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NEWS

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Sanctity of Truth

NEWS

Daniel: Jonathan, not Kashamu, will determine PDP/ LP alliance

Okorocha, Ihedioha trade words at new yam }11 festival

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FIRE GUTS POPULAR MARKET IN IBADAN

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that dress!

FASHION

I’ll marry when he comes around BED.WORK &. LIFE

At 80, Igbinedion rededicates life to God CELEB LOUNGE

I didn’t even have a ring when I proposed to my wife

-Bishop Erumaka

IBB dares Asari Dokubo, others: Declare war now! lSays he’s ready to put on Army uniform and defend Nigeria lUrges Jonathan not to negotiate with Boko Haram

Dan Atori Minna

A

former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has declared ex-Niger Delta militants like Asari Dokubo, who are in the habit of threatening to declare war if some of their expectations were not met as noisemakers, as noisemakers.

Babangida, who clocks 73 today, spoke in an interview with journalists at his hilltop mansion in Minna, Niger State last week.

Asari has on some occasions threatened that the Niger Delta would go to war or scede from Nigeria if President Goodluck Jonathan is not re-elected in 2015.

But Babangida said the ex-militants preferred to sit in the comfort of cozy hotels in Abuja and make threats instead of relocating to their hometowns in the Niger Delta to galvanise their people for positive

purposes.

“I don’t see the rantings of the so-called ex-militants as a threat. I don’t see it as a problem because those who are ranting only do it in posh hotels in Abuja; you don’t see them with the people. I challenge anyone of them to go there (creeks) and say I am the leader, I will take you to war. Nobody is doing that , they will just sit down and shout and you guys (reporters) make big headlines out of some of the things they say and it stops there.

“I would be glad to see anyone of them either in the creeks or in the forests telling the people to follow him, I’m going to lead you.

As long as they don’t that, then I think all is just ranting. They are being given publicity for it and they enjoy it. I want to see them in uniform, saying, ‘look here, come, let me lead you’.

They won’t do it, I think the CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Babangida

FG rejects Ebola drug, female doctor discharged

lNMA demands recall of doctors lFG moves laser machines to Enugu lKwara baby tests negative Appolonia Adeyemi and Uwakwe Abugu The Federal Government yesterday rejected the Nano Silver drug, reportedly de-

veloped by a Nigerian and said to be efficacious in treating the deadly Ebola Virus Disease.

Also, the first Nigerian female doctor to be con-

firmed positive to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) was yesterday discharged from quarantine after being certified fit.

Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, who announced these developments in Lagos, regretted that the drug did not meet CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

DON’T DUMP APC FOR PDP, KWANKWASO WARNS RIBADU }6

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AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

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AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

4

Moments

AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

PHOTOS: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

L-R: Executive Director, Finance and Administrations, CoreMedia Services Limited, Mr. Hakeem Yusuf; Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Jide Adediran; Public Relations Manager, NTA-Star TV Network Limited, Mr. Anetor Irete and Head, Marketing, CoreMedia, Mrs. Shakirat Bello, during a world press conference to introduced Coretv News into the Nigerian Media Market on Startimes Channels in Ogun State....on Friday

L – R: Managing Director, Great House Consultancy Limited, Odujebe Oluwole; Mrs. Abiola Olaseinde and Proprietor, Ollyrock School, Mr. Olajide Ayeni, at the graduation/prize giving day of the School in Lagos.

L-R: Coordinator, Adebola Campaign Organization, Mr. Idris Bamigboyega; Vice President, Youth Independent Coalition (YIC), Mr. Oladapo Omodele; Initiator, Mr. Omodele Adebola and President, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, during the second matriculation ceremony of the coalition in Lagos…on Saturday. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri (left) with the President, Association of Market Women and Men, Mrs. Felicia Sani, at the NOA National workshop on Security and Sensitisation Campaign on Ebola Virus for Market women and men in Abuja…on Thursday

L-R: National Coordinator, Goodluck Initiative for Transformation (GIFT 2015), Mr. Chinedu Okpalanma; Head, Public Relations, Ms. Ogenna Ekwubiri; Director of Finance, Mr. Haruna Madisca and Executive Director, Contact and Mobilization, Mr. Godwin Osigbeme, during an International Press Conference on the Goodluck Initiative for Transformation (GIFT) Talent Reality Show in Abuja… on Thursday

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Special Duties, Dr. Aderemi Desalu; Commissioner for Environment, Mr.Tunji Bello and Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Hakeem Ogunbambi, at a seminar on the outbreak of Ebola virus for the State Health Officers, in Lagos…on Thursday

L-R: Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and EmpowerL-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation; Dr. Jamila Shu’ara; Minister of Aviation, Osment, Dr. Olalekan Yinusa; Managing Director, Tilad Auto Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Tijani Oladosu; Timi ita Chidoka and Director, Federal Ministry of Aviation (PRS), Dr. Ibrahim Idris, during a press briefing of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal; Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori and Governor with Airport Correspondents, at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos…on Wednesday.

Rauf Aregbesola, during the turning of sod of Mini Bus Factory Building at Free Trade Zone, Ede…on

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE Friday

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY AUGUST 17, 2014

5

Moments

L–R: Chairman Lagos Island Club, Prince Ademola Dada; Archbishop Magnus Adeyemi Atilade and Chairman Yoruba Tennis Club Lagos, Mr. Seyi Joseph, during the interfaith symposium, organised by the South-West Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Christian Welfare Initiative (CWI), in honour of Archbishop Atilade at 70, in Lagos

L-R: Council member, Nigeria Society for the Blind (NSB), Kehinde Danmole; Member, Arit Tunde-Imoyo; Chairman, Abiola Agbaje; Marketing Manager, Olam Sanyo Foods Limited, Bola Adeniji; Council Member, NSB, Lanre Adebayo and Vice Chairman, Fola Osibo, at the presentation of Olam Sanyo Food products to Nigeria Society for the Blind in Lagos …on Thursday

L-R: Senior Brand Manager, Gulder, Mr. Onyeka Okoli; Marketing Manager, Gulder Legend and Life, Mr. Emmanuel Agu; Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Walter Drenth and Creative Director, Insight Communications Limited, Mr. Chima Okeniukpe, at the third day of Gulder Ultimate Search 11 regional selection exercise in Lagos …yesterday

L-R: Director-General, House-2-House Campaign Organization for Democracy, Mr Ben Ogidi; Senior Special Adviser to the President on Youth and Student Affairs, Mr. Jude Imagwe and member, Board of Trustees of the Organization, Mrs. Aisha Audu-Ueje, at the House-2-House rally in Abuja …yesterday

L-R: Group Managing Director/CEO, Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti; PDP Governorship Aspirant, Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, and former Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe, at a wedding reception in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

L-R: Senior Public Information Officer, United Nations Information Center Lagos, Ms Envera Selimovic; Lagos State Special Adviser on Youth and Social Development, Dr. Dolapo Badru and Leader, Strategy for mentoring Initiative and Leadership Empowerment (SMILE), Mrs. Bimpe Bamgbose-Matins, during the UN International Youth Day in Lagos

Head of District Overseer, Four Square Gospel Church, Oregun, Reverend Nike Andu (second left), receiving prayers from fellow Ministers during the inauguration of Pastor’s Wives and Lady Ministers Fellowship, at Oregun, Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

L–R: Sports Development Officer, Lagos State Government, Mr. Travih Nunayon; member, Board of Directors, Special Olympics Nigeria, Mrs. Adenike Ibirogba; Chairman, Mr. Gbolade Osibobu; Director, Public Affairs and Communication, Coca Cola Nigeria Limited, Mr. Clem Ugorji and Mrs Funmito Agusto, at the closing ceremony of the just concluded 2014 Special Olympics Nigeria National Games in Lagos…on Thursday

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AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

News

IBB dares Asari Dokubo, other ex-militants

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Nigerian public, all of us should just ignore them.

“We have had history of real leaders, I will give credit to Isaac Boro for example. In 1964, he was a young officer, he had the people, he led the people and he was a very charismatic person. Now these guys are enjoying and they would sit down and say they would go to war.

They should try it and let’s see what happens. I would also put on my uniform, I still have a spare one.”

He also expressed concern over the deployment of soldiers in election duties in the country.

The former head of state said he was worried that the regular use of soldiers for election duties would lead to compromising the military. He said that instead, government should strengthen the Nigeria Police Force and make it capable of handling security matters during elections.

Babangida also advised President Goodluck Jonathan not to negotiate with the Boko Haram sect, noting that he was confident that the Nigerian Armed

Forces could handle the security challenge posed by the insurgents.

“Well, you go into negotiations with people you know, people you can identify, people you see, so whom do you negotiate with? That is the problem. Who? Surely, I don’t believe the Federal Government should call (Boko Haram leader Abubakar) Shekau to sit at the table and talk. This is my personal opinion. So whom do you talk to? Nobody!

If there are identified persons who for one reason or the other, everybody knows them, they are fighting, they come out openly to say this is what they are doing, yes, that is fair enough but nobody knows whom to talk to.

So to be fair to the Federal Government, whom do they talk to? Tomorrow, if they come out to say this is the leadership, this is the structure, these are our grievances, this is what we want, they can sit down and talk but so far, it hasn’t happened.

“Let’s get one thing correct: the insurgents know one thing and that is that

L-R: Ekiti State Governor-Elect, Mr Ayodele Fayose; his wife, wife, Feyisetan and Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, at the Thanksgiving Service on Adeyeye’s appointment as minister in Ise-Ekiti …yesterdayw

they don’t have the strength, they don’t have the power to confront a regular army. That is why they get themselves involved in bombing, suicide. The whole purpose is to strike fear in the minds of the public with the hope that if it continues, the people would begin to doubt the capability of government to protect their lives. That is all the objective

of the insurgents. They can’t hold ground hence they resort to breaking up bridges. “Creating obstacles show you that they are not capable of confronting the army. They just have to impede their movement, they have to unleash terror on people and I believe if the bridge is broken, it is broken. We had broken bridges, we had engineers who would build

the bridges and the armed forces are still capable of doing this. So it is still part of the insurgents’ part of waging a war against the regular armed forces. The military have their experiences and I know they know what to do and they should win that war,” he noted. *See full interview on Pages 12-14

NMA demands reversal of doctors’ sack CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the requirements of the National Health Research Ethics Code. “Accordingly, approval for its use was withheld by the National Health Research Ethics Committee.”

However, he said other candidate drugs were currently being evaluated by the Treatment Research Group for EVD. “As soon as any of the experimental drugs is cleared by the National Health Research Ethics Committee and is made available, we shall include it in the treatment regimen subject to the informed consent of the patient,” he said.

According to Chukwu, the drug had since last Thursday been made available to the Emergency Operations Centre in Lagos, noting that “it had not been administered to any patient because we were waiting for clearance by the National Health Research Ethics Committee.”

On the doctor, he allayed fears that she could infect people with the Ebola virus.

He said, “At present, five of the EVD patients undergoing treatment in Lagos have almost fully recovered.”

He added that medical experts who treated and discharged the doctor that provided medical care for the American Liberian, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, who imported EVD into Nigeria at the First Consultant Hospital in Obalende, La-

gos, followed the treatment protocol in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation.

Similarly, the Minister said the total number of EVD cases in Nigeria is 12. While the number of people under surveillance in Lagos was 189, while the number of persons under surveillance in Enugu were six.

Furthermore, based on reported suspected EVD cases from several parts of the country, Chuckwu said all the suspected reported cases from Abia State, Calabar, Kwara and Imo had been tested and declared free of EVD. The minister said the Federal Government decided to suspend the residency training programme because there had been problems with it. Being one of the issues for which the doctors’ strike was declared, the govenment decided to suspend it with a view to review it for better improvement, he explained.

The United States Food and Drug Administration had said the drug was a pesticide and warned those claiming that it could prevent or treat Ebola to desist from doing so.

The US agency said it had received consumer complaints about the Ebola claims, adding, “Individuals promoting these unapproved and fraudulent products must take immediate action to correct or remove these claims or

face FDA action.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Medical Association yesterday threatened not to suspend its ongoing strike unless the Federal Government reverses the sacking of 16,000 resident doctors by the Federal Government.

Also, NMA warned that the sacking of the resident doctors could further escalate the Ebola scourge as majority of those working on the monitoring and survelliance team were resident doctors.

Chairman of NMA in Lagos State, Dr. Tope Ojo, who spoke at a press briefing in Lagos, vowed that the association would only resume negotiations with the Federal Government when it reverses the sacking of the doctors.

Ojo said, “The current strike action continues and the only condition to resume talks with the government is for government to reverse the sacking of 16, 000 strong and dynamic resident doctors nationwide, unconditionally and with immediate effect.

“All attempts by government to divide the NMA by sacking 16,000 residents as a consequence of the ongoing strike is well understood and will be resisted by the NMA.” The association also warned its members in Lagos not to accept any letter of dismissal from the state government or take up any locum appointment.

“All doctors must heed the call of the national body not to connive with government or their agents by not collecting any sack letter or applying/taking up any locum appointment in any institution or hospital.

“We are calling on the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan-led administration and Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, to stop the casualisation of medical doctors.”

NMA urged its members to keep volunteering in the management of Ebola victims, in spite of the sacking of its members.

“This would further worsen the current Ebola scourge because a large majority of volunteers involved in case management and other levels of the Ebola Emergency Response Committee are resident doctors.

“However, we will continue to participate in the Ebola Response as we have been doing, in spite of the purported sacking, so as not to become insensitive to the plight of Nigerians like the Federal Government is demonstrating presently, “Ojo stated.

The Secretary, Lagos NMA, Dr. Babajide Saheed, warned that the sacking of resident doctors would increase mortality and morbidity rates and worsen health indices in the country.

According to him, resident doctors constitute 60 per cent of the medical work force in tertiary hospitals and without them, patients

would not be able to access timely specialist care.

“A lot of patients will have to wait for several months for surgery. Cancer patients whose diseases progress every day may die while waiting for operation.

Emergency cases will no longer become urgent as there will be no doctors to do operation.

“Patients will have to travel abroad to access specialist care because there will be acute shortage of experts in the country,” he warned.

Diplomats of some nations are said to be gradually relocating their families from Nigeria, following directives received from their home governments. It was learnt that the relocation was heightened by fears that the Ebola scourge may not be contained easily and that families of foreign service personnel in Nigeria could be endangered.

On Friday, humanitarian group, Medicins Sans Frontieres (doctors Without Borders) said it would take about six months to bring the epidemic under control.

Also, following the escape of a nurse under quarantine from Lagos to Enugu and the subsequent placement of 21 persons who had contact with her in the state under surveillance, the Federal Government and Enugu State Government have taken a number of emergency measures to prevent an outbreak in the state and rest of the SouthEast.

Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Dr. George Eze, told reporters at the Nike Lake Resort Hotel yesterday that the Minister of health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, promised on Wednesday that the Federal Government would relocate the mobile diagnostic equipment at Irrua in Edo State to Enugu.

Eze, who engaged stakeholders in the health sector and civil society groups on the matter, told journalists that the Federal Government would also install laser machines at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu to help provide on-the-spot screening of air travellers.

For its part, the state government has designated four quarantine centres at Colliery Hospital, Enugu; District Hospital, Ikem in Isiuzo Locl Government Area; District Hospital, Nsukka; and District Hospital, Oji River to handle any suspected cases.

He explained that the said nurse developed symptoms of Ebola during her visit to Enugu, adding that health officials had taken her and her husband to Lagos.

“The Hon. Minister of Health was very clear when he explained that one of the nurses who nursed the Liberian man that brought Ebola to our country was put under surveillance in Lagos and without permission came down to Enugu.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY AUGUST 17, 2014

News

Gateman arrested for raping nine year old girl to death Uwakwe Abugu, Enugu

T

Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, collecting his permanent voters card at his Amatutu Ward 2, Agulu…yesterday

2015: Revolution looms- Musa Ibraheem Musa, Kaduna

I

n order to achieve free, fair and credible elections in 2015, the masses should be ready to embark on a peaceful revolution that could usher in leaders that the people deserve, a former governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, said yesterday.

Musa, who stated this in Kaduna, also said that since the nation’s political system had been hijacked by money bags, the hope of getting credible leaders through the voting power of the people was not feasible.

“Elections today are decided by three factors. First, money power; second, incumbency, and now we are facing the third one: balance of terror. That was

how elections were decided in Ekiti and Osun states.

The ruling party, PDP, can do and undo with the peoples votes. So revolution is the answer whether peaceful or otherwise,” he stated.

Musa, who is the National Chairman of the defunct Peoples Redemption Party, made these comments while answering questions from newsmen after the party’s NEC meeting which was convened to find an alternative platform, following its deregistration.

The PRP leader further said that Nigerians should choose either a social or moral avenue as well as staging a coup and other constitutional types of revolutions in order to ensure the enthronement of credible leadership in the country next year.

“There are three types of revolution, I can tell you.

First, there is moral revolution, where Nigerians decide to have free, fair and transparent election and protect their votes. But is it possible in Nigeria? Can you use moral persuasion to change things in Nigeria?

“The second one is constitutional. Let the National Assembly enact laws that can lead to this, but can the National Assembly do it? The third possibility is a plotting a coup. We don’t want it as a people, but is it impossible?

“The fourth one is the real one which is a social revolution. People in Nigeria should stand to protect their rights in a revolution. It had happened in other countries, and Nigeria is not unique.

What is unique in Nigeria that we will say what happened in other countries cannot happen here?” Musa added.

On the fate of his party,

Musa said, “Whether PRP is deregistered or not, it remains a movement. Whether we can contest election or not, PRP remains a movement. We want to change Nigeria for the better whether we are a political party or not. So those who don’t want to see PRP exist are wasting their time.

“In the first place INEC has no power to ban any party. We are exercising our fundamental human rights as Nigerians. Do you expect me as Balarabe to call a meeting of PDP or APC; I can only call a meeting of like minds, whether under PRP or an assembly of Nigerians of like minds.

“Do you know that Fresh Democratic Party (FDP) went to the Federal High Court over its deregistration and the court declared the deregistration null and void as well as unconstitutional.”

How to tackle Boko Haram— Amaechi

By Ibraheem Musa, Kaduna

R

ivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday said the war on the Boko Haram insurgency would not be won unless the Federal Government tackles corruption and embarks on human and infrastructural development.

Amaechi, who made this known when he featured on Kaduna-based Liberty Radio programme, ‘Guest of the Week’, yesterday, accused Federal Government officials of stealing the money meant for development.

Using Rivers State as an example, the governor said, “It took me just two months to deal with militancy in Port Harcourt. If a state could achieve that within that space of time, how much more the Federal Government that has

everything it needs at its disposal?

“Killing militants is not the solution to militancy.

So we began with infrastructure and gave them economic livelihood. When they know that when they go out, they earn some money, they will not have time to perpetrate evil of

this magnitude.”

The governor pointed out that if the Federal Government can support the military through intelligence gathering which has helped in combating militancy in Rivers State and other states in the Niger Delta, then it would be a good beginning to end the Boko

Haram insurgency.

Amaechi added that there was the need for the Federal Government to work with the locals in order to know who the insurgents are and where they live. He further said that it was the failure of the government in the first place that escalated the crisis.

First Nigerian Ebola patient discharged Appolonia Adeyemi

T

he first Nigerian female doctor to be confirmed positive to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), was yesterday discharged from quarantine after being certified fit.

Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu who announced this in Lagos yesterday, also allayed fear that she could infect people

with the Ebola virus, saying, “at present, five of the EVD patients undergoing treatment in Lagos have almost fully recovered. the discharged patient was the doctor who provided medical care for the American Liberian, Mr. Patrick Sawyer who imported EVD into Nigeria at the First Consultant Hospital in Obalende, Lagos, Prof Chukwu stated that the medical experts who

treated the doctor followed the treatment protocol that is in line with the recommendation of the World Health Organisation.

On the Nano Silva drug, the minister regretted that the drug did not meet the requirements of the National Health Research Ethics Code. “Accordingly, approval for its use was withheld by the National Health Research Ethics Committee.”

he police in Enugu State have arrested a 22 year-old gate man, Gideon Musa, for raping a nine-year-old girl, Endurance Ominyi to death at Abakpa Nike, Enugu East Council of Enugu state.

According to a statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, the incident happened on August 8 causing no little grief to the family of Edwin Ode Ominiyi of Umuchigbo, a community in Abakpa Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu state”.

Amaraizu explained that on that fateful day, Endurance, had suddenly disappeared without trace till 1pm, before her father searched for her and later reported to the police operatives on the following day.

Amaraizu said “Following the report, operatives swung into action and spread their tentacles within the arena. In line with the details of the report, the search was intensified by her father, who was curiously assisted by the man who would later be identified as the perpetrator of the crime.

“It was gathered that

while the search was on, the perpetrator who was pretending to be assisting them, was actually diverting their search to another direction. He succeeded until the police operatives got a clue that the man was last seen around with the victim before she was declared missing.

“Following this clue, Gideon Musa, gate man in a compound close to the victim’s house was invited and quizzed. He confessed that he took the victim to a nearby bush where he allegedly had the carnal knowledge of the nine-year old girl until she became unconscious and fainted” he said.

Amaraizu also informed that the suspect further revealed that when the victim fainted, he had to run out from there, abandoning her and never knew anything about her state of health.

The suspect took the police to the scene of the crime where the lifeless body of little Endurance was seen lying naked with blood gushing out from her private part.

The State Criminal and Investigations Department of the command has started full investigations into the incident while the body of the deceased has been deposited at the Parklane Specialist Hospital, Enugu, for autopsy.

Customers bemoan fresh ATM charges Chijioke Iremeka

C

ommercial bank customers in the country have bemoaned the re-introduced the ATM service fee, by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) which was suspended by ex-CBN Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi Lamido, saying the policy is anti people and that it would deplete their resources.

The re-introduction of the charges came barely three weeks after New Telegraph on Sunday published a report titled: “Banks lobby CBN to restore N100 ATM fee.” The CBN, eventually announced the re-introduction of ATM service fee of N65, as against the previous inter-bank charges of N100.

The re-introduction which will commence on September 1, 2014, is coming despite the denial three weeks ago by both the commercial banks and the CBN. However, the customers are saying the CBN’s policy is geared towards increasing their financial burden, forcing them to join the population of people who have keep their money in their homes According to Felicia

Ahmed, a trader, the re-introduction of ATM fee is anti people, which against the CBN governor’s claim that his tenure would be people oriented.

She said such policy summersault was not only against the common man, especially when the banks are making huge profits from the customers, Godwin Emefile should have allowed the banks to turn to other avenues making money.

Another respondent, Adekunle Omoyo said: “I thought we have gone beyond the situation where the customers will be walking up and down on the street in search of ATM that belongs to their banks. We have been enjoying this practice, where you can walk into any place to withdraw money but this policy is taking us back again from where we are coming from.”

Already, various banks in the country have informed their customers via text messages, of the development. A teacher, who is a customer of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), confirmed the receipt of the message from her bank.

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SUNDAY 17 AUGUST 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

News

Alao-Akala faults stoppage of PVC distribution Sola Adeyemo

F Ibadan

ormer governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala has faulted the cancellation of the distribution of Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in four council areas in the state.

In a statement yesterday, Alao-Akala alleged foul play, stating that INEC had no reason for suspending the PVC distribution in the councils of the as it was result of negligence on its part.

Mr. Nasir Ayilara, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) had on Wednesday at a stakeholders meeting

in Ibadan, announced that there would be no distribution of PVC in four council areas in the state including Ibadan North-East, Ibadan South-West, Ogbomoso North and Afijio in Oyo town due to data loss, but that fresh registration would be conducted there.

Akala said that it was very wrong for INEC to have taken such decision, adding that the PVC was distributed in three of the wards in Ogbomoso North with others cancelled.

“How could the electoral umpire said that it was cancelling the distribution of PVCs in four councils due to the data loss? How did they get lost and whose negligence was that? The

distribution of the cards was done in three wards in Ogbomoso North and the others cancelled including mine,’’ he said.

He said that there had been series of complaints from the people alleging connivance of INEC with some people, while urging INEC to brace up and prove that it was an unbiased umpire.

He said: “I hope this is not a ploy to disenfranchise our people and to rig the 2015 elections for specific interests as alleged. We won’t tolerate this mess and INEC should not betray the people’s confidence in it.’’

Alao-Akala called on the electorate to be more vigilant and report every foul play of some politicians

with INEC, so that they could have the opportunity to elect their desired leaders.

In a related development, some PDP chieftains in the Lagelu Local Government area of Oyo State have called for the cancellation of the ongoing distribution of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) in the state, alleging fraudulent withdrawals of the cards.

They told newsmen in Ibadan that the ruling party in the state, the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) may have connived with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the cards by proxy.

Among the aggrieved chieftains was Chief Lekan Balogun, who described the act as “a structural rigging

of the 2015 election”, adding that the cards had been kept for friends of INEC. “We learnt that people were imported into Oyo with over 120 buses to collect the PVCs. We also learnt that a meeting

was held where INEC had assured the APC on how to share the cards along political lines. This exercise must be cancelled and must start afresh from the registration stage,’’ he said.

APC to sue DSS

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it might be forced to take legal actions against the Department of Security Service (DSS), for linking the party with Boko Haram insurgency.

The party also accused DSS of partisanship, stating that the service was working in agreement with the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).

APC, in a statement issued in Ilorin by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, called for sack of the agency’s spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar.

The party said it has decided to sue Ogar for attempting to blame the APC for the series of bomb blasts in the country, to give her the oppor-

tunity to present whatever evidence she may have on APC’s complicity in a court of law.

According to the party, the DSS threw caution to the wind and exhibited its crass partisanship when the agency’s spokesperson, Ogar, said on national television that anytime the APC wins an election, there is no bomb blast, but that whenever other parties win, there is always a bomb blast.

Mohammed said: ‘’That this incredulous accusation could be made by the spokesperson of a security agency, without providing a scintilla of evidence to support such claim, has confirmed our fears that the nation’s security agencies have now constituted themselves into the enforcement arm of the PDP.

Maritime workers fault appointment of ex-militants into task force L-R: National Youth President, Kibaku/Chibok, Mr. Moses Zakwa; Human rights activist, Ms. Funmi Obe and other members of Women Arise For Justice, during a rally on “Bring Back Our Girls” in Lagos …yesterday.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Lawyers differ on sack of 16, 000 resident doctors Chijioke Iremekan

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egal practitioners in the country, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), have expressed different opinion on the 16, 000 resident doctors, sacked by the Federal Government for not responding to the call of national emergency necessitated by the outbreak of Ebola virus disease. The Ministry of Health has regretted that the Presidential declaration of a National Public Health Emergency on Ebola Disease, the resident doctors, who should have taken leadership role in the fight against the Ebola disease are the most unsupportive, and therefore dismissed them According to the Principal Partner, Yomi Okonau and Associates, Mr. Yomi Okonau (SAN) the industrial action was inappropriate at this time, saying that embarking on strike at the time the country is combating a serious disease like Ebola was insensitive.

But he said that the gov-

ernment should have adopted persuasion and be more tolerant, instead sacking the doctors. “Sacking them now that they are most needed is also most questionable. I think the Federal Government was took a hasty action this time. Remember that the doctors have in some cases gone on strike for upgrade of the facilities and equipment.”

“Also, mind you, what would the doctors do if they do not have facilities to work with? The attention should be drawn to making available resources and facilities to deal with the health issues in the country, whether preventive or curative. Both the government and the doctors have roles to play,” he said.

In his reaction, the Principal Partner, Johnson Esezoobo and Co., Mr. Johnson Esezoobo (SAN) noted that the doctors strike at this point is uncalled for, stating that there are ways of vetting out one’s grievances in accordance with the law

instead going about it the way the doctors did.

He said: “There are procedures that were supposed to have been exhaustibly explored before going to strike. The industrial action should be the last resort. Before any industrial action, you should have gone to arbitration panel and industrial to settle the matter but when that fails you can now go on strike to press your demand further but in view of this and the situation at hand, I would justify the government for sacking them.”

He noted that the action should not be all about the Federal Government alone, but service to the nation and humanity. “If we are talking about government, don’t we have the duty to respond to national calls and emergency? Just like the same attitude I’m having as a lawyer. It’s not about my client alone it’s all about justice for the society.”

Esezoobo maintained that doctors were wrong to

have gone on strike without fulfilling this requirement, especially where there is national emergency, saying that most of these agitations are born out of selfish interest but for patriotism sake, they should have suspended the strike.

“We are talking about Ebola outbreak. This is not the time for the doctors to be striking because lives are being threatened. Even if we are on strike they should able to suspend the action to attend to the national emergency. I’m not a doctor you are not but we depend on them to save us out of this problem.

“I was expecting that after 100 people were quarantined, they would have come in and conduct research on this virus and know how to cure it. To this extent, the strike is bad and I wouldn’t blame the president too much but then, the government would have gone through Labour Union to settle the matter,” added.

Chris Ejim Yenagoa

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aritime Workers Union in Bayelsa State has faulted the state government on the appointment of exmilitant leaders as heads of the Task Force against Piracy and Kidnapping along the waterways and creeks of the state, declaring that the decision was borne out of improper consultation.

Accordingly, the union has threatened to embark on indefinite strike that will paralise activities on the waterways if government failed to take urgent step to address the insecurity challenges.

Chairman of the union, Comrade Llyod Sese, said the exclusion of the members of the union and the appointment of strange persons not involved in marine transportation into the task force were a clear indication that the state government has failed in its efforts to proffer lasting solution to the issues of insecurity on the waterways.

Comrade Sese, while commending the state government for setting up the task force in Yenagoa, said the action was a clear failure and lack proper consultation, wondering why

government appointed people without knowledge of the creeks and the rivers, to head that kind of task force without involving the maritime union.

“We find the appointment of people living in Abuja, who built mansions there and know nothing about the waterways into a task force that will ensure security on the waterways.

We will withdraw our services in order to stop wasting the lives of innocent citizens,” he said.

Sese noted that insecurity on the waterways has been a major problem over the years especially when activities of the sea pirates have increased, the creeks and the rivers have become no-go areas, and unsafe for any meaningful business.

“Unlike the roads where armed robbers operate with the fear that security might catch up with them, on the waterways the sea pirates rob for several hours without security on patrol to come to aid of the victims,” he said.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known as Comfort Emiomikpong Akpan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Comfort William Effiong. All documents related to me remain vaild.

EDITORIAL

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY AUGUST 17, 2014

OUR VISION

To build a newspaper organisation anchored on the sanctity of truth.

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To publish a newspaper of superior value, upholding the fundamental ethics of journalism: balanced reporting, fairness, accuracy and objectivity.

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9

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

Making Abba Moro accountable

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ive months ago, President Goodluck Jonathan directed the immediate cancellation of the March 15, 2014 Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment exercise that led to the death of about 20 Nigerian job-seekers.

The President further directed that all those who lost their loved ones would have automatic slots for three applicants, one of whom must be female. Those who sustained injuries would also get automatic employment.

He also directed immediate compensation for the victims of the exercise and also set up a Presidential Committee to conduct a fresh recruitment exercise. Apart from agitations by victims and concerned Nigerians, nothing was heard about the issue from the official quarters until the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, issued a statement recently, urging Nigerians to exercise patience for the committee to complete its assignment. He said that as soon as that was done, the Board of Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration, and Prisons Service (CDFIPB) would implement the directives on the palliatives for the families of the victims.

Moro also explained that the apparent delay in implementation of the directives was the need to exercise due diligence; ensure that due process was not abused so that genuine claimants would not be omitted in the recruitment exercise. It sounds wonderful to note that the same person who had ignored due process and thrown all caution to the wind, in the first instance, is now preaching fairness and equity.

If not for his greed, would Nigerians be talking about palliatives?

In the heat of the incident, this same minister instead of taking responsibility for his complacency and lack of technical know-how and resign his appointment, blamed the job-seekers for being responsible for their deaths and the injuries they sustained because of impatience.

If we may ask, was the committee not given a time-frame? How much time would a committee need to complete an urgent assignment? Was there no record of the number of people who applied for the non-existent jobs?

So, what was the job of the consultant that he contracted for the recruitment exercise?

Apart from his gross misconduct in arranging a shoddy recruitment exercise, which led to the death of some Nigerian youths who had trooped out en masse with the hope that their long search for elusive job opportunities

As a minister, his role was supposed to be supervisory and monitoring guided by extant rules as applied.

And as such, he had a duty to superintend the exercise in a safe and healthy manner with due consideration for the lives and well-being of those who participated in the exercise

would come to an end, and defrauding thousands of them, Moro lacks managerial qualities. About 700,000 Nigerian applicants were said to be involved in the exercise that turned tragic.

Up till now, Moro has not been able to convince Nigerians about why he ignored good advice to embark on that suicide mission. He has also not explained the unethical charges for the recruitment process, which of course, did not fall into the ancient norm that government exists to benefit the majority. Though the motive behind the involvement of a consultant for the exercise is uncertain, the deductions from the intentions cannot be far from self-interest.

As a minister, his role was supposed to be supervisory and monitoring guided by extant rules as applied. And as such, he had a duty to superintend the exercise in a safe and healthy manner with due consideration for the lives and well-being of those who participated in the exercise. But based on the outcome, it was evidently clear that the exercise was carried out in a manner that was motivated by greed, corrupt intentions and without any sense of responsibility.

Surprisingly, the Federal Government has not prosecuted all those responsible for the deaths of those Nigerians.

Perhaps this is a silent rebuke on the unpopular tenure of the Minister of Interior, who could not separate his private interest from public interest and good governance. Indeed, governance should be conducted for the greater good of the majority. The surprising

thing about the whole saga is that Moro is still at his duty post, calling the shots as though nothing ever happened. This is because the system is so corrupt and there is no one to bell the cat. In other democratic countries that are serious about fighting corruption, such crimes would have earned him a death penalty or life imprisonment. But here, his ignorance and arrogance have been dignified by grave-yard silence.

Ignorance is bliss, after all!

The circumstances that led to the deaths of those young Nigerians are too fresh for restating. But suffice it to say that the demand by the surviving applicants for a refund is deserving and consistent with natural justice.

Each applicant should be refunded the sum of N1000, which he or she paid to participate in the botched exercise. It is a just demand and we encourage the Federal Government or the Presidential Committee to treat this issue with as much tact and despatch as would permanently lay it to rest.

The committee owes it a duty to quicken the process of their employment as was announced by the Federal Government on mutually acceptable and agreed terms without further delay. It must be stated here that even the directive to allocate slots to deceased families and injured applicants is not enough and can never address the incompetence of the organisers and is far short of the justice required to deal with the issue. Besides, unemployment in the country must also be addressed with the seriousness and urgency it deserves.

GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Deputy Managing Director/DEIC YEMI AJAYI Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday JULIET BUMAH Deputy Editor (Sunday) LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board BIYI ADEGOROYE Assistant Editor, News & Politics TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

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AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

OPINION

National Tobacco Control Bill and Challenge on Security and Economy

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Ambrose Jemide xcept you belong to the folks capable of ignoring social issues however enduring they are, you cannot but be interested in a debate over tobacco consumption. First and foremost, one must recognize the grave health implication that tobacco consumption has on the society. In spite of this, there is still a need, a key one, to ensure that all sides in the debate are given a fair hearing or audience now that the House has kicked off deliberations on the need to have a stiffer tobacco control in Nigeria. In doing this, the law makers should remember that the call for unbending tobacco regulation is not new in the country or globally. Canada and South Africa are some of the countries where the hunt for a tight tobacco regulation has been the loudest in recent times. It will be recalled that it is the same clamour that led to some of the existing anti-tobacco regulations that are currently in place.

Of great importance is what this means for the security of this country, which is still grappling with the challenges of insurgents who have vowed to destabilize the peace of Nigeria at all cost. Discerning minds can bear witness that our country, has never had the sort of internal peace it hitherto had, say seven years down the line consequent upon the nefarious acts of terrorism. So, any policy or regulation of government in the present circumstance as Nigeria finds herself, should geared towards making the citizenry heave a sigh of relief, not to abate it. Cases of countries of the world where strict tobacco regulations have been operational and with their nasty experiences abounds. A recent report on Cable Network News (CNN) provided hints that tobacco smuggling syndicates may be linked to terror groups. The reports claimed that a cigarette smuggling scheme that cost New York State millions of dollars in sales tax revenue may have provided funds for militants groups. Sixteen Palestinian men, some of them closely linked to convicted terrorists, were indicted in the apparent scheme, which spans New York, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and New Jersey States in the United

States of America (USA).

Now, there is one underlining fact that is incontrovertible; tobacco consumption, I concur, has negative health implications on users. In reaching a conclusion that is of utmost benefit to the people, our law makers must be dispassionate in looking at the pros and cons of the bill and be able to fashion out a balanced and people-oriented law. In view of the importance of the Bill and the wrangling surrounding it by unscrupulous individuals and coalitions, I have taken a step further to conduct a media research in a bid to find out what the situation is in other countries of the world with strict tobacco laws, Canada being my case study. In an article written by Douglas Quan and published in the Edmonton Journal, it was reported that about 50 contraband tobacco manufactures operate in First Nations reserves and this was revealed by a document, released under access-to-information legislation. And according to the report, ‘’ combined taxes at least doubled the price of tobacco in every province and territory but Quebec, leading to why illicit tobacco is so appealing to Canadian consumers. The report further stated that dozens of organized crimes, mostly in Central Canada, are involved in the distribution of illegal smokes, reinvesting the profits they make into other crimes, including the trafficking of illicit drugs, firearms and human smuggling.

The report further stated that one of the suspects was financially linked to Omar AbdelRahman, the blind cleric sentenced to a life jail term for conspiracy to blow up New York City landmarks. New York Attorney –General, Eric Schneiderman, disclosed that the government is continuing its efforts to track the hefty profits spawned by the scheme. Basel and Ramadan, two brothers who ran the scheme, were said to have obtained cigarettes from a wholesaler in Virginia and smuggled the untaxed cartons to a storage facility in Delaware.

According to the report, “The state of New York lost more than $80 million in sales tax revenue while, the association of some of the suspects in this case to the ‘Blind Sheik’, and a top Hamas official concerned the authorities gravely’’. In the course of investigation, inves-

tigators found out that three handguns, $1.4 million cash and 20, 000 cartons of cigarette were recovered from his residence.

Another instance, as reported by the Irish Independent, the government’s plans to outlaw smoking anywhere in secondary school grounds and near crèches is part of a long time strategy to ensure that fewer than one person in 20 smokes by 2015. The paper’s report titled: ‘’ War On Tobacco Worthy, But Must Not Rushed’’, drew attention to the dangers of not being careful in the deliberations that would lead to a smoke-free society. “The prohibition of alcohol in the United States during the 1920s did little more than cement the position of criminal gangs and serves as a salutary warning. There is already plenty of evidence that high taxes in Ireland are boon for crooks, while also turning many otherwise law-abiding citizens into criminals. There is also the question of equity. Many ordinary smokers deeply resent their outlaw status and insist, not without reason that their behavior is likely to be less lethal to others than speeding drivers or alcohol,’’ the paper wrote.

Currently, the security situation in Nigeria is squalid and could get worse through an anti-tobacco law that is not a product of deep thinking. Very importantly, our legislators need to pass a Bill that is equitable and capable of ensuring that criminal gangs and their franchises do not exploit it to their benefit or make the country a smuggling route. Failure to this will yield a law that was passed without taking into consideration the people it is designed to protect. When terrorists and other criminals have access to funds, as may be offered by proceeds of illegal tobacco, it is like trying to put outs fire with a bucket of petrol.

Going by picture painted by the experiences in the climes mentioned above, the learned and discerning law makers should guide against a situation where they allow selfish individuals and organizations, who are just out to satisfy their personal aggrandizements to dictate to them what and what not to do with the Bill. Even at that, interested watchers of event in the industry know that calls for more stringent tobacco control legislation would continue to mount as the years go by.

The reasons for this are not farfetched. Many of these organizations and individuals, for sundry reasons had appeared on the scene said and their holy sole aim is to put a halt to tobacco use in the country. Sure, the calls have begun to pour in, and are being spearheaded by a coalition of civil society groups. Among other reasons, they have been tying their campaigns around child labour, public health, etc. they have in recent times gone ahead to bandy figures of people who have allegedly died as a result of smoking or inhaling cigarette smoke exhaled by smokers.

But beyond the media frenzy and noise in the public space, it is important that the honourable members get it right with the Bill.

First, they have to ensure that at every point in time, before the eventual passage of the Bill into law, the submissions all stakeholders must be reflected to have an enforceable law in the best interest of the country and her people.

I for one would like to hear the counter-arguments of the tobacco manufacturers on a few fronts. I would be keen to hear them ventilate their reason against the allegation that tobacco kills about 300,000 people yearly as much as I would like to know the source of that figure from the proponents of Anti-Tobacco Bill crusaders. Whatever the outcome, what Nigerians and stakeholders in the industry do not want is a situation where things will go from fair to bad in the sector. Aggravation of the current state of things in the industry will be counter-productive. My fear is not misplaced considering the fact that there are a couple of countries where the opposite happened after the introduction of stiffer anti tobacco regulation. Canada, South Africa, Ireland, Australia are few of such countries.

One believes that the House Health Committee, under the leadership of Ndudi Elumelu, understands the sacred and onerous task before them and they have demonstrated enough commitment and respect for Nigerians by organizing a public hearing. It is my fervent hope that the end product will cater for Nigerians and industry stakeholders alike. *Jemide is a security consultant based in Port Harcourt

Ebola and plagues of our minds CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

Tope Fasua

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THE CONSPIRACY THEORY ome believe that Nigeria was deliberately drawn into this Ebola mess. Some guy called Patrick Sawyer, from the Ministry of Finance in Liberia, deliberately escaped from quarantine and headed for Nigeria simply to drag us into the wahala.

And he succeeded. The conspiracy goes that some American scientists may have ‘manufactured the disease, as they did some others before it, so as to give their pharmaceutical companies opportunity to sell loads of medicine in Africa. Whereas I know for a fact, that scientists do such things, officially or unofficially, I also know it is not the preserve of Americans. And for every well-intended idea, there are rogue ideas riding on the back of it.

This is what I had to say on a friend’s thread about the matter today: “In Liberia there are two sets of people. The African Liberians and the American Liberians. The American Liberians see themselves as superior to the Africans, but inferior to Americans. The only non-American leader Liberia ever had was Samuel Doe. We know how he ended. Patrick Sawyer by his looks and name, seems to be an American Liberian.

Apart from that, he holds a proper American citizenship. Mrs. Sirleaf their president is also of the same stock, and was positioned since a long time to lead that country by you-knowwhom. I was in Liberia like two years ago and

came out with a bitter taste in my mouth and a bad opinion of the Americans given that that country is the only one they colonised in Africa. It is a depressing place to visit. The people there are repressed, oppressed and live like rats in a laboratory, waiting to be picked up for dissection.

I also recall that the place is in total lockdown. For the first time ever, when I tried to make a posting on FB, it was quarantined and blocked. It was a post about Goodyear Tyres, who had bought almost the whole of Liberia.

Too many websites are blocked from Liberians. Everything they do online is vetted and screened. I felt “is this how Americans think African countries should be like?” It was a re-creation of the worst parts of Haiti. I began to have more respect for the Brits. Look at Nigeria. Look at Ghana, Kenya etc. At least they let us breathe!

Meanwhile, every one in three cars is for an NGO, loads of white people who have cashed in on the Humanitarian Pornography, i.e. something that gives you the kick to help these dirty black people, without really helping them. I remember wondering which work all these white people will be doing if there wasn’t this huge opportunity to pretend to be helping these Africans. Their impact as NGOs is not being felt. Any of them could be on different missions, including rogue missions to infect the hell out of the poor Africans. The only positive things happening in Liberia - including the protection of Mrs. Sirleaf - is from Nigeria. They worship everything Nigeria and are just as desperate to make a quick buck.

It is possible that Sawyer’s family will receive

a payoff by ensuring that even before he died, he spread the BUSINESS to Nigeria and made it a pan-African issue. I hear he urinated on the Nigerian nurses who treated him at First Consultants in Lagos, deliberately, and was insisting he must get to Calabar to continue his ‘gospel’ of death. Though I haven’t made up my mind about what is happening but I’m not afraid of considering every opinion, no matter how outlandish it sounds. We’ve been deliberately infected before. Species have been introduced to Africa before, and they will be introduced again. Shows just how totally vulnerable we are. And we have no leaders. I said it, that we will forever regert the death of people like Gaddafi on this continent.

When people criticise some northern Nigerians who resist vaccines, I tell them “once bitten twice Shy.” Pfizer did come into this country and used their children – and God who else – as guinea pigs. Many died. Yet we say they should not be suspicious? A Harvard case study, which I took part in, detailed the shenanigans of drug manufacturers in the case of Vioxx, which is used for bone diseases but also causes heart attacks.

The point to reiterate about Nigeria, and indeed black Africa, is; how come we don’t have our own scientists? No one to get our backs?

WE HAD IT COMING The other day I watched as an Iraqi parliamentarian wailed about her people being exterminated by ISIS. She belongs to a minority Kurdish group. She spoke about how in the past genocide had been carried out in Iraq, against the Shiites, the Christians, the Muslims and others. But that now it was the turn of her

group. The she broke down wailing.

It is all we’ve always said. If we keep keeping quiet and deliberately believing the rhetoric of powerful people just because we aren’t immediately affected, it is but a matter of time before it’s our turn. If Boko Haram started from North-East Nigeria and all we could do was curse them for that misfortune, what will we now do with this Ebola which got here from Liberia, a Christian country, backed by the almighty USA? If indeed this disease takes on a life of its own and starts to kill people by the thousands, we have only ourselves and our mindsets to blame, first for being absentminded, for being self-centred, for not seeing beyond our noses. I don’t think it will be that bad though. But if it does, it will only confirm that indeed, a few powerful guys are bent on reducing the world population, and the most vulnerable are the poor, the Africans, the Muslims, and anyone who displays that he believes in a different world order, is a laggard in any respect, or is just clueless about what is going on.

As I was concluding, I received this message on one of those Nigerian listserves on the internet: “Pray Psalm 91 into water + salt (to bath & drink) never, never, Ebola disease, you will NEVER near me or my dwelling in Jesus name Amen. I shall shout Happy new year 2015 with testimony Amen. Apostolic Apostle @ His Word Ministry. His Word is Sword in your mouth to Win the Battle of life. Say aloud, I am a Terror to Ebola and its agents Amen.”

Who knows? Perhaps it could work. So, Amen.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY AUGUST 17, 2014

News

Don’t defect to PDP, Kwakwanso warns Ribadu

L-R: President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria(CIBN) Mrs.Debola Osibogun; First Vice President, Mr.Segun Ajibola; Registrar/ Chief Executive, Mr. Seye Awojobi; and Executive Director, Operation/Information Technology, Mainstreet Bank Limited, Mr. Ano Anyanwu during the unveiling of a medallion at 2014 CIBN graduates induction and prize awards day in Lagos … yesterday.

PHOTO:GODWIN IREKHE

Mohammed Kabir Kano

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ano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso, on Friday warned a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mal-

lam Nuhu Ribadu, not to dump the All Progressives Congress for the Peoples Democratic Party.

There have been reports linking the former APC presidential candidate with an alleged plan to defect to PDP, in expectation of picking the latter’s ticket for the

October 11, 2014 governorship election in Adamawa State.

Kwakwanso said it would amount to a big disappointment for Ribadu to take such a step.

“Well, I have heard the rumour and we read it in newspapers and watched

it on the television. I don’t want to believe that that is correct or that it is true.

But I want to say that if that becomes a reality, it is, indeed, a big disappointment for Nigerians. People ordinarily will think that my brother, Nuhu Ribadu, is a principled person; some-

Okorocha, Ihedioha trade words at new yam festival Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

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n altercation between Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, almost marred yesterday’s Iri ji Mbaise (new yam festival) in Uvuru.

This was just as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, described Okorocha, as an “embarrassment to democracy.”

At the event, Okorocha’s microphone was repeatedly switched off for as long as five minutes, as the people jeered the governor.

Receiving the governor in Mbaise, Ihedioha told Okorocha that he would hand over to him in 2015, noting that the governor’s C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 6

“When it was discovered, they informed us and we moved in quickly. With the support of the expatriates working with the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, we were able to locate and isolate her and her husband and then took her back to Lagos.

“This lady who came down to Enugu from Lagos was not under quarantine but under surveillance because you don’t put somebody who has not manifested the symp-

exit was non-negotiable.

Ihedioha also challenged the governor on what he described as a “lack of state government presence in Mbaise.”

Ihedioha said, “The major projects in Mbaise are those executed by the Federal Government. In the few areas credited to the state government, we only see projects that are very poorly executed. It is evident that the governor has run out of ideas, so as a matter of expediency, it is expected that he would hand over the reins in 2015 so we can help out.”

Responding, an angry Okorocha said Ihedioha’s trademark green cap did not qualify him to become governor.

He said, “Green cap will not make anybody governor in Imo State. As a matter of fact, there is nobody in Imo

PDP that is his match in an electoral contest. My three years in office have been more productive than the 12 years spent in Imo by the PDP. Imo people have rejected PDP because PDP is worse than the Ebola virus.”

Okorocha’s microphone was switched off again when he said he had laid the foundation for a campus of the Imo State University to be sited in Aboh Mbaise/ Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency.

The confusion was followed by skirmishes between Okorocha’s supporters and those of Ihedioha, but security personnel quickly contained it.

Okorocha, however, advised Ihedioha to secure the PDP governorship ticket first before thinking of unseating him and left the venue shortly afterwards.

Onwuliri, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the event, attacked the governor while speaking with newsmen after the event.

She said that from the conduct of the governor, it was obvious that he was not interested in the festival but just came to create confusion and derail the event.

“Since Okorocha assumed office in 2011, he has never attended the Iri ji Mbaise until this one that precedes an election year. This is not the ground for venting personal animosities. He even left before the actual ceremony began. He just brought trouble to the event and this is an embarrassment to the state and its people. I am positive that by 2015, we will all have a chance to redress this anomaly.”

Seven-month-old baby tests negative in Kwara toms under quarantine.

In the same manner, 21 persons who are known to have had close contact with her are now placed under surveillance by the Centre for Disease Control,” he said.

In line with the standards of the World Health Organisation, personnel of the state Ministry of Health and the said expatriates successfully moved her and her husband back to Lagos and decontaminated their house in Enugu. He, how-

ever, declined to provide the location of the house nor the identity of the couple.

At yesterday’s meeting, the stakeholders reviewed the measures so far taken and made several suggestions on the effective dissemination of information on the epidemic to the populace.

Some private healthcare providers brought in some hand sanitisers to sell at the event.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government yes-

terday said the baby suspected of having contracted Ebola had tested negative to the disease.

Special Assistant, Information to the Governor and member, Kwara State Committee on the Prevention & Control of Ebola Virus, Prince Deji Oni, who broke the news in a statement in Ilorin, said this was consequent upon the receipt of a negative test result on the only suspected case of the disease from Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

body with a good ideology, somebody who is progressive; somebody who is always working towards the unity of this country.

“Above all, I remember during his days as the chairman of EFCC, that he did much to deal with corruption. As we move deeper into democracy, water is finding its level. People are moving in and out of parties, meaning that people with similar ideologies are coming together. This is unlike 1998/99 when we were forming parties to deal with the military and install democracy, and everybody from all ideological tendencies came together.

“Now that we have gone deep into democracy, we are looking over our shoulders to see who is close to whom and who is on the other side. That was why some of us left the PDP to join our brothers and sisters who have the same ideology with us; and that is to bring about the desired change in this country. Now, for him who was, in my opinion, in the right place and together with the progressives, if he should just leave because he is looking for a position or he is looking for a ticket to contest an election, I don’t think that is good for him and I don’t think that is good for the country.”

Meanwhile, the Acting Governor of Adamawa State, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri, has joined the governor-

ship race. He told newsmen in Yola, the state capital on Friday, that he decided to pick the PDP’s Expression of Interest form in response to “popular demand.”

“The voice of the people is the voice of God and I have no option than to succumb to the sustained pressure by the people of Adamawa to join the race.

“I am a grassroots politician who has been in touch with the people since I joined politics and all my actions have been guided by the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, a member of the executive committee of the PDP in Bako, Ribadu’s ward in Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa State, told an online medium, PREMIUM TIMES, that he had been registered as a member of the party and given a membership card.

The source asked not to be named because he was not authorised to disclose the development to journalists.

A member of the executive committee of the PDP in Bako, Mr. Ribadu’s ward in Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa state, told PREMIUM TIMES that the anticorruption chief has been registered as a member of the party and given a party membership card.

The source asked not to be named because he was not authorised to disclose the development to journalists.

Three die, others injured in attack on Anambra monarch Onah O. Onah Onitsha

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t least three persons have been confirmed dead and several others injured in Mputu community of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State as factions of the town clashed over a traditional stool.

New Telegraph on Sunday correspondent, who visited the community yesterday, gathered that the crisis broke out sometime last week when over 20 persons besieged the palace of the traditional ruler, HRH Igwe Fidelis Odebe, with dangerous weapons, locked him and his family in and set the house ablaze.

New Telegraph on Sunday learnt that it took the police several hours to rescue the monarch and members of his family from being burnt to death.

“We had to look for a ladder at about 8pm that night with which we climbed the staircase before we could rescue the traditional ruler and members of his family. At that time, one person had been slaughtered and we

Obiano

saw him in a pool of blood on the floor. We were told that the attackers first slaughtered a goat to show the traditional ruler how he would be killed,” a police source said.

Seven persons have so far been arrested in connection with the incident.

Bloodstains were said to have been found on their clothes while the police recovered dangerous weapons from them.

Apart from the person allegedly killed by the attackers, two others died at an undisclosed hospital.

The matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka for further investigation while soldiers and policemen have been deployed in the area.

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St r INTERVIEW

12

IBB to Jonathan: Don’t negotiate with Boko Haram over Chibok girls The hilltop residence of former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), was filled with so friends and family members to felicitate with him over the weekend as he marked his 73rd birthday. He took time off to interact with correspondents on the way forward for the country and plans to re-marry. DAN ATORI was there. Excerpts:

IBB receiving a gigantic birthday card rom the Chairman of the Niger State Correspondents Chapel Mr. Wole Mosadomi over the weekend at his Uphill residence in Minna.

Y

our Excellency, the country is going through hard times with an array of challenges ranging from impeachment, Boko Haram insurgency to kidnapping.

Many Nigerians are of the opinion that the nation’s past leaders have not been saying much or advising the current administration.

The older generation, what are we doing? I can tell you we are doing a lot. If there is any set of Nigerians who understands the problems of this country, it is those of us who have been opportune to be at the helm of affairs at various times in this country. We know what the problems are, we appreciate what the President is doing, and the best we can do and we are always doing our best to be of help and assistance to him in terms of advice, meetings, interactions and so on. I think this is one of the luckiest countries to have seven living heads of state. We have always made ourselves available to the President and we also appreciate the problems the President is facing because we were once there. So we appreciate it more than any other person in the country. So the best we can do is to always sit with him in a conducive environment and give him advice. I’m glad to say we are doing just that. Nigerians should be patient.

But for how long are we going to be patient with the country gravitating towards disintegration? Is the President making use of the pieces of advice being given to him?

I have always said there will be Nigeria in 1000 years’ time.

The fact is every administration from Tafawa Balewa to the present administration faced one challenge or the other during the course of their time. This one cannot be the end. The next administration would have its own challenges also. The important thing is we the people should strive hard to overcome the problems and move forward. I think this is what is happening. What is happening to us is not new in any developing country.

Another problem confronting the country now is power supply. As a former military president, how best do you think we can get out of this present situation?

I have been following what the government and the ministry are doing about power. I must say they are not doing badly.

They are doing well. However, it is a matter of patience. We have all the machinery, the framework has been set up and when it takes off, all the problems will be history.

Talking politics, we are witnesses to the level of impunity in our polity. Impeachment saga all over the country and the militarisation of our electoral process are threats to our democracy. Bearing in mind that there is no better option to democracy, what is your take on this situation?

It’s true there is no better option to democracy, but this is the

way I see it. It is still part of the learning process. You may call it impunity, you may give it any name you want but I think time will come, for those of you who are very observant, I would like to see a situation when a chief executive of a state is being accused and he is given an opportunity to come forward to say the accusations are not true. He has his team of lawyers, the state house of assembly would also have their lawyers and they would make it public. The public would get to know what is happening and at the end of the day, they vote. But don’t forget, in our current situation, I said we are just learning. It is one particular party which has more than the two-thirds to remove a governor anytime they feel that there is a breach or gross misconduct. I hope to see a situation where the governor as the chief executive of the state can talk over the heads of those of them at the assembly and reach out to the public. I believe if the governor is doing well, the public will support him.

So in essence you are asking for us to go a step further, that the immunity clause should be removed, bearing in mind that most governors hide under the clause. They cannot be queried, they cannot be sanctioned by their various assemblies.

I pray that we would reach a time when the immunity clause would no longer be an issue. Every chief executive has to protect his integrity. He has something in him that needs proCONTINUED ON PAGE 13

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY AUGUST 17, 2014

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Life

Don’t negotiate with Boko Haram over Chibok girls CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

tection; he has his name, his reputation, his family. These are the things he should protect and not immunity, though it is there for one case or the other. But if you accuse me, I will try to prove to you that you are wrong, especially as I have children and great grandchildren. Time would come when chief executives would rather defend themselves, their persons and integrity as opposed to using this immunity clause.

With the current trend of militarisation of the electoral process, how do you see the military of today and the military you left behind?

The militarisation of politics is the fault of the people.

The reason is that, there is this element in the people; they seem to accept that for things to work out well, you have to use the military. You have compromised your police force, so the next one that has not been compromised but would soon be compromised is the military. I don’t believe that the military should be involved in the civil process; I don’t believe they should participate in elections. Equip the Nigeria Police Force which is supposed to be closer to the people, train them and they would be able to handle this. We did it with the police. I used to be a returning officer in the 50s and 60s, there was no military presence in elections. We used the Nigeria Police and it can still be done. So I think this is again one of the things developing countries face. I am not sure the military likes to be involved in these civil duties.

You just said the police force has been compromised, and there is the likelihood that the military may be compromised. How do you feel seeing an institution you left behind being subjected to a questionable affair? Would you advise that military should be used in the elections of 2015?

Nostalgia. That’s all I feel. It would be corrected, it can’t continue like this. You guys would shout your heads up, the public would shout and the administration will listen. I will tell you what we did then; there are places that we need logistical support for the military. If you take the creeks, you can use the military in ferrying ballot boxes, in carrying people who would be involved in the elections in the creeks. To me, that is practically okay but personally, I don’t believe they (military) should be seen on the streets.

Let’s move on to economic matters. By 2015, the West African sub-region is expected to have embraced the eco-currency. But the idea has been shelved. As a former chairman of ECOWAS, how do you view this?

You have had 16 independent countries in the West African sub-region. We started it and it’s been quite a long time.

There are 16 independent countries, different languages, different economic policies. It takes time, it just doesn’t happen by the mere conception of the idea. I believe that it is an idea, the time of which is fast coming. The European Union had the same problem. There are still some countries which are not members of EU. So let’s look at it that way. Wherever we stop, the younger generation will take off from there.

Recently, the President said he would seek a $1.5 billion loan to fight insurgency. This has been greeted with criticism in many quarters. How do you react to this?

To me, it is not an issue. There is a process and we haven’t gone through the process yet, so why do Nigerians kill themselves arguing about things that have not happened?

If no noise is made about this, the loan would be collected and this could affect the future of future generations.

So you make the noise, maybe the government would sit down and say okay, the people don’t want it. So we would not take it but would find another way of doing it. That is how government operates.

During your administration, public outcry made you to drop a policy. Now that we are in a democratic government, don’t you think it behoves on our leaders to once in a while listen to their followers?

I think they are. I would only talk about this when eventually this loan is taken. The National Assembly listens to you the people and this proposal will get to the National Assembly. Because the National Assembly listens to the people and agrees with you, maybe, it would not sail through.

We are approaching 2015. What can we do to checkmate sit-tight leaders, those who want to cling to power at all cost?

I feel if you believe in what you are doing and you are doing well, you would aspire to finish what you started.

We got it right during our time; we can still get it right.

And you guys have to make it right. I believe what is lacking is what I have always refer to as voter education. The

Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida

level of understanding, I believe, is still low. If you are elected a governor of your state today, you should be able to measure the temperature, whether people like you because you are doing well or they don’t like you because you are not fulfilling the promises you made. All you need is to be patient and the time of the next election, you will get the person voted out.

Sadly, we have not reached the stage where the ordinary voter would say no, this guy had not done well, let’s get him out.

Once we are able to flush out a first termer who performed below expectation and someone else comes in, I really hope we will reach that stage where ideas are the main issues, not which zone should produce X or Y. I think this is still part of the people problem we are facing.

What is your opinion on the clamour for the creation of more states bearing in mind the economic factor? Do you think the creation of more states is the way forward?

I think the clamour or the urge for the creation of more states has nothing to do with economics but with sentiments. Let me give you a practical example. During the last conference, they said the South-East is one state less than the South-West, so they see themselves as equal. I think we should leave all these sentiments behind. The truth is those at the helm of affairs were at least sensible enough to know that now everybody, every ethnic community has something it calls its own - it could be a state, it could be a local government. So I think we should just accept that, settle the issue and go ahead with our normal life and economic development in building unity blocs in the country. I don’t believe the creation of new states would solve any problem.

At the last Council of State meeting, we noticed that Niger State had four representatives. What does that tell us about the leadership producing mechanism of the state because you were there, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar was there, the governor was there and a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (Idris Kutigi) was there.

An elder statesman also asked the same question, so we jokingly told him that there is a special water in Minna, Niger State, that if you do drink it, you will end up as a President, a Chief Justice or somebody. So everybody is rushing to find out where that water is but I think it is just by share coincidence of history that we were there. Maybe in the next 20 to 50 years, you will find that another state will take over from Niger State.

Nigerian past leaders, especially of Northern extraction have been accused of being the architects of the problems facing the country today. What do you have to say about this?

Architects of the problems of present-day Nigeria? I thought that is natural, you are not there, you don’t know what is hap-

pening, you only read and make opinions. I can understand it and I don’t feel bad that somebody gets up to say we are the architects of all these problems. But people with a little bit of common sense who are interested in Nigeria and the development of Nigeria should be able to compare Nigeria of 1914 and the Nigeria of 2014 and you must accept that during those 100 years, we have gone through various transformations, various developments, various events, all in the hope of building a strong nation. We even went to war in this country, so we are doing something. What is happening now is only the problem of a developing nation with a not so informed populace, so the leaders would be bashed for a long time to come. I once told you a story of a President who won an election, and was given four pieces of advice in envelopes. He was told, once you are in trouble, open the first envelope. When he got into trouble and he opened the first envelope, which says blame the problem on the previous administration; so he went out and he blamed the administration he took over from. He opened the second envelope when he into another trouble situation, the contents of the envelope said, blame it on the man who was there before.

The third one, he opened the envelope which says, please do something. So the blame game has to be there but we have to do something at the end of the day.

Is it not because these leaders failed to lay solid structures or institutions for the future? Today almost all the industries in Kaduna are dead because there were no structures laid by our past leaders.

No, when you talk of structures, all these processes, I will take you back to 1996 when we had the dreaded Structural Adjustment Programme. As military men, we were very honest, we told you that it was not going to be easy because there was a perception then that government had to do everything; that government had to even sweep your home. We said those things were not going to be there anymore, you just hade to use your brain, use your hands and we open up opportunities for you to develop. You don’t have to rely on government. It didn’t go well, but we did admit that it wasn’t going to be easy. Thanks be to God, people are realising it now. It pleases me every day to sit down here and find that you still talk about privatisation, about commercialization. So it takes time. A lot of education needs to be done to make people realise this. We carried out a lot of propaganda when we wanted to increase the price of fuel, we told Nigerians that a litre of our oil was cheaper than a litre of water. By the time we moved from 20k to 70k, people understood because they were buying a litre of water at N1 or more. We are asking you that from these scarce resources, just pay 70k. So you need a lot of patience to educate the people

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Life

Chibok girls: Don’t negotiate with Boko Haram CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

and this is where the press comes in.

It’s been over 100 days since the Chibok school girls were kidnapped. Despite assurances by the international community, the girls have not been found. What is the way forward? How can we get these girls back home to their parents?

Perhaps the way forward is what the government is doing now. I know there are a lot of complications. It’s no longer an issue that you could ask the military to move in, capture Sambisa forest and release these girls. What Nigerians want is for them to be released and brought back home alive, not dead. From my experience as a professional soldier, a lot of planning, a lot of cooperation, a lot of study has to be done to achieve these objectives. 217 or whatever the number is a large population to lose just like that. So I think the government is trying, from what we got during our last briefing. I am quite satisfied that efforts are really being made to get them out. You see, the objective is to get them out of that place alive.

The operative word is ‘alive’; you can order a full scale military operation and you could get them all killed and this would defeat the objective.

Are you ruling out military option in the rescue of these Chibok girls?

No, no, no, when I said military option, I don’t believe we should get in there as if we are fighting a war. You have to get the military ready, the police, the intelligence people involved and so on. Somebody has to rescue them and maybe if the military is best equipped for this, it would be okay but you will not tell them to go and flush them out.

Don’t you think it is high time the Federal Government got into negotiation with members of the Boko Haram sect?

Well, you go into negotiations with people you know, people you can identify, people you see, so whom do you negotiate with?

That is the problem. Who? Surely, I don’t believe the Federal Government should call (Boko Haram leader Abubakar) Shekau to sit at the table and talk. This is my personal opinion. So whom do you talk to? Nobody! If there are identified persons who for one reason or the other, everybody knows them, they are fighting, they come out openly to say this is

what they are doing, yes, that is fair enough but nobody knows whom to talk to. So to be fair to the Federal Government, whom do they talk to? Tomorrow, if they come out to say this is the leadership, this is the structure, these are our grievances, this is what we want, they can sit down and talk but so far, it hasn’t happened.

But the sect is gaining ground and has started hosting its flags in many villages in the North-East. Its members are blowing up some bridges linking these troubled areas with Nigeria, giving an indication that soon they would take over that part of the country. Do you think the government is doing enough to ensure that Boko Haram does not take over that part of the country?

Let’s get one thing correct: the insurgents know one thing and that is that they don’t have the strength, they don’t have the power to confront a regular army. That is why they get themselves involved in bombing, suicide. The whole purpose is to strike fear in the minds of the public with the hope that if it continues, the people would begin to doubt the capability of government to protect their lives. That is all the objective of the insurgents.

They can’t hold ground hence they resort to breaking up bridges. Creating obstacles show you that they are not capable of confronting the army. They just have to impede their movement, they have to unleash terror on people and I believe if the bridge is broken, it is broken. We had broken bridges, we had engineers who would build the bridges and the armed forces are still capable of doing this. So it is still part of the insurgents’ part of waging a war against the regular armed forces. The military have their experiences and I know they know what to do and they should win that war.

What about the threat of the insurgents on social media? Some months ago, the social media was awash with threats from this group. They said they were going to attack prominent leaders of the North and we took it for granted. Some weeks ago, a former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, was attacked and also, your name was mentioned as one of the leaders they would attack. Is it not a source of concern for past leaders of this country? There were also threats that they would capture states in the North-Central.

I heard of it too. I think the whole objective as I earlier told you was to put the fear of Boko

Haram into the people. Like the fear of Boko Haram is the beginning of wisdom, that is the only tactic they have to use. I’m saying it will not work and all we need is to support the military, the armed forces, the government in what they are doing. They don’t have the people’s support and this is why I challenge those who are shouting their heads off to go back to the creeks or to go back to the forest. This insurgency will stop, it has to stop because they cannot survive it.

What is your take on the possibility that the Chibok girls are being used as suicide bombers?

The question on the Chibok girls, I think if we should allow the government, the security agencies to handle it, we may get a headway.

But if you politicise it, in either way, either religious or social, then it becomes a difficult thing to do. We all agree that it is a Nigerian problem, so we should allow the Nigerian authorities to solve it. I see on the television, a lot of security experts, a lot of people who talk. I don’t blame them, they don’t have the experience in handling such a case but definitely the government is in a better position to appreciate the level of commitment to get them back. They have the military, they have the police, they have the intelligence sources, they have the contacts and so on. All we need to do is to encourage them to work it out and I know it will.

From the experiences we had in the past, three years, we are fighting a war and at the end of the day, commonsense prevailed and we won. I think we would do the same in this case. The continued stay of the Chibok girls with the insurgents is a continued source of concern to the people, I think every Nigerian, irrespective of who should be concerned because they are Nigerians and they deserve the right to be protected, they deserve the right to life and we should put all our heads together to help those girls. I don’t believe they are the people being used for suicide bombing.

I want to believe that those involved must have been indoctrinated for a long period, a year or two and so we just have to find out what happened. How do they come about these girls?

The challenges in the North, especially the Boko Haram insurgency and militant activities in the South, pose a threat to national unity. Fears are being expressed that these

challenges may lead to another civil war.

I did say that the insurgency is the problem of this country, not the problem of any particular country. We should see it as a Nigerian problem and there has to be a Nigerian solution to a Nigerian problem. Number two, for the rantings of the so called ex-militants, I don’t see it as a threat. I don’t see it as a problem because those who are ranting only do it in posh hotels in Abuja; you don’t see them with the people. I challenge anyone of them to go there and say I am the leader, I will take you to war. Nobody is doing that , they will just sit down and shout and you guys (reporters) make big headlines out of some of the things they say and it stops there. I would be glad to see anyone of them either in the creeks or in the forests telling the people to follow him, I’m going to lead you, as long as they don’t that, then I think all is just ranting. They are being given publicity for it and they enjoy it.

I want to see them in uniforms, saying, ‘look here, come, let me lead you’. They won’t do it, I think the Nigerian public, all of us should just ignore them.

We have had history of real leaders, I will give credit to Isaac Boro for example. In 1964, he was a young officer, he had the people, he led the people and he was a very charismatic person. Now these guys are enjoying and they would sit down and say they would go to war.

They should try it and let’s see what happens.

I would also put on my uniform, I still have a spare one.

What Nigerians are clamouring for is a solution to the challenges we are facing, what would you advise Nigerians as followers?

I think what we need the followers to do is to imbibe the value of patience; things don’t happen overnight. You voted for a governor based on the promises he made to you and you have to accept that you will have to live with him for the next four years. Whether you like it or not, he is there for four years. Now if you realise that you have made a mistake, then the next four years, change and if you believe very strongly you can also mobilise other people to bring about the change.

All former military leaders before you addressed themselves as heads of state. But when you came on board, you chose to be called a military president and you made lawmakers to implement it. Sir, what made you to choose that military president title?

There was a clamour for democracy when I was in office and I also know that we are not going to jettison the presidential system of government in the country. It’s a settled issue. Presidentialism, federalism, those are settled issues in the Nigerian political evolution, so I didn’t want to change that system.

Though I was not democratically elected but the country accepted that there would be a President. So I wanted to maintain the status quo during our time. So all of you know that okay, he is a military president; that means we are going to have a civilian president. It worked. We didn’t shift the goal post, it was a learning process but I wanted to prove to you that there are settled issues in Nigeria. The title of ‘President’ is a settled issue, not prime minister, not head of state or whatever it was called in those days. So there is a President, not ‘Wanted President’, because he is a military man but because there would be a wanted civilian President. Civilian president, military president, that was the way it went.

At 73, how do you feel about Nigeria, considering the fact that you were among those that fought for this nation?

If God would ask me where do I want to come back to in the next world, I would tell him I would come back here. Come back to Nigeria, come back to Minna.

On a lighter note, three years ago, you told us you would remarry. But three years later, you have yet to do that. Have you changed your mind?

I said I was going to remarry. That is a statement of fact, I may still do so. There is still time for it.

Sanctity of Truth

ON SUNDAY

Page 15, AUGUST 17, 2014

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Wrap that dress!

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I didn’t even have a ring when I proposed to my wife -Bishop Erumaka

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Body&Soul

AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

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Juliet

Contents 17.08.2014 COVER

If you are a good man, there are tendencies that you will attract a good woman and marry well. A lot of bad people want to marry a good wife and vice versa, but it won’t work -Bishop Erumaka

} 18-19

BEAUTY

Reducing the dark circles under your eyes can be achieved with a few simple h o m e remedies

} 21

FASHION The wrap dress captures the essence of a woman, even as it wraps around and fits her every curve, while masking the not so great curves

T h e Te a m Juliet Bumah (Editor)

Vanessa Okwara (Correspondent)

} 22&43

Wole Adepoju

ACCESSORIES

One can bring on the gladiator in them at work, in a casual outfit and on a date.

The style options are endless with gladiators!

Biwom Iklaki (Correspondent) Abimbola Sodeke Ugochukwu Nnakwe (Graphics) Edwin Usoboh (Graphics) +234 (0) 811 675 9770, +234 (0) 701 110 1014 chibumah@yahoo.com julietbumah@newtelegraphonline.com

Associates

} 17

GLAM DUDES

Sunglasses help protect the eyes from ultra violet rays of the sun and at the same time, make you look smart and upscale

} 44

! step n o i fash t s r fi

Pg. 50

BED, WORK & LIFE

“Show me the way to your bedroom,” he says into her ear, smelling her sweet fragrance and she points out her room to him. No need

talking. Her mind is in a turmoil.

He carries her into her room and lowers her unto her bed

} 20

Helen Paul

Stanlee Ohikhuare

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY AUGUST 17, 2014

17

Accessories

Body&Soul

Glamorous gladiators Biwom Iklaki

W

hich woman doesn’t love an element of mystery, romance and history? Gladiators are a fashion piece, which were worn by ancient armed combatants who fought to win or die against fellow gladiators or wild animals for the entertainment of

the Roman Empire. They were very physically fit and what we would refer to today as an ‘eye candy’.

Today, however, these gorgeous combat-like feet friends are a huge fashion fad. They, of course, look nothing like they did in days past as they have been remodeled by esteemed designers, to appeal to most women.

Most of their appeal come from the variety of styles

they come in. They range from dainty heels to flat comforters. They hug your feet in a warm and sensual strappy embrace that keeps you feeling like the ultimate sensual feminine creature. We have gladiator booties, wedges, flats, ankle sandals, knee length sandals, etc. another variation is colour-wise. Often in solid colours like white, black and brown, they also come in neons and

other bold, interesting shades.

Because of how many variants there are to the gladiators, they are very versatile. You can pair them with shorts, skirts, skorts, leggings, skinny jeans, etc. One can bring on the gladiator in them at work, in a casual outfit, on a date and so on. The style options are endless with gladiators!

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AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

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I didn’t even have a ring, when I Presiding Bishop of Wordbase Assembly, Ago, Lagos, Dr. Humphrey Erumaka, was born into the family of Elder Johnson Erumaka, from Amibo Ubakala of Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State on July 7, 1964. In this interview with CHIJIOKE IREMEKA, the preacher and author talks about his marriage to Rev. Huldah Erumaka and other issues There is the fear that the Boko Haram sect is trying to Islamise the country, going by their conditions for the release of the Chibok girls, and their hostile activities to churches in the North. Do you think this will come to fruition?

There is nothing to be scared of. Anybody who knows what I know of the Word of God will not be moved by what is happening in the country now. But the ordinary man who moves by sight may have a feeling that it will happen.

Every Christian has a kingdom in him and that kingdom cannot be destroyed or stopped because it has a rock in it. The kingdom, according to the book of Daniel, is in Christ, ‘The Rock’. That rock was cut out, but not by human hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. That is Christ in the church.

And Christ said He will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail. Anybody who thinks that by killing Christians, he will wipe away Christianity in Nigeria is making a terrible mistake. The blood of the innocent Christians spilled on the land is speaking, just like the blood of Jesus speaks better things than that of Abel, who was killed by his brother, Cain. We are not fighting with our hands, but the Rock is falling on them. Each of the churches destroyed by Boko Haram was rebuilt greatly. The Catholic Church that was bombed first in Kano is better attended now. They think they are contending with man, but Christianity has done well in the North because the blood of the innocents is speaking. So, they better know it that the church cannot be subdued.

Reinhard Bonke came to the North and the killings didn’t stop him. Have they been able to stamp out Christianity, even as their children are getting the revelation of Christ and leaving Islam for Christianity?

Even among them, the Muslims fighting the Christians are changing. Paul’s mission was to go and wipe out the Christians, but he later became a co-hunter. There is a kingdom that cannot be destroyed in the life of every Christian. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in the Lord to the pulling down of the strongholds of the enemies. My approach to this is prayers, negotiation and dialogue. Christians should not join them in thinking that they are doing God any good. As a result of this problem, the economy of the North is badly affected today.

As it is now, they are beginning to kill their own people -their emirs and politicians - because the God of the Christians is the God that turned the Philistines against themselves and that is what is happening now.

You don’t attack a spirit with the same spirit. You don’t overcome pride by being proud. You don’t fight evil with evil too.

Finance minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, once said that spending on the insurgency in Nigeria would not affect the country’s budget. But the $1 billion loan which the Federal Government is seeking to battle insurgency is likely to affect the budget.

What is your take on that?

Well, that statement was made too early in the day but when the reality comes up she will reverse what she said. The finance minister is not a spirit. The government should strategise.

There is a controversial recommendation at the ongoing confab, about churches and

the payment of tax. What is your position on this proposal?

It’s a good thing you said it was a controversial recommendation. Until then, when they determine that, we will see. I hope they are not looking at church offerings and tithes because that will amount to double taxation.

They are forgetting that the people who pay the money would have paid their individual taxes. I pay my tax and in Lagos State, you should have your tax clearance for so many things. All these are borne out of envy. We don’t go back to the government to bring the money in their purse because they are for developmental projects. Likewise, church money is for the work of God. Let them not be deceived that if they tax churches, the income of churches will drop. If they start it, God will create avenues to raise money for the church.

Are you of the school of thought that a pastor should keep a job in order not to be a burden on the church?

If the workload on the congregation is high, the pastor can work to take care of himself and the congregation. God approved tent-making approach in the church.

Paul was a tent-maker and builder but he didn’t make tents within the congregation.

There were some congregations that were able to meet his needs that he didn’t bother to do any other thing. So, a preacher is trained to be strong to act as the situation warrants. As a preacher, I also write books and publish books to earn my income too.

Preacher ‘does no wrong’ is in the minds of many people. Can you share with us a few occasions where you were tempted to do what you would otherwise not do?

It depends on the impression one has created. People who are faking it will give you an impression that they can’t do wrong.

But that’s wrong. That’s not the scripture.

The scripture says if any man is overtaken by temptation, let him be restored. If any man! A preacher is a man and not God. God sent a man from heaven in the form of John. Ordinarily, the Bible would have said, God sent a John from heaven and He said this glory have I hidden in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not us.

Excellency belongs to God and the preacher is a man. It is expected that by what the preacher knows, he will not to be fumbling. But there are pos-

sibilities that he is tempted to do wrong.

Some preachers have come up with the notion that they do no wrong. However, those under my ministration know that it is improper to say so. If I miss it, I will say I have missed it because I’m human.

As a Christian and general overseer of a church, what were the challenges that almost made you quit the ministry?

I may not be able to isolate them but one thing I know is that t h e challenges a r e some of the things one faces when one’s right intention for something is misunderstood.

In communication, it will be a case of translation. When you

set out to do something, most people believe that the original reason you gave them for it is not really the reason behind the motive.

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proposed to my wife –Bishop Erumaka Most times, they feel you do those things based on personal gains or something else, while deep in your heart, you are labouring to make it happen. For instance, if you are talking about expanding this church, some people will be asking if we need to expand the church. But in actual fact, some people would know that it is worth doing but others would say the pastor wants to expand his kingdom. Also, you will be happy to attend to everybody’s problems, as a pastor. But it’s quite frustrating that after they have told you their problems, most times, you can’t change the situation, it’s only what God wants that will prevail.

The choice of whom to marry is a major issue among Christians. You just marked your 24th marriage anniversary. How did you meet your wife?

I got married quite early, when I was about 26 years old. The reason being that at 22, my ministry had blossomed and had international exposure. I was holding conferences, especially with the youth wing of Assemblies of God and several other big ministries. Then, my pastor, who loved me much, expressed some fear, saying that he wouldn’t want to hear stories about me, given that I was going to campuses to conduct programmes. So, that brought about the urgency of my marriage in 1990. Now, on how I met her. In secondary school, I served her elder brother, who was my friend. Her brother saw me and liked me and approached me to be his boy and I served him well. In the course of serving him, I saw his sister and amazingly, when it was time to marry, she was the one that came to my heart. So, I went to her and she told me outright that she wasn’t interested.

She said God had spoken to her that she was going to marry a minister of the gospel because she is a pastor’s daughter. Also, when the father died, the mother laid hands on her and prayed that she would continue her father’s ministry. Meanwhile, she didn’t know me beyond being a journalist. But when I told her that I had a ministerial calling, but wasn’t sure if I would go into it full-time or not, she said, ‘If you are a preacher of the gospel, ‘I will marry you’. Then I was an evangelist.

On how to go about it, I had done more of praying before going to meet her. It wasn’t a case of trying luck. I was almost convinced that she was the one. And I had watched her from a distance, the issues in her life that I can cope with and the ones I can’t before I was convinced she was the one I could live the rest of my life with.

But then, marriage and everything that come from God are by faith. You wouldn’t know it all and you wouldn’t conclude it all. But if you are a good man, there are tendencies that you will attract a good woman and marry well. A lot of bad people want to marry a good wife and vice versa, but it won’t work.

If that assertion is right, the level of breakup among Christians shouldn’t be this high.

I’m not saying it in the absolute sense.

There may be subtraction but generally, God is not unrighteous to pay good for evil. It’s just that I know some young men that are rough and want to marry good wives. Every day, they are at night clubs and they end up with girls there. So, how many good ladies would you find at night clubs? Most times, marriage is just a mindset. If you make up your mind to marry, you will remain married but if you move into marriage on trial, trying to see if it will work, you will find reasons for it not to work. I’m disappointed when Christian marriages fail. It boils down to a lack of understanding of the gospel.

They don’t even understand what love is

and how Christ loves us and how Christ’s love is. We have messed up so much and he still loves us unconditionally.

Christian marriages should be based on Christ’s love. Christians have forgotten that in marriage, the spouses are covenant partners. That the other person breaks the covenant is not a reason for the other to break his or her own covenant. That is the love Jesus Christ is talking about and that is the love that binds marriages. Christians should know this.

What are your recreational activities?

I’m not much of a man of recreation but in my spare time, I watch special programmes like documentaries, Discovery World, animal channels, Discovery Channel, Crime TV, court issues on television. Also, on the physical fitness side, I have a health rider in my room and I also take a walk. But the issue I have about taking a walk is that when people see me on the road walking, they want to give me a ride without knowing that I’m doing my exercise!

How did you propose to your wife when you were convinced she was the one that your heart yearned for?

I just told her I wanted to marry her and she said she was going to pray about it. She later got back to me that she had accepted my proposal. I didn’t kneel down, anyway. I didn’t even have an engagement ring when I proposed to my wife. I didn’t have an engagement ring when I proposed until we got married at the altar. We were both born again Christians when we got married.

What is your favourite meal?

White rice, stew with chicken but in the absence of chicken, I make do with fish.

Was it because you couldn’t afford a ring or you thought it wasn’t necessary to do that with a ring?

No, as at that point in time, I knew the ring would always come but what I needed that time was an answer.

Most preachers are busy people, and in most cases, their wives complain. Do you have time to go out with your wife?

Yes, I do that often. Yesterday (last week Monday) was my 24th wedding anniversary. We didn’t go out but we stayed together at home and drank our kind of nonalcoholic wine. Yes, we travel out together. So, I find time to take my wife out.

Spare the rod and spoil the child. Did you ever feel your parents never loved you by those corrective beatings they meted out to you as a growing child?

Yes, normally those days, you would think they didn’t like you and that they were being harsh on you. But then, they were doing the right thing.

For me in particular, I have a mum that did the flogging but my father would only pull your ears and talk. But my mother would flog and that struck a balance. My mother could flog you without explaining in detail why she flogged you but my father would c a l l you and ask if you knew why you were flogged and explain to you.

He more or less talked but mother did more of flogging than talking. I believe in not sparing the rod. I flog my children when it’s absolutely necessary, especially when I have warned the person and given it as a promise.

So, when he does it, I will flog him so that he wouldn’t say that daddy promised and failed.

What is fashion to you?

In terms of dressing, I’m simple. I believe in wearing what makes me simple and comfortable because I address the public within and outside the church. I wear a lot of suits.

I also wear other styles but less of Agbada and bulky garments. You have to look good.

What about perfumes?

I wear so many perfumes.

I don’t wear a particular one. I wear Brut and a number of others.

What jewellery do you like?

Jewellery is jewellery. I wear bangles, wrist watches, gold and silver too.

You are a very busy man. How many hours do you sleep at night?

I usually go to bed between 11pm and midnight but

wake up around 5a.m. It still depends on what I’m doing and that determines when I get out of the bed. I do my quiet time when I get up, before setting out for the day’s activities.

Where did you acquire your formal education?

I started my primary school education at the Niger Diocese Primary School and completed it at Methodist Primary School Apapa, Lagos in 1976. I returned to the South-East again for my secondary school education at Evangel High School, Old Umuahia, where I got my West African School Certificate in 1981.

In 1985, I concluded my training as a journalist with emphasis on Advanced Writing and International Relations at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, before proceeding for Advanced Leadership Training Institute at Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma, USA. I hold another diploma in administrative Management and Conflict Resolution.

What message do you have for the country?

Anywhere we find ourselves, let’s us avoid this cankerworm of greed. Greed is destroying this nation and it is only when we shun greed that Nigeria will be saved.

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Juliet Bumah +234 81 1 675 9770

chibumah@yahoo.com

D

I’ll marry when he comes around

ave spritzed some cologne behind his ears, picks a key from his bedside locker and walks out of the

room.

He loves wonders on wheels. He has an impressive collection and normally

admires them each time he gets to his garage. Today, he doesn’t have the time for that. Every space in his mind has been taken over. Kathryn has cramped his whole being.

He clicks on the ‘Unlock’ button on the car key he is holding. The sensor picks the car to his right -a 2014 Mini Cooper S. He smiles and strides to the small red car. It is one of his most cherished.

As he slides behind the steering wheel, the security man runs to the ‘out gate’ and throws it open.

With the car remote, he switches on the music player.

Aaaaah! Phil Collins’ Find a way to my heart is on auto rotate. Just what he needs. The soothing voice of the love singer caresses his senses as the music wafts out from the speakers.

He noses the car into the street and joins the light traffic.

As he approaches the Third Mainland Bridge, he opens the full throttle!

Love has a way of finding the way.

Dave finds himself at the gate of Kathryn’s street.

The men at the security post admire his car. He rolls down the window and they recognize him. His morning tip sure is working in his favour.

“Aaaaaah Oga. You dey go Number 8,” the man in front says.

Dave nods. He hopes they’re right because he doesn’t know Kathryn’s house number. Anyway, it guarantees him access to the street. Once inside, he can locate her house.

They write down his car details and the gate swings open. He drives through, after tipping them.

The gate to Kathryn’s house is locked from within. They are right, it’s House No. 8. He honks his car horn. A man peeks from the peep hole and breaks into a smile. Dave is sure the security man does not recognize him. It’s the little car that elicits that smile. He is yet to see a person that does not admire the toy-like car. He smiles back at the man all the same.

The gateman comes out through the small gate. Dave winds down the window.

“Good afternoon. I want to see Kathryn,” he tells the man.

“You want to see Aunty madam,” the gateman says, his eyes roving round the car.

“Yes,” Dave replies patiently.

“I will phone her,” he says as recognition dawns on him.

“Oga, na you come this morning! Sorry sir, I didn’t know it is you. You don change car. Make I call Aunty madam,” he says walking briskly in.

He runs out almost immediately and says, “Abeg Oga, na wetin be your name?

I bin forget.”

“Dave. Tell her her husband is here,” Dave says, surprised at himself.

The man’s eyes pops as he races back in. ******* “Please marry me,” the man begs, kneeling.

“I promise to make you happy. I promise to love only you till the end of time,” he pleads.

As Kathryn looks at the kneeling man, her heart melts. She wants to be with him.

He’s everything she desires in a man but something is holding her back.

“I can’t. She’s there,” she tells him, pointing behind him.

“Who? Where? There’s no other person here,” he says, looking behind him. He stands up.

He’s right. She’s no longer there. But she was there a moment ago.

She holds out her hands, he grasps them and pulls her to his chest.

Hmmmmmm...he’s warm and smells rich and sexy. She makes a mental note to find out the name of his fragrance. It is so familiar.

As their mouths meet in a kiss, she appears again. This time, a whip in her right hand. She swings the whip and it slides towards Kathryn’s left ear. It makes a shrilling sound as it pierces through the air.

Kathryn screams and wakes up.

Gawd! It was a dream! So scary. Who was that man in her dream?

The shrilly noise is from the intercom.

It stops ringing before she reaches for it.

She checks the bedside clock and jumps out of the bed.

She barely has enough time to get dressed and get to her rendezvous with Dave. Dave!

The cleaner must have let herself out.

As she makes for her bathroom, the intercom shrills again. She picks it and listens.

“Hello Aunty madam. Good afternoon ma. A man say him wan see you,” John, the gateman says.

“What’s his name?” Kathryn asks.

John hesitates for some seconds.

“He say na Dave. He say him be your husband,” he replies, uncertainty in his voice.

“Dave, my husband?” Kathryn asks.

“Aunty madam, na the man wey comot this morning,” he explains.

Kathryn’s heart flutters. Dave!

“Is he supposed to come here? Thought we were to meet...”

“Hello,” the gateman says.

“Yes, send him in,” Kathryn responds and ends the call.

“Is he supposed to come here?” Kathryn is confused.

Nevertheless, she runs into the bathroom to freshen up.

Kathryn is in love, no doubt. She can hardly contain her feeling.

She’s barely through brushing her tooth when she hears the chimes.

She runs out of her room to the outer door, throws it open and rushes into his arms.

“You are not supposed to be here,” she says as his mouth moves towards hers.

“Yeah, I changed my mind. Came to pick you myself. Missing you so much,” he replies, covering her mouth with his, his arms around her back.

Kathryn’s heart flutters.

“Go get ready my love. I’ll be your chauffeur,” he whispers into her ears.

She nods and makes to go. She feels so light...as if she’s walking on air. She misses her steps and Dave catches her.

He carries her.

“Show me the way to your bedroom,” he says into her ear, smelling her sweet fragrance and she points out her room to him. No need talking. Her mind is in a turmoil.

He carries her into her room and lowers her unto her bed.

She jumps up, giggling.

“Hmmmmmmm, nice room you’ve got here. Get ready and let’s go,” he says, not adding that he’s finding it very difficult to keep a tight rein on his passion. He strolls to the dressing table and perches on the stool.

“Okay dear. You wanna watch me dress up,” she says, slipping her T-shirt over her head and revealing her large boobs held in place by a barely-there lace brassiere.

Dave swallows hard.

She pulls off her shorts.

He watches her ample derrière roll

wickedly as she sashays into the bathroom.

“This is temptation,” he mutters, rubbing his two palms on his head while the snake rises between his thighs.

She’s out in minutes, a very short towel wrapped loosely round her waist. Her boobs bounce freely as she moves to the dressing table, towards him.

She sits on the other stool opposite him, smiles at him as she creams her body.

She wonders at the resolve of the man.

Is he okay at all? Such temptation and he sits there as if nothing is happening!

She holds on to herself, wondering how long it will be before she throws herself into his arms.

Done with creaming her upper region, she throws open her towel and proceeds to cream her legs, one after the other, from her thigh to her foot.

When she’s done, she stands up in her birthday suit and moves to the wardrobe.

It has become too much for Dave to bear. She is a temptress. What!

Before he knows it, his legs have moved him behind her and he grabs her from behind and turns her towards him.

Her nude flesh feels velvety. He runs his hands all over her body. Then kiss her all over.

Kathryn moans softly, holding him tightly.

“I love you, Kathy. I do,” he says huskily as they gravitate towards the bed.

“Hmmmmmm,” Kathryn murmurs.

“Of what use is this love? He is married.

I need a husband. Why did I fall for this stranger?”

As they get to the edge of the bed, he pulls back. ***********

Dear readers, it’s getting exciting once again. Did he taste the forbidden fruit?

Join me here on Sunday!

Send your observation to julietbumah@ gmail.com

21

AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Body&Soul

Get rid of puffy eyes with simple home remedies Vanessa Okwara

T

he first thing other people notice when they come close to you is your face and then your eyes. They will surely see those puffy eyes first and that does not make a good impression. You appear very tired and old with dark circles under your eyes or if your eyes appear puffy all the time.

Factors that cause this condition include inherited traits, high salt intake, cigarette smoking, inadequate hours of sleep, improper diet, excessive alcohol drinking, pollution and allergies.

Dark circle under the eyes is not something that you are willing to wear to the office or school unless you are born with it. So you will need to do something to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

Reducing the dark circles under your eyes can often be achieved with a few simple home remedies: 1. Puffy eye is usually caused by excess fluids trapped in your eye area. By lightly massaging both your upper and lower eyelids, you shove all those excess fluids away from your eyes. This is actually a basic touch therapy that many people are not aware of, but dermatologists and other skin experts have used this technique to improve the appearance of their client’s eyes.

2. Use a frozen spoon. Put a spoon in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Take it out and cover the circles with it. Hold it there until the spoon is warm again.

3. Lie down, close your eyes and apply potato slices to your lids. Leave on for ten minutes and remove. Wash the area with cold water. This soothes

tired eyes instantly, and helps boost blood circulation in the under-eye area.

4. Dip a washcloth in a bowl of cool caffeinated coffee. Apply to area and leave on for ten minutes. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it draws water away.

5. Try using teabags. Two teabags moistened with cold water and patched on your puffy eyes for five to ten minutes can reinvigorate your eyes and hold off the puffiness. Again, the coldness of the teabags can help to increase circulation in your face. But more than that, tea has tannin that can also help in tightening the skin in your eye area; thereby, effectively decreasing the bulge in your eyes.

6. Cucumber can be used alone or in combination with other ingredients. Not only does it have a cooling effect, it also helps to improve the colour of the skin around the eyes. The easiest way out is to cut a cucumber into thick slices, refrigerate them for about 30 minutes and then place lightly on your eyes.

Alternatively, you can crush a little cucumber and extract the juice; apply this around the eyes, keep it on for 15 minutes and then wash with water. Adding a dash of lemon juice into the cucumber juice also helps because the latter has a bleaching action that reduces the darkness of the skin.

Just a couple of ice cold slices on your eyes will help diminish puffiness and tighten and tone the under eye area.

7. Orange juice is not only a great source of Vitamin C, it also serves as a convenient preparation to remove any sign of tiredness on the eyes.

Prepare a mixture with orange

juice and glycerin. Dab some of the mixture on the affected area of the eyes three times a week. Soon after, the appearance around the eyes will noticeably improve.

8. Get plenty of rest and sleep: As recommended, people should restful sleep. This is especially necessary for individuals who have puffy eyes or circles under their eyes.

9. Remove makeup every night because it can fill the pores causing swelling.

10. Rose water has been traditionally used to rejuvenate the eyes and give them a sparkling look. It works equally well as a remover of dark circles. Soak a little cotton in rose water and dab it over and under your closed eyes. Wash off after 15 minutes with water.

Do this once in the morning and once in the evening every day and in a few weeks’ time, your eyes will appear brighter.

22

Body&Soul

AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

43

Hardball 'Jonathan, not Kashamu, will determine PDP/LP alliance' p.28

BIYI ADEGOROYE, ASSISTANT EDITOR, POLITICS biyi.fire@yahoo.com

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Tel: 08033024007

AUGUST 17, 2014

Interview ‘Boko Haram: Jonathan should withdraw $1bn from Excess Crude Account’ p.30

23

Politics ON SUNDAY

Much ado about militarisation of elections

I

n the past one year, one issue that has drawn the ire of the electorate and politicians alike, is the deployment of military in many parts of the country during elections. The deployments of military in polling booths during the governorship elections in Edo State and later Ondo State in 2012, was greeted with criticism.

The outrage grew louder recently with the heavy presence of soldiers in Anambra, Ekiti and lately, Osun governorship elections. In the Ekiti, the protest reached high heavens, when some governors of the All Progressives Congress were denied entry into the state capital a few days before the election.

To them, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led government is militarising the nation’s hard-earned democracy. The APC and its sympathisers across the country, the human rights organisations and civil society groups, accused President Goodluck Jonathan of militarising the democratic system.

To them, President Jonathan is using soldiers to perform certain functions, which should be carried out by the Police -an arm of the Force in charge of internal security in a civilian administration.

Rather than rely on the police to provide the security needed during the gubernatorial elections in the four states mentioned above, the Federal Government deployed large detachment of soldiers and other security operatives in there to assist and ensure peaceful conduct of the elections.

For instance, at least 73,000 security personnel were reportedly deployed in Osun State for the just concluded governorship election, which the incumbent Governor, Rauf Aregbesola won. There was also a mass deployment of soldiers, policemen, SSS operatives, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NDLEA in in Ekiti State during the governorship election on June 21, 2014.

This development has continued to attract mixed reactions from political analysts, commentators and other opinion molders in the society. Whereas the opposition party members and their supporters see the action of government as militarisation, undemocratic and unconstitutional, others say that it was the use of soldiers that facilitated the peaceful conduct of elections in those areas.

They also implored government to continue to involve soldiers in future elections until Nigeria grows to a point the Police alone can handle the situation.

APC’s position Expectedly, most APC chieftains have expressed concerns that the use of soldiers to conduct elections was dangerous for the country’s democracy. Former Lagos State governor and National Leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while reacting to the matter, described what happened in Osun

Jonathan

Minima

Against the wild reactions which have greeted the deployment of soldiers in many parts of the country for election duties in the past two years, DAVID CHUKWU examines the legality and exigencies of the action in this analysis ahead of 2015 elections as abominable.

He said: "The massing of the military and over sixty thousand security men to intimidate and harass a peaceful people is the sign of an unsecured government and party. It is a pre-condition to manipulate and perpetrate electoral fraud. Under any democracy, there can be no moral or political justification for the security armada against our party leaders and followers in Osun. The implications for our democracy foretells of dire consequences.”

Renowned Lagos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), had earlier decried the mass deployment of security personnel in Ekiti State for the governorship election on June 21, 2014, saying that it was illegal for President Jonathan to use the armed forces to maintain law and order during elections.

Falana explained that sections 215 and 217 of the Constitution clearly stated when the President could deploy armed forces, not-

ing that such duties bordered on internal security and are limited to the suppression of insurrection, including insurgency and aiding the police to restore order when it has broken down.

Falana also said that rather than use soldiers during elections, the police should be properly equipped to perform the duty of ensuring internal security while the armed forces are restricted to the defence of the nation’s territorial integrity. He said under the current constitutional arrangement, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces lacked the power to involve soldiers in maintaining law and order during elections.

“Even in the Northe-East region, a state of emergency had to be declared by the President to justify the deployment of members of the armed forces as part of the extraordinary measures he was required to take to restore law and order pursuant to section 305

of the Constitution. Even then, the President had to seek and obtain the approval of the National Assembly for the said deployment for a specific period of time,” Falana stated.

Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State, in his congratulatory message to Governor Rauf Aregbesola and all members, supporters and the leadership of the APC nationwide for the victory, expressed optimism that election times in Nigeria would become periods of interaction and healthy exchange of ideas among contestants and their parties, instead of turning it to periods of mudslinging, harassment and intimidation of the electorate and perceived political enemies.

On what appeared to be his recommendation for ideal election, the Chief Security officer of Lagos State suggested that Election Day should be carnival-like, saying, "People should freely go out to cast their CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

24

AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Politics / Analysis

Much ado about militarisation at elections

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 3

votes without excessive militarisation and harassment of perceived opponents as witnessed in recent elections".

Moreover, Jiti Ogunye, a lawyer and public affairs analyst, also condemned what he described as the excessive deployment of security personnel for election duty. Speaking on a TV programme in Lagos on Sunday after the Osun election, Ogunye said there was no basis for the militarisation of elections in the country, pointing out that such development was inimical to the growth and survival of the nation’s democracy.

Another APC Chieftain and former Governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, called for the probe of the arrest of opposition leaders in Osun by the security operatives, saying that the trend was disturbing and alarming. Saraki, who represents Kwara Central at the Senate, questioned the motive of security agents, whom he said illegally arrested opposition leaders during the Osun election.

“We must begin to investigate the new trend of arresting opposition leaders prior to elections. This is unconstitutional. What were the specific functions of the various armed agencies that were deployed in Osun State? Even though APC won Osun Gubernatorial election, we must ask questions on the illegal detention of party leaders and intimidation of members,” he noted.

Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in his reaction said: “This is definitely not an ordinary election. It is the total hijack of the process and direct violation of the rights of the people. Osun State has been turned into a theatre of war. An ongoing state-sponsored political terror against the Osun people and the entire people of Nigeria has been unleashed by an elected President against his own people, against his own country, in an unprecedented act of political desperation.’’

He decried his alleged arrest of over 250 APC members and leaders all over Osun State by the security task force on Election Day. According to him, President Jonathan, in an unparalleled desecration of national institutions, had simply turned the men and women in uniform against the people, as the entire security outfits now owe their allegiance to the president, rather than to the nation, and are at his beck and call.

Apart from criticisms by other chieftains of the opposition party, the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, in his victory speech also spoke bitterly about the purported militarisation of elections and indeed democracy in Nigeria. He accused the Federal Government and the PDP of using security agencies to harass, intimidate and brutalize the APC members in particular and the people of Osun in general.

His words: "Ordinarily, this should be a moment of joy and celebration consequent upon the hard earned triumph of the people’s will. However, this election shows that democracy is still gravely endangered in Nigeria. We witnessed gross abuse of power and, of due process before, during, and even after the actual voting process. It is so sad and unfortunate that what should be a normal, routine process was maliciously allowed to snowball into a needless virtual war by the Federal Government and the PDP. "Osun State was unduly militarized in an unprecedented manner through criminal intimidation and psychological assault on our people. This election witnessed an abuse of our security agencies and amounted to a corruption of their professional ethics and integrity.

"The security agencies were unprofessionally utilized in Osun State to harass, intimidate and oppress the people whose taxes

the election. They wanted to achieve this by trying to create bad impression about the system. Thank God that, at the end of the day, the president did what he was supposed to do as the Commander-in-Chief, by making sure that the election held and also made sure that there was no violence at all by taking complete charge of the security situation."

Odigie-Oyegun

Muazu

are used to pay their salaries and provide their arms. Hundreds of leaders, supporters, sympathisers and agents of our party were arrested and detained. Also, hundreds of other innocent citizens, including women and the aged, were harassed, brutalized and traumatized. In spite of this condemnable repression and abuse of human rights, the unflagging spirit of our people triumphed.”

Despite all these attacks on Jonathan and the PDP on the use of soldiers to conduct elections, some people still feel that the Federal Government's action is in the best interest of Nigeria, which is to ensure peace and security of the citizenry in a volatile country like Nigeria when it comes to elections. Many are of the opinion that, without the presence of soldiers during the polls in Edo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun, the situation would have turned violent because of the desperation of the politicians to win or get their parties and candidates win at all costs.

electoral process in Ekiti election was not militarised. Yes, there was heavy security presence but I don’t think it can be conceived as militarisation”.

Instead, Jega cautioned the people, particularly the politicians, on careful use of words because according him, the concern of people was that there should not be overbearing presence of military on election day.

“The military performs what we describe as peripheral outer cordon. It is the mobile police that handle internal movement in terms of movements in the towns but away from polling unit. And it is unarmed policemen that you have on an average of three per polling units, and that is exactly what happened in Ekiti,” Jega explained.

Former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, in his contribution to the seeming debate on the perceived militarisation of the system said, "If you call it militarisation; if there was anything like that, then I can tell you that it did not start with Jonathan administration. If you want to think of when we started using the military and the Police, it has been a long while. Under the civilian administrations of Obasanjo and Yar'Adua, it was like that.

Then with Jonathan, again it is the same problem. It is the problem created by the opposition, APC; it is that problem that the President is trying to solve. And he has not stepped out of the way Obasanjo did his own or Yar'Adua did his own. In fact, what he has done which is better than what Obasanjo and any other past President has done is this one-man-one-vote. It was applied in Edo, Ekiti and Anambra; although with some hitches; and it was there again in Osun a few days ago. Rather than vilify the President, he should be praised for his efforts. So, the use of soldiers will be on until Nigerians change their minds. I don't see the APC riding on powers of this country in 2015. But whenever it is their turn, let us see who will conduct the elections. That is all I can say.”

Also, reacting in support of government's use of soldiers, a former member of the Senate, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, who represented Anambra North from 2003-2007 said, "First of all, I have to start by congratulating the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, for making it possible for this election to hold under a very peaceful atmosphere.

Initially, there was a lot of insinuations, a lot of negative languages from the APC, trying to incite the system that the President and by extension, the PDP did not want

INEC’s defence To the amazement of the APC, their sympathisers and other Nigerians who have condemned the involvement of the military in elections, the Chairman of the nation's electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, defended the use of military personnel in the conduct of elections in Nigeria.

He insisted that the security operatives provided security to officials of the commission and the voters.

It is imperative to note that before the just concluded Osun election, the APC had approached the court, seeking an order, restraining the Federal Government from deploying military personnel in the state for governorship election. But Jega disagreed with people who said the deployment of soldiers in Ekiti during the election amounted to militarisation.

The former university teacher vividly told critics that, although he was strictly opposed to military rule in the country, he was in support of the role the military had played so far in ensuring that voters were encouraged to come out and vote, and accused some politicians of creating excuses to undermine the electoral process.

He said: “People raised the issue of militarisation in Ekiti State. By the strict definition of militarisation, I am a student of politics and military rules. I have even published papers on militarisation. So, I know the definition. So, there is no way anybody can conceivably define what happened in Ekiti as militarisation of electoral process. The

Peculiar security challenges However, many Nigerians believe that the current security challenge, which commenced with the killing of 11 corps members in Bauchi State in a post-election violence and the Boko Haram insurgency/ terrorism in the North-East have made it imperative to deploy soldiers in states for election duties. Other pre and post elections killings in Lagos, Kaduna, Anambra and Ogun states in the past 10 years have left much to be desired.

Also, such crimes as kidnapping, which suddenly became a lucrative business in the Southern Nigeria, is also believed to have emanated from the politicians who sponsor all manner of criminalities and societal vices just achieve their inordinate ambitions.

These politicians see election as a matter of life and death.

Unarguably, it is as a result of these untoward activities in the country that the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, in the North-East Nigeria, are currently placed under a state of emergency by the Federal Government to stem the tide of insurgency and terrorism in the area. The do-or-die attitude of politicians towards elections also compelled the Federal Government to start using soldiers to conduct elections as a means of ensuring that there is no violence at the polling centres or any part of the states where elections are being held.

This was exactly what happened in Edo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states during the gubernatorial elections A member of the House of Representatives and chieftain of the APC, who did not want his name mentioned for fear of victimization by his party, argued that it was not true that the current democracy was being militarized. He was of the view that Nigeria had not embraced sufficient democratic ethos in her fifteen years of experiment to leave elections totally in the hands of the police.

"At this point in time of Nigeria's political development, police cannot do it alone. So, minimal military presence is acceptable. We have to face the reality of Nigerian situation as of today. We will grow to a stage where police presence at elections will not even be needed. But for now, we have to tolerate the soldiers," he said.

While the parties argue from a biased standpoint most of the time, a neutral perception and analysis will certainly draw out universally acceptable position. Going by the various views expressed on the issue, observers believe that, much as we desire to have a reasonably solid democracy devoid of any dictatorial incursion, we have not got there yet.

Moreover, Nigerians, especially the political class, are yet to show readiness to enjoy the kind of democracy prevalent in developed world. It is better to climb the ladder gradually than to make a swift leap and miss the step and crash with devastating injuries. As the APC stalwart suggested, minimal military presence is acceptable in elections to help minimise potential violence, while our politicians and indeed all Nigerians should hasten up and change their attitude and perception towards politics and governance, so that the democracy can mature fast, such that the military can be restricted to performing their constitutional duties.

25

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY AUGUST 17, 2014

Politics / Column

‘PDP'll win 2015 elections in Plateau’ W

ith the 2015 elections around the corner, does your party, the Peoples Democratic Party, have the capacity to withstand the opposition?

Well, there is no question that the biggest contender with PDP is the APC; that is the agglomeration of some opposition parties into a merger opposition party. But you know and will agree with me that APC was dead on arrival. I say this for so many reasons. The first elections the APC went into they lost. APC contested for the governorship of Anambra State and APC lost that election woefully; APC contested for governorship of Ekiti State just recently, in fact Ekiti of all places and the South-West that is claimed to be the stronghold of APC, and it lost woefully. They scored 50 per cent of what PDP got with an incumbent governor; that tells you that APC was dead on arrival. Look at the convention they went to, in fact the convention left them more divided than before they went into it. When they saw PDP having a successful convention, they thought it was a child’s play; and when they tried their own. It failed like a pack of cards, because they are now picking their bits and pieces. Everybody was saying ‘no, we were not part of the consensus’. You see, people of high political standing don’t really have a place in APC, and again because it is a coming together of the strange bedfellows with individual varied interests, it will never stand the test of time.

How will you address the view of the opposition that if PDP fields President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate in 2015 elections, it will be a walkover for the APC? Well, APC should bother themselves about whom they will produce; but for PDP it is a done deal. It is only in our democracy that you will subject a sitting President to party primaries, and I don’t think that is good for democracy. When you have a sitting president and you subject him to party primaries, the party in itself is saying it has lost confidence in the President. If you believe in what your President is doing and as a member of the party you also believed that it is delivering what the manifesto of your party pro-

Hon. Istifanus Caleb Mwansat is a former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, and currently a member representing Pankshin South in the Assembly. Mwansat, who is serving his third term, is one of the oldest lawmakers in the house. He spoke with MUSA PAM also understand that those that add value to the opposition before are now scrambling, they are running and falling head over heels, trying to come back to PDP. So what does the opposition have to offer? Nothing. In the last elections in the state, Governor Jonah Jang scored over 800,000 votes, and the closest to him was Dame Pauline Tallen, his former deputy, who scored about 400,000 votes. Let me tell you, by the special grace of God, come 2015 when PDP will present a candidate for the governorship position, add what Pauline got and what Jang got it gives you about 1.2 million. Give and take, I can assure you that if PDP presents the right candidate, we are going to score a minimum of one million votes for that governorship candidate. For President Jonathan, we will try to jack it up 1.6 million votes from the state.

Istifanus

vided, then you don’t have an option. But to give him the option of first refusal, so that it goes to tell the world and the people that are non-party men that your confidence in your President and you want him to continue to do the good things that he is doing, because that is what the manifesto of the party holds.

But when you subject a sitting president to party primaries, it means you don’t have so much confidence in him. So for those people who are saying that if PDP should present Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate, then it will be a walk over, they are just dreaming. They shouldn’t be saying if PDP,

Jonathan is the PDP presidential candidate for 2015, let them know it right from now, that is if they are claiming not to know, PDP has Jonathan as its presidential candidate. By the grace of God, we will deliver him and he will win landslide.

It is believed that Plateau State now has a strong opposition in the APC to tackle PDP in the state ahead of 2015.

What makes them stronger now? Are they a new people or are they coming from another planet? They are the same characters that we have dealt with over the years. You will

Fasheun wants youths to position selves for 2015 elections Ibukun Kayode

C

hairman of Odua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr. Fredrick Fasheun, has called on youths in the country to carve a niche for themselves on the political space, and prepare to take leadership role in preparedness for the forth coming 2015 election.

Speaking at the celebration of 2014 International Youth Day, organized by the Youths of All Nations Empowerment Association (YOANEA), a non-governmental organisation, held at the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Social Development Yaba in Lagos, Fasehun, said the time for that is now.

Fasheun, who spoke at the event tagged: “Preparing the Youths for leadership, sadi that "the youths should be allowed to participate in the political system and should not be sidelined.

“Opportunities should be made available to this young generation in order to prove their self worth and ideology. The old people should step down a little and let the youths have space as well. We could see the just concluded election in Osun; the election clearly showed democracy has taken its roots. And we hope it would same way, all over the country because it shows clearly

Fasheun

Joshua

the people spoke and therefore we must respect and listen to their decision,” he said.

Fasheun observed that a critical look at the Nigeria youths today, showed that these young minds were ready to take leadership role, but all they need was opportunity to prove their intellectual potentials.

Asking youths to draw motivation from the American experience, he said: “Nobody knew Barrack Obama could win election in the United States, and he did win likewise Angela Merkel in Germany and David

Cameron in Britain. But, here, we are fond of relegating our youths in this country to the background, despite their contributions and the impact the youths have made into the world progress” “You would see that Nigerians are undoing themselves in of the politics of the nation. Let us give the youths their own chance as well to prove the old ones wrong.

They believe we the oldies have not done CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

The opposition is also waiting for PDP to present a weak candidate for the 2015 governorship election so that they can take over the state. What is your take on that?

Well until they define for us what makes the candidate weak then we will know. I think we know more than as a party, and we cannot gamble with an opportunity for us to present a weak candidate. In any case, I’ve not seen any of those who have indicated interest in the governorship ticket that would be classified as a weak aspirant. So far, the few that we know are interested or have been going round consulting are not weak.

And I am assuring you that PDP will win elections in the state come 2015.

There has been a strong argument on which zone should produce the governor in Plateau State, and all the three zones are debating on it. Which zone do you think should be given the chance?

I won’t say there is zoning in the strict sense of the word, whether there is a documented thing to say there is zoning. No, it is a thing of the mind; a thing of conviction that pricks your moral conscience. So that is why for me as a person, I sincerely believe that of the three senatorial zones, not by way of right, not by way of law, but by way of morality the Northern zone has no business attempting to file a candidate for the governorship of the state. Mark me very well, I’m talking about political morality. Outside of even politics, morally speaking, some people talk about what you may call ‘Adashe’ in Hausa. That if you have three people taking turns to pick, that the person that picks last will now be the person to pick first. In the ‘Adashe’ itself, if all the three persons picked any of them is at the liberty to say at the next turn is not part of the ‘Adashe’. Whether the last person picked or not is not his problem. So what I’m, saying is that the issue of governance goes beyond ‘Adashe’. What I’m saying is that morally speaking, you will agree with me that in the 2007 and 2011 elections, nobody from the central zone indicated interest in the governorship position in the state.

Correct me if I’m wrong. Why was that so?

Does that mean Plateau Central didn’t have qualified people to become governor of the state? No is the answer, because we are not politically and morally bankrupt. We have a conscience; we have morals, so we expect the Northern zone not to field any candidate for 2015 for the purpose of morality and equity.

26

AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Politics

Even Aso Rock is not immune from Ebola scare

F

or two consecutive weeks now, members of the Federal Executive Council FEC, have devoted entire sessions of their weekly meetings to discussing strategies that will best enable the country to confront headlong, the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) which is fast ravaging West Africa. This of course, is to halt its further spread and save lives.

In fact, at both last week's council meeting which was presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo while President Goodluck Jonathan was away in Washington DC for the America- African leader's summit, and the one just held, the issue of Ebola has remained the only agenda.

What this invariably showed is the fact that government is worried over the turn of events on the outbreak of the disease.

From one case of the American-Liberian Patrick Sawyer who imported the disease to Lagos, 10 cases of the disease have been confirmed. In the seat of power, the Presidential Villa, particularly among workers, there is palpable fear over its spread as well.

But, in line with the advice of the Health Minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu and other health professionals that Nigerians should begin to avoid unnecessary handshakes and engage in regular washing of hands with soap as a deliberate measure to contract the virus and stem its spread, inside the Presidential Villa, it is a matter of total attitudinal change.

What started like a joke penultimate week has now turned a dangerous phenomenon. On Wednesday, council members including Ministers avoided

Anule Emmanuel emmyanule@yahoo.com

handshakes with even colleagues and reporters who are usually allowed entry into the chambers few minutes before the arrival of the President. This sudden habit is fast becoming a tradition among most visitors into the villa.

Interestingly too, sanitisers have flooded the serene vicinity of the presidential

villa. Aso Rock managers this time, at least have not failed in their responsibilities. Before the commencement of the FEC meeting last week, visitors and council members including ministers were mandated to get their hands sanitised before gaining entrance in the chambers, venue of the meeting.

This display of action is intended to send a message to Nigerians that these times are precautionary. For those who cannot afford sanitisers that are sold as low as N500 in the open market, automatic dispensing sanitiser machines were stationed at strategic entrants around the main corridor leading to the Oval Office for self service.

Succour may have come the way of the workers at least to provide a protective option, possible to relief them of fears in the presence of the bats and monkeys.

I am, however, among those who feel strongly that there is yet any reason to panic. What is important is adopting some basic recommended health habits during these periods of challenge which the country is facing.

...Here comes the safety tips

L

ast week, I brought to your attention the fact that monkeys and bats do exist inside the Villa and indeed are having fun all around. No doubt at the moment that medical experts have confirmed these creatures as carriers of the Ebola virus.

While some Nigerians and indeed Aso Rock staff have called on the need to fumigate the environment and send these birds and the Monkeys parking in the midst of the Ebola crisis, new tips to sensitise the workers were recently released by the Chief Medical Director of the State House Medical Center (SHMC) Dr. Fibeesima FDP to assuage their fears.

These include, avoiding physical contact with bats and monkeys whether

dead or alive. Other tips are: Do not pick up dead bats and monkeys. Immediately notify the public health unit of State House medical centre for proper disposal. Workers are also to avoid using hand contacts to clear droppings (animal excreta) on parked cars.

Gloves are now available at the SHMC on request and people are advised to sanitise hands or wash them with soap and water as often as possible. But these tips officials insist are purely precautionary in view of the large number of bats and monkeys in the Villa.

Though the disease is currently ravaging the whole world, with respite coming from the United States and China, it is indeed electrifying that

government is currently making efforts receive an experimental drug called Nano Silver. Though Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said the experimental drug came from a Nigerian scientist whose name he wouldn't disclose, one is happy that drug, which was on its way to Lagos, would aim to treat the eight Nigerians who have tested positive for Ebola.

The World Health Organisation opened the door for experimental Ebola drugs last week, after a panel of ethicists it convened condoned such treatments because of the challenges controlling an outbreak that has killed at least 1,069 people. A handful of medications and vaccines have been developed, but not tested on humans.

When lawmakers feigned ignorance of Ebola 'sanitiser'

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hen the House of Representatives Committee on Health convened a stakeholders meeting last week on the outbreak of Ebola virus in the country, there was palpable apprehension at the venue of the interactive session. The event, which was earlier scheduled to begin at 2pm did not commence until 3pm, as the lawmakers were waiting for the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu who was attending the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa.

But when the meeting eventually began at some minutes later, it was surprising that all officials on the entourage of the minister had sanitisers on them, whereas amongst the lawmakers, only the Chairman of the Health Committee, Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu was carrying a sanitiser.

The most shocking aspect of the scenario was the fact that none of the committee members seemed to have seen a sanitizer before. Little wonder, when Hon. Elumelu in the course of his opening remarks disclosed that he was just coming from a meeting in Port Harcourt where every participant was carrying a sanitizer immediately after shaking hands. Hence he took his own, paving the way for all the committee members to rush at him to see how the sanitiser looked like.

“Bring it, let me see”, they had all chorused.

In fact, after perusing a bottle of the sanitizer brought by Elumelu, one of the

From the

GreenChamber

Philip Nyam lawmakers protested: “Mr. Chairman, point of order! I want to protest. Why is it only the chairman and the minister and his team that have sanitisers?” As hilarious as the joke was, it was indeed an embarrassing and disappointing revelation that lawmakers in the national parliament were seemingly ignorant of what a ‘sanitiser’ was weeks after the virus got to the country.

This instance left one wondering at the poor level of awareness on the spread of the deadly virus in the country if members of the House of Representatives, who are ranked higher in the perking political order of the nation were still not aware that they needed sanitisers as part of the preventive measures against Ebola many days after Patrick Sawyer had died in Lagos. In fact, before Hon. Elumelu sauntered into the meeting room, the lawmakers who had arrived earlier and were waiting had exchanged normal pleasantries, shaking and hugging one another.

It was until when the chairman arrived that he greeted the minister and his team

ternyam@gmail.com by bending his arm as a means of greeting instead of shaking that others became conscious of the reality of the existence of the killer disease.

As lawmakers, members of the House of Representatives travel a lot for one meeting or the other. This calls for intensive and sustained awareness and enlightenment campaign on the menace of the disease. The National Assembly as an institution needs a testing centre with concrete preventive measures put in place to forestall the spread of the virus. This is an environment visited by hundreds of people daily especially when the legislators are in session. Although, the National Assembly is on annual recess, the lawmakers will reconvene in September, which is barely a month away and the government should not wait until then to take proactive measures. Due to the absence of adequate enlightenment and information on how the virus is contacted, its symptoms and how it can be prevented, different pseudo-medical practices are being fed out to the ignorant public.

A week before, the news of using salt to bathe went viral and people especially from the villages were making desperate calls to their kith and kin in the towns and cities to adhere strictly to the absurd formula in order to contain the spread of the Ebola virus. The issue of bitter kola also manifested and it is still shrouded in controversy in spite of the fact that orthodox doctors have come out to rubbish the claim.

Perhaps, the House of Representatives envisaged that the virus would spread to Nigeria. A day before it proceeded on the annual recess, the House passed a resolution urging the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health, to take proactive measures to ensure that the deadly Ebola virus disease did not spread to Nigeria from Liberia and other West African countries.

The House equally mandated its Committees on Health and disaster preparedness to immediately monitor the Ministry of Health on the steps taken to prevent the virus from entering Nigeria. The House resolution on the matter was sequel to a motion moved by Hon. Kingsley Chinda (APC, Rivers) entitled: “Urgent need to check the spread of the deadly Ebola virus disease in Nigeria.”

The legislators should avoid any meeting in any of the Ebola infested areas henceforth until further notice. Most importantly, they should sponsor massive enlightenment campaign in their various constituencies.

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Politics

Osun poll: Has INEC overcome electoral challenges?

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he August 9 governorship election in Osun State has come and gone. It has proved beyond doubt that the Independent National Electoral Commission's performance in Ekiti State on June 21 was not a fluke. It has also confirmed the readiness of the commission for next year's general elections.

The election, which saw the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola scoring 394,684 votes to defeat his closest rival, Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who got 292,747 votes, was adjudged by both local and international observers to be free from electoral anomalies witnessed in previous polls. The election was said to be better than that of June 21 in Ekiti.

Just like the Ekiti election, the victor was immediately congratulated by the National Secretariat of PDP, the leading opposition party in the state, an indication that the conduct was acceptable and transparent, though the candidate and state chapter of the party said they were still studying the situation.

Despite pre-election tension generated by claims and counter-claims from the camps of the two leading candidates, Governor Aregbesola and Senator Omisore, peace and order pervaded throughout the period of the election. This could be attributed to the presence of security personnel in the state.

INECDiary Onyekachi Eze

Babatope Babalobi, coordinator of the Movement for Revolutionary Change, agreed that the neutrality and efficiency of the INEC, coupled with the watertight security by personnel deployed to Osun State, made "rigging difficult, unattractive, and risky."

This is contrary to the fears expressed in some quarters that the presence of security operatives would scare the electorate from election venues and intimidate them from voting to candidates of their choice. But the main reason was the preparedness of INEC for the poll. Electoral materials did not only arrive on time but they were adequate and met the needs of the day. There were no shortages that may suggest a conspiracy to rig the election or manipulate its outcome.

Election materials arrived polling units across the state in good time while 96 per cent of the polling units started accreditation as early as 8 am on the Election Day. Also there was no reported case

ezekatchy@yahoo.co.uk

of missing names in voters' register or disfranchisement as expressed before the poll.

The voter education and enlightenment campaigns embarked upon by the commission were yet to make any significant change in the electoral process. The number of rejected votes was still high. Out of a total of 750,021 votes cast during the election 32,700 votes were rejected. This does not show any significant change from the previous elections.

Voter turnout was however, marginal, representing only 54.17 per cent of number of registered voters. Out of total number of 1,411,373 in voters' register, and 764,582 accredited to vote in the election, only 759, 021 eventually returned to exercise their franchise. This is disappointing, and a wakeup call for INEC and other election stakeholders that a lot still needs to be done to educate eligible voters on the need to exercise their right to vote.

INEC should however, be commended for the measures it adopted for the hitchfree election. The ballot papers used were colour coded, which made them different from those used in Ekiti State, which were customised according to local government areas.

Perhaps, this was done with the understanding that Nigerian politicians are ingenious when it comes to election manipulations. They must have studied the security features on ballot papers used in the Ekiti election with the aim of manipulating them to rig the Osun poll.

The new measures adopted by the INEC were to further strengthen the security of the electoral materials to guard against rigging.

The successes recorded by INEC in the two governorship elections are gradually restoring the hope of Nigerians on the electoral process. The transparency, free and fair conduct of the polls were indications that prolonged litigations which normally follow release of election results could be a thing of the past in the country. It is also a proof that Nigeria politicians can concede victory is the conduct of an election is transparent.

With all eyes now set for the October 11 Adamawa State governorship election, it is hoped that the commission would continue to improve and perfect its preparations towards 2015 general election, which will mark a watershed in the political history of the country.

Lagos 2015: Pitan raises gear with medical vision Abike Olubade

A

s the race for respective political parties’ gubernatorial tickets for the 2015 election gathers momentum, indications in the last few weeks have confirmed that the acclaimed Center of Excellence, Lagos, will host one of the fiercest battles.

Not limited to even the top parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), the pace of political jostling and networking has equally been on the rise in the lesser known parties.

In the past few weeks, no less than 12 high profile aspirants have raised their heads within the PDP and APC, signposting a looming heavyweight battle ahead, even from within, as most of the parties are primed to hold their state congresses to elect their flag bearers within the next six weeks.

The idea is to strategically continue to rally loyal party members, set up state-wide campaign structures, mobilise and hold wide consultations with stakeholders ahead of the party congresses.

A lot of the aspirants have actually flooded the streets with their posters and stickers; advertising their profile and political antecedents; programs and manifestoes; as well as their educational cum professional pedigrees.

Top on the list of aspirants from the APC are: current Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, incumbent Commissioner of Works, Mr. Olatunji Hamzat; former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Leke Pitan; Mr. Hakeem Alobo-Bakare, Dr. Muiz Banire, Hon. Gbolahan Lawal and Mr. Akin Ambode.

From the main opposition PDP, notable aspirant who have indicated interests in the race include the party’s flagbearer at the last election in 2011, Dr. Ade Dosunmu; incumbent Minister of State, Defence, Hon. Musil-

L-R: Dr. Lakan Pitan fixing eye glasses on one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Toyin Fatukasi, at the Alimosho Local Government secretariat.

iu Obanikoro; Chief Deji Doherty; Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Mr. Tokunbo Kamson, Mr. Tunde Gbadamosi and Mr. Dominic Adegbola.

Of the lot however, APC’s Dr. Leke Pitan seems to have hit the bull’s eye with the growing impact of his Medical Mission initiative holding across the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the State. Organised and wholly privately-funded by his group of friends under the acronym “Leke Pitan and Friends”, he seems to have found a strategic and impactful medium of at least reaching the hearts and ears of the teeming Lagos populace.

Leveraging on his long years of active involvement and participation in the healthcare delivery sector, the Leke Pitan and Friends Medical Mission also enjoys immense support and involvement of his professional colleagues under the aegis of

the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) and Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Lagos States; all of whose members have participated pro-bono in the exercise.

The free medical outreach primarily aims at providing free medical services to all 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state. In a chat with the Media Consultant to Dr. Leke Pitan Campaign Organisation, Mr. Oyetunji Oguntuase, he said “the free medical outreach initiative is a demonstration of Pitan’s professional passion and love for the masses, his long-standing commitment to providing people-oriented policies with focus on grassroots development and empowerment for the people of Lagos State.”

The project got underway last August

4, with a massive turn-out of residents of Alimosho Local Government. In a show of gratitude, residents of Egbeda, Idimu, Ikotun, Ipaja and Ayobo massively trooped out to benefit from the free medical services.

There was also free consultation and screening on cancer, hypertension, diabetes and HIV/AIDS. Held at the school premises of Idimu Community Primary School, Idimu and African Church Primary School, Mosan, Ipaja, the exercise had several qualified, experienced and specialist doctors attending to residents and dispensing drug free of charge.

Personally led by Pitan, the team also conducted on-the-spot eye-screening exercise and gave out free eye glasses to patients from Alimosho, the train moved to Apapa LGA; Ajeromi-Ifelodun; Lagos Island and Agbowa.

All over the venues, residents were united in showering encomium on Pitan and his team of medical experts for the quality consultation, counseling and drugs given without any payment.

A beneficiary and resident of Idimu, Mrs. Jumoke Badru commended the ex-Lagos Health Commissioner, saying: “this is a laudable policy by Pitan. I am sure a lot of our people would take advantage of this opportunity to benefit from it as I have also benefited”.

Dr. Wale Oyebanji, one of the Medical Mission coordinators, described the whole exercise as very enjoyable. “In all my years of practice, I have never been exposed to this size of patients on a daily basis. Their sheer helplessness and innocence touch my heart.

As a people, we all really need to do more to help the less-privileged in the society. It’s a most fulfilling experience and I’m sure most of these beneficiaries will never forget Pitan”, he said. He said the Medical Mission will cover all the remaining LGAs before it winds up by September 12.

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AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Politics / Hardball

Daniel: Jonathan, not Kashamu, Corruption has been described as the nation’s albatross. What do you think can be done to stem it?

I think corruption is something that is endemic but it can be minimised as a consequence of conscious effort on the part of the people and competence in government. I think the problem in Nigeria is that nobody is thinking of how to create wealth. All we are concerned about as a nation is how to share the oil money. I was watching a documentary about the United States and what the country intends to do with oil, and you will be shocked to hear that they are now seriously working on hydrogen-powered automobiles. It was told that in the next three or four years, many auto giants will be developing cars that will no longer use petrol. When this begins to happen, obviously a country that depends on oil will begin to go down. That is when the demand for oil has gone down market and that means the price will also fall. Quite a number of people in Nigeria feel that oil will still be there in their lifetime. I think, as a nation, we need to be careful. Probably, this oil in our lifetime can soon become water and we are not preparing for that. Our concern is about sharing the petrol-dollars and not being futuristic about it. It takes a forward-looking leadership to start planning for what a state should look like in the next 15 to 20 years. Most successful economies of the world are not organised over a period of one or two years.

Why do some governors initiate projects and their successors fail to continue with them?

I think what politicians fail to understand is that governance is a continuum. Practitioners change, the faces change. When a governor signs a paper, it is not Otunba Gbenga Daniel that has signed that paper, but the seal of the government of Ogun State. The only thing any good person should do is to respect that. In all the locations where it has not been respected, it’s been a disaster. When a former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, wanted to do the monorail, it was going to cost $300 million at that time. There was a change of government and the next person, without looking at the pros and cons of the project, said it must be stopped.

The sad thing in terms of that contract was that there was a penalty that was paid by government for stopping the project that was desired 40 years earlier. The project is no longer feasible.

All the buildings that were in the bush at that time have been developed. This is no longer feasible because there was a change in government and there was no respect for the commitments of a particular government.

Most projects that can carry a nation forward cannot happen in eight years. I was shocked when I heard that Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport was already designed 30 years ago.

This means that they had already estimated the number of people that will be coming into the airport. They built Terminal 1, 2, 3, 4 before considering Terminal 5. I am sure they would have designed Terminal 6 and 7 by now. For somebody to say he starts a project and probably finishes it rarely works.

How can the problem of power generation be tackled?

Before the take-off of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, I was the chairman of the policy committee that looked at what happened in water, transportation and roads in 1999. At that time, it was even not possible for any individual or organisation to get involved in power. In fact, the law that democratised participation in power was signed at the twilight of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar’s administration, and because it was something new, it had to be studied carefully. This is because the issue of power is not a thing that anybody can dabble into. Power is about generation, transmission and distribution. All some of us do here at

Former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, speaks on sundry national and political issues, especially on the future of politics of the South-West in this interview with KUNLE OLAYENI

Daniel

the state level is distribution. You have to distribute what is available. The power has to be available before it gets to distribution. So, what we do mainly about distribution is to provide transformers and energise them. Power has to be available before it gets to distribution. And of course there is transmission. So, when you generate, you transmit and then you distribute.

It is a highly technical and complex situation.

I think in Bayelsa State or Rivers State, the government provided power, but gave the power free-of-charge because the economy was not developed. What is the demand for power in Yenagoa or the whole of Bayelsa? The entire power in the whole of Bayelsa State is not up to what we need in Abeokuta alone. This is not what somebody can say that I have enough revenue to provide power. The biggest industrial set up in Nigeria today is in Ogun State. Apart from Lagos that has Ilupeju, Apapa and Ikeja industrial estates, Ogun is the largest industrial location in the country. The Ota Industrial Estate is bigger than all the ones in Lagos State together, not to talk of many others that are springing up.

The power we are talking about in Ogun State is massive. And if a government thinks that is the only thing it wants to do, I don’t think it will be able to do half of it. The other thing is that when you have the power, you don’t have the power to sell it more than the Federal Government.

You cannot say because it cost you so much to generate power, you now want to give it out at a price above the Federal Government.

When you want to embark on a project, you should first find out if it is a Federal Government project or state project. If it is a Federal Government project, you will be making a mistake of short-changing the state if you do not get the Federal Government’s approval in principle before you touch the project. For instance, when I decided to do the dualisation of the road from Sagamu to Abeokuta, I discovered that that road was a Federal Government road. So, the first thing I did was to ask the Federal Government for its programme since the road had gone bad.

We asked the Federal Government if it was in its purview and whether it would be done in two years, then I had to use my network to fast-

track it.

If it is not within their purview and you want to embark on it, then one can ask the Federal Government whether it will pay if the project is handled by the state. We told the Federal Government that the bad road was eating part of our economy and we were losing lives every day. The number of deaths we were seeing there was unacceptable. So, for us, it was a priority.

We gave them the facts and made them to agree in principle that they would pay. So we did the road under the agreed price that the Federal Government said it would pay and they paid.

Look at some of the people who claim to be doing road extension. These are Federal Government roads. If you do not have any direct commitment from the Federal Government but if you have oil, like Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Delta, yes you can embark on such a project. If the government had continued with our power programme, the issue of power had been resolved in Ogun State during our tenure.

First, we didn’t go to hit power because power was something that was within the purview

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY AUGUST 17, 2014

Politics / Hardball

will determine PDP/LP alliance of the Federal Government. When Chief Bola Ige became the Minister for Power, some of us thought that he might not know what to do because he was a lawyer, and because of my closeness to him, I was in China with him. There we talked to some companies and they said they could bring power stations here. But that didn’t happen, as God would have it, until I became a governor. We started revisiting the power issue and they said they were prepared to come but the state had not shown any enthusiasm. So I asked them what they needed and they said they needed land. We gave them land and that was how the Olorunsogo Power Station was built, the first power station that was built in the South-West after nearly 30 years. It is a long process and the power station is owned by the Federal Government. Ogun State Government provided the land. Under the power policy, if there is power in a location, 20 per cent of the output is automatically given to that location and the rest to the national grid. So if I set up a power station like Olorunsogo that has 300 mega watts, 20 per cent is about 60 mega watts. So if they do not pay me for that ab initio, I would have 20 times of what they would pay.

When power was becoming slow we went to water. Because of the hilly nature of Abeokuta you still need pumps to power the water from sub-station to sub-station. If there is no power to pump water, the water will just remain at a hill top. And people will say there is no water without knowing that it was because there was no power to pump it. And what we then decided to do as a government policy was to hit power and that is how you heard about the power project that we did in Ogun State.

The 23 mini-power stations will give us 45 mega watts. And with the 45 mega watts, we will be able to power all the water works from sub-station to sub-station, and give water to companies, hospitals and individuals. We were successful in this area. Remember the crisis we had and there was no money. But I insisted that out of these power stations, we must commission one. And we commissioned the one which I am aware the current government has been using. Three and half years later, it has not broken down. That is just one out of 24 minipower plants. I cannot say for any reason why the current administration in the state had failed to work on the remaining mini-power plants and that is why the state is in darkness. It is not OGD power, it is the power of the government of Ogun State. The problem we have is lack of continuity in government policy and this is actually a criminal offence.

The proposed alliance between PDP and LP in the 2015 elections, to which you lent your support, has been rejected by Buruji Kashamu.

What is your reaction to this?

If you remember well, the current government in Ogun State formed by the defunct ACN was not in the real sense of the word the most popular political structure in Ogun State as at that time. The strong structure was the PDP structure which started fighting itself and that structure divided itself into two. Some contested under PDP, others under PPN and so the minority party won. It is common knowledge that if you added the votes of the PDP and the PPN together, it could have defeated ACN votes. So, now that the situation has come like this, a political leader must listen to his followers.

The people of Ogun State are now asking for a change again; the same change they asked for in 2010/2011 when PDP was fighting itself. They are asking for the same change now. And our people keep telling us, ‘OGD this job will be a lot easier if you can combine with PDP’. And what I simply said was that if this is what the people want, fine. Because it does appear that the people have become quite exasperated with the government of the day and they want a change

Our cooperation is not with the PDP alone. We are listening to the cries and yearnings of the people of Ogun State for a change. Our people want us to support whoever is ready for us. So if Labour Party can do it alone, we are going ahead.

Daniel

and they are telling us all sort of things. We hear all sort of things, beer parlour talk, telephone messages, text messages, whatsapp messages, OGD go and unite all these warring factions which are now in PDP and Labour so that we can effect a change. That’s what I said.

And if anybody said something totally different from that, I will put it to inexperience. The person who spoke had never had any election before. Yes, it is not all about monetary resources. If you know how sophisticated the people of Ogun State are, if you know how educated they are, you’ll know the kind of statement you’ll make. So, I don’t respond to such a statement because it was made out of exuberance.

You can’t be too sure that you can win election. You will win election with one vote and lose with one vote and you don’t know where that one vote is coming from. So, I think it’s unnecessary over-confidence if anybody can say he doesn’t need others. Even, the people who are sitting at the centre in Nigeria will not say they don’t need anybody. If anybody says they want to work with you, they are most welcome; that is what an experienced politician will say.

So, the person who spoke, I would put it to lack of experience in this matter. And don’t forget, he joined the party in 2009 and the PDP he’s talking about, I don’t know what his locus is; he says he’s the chairman of South West Mobilisation. Fair enough, I don’t know whether that is a constitutional position. But the fact of the case is that who are the PDP people there?

They are all members of the OGD family. If he looks around, he will find out that 95 per cent of the people surrounding him are members of the OGD political family. I am Mr. PDP, I am Mr. Labour. I am the person, it is God that made it so. And so, if they now say that it is time for us to work together, he is not in a position to determine that. And the people of Ogun State have a choice. Now that things are no longer settled within the camp of the ruling party, there are other strategic partnerships that can rescue the people of Ogun State, if it’s necessary. As far as I’m concerned today, the strongest political structure in Ogun State is the Labour Party. But nobody can talk until election day. So, if his own boss is still looking for allies, how can somebody who is not even sure where he stands be

saying otherwise? No, that is not how politics is played.

Jonathan is still looking for supporters. Six months to election, I can’t see any contest.

Have you seen any contest? Who is contesting against Jonathan in February? We are still in the struggle. Six months to go, we can’t see the opposition candidate. But instead of Jonathan to say that I don’t need anybody, you see him running around, looking for additional friends and partnerships. So, that statement by that man is clearly borne out of inexperience and I’m sure that if some people sit with him and explain it to him, he probably would change that statement and support it. Our cooperation is not with the PDP alone. We are listening to the cries and yearnings of the people of Ogun State for a change. Our people want us to support whoever is ready for us. So if Labour Party can do it alone, we are going ahead.

Are you still a member of Afenifere?

I am a member of Afenifere, I have not changed and that will not change. In the 2003 elections, we described ourselves as members of Afenifere in the PDP and that concept has not changed. The leaders are old fathers and they believe that the meaning of Afenifere is the Yoruba translation of the Action Group and they now said it is the Yoruba translation of UPN. Some of us disagreed and we felt that whereas in the days of Action Group, it is possible to appropriate Afenifere with Action Group. But today, when the Afenifere people have found themselves in various parties, Afenifere should stop saying that it is equal to a political party. We felt the leaders of Afenifere should rise above partisan political considerations and look at what the interest of the Yoruba people is. They should look at any political party, as it were, that can sustain that interest and should support that party at that point in time. I was one of the people who advanced that argument. The old men did not agree at that time but events that had since happened, showed that the old men had since modified their position. But while it lasted, while we were in PDP, we said we are Afenifere in PDP. I flew the flag of PDP for eight years and in all of those eight years, I was implementing Afenifere programmes. Go and check your records and you will find out that the free education policy is cheaper than what the current government is calling free education. So, if we want to look at the type of programmes a social democrat will do which are the ideologies that Chief Awolowo stood for, it’s more socially democratic than what the current administration is running.

Don’t bother over this change of colour that actually looks inconsistent. It is actually consistent with our policy. So if you now see a Labour Party colour, what else do you want from a country that is bereft of provision? If we don’t do a Labour Party, we are heading for a revolution because the next thing in this country is to hand over party to the masses through a party like Labour. But today, while Olusegun Mimiko was running for a second term in Ondo, the Afenifere leaders were there to campaign for him. So, you can see that Afenifere is

not just mere a political party. Don't be surprised that you might be seeing Afenifere supporting Iyiola Omisore. So those lines of divide which our fathers used to confuse people are no longer there. I think we have moved from being totally partisan to being an ideological organisation that will support any party at any point in time that has the ability to carry through their programmes.

Stomach infrastructure is a new phenomenon in Nigerian politics. What is your own view?

Yes! But in our ‘stomach infrastructure’, we were teaching the people how to fish and not giving them fish. We have to keep Ogun State money inside Ogun State; that is our stomach infrastructure. It is not what is going on now. There was a time when we wanted to put street lights in Abeokuta, they said we were mad, we could not do it. I called Engineer Lawrence and asked him to get the street lights for the road. People said thieves would go there and remove the bulbs overnight. I told him to go and get the bulb, then we will make the poles long. That bulb cost N7,000 so the thief that will want to go and steal will first think of his life. So, all the bulbs to serve from Goma Yard to Abeokuta were brought in.

We invited the welders’ association and said we needed 1,000 of this. They said they would not finish it, if they were working for two years. We told them to come and take the measurement. We sat down and did the calculation, it was N7,000 per pole. All the welders were kept busy. I was laughing when they said they spent N1 million per pole.

How did your administration challenge the issue of youth unemployment?

We started picking all the area boys. We taught the boys how to paint and asked them to start painting. Of course, the area boys were good at painting. When there was nowhere to paint, we asked them to start painting fences, churches, mosques, just to keep these boys busy so there won’t be crime. It is possible on a national scale.

Between ‘stomach infrastructure’ and ‘elitist infrastructure,’ which one do you think is more prevalent?

What is going on today is ‘elitist infrastructure’. A N9 billion bridge in Sagamu where there is no traffic! If one’s car drives over the bridge in five minutes, no car will pass that way in another 20 minutes. Even the roundabout where they built the bridge is not busy. That is ‘elitist pocket infrastructure’.

Yes, some bridges are necessary but bridges should not be the measure for development.

You do a bridge where it is necessary. You do bridges with borrowed funds and at cutthroat interest rates which my children and your children will pay? That is ‘elitist infrastructure’ and not ‘stomach infrastructure’.

What do you think is the ideal number of parties Nigeria?

I think the ideal thing for an environment like this is a two-party system, based on clear ideological underpinnings. If for various reasons the country is looking like a one-party state, I think that is clearly to be blamed on the opposition. When Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the leader of opposition, he was a principled leader. For him, he knew what he was talking about, the parameters were clear. But when there is no strong opposition, what you are seeing in Nigeria today is what will likely happen. And talking about opposition, have you investigated what happened in the 2011 election? How did ACN win Lagos State convincingly at the level of gubernatorial and other elections and lose the presidential election convincingly in Lagos? Shine your eyes.

30

AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Politics / National

‘Boko Haram: Jonathan should withdraw $1bn from Excess Crude Account’

A

damawa State is under emergency rule, yet there is no peace in sight as insurgents keep attacking innocent citizens every other day. What is responsible for this?

Adamawa people are very peaceful and we do not believe in what Boko Haram is doing.

Like you said, the losses so far are enormous, both in terms of human and material losses. I think the end of this insurgency is at hand. I will rather advise the insurgents to ceasefire because they are not doing anyone any good.

It is time for them to stop this carnage. The people doing this do not like Nigeria and we must all say no to them. I call on whoever is involved to stop this forthwith. We all have to condemn this carnage. It is unwarranted; it is unjustifiable, it is reckless and inhuman.

Let this end now. We have suffered too much.

We cannot continue this way.

Two days ago, several villages in your constituency were invaded and scores of people were killed with many others displaced. Why did this occur?

Actually, it didn’t just start two days ago.

This thing started over two months ago and it has become a recurrent issue. And as we speak, these villages and towns are under siege. The residents have deserted their homes and are seeking shelter in other areas.

In fact, what happened on Sunday was that these insurgents entered Garkida and were shooting sporadically. They have entered Mubeng, Zar and Lube; all these places are close to Sambisa forest. As at Tuesday, over 2000 people were displaced in Gombi alone.

We have tried to send relief materials to them and we have done same in Hong too, but the demand is overwhelming. These people are in serious need and we cannot do it alone. My plea to the Federal Government is to assist the displaced people living in Hong and Gombi.

The Federal Government should direct National Emergency Management Agency to immediately mobilise and assist the victims of these heartless attacks.

Some political leaders have blamed the military for not doing enough, hence this continuous invasion of towns and villages.

What is your take on this?

Such leaders are being very unfair to the military and this is not good for the system.

The officers and men on ground, I can tell you are doing their utmost best. I have being in contact with the commander of the team in my area and I am aware of every efforts the military has put in place to contain the attacks from Boko Haram. We must not lose sight of the fact that Boko Haram is new to our military and these insurgents are not fighting

Hon. Francis Haske Hannaniya represents Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency of Adamawa State in the House of Representatives. It is one of the areas that have suffered colossal losses due to attacks by the dreaded Boko Haram militants in recent times. In this interview with PHILIP NYAM, the lawmaker bares his mind on the urgent need to end the insurgency, the justification of President Goodluck Jonathan’s $1 billion request to the National Assembly and other issues

Hon. Hannaniya

a conventional war. They are just out to kill and destroy and they are ready to die too. So, it is actually a difficult situation. All I will say is for our people to remain calm in spite of these evil attacks and invasions. The military is trying its best, but I also want to call on the police to complement the effort of the soldiers by helping the displaced people to settle down. The police should help in the rescue.

They should help the displaced people who are now distressed. The victims need shelter and comfort.

Before the National Assembly proceeded on annual recess, President Goodluck Jonathan sent a request seeking approval to borrow $1 billion to tackle insurgency. As a lawmaker, would you say this request is justifiable?

My brother, this request is justified because it is without doubt that the military needs adequate funds to procure equipment and arms to fight these insurgents. The reports we read and stories we heard are that Boko Haram is operating with very sophisticated weapons.

In fact, you can see from the effrontery with

which they attack settlements; it shows that this group is well armed and is prepared to fight for whatever reason I do not know. But for our military to face this enemy squarely, it must be well equipped. So, this request as far as I am concerned, is in order. I personally call on Mr. President to take money from the excess crude account or the nation’s reserves to execute this war. If the money is there and we are talking of human lives being lost every day, then we have to bring the money out and utilize it.

So, let the president take this money and procure equipment for the army. Let him (president) not wait for the National Assembly because right now, we are on recess and unless there is an emergency session, it will take the country one more month to have this money. We are resuming in sometime in September. But people are dying, properties are being destroyed. I believe the president should not waste time; the money is Nigerian money and is for Nigerian people and should be used to save Nigerians who are in trouble. If you don’t go to the affected areas you will not appreciate the magnitude of destruction and damage caused by Boko Haram. Those of us from these areas know what it means. It will take us a long time to recover from the aftermath of Boko Haram attacks. It is a war situation.

What do you have to say about the new trend whereby Boko Haram is using teenage girls for suicide bombing?

This is a dangerous trend because it will be difficult for the soldiers to shoot down small girls. But the insurgents are now using these girls with hijab. I don’t think even in Pakistan

and Afghanistan there is such a thing. In fact, there are men wearing hijab pretending to be girls and carrying bombs. It is a terrible situation. But it is a reality in our Nigeria of today. I can’t imagine ones little daughter being converted to a suicide bomber. It is very painful. This is simply unimaginable.

In your opinion, what do you think is the solution to this crisis?

Nigerians should come together and fight this thing (Boko Haram). This is the time Nigeria needs to be united more than ever. It is said “united we stand, divided we fall” and it is very true of our present situation in Nigeria. We have to speak with one voice and everybody must stand for the truth. We must do away with divisions of whatever kind and face this insurgency head on. The army cannot do it alone. Nigeria also has many retired military men; they should be called to assist.

Nigerians should support Mr. President to fight this insurgency. The president has to be supported.

It is believed that the political class is responsible for the insurgency. In fact, some politicians are fingered for sponsoring Boko Haram. How true is this allegation?

Well, when they accuse the political class; I say the political class is made up of Nigerians too. If there is no democracy, none of us will be here. If there is no democracy, all politicians will not be in positions of leadership, which is the goal of every politician to control power.

So, if one is doing it because it is Jonathan today, it may be his turn tomorrow. I don’t believe that anybody in the political class would like to encourage insurgency. But if there is anybody within the political class or any Nigerian at all involved in this, I am appealing to such individual to have a rethink. Let them stop these killings; it is evil and unnecessary.

The resources that are being used today to fight insurgency could have been utilised for development purpose and it will be unfair for any politician or leader to involve in this.

The insurgency is a threat to democracy and we don’t want to truncate this democracy. We will craw with it, grow with it and sustain it.

Fasheun wants youths to position selves for 2015 elections C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

it very well. As a matter of fact, we have virtually destroyed their generation. Let us stop destroying the generations of the youths; let them also come up and be challenged maybe they will do it better than us.

I believe in them that is why I am raising a voice for them,” he said.

According to him, genuine democratic system should encourage youths to take up leadership roles; the Minister of Youths must be youths; Commissioners for Youths must be youths. I see no reason why old people should assume these offices the youths should be given a chance to occupy.

He said the youths must be emancipated to fight against indiscipline, impunity and corruption in the country.

Also speaking at the event, the representative of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. Ijioma Igbokwe stressed that, “the youths should be given opportunity to participate in the system and be educated on the roles they need to play in the forth coming 2015 electoral process, by being an agent of change.”

She called on the youths not to put themselves under subjection of being use as political thugs, agent of disruption and criminal activities, rather come out to show

the public they have unlimited ability, tremendous energy and potentials to be a positive change to the nation."

Igbokwe also called on candidates for elections to stop using the youths for destructive purposes, but that they should assist the youths to make choices among various opportunities that will favour and represent the nation credibly in the comity of nations.

Speaking on the issue of preparing the youths for leadership, the National Youth Leader of YOANEA, Comrade Jeff E. Joshua said the youths must be prepared to vote out corruption in Nigeria come 2015.

In order to achieve this, he said, the youths must come out to register and obtain INEC voter’s card when registration begins, since this will serve as the tool to get such corrupt leaders out of the way, and to elect the next generation of leaders for the country. “ It is time for us to break the silence and speak with one voice in other to assume leadership role. We want to recover our lost rights and the glory. The youths must be given opportunities to contribute their potentials to the development of Nigeria and not be shunned at every blink,” he said.

NEWS

MARKETS&MALLS ‘Abia Govt didn’t victimise Umuahia Main Market traders’ p.39

Dredgers dare Lagos Govt over fees p.34

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/politics

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

AUGUST 17, 2014

31

Business AZUBIKE NNADOZIE, ASSISTANT Editor, SUNDAY

azubike.nnadozie@newtelegraphonline.com

ON SUNDAY

How entrepreneurs can source alternative loans B

Chijioke Iremeka

usiness financing is a big issue for every business owner, especially for new business owners. At the starting phase, most of the finance sources do not trust new business owners, because they are always in doubt whether the business would be able to repay.

But the alternative financing sources help business owners make some progress, says Williams James.

Williams, an economist, said that because great business plans rarely make banks to give loans to nascent entrepreneurs, they have no alternative than to look for alternative sources to loans.

He listed alternative loan sources to include peer-to-peer

lending, credit union, vendor financing, borrowing against assets and grant among other, saying they are the surest ways for young entrepreneurs to raise their initial seed capital and develop their business.

In Nigeria, there are other alternative sources of loan, which include trade union contributions, susu, family lending, personal savings, social associations and clubs.

According to the Director of private money lender, Rehobothfix Integrated Services Ltd, Mr. Osemekhlian Ebhohimen, private money lending has been the major source of SMEs financing in the country. He says that Rehobothfix Integrated Services Ltd helps to match the lenders with the borrowers.

He said, “For now, we are using an e-business format. The request for loan is made through our online portal, www.myescrowpay. com. When we receive requests from the borrowers via the website, we assess the request, if confirmed viable, then we look for the lenders who are ready to part with such money for at least three months.”

According to him, they do not accept deposit from the public or the lenders.

“We are not a commercial bank.

All that we do is matching the lenders with the borrowers. The borrowers will then come with moveable collateral that is worth the money they are borrowing.”

He noted that the collateral would be valued slightly below the amount in question to enable

them dispose of it easily, saying that the idle funds are being taken from lenders to pay pack to them with four per cent interest, while they offer the loan to the borrowers at 10 per cent interest rate, payable within two months.

He added that the amount of loan given out depends on the worth of collateral provided by the borrower, which could worth N100, 000 or N1, 000, 000 as the case may be but they are all short term loans. He said the availability of funds depends on the volume of loan given out.

The Managing Director, Fina Trust Microfinance Bank, Deji Popoola, said loan could be secure by trading with one’s equity or salary or business, saying that once a borrower has a steady salary, it could serve as a collateral

to secure a good loan in a microfinance bank and other private finance institutions.

An ex-banker, Philip Igwe, said, peer-to-peer lending is a veritable means of raising loans, when banks are undesirable. He said that while there are a number of web sites dedicated to matching applicants with peer lenders, a borrower can also turn to members of his or her own community.

He stated that speaking to established business owners and finding out if they would have interest in financing one’s business or recommend other potential peer sources to pursue would be helpful to a businessman, who has a burden of developing a business.

“Credit unions have long been good alternatives to larger banks for acquiring small business loans. Because members essenCONTINUED ON PAG34

Inside

Hospitality industry boosts Nigeria’s GDP –Ele pg 36

L-R: Registrar/CEO, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Mr. Rotimi Omotoso; Vice Chairman, Otunba Femi Deru; President, Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu and Council Member, Mr. Rasak Jaiyeola, during a Media Luncheon in Lagos... on Friday

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Auto policy: Elizade imports used Toyota cars Paul Ogbuokiri

C

ontrary to the desire of the Federal Government to ensure that Nigeria becomes the hub of automobile manufacturing in the country, Toyota dealer in Nigeria, Elizade Nigeria Limited, has stepped up its import of used Toyota vehi-

cles.

The company announced its plan to commence the importation of used Toyota during its 41 years celebration. It said that within that period, it pioneered dealership in new cars in Nigeria.

Managing Director of the firm, Mr. Demola Ade-Ojo made the

announcement during a Press conference in Lagos a couple of years ago.

He said the decision to go into used Toyota vehicles was aimed at further expanding the customers of the brand, by extending the brand to those who could not afford new vehicles.

He said that the company was

known for quality, adding that it would maintain that standard even with used vehicles.

“When people buy any Toyota vehicle from us, even when we eventually add tokunbo (used cars), they are sure of getting quality product,” Ade-Ojo said.

Nigeria imports some 500,000 units of used cars annually and 60,000 units of news cars, but with the Federal Government’s CONTINUED ON PAG34

Patents contradict spirit of competition, fairness in trading – Ngige pg 37

SundayTransport

32

PAUL OGBUOKIRI, paulogbuokiri@gmail.com 0802-779-0557, 08037613380

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNRDAY

AUGUST 17, 2014

New Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Evolution at its peak Paul Ogbuokiri

T

he authorised General Distributor of Mercedes Benz in Nigeria, Weststar Associates Limited, and its dealerships have delivered a new addition of the classy and luxurious range of Mercedes Benz vehicles to Nigeria - the new 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The Mercedes Benz C-Class is the highest volume selling model in the world, and this new fifth-generation model is far more than just another posh compact saloon. It is set to be the most efficient, refined and dynamic model in its class. This global bestseller is well-equipped, and now has a dramatic new look, which includes a classier interior and an impressive exterior, a 100kg weight reduction and a more efficient engine line-up that includes a model with sub-100g/km CO2 emissions for the first time in the fiercely contested compact premium saloon segment.

The Exterior Automotive journalists say the new C-Class, which has an even sleeker look than the previous model, features pulled back LED headlights, prominent styling lines along the body and a sloping roofline. They note that aerodynamics have played a major part in shaping the sleek exterior design, too and that oversized full LED headlights dominate the aggressive new front end.

According to them, the vehicle also sports 17-inch alloy wheels, a touchpadcontrolled centrally mounted seven-inch colour display, two-zone air conditioning and a media interface.

They said that there is plenty of standard equipment which includes rainsensing wipers, Attention Assist, Speedtronic cruise control, heated windscreen wiper washers, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. According to them, a whole host of technologies derived from the S-Class is also being offered on the CClass. These they said, include a level of autonomous driving at low speeds and in traffic jams, along with drowsiness detection, steering assistance, and numerous parking assistance systems.

They further said that the Agility Select system is also included, allowing the driver to choose from five driving modes - Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.

The Interior New Telegraph on Sunday learnt that the interior represents a huge step forward for the Mercedes C-Class, making it by far the most luxurious yet. Also, the brand has taken this opportunity to introduce the kind of state-of-the-art technology and luxurious finish that established the S-Class as a dominant class leader.

The crystal-clear digital TFT screens (one

between the dials and a tablet-style display on the centre console) feature pin-sharp colour graphics, and the clickable touchpad control is the kind of new technology that’ll soon be the industry standard.

All models come with a seven-inch colour screen that’s controlled using a rotary dial and touchpad positioned between the front seats. You can scroll through the on-screen menus using just the touchpad, swiping left and right to cycle through functions, and pinching to zoom in on maps In the back, the slightly longer wheelbase of the new C-Class means legroom is generous. Also the swept back windows and light fabric increase the sense of space, while the smart switches and vents are carried over to the rear seats.

The boot is also bigger than before, matching the BMW 3 Series with a ca-

pacity of 480 litres.

The key to the new chassis is its light weight, and this theme continues throughout the car – 50 per cent of the body is now made from aluminium, so even though the new C-Class is 95mm longer and 40mm wider than before, it’s up to 100kg lighter.

Also, the new C-Class has an impressive arsenal of technology, one of which is a new touchpad- which is available in all models of the new C-Class. It’s also the first compact executive car available with a sophisticated air suspension that was borrowed from the S-Class, and will offer three types of springs. All cars have steel Comfort springs as standard.

The new C-Class sits on the new modular rear-drive chassis architecture (MRA) that will underpin every large Mercedes for the next five years. This has the capac-

ity for hybrid and electric power, fourwheel drive and a wide range of different vehicle shapes and sizes all built into its structural DNA. The chassis has also been tuned to offer a sportier and more agile drive without compromising ride comfort.

The C200, which is currently available at Weststar and any of its dealerships, has a 181bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. However, more engine types will be available in Nigeria by the middle of next year. The gearboxes available with this engine are a six-speed manual or the optional seven-speed automatic transmission. The auto gearbox increases CO2 emissions from 103g/km to 109g/km.

Although the new C-200 comes with a high level of equipment as standard, there are a host of optional packs available. One of such is the optional AIRMATIC air springs. These give a choice of five driving modes, plus a self-levelling feature- which is another first from this Class To help things feel instantly sportier from behind the wheel, the seats can be lowered 20mm further than before, and they’ve been reshaped for better lateral support. Plus, a new electronic powersteering system aims to improve highspeed stability and increase driver feedback. Due to a stiffer body-shell, there will be no complaints about noise or vibration in this new version of the C-Class.

All engines in the C-class range are Euro 3 emissions compliant and come standard with the ECO Stop-start function.

Road traffic offences 1.

Caution area speed limit violation 2.

Dangerous driving 3.

Do not move violation 4.

Driver’s Licence violation 5.

Driving under the influence of alcohol/Drug influence 6.

Driving with worn-out tyre 7. Driving with expired/without spare tyre 8.

Excessive smoke emission 9. Failure to cover unstable materials 10. Failure to fix red flag on projected load

11. Failure to report road crash 12. Fire extinguisher violation 13. Inadequate construction warning sign 14. Light/Sign violation 15. Medical Personnel/Hospital rejection of road crash victim(s) 16. Operating mechanically deficient vehicle 17. Overloading 18. Passengers’ manifest violation 19. Operating a vehicle with forged documents 20. Riding motorcycle without crash

helmet 21. Road obstruction 22. Route violation 23. Seat belt use violation 24. Speed limit violation 25. Road marking violation 26. Unauthorised removal/tampering with road sign 27. Underage driving/riding 28. Use of phone while driving 29. Vehicle licence violation 30. Number plate violation 31. Number plate violation 32. Vehicle windshield violation

33. Wrongful overtaking 34. Projected load in excess of prescribed limit 35. Vehicle mirror violation 36. Children restraint violation 37. Learners driving regulation violation 38. Child sitting position violation 39. Driving right-hand steering vehicle and other offences violation Note: Custody fee on impounded motor vehicle and motorcycle/tricycle is N200 and N100 respectively per day payable after initial 24 hours of grace Source: FRSC Website

Auto Clinic

33

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY AUGUST 17, 2014

Sunday Transport

Hyundai Motors, Diamond Bank launch low interest vehicle acquisition loan Paul Ogbuokiri

F

leet managers and prospective automobile patrons have been enjoined to take advantage of the newly inaugurated vehicle finance scheme powered by Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited, a division of Stallion Group, with Diamond Bank Plc to procure its vehicles.

The joint initiative christened ‘Hyundai/Diamond Centenary Offer’ is designed to allow beneficiaries access bank loans to buy select Hyundai cars and offset the credit in 48 equal monthly installments without paying a management fee or presenting any collateral.

Hyundai Motors Head of Sales

Hyundai donates to orphanages, old people’s homes F

ront-running vehicle marketer, Hyundai Motors Nigeria, has again donated cartons of mosquito repellent supplies and relief items to 10 orphanages and less privileged homes in the country in commemoration of World Malaria Day. This gesture, according to the company, is aimed at helping to improve the socio-economic welfare of the less privileged and essentially reduce the scourge of the deadly malaria parasite which is predominantly responsible for most deaths in Africa.

Presenting the items, which include treated mosquitoes’ nets and insecticides at a ceremony at the Little Saints Orphanage, Head, Sales and Marketing, Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited, Mr. Jatin Nadkarni said the initiative was part of Hyundai’s contribution to the welfare of the less privileged.

He said it is imperative to forestall the fearsome risks of malaria scourge that threatens more than 90 percent (about 150.3million) of Nigeria’s 167 million people.

Also adding that the relief materials which were donated to select homes in various locations across Nigeria was in fulfillment of the automaker’s global campaign values of ‘touching lives, Mr. Nadkarni lamented the spate of lives lost to malaria scourge annually.

“We should begin to think proactively and plan how best to half the populations of children vulnerable to malaria scourge, especially those aged between six months and five years, which currently account for 52 percent of the country’s population.”

He told inmates of the Family Relief Centre, Abule-Egba, Lagos, that “we have come to greet you, spend some time with you and bring you goodwill message from Hyundai Motors and the message is to show how much we love you and educate you on ways to eradicate malaria and forestall the attendant risks associated with the scourge.”

and Marketing, Jatin Nadkarni who gave this hint at the inauguration ceremony in Lagos said the credit scheme was in line with Hyundai’s strategy and direction to make vehicle acquisition a seamless experience.

He said successful customers would aside these seamless benefits enjoy a series of other offers such as free insurance cover for one year, free registration, free service for one year, a free tracking device and an Apple iPad for every car purchased.

Nadkarni said vehicle credit facility is a common practice in advanced markets and has become imperative, in view of the Federal Government’s National Automotive Industry Develop-

ment Plan. The policy is aimed at encouraging the patronage of new vehicles, particularly home-made cars.

Hyundai Motors Nigeria listed some of the models that could be procured during this bonanza as Automatic Transmission (A/T) powered Accent 1.4/1.6litre; Elantra 1.6/1.8litre; Sonata 2.0/2.4litre and Azera 2.4litre cars. Others are premium grouped Hyundai Genesis 3.8litre with 2.0litre powered iX35 and 2.4litre Santa Fe sport utility vehicles.

The company also announced a starting price of NGN57, 000 for Hyundai Accent car; NGN66, 000 for Elantra; NGN91, 000 for Sonata and iX35 respectively, while the Azera, Santa-Fe and Gen-

esis attract NGNNGN110, 000 NGN124, 000 and NGN148, 000 monthly payments respectively.

He dismissed chances of risk in the liberal credit facility, remarking that Hyundai Motors with Diamond Bank have integrated the vehicle acquisition plan to enable many more customers, including those without functional accounts with the bank, to embrace the facility.

He explained that the opportunity was designed to discourage patronage of used vehicles, also known as tokunbo, adding, “I still can’t see the wisdom in patronising tokunbo cars that don’t come with service history let alone offering value for money. This to me means inheriting the liabilities of a previ-

ous user that, for some reasons, disposed of the car.

“What we are simply doing here in collaboration with Diamond Bank is to help prospective buyers starve off the burden of sourcing funds in one fell swoop to buy a new car when you can simply buy and begin to drive a Hyundai car of your choice and pay at your convenience,” Nadkarni stated.

He said, “The evolving needs and preferences of prospective vehicle buyers prompted this campaign, which essentially would lessen the burden of owning a serviceable car. Our objective therefore is to provide the best products and services to our customers and enable them to enjoy value-added experience.”

L-R: Second Runner-up, Toyota Journalist Award, Theodore Opara; Winner, Mr. Mike Ochonma; Managing Director\CEO, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo and third Runner-up, Mr. Frank Kintun, during the Annual Toyota Journalist Award, at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

PHOTO : SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Coscharis, Virgin Atlantic thrill customers with Land Rover

P

roviding a veritable opportunity for customers, car buffs and enthusiasts to testdrive super saloons and premium luxury SUVs at the right time and in a suitable environment is a motoring exercise associated with serious-minded auto companies.

This was exactly the platform provided by Jaguar Land Rover brands marketer in the country, Coscharis Motors Limited, at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, recently.

Organised in partnership with Virgin Atlantic Airways, the event tagged Ride and Drive, was a truly experiential atmosphere created for their customers and prospects. At the event, the lat-

est ranges of Land Rover, Range Rover and Jaguar were interacted with and test-driven by the excited guests and the motoring press.

The organisers explained that the event was designed to offer the customers and prospects a unique driving experience on the untapped capabilities and luxury features of the Jaguar Land Rover vehicles.

According to the General Manager, Jaguar Land Rover Sales, Ufuoma Umukoro, some of the owners of the Jaguar Land Rover vehicles are underutilising them, given what the products actually offer in terms of on-road and off-road capabilities plus luxury features.

He added, “The lack of expert knowledge in handling these vehicles sometimes results in mechanical and electrical problems.”

Present at the Ride and Drive event with their wealth of knowledge and expertise were the Land Rover Experience instructors from South Africa and the UK, who ensured that guests experienced the best offered by the vehicles.

Commenting on the partnership with Virgin Atlantic, the General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Services, Coscharis, Abiona Babarinde, stated, “The event, which is one in a series, targets prospects and customers of premium brands that share similar premium client-base with the

Jaguar Land Rover brands; this necessitated the partnership with Virgin Atlantic.”

The Ride and Drive event was specifically geared towards offering Virgin Atlantic’s premium customers in conjunction with Coscharis customers and prospects, added value in their expert knowledge of handling these luxury vehicles; an attestation to the organisers’ business philosophy to always deliver value for money.

All the guests who made purchases or committed financially during the event enjoyed 20 per cent discount on the Discovery 4, Range Rover Evoque, Freelander 2, Jaguar XF and XJ variants.

34

AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Commerce

Dredgers dare Lagos Govt over fees

Chijioke Iremeka

T

he Dredgers Association of Nigeria has said that Lagos State Government lacks powers to collect fees from them, saying any such demand amounts to extortion.

It further urged its members to shun any form of payment to any agency apart from the constituted authorities of the Federal Government and its agencies.

Secretary General of the association, Mr. Richard Ntan, made the statement on Friday in Lagos.

He stated that dredging is under the Federal Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals, which puts it in the exclusive legislative list of the Federal Government.

“To this end, it is the exclusive right of the Federal Government to control, collect levies, issue licenses as well as register

dredgers. Any state government tries to play any of those roles is an interloper, and therefore, has no right to collect levies or register any dredger or boat,” he said.

According to him, any other agencies not together with the Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals and National Inland Waterways Authority, which have the statutory powers to license boats and dredgers, are illegal.

He said, “The Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals is empowered by its 2007 Act to collect money for what they do by providing platforms for dredging, while NIWA has the sole rights to register vessels, boats and issue licences on dredgers and not the state or its agencies.”

He warned its members to stop making payments to any of the Lagos State Government agencies,

especially with the judgment of March 28, 2014, which restrained the state government and its agencies from collecting or registering vessels at the dredgers’ sites.

“As long as dredging is concerned, the state agencies are illegal agencies.

We cannot be paying to the FG, who has the exclusive right on mining and dredging and at the same time, paying to the state that has no right in it. States don’t control minerals. Lagos State

came in with impunity and started extorting us.

But that will not happen again,” he assured.

New Telegraph on Sunday learnt that the dredgers took the state government to court on account of the collection of the fees, and won at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, on March 28, 2014. The judgment restrained the state government and all its agencies from collecting any form of money from the dredging stakeholders.

“By the judgment, all the illegal agencies were scrapped,” Ntan said.

He noted that the judgment is substantive and surpasses any other verdict, adding, “We know that they would be going to other companies that are not our members but our members are informed and they all have copies of the judgment.

We have instructed them not to pay any money to the state, but in a situation where they apply force, then, the Com-

mander, NIWA Police Station, which is attached to NIWA for this purpose will be alerted.”

According to him, the law cannot be tampered with in any way as DAN is the only association that seeks after the welfare of all the dredging companies and protects their interest, adding that the body is well recognised by the Federal Government and its agencies as well as the state government and its agencies too.

Auto policy: Elizade imports used Toyota cars CONTINUED from PAGe 31

new policy, manufacturers could make cheaper cars that are accessible to more people in the country.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, had said that with the number of automobile manufacturing companies embracing the Federal Government’s automotive policy, he believes, the automotive industry would create significant, good quality employment and a wide range of technologically advanced manufacturing opportunities.

“In many countries around the world, automotive industry plays both strategic and catalytic roles in economic development, particularly in employment creation and wealth generation.

“With our current population and economy, our potential vehicle market is about one million vehicles a year. This is more than sufficient to support an automotive industry,” Aganga added.

The Chairman, Coscharis Motors Limited, Mr. Cosmos Maduka, said the new auto policy was one of the best things that had happened in the country in recent times.

New Telegraph on Sunday learnt that automotive manufacturers’ representatives in the country had after their meeting with the Federal Government given their support to the auto policy They said that were not

opposed to the policy but needed a level playing ground in addition to being carried along in the implementation of the policy.

They said: “Considering the size of our country, with over 167 million people, one million units of vehicles in the automobile industry are very low compared to what you can see around the world. Once the capacity is developed, the automobile industry will be the second biggest industry in Nigeria. If we are not ready to produce, it means that we have thrown away our future.

“If a chicken is afraid to come out without getting its head out of the shell, it will remain there and die.

So, we support the policy totally. Our concern is for the government to provide a level playing field for every interested party.”

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Adegbuji-Onikoyi; Director, Central Internal Audit, Mrs. Risikat Ajayi and Director, Finance and Administration, Office of Chief of Staff, Mr. Salami Mabayoje, during the opening ceremony of the 12th Internal Auditors Conference in Lagos...on Thursday

Procter & Gamble picks awards

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he African Business Leadership Magazine has recognised Procter and Gamble’s commitment to economic and social investments throughout Sub Sahara Africa, with the ‘Africa Business Leadership Award’.

The award was presented to the company at the Annual US-Africa CEO Summit held recently in Washington DC. The Annual African Business Leadership Awards puts the spotlight on companies and business professionals who have impacted society and used

their business portfolios to touch humanity.

In his acceptance speech, P& G Vice President, South Africa and African Expansion Markets, Mr. Stanislav Vecera, stated that throughout SubSahara Africa, P& G has touched over 50 million children across 17countries in Africa.

“P&G’s social programmes have touched over 50 million children across17 countries in Africa and we aim to double this in the coming few years into 40 African countries,” he added.

Similarly, the U.S Secretary of State for Commerce, Penny Pritzker, in her remark noted that P&G’s $300 million investment on a new manufacturing plant in Lagos Nigeria would spur job growth in the country and other areas of operation.

Procter & Gamble Nigeria’s Corporate Communications Manager, Tomiwa Akande, reaffirmed that the company has a long commitment to Africa and its development, adding that its investment in Africa, especially Nigeria is indeed unique.

“P&G has been present in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) for over 22 years. Today, we have generated over 6,000 direct and indirect jobs in sub-Saharan Africa. Our investment in Africa is unique in that we manufacture on the continent relying upon local talent. “Today, we have touched the lives of hundreds of millions of African consumers with our world class brands across 30 SSA countries in small but meaningful ways, helping to make everyday life a little bit better,” she said.

SMEs financing: Alternative loan sources for entrepreneur CONTINUED from PAGe 31

Ade-Ojo

tially own the credit union to which they belong, you would likely find credit unions more accommodating than traditional banks.

“While vendor financing is not a solution for raising all of your capital to start your business, it is a good method of procuring the big-ticket items you would need to run your operations. Depending on your industry, you may also be able to turn to ven-

dor financing in order to stock your inventory. Talk to your potential suppliers and find out if vendor financing is an option for you,” he added.

One of the beneficiaries of alternative funding, Mrs. Gbemisola Adeniyi, who is a petty trader at Agboju Market, Festac, Lagos said, “I started my business with money I made from Ajo market contribution. When I was learning under my madam, I saw people who put money to-

gether every month. Some contributed N1000 every day and others on monthly basis and at the end of the month, one person would go with it.

“So, when I needed to start my business, I joined the contribution, where we were 10 people, contributing N500 every day.

So, when it got to my turn to collect the money, I collected a total of N150, 000 and I started my business with it. Today, my shop has grown and my stocks as

well. Ajo is good if it could be managed well by those people involved in it.”

Williams noted that many entrepreneurs take out second mortgages or borrow against their life insurance policies in order to gather funds for a start-up, saying, “While this is not a viable option for the majority of young entrepreneurs, who likely haven’t built up many personal assets, it is still worth taking an inventory of any personal items you could sell or borrow against.”

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Commerce

Thermocool celebrates anniversary, rewards consumers Azubike Nnadozie

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igeria’s leading household appliance company, Thermocool, is set to celebrate 40 years of delivering durable and reliable home appliances to Nigeria.

As part of its current activities to celebrate years of innovative and functional service to Nigerians, it is currently running a campaign tagged ‘Thermocool Moments 2’ to reward its loyal customers.

It said in a statement that the campaign would include opportunities for consumers to be part of a quiz, answer questions about their favourite household brand, and stand a chance to win amazing prizes weekly.

According to the Marketing Director, Thermocool, Mr. Vikramjeet Singh, ‘Thermocool Moment 2’ is a platform to engage and reward customers.

“We want to show to our esteemed customers that we appreciate their trust and patronage over the last 40 years and we would like customers nationwide to demonstrate how well they know the brand and show how well they connect with Thermocool, while being presented with an opportunity to win amazing prizes,” he explained.

Singh recalled that during ‘Thermocool Moments 1’, customers were encour-

aged to share and celebrate their Thermocool stories; how the brand has been there for them through the years. He recalled that many customers participated in the radio show and relived their amazing Thermocool experiences after which they were rewarded.

“Thermocool moments is another great opportunity for customers and their friends to connect with their favourite household appliance brand, and ultimately get a chance to be rewarded with an exciting variety of top quality Thermocool household appliances, and this is our own way of appreciating them for their loyalty,” he added.

In the words of the Managing Director, Mr. Panos Katsis, “Thermocool understands Nigerian’s appreciation for best quality in household items; as such we are always innovating and are committed to providing our esteemed customers with amazing products and customer experiences.

“As a way of extending appreciation to our customers over the years for choosing Thermocool, we encourage our customers to celebrate with Thermocool as they participate in the Thermocool moments 2 while also inviting their family and friends to join the quiz and stand a unique chance to be rewarded by Thermocool.”

Hyundai overtakes Toyota, others in quality, reliability … flaunts lowest combined ‘check engine’ repair incidents, costs

H

Paul Ogbuokiri

yundai now has the highest quality of any nonluxury brand surpassing Toyota, Honda, and Nissan - a recent survey conducted by United States based vehicle analyst – CarMD.com has revealed.

Hyundai had in two consecutive years finished second but overtook Toyota in the latest index and drove to the top of the list with its low repair frequency.

Hyundai according to CarMD.com “beat out every competitor to earn the distinction of “Most Reliable Manufacturer” in the 2013 CarMD Vehicle Health Index Manufacturer & Vehicle Reliability Ranking.”

Released early this week, the annual report provides

a ranking of manufacturers and vehicles with the lowest combined “check engine” repair incidents and costs.

The Index also evaluates top 10 manufacturers, top 100 vehicles overall, top vehicles by category and the most common repairs by make.

Mr. Leon C. Chen, CEO, CarMD.com Corporation said: “The 2013 CarMD Vehicle Health Index Manufacturer and Vehicle Reliability Ranking looked at data that applies to more than 119 million vehicles, so to earn this ranking is no small feat.”

He said: “We commend Hyundai for its commitment to quality and to its efforts to minimize vehicle operating costs.”

Hyundai had the lowest

Index rating of all parent manufactures studied and the second lowest overall repair cost.

This year’s Index is based on more than 151,000 specific repairs performed on model year 2003 to 2013 vehicles from Oct. 1, 2012 to Sept. 30, 2013.

Back home, Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited and brand custodian of Hyundai automobiles in Nigeria has applauded this accomplishment remarking that: “Hyundai strives to provide our customers with a worry-free car ownership experience by offering a lineup of vehicles that deliver on both quality and reliability, backed by the most competitive protection program in the business.”

Head of sales and marketing, Hyundai Motors Nige-

ria Limited - Jatin Nadkarni said: “Earning the first place title in CarMD’s Vehicle Health Index Report proves that Hyundai recipe for combining high value vehicles with long-term vehicle protection is a success.”

Similarly, Hyundai topped rival automakers for the 1st time ever in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study where six of the ten vehicles in the Hyundai lineup ranked in the top three IQS positions by segment – with the 2014 Genesis, 2014 Elantra and 2014 Accent taking the #1 spot for their segments.

Hyundai Elantra for instance has more standard horsepower than Toyota Corolla, Chevy Cruze and Mazda 3 and has bigger interior volume and more front headroom.

Jonathan disburses N220bn MSME fund tomorrow Chijioke Iremeka

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resident Goodluck Jonathan will be flagging off the disbursement of the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Fund tomorrow as way of encouraging and boosting the small and medium scale businesses in the country.

The President, who will declare the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) 8th Annual Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Finance Conference, billed to take place tomorrow open, will also be awarding prizes to MSMEs, Deposit Money Banks and State Governments, who distinguished themselves in entrepreneurship development in 2013.

According to the statement issued by the CBN, the two-day conference billed to take place at Sheraton Hotel and Towers,

Abuja, will be featuring participants from MSMEs, banks, Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs), Micro Finance Banks (MFBs), deposit money banks, State Governors, Federal Ministers, heads of government agencies and departments, international development agencies and captains of industries among others.

Jonathan

L-R: General Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Kabelo Makwane; Chairman, Brain Integrated System Limited, Mr. Tunji Balogun and Country Manager, Intel, Olubunmi Ekundare, at the launch of the BrainTab iw10 at Ibis Hotel in Lagos...on Thursday.

Rotary Club of Festac empowers 13 women Chijioke Iremeka

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he Rotary Club of Festac Town, Lagos, District 9110, Nigeria has empowered 13 young women with sewing machines after undergoing its skills acquisition training.

The district governor of Rotary Club of Festac, Town, District 9110, Rotn.

Dele Balogun, who urged the newly trained women to be proactive in their endeavors, said the best way to reduce crime and youth restiveness in the country and improve the Gross Domestic Product of the country is by empowering persons with the potential to turn Nigeria into an industrial giant.

Balogun urged them to make the best use of the

machines to create wealth for the country, noting that empowering women and indigent people in skill acquisitions in Nigeria is a step in the right direction.

According to the President of the club, Rotn.

Gabriel Onyema, skills acquisition and financial empowerment are the surest ways of helping the country to reduce its high rate of unemployment. He said Rotary Club of Festac has made it a point of duty to empower less privileged people at the grass roots level in the country.

He noted that the club also offered soft loans to them to help their business.

The club’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Gabriel Amalu said, “Rotary Club is about service. You don’t

come to Rotary to get something out of it. You come to Rotary to put something into it. And once you have put something into it, you will get something out of it but it won’t be what you expect, it will be better.”

According to him, this explains why the club keeps empowering young people and indigent women within Amuwo-Odofin.

He added, “This is why we have gone to the homes of people with spinal cord injuries in Awuwo-Odofin, Lagos to introduce different crafts and businesses through which they could be fulfilled.”

One of the beneficiaries, Ihenacho Ifeoma, a fashion designer, said there was no doubt that her life would assume a new dimension

with skills she acquired as well as the new machine.

“I have been longing to go into this but there wasn’t money for me to do that.

Where I wanted to learn it before they said I was going to pay. It’s important to develop people. Having been developed by other people, I will develop and empower others for free,” she said.

Other beneficiaries include; Akinpelu Taiwo, Chukwueke Chidinma, Ahmed Bekisu, Onojobi Mary, Ezeudu Ijeoma, Tobechi Opara, Ejide Oluremilekun, Enemesit Emmanuel.

Beneficiaries under beverages are Nwogu Chidinma, Umeh Maria, Molade Christiana; as well as Chukwumaeze Vivian, who makes native attires, shoes and bags.

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AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Interview

Hospitality industry boosts Nigeria’s GDP –Ele Mr. Emmanuel Ele is the Corporate Affairs & Marketing Manager of Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, Lagos. In this interview with CHIJIOKE IREMEKA, he describes the hospitality industry in Nigeria as contributing billions of naira to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

This place used to be known as Durbar Hotel. Now it has been renamed the new Golden Tulip Hotel?

Well, I wouldn’t want to delve into the change of the hotel’s name from Durbar, just as I will not say there were no challenges. There were initial challenges that follow every new brand, especially when it has to do with changing people’s perception.

Changing people’s perception about one’s product depends on how you carry yourself and how you present your product. Then, it wasn’t easy trying to change people’s view on that but we realised that we have a good product and we continued until Golden Tulip became a household name.

Then, the hotel was popularly known with the name Durbar but today, nobody, is talking about Durbar. We are working with the brand known internationally and everywhere in the country. So, it was tough but wasn’t such a herculean task.

There are security challenges in the country and these have to some degree affected the hospitality industry in Nigeria. What efforts are you making to reassure your clients of their safety?

This is a sensitive area to go into.

Inasmuch as I wouldn’t start talking about what we are doing security wise, I would say we are on the ground to ensure there are no safety and security issues in the hotel. Everybody is safe and relaxed.

In other words, we are not sleeping and we are not laid back. We are on our toes to ensure that there is peace within the hotel and to guarantee our customers’ safety. We do not take absolute laxity as long as security is concerned.

What has been the level of acceptance of the hotel by the people, especially when you go out on marketing?

Honestly, this has never been an issue to us because people must live their lives the way they want and would always go to hotels for relaxation. Some of the issues we are talking about now were limited challenges that came and have since gone.

As long as the needs of the customers are met, they would always come back. What are their needs? They want to see good people, and see themselves being attended to, satisfactorily. So, it’s all about how you have affected their needs in that single visit that determines what they do next.

If you can give them what they want, there won’t be any fear of losing them on the side of the management or on their own side, thinking of what happens to them when they are in our safe hands.

There is no doubt that they would go and come back again because you made them happy; perhaps, no hotel had made them feel that way before.

What then do you consider a major challenge in Nigeria’s hospitality industry?

Initially, our major challenge was power supply. Though I wouldn’t say it has stopped now but there has been an improvement. We need good power supply because we make use of heavy equipment. Government is now doing a lot to ensure that the problem of epileptic power supply is solved.

Also, what customers used to consider

a challenge then was traffic due to bad roads. Again, the government has taken care of that too because there is some degree of construction going on now and the roads are now motorable.

These may be seen as challenges to outsiders but we are looking at them as part of the things that made the hotel move forward. We spend fortunes on power generation, which I wouldn’t begin to point out.

There are many hotels in Nigeria. How are you grappling with the competition that comes with it?

In every business, there is competition.

Without competition, you will not improve. How would you monitor your own standard and improve when there is no competition? And how can you bench mark? We are aware of the competition. We love competition because we have good people and professionals that are equal to the task.

We are offering what other hotels don’t offer to their customers. We don’t see them as competition because we are on top of the matter. We are unique in our own way. Other companies may be unique in their own ways too but I must tell you, we are very unique in our way.

We have what others have and have extra that makes us different from them.

What do you really have that other big hotels don’t have?

It’s a simple reality. I will convince them in many ways because we know our people and our products. There is no hotel around here that has the kind of ambience we have. How many hotels in Nigeria today can boast of it? Many people come here for leisure, business as well as holidays. This is made possible by the serenity of the hotel. There is one thing we are working on currently, which no other hotel has in Nigeria.

We are currently adding a shopping mall to our facilities and with this you can get anything you want within this hotel. The customers will have to do their bulk shopping and get whatever they want while lodging with us. What matters is how you meet the needs of the people, and meeting their needs satisfactorily would make them come back.

A number of them have said they are impressed with our products and wondering where we get the kind of meals we serve them.

We have different varieties of meals, both local and international. Of course, what do you want in a hotel, when you have a very decent accommodation to stay in, good meals, and security of your life and property? We got it all.

It’s a wonderful hotel that customers would like to come into anytime, any day?

If we are not special about our products, how then would they come back, wanting to stay days and weeks in our hotel? It’s our nature and duty to be this unique in our chosen business.

We are the only hotel that has micro laboratory, manned by a professional.

We needed to be careful with the food we eat because we entertain different types of customers and we need to be careful with them. Our lab is well equipped and that makes us unique.

De-marketing is a strategy created by marketers of hospitality products. Is it a standard practice in the industry?

Ele

Marketing of every product should cut across many things but still depends on the marketers. De-marketing is not a standard practice but we are not scared of that. If I do something wrong, I’m de-marketing my product. We know the product we have and we do not toil with our services.

What does the hospitality industry contribute to the GDP of the country?

It’s something you can’t stop talking about. We are talking about hospitality and tourism attraction to the country, which has a multiplier effect on the economy. Visitors to the country will have to lodge in the hotels and this brings revenue to the hotel, through both local and foreign exchanges, and in turn, the hotel pays taxes to the government. It runs into billions of naira.

In the same manner, this is called hotel and conference centre. There are winds of activities going on here. People come in for weddings and receptions, airliner crew lodgment, associations meetings, AGM. In fact, you would want to lodge in any of the 401 rooms in our hotel. The hospitality industry is a revenue generating business for the country.

You mentioned airline staff coming to lodge in Festac, leaving hotels closer to the airport. How possible is that?

Airport hotels are known for their nearness to the airport. This is not necessarily because they are physically close, but the ability of a customer to get to the airport from the hotels within a certain period of time. If a hotel is physically close to an airport but its accessibility to the airport within that short period of time is not there, then, it has defeated

the purpose of being an airport hotel.

Now, Golden Tulip is not too close to the airport, but in terms of getting to the airport within a short period of time, it’s not far, hence, it’s an airport hotel.

How prepared are you for CBN’s cashlite policy?

We have been prepared from the outset which is standard for any international hotel. We are deploying POS and other facilities that would help us. We don’t have issues with that because we are IT-compliant.

Do you have a system in place for that?

We know our customers, we know what they want and they are aware of the policy. Most customers are not interested in using cash. The number of cards in our business is on the increase. We do not need to issue another policy, our customers are already aware of what the policy is.

We need good power supply because we make use of heavy equipment.

Government is now doing a lot to ensure that the problem of epileptic power supply is solved.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY AUGUST 17, 2014

Interview

Patents contradict spirit of competition, fairness in trading – Ngige Mr. Emeka Ngige is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). In this interview with CHIJIOKE IREMEKA, he says patent law in business creates monopoly, which contradicts the spirit of competition, fairness in trading Most investors claim that patency or patent law in the country discourages robust investment in the economy.

How possible is this assertion?

When you issue a patent that prevents others from coming into business, I see it as creation of monopoly, rather patent. If I am a registered importer for a Toyota product, and they said nobody else can bring in the brand again, it’s creation of monopoly and monopoly, contradicts the spirit of competition and fairness in trading.

But under the world trade organisation, which Nigeria is signatory to, there should be many outlets for importation and sales of Toyota products. It would appear the same as when you go to America, you would say that only one person will be selling and assembling Toyota brand. No, it should be open to all but not thrown to every tom, dick and harry.

So, the same way in Nigeria, I don’t think that helps the country for someone to be a sole importer of a brand.

If you do that it, becomes monopoly and he will be detecting the price, which is contrary to the spirit of competition and fairness in trading.

I believe that government should encourage the business men to be multi importers of various brands and creation of monopoly in the business should be broken.

Capital flight is a major issue affecting the development of Nigeria. Coming from a legal background, is there any legislation against this practice and how can such be of help in combating capital flight?

Legislation will do a lot but it depends on the causative factors. A lot of things cause capital flight. Insecurity in the country can engender capital flight. As a result, people close shops and move to other countries without reinvesting such profits in the Nigerian economy; and in most cases, our neighbouring country, Ghana, would be the beneficiary of such investments.

Dunlop, for example, is no longer in Nigeria. It has moved to Ghana and that is capital flight. Even the impeachment of opposition that is going on now in the country can accentuate capital flight because when there is no political stability, the investors would be wiser.

If an investor has come to invest in a housing project in Nasarawa State, for instance, and sees the elected Governor about to be impeached, he will take his money and would not invest in that area for fear of uncertainty.

In the same Nassarwa, there is an American university there and there is insecurity, and state of emergency declared coupled with the removal of governor, the investors would pull out their resources from there and repatriate it.

The president is not doing well to this economy and jack-book democracy that they want to implement in Nigeria will kill the economy. You cannot force down democracy in the polity, its spirit of give and take.

The majority will have their way, while t h e

Ngige

minority will have their say. It’s wrong, therefore, to see that the majority are having their way and silence the minority from having their say. This will impact negatively on the economy and we are talking about capital flight.

No sensible person would want to build on sinking sand or fish in the troubled waters.

Looking at capital flight from the angle of a company not reinvesting in the Nigerian economy, despite its capital outlay and profit margins, what do you say about legislation?

I think the CBN had always have measures to checkmate this, especially the ideas of round-tripping. But I don’t know if there is strict enforcement of that CBN’s directives but there should be circulars on foreign exchange law to ensure that round tripping is curtailed.

But sometimes, it becomes impossible to control due to the fact that the world has become a global village by the use of ATM cards and credit cards. If I travel abroad, I can use my naira denominated card to do shopping in any part of the world.

It would be taking my naira in foreign exchange. I can spend over $50, 000 on such transaction. This is another way it occurs and vice versa. None Nigerians also go to Nigerian hotels, use credit cards and some hotels charge in naira and others in dollars.

In other words, they still get the flight back to Nigeria but not as much as in the case with Nigerian situation.

Don’t you think that there is a need for a local content law across the sectors of the economy to stem this tide of capital flight?

There is no doubt that Nigeria is losing billions of naira to capital flight in legal profession. I wouldn’t say that I have my facts and figures in this area because it is more of a technical area, but I know that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has a department that ensures local content in that sector. I wouldn’t know how successful that area has

been.

I can hardly mention any of the sectors in Nigeria where hundred per cent of local content is upheld. But in the legal profession, we are losing a lot and it still boils down to what I said about the world trade organisation.

There are some areas that if a foreign company in Nigeria is engaging in arbitration, over a dispute between that company and Nigerian company, they are free to nominate arbitrators that would handle the matter. They may call Nigerians or foreigners to handle it.

They may equally put in their agreement the place for arbitration, may be in London or somewhere else and when it’s fit, some will not deem it necessary to hire Nigerian lawyer to go to London, whereas the issues that is being arbitrated upon is Nigeria agreement or agreement that has to be executed in Nigeria.

So, in such way, the local content is being removed in our system. And that is where the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) can come to ensure that our legal practice is not encroached upon, by the foreign lawyers. Legislation will do this.

Just like our presidential candidate was saying, most of the briefs given out by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), involving privatised companies are given to foreign lawyers, which is wrong. It shouldn’t be. We need legislation that put an end to these practices, where our government will hire foreign firm to arbitrate Nigeria business and made agreement.

The Nigerian lawyers ought to have been patronised in such briefs but because they are looking at the names of law firms because they are based in New York or London, they prefer it to Nigerian lawyers.

This has become a minus to our legal system and I think there should be a legislation to review that. There should be a law that would prevent such practices and prevent foreigners from dealing with any matter that has to do with Nigerian content for either arbitration or litigation. Nigeria is losing billions of Naira on foreign lawyers.

The Federal Government just announced its plan to borrow $1 billion Boko Haram loan to fight insurgency. What does this imply to you?

This is an admission that the money we were told to have been budgeted for the insurgency since 2010 had been going into private pockets of few Nigerians. If the funds were sincerely spent in the fight against insurgency, I don’t think there would be the need for borrowing or asking for extra budget expenditures.

This is where I expect the legislature, if they are up to their constitutional responsibility, to have a closer look at the all the expenditures, including N980 billion said to have been made since 2010 in the fight against terrorism.

This is a situation that has called for them to invoke their oversight powers. Let them closely call the Minister of Defense and Minister of Finance to explain what have been spent in the fight against Boko Haram to warrant this request to borrow such huge amount of money to fight the insurgency.

It’s a clear indication that something amiss has been happening in the fight against crime in the country. And we need to tackle that if the battle would be won.

Is it likely that the proposed borrowing, if approved, would lead to a supplementary budget or an increase in the 2014 budget?

Certainly, it would affect the budget in one way or the other because the money involved is much. We are talking about N160 million here. But this is part of the problem we have; living in self denial.

The Minister said it wasn’t going to affect the budget, but now it will because the money was never budgeted for in the 2014 budget. What they will now be targeting is the excess crude account and that’s it.

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AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Commerce

Success Nuggets

Victor Okwudiri MS only) (08037674300 S

CONTINUED FROM LAST SUNDAY

6. NEVER place your friends above your principles.

A wise man once said, “I don’t have permanent friends. What I have are permanent interests.”

(Not quoted verbatim).

Friend, principles make PRINCIPAL people in life. As such, if a friend will make you violate any principle, to your detriment, terminate that friendship with immediate effect.

One bad FRIEND can ‘FRY’ (destroy) your destiny and lead to your ‘END’. So, I ask: Is that person in your social circle truly

a FRIEND or a ‘FRY-END’?

My dear, one bad friend is too much.

7. MAJORITY does not justify INIQUITY. Ever heard that cliche, “If you can’t beat them, join them?” That is a broken monologue of incomprehensible gibberish, and a philosophical piece of ridiculous nonsense. It is deceptive. The fact that you can’t beat them does not justify joining them. In any case, who told you that you can’t beat them because they are more in number?

Haven’t you seen, or at least heard of, a ‘one-man squad’ before?

Hear this: INIQUITY is INIQ-

Going the extra mile B eing exceptional is one of the principles of success.

Like we know, success is achievable by everyone, but it requires stepping out of the ordinary, moving beyond average.

It demands that you exceed expectations.

Your reward in life is in direct proportion to the value you give.

It means that if you give sparingly you get or receive sparingly. So going the extra-mile entails that you do more than you are paid in order to be paid more for what you are doing. It also means becoming too good for your present position.

This is the key to greatness.

As a worker, become indispensable, become the worker that your employer would never lay off.

Come to think of it, no manager would sack an employer that generates creative ideas that increase profitability of his organisation.

So, going the extra mile requires that you develop capacity to add to your organisation. Think on ways to improve production, device

ways to minimise waste. You do not have to be the very boss before you can add something significant.

It’s a matter of sitting down to decide from the start to give your best to the organisation that hires you.

Make that organisation your own.

Let it be my business not their business. Having a mentality that the company belongs to you will make you go all out to see it succeed. Give your employer five times your pay or more. I hear someone say, “My employee will not appreciate it.”

As a matter of fact, you are doing it for yourself.

It is a law that if you give value, value will definitely return to you. It must not be in your present organisation, but be sure that no effort of yours is a waste; powers beyond you are taking record.

Just as the law of gravity states, “For everything that goes up, it must surely come down.” If you throw a stone in America, Japan, Australia, it will come dropping down. These laws or principles hold true everywhere. Going

Echoes for posterity (2) UITY, whether or not it has the backing of the MAJORITY. The POPULARITY of an opinion does not necessarily imply its VERACITY. Majority can be ‘majorly’ wrong and minority can be ‘minorly’ right.

My friend, stand your ground, if you are sure it is a ‘terra firma’.

Go by your CONVICTIONS, not the PERSUASIONS of majority.

8. No momentary PROSPERITY is worth your POSTERITY. By manoeuvring his way to save himself the cost of travelling from Warri to Lagos, Joseph lost his respect in the eyes of his friends.

He saved money, but lost honour.

He saved money just one day, but lost virtue for months and possibly forever, at least in the eyes of Daniel and David. the extra mile wherever you are will fetch you the same result (i.e.

Greatness, success etc.)

Refuse to cheat on your employees, avoid gossiping in your working environment, and avoid playing dangerous politics. Trying to put someone down to go up are businesses of the shallow minded. It is vanity and any success achieved through vanity will diminish. It is a law.

Learn not to sit in your comfort zone. Ordinary people do so but go the extra mile, deliver excellent service. Remember, excellence is not a destination but a journey you get better on every day.

Be a team player. Why should work wait for Mr. A when you can equally do the very job well or better to allow progress of work process? Do not let the ball drop in your hand. Do all you can promptly to pass on the work to the next person for the advancement of your organisation. Let people know what you know; teach someone what you do excellently so that when you are indisposed, the work process would go on. Remember, a footballer can never remain in the field of play throughout his entire

9. Every action or virtually every action you take in public has a leadership implication.

People observe what you do, and what they see you do can become a reference point to them in navigating their lives. Daniel had the moral fibre to ‘connubiate’ with a girl, in the room he shared with Joseph. That was probably because he had also seen his room mate violate morality.

Be careful what you do.

10. Temptations are opportunities to display good leadership.

If Joseph had overcome the temptation of defrauding the driver, he would have been seen as having led by a good example.

Daniel might not have seen him in the light of a good example then, but would have sure seen him

that way when he reprimanded Daniel months later.

11. If it is GOD, it must be GOOD. Joseph deceived himself into allowing the thought that it was God saving him the cost of travel from Warri to Lagos. Friend, if it is GOD, it must be achieved the GOOD way. After all, GOD is so ‘GOOD’ that only an ‘O’ differentiates His name from ‘GOOD’. Think about it.

Hear this: God will not give you a TESTIMONY that will cause an innocent person AGONY. Never!

There can be no TESTIMONY in a FELONY. Impossible.

We must stop giving religious excuses for our wrongs. That way, we can make amends more easily.

Welcome to a ‘paradigm shift’.

COncluded

Success Nuggets

Julian Atufunwa S only) (08032810713 SM

life, but he can remain in the field for life if he decides to be a coach.

Be a servant; be ready to serve others, dress well. You are addressed the way you dress.

Be smart, clean and moderate.

Dress for where you are going not where you are coming from.

It means if you are a cleaner and desire to be the manager of your organisation, dress like the manager. It must not be expensive or flamboyant to be accepted. There are nice clothings that will not exceed your budget and which would be good on you. I have observed that when you make plans to go the extra mile, forces beyond you will work on your behalf to bring to you all the resources you need to meet your objective. The universe assists us.

Be committed to constant learning

because you can never give what you don’t have. Improve daily on your skill; get knowledge, read books related to your field and even outside your field. Keep your mind broadened, be vast in knowledge you may need them someday to be of help to your environment.

Be selfless in your services to mankind. I have learnt that our brain has a billion cells and that our brain can retain all the knowledge of humanity past, present and the future and still. Our memory cannot be fully utilised.

Now beloved, if you are exceptionally made, why allow mediocrity and give less? And if exceeding expectation can make you stand out among the crowd and bring you before kings, why not go the extra mile today?

God Bless You.

Take interest in that rubbish heap Sola Fanawopo

W

e are in a season when everything around us should be of serious interest to us. When we say everything, we mean just that; everything. God created man with sense and sensibilities but often times, we get very selective in the use of these senses. We see what we want to see. We feel want we want to feel. We even hear what we want to hear.

But at times like this, it becomes critical to turn our entire body into one formidable alarm system. In a world where the very next person and item around you could turn out to be a potential source of danger, activating the body alarm on a 24-hour

alert may just be one way we can stay alive and contain the enemy.

On the Vigilante Nigeria Facebook page, Dili Ogbuenyi shared what may prove to be critical to everyone if only we pay attention. Dili drew our attention to objects we might see around our neighbourhood and because they are not useful to us, we pay no attention to them. But these may just be objects of death!

After reading this post, it really got me thinking. The rubbish heap is a great hiding place for men of the underworld. Many years ago while living at Coker Village, Orile, Lagos, a scavenger working the rubbish dump then located along the Apapa Oshodi Expressway made a

shocking discovery. While working the heap in search of plastic bottles and metals that they gather to sell, he came across a cellophane bag and upon upending it, about $20,000 and a couple of pistols poured out of it.

His scream attracted a number of the boys around and they quickly split the money. I do not know if the chap was able to collect any lion’s share, being the person that found the loot. It was not even important to me.

I was wondering who would leave a bag containing foreign currency and guns in a bag and on a rubbish heap.

The answer is very simple. Men of the underworld may have left it there, either because they

080395121535 (SMS only) were being chased or because it was the safest place for them to hide it and access it for use when the need arises.

You see, there are items around us that draw little attention but which may just be as dangerous to our lives as danger itself. We must take extreme measures to take more than a passing interest in such objects and even the people who drop them.

In places like Lagos where people pay little or no attention to what people around them do, this is even more critical. Someone may leisurely drop a bag containing Improvised Explo-

sive Devices (IEDs) around you and because you think it is not your business, you just move on or remain there, minding your own business. In case of terrorists, they may park their car and walk away.

In minutes, this car, this bag, even this person may explode, leaving in its wake, death, blood, tears and sundry irreparable losses.

Take more interest in those things that ordinarily would not interest you. We live in very “interesting” times and as such should be vigilant round the clock!

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MARKETS&MALLS NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

AUGUST 17, 2014

Tel: 08027790557, 08037613380

‘Abia Govt didn’t victimise Umuahia Main Market traders’

Pat Mgbemena is the Special Adviser to Abia State Governor on Project Monitoring. He recently spoke to journalists on the relocation of traders from Old Umuahia Main Market to Ultra Modern International Market. PAUL OGBUOKIRI was there The relocation of traders from Umuahia Main Market commenced on September 30, 2013. How has it been so far?

O

f course, the relocation has started and if you go to the market now, you will see that it is not as it used to be. The traders are moving according to plan and business has commenced in earnest at the ultra modern market. Movement in whatever form is not always smooth because you are moving from one place to another. But by and large, the exercise has been without any hitch. The traders were ready to go into the new market and they indicated that interest long before government came out to make the pronouncement. In the beginning, we had some logistic issues which had to do with documentations, ranging from preparing the allocation papers and other things. But we completed the allocation papers before the date of movement of the traders and immediately that was done and handed out to the beneficiaries, the traders went to the new market and identified their shops. They started putting their counters and other things they required and began to move. There were skeptics who thought the relocation was not practicable, but from all indications those skeptics have been proved wrong and the traders are happy with the way things have turned out.

There was skepticism as to the date of movement, whether the traders would move and some said the traders were being victimised. What is the real position?

Well, it is not easy to change position from an old place to a new one. But you discover that when you eventually summon courage to move, you begin to enjoy the new place and forget quickly what the old place looked like. You also begin to see the defects in the old place as you find life more enjoyable than before. Also, some traders felt that those of them in the front shops at the old place would no longer occupy that position in the new place. All these things had a part to play in their criticisms and rejection of the new place. But the truth is that government did not victimise anybody because they are the people that voted the government into power. Governor Theodore Orji has a human face and all his policies and programmes have a human face.

So the news making round was wrong on that score?

Yes, he is not out to victimise anybody.

Come to think of it, most traders in the market are his kith and kin, so why will he want to victimise them? Some of them are his schoolmates, bosom friends and confidants, how then can he victimise them? What is at stake is reclaiming the

Master Plan of Umuahia as a state capital.

The governor is passionate about it because when he travels and sees how other state capitals are developed, he felt that moving the market is one way of giving Umuahia the status she deserves. He intends to make Umuahia a modern capital city that every Abian would be very proud of.

Those who did not understand the passion behind the relocation of the markets in Umuahia were the ones that started spreading the rumour, just like those who took government to court in Port Harcourt when the timber market was to be relocated. But the traders at the New Industrial Market are enjoying life there and have seen that government did not mean any harm. They have seen that the governor was more interested in their welfare and they have started thanking him and paying solidarity visits to him.

The same thing has happened at the new market and they will soon see why government relocated them. They will start to thank him also because of the amenities that are there. There is an asphalted dual carriage road and plans to build other roads are on. The extension of the Uzoakoli Road has commenced for the free flow of vehicles and Umueze Road will soon be commissioned as well as roads that will link nearby communities. There is the fire service building, police post and vigilante group for adequate security, asphalted motor parks for clients to the market, health centre, primary and nursery schools, housing estate for interested traders and outsiders. Following agitations, the governor has introduced luxury bus transport from town to the market at a highly reduced fare of N30 and it will be for 24 hours. So the government has their welfare at heart. Again, it is not a forceful relocation, they have enough time to relocate and therefore should not panic. The fencing of the market would have started, but the surging crowd of interested individuals who want to own shops at the market made government to re-think that if it is fenced now, it may have to be pulled down in order to expand and provide shops for the people.

So now we want the traders to move in so that we can be sure that all interested people are provided with shops. It is prepared in such a way that if you want to buy books you go to the book section, and if it is textile, you go to the textile section, not the way it was in the old market, where you see book, textile and provisions staying side-by-side.

The fencing will start immediately all the traders are settled.

What is the arrangement? Is it on owner occupier basis or tenancy?

There was such a clause in the first form that was printed, but it was subsequently expunged on the orders of the governor.

If you have a shop at the new market, once you pay the initial N100,000 and the N20,000 acceptance fee, the remaining N300,000 you have to pay at your own speed within four years. Nobody will disturb you until after four years if you don’t make up the payment. So if you want to pay at a time you do so and if you want to spread it, nobody will disturb you. The most important thing is that you make the remaining N300,000 within four years of staying in the shop. We have almost 5000 shops ready for traders, and we know that the traders cannot take all of them, so we are making provisions for outsiders who are interested there too. But the outsiders

Orji

will have to wait until the traders are fully settled. Government intends to build not less than 7,500 shops and more if people are coming. The condition is that if you are not a shop owner in the old market, you will pay the initial deposit of N100,000 and N20,000 acceptance fee and than pay N400,000 over four years. We will keep on developing and again the market belongs to government, so what individuals will pay is the annual rate which will range from N1000 a year and not more.

What then will happen to the old market?

As the governor said, when the time comes, the people of Abia will see what the place will look like. You know the governor is not somebody that talks anyhow.

Anything he tells you he is going to do, he tries everything possible to see that it works out. What is important is that he is working out what to do with the old market, but this will be after all the traders have fully relocated to the new market and things have taken off properly. I am confident that the governor himself will visit the new market soon to see how the traders are faring and to find out if there are areas that something should be done. He is interested in ensuring that the traders do not pass through unnecessary pains and he is passionate about ensuring that whatever he started, he completes it. He has said that he is not going to leave any project for the next administration and that he will complete all the projects started by him. What is important now is that the relocation which started since 1935 during the colonial masters, but which nobody had the courage to achieve has been finally achieved and in a peace-

ful and orderly manner and the people are very happy. In other places, you would have seen cries and lamentations, but in our own case, there is joy everywhere and people are generally happy. You see people in the new luxury bus going to the market and smiling and that is the kind of thing that gives the governor joy, he loves to the people smiling and happy. When that time comes, Abians will clap for the governor for the new face that Umuahia will be wearing and those coming.

What is at stake is reclaiming the Master Plan of Umuahia as a state capital, the governor is passionate about it because when he travels and sees how other state capitals are developed, he felt that moving the market is one way of giving Umuahia the status she deserves

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AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Nigerian agricultural sector

T

he Nigerian Agricultural Sector has moved through different stages over the last half century.

From being the major contributor to GDP, foreign exchange earnings and employment in the 1960’s, focus was gradually turned away from the sector.

That neglect seems to have changed into attention, as evident in recent happenings.

In our 2014 Agricultural Sector report, we undertake an analysis of the Nigerian Agricultural Sector; its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats focusing special attention on the Oil Palm, Rubber, and Livestock Feeds industries. In the report, we look at various factors influencing the different industries such as- products pricing, demand drivers, growth inhibitors, government support as well as other recent happenings in the different industries. We then turn our searchlight on the different sector players listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Find below highlights of our 2014 Agricultural Sector report titled- All eyes on the “Goldmine”

•Current Status of Nigerian Agriculture

Significant Agricultural Production Currently, the country is the world’s largest producer of crops such as cassava (54millionMT), dry cowpea (2.5millionMT), kolanuts (138,000MT), melonseed (512,500MT), sorghum (6.90millionMT), cocoyam (3.45millionMT) and yam (38millionMT); 2nd largest producer of crops such as cashew nuts (behind Vietnam836,500MT in 2012), millet (5millionMT) & sweet potatoes (3.4millionMT); 3rd largest producer of palm kernel (1.20millionMT- behind Indonesia & Malaysia); 4th largest producer of cocoa (383,000MT), ginger (156,000MT), groundnuts (3.07millionMT) & fresh vegetables (6.2millionMT); as well as the 5th largest producer of oilpalm (940,000MT- behind Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand & Colombia) & pawpaw (775,000MT).

Other major crops produced in the country include; onions (240,000MT- 6th largest producer), plantains (2.80millionMT- 6th largest producer in the world), pineapples (1.42millionMT- 7th), sesame seeds

The country’s agricultural potential is largely underutilized … There is still a large supply gap for most agric. products, largely filled through imports (158,000MT- 7th), rubber (143,500MT12th), spices (6,000MT- 11th), soybeans & tomatoes (580,000MT & 1.56millionMT respectively- 14th) and rice (4.833milionMT17th largest producer in the world). … . But high levels of wastage and poor value chain development Despite the high levels of production of some crops in the country, there is still a high level of wastage, due to insufficient infrastructure (FDI, 2011) for storage and processing of most of these crops. Most of the value chain of the crops the country majorly produces is poorly developed.

Nigeria, for example, is the number one producer of Cassava in the world accounting for c.21% of global production in 2012.

In terms of trade in the crop, the country is barely visible, due to the lack of necessary infrastructure to process the crop into starch and pellets. The story for Sorghum and some other crops is largely the same.

… All eyes on the ‘Goldmine’

Are the days of neglect over yet?

Successive governments have put in place measures to aid the recovery of the agricultural sector, by addressing some of the long-standing bottlenecks- poor access to finance, lack of adequate supporting infrastructure, high levels of wastage, poorly developed value chains (especially

Opportunities exist along the value chains of so many crops … what remains largely lacking is the necessary infrastructural (power) and policy support. the processing aspect) etc. More recently, the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) has been instituted to better position Nigerian Agriculture as a business undertaking (rather than a developmental project) with focus on some mandate crops- cassava, rice, maize, sorghum, cocoa, oil palm and wheat.

A lot has been done in improving rice production and processing, fruits-to-juice processing, securing billions of dollars of investment commitment to improve the value chains of most of the mandate crops, and improving access to inputs and finance. Though a significant step in the right direction, poor access to power and the requisite infrastructure still remain a major challenge. We are expectant, however, that power sector reforms will positively impact the agricultural sector going forward. We do not deem the risk of policy reversion from subsequent governments to be very significant because of the realization that the success of any policy aimed at reducing poverty requires focusing on agriculture, which has been empirically found to be more effective than focusing on other sectors.

Rising population and income to drive demand for agricultural products The favourable demographics (over 170million) with a robust annual growth rate of 2.55%, rising income levels, growing industrial sector- all reinforce the assertion that the future direction of demand for agricultural products (raw and processed) has a high probability of trending upwards.

•Nigeria Oil Palm Industry

Palm oil continues to dominate global edible oils production, consumption and

trade with Malaysia and Indonesia jointly accounting for 83.74% and 82.16% of production and exports respectively. Despite having c.3million ha under oil palm cultivation, the country’s palm oil output lags Thailand and Columbia due to the preponderance of older, lower yielding trees on most plantations. The huge palm oil supply deficit in the country presents huge investment opportunities for oil palm establishment but vulnerabilities to international price movements continue to haunt the local producers. The government continues to support producers through various initiatives and as key investors acquire older plantations and more land to replant, we see the industry on the path of growth in the near future, even though palm oil price outlook is dim.

• Nigeria Rubber Industry

Rubber- an important raw material that has found application in more than 50,000 uses- is majorly produced by Thailand and Malaysia. Nigeria’s rubber industry suffered neglect which led to a decline in its share of global production. Infrastructural challenges, particularly Power, resulted in the exit of tyre producing companies (Dunlop and Michelin) which hitherto consumed over 70% of Nigerian rubber production. The country now exports most of the rubber produced. Land constraints faced by the world’s major producers of rubber positions Africa as the next investment hub for natural rubber production. Investors are already positioning (for example Presco is planning to have 10,000ha planted by the end of the decade), especially as the price outlook for natural rubber post 2014 shows an upward bias. Policy initiatives to support the industry are also being implemented.

• Nigeria Livestock Feeds Industry

The Livestock Feeds Industry is a competitive market marked by the large number of feed millers that span the country.

Some of the big players in the industry source some of their inputs from the international market, exposing them to currency and price shocks. Insecurity, dependence on importation of raw materials and infrastructural deficit remains the major constraints to industry growth.

We see some of these companies looking at backward integration in the future to mitigate their exposures. We also expect the industry to continue to grow, on the back of favourable demographics, rising

income, expansion in local poultry & fish production and favourable policy climate.

•Company Specifics

•OKOMUOIL expanding to retain leadership position: The Company recently acquired 11,400ha of land and plans to establish 10,000ha of oil palm plantation on it within the next 3 years. This is expected to lead to a doubling of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) output from the company. We undertook an analysis of the company’s financial performance over the years, impounded our forecasts and carried out a valuation of the company using a blend of absolute and relative valuation methodologies.

•PRESCO diversifying operations to maximize value: The Company’s foray into rubber plantation establishment this year is one big step towards diversifying its operations and protecting the company from exposure to global palm oil prices movement. The company plans to have 10,000ha of rubber planted by the end of the decade. Even though we do not expect any income stream from this venture until the next 7 years, we believe this is

We envisage that the sector will continue to receive favourable government policy support a worthwhile strategy given the outlook to palm oil (which is expected to trend down from next year until 2025) and rubber prices (which is expected to recover to close to 2013 prices by 2020). We analyzed the company’s financial performance over the years, impounded our forecasts and valued the company’s shares using a blend of absolute and relative valuation methodologies.

•LIVESTOCK has strong growth potentials, but modest valuation: The Company’s operational spread and vast distribution network, as well as wide product range is expected to continue to support revenue growth in the near future.

UACN’s acquisition of 51% stake in the company drove the share price to return 198.61% in 2013, way ahead of the intrinsic value. Whilst we acknowledge the fact that the company will benefit a lot from the synergy derivable from the UACN group, our valuation of the stock is modest.

To get a full appreciation of the report, kindly visit www.meristem.com.ng/rhub

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY AUGUST 17, 2014

Abuja Beats

Abuja Beats

Give us dumpsite, Deidei timber sellers urge minister

Yekeen Nurudeen

W ABUJA

orried by the health hazards associated with the burning of saw dust in a residential area, timber sellers at the popular Deidei Building Materials market, Abuja have appealed to the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, to provide them with a dumpsite.

This, according to the Chairman of Timber Traders in the market, Chief Peter Ezeadua, became necessary to avert diseases that may result from burning sawdust.

He stressed that all efforts should be geared towards healthy living.

He said, “This is a period that anything could trigger any form of disease and sickness.

“We resort to burning of the dust in this market because there is no dumpsite. As we all know, the smoke that comes out of it would definitely envelope the environment causing air pollution in

the community and as a group of people who care about the health of our members and people of the community. We plead with the honourable minister to create a site for us to be dumping this dust because our fear is that this can cause respiratory diseases,” he said.

Ezeadua noted that the association had scouted through the community to see if there was any industry using dust as its raw materials but found there was none.

He stressed that Africa as a continent is now in a situation where everybody must do away with anything that has propensity to cause health havoc, especially at a time when the continent is struggling to curtail the spread of Ebola virus.

“Senator Bala has done a lot for us in this market, which we as a group would continue to appreciate and remember for years. But this issue of a dumpsite is very important and urgent attention is needed in order to protect our environment from unforeseen circumstances,” he said.

FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed

Medical workers must treat chronic fever as Ebola -Rilwan Dr. Rilwan Mohammed is the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Primary Health Care Development Board. He is also a member of the Technical Committee set up by the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, to guard against any possible outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the nation’s capital.

He tells YEKEEN NURUDEEN why medical workers in the FCT have been instructed to treat any case of high fever as Ebola.

Dr. Rilwan

Nigeria and indeed some parts of Africa are being confronted with the Ebola Virus Disease. Abuja, as the nation’s capital, cannot afford to be caught unawares by this disease. What are the measures being put in place to see that the city is not affected?

The FCT administration under the leadership of Senator Bala Mohammed has actually taken a drastic step. One of those things he did was to invite all the media to a stakeholders’ meeting. All the stakeholders in the health sector were invited to the meeting and a committee was set up. It is a technical committee set up in order to look into areas where we are going to focus our activities to curtail the virus.

There are three things you must do in an epidemic: one of the most important things you must do is to be prepared.

The second is to respond while the third thing to do is mitigation.

We were actually not prepared before but we have started preparing. So we are going to take response and preparedness at the same time.

This committee was set up and the FCT Secre-

tary for Health and Human Services is the chairman. We are going to have an inaugural meeting where we are going to discuss all these issues.

The world is a global village and from the statistics we got over one million people come in and go out of Abuja. The Federal Government is taking drastic measures at the airport where they have a surveillance system. Anybody coming in has to be examined. There are isolation centers in most of the airports.

We also decided that we are going to have one centre where we are going to isolate our patients, which is in Kuje General Hospital. Do you know the reason why we selected Kuje? Kuje is very close to the airport and number two, the first suspected case that we are trying to find out whether it is Ebola happened there. The man started vomiting blood; a non-peptic ulcer patient who took alcohol and he was vomiting blood. We took him for test because we thought it was Ebola. So we decided that the place should be the centre for Ebola. This reason is also because there is a door at the back of the ward. There won’t be mixing with other people. When someone is coming from the back, he won’t mix with the people in the community.

The FCT administration has already designated three ambulances in case there’s an outbreak of the virus. These ambulances are going to be used to convey these Ebola patients to the hospital.

In the hospital, there’s a protocol. First, the ward is not connected with other people, it is by the side. Nobody comes

to that side and if you must come there, you must wear a protective cloth.

Doctors and nurses have been trained and we have provided protective clothes at the hospital already. There are three or four rooms in the ward. The first room is where we will keep those with serious cases of Ebola. These are persons that are no longer considered as suspected, but who have it. The second room is for those that are recovering, the third room is for those that have recovered and the fourth place is where you take your shower and go.

Anybody that comes to the room must shower. The protective cloth is going to be used for only one person.

It is not that you put off the protective cloth and someone else will come and wear it. And after you wear it, you have to take a bath before you go out and do anything. That’s the method. Some days ago, the Minister of Health invited all of them. The President also invited all the Commissioners of Health and the Minister of Health because there was a nurse under surveillance who moved to Enugu. When she moved there, her family members, friends, 21 of them were suspected to have got the virus. They had to quarantine all of them. So you can see that the President had to invite all the Commissioners of Health.

By next week we are going to have our inaugural meeting and there are supposed to be four sub-committees. One is Entry Point Committee. Since the FedCONTINUED ON PAGE 42

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AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Abuja Beats

Medical workers must treat chronic fever as Ebola -Rilwan C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 1

eral Government is handling the airports, we are going to focus on motor parks and engage them. Actually, the Federal Ministry of Health has started engaging the motor parks and their leadership. There’s a rule that nobody carries a corpse from one place to another without approval. This measure is right because 60 per cent of Ebola transmission is during the burial of victims.

Why we are worried about this is this; anybody that comes closer to them we call them contacts. You will find out that they are the ones coming out with the disease. I still want to inform the Honourable Minister of Health that it is time to close the borders. This is because if we have a case, some people that are under quarantine, about two of them have run away while some have also run away from the surveillance system.

Why are they running away?

They want to go and attend social functions or ceremonies. Another who went to one of the states even in the centre of the North claimed that he wanted to go and attend the wedding of his sister. The Federal Government has already declared a state of emergency and when there’s a state of emergency you can come and arrest anybody and hide such a person for the safety of the society. That’s why the World Health Organisation (WHO) also said that Ebola has become an emergency situation.

When there is an emergency situation, they can use the drug on human beings.

Now the drug, Zmapp, has only 10 doses and is finished in America. They tried it on two Americans and they sent the remaining nine to Liberia. The product is finished. They are just producing more and the drug is going to be used for treatment.

In FCT, we are going to discuss what to do about point of entry and the second one is the surveillance system. There are a lot of rumours about Ebola; unfounded rumours misleading the community and the society. With this surveillance system, if there is anybody that we hear is having a suspected case of Ebola, immediately people will go in and check him and keep eyes on him.

We have a case management and isolation centre in Kuje. Our doctors, nurses and laboratory scientists have already been trained. We also have laboratory services because most of the people that died of it, in fact let me tell you that from the statistics we got in the whole and these West African Countries, 180 medical personnel have died. That means that they are at risk more than any other person and their relatives.

It was Patrick Sawyer’s sister who died that infected him. During the care of the sick as relatives where they have to carry all the excretions from the body, including if the patient is coughing, there are viruses coming out. People are saying it is not airborne. It is airborne if you are very close to a victim. Through coughing, sneezing and singing, you can get it.

When someone has Ebola, he is very weak.

One of its symptoms is weakness. The person is very weak and cannot do anything. You see that people who have the virus are dying within two days because the incubation period is between two and 21 days.

What is paining us now is one state governor who said he doesn’t care about people eating bush meat; that we should not tell them not to eat bush meat. One of the things that propel its spread is the eating of wild animals such as bats, antelopes and other types of bush meat.

And we are saying that they can cook or boil the meat very well before eating it. But the governor said it doesn’t cause anything.

As a state governor, he is supposed to be telling the people what to do and what not to do.

We are the experts and we are saying this is the reservoir of infection, the bats particularly. We are saying they should not eat these meats and you are saying no problem. What if is there is an outbreak in Benue? What will you tell the people of the state?

I can tell you he won’t even set up a committee to look into it because he doesn’t know the value. Look at it, there are 177 people in Nigeria now under surveillance.

Another thing that is giving us concern is the issue of misconception. Somebody has started work on bitter kola, Prof. Maurice Iwu. He has not even concluded his research on it. In fact, he is even talking about it to be used for hypertension and some people are saying it

Dr. Rilwan

can be used for Ebola.

On the use of water bath which has caused a lot of havoc, many people have died due to salt water bath and drink than the Ebola itself.

About three or four people are on admission in Asokoro General Hospital. I received calls from far and near from people who lost loved ones to this misconception.

They called me from Jos that they lost four people. They asked what they can do. I told them to go to the hospital. There’s nothing I can do about it because you have already drank something that can cause stroke and miscarriage. We have lost so many people to this and Ebola is still there in Liberia. This is one of the misconceptions about Ebola. We want people to wait and hear correct information from correct people.

On the issue of isolating a ward in Kuje General Hospital as a referral centre for Ebola, there was a protest by residents of Kuje and even the Area Council Chairman also joined in the protest. Has this been resolved?

Yes, there was a protest and the chairman was involved. But it has been resolved. It is because of how infectious the disease is. The chairman was afraid that the centre is located in the heart of the town. It is not like that. It

is in a room and that room, there’s a way we do it. If a nurse or a doctor there is infected, or a lab scientist, pharmacist, even the medical record can be infected because they touch records and go. But the anxiety has been allayed because we told them we are going to take care of that.

The reason why we chose Kuje I told you it is very close to the airport and very easy to come from the back for patients. The chairman and even the youths that were protesting have agreed. The only thing that is giving me concern is the issue of pormide. When we talk of pormide in the transmission of Ebola is the use of our hands, handkerchiefs, towels. What the Minister of Health is telling us now that this is the way to greet, wave your hands, don’t use your hands just to minimise body contacts.

In offices too, we will not hesitate to inform our government now that they should be able to adopt a stringent measure that anybody that is in a public place should put water and soap or hand sanitizer, though it is expensive.

It is even no longer in the market as most people have bought it and bitter kola.

Where we are worried is that it can go on and on like. We don’t want to lose all our medical personnel. There’s one hospital now where all the consultants have run away to India.

There are 215 primary health care facilities in the FCT. How many of the health workers have you trained on Ebola?

We have about 78 health care workers. We were the first to train health care workers on Ebola in the country. We trained them and told them that they should know that they are at risk of contracting it. We told them that as health care workers, they should regard any high fever as Ebola until proven otherwise. If they are infected, many people are infected along the line and the transmission continues.

So in an epidemic, I told you about preparedness, we respond and we mitigate.

Mitigation means to reduce the suffering because already it has happened. Now, we have a case now, and that’s why we trained these medical workers to know what to do, to know the symptoms, and then to report cases because we don’t want to hide. If you hide a case of Ebola, before you know, about 150 people would have contracted it. It is better to bring it out. Now let me tell you what

happened. The world is a global village; in six hours you are in England, within 12 hours you are anywhere around the world. It takes 12 hours to be in China. Saudi Arabia; there is a case there (Saudi Arabia) already. There was another case in Spain, a priest who died of the virus. I think we should be able to know that this is a deadly virus. The only way to prevent this is personal hygiene and then we should be able to reduce human gatherings, particularly during mourning. Mourners should not come together because death brings people together. Even the schools cannot be opened now. I think the resumption date is going to be extended until the thing cools off. We have to avoid gatherings as much as possible because you don’t know who is who.

What are the economic implications?

We have started the intervention which is to minimise contact, handshakes, also minimise those things that can expose you to the virus.

We should minimise burial ceremonies. When somebody dies, bury him; and if he died of Ebola, there is a process. What you do when you have an Ebola case is to cremate. Islam and Christianity have ways to bury the dead and cremation is not a religious way of disposing corpses. That’s why the President has invited Ulamas, pastors and traditional rulers to come in and discuss that this disease is one that can spread to any extent. They agreed that you can cremate so that nobody can go and start washing corpses, whether it is that of a Muslim or a Christian. When a Muslim dies, we bath him and now pray for him. That is the way Islam teaches us. However, in case if it is a dangerous thing that will affect other people, Islam also gives a way to that. It says you can just put some water on the person and that’s enough for him.

Mr. President declared a state of emergency before the World health Organisation did and also released N1.9 billion. He ordered the establishment of a research committee so that we can look into this bitter kola and other things. All the FEC meetings they have been having were all on this Ebola virus because it affects our lives; it affects our economy. If you are going out of Nigeria now to anywhere, they will check you for Ebola.

The FCT Minister of State has ordered that all those going to Saudi Arabia this year for Hajj must be screened for Ebola.

GIFT launches talent hunt for Nigerian youths

Amadi Nnamdi ABUJA

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owards helping Nigerian youths realise and invest in their God-given talents, the Goodluck Initiative for Transformation (GIFT) has launched a talent show for youths in the country.

Speaking at the launch of the show, National Coordinator of GIFT, Chinedu Okpalanma, described it as a platform where many young Nigerians with the gift of singing, acting, dancing and other forms of art would be given the opportunity to showcase their talents to the world.

“We believe Nigeria is moving in the right direction and that the only people who can build on this dream are the youths. This is a

programme that was conceived by our organisation to impact positively on Nigerian youths. It is unique and our target audience is youths between the ages of 18 and 28.

“Registration has started online and we are encouraging Nigerians who have talents in any of these arts to apply. There are many prizes to be won. The important thing is that we want to use this medium to mould future leaders too.

“There are so many parts of the programme that we will use to showcase that Nigerian youths are indeed ready to take over the challenge of leadership in Nigeria,” he said.

The NGO’s Head of Media, Phil Roberts, while shedding light on the reality show, revealed that it would feature 30 housemates drawn from a nationwide audition selec-

tion process. He added that they would be camped in GIFT VILLA while their activities within the house would be recorded and streamed to the audience at home via TV and internet.

Roberts said it would be a reality show with a difference, adding that lots of social, intellectual and economical activities have been lined up for the housemates while at the GIFT VILLA. These, according to him include ‘The MIND GAME segment, Entrepreneurial training in Business Development, Administration and Management.

He added that the Special Assistant to the President on Ethics and Values, Mrs. Sarah Jibril, will mentor the housemates during the course of the programme.

L-R: Third, Engr. Chinedu Okpalanma, National Cdtr, GIFT with other members of GIFT during the launch/unveiling of GIFT Talent show in Abuja...recently

retty few styles define the playful, feminine and chic sides of a woman like the iconic wrap dress.

The wrap dress captures the essence of a woman, even as it wraps around and fits her every curve, while masking the not so great curves.

Wrap dresses are fabulously flattering on all body types.

Ladies do not limit where and when they wear them. With an adjustment to the length, fabric, print and colour, it can take you from day to night. It can also take you into the largest and most serious board rooms and the most glitzy event.

There have been several variations to the wrap dress as

P

Biwom Iklaki

designers give their individual interpretations to the style, as well as nuances like a mono sleeve, irregular or asymmetrical hemlines, maxi, midi, mixed and matched prints, colour-blocking and such. One would not be amiss to say that the wrap dress as given to us

by Diane von Furstenberg is one of the greatest fashion hits ever.

For office, depending on the dress code, a wrap dress would look more official when it is in solid colours (even with printed fabrics). Stick with fabrics like cotton, polyester, linen and Ankara. For the days or nights when the code is to ‘paint the town red’, by all means, break out the slinkiest lycra, lace, leather, chiffon,

PVC, etc.

When it comes to accessorising, there is no limit to the bauble craze. Let your personality take the lead. Pearls, bibs, cuffs, beads, all work well with the wrap dress. Make an added statement with a large carry all, clutch or a cross body bag, all work well with this iconic dress.

For a word of caution: mind the opening from the wrap which often falls either on the thigh or between the legs. It could fly open in a sudden gust of air either from the wind, a fan, a car whooshing down the road. Some people secure this part with a brooch or a good old fashioned safety pin!

Wrap that dress!

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Shade your eyes with swanky sunglasses Vanessa Okwara

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ith global warming on the increase all over the world and the sun rays hitting the earth with so much heat, it is not a bad idea to get a

pair of sunglasses.

Sunglasses are no longer just a means of protecting our eyes from UV rays, but an indispensable accessory for the man of all seasons and all occasions. Sunglasses help protect the eyes from ultra violet rays of the sun and at the same time make you look smart and upscale.

They are one of the coolest accessories you can have in your wardrobe.

Men have limited options than women when talking about accessories but if it comes down to sunglasses, guys also have the same collection at their disposal. So they can choose a pair of cool and elegant glasses from

the best sunglass brands.

When purchasing sunglasses, the price of the frames play an important role. It is important to stay within your budget and find the frames you want. Of course, one does not have to break the bank to get a pair, but if you had unlimited money, you could spend it on expensive designer labels from major international designers in their 2014 collections. These include Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and many others. You will also find the classic ongoing styles with new colours and details from Rayban and Carrera, as well as Tom Ford’s now legendary shield models. The best part about owning a quality pair of shades is that you can sport them on all occasions, they never go out of fashion.

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Old wood catches fire easily...

‘

First Cut Is the Deepest” is a 1967 song written and sung by Cat Stevens and made more popular by legendary artistes like Rod Stewart and Sheryl Crow.

It’s a song that tells how deeply the breakup from a first love hurts. When you listen to this song, it takes you back memory lane; reminiscing about a beautiful love long lost.

I listened to this song recently with a girlfriend and it brought tears to her eyes. Ogechi recounted how she can never forget her first love even though she is now married with two kids. Then, she was a young girl of 18, recently gained admission into one of the Federal Universities in the country and was really glad to leave home and the close scrutiny of her parents.

She met and fell madly in love with Chidi. Their love was the kind you read about in Mills and Boon and all other romance novels you could think of. They were simply inseparable; more like two peas in a pod. Her world revolved around him and she couldn’t imagine a life without him. They planned to get married after graduating and their love waxed stronger until their final year when Chidi’s mother came between them. She vehemently refused to meet Ogechi and asked Chidi not to have anything to do with her. She wanted him to marry from a family within their social class and all Chidi’s pleas for her to change her mind only fell on deaf ears. Ogechi said she did all she could

to gain the heart of Chidi’s mother but it was like pouring water on a grave stone.

Their breakup came when Chidi had to go abroad to do his Masters.

Incidentally, the same girl his parents wanted him to marry was also going to the same school in the UK. It was a huge shock when Ogechi received word that the girl had gotten pregnant for Chidi and that they were coming home to get married.

She was devastated as the dreams of becoming Chidi’s wife came crumbling.

She thought she would never get over the pain of that heartbreak but as they say, time heals all wounds. Three years after, she met and married her husband and they are blessed with two lovely kids.

Ogechi said even though she had gotten over the hurt of losing her first love, the memory of what it felt like lives with her forever. She cannot compare it with what she feels for her husband because it is a different kind of love. That first

love came from a heart full of innocence and void of selfishness.

Everybody remembers their first love.

It is a love like no other you have ever felt before. It is the kind of love that is sweet, innocent, unadulterated and simply magical! You can’t forget the long walks and sweet nothings you whispered in each other’s ears. It is so difficult not to glimpse back and open the vault of memories; to remember the butterflies in your stomach each time you meet and how you always feel a little out of breath after each magical kiss. You remember how you exchanged lovely greeting cards and daily love letters that expressed your feelings as if it was right out of a romance novel. You also remember the inevitable painful breakup and how miserable you were for a very long time.

First love is simply unforgettable, that is the more reason why you should leave it where it belongs -in the past!

What business do you have rehearsing

the past or looking up your first love through Facebook or Instagram? Social media has made it incredibly easy for people to ‘find each other’ and try to rekindle old love. This is indeed a dangerous path to tread. Nobody is saying that miracles don’t happen where first loves find each other after many years and probably get married but most of the time, either or both may be committed to someone else.

The brain is truly a power house that has the capacity to store up old memories and dig them up at will. Reminiscing over first love is a wonderful feeling but so is the danger of digging up these memories; especially if you are in another relationship. Be careful of falling into what I call ‘virtual cheating’. This occurs when you are thinking and loving someone else in your mind while still in a relationship with your present partner. A lot of people are into this duplicity these days. Some use it to console themselves when they are in a bad marriage or not happy with their partner.

There is an African adage that says ‘old firewood catches fire more easily than a freshly cut down tree’. In other words, it will be very easy to cheat on your partner with your first love than with any other person. It is also very easy to ‘steal show’ from an old lover than from a new one. So resist the temptation of rekindling old fire. Miracles do happen. So do repeated mistakes.

Beware!

Police brutality and racial tension in America T

oday, I remember the streets of Lagos on November 2008 when Barack Obama won the United State’s presidential election. People celebrated as if he were a Nigerian and proclaimed his victory as the final nail in the head of the monster called ‘racism.’ A black man sitting on the most powerful chair in the world can only mean that the world has moved beyond divisive and often fatal racial tensions. At least, it was not only the blacks and coloureds in the United States that voted for Obama.

Sadly, the events of the past few days in Missouri has put paid to any illusion that America and the world at large is now racially tolerant. In case you have not heard, an unarmed and brilliant black teenager, Michael Brown, was shot multiple times by a white police officer in St. Louis, Missouri. Though details are still sketchy, the police have at least confirmed that Brown did not have any weapon on him and he was shot in a defenceless position on the street and ‘multiple’ bullets were fired by the police.

Coming 59 years after Emmett Till was killed in similar circumstances and his mother forced the world to look upon the grotesque art that was his body, it calls into question the advancement of the Civil Rights movement. No, not from the part of the activists as the election of Obama and the success stories of blacks and coloureds in business, art and sports owes a lot to that, but in terms of the education that white supremacists have.

Why for instance, was Michael Brown stopped if he was going on his own gently and disturbing no one? Surely the Police should have real crimes to attend to than harassing innocent kids on the street. Even if it was a routine ‘stop and

search’ process for the sake of crime prevention, why use live firearms instead of the stun guns and tasers that we have been told is standard issue for all American policemen?

The most disturbing aspect of this is what I see as institutional racism with the police trying to suppress information and just giving out ‘basic’ facts. No wonder, the people are not buying into the version of events the police are giving and taking to the streets to let the world know an injustice has taken place.

I dare say that Nigerian Police can even look at this scenario and be proud. Did former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tarfa Balogun, not go to jail despite being the highest ranked Police officer in the land? The Missouri Police department must take a leaf from this and do

the right thing by bringing the offending officer to book.

Right Now, the Police can only do damage limitation as their reputation is damaged already. By refusing to release the name of the officer and letting him hide behind the cloak of anonymity, they prove themselves complicit in the whole affair and no amount of internal investigation can soften this impression.

With this situation, United States has been set back another 60 years in its fight for racial equality. It makes mockery of their stance as the bastion of democracy and while I agree that this is just an isolated case, it forms part of a recurring incidents of black youths being killed or maimed for no other reason than the colour of their skin. Only two years ago, Trayvonn Martin, another teenager

I dare say that Nigerian Police can even look at this scenario and be proud. Did former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tarfa Balogun, not go to jail despite being the highest ranked Police officer in the land? The Missouri Police department must take a leaf from this and do the right thing by bringing the offending officer to book

was shot in Florida by a neighbourhood watchman, George Zimmerman. Zimmerman was acquitted a year later and though there is an appeal of this decision in place, I doubt if there is anyone holding their breath that Zimmerman will be jailed. It also shows education on tolerance an race relations is an ongoing process that must not be stopped.

So, what is the cost of the life of black teens? I ask for I want to know why the perpetrators of this evil deeds think it is right to kill black teenagers. This perhaps is one reason why people are taking to the streets to demand justice. President Obama too must address the issue. While he did make a statement when Trayvonn was shot in 2012, there is yet to be an official word from white house on the death of Michael Brown. The president must condemn this in order not to share in the blame for Michael’s death. There must also be an independent enquiry to forestall a repeat. My guess is Michael Brown’s parents voted for Obama in the last two elections and so expects him to stand up for them.

Due to start College this week and with a promising talent in rap and athletics, the death of Michael Brown is a blight on the future. Could the Police be on a mission of shoot them before they grow?

It will not be the first time.

I witnessed the 2011 riots in England following the death of Mark Duggan by the bullets of London Police officers. It was one of the most scary experience of my life and I see the same happening in Missouri. It seems the world learns nothing from history. Therefore, my clarion call to all the Police officers of the world: STOP KILLING BLACK YOUTHS.

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Wole Adepoju 08085003746

woleadepoju@yahoo.com

At 80, Igbinedion Fashola eyes Senate rededicates life to God G T

he patriarch of the House of Igbiniedon and Esama of Benin Kingdom, Sir (Chief) Gabriel Igbiniedon, is in a very happy mood. The reason is why the high society, movers and shakers of the land are getting ready to celebrate with the influential man as he turns 80 in a matter of weeks. Many who are going to be part of the celebration and the public at large are keenly waiting to see how Igbinedion will celebrate his birthday. This is because the man has made it known over the years that he does not celebrate in half measures. At the moment, speculations of different forms are flying around as regards the shape the event is going to take but what is confirmed is that the 80th birthday of the Esama is going to be one month long.

Prior to the event, the people of Benin have started to feel

the impact of the birthday as free medical care is ongoing.

No fewer than 3,000 people are billed to benefit from the programme. In the same vein, the successful businessman has rededicated his life to God. The influential and wealthy Esama had the rededication some days back at God’s Historic Chapel, which is planted at his residence in Benin. At the early morning service, the Esama, who asked people to bring to his notice whenever he goes wrong, promised to build a befitting house for the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria currently headed by Rev. Felix Omobude.

Ndudi Elemelu changes gear O

ne of the most popular and controversial lawmakers in the House of Representaives, Ndudi Elumelu, has been continually linked with an aspiration to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduhaghan. However, one thing he has ceaselessly said is that there is no do-or-die in his ambition.

On that note, sources who

Much ado about Patricia Etteh

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ne woman who has made an impression that will remain indelible in the minds of most Nigerians is a former speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh.

She is the first woman to preside over the House and the manner in which she left the position is of interest.

The light skinned former beautician has since gone under the radar and many are wondering where she is.

She wasn’t even seen during the governorship campaign of Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, in Osun State where she hails from and where her voice would have counted.

Celeb Lounge, however, gathered that Etteh has travelled abroad where she has been trying to upgrade her status, academically.

maintain that Elumelu has his eyes on becoming the governor of the state, has given hints that he has made a turn in another direction. As the period for party primaries gets nearer, Elumelu is said to have made up his mind to take the place of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in the Senate, as the latter steps up his campaign to take over from the incumbent governor. Okowa represents Delta North in the Senate.

oing by how the Governor of the Centre of Excellence, Babatunde Fashola, clinched his coveted position, many have come to believe fate was at play for the gangling lawyer turned-politician. Intrigues and scenarios that came to the fore before the man at the centre assumed office are now history. Today, accolades have not ceased to come his way for what has been described as his brilliant performance as a governor, although some are of the opinion that Fashola’s achievements have been more of media hype.

H o w e v e r, getting a second t e r m was not a roller coaster because, a p a r t from the internal wrang l i n g with his godfather that almost ruined his ambition, he also had opposition who reminded him of his earlier statement that it’s only failures that repeat a class, to contend with.

Inching towards the end of his tenure, according to what those who should know told Celeb Lounge, the theory of only failed people repeat a class may have vanished from his book, as he’s said to have a new goal. Sources revealed that Fashola, as part of

his retirement plans, intends to head to the Senate. The Senate is like a retirement ground for governors. But this ambition of his, according to a source, may have brought about a cold war that may snowball into a crisis in the party, as the All Progressives Congress leadership is not said to be favourably disposed to the idea. This development, we learnt, may force the governor to look elsewhere to actualise his dream.

Hakeem Shodehinde bounces back

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henever the issue of night clubbing comes up for discussion, especially in the metropolis of Lagos, one name that cannot but be mentioned is that of the man about town, Hakeem Shodeinde, who sits atop one of the best clubs in town, Movida.

General, as Hakeem is fondly called, got into the night club business many years ago but he did not come into the consciousness of the people until he founded Extreme Nite Club, after which he teamed up with his footballer cousin, Joseph Yobo, to float a well patronised one called Reloaded. He went on to commission another one known as Insomnia, and as he usual, he remained the talk of the town. This project was in collaboration with another night club expert, Hamed. So sure of his wands, stoutly built and

well-connected Hakeem moved on to open another one. Many were skeptical of its success but the story was no different from the previous ones as the upscale night club in highbrow Victoria Island became an instant hit.

Movida became a haven for the high and mighty - from captains of industry to high profile footballers as well as Alist entertainers. But the flame came down and was eventually rested when the facilitator, Hakeem, was hit by an ailment which almost claimed his life. The unpalatable tale is now history as things are back in shape.

Movida has since reclaimed its glory and most excitingly, Hakeem, who became a ghost of himself when he was ill, is now back on

his feet and is fast returning to his chubby frame. Also, he’s returned fully to social life as he’s now seen attending top events.

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with

Wole Adepoju

Happy times for Dapo Adelegan

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any people may not be familiar with the name, Dapo Adelegan.

However, it does ring a bell in the minds of those who are old enough to recall some events that happened over 20 years ago, when he made a statement that has remained an integral part of the history of Nigeria’s entertainment

industry till date.

Owo, Ondo State-born Dapo, during his National Youth Service days, initiated the popular music concert, Lekki SunSplash, in Lagos. The show that ran for seven consecutive years was not only a point of reference for show organisers, far and near, it also catapulted the then youthful Dapo into national consciousness as well as made him a millionaire at a very tender age.

Dapo moved on to pioneer electronic billboard years later.

The dude became a big time player in the corporate world ever since with his hands in a couple of pies. Today, the man behind Celtron Group is in a frenzy over a personal accomplishment he just recorded.

Celeb Lounge learnt that the first son of Dapo Adelegan, Tobi, some days ago, became a lawyer when he graduated from Leeds University, United Kingdom. It was also gathered that the proud father and his wife were in the United Kingdom to celebrate with the latest lawyer in town.

Senator Abaribe’s worry F or two-term serving lawmaker from Abia State, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, his goal has for long been to occupy the number one seat in his state. This he came very close to when he was deputy to former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu. Along the line, he fell apart with his boss and he had to re-strategise to actualise his dream.

He made moves to run for governor on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party but lost. His attempt to give the position another shot was blocked by his current platform, the Peoples Democratic Party, which twice asked him to step down for other candidates.

As the next opportunity presents itself, Abaribe, it is believed, is confident that he is going to get the party’s blessing to run. There are, however, feelers that he may have discovered a cog in the wheel of progress he set in motion to actualise his dream. Information has it that the outgoing governor, Theodore Orji, is not very well disposed to Abaribe’s aspiration as he’s said to be well pleased with a former deputy speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Uzor Azubieke.

The former deputy speaker, who is the chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Petition, is said to be a grass roots politician and tested his popularity some time ago when he was hosted to a reception by

the traditional rulers, upon attracting a polytechnic to the state. The governor and other personalities were said to have attended the gathering where support was indirectly solicited for his governorship ambition.

What those who should be in the know have revealed is that Abaribe is counting on the national leadership of the party to override the resistance of the governor to his governorship ambition.

Eyitayo Balogun’s profile soars

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THINKING ALOUD

paulhelenproductions@yahoo.com; 08072709777

08085003746

yitayo Balogun jnr, son of veteran sport journalist, Tayo Balogun, may have stepped into the shoes of his father, going by the exploits and the image of the young man that is soaring as a sport analyst. For veteran sport journalist, Tayo Balogun, life cannot be better because the popular television sports presenter did not only get to the apex of his career as a celebrated fellow, but he also built a name and reputation for himself as vice-chairman of Lagos Sports Council, even as his views are still very relevant.

Balogun Jnr made his break as an analyst in 2002, when he joined Sharafa Yusuf to analyse Korea/Japan World Cup matches on

NTA. Since then, he has not looked back and has remained a force to be reckoned with in the world of sports. He was one of those who analysed the matches played at the just concluded World Cup in Brazil on the platform of Optima Sports.

With wide and sound knowledge in the sporting world, bulky Eyitayo Balogun co-hosts a popular sport programme on Channels Television, Channels Sports, and a top sport show, Ultimate football, on Eko F.M, through his outfit, Sportslink Media. Another edge which has made him a toast among his peers is his towering influence in the marketing world which endears corporate sponsors to his programme.

with Helen Paul

Arise O! Compatriots

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Where was God when my friend’s car was hit by a semi?

Why didn’t God save my friend when she died after some weeks of being in a coma?

Why doesn’t He stop bad things from happening?

Why didn’t He take away my pain?

I became encompassed in the ways of How sweet and loving would it have the world, which eventually made me bitbeen if we and our leaders practise all we ter, broken, depressed and even suicidal.

Thankfully, after several years of living say in that national anthem! Honestly, Nigeria would have been like a modern in darkness, God got a hold of my heart.

Garden of Eden, where peace and tran- Life without God in it was worse than quility reign supreme. People would sleep having unanswered questions. I chose to with their two eyes closed. Some groups release my need to understand. I accepted of citizens would not keep enriching the fact that God allows things to transpire themselves at the expense of the majority. that I will simply never comprehend on It is only in Nigeria that I have seen this side of Heaven. countless of unsung heroes and heroines.

I repented of my sin, and He received Yet, we say the labour of our heroes shall me back to Him with arms wide open. not be in vain. Who is fooling whom? In That was seven years ago, and by God’s my last article, we discussed how we fail grace I am not the same person I used to celebrate people when they’re alive, but to be. However, there are times when I say all sorts of sweet things about them lack the faith to believe that God is goafter death. This is rather unfortunate. ing to work everything out for my good, But in spite of this, I have realised that even though He promises to do so. Even faith in God is what we need – that is the though I have seen Him do it time and only thing that can give us consolation. time again, specifically in using my tesAccording to George MacDonald, “A timony. perfect faith would lift us up absolutely Yes, God redeems, and He heals. I would above fear. It is in not be writthe cracks, crannies Yes, God redeems, and He heals. ing this post and guilty faults of today if that our belief, the gaps I would not be writing this post were not the that are not faith, today if that were not the case. case. It does that the show of apnot, howprehension settles It does not, however, change the ever, change and ice of unkindthe fact that fact that experiences have an experiences ness forms.” have an efI stumbled on a effect on a person. They shape material a few days fect on a perago, and after read- who we are, and influence son. They shape who ing it, I had many we are, and reasons to rededi- the way we think and process influence cate my faith to God things the way we and cast my mind think and out of the numerous things happening around. Of course, I’m process things. not greedy, so I will share this piece writSometimes, the things that have hurt ten by an anonymous woman with you: and broken me in the past affect the faith Do you, like me, have gaps in your faith? I have in God regarding my future.

I remember the pain of that season as if Are there parts of you – tiny little parts –that do not trust God? I am such a ‘pon- it were yesterday. There are times when derer’, and it often gets me into trouble. I find myself thinking that maybe God My pondering incongruence with my in- won’t come through, even though deep quisitive nature leads to an abundance of down I know that is not the Truth. questions. More often than not, my quesBut He is so faithful. He and I are worktions do not get answered. ing through these fears of mine, and we Unanswered questions can be unset- are processing them together. tling. I have faith. Some might even say it The pain of that season caused me to deis strong. I know who God is, and I believe mand answers from God. The truth is that His Word is true. I try my best to trust He was answering my questions; I just Him, even when life does not make sense. did not like His answers. I still ask Him However, there are these crevices deep questions, even now. And His answers in the recesses of my soul, where fear are still the same: My grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinresides. I can envision the kind of faith I want to have. I can foreshadow the kind of thians 12:9). woman I want to be . . . but I always seem The Lord is near the broken-hearted to fall short. I never meet the standard I (Psalm 34:18). have engrained in my mind.

My ways are higher than your ways I have a very intimate relationship with (Isaiah 55:8-9).

God now, but it has not always been that Even during the times when the pain way. Life beat me up pretty bad before I and sins of my past threaten to derail me, was broken enough to recognise my need He is steady. for Him. The beating left its mark.

I am learning to let go of yesterday’s During my high school years, I went pain, so that I can grab hold of today’s through a season of tremendous sorrow. joy and tomorrow’s hope.

I went to 12 funerals by the time I was Maybe life has thrown some things at 17, and most of the deceased were friends you that have affected your faith. Maybe my age. I had so many questions, and no you, like me, need the breath of God to answers. blow on the parts of your faith that have been frozen, so that they may be melted Questions like: down and fresh faith can be reborn.

Why do good people die? henever I hear the tunes and rhythm of the Nigerian national anthem, they arouse mixed feelings in me. The heavy and promising lyrical content make me proud, and on the other hand, I feel sad within me because there is a sharp contrast between the message of the anthem and what is obtainable in the country.

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Body&Soul

DIY on the GO

AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Homemade cake tastes good Abimbola Sodeke

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othing taste better than a cake you made in your own kitchen.

Baking a cake is as simple as measuring and mixing your ingredients in the right order, and remembering to take the cake out of the oven before it burns.

Bake a homemade chocolate cake 1. Get the ingredients 3/4 cup butter, room temperature 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 3/4 cup flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup sugar 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup milk or cream 2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

3 Grease your cake pan. You can use a round standard cake pan, a square baking dish, a loaf pan or whatever you have at home. Make sure to grease it well with butter so the cake won’t stick to the pan when it’s baked.

4. Mix all the wet ingredients in a large bowl. Place the butter, eggs, vanilla extract, sugar, and buttermilk

in a bowl. Use a whisk or a hand mixer to blend the ingredients well.

The ‘wet ingredients’ in cake recipes are generally those that have moisture.

Sugar is often listed as a wet ingredient even though it isn’t actually wet.

5. Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Place the flour, salt, cocoa powder, and baking powder in a small bowl. Stir them together until they are well mixed.

6 Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Beat the mixture until the batter comes together.

7. Pour the batter into the cake pan. Use a spoon or spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl so every bit of batter makes it into the pan.

8. Put the pan in the oven and bake the cake for 30 minutes. Check the cake’s progress often to make sure it doesn’t burn. Insert a knife or toothpick into the middle, if it comes out clean, then the cake is ready.

9. Take the cake from the oven, set it on the counter and let it cool for about five minutes before handling it.

10. Invert the cake onto a plate. Cut and serve.

AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

49

Wine & Dine

Body&Soul

Smoothies: The perfect dietary supplement Ibukunoluwa Kayode

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here is no balanced diet without taking a drink for easy digestion. Most people, especially women, are usually concerned about their weight.

Day in day out, they look for solution to keep the fat and the abs under check.

So many health experts and nutritionist keep rolling out pills in herbal supplement forms to proffer solution to weight loss. But, the fact still remains that a healthy diet can actually do better than these pills, with no side effects.

Getting rid of excess fat goes beyond keeping a date with the gym and timing the so called ‘fat burner’ pills. To achieve a natural fat burning, include in your diet two to three days smoothies.

Smoothies are natural fruits like orange, pineapple, grape, apple, strawberries, grapes and others blended together to form a pasty drink. These smoothies’ helps the body get rid of toxins, improve sluggish digestion and jump start weight loss goals. They help flatten the belly, clear the skin and increase energy level.

These drinks only require little energy to digest and assimilate into the body due to the ingredients which are whole fruits, pureed into easily broken down nutrients. They also have high fiber content.

In other to make a perfect balance diet, always take a light dinner on your smoothie days. However, it also works best when you take a cup of smoothie alongside each meal you take the entire day.

The wholesome breakfast

Biwom Iklaki

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ith the growing awareness for healthy living, healthy and nutritious meal choices and portions no less, few people want to

be left behind the healthyliving train. Mind you, the concept of healthy living does not in any way include a warm bath in salt water; neither does it smile on a diet high in sodium like the salt-water

drinkers propagate.

To begin your day on the note of high energy levels, there are several options to choose from - local content, moi-moi and akamu; continental, toast/bagels/ croissants with scrambled

de-core and cube) 1 banana (wash, peel and chop) ¼ medium papaya (wash, peel and cube) ½ cup blueberries (wash) 1 kiwi (wash, peel and slice)

egg whites.

Usually, any of these options are topped or washed down with some tea, coffee or fresh fruit juice. Come

and sit down to this breakfast for the health conscious that is guaranteed to wake up all your senses!

INGREDIENTS 1 slice wheat bread 3 egg whites 1 tbsp olive oil 1 pinch of salt 1 apple (wash,

PREPARATION Beat the eggs and add the pinch of salt. Heat up a pan with the olive oil, fry the eggs and set aside in a plate. Toast the slice of bread and set on the plate. In a salad bowl, mix the apple cubes, banana slices, papaya, blueberries and kiwi. Depending on how sweet your tooth is, and how mature your palate, you may decide to mix any of the following: 2 spoons of low fat cream, ½ cup yoghurt, or 2 tbsp lemon juice to lubricate the fruit salad.

FACTS: This combination of fiber, complex carbohydrates, protein and a small amount of fat will help provide the nutrients you need for good health and keep you from getting hungry too quickly.

The bowl of fresh fruit salad medley is high in antioxidants and body refreshing multivitamins that are great for your skin, nervous system, immune system and preventing diseases.

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AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Body&Soul

Baby’s first fashion step!

Biwom Iklaki

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or many parents, looking forward to meeting your new baby is one of the most anticipated and anxiety-filled periods in your entire lives. Besides child-proofing your home and preparing the baby’s space, shopping for clothes and shoes are a very important aspect of this preparation. When the baby arrives and is able to meet the several milestones, they get to their first steps…a very exciting period for you and the baby!

It is very natural to want your baby to take her first steps in style so you rush out to get those designer footsies you saw earlier (or you just pick that pair you saw when you were five months gone and couldn’t resist buying).

There are a few things to consider when getting your baby’s first shoes.

Your baby doesn’t actually need proper shoes until they are walking confidently for several weeks. They are better off in bare feet so that they can wiggle their feet freely and their feet can develop properly. It also allows them to walk without slipping.

If you must get them shoes though, they should be specially designed for this stage. The shoes

should be made with lightweight fabrics, with thin bendy soles and breathable linings and uppers, and come in half sizes and width fittings to help walking development. It is wise to get your baby fitted by an expert, just like you will do when they will need more supportive, thicker-soled shoes they’ll wear when they are toddlers.

You should totally avoid wearing your baby who only began cruising, slippers. This is because they may curl their toes trying to get a firm grip on the slippers and this may affect their walking development. It could also get them so frustrated that they may actually regress from this stage and delay progress.

You have many choices; from boots to sandals. They could have laces, buckles, Velcro and so on. But Velcro is a better choice for wiggling children and if you do opt for shoes with laces, be sure to tie them in a double knot so they don’t come undone and trip the baby. Always check the fastening is firm when your child is standing, as the foot shape changes when it’s flat. Then, sit them down and pull gently but firmly on the back of the shoes there should be little or no movement between the shoe and the foot.

Take the right steps to your baby’s first fashion step!

Sermon God’s healing hand p52

News CAC leader counsels Christians on evangelism-Adeoye p.53

TAI ANYANWU, titus.anyanwu@newtelegraphonline.com titusanyanwu.2012@gmail.com 0706 438 0029

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/faith

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

AUGUST 17, 2014

Sermon Unlocking The Supernatural! (3) p.54

51

Faith ON SUNDAY

Why we banned handshakes in church - Catholic administrator

curtail the further spread of the virus and give the

The unprecedented spread of Ebola Virus Disease in the country has trigged a number of actions by the government and religious bodies. To reduce the spread of the disease, John Cardinal Onaiyekan and all the heads of the Catholic Church in Abuja banned the peace greeting (handshakes) and issuance of the Holy Communion directly to the mouths of communicants. Cathedral Administrator of Archdiocese of Abuja, Rev. Fr. Jude Nwigwe explains the reasons for the development to OBINNA ODOH.

How do you react to a shift from what the Catholic Church is known for ie peace greeting commonly known as sign of strong bond, unity, reconciliation and love. Don’t you think that such a decision will create a vacuum and isolation among worshippers?

There is no isolation about this case because the deadly Ebola virus disease is what every rational person should take seriously and take adequate precaution against. Even we in the religious setting have to adopt preventive measures to ensure safety. Not that any case has been reported in Abuja but we are just taking precautions. Even if we are in Abuja and there is yet no outbreak we are already taking precautions just as in Lagos where a lot of measures have been taken to isolate those who are suspected to have had contact with the first victim. So what we are doing here is a kind of preparatory effort, which governmental organisations or agencies are already doing. There could be contact through handshakes.

And even if we have been having handshakes in the church, that particular right is optional. We are just saying that for now let’s refrain because if by mistake you make contact through handshake one could easily be affected.

For Holy Communion, we decided that instead of putting it directly into the person’s mouth, in which there may be contact with saliva, it can be given to the person’s hand.

We are doing all within our reach to avoid the spread of the virus.

According to medical experts, when someone touches an object with which an Ebola patient has made contact, such a person is liable to contracting the deadly virus.

How can you respond to that, given the fact that priests use their bare hands to administer the communion?

The risk is low here and when administering the communion by hand, those administering it are very careful not to make contact. But when administered through the tongue chances are that you may meet a fluid or saliva.

So when we are placing in the hand there is a lesser risk.

Don’t you think that this could be a ploy by Satan to create disunity in the church and promote individualism which is contrary to Christ’s teaching?

We can’t attribute it to that. You can’t conclude that way because there are other diseases that come in many ways and along the way cures have been provided for them.

You can’t count all the diseases that suddenly broke out and killed many people. It has no spiritual undertone at all. If you are saying that, it means that you will attribute any disease or sickness to demonic influence. We shouldn’t see it like that. The important thing is that for them all God will eventually provide a cure.

Some churches say your faith is being baseless since you abandoned what you have believed in for several years simply because of an outbreak of Ebola virus.

pharmacists and scientists undergoing research breakthrough to find the cure. And we think the experiment taking place in America and other western countries are yielding fruit.

People shouldn’t think that the church as the custodian of faith doesn’t have faith anymore.

My further comment is that some people’s faith may be big enough not to contract this deadly virus but for now I encourage them to comply before the virus escalates beyond control. The same people who claim to have faith were the same people who bathed with salt and hot water last week. And they complied maximally with such an unverifiable rumour. What is the connection with Ebola, warm water and salt? But these physical measures that can help to curtail further spread of Ebola virus they are objecting.

I advise all the people to keep good hygiene.

People should refrain from body contact, blood contact, fluid contact, sweat contact etc.

Do you believe that as cure will eventually be discovered?

Yes. All the sicknesses today that have a cure once started like Ebola and posed one threat to the generation of their time. Ebola virus disease will not be a threat to the people.

Rev. Fr. Jude Nwigwe

If they have that kind of faith they should go and pray for the victims of Ebola to get healed. I think that government too has warned religious organisations not to start giving people false hope. Not that we don’t have faith; we believe that there is nothing God cannot do but don’t want to put God to test irrationally. For our part we never undermined the power of God in the spiritual aspect and that is the reason why the first measures taken were to offer prayers. We have been praying that God should help us to

Does the church has official stand on what you are saying right now?

Yes. We have speculated information throughout the Archdiocese but for now we don’t have official documentation because the disease itself is just an outbreak. We don’t call it documentation; we call brief writing.

Can I have it for further study?

No we don’t give it out but believe that the information I have given you is wider than what the brief contains.

Ebola threatens Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Zimbabwe conference

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cloud of uncertainty is hanging over a scheduled threeday conference of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Zimbabwe, where over 50,000 delegates are expected from different parts of the world.

Voice of America reports that the Zimbabwean government is in a quandary as the country prepares to host the conference with delegates from West Africa, where there has been an outbreak of Ebola, and other parts of the world. Given the state of the host’s health care system, however, some delegates might be barred from attending, especially those from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The principal director in Zimbabwe’s health ministry, Dr. Christopher Tapfumaneyi, told VOA that although the country has not had an Ebola case, the

government was aware of problems that the conference might present. Tapfumaneyi said with the advice of the World Health Organisation, Zimbabwe has started educating some medical officials about Ebola.

“They are going to ensure that if there is a visitor coming into the country who in the past three weeks has been in the three countries that have been targeted, they will look at the person closely. If there is reason to isolate that person, that isolation will be done. The centres have already been prepared for that,” he said.

The Zimbabwean official was referring to Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia and that the SouthernAfrican nation is not taking chances. The government has since recalled all its soldiers on the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Liberia, following the outbreak of Ebola in West

Africa.

WHO head in Zimbabwe, Dr. David Okello, however, urged the southern African nation not to panic.

“The likelihood of Ebola coming here is remote. The risk is low, but we live in a global village. Somebody could be infected with Ebola in Liberia, flies to South Africa and is here the next day. I think my main worry is we are now dealing with, not an epidemic of Ebola here, but an epidemic of fear and panic,” he said.

Zimbabwe’s health care system has been near collapse for more than a decade.

Earlier this week, the African Union said the continent’s ministers of health would meet in September to lobby their countries to replenish the AU’s Special Emergency Fund for Drought and Famine, which will also now cover public health.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY AUGUST 17, 2014

Faith

GOD’S HEALING HANDS

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A prayer for God’s mercy estore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord and grant us your salvation.” (Ps. 85: 4-7). These words in Psalm 85 can surely be found on the lips and hearts of most Nigerians of goodwill in these trying times.

How insecure can life become?

Boko Haram overtook kidnappings and armed robbery in Nigeria with a force which no one thought could be superseded.

Then came the Ebola virus and now even Boko Haram has taken the reserve bench on Nigeria’s team of security infamy. Many affected people are undoubtedly repeating Christ’s lament on the cross: Eli, eli lama sabachtani: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from me, from the sound of my groaning?” (Ps 122: 1). In fact, the S.O.S. of the psalm is appropriate. “Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life…” (Ps 86: 1-2) Divine help is needed and urgently as well.

Man must play his part Even then, the role of man in his own salvation must remain central. To St. Augustine has been ascribed the very deep

T

FIRM FAITH: RIGHT REASON by

Most Rev. Emmanu el Ade Badejo

Tel: 08039494219 Email: revodege@yahoo.com thought that God who made man without his help will not save man without man’s help.

So Nigerians must pray and pray sincerely, but also they must work and work hard. As is often said, “Work like prayer does not work and pray as if work does not count.” Sample the style of Prophet Elijah as he fled from the persecution of Jezebel. He was hiding from his distress and troubles. It was at that time that his prayer was most passionate. And it was a prayer made after he had exhausted his energy fighting God’s enemies, eliminating 400 prophets of Baal. As he said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts” (1Kgs 19:10). God heard his prayers for he had worked and prayed very hard. Would that all Nigerians would truly rise up, work hard at doing good and pray hard for a better country built on justice, righteousness and love? How quickly our prayers would be

answered!

Corporate transformation for change The Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province at their deliberations held at Ado Ekiti demonstrated how important it is for everyone to make sacrifice for the sanity of the Nigerian society and the common good.

Not even long-standing traditions of the Catholic Church have been spared in the effort, for self-preservation is a key principle of life. After a twoday prayerful isolation the Bishops took far-reaching decisions and issued directives for the church in the province and the faithful to follow in helping to conquer the Ebola epidemic.

They commended and thanked all those who had done everything possible to confront the scourge, praying for those who have given their very lives in the line of duty and all the victims.

Much inspiration can be derived from the outcome of their meet-

ing, here partly presented: They directed that priests, religious and other pastoral workers collaborate with doctors and other medical personnel to sensitise and educate our people on the dangers, symptoms and management of the Ebola disease.

This should take into consideration the native language of the people for maximum effect and for minimising superstition and rumours, which often do more damage than the disease itself.

Matters in the larger society The bishops thanked God that the governorship elections held in Ekiti State and Osun State were devoid of rampant bloodshed and criminality for which such elections had been notorious in the past.

They commended those who made personal and corporate commitment and sacrifice to secure peace and tranquillity during the elections, especially politicians and their party supporters. The bishops declared that with peace we can achieve great things whereas with violence we all lose everything.

They also urged all winners and losers to work together honestly for the progress and development of our land and country.

The Security and Integrity of Nigeria The bishops admitted that Nigeria still faces serious security and socio-economic challenges. They noted, however, that government has done a lot

to cope with these challenges.

Facts on ground, however, show that there is still a lot left to be done and yet, a note of caution: “We note that more voices have been calling for the division of Nigeria. While identifying with the concerns that have brought such people to this pass, we reiterate that Nigeria is better off united than divided. We plead with those who are in position to act to work more for the unity of Nigeria, for unity is strength. This must be based on the principles of human rights, justice and respect for the rule of law. We are painfully aware of the effort of some of Nigeria’s international friends to compel our country to compromise moral values in return for security aid. Our country surely needs support in the fight against terrorism but we plead that such requests to compromise our cultural and moral standards be resisted and rejected as immoral and unethical. A people denuded of moral values are a people on the death row.”

Invocation for healing Inevitably, the bishops called on Nigerians to trust in God for better days and invoked God’s healing hands on Nigeria thus: “Oh God, take pity and bless us; And let your face shine upon us; So that your ways may be known across the world; and all nations learn of your saving help.” ( Psalm 66: 1ff).

Elijah - Jehovah The Returning One

he name Elijah means Jehovah, The Returning One. That is, Jehovah repeats His visits to His people at certain points when they veer from truth to falsehood. That is why the restoration ministry in the spirit and power of Elijah the Tishbite and Elisha the son of Shaphat came at two different periods in Israel. We shall progress to searching out the third and subsequent times the ministry appeared and what it is meant to do as well as our own response to their ministry as it pertains to the plan of salvation and the whole counsel of God. Restoration to truth ensures you are in the perfect will of God and you have received the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which we are converted from being sinners to saints, born by the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ.

JOHN THE BAPTIST He is Elias or Elijah. “And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him (Jesus Christ) in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:16 – 17). This is the third time Elijah’s ministry will ap-

pear on the face of the earth in John the Baptist.

At the beginning of the New Testament, John the Baptist carried a special responsibility in connection with the plan of salvation. He was the promised prophet who had been sent to introduce the promised Messiah. The Messiah was sent from God with the message for God’s people “…that all men through him might believe.” (John 1:6-13).

In accordance with God’s eternal counsel, He prepared the way of the Lord and turned the hearts of the Old Testament fathers to the faith of the New Testament children. He was ordained for that purpose, to prepare a people pleasing unto the Lord.

Who can possibly comprehend the responsibility that goes along with a divine commission and a divinely promised ministry that is directly connected to the plan of salvation? The Lord had promised this in Malachi 3:1: “Behold, I will send my messenger and he shall prepare the way before me…”

Through the Prophet Isaiah, it was foretold, “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord…” (Isaiah 40:3). In the New Testament, we can find confirmation of this ministry in several scriptures. Matt.

THE ORACLES OF GOD by

Frank Oboden Olomukoro frankolomukoro@yahoo.com, 07033621866

11:12 – 13; Mark 1:1 – 4, Luke 7:27 – 30, John 1:19 – 28.

When John the Baptist came and fulfilled his ministry as the promised Elijah to forerun the coming of the promised Messiah, the people of Israel did not know this was the promise of Isaiah in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1 in fulfilment. May God open our eyes to know and recognise the day of His visitation in our day, Amen.

In the course of church history, various men appeared on the scene without a direct commission and ministry. These include Apostles, Evangelists, Teachers, Reformers, Pastors, General Overseers or Bishops but remember, God does not give His direct commission for a dispensation or age to any of the above but to a prophet. This is God’s pat-

tern. Amos 3:7. “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” The word of the Lord comes only to the Prophet as we know it came to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, John the Baptist, Jesus Christ as the son of Man, Peter, Paul, John the Apostle to name a few. But there were men and women who, excited by religion, had come out of heathenism and converted to Christianity, but not to Jesus Christ. Since the Council of Nicea, AD 325, a completely unscriptural creed was formulated and the people’s church was founded in the Roman Empire without apostles and prophets – that was entirely contrary to the original church, which was built on the foundation of the apostles and the proph-

ets (Ephesians 2:20). This is the historical repeat today; if your faith or belief is not built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, it is not late. You can be carefully guided into that path so that you do not build and your labour will not stand the test of the fire of God’s judgment on the day of reckoning. “Every man’s work shall be made manifest, for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” (1Corinthians 3:13).

The Biblical pattern is valid from the first to the last of the time of grace. First comes the preaching of the sermon, which brings about the faith, then the Holy Spirit leads the individual to repentance, followed by the conversion to Christ, the redeemer, through water baptism of each true believer in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the Holy Ghost (in-filling) baptism. May God bless you always as you fall in line with God’s scriptural pattern by His life-giving word. Amen.

Frank Oboden Olomukoro writes from Christian Ministry of Reconciliation Km 14, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Beside PUNCH Newspapers), Wasimi, Ogun State.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY AUGUST 17, 2014

53

Faith

CAC leader counsels Christians on evangelism

D

Tai Anyanwu istrict Superintendent, CAC Itire, Lagos, Michael Adebayo Adeoye, has urged Christian leaders and children of God to disregard all distractions and instead set their focus on the divine mandate on evangelism.

The patriarch made the call when the district celebrated its annual anniversary last Sunday.

“Today, it is quite obvious that some have joined the ministry because they want to acquire wealth, but it isn’t like that.

“The primary purpose shouldn’t be money but fellowship and that is why I say we have Christ as our perfect role model,” he said.

The GS pointed out that the Lord Jesus Christ did all things everything to accomplish the assignment given to Him by God. “I don’t say God will not bless. He will bless but every blessing must be directed to the promotion of the work.

It is not to possess an acquisitive mind; I don’t condemn it but we have today popularised what in those days was notorious.

“We have elevated the primary to secondary and demoted the secondary to primary and no one will go to secondary school except he or she attended primary school. You can never go to any tertiary institution until you finish secondary school.

“The primary purpose of God is to establish the church. It is for the church to play the role of an ambassador,” the GS emphasised.

He stressed that Jesus came to reveal the totality of God’s purpose to human beings, adding that He did not own any house, wife or child. He said that rather, His purpose of coming was to carry out His assignment.

“And He did it. He allowed us to marry, to do this and that but everything we have, everything we know, and everything we are must be devoted to the work.

“It was like that at the initial stage of the church when the people saw

the great and mighty things God did.

Those who had been acquiring things and piling up a lot of things more than they needed went to sell them and brought what they realised to the apostles to continue the work.

“Today, it is not so. I don’t say we are not destined to be rich but when we are rich we must make our riches enrich the church, so that those who are not rich would know Christ.

“Jesus went to villages, to every big town and small town preaching the gospel, teaching them, healing and doing many other things like that. He became a servant to all; that is the difference between now and then,” Adeoye explained.

The GS also said the anniversary was a time of examination and stock taking for the church, “so we would pick a theme on which we are going to analyse and teach the people and the theme of this year’s anniversary is ‘the unchanging masters mandate to the church which is the great commission’.”

Zonal superintendent Pastor M.A Adeyoe, G.T.

Photo Speak:

Choir

Committee Chairman Pastor S.A Adetunji

Choir master and choiristers

Committee of the church

Pasort Emmanuel O. Pakuta the guest speaker

Children department

Pastor M. A Adeoye with co-pastors of the Church

Deaconesses and pastors

Men sections of the church

Women section of the church

Father and Mother of the day with Pastor M.A Adeoye

Members of the church.

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prayers can end Boko Haram insurgency- Cleric

L-R: Otukwu, founder’s children and Mrs. Otukwu cutting anniversary cake

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Tai Anyanwu he General Supervisor and Minister in charge of ThankGod Awaited Liberation Ministries, Francis Otukwu, has called on all Nigeria to look on to God and find solutions to various problems afflicting the people of the country.

The cleric also said that if only President Jonathan would come and tender a petition in their church Boko Haram insurgency would be a thing of the past.

Otukwu made the call as the church marked the Birthday Day of its late founder, Prophet ThankGod Chukwuma; and the church’s 8th Anniversary last Sunday, who claimed that he was the expected Christ while on earth.

“We are telling you the truth; the Kingdom of God has come upon the earth that Christ has come finished and left, the disciples are around to attend to your problem, and any spiritual problem can be solved here.

“If the president can come here and tender petition for Boko Haram, we would pray and they would be exposed who they are, the reason why they are doing so will be known, and they would be wiped out spiritually and physically the peace of the country will be restored,” the cleric said.

He explained that the, liberation power that was available at the church did not take any definite process.

“You don’t have to go to any healing school before you can be healed, we pray for you, and you will see a change, even if the oracles in the village or anywhere you are being caged, spiritually we would deal with it and even if somebody is in America, disturbing you, we don’t have to go to America before we can deliver you.

He added, “Most problems people are having

is spiritual, and remember it is the spiritual that controls the physical.”

Otukwu urged everyone to know that the ThankGod Awaited Liberation Ministry was synonymous with the Kingdom of God which the claimed has already come to the earth while asking all to bring their various problems for solution.

He said, “The kingdom of God has come, let the people know; let the world know, let the government know; let Nigerians know, both local, state, and federal; let them be aware that there is no problem that cannot be solved in the kingdom of God which is the light that will expose all the elements of darkness of darkness in the society.

“When you come for deliverance, the power you came with will destroyed be destroyed by the power of God.” Otukwu however regretted that the problem with most people was that after they had been liberated they would want to test the former power.

“Here we don’t combine powers; we only depend on the power of God. We pray for the people directly, we will pray and the spirit of God would reveal it directly to you,” he added.

The anniversary celebration was low keyed.

“We are not celebrating like other churches do; we don’t want to stress the people, seeing the economic situation presently.

“We want to make it in a simple way and the people would participate, we do the ministration, we dance and sing praises to God,” the cleric explained.

He described the late founder as nice and kind-hearted man.

Pointed out that the founder does not spare, he is somebody that is a strict disciplinarian even up to his children, he doesn’t spare an evil person.

Members of the church

The late founder, ThankGod Chukwuma

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This reproach must die

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hey shall all be ashamed ecause of a people that can’t profit them that are not a help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach” Isa 30:5.

The house of God is neither a cinema nor movie theatre; rather it is a house of prayer where you present your case before the God of all possibility.

Reproach could mean disgrace, shame, year to year affliction, sorrow, pain, infirmity, degenerating health issue, debt, poverty and hardship. Reproach does not have regard for your eloquence, qualification or personality.

Not even your anointing nor the name of your church is potent enough to address it.

Reproach has the capability to humiliate and limit your divine ability and silence your person; making you a noise rather than being a voice among your family and colleagues. This vicious cycle will continue unabated if you remain nonchalant about issues

pertaining to your life and destiny. You might have fasted, prayed and even sought refuge in human ability but all to no avail. In fact, you are intelligent but have become an approved failure; beautiful yet without a suitor; versatile but dependent on people for survival. All these qualifiers are pointers to the fact that your destiny has been besieged by a spirit called reproach. I command in the name of Jesus Christ every conscious and unconscious reproach in your life to die now and never resurrect.

A sister, after many years of praying for a husband, got an answer to her prayers. Just two weeks before her wedding, she began to behave funny even to the point of slapping the fiancé before her sister-in-law to be. It was concluded that she had partial madness and that was the end of the wedding plans. Beloved, your reproach can turn your divine helper to your adversary but the good news is that the Word of God is capable of turning around

every ill-luck and misfortune and He will turn your mourning to dancing.

Rachael was a woman of many sorrows but when God responded to her affliction, she could not contain it. The Bible says, “And (now for the first time) she became pregnant and bore a son; and she said, God has taken away my reproach, disgrace, and humiliation” (Gen 30:23). God will give you the miracle that will disgrace and terminate your reproach in Jesus name. No matter how lucrative your job or the industry you are, reproach can turn all your efforts into futility. In II Kings 5:1-14, Naaman was another man with stupendous record in the military but his reproach of leprosy engulfed his valiance. He never pretended nor covered up for this deficiency, rather he sought for divine intervention and he was not disappointed. So what are you doing concerning your reproach?

All through the pages of the Bible, there are records of people with reproaches. One grave thing about reproach is that it will not let your glory to shine i.e. where there is reproach, destiny is incapacitated. Alas! If you are not desperate in prayer, you cannot subdue the power strengthening your reproach but as you involve God in that issue, the working force behind your reproach will be unseated in Jesus name. It does not matter for how long you have been held bound or captive; there

is more than enough in God to disgrace your strong enemies.

So then how do you deal with your reproach?

•Embrace the light of His Word - “And the light shineth in darkness; and darkness comprehended it not” (Jn 1:5).

That darkness from the Biblical stand-point connotes shame, fear, barrenness, pain, grief, delay, poverty and every other thing that does not give glory to God. If you are besieged with reproach, you cannot shine. No matter the thickness or density of the darkness, the slightest ray of light is enough to dispel it. The glory of the Lord is the light that can remove your reproach, never join the bandwagon that believes that life is by luck, no!

There is nothing called luck in life. Everything that happens is simply a manifestation. It is a function of the amount of the light (i.e. the word of God) you can grasp.

The Word of God is not mere words or letters (II Cor 3:6). The word of God will go deep into your foundation and uproot that fountain of your reproach. Every form of darkness that has beclouded everyone in your family, office and house will give way by fire in Jesus name.

•Sing praises: “But you are holy, O you who are seated among the praises of Israel.” Ps 22:3. When you are confronted with a problem, one of the cheapest ways out is by bringing God into that case via genu-

This Time Around E XCUSE ME BUT are you Misan?”

Misan Ikomi turned to look at the owner of the voice and froze. It couldn’t be Antonio, could it? Is it really him or am I dreaming?

This was the man she had been thinking of, for the past 1460 days, since they met on this same Victory Carnival vessel - the man she had tried in vain to forget.

When she was booking for this June cruise, she had wondered a thousand times if he would also be there and if they would recognise each other after four years, and she had told herself a thousand times - no, it’s not possible.

In spite of that, when they were boarding the ship at Miami seaport in Florida, she had searched for him with her eyes among the white crowd. Many men looked like him but none was him. She thought as much - she was not likely to ever see him again.

But here he was, live! Six feet two inches tall, with broad shoulders.

“Antonio!” Misan couldn’t stifle her gasp of surprise as she looked into his brown eyes. This was the face that had been haunting her but which she never thought she would see again. He seemed a little older but still very handsome. She didn’t know whether

to laugh or cry.

She looked him over; from his dark hair to the tiny earring he wore in his right ear, to the striped T-shirt that covered his broad shoulders, the faded jeans, and finally to the white sneakers he wore. He looked - put together, smooth - like a male model. He was even better looking than she could remember. She was sure he worked out regularly.

“Yes.” He smiled.

That his lazy smile. She remembered it so well. The way he smiled had lingered in her memory. This was no dream, it was indeed Antonio Lopez, she thought.

“How are you?” Antonio asked, reaching for her hand.

Her first impulse was to run away, to escape to the safety of her cabin. No, she told herself. Why should she? She had always been running away from challenges and people even when she was the offended. She found that easy to do, but not anymore. She had learnt a lot within the past three years plus since she became a Christian and attended The Worship Centre. God had made her strong. If anyone had to run, it was Antonio.

She placed her hand in his and answered with her own smile, “I’m fine.”

“So, you recognise me too.

That’s something.” He continued.

Recognise him? How would she not recognise him when she had not forgotten him? And it was impossible for her to forget him when Weyin was a constant reminder of him. She also had the photos they took together on that fateful cruise. She had been looking at the photos almost every day when she returned from the cruise until she discovered she was pregnant. When she called the phone number he gave her and discovered it was not correct, she put the photos away out of guilt and anger. But some months after she had Weyin, she brought them out again, to look at the father of her baby.

“It’s good to see you.” He said, still smiling.

Misan almost repeated the same words to him but suddenly her surprise gave way to pain and then anger.

She tore her eyes away from him and looked around the crowded large hall on the 11th floor of the ship. Except for the gentle movement of the ship, one would have thought it was a large hotel. People milled about, with food and drink in their hands as if they had no care in the world.

A third of the crowd wore bathing suits while almost all the remaining people wore T-shirts and

ine praises. If God could inhabit the praises of Israel, your case cannot be different but do you believe that?

God detests complainers and murmurers; this singular revelation has helped me to handle cases considered impossible. When you sing praises to God in the face of any challenge or reproach, you are simply magnifying God and belittling the devil.

This is a quick and easy way of getting His attention.

The combination of these two potent weapons can address and subdue the wicked power fuelling aggression and reproach. These are secrets for all round breakthroughs and miracles.

PRAYER BULLETS -Every chain of reproach in my life, break, break!

-Powers behind my reproach, I command you to die!

-Any satanic magnet attracting reproach to my life, die, die! …In Jesus name.

I know you have been blessed.

Write and share your testimonies, comments, etc., through; info@thehebrewsng. com.

Hotlines–01-7903163, 08085845864.

You can also listen to messages on our podcast at www.thehebrewsng. com/podcast.

Rev’d Femi Akinola – The Hebrews International, Lekki, Lagos.

Christian relationship With

Pastor Taiwo Odubiyi +234082300 0773 jeans or shorts. The people in the group she came with were part of the few people who were fully dressed.

Conscious that he was still holding her hand, she pulled it from his grasp and followed the queue for food, holding the white plates and the cutleries in her hands

tighter to keep her hands from trembling. She didn’t want to make a scene. Some of the people on the line were looking at them, most of whom were white.

By: Taiwo Iredele Odubiyi E-mail: info@pastortaiwoodubiyi.org.uk

Church marks 30th anniversary, installs archbishop

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s part of activities marking its 30th anniversary, the Victory Church of The Lord will install its Primate/ Founder, Bishop Michael Ayodele Odupitan, as the Archbishop of the church today.

The event, which takes place at the national headquarters of the Church, Oworonshoki Lagos, will also feature the dedication of the new auditorium.

Expected as the special guest minister on the occasion is Primate (Dr.) Luke O. Babasanya (JP) of the King of Kings Cherubim and Seraphim (C &S).

According to a statement from the church, an open rally, leadership seminar, evangelistic revival, award night, royal gospel concert and visit to an orphanage will be part of the weeklong celebration from August 11 - 16

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uilding experts, architects, surveyors and other such professionals like tell us that without a proper foundation and pillars, a building may collapse! A building is required to have strong pillars in order to stand the test of time and without adequate pillars, a structure may fail! (Except in rare cases).

In the same vein also, in life, there are pillars that uphold the structure of a precept or principle. Today, we shall be looking at the pillars of faith. What are the things needed in order to have sound faith that produces result? Without these pillars, our faith will not be able to overcome or produce!

PILLAR NO 1. - TRUST TRUST- Trust is confident reliance on the integrity, veracity or justice of another. If I trust you, it means I believe your word or that what you say has integrity, it’s true (veracity) or just. You see, faith involves trust in the object of your faith. If I say I have faith in God, then from this definition, I should believe His Word is true and has integrity! We cannot claim to have faith in God when we do not trust His sayings or His Word. When we gave our lives to Christ, we trusted His Word, believing in its saving ability. In the same vein, when we have faith, we have to trust Him to do what’s right, and believe that what He says He will do, He will do! These days, it is hard to find a man or a person of his word. People find it easier to promise what they cannot do and find it difficult to stick to their word. This is due to a lack of integrity, but that is the subject of

THE PILLARS OF FAITH Power in the word with

Banke David

Tel: 08034156014 another discourse. God, however, is a God that says only what He has the ability and willingness to do.

Numbers 23:19 says: “God is not a man that he should lie; neither is he the son of man to repent. Has he said and has he not done it?

Has he spoken and shall he not make it good?” Let us as Christians begin to say only what we know we will do, so that people will repose their trust in us.

PILLAR NO 2- TAKING A BOLD STEP TAKING A BOLD STEP- James 2:17 says: “Faith without works is dead.” When we say we have faith, it must be marked by corresponding action. For instance, you cannot say you are trusting God for a job at NDDC and you don’t even take the step of going there to submit your application.

When a lady leaves her parents’ house to live with her husband, she has faith that her husband or the love of her life will be up to the task. When a man takes a lady to be his wife, he has faith that she will be everything he wants in a wife. When I was trusting

MYSTERY OF ANXIETY with

Bishop John Ogbansie gbe

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ndeed, when we come to the realisation that there is a superior kingdom which controls our future and destinies and has the final say over whatever we are passing through, our h ope rises and

our faith increases. In view of this fact, a great Christian preacher, philosopher and writer once said, “Can we gain anything by fearing and fuming? Do we not unfit ourselves for action and unhinge our minds for wise decision?

We are sinking by our struggles when we might float by faith.” Charles Spurgeon.

The book of Matthew 6:33 is telling us not to hold anything in this world so tenacious more than our eternal happiness and security. This was why the word of God declared: “If in this life we only have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

1Corinthians 15:19.

Now, think about this story, several years ago, some construction workers stumbled on the corpse of a woman

Tel:08033416327

outside the ancient city of Pompeii, where many people died when a volcano erupted and exploded. The evidence surrounding this corpse was interesting. Apparently, she was fleeing and escaping from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. While running, she was caught up and overtaken by the disaster - the fiery molten lava – and she was burnt to death.

The corpse of this woman revealed hands, fists that clutched around golden jewels. The jewels survived the disaster and were still shining and glittering, but this woman was burnt beyond recognition. What a world!

The scriptural injunction which says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” has a lot of functional compound relevance in various areas of our lives. Here, our Lord Jesus Christ gives the motivation for choosing faith over fear and worry. Faith and fear are matters of personal ori-

God for a better job, many years ago, I took a bold step of faith. I resigned my job then and I started making clothing relating to the job I desired. I had faith that God would give a job in the bank and so I set out to submit my CVs in several organisations, confessing that the job was mine and started dressing like them……

Lo and behold, I got the job I had faith for! When I trusted God for my first child and I was not seeing the evidence, I began to take in the Word of God voraciously.

I meditated on His precepts and I contacted the Spirit of faith! I went to my senior pastor then, who is a medical doctor. I declared to him that I was pregnant by faith and that he should give a list of antenatal things. Armed with this list, I went to the market.

I had a friend who was pregnant at the time; I told her I would start attending antenatal visits with her. If she coughed, I would cough, if she couldn’t take a drink due to her condition, I would refuse to take the same drink! Though it seems funny, I was acting upon and my faith and

shockingly, I became pregnant in a few months. God is faithful and He will give us our hearts desires, according to His Word, if only we believe and act upon His Word.

In essence, if you claim to have faith for anything, it must be evident in your actions! You see, faith can be seen! If we say we have been healed by faith, then we should rise up from the bed of affliction and act according to what we have declared! You cannot be healed and be lying down.

Get up! (My husband taught me this.) You say you have faith for a car, go to the car shop, and begin to bargain for one! This is not to say that it is your works that will get you what you believe for. No way!

God is the one who will do it and all glory should be returned to Him. No man should share in His glory!

Remember, faith without works is dead. Show me your faith and I will show you my faith with works.

3. SURRENDER - Faith involves surrender. Let’s take a look at the Scriptures in the book of Genesis 12: 1-5 Then the Lord told Abram, ‘Leave your country, your relatives and your father’s house and go to the land that I will show you. I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous and I will make you a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.

So Abraham departed as the Lord had instructed him and Lot went with him. Abraham was seventyfive years old when he left Haran.

He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew

Lot and all his wealth - his livestock and all the people who had joined his household in Haran and finally arrived in Canaan.”

Faith involves surrender. When God told Abram to leave where he was, he did not where he was going. He had to go a place where he did not even know. He started the journey not even knowing his destination. It involved a whole lot of faith and surrender on his part.

He trusted God to the extent that he was willing to forgo his present comfort to go to a place where he did not know. He surrendered to God’s will. Not too many people can take this kind of bold step.

Leaving your comfort zone to venture into the land of the unknown is not easy, as it involves giving up the known for the unknown. However, when a person is surrendered to God’s will, trusting in His love for him, he can take a step of faith, knowing that His will for you is the best!

Remember, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) Faith is a substance. It is real and can be quantified. Anything that is a substance can be seen. According to Science, it is matter. Matter is anything that has weight and occupies space. So your faith is a substance, it has weight and occupies space, it is real. Faith is the evidence, according to this definition and in law courts, when you have the evidence, you have the proof! If you have the proof, what more do you need? Your faith is the proof.

From this day, your faith will work for you, it will produce results! Amen.

Mrs. Banke David writes from Aba in Abia State.

There is a kingdom more superior entation. It is the orientation of our hearts and thoughts.

Our orientation is affected by our priorities. If you seek first anything other than God’s will, you will surely put yourself on the part of worry. Why? Because God may be using circumstances, pain, bumps, ugly situations, obstacles on your road, trials and sufferings, to get back your attention to His kingdom and redirect your course rightly. Most believers do not want this type of divine intrusion, invasion or interception, when they are erroneously staying away.

Until there is a divine infliction of pain, many people will not seek the Kingdom of God, but they will deliberately continue in their error.

God takes an active role in our lives; training us on how to always stay on the right track. When you seek first His kingdom, He reinforces your correct orientation with peace and confidence in your life. By seeking first His kingdom, you put yourself in a place where you don’t have

to worry about anything.

Now let me throw more light on the above fact. Most of the time, God initiates the worries and allows us to worry by establishing obvious pain and discomfort when He sees us in error. The discomfort and worry continues until we move from the wrong places to the right places and from the wrong actions to the right actions. This was why the word of God added, ‘And his righteousness’. I call this the divine purpose of worries and anxiety. God does not want you to continue to feel insecure, worried in error and confused; but He wants you to be settled in mind. Yet, you cannot be settled in mind, peaceful and relaxed when you are not at peace with Him, or while you are at odds with Him. When our Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 6:25, “Do not worry,” He was addressing those who had come to hear and obey His will, which is God’s kingdom. On the other hand, those who are busy seeking their own kingdom,

disobeying God and deliberately doing things their own way instead of God’s own way, can go ahead and worry until they repent and return to God. To some people like that, He will say “worry” if you are not first seeking God’s will.” May I categorically state it to all readers of this message that the only lasting place of confidence, security, peace and joy in this world is in seeking FIRST God’s kingdom.

“For all the promises of God in Christ are yea and Amen.”

2nd Corinthians 1:20. He spoke and it was done. He has promised us that as we seek His kingdom first, “All other things shall be added unto us.” Oh yes! I believe.

Even those things which appear difficult and impossible, when you seek first His kingdom, they become easy, simply.

As you seek first His kingdom from today, may He fulfil all His promises to you and perfect all that concerneth you, in the name of Jes us Christ.

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Unlocking The Supernatural! (3)

elcome to your regular column. Last week, I taught on the Word Command as one of the ways to really be in control of the supernatural. This week, I shall be teaching on The Faith Command.

Many people have thought that when it comes to the subject of a miracle, man has no part to play, that it is entirely up to God. But that is not true.

Miracles are not accidental occurrences; they are the deliberate acts of God provoked by the desperate faith of men.

That means, as far as God is concerned, miracles are provoked by the diehard faith of man.

God is a miracle worker!

Whereas man is surprised when miracles occur, God is surprised when miracles do not occur. But God will only act when He sees faith. Faith is the connection between man and the miracle-working power of God. The Work of Faith: When the Jews observed how miracles cheaply answered to Jesus, they asked, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” (John 6:28).

Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29).

Therefore, the cardinal way

The Voice of

Dominion by

Bishop David Oyedepo

Phone: 7747546-8; E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

to “work the works of God” is by faith. I am not talking about the mental assent of “I believe”, but the “work” known as faith. You may ask, “Is faith a work?” Hear this: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father (John 14:12).

Faith Is A Work!

Consider the account of the woman with the issue of blood. While many people were thronging Jesus, she was pressing through by faith, to touch Jesus and draw virtue for the healing of her body.

That was not just the mental assent of “I believe Jesus can heal me.” The multitude believed, but it was she that got connected to signs and wonders by her faith. That’s the work of faith! Jesus crowned it all by saying: ...Daughter,

thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague (Mark 5:34).

Friend, without faith you cannot do signs and you cannot receive signs. Without faith you are sign-barren! So, you need the instrument of faith to work miracles.

The Force of Faith: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews11:1). Faith is a substance. It is not a figment of man’s imagination, neither is it a psychological state of mind. Faith is a substance; it is a tangible “takeable”, “handleable” force. If it was not a substance, you cannot take it. Ephesians 6:16 says: Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Faith is a living force drawn

from the living Word, to produce living proofs. It is the trigger that provokes supernatural interventions. How then do we take delivery of it? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).

The Word of God is the delivery van of faith. It transports faith to you. The Word can also be likened to a pregnant woman, and the child in the womb faith. Only those who labour in the Word deliver faith. Just as a pregnant woman must go into labour before her child is born, you must labour in the Word of God before faith can be born.

Faith Guarantees Rest: Hebrews 4:3 says: For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Can you imagine a family without problems, a ministry without crisis, a body without sickness, a pocket that is never empty, and a life without any worries whatsoever? Nothing defines the word “rest” more than these.

Rest is a worry-free existence. It is a much soughtafter commodity, because nobody wants to live in worry.

However, the sure access to

God’s rest is faith (Hebrews 4:9-11).

Friend, the power to access the supernatural via faith is available, if you are saved.

You get saved by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as the Lord and Saviour of your life.

If you are set for it, please say this prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today.

I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Now I know I am a child of God!” I will continue this teaching next week.

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books — Commanding The Supernatural and Walking In The Supernatural.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners.

We have four services on Sundays, holding a t 6 : 0 0 a . m . , 7:35 a . m . , 9 : 1 0 a . m . a n d 10:45 a.m. respectively.

I know this teaching has b l e s s e d y o u . Wr i t e a n d s h a re y o u r t e s t i m o n y w i t h m e t h ro u g h : F a i t h Ta b e r n a c l e , C a n a a n L a n d , Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 77475468; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww. org

Making your feelings work for you...Osagie

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n Proverbs 25:28, we read that: “He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls.” In the amplified version, it says: “Any person that has no self-control is like a house with the doors and windows out.”

There are many things that distract us from attaining our goals in life. There are different things the devil uses to take us off the path of righteousness and thereby rob us of our glorious destiny in Christ Jesus.

But despite the tricks of the evil one, God has given us the power to overcome the evil one.

And that is why Jesus said: “He that overcomes, I will grant to sit with me on the throne even as I overcame and sat with my Father on his throne.” Rev 3:21.

My desire in this teaching is to expose you to the tricks of the enemy and empower you with the wisdom to overcome them. I want us to understand how to make our feelings work positively for our enthronement. If you can gain control over your emotions, then you can gain control over your life.

One of the things we are learning today is one of the reasons why those who were close to Jesus Christ never benefitted

from His ministry.

The only reason why some people are living blissful lives full of joy and happiness is because they have gained control over their feelings. Many people have been robbed of peace, joy and destiny because they have not taken control of their spirit.

A great man like Moses who defeated Pharaoh and the Egyptian magicians hands down, the one who divided the red sea with his rod; did all the miracles in the land of Egypt could not enter the land flowing with milk and honey because of self-control.

Until you gain control over yourself, the Bible says you are like a city without walls and broken down. You are like a house whose windows and doors are knocked out; anything can gain access. But I pray that God will use this teaching to put together all windows and doors that have been knocked out of your life.

If you want to allow your feelings to work for you, you must realise that you are a feeling being. You were created by God with the power to feel your environment. Your ability to feel is a sign that you are still alive.

That you are feeling something whether negatively or positive-

ly is a sign of life. I want to let you know that it is feeling that controls your life whether positively or negatively.

You were a feeling being when God created you. He wrapped you up with a blanket called skin which is a feeling mechanism. When rain falls, the sun shines, hot objects falls on you, sharp objects pinch you, your skin feels pain. You have eyes, nose, tongues and ears, all of which are sensitive to your surrounding; perceiving one thing or the other for the entire body.

The feelings you have are the reason you feel the way you feel. And you feelings have a way of controlling or influencing your countenance or behaviour. That is why your feelings can be your greatest asset or a tool of terror to your detriment.

This teaching is necessary because you need to gain absolute control over your feelings and let them work for you and not against you.

I have discovered that your feeling can be used by the enemy against you. When you are sad and moody there is the tendency that you may murmur against God in the heat of the frustration. But that feeling would have been controlled by the same positive thoughts and meditation on the word of God.

Taming your Emotions by

Apostle Clement by Ogbonna Bishop Lawrence Osagie apostleofgraceinwo Tel: 08063250667, mail:powerlineministries@mail.com, www.powerlineministriesinc.org

You are a feeling being and that is why you can be offended. Your feeling can arouse a sense of disappointment in you. It is also able to make you the happiest man on earth. It all depends on what you choose to give consideration.

And the enemy knows the influence of your feelings and that is why he will always mastermind events to make you continue in negative feelings.

Remember that the Bible warned us that the devil comes to steal, to kill and to destroy.

Many times he comes through feelings – the feeling of hunger, thirst, desire of the heart, craving for attention and recognition and even the feeling of rejection.

These elements of emotional manifestation have been great weapons of destruction in the hand of the wicked one.

When your wife offends you, the enemy will help you magnify the offence so that you can be angry and lose your temper.

Fighting in the house will definitely chase away peace, and where there is no peace how do you pray or reason together? The devil makes you annoyed so that he can get hold of you. If you refuse to arrest such negative feeling you might die before your time.

Watch the many tales of people suffering heart attack, cardiac arrest, heart failure, high blood pressure. These are all as a result of one negatively feeling allowed to dwell i the soul for too long.

I invite you to fellowship with us at the Powerline Bible Church, Glass House,Odo-Olowu Bus Stop, ApapaOshodi Expressway, Ijesha Tedo, Lagos on Sunday 9a.m.

ADVERTISE YOUR CHURCH EVENTS, SPECIAL PROGRAMMES, CONVENTIONS AND OTHER CHURCH ACTIVITIES ON THESE PAGES. CONTACT: TAI ON 07064380029

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Faith

2015: Akwa Ibom indigenes urge Jonathan to seek re-election

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kwa Ibom people have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to step forward to seek re-election for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015, declaring their readiness to give him 100 per cent votes.

Governor Godswill Akpabio, who spoke on behalf of the people of the state, said at the Government House Banquet Hall, Uyo during a reception for President Jonathan, who was on a one-day official visit to the state, remarked that Akwa Ibom people not only love him because he is from the South- South, they appreciate him as a brother and true Nigerian who is committed to changing the fortunes of the nation.

He said: “ Twice this year, Akwa Ibom people in an uncommon resolve, unanimously passed a vote of confidence in you and your administration. In furtherance to their conviction, they urged you to step forward and contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic in 2015. That yearning is still aflame and they have kindly besought you for an answer, but know Your Excellency that Akwa Ibom people are steadfast and will go with you all the way.

In a statement signed by Deacon Jackson Udom, Special Assistant, Media to the Governor, Akpabio said that in spite of the various insurgency challenges in the country, Akwa Ibom people have

asked him to sail on.

“Sail on for evil may thrive for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Sail on, keep moving; we are with you; we shall never retreat nor surrender, for the truth is stronger than falsehood; we shall overcome because history, truth and most importantly, God Almighty is on our side,” he said.

Governor Akpabio then thanked President Jonathan for justifying the faith of the people through what he has done for the country, stressing that he has restored the nation to the true path of democratic governance, built foundations of the rule of law and freedom of expression, left his timeless positive imprints in the expansion of the national infrastructure, reformation of the power sector, the promotion of the local content of policy, the restructuring of the economy as the most viable economy in Africa and in several other sectors.

President Jonathan, in his reaction, thanked Akwa Ibom people for the love and support to his administration, and commended Akpabio for the developmental strides in the state, which, he said, the projects in the state are of high quality.

He further commended the private investors in the state for contributing to the development of the state, and called for more private investments for the development of the country, urging states to create enabling environment for

Jonathan’s power reform commended Johnchuks Onuanyim, Abuja.

M

inister of State for Power, Hon. Mohammed Wakil yesterday stated that President Goodluck Jonathan’s framework for power has been the best when compared with that of previous administration.

Wakil, who gave a closing remarks at the maiden edition of the National Council on Power said the level of successes recorded in the area of generation, transmission and distribution of power under Jonathan surpassed the records of all previous governments put together.

According to statement from his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Rasheed Olawale, the Minister emphasised that Jonathan has done more to transform, expand, and liberalise the power sector even as he acknowledged that previous leaders did their best in the sector.

He said: “President Jonathan changed the focus

from state to private sector run system, built more power plants, expanded transmission lines, resolved gasto-power debacle, broke the jinx of Zungeru and Mambilla hydro dams, and now is addressing the teething problems in the generation and distribution sectors”.

Speaking to the delegates from 36 states, he stated that the inauguration of the National Council on Power was another landmark recorded by the Jonathan presidency, describing the council as a platform to share Federal Government’s vision with the states and for the states to also interface with the center.

“Under the guidance of the President, this council now has critical roles to play in the post privatisation state of the power sector. The administration has now expanded the scope of participation in the power sector to involve all levels of government. This is a commendable step “,Wakil explained .

the private sector to thrive in the economy of the country.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, said she was impressed with the various projects in the state, stressing that the recent commissioning of the Uquo Gas Plant facility at Esit-Eket and ground-breaking ceremony of Methanol Industry at Ibeno which fit into oil and gas sector of the country.

She explained that the projects would create more jobs for the teeming youths and supply gas to the Calabar Independent Power Plant (IPP) in Cross River State and other IPPs in the Country.

Earlier during the commissioning of projects in the state, President Jona-

than thanked Governor Akpabio and the people of Akwa Ibom state, for the good work he has done in the state, through development and for immortalizing his name on the newly constructed road in the state, stressing that he is impressed by the numerous projects he has seen in the state and pointed out that the state has changed significantly for all to see.

Projects commissioned were the Uquo Gas Plant facility in Esit Eket, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Boulevard (Third Ring Road) by Idoro Road in Uyo, groundbreaking ceremony of the Methanol Plant in Ibeno and the inspection of the new Akwa Ibom International Stadium.

Fire guts popular Ibadan market Sola Adeyemo, Ibadan

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raders at the popular Alesinloye Market in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Friday night lost goods worth over N1billion to an inferno that ravaged parts of it.

Though the fire was successfully put out early yesterday morning, items like jewelry, fabrics, shoes, handbags and traveling bags, as well as wrist watches, were burnt beyond redemption.

One of the traders whose shop was affected by the fire, Mr. Adeoye Soyemi, a dealer in jewelry, told New Telegraph on Sunday, that no fewer than 600 shops were burnt down, putting personal loss at close to N1 billion.

According to him, the fire was caused by power surge which affected one refrigera-

tor in one of the affected shops.

When the fire initially started, New Telegraph on Sunday, learnt, five shops were affected while the private night guards on duty alerted men of Oyo State Fire Service, who, however, could not get enough water to contain the fire. It was a sad tale for many of the traders who got to know of the incident as late as midnight as hoodlums had either vandalised or stolen their goods before they arrived at the market.

Another trader who identified himself as Samuel said the incident was the second, because he was a victim in a similar one which had occurred earlier. He said he lost goods worth about N750,000.

“On March 9, 2004, this market experienced similar fire incident and I suffered a great loss.

Cross section of Pastor’s Wives, during the inauguration ceremony of Pastor;s Wives and Lady Ministers Fellowship, at Four Square Church, Oregun, Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Estate agent drags Four Square to NHRC over N3.8m fee Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

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he leadership of Four Square Gospel Church, Maitama Zonal Headquarters, Abuja has been dragged before the National Human Rights Commission over its alleged failure to pay a 10 per cent service charge to an estate agent in the purchase of a plot of land worth N38 million in Mabushi District of Abuja.

An Abuja based private company, Glo-Pac Resources Nigeria, is asking the commission to compel the church to effect the payment of N3.8m to its account as service charge for introducing the land in question to the church.

According to a copy of the petition dated February 24, 2014 and signed by the company’s Head of Real Estate, Okonkwo Joseph, a copy of which was obtained by New Telegraph on Sunday, the leaders of the church failed to

honour an agreement with the agency that introduced the land to them.

It said that the leaders of the church comprising Rev. Olufemi Ajayi, Mr. Orakwe and Mr. Adesina reneged on their agreement to pay the agent the sum of N3,800,000, which is 10 per cent of N38m. It said this was the price of a plot of land measuring 1636.67sqm at Mabushi District bought after the agent showed them the location.

The agent alleged that the church leaders bypassed him in the transaction that culminated into the purchase of the land by the church from the owner. It said that they had been introduced to the land initially by the agent of Glo-Pac Resources and had agreed to pay the service charge of 10 per cent upon the completion of the transaction.

“It was sometime last year (2013) on a Sunday that I received a phone call from this number, 08037877549.

He called to make enquiry about a piece of land. The man whom I later identified as Orakwe claimed that he was act-

ing on behalf of a church that I later understand was Four Square Gospel Church, Maitama Zonal Headquarters.

“I arranged on the same day for inspection of the same land. On his inspection team were Mr. Adesina and his wife. Upon inspection, they expressed satisfaction over it and promised to communicate with me accordingly for further expression of intent to purchase.

“To keep to his words, I was again invited by the same Mr. Orakwe on another Sunday two weeks after to appear before the Church Committee on the same land issue.

In attendance at this meeting were Reverend Olufemi Ajayi, Mr. Orakwe and two other brethren. Mr. Adesina was said to have travelled out of Abuja.

“It was at this meeting that I told the church committee that my service charge for the service I was about to render was 10 per cent of whatever the purchase value of the land. They all accepted to pay and at the same time promised to carry me along

in the transaction processes,” he said.

Okonkwo lamented that after several attempts to get the church to fulfill the agreement, he was instructed to write a letter stating the service charge. The letter was written on January 17, 2014, he stated.

But a January 22, 2014 reply from the church which was signed by Ajayi as the minister-in-charge said it offered to pay three per cent as service charge for the transaction. The letter stated that the 10 per cent being demanded for was on the high side.

“We wish to notify you that having put all structures in place in readiness for the transaction, we enjoin you to arrange a meeting for us to meet with the owner of the land.

“We also want to let you know that the commission of 10 per cent in your letter is on the high side. We therefore offer to pay three per cent commission on the payment price of the land when the transaction is eventually concluded,” the letter read in part.

Stoke sign Moses on loan from Chelsea p.63

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/sport

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AUGUST 17, 2014

Ramsey strikes late as Arsenal beat Palace p.63

Dapo Sotuminu, Deputy Sports Editor dapo.sotuminu@newtelegraphonline.com 08099400190, 08038154192

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Sp rt

Elegbeleye: Why Team Nigeria boycotted Youth Olympics

Bach

Danagogo

Dapo Sotuminu

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he Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye, has explained the reasons behind the Commission’s decision to ask the Team Nigeria to boycott the Youth Olympic Games currently going on in Nanjing, China.

Elegbeleye disclosed that, the Commission reacted swiftly to the unnecessary gagging of the country’s athletes in the various sports which they have registered for in the Games.

He noted that, the Commission felt it was not good enough to see Nigerian young athletes pass through the undue screening and seemingly discriminating attitude of the organisers who had said that, some of the Team Nigeria athletes may not be allowed to compete in the sports they registered for, basically the contact sports.

“Already, from the reports we got from our officials on ground in Nanjing, our athletes were dejected and felt embarrassed by the situation, so I asked to meet with the Sports Minister. After our meeting with the Minister and the president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, it was agreed that, we should withdraw the team.

“We ensured we withdrew from the Youth Olympics before the commencement of the games so as not to disrupt the fixtures of the various sports. We did what we did for the interest of Nigeria and the future of our young athletes who have a long way to go in their career. We won’t allow them to be

discriminated on at this stage of their lives.”

The Director General stated that the Team Nigeria with only a very limited athletes less than 10 have departed Nanjing for Nigeria and are expected back home on Sunday afternoon.

In a swift reaction to this, the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach announced yesterday that three African nations will not compete at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games due to health concerns related to an outbreak of the Ebola virus across West Africa.

The confirmation that there would be nations not participating was made by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas BACH at a press conference on Saturday afternoon.

BACH specifically confirmed that the

Elegbeleye

Nigerian team, which had arrived in Nanjing, will be departing.

“Obviously the Nigerian government has decided in this way,” BACH said.

“Again, we feel sad for all these athletes.”

BACH had previously stated in the press conference that he shared the sadness of athletes who would not be able to participate in the Games.

It has been reported that the Sierra Leone and Liberia teams will not be travelling to Nanjing.

“For these young people this is very, very difficult and we feel for them,” BACH said. “We will not forget them.”

Thomas Bach was speaking at a press conference at the Main Media Centre BACH said a future event is being planned in Nanjing and the IOC will be working to invite the affected athletes back to the city to participate.

Ebola is spread between humans via blood and bodily fluids, and the IOC determined that athletes from the affected region must not participate in pool and combat sports as a health precaution.

Two athletes from Guinea, one swimmer and one judoka, will not be allowed to compete.

The IOC had announced on Friday that a third athlete would also not be allowed to compete in a combat sport. However, that competitor is part of one of the now non-participating nations.

BACH also made it clear that the IOC had left the decision to participate in these Games up to the individual nations.

“All of the teams from all over the world are welcome to these Youth Olympic Games,” he said. “There is no ban.”

Meanwhile, the 2nd Youth Olympic Games, Nanjing 2014, are underway after a dazzling Opening Ceremony in the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.

The President of the People’s Republic of China XI Jinping declared the Games open, signalling the start of a 12-day festival of sport and youth across the city involving athletes from 204 nations and regions.

The President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas BACH (GER) told the young athletes to have fun - and encouraged those present to set a record for ‘selfies.’

“You are here to enjoy the competitions and to deliver your personal best performance. You are here to experience and promote the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship. You are here to celebrate the Olympic spirit.

Steady rain fell throughout the first part of the ceremony, providing challenging condition for performers, although there were no mishaps nor major changes to the program and the showers did not dampen the enthusiasm of the huge crowd.

The Opening Ceremony, which was attended by a host of dignitaries, including United Nations Secretary-General BAN Ki Moon (KOR), paid homage to China’s rich cultural history and its bright future, drawing on elements from the Bronze Age and the nation’s exquisite porcelain to the Silk Road and the epic sea journeys of Admiral ZHENG He, which had their origins in Nanjing.

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Glory Alozie: It was a miracle Former Nigerian hurdler, Glory Alozie, who retired as a Spanish athlete told DAPO SOTUMINU in this interview that it was a big miracle that saw her won a silver medal in the colours of Nigeria at the Sydney 2000 Olympics barely two weeks after the death of her fiancé, Hyginus Anugo, in Australia. She also spoke on her switch of nationality and many more When did you start athletics?

I started athletics since my days in the primary school in the eastern part of Nigeria where I grew up, it was fun. That was in Abia state. It was just the normal inter-house thing which brought out the true potential in me and some other youngsters. The bottom-line was that I had interest in athletics.

What gave you the motivation to go into the sport full-fledged?

I got the motivation in my secondary school as the Games Master who saw the talent in me insisted that I must be serious with athletics. Living in the school dormitory also helped tremendously as the school’s Games Master always asked for permission to take me through extra training sessions basically in the sprints and at times, he took me through the hurdles. He bought my first spike shoes for me. This was how I started, it was quite early, but I coped effectively.

This was at St Joseph College, Aba. When did you know that you were going to become a superstar in athletics?

You don’t really know that you will go far in sports, particularly in athletics; you can’t see that you will become a superstar.

I started from the junior category before graduating to the intermediate, at this point I was invited to the national camp for a national competition from where I was taken to the African Championship where I did well. Initially, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, didn’t want me go but the team’s Cuban coach insisted that I must be a part of the team to the championship. He argued that after watching me train, he was sure I would go far in the African Junior Championship. I eventually did winning a silver medal.

Before the African Championship in 1995 in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire my personal best was 13.92 seconds which was not good enough, but at the African Meet I ran a time of 13.60 seconds which gave me the silver at the Championship.

My performance here gave me a place in the World Junior Championship whose qualification time was 13.80 seconds.

After this, I went for the African Championship in Yaounde, Cameroon where I ran as a junior and won the gold medal also in 1995. We went to the Mobil Athletics Trials Championship in Lagos, here my time was not good to run with the seniors, but I was good for the juniors. It was from here that I was made to believe that I have become an international star athlete. And I never looked back afterwards.

At the World Junior Championship in 1996 which was held in Sydney, Australia I ran 13.30 seconds to win the race which was very good. This was how I met my manager who took me to Spain where I started my professional career. He is the best coach I have seen in my life.

How many medals did you win at the All Africa Games?

I won two gold medals in the Women’s Hurdles and the 4x100metres relay at the All Africa Games in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1999. That was the only All Af-

rica Games event that I attended in the colours of Nigeria Before the African Games in 1999, I had won the World Championship gold in 1998, for me that was a great moment for me bigger than the African event, so no regrets that I didn’t feature in more than one, which was in South Africa.

How many Commonwealth Games events did you compete in?

The Commonwealth Games is the only event in this world that I didn’t compete in. I was on the verge of going to the 1998 edition of the Games, but Nigeria had problems with the Commonwealth and the country was stopped from competing.

We were not allowed, and that was the only time I had the opportunity.

The Commonwealth was supposed to come up in 1998 before the World Championship and we were preparing when the Sports Commission announced Nigeria’s boycott. It was a painful one for me, as I never had another opportunity to compete in the Games.

It would have been good if I had competed in it, who knows I would have set a record with my name immortalized, but unfortunately that didn’t happen.

Glory Alozie, left, celebrates her silver medal at the Sydney Olympics 2000

there, I went ahead to win a medal.

While preparing for the Sydney Olympics, something tragic happened to someone very close to your heart, Hyginus Anugo, who died in a motor accident ahead of the Olympics. How did you feel about this?

Even though, it was an experience I don’t like to discuss, talking about it makes me sad. A lot of journalists from across the world have been calling me to talk about it, but I have declined as I don’t want to remember the bitter past.

I believe that winning a silver medal at the Sydney Olympics after such a tragic event was a gift from God. It was not easy; I thank God for my family and a lot of fans out there who urged me to win to honour the dead. It was a miracle for me to achieve such feat; I am sure not many athlete could do that, but God saw me through and ensured I didn’t come out of the Games empty handed.

I would really appreciate it if you don’t talk about the sad occurrence again in this interview; it was a very sad experience.

How many Olympic Games did you compete in?

I competed in only two Olympic Games in my entire career. One each for Nigeria and Spain. I won a silver medal at the Sydney Olympics 2000 for Nigeria. While in the colours of Spain I didn’t win any medal in the Olympics. For Spain, I was unlucky as I ran in the fastest lane, 2, and didn’t qualify for the final.

This was at the Athens 2004 Olympics where I competed for Spain; the farthest I got was the semi-finals. I ran 12.52 seconds but this was not good enough to get to the finals. If I had run in the other heat, I would have qualified for the final that is one of the uniqueness of the Olympics. The experience was good anyway.

Can you share your best moments in the Olympics with us?

For me competing in the Olympics was my greatest moment in sports. You must be at the Olympics to confirm your greatness in your sports discipline.

It was the highest point for me. I felt honoured and privileged to compete in the Games and winning a medal was the icing on the cake for me.

To make the team to the Olympics is a big task, as you must achieve the qualifying time which in most cases is not easy to come by, for me I didn’t stop

Soon after this you changed your nationality from Nigeria to Spain.

What influenced your decision?

The change of nationality had been on ground before the Sydney Olympics, and I had been thinking about it long before the Sydney Games. It just happened that it was the time I took the decision.

I have been living in Spain since 1998 and each time I represented Nigeria in top international competitions and Games, I did that coming down from Spain. So, having Spain as my home and work place influenced the decision to change my nationality, so all the talks that I was angry that the Nigerian government didn’t treat me well during the travail of my fiancé’s death was not the true position. It was just coincidental.

Glory

Some also believed that you were angry at the manner athletics was being run in Nigeria at the time?

No, it wasn’t like that. I heard what people said that time, but it wasn’t like that, it was just a decision I took after considering a lot of things which included place residence and employment. The change

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winning Olympic medal

Glory glides over the hurdles

Glory running for Spain

helped me a lot in terms of my career. I never knew people were going to talk about it the way they did. Some people fabricated stories just to suit themselves; I never knew it was going to raise so many dusts, a lot of controversies. Even when I talked to some Nigerian journalists on the issue, they wrote some things I didn’t say, it was so bad, much that I had to stop granting interviews to journalists. That is why I will appreciate you writing only what we discuss in this interview and not adding to it.

What is the difference between competing for Nigeria and Spain?

I competed for Spain as Glory Alozie, the same Glory that competed for Nigeria.

So for me, there was no mark difference except for the name of the countries represented. Nothing changed, it was just the colours. Even though, I was competing for Spain I was still talking to my former Nigerian coaches at venues of competitions, the same with the athletes. At international competitions whenever I met Team Nigerian athletes, we stayed in the same Games Village and we interacted regularly, no hindrances whatsoever. We stayed together as brothers and sisters.

As I am used to it, and the fact was that, I still represented Spain in the same hurdles the way I did for Nigeria. I was always comfortable with Nigerians.

What is your greatest moment as an athlete?

My greatest moment as an athlete was at the Olympics. Before I became a professional athlets, my dream was to compete

at the Olympic Games. When I watched the events of the Barcelona Olympics, I couldn’t wait to be a part of the next edition of the Olympics and when I eventually made the qualification time to the Sydney Olympics, it was my greatest moment.

Making it to the Olympics was a great achievement for me, let alone winning an Olympic medal, I was very happy. Winning the silver medal was my greatest moment even though the person that won the gold did not run fast enough; she just beat me with some sub seconds in a very close race.

At the last Olympic Games, London 2012, we had over 25 Nigerians running for other countries of the world, how do you feel about this?

It is not a big deal as most of them were born in the countries they represented, while some changed their nationality just the way I did. But, it would have been good if those medals they won in London were for Nigeria, unfortunately it wasn’t.

All of them had their reasons for competing for their countries of choice.

I learnt that at London 2012 Olympics, Nigeria qualified for nine finals in the athletics events but unfortunately didn’t win any medal. The truth is that to qualify for the Olympics itself is a very big task, and competing and winning medals is another thing. It was sad that Nigeria couldn’t win any medal in London, as I know that even getting to the semi-finals of a competition as big as the Olympic Games is a big deal. Those Nigerian athletes tried and they should be commended.

The problem with some Nigerian ath-

letes is that they waste valuable energies competing at the Golden League which is an individual thing. Winning medals at the Golden League is no big deal, our top athletes prefers to use all energies at the Golden League which always comes weeks before the Olympics. This attitude must change, as Olympic medal is the greatest any athlete can achieve. The fact that, Nigerian athletes did not win medals at the London 2012 does not mean that they weren’t good, but this feat takes lot more.

Most of these Nigerian athletes train in different situations compared to their victorious colleagues from other countries that start training for the events two to four years ahead, perfecting all moves and strategies.

For example, here in Spain while preparing for the Olympics, they do lots of camping; the athletes compete at least twice a week. This is not so for most Nigerian athletes. Some are not also kept in camp for between two to four years.

With good plan, Nigerian athletes can make it big.

After Mary Onyali in the sprint, we now have Blessing Okagbare, how do you feel about this development?

I always feel happy whenever I watch Okagbare run. She is a great and humble athlete. Even though I don’t know much about her, the way she runs shows that she is very good. She has been running and winning medals. She was fantastic at the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland where she won two gold medals in the 100metres and 200metres, and a silver medal in the 4x100metres. She will surely go places.

When did you finally hang your spike shoes?

That was in 2009, when I started having injuries and the standard I was running wasn’t good again. I had knee and ankle problems and you know with these injuries at the vital parts of landing, it is going to be very difficult for a hurdler to make any meaningful impact again. My running standard was going down, and was becoming less of world standard.

It became difficult for me to train hard

the way I used to do to perform above board because of these injuries, so I had no option than to quit when the ovation was loudest in 2009.

What is Glory doing now in Spain?

I am now an athletics coach in Spain which is my home. I went for a coaching course and I am now doing the practical work now. I am enjoying coaching as I have a target of making champions the way I was made during my active days.

The change of nationality had been on ground before the Sydney Olympics, and I had been thinking about it long before the Sydney Games. It just happened that it was the time I took the decision. I have been living in Spain since 1998 and each time I represented Nigeria in top international competitions and Games, I did that coming down from Spain.

So, having Spain as my home and work place influenced the decision to change my nationality, so all the talks that I was angry that the Nigerian government didn’t treat me well during the travail of my fiancé’s death was not the true position. It was just coincidental.

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Gara-Gombe writes open letter to Maigari

Odusola Ojerinde Memorial Championship

Willy

Willy targets historic win in Otukpo

T

Maigari

Gara-Gombe

My Dear President, I am compelled by necessity to write you openly, this necessity is so compelling in view of the circumstances surrounding your tenure as the Executive President of the Nigeria Football Federation. You may agree with me that most of us who stood by you did that for various reasons but very few did that because we felt you were not treated fairly.

I must stress that some people that stood by you were pursuing personal agenda and you somehow fell into their trap majority of who had gone to negotiate their survival to remain relevant.

Nigerian Football may not be the same again.

I have to congratulate you that FIFA has once again come to your rescue, but not without some reservations. As you prepare to go back to office I will like you to take your time to look at the following issues.

1. Clearing your name and that of your family is what should preoccupy you now and not the euphoria of returning to office because the Honourable Minister has written to Mr. President and to FIFA that you were deeply involved in financial mismanagement. The NFF Executive Committee did the same thing in like manner, it is also in the public domain these allegations, does that mean that they will withdraw all these letters or they would write another one with the excuse that the former were all

Amadu

written in error?

2. The Executive Committee you are expected to preside over are really against you and I believe by now you must have learned a lesson on who to believe or not.

Remember that those who were banned quickly rushed to pledge loyalty and they were unbanned.

Similarly, someone who alleged that his signature was forged suddenly pretended as if nothing happened. Another who was always in your house before the crisis was seen reading a Communique against you? It is very clear that you have lost grip of the Executive Committee.

3. The Secretary General who is supposed to be the Clearing House of your Administration is no longer on your side, how effective would you be without a functional Secretariat. The secretariat staff make no mistakes, majority owe you no allegiance going by their antecedents especially those of them that have fundamental brief like media, legal etc.

4. The Electoral Committee which you put together had all turned against you suddenly and those people you banned including me even though I do not believe that I was banned had all been freed, some of whom are members of the Congress and Your Executive Committee which now added an advantage to the opposing side.

5. Your only consolation perhaps is the Congress, but you can see how Yobe and Plateau were

summarily dismissed for their loyalty to you, how are we sure more states will not follow. I am pretty sure very few members of the Congress would like to take their loyalty too far because very few can say to hell if I lose my seat as FA chairman so what?

6. The National Sports Commission is divided on their own. Your matter is only a miscellaneous issue that further tears the fabric of the Commission and they are not willing to work with you.

Similarly the National Assembly is not on your side either, surprisingly Senator Adamu Gumba the Chairman of Senate Committee on Sports who incidentally is from Bauchi is not on your side that is understandable because Senator David Mark is not with you at all. Honourable Godfrey Gaya the House Committee Chairman on Sports is not with you either.

7. Fundamentally, the Media are not with you at all, most of them if not all are nursing their own grudges against you very few are showing traces of friendship.

These are honest analysis from an honest brother/friend who wishes you well. I will in my subsequent letter address you on what you should do next.

This open letter is written without prejudice.

Yours sincerely, AHMED SHUAIBU-GARA GOMBE. fcim, fppa

op Nigerian golfer, Gift Willy, has never won at the Odusola Ojerinde Memorial Golf Championship. But as the tournament gets set to tee off on Thursday in Otukpo, the Nigerian Order of Merit contender is hoping he can secure victory this time around at the N10 million prize money tournament.

The tournament, which is now in its fifth year, is in memory of the late Professor Odusola Ojerinde, who passed on a few months short of her 52nd birthday in 2007.

A host of top golfers playing on the Nigerian PGA Tour have in the past won at the Memorial Championship since the tournament’s inception in 2010, but not Willy, who is now hoping to finally land his hands on the trophy at the end of four days of challenging rounds of golf in Otukpo.

The Memorial Championship is also the first Nigerian PGA Tour event since the conclusion of the Olu of Warri Championship and Willy, as well as a host of other golfers on the Tour, is eagerly anticipating the return to competitive action.

“We are all very excited to be playing again after the break, and everybody is trying to make sure that we make something good out

of it,” said Willy in an interview with New Telegraph.

“The last tournament I played was in Warri and since then I have been practicing regularly and I hope I can be able to finish at the top at the Memorial, or close to the top,” added Willy, who won this year’s ULO Championship, his only victory so far this season on the Nigerian Tour.

And the Port Harcourt-based golfer anticipates a tough battle at the Memorial Championship.

“A lot of the guys that have won the Memorial in the past would want to win it again, while we that have never won it would be doing all we can to ensure we come out on top,” he continued.

“So it’s going to be a huge fight for first place.”

And asked who he expects to end up victorious at the end of the championship next Sunday, Willy had this to say.

“I don’t want to mention names but so many people will be eager to have their hands on the trophy and the person who ends up winning it will probably be the one who is more organised and able to keep his calm and composure all through the Memorial,” said the usually calm and composed Willy, possibly referring to himself.

Odoh, Oyebanji back in Nigeria

O

che Andrew Odoh and Gboyega Oyebanji are back in the country following the conclusion of their respective training exercises in South Africa.

Oyebanji, who is yet to win a tournament on the Nigerian PGA Tour this season, but has finished in the top-10 on five occasions so far, was the first to return from the Rainbow nation about a week ago.

Odoh, on his part, breezed into Nigeria on Friday, and will be hoping he can continue from where he left off at the end of the Olu of Warri Championship.

Odoh has finished first in each of the last two Nigerian PGA Tour events – the Olu of Warri and the Britannia Championship – and will be one of the favourites for the star prize at the N10 million prize money Odusola Ojerinde Memorial Golf Championship, in Otukpo.

Another favourite for the title will be Emos Korblah, who has

Odoh

won four times so far on the Tour this season, and currently sits atop the Nigerian Order of Merit standings.

63

AUGUST 17, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Sport / News

Van Gaal debut defeat marks end of 42-year Man United run

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anchester United were beaten 2-1 by Swansea City on the opening day of the new Premier League season, bringing to an end an incredible 42-year run for the Red Devils.

The last time United were beaten at home on the opening day of the league season was all the way back in 1972, long before even Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge at Old Trafford.

Frank O’Farrell was the manager then, and his side were beaten 2-1 by Ipswich Town to mark a bad start to a bad season, which United fans will be hoping is not an omen here for life under Louis van Gaal.

That season, United had to wait until late September for their first victory, and ended

the season in 18th place. Although it is hard to see a repeat of that for this side, it is a mark of how far the club has fallen since Ferguson’s retirement as manager.

The Scot took the club to whole new levels of unprecedented success during his reign, but his departure was felt instantly last season as David Moyes struggled badly to continue United’s success, finishing trophyless and in 7th place.

Still, the former Everton manager did enjoy a win on his first day as United’s manager in the Premier League, winning 4-1 away to Swansea this time last year.

Van Gaal, however, will have to do some good work in the transfer market to avoid another disastrous season for the club, with today’s youthful

side looking distinctly average as they went down 2-1 to their visitors.

Man United manager, Louis van Gaal, was disappointed with his side’s performance as they lost 2-1 to Swansea in his first Premier League game in charge.

Van Gaal was critical of his side’s performance in the first half as they struggled to adjust to his 3-5-2 formation and although they improved after the break, the Dutchman remained unimpressed.

“It is very disappointing that we have lost our first home match. We didn’t reach the level we can play at. That is disappointing because we have done it much better and when you cannot do it in your first home match that is disappointing,

especially for the fans.

“We were very nervous in first half, made the wrong choices and that is a pity. In the second half we never played as a team, therefore I’m responsible,” said van Gaal.

Van Gaal refused to criticise his players after the defeat, but he knows their performance must improve.

“We had more chances than Swansea but that shall say nothing about the result. It is the goals that count. I thought we would win [at 1-1] but because we are not playing as a team in the second half we made the wrong decisions going forward.

“My players did their utmost best, which I said in the dressing room, but you also need to play as a team and reach your level.”

Ramsey strikes late as Arsenal beat Palace

A Moses

Stoke sign Moses on loan from Chelsea

C

helsea’s Nigeria winger, Victor Moses, joined Stoke on a season-long loan on Saturday.

Moses has struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge since moving from Wigan for £9 million ($15 million) in 2012 and spent last season on loan at Liverpool.

The 23-year-old, who can play on both flanks and in a more central attacking role, is Stoke’s sixth signing since the end of last season.

Stoke’s chief executive Tony Scholes said: “We are delighted to have secured the services of such an exciting young talent in Victor.

“He will certainly add to our attacking options

and from talking to him it’s obvious that he’s really excited about the prospect of making an impact in the Premier League with Stoke City.”

Moses, who started his career in England at Crystal Palace, started six Premier League games for Liverpool last term and featured in a further 13 from the bench, scoring his only goal on his debut against Swansea.

Born in Nigeria, Moses chose to represent England at various youth levels up to the under-21s before deciding to play for the country of his birth in senior internationals.

He started all four games at the recent World Cup as Nigeria reached the last 16 before losing to France.

aron Ramsey struck an injury time winner as Arsenal came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

The Welshman compounded a miserable week for the London side who were still reeling from the departure of Tony Pulis on Thursday as he struck from close range deep into stoppage time to claim all three points for the home side.

Former Fulham defender Brede Hangeland hushed the Emirates crowd when he headed the visitors into an unlikely lead on 34 minutes, but Laurent Koscielny levelled matters just before the break when he got on the end of Alexis Sanchez’s floated free kick.

But it was Ramsey, Arsenal’s player of the year last season, who had the final say as the Gunners got off to a better start than their stuttering performance perhaps deserved.

Arsenal started well and Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni was forced to tip a low Jack Wilshere shot around the post for a corner early on.

But the visitors took the lead against the run of play on 34 min-

utes as centre-back Hangeland eluded the attentions of Koscielny to head Jason Puncheon’s corner unchallenged into the far corner of the net.

Santi Cazorla had a shot deflected narrowly wide as the home side looked to hit back but, despite dominating possession, Arsene Wenger’s side looked disjointed as the fluidity they showed in last week’s Community Shield seemed a distant memory.

But they continued to press and were deservedly level just before the break. In a cruel twist of fate this time it was Koscielny who shook off Hangeland to head home a floated Sanchez free-kick from the right.

The pace of the game dropped off at the beginning of the second half as Arsenal struggled to carve open a compact Palace defence.

Speroni saved easily from Sanchez as the Gunners’ attack began to look increasingly toothless.

Wenger introduced Olivier Giroud and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in an effort to break the deadlock, but the game appeared destined for a draw as Palace continued to look comfortable at the back.

Van Gaal

Falconets battle New Zealand for World Cup semis

T

he Super Falconets of Nigeria will today battle New Zealand for a place in the semifinals of the 2014 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada after they reached the last eight.

The Falconets sent England packing with a 2-1 defeat during the week to top Group C with seven points, while Korea Republic also qualified for the knockout rounds after they defeated Mexico 2-1 to finish with four points.

The Falconets came from a goal down against England, as the English opened scoring five minutes into the game with Nikita Parris hitting target.

Loveth Ayila scored Nigeria’s equalizer in the 40th minute. Nigeria’s winning goal was scored in the 59th minute through Assisat Oshoala who netted a penalty kick to give Nigeria a 2-1 victory.

The Falconets made it to the finals in the 2010 edition of the competition but lost out 2-0 to winners Germany.

It is believed that the Falconets would have easy ride over New Zealand to book a place in the semi-finals as their opponent are not classed as one of the world’s best in women’s football.

The Acting President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Chief Mike Umeh has urged the Nigerian players to try their best in ensuring that they get victory against New Zealand.

Ebola scares Lesotho from Nigeria

F

lying Eagles opponent in Saturday’s 2015 African Youth Championship qualifiers, Lesotho, stayed away from Nigeria after they expressed fears over the outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the country.

Lesotho Football Federation official, Limtho Mokhethi said on Friday in a telephone message that: “We have contacted the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and copied the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that we will not be coming for this game,” The Senegalese officials appointed for the game have already arrived the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, where the match had been scheduled to be played.

PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS Man Utd 1 – 2 Swansea Leicester 2 – 2 Everton QPR 0 – 1 Hull Stoke 0 – 1 Aston Villa West Brom 2 – 2 Sunderland West Ham 0 – 1 Tottenham Arsenal 2 – 1 Crystal Palace

Arsenal rallied around Aaron Ramsey, who provided the winner over Crystal Palace in the first minute of stoppage time.

SPORT Glory Alozie: It was a miracle winning Olympic medal

}60-61

FAITH Sanctity of Truth w w w. new tel eg rap ho nl i ne. co m

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth. – Buddha

VOL. 1 NO. 180

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

N150

Why we banned handshakes in church – Catholic administrator

}51

Silent Massacre in Taraba? No, Yawe, no

N

o doubt, Emmanuel Yawe is among the best known Nigerian journalists. With a good education and a fertile mind, Mr. Yawe is regarded as a brilliant and mature gentleman with little or no penchant for overzealousness and mischief. Therefore, his views on any given issue are bound to reverberate with a tremulous measure of concern.

Accordingly, not a few people would have been troubled by his last opinion column on the back page of New Telegraph. The column contained a very screaming alarm of a purported government sanctioned silent massacre of Tiv people in Taraba state. This is totally unexpected of our revered senior, who I must confess I have always proudly held in high esteem. No one can begrudge Mr. Yawe, a Tiv, for standing up in defence or expression of concern for his people, but to join the chorus of some disgruntled Taraba politicians who have been singing this familiar stanza of unsubstantiated and illogical claim of religious favouritism in the unfortunate insurgency, is to say the least disturbing. If indeed, Mr. Yawe had stood firmly in support of the constitutional order in respect of the emergence of Alhaji Garba Umar as the Acting Governor of Taraba State, it was indeed the measure of his colossal image.

There is no reason for Yawe to come back and throw himself to the mud by retracting his comments in a manner that suggests a hidden or a perceived grudge. I am sure that when Mr. Yawe wrote his piece in defence of the sanctity of democratic norms in favour of Alhaji Garba Umar, it was not to curry any favors or for pecuniary gains.

If Mr. Yawe wants to know the truth about the sincere efforts of the Taraba State Government in curtailing the crises and saving lives , all he had to do is to reach out to prominent and highly respected Tiv personalities working with Alh. Garba Umar in Taraba state. And they are many. They include, Dr. Yakubu Tor-Agbide, Engr. Andrew Nenshi and Mr. Orbee Uchiv. Since the outbreak of the crisis, Alhaji Garba Umar, who was raised at sometime in Makurdi and speaks Tiv fluently, had held more than three separate meetings with Tiv Community in addition to various stakeholders meetings with leaders from the affected local government areas. He has also funded the Benue-Taraba Tiv committee which was also involved in the process of brokering peace between the two communities. The Acting Governor is instrumental to the signing of a tripartite peace accord among the Tiv, Jukun and Fulani, which had been sabotaged or frustrated by the same people who have been deliberately promoting a devious campaign of calumny against the state government as their last and only opportunity to get at the government.

In the same write-up, Mr. Yawe also raised a very sensitive accusation to the effect that, the Commissioner of Police, the most senior Law Enforcement Officer in the state, was sent to Tiv people to advise their kin in Benue state to “allow the Fulani to return to Benue, otherwise they will have no peace.”

Haba! The main reason for raising this issue according to Mr. Yawe is that it was not “refuted” or denied.

How do you refute such an indolent and illogical allegation? I am sure that Mr. Yawe as a media manager of repute would not have dignified such type of trivial and unintelligent allegation with a rebuttal, know-

Right of Reply Aaron Artimas

Scene of Fulani herdsmen-Tiv clash

“There is no reason for Yawe to come back and throw himself to the mud by retracting his comments in a manner that suggests a hidden or a perceived grudge...” ing its obvious fallacy. No right thinking member of the public will agree that a Commissioner of Police whose responsibilities are to maintain law and order would promote same by pitting one group against the other or simply going to deliver such callous and inciting message. For the avoidance of doubts no such message

MAMA LASISI

Umar

was given or sent and none was delivered.

Without doubt, Mrs. Kalifite Adeyemi, the Taraba State Police Commissioner is a highly respected, dispassionate and diligent officer. I could remember that during one of our meetings, a Fulani graded

traditional ruler had noted that some of the apprehended so-called Fulani insurgents were actually criminals and suggested that such people if apprehended, should be shot. Mrs. Adeyemi, a devout Christian, immediately dismissed this suggestion, saying that the state police command under her leadership would not engage in such extra-judicial killing.

It is very important to repeat the fact that the Taraba State Government under Alhaji Garba Umar has been very sincere, diligent and pro-active in tackling the Fulani insurgency which spilled to the state.

It was an unfortunate national calamity, which affected many states. but, it was in Taraba State that the issue was totally politicised. In fact, some political utterances tended to orchestrate or fuel the crises as their only lifeline of attack against the state government. For the umpteenth time, the state government under Alhaji Garba Umar was neither the architect nor the promoter of any crisis in Taraba. He has nothing to gain either personally or politically from the pain of others. Yes, indeed precious lives were lost and hard earned property destroyed; but such Scythian behavior cannot be sanctioned or permitted by the government in any guise.

The mass exodus of Tiv people to Benue State was never acceptable to the government and at some time the Taraba State Government had cause to place an advert on Freedom Radio, Katsina Ala, urging its citizens to return to their homes in Taraba. Chairmen and Traditional Rulers from Taraba were specifically directed to ensure that no Tiv homes and farmlands were occupied by strange impostors. In fact, contrary to Mr. Yawe’s impassioned views on a presumed bias against the Tiv, the state government and indeed Alhaji Garba Umar needs them more than they need him. What happened in Taraba State was simply an unexpected tragedy which nobody had hoped and prayed for. Senator Emmanuel Bwacha was never “right in casting the Acting Governor in the mould of Christian versus Muslims” crises.

It will therefore be a tragedy for our amiable gentleman to retrace his steps and agree with people who wanted to subvert the constitution and seize power. It will be very much unlike the Emannuel Yawe we all know.

• Aaron Artimas is a Special Assistant on Media to Taraba State Acting Governor

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By Aliu Eroje