Binder1 08 november, 2014

SATURDAY SATURDAY

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Vol. 1 No. 263

Sanctity of Truth

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THE TAMBUWAL

NEWS

AUTOMATIC TICKETS FOR PDP SENATORS AS JONATHAN BOWS TO PRESSURE }7

TELEGRAPH ADAM&EVE DEBUTS IN THIS EDITION

CRISIS

}3

Inside story of the battle for the soul of House of Reps

BEAUTIFUL NUBIA Some said my voice was awful... }19

}45 - 50

Bauchi blast kills 10 Ndubuisi Ugah

A SIKIRATU SINDODO My life as a star actress }5

blast triggered by a suspected suicide bomber yesterday killed 10 persons, while 14 others sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack on the premises of a first generation bank in Azare, Bauchi State.

A banking source

told Reuters that the bomb exploded at a branch of the bank in Azare, an area that had suffered previous attacks carried out by the Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram.

The source, who asked not to be named, alleged that the victims had been lining up to use an ATM machine at the bank.

On October 22, a bomb exploded at a bus station in Azare, killing at least five people and wounding 12.

But the state police spokesman, Mohammed Haruna, said the targeted building in the Bayan Gari neighbourhood on the outskirts of the city was widely known as a brothel.

“Ten people were

confirmed dead, while 14 others sustained various degrees of injury,” Haruna said, adding that the explosion went off at roughly 10:00pm.

“The entire area has been cordoned off and (the) scene secured,” Haruna said.

Attacks on targets which Boko Haram had branded sinful – including bars, churches and

schools teaching a Western curriculum – have formed a major part of the insurgency.

Nigeria has estimated that more than 10,000 people have been killed since the conflict began in 2009. The violence has escalated in recent months, with more than 2,000 deaths recorded since the start of the year.

Condemnation trails INEC’s issuance of PVCs in eight states }6

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SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

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Contents | 08.11.14 STREET DIARY

Dignity in Labour CRiding a commercial tricycle on Lagos roads is a challenge in itself. But amputee, Moses Adeleke, would rather brave all exigencies than beg for alms

}10

INSTYLE

Crowning Glory Sometimes, without actually intending it, politicians inspire fashion trends like the Kufi, a brimless, short, and rounded cap made popular by politicians such as Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly Adeyemi Ikuforiji

}15

SHOWBIZ

Notes of Tradition Folklorist Tomiwa Solaru talks about making a living by eulogising people’s ancestry

}24

THE ARTS

Existential Canvas

An exhibition of works by Promise O’Nali at Ikoyi, Lagosbased Quintessence seethes contemporary concepts like evolution

}33

SPORT

Kick of Optimism SReturnee Super Eagles striker, Ikechukwu Uche, believes the team will defeat Congo in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier if the players are able to rekindle the form that won them the 2013 title

}25

TRAVEL

Salute to Resilience Although the 10th edition of Akwaaba - African Travel Market recorded an impressive attendance, it still fell short of expectations due largely to lastminute cancellation by many visitors

}42 Plus: FaceOff 46 |

Love&Living 35 | Perspective 50

Comment

L

Ouster of Blaise Campaore

ast Friday, November 30, Blaise Compaore, one of Africa’s remaining military dictatorturned President announced his resignation after 27 years in power. His resignation came in the wake of protests over his attempt to extend his 27year rule, a clear warning to the remaining clan of Africa’s strong men that their days are numbered.

In a terse statement announcing his resignation, Campaore said the presidency had become open and called on the authorities to hold elections in 90 days. Almost immediately, army chief Gen. Honore Traore announced his take-over as head of state “in line with constitutional measures.”

Campaore’s resignation resonated in spontaneous jubilation on the streets of the capital Ougadougou where protesters had earlier on Thursday set fire to part of the parliament and government buildings over the former President’s attempt to amend the constitution and perpetuate himself in power. When the protests broke out, Campaore, apparently buoyed by his own personal record of bullying the opposition to submission at the slightest hint of threat to his rule in the last 27 years, had diffidently vowed to remain in power until a transitional government completed its work next year. He however agreed not to seek another term.

But, the opposition would not budge.

In an apparent bid to save the country from further chaos—and save his own neck, certainly—Blaise finally caved in: “In order to preserve the democratic gains, as well as social peace,” he announced in a nationwide broadcast, “I declare a power vacuum to allow the establishment of a transition leading to free and fair elections within a maximum of 90 days. For my part, I think I have fulfilled my duty.”

Blaise Campaore went as he came. In 1987 as a young army officer, Campaore seized a coup in which his bosom friend and colleague, Thomas Sankara was killed by soldiers in circumstances that have remained mysterious and controversial till this day.

Sankara and Campaore had organized a coup d’état in 1983, after Sankara had been held in custody for his political beliefs which ran contrary to those of the conservative rulers of the country at the time. As president, Sankara carried out several largely successful reforms for the socialist development of the former Upper Volta. These included nationalization, reforestation projects and a number of other social programmes aimed at stamp-

ing out corruption and poverty in society and improving education and health care.

Among some of the highly applauded measures adopted by Sankara were the vaccination programme, which drastically reduced child mortality in Burkina Faso; the abolition of the privileges of the public servants such as cheap cars, and a land reform, which became so successful that it led to Burkina Faso becoming selfsufficient in food production within a short space of time. Sankara’s government was also remarkable for the empowerment of women and the strengthening their role.

For example, he prohibited female circumcision and spoke out against polygamy. His government had the highest percentage of women in government in all of Africa at that time. Needless to say, he became exceedingly popular not only in Burkina Faso but also in the whole of Africa and even beyond. Indeed, he became a globally known public figure.

And, then, evil struck. On Oct 15, 1987, at the height of his popularity and success as president of the impoverished West African country, Sankara was killed in a coup, led by his bosom friend Compaoré, who apparently disagreed with Sankara’s ideas. Seizing power in collusion with corrupt bureaucrats angry at the axing of their privileges by the revolutionary Sakara, Compaoré canceled all nationalization and social programmes and instituted a restructuring programme by the IMF. Now, the chickens have come home to roost. Although he left in less bloody circumstances, Blaise Camparore was, to all intents and purposes, disgraced out of power. And had he stayed a little while longer, he would probably have suffered the same bloody fate that he meted out to his friend. But, even if he didn’t die like Sankara, the world knew that Blaise Campaore was a brooding, unhappy President who was hounded, for all of his miserable 27 years in power, by the blood of Thomas Sankara, his bosom friend whom he betrayed and dispatched to the great beyond out of jealousy.

The lesson in Campaore’s ouster is simply this: evil will never go unpunished.

No matter how long it takes, the days of reckoning for the evil man shall always come. We urge the Burkinabes to purge themselves of the bad memories of Blaise Campaore and go ahead to reinvent their country based on democracy, equity and social justice. The military must make way immediately for this new Burkina Faso to emerge.

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

Felix Oguejiofor Abugu

Managing Editor n Suleiman Uba Gaya

Editor, Daily n Yemi Ajayi

Editor, Saturday n Laurence Ani

Editor, Sunday n Emeka Madunagu

Deputy Editor, Saturday n Waheed Bakare

Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz

Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins

Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam

Ag. Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi

News Editor n Ndubuisi Ugah

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed

Ag. Sales/Circulation Manager n Uchey Okezie

Head, Graphics n Timothy Akinleye

Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

Telegraph Adam&Eve

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Elizabeth Daniels Eye colour: Brown Bust: 30 Height: 5’6 Weight: 54 Profession: Actress Hobbies: Acting and swimming

Starting from this edition, Telegraph Adam&Eve debuts. It’s a page for the young, lively, sexy, cute and daring male and female. If you fit the bill, send your profile, snazziest image, phone number and email to: editor.body&soul@newtelegraphonline.com or our corporate head office, No 1A, Ajumobi Close, Off ACME Road, Ikeja. Enquiries: +234 (0)811-675-9770.

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8 NOVEMBER, 2014

I

My weekend starts whenever I’m not working, says Sikiratu Sindodo

n those days, people who were into entertainment were regarded as unserious minds. However, that perception has changed as entertainers are now major contributors to the socio-economic development of the society. Such perception, according to a Nollywood actress, Tayo Odueke, popularly known as Sikiratu Sindodo, cannot be divulged from the erroneous belief that there was no big deal in acting and film production.

“Acting and film production are not as easy as some people may want to think, it entails a whole lot of hard work, in terms of maintaining one’s originality. This is necessary to enable one to interpret one’s roles properly.

It is just like any other profession you can think of, there are no exception, the only thing is that, when you begin to do something, little by little, that fulfilment will begin to creep in and gradually you get used to it and almost become perfect, even though there I no perfect human being.

“I enjoy what I do today, I can’t ask for a better job than this. I am blessed and I also try to appreciate my fans and the society. People that know me de-

Nollywood actress, Tayo Odueke, popularly known as Sikiratu Sindodo, has featured in over 100 home videos. She tells BLESSING ORUCHE that she works hard in order to fund the desire to dress well. rive a lot from me,” she adds.

Oduoke says she likes to learn everyday, adding that sometime artistes learn from people’s experience “and at times it forms the basis for some of our characters.”

She has been in the movie industry for over a decade and has since featured in so many films. “I can’t recall how many films I have featured in but what I can say is that, it is over 100.”

While weekend starts on Friday, Oduoke begins hers whenever she is not working and may not need to wait till a Friday.

“When I am not acting or producing, I take time out to relax and enjoy myself. I am an indoor person, though very social. I do attend social gatherings but I only attend the ones that are necessary. You can’t find me in many gatherings. I like the comfort of my home. I love to watch television and also to escape into my world of reading, that is one of my hobbies,” she says.

