nerves was chaired by the traditional ruler of Opume Kingdom, King A.J. Turner. Others were the former acting governor of the state, Chief Peremonowei Ebebi; former political adviser, Chief Thompson Okorotie and former speaker of the old Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Talford Ongolo.

But the aggrieved members including a former

President of the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), Jonjon Oyeinfa and a former commissioner in the state, Zuwa Konugah, shunned the party’s reconciliatory parley and picked APGA's tickets to represent their various constituencies at the next general election in the state.

Kodugah until recently was a commissioner for state capital development under the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson.

At the primaries of the party in Yenegoa yesterday, the aggrieved members were all adopted by APGA after passing through the party requirements.

The state Chairman of APGA, John Sokare, who spoke to the aspirants at

the end of the primaries, said the party would give their unwavering support to them just as he urged them to live up to the ideal of the party.

He said the party was a stable in the country having produced House of Assembly and House of Representatives members, senators and governors across the state of the federation. He, however, reiterated that the party had adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as its flag bearer in the next election.

In his remarks, Konugah thanked the party’s executives and delegates for their support and the orderly manner they conducted the primaries.

NIHOTOUR partners New Telegraph on tourism summit Andrew Iro Okungbowa

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he National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), said plans have been concluded to host a one–day hospitality and tourism stakeholders summit with the theme, ‘Training the manpower of the future,’ in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation on December 16.

The summit is also sponsored by a number of corporate bodies, including the New Telegraph Newspapers.

Minister of Tourism, Chief Edem Duke, who will deliver the keynote address

at the summit in Abuja, will also have the Minister of State, Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, as guest of honour, while the Executive Secretary of the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE), Dr. M. A. Kazaure, is one of the speakers.

Others are the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Emeka Mbah; Director General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar Onyema and the Managing Director/CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc, Val Ozigbo and Director General of NIHOTOUR, Mrs. Chika Balogun.

9

One of the victims of the twin bomb blasts, Yahuza Umar, receiving treatment at the Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos…yesterday

Voices Would you prefer a paid maid to a relative of yours? p.12

Street Diary SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER 2014

10

Feud over burial of Nwobodo’s son gets messier Uwakwe Abugu

The children don’t have my flesh and blood in them because if they do, there are certain things they will not do

T Enugu

he grisly circumstances that have assailed the family of a former governor of old Anambra State, Seator Jim Nwobodo, following the stalled burial of his first son, Ifeanyi, a medical doctor, who ironically bowed to a cancer-related ailment in his prime, have degenerated instead of abating.

Nwobodo who caught a pitiable sight as he clearly betrayed the plight of an elder statesman holed up in the den of agony last Tuesday was driven into disowning his children said to be responsible for the disappearance of the corpse of his late son.

The deceased had died on November 16.

The scheduled burial of his remains on December 5 was stalled when his younger siblings allegedly stole the corpse to drive home their insistence that it should be interred in Senator Nwobodo’s compound at their Amechi Awkunanaw country home, Enugu South council area of Enugu state.

The former governor, on his part, has vowed not have the corpse buried in his compound as, according to him, the custom of Amechi forbids him seeing the corpse of any of his children and that to have it interred in his compound would be to institute a permanent agony in his psyche if he would have to see his son’s grave daily. The state of affair in which neither father nor the children would surrender in a messy duel has continued to subsist.

New burial date and Nwobodo’s fresh tackles Since the surviving children of Nwobodo born to him by his former wife, Mukosolu, successfully stalled the burial and heaped an indelible embarrassment on the elder statesman, nothing has been heard of them and their next line of action. However, the siblings of the departed medical doctor, namely, Chukwudi said to be an

The burial ground

The building where Nwobodo wants his son buried

oil industry worker, Usonwa and the only female among them, Ifeoma, had apparently been honing their own strategy in the gruelling encounter with their father.

They have fixed December 16 as the new burial date. But Senator Nwobodo, not a man to give in in a matter he should take charge of has quickly pronounced his new tackles since his children failed to consult him before carrying on with the burial scheduled to take place on the premises of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Amechi Awkunanaw, which is said to have been personally built by the former governor and inaugurated by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1982.

Firstly, he tacitly disowned those children born to him by his former wife who he said to have divorced before he became governor in 1979. “The children don’t have my flesh and blood in them because if they do, there are certain things they will not do. My children who have my flesh

land. Even the land opposite his home on which the new bungalow was built for his late son was also acquired by him.

According to Nwobodo, what pained him most was the fact that his children never showed him any sign of protest against their brother’s interment and blood lavish love on me. And for these ones to on the new compound until the day Nwobodo of burial, when they went to the mortusteal the corpse of their brother, it’s unheard of, it’s an abomination,” he ary and “stole” the corpse, at the point declared. Nwobodo has a wife at the mo- all the dignitaries that came for the burial ment, Patricia, who has other children for had arrived, and thus embarrassed him.

He also clarified the issue of insinuahim. Secondly, on that Tuesday when he briefed newsmen on his final decisions tions of matrimonial crisis in his home, concerning the messy controversies sur- saying, “Please I want to make one aprounding the botched burial of his son, peal to the media, I have only one wife he also vowed never to have anything to (Patricia). I divorced this woman (exdo with the burial of his son again, the wife) before I became governor (in 1979). new burial date fixed by his protesting Please don’t write that I have two wives; children notwithstanding. And he said, save me the embarrassment of saying “After that day (December 5), as far as I’m matrimonial problem, the church would concerned I have completed the burial, I not have wedded me if I had another will never be part of it again.” wife.”

He spoke more on the issue of burial Burial site controversy and matters site and his right to will his property: arising “This place is my personal land where On December 6 when dignitaries and I built my house and not our ancestral sympathisers had gathered and the con- land. I can give it to anybody. This is the troversy broke out with the disappear- first time in my life that I have seen chilance of the corpse, the most outstanding dren stealing the corpse of their brother. permutation that came to the fore was “It is strange and abomination to the issue of matrimonial crisis in view our Amechi culture. The children told of the fact that Nwobodo’s children were the Bishop that since I do not want my born by two different mothers- Muko- son buried in my compound but where solu and Patricia. What was being touted I built a house for him just opposite my as the reason for both parties sticking to house, that their brother should be burtheir guns was the issue of who inherits ied on a church premises. I agreed but the Amechi property of Nwobodo, be- behold they disappeared with the corpse tween the children of Patricia and those up till now I am talking to you,” Nwoof Mukosolu. However, the issue of the bodo lamented.

On their part, his protesting children custom and tradition was played up lavishly. Some said by the tradition of the are said to be grudging the alleged plan community, a first son should inherit the by their father to will his control to Paassets of his father and that late Ifeanyi tricia’s children, declined to make combeing Nwobodo’s first child should be ment. They are largely incommunicado buried in his compound, a reason his now. However, a confidant of his children siblings have been insisting on his re- identified as Chukwudi Nnaji, spoke on mains being interred in the compound their behalf on Wednesday, saying they are focused now on the preparations for of their father.

However, apart from asserting that the December 16 burial ceremony of their nobody should dictate for him who in- brother. Moreover, he stated, they would herits his property, the elder statesman not under any circumstance tackle their has pointed out that the land on which father on the pages of newspapers behis country home was built was bought cause he deserved their respect even in by him and that it is not their ancestral the face of this controversy.

13 DECEMBER 2014

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Street Diary

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

Shola Adefuwa or Alhaji Hammed Fashola, the Managing Director of Dapsey Petroleum Limited, November 13 was like any other day he transacts his business. So, when he left home for his office on that day, he had no premonition that something untoward would happen to him and that his business plan for the next day would be shattered by kidnappers who had laid ambush for him.

Fashola, who narrated his ordeal to our correspondent in Lagos on Friday, said the gunmen were hired to kidnap him and asked to demand ransom before he could be freed.

He said: “On the fateful day, I was driving home after I had closed from my office.

My office is very close to my house. All of a sudden, a Honda Pilot SUV crossed my vehicle and before I knew what was happening, five men with guns alighted from the vehicle and started hitting my vehicle.

In the process, they damaged my vehicle.

“I had no option than to alight from my vehicle. I was ordered to enter their vehicle. Inside the car, I was blindfolded and that was the last thing I knew. They saw N300, 000 in my car and wasted to time to share the money among themselves. They also saw my iPhone, took it and later destroyed it.”

Fashola said the kidnappers gagged him and he had no idea where they heading until they reached their den and the men confessed to him that they were actually paid to kidnap him.

"When they reached their den, I found myself inside a toilet. Then one of them, their gang leader, engaged me in a discussion for two minutes and said somebody gave them the ‘contract’ to kidnap me.

He said that is what they do for a living.

Fahola added that his kidnappers then warned him to cooperate with them if he wanted them to release him on time. He said thereafter, they chained his legs to prevent him from escaping.

He said it later dawned on him that he had seen the vehicle which the men used to kidnap him parked very close to his office three days before the men struck on November 13.

Recalling that the car was parked on a particular spot close to his office and for a long time, he added, “That day, I suspected the car and I saw two people who parked opposite my office. I also saw a

Gunmen were paid to kidnap me, says Fashola

I told the police to be patient that their boss is coming on Monday for final negotiation

Fashola

man wearing a yellow long sleeve shirt and he put on the same shirt the day they struck.

Fashola stated that he was very sure the men had been monitoring him for a while before they carried out their nefarious act on the said day.

He said a day after he was kidnapped, they demanded N2million ransom and asked me to call my wife to arrange the money.

“They decided to place the phone on conference call and asked me to demand

N4.2 million. Immediately I spoke with my wife, they switched off the phone.

“Later, they called my wife again to demand $400, 000 as their ransom. This was on a Saturday. On Sunday, they told me that their boss would be coming on Monday for final negotiation. But on that day, about 15 minutes after our discussion, I just heard repeated gunshots and that was how I realised that the police were around and how I was rescued.

Police arrested the two men on the ground and the woman who cooked food

for kidnapped victims. The woman was with her three children at the time the police raided the place.

“I told the police to be patient that their boss is coming on Monday for final negotiation. So, we waited till Monday evening and their gang leader called Iyke and another suspect identified simply as Kingsley came around. Kingsley was among the five men that kidnapped me,” he said.

He added that all the suspects were rounded up.

Rotary club donates consumables, drugs to hospital Temitope Dada

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11

ing Ogun State since 2009.”

According to him, whenever they have their outreach mission it is usually a week programme where they per-

form basic surgical procedures and give out some drugs as well as medical tips to patients. But, he quickly pointed that due to the recent

he Rotary Club of Akowonjo District 9110, Nigeria has recently donated consumables and drugs worth N5 million to the Alimosho General Hospital. The gesture was in conjunction with Revom Health Outreach Mission, United Kingdom.

Speaking at a ceremony to handover the materials on the hospital premises in Lagos, a medical doctor from Revom Health, Tunji Olaleye, said the need to give back to humanity and the indigents of the Nigerian society was responsible for the outreach. He added that they wanted to put smiles on the faces of people who could not afford to pay their bills and to complement governments’ effort in trying to provide accessible healthcare for the people of Lagos.

He said: “This is the first time we will be coming to Lagos, but we’ve extended such gesture to some states, includ- Toyin Ajani and Secretary Samuel Agbeluyi with some donated sanitisers

Ebola scare, a lot of people who were supposed to be on the team couldn’t come.

“So, what we have decided to do is to make the presentation of the consumables and drugs to the management who will believe will make good use of them accordingly,” Olaleye stated.

He used the occasion to commend the effort of the Nigerian government and the Lagos State government in their effort to eradicate the Ebola virus.

He said: “They have done a very good job and we all know that WHO has certified Nigeria to be Ebola free. I want to advise that whatever we did to get it right we should not relent on it and always ready to do more.

The president of Rotary club of Akowojo, Babtunde Alimi, could not hide his satisfaction at the outreach, adding that part of the vision when he became the president of the club was to have a laudable projects.

“It is not by building houses, renovating toilet, etc

alone. I want to give back to the people directly, most importantly people that will be coming to the hospital for one sickness or the other but do not have money to treat themselves. We thank God we are able to convince Revom from the UK to buy into the idea of collaborating with us on this outreach. We have spoken with the director; he has assured us that the drugs are not going to be sold and they would be given to people that need them at no cost,” the president noted.

In his appreciation, the medical director, Alimosoho General Hospital, Bolaji Adebiyi, said the gesture would go a long way in alleviating the suffering of people within the local government area, especially indigent patients.

“We assure you that these items will be put in best usage and never be sold to the public. They will be solely used on patients who are in need of them,” Adebiyi said.

Voices

SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER 2014

12

Would you prefer a paid maid to a relative of yours?

I am safer with a relative Well I prefer a relative than a paid maid because there is this fact that he or she is known to you, and can be traceable should anything go wrong.

He/she will deal with you and your kids with some level of love because of the relationship. But a paid maid whom you don’t know his/her biological background is so vulnerable to the family and from past experiences of people, they are mostly out to fulfill a purpose of satisfying their want or the want of those who you got them through.

– Alexander Owhowhero, engineer

I prefer paid maid

When it comes to family issues it is always a delicate issue and sometimes family members plant their wards or relatives in the house to serve as a spy on someone. So I would prefer a paid maid.

– Bello Modupe, businesswoman

Nobody is to be trusted I prefer a relative because some maids are evil, some can also be there to snatch away what you have while some are home destroyers.

Some maids are sent by the enemies to perpetrate evil acts in the family, so I think relatives are preferable to me but I will rather still say nobody is to be trusted.

– Rubin John, businesswoman

Relatives are more dangerous than paid maids I wouldn’t prefer one to the other because both have their negative sides and in most cases, relatives are more dangerous than paid maids because they feel you treat them wickedly as you will do to a paid maid.

– Gabriel Ime, businessman

A relative can't be easily punished Paid maid makes it work for me. Since I pay, I can decide the extent to tolerate her misbehaviour. A relative can’t be easily punished as it could be a subject of family gathering even when she's a threat to your family happiness. With a paid maid, I can decide spontaneously when I feel I don't get value for my money.

I prefer a relative As for me, I would prefer a relative over a full-time paid maid anytime because the paid maid's background and family are not known to me and in case of any issue there is no way one can trace her unlike a relative who can be traced easily.

– Mrs. Elizabeth Okonkwo, businesswoman

– Odunayo James, businesswoman

I will comfortably manage a paid maid I will go for the paid maid because I will be able to manage him or her as I am the boss and I pay her salary.

–Mrs. Bello Adejoke, nurse

A relative would treat my children better I will prefer a relative as maid because I will pay her less and I believe she would take care of my children better than the other maid. She can be easily traced in case of any misconduct.

– Mariam Ayilara, artisan

I prefer a full-time maid

Paid maid is more diligent I will go for the paid maid because my taking a maid means I need someone to take care of my home and the paid maid will do her work diligently because she knows without that she will not be paid.

– Emmanuel Charles, accountant

In my own opinion there is nothing wrong with both but I will prefer a full-time maid because men are not to be trusted as anything can happen and it will be easier to treat such cases if the not your relative.

maid is – Racheal Paul, trader

Relative is part of the family I prefer a relative because I will be able to deal with the person as a family member and she will also see herself as a member and do her job the way she ought to and treat the house as hers.

– Mrs. Oyinloye Olawumi, teacher

I don’t need a maid at all

I will prefer a full-time maid to a relative because bringing a relative of mine as a maid may inconvenient my wife and she may feel she is been monitored and that's bad. But the truth is I don’t need a maid at all.

– Adam Akewusola, trader

I don’t need any maid I don't even need any maid - be it paid one or relative - because none of them will be able to satisfy me.

– Olumide Taiwo, engineer

compiled by

AYILARA DADA, TOPE DADA AND JOHN EDU

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2014

WeekendDelight 13

C o n v e r s at i o n

Instyle

TEWA

Dressing up the children this Christmas p.15

The Arts

Against all odds, Orara’s brushstrokes find expression in spirituality p.18

ONASANYA

I’d have been a shoe designer if I wasn’t a publisher’ Dogged and elegant Tewa Onasanya is editor-in-chief of Exquisite Magazine, a lifestyle magazine which she has edited for 11 years. The mother of two passionately talks about challenges as a publisher, fetish for shoes and her magazine’s ‘Walk against Cancer’ among other issues with Angela Davies.

Love&Living ‘He duped me even after I gave him my heart’ p.35

You publish a lifestyle magazine.

How has the journey been so far?

The journey has been good. It had its ups and downs just like any other business or anything one is doing but we’ve been able to work through all the different challenges we faced in the past and are currently facing. So, I will say so far so good because even though we have had some challenges, it’s been a learning curve as well and we are having fun doing it.

Travel Personality: Irene Mutungi: Being Kenya’s first female Commercial Pilot p.41

You studied pharmacology, how did you end up in publishing?

I say that whatever it is you studied at the university, there are always courses you do which have transferable skills. Yes I have a science background but one big thing behind my background is the fact that I have always had writing and researching skills. So, because of that and also the different things I have learnt being in school and the university, I have been able to marry both and become who I am today.

What are some of the challenges you faced?

Exquisite magazine is 11 years old and when we started, we faced the challenges of trying to convince people that this is a magazine that is here to stay.

We tried to convince them to put their money where their mouth is in terms of advertising and readers buying the magazine. We tried to convince people to partner with us. Other challenges include writers being late when they are supposed to have turned in their work, looking for good staff that are able to see what the vision is and help the company grow as well as financial challenges. I suppose it is the same challenge everybody faces as entrepreneurs.

And did you ever think of quitting?

There were points when I thought if I should just stop doing this. But because I’m very passionate about what I do and I enjoy what I do, I find a new way to make it work. © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

ONASANYA

What is the future of publishing vis-

a-vis online publication and social media?

At the moment I will say the future is still bright. Although everybody is moving unto the online platform, it can only work both ways or work at par with each other. So, as we have the print version, we would have the online version as well. There are some people who are still stuck in their ways as they want to see the hard copy. So because of those kind of people, we still need to print the hard copy and also because of the new generation that love to read online and read on the go on their mobile devices, we cater for them as well. So, I still think that the future is quite bright even if maybe 10 to 20 years’ time, paper is phase out and then everything is online, at least it could still be a platform where people can read about different things and advertisers can meet their target audiences.

What informed the Exquisite Ladies of the Year Awards (ELOY) and why is it only for women?

When we started the Exquisite Ladies of the Year Awards (ELOY) the rationale behind it is the fact that there are so many award ceremonies in Nigeria and they are more for men and then the other ones are for both men and women. And we felt that we are a woman’s magazine and as unbelievable as it seems there are a lot of women doing exceptionally well in different fields that people don’t know about. So the whole aim of the ELOY Awards is to celebrate the women that are doing well in their different fields and to also bring the different fields into the limelight. It is also to be able to inspire other women and then empower them while we are doing this.

How do you joggle the responsibility of being a wife, mother and entrepreneur?

To be quite honest, I joggle these three areas by finding a balance to be

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

14

Weekend Delight

| Conversation

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

‘My greatest fear is losing somebody close to me’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 3

has more to do with the parents.

able to deal with all of them. I’m not saying I am perfect but I try my best not to let one suffer for the other. I try my best to make everything work together because they are the whole total package of me.

What is your greatest fear in life?

In an era where there are many broken marriages what do you do to keep yours together?

How do you relax?

I suppose one key thing for me in marriage is communication. If couples communicate all the time, they would understand each other better and that is the big thing. So at least whatever it is you are going through, whether at work or home, if you are able to talk about it with your spouse, you should be able to pull through together and stay together.

How would you define your style?

My style is quite simple but I love to wear comfortable things. I don’t like it when I dress up and I have an extra strap showing or I have to pull something up to be able to look nice and comfortable. I want my outfit to just sit the way I have worn it all day. So, I try to wear things that are comfortable even when it comes to my shoes as well.

What is your fetish?

That would be my shoes definitely and even my kids know it. I feel confident and like I can take on the world when I am wearing very fabulous pair of shoes. I don’t know why, it could be a psychology thing but that is the way I feel and the shoes have to be high heels. It makes me feel in a certain way that I am in control of whatever it is I am feeling.

If you were not into publishing, what would you be doing?

If I wasn’t into publishing, I would probably be a shoe designer. With my love for shoes, I would love to design different pair of shoes that I would like to see ladies wear.

Who knows maybe one day I would berth my shoe line.

What are those childhood memories you cherish?

The childhood memories I hold very dear I guess is probably the togetherness of my family. I come from a family where we are all girls. We are seven girls and even though I am the oldest and I wasn’t around to grow up with my younger ones, but we were groomed to be close knit. That’s why even till now we are all quite close and I don’t have too many friends. I love that closeness. I would like to do that with my kids so they are like that as well.

My mum always drummed into us that education is your property. Both she and my dad encouraged us to read, I suppose that is where my reading habit came from. I love reading, if it is not magazines, it will be books. I read a lot as if there is no tomorrow and I am thankful my children have taken after me in that respect. So, I cherish the values instilled in us, the closeness and honesty among us.

The reading culture among children these days is nothing to write home about. What is your take on this?

I think my take would be that the parents are not enforcing reading culture. Even when I am not at home, my children know there are rules to be followed. There is a time to watch television and there is time to read your books. During the week, there is only one hour of television in my house. If you are bored, you sleep or you read because you’ve been at school all day, you have played and done all sorts of things, so you are definitely tired. Six to seven pm is television period so they could watch any programme they want within that hour. After that they are having dinner and at eight pm they are in bed. And if you can’t sleep at that time, you also read a book but that is in my house. And when I am not at home that is what they do because that is what I have told them to do. On week days, there are no games as well, you play games at weekends and even at weekends you are still reading.

And luckily, they love reading as well. I am not saying that I am perfect but that is what I do in my house.

So if you are a parent and you want your children to read, then you have to be able to buy them books. You will buy them play station and whatever game it is, you should also buy them books so you have a good mix. You could start with books with images to catch their attention and as they grow old, they would begin to read books without image. But then, they would have formed the reading habit. So, it depends on how parents want to groom their children. In fact children need to read especially to be able to speak properly, learn vocabulary and learn new words as well. If you want your children to be able to do this, then, you should set the example or show them that this is what we are going to do at certain times. So I think it

My greatest fear would be to lose somebody that is close to me. It is inevitable but I just hope it happens when we are extremely old.

I tend to relax watching all sorts of movies that are not horror. I can’t see horror movies because they scare me even at this age. But I try to go to the cinema often.

If we take a peep into your wardrobe what kind of accessories and clothes are we going to see?

If you take a peep into my wardrobe, you won’t see a lot of accessories because I am not a huge fan of accessories.

But I would wear nice earrings and neck chain but I don’t have a lot of them. However, you will see zillion of shoes.

In terms of clothes, you would see classic pieces like work dresses, nice slim fit pair of trousers and nice pencil skirts and lots more.

You do the Exquisite Magazine against Cancer Walk every year. What informed this?

I use to live in England and there, once you become of age, well sexually active age so to speak, they always invite you in for a pap smear which is for cervical cancer.

And every three years, they send you a letter to remind you that it is time for your next check-up and if you don’t go, they would keep sending you letters and it might get to a point when they would even start calling you. And then when I moved back to Nigeria I found out that one woman dies every hour of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the cancers that is preventable so women don’t need to die of it much less having one woman dying every hour.

That is why

e er is on c n a c l is ca “Cervi ancers that n c of the ble so wome ta it preven eed to die of e don’t n ss having on e l y much dying ever n woma our” h

we do the walk every year to educate women to go for regular screening of the cervix and also to let them know that it is not a cancer that should lead to death. It is an easy form of screening, aside that regular screening aids in the detection of cervical cancer so that no woman needs to die. If there is a problem, then the doctor will do a higher grade of test which is the biopsy. But then again if it is the initial stage and it is nothing serious, you can even be treated.

And next year, we are hoping that the dream we have to be able to screen more women is fulfilled with the different partners we have. At the moment we have done the walk in Lagos and Abuja, we are hoping to go to other states just to let women know that if you are of a sexual age or have had sex before, you need to go for screening. The walk is also a form of exercise, exciting and in the middle

of it you are conveying a message to people.

What is it that people don’t know about you?

People don’t know that I am very good at braiding hair. I never learnt it, it is in-born. There were times where I have thought to myself I hope I don’t get to heaven and God will say I gave you this talent of hair making, why did you never ever use it? When I was younger, I use to do my sister’s as well as friends hair but I stopped after a while.

Instyle

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

15

fashion etiquette Attending a black tie event

D

uring this festive season, there would be lots of formal events also known as a "black tie" event which could be a ball or even formal dinners and you are expected to dress up in outfits suitable for the event.

So if you are lucky to be invited to a black tie event, during the Yuletide season, then, as a man you are expected to wear a black tuxedo or dinner suit. The tuxedo or dinner suit should be paired with a crisp white shirt with cufflinks and topped with a classic black bow tie for that sleek and elegant look. If you want to go the extra mile, then wear cummerbund. As a fashion rule, the cummerbund must be the same colour with the bow tie.

You want to make sure that you look sharp and smart and that includes wearing black dress socks and a nice pair of well-polished black shoes to complete the look.

Then style your evening look with a lovely black leather wristwatch. With this ensemble you are definitely dressed to impress. For a smarter look, you should get a clean shave and nice haircut to complement your overall look.

photos: Ruff 'n' Tumble

Smart and trendy outfits for children at Christmas

I

Angela Davies t is less than two weeks to Christmas and as parents you would want your children to look great for all the fun holiday activities they will be attending especially on Christmas Day. So, it is time to shop for gorgeous trendy, smart and vibrant outfits they would love.

There are lots of adorable Christmas outfits to select from for both girls and boys. For the boys, you could shop for suits, shirt and trouser, T-shirt or even shirt and short in lovely colours. And for the girls, there is a wide range of beautiful dresses in varied styles and colours, top and trouser or skirt or even top and short to choose from.

Aside the beautiful clothes and shoes also ensure you buy them other accessories in readiness for the festive season. Such accessories could include fancy plastic sunshades in different shapes, wristwatch, hair ruffles, belt and so on. The bottom-line is that you should make them feel very important and special.

To make your children happy this Christmas, parents here are tips to help you: • You should not go shopping alone; take them along with you especially if you are going to shop in a

children’s boutique.

If you go with them to a boutique, allow them choose their clothes but guide them to make the right choice.

• And if you would be shopping for their clothes from online shops, then, ensure it is what the children would love. So buy them clothes that are beautiful, colourful and striking.

• Ensure the clothes you buy are made from breathable fabrics like cotton because they would play a lot during the festive season.

• If the whole family would be wearing traditional outfit especially on Christmas Day, then, ensure, the ones you make for the children are smart, stylish and comfortable.

• Overall, clothes for the children should be simple but colourful and superb. Children love colours and as such get easily attracted.

Remember, the Christmas season means different things to people, however, for the children, it simply means wearing new beautiful clothes, shoes and having lots of fun. So, ensure your children look smashing this season in beautiful outfits and they will be thankful.

•

Frank Edoho

16

Instyle

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

'His' and 'Her' gifts this Christmas

F

inding the ideal Christmas gift for that special person could be stressful at this festive time, so we thought we could make it a bit easier for you. No doubt, there are lots of gifts ranging from clothes, accessories, beauty products, tech gifts you could choose from; however, buying her or him a Christmas gift he or she will always remember is important.

When it comes to that special woman or man in your life, you should treat her or him to something special this Christmas.

Buy them that Christmas gift they would always remember and appreciate.

Most importantly, buy him or her that perfect Christmas gift that would appeal to him or her unique personality and interests.

Here is a list of gifts you could select from.

For her • Handbag • Statement Necklace • Designer Perfume • Lingerie • High heel shoe • Jewellery set • Smart phone • Scarf • Wristwatch • Dress • Personalized gift item • Assorted Chocolate • Surprise vacation or dinner For him • Grooming set • Polo T-shirt • Tie • Belt • Shirt • Shoe • Perfume • Camera • Briefs • Wristwatch • Leather wallet • Personalized gift item It is not about how much you bought the gift but the rationale behind the giving. So make this Christmas a memorable one for that special man or woman in your life.

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

Instyle

17

Keeping it covered Facts

Singer, songwriter and talk show host, Zoe Chinaka, is fussy about her fashion sense which could be described as demure but classy. Angela Davies writes.

How would you define your style?

My style is comfortable, covered and classy. As long as I am covered, it’s tasteful and I am comfortable with the way I am presented, I am fine.

What determines the kind of outfit you wear?

It is the event and then the way I feel. As long as the way I dress still hit the mark of classy, covered and comfortable, I’m good to go.

What sort of outfit take up the most space in your wardrobe?

They are pencil skirts, dresses, midi dresses, skater skirts and a few jeans because I am not a trouser person. But basically skirts and then dresses for events.

Essential fashion accessory That will be bracelet. I feel bare without going out wearing it.

Is there a particular outfit you will never be caught wearing?

I think a very short dress showing my legs and the same time exposing my cleavage. You can’t catch me baring both at the same time.

Best designer I like Lanre Da Silva; she has this covert tasty sense of style. Then there is a new designer I discovered called Ade Sol, she clothes working class women. She does a great job of fusing your style into corporate fantastic outfits. Internationally, I have always loved Elli Saab couture and Vera Wang.

Signature perfume It would be the Code of Seduction

by Jojo Armani because I received a lot as gifts in school and then I just never grew out of it.

Best colour My best colour is white. It just

Beauty W

Theresa Onwuka established her fashion brand Needle Point in 2006 but re-launched in 2010.

Her mother, who had attended the London School of Fashion in the 1980s, inspired her foray into the fashion industry.

Immersed from a young age into a world of creativity and colours, Theresa was exposed to the rudiments of detailing, design and embellishment.

stands you out as you don’t need to try so hard.

Do you have an obsession for shoes?

Yes, I do. I love covered shoes no matter the event except my toes have really suffered that week. So, sometimes I wear strappy sandals to allow my feet breathe. I love them really high, so they could be five or even six inches high.

What fashion rule do you live by?

Just be covered and love the way you look.

How do you love your make-up?

I like it light but if I am attending a night event, I like my eyes heavy and my lips subtle. But if I am wearing a bland outfit, I pop it up with a touch of colour.

In the 18th century, both men and women held their hair in place with pomade made from beef fat.

How do you love your hair?

I let my hair down most times when I fix weave-on. Nevertheless, when I decide to carry my natural hair which is also long I style it into a ponytail.

Most expensive fashion accessory ever bought It is a purse. I went for an auction event and somehow I raised up my hand carelessly and they thought I wanted to bid. I tried to explain but when it was getting embarrassing I had to pay for it.

If you were to be a fashion accessory what would you be?

I would definitely be a bracelet.

Style icons I love Eva Mendes. She dresses covered and you would hardly see her dress indecent. I admire Beyonce when she is off the stage.

Also, Jennifer Lopez has a way of making an indecent outfit look innocent with the way she carries herself.

Ralph Lauren served in the United States Army from 1962 to 1964 before becoming a fashion designer at age 26.

Chinaka

Today, when our hair gets oily we just wash it, but in the 1940s, women would wear turbans to hide their greasy hair.

Prepping your skin for the festive season

e are in the festive season so your preparation should not be limited to the outfits you would wear, food you would eat and places you would visit with family, friends and loved ones.

You also need to start preparing your skin for the holiday season to make it look good and feel ultra gorgeous over the festive season.

So why not begin to give yourself that nice Christmas beauty treats your skin deserves.

• Cut down on sugary food and those high in fats.

• Reduce the quantity of your alcohol and caffeine intake to help your skin look radiant. Alcohol dehydrates you and could leave your skin dry and dull. To ensure your skin glows over the festive period, do not forget to moisturise.

• Begin to eat lots of fruits and vegetables. This will help you attain vibrant, glowing and healthy skin.

• Exfoliation will help your skin regenerate and slough away dead skin cells. There are different ways and products to exfoliate your skin with.

But it is important to opt for one that suits your skin type. It is also important to moisturise afterwards to keep the skin well hydrated. Do this once a week.

• Using natural home-made facial mask is great for softening the skin. It is simple and cheap to make since they are made from ingredients you already have at home. This could be done twice a week to achieve

a good result.

• Drink plenty of water preferably with a slice of lemon or ginger about thrice a week especially in the mornings. It will not only give the water taste but also help the body to remove accumulated toxins. This would keep your skin looking healthy and fresh.

• Use an intensive skin-clarifying booster. You should use a skin cream you could apply to your face at night, since your skin repairs itself while you sleep. Preferably, a skin cream with salicylic acid which helps speed up the appearance of fresh, new skin while gently removing dead skin cells and relieving clogged pores.

• Get a body massage. This would not only relive accumulated stress but also make your skin fresh, rejuvenated and glow.

This should be done at least twice in a row.

Having a great skin is probably the ultimate gift you can give yourself this festive season. So, pamper your skin to look its best.

Having a massage will help rejuvenate your skin

The Arts SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER 2014

18

Reflection with Tim Leye 08098668480

timorousray@gmail.com

Myles Monroe in his Eden (Tribute to Dr Myles Monroe) Quiet is the entrance of a man on life's stage And when his part is ding and done, With a bow, his curtain is drawn and gone A thunderous applause approves his role...

So, let it be with Myles Monroe.

'Homeward revisited'

'The Last Laugh'

Against All Odds, Orara's brushstrokes find expression in spirituality Nigerian artist and master of impressionist techniques, Zinno Orara returns to the exhibition space last week with his solo show titled Against All Odds at Mydrym Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos. Against All Odds, evokes pains, resilience, love, passion, spirituality at various levels, writes TONY OKUYEME.

“L

'Same Time, Same Venue' (Inset: Orara)

says: “someday we will all go; but how are going to finish? What I am saying here is ‘I am hoping that she makes it, but where she doesn’t make it, let her finish well.

The piece titled Open Secret show different faces. He disclosed that the message is that “in life, no matter what we do, no matter how much darkness is around us, that thing we’ve hidden, someday it will

IN-Short Film and Video festival

Art Brief

ife’s heaviest burden is to have nothing to carry. The value of every person is determined by the sacrifices he is willing to make for others.”

The above statement by Orara echoes in striking resonances in Against All Odds. As Barrister Richmond Ogolo noted in the introduction to the exhibition, “Orara is no stranger to subtle tales of grief and dreams, possessing as it were, a palette so deft as to veil melancholy with dignified tranquillity or where decorative function is the objective, to imbue the harshest colour with nonchalant elegance.”

Featuring 50 works, Against All Odds brims with passion, care and fear, and more importantly, it is arguably, a celebration of life, a commentary on life’s vicissitudes.

“This exhibition was inspired by something I have been going through in the last five years. My wife, Adora, was diagnosed with cancer, and it has been a very trying period.

So, against all odds, I was able to put these works together, and pull the show together.

“And the fact that where she’s been in pain in the hospital, in the ward she’s been in, before our very eyes, more than 12 people with lesser cases have died, but she’s held on. So, against all odds, she is still alive. She is not okay yet, but we are hoping that she would get better. It is a very serious case, but we are hoping that she will get better, because if she could hold on for this long, we just hope that she will get better,” he said.

According to him, most of the works highlight stories that are related to the theme. For instance, in the piece, Finishing Strong, he

come to light.

“This one is titled ‘Unforgettable Memories’. I had my first stint with art in Auchi Polytechnic, which is the strongest art school presently in the country. I did the sketch when I was a student. It is the oldest work in the show. It is the aerial view of Auchi."

With ‘Tall Dream’ the artist shows that “we are all dreaming beings; we all dream dreams. How much effort are you making to make that dream come true?"

Recalling his encounter with the artist, Ogolo notes: “When l bought my first Zinno Orara from the late Peter Areh in 1996, he wore a regretful expression of someone selling his family's heirloom; a reaction I encountered again when I bought my next Zinno from Viv's Gallery about a year later. As if to reinforce the convictions within important art circles of his originality and sensitivity, Zinno possesses a rare ability to imbue his audience with a spiritual power of self-knowledge and inner life."

Orara attended Government College, Ughelli and The School of Art and Design, Auchi Polytechnics. He graduated in 1988 with a distinction in painting and illustration. He also holds a degree in philosophy from the University of Lagos.

Young and aspiring film makers will once again converge for the fourth international short film and video festival, IN-Short 2014.

This year’s edition which was originally scheduled to hold between December 18 – 20th December at Eko Hotels & Suites has been brought forward to December 15 – 17 and the new venue is Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The festival, which is jointly organized by the Goethe Institut, Lagos, and the International Film and Broadcast Academy, Lagos, features the best of short films from student, amateur and professional film makers from around the world. There will also be workshops and seminars

on film making, visual effects, animation, distribution, copyright and new technology.

According to the festival director Victor Okhai, “In-Short which is the first short film festival in Nigeria and south of the Sahara was designed as a developmental and discovery platform for the hidden talents in the movie industry. Since it started four years ago, some of the past winners like Tope Oshin, foremost female director, and Fola Iwajomo, amongst others have since had bigger opportunities and since gone on to win international laurels for Nigeria in the global scene.

"The festival has also attracted film makers and entries from all over the world and is today the leading short film festival on the continent.”

Born in April 20, 1954, Up he grew with ten siblings though poor, Chose early the path straight and sure, Ordained Bahamian Evangelist of the Word Reconciling sinners with the Lord.

Under his ministration once sat I: Canaanland, June 2001, Spirit divine truly high.

Myles spoke eloquently about Eden First abode of man – tranquil Garden of Eden Where the glory of God never for once hidden.

Nature: Unpolluted, in her finest, Where the presence of God is An open door to heavenly bliss; The Throne of God of creations Souls find release from all trepidations.

Adam with Eve there resided, In joyful peace presided, O’er above all creations Prior to the intrusion, Heralding the expulsion.

Monroe succinctly revealed to all: A man’s Eden, is his perfect world Where all creatures, Reflect the image of the Creator Being the best, in His presence.

Myles has covered miles, Many faces added some smiles.

Author of many books with import Passed on with eight near GBI airport, Resting with his Ruth in rout to Freeport!

Rest in peace till we meet to part no more.

All rights reserved © copyright Tim 2014

Late Munroe

Tony Payne Grieves over haunting past

p.20

ShowBiz

LAX A debutante and his musical exploits

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SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER 2014

19

'I'm not planning any new film soon; I just want to make money now' With his recent film, October 1, Nigerian actor and film maker, Kunle Afolayan, has once again pulled the trigger in the movie industry. In 2010, he bagged 10 nominations and won five awards with Figurine at the sixth Africa Movie Academy Awards. October 1 has started in that direction too with three awards at the 2014 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) last month. The son of the late famous theatre and film director, Ade Love, tells OLUSHOLA RICKETTS his secrets.

You’ve been able to place yourself on a certain and respectable playing field in Nollywood; how have you been able to achieve that?

I see myself as a goal getter. I am not doing what I am doing for money; I am doing it because that is what I have been created to do. We all know that millions of efforts do not guarantee triumph or success in life; it is the blessing of God sometimes. But for me, I don’t attribute all my problems to the way God wants it. I tried to seek solution first by myself and I don’t take a ‘no’ for an answer in anything I do. I believe this is why I am still around and the reason I would tell you that it can only get better.

Are you satisfied with the impact your recent movie, October 1, has made so far?

October 1 is doing well and the response we get from people is okay. It is going to go on Netflix soon and that is like a dream come true for any African film maker. If your movie gets to Netflix it means you are now opened to the international market, which is a great development and we are excited about it.

How did you really come about the movie?

It is a film set against the backdrop of the Nigerian independence in 1960. When I thought of the film, I wanted to dump it because I knew the challenge it would attract considering that in this part of the world we don’t normally keep records. We were looking for guns of the '60s and we couldn’t get them. But I also know that if I come out successful with it, it would definitely put me on a new level. So I decided to involve actors that I believed should interpret the roles the way I wanted. The project took us two years and we really gave our all.

Frankly speaking, did you envisage the kind of warm reception the movie is receiving when the thought of producing it came up?

For everything I have done in my life, once it is

Olushola Ricketts It was yet another evening of glamour and inspiration at the 2014 Future Awards Africa (TFAA) which was held last Sunday at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Expectedly, some people went home with prizes, while others will draw satisfaction from the nomination they got, which was a sign that they were on the right track even though they lost out. But generally, the dominant feeling was that of hope for the future and determination to succeed.

TFAA Prize for Young Person of the Year and in entertainment went outside Nigeria. A 27-year-old Ghanaian, Sangu Delle was awarded the young person, while a musician from Tanzania, Nasibu Abdul Juma, clinched the entertainment prize. Other winners were Nigerian BunmiOtegbade in enterprise support; Joshua Okello

dreamt I go for it and I don’t look back regardless of anything. I always see the success even before works on the project are completed and that works for me.

I would rather focus on the result than negativity, which is why I am not surprised with the reception the film is receiving from the public since its world premiere on September 28 at Expo Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

You’ve done October 1; what next?

I am not planning to do anything soon. I just want to make money now. I want to see if I can make some from all the projects I have done before I start thinking of embarking on new ones.

What would be your advice to Nigerian youths?

For me, I hope a lot of people will try to emulate what some of us did. Though not everyone can actually take risks, I personally took a lot of risks and that is why I believe in some other people who are even younger than me. We must start somewhere and I started taking risks from my first project. I tried to do what nobody was doing because nobody will believe you until you prove that you are up to the task or good enough to be heard. I would say don’t live your future in the hands of the person next to you. The onus rests on you to make your first call and by the time you do that people will take note of you.

How would you describe yourself?

I would just say Kunle Afolayan is a go-getter and I am a special breed, but who I am today and where I am is by the grace of God

The ‘inspiring’ Future Awards from Uganda in technology; Nigerian Lukman Jaji in public service; Nigerian Jake Okechukwu in community action; Charles Nichols and Samir Ibrahim from Kenya in agriculture; Philip Obaji Jr from Nigeria in education; AndrewMupuya from Uganda with Tony O. Elumelu prize in business and Kennedy Odede from Kenya in advocacy.

Speaking with Saturday New Telegraph, a past winner and TV personality, Denrele Edun, said TFAA had redefined the future of African youths by appreciating and celebrating their efforts.

“It is not about music or movies, but the celebration of enterprising youths and that is amazing. It is also a sort of reunion because we get to see people who we have not seen for a while at the show,” he added.

Last year when the twin brothers, Igwe

Twins, were called for a nomination in entrepreneurship, it came as a shock to them. With the name, Speed Meals, they offer corporate catering services which they started four years ago and their effort was recognised by TFAA. “We won the entrepreneur of the year last year. We were surprised and so excited about it. We didn’t even know how they managed to get our contact and didn’t believe we could win it. It is an award that has built strong credibility over the years.

We didn’t know anybody per se; it was based on merit. I wish they would continue the way they have started because TFAA has grown to be a phenomenon,” one of the twins said.

A runner up in the MTN Project Fame season 4, Isaac Geralds, believed the awards ceremony encourages youths to work harder and want to better themselves.

“Personally I was not nominated this year, but I am hoping and working ahead of 2015. I should get at least two nominations,” he said.

Gera reacted that criteria for nomination were transparent enough considering the caliber of people nominated and the fact that the awards didn’t go to Nigerians alone. To him, if you are creative and your work speaks for you, you will get nomination.

“Dr.Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Tony Elumelu among others are not entertainers and they are good followers of the awards. I can as well see school children everywhere, so it is not an all entertainment event as some people picture it. But we should not forget that the entertainment industry is a very integral part of the economy right now, so we need to pay attention to that fact as well,” he spoke about the notion that the awards was for entertainers only.

Speaking on politics at the event, Banky W, said that if the youth don’t come together as one and decide that it was enough, nothing will change about the country “When I talk to young people they say they don’t need to vote since we all know the results will be manipulated anyway. We should not forget that when we don’t show up it makes it easier for people to manipulate election results. I urge everyone to use his or her area of influence to change the society and reach out to young people.

We need to do better because all of us have failed ourselves. It is time to let our voices be heard,” he lamented.

But the evening was not all about talks and distribution of awards, as Asa and Yemi Alade thrilled the audience with their performances. It was the first time in Nigeria Asa will be performing songs from her new album, Bed of Stone.

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Showbiz

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

LANRE ODUKOYA

SHOWBIZ TODAY

lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

Old wounds, fresh pains, Toni Payne grieves

T

oni Payne, 9ice's ex-wife and mother of his first son, is grieving bitterly.

The TV host and lifestyle writer etched some emotive lines on her Instagram page last Wednesday in defence of what many still believe about the cause of her marriage break up. This was coming just a few days after she thundered at fans who accused her of cheating on her ex-husband. Payne insists she feels bad that she's being accused maliciously. Her words on Instagram partly read: “The other day I lost my cool when I shud av ignored cos I let people who do not matter get to me. It got me trending in a way I did not like and that for me I can't ignore. Till today, I get an unreasonable amount of hate for something I did not do. I ignore most times but this time I reacted. I've been thru a lot so sometimes I find them hard to ignore, maybe because Iv addressed it to the point that it feels like it will never go away. Iv been called every name in the book, bitch, attn seeker, etc simply because I loved the wrong person but still I held my head high choosing to carry on.

"I do my best to stay true to who I am and be a good person.

E-BRIEFS

Vicky Godis, mother of 9ice's twin

Payne

9ice and the mother of his last daughter

Tho sum may deem it weakness, I'm a free spirit and av no problem baring my soul so yes I'll admit, even though I'm strong, it sometimes gets to me. Not be-

cause their opinions matter but because I even have to deal with it in the first place and most of the time it feels surreal. I understand that not everyone will like me, so

OC Ukeje: Why I’m yet to wear my wedding ring

N

ollywood actor, OC Ukeje, attended the Shuga fourth edition at the Villa Medici Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos, without wearing his wedding ring and that sent tongues wagging. In no time, it became an issue on social media.

Many wondered why the actor who has been married for a few weeks would step out without the common symbol of his undying love for his wife.

Cynics were even quick to conclude that he has started having marital squabbles. Before it escalates beyond necessary, the actor has explained that he hasn't been wearing the wedding band because it is not with him. “My ring will be back next month, I had issues with it… I am working on having it resized, once I get it back, you’ll start seeing it on my finger,” he revealed.

OC Ukeji got married to Canada-based, Ibukun Togonu, on November 8, at the Hoares Memorial Methodist Cathedral in Yaba, Lagos.

they will use anything they can against me. I probably wouldn't care if it was something I actually did.

"Then I'll accept that It is

what it is. I wish I could explain the feeling of being wrongly accused in that magnitude. It's like a million welts digging deep at your soul, and no one seems to understand you. To some it's funny, to some it's a headline, to me, it's reassurance I have to give my son that a nasty rumor was badly mismanaged. It's the explaining I will be doing in the years to come.

"It's irritating when it keeps popping up and I have to turn the other cheek but I'm learning each day to always keep my cool. I'm happy and content but also human. Excuse me if I react sometimes to stupidity thrown in my direction.. God gave me a fresh start and for that I should be grateful.. Apologies if I disappointed anyone by clapping back.....I promise next time to try harder to ignore and hopefully this will be the last of it... Xoxo #Osha” Their marriage packed up in 2010, barely one and a half years into the union which produced a boy, Zion. Since then, Payne has retained primary custody of Zion. While she is yet to marry or be romantically linked with any man, 9ice has had twins and a baby girl with two ladies.

Great xmas for artistes as COSON pays royalties T he lines have fallen for Nigerian artistes who are members of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) in pleasant places.

And the reason for the frenzy is COSON’s plan to pay royalties to them for use of their works by some organisations.

It was gathered that a meeting between COSON and its members will take place on Tuesday, December 16, at the Oranmiyan Hall, Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos after which the distribution of the

royalties will begin.

This would be the fourth time in a row that COSON will be paying some royalties to artistes since its inception in 2010.

COSON has been in fierce battle with some organisations that employed the intellectual materials of its members without paying royalties. Some of the organisations have been sued over copyright infringement while talks are still on with the erring ones that are willing to settle out of court.

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SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

‘Fame is no guarantee of victory in politics'

Live show is now a constant fixture among comedians; how profitable is it?

Those shows are not done to earn money. Whoever tells you that they make money from shows is lying. TeeA did not do his show to make money or Ajebo. They would have made some money, but if you check the handwork that goes into the shows and other expenses, the money is nothing. It is just to continuously push the brand in the right direction so that people will know it is still alive. If a promoter handles a show, he or she must have sought after sponsors. No matter how much the gate fee is, by the time you remove the money for the stage, venue, sound system, etc, there is nothing to take home. Though we sell tickets, it is not with the sole aim of making gains.

You’ve made a name as a comedian, but it seems music is not really working for you. Why is that so?

The expression is wrong. Music pays me the way I want it to pay me.

I am a comedian and the popularity that comes with my life as a comedian is enough for me. What music does for me is to make expression I cannot do as a comedian and travel to where my humour cannot reach.

You might be very hilarious in your immediate community as a comedian, but when you cross borders it might not appeal to a certain audience because they cannot relate with the language. But music has no barriers. People listen to Olamide even when they don’t understand what he sings. So what music does for me is take me to where I cannot physically go and that has been achieved. Also,

It wasn't a particularly splendid tale for entertainers who contested in the recent party primaries; what do you think worked against them?

First, we need to clear our mindset that it is strange for entertainers to go into politics. It is just a pointer that fame does not guarantee political positions and this is also applicable to others. People should stop thinking that because their fathers are famous or rich they can get whatever they want. For me, I have never liked politics.

I prefer to serve my immediate society than a larger society because it might corrupt who I am and I love to be myself.

music for me is a hobby, my means of relaxation or you could call it my own way of playing golf. Unfortunately, the music developed to the level that people perceived it as a primary thing for, but I only intended to use it to advertise my brand. I do it to have fun and keep the brand in the mindset of people. It is also the same reason I will to do movies once in a while.

So how has the music business been?

My first album was in 2004, we did Abinibility in 2006 and another album came in 2008. Then in 2010, I decided to do a family album with my team members, Workerman Movement. In 2012, I released two albums and at the end of that year too, I dropped Gospel Truth before I went to rest. But by the end of last year, something happened. Though I didn’t plan to record an ethnic album, it was getting to the 10 years anniversary of my hit single, Aroma and I decided to introduce what nobody had done before. I decided to do an album with the name Ayinde Okin and in Yoruba dialect. I feel that the music and my comedy are always clashing.

I said okay I would separate it; Koffi stands for comedy and Ayinde Okin represents my music. Though I had been nursing the dream for so long, I did not want to push myself so hard.

I felt at that point I could influence what I wanted the public to identify me with. So at the end of last year, we did the album and I was shocked that we recorded the album within four days.

But don’t you think Koffi the comedian is who you are and ultimately a reflection of your music too?

If you revisit my previous musical videos you will realize some things you probably didn’t know before. Go and watch the videos and listen to the lyrics well; it is the musical videos that are funny, not the lyrics. All my songs have serious depth, but because Nigerians do not take messages directly I took it upon myself to always do humorous videos. I had only done like three funny songs; Water Pass Garri, You dey Run and one other song.

Don’t you think this new brand will be a hard sell in the eastern and

21

How do you feel when you hear your jokes from another comedian?

Someone did my jokes recently and I didn’t take any offence because he was my brother. There are some affiliations that allow certain things.

We get pissed off when somebody goes totally out of line and takes all the credit for your hardwork. You can go to private functions and do familiar jokes of other comedians, but it would be bad to do at a place you know the person is performing too. I can give names of comedians who are not known for one or two jokes. When I personally started the fight people felt I wanted trouble, so I left it.

Back after a four-year break, Koffi Idowu Nuel held a live show recently that once more sealed his reputation as one of Nigeria's foremost comedians.

The University of Lagos graduate talks about his passion for singing, comedians who steal jokes, and celebrities' apparent obsession for active politics. He spoke with OLUSHOLA RICKETS. Until recently it has been a while you had a live show; what went wrong?

I had to do some rebranding. I had done 'Bursting Loose' year in year out, but sometimes you have to diversify your brand to help yourself. When you are doing something the same way all the time it becomes boring. It only works for people who are concert artists, which I am not. If I would think of what to say for an hour, I cannot do that continuously for years. So I had to take a break for four years and it enabled me to do other things too. At the end of the break, I gave birth to other brands such as the Workerman Movement, Nany Movie, etc. But we are back on the stage with Out of Control which was held at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, on November 9.

Showbiz

northern markets?

Sir Shina Peters is perhaps one of the biggest musicians in Africa and he entirely sings in Yoruba language. Sunny Ade is a king likewise Ebenezer Obey too and they do music in Yoruba. Why do I try to impress an audience that is not really my own? It is painful if one misplaces the essence of his or her music and identity. I listen to Timaya and Flavour even though I don’t understand what they say sometimes. As long as the music is good, I believe people will not really care about the language.

You could make a hit song and become a superstar over night.

But you cannot do that with comedy

Do you think music is easier than developing jokes?

Yes, music is easy, especially in this generation where you can enter any studio to make music provided you have some money.

With the help of a producer or a musician also, you could make a hit song and become a superstar over night. But you cannot do that with comedy; you cannot crack a joke and expects it to be everywhere too long. You have to keep working, thinking and reading because people expect something new every time you appear before them. Tuface can go anywhere today, sing African Queen and people will dance to it, but I cannot crack the same jokes I cracked 10 years ago and expect people to appreciate me. So music is a lot easier. Though it could take a while to mature in music and probably to get a hit song, but once you hit the nail it becomes a jolly ride.

Who do you regard as your strongest rival?

In comedy, we do not compete or envy one another. When a comedian goes on stage he or she represents every one. Also, I compete with myself because what I do today must not be the same tomorrow. What people misinterpret is the bond a comedian has with another comedian. The fact that I am closer to some comedians does not mean others are my enemies.

What's your advice to aspiring comedians?

You can’t pick comedy as a career; somebody has to see the trait in you. Also, there must be a humble beginning in everything we do, but many up and coming comedians think they can just jump into big shows. Before an established comedian can throw his or her support behind you the person has to see your ability. And if you want to gain your ground as a comedian, you have to believe in yourself before people would start believing in you.

Do you remember your first pay as a comedian?

I can’t remember, but I still remember the first pay I used to buy my SIM card, which was a wedding ceremony at Ikoyi, Lagos. I was paid N18, 000 and that happened in 2001. Later, Bunmi Davies gave me a phone as payment for a performance I did in one of his programmes. That was how I got my first phone and SIM card.

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Showbiz

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

'Forget who my father is ...

There's nothing like doing what you love' Damilola Afolabi, the first artiste to be signed on Starboy Records owned by Wizkid is a listeners’ delight with an enchanting stage presence. With the showbiz moniker, LAX, this 21-year-old is among that rare breed of singers who are shattering the stereotype that music isn't a particularly exciting profession for children with immensely wealthy parents. LANRE ODUKOYA speaks to LAX about academics, music and sundry issues.

What’s a billionaire’s son doing in showbiz?

I love music, it is my passion and that is why I am doing this. At the end of the day, I want to make money from it anyway. So, I am doing music for the passion and for me to be able to stand on my own. Forget who my father is, I want to hold my own.

There is nothing like doing what you love and making money out of it.

At what point did you know music is what you were going to do?

I didn’t start music as a kid when I was much younger or from the choir as many did. I started music like a fluke. My friend called me up and asked me to come to the studio with him and that his car broke down and he wanted me to take him to the studio. So, I got to the video and there was this vibe then, the producer then asked me that, ‘guy how are you doing na, what’s up? And I told him, ‘I just brought my guy to the studio’, so he said ‘do something on the microphone for me please’, we were just fooling around more or less and it was the end of a studio session. This was like in 2007. So, I jokingly did a free-style on the microphone. After the session, the producer called me and said, ‘guy you have a distinct voice and I think you should learn this craft’. That compliments fascinated me, so, I used to go to the studio every day and he taught me keys, notes and everything in professional music. He is actually D’banj’s producer, Dvee. So I worked with him for like two years and that was how I started.

At the point you were going to take music as a profession, why did you pitch your tent with Wizkid and not another record label, or even start your own record label as you could afford it?

I started coaching myself even without my dad and my mum. I was just using my own savings to push myself. I shot a couple of videos when I was in school in London. So when I got back to Nigeria, I think I had a show, like a summer jam.

I think it was Hennessey that was doing the show. I met one woman and she looked at me and was like, ‘I like your swag, I like your dressing, I’m a stylist, I want to style you, blah, blah, blah’. So we spoke for a while and we became close. I used to call her from London then and she’s a close friend of Wizkid's and she was styling Wizkid at the time.

And she called me and she said, ‘oh, send me some of your stuff; I want to play it for Wizkid and see if he likes it’. He listened to some of my stuff, liked it and invited me. I went to his house and then we started playing on songs.

After your first meeting with Wizkid, how long did it take you to officially sign a contract?

It took like two months after the meeting. When he heard my stuff and liked it, I was still schooling in London, so he went to London with me.

We did a couple of tracks together and that was when we recorded Caro as well.

What project are you working on now?

I’m working on my singles, I have close to 30, 40 singles recorded and I am working on my album as well.

When would your first album be released?

It’s supposed to be out next year, but we can still push it farther.

What are you learning from Wizkid?

I’m learning to build my own craft, my own type and sound of music.

If it wasn't music, what else would you have ventured into?

I think I would have been a businessman going into different ventures, not just one thing, because I don’t see myself wearing suit and tie.

Which female artiste do you have a crush on?

I don’t think I have a crush on anybody, but I’m feeling Cynthia Morgan. I like her sound and her type of music and I think she’s bold.

Why did you choose the name LAX? It came from my secondary school. In school, people used to call me LA because I had a shoe called Lacroix and at that time, we were only allowed to wear leather shoes. So, I used to wear trainers and I spoke to the administration of the school to let students wear any shoes they liked and they agreed. So my friends started calling me LA. When I started music, I adopted it and my friends and I just sat down one day and were just trying other alphabets to add to it. X sounded cool, so I just used it.

Who wrote Caro; was it you or Wizkid?

We did the studio session together, he did his part and I wrote mine.

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SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

‘My song was inspired by a man who spent nine years on death row' Okpaifo Blessing Akhere is a budding singer with a soulstirring voice and thoughtprovoking lyrics. Akhere, whose song, Babylon City, is inspired by Bob Marley's Redemption Song, speaks to LANRE ODUKOYA on her career and family.

Your song, Babylon City, has won you some critical acclaim; what inspired the single?

The story of a man on death row for a crime he knew nothing about inspired me to write the song, Babylon City. He was on death row for nine years before it was commuted to a normal sentence, so he spent 16 years in all before he was released. I was also privileged to read his book. He narrated his ordeal in prison as the most harrowing experience. He experienced physical, mental and spiritual slavery. He likened the prison to Babylon City and they (the prisoners) the Jews.

Their souls were constantly gnawed and abused. Some could no longer bear the torture and died even before the time they were slated to be executed. But his determination to live even in the face of death also prompted me to write another song titled, I Refused to Die, which happened to be the title of his book. He spoke first hand on the society, the leaders, the police, religious politics etc; why prison should be a place of reformation and not a place of condemnation (making the hardened

criminal even worse). And above all, kicking against capital punishment which is what the song is basically about. Instead of allowing both the innocent and the guilty die alike, they should be given second chances to reflect on their misdeeds and subsequently they would be able to contribute or give back to the society. If execution was the answer, then the rate of crime should have reduced drastically by now.

Is the song airing already?

I just uploaded the song on Hulkshare, but the song is not on radio yet.

Who produced the song?

A very talented producer produced both songs, I Refuse To Die and Babylon City. His name is Dabeats.

You sing across nearly all genres of music; where exactly does your real strength lie?

I would say soul music because it gives me the chance to express myself vocally.

And people tend to feel me more when I do soul.

Who are the A-list singers you would like to model your career after?

I love Tiwa Savage-Balogun not because people say I look like her in a way, but I would love to be likened to Omawumi Magbele because of her vocal strength.

Are you signed to any record label yet?

I’ve not found any at the moment.

How many songs have you written so far?

I have recorded 14 so far.

How long have you been in music professionally?

Professionally speaking, I’ve been singing for over two years now.

When are you releasing your debut album?

I should have done that a long time ago but it’s been very demanding financially. So at the moment I'm just promoting singles.

Has any man tried to take advantage of you as a female singer?

Yes, it once happened to me, but it’s a part of one’s success story anyway. But really, it wasn't a good feeling. That was my first time experiencing such as a singer. You know I always had this thought that my talent was enough to see me through, but meeting this particular guy almost changed all that because he told me plainly that I either give him what he wants or no deal. Reminding me I can't afford his services yet I watched him help guys for nothing in return. For the first time, I wished I came to this world as a guy. It’s so hard for a girl to survive in this industry without a strong back up. They tend to look beyond what you can offer then, they begin to make very high demands of you. Then I began to wonder: how many more men will you have to be entangled with just to get to the peak of your career as a female singer?

Showbiz

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24

Faces

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

The 43rd year anniversary celebration of Asaga (OHAFIA) Development Union, Lagos Branch, at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

L-R: Okechukwu Madueke; Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Joseph O. Awa and his wife

Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Joseph O. Awa, presenting his speech

L-R: Chukwuemeka Orieke Ukwu; Mr. Kalu Kalu Uduma; Okechukwu Okoro Kalu and Mr. Kalu Nweke Elu.

L-R: Treasurer, Ladies/Women’s Wing, Asaga (OHAFIA) Development Union, Lagos Branch, Mrs. Sandra Awa; President, Dr. (Mrs.) Nancy Uduma; Secretary, Lolo Kate Ogbonne Aginu

L-R: Kalu Eni Orum; Mr. Douglas Uma Egwu; Mr. Charles U. Kalu and Mr. Sunday Kalu Mba

Women’s Wing of the Asaga (OHAFIA) Development Union, Lagos Branch, entertaining the audience.

L-R: President, Lagos Branch, Asaga (OHAFIA) Development Union, Lagos Branch, Chief Okpa I. Okpa; National President, Engr. Omaka Onugu and Chairman, Project Committee, Chief Idika Cyril Ukomu

President, Lagos Branch, Asaga (OHAFIA) Development Union, Lagos Branch, Chief Okpa I. Okpa, presenting his address PHOTOS: TONY EGUAYE

SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER 2014

FREE

Sport Splash

Special Feature

Neglected after shedding sweat, tears and blood for nation p.26-27

EPL

Van Gaal to unleash Falcao on Liverpool p.28

La Liga

Uche chases goals to Atletico p.28

Super Eagles

Salami still rues AFCON miss p.30

25

I almost quit after one week - Pinnick • Says crises won’t affect plans for football

T

Adekunle Salami he President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has revealed how he almost threw in the towel after just one week in office.

The former Delta State FA chairman said he inherited so much problems and also encountered much more after assumption of office.

“In one week, I did not have up to 10 hours of sleep. I was holding meetings and consultations to reconcile people and I realised the enormity of the task. I wanted to quit but was advised against it. I told my board members I was going but somehow reason prevailed.

I decided to endure and contribute my quota,” he said.

Pinnick said the current crises in the football scene would not affect the plans he has for football, adding that he did not emerge as the President by accident and so there were lots of plans in the pipeline to transform Nigerian football for the better.

The NFF boss spoke against the backdrop of various battles he has been fighting since he

was elected President after the election held on September 30 in Warri, Delta State.

He told our correspondent that members on the current board have developed thick skin in tackling the issues affecting the federation from various angles.

Pinnick said: “We are aware people are aggrieved here and there but we are

ready for reconciliation to move football forward. We all cannot make it into positions at same time. It is better to be patient and wait for one’s time.

“I have been preparing for this job for a long time. I started preparing when I was still in

school and would be observing the ways things are not being done right in the game. As young as I was, I started thinking of how best I would change things when I get there. Somehow, I knew I will be there someday but wasn’t sure of when.”

On how the current board will fight all the battles before it, Pinnick said the composition of the board was good enough to confront all the challenges before it.

“We have lawyers on the board.

We have tested administrators and some of them were on the last board that recorded great results.

“I want to stress that the Aminu Maigari tenure did not start well but e v e n t u a l l y, that is the best regime so far in history. We intend to gradually plan well to achieve results. We are not going to be distracted by all that we are experiencing because they are more of distractions,” he added.

The Team

Vincent EboigbelAssistant Editor Ajibade Olusesan l Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing

Pinnick

26

T

Sport

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

Ifeanyi Ibeh hey have over the years been the heroes and heroines of some of Nigeria’s sporting successes, winning medals, securing championships and bringing glory to their country.

In the process of doing so, they have etched their names and that of the country in gold at various international championships such as the Olympics and the All Africa Games.

And for their efforts, they have been rewarded with cash with some of them having national honours bestowed on them by governments-past and present-at resplendent ceremonies complete with food and drinks befitting only of true heroes.

But after getting their due recognition for a job well done in service to Fatherland it is business as usual for these ladies and gentlemen as they return to their ordinary dayto-day lives in a ruthless society that is totally blind to and unaware of their special wants and needs in the hope of once again doing enough to get a chance at bringing honour to their country and securing another audience with the country’s high and mighty for that is how it has always been and, in the opinion of these special people, will continue to be for as long as they live.

Welcome to the world of Nigeria’s physically-challenged athletes who shed blood, sweat and tears on a daily basis to survive in a harsh environment that does not take their special needs into consideration. A society where some employers of labour deliberately or accidentally refuse to grant employment to these physically challenged people even when these special members of society have the necessary qualifications.

It is therefore not so surprising that some of them take to begging for alms in order to make ends meet.

“Before I was employed by Delta State, in order to survive, I had to go out to beg in market places and on the streets in order to get money to train,” recalled Sunday Ezeh, a paraplegic who represented Nigeria at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“It was hell for me but I had focus and I thank God, things are now a bit easier for me,” added the national discus and shot-put champion.

For some though, who are not easily pushed by their situation into begging, or a life of crime, one option available to them is to become motor park or bus stop toll collectors; urchins often referred to as ‘area boys’ or ‘agbero’, the Yoruba word that has over the years gained nationwide acceptance and is used to describe practitioners of this objectionable profession.

They can be seen lurking around the vicinity of the National Stadium and the adjoining Teslim Balogun Stadium (both in Surulere, Lagos), mostly under the stadium bridge going about their day-to-day business in their rickety wheelchairs and crooked crutches.

But their physical situation belies their strength as a number of them are quite capable

neglected after Shedding sweat, tears and blood for nation

� Day-to-day battle for survival of special athletes on the streets

Loveline Obiji celebrates her gold medal feat at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. What future after sports?

of defending themselves, if need be, singlehandedly or as a group.

Many unsuspecting persons have been assaulted by these physically-challenged persons sometimes out of self-defence, and at other times simply for encroaching on their turf.

Our correspondent was, as it later turned out, lucky to have escaped been lynched by a handful of these paraplegics when during the cause of carrying out his investigations on a rainy December day, he sought shelter under the bridge.

Not so lucky though was a commercial motorcyclist who also sought refuge under the bridge, bringing his motorcycle to a halt just a few feet from where these paraplegics had set up base.

End of the year Series

I am in school because I know I cannot be an athlete forever. But I don’t know if I will ever get to work anywhere

Perhaps unaware of who these harmless looking paraplegics sitting on the kerb were, the rider decided to defy the initial appeal from the smallest member of the group to seek shelter elsewhere, possibly gaining some measure of courage from the presence of two uniformed soldiers who had, like so many others on this rainy day, also taken shelter under the bridge.

What happened next could be likened to a scene out of a Hollywood movie as the innocuous looking paraplegic, in a swift move that belied his size and disability, and like a lion protecting its territory from encroachers, pounced on the shocked rider, almost knocking him down on the concrete pavement with his crooked metallic crutches.

Not even our correspondent who had up until that moment

been seeking an opportunity to have an audience and take photographs of these paraplegics could muster the courage to take shots of the ensuing drama with his mobile phone for fear of being the next target of this pocketsized Hercules’ anger.

Not even the soldiers offered to rescue the helpless cyclist as he comically ran in circles around his parked motorbike in a bid to escape his hopping assailant’s outstretched and continuously swinging metallic cane.

Eventually, one of the other paraplegics seated on the kerb called on his brother-in-arm to ‘show mercy’ on the hapless rider who, after showing his gratitude by letting go off some of his hardearned cash, got on his bike and rode off, not minding the rains.

“That’s how powerful they

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

One of the paraplegics (in yellow top) waiting to collect tolls under the Stadium Bridge

Powerlifting world record holder, Yakubu Adesokan, at the 2014 Commonwealth Games

President Jonathan presenting an award to a physically-challenged athlete

are,” offered one of the onlookers who also took shelter from the steadily increasing downpour. “If you dare them you will pay for it with blood or with cash.”

With the initial downpour now barely a drizzle, and with most of those who had sought shelter from it now on their way to their respective destinations, including the soldiers, our correspondent, for fear of possibly having to explain his continued presence around this ‘marked territory’ to its ‘owners’, walked up all smiles to where they were seated with an introduction of his business.

But alas what greeted him was not the warm “hello” he was hoping for but a verbal threat from the same pocket-sized Hercules of the ‘chasing the rider’ fame to our correspondent to keep a safe distance.

Following a brief introduction, and from a reasonably safe distance, our correspondent was granted an audience but only after parting with some cash, part of which was almost immediately used to purchase a bottle of whiskey and cigarettes from a nearby vendor.

No points for guessing who was given the task of buying this alcoholic beverage, plus the cigarettes. Yes, our correspondent.

With the drink and cigarettes doing their best to warm everyone up, but only after the offering of libation as is customary in Africa, conversation drifted from one topic to another, including the state of affairs in the country and the likely effects of the naira’s devaluation, before our correspondent guided the discussion to their reasons for delving into their current profession especially judging from the high quality of their analysis of national and international issues.

“I wasn’t always like this,” said the previously angry, canewielding paraplegic, now looking less menacing. “Like most of us, I went to school and I also used to compete at various state and national championships.

“I used to train there almost every day,” he continued, pointing in the direction of the National Stadium. “But as you get older you realise there is a need to find something else to do and that is why I now do this.

“I have a bus that someone drives and remits money to me on a weekly basis and it is all from this work. I don’t think I would have gotten that if I were still into sports because the government does not care about us. They only want to use us and dump us like toilet paper,” added the paraplegic who, now appearing menacing all over again, implored our correspondent not to have his name, or photograph, on print.

“If I see my picture in your newspaper, you will never be safe in this stadium or anywhere in Surulere again. You know we don’t work alone,” he added, as he got up from the kerb to collect money from a commercial bus driver making a U-turn under the bridge.

And he was right about something: they don’t work alone as there are other mostly able-bodied ‘agberos’ who show up from time to time to either run their shifts or collect their percentage from the day’s takings for onward transmission to their bosses.

He was also right about something else: the government seems to have little or no interest in the well being of physically challenged members of society or how does one begin to explain the reason the ‘Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill’ passed since March 2014 by the Senate hasn’t been signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Approximately 22 million Nigerians are disabled, and the bill, which will legally protect them from discrimination, prescribes a fine of N1m for corporate bodies and N100, 000 or six months imprisonment, or both, for an individual who contravenes the law.

“Over 10 per cent of Nigeria’s population is said to be disabled by sheer providence or accident and these people are daily confronted with several challeng-

I used to train at the National Stadium almost every day, but as you get older you realise there is a need to find something else to do

End of the year Series

es,” said Senator Adamu Gumba, chairman of the Senate Joint Committee on Sports, Social Development and Women Affairs, at the presentation of the bill.

“One of the most prominent among these challenges is gross marginalisation occasioned by discrimination on the basis of their infirmity. Therefore, one would agree that without necessary legislation, the challenges that these set of people encounter would be difficult to overcome,” he added, even as he recalled that the previous National Assembly had a few years earlier passed a similar bill which President Jonathan failed to give his assent to.

If Mr. President does get to sign the bill into law, physically challenged athletes such as Kola Oyegbata, a paraplegic javelin thrower, and his visually impaired wife Faith, a former member of Nigeria’s gymnastics team, will get some semblance compensation, having faced discrimination owing to their physical disability.

“When I finished my studies I applied for work but because of my disability many companies would not employ me. After interviews I’d be told that they would get back to me but that has never happened,” said Oyegbata, an accountancy graduate of the University of Lagos, in an interview with New Telegraph at the National Stadium.

“That is why I now do sports as it is the only place where I have been accepted. But I still get discriminated against, especially when heading to training.

“I wake up every morning before 5.00am to prepare for training.

But by the time I get to the bus stop there is no way of getting in on time because of the multitude of people waiting to get a bus to their respective places.

“Nobody wants to help us get a bus. Our people are so heartless to our plight. We don’t have anything else other than this sport that we are into,” stressed Oyegbata, who also has a motorised tricycle, popularly called ‘Keke’ in Lagos.

“I bought this Keke from the money I got from Rivers State after winning a medal at the last National Sports Festival,” he said, pointing at his prized possession, which is already showing signs of wear and

Some physically challenged 'area boys' waiting to collect tolls from bus drivers at the Stadium bus stop, Surulere, Lagos

Sport

27

tear. “Other than that I have nothing else. But even when able-bodied drivers see me they try to ram me off the road, while some agberos will always look for an excuse to break my rear lights or crack my windshield.”

Former national paraathletics champion in both the shot put and discus, Patrick Aneto, an amputee silver medallist at the 2003 and 2007 All Africa Games, is now a coach with the Delta State Sports Commission, and has to make, by bus, the 32 kilometre journey from his Ikorodu home to the National Stadium five times every week to train some of his Lagos-based athletes.

He, fortunately, has a job, but his wife, a paraplegic accountancy graduate of the University of Nigeria Nsukka has for long given up her quest of putting her accountancy degree to use.

“She graduated with a 2.1 (Second Class honours, upper division) from UNN but the last time she went in search of a job at a bank she was told that she cannot be employed as they don’t know how she would be able to cope within the banking hall with her walking stick,” recalled Aneto.

He added: “Since then she has lost interest in working for anyone. She worked hard to get her degree only to be insulted. I even wanted her to do her Masters but she refused as she didn’t see any reason why she should go through that process only to be insulted by less qualified people.”

Foluke Shittu, a paraplegic proficient in wheelchair table tennis and basketball, is currently an undergraduate, studying for her Higher National Diploma in Insurance at the Lagos State Polytechnic. But she already dreads the day when she would hit the labour market in search of a job.

“Nobody wants to employ anyone with a physical disability,” she said, pointing to her bad leg, as she supported herself with half a pair of crutches. “I cannot wear shoes because of my disability but would be employers expect me to come to work wearing shoes.

“I am in school because I know I cannot be an athlete forever but I don’t know if I will ever get to work anywhere because of what I have heard has happened to so many others like me.

“We have lots of disabled people who are graduates but they have been unable to secure jobs years after their graduation. Even when they go for job interviews they are discriminated against, and the government is doing nothing about it,” she lamented.

If the government continues to pay lip service to the discrimination faced on a day-to-day basis by the disabled a day would come, in Oyegbata’s opinion, “when we would all come together and storm Aso Rock to press home our demands.”

Hopefully, it will not come to that as the government, employers of labour, will all realise that these disabled members of society also went to school so that people would see their abilities and not their disabilities; that they can do the same things that their ablebodied counterparts can do as they also have hopes of becoming professionals in their chosen endeavours and contributing to the growth and development of their immediate environment.

P

Cisse

they visit Stamford Bridge for their clash with Chelsea on Saturday. The Blues completed a league double over the Tigers last season, winning 2-0 both home and away.

Steve Bruce will hope that his side does not leave the capital empty-handed this time. City have already collected results

The Tigers could do with another result in this game as they are in the bottomthree with just 13 points from 15 games. Bruce’s side may have impressed away against big sides this season but an eight-game winless run in which they have collected only four points from a possible 24 has seen them sink to the dreaded drop-

No hiding place for Hull in Stamford Bridge ull City will target drawing 2-2 at Arsenal, H another surprise 0-0 at Liverpool and 1-1 result on the road when at Everton.

apiss Cisse wants Newcastle United to make sure they go into the TyneWear derby in exactly the right frame of mind.

The Magpies may well be injury-plagued ahead of the trip to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday night but Cisse feels that the 2-1 win over Chelsea was the perfect way to kick-start December.

It's a huge month with the Gunners clash coming before the League Cup date at Tottenham next Wednesday – and then there’s the eagerly anticipated battle with Sunderland. Neither Newcastle’s players nor Alan Pardew need to be told about the derby form book.

It’s three straight losses for United against the Wearsiders and Cisse agrees that the Magpies need to put things right and stop the rot in front of a sell-out crowd.

Cisse said ahead of the first of three crunch fixtures before Christmas: “This is a game we need to be ready. It is a very good game and a big one.

“It’s good that we beat

Chelsea before it because we need to do well and be ready for it.”

The win against the Blues put Newcastle back on the coat-tails of the top six and victory against Arsene Wenger’s team would see them leapfrog the Londoners.

Cisse said the win had put United back in good spirits after some tough experiences earlier in the season.

The number 9’s seven goals this term have helped turn the campaign around though. He scored twice against Hull City to halt a poor run of form and hopes that his brace against Chelsea can lift spirits again.

Cisse: We must wreck Arsenal

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

NEW TELEGRAPH

W

Muller

ayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao have only been in match action together for 156 minutes and haven’t been on the pitch for the complete duration at all since the Colombian was signed up on loan.

Circumstances have combined to keep one of the most potentially fearsome attacks apart.

Three Premier League games had already been ticked off before Falcao arrived. The 28-year-old’s debut came when Reds boss Louis van Gaal brought him on against Queens Park Rangers in September.

Falcao played 25 minutes with Rooney and Van Persie but the scoring had already been completed in the 4-0 win.

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NO TEAM 1 Juventus 2 Roma 3 Genoa 4 Sampdoria

P PTS 15 36 15 33 15 28 15 27

PREMIER LEAGUE NO TEAM 1 Chelsea 2 Man City 3 Man Utd 4 West Ham

TABLE P PTS 14 35 14 32 14 26 14 25

Serie A

fect cross. The South American also rattled the Foxes crossbar just before Ander Herrera made it 3-1. Leicester’s two goals soon after saw Falcao sacrificed.

Rooney and Van Persie have started three of the last four games Before Rooney’s early bath after 60 minutes against the Hammers he had scored and Falcao had another assist to his United credit when he set up Van Persie for what proved to be the winner.

But Falcao could well be ready for a start again.

Being teamed together on Sunday at Old Trafford against a vulnerable Liverpool side reeling from their Champions League exit and awful form would seem a perfect moment for United to find their teeth and start sinking them into opponents.

S

Juventus leading race for Montoya

Uche

uper Eagles striker, Ike Uche, is expected to be in the thick of action when his La Liga side Villarreal visit champions Atletico on Sunday.

Although the Nigerian striker failed to score in his club’s 4-0 demolition of David Moyes’ Real Sociedad last weekend, he was involved in two of the goals. He will be looking forward to adding to his five strikes this season when they arrive the Capital City.

Villarreal have not beaten Atletico since 2010, losing four of the five matches while the hosts have scored 10 times in those games. Uche will be keen to mastermind the process that will lead to success for his team against Atletico for the first time in four years.

Diego Simeone’s lie third in the table, just four points behind their in-form city rivals Real.

A run of five successive wins ended in Turin on Tuesday, but Atletico's goalless UEFA Champions League draw at Juventus was enough to ensure they finished on top of Group A - meaning they could avoid some of European football's heavyweights in Monday's draw for the last 16.

It was a thoroughly professional performance from Atletico, who abandoned their usual high pressing game, instead happy to sit back and get numbers behind the ball but they may revert to that this weekend.

Ajibade Olusesan

Uche chases goals to Atletico

Sport

uve return to domestic action at home to Sampdoria af-

Juve clash with Sampdoria

The trio started at Leicester City but as United crumbled in the shock 5-3 defeat at the King Power Stadium Falcao was brought off after 71 minutes.

Van Gaal had another go gelling the trio against West Ham at Old Trafford at the end of September. It lasted an hour before United captain Rooney wrecked the plan when he was sent off.

Since then Rooney’s three-match suspension for his red card and Falcao’s calf injury have meant the link up has had to be shelved.

It had all looked so good as well and was a mouthwatering prospect for United fans.

Against Leicester Falcao had set up Van Persie for the opener when he outstripped Ritchie de Laet and found RVP with a per-

Van GAal to unleash Falcao on Liverpool

Battle of the Reds

Global Football Special 28 SATURDAY N 13 DECE

zone.

Chelsea will be in their ruthless mood as usual after dropping points in a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle last weekend. They responded strongly with a 3-1 victory in the Champions League against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday evening.

While Hull are struggling for goals, Chelsea have the best attack in the league, which has scored 34 goals in just 15 league games. They also top the goalscoring chats in the Champions League so far with 17 goals in their six group games.

Tiger Woods needs only four more major victories to catch up to his hero golf legend Jack Nicklaus. In light of the announcement that Tiger will be joining forces with Real Estate Tycoon Donald Trump to build an18-hole championship course in Dubai, he will need just a few hundred more designs to catch up.

But, with the new 18-hole championship layout for Trump World Golf Club Dubai, carved out of the 55 million square-foot master community of Akoya Oxygen, Tiger is making some headway.

Tiger Woods

SPORT BRIEFLY

Michael Clarke remains in doubt for next week’s Gabba Test against India, but he’s determined to give it everything in Adelaide over the next two days.

The Australian captain, who suffered a significant back injury on Tuesday’s opening day of play but still managed to score a century on day two, spent most of the third day of play fielding despite the constant pain.

Clarke was briefly in the slips but was also seen at mid-on and mid-off, crouching stiffly to field ground balls and moving around like the wounded warrior that he has become at the age of 33

Michael Clarke

Jenson Button has said he is “raring” to fight for the world championship again after signing a dramatic deal with McLaren which sees his salary slashed by a third but could allow the Briton to remain in Formula One for another two seasons.

Unveiled alongside the returning Fernando Alonso, Button was given a last-minute reprieve by McLaren after months of indecision, agreeing a new contract less than 48 hours before Thursday’s announcement.

Jenson Button

Mourinho

at a couple of big clubs this season,

Paul Verhaegh, Daniel Baier and Halil Altintop, whose brother Hamit enjoyed four years at Bayern, have been central to Augsburg's form, but they know they will be up against it in round 15.

The Bundesliga leaders have, after all, won 11 and drawn three of their 14 games this term, scoring 33 goals in the process. Moreover, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer – fresh from being nominated for the FIFA Ballon d'Or – has conceded just once in his previous 12 league appearances.

esurgent Monaco will hope Dimitar Berbatov prove his fitness in time for their clash with Ligue 1 leaders Marseille.

The Bulgarian was withdrawn shortly before the hour mark of Tuesday's 2-0 UEFA Champions League win over Zenit, and is now a doubt for Sunday'smeeting at Stade Louis II. Monaco confirmed that Berbatov will have further tests on the muscle injury to his right side, as the principality club aim for their fourth straight win in all competitions.

After a stuttering start to 2014-15, Leonardo Jardim's men recorded back-to-back 2-0 victories in the league Berbatov scoring three times in their meetings with Lens and Toulouse.

Tuesday's win saw Mo-

naco progress to the Champions League last 16 as winners of Group C - an achievement Jardim described as "important for French football".

The weekend sees them take on table-topping Marseille, who have taken 10 points from their last four matches since a 2-0 reverse at the hands of reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Laurent Blanc's PSG remain the only unbeaten side across European football's top five leagues, but their seven draws from 17 Ligue 1 outings see them a point behind Marcelo Bielsa's Marseille.

This week they travel to struggling Guingamp, who have shown signs of improvement lately with backto-back wins over Caen and Reims.

Berbatov doubtful for Monaco R

igh-flying Augsburg will attempt to repeat their stunning upset of Bayern Munich in April when the sides clash on Saturday.

Augsburg beat their illustrious Bavarian neighbours 1-0 when the teams last faced each other, consequently ending Bayern's 53-game unbeaten run in the Bundesliga.

Markus Weinzierl's men have made a superb start to their fourth season in German's top tier and four successive wins have them in third – the highest position in their 107-year history.

H

Augsburg seek Bayern repeat

B

14 24 14 23 14 21 14 21 14 20 14 19 14 18 14 17 14 15 14 14 14 14 14 13 14 13 14 11 14 8 14 5

Bundesliga

Napoli Lazio Milan Udinese Fiorentina Sassuolo Palermo Inter Milan Empoli Atalanta Verona Chievo Torino Cagliari Cesena Parma

Serie A Saturday Palermo v Sassuolo Lazio v Atalanta Sunday Juventus v Sampdoria Genoa v Roma Parma v Cagliari Udinese v Verona Cesena v Fiorentina Milan v Napoli

La Liga Saturday Getafe v Barcelona Valencia v Vallecano Córdoba v Levante Málaga v Celta Vigo Sunday Espanyol v Granada Sevilla v Eibar Atl Madrid v Villarreal Sociedad v Bilbao

15 26 15 23 15 23 15 22 15 21 15 21 15 19 15 18 15 18 15 15 15 14 15 14 15 14 15 13 15 12 15 10

La Liga

Souton Arsenal Newcastle Swansea Liverpool Tottenham Aston Villa Everton Stoke Sunderland C/ Palace West Brom QPR Hull Burnley Leicester

Bundesliga Saturday Augsburg v Bayern Schalke v 1. FC Köln Hertha v Dortmund Freiburg v Hamburger Bremen v Hannover Mainz v Stuttgart Sunday Leverkusen v M’gladbach Wolfsburg v Paderborn

Burnley v Southampton Chelsea v Hull Palace v Stoke Leicester v Man City Sunderland v West Ham West Brom v Aston Villa Arsenal v Newcastle Sunday Man Utd v Liverpool Swansea v Tottenham

Premier League Saturday

NO TEAM P PTS 1 R'Madrid 14 36 2 Barcelona 14 34 3 Atletico 14 32 4 Sevilla 14 29 5 Valencia 14 25 6 Villarreal 14 24 7 Málaga 14 24 8 Celta Vigo 14 20 9 Eibar 14 19 10 Bilbao 14 18 11 Vallecano 14 17 12 Getafe 14 15 13 Espanyol 14 14 14 Sociedad 14 13 15 Levante 14 13 16 Granada 14 12 17 Almería 14 10 18 Córdoba 14 10 19 Deportivo 14 10 20 Elche 14 10

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

FIXTURES

NO TEAM P PTS 1 Bayern 14 36 2 Wolfsburg 14 29 3 Augsburg 14 24 4 Schalke 14 23 4 Leverkusen 14 23 6 M’gladbach 14 23 7 Frankfurt 14 21 8 Hoffenheim 14 20 9 Hannover 14 19 10 Paderborn 14 17 11 Mainz 14 16 12 Köln 14 15 13 Hamburger 14 15 14 Dortmund 14 14 15 Hertha BSC 14 14 16 Freiburg 14 13 17 Bremen 14 13 18 Stuttgart 14 12

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

esiktas coach Slaven Bilic is backing former club West Ham United to finish in the top four this season.

Bilic, a Hammers defender for 18 months from January 1996, says current boss Sam Allardyce can pull off a miracle and upset the Premier League big guns by finishing in the top four.

"I hope so. Still, there is a long way to go. But you can't talk about 'early days' today. There are enough games.

"They are also doing well at

Southampton. I think one of them can make it. Especially because those clubs, they are improving a lot. West Ham were struggling last year, okay, but they were very good in the [summer] market, bought good players and kept good players. And it clicked.

"Big Sam knows the league like this, from Bolton and Blackburn. He was under pressure. But he got used to pressure. He never doubts himself.

Because he has done it in the past.

Besiktas boss backs West Ham for Top Four finish

Tevez

ter Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid booked their place in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages.

Massimiliano Allegri's men are playing the third of five matches in the space of 18 days and striker Carlos Tevez admits the upcoming midseason break will be a welcome relief.

"The Christmas break and holidays will do us good," he told the club's official website. "We've had four months of playing regular football; it's normal that a bit of tiredness has started to creep in."

Roma also played in the Champions League in midweek and will look to rebuild from the disappointing exit to Manchester City on Wednesday when they visit Genoa.

Milan host Napoli at San Siro with both clubs aiming to move on from disappointing results last weekend, the former losing 1-0 at Genoa while Rafael Benitez's team drew 2-2 with Empoli.

eicester City manager Nigel Pearson has insisted that his players will not "dwell" on their recent difficult run in the Premier League as they attempt to get back on track.

Last season's Championship winners are rooted to the bottom of the table after 10 games without a win in the top flight.

However, Pearson has claimed that his players have the right mentality heading into Saturday's clash against Manchester City at the King Power Stadium.

"We've been in a difficult run for a while, so we certainly won't be dwelling on that against Manchester City," Pearson told reporters. "We deal with things when they happen, but I will always be as supportive as I can be of my players.

"We have to look at each game in terms of what we know we are capable of. I'm asking the players, to a man, to give themselves the best chance of winning the game. We need to get our performance right."

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Pearson: Leicester will bounce back against City

Montoya

arcelona’s right back Martin Montoya is likely to leave the club in the January transfer window, and Juventus is reportedly leading the race for the Spaniard’s signature.

Montoya wasn’t part of Barcelona’s squad in the 3-1 win over PSG on Wednesday, even though first choice right back Dani Alves was suspended. Montoya has only featured once in La Liga this season, and the player’s agent has already confirmed that the Spaniard is on his way out of the club.

Italian daily TuttoSport now claims that Montoya could join Juventus, who has already been in touch with the right back. Montoya himself has reportedly given his approval to the Italian club, as Juventus are preparing a bid between four and five million euros.

B NEW TELEGRAPH EMBER 2014

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Sport

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

Salami still rues AFCON miss

S

Charles Ogundiya uper Eagles striker, Glolahan Salami has restated his disappointment at missing out of January’s African Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the biennial championship after playing out a 2-2 draw against South Africa in the last match of the qualifying series at the new Uyo International Stadium.

“As a player I am not happy to miss out from participating in Africa’s greatest showpiece and I know all Nigerians are in the same frame of mind as me,” said Salami.

“What makes it even more painful is the fact that I have

never had it so good in the national team. In the past I have been in and out of the squad, but since I was invited this year, I have maintained my position and that is a big advantage and a good thing for me as a player.”

The 3SC star is confident that home-based players like himself will excel in the national team if consistently given the opportunity to show what they are capable of. He praised team coach, Stephen Keshi for believing in them.

He said: “The coach (Stephen Keshi) has been encouraging the home-based players in the national team and that is why they (players) have been giving their best in the league to get invitaSuper Eagle's Gbolahan Salami (right) trying to dribble past a South African opponent tions to the national team.”

Omidiran calls for early preparation for Falcons Charles Ogundiya

D

Oshoala

eputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Ayo Omidiran, has called on the Nigeria Football Federation to ensure the Super Falcons get early preparation ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Canada 2015.

Omidiran believes the Falcons will be meeting familiar foes at the World Cup after being part of the quadrennial tournament since inception in 1991 and have nothing to fear now.

While speaking with Saturday New Telegraph on the telephone, the former board member of the NFF said the team should be able to achieve success in Canada if the right things were done.

“I don’t think the presence of USA and Sweden in Super Falcons’ group should be a source of concern because we have the team that can defeat them.

“One thing I am happy about is the composition of the team. We have a blend of youth and experi-

Giwa goalie takes time on next move O ne of the star performers for Giwa FC of Jos during the just concluded season, Olorunleke Ojo, has said he will take his time before deciding where to play next season amid interests from clubs in the premier league.

It was reported during the week that league champions, Kano Pillars and Enyimba were in the market for the signature of the goalkeeper.

It was alleged in the report that Ojo has reached personal terms with the champions even though his club Giwa FC and Pillars are yet to reach an agreement.

But the player is not too in haste to decide his future.

“I am aware of the interest of the two clubs, but for now I am holding my cards close to my chest and very soon I will take a decision.

“I have been talking to the two clubs, but we are yet to finalise on anything, but very soon everything will be sorted

ence that will serve as added advantage at the World Cup. “USA and the rest are familiar foes and I don’t see reason why we should panic at all. I just want to implore the football authorities to prepare the team early for the competition and not take anything for granted,” she said.

Speaking further, she called on the technical crew of the team led

by Coach Edwin Okon to study the clips of Super Falcons’ opponents and learn from them.

She said: “I will advise the technical crew of the team as part of preparations to look for the past clips of USA and the other teams, study them and look for ways to defeat them.

“I am sure with proper preparation and commitment from every quarter, the team will excel in Canada and bring honour to Nigeria.”

The Super Falcons will play their first two games in Winnipeg against Sweden on June 8 and Australia four days later. The record African champions will then meet two-time winners USA on June 16 in Vancouver.

out,” he said.

Currently with the Under-20 national team, the Kogi state-born shot stopper said the interest of the two clubs did not come to him as a surprise as he was on top of his game during the season.

Ojo said: “I was not surprised when the offers started coming in because it has been a glorious season for me, although it has been God all this while and I am grateful to Him for everything.”

Ojo

FirstBank pledges commitment to Dala tennis tourney

F

irstBank Limited has expressed its commitment to the sponsorship of one of the nation’s most prestigious tennis championship, the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championships.

The 2015 edition of the championship than began on December 5, at the Kano Club Murtala Mohammed Way, Kano ends on Sunday December 13. Dala Hard Court is a major tourney that brings together professional tennis players from all nooks and crannies of Nigeria who converge at the ancient city of Kano to demonstrate their mastery of the game.

This year’s edition is the 28th edition and the 15th year FirstBank has supported the Championship.

The championship is after the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) national tournament and the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship. Champions from these tourneys also look forward to playing at Dala Tennis tournament.

A top official of FirstBank revealed that support for Dala Tournament is also another way of supporting young and budding talents in Nigeria as the game is mainly played by youths. He also spoke of developing business relationship with Kano Club, hosts of the tournament.

GTBank Principal Cup: Ogun goes tough on cheats

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gun State Government has vowed to deal seriously with any of the schools caught fielding players who are not bonafide pupils as the state prepares for the preliminaries of the Guaranty Trust Bank Principal Cup Championship season 3 in the four zones of Egba, Remo, Ijebu and Yewa later in December.

The Ogun State Education, Science and Technology Commissioner, Barrister Segun Odubela, who read the riot act during a press conference held in Abeokuta, asked the screening committee

in the State Ministry of Youth and Sports to report schools found to be cheating, while promising that government would continue to partner the bank to discover more talents that would be useful for the Nigeria National League side and Gateway United football club of Abeokuta.

GTBank Senior Manager, External Communication and Public Affairs, Mrs. Oyinade Adegite, described the sponsorship as most interesting aspect of the bank's corporate social responsibility aimed at developing budding talents that would form the bulk

of junior national teams while commending the schools for exhibiting high standard of football skills in the previous two seasons.

Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu, won the season two of the competition while Alamuwa Grammar School, Ado-Odo won the female category.

Winners will get N1million each in both male and female categories while the second placed team gets N750,000. The third and fourth placed schools will smile home with N500,000 and N250,000 cash, respectively.

Sport

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13 DECEMBER 2014

Unveiling Smalling’s hot girlfriend

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Lifestyle

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anchester united defender Chris Smalling has enjoyed good displays on the field and appears to be enjoying himself off the field of play as well.

He has been dating model Sam Cooke since 2012 Cooke has appeared in numerous British "lads' mags", including FHM, FRONT, Maxim, Loaded, Zoo and Nuts in the UK, as well as on several covers around the world.

She is most famous for being a Page 3 girl in The Sun, and was the winner of the newspaper's annual Page 3 Idol competition in 2006.

[2] Cooke has also appeared in the Hot Shots Calendar.[4] Cooke has spent time as a house and dance DJ,[5] and has appeared in clubs around the world, including Egypt, Malaysia and Ibiza.

She also worked extensively with the UK dance label Hed Kandi.

Cooke

Bolt searches for spouse, wants a child

“They get up early, because they have so much to do, and go to bed early, because they have so little to think about. ”

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orld’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, says he’s finally ready to settle down and have kids.

Despite being a magnet for female fans, Bolt now hopes to meet the right girl and start a family.

Bolt said, “You do get a lot of offers for sure, it’s one of the perks. You try to stay quiet, but I love women, and you try not to take advantage, but it’s hard.

"I am trying to find a girlfriend now, I think I am getting to that age right now, 28, where I need to find somebody and I want to have a child. It’s that time, I am trying to focus on having a family. I’d like three or four kids maybe, it’s always good to have brothers and sisters to look out for you.”

– Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Usian bolt dancing with a lady during a carnival

Sanchez's girlfriend ready to dump striker, deletes Instagram photo

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lexis Sanchez’s girlfriend Laia Grassi has deleted every Instagram photo of the Arsenal forward less than three weeks after he was accused of texting former Miss Chile, Camila Andrade, behind her back.

Sanchez and Grassi are believed to have split following accusations made by Andrade, who said she turned down the £30million signing’s invitations to dinner ahead of the 2014 World Cup. Grassi previously uploaded selfies of her and the former Barcelona star on social media, but has now removed every trace of Sanchez.

Grassi's Instagram is now free of Sanchez following the accusations made against the Arsenal player Andrade also accused Sanchez of sending her holiday snaps during a winter break to Disneyland Paris with partner Grassi, claiming the Chile forward insisted he was with a younger relative and not his other half.

Stories courtesy Dailymail

NFL star accuses ex-teammate of infidelity

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Clay and wife

ormer Oklahoma running back Brennan Clay is continuing to publicly accuse his wife of cheating on him with college team-mate and Dallas Cowboys star DeMarco Murray, now posting what he claims are intimate text messages between the two to Twitter.

And he says there are more to come.

Clay played alongside Murray for the University of Oklahoma Sooners in the 2010 season, but announced to the world this week that his wife of just five months, Gina D'Agostini, is having an affair with Murray.

Taking it a step further, the 22-year-old revealed explicit texts he allegedly

found in his wife's phone, including one about the two having sex in his own bed, according to Gawker.

Clay said the text conversation happened on October 5, once he left to go to training for the San Diego Chargers.

After saying goodbye to Clay at the airport, D'Agostini appears to text the 26-year-old Murray, saying that her 'roomate(sic)' has gone.

Clay claims his wife disguised Murray's number in her phone by saving it under 'Spray Tan'.

'So I can f*** u in your bed now?' Murray allegedly wrote back.

'Is that where you want to f*** me? And yes,' D'Agostino allegedly replied.

Sanchez and girlfriend

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SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

Faces

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PROVIDENCE SCHOOLS CELEBRATE 30/20 YEARS OF IMPARTING KNOWLEDGE AND MOULDING FUTURE

Staff of Providence School during a match past

The director of the school and some guest

Chairman of the event, Prof. Yinka Balogun congratulating some students

Parents at the commemmoration of the 30/20 years of Providence Schools, academic excellence

The school's choreography team performance at the Agege Stadium

Children having fun during the school carnival

The event also featured inter-house sports

Cultural day was part of the activities

TV & Radio with Angela Davies

A new window for the young ones

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This weekend ITV Abuja

TELEVISION

GALAXY TV LAGOS

Saturday 5:40 keeping fit 7:00 Ecafe 7:30 African kitchen

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lthough there are a number of children's programmes on television, Kid Zone The presenters, Chinenye and Dozie which features different segments such as The Story Book, seat. It is also a platform for recordStereo and lots more brings a new ing artistes that are making waves in form of entertainment to the young the music scene. This segment feaaudience. tures different music celebrities every Kid Zone is a new educative, in- week. Last week, the celebrity on the formative and entertaining children’s hot seat was Ameena, a rising singer, programme which started airing on song writer and dancer.

Silverbird on Saturday, November 1.

Chinenye and Dozie got up-close Last week, The Story Book seg- and personal with Ameena about her ment was hosted by Tinsel star and family and her journey into music.

Nollywood actress, Ireti Doyle. She Since it is a rule on the show, Ameena told the story of "Oshade the Orphan" had to perform two of her singles, who was maltreated by her step Love and Let’s Go on the studio's mother and sister. While narrating stage. The young presenters hosted the story, colourful illustrations were the segment like professionals with shown from occasionally to make the their tablets in their hands. story believable, easy to understand In my opinion, I wish the time and, consequently, keep the children would be extended to one hour with glued to their television screen. time. The fact is that children could Doyle narrated the story using the be glued to the television screen as right facial expression and movement long as they enjoy every bit of the when necessary to add life to the story programme and could also learn and make it even more believable. from it.

Also, there was sound effect where I like the fact that The Story Book necessary. At the end of the narration, segment does not only feature stories she gave the moral behind story - those - although mostly fables and legends who sow wickedness will soon grow it - with great lessons but that it was in their own garden. Simply put, wick- narrated inside a hut. Also, during edness is not a beautiful thing. the segment, Doyle did not just pick The next segment was the making up a story book and start reading to of the Kid Zone music video shoot. a group of children sitting on a mat.

The video which featured children Instead, she was narrating the story dressed in colourful traditional attire to as many children and viewers that is titled, The Children’s Anthem. The are watching the programme. Also, song talks about the country. the fact that colourful graphics and The last segment of the programme sound effects are used to illustrate is Stereo, a fast-paced music show the story is commendable.

Also, bringing in celebrity guests presented by Tinsel child star, Dozie and Chinenye in a cosy setting. The every week to narrate a story to presenters invite some of the nation’s the audience especially children to top music celebrities to take the hot spice up the programme is a good

idea as they make it fun with so much drama while at the same time passing across the required message.

This effect would not be achieved if a teenager were narrating the story.

Also, allowing young presenters to interview their favourite music celebrities would help them build their self-confidence.

One snag however is this: why should the names of the cast and crew be displayed after each segment? This clearly indicates that a programme has ended. Ideally, names of cast and crew should only be displayed at the end of the programme and not done at the end of every segment.

Secondly, the Stereo segment no doubt is a beautiful concept.

However, a segment similar to Stereo could be created to allow these young presenters interview children and teens who are either doing exceptionally well in their academics or doing something unique to touch the lives of young ones in the society. A platform like this would afford them an opportunity to share their secret or success tips so that children watching could benefit from them as well.

Kid Zone airs on Saturday on Silverbird Television at 12:30pm and is a safe viewing space for the family.

The programme is produced by Nollywood actress, Ashionye Michelle Raccah and her husband, Carl. There is usually a repeat broadcast on Sunday at 6am. So, get ready for loads of fun and exciting moments watching Kid Zone.

Exquisite Ladies awards rounds off at Intercontinental

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he sixth edition of the Exquisite Ladies of the Year (ELOY) awards was held on November 30 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The award was conceived to recognise women in different fields for their outstanding roles in the society.

TV Presenters Stephanie Coker – MTV Street Request Shola Soyele – Law Weekly, Channels TV TV Actress Osas Ighodaro – Tinsel

8:00 Victory hour 8:30 Joy Skin Care 9:00 School of Money 9:30 At all at all 10:00 Children’s Theatre 10:30 My Tomorrow 12:00 Angelus 12:03 School Debate 1:00 Sports 2:00 Studio 60 2:30 Family Colours 3:00 Troubled Waters 4:00 Living Next to You 4:30 Destiny Encounter 5:00 Sports Spectacular 5:30 Daug of Eve 7:30 ITV Main News 8:00 Salem International 9:00 NTA Network News 10:00 Mic Challenge 10:30 MSI Sport Sunday 7:00 Bible Movie 8:00 Foreign Movie 9:00 Living the Life (CBN) 9:30 Green Stories 10:00 Mount Zion Movie 11:00 News review (Live) 11:30 700 Club Nigeria 12:00 Angelus 12:03 Nigerian Home Movie 1:30 Christ Embassy 2:00 Worship Forum 3:30 Mothers World 4:00 Christian Brethren 4:30 Two Side of a Coin 5:00 Eagle Xtian Voice of Victory 6:00 Health Monitor 7:00 Kingdom 1st ½ Hour 7:30 ITV Main News 8:00 An Hour with Pastor Kumuyi 9:00 NTA Network News 9:30 Social Event 10:00 Sportsville 10:30 Late Night Movie

Coker with her award as TV Presenter of the Year

Saturday 5.30 Galaxy top 20 6.30 Disney animal 7.30 Two Faces 8.00 Superfans challenge 8.30 Movie 10.00 Sport Edge 10.30 Daystar 11.00 Disney family hour 1.30 Editors Forum 2.30 Campus 360 3.00 Ile Alayo 3.30 X-Men Cartoon 4:00 Nollywood English 5.00 Paraiso Tropical 6.00 Real woman 6.30 Destiny River 7.00 Galaxy news 7.30 Squatterz 8:00 House 22 8:30 The Next Movie Star 9.00 Nollywod English 10:00 Galaxy News 11.00 Primetime Africa 12:00 Wonderful world of Disney Sunday 5.30 Soundplus 6.00 Disney animal 8.30 Movie 10.00 Streetz 10.30 Celebrity Zone 11.00 Reel Nollywood 11.30 Woman 2 Woman 12.00 Galaxy Party Time 1:00 NTFS 1:30 Events 2.00 Hour of salvation 2:30 Dawn in the Creeks 3.00 Democracyandtheruleoflaw 4.00 Ogun standard 5.00 Paraiso tropical 6.00 Two faces 7.00 Galaxy news 7.30 Beyond Doubts 8.00 Living Hope 8:30 The Next Movie Star 9.00 Nollywood English

10.00 Galaxy News 11:10 Movie

RADIO

Naija Info 99.3 FM

Saturday 1:00 Chat station 5:00 Morning crossfire 12:00 Sports 8:00 Let’s talk

Magic Fm 102.9 Aba

Below are the winners in the radio and television categories: On-Air Personalities of the year Anita Isedeh aka Omalicha - Morning Drive and Late Morning Show, Rhythm fm Labizzy Jojo - E Concern Me, Rainbow FM

Ighodaro with her award as TV Actress of the Year

SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER 2014

Saturday 7:00 Afro Naija Flava 8:00 Hang Over 9:00 At Your Request 10:00 Talk Sports 11:00 Rep Your Club (Soccer) 12:00 Kick Off/Predictor Game 1:00 Those Were the Days 2:00 At Your Request 3:00 It’s Our City 4:00 Old School Highlife 5:00 Music/Talk 6:00 Extra Time 7:00 The Big Saturday

Sunday 5:00 Morning crossfire 12:00 Sports 8:00 Art and Soul

Sunday 7:00 A Day with the Lord 10:00 Sunday Free Way 12:00 Kick Off/Predictor Game 1:00 100% Naija 2:00 Focus on Family 3:00 Tear Rubber 4:00 Campus Line 5:00 Magic FM Music Survey 7:00 Magic Request Line 10:00 Soft Side 11:00 Who’s on Your Mind

Dear Love Doctor, ‘I feel my husband doesn't love me'

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L ve&Lv ng

Life Experience 'I pay a man to sleep with me' p.36

SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER 2014

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‘He duped me even after I gave him my heart' Confession They say that one good turn deserves another. But in matters of the heart, it seems too hard to tell when your heart is going to be broken by an angel...

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osephine gave Kunle everything she ever had in life: money, clothes, perfumes, gifts and love, but in the end, Kunle heartlessly jilted her after all her sacrifices. He duped her of millions of naira and ran away to the United States of America. Now, having lost the love of her life, as well as her life’s savings, how can Josephine carry on as if nothing has happened?

She is now a shadow of herself…

I am forlorn. I am heartbroken. I can’t sleep at night because all I do throughout the night is cry on my pillow. Even my river of tears is not enough to comfort me. Even now as I tell my story, I’m still crying and bleeding in my heart. It’s like my whole world has come to an end just when I thought I was beginning to enjoy love at its peak.

Any woman that has ever experienced what I’ve experienced in my life would cry for me. Please pray for me because right now I’m at the end of my rope. I might go to bed this night without waking up tomorrow morning because I don’t think I can continue to live after what Kunle, my love of many years, did to me.

I have vowed never to fall in love with any man again as long as I live.

As far as I’m concerned, all men are heartless bastards who don’t care about the women that love them.

How can I ever love again after what Kunle did to me? How can I ever smile again or kiss a man under the moonlight after Kunle took my heart and broke it into a thousand pieces?

Now all that is left in the place where my heart is supposed to be is a big hole and a big vacuum that can never again be filled. What have I done to deserve this kind of treatment from a man?

Kunle and I met in church. It was on a fine Sunday morning and I was dressed in a beautiful female suit while he wore native. We sat beside each other because Kunle arrived late for the service that day and there were no seats left except beside where I was sitting. So the usher took him right to the seat next to mine. Kunle had forgotten to bring his hymn book and bible along with him due to his haste to get to the church, so he had to share my bible and hymn book with me.

There is love in sharing, and so I didn’t object to his sharing my bible with me. When it was time for the offertory, we went together to the altar to place our offerings in the offering bowl. And as we walked back together to our seats, Kunle commented on how lovely my suit was and how elegantly I had walked to the altar. I was flattered

and I smiled more sweetly than I usually smiled because I was happy that a man had commented on my looks.

I wasn’t used to being flattered by men and besides I had some reservations about wearing the suit to church that morning. I thought it wasn’t a beautiful suit and since I had washed all my other clothes the day before, being Saturday, I had no choice but to wear the suit to service that Sunday morning.

Kunle was a man with a very good sense of humour, and before the end of the service that morning he had distracted me almost completely from the homily by cracking so many jokes.

During the homily, the pastor harped on the twin evils of drinking and smoking. Smoking, the pastor said, was dangerous to health, while drinking made a family man irresponsible.

I enjoyed Kunle’s jokes so much that I really had a good time laughing.

My body and soul wanted Kunle in my life, so I welcomed all his advances, which made him happy to acquire my friendship.

I was living independently and earning a fat salary from the company with which I worked. I had more than enough money for myself and was in fact, comfortable enough to live without a man in my life. But still, I needed the friendship of a man. Like a natural longing, I needed the warm embrace of a man at night. I needed somebody

Kunle was an unemployed graduate.

He had no money to offer me but he told me that he yearned for me in his heart and could love no other woman besides me.

to be my lover, someone I could gladly give my heart to.

Sometimes in life, no matter how much money and fame a woman might have acquired in the pursuit of her destiny, she would find that she is lonely and desperately in need of a member of the opposite sex to make her life fulfilled.

That was the position I found myself in, before Kunle walked into my life. I was a rich, mature, yet lonely woman.

At 37, I had made it in life, and I was already over-ripe for marriage. At this stage of my life, I didn’t need any man’s money. In fact I rejected all the rich men who had tried to win my love with their money and other material things. All I wanted was a man who would love me no matter regardless of whether he was rich or poor.

Kunle was an unemployed graduate. He had no money to offer me but he told me that he yearned for me in his heart and could love no other woman besides me. Kunle showered me with lots of love and attention.

And I reciprocated his gestures of love by showering him with my money and gifts. I was practically feeding him everyday and I made sure that he always had money in his pocket to buy whatever he needed.

Before, Kunle used to trek to wherever he was going or enter the so-called

molue buses. But I made sure all his suffering ended and gave him the keys of one of my cars so that he could conveniently transport himself within the city.

Kunle was staying in a one-room apartment at Ajegunle, and it was an insult to me that my boyfriend could be living in such a condition. So I told him to move in with me. And he gladly did.

Kunle was a very romantic guy.

Whenever he removed his clothes at night, he looked sexy from head to toe and the mere sight of his sexy naked body aroused me even before he touched me.

Kunle always took his time to make love to me meticulously. He always made me feel good about my body and said my breasts were the sexiest tits he had ever seen.

I enjoyed Kunle’s lovemaking more because he lasted longer in bed than most men I’d met. Before Kunle came into my life, it was difficult for a man to satisfy me in bed. But with Kunle, I always reached orgasm.

Since Kunle was a graduate, I encouraged him to write applications and look for a job so that he wouldn’t be idle. But to my surprise, Kunle hated writing applications. He was lazy and looking for a job seemed like stress to him. Kunle was a loafer. He acted as though he didn’t want to do anything positive with his life.

But still, I was patient with him and didn’t want to let him know that I was upset about the way he loafed and slept on the couch all day.

One day, Kunle told me a story about precious stones. He said that people who did business in precious stones made a lot of money and that if I invested in precious stones, I would make a profit of millions of naira.

The story sounded too good to be true and I was wary because of the risks involved. But Kunle insisted that I give him five million naira to start the business. According to him, if I invested five million naira, I would get double that amount in returns, that is, 10 million naira.

Because he pestered me so much, I finally gave in and went to the bank to withdraw almost all my savings. I converted the money to dollars and handed it to my boyfriend. He said he had to travel to Abuja immediately with the money in order to meet his business partner and that he would return in a week’s time. That was the last time I saw Kunle, for exactly one week later, I received a strange letter from him.

In the letter, he wrote: Sorry love, by the time you receive this letter, I would be in the United States of America. I’m not the kind of man who would like to spend the rest of my life with you. All I want is to enjoy myself with some good money overseas. Thanks for the five million naira.

Bye, Kunle I fainted and spent two weeks in the hospital after reading Kunle’s letter. I was deceived, duped and dumped after all I did for him. Now I run away whenever any man talks to me because I believe that all men are just as heartless.

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Love&Living

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

Love News

Love Songs

Sham marriage gang jailed after fake bride is caught

A

sham marriage gang has been jailed after a fake bride was caught with a crib sheet listing her bogus husband's height, shoe size, how they met and how often they had sex.

Alisha Mahmood was part of a gang who staged fake weddings to allow Pakistani men to gain visas to live in the UK by marrying British brides they had never met.

The women were allegedly paid up to £7,000 each to take part in bogus ceremonies in Nottingham, Leicester and Hertfordshire in a bid to get around border controls.

The crib sheet was made to prepare Mahmood, 21, to answer questions if quizzed by the authorities about her new husband.

Details included his height, weight, shoe sizes, the colour of the walls and carpets in his house and even how frequently

they had sex.

At Sheffield Crown Court yesterday, Mahmood was jailed for 21 months after being convicted of conspiring to facilitate a breach of the UK immigration laws following a four week trial.

Gang leader Masoud Rasab, 38, who arranged the fake marriages was also jailed for four years, while another fake bride Sabrina Khan was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.

Fake groom Umair Hussain was jailed for 21 months and will be deported once he has finished his sentence.

During the trial the court heard how the Pakistani men all entered the country on student visas and took part in sham weddings before seeking Home Office permission to remain in the UK. Chris Smith, prosecuting, said: 'The women in this case were prepared for money to marry men they did not love.

Drowning in Your Eyes Feel the ground it's slipping away Like a sigh that greets the close of day Feel the waters welcoming arms Embrace me in their quiet karma I can't hear what you say anymore Just the sound of trees on the ocean floor Irresistibly drawn from the shore

It was less about passion and more about profit.'

The court heard how Mahmood had become a 'bride' in a sham marriage in Nottingham with a groom who had arrived in the UK in April 2006 on a student visa.

The couple were reported to the Home Office by a suspicious registrar who said they saw 'little interaction between the couple'.

Suspicions were also raised when the groom claimed he had only just moved into his address when in fact he had lived there for four years.

The couple were eventually arrested when they attended a

Home Office interview in Sheffield after the crib sheet was found at Mahmood's home.

Mr Smith added: 'It gave his height, weight, shoe size, details of the early stages of their relationship and the frequency of their love-making.'

The court was also told that Khan, 29, married 28-year-old Umair Hussain, when he arrived in the UK on a student visa in April 2006.

They married at Leicester Registry Office in November 2011, a month after they met, and just six weeks before Hussain's visa was due to expire.

Courtesy: Daily Mail.

Life Experience

I

'I pay a man to sleep with me'

'm sure I'm not alone in this, but I'm equally sure that it's the type of thing which would cause raised eyebrows and a lot of disapproval, which is why I haven't told anyone.

However, it's an arrangement which has worked very well for me for the last three years and I hope it continues. My ex husband and I get on well, but I don't want all the complications involved in getting into a relationship - I want to be able to concentrate on my children, my job and my life without introducing a man who might well walk out at some point, thus upsetting the children.

Although I know I could go out a couple of times a month and find someone for sex I don't have the time or energy for a series of one night stands - I want to be wined and dined and know exactly what's going to happen, without any worries about the next day.

My husband and I had a great sex life and I really missed that, so I decided to do some research.

The Internet was the obvious place and I found a huge range of websites and adverts offering a wide range of services. Some of them were simply hilarious, but in the end I found Dayo.

Our first encounter was nerve wracking and my main worry was that I might not find him attractive, although I definitely went out there with sex on my mind.

In the flesh something has to click and although I knew that he was extremely good looking and very fit I also knew I had to fancy him.

I booked into a hotel and spent ages getting ready, then Dayo came and we went out to dinner.

Thank God, despite my nerves there was an instant spark and we had a great time, especially since we both knew that the whole evening was definitely building up to

sex. When we got back to the room there was no problem tearing each other's clothes off and the sex was fantastic.

I knew I'd made the right decision and we meet once or twice a month, with the occasional weekend away or short holiday, which I always pay for. He makes me feel that I'm the centre of attention, he's very protective and caring, we have a laugh and a chat and the sex gets better and better.

He always makes it special with candles and massage oils - now how many men would still be doing that after three years in an ordinary relationship?

Sorry if this goes against the stereotype, but I want fabulous sex with a lovely man without any ties.

We might well be at the stage where women are seen to enjoy sex as much as men, but not at the stage of admitting that some of us are happy to pay for it. There's

Ephraim Lewis

Sorry if this goes against the stereotype, but I want fabulous sex with a lovely man without any ties

currency of some kind in every relationship and I know that although we get on well and have a great time together, at the bottom of it all is hard cash.

I'm quite vain and having a man in my life who sees me naked regularly certainly makes me focus on looking after myself, so I'm very slim and fit and feel confident sexually. What's really interesting is the amount of other men who ask me out - it does make me realise that when you've one man around you seem to get the pick of the rest as well.

You wouldn't question this relationship unless you knew I paid for it - we're both adults, seeing each other regularly and enjoying ourselves.

Why does money suddenly change it?

We have cover stories organised in case we bump into anyone we know but that's never happened. Women should be able to have the sort of sex life and companionship they want, on their terms, but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way. I love my children, work hard - to pay for their treats and mine - see my friends and family and enjoy my hobbies like anyone else. This way, I'm very satisfied sexually which makes me a much calmer and happier person and I do like the secrecy element of this arrangement.

I keep both lives totally separate and Dayo doesn't know where I live, what I do or even my real surname though I'm the same with him and we contact each other by mobile phone.

Nothing's forever and I hope it will be some considerable time before Justin hangs up his thong, but I'm sure there's a replacement out there should it ever happen.

Being able to have such a lovely time and be treated so well, without any worries or upset - frankly, that's priceless. As it is I pay him between N2,000 to N5,000 to spend a short time with me and N10,000 to spend the night with me, and every penny is well spent.

I'm drowning in your eyes I'm floating out to sea Helpless on the restless tide That flows between you and me Moving slowly as if in a dream The colors change from blue to green All around me reflections of you In forests deep I'm passing through In the swell of the storm we're as one We're dancing in the morning sun Could it be that we've only just begun I'm drowning in your eyes I'm floating out to sea Helpless on the restless tide That flows between you and me I'm drowning in your eyes I'm floating out to sea Helpless on the restless tide That flows between you and me Lying here beside you I try to reach you but you're so far I'm drowning in your eyes I'm floating out to sea Helpless on the restless tide That flows between you and me I'm drowning in your eyes I'm floating out to sea Helpless on the restless tide That flows between you and me I'm drowning in your eyes I'm drowning in your eyes I'm drowning in your eyes

Love Poem

Zlata S. Steere

Beauty Your lips, your eyes, your soul Are like a work of art, The most creative thing of all Is your beautiful heart.

If you were a painting, No colours could express The beauty deep inside you, A rainbow, nothing less.

If you were a sculpture The clay could hardly make Your figure of an angel Without one mistake.

If you were a euphony No choir could really sing All the beautiful music Your eyes could possibly bring.

So here I am, an artist, With inspiration beyond belief But to capture such rare beauty, I'd have to be a thief.

*Send your love poems along with your name and number to ireto007@yahoo.com

Romantic Joke

The Disco

Husband takes the wife to a disco. There’s a guy on the dance floor giving it large – break dancing, moonwalking, back flips, the works.

The wife turns to her husband and says: "See that guy? 25 years ago he proposed to me and I turned him down." Husband says: "Looks like he’s still celebrating!!"

Love&Living

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

Relationships & Love Advice

‘I feel my husband doesn't love me' Dear Love Doctor, I've been married for seven years and throughout my husband has been a workaholic. All he does is work, work, work. And as a result he seems never to have time for me.

Sometimes, I would like him to sit at home with me instead of going off to do his business. I've told him that I don't think he loves me or has ever loved me and he keeps saying that it is because he loves me that he works so hard to provide for me and the children. But I don't believe him.

From, Helen.

day, help provide a home. Why can you not see the love I have for you?"

He may well be saying he loves you in a 100 ways, just not the ways you are looking for. So, there is really nothing to worry about.

However, it would be a good idea to tell him to take a break off work from time to time to be with you. That would help rekindle romance between the two of you and put your mind at rest.

Love Doctor’s Advice: Men and women, operate on a different level. Your husband may look and say, "I work every

*Send your comments/stories to Love Doctor. E-mail: ireto007@yahoo.com. For free marriage/relationships counseling, call Love Doctor Mike 07031028714, 08131161840.

Visit lovedrmike.blogspot.com

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A

Odd News

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37

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Patients who claim they developed gambling and sex addictions after taking Parkinson's medication are offered settlement by the drug company

drug company has offered a settlement to patients who claim they became addicted to gambling and sex after taking medication to treat Parkinson's disease.

Pfizer has confirmed it has proposed the settlement after class action was taken by 150 patients.

They claim they were not warned of the side effects.

A hearing had been scheduled in the Federal Court of Australia next year, the Guardian reported.

But the settlement offered is now set to be considered by the court, who will decide whether to agree it.

A Pfizer spokeswoman said: 'On that basis, Pfizer Australia is unable to make any further comment at this time.'

A study published earlier this year found drugs commonly prescribed to treat Parkinson's disease increase the risk of behaviours such as sex addiction, compulsive shopping and gambling.

Parkinson’s is a degenerative condition that occurs when nerve cells in the brain die, causing a lack of the chemical dopamine.

This, in turn, interferes with movement and co-ordination.

The disease is incurable - the aim of treatment is to alleviate the symptoms.

There are two types of medication:

‘levodopa’ drugs, used since the Sixties, and ‘dopamine agonists’, introduced 12 years ago.

Both attempt to replace the missing dopamine, but the levodopa group restores it artificially, while dopamine agonists mimic its role by stimulating nerve cells.

Impulsive and compulsive behaviour is a known side-effect of both types of medication, although it’s more common with dopamine agonists.

Up to 14 per cent of patients develop changes in behaviour.

These problems can be extensions of existing traits - for example someone who has always enjoyed a flutter might develop more of a gambling problem.

In a new study, researchers found dopamine agonist drugs were made patients more likely to indulge in pathological gambling, hypersexuality and compulsive shopping.

Usually these habits disappear once patients stop taking the medication.

Those affected find themselves trapped in an almost impossible situation: their compulsions are caused by medication, but they can’t stop taking it because it would leave them unable to function physically.

The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation says in one earlier study, dopamine agonists were linked with compulsive behaviours in up to 14 per cent of patients.

While these side effects have been known for around a decade, researchers at the Institute for Safe Medication Practices in Alexandria, Virginia, wanted to investigate the link further.

Lead author Thomas J. Moore and his team analysed 2.7 million serious drug side effects reported in between 2003 and 2012 in the U.S. and 21 other countries.

They identified 1,580 impulse control disorder events - 710 linked to dopamine agonist drugs and 870 associated with other drugs.

The dopamine agonists were most often prescribed for Parkinson’s disease but were also sometimes prescribed for restless leg syndrome.

Dopamine agonist drugs were 277 times more likely to result in a report of specific impulse control symptoms than other drugs, Mr Moore told Reuters Health.

'This tells you that reports associating a drug with pathological gambling or hypersexuality are extremely rare, except for this group of drugs,' he said.

The actual risk could in fact be higher, since the data relies on official reports of drug side effects, added Joshua J. Gagne, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston.

The study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Daiga Heisters, of Parkinson’s UK, said: ‘A significant minority of those taking dopamine medication find they have problems with compulsive behaviour.

‘Every individual reacts differently to Parkinson’s drugs.

'By talking with their specialist, they can look at altering the dose or drug, and side-effects can be alleviated or even eliminated.

Courtesy: Daily Mail.

38

Love&Living

True Story

W

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

'Our first date was a lie!'

hen I was 21, I fell in love with Eric Lee. A friend of a friend, Eric was intelligent, funny, charming — basically, everything a girl could have wanted. The only thing he wasn't was interested in me!

A very shy person, I spent the frequent times we met awkwardly trying to make conversation while he nodded and smiled politely. I knew he was probably checking out all the other girls at the various parties we met up in, and it tore my heart out, but I just couldn't get the confidence up to ask Eric out.

This went on for two years, during which time Eric had a lot of girlfriends — none of them very serious — and I secretly pined for him. By this time, I was working for an accounting firm in the city; our university days were behind us, as were the university parties, so I didn't see him nearly as much. But this had its advantages — I had pretty much accepted that I had no chance, so the times we did meet were far less awkward — although I still didn't have the courage to ask the guy out.

When the annual company ball was announced, I felt sick.

All my friends were asking their partners and people they liked, but I was too busy silently yearning for a guy who barely knew I was alive. It wasn't until I opened up to my best friend May that I found with a solution: pretend I needed a date to impress the big bosses.

May convinced me to approach Eric with the idea that I was going for a promotion, and needed to give the impression that I was serious and stable. I didn't know if it would work, but I was willing to give it a try.

Surely he'd say yes if free alcohol was involved, and it didn't actually mean anything...?

Nervous to the core, I needed a stiff drink before I even picked

SEXUAL COMMUNICATION

Five ways to make a man desire you 1. Compliment Him the Right Way Just because men don't fish for flattery (when was the last time you heard a guy ask, "Honey, do my pecs look small in this shirt?") doesn't mean they don't love ego stroking.

"More than anything, men desire the feeling of being desired," says Bernstein. "When a man hears praise from his partner, it reinforces that she's attracted to him, which further intensifies his feelings for her."

2. Anticipation Delaying gratification makes your man fantasize about you more. When you tease him with sexy text messages or the promise of sex, his imagination runs wild.

up the phone, but once I'd dialled the number, the lie came out easily enough.

"Hi Eric," I stammered. "I've got a work ball on Friday night and I need to pretend I have a boyfriend, or I have no chance at getting a promotion."

Surprisingly, Eric was totally open to the scheme. He thought it would be fun to pretend we'd been madly in love for ages, and promised he'd spend the whole night looking lovingly into my eyes. This part made me sick with nerves, but there was no going back. The fake date was going ahead.

Eric and I played our parts so well that every single person in the room was fooled. Even my closest friends expressed their surprise that I'd never mentioned I had a boyfriend.

I should have felt elated, but I just felt sad and unfulfilled. I'd finally had my dream date with my dream man, and it wasn't even real.

We'd had such a good time too — chatting and laughing.

Because it was all a sham, I'd quickly lost my reserve, and

I'd finally had my dream date with my dream man, and it wasn't even real

felt I could talk to Eric easily. But now the evening was over, and I knew I'd probably never speak to him like that again — I'd just have to wait for the next nervous small talk at someone's housewarming or barbeque.

So you can't imagine my shock when, the following day, the phone rang. It was Eric! He'd had such a nice time, he said. He couldn't believe he didn't know me after all these years and wanted to catch up for coffee. I was elated. A real date! Coffee quickly led to dinner, which led to other dates.

Before I knew it, we were a proper item, and my lie had become the real thing.

Several years have passed, and Eric and I recently celebrated our second wedding anniversary. We laugh about the way we got together but, although he knows our first date wasn't real, Eric has no idea that I lied about needing a boyfriend, because that was the only way I could ask him out!

Courtesy: nine.com

Wedding Traditions

Ordering the groom to make love to his bride: Belarus and Colombia

H

ere is a tradition, recorded in 1921, shared as far apart in the world as “White Russia” (now Belarus) and among native Colombians. Beating the groom and ordering him to make love to his new wife, now. In Belarus, the groom’s best man follows the couple into the bedroom, waits until they’re under the covers, beats his friend with a whip and yells, “Look at each other, kiss, and embrace! FAST!” In old Colombia, the whip-man follows the couple to their marital hut and yells at the groom, “TAKE THE WOMAN!” and then beats him with a whip; the same whip which, coincidentally, the tribe uses for funerals. It does not say what they use it for at funerals. I thought it better not to know.

—The History of Human Marriage, Volume 2, Westermarck

3. Space Men want what's out of their reach. If you're not available to him 24/7 and you have an active life outside the relationship, he has time to miss you.

4. Surprise Men like pleasant surprises. Variety is key in a relationship. So throwing a new move into your game doesn't just turn him on. It maintains his ability to be attracted to you.

5. Scent Use a sexy perfume. Biologists believe the reason your odor turns him on is because smell is one of the most primitive senses — it travels a direct route to the brain's limbic lobe, where it can promote an emotional reaction.

Love Education

What is a Sexual Fantasy?

A

sexual fantasy, also called an erotic fantasy, is a mental image or pattern of thought that stirs a person's sexualityand can create or enhance sexual arousal.

[1] A sexual fantasy resides entirely in a person's mind and can be created by the person's imagination, mental recollection or thought. A fantasy may be triggered autonomously or by any object or medium.

For example, it can be created by a long, drawn-out story, such as in erotic literature or pornographic film; by a quick mental flash of sexual imagery, such as a photograph or physical object; or be due to a sexual attractionto another person or an aspect of that person. Anything that may give rise to a sexual arousal may also produce a sexual fantasy, and sexual arousal may in turn give rise to fantasies.

Sexual fantasies are a nearly universal phenomenon. However, because of the nature of some fantasies, the actual putting of such fantasies into action is far less common. In some cases, even a discussion by a person of their sexual fantasies is subject to social taboos and inhibitions.

Some people find it convenient to act out fantasies through sexual roleplay. A fantasy may be a positive or negative experience, or even both. It may be in response to a past experience and can influence future sexual behaviour. A person may not wish to enact a sexual fantasy in real life, and since the process is entirely imaginary, they are not limited to acceptable or practical fantasies, which can provide information on the psychological processes behind sexual behaviour.

Travel &Tourism SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER 2014

39

Chef's Corner Lagos celebrates seafood in style p.40

Travel Personality

Irene Koki Mutungi: I’m not carried away being Kenya's first commercial female pilot p.41

Destination

Calabar Festival 2014: Revving up for the big street party p.42

SWISS SPIRIT HOTEL AND SUITES MARDEZOK ASABA

Defying stereotypes through a blend of luxury HOSPITALITY ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA writes that despite its fairly recent debut, Swiss Spirit Hotel and Suites Mardezok Asaba has shown immense promise.

S

wiss Hotels International is the latest addition to the growing list of international brands operating in the Nigerian hospitality sector.

In less than a year in the market, the group has continued to expand its operations across the country with over three hotels in operation and many more in the pipeline.

The newest addition to its growing portfolio is the Swiss Spirit Hotel and Suites Mardezok Asaba, in Delta State. The new hotel comes with all the glitz, finesse and luxury that the group is trying to promote and guests of the hotel certainly have a lot to explore once closeted within the hotel, which enjoys a serene and

exclusive location.

With a luxuriating outlook, the hotel caters for both the corporate world and leisure travellers. With the growing influence of Asaba as the capital city of the oil rich Delta and also the gateway to the eastern part of the country, especially Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of the region, the hotel hopes to draw on the growing traffic to boost its offerings.

Facilities/services It is a full service hotel with a whole range of facilities dedicated to the numerous needs of its patrons. Sitting in a very inviting environment and with a beautiful façade, the 48 suites and rooms are of classic nature, enjoying a modern and artistic décor with all the amenities of international standards such as king or twin comfy beds, free Wi-Fi, work desk, bathroom with shower, tea/ coffee set, and flat screen TV. There is the Swiss Café Restaurant and Lounge, which comes with beautiful and soothing scenery and offers African and international dishes alongside a chef’s signature delight and themed foods such as seafood. It also offers guests a good ambience for relaxation while sipping their drinks, ranging from a wide selection of wines,

champagnes, and cocktails to beverages from across the world.

Its conference facilities stand it out as a business hotel where meetings and conferences of diverse nature are hosted. There is however ample room for social events. Event planners would certainly find The Box, its conference hall and other meeting rooms, quite enticing with modern gadgets that aid seamless meetings.

This is boosted by the presence of a business centre, which offers services such as wireless internet access, the use of PCs, fax and email, printing, scanning and secretarial services.

Its pool and gymnasium are of commanding presence, colourfully designed and laid out for the pleasure of the guests with an open space to explore nature. The swimming pool is an outdoor affair while the gymnasium comes fully equipped with the services of fitness instructor and therapist available. Added to these are the Ted and Co Bar and Lounge, which also boast a serene setting for relaxation. It is an ideal setting to meet and socialise with friends or professional colleagues.

A devotion to excellent service culture At a colourful ceremony to

NEW TELEGRAPH PARTNER HOTELS

FESTAC, LAGOS

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

ABA LAGOS

ABA

formally announce the hotel to the world, the general manager of the hotel, Lee Hess, spoke of the commitment of the hotel to provide quality facilities and excellent services. He explained that the hotel has a crop of well trained and experienced workforce to man its daily affairs.

Lee also promised that the hotel would always strive to ensure its facilities are maintained and renewed in order for it to effectively compete in the market. He is optimistic that the new outfit is well primed to be a leader in Asaba.

In his goodwill message, Apostle Thompson Oki, urged the managers to follow best practices and high ethical standard in the running of the hotel, assuring them of success if the right tenets are followed.

For Dr. Wasiu Babalola, managing director of Swiss Hotels (West Africa), the outfit has proved that an international brand can actually survive and make it big in an environment like Asaba.

Entertainment was provided

by Frank Edward, Eben and Daddy Showkey.

Deacon Ambby Okuhor is the chief executive officer and chairman of the hotel while the wife, Deaconess Bukky Okuhor, is executive director.

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

40 Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

CHEF’S CORNER

Lagos celebrates seafood in style MURITALA AYINLA, who was at the Lagos Seafood Festival, writes on the gains of the annual event.

T

he event was the Lagos Seafood Festival and the venue was the Lagos Bar Beach. It is a yearly festival instituted by the Lagos State government since 2012 to celebrate the state's fishery industry.

Years back, Lagos styled itself as the "state of aquatic splendour." This was on account of the fact that Lagos virtually sits on waters and is home to many riverine communities where fishing is the main preoccupation.

But over the years, this industry was abandoned and allowed to go into near extinction as the state government turned its gaze elsewhere while the riverine communities were left to their fate without any support with regard to development, promotion and marketing of their seafood.

However, three years ago, the reality of the harm it has done to this rich aspect of its economic and rural development life dawned on the state government. To remedy the situation, the government introduced the Lagos Seafood Festival as a yearly event to celebrate the industry and the people who are

promoting it.

Lagos Bar Beach all through the duration of the festival wore a colourful look and was thrown into a feasting mood, attracting fishermen from such areas as Epe, Badagry, Bariga and Eti–Osa. The event was sponsored Nestle Foods.

Other participants were fish feed millers, supplement dealers, fish processors, fish farmers, artisanal fishermen, culinary producers and suppliers of fishing equipment. Cooking competition and raffle draw were parts of the festive event.

The Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, in his remark, said his government instituted the festival to bring together the rural fishermen and women to the city, adding that it was also part of the build up to the state's end of year activities.

For the state's commissioner for agriculture and cooperatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, the annual festival was a symbolic way of opening the eyes of the people to the different business opportunities that exist in the riverine communities.

He also noted that the festival, has opened a window of opportunities which will boost commercial activities in the state, adding that the seafood celebration would also stimulate investors' interest in the industry.

"Marketing is one of the major challenges of fish farmers; but this festival has provided an array of opportunities for them to build capacity, bring them closer to the markets so as

Gov Fashola and other guests at one of the fish pavilions

to boost their economy and eradicate poverty," said the commissioner.

One of the activities, which attracted a lot of interest and participation, was the fish pepper soup competition which drew hundreds of participants.

At the end of the exercise, Donald Grace emerged tops followed by

Fashola with winners of the pepper soup competition and others

Daniel Osas and Tajudeen Agunbiade. The state government splashed a cash gift of N800, 000 on them with Grace taking home N500, 000 for having eaten the most fish pepper soup, while Osas and Agunbiade won N200, 000 and N100, 000, respectively.

TRAVEL BEATS

UNWTO and WTM Ministers’ Summit harps on imperative of mega events At the recently concluded World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and World Travel Market (WTM) Ministers Summit in London, the benefits of hosting events and building infrastructure formed the crust of the discussion. In his opening remark, the UNWTO secretary general, Taleb Rifai said "destinations need to consider infrastructure, investment and jobs, intangible benefits such as how the country is perceived and the most effective way to involve the community when looking at the legacy of mega-events."

The forum afforded the different countries who have in recent time hosted various mega and global events, such as London, USA, South Africa to talk of the economic benefits and other intangible milestones recorded through such hosting. On his part, the president and CEO of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), David Scowsill, called for the engagement of the private sector in the early stages of the preparation of any mega-event bid while Adolfo Mesquita Nunes, Secretary of State for Tourism of Portugal, stressed that tourism administrations need to be “involved from the beginning in any hosting of mega-events” but cautioned that the decision of bidding to host such events must be totally “in line with the main objectives of a country.’’

Nigerian-born publisher, Adisa Oladimeji, bags honour in UK

Ethiopian Airlines wins African Airlines award Ethiopian Airlines has been named the African Airline of the year by the African Airline Association (FRAA) at its 46th Annual General Assembly, which was held in Algiers last week. The airline bagged the award for its exceptional results in 2013, consistent profitability and sound strategy, which has enabled it to forge win-win partnerships with fellow sisterly African airlines.

This will be the third consecutive year that the airline is carting home this award from AFRAA with the chief executive officer of Ethiopian Group, Tewolde Gebremariam, remarking: “we are highly honored for this recognition by fellow sisterly airlines in Africa.

The award goes, first and foremost, to the more than 8,000 employees at Ethiopian, who work very hard every day to provide the

best services on the ground and in the air to our valued customers. ‘‘We also thank our customers for giving us the opportunity to serve them and for travelling on Ethiopian in great numbers. It is also a testimony of the soundness of our Vision 2025 fast, profitable and sustainable growth strategy. Although Africa is registering rapid economic and travel growth, this growth is primarily benefiting non-African carriers. The times are really challenging for African airlines, whose very survival is at risk, unless two things happen very quickly.’’

These are looking inward to form partnership and synergies among themselves and working towards making Africa single market or destination without restriction for African airlines to operate.

The publisher of Come to Nigeria, Adisa Oladimeji, has been honoured with Anglo–American Points of Light Programme in America Award (POLPA) in recognition of his community service in the United Kingdom.

The award message was communicated to Oladimeji by the British Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron. Oladimeji who publishes a tourism magazine that highlights the tourism industry of Nigeria and other potential of the country to the world, lives in Liverpool. He has been involved in many activities which have empowered school children and adults in and around his communities since arriving United Kingdom about 23 years ago.

He is one of the pioneers of school workshops scheme on African arts and culture and has visited more than 1000 centres across the United Kingdom where he has taught and educated children about African arts and culture.

Over 10,000 young and old people of British background have gained immensely from his wealth of experience.

Several dignitaries across the World have won the award which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in America. The award was originally established by President George H. W. Bush, and has since its inception recognised over 5,000 individuals.

The award enjoys the full support of President Barack Obama. The current edition in the United Kingdom is an extension of the American version while Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to formalise the UK version soon.

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

Travel & Tourism

41

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

Irene Koki Mutungi: I’m not carried away being Kenya's first commercial female pilot Captain Irene Koki Mutungi is a pilot with Kenya Airways and has in the course of her career spanning close to two decades notched up amazing track records, which have set her apart as a female pilot like no other in the history of aviation. She was in Nigeria recently where she was honoured with the Global Legend of Travel award by the organisers of Akwaaba in conjunction with Women in Aviation (Nigeria) InternationalGlowing Wings Chapter. ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA traces her career path.

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aptain Irene Koki Mutungi is a jewel of Global aviation and pride of Africa, having garnered a lot of firsts in her career as a female pilot. The recent being the first female pilot to fly the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

The endless list of accolades and professional stripes claimed by her includes being the first Kenya Airways female pilot to fly a commercial airline.

When she achieved this feat in 2009, she was honoured by the organisers of Akwaaba for this all-time record by an African female pilot. For six years, she was the first and only female pilot with Kenya Airways flying and the First Officer on the 767-300ER, then became the first female Kenya Airways Captain of a Boeing 767-300ER and also flying an all-female crew craft along the line.

Since shooting into the limelight, Captain Mutungi who is very passionate about flying, something she took an interest in at a very tender age, having been captivated and inspired by her pilot father, who served with Kenya Airways as well for many years, adores motherhood, photography, music and inspiring young girls among others.

Koki, as she likes to be called in August 29 showed her dexterity and how adept she is with the flying birds when she successfully flew B787 – 8, Dreamliner, the latest craft ever made and the toast of aviation. She flew the Amazon of the skies from the Boeing assembly plant in North Charleston, South Carolina, USA to the airline’s hub in Nairobi.

This single act made her the first female pilot in the world to have achieved this feat. It was this latest A - performance by her, which has earned her the award of Global Legend of the Travel by the Women in Aviation (Nigeria) International-Glowing Wings Chapter with headquarters in the USA. Journeying into the world of flying Although her father is a pilot, no one in the family thought of Koki taking after him. But she did and to a great extent even surpassed the achievements of the father who is now a consultant with Kenya Airways.

It all started when she along with the family members used to fly with the father on holidays. While others simply enjoyed the perks of flying and the attractions of different destinations, the young and impressionable Koki, at age eight, was fascinated by the make-up of the cockpit where she quietly spent time with her father and watch as he manipulated the gadgets.

“I’d sit in the cockpit with dad and look at the controls, knowing that I would do that one day,’’ she recounts.

From those encounters, Koki never looked back. “I always knew that I wanted to fly,” a wish she backed up by enrolling in a flying school at the age of 17. That was shortly after sitting for

her O-Level exam at Loreto Convent, Msongari.

The precocious lady of the cockpit took her dream and act from the Kenya School of Flying to Oklahoma City Flight School, acquiring all the necessary training and professional certifications (Private Pilot’s Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence, Enlistment rating and Airline Pilot Licence, among others) and ending up with a Master’s degree with the hope of someday calling the shots from the boardrooms and cosy offices when she finally decides to put the lid on her illustrious flying days.

Koki has perhaps seen it all in the about two decades of her flying career where among others she has taken command of the Fokker 50; Boeing 750; Boeing 760; Boeing 737-300; 767-300 ER; Boeing 777-300ER; and B787- 8 Dreamliner.

Her feats over the years have no doubt been acknowledged and commended as well as celebrated by the public, especially by the men who call the shots in the world of aviation.

And, of course, by her father who sowed the seed without meaning to, as Koki said of him thus: “I must be honest, dad is very proud of me and will always be.” Not just her daddy alone who is proud of her but the entire Africa is and that has been shown by the numerous awards and recognitions bestowed on her at various podiums by Africans.

Flying has become a part of me She approaches her duty with a heavy sense of responsibility even as she said that flying had become second nature to her because it was something she started doing since 1993 when she enrolled at the flying school for her flying badge: “This comes with a great sense of achievement and responsibility. You really have a lot on your shoulders and you have to be level and clear-headed to be able to carry on. I consider flying a plane as one of those things. I don’t think about it because I have been flying for a long time and it has been a part of me.”

Flying for the first time, she says was an amazing experience: “Oh! It was an amazing feeling. My heart went to the women in Africa most especially our rural areas. The initial thought that preoccupied my mind was how to empower women in Africa. My experience was like breaking the barrier and crossing over into a new beginning for the womenfolk. It meant a lot not just for me but I thought about what it meant for us – the female gender – as a whole.”

She is very much at home in the skies as she reveals that, “I am comfortable with what I do, the late nights, my offdays and my working hours, everything works for me. I can’t work in a structured environment although the airline industry is structured in its own way, this is where I am mostly at home and everything here works for me.”

Koki said that despite her feats, she still cherished her womanhood: “I am still what you can describe as a good wife at home. I am an African woman, so I am not carried away by the career to the detriment of being a family woman. A lot of young girls have big dreams, but they actually need a real life example to say yes. I have shown them examples that they can actually realise their dreams. In fact, I have been encouraging a lot of young girls to remain focused on their career.”

Koki with her Global Legend of Travel award (Inset: Inside the cockpit)

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DESTINATION

Calabar Festival 2014: Revving up for the big street party It's already celebration time in Cross River State as residents get in the party groove, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA.

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Prologue he sound of celebration is getting louder by the day in Cross River State as the Calabar Festival got under way few days ago with the tree-lighting ceremony, held on November 30 at the Millennium Park.

Since the colourful ceremony, which usually heralds the yearly fiesta, Calabar, the capital city also known as the "Canaan City", has been agog with celebration with different activities lined up for the over 30-day event unfolding at the different locations within the city and its environs.

The festival is expected to climax on December 27 with the Carnival Calabar, which ha s been dubbed "Africa's biggest and most colourful street party" with the five traditional bands of the carnival leading others in dancing and parading through the 12-kilometre stretch of carnival route terminating at the U. J. Esuene Stadium where the exciting and colourful feast continues till the next day.

The theme for this year’s festival is "celebration time," and it is expected to round off on January 1, with a thanksgiving service where the governor and other government functionaries alongside invited guests and tourists, are expected to give thanks to God for a successful festival.

This is the time of the year when the state tourism is on the rise with tourists from across the country and different parts of the world swarming the city to witness the festival with the Calabar Carnival as the star and must see event for many tourists.

For hoteliers, restaurateurs and other businesses, it is brisk business as they have all began to witness increase patronage from visitors who are in town for the festival and this is expected to continue to early next year as businesses of different types are opening by the day at nearly all the street corners in the city.

For the state government, it has been worthwhile boosting the economy of the state, particularly the city of Calabar and promoting its tourism industry, which has been the focal point of the festival since it debuted in 2004.

Therefore, it is yet another year to celebrate the beauty and gains of the industry, which is fast earning huge following and patronage for both the state and the people.

Non–stop entertainment This year’s festival, according to the chairman of the Calabar Festival Planning Committee, Nzan Ogbe, would be an exciting 32 days entertainment package. Speaking during

Some of the revellers on parade during the carnival Dry Run

the tree-lighting ceremony, Ogbe said: "we are expecting thousands of visitors over the next few weeks. Hotels have reported an increase in bookings and many are almost full in the days leading up to Carnival Calabar, in the latter part of December."

Adding that, ‘‘this year’s festival promises to be another 32 days of non-stop entertainment anchored by Africa's biggest street party, Carnival Calabar. Adequate security has been put in place to ensure a hitch-free celebration and we guarantee that the green, clean and serene ambience of the city will be maintained."

On his part, the chairman of the Carnival Commission, Mr. Gab Onah, has assured that the carnival this year would be the best in the history of the event. “As you can see the dry run is no more like the usual dry run, since 2012. The revellers are dressed in their costumes for the opening session; that has become a special feature to create excitement on a carnival route, sensitise the people of Calabar along the carnival route at the same time and the private sector initiative the governor brought to bear to ensure that the carnival moves to where it will be sustained is receiving a lot of boost."

Carnival Calabar For many tourists visiting the city, the major event of the festival is the Carnival Calabar with the five traditional bands of the carnival – Bayside, Masta Blasta, Freedom, Passion 4 and Seagull bands – set to entertain the people and stake a claim to the coveted prize.

The carnival event is four-fold with the Carnival Calabar Queen beauty pageant dinner and grand finale billed for December 23 followed by the King and Queen mass competition on the night of Christmas Day while December 26, features the children's carnival and cultural parade. December 27 is

13 DECEMBER 2014

for the adult carnival with the event billed to kick off at the Millennium Park, running through the 12-kilometre stretch of carnival route and ending at the U. J. Esuene Stadium with a huge party till the next morning.

Checklist of tourist spots Calabar has a number of tourist attractions for visitors attending the festival to explore. The list includes the following: Old Residency: The pre-fabricated building has been in existence since the colonial days and holds rich and enduring history about the state and Nigeria with various historical relics and artifacts warehoused for the benefit of visitors.

It enjoys a buoyant outlook and a restaurant with ample sit-out area for people to relax and savour good meals, drinks and music.

Old Calabar, Duke Town: These are two sections of the city, which present picture of the nature and colour of the old city with a lot of sceneries and relics of historical, economic, traditional and artistic values to feast. One of the living monuments of the city is the Hope Waddell Training Institute (1895), which is one of the oldest secondary schools in the country. Other historical monuments in the city include the oldest post office in the country, the first general hospital, the first social club in Nigeria (The Africa Club) and one of the earliest military barracks in the country.

Eco Tourism: Calabar boasts a rich blend of eco tourism features with abundant and rich fauna and flora life. These include The Drill Ranch, which is devoted to the care of primates such as drill monkeys and chimpanzees. Afi Wildlife Sanctuary is an offshoot of this centre and is located in Afi forest, outside of the city; CERCOPAN is situated within the city and is a centre for breeding of primates with appreciable level of conservation education.

National Park – Calabar is also home to one of the nation’s eight national parks - Cross River National Park. This has two distinct sections, Oban and Okwangwo. It is home to varieties of fauna and flora with the rare forest elephant species endemic to the park.

Agbokim and Kwa waterfalls: These two sites present enchanting and fascinating ambience with enticing landscapes.

Ikom Monoliths: Located in Ikom, some distance away from the city, the monoliths represent the enduring history and art of the people, as these are carvings and writings that date back to hundreds of years.

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Happening this Christmas

Calabar boasts a rich blend of eco tourism features with abundant and rich fauna and flora life

Aqua Vista Holiday Resort and Farm: Is a rare facility tucked away in the calm area of Anantigha (Messembe Close), Calabar. It has a natural appeal that features palm trees. It has good accommodation, dining and wining facilities while some of its leisure features include sport facilities — volleyball and tennis as well as boat cruise on Calabar creek.

Obudu Mountain Resort: Located in Obudu, it enjoys a temperate climate with the Obudu rolling hills and plateau to explore at the resort, which is about 1,576 metres above the sea level and 22 steeple and snake – like bends to drive to the top of the resort. Some of the amenities to savour include a cable car ride, water park at the base of the resort, wildlife experience at the Becheve Natural Reserve, which has a walkway canopy for the delight of visitors, golf range, cultural entertainment and visit to the rural communities of the resort.

Tinapa Business Resort: Situated at the outskirts of the city, it possesses an inviting landscape with different amenities ranging from shopping mall, hotel, Nollywood studio, lake for boat cruise, village huts and water park for children.

Festive season bliss at Federal Palace Hotel and Casino At the Federal Palace Hotel and Casino, on offer this season is a bumper package with heavily discounted room rate with such attractions as welcome drink on arrival, accommodation for two in a king size room, buffet breakfast for two, access to the hotel’s exclusive pool club with the following privileges - an 18–hole golf course, tennis courts, ultra modern video game arcade, water slides and swimming pool, children’s play park, the Atlantic garden, gymnasium, jogging track, outdoor exercises circuit, pool deck restaurant and beverage kiosk as well as 2 X $50 Federal Palace Casino gaming vouchers (optional).

Also, on Christmas Day is a grand buffet lunch at the hotel’s external ballroom for the family with children’s rate as part of the attractions.

Obudu Mountain Resort

Holiday buffet at Oriental Hotel Old Residency

Rockview Hotel Festac Town

At Rockview Hotel Festac Town the season’s offerings include special Christmas cake with wine at the lobby on Christmas Day; discount room rates for three and four nights; special barbeque at the pool corner; live music, comic show with a lot of gift at the pool bar; African delicacies such as Isiewu and Nkwobi while the children would have different gifts from father Christmas between December 20 and January 1, 2015.

Water park... Obudu Mountain Resort

Marina Resort: Is another leisure spot in the city to harvest fun, it has among others a slave museum, food court, relaxation spot, boat cruise, and the marina club for upscale entertainment as well as entertainment arcade for children.

Dining out: Calabar is noted for its unique culinary feature, as you come across a rich blend of eateries in the city. One of the locations is the Ndidem Usang Iso Road, formerly Marian Road with such spots as Genny, Mr. Fans, Mr. Bigg's and Sweet Sensation. The stretch of Murtala Mohammed Road – from the U.J. Esuene Stadium end to Watt Market have a number of inviting eateries while a visit to some of the hotels’ restaurants offer special delicacies: the Chinese restaurant of Mirage Hotel; Pyramid Hotel and Conference Centre; Channel View Hotel; Metropolitan Hotel; La Chateau Hotel and Marina Resort.

Lagos Oriental Hotel is offering special gourmet season package, which is tagged extravagant buffet schedule for Christmas and Boxing Days for your delight with a wide international selection ranging from appetizer, soup, salad, main course to dessert, inclusive of your desired drinks from the hotel’s well stocked bar.

The children are also not left as there are enticing and creative activities for them including face painting activities on both days.

Starwood Hotels in Nigeria

Drill monkey

Gov Liyel Imoke and wife, Obioma (3rd and 4th from right respectively) with the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke and other guests, during the tree-lighting event

At the five Starwood Hotels in Nigeria – Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Sheraton Abuja Hotel, Four Points By Sheraton, Lekki, Le Meridien Ogeyi Place Port Harcourt and Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort – expect to be treated to tempting palates at Christmas brunch, lunch and New Year festivities while the children would be offered fantasy Christmas themed play area to play and enjoy musical entertainment.

The area general manager for Starwood Hotels in Nigeria, Barry Curran, calls on all the hotel’s guests and the general public to visit the hotel of their choice for superlative packages on offer. “All our hotel teams have planned this season with an aim to ensure that our esteemed and loyal guests and customers who will be spending the holidays with us are delivered the most memorable experiences that the best of Nigerian hospitality has to offer.”

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SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER 2014

Politics 45

Cover

What next for Atiku? p.47

IG should atone for assaulting democracy, says Akintola

Politics

Fall of Jonathan’s ex-ministers p.50-51

Edgar's World

Baba Obasanjo on the rampage p.52

Š Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Ibadan-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Niyi Akintola, explains to SOLA ADEYEMO why the over-zealousness of the police invasion of the National Assembly must not go unpunished Following the recent invasion of the National Assembly by the police, you commented that the Inspector-General of Police did not display maturity in the handling of the crisis. What do you mean by immaturity?

You see, what happened at the National Assembly between the police and the legislators was quite unfortunate. It was unfortunate that the Inspector General of Police did not display the kind of maturity that was needed at that point in time. He should have taken a cue from the National Security Adviser, the president of the Senate (give it to him, he is a retired General). You see, it is normal in any democratic setting for the president to give illegal instruction. It happens all over the world.

But the people who are holding the fort, who would be held liable when the chips are down, normally take time to play

Akintola

maturity. Even when you are saying yes sir, when you are taking instruction, you look back and say you will come back. Then you get across to those who have his ears. He was not the first person to become I-G. In any case, the presidency even disowned him. Dr. Doyin Okupe came out and said the president knew nothing about it. And funny enough, there has never been any government official that has come out to say that the president knew about it. So, he has now put himself on the firing line because I have not seen any sane Nigerian, sane in quote here, that has supported what he did; not even the most ardent supporters of president Jonathan. Even Chief Edwin Clark, the Ijaw patriarch, condemned what the I-G did, saying that it was wrong. Nobody who knows the meaning of democracy will want to subscribe to that.

Give it to the Nigerian people for crying aloud. Section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution establishes the legislative arm of the government; Section 5 establishes the Executive arm, while Section 6 establishes the Judiciary. In other words, the legislative arm is the first even to be established by the Constitution. Those of us who are condemning the action of the IG are not doing so because of Tambuwal, but the institution. Tambuwal is not the issue but the institution of democracy. According to the saying of the former President Clinton of America, Nigeria does not need a strong man of woman, but a strong institution. We need strong institution so that those who come will not deviate from the norms of that institution.

But for all of us to be complacent, instead of speaking against the norms that are bad, is unfortunate. If w e

allow Abba to go away with this infraction, he would extend it to the Senate president; he would do it to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and he could even do it to the Vice President.

It is high time we stopped him now. And he owes Nigerians apology. But each time he tries to explain, he runs into deeper water. How could you say that you received instruction that hoodlums were going there and you wanted to stop them, yet you did not inform the Head of the place? Is that the way they do things? Even the Chairman of the National Assembly was not informed. The Senate president was even there, held hostage for about an hour. It was not David Mark that was being assaulted, but the institution that he represents that was being assaulted. And instead of the members of the National Assembly to come together and insist that nothing will be done in this hallowed chambers until Abba left, they were busy singing, condemning the happening. They need action. He is just an appointee.

Within this dispensation, between 1999 and now, we have had about five I-Gs. He, too, will come and go like the other predecessors, and he should know that. He will soon become an ordinary citizen like any other person.

Some say that he was acting that way because the matter was already in court.

Is he the Judge? When has it become a norm for the police or any other agency for that matter to interprete the law of the country? The national body of the NBA. The Chief Justice of the Federal condemned it; all the lawyers, professional body of the NBA, the medical association and everybody that matters in the society has spoken against it. Newspapers have written against it. Even newspapers that are known to be pro-Jonathan have condemned what the IG did. But he doesn't seem to appreciate the damage he has done to the system.

What form of sanction do you recommend for the action?

Well, I think we should all blame ourselves in this country, because when are supposed to talk, we keep quiet in this country. By now, one thinks the civil society organizations and many others that matter in the country would have taken a stand against it and Jonathan have had no alternative than to ease the man out.

The man is an enemy of democracy. He could have achieved the same objective without incuring this kind of wrath.

If he had gone to the man's place and sealed it up, he would have achieved his aim by giving one excuse or the other and no one would have been calling for his head the way we have been doing now. He should not have gone to the hallowed chamber. For a Police Commissioner to be asking Mr Speaker CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

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13 DECEMBER 2014

'The country should not drift into anarchy'

CONTINUED from PAGE 45

to identify himself, I mean, is ridiculous.

That means such a person is not even fit and proper to be a Commissioner of Police. Such a persn could even wake up one day and say that he does not know who Jonathan is.

So, we are condemning not because we hate Abba, but we hate his action. And it pains us to the marrow that he is even a lawyer.

Everybody everywhere has been coming down heavily on him. He has forgotten that his primary constituency is the Bar and he will have to come back there one day. One thing with public office holders is that they don't learn from history. The IG should have asked his predecessors how such a situation is being handled.

Some said that before the withdrawal of the security personnel, Tambuwal ought to have resigned honourably. Do you agree?

People who are talking about morality have forgotten that morality is an unruly horse. When you get astride it, it takes you to where you don't expect. Who is talking morality here? Where has it become part of the norms for politicians to observe morality? Where the provision of the law of the country is being breached is what we are talking about. We should not allow the country to drift into anarchy.

The Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Defence Staff are to be seen, but not heard. The quickly Abba realises that, the better. Even if a junior Minister is speaking, he should say 'yes sir'. That is the practice in civilised world. If he is not willing and ready, he should drop his uniform and go and contest election. He should be ready to take instructions from civilians. Not even the Chief of Defence Staff should dare look in the face of any legislator. Going by the protocol list, the IG even comes behind the Speaker of the House of Assembly of a state. He should know his bound and his limitation. The man does not know his limitation at all.

The claim is going around that some legislatures are gathering signatures to impeach Mr President on allegation some offences.

Do you think such is necessary in view of the imminence of the 2015 elections?

I don't think the life span of the country called Nigeria can be extended. I feel it is late in the day to be contemplating such now. I feel the situation of Nigeria is redeemable.

We can do so by concession, but the rate at which the politicians are driving the polity, I am afraid. The reason they are doing that is not far fetched. It is because 90 to 95 per cent of them knew not how the democracy came about. Those who fought; those who went to detention: the Falanas of this world, the Beko Ransome Kuti of late memory; the Wale Osuns and hundreds of us who were being hounded around. How many of us are participating in the game of politics in Nigeria? Many of them don't even know the geography of detention camp. The first time they would be tear-gassed in their life was that time in the venue of the National Assembly. But like our brothers and sisters in the UK made concession about the Scot, we can also make concession so that the ship of the state does not head for the rock.

I have said it and I will continue to say it that the solution to our problems is devolution. And I am happy that the Senate while discussing the invasion of the National Assembly by Abba, spoke along that line.

Where power is so much concentrated in one arm of government, this is the resultant effect. And if the private sector actually holds the key, quite a lot of problems

we have been having would not have been there. Everybody looks at the government as the major industry, even including the legislature and the judiciary.

Do the huge challenges facing the nation render the 2015 election unrealisable?

It is realizable, I believe. We would womble and fumble like one football coach once said. But I am just afraid because Nigeria cannot afford another civil war. If another one breaks out, it is going to be 'to your tent oh Israel'. This is because we have never been this divided.

We are divided down the line. I remember during my university days, Bola Ige was governor here in Oyo State and Sunday Afolabi was his deputy. Both were Christians and nobody raised eyebrow.

Jakande was governor in Lagos State and Jafojo was deputy. The two of them were Muslims. Ajasin and Omoboriowo were both Christians in Ondo State and nobody raised eyebrow. Balarabe Musa and his deputy were both Muslims, but can that happen again in Kaduna again now? Is that possible again in Oyo State? Even, the cosmopolitan city that all of us are hailing: Lagos State, can it happen there again?

That is what the religious intolerance has done to us. You cannot elect a Christian/ Christian government again in Adamawa.

You cannot. It is an ill wind that blows no one no good. This crop of present Nigerian politicians, I don't know where they came from. It is as if they dropped from the Mars. They have divided us beyond our imagination. If a Minister is employed from an ethnic group, he would ensure department in the ministry is headed by people from his tribe. And the President is just looking on. One would have expected the president to say, let me see that list, irrespective of the federal character commission, which is just a toothless bulldog.

If you look at the Ministry of Finance, you would wonder right from the Minister down the line whether all the staff there are from one state. This is because there is no clear cut policy from Mr President. He should have called the Minister and say all the Directors, all the heads of MDAs should not come from the same state.

I remember under Obasanjo, somebody was to be made Accountant General from Kogi and because he is Yoruba, Jubril Martins Kuye who was the Minister of State for Finance, was not appointed. The Senate rejected the appointment. Where has that policy gone to? Under Obasanjo, if you are a Minister from a particular tribe, your Permanent Secretary should not be from your area. The reverse is the case now. It has been so bastardize that if you go to a particular Ministry, the lingua franca there will be the language of the Minister. Is that how to build a nation.

And some Ministers don't even have any shame to know that they are heading federal institutions. Go to the Senate and you will find the same thing, but for Mark who is trying to do some balancing. It was not like that in the Second Republic. There was some semblance of balance, but reverse is the case now.

Are you therefore saying that President Jonathan is not fit for the position to qualify him for second term?

I am not saying that. No. Don't misquote me. What I am saying is that he should have remedied such an anomaly.

He could start with the Ministry of Finance and reform the place.

Maybe he does not want to step on

Akintola

Anybody who wants to rule Nigeria must be ready to step on toes

toes, reason he has not done such Anybody who wants to rule Nigeria must be ready to step on toes. In fact, anybody who wants to hold any position of authority should be ready to step on toes.

General Mohammed Buhari of the APC said if he is elected president, the problem of insurgency would cease within a matter of months. To some people, such statement meant that he knows about the Boko Haram activities and so he would just tell them to stop and they would. What do you infer from this?

Well, I would not know what magic he has up his sleeves; but give it to him; he has done it before. Even as GOC, not Head of State; not even Chief of Army Staff, Buhari overran Chad. Before Shagari knew about it, he had reached another country. I don't think Boko Haram issue should be treated with kid gloves. If you want Boko Haram to end in one week, we have the capacity to do so. All we need is the will from Mr President. I have just been back from Yola and I discovered that some of them that were arrested there were not from Nigeria.

They are not Nigerians. If you allow your territory to be used as a springboard of attack on your people, as it is said in the international politics, I should be at liberty to take the battle to your doorstep. By

now, our troops should have stationed in that area in Chad and the international community will now be appealing to us to withdraw. We should be the one they should be begging. Even in Cameroon too, we should have been there. We have the capability. We can afford to throw one million people into this battle. None of them can afford to throw in 200,000 people to the battle. Those of them who are saying that this thing is about religion are daft. It is because of our oil. It is because of Lake Chad oil but many are not seeing that. I have no apology for saying it, that the international community have eyes on the oil in the lake Chad. By now, we should have occupying the place and they would have dragged us to the African Union (AU), united Nations. They would have to be appealing to Nigeria and at least we would have been having peace at home. So, don't doubt Buhari because he is a tested hand and he knows what he is talking about. Don't forget that during the Maitasine in Kano, the place was bombed, but the insurgents were rooted out. Don't doubt these military guys. If they say they will do it, they will do it. Seven policemen were killed in Odi and you know the resultant effect during Obasanjo.

There is the insinuation that many of the politicians fear Buhari, believing that if he should emerge president, many of them would have to go for it, reason they don't want him to get there.

To me, even, that is a plus for Buhari.

If many of them will be in jail, so be it.

In fact, many of them should ordinarily not be walking the streets. Nigeria has become has become a country of anything goes. Corruption is so thick in the air that one can slice it with a knife.

Nigeria is the only place where people steal what they don't even need. Imagine one public office holder having three houses in Asokoro, Abuja. And these are houses which are not commercially viable. Nobody can let it out to anybody.

And they have same in Lagos. Many of the are psychiatric candidates and so if Buhari puts them in jail, what problem will anyone have with that?

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

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What next for Atiku?

he national convention of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to pick a presidential flag bearer of the party for the February 14, 2015 presidential election has come and gone. Five aspirants contested for the ticket, and at the end of it all, former military president Muhammadu Buhari emerged winner polling 3, 430 votes.

He beat Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who got 974 votes, former vice president Atiku Abubakar who polled 954 votes, Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha who garnered 624 votes and Sam Nda-Isaiah who was able to gathered just ten votes.

With the primaries settled, Atiku once again acquires the medal of another failed attempt at the presidency. It was his fourt attempt to rule the most populous black nation in the world, having lost out in 1992, 2007 and 2011.

Atiku’s first missionary journey to become president was in 1992, where he came third in the presidential primaries of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Because the main contender, late MKO Abiola had won by only about 400 votes, a run-off was due. Atiku was to step down for Abiola, with an unwritten agreement that Abiola would pick him as running mate.

Abiola won the SDP ticket, and announced Babagana Kingibe, the runner-up, as his running mate.

As vice president, in 2006, Atiku had a bitter battle with his boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom he wanted to succeed. This ostensibly damaged the personal relationship between both men, leading to Obasanjo posing a major opposition to the ambition of Atiku. The Turaki Adamawa had to jump ship to the now defunct Action Congress (AC) in pursuance of his dream. The AC handed him its presidential ticket to contest the 2007 presidential election.

A few weeks to the election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the final list of 24 aspirants for April 21 presidential election with Atiku’s name conspicuously missing from the ballot. The electoral body claimed that it was because h e

Atiku

As former Vice President Atiku Abubakar losses out in his attempt to get the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the run up to the 2015 general election, ETAGHENE EDIRIN examines the possible options open to him was on a list of persons indicted for corruption by a panel set up by the government.

Atiku headed to the courts to have his disqualification overturned, and the Supreme Court ruled on April 16 that INEC had no power to disqualify candidates.

The ruling allowed him to contest the election, although there were concerns that it might not be possible to provide ballots with his name by April 21, the date of the election.

He came third in that exercise polling 2.6 million votes (7 per cent) of the total votes cast, coming behind the winner, PDP candidate, Umaru Yar'Adua and Muhammadu Buhari of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).Atiku rejected the election results and called for its cancellation, describing it as Nigeria's "worst election ever."

He was to later return to the PDP prior to the 2011 election where he again attempted to vie for the presidency against incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

A committee of northern elders selected him as the consensus candidate, over former Military President Ibra- him Babangida,

If the aim is really service, it means that they understand that only one of them will fly our flag

former National Security Adviser, Aliyu Gusau and Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State. He contested for the presidential ticket of the PDP against President Jonathan and Sarah Jubril, and lost, garnering 805 votes to President Jonathan's 2736.

Although Atiku is not new to the intricacies associated with politicking, nor has he been resting on his oars in the run up to the APC primary, having junketed many states in the country in a bid to convince the delegates to give him their vote. But his best was not good enough as he came third once again, behind the obviously more popular candidates.

The question now on the lips of most of his followers and political watchers is; what next for the Turaki? Having lost in his bid to ascend to the presidency on the platform of the APC, one option left to Atiku, if he still wants to pursue his dream is to leave the party for another platform. Many are of the view that other less popular parties would be glad to have a personality like Atiku in their fold, and would gladly give him their presidential ticket.

But if his word, or signature is anything to go by, then Atiku may be stuck with APC, as all aspirants seeking to represent the party in the presidential election were made to sign a written agreement that they would not dump that party, after the primary election irrespective of the result.

All five aspirants had signed a binding agreement with the leadership not to decamp to another political party on account of failing to secure the party’s ticket during its primary. The commitment signed by the aspirants partly read: “I, on behalf of myself and my primary campaign organisation undertake to accept the outcome of the primaries and actively support whoever emerges as the winner and shall not decamp to any other political party or in any way obstruct the smooth execution of the presidential campaign”.

Speaking while presenting screening certificates to the aspirants at the party’s nation-

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al secretariat in Abuja, chairman of the Screening Panel, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu said all the aspirants had signed an undertaking to remain in the party whether they win the ticket or not and to also collapse their campaign structures in support of the person that emerges as the presidential candidate of the party.

He explained that the party’s leadership expected every wouldbe candidate of the party to be selfless and not to jettison the platform simply because he failed to actualise his personal ambition.

“If the aim is really service, it means that they understand that only one of them will fly our flag.

They have all agreed that whoever flies our flag, the other four will support him. They have also agreed to collapse their structures into the party so that the party will move into this election united, as this will offer the party the best chance to win the election,” he said.

Atiku, who issued a statement immediately after the results of the primaries were declared, Atiku congratulated Buhari, and said that he is committed to success of APC in 2015 polls.

He said that Gen. Buhari ran a spirited campaign, and that since the delegates have spoken, he fully deserves the victory. The statement reads: "I am very confident that you will provide the needed leadership to turn this country around. I have no doubt that you will work with dedicated and qualified Nigerians to protect our citizens, improve our economy, create jobs, improve education, reform governance and fight corruption. You will indeed bring the change Nigerians have been yearning for”.

He also called on the other aspirants to rally behind General Buhari to help him prevail in the coming presidential election, and pledged his commitment to the party, and to campaign vigorously for the party’s candidate and all APC candidates to ensure victory in the 2015 elections”.

"I call on all other contestants and our party’s rank and file to unite behind our candidates at all levels to ensure that the PDP is defeated, so Nigerians can have real change. I will hand over to Gen. Buhari for his review and possible implementation of my policy document which was developed in line with the party's philosophy”, Atiku said.

If Atiku is bound by his word to remain in the APC, and help the party ensure victory in the presidential election, then the next option is for him to wait another four years when for next election, which will be in 2019 to pursue his dream further.

Born in November 1946, Atiku is presently 68 years old, which will place him at 72 years in 2019.

In that case age may not be on his side, even though many political watchers have argued that Buhari who is to represent the APC in the 2015 presidential election is also 72 years old. However many argue that at 72 Atiku may not be as strong, or have the same clout which Buhari presently controls in the country’s political scene.

Whatever decision Atiku decides to take time alone will tell.

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How Atiku, Kwankwaso, others JOHNCHUKS ONUANYIM and TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE report how former military Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) upstaged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and three others to clinch the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket ahead of the February 14, 2015elections

T

here is no gainsaying the fact that the emergence of the former Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate on Thursday was victory earned on a tortuous road. The gaptoothed general, who polled a total of 3, 430 votes, defeated four other aspirants of the APC to clinch the party’s presidential ticket at the third National Convention and presidential primary election of the party, held at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos State.

The four aspirants that contested against Buhari were Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who got 974 votes; former vice president Atiku Abubakar who polled 954 votes, Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha who garnered 624 votes and Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah who was able to gathered just ten votes.

This actually is not the first time Buhari would be emerging as a presidential flag-bearer of a political party, but it would be the first time he would be emerging democratically.

The previous times he emerged, it was through consensus or as a lone presidential aspirant and candidate.

In 2003, the first time he emerged on the platform of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), he emerged as a consensus candidate as the party decided against the wishes of other aspirants that he would be the one to fly the flag of the party. Okorocha had prepared himself to contest the presidential ticket of the party then, just for him to appear at the Eagle Square in Abuja and was asked to forget the contest that the party had resolved it must be Buhari.

It was the same process for him in 2007 on the same ANPP platform and in 2011 on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) where he was the only aspiring presidential candidate. But in APC, it was a different ball game for him, as all other presidential aspirants were presidentially ambitious as Buhari and had as much influence and stake in the party as the former Head of State.

Atiku’s quest for presidency The former vice president, who was wooed into the party after its formation last year, has had presidential ambition since 1993, having contested for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) ticket in 1993 but lost to the late business mogul and philanthropist, Chief MKO Abiola, who picked the party’s ticket and contested during the annulled June 12, 1993 presiden-

Buhari

Atiku

tial election.

Ever since his first presidential attempt failed, Abubakar had made other attempts to contest for presidency on the platform of some political parties, but has thus far been unlucky, as none of his attempts has made him the occupier of the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock.

Though he was elected vice president to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 and both of them served for two terms, the Turaki of Adamawa, as Abubakar is fondly call, was still thirsty for power to steer the ship of Nigeria.

Therefore, his presidential ambition led to a major crisis between him and Obasanjo, which led to him leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to team up with other political parties, especially the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to form Action Congress (AC).

In 2007, Abubakar contested the presidential election on the platform of AC and lost to late President Umaru Yar'Adua. In that election the former vice president came third as Buhari who contested on the platform of the ANPP

Kwankwaso

came second.

Prior to the 2011 general elections, the Turaki of Adamawa to the surprise of many Nigerians dumped AC and went back to the PDP. In 2010, he contested the presidential ticket of the ruling party, PDP and lost to the incumbent president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

While many people thought that Abubakar would lie low in his quest to govern Nigeria, he resurfaced again by leading some groups within the PDP, which he dumped alongside five governors and some founding leaders to join APC. All these were based on his 2015 presidential ambition.

Tinubu, APC governors as stumbling block to Atiku Before the APC presidential primary election, Abubakar was one of those that gave Buhari sleepless nights for the party’s presidential ticket.

The former vice president, while joining the presidential race, made it clear that he was not going to step down for any other candidate and

that there was not going to be any consensus presidential candidate for APC. In fact, when the party had its National Convention in April and Alhaji Mai Mala Buni was elected the National Secretary of the party, a report had it that Abubakar had been zoned out from the presidential race as his geopolitical zone had produced the National Secretary of the party. The following day after the convention, the former vice president issued a statement that he was not zoned out of the presidential race emphasising that there was no zoning in APC. From that day he maintained his quest to clinch the presidential ticket of the party.

Unfortunately, he had lost the confidence of the national leader of the party, former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Tinubu and his men had alleged that Atiku could not be trusted following how he left AC and went back to PDP when he lost the presidential election in 2007. His defection from the PDP to APC, after it was clear to him that it would be difficult for him to get PDP presidential ticket ahead of Jonathan, is another issue that has made many APC leaders not to trust Abubakar in flying the party’s ticket in 2015.

With this, Tinubu and his political loyalists rather pitched their tents with the three-time presidential candidate and this threw up the Buhari problem and the struggle for the APC presidential ticket.

When it became obvious that Turaki Adamawa would not let go his ambition to contest the 2015 presidential election on the platform of APC, Tinubu had to gather the support of the governors on the platform of the party and convinced them on the need to back Buhari for the presidential ticket of the party.

The evidence of Tinubu mobilising for Buhari was seen during his decla-

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49

lost APC ticket to Buhari ration on October 15, where about four governors and APC members in the National Assembly and other party’s chieftain, attended the declaration ceremony. This singular act sent a signal to Atiku's camp that the leadership of the party had made up its mind to back the retired general for its presidential ticket.

But despite what took place at Buhari’s declaration, Atiku was not deterred, as he kick-started the process of lobbying the states party executives to support his presidential ambition.

The first state the former Vice President invited to Abuja to hold a meeting with was the APC Bauchi State Exco at the Protea Hotel in Abuja. In that meeting they gave their word to support him.

From this point Atiku commenced the states’ tour to canvass for delegates votes.

The move by Atiku to visit states and canvass for the votes sent a concerned signal to Buhari campaign team as they felt threatened, knowing that it was capital intensive and they probably could not afford such money to visit all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. But the options opened to them on the issue was limited as there was already a belief within political circles that Buhari was not well known in the South, and that the North alone cannot guarantee him the presidency.

Having this at the back of their minds, the Buhari Campaign Organisation had to join in the states tour to canvass for delegates votes as it was obvious that it was going to be a tough contest.

Buhari’s road to victory The road for Buhari to clinch the presidential ticket of the APC was still not smooth as every attempt raised by his supporters or any national leader of the party on consensus arrangement was countered by either Atiku or Kwankwaso.

Buhari supporters in adducing reasons while Buhari should be considered as the consensus presidential flag bearer of the party had argued that it would be a suicide mission for APC to allow any other aspirant to emerge knowing that Buhari polled 12 million votes in the 2011 presidential election.

This argument was also silenced by Atiku Vanguard that queried: "Where are the votes stored?"

The fight continued as it was clear that no aspirant was ready to shift ground on his ambition.

Kwankwaso had argued that consensus was unhealthy for political parties and it had been the bane of opposition parties. According to him, the ruling party, PDP had always contested presidential primaries from 1999 to 2010, with opposition adopting consensus method. He had argued that it had never helped opposition in the presidential elections.

Even when he signed an undertaken with the APC presidential screening committee led by former ANPP national chairman, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu to support whoever emerged as the presidential flag bearer of the party, he gave a proviso that it must be a process seen to be transparent.

The process for the emergence of Buhari as the APC presidential candidate led to some decisions being made by the party. Such decisions included among others the choice of Lagos State as the venue for the National Convention. It was alleged that Lagos State

was chosen to sway delegates to the choice of Buhari by Tinubu's camp.

Every other aspirant, excerpt Buhari was said to have objected to the choice of Lagos State and agreed to Benin as the venue of the convention.

But this didn't come to fruitfulness as the chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, Dr. Kayode Fayemi had submitted reasons why it must be in Lagos State. Fayemi as former Ekiti State governor was also a product of Tinubu's political goodwill.

Eleventh hour mobilisation against Atiku Buhari seemed to have got sympathy from many quarters given the opinion in some quarters that President Jonathan has failed with the alleged high level of corruption in his administration. Party members were actually looking for somebody they considered could give him a good fight in the presidential election.

Coming to Lagos on Wednesday, the venue of the Cconvention, with over 7, 000 delegates it was alleged that twelve APC governors had adopted Buhari as their choice aspirants.

Saturday New Telegraph gathered from a reliable source that in their quest to ensure that Buhari emerged as APC presidential candidate, the governors held several meetings few hours to the commencement of the national convention, to strategise for Buhari’s victory.

Apart from the governors, Tinubu was reported to have played a major role in galvanising support for Buhari among thousands of delegates by holding several meetings with several stakeholders within the party for about four hours before the national convention.

According to www.thecable.ng, an online news portal, “To checkmate Atiku, Tinubu got all the governors in his camp to team up with the governors in Buhari’s camp. They met with him at his office on Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island, Lagos, till the early hours of Wednesday, where all the details were worked out. Within four hours, Tinubu criss-crossed Lagos, holding meetings with key delegates, some via teleconference.

“In total, he held 10 meetings within four hours to finalise the voting in favour of Buhari. Most of the meetings, which took place over the phone, were held at Eko Hotel, Lagos governor’s residence at Isaac John, Ikeja, Tinubu’s residence at Bourdillon Street, Ikoyi, and Lagos House, Marina, where key officials and delegates were gathered

Nda-Isaiah

together for negotiation. Significantly, Atiku’s supporters were left out of the meetings.”

The state governors that stopped Atiku’s ambition were: Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Kashim Shetima (Borno) , Tanko AlMakura (Nasarawa), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara),Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers).

APC is in control of 12 states and the state governors naturally controlled the delegates to the convention.

Even prior to various meetings that took place few hours to the national convention, there had been several meetings in the past, all focusing on one thing- Buhari must be APC presidential candidate in the February 14, 2015election.

In 2007, Abubakar contested the presidential election on the platform of AC and lost to late President Umaru Yar'Adua

Obasanjo as spoiler Also of importance to the failure of Abubakar to pick the APC ticket was the position of Obasanjo. It was alleged that Obasanjo had told APC members when they visited him to look at the direction of Buhari as the presidential candidate. Obasanjo worked with Atiku his vice president for eight years. Their relationship, especially during their second term, was anything but cordial.

Political analysts also believe that the presentation of Obasanjo’s book, titled ‘My watch’ less than 24 hours to APC’s national convention, may have also contributed to Abubakar’s defeat in that primaries. Obasanjo in his latest book described his former vice as a ‘blatant and shameless liar” and accused him as the main architect of the aborted third term saga.

“Those who can be regarded as influential and who have publicly accused me of allegedly manipulating for a third term were Atiku Abubakar, who is a blatant and shameless liar who was behind the whole episode of turning wholesome constitutional amendments efforts of the National Assembly to a futile exercise and as a means of riding on its ashes to be a Nigerian President,” Obasanjo stated.

To many pundits, such revelations coming from Abubakar’s former boss is a minus to the former vice president.

Kwankwaso, Okorocha, Nda-Isaiah as lightweight To many political analysts the performance of Kwankwaso, Okorocha and Nda-Isaiah in the primary election was not a surprise as none of them was seen as major contenders in the race right from the day of their presidential declarations. It is believed that the trio was in the race just

to prove a point.

At the beginning of the presidential race, many thought that Kwankwaso would come third but it took many by surprise that he defeat Atiku in the primaries. His victory over Atiku is attributed to the fact that Kano State had the largest number of delegates to the convention.

Though Governor Kwankwaso is regarded as one of the performing governors in Nigeria, considering his track record in Kano State, many believe that his candidature cannot win the presidential election for Nigeria on account that he may not be able to defeat Jonathan in a contest.

For Okorocha, he was not regarded as a serious contender in the race, considering the fact that he is from SouthEast geo-political zone. Since the day he declared his presidential ambition, many people were doubtful about him picking the major opposition’s presidential ticket for next year’s election.

In fact, political analysts believe that his presidential ambition will go the way of his two previous attempts in 2003 and 2007 which failed.

The entrance of Nda-Isaiah into the presidential race was seen by many people as child’s play since this will be the first time he will be seeking public office.

The journey ahead With Buhari’s emergence as APC presidential candidate, the major task before the party now is winning the February 14, 2015 presidential elections.

With the determination of other APC presidential aspirants, party leaders and members to work for the former Head of State’s victory in next year’s election, there is a strong belief that APC’s journey to Aso Rock may have started.

Speaking on Thursday, Abubakar, Kwankwaso and Okorocha in their respective addresses congratulate Buhari for emerging as APC presidential candidate and promised to ensure his victory in the election.

Abubakar assured Nigerians that Buhari would send Jonathan packing from Aso Rock come 2015. "We will change Jonathan. Buhari is the man who will change Jonathan. General Buhari has been an embodiment of nation building in this country for decades, and he has continued to offer himself and his services to this country.

I want to assure him of the support of this great party. We will support you to bring about the change that this country desires," he said.

Kwankwaso also assured of his support for Buhari, saying that since all the aspirants have earlier agreed to work with anybody that wins the party primaries, they will work with Buhari and the party for the success of APC at all levels in the 2015 elections. He therefore charged all the party’s members to work for APC’s success at all level.

Okorocha said that APC has shown the world with the outcome of the primaries that internal democracy is possible in a political party and therefore expressed confidence that APC will win the 2015 general elections.

Can Buhari make it to the presidency in his fourth attempt? Can he send Jonathan packing from Aso Rock come May 29, 2015? Can APC end the reign of PDP at the national level? Can the major opposition party break the jinx of opposition not winning at the federal level?

These are some of the questions that the February 14, 2015 elections would provide answers to?

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Fall of Jonathan’s ex-ministers

When the Federal Executive Council held a valedictory service on October 15, 2014, for seven cabinet members who quit their posts to pursue their political ambitions, they were optimistic of picking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship tickets in their respective states.

However, less than two months after parting ways with their boss, President Goodluck Jonathan, the former ‘big men’ of the federal cabinet were turned to shreds in their state primaries. Except for Nyesom Wike (Rivers), the likes of Emeka Wogu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos), Onyebuchi Chukwu (Ebonyi), Labaran Maku (Nassarawa), Godsday Orubebe (Delta) and yet to be determine Dairus Ishaku (Taraba), were taught some bitter lesson that power is not served a la carte. While many reasons could be adduced for the failed mission of the former ministers, pundits believe that they were in the realm of political disillusion as they hold the believe that their status as federal ministers automatically confined popularity on them, even without much politicking. Write AYODELE OJO, EDIRIN ETAGHENE, WALE ELEGBEDE, TOPE OGUNBANKE, CHARLES ONYEKWERE

I

n some states, the ambition of some of the ministers created political headache, promoted divisions among some members of the party and even altered the usual zoning equation the PDP is known for.

However, the falling on bad weather by the five ministers has shown that the federal might influence is gradually fizzling out in the act of politicking as grassroots mobilization is gradually prevailing over such Abuja tendencies.

In this report, Cephas Iorhemen, Igbeaku Orji, Cheke Emmanuel, Dominic Adewole and Wale Elegbede examine the remote and immediate cause for the failure of the botched adventure of the five ministers.

Emeka Wogu (Abia State) Wogu, the immediate past Minister of Labour and Productivity was until last Monday one of the governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State. Wogu’s 33 votes at the poll placed him in a distant third position. He was beaten by Okezie Ikpeazu with 487 votes and Uche Ogah, president of masters Energy who polled 103 votes.

Wogu’s loss did not come as a surprise to many though. He left the federal cabinet barely a month to the primary. Nwadiala, (origin of the land) as he is fondly called hardly had enough time to meet the delegates before the primary election and the little he was able to meet made him the third highest scorer. From the outset it was evident that he was walking a tight rope, especially after it became clear that the Abia State governor, Theodore Orji, had tacitly endorsed Dr Okezie Ikpeazu while projecting a facade of neutrality in the process. But in any case, his decision to vie for the governorship seat gave genuine concern to political pundits who believe that the political structure of the former minister while he was still in the cabinet was not strong back home.

Wogu was one of the candidates that hailed the decision of the governor and the party leadership to zone the governorship to the south of the state. As an indigene of Aba south local government area he was favoured by the zoning. It is obvious that the public office did not give him the leverage to make himself popular for political advantage nor did he use the position to further his political future. His commitment to the Jonathan government was total and selfless.

His relationship with the Abia State government was equally impeccable and he came to the primary as the highest ranking government person among the pack. He was also said to have been favoured by the presidency having served in the federal executive council for four years. With such credential he could be depended upon as an ardent supporter of the President.

Obanikoro

Wike

Samuel Ortom (Benue State) Facts have continued to emerged on why former Minister of State for Trade, Industries and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, one of President Goodluck Jonathan's ministers lost out during the December 8 governorship primaries of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State.

Though, the failure of the ex-minister to clinch his party's ticket cannot however, be linked to his laxity in pursuing his dream to govern the state because he was one of the most popular aspirants who endeared himself to the Benue populace and government officials.

Our correspondent gathered that Pawa's fallout with Suswam arouse from the security details support for Chief Ortom's candidature. Even though the reason for the governor's decision not to back Ortom may not be known, it is however gathered that he has severally confronted Papa to drop his support for the former minister and chose amongst his anointed ones like the party's flagbearer, Hon. Terhemen Tarzoor as well as Barrister Alex Adum or Dr. Eugene Aliegba. But these series of caution fell

worked against the former minister is on the account of age. Governor Suswam had a premonition of whom he would relinquish power to, since he got his second term mandate. At different fora, he declared his intension to hand-over power to a younger person. Ortom is 54 while Mr. Tarzoor, Suswam's preferred successor is 42, the age Suswam attained before been elected governor in 2007. Ortom would have clocked 62 years if Suswam had anointed him to succeed him, while Mr. Tarzoor would clock golden age same as Suswam if he wins next years governorship election.

New Telegraph has gathered that despite the frustration, the former minister may not defect to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

"I am not a pessimist. Why will I have to leave the party that has been very helpful to me? I have been the secretary of the party for six years, deputy chairman of the party for one year, National Auditor for four years and I have just resigned as Minister where I served for three years as a PDP man. What will I be looking for in another party", said Ortom, who has decamped to APC after failing in his bid to grab the ticket in the PDP.

Chukwu

Maku

I am not a pessimist.

Why will I have to leave the party that has been very helpful to me?

on deaf ears as it led to Suswam demanding Pawa's resignation.

Our investigations reveal that since Ortom was not Suswam's favourite for the position, he was severally put on the screened list so as to deny him audience with the governor, however Pawa was reported to flout these orders by granting the former national auditor of the PDP, passage and access to his principal.

Saturday New Telegraph gathered that on the day of local government primaries, when the governor was sneaking to Abuja giving instructions to ensure the journey was discreet, unfortunately Ortom was seen waiting for the governor at the airport, which caused Suswam to flare up and voice his lack of trust for Pawa, thus asking for his resignation. Meanwhile, Pawa has been fingered to be contesting for the chairmanship of Katsina-Ala local government, which it is also alleged to have hit brick walls as Suswam is said to be supporting the former ADC's closest rival to the seat.

Also considered an obstacle that

Labaran Maku (Nasarawa) Ego, over zealousness, self esteem and brazen quest for power and lack of cooperation and disunity have been identified as some of the factors responsible for the failed bid of former minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku to clinch the party's ticket at the just concluded primaries conducted by the People's Democratic Party,PDP. Mr. Labaran Maku resigned from ministerial position in President Goodluck Jonathan cabinet to contest the governorship position of the state, but his aspiration came to an abrupt end when he failed to secure the party's ticket at the primaries.

The failure of Maku to clinch the PDP ticket is unconnected to the fact that he and two others from the Eggon extraction, Senator Solomon Ewuga and Chris Mamman, came from Nasarawa Eggon local government area, believed to be one of the most populated ethnic groups in the state.

Maku's failure to clinch the party's primaries was largely blamed on lack of unity and cooperation between him and Senator Solomon Ewuga, when both of them refused to come to terms or shelved their aspiration to another for reasons of brazen quest for power despite moves by elders from Eggon to reconcile the duo in the past also failed.

The development led to the splitting of delegates votes in other local government areas which were supposedly channeled to him, where directed to Yusuf Agabi, winner of the primaries in block votes. Regrettably, Maku refused to his heed persuasions and pleas from some notable personalities to drop his ambition in favour of

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13 DECEMBER 2014

his elder brother, Senator Ewuga who is more rooted politically than him.

Maku's aspiration collapsed because of self esteem and inability to see reasons that he is one of the most highly privileged young man in Eggon land, who had risen very fast above his peers after moving from being a commissioner, to deputy governor and minister at a relatively young age.

For analysts, ego and lack of personal sacrifice made Maku to crash at the primaries and the belief is that he shouldn’t have resigned from ministerial position to contest for the governorship primary election.

The implication of Maku's action on the political scene in Nasarawa State is that it will take a special and careful appraisal of his political career and the impact he made in his service to the nation and state to redeem the already battered image inflicted on him. Suffice to say that Maku may not easily sail back into national reckoning by way of political appointment in the state and at the federal level.

Nevertheless, what the former minister needs to do now is to begin an image-laundering move aimed at restoring his political reputation and respect.

Godsday Orubebe (Delta) Until three months ago, Elder Godsday Orubebe was President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. He hails from Ogbobagbene in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta South Senatorial District, the zone the incumbent Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan hails from.

Orubebe was the Chairman of Burutu Local Government before he pitched tent with the First Republican Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark before luck smiled at him and he rose to become late President Musa Yar’Adua’s Minister of Special Duties.

His emergence as a Minister was not without tears, following his rejection at the Senate House during screening. None of the Senators, including James Manager (Delta South) and Patrick Osakwe (Delta North) and Prof. Eferakeya (Delta Central) from his state was ready to speak for his acceptance. He was not confirmed the two times he appeared at the Senate and House, even as Governor Uduaghan, whose choice as the Governor of the state by former Governor James Ibori, pitched him against the Forum of Delta State Elders, Leaders and Stakeholders, a group which Clark and Orubebe are ardent members of, categorically disowned him.

It was only Clark that stood by Orubebe during his ordeal. The elder statesman was shuttling between Delta and Abuja, insisting that ‘whether the devil likes it or not, Orubebe will be made a Minister from Delta State’.

That Orubebe’s period as a Minister, after President Jonathan inherited him from his boss (Yar’Adua) and re-appointed him as the Minsiter of Niger Delta Affairs, a position he held until he resigned three months ago to contest the governorship seat of Delta state, received enough butt of criticism, owing to his alleged non-performance in office, especially that he was unable to attract the completion of the East-West dualization project, till date, is an understatement.

But Orubebe trudged on. He soon fell out with his ‘godfather’ (Clark), having engaged him in war of words over who should succeed Governor Uduaghan in 2015. Because of his unguarded utterances, PDP caucus in his council area – Burutu Local Government, placed him on suspension, a factor that, till date, militated against

Uwogu

his governorship bid.

Clark did not only tell Orubebe point-blank to stop eyeing the governorship seat of the state but was blunt when he said the seat was not meant for “political rascals” like him.

Orubebe, the Saturday New Telegraph gathered, incurred the wrath of the elder statesman when he allegedly, according to Chief Sunday Iyawa, a surviving member of the Forum of Delta State Elders, Leaders, Stakeholders, in a “deleted the names of the nominees Clark forwarded to PDP national body for the tripartite reconciliation / harmonization exercise that will sanitized the state’s chapter of the party”, a development, Chief Iyawa said “eventually threw the Minister into a state of nature where anything goes.”

But instead for Orubebe to maintain silence, he engaged Clark in a dagger drawn. He hurled printable and unprintable words on the elder statesman.

No wonder Chief Iyawa was forced to describe Orubebe “as a man who has ignoble privilege of serving as Clark’s Special Adviser, obviously morally beleaguered Minister (Orubebe), came out of obscurity to make vituperative representation against Chief E.K. Clark, a nationalist, Statesman, former Hon. Commissioner for Education, Midwest state (1962-1972), Hon. Federal Commissioner of Information (1972-1975) and foremost Ijaw National Leader, who has not spiced up firm belief in the self-affirmation of the Ijaw, with pettiness and irredentism.”

While Chief Iyawa, lambasted Orubebe’s spokesman, Ekwagbe for forgetting in a hurry that “the banal privilege of counseling Orubebe for the unfortunate duration that he

Orubebe

But instead for Orubebe to maintain silence, he engaged Clark in a dagger drawn

served in the undeserved pomp and platitudes of unmerited ministerial office, he wondered why he (Ekwagbe) “failed lamentably to white-wash the following hard facts about his former boss who allegedly acquired more than 20 houses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)”, outside his monthly emoluments.

According to Iyawa, Ekwagbe shot himself, “and by tragic ventriloquist accident, his former boss, Godsday Orubebe, in the foot with his bolt from the blue, an unmistakable whopper-snapper blunder, couched, as it were, in the opprobrious dress of cheap hero-worship, self disdain and a tragic misjudgment of intricacies of the political firmament”, maintaining that “In the light of the weighty allegations of corruption against Mr. Orubebe, coupled with his many sins and failure to deliver on his mandate we demand for his immediate resignation as cabinet member. Besides, we call on anti-graft agencies to commence the immediate investigation of all allegations of corruption against the minister in the interest of fairness and justice. As for his unbridled 2015 governorship ambition, we wish to maintain that the oracle (Clark) has spoken. There is no way he can make it. He can never be the governor of Delta state.” Is that supposed to be a verdict? “He will not be forgiven until such a time when he has purged himself of anti-party activities”, Clark said, because it could not be ascertained whether the former Minister visited Clark during his consultations. Today, the words of the elders have come to pass, he lost to Okowa.

Besides falling out with the elders, Orubebe’s credibility to succeed Uduaghan was called to question

Why Chukwu lost to Umahi

I

mmediate past minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, could be regarded as one of those who made a grave mistake and was humiliated having resigned from the Federal Executive Council.

Chukwu, who could not be regarded as a deft politician had no political structure on ground, but was drafted into the field by the governor, Chief Martin Elechi, who on his part did not consult major stakeholders in the state like the former governor, Dr.Sam Egwu, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and others before endorsing him as consensus candidate of the PDP for Ebonyi State.

Twenty four hours to the primary election, Chukwu on arrival had told supporters that he would participate in the primary, but the state government through the governor's

chief press secretary, Dr.Onyekachi Eni announced that their group would not be involve in the exercise.

The primary, which took place at the Abakaliki township stadium saw other governorship aspirants like Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, Dr.Paul Okorie, Dr.Igwe Aja Nwachukwu, Dr.Offia Nwali, Dr.Hyacinth Ikpor and Hon.Mike Anoke in attendance while Prof. Chukwu was absent in the occasion.

Investigation by New Telegraph revealed that the state government shunned the exercise, because they saw the handwriting on the wall. Chukwu who had felt he would have an easy ride with the governor’s backing, was equally surprised that Elechi had no structure on ground to support his bid.

Cover

51

when the issue of non-completion of the East West Road dualization was raised.

Although, the former Minister at different fora, especially during his declaration at the Oshimili South Local Government Arcade in Asaba shifted the blame on former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who he said failed to service the contract award throughout his tenure, the ghost of the project tormented his ambition to govern the state.

Although, he claimed during his declaration that his Ijaw extraction had not had a shot in the governorship seat of the state, it is all the same clear that Governor Uduaghan, who is still savouring the sweetness of the eight years slot of his senatorial, is yet to finish strong.

It was against this backdrop that he has since he resigned from the federal cabinet, been kicking against zoning formula, power rotation, or power shift, as the case may be. No wonder he is being perceived, especially in Delta North axis of the state as “a spoiler in the pretender in the race and a spoiler of the zoning arrangement” of his party.

Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos) In dramatic fashion, the table turned against the erstwhile Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro at the Lagos Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election held last Monday at Yard 158 center on Oregun road, Lagos. Obanikoro was made to kiss the dust after hours of electioneering process that later produced Jimi Agbaje.

When news of his anticipated resignation filtered to the public less than eight months after his appointment as a junior minister, many took it with a pinch of salt; especially with the manner he was making the headlines over his series of adventures while riding the wings of the Defence ministry.

With an unambiguous PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) directive that ministers and political office holders with governorship aspirations to resign their membership of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) latest by October 20, already in public domain, there was no hiding place for Obanikoro and his ilk harboring elective offices again.

In compliance to the guidelines, Obanikoro tendered his resignation letter at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,explaining that he was moved to take the decision because of the need to set the people of Lagos State free from “political and economic bondage.”

Paragraph two of the letter read: “My resignation is anchored on my passion for public service and my aspiration to liberate the people of Lagos State from political and economic bondage and usher the state into a new era of transparency and transformational leadership under an elected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government.

“I am grateful to your excellency for the confidence reposed in me and for having considered me worthy to serve Nigeria as the Minister of State for Defence at this critical time of our national security. I am deeply humbled,” he noted.

Obanikoro’s stint in the ministry was short but eventful. Aside performing his spelt-out duties as a cabinet member, he also graced the headlines a couple of times for both right and wrong reasons, depending on which side of the divide the assessor is.

52 Perspectives

I

am looking for Baba's latest book. The excerpts I read was really astounding.

Nobody was spared from Atiku to the late Yar'Adua and our great President Jonathan. This Baba is a Baba for everybody o. He concluded a very active week by hugging Ezekwesili. That was a very scientific hug and the madam had to come out to debunk romantic stories between them.

My take in all these, is that I think it's time for us to build a statue for Obasanjo and place it in front of Jonathan's family home in Bayelsa. He really deserves more than this statue. His birthday

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

Baba Obasanjo on the rampage should be made a national holiday and all single 50-year-old be crated and sent to Abeokuta for his hugging pleasure.

Me, I have always loved Baba. I once was part of a company team that visited him in Abeokuta. His simplicity and humour is legendary. He received us with so much delight and we stared like we were starring at the Mona Lisa. Baba yabbed us and gave us food to eat, he also forced us to listen to one of his wives lecture us on diet. A very

EDGAR'S WORLD Joseph Edgar

josephsamsponedgar@gmail.com dared yab me.

I am ready o. Mine is not to run to court or send governors to go beg.

Me I will just make sure all women 50 years and above place a hugging

ban on Aremu. That will kill him, as he would lose his bearing and focus. I am not scared o. I have nothing to hide. In all my dealings with Obasanjo I have been above board.

boring lecture I must add.

I got a promotion simply by getting that visit even though nothing came out of it and for two weeks I was the most popular staff in the office.

Since the judge has instructed that the police should confiscate the book, I have decided to look for the book by all means. I have instructed all those who sell used books at Yaba to look for the It by all means. Even if it is photocopy, I won't mind. The reason is because I want to see if he

I have not planned anything against him behind his back, I have not been corrupt as my village fund is intact and I have only spent some money out of it to buy new shoes for the newest female staff in my office. So I am very clean hence my desire to fight Obasanjo on behalf of Jonathan and all those that have not been treated fairly by him.

I sense that it would be in volume three that he will yab me. Judge please make sure the police and SSS move very fast. I sense he will talk about my role in getting Yar'Adua elected. He did not know that Yar'Adua was terminally ill, I was the one who hid that information. I also was the one who anointed President Jonathan and chose him to be Governor of Bayelsa after that other one went to learn how to tie wrapper in London. I don't want all these information to come out o. That is why we have to seize the book. This Obasanjo cannot keep secrets o.

But on hindsight, just maybe we should unban the book. I am sure Baba would have his own theories about how Ebola got to Obalende and why Fashola has refused to fight Tinubu. You see why I am looking for this book.

We political warlords are all in a frenzy. In fact, if you don't get a mention in that book you have not started. All of us political gladiators are all listed, from Aki and Paw Paw to those of us who played a role in the last eclipse of the moon, we all have our chapter in that book.

So General Aremu Mathew Obasanjo keep the pen flowing. In your next book, let me make some suggestions. Kindly write about the NFA crises and the role of FIFA, also give us insights as to why Babangida has been so quiet, let us know the name of the cook at Aso Rock.

Well, till we read this book, I will hold my piece even as I warn you to expect fire if you dare mention my name in your book. If you try it, I will just hug Iyabo and you know I am Calabar.

Obasanjo

Perspectives 53

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

N

13 DECEMBER 2014

igeria indeed remains a work in progress. Ahead of the 2015 general elections certain positions being canvassed by certain personalities and political tendencies speak to the ‘intensity’ of the desire for change - even extra-constitutional change. Some of these positions arguably border on intellectual vagrancy and fundamentally question the nature of change being espoused. Some come across as reasoned, logical products of serious thought.

Early in the week, elder statesman, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite canvassed an interim administration in the country to resolve what he called critical foundational issues - and not a general election in 2015. His words: “Constitutional reconstruction of the nation-state and insurgency must first of all be resolved satisfactorily before any election to realize their own selfish appetite. Anything short of this would surely be catastrophic. Let us do everything to avert this.

In default, there will be an interim Government in Nigeria to resolve these critical foundational issues.”

The social crusader of note and member of the National Conference, 2014, then gave short shrift to the impending general elections. “We do not share the artificially contrived and concocted enthusiasm of the projected elections of 2015 for the following reasons: The elections are purposed by the same backward, but highly corrupt military/political cartel to continue the rapacious and merciless exploitation of the masses. The evidence of this is clear in the fact that the preparations are being undertaken by the uncredible electoral commission - INEC - under the discredited antipeople, military Constitution Decree 24 of 1999. Incredible!,” he submitted.

And more: “A “Constitution” that clothes bare-faced criminals in public-offices with immunity. A constitution that denies the peoples of Nigeria their natural right of fiscal federalism and autonomy and makes every governor of each state, a Caesarean Emperor over the people, totally unaccountable - with lame-duck or accomplice houses of Assemblies.”

At the twilight zone of his eventful life, Braithwaite’s position on the way forward for the troubled nation-state, especially the reasons he marshalled are sure to find empathy in many circles. But unfortunately the respected statesman did not proffer a constitutional template with which to breathe life into his interim government idea.

Beyond Braithwaite’s position, the oppositio All Progressives Congress (APC) went a step further and told Nigerians it would incept a parallel government should the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party should rig the 2015 poll.

The APC essentially for-

Mulling Interim, Parallel Governments… malised a statement credited to Governor Chibuike Amaech of Rivers State to the effect that if the 2015 elections were rigged, the party will not recognize the outcome and will go ahead and form a parallel government.

Clarifying his party’s position Lai Mohammed, APC’s national publicity secretary stated: “What we made is a conditional statement. If A happens, then B will follow.

That means if elections are not rigged, there will be no problem.”

Not to permit grasses grow beneath its feet the ruling PDP fired back.

The Nation-State With Louis Achi

achilouis35@gmail.com The party’s national publicity secretary, Mr. Oliseh Metuh, told newsmen in Abuja that the comments were treasonable and capable of destabilising the country.

These quirky options being bandied around would certainly draw the ire of constitutional purists - and not without good reason.

Our current constitution never contemplated a dual sovereignty or parallel government. Same goes for an interim government as canvassed by Braithwaite. Even the latest national conference could not generate a consensus on a template for modification of the constitution – through a referendum or via the national parliament.

Section 5 (1) (a) and (b) also vests the executive powers of the Federation on the President who may exercise such powers directly or through the Vice-President and Ministers of the Government of the Federation or officers in the public service of the Federation. And, Section 130 (1) and (2) goes ahead to establish the office of a President who shall be the Head of State, the Chief Executive of the Federation and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation.

It is hardly debatable that significant governance

deficits exist in the current administration. But should this empower the opposition to provide competitive impunity. Could the threat of forming a parallel government have flowed from a kindred impulse that saw national lawmakers scaling the fence to protect their own selfish agenda dressed up as national interest? Should a genuine alternative vision of governance morph into unseemly alternative impunity?

These fundamentals deserve reasoned, serious introspection and not selfserving braggadocio!

54 Sport Extra

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

Be focused, Yobo charges U-23 team

F

Charles Ogundiya ormer captain of the Super Eagles, Joseph Yobo, on Thursday charged the national U-23 team currently in camp undergoing screening to stay focused as they prepare for the challenges ahead.

Yobo who paid a surprise visit to the team during screening at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja, advised the players to be humble and listen to the coach, Samson Siasia.

The former Everton star said the team if properly groomed would be the foundation for the new Super Eagles that would emerge.

centrate on what you came here He said the players should be ready for, to play for the U-23 and as Nigerians would be banking on them to compensate for make sure that Nigeria the Super Eagles’ failure to qualifies,” he said. qualify for the 2015 African Speaking further, Cup of Nations in Equatorial Yobo said the players were privileged to be Guinea.

"I just want to encourplaying under Siasia whom he described age you to be disciplined, show the coach what you can as one of the best in the bring to the team, not as an incontinent.

“You guys are privileged dividual player but in collective Yobo performance. to have Siasia as your coach. I have “You have the opportunity to repreplayed under him before and I am sent Nigeria in the super Eagles which sure he can help you to achieve your is the pinnacle of Nigerian football, but dream as a player, if only you listen to you have to give your best now. Con- him and follow his instruction,” he said.

Pardew, Aguero win November awards

N

ewcastle United manager Alan Pardew has been named Barclays Manager of the Month, with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero earning November's player award.

Pardew, 53, secured three wins from four games and was awarded ahead of Chelsea's Jose Mourinho and City's Manuel Pellegrini, both undefeated.

Queens Park Rangers' Charlie Austin, Burnley's Danny Ings and Aguero each scored three times in November, but the Argentine, 26, picked up the honour.

Amir Khan (left) landing a punch on an opponent

Khan to wear boxing’s most expensive shorts against Alexander

A

mir Khan will wear boxing's "most expensive shorts" when he takes on Devon Alexander in a welterweight showdown in Las Vegas on Saturday.

The shorts, made of white nappa leather, silk and featuring a waistband made of 24-carat gold thread, are reported to be worth at least £20,000.

The Sheffield company Fight Label, who made the shorts, said Khan "wanted extrava-

Aguero

Wenger uncertain over Ramsey’s injury

A

his injury," Wenger said.

Arsenal are already without midfielder Jack Wilshere, while defensively they are also struggling with Laurent Koscielny (calf), Nacho Monreal (ankle) and Calum Chambers (suspended) all unavailable for the Magpies' visit to the Emirates Stadium.

rsenal manager Arsene Wenger says it is too early to say how long Aaron Ramsey will be on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

Ramsey's stunning goal lit up Tuesday's 4-1 Champions League win at Galatasaray.

"We got the scan last night, I don't know enough to give the extent of

gant and we've delivered".

The winner of Saturday's bout could fight Floyd Mayweather next year.

The designer of the shorts, Sophie Whittam, told BBC Radio 5 live: "I think it's possibly the most expensive shorts ever made.

"We worked closely with Amir's team. For around four to six weeks we've been working on designs and colours and obviously Amir and his family had a little bit of input, but at the end of the day it's what we think is going to look best. It is a very involved process."

Khan, 28, has already donned a pair of eyecatching shorts in the build-up to the bout with Alexander, who has won 26 of his 28 career fights.

The Bolton fighter sported a pair of black shorts made of "Versace material" and featuring more than "1000 Swarovski stones" for a media workout on Wednesday.

Khan is preparing for his first fight since defeating veteran American Luis Collazo on his welterweight debut in May.

GAMES/CROSS WORD PUZZLE Countries in the World-1

KEY WORDS CANADA USA MEXICO ANTIGUA BAHAMAS BARBADOS

2

GHANA BOLIVIA JAMAICA CHILE NICARAGUA PARAGUAY PANAMA ICELAND ST. LUCIA DENMARK ST. VINCENT FINLAND

8

G I T N E C N I V T S

P F A E N H A K M R A A U M G E I X T I N C

I L B D N A L E C I H

N I O T E S C A S S I

L H L L H U R F A A L

A C I A M A J M N N C

N H V T G N A A O A E

D L I U E H H G N G L

E P A R A G U A Y E N

N E G B S O D A B R A

T

A

A

I

C

U

L

T

S

B D

O

1

M A

11

12

R

E

18 19 21

E

25

15 17

22

ACROSS 1 5 7 8 9 10 11 12

16 Above all others, (7).

17 Female reproductive cell, (3).

18 Very angry, (3).

22 Nigerian bank, (3).

23 Chat idly, (3).

24 --- Domini, in the year of our Lord, (4).

25 Throw a coin, (4).

26 Indicating alternative, (2).

DOWN 1 Make popping sound, (7).

20

24

D

6

13

14 16

A

5

10

K

N

4 7

9

R

M

3

2 Expression of admiration, (6).

23

3 Border, (4).

4 Put on board, (6).

5 Perfect place, (4).

26

Laos currency unit, (2).

Reverse point of arrow, (4).

Security for court appearance, (4).

'Arm' in Edo language, (3).

Pole used to propel boat, (3).

Salt water of the Earth, (3).

Indicating 'Earth', (3).

Town in Imo state, (7).

14 Islamic respectful greeting, (6).

15 Soap, (6).

19 In addition, (4).

20 Sporting competition, (4).

21 Bend under weight, (3).

6 Obtain, (3).

13 Order stopping trade, (7).

See solution on page 23

Sport Slaming Adekunle Salami adekunles@yahoo.com 08050498539 (sms only)

Nigeria should invest in Quadri

N

o doubt, football remains the king of sports in Nigeria. This is a fact one has to accept no matter where one’s interest lies in other sport disciplines. I share the sentiments of athletes in other sports who argue that administrators in Nigeria give too much attention to football. This is true. Football has been over-pampered such that if a quarter of the money being expended on the round leather game is given to five other sports, the result will be massive. This is a story for another day.

In the past days, many issues came up in football. The crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation took another turn as the election appeals committee came up with two different reports. The chairman, Okey Ajunwa, in his report on December 4, called for a fresh election. A day earlier, two other committee members in their report endorsed the election of Amaju Pinnick as NFF boss and passed a vote of no confidence on Ajunwa. During the week, FIFA upheld the majority report to reaffirm Amaju Pinnick as NFF head. It is sad that people are still perpetrating "evil" even after Nigeria’s shameful ouster from the 2015 Nations Cup. Greed and desperation for power sunk their hooks deep into the veins of many administrators in the country and they are now tearing the system apart.

However, I will go with other sports as my major topic for this week. In my early days as a reporter, table tennis and tennis were my major beats. I covered these beats so well that till date I am still very close to the athletes and officials in these sports disciplines. During the week, a unique man who officiates both tennis and table tennis spoke to me on the telephone. Umpire Offiong Ndem is so passionate about the two sports and he called me to discuss development of the sports.

Nigeria is indeed a great country. What other countries sweat to achieve, we attain with ease. It was Funke Oshonaike who told me the story of an Egyptian female player who came to Nigeria in the 90s curiously to uncover the reason the country was so strong in table tennis. When Oshonaike took her to the knock up hall of the National Stadium, the Egyptian could not believe that was the place where our champions prepare for continental and global events.

A young ping ponger, Aruna Quadri, is the rave of the moment in the table tennis scene. His rise this year has been remarkable. In the last 16 Cup held in Lagos, Quadri defeated Africa’s then number one, Omar Assar of Egypt, in the semifinal. He went ahead to beat Sayed Lashin also of Egypt in the final. That was where he took over as the number one player on the continent.

Quadri’s club also benefitted from his current blistering form as the Portuguese club, GD Toledos, defeated Sporting Lisbon 3-1 to win the Super Cup. The African champion also defeated top rated players in the ITTF rankings. At the table tennis World Cup, he defeated Japan’s Kenta Matsudaira, (27th), and Russia’s Alexander Shibaev, ( 37th), to surprise bookmakers by topping the group. He moved from preliminaries into the main draw’s quarterfinals with amazing results. Hong Kong’s world No 16, Tang Peng, was also one of Quadri’s casualties at the World Cup. In February, he was ranked 237th in the world but his amazing exploits shot him to the 30th position in October.

The ultimate shocker came last week when the ITTF nominated Quadri for two awards in the outgoing year.

He was one of the four nominees for the athlete of the year award and he was also listed in the point of the year category. As I write this piece, I am still in ‘cloud nine’ over the feat achieved by this 26-year-old from Oyo State.

The table tennis federation and the sports ministry must come all out to support Quadri to attain greater heights.

He needs sponsors to enable him to attend more circuits.

Nigeria has never had it this good in table tennis as no Nigerian player has been ranked in the top 100 before now but Quadri is 31st according to the December rankings released last Wednesday.

Nigerians also have a role to play to help Quadri win the ITTF athlete of the year award. Winning is by voting online (www.ittfstarawards.com).

Quadri has the potential to win the Olympic gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. He needs all the support to further improve. Let us invest in this talent. Bravo Quadri!.

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

13 DECEMBER 2014

55

DESTINATION

SATURDAY

Sanctity of Truth

Calabar Festival 2014: Revving up for the big street party

P.42

SPORT SLAMING I almost quit after one week - NFF boss, Pinnick

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2014.

N150

P.25

Liverpool at the mercy of

L

Ajibade Olusesan

ROONEY

iverpool’s woes could continue when they clash with Manchester United in a mouth-watering English Premier League fixture at the Old Trafford on Sunday and Red Devils’s captain Wayne Rooney could be their nemesis.

Liverpool have stuttered this term and their Tuesday’s ouster from the UEFA Champions League summarises their lacklustre season so far.

This kind of fixture last season would have had Manchester United panicky, but the Reds from the Marseyside have woefully failed to replicate their last season form that saw them finish second owing largely to the departure of Luis Suarez and the injury to Daniel

Sturridge. The two strikers scored a whopping 50 goals between themselves.

Manchester United appear to have shrugged off their poor start to the season, they have climbed to third in the table behind Chelsea and Manchester City after racking up five wins on the bounce and Rooney has been at the centre of that blistering run.

He has proved a worthy captain, a leader and a man ready to do whatever it takes to get United back to where they were. He is proving to be their talisman and it is clear the rest of the players respect him.

Manchester United legend, Gary Neville ,succinctly described Rooney when he said: ““I see a player showing greater maturity in taking on responsibility, in his manner on the pitch and his manner around people.

He understands that people look up to him.

“He's entered a new phase in his career. He knows he's not the up-and-coming youngster anymore, or even a player in the middle of his career. He realises that he's got vast experience from travelling a similar journey to David Beckham.”

He has scored five times this season, producing three assists in 11 appearances and could be a handful for Liverpool tomorrow. The striker has played 22 times against Liverpool in his career with the memorable one being in 2012 when he scored a brace in his 500th game for club and country. He has managed four goals against the Kops.

He will surely combine with Robin van Persie and Falcao to wreak havoc tomorrow afternoon.

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by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotline: 01-8541248, Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: Laurence ani.