She says she belongs to the school of

When I am not acting or producing, I take time out to relax and enjoy myself

thought that beliefs that travelling is part of education, adding that her several trips abroad has really influenced her life positively.

Oduoke says, “My international exposure has had tremendous impact on my life especially as an actress and producer. Whenever we produce a film, there is need to premiere it, which is the same thing as creating awareness. Movie premiere has transcended beyond the shores of this country. I just came back from the premiers of my new film in three states in the U.S. “The attention we get from Nigerians in the Diaspora is enormous.

They are always interested in our work and we get so much support from them.”

When asked if she does exercise to keep fit, the actress says she does not engage in regular exercise. “It has been on my mind to begin active exercise, even though when I was in primary school, I used to represent my school in the 100 metre race. But I hope to become more serious,” she says of her determination to keep fit.

According to Oduoke, her favourite food is fried plantain and egg but she prefers Chinese cuisine during the weekend. “I also love to spice up different type of foods that are rich such as vegetable and fruit,” she adds.

Every girl loves pink and the screen diva is not an exception. She says she detests alcohol “because it doesn’t interest me. I prefer to take lemon juice.”

As far as she is concerned, she does not have a particular way of dressing during the weekend, saying “I wear whatever is good and more of causal and I also love to wear hills.”

Her best sport, she says, is football and was once a fan of Chelsea Football Club, London but has switched over to another London club, Arsenal.

She commenced her

movie career in 1999, saying “My father wanted me to study mass communication, while mum wanted me to go for law. But somewhere along the line, a friend of mine told me about an audition that was organised by Charles Novia. I went for that audition and acted alongside Segun Arinze and late J.T. Tom West.

I was later introduced to some English actors, but it was Segun Arinze who was kind enough to introduce me to a lady in the Yoruba film industry, and that was how I started to feature in Yoruba films.”

Odueke says actors and actresses in the Yoruba genre of the Nigerian film industry are grown to build a bond as she says, “We are our brothers’ keepers. We love to help one another in producing our individual films, and that is why we have been growing. Although it is not easy, as humans we need to develop a though skin in whatever you do.

“While growing up, I spent most of my time with my mum. I come from a polygamous family so each time my dad was to visit, it was always a big deal for me because I didn’t see all the time. So, I usually capitalise on those opportunities and made good use of them. I cherished every time I spent with him. He uses to pick me up from school and most of the time he would take me to Leventis Stores and buy me with lot of gifts. I was daddy’s girl. It was fun back then.”

Odueke attended Mainland Preparatory School, Lagos and proceeded to Methodist Girls, High School in Lagos, for her secondary education. After graduation from secondary school, she got admitted to the University of Ibadan for a two-year Diploma course in theatre arts. She finally completed a BSc degree programme in creative art at the University of Lagos.

She expresses strong belief in working hard, because according to her, that is the only way to become independent. She says, “Making money is just like a hobby for me, and that is why I am not a lazy person.”

Oduoke says she believes in careful planning, execution and getting back value for her effort. She likes travelling abroad but adds, “I embark on trips that are very necessary. I love to travel more during the winter season. You know Nigeria is hot, so I love to enjoy winter abroad. I also love to shop any time I travel though I also enjoy shopping here in Nigeria. I love to dress very well and that being the case; I work very hard to make my money.”

6

News

lYou lack jurisdiction, PDP, others tell judge Tunde Oyesina

P Abuja

eoples Democratic Party and other defendants in the suit filed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday told the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

The court had last Tuesday heard an ex parte application brought by Tambuwal seeking to stop the House from re-convening and mandating the federal government to restore his security aides.

The court in its ruling then ordered parties to maintain status quo and also ordered the defendants to come yesterday to show cause why the requests of Tambuwal should not be granted.

Joined as defendants are the PDP, its national chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker, Independent National Electoral Commission, Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, counsel to PDP and Mu’azu, Yunus Ustaz Usman, SAN, told the court that he had responded to all the processes filed by the plaintiffs and in addition filed a Preliminary Objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit.

Counsel to IG and AGF, Okeaya-Inne, SAN, also told the court that he had also filed responses challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.

The two senior counsel however stated that their

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

Court orders parties to maintain ‘status quo’ in Speaker’s suit clients would not do anything to tamper with the subject matter of the suit pending its determination.

Counsel to INEC, T.M Inua, told the court that the electoral body did not make any submission, but rather chose to remain neutral in the suit.

Responding, counsel to Tambuwal, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who led about 68 other lawyers told the court that the submission of all the defendants counsel showed that they have nothing against the application of the plaintiff.

On that note, he urged the court to grant the application as prayed.

Specifically, he noted the prayer seeking the restoration of the plaintiff’s security aides stating that it is a dangerous act for the security details of the “number four citizen” to be withdrawn.

After listening to all the counsel, the trial judge, Justice A.R Mohammed, in ruled that it was not in doubt that parties had agreed that nothing would be done to tamper with the subject matter of the suit.

On the issue of jurisdiction, the court held that though the issue of jurisdiction had been raised, the court nonetheless has the power to determine whether it has jurisdiction or not.

Justice Mohammed however refused to grant any of the order as contained in the interim application, but rather ordered parties to still maintain status quo pending the next adjourned date.

People checking their names during the distribution of permanent voters card in Jos, Plateau State …yesterday

He also held that he would grant accelerated hearing to the case and that it would be heard every week.

He later adjourned till November 17 to hear the preliminary objection and the substantive suit.

In the suit, Tambuwal is asking the court to declare that the attempt to declare his seat vacant as a member and speaker is unlawful and unconstitutional.

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

Tambuwal also wants the court to declare that the withdrawal of his security details when he has not

been removed from office as speaker and member of the House is illegal and unconstitutional.

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

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

Also, Tambuwal wants an order of mandatory injunction compelling the IGP and the AGF to restore

his security details and all other rights, benefits and privileges attached to members of the House and the office of the speaker.

The speaker, in a 40-paragraph affidavit he had himself deposed to noted that “on the 28th day of October 2014, the PDP and its national chairman threatened to forcibly remove me from office as the speaker of the House of Representatives, adding that the threat was made public as reported by some national dailies of October 29”.

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

“That I know that on the 30th day of October 30,

2014, the IG at the behest of defendants withdrew my security details hereby exposing me to danger of bodily harm all in their bid to forcibly remove from office,” Tambuwal stated.

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

A constitutional lawyer and rights activist, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, had also filed a similar suit challenging the withdrawal of Tambuwal’s security aides before the federal high court.

Furthermore, the APC caucus in the House of Representatives also filed a similar suit.

Condemnation trails INEC’s issuance of PVCs in eight states lI’m disappointed, says Fashola lCommission will extend exercise - Lagos REC

Muritala Ayinla, Temitope Ogunbanke, Cajetan Mmuta

W

idespread condemnation yesterday greeted the issuance of Permanent Voters (PVCs) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in eight states of the federation.

The eight states are Kano, Edo, Plateau, Ogun, Lagos, Rivers, Nasarawa and Imo. While INEC said it was on top of the situation given the reports received across the eight states, some states argued that the commission’s integrity status was at test given the shoddy nature of the exercise.

In Lagos, Governor Babatunde Fashola expressed dismay over the inability

of the INEC to issue PVCs cards for all the residents in the state simultaneously.

Fashola, who had raised the alarm that about 1.4 million registered voters’ names in the state were missing in INEC, wondered why the commission could not carry out issuance of the PVCs in all the 20 LGs simultaneously as earlier promised.

INEC had announced that it would only issue PVCs in 11 local governments in the state, namely: Agege, Ajeromi- Ifelodun, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikeja, Mushin, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Ibeju-Lekki, Ikorodu, Kosofe and Ojo. Other local governments where the issuance of the PVCs will be carried out

later, according to INEC include: Alimosho, AmuwoOdofin, Apapa, Badagry, Oshodi-Isolo, Epe, Shomolu Surulere and Eti-Osa. The commission stated that it would conduct the exercise in the councils between November 28 and 30.

But Fashola who expressed disappointment over what he called “display of lack of planning by the commission”, urged residents, especially those of the affected local governments, to wait for the new date fixed by INEC. He said: “I can only imagine the level of disappointment that you must all feel, having waited anxiously for this exercise and in spite of the fact that we had declared a work-free day. I am deeply disappointed at this display of lack of planning that speaks volumes of the contempt and disregard of this national agency for

the rights of citizens.

“I wish to recall that it was INEC that first announced that this exercise was planned for August, and later shifted to September, and later to today and yet they did not get it right.

If this is a foretaste of what we should expect in the general elections, for me it is a bad start. It tastes awful.”

He added: “INEC has not answered the question I posed about the delisting of over 1,400,000 voters from the register it compiled in 2011 in spite of assurances it gave Nigerians, and billions of naira it expended for the purpose.”

The governor said he suspected foul play in the PVCs distribution exercise, saying from the information at his disposal, INEC had all the PVCs in its custody but only decided not to distribute them for the reasons best know to the commission.

“As far as this further messy

conduct is concerned, its lame excuse is that nine contractors disappointed it. Who are the contractors? Are they faceless?

I think Nigerians deserve to know who they are. The information at my disposal is that all the cards are in Lagos and INEC must explain why it had decided not to distribute all of them.

“My local government area in Surulere, that of the deputy governor in Alimosho and the Speaker in Epe are among those affected by the suspension. I urge you to remain peaceful, but determined to be vigilant and assured, that nobody will take your rights away, because our government will stand up for you,” he urged.

In Rivers, private schools in Port Harcourt defied the work-free day declared by the state government for residents to collect their PVCs from INEC. Governor Rotimi Amae-

chi had declared the workfree day for the smooth conduct of the exercise.

A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in some private primary and secondary schools in Port Harcourt showed that they were in session.

However, the pupils of some other public and private schools complied with the directive by sending their pupils back home.

The head teacher of one of the schools declined comments on the matter when NAN wanted to find out reasons for the non compliance with the work-free day.

The situation was, however, different in Edo State as hundreds of residents trooped out to the various designated centres and locations to collect their PVCs in line with the directive of officials of the INEC and the state government.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

Senators to get automatic ticket as Jonathan, PDP NWC succumb to pressure VICTORY Senators have been assured of automatic tickets when the 2015 elections get underway.

Chukwu David

T Abuja

here are indications that normality will return to Senate next week as President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have assured the aggrieved party members in the Senate of automatic ticket to return to the Upper Chamber in 2015.

The senators had adjourned plenary abruptly on Tuesday and Wednesday to protest the alleged hijack of the party structures by the state governors, leading to the lawmakers' woeful failure in last Saturday's PDP ward congresses

l Senate resumes plenary next week across the country.

The Senators were apprehensive that, following the scenario, virtually all of them would lose their bid to return to the nation's apex parliament next year.

The PDP Caucus in the Chamber had accused President Jonathan of conniving with the governors to hijack the party's structures and used it to manipulate last weekend's ward congresses, which produced delegates that would elect the PDP candidates for the general elections.

Consequently, the legislators threatened to shut down government and frustrate all legislative activities in the Senate to protest their plights and perhaps attract the attention of the President and the PDP leadership towards addressing the problem.

Apprehensive of the devastating consequences of the development on the future

political career of the Senators, coupled with the threats by the aggrieved politicians to frustrate government activities, President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, led the Senators on Thursday to a meeting with Jonathan and the Party leadership.

A senator, who was at the meeting, said President Jonathan sympathised with the predicaments of the lawmakers and assured the disgruntled Senators that he would do everything in liaison with relevant party stakeholders to address their grievances.

The source said President Jonathan, who listened to the submissions of the senators, said that the party would guarantee the return of any of them that had shown interest to contest the next year's National Assembly election.

“This is a welcome development, a situation whereby about 75 per cent of serving

senators are being given automatic tickets by their party to return to the Senate next year. I think this will strengthen our democracy.”

Another source also said that Jonathan had directed the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, to liaise with party officials in the states on how to perfect strategies that would lead to the emergence of serving senators as automatic flagbearers.

He said: “Our deliberations are very fruitful and we commend the President for playing a fatherly role of bringing all of us together.

We are ready to resume normal plenary next Tuesday.”

Meanwhile, when the Senate Spokesperson, Eyinnaya Abaribe, was contacted for his comments on the outcome of the meeting, he declined, stating that: “The issue is not a Senate affair; it is a party affair, which I cannot make any comment on.”

News

7

The Week Ahead

Issuance of PVC in eight states ends tomorrow The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will end the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in all local government areas of Kano, Edo, Plateau, Ogun, Lagos, Rivers, Nasarawa and Imo states from Nov. 7 to 9.

The commission in a bulletin issued in Abuja, said the approval was given at the end of a meeting held by the commission in Abuja.

“The commission has approved that the distribution of PVCs in Katsina, Niger, Kaduna, and Borno states should be re-scheduled to take place in November from 28 to 30, 2014. It also approved that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in those states should be re-scheduled from December 3 to 8, 2014 respectively,” the bulletin stated.

Court hears suit on Synagogue’s inquest Nov 10 A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed November10 to hear a suit seeking to stop the ongoing inquest into the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Lagos, building collapse.

The six-storey building within the premises of the church had collapsed on September 12, thereby leading to the death of 116 people, most of whom were foreigners, with several others injured.

The Lagos State Government, on September 26, constituted a coroner’s court to unravel the circumstances leading to the incident and Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe was appointed as the coroner.

NACCOPP holds ‘due process’ parley Nov 10 President Goodluck Jonathan will on November 10 to 11 declare open the first National Conference on Public Procurement (NACOPP), which is organised by the National Public Procurement Forum (NPPF), at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, at 9a.m.

The event, which is the first national platform for procurement professionals to interact and share field experiences, is a collaboration between heads of procurement regulatory authorities at the federal and state levels.

Jonathan to declare for presidency Nov 11

L-R: Wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio; Governor Godswill Akpabio; President Alassane Quattara of Cote D’ivoire and President Goodluck Jonathan, during the president’s arrival at Akwa Ibom International Airport to inaugurate the new international stadium complex, Uyo…yesterday

Photo: NAN

Court bars PDP, INEC from recognising Akwa Ibom ward congress Tunde Oyesina Abuja

T

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from using the results of the ward congresses of the November 1in Akwa Ibom State for the purpose of conducting primaries to select governorship candidates.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola made the order after listening to an ex-parte application brought by a former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government (SSG) and a governorship aspirant in the state, Uma-

na Okon Umana, through his counsel, Godwin Obla (SAN).

Umana had joined the PDP, its chairman, Adamu Mu'azu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants to the suit.

The court also ordered INEC not to recognise the results of the ward congresses for any purpose because Umana and his supporters were prevented from participating in the said congresses following a statement made by the PDP excluding him (Umana).

The court, however, issued an interim injunction

restraining PDP from excluding or in any way or manner preventing Umana from participating in the governorship primaries slated for November 29 pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by Umana.

Justice Ademola also issued an order of interim injunction against the PDP from acting on a press statement issued by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Olisah Metuh, who had on October 29 said only governorship aspirants from Eket Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State were eli-

gible to contest the party's primaries.

Umana had applied to the court to challenge the decision of PDP to exclude him from the party's primaries for the next governorship election in the state.

In the suit, he asked the court to determine whether the PDP could exclude him from participating in the party primaries for the selection of its candidate for the state governorship election in 2015.

He sought an order of injunction restraining the party from excluding him from participating in the primaries.

President Goodluck Jonathan will declare his ambition to contest the 2015 presidential election on November 11.

The date was set aside for the president to meet Nigerians and tell them his plans for 2015, after he had collected the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination form from the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Chairman of the presidential committee inaugurated by President Jonathan to harmonise his declaration for 2015 general elections, Dr. Haliru Bello, said: “It is our honest hope that he will come out and say yes to the demand of multitude of Nigerians. We expect he will say yes but we cannot say yes for him. We will wait for him to speak. The date that is fixed is November 11. On that day, there will be a forum for the President to meet Nigerians to announce his decision.”

NNQP consultative meeting begins Nov 11 The National Steering Committee on the Nigerian National Quality Policy (NNQP) will hold a consultative forum to review the draft national policy on quality in Enugu, on November 11.

The committee, which is scheduled to hold at 10a.m., is set up by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to prepare a national quality policy to support the creation of key systems and institutions to improve the competitiveness of the Nigerian economy and also to ensure the global acceptance of products and services from Nigeria.

ICAN holds membership training Nov 12 The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) will hold its membership’ Mandatory Continuing Professional Education (MCPE) programme on November 12 to 13at 8a.m.

A statement issued by the organisers stated that the event is billed for L.A. Kings Complex, Plot 267, GRA Phaase 1V, Stadium Road, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

8

News

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8 NOVEMBER 2014

FCT

IBADAN

‘Ajaokuta Steel Company key to Nigeria’s economic devt’

Ajimobi inaugurates oil refinery

FCT My 'purported' suspension untrue-Ndoma-Egba

N EWS I N BRIEF

Senate Leader, Senator Victor NdomaEgba, yesterday dismissed reports of his purported suspension from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing it as a “a rumour” and a “non-issue”.

Ndoma-Egba told journalists in Abuja, that while he was yet to be officially notified of the purported suspension, the move by the Cross River State chapter of the party would amount to nothing.

“I have heard the rumour; I don't believe that the state chapter of the PDP will display such crass ignorance.

If it did, then, it's a pity and quite unfortunate. It would be a comedy of very frustrated people, as far as I am concerned,” he said.

17%

The percentage of the population under 15 years in Belgium in 2012.

Source: Un.org

President, Miners Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Sani Shehu, on Friday in Abuja, said Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill was critical to the nation’s economic and technological development.

Shehu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that no nation developed both economically and technologically without iron and steel development.

He said China, Japan, South Africa, Russia, Canada, South Korea, India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia among others had well developed iron and steel companies.

He said those countries recorded economic breakthrough because they established a very excellent foundation for iron and steel industry.

23,000

The total number of internet users in Grenada in 2007.

Source: Blatantworld.com

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Friday inaugurated the biggest automated edible oil refinery and margarine company in Sub-Saharan Africa in Ibadan, with a pledge that his administration would continue to do all within its powers to ensure that the state continued to be the preferred destination of investors in Nigeria.

The firm, Rom Oil Mills Limited, a subsidiary company of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, is expected to refine crude palm kernel oil, crude palm oil and crude soybean oil into refined oil and distilled fatty acids.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ajimobi said the effect of the employment generation that the company would give the people of the state was his own idea of stomach infrastructure.

78,200 The total area (in sq. km) of Panama.

Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

UK court lifts secrecy order to challenge Malabu oil deal BAN LIFTED

l UK Crown prosecution services accused of failing to freeze accounts

Finally, investigation into the Malabu oil business may be on its way as court gives nod.

mally investigate the deal, which both companies have denied any illegal conduct.

The OPL 245 concession was originally awarded in 1998 by the then Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dan Etete, to Malabu Oil and Gas, a company that he set up and owns – in effect Etete awarded one of Nigeria’s most lucrative oil blocks to himself.

In 2011, Shell and ENI paid $1.1 billion, plus a signature bonus of $200 million, to the Nigerian government for the concession. In a back-to-back deal negotiated by the Attorney General of Nigeria, the Nigerian government then undertook to transfer $1.1 billion to Etete’s company, Malabu.

The deal effectively converted into money an asset that had been acquired

T

he United Kingdom (UK) High Court has lifted a secrecy order imposed on a 2013 legal challenge by The Corner House of a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) not to freeze about $215 million in alleged proceeds of crime from a corrupt Nigerian oil deal.

The funds arose from the sale of one of Nigeria’s largest offshore oil concessions, known as OPL 245,1 to subsidiaries of oil multinationals Royal Dutch Shell and ENI. By the court ruling, police in the UK and magistrates in Italy will now for-

by Malabu Oil and Gas in highly suspicious, possibly illegal, circumstances.

Shell and ENI deny paying any money to Malabu Oil and Gas. But they were aware and in agreement that the deal was for the benefit of Malabu.2 In 2011, a middleman acting for Malabu sued the company in the UK Commercial Court for fees he claimed he was owed for services rendered to Malabu in the sale of OPL 245. Pending the outcome of the case, the Court froze some $215 million from the proceeds of the oil concession sale.

The Corner House, together with anti-corruption watchdog Global Witness and Re:Common, an Italian Non Government Organisation, and Dotun Oloko, a Nigerian anti-corruption

campaigner, wrote to this Court raising concerns that the frozen funds were proceeds of crime. The group also requested the London Metropolitan Police’s Proceeds of Corruption Unit (POCU) and the Italian authorities to investigate.

Although the police sought action under the Proceeds of Crime Act, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) declined to initiate proceedings. The Corner House therefore sought a judicial review of the CPS’s decision, arguing that: the OPL 245 deal was corrupt and illegal under both Nigerian and UK law; it was likely, on the available evidence, that a substantial part of the monies paid to Malabu had been used to pay bribes; and the CPS’s failure to act was unlawful.

Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang (right), congratulating the newly sworn-in Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Abubakar Mohammed, at the swearing-in in Jos …yesterday

FG to concession National Theatre Tony Okuyeme

T

he Federal Government is set to concession the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, which was established in 1977.

Explaining reason for the decision to concession it, Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke, said the concession of the National Theatre was for the cohesion of the arts, tourism and culture. According to him, Nigerian cannot allow the National Theatre to rot any further.

Duke, who stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting tagged: ‘The Concession of the Fallow Land around the National Theatre in Line with the Master Plan, Nigerian Entertainment City Road Show’, said: “We cannot allow this iconic edifice to be in vain, while our entertainment sector suffers. It is important for

us to support each other and provide an enabling environment for the arts to grow, by allowing investors to come in. Many countries of the world are powered by arts, culture and entertainment, so we should be able to do something fast to develop our arts sector.”

The minister argued that Nigerians were the largest shoppers in the world, and as such, “`we need retail shops that can help us to attract more investments”.

He also said the road show being planned in the sector would take it to London, Dubai and South Africa.

Also speaking at the Forum, the Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Aminu Diko, said a Public Private Partnership (PPP) procurement approach was the preferred option for the National Theatre.

Condemnation trails INEC’s issuance of PVCs in eight states c o ntin u ed f r o m page 1

The distribution of the PVCs started late as most of the registered voters, who stormed the different mapped out centres of registration had to wait for the officials to commence the process about 11a.m., while in some areas the exercise began at 10a.m.

Most of the primary schools visited within some council in Edo South, including Benin City the state capital witnessed hordes of people waiting to be issued with the PVCs amid complaints of endless wait and late arrival of INEC officials.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the commission, Mrs. Priscilla Imoudu-Sule, said adequate machinery was put in place to ensure success of the PVC distribution in parts of the three senatorial districts of the state.

Imoudu-Sule said that the PVC had been dispatched for distribution to all the 2,627 polling units across the state.

But Anambra State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okelo Madukaife, said it was suspecting INEC’s issuance of PVC in the eight states.

Madukaife in a statement said: “Our dynamic chapter of our great party has viewed the proposal by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the issuance of PVC and Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in fragments of Lagos State and other states with suspicion.

“We call on INEC to begin the issuance of Permanent voters’ cards in all local governments of every state it wishes to conduct the exercise and end simultaneously.”

Equally, Kano State Traders Association on Friday ordered the closure of all markets in the state to enable eligible voters among traders to collect their Permanent Voter Cards.

A statement signed by the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Liti Kulkul in Kano, said: “All markets will remain closed today (Friday) as part of decisions taken to allow our members to go and collect their PVC.” Meanwhile, Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, yesterday said the ongoing distribution of PVC exercise in Lagos would be extended to compensate electorate for the non availability of materials in some areas.

Speaking to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday, Ogunmola said the electoral body would compensate electorates in Lagos State by extending the exercise.

“We will extend the closing time to 5p.m. and extend the exercise by another day.

The distribution of the PVCs will now hold from 8a.m. and 5p.m.,” he noted.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as Miss Lateef Temitope Rebecca now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oni Temitope Rebecca. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

8 NOVEMBER 2014

Court dismises suit on Nyako's impeachment Akeem Nafiu

J

ustice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in Lagos has struck out a suit filed by a lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, in which he is seeking for the re-instatement of impeached Governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako.

The striking out of the suit was premised on the ground that the applicant (Ogungbeje) lacked the locus standi to institute the action.

The judge, while describing the applicant as a meddlesome interloper, queried the rationale behind his actions, saying the rights to challenge the impeachment of July 15 resides solely in Nyako, who was impeached and not the applicant.

According to the judge, the operative word in the preamble to the Fundamen-

News

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tal Human Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules was “may" and not "shall" which implies that not all human rights enforcement cases could not be dismissed for lack of locus standi.

Justice Abang further held that: “It is my considered reasoning that this suit is not a public interest litigation as alleged by the applicant. It is not an action instituted in the interest of the public. It is Nyako that will benefit from any favourable judgment, and not the public, and so this matter does not rank among public interest litigation.

“The applicant cannot cry more than the bereaved and he has no justifiable reason to file this suit because as at the time he filed it, it was not established before this court that Nyako was in detention or incapacitated.

AKURE Ondo promises to tackle unemployment

NEWS IN BRIEF

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has pledged to tackle unemployment through sustainable agriculture that will boost food production.

Mimiko said this on Friday, at a seminar organised by Agricultural Input Supply Agency (AISA), in conjunction with Harvest Field Limited, for farmers in the state.

The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Kola Ademujimi, said the seminar was organised to educate farmers on how to apply chemicals on their crops.

“We have resolved, as a state government, to tackle unemployment among our teeming youths through a sustainable agriculture development,” he said.

4.2m The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Belarus in 2010.

Source: Itu.int

JOS No Zoning in Plateau State, says Jang

Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, has said all aspirants vying for the governorship position in the state have every right to do so without fear or favour as there is no zoning arrangement in the state.

Jang, who stated this yesterday at Government House, Jos, while swearing in four new commissioners to replace those that resigned to seek elective positions in 2015, debunked reports that he had refused others from contesting the governorship position. except for a Berom man. The governor said God gives power and gives it to whoever He wants.

9

IJEODODO Ijeododo monarch tasks FG on pipeline protection

The Baale of Ijeododo community in Lagos State, Alhaji Tajudeen SubairOdodo, on Friday urged the Federal Government to beef up security around its pipelines in the community.

Subair-Ododo made the appeal in an interview with the 0 (NAN) in Lagos, against the backdrop of a pipeline explosion that occurred in the community on Thursday night.

NAN reported that another pipeline explosion occurred around 9.45 p.m. on Thursday, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Community (NNPC), confirmed that the product lines had been switched off, to reduce fire pressure.

5%

The estimated percentage of its annual renewable fresh water that Sub-Sahara Africa uses.

Source: Unesco.org

318

The number of Ebola virus cases that occurred in Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976.

Source: Who.int

CNN's African Voices features Nigerian academic, Francisca Okeke

C

able Network News (CNN) International’s frontline magazine programme, African Voices, willfeature renowned Nigerian female scientist, Prof.

Francisca Nnenna Okeke, as its next star guest .

The 30-minute Glo sponsored programme which runs on CNN International will be telecast at 3.30 p.m. on Saturday and at 4.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. Viewers can also watch the show during the repeat broadcasts on Monday at 3:30 a.m., 11.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m., on Tuesday at 5.30 a.m. and on Wednesday at 10.30 a.m.

The programme is sponsored by national telecoms operator, Globacom.

Okeke is a professor of physics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and was the first woman to Head

of Department of Physics and Astronomy from 2003 to 2006. She was again the first female Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, 2008 to 2010, and the first indigenous female Professor in the Faculty of Science and Engineering of the University.

She was also the first female Professor of physics in the Eastern part of Nigeria.

The research professor has contributed immensely to the development of physics at both secondary and tertiary levels in Nigeria and has conducted many workshops. She has written a number of Physics text books and articles that have enhanced the teaching and learning of Physics at both secondary and tertiary levels in Nigeria. She has written many articles that have encouraged girls to study Physics in the country.

Agbo: APGA will rescue Ebonyi in 2015 Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

T

he All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship aspirant in the 2015 elections in Ebonyi State, Senator Anthony Agbo, has said the level of poverty in the state is orchestrated by leaders in the state, who have bought the conscience of the people, thereby causing widespread impoverishment.

The APGA governorship aspirant who spoke to journalists, in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital after purchasing his nomination forms condemned what he called, “politics of commoditisation of human con-

science in the state whereby, due to widespread impoverishment, leaders pathetically buy the people”.

He explained that the APGA remains the only hope of rescuing the state from spiritual bondage, as well as terror and pains of impoverishment.

“Ebonyi State was sold to the devil some years ago. So, I call on all Christians in the state to rise up to their responsibilities, with sacrifice of fervent prayers for the perfect will of God to prevail on the coming election, otherwise, Ebonyi people will get a government far worse than what they have experienced,” he warned. see news extra on page 52

L-R: Vice-President, Trade Promotion Board of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Olawale Cole; former Minster of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Nike Akande; President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alhaji Remi Bello; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Owuru, at the opening ceremony of this year’s Lagos International Trade Fair, in Lagos…yesterday PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Court restrains APC from conducting fresh congresses in Ebonyi STAY ORDER

Hopes of conducting fresh primaries by Ebonyi State's APC put on hold by the court.

Charles Onyekwere, and Musa Pam

A

ABAKALIKI and Jos

n Abakaliki High Court sitting in Ebonyi State yesterday, restrained the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from cancelling or re-conducting the ward, local government and state congresses, which was conducted by the party in the state in April.

Similarly, a group under the aegis of Plateau Youth Vanguard (PYV) has vowed to resist any at-

l Plateau youths vow to resist attempt to change delegates’ list tempt to change the lists of delegates which emerged during the recent ward congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 17 local government areas of Plateau State.

In a suit No. HAB/62MC/2014, Justice A.A Nwaigwe granted the prayer of the plaintiff, Joseph Nweke Friday, for an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the National chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and the APC as 1st and 2nd respondents, from dissolving the executives of the party elected during the congresses.

The party has been embroiled in leadership crisis after the April 11,16 and 29 congresses conducted by Mrs. Adeshola Ndu-led committee of the party in the state, which produced

Ben Nwobashi-led executives.

The trial Judge noted that the judgment, which was on the Motion on Notice was in accordance to Order 39 Rule (1) and (2); 3 Rule 2(4)a and (b) of the High Court Rules of Ebonyi State, 2008 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

He ruled “after hearing the counsel for the plaintiff/applicant, Godwin Onwusi, praying this court for an order of interlocutory injunction in this suit and this matter, moved in terms of the motion paper ordered that this application be and is hereby granted”.

Nwaigwe further granted that “the respondents, their agents and privies are hereby restrained from conducting any new congress aimed at electing new ex-

ecutives of APC in Ebonyi State or appointing Caretaker Committee in place of the executives elected during the ward, local government and state congresses conducted in Ebonyi State on April 11, 16 and 29, 2014 respectively pending the determination of the substantive suit”.

Meanwhile, the group, while urging the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, to maintain the delegates list provided by the state PDP Chairman, Raymond Dabo, described the process leading to the emergence of the delegates as rigorous, credible, free and fair.

Chairman of the group, Joel Jonathan, in a statement in Jos, applauded the PDP for conducting themselves in an orderly manner during the congress.

Voices Will you listen to your religious leader if he asks you not to marry the man/woman you love? p.12

Street Diary SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2014

I was sitting on my motorcycle when suddenly a bus on top speed appeared from nowhere and hit me

Adeleke

I would rather die than beg for alms –One-legged cyclist M

Sobowale Temitope r. Moses Adeleke is a one-legged tricycle rider who has faced several storms in his life.

Some of the storms were enough to defeat able bodied men, let alone a physically challenged one.

The present storm he’s facing is the restriction of tricycle riders from plying ACME route.

He said that since the restriction, life, especially feeding has become

hellish!

Adeleke, 37, left Oyo State and came to Lagos in search of greener pastures.

It was in the course of the search for a better life, that he got involved in an accident he described as “mysterious.”

The accident led to the amputation of one of his legs.

Rather than take to begging for alms like some men and women in his condition do, Adeleke snarled: “I’d rather die than beg.”

He noted that he realised that most of the beggars make more money than

people in 8am-5pm jobs, but he had rather make a little money with dignity and pride, than beg and make all the millions in the world.

He said that the story of his life and the course it finally took, leading to the loss of his leg, started in Ekiti State, where he went to learn carpentry.

“After the carpentry work, I went to Oyo State and after a deep reflection, decided to come to Lagos. Several of my friends told me I would easily get a job and make it here.”

After staying in Lagos for some months, he realised that the roads were not paved with gold as many of them in his village had heard.

He decided to embrace the available job, which seemed to be fetching both literates and illiterates enough money to eat and survive.

He said: “After my primary education, my parents were unable to continue paying my school fees. I had to go and learn carpentry. When I got to Lagos, the only job I could do was to ride motorcycle which I did.”

According to Adeleke, who is now one of the tricycle riders at Agege Park, he was already eking out a living from riding a commercial bike when problem came.

“I’ll never forget the day that accident happened,” he said, staring into space. “My wife was pregnant. She was expecting our fourth child. The accident happened towards the end of October 2009. It happened at Agbado Ijaiye route.

“I was sitting on my motorcycle when suddenly a bus on top speed appeared from nowhere and hit me.

It was not that the bus failed break.

Till date, I cannot just precisely explain what caused the accident. My motorbike was not even on the road.

“When the incident happened, people on the road chased after the driver.

He however stopped, alighted from his bus and threatened to kill whoever comes close to him. The sympathisers were scared and just like that, they allowed him to go. ” He recalled that other cyclists rushed him to Ikeja General Hospital.

Unfortunately, doctors at the hospital were on strike. Doctors, who pitied his plight, said they could quickly carry out an amputation of the badly crushed leg, but Adeleke refused. He did not want to lose his leg.

Writhing in pains, his family bundled him to Ogbomosho, Oyo State, where Adeleke believed a miracle could be done.

He was however devastated when the prognosis was the same as the general hospital. Adeleke had to spend whooping sums of money just to save his leg. Money, he said, could not stop

10

what he wanted to avoid. He spent six months in the hospital. But all his efforts were futile.

He said: “I was not happy when the doctor told me that the only way to save my life was to amputate my leg. I had no choice than to go on with the operation. During those times, a lot of things flashed through my mind.

When I had two legs, things were not going on well; I could envisage how tougher life will be for me after losing a leg. But I had no choice because I wanted to live and I kept my trust in God.” He said that during those times at the hospital, things were difficult because people were not ready to assist him and his pregnant wife and kids financially. He praised his landlord in Lagos, whom he owed house rent.

After the accident, the landlord out of compassion wrote off a year rent for him.

“The stress and burden was too much for my wife. My wife was not working; she was an apprentice back then, learning how to make bags,” said Adeleke.

He added, “When I regained my health, I came back to Lagos, trying to look for jobs to make ends meet, all to no avail “I stayed at home for almost a year, doing nothing. All the responsibilities fell on my wife. One day one of my friends pitied me. He introduced me to a tricycle owner who was looking for someone who would monitor his riders for him. While I kept the tricycles for the owner, at night, I will bring out one of them and tried to ride it using my one leg. I kept doing this repeatedly until I became used to it and could ride it well. I learned very well by practicing. When my friend knew I could ride a tricycle, he introduced me to Agege Tricycle Riders Park, to start working there in 2012. ” Adeleke said that when he had two legs and riding motorbike, he used to save close to N30, 000 every month, but since he became a one-legged cyclist, he saves just N15, 000 each month.

“Now I hobbled and leave home late in the morning and go home earlier than my colleagues because of my leg,” he said.

When asked why he did not beg for alms due to his condition, he said: “It’s better for me to work than to beg.

My religion does not preach begging for alms. In fact, my family will never accept it. Most of my friends advised me to go to the roads, churches and mosques that people would definitely give me money, but I refused. I know God will do something good in my life.”

He said one of the challenges he had as a one-legged rider was that passengers did not trust him to take them safely to their destinations. He said that sometimes he would pick passengers and once they noticed his leg, they would quickly alight.

Speaking on the restriction of tricycle operators along ACME, which he said was affecting him at the home front, Adeleke said: “To eat is once more very tough for my family. I just don’t know what to do. My hope is in God. Aside from riding tricycles, I can make good furniture, but my problem is money to buy items to start carpentry workshop.”

8 NOVEMBER 2014

Cult members invade residence, kill student Joe Obende

J

Warri

Nathaniel

Street Diary

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

aphet Gbeneso, 45, a marine engineer, is a grieving man. He is grieving over the unwarranted sudden death of his son, Nathaniel, 21, who was killed by hoodlums who announced themselves as cult members when they arrived his home on Ijaw Street in Warri, Delta State, last week Sunday.

New Telegraph on Saturday learnt that the cult members numbering about 20 who visited Nathaniel’s home at night slaughtered him.

Gbeneso who works in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had returned to Warri that weekend to be with his family in line with the practice over the years since he was transferred to Port Harcourt.

But unknown to him, something sinister was about to happen to his family.

When he arrived home on last week Friday, he recalled how he was embraced by his family, saying, "My body told me nothing of the sort" would happen.

By 10pm on Sunday when members of the family were preparing to go to bed, Gbeneso recalled that a young man chased his girlfriend into the compound with broken bottles, assaulting and threatening to kill her.

Geneso's younger brother, Ewos, attempted to find out from the spouse what the matter was and he was told in filthy language to mind his business.

It was learnt that he agreed to mind his business but politely told the altercating spouse to go elsewhere with their "wahala" and leave the compound.

The young man allegedly threatened to stab Ewos with the jaggededge pieces of broken bottles in his clutch. Ewos became cautious of the menacing young man.

When Nathaniel, who was in his room reading for his NECO exam, came out to find out what was amiss, he met the young man still threatening his uncle and took exception to that.

Although there was a near altercation, the matter was resolved and the spouse left.

But some 15 minutes later, the young man came back with some rampaging young men who were armed with machetes, daggers, cutlasses, axes and other dangerous cudgels and attacked people found in the compound.

They reportedly proclaimed they were cult members and had been dared by the residents.

In the ensuing commotion, Nathaniel was said to have run into the room, but the hoodlums went after him, slaughtered him and ran away.

A distribution bus approaching the hoodlums on the street was halted and set ablaze. The two occupants escaped with their skins.

Given that it did not take the guys too long to get reinforcement, the victims reckoned that they must be from the neighbourhood and the community youths and some policemen went to search for them.

Their effort resulted in the arrest of two of the suspects identified simply as Eyisan and Rashidi.

When New Telegraph visited the Police 'A' Division in Warri on Wednesday, a senior officer confirmed the story and the arrest of the two suspects. He said they would soon be transferred to the command headquarters in Asaba.

On Wednesday, some youths of Ijaw Street dragged another young man said to be one of the suspects in the gruesome murder to the station.

11

EFCC boss, Ibrahim Lamorde

Alleged $18m fraud: EFCC arrests suspect Emmanuel Onani Abuja

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested a suspected fraudster, Alhaji Saidu Hashim, for allegedly defrauding a group of Bureau de Change operators of $18,600, 290.

A statement signed yesterday, by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspect was picked up in Lagos, where he had been hiding.

The statement reads: “A suspected fraudster, who defrauded a group of Bureau de Change operators of $18,600,290 USD and disappeared after he was granted administrative bail by the EFCC has been re-arrested. Alhaji Saidu Hashim was picked up by operatives of the Commission from his hide out in Lagos.

“Hashim, who is the owner of Amjigar Bureau de Change Limited, alongside one Ahmed Bashir, allegedly defrauded a group of 52 bureaux de change operating under the aegis of Association of Creditors of Amjigar Bureau de Change, of the sum of $18,600,290 between August and October 2008.

“The suspect is alleged to have collected the money and diverted it for his personal use thereby failing to honour his financial obligation to the group. The suspect, who was first arrested by the EFCC was granted administrative bail prior to his arraignment in court but jumped bail, thereby stalling his prosecution. But his accomplice, Ahmed Bashir is currently standing trial at the Federal High Court, Kaduna.

“The fraudulent activities of the suspect and his disappearance brought told hardship to his victims and their dependants.”

Jonathan to commission East-West Road January Joe Obende Warri

B

arring any unforeseen development, President Goodluck Jonathan will commission Section I of the dualised East-West Road from Effurun in Delta to Kaiama in Bayelsa State. It is envisaged that that section of the road will be completed in December.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru, said this on Friday when he undertook a working tour of the road and other federal projects in Bayelsa State.

One of the two major bridges across the Niger River in Patani, headquarters of Patani Local Government Area, is to be completed in December, he also said.

The ministry's Director of Infrastructure Development, Engr.

Nelsen Ovhori, who conducted the minister round the 850-metre

bridge which is over 90 per cent completed, assured him that it would be ready in two weeks.

With the completion of the bridge, Ovhori told the minister that Section I of the dualisation project which stretches from Effurun to Kaiama, would have been completed.

Another major bridge in Kaiama is far from completion even though the Project Engineer on site, Jihad Yaghi, promised that it would be ready in April.

Comprising 225 segments of which only 15 had been mounted on their pillars on the 700 metres bridge, Yaghi added that the critical portion of the project had been executed.

Part of what had been responsible for some delay in the project, Yaghi told the minister was the issue of compensation to owners of property on its way which he said had been resolved with payment

to commence next week.

The minister also inspected garri processing plants In Odi, Kolokuma/Opukuma Local Government Area and Otusegha in Ogbia Local Government Area both in Bayelsa State which the federal government established to empower rural women from the Niger Delta.

Oru remarked that more of such plants should be established in communities where cassava is well cultivated in the region.

In Otuoke, the president's home place in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, the minister was furious with the three contractors handling projects in the skills acquisition centre there for extending the completion period by more than two years.

He said he was under pressure for their poor showing, warning that he would revoke their contracts if they failed to deliver in Patani bridge under construction. two weeks.

photo: joe obende

Voices

SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2014

12

Will you listen to your religious leader if he asks you not to marry the man/woman you love?

It depends

I will not listen

If it's based on God’s voice

I will not What on earth will be the reason for him stopping me not to marry a man I love? I will not.

– Rita Samuel, student

No, I will not No, I will not, we are talking about love and you know what it means to be in love.

– Fadipe Seyi, student

– Nike Busari, NYSC member

No, I won’t

I will not

My obeying him or not will be based on his reasons and if it is convincing enough I will obey. But if not then I will go on with my wish.

– Adeniyi Odigie Oluwarotimi, entrepreneur

It is a bit tricky, but he has to prove his points to me and if it's reasonable I might listen to him.

– Eyo Faith, student

– Princess Blessing, civil servant

If his reasons are sound enough

If the reasons are good enough

I am not trying to disrespect God but I will definitely not listen to my pastor. It is only if Jesus Christ comes down before I will agree not to get married to the man.

Well, to my own perspective, if he has a genuine reason for saying that, I think I will listen to him because I will want to believe he is speaking from the voice of God.

Why will I listen to the man of God in the first place? He is neither my dad nor my mum. I will definitely go on and marry her and if the pastor feels like he doesn't want to join us then we can go to another church.

– Wanapere Akpos, student

I will marry the man I love because my pastor can neither dictate who I will marry nor tell me who to fall in love with.

– Adeoye Esther, student

– Shafaru Kafayat, student

No, if I really love and I feel the person is who I am ready to spend the rest of my life with I will not listen to the religious leader.

– Stanley Omax Ikwue, student

Only my parents can do that

I will marry the man of my choice

There will be a reason for saying that to me; first I will ask him why he asks me not to marry the man I love. If the reason is good, I will step back but if the reason is nothing to me, I will marry him.

No reason will convince me except he proves the reason and if it’s worth forgiven, I will forgive.

– Oladosu Rufus, student

Reason must be compelling He should have a reason for that, but that may not necessarily convince me.

I will have to consider the genuineness of his words I will not marry her but he has to give me genuine reasons. He has to tell me what the Holy Spirit reveals to him concerning the woman. Also at the same time too I will reason with what he says and use it to monitor the woman for some time. I cannot just walk out from someone I love; that is unfair to her on my part.

–Udoh Emmanuel, banker

– Dairo Ayokanmi, student

I won't go ahead I would not go ahead because he might have seen some things about the marriage in the spiritual realm why praying.

– Toyin Ajibade, works in a

I will if he has a good reason If he has a good reason for saying such, then I will oblige and obey him.

– Sanni Ademola, student

telecom company

I must have loved the man for the wrong reasons I won't obey him As for me, all what he says is for him and that cannot convince me not to marry her.

– Baale Joshua, student

compiled by

OLUSHOLA RICKETTS, TOPE DADA, JOHN EDU, AYILARA DAYO AND FAITH AIDEVO OBADAN

That is a big question.

I must have loved him for the wrong reasons then because I can't love someone that my pastor won't accept.

– Temilola Adebiyi, works in a telecoms firm

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2014

WeekendDelight 13

C o n v e r s at i o n

Instyle How to make your lips look fuller p.16

FOLAKE FOLARIN-COKER

The Arts

Existential strokes at Quintessence p.33

Stitching and giving wings to dreams

TV & Radio Sharing Life Issues with Chaz B p.44

Love&Living ‘My husband always talks about his ex’ p.37

T

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Folake

Folake Folarin-Coker, founder and creative director of Tiffany Amber, an upscale fashion brand unveiled the 15 Women of Vision in partnership with Diamond Woman at an exclusive party in Lagos mid-October. Designed to run for five years, the Women of Vision represents Tiffany Amber’s multi-generational appeal and they are to mentor selected Nigerians on business. After a period, the mentees shall graduate from the scheme and will be assisted in launching their dream careers. The fashion arbiter shares her success story, insight and much more in this interview with LANRE ODUKOYA

ypical of most people-oriented campaigns, the 15 Women of Vision was almost sullied by an allegation that the selection process wasn’t particularly transparent. That necessitated a prompt response. “We had a panel of six including myself and representatives from Diamond Bank. We came up with the list of 150 women, we downsized it to 100 and then to 50. At a point it was difficult to reduce the number, we decided to adopt another method of age bracket of 18 and above, they have to be an entrepreneur, they have to be women who have made a mark for themselves. We finally arrived at the 15 women. Many people have criticized the selection process. I read a comment on a certain blog which says, the list is for only the rich and famous, I picked something from it. Success does not come because of one’s background, this is a luxury brand and we need to have women who are doing well, next year we may decide to throw the gate open. This campaign has opened a lot of opportunity and we have seen that people love the brand.”

Not many are aware of what the mode of operation of the mentorship campaign will be. Speculations are rife in different quarters until she came out to shed light on how it’s intended to flow. “It is going to be an open campaign, application will come from everywhere. We can’t mentor everybody. I mentor people, a lot of fashion designers doing very well now came from Tiffany Amber: Ejiro

Amos Tafiri worked for me for five years; she is doing well now and I am happy for her. So at Tiffany Amber, we open up ourselves for people every year, we are successful when every other designer who came through us are successful.”

Given that she’s celebrating her brand’s fifteenth year, it seems fitting that 15 women were selected for the programme.

“I didn’t do my tenth anniversary. When I started Tiffany Amber in 1998 I was a young girl with a dream. Over the years, I became a woman with a vision, now I am very clear about where I want to take the brand. That is the reason for the 15th anniversary. We might even do 16th or 20th. To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the brand, I thought to myself I should give back to the society and what occurred to me was these women of vision programme. One of the most fulfilling moments of my career has been the incredible women I have come across in my journey; they have mentored me, encouraged me, empowered me and I thought I needed to share them with the world.”

Going through the list of the women selected, another point a keen observer would notice is that there is no one from the public sector. Could that have been deliberate? “The choice of the women we want is that we want those within our control. I can’t choose a minister or a local government chairman; they already carry a lot of loads on their heads.

I chose Jumoke Oduwole because of educaCONTINUED ON PAGE 14

14

Weekend Delight

| Conversation

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

‘‘We’re successful when designers who came through us are successful’’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 3

tion; she is a lecturer at the University of Lagos. I think she is someone special and we are sure that a lot of people are looking up to her. It is the first edition we are still learning. It is a long term project. If 50 people come out successful and we have another 50 we will be proud of ourselves,” she concluded.

That settled, what would the mentors be looking out for in mentees? “The mentors have their eyes out on potential and seriousness. People want to make quick money nowadays and there is no short cut to success. They will also be looking for individual talents, if you don’t have any talent, it will be a waste of time for the mentors and the mentees. We hope a lot of people will come out from this programme successful.”

Through thick and thin, Tifanny Amber has weathered the storm not only to become a survivor but a leader among the lot. Fifteen years down the line, where did this young woman draw the resilience in a nearly saturated industry? “A lot of drive, lots of passion and prayers. It was constant dedication to building the brand.

As an entrepreneur, I don’t see obstacles.

The constant drive is to make a success of the business side of it. The creative side was less challenging because creativity I think is innate and the boundaries come from within whereas the business side is dictated by your surroundings. So it was the constant dedication to keep it going and not allowing anything come in the way of making the brand a success. This is a very difficult business to do, before now people believe women should stay indoors and a stitch clothes, make dresses.

Now we have multinational companies investing in the business, every street now has tailors working, it’s one of the biggest main stay of world economy. It’s just that we don’t write down what we earn. Fashion is a huge business in Nigeria; we are hiring South Africans and other nationals.”

When you mention Tiffany Amber, what readily comes to mind is high end.

At what cost would Nigerians get products from this label? Coker explains: “If people can’t afford Tiffany Amber, they should be able to afford TAN. Tiffany Amber Nigeria is a luxury brand set up to provide luxury service to Nigerians.”

What really makes Tiffany Amber a label to beat? Why should patrons buy dresses that don’t come pretty cheap? The label has a wide range of high end dresses and the director is not apologising for the pedestal it mounts. “I continue to rein-

FolarinCoker...

Below: Nigeria’s Women of Vision in a group photograph

vent myself without changing the DNA of the brand. Continuously reinventing yourself – but don’t change the DNA of the brand – that’s what I believe. Everyone knows what the Tiffany Amber look like, they know what has kept us and we can’t compromise quality for anything.”

She also dwelled on how she’d been able to manage love for the art and lure of commerce to grow the enterprise to an enviable height; “Well, I think the key is to be able to strike a balance between the art of fashion and the art of business. I believe this is where my strength lies. I often get asked this question and what I said then and what I say now is that the fashion business is a process of seduction that ultimately leads to desire. In the process of trying to seduce your client, you throw money out the window and if it lands in

“My brand will outlive me because I don’t work for the present; I work for the future. If I didn’t do that, I would have closed shop a long time ago” the right place, it comes right back through your door. The key thing is to know which window to throw at.”

Hard work and hindsight are essential to business development, Coker has discerned this long enough to know the future of the business she leads. “With-

out a doubt, my brand will outlive me because I don’t work for the present; I work for the future. If I didn’t do that, I would have closed shop a long time ago because there have been many obstacles but I had a dream to have a fashion brand and that dream has come true and this fashion brand has been established. After this I need it to outlive me. We want it to become the premiere African lifestyle brand and I think we are very well on our way to it. It is not about fame for me, It is about the proper structure and having a proper business.

“2013 was an extremely busy year for us, we launched our accessories line, denim range, our online store will soon go live and this year being our fifteenth in the business, we have many more exciting projects coming up.”

As a major voice in Nigeria’s fashion, how does she see its impact on the global stage? “In terms of talent, I think the Nigerian fashion scene is on par with the rest of the global fashion scene. However, there is still a lot of work to be done on the infrastructure. We need to work towards a common goal which is working together to ensure our environment is right to have a thriving fashion industry. The effect the Nigerian designers are having on the global fashion scene can be seen on the pages of many international publications. I have been watching the prospect of African fashion and its influence for some time now and I think something pivotal will occur within the next two to four years.”

Streams of congratulatory messages have been pouring in for Coker since being listed on the Forbes 20 young powerful women in Africa. This would make any young person blush but here’s her reaction; “It’s always very encouraging to be recognized in a positive way however small or big the recognition is. But as a matter of principle, I try very hard not to believe the hype as it can very well get in the way of one’s success. But hey, that’s not to say I don’t appreciate it because I do.”

She is rather reticent on where Tiffany Amber’s future focus will be. “No designer likes to reveal their plans,” she said. “But I can tell you that Tiffany Amber is working on fully expanding the brand to offer an even wider audience a bit of luxury in their lives. We are after all the premiere African luxury lifestyle brand and I don’t see why Tiffany Amber should not be part of your home, travel and work… your general everyday living. It is personally important to me that we have a presence all over Africa and ultimately every major city of the world.

This is my heart’s desire but at the end of the day I gratefully submit to God’s will.”

Tiffany Amber’s Women of Vision zz Ife “Cuppy” Otedola zz Ifeyinwa Ighodalo zz Funke Opeke zz Ola Orekunrin zz Eku Edewor zz Peju Alatise zz Uche Majekodunmi zz Adesuwa Onyenokwe zz Adenike Ogunlesi zz Oluchi Onweagba Orlandi zz Maryam Augie zz Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde zz Omoyemi Akerele zz Uche Pedro zz Jumoke Oduwole

Instyle

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

15

A touch of bling

A chip off the old block Wale Samson, like his stylish father, Bishop Tom Samson, makes his fashion statement in elegant and flashy jackets, writes ANGELA DAVIES.

Ikuforiji

Wale Ahmed

Fayose

Fashola

Solomon

Kufi: The crowning glory for politicians

W

Angela Davies hen it comes to fashion, even politicians make salient fashion statement especially with their caps which in most cases have become their trademark right from the days of the late Obafemi Awolowo.

The current trending cap for some politicians is known as the Kufi. The Kufi is a brimless, short, and rounded cap. Fashionable politicians rocking

this cute and striking cap in style include Ganiyu Solomon, governors Babatunde Raji Fashola and Ayodele Fayose as well as honourable Adeyemi Ikuforiji. These men all make distinct fashion statement in different colours of crushed velvet Kufi cap with tip featuring Islamic insignia and intricate embroidery designs. These trendy politicians adorn this cap with traditional attires in colours that complement their overall look.

The trimmings around the Kufi

are usually done in different colours according to individual preference.

The kufi average height is about 3Âźin (8.25cm) tall and come in various exciting colours to suit every outfit they wear as they are just perfect for wearing to any special event.

The Kufi is worn by Christians and Muslims although they were originally made for Muslim men.

You too can rock the Kufi in design and colour you choose but ensure it sits properly on your head for a perfect fit.

How would you define your style?

My style is simple but striking. If I will not be noticed in a particular outfit, I will not wear it.

What kinds of outfits make up a larger part of your wardrobe?

I will say jackets because I do more of jackets on shirts and pants.

What determines the kind of outfit you wear?

I will say the event.

What is that clothing item you will never be caught wearing?

I will not wear shorts and sleeveless outside my house except if I am going to swim.

Can you recall a fashion item you shelled out so much to acquire?

It was a crazy tuxedo. When I wear it, you just have to turn your head in my direction but it is not that expensive.

Who is your fashion role model?

My dad. He has a good dress sense.

Fashion accessory you cannot do without Well, my wedding ring.

Best designer Sam Clothing, he sews to fit me. I love clothes that fit my body.

Signature perfume I combine perfumes but I don’t know their names, however, they have fascinating fragrance.

What kind of shoes appeal to you?

I love wet surface shoes in black colour.

When it is dirty, you can easily clean and wear it.

Sometimes, I customise some shoes to suit my jacket for easy coordination.

Are you a fashion freak?

Not really but I love to look good always.

What is that fashion blunder you have committed?

Maybe colour blocking before it became fashion.

Best colour I love flashy colours, especially orange and purple. I do not like dull colours. Even if everything on me is dull, there must be one thing that must shout on me.

Samson

16

Instyle

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

Accessories to live for

Facts In 2001, Seyi Adekunle, chief executive officer of Vodi Tailors as a corps member then in Akwa Ibom, learnt how to sew from indigenes that sewed with butterfly machines at his free time.

Leather wristwatch for men A wristwatch is more than just a timepiece. However, leather wristwatches can harmonize any kind of outfit writes ANGELA DAVIES.

W

atches can be worn as a functional accessory or a stylish piece of jewelry by both men and women. It conveys a certain sense of style that is both classical and professional.

However, men who frequently dress up in formal wear will observe that they are the most suitable as they could flawlessly complement any type of outfit in your wardrobe. However, you should choose one that is comfortable and durable as these are the qualities that make it a frequent wear.

Leather watches are constructed with a strap

FASHION ETIQUETTE

The right pants break

made of leather that is easily sized. Most leather watches require a simple tightening of the straps with a metal fastener for ease of use.

Although, they come in different strap colours to choose from, however, black leather watches tend to match more outfits than any other option. But brown leather is also a classic choice. They also come in a variety of band widths and lengths, allowing men of all shapes and sizes to find a watch that fits.

There are lots of sleek designer leather wristwatches with different unique features, styles and colours that will meet your style requirement.

Many of these watches are stylish and will add a touch of classic luxury to your wrist. Leather wristwatches are an excellent complement to any outfit, and its classy appearance transitions effortlessly from a day to a night outing.

Note that leather watches will effortlessly complements an entire range of clothing in their wardrobe.

BEAUTY

I

S

ometimes, we see some men wear pants with excessive fabric resting on their shoes, thus making them look sloppy. This is what is called a pant break.

The pant break is where your pants fall on your shoes, therefore, creating a horizontal crease in the fabric across the front of your trouser leg. This is simply as a result of the length of your pants.

The perfect break will speak volumes about your professional image. Hence, the right break to choose is the medium or half break. It is the traditional length for all men’s dress pants.

This pant break length is characterized by one fold in the fabric when the cuff is resting on the shoe. It will make you look clean and polished.

The oldest earrings in the world were discovered in Inner Mongolia. They are made from jade and are around 8000 years old.

When wearing black-onblack, fit becomes even more important.

Aviator sunglasses were designed in 1936 by RayBan to help pilots protect their eyes from the strong sunlight

How to make your lips look fuller

f you desire to make your lips look fuller and refreshing instantly, then, you should follow these simple tips you can do yourself.

Tips Always wear lipgloss - This is the easiest way to get fuller lips as lip gloss reflects light, making the lips look super shiny and full. They also make the lips glossy and chic.

Blend two lipsticks – You should apply the first lipstick to the entire lip, then add a slightly lighter shade or preferably a shimmery gloss in the center of both your top and bottom lips, and blend with a brush.

Avoid dark lipstick shades – To make your lips look fuller, you should avoid dark lipstick shades because they will shrink your lips instead of making them look plump and lush. Instead, opt for nude or clear shades as this will also give your lips a natural look.

Use lip liner – You can make your lips look fuller when you line them with lip liner. Also, lip liner can actually make your lipstick stay on so much longer and your lips will look totally lush. Use a lip liner that is just a fraction of a shade darker than the lipstick you are using to draw around the outside line of your lips. By applying the darker liner on the outside of the mouth, it will create a subtle effect that will make the lips look fuller.

Create a shadow - Use dark brown, waterproof eyeliner and draw a very small line directly under your bottom lip. This will create the illusion of a shadow, which in turn will make your lips look fuller.

Trends

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

17

Playful and chic tail hem dresses There are numerous types of shirttail hemlines. Some have an exaggerating tail hem, some are moderate while others are just a short dip. Your choice of hem length depends on your style preference. The shirt-tail dresses which could be worn to different events, depending on how it is styled and accessorised come in a variety of exciting fabric, colours, neckline and sleeve styles to choose from.

Angela Davies

D

o you want a versatile dress for that special or informal event that will make heads turn? Then, look no further. All you need is the trending tail hem dazzling dresses that will make you look chic. The style originated in the Victorian era dresses and formal gowns, when the hem style became known as the ‘fishtail’. During the 19th century, it became a trend in the mid 1870s.

However, they reappeared in the early 1880s and later in women's formal gowns and evening dresses in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Although, tail hem dresses has been on and off the fashion spotlight, it was essentially featured as a major fashion trend in 2011. And today, these dresses which cut longer at the back are making their way back into the fashion spotlight.

Call these dresses shirt-tail, tapered, cutaway, dipping or mullet hem or high-low dresses and you will not be wrong. They have a hem that is shorter in front and longer at the back. Its asymmetrical hemline gives off a sexy but elegance appeal. Interestingly, these hems cover, yet they expose. Tail hems fill the void between mini and maxi so you get the best of both worlds.

They are a simple, sexy and effortless way to freshen your wardrobe with a new type of cut. The appeal of a dipping hem is that it is playful and seductive. The back of these dress coveys the elegance of length, while the front insinuate something more revealing depending on how short the front is. It brings attention to your legs in a classy but refreshing way.

Arese Ugwu

Styling tips

Tiwa Savage

Funmi Daniel

Toke Makinwa

Rita Dominic

• Calf a nd ankle length tail-hem dresses are best paired with heels in different styles for that sophisticated look.

• If you are opting for a shorter version like above or right below the knee, then flats shoes or sandals are fine.

• To ensure your cutaway hem and legs stay in the spotlight, if the colour of the dress is neutral, then, you should experiment with other neutral accessories but in trendy styles. You could also opt for print or bold-coloured accessories in a simple style.

• If you wear a print tail-hem dress has, you could create a frame around it by pairing a pair of shoes, clutch or handbag in a colour from one of the colours on the print.

• If you are wearing a plain coloured tail-hem dress, you could accessories with colours like gold, silver and other colours that will complement your special look.

• Finally, add some oomph to your overall look with accessories like earrings, bracelet, wristwatch and cocktail ring.

Whether style and length of tail-hem dress you choose to wear, you will still look chic and be the cynosure of all eyes especially when accessorised appropriately for the occasion. There is a style for every woman who loves fashion, so hurry up because this trend is catching on fast.

Genevieve Nnaji

Short Story SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

Writer in focus:

Ahaoma Kanu

18

The River Benue Massacre (3) continued FROM LAST week

W

hen the Commander and his platoon left, the new set of soldiers that replaced them came to Wale and urged them to start moving before their commander comes.

"I know he will not hesitate to lock all of you if he finds out you helped nyammiris", they said.

"Bros, the thing wey my eyes see today, I no go fit forget am for life", Wale complained to soldiers who appeared not so aggressive.

"Na so e be for Makurdi since wey this coup thing happen", one of the soldiers told them, "Please you people should start going before Major Amin comes", he advised. At the mention of the name, Wale and the others began to move hurriedly into the train; Amin was probably the man whose ruthlessness was mentioned by the departed soldiers.

They all scrambled into the engine room and Wale started the train. He did not sound any departure horn as the rumbling echoes again indicated we were leaving the bridge. After a few minutes passed, I heard someone sobbing inside the engine room.

"Dede, it's okay it was nobody's fault", I heard Jasper console him. Immediately he said that, Wale shouted at him to shut up.

"Wetin that one mean?" Jasper queried.

"You don't have any right to say that, you fool. Na you be the person wey tell them say I dey carry these people. Stupid idiot!"

Wale was visibly angry.

"Get out", came the reply from Jasper, "No be you carry them before", he retorted.

"Jasper, no annoy me or else I go leave this train come deal with you now now!" Wale warned.

"You no fit do anything, you collect money from Oyibo woman finish come lie say you carry letter.

You never tell us the truth finish", Jasper accused him. Instantly there was commotion inside there.

"Wale you go kill us, go drive your train, leave this man!" Dede shouted, trying to separate them. The noise continued with their different voices shouting curses and the sounds of crashes everywhere. I was not sure what to do, the train was still in motion and both Okechukwu and Ekene's heads were out looking at me in uncertainty.

The door of the cubicle suddenly flew open and Wale and Jasper crashed in. Umaru and Dede followed them, trying

to separate them. They were throwing punches on themselves sluggishly. The sight of Okechukwu and Ekene inside the box startled them.

"Na here una hide?" Dede asked still trying to separate the fighters. Wale let go of Jasper, who was lying below him on the floor bleeding from the mouth.

"Don't ever try me in your life", he threatened, breathing heavily. After they had left themselves, Jasper started pouring out serious threats.

"Okay, you go see. Na fight you wan fight. I go show you say na Tiv man I be", "You no go fit do anything", Wale told him.

"Wait make we reach Otukpo, I go make sure say they go kill you join these Igbos", Jasper replied then left the room. Dede followed him, trying to calm his temper. For the few moments they were inside the cubicle,

"You no fit do anything, you collect money from Oyibo woman finish come lie say you carry letter. You never tell us the truth finish"

I observed that their clothes were stained with blood from the bodies they helped dispose of. Jasper's threat was quite scary; he mentioned Otukpo I remembered. I could still hear Dede trying to calm him down gently but he kept flaring up and raising his voice.

"What about Umaru, he no follow talk say na him carry them?"

Jasper asked angrily, "Why e be say na me he see fight?" The train then jerked and started slowing down. I could not hear any noise until the train stopped.

Wale then spoke up.

"Since Jasper don make up im mind say he go kill these children and me, I suggest say e go better make everybody go im own way", Wale said.

"Haba! Wetin dat one mean?"

Dede asked.

"How you wan leave us this night for Makurdi say make we find our way?" Umaru asked.

"I don talk am be that", Wale replied adamantly, "I no need una help again for my train. I go settle everybody im money now!"

"Abeg give me my money now, nonsense!" Jasper retorted abusively." After all wetin I dey gain from you sef?"

"Wale abeg cool down. I no say you dey vex", Dede said, trying to make him reconsider his decision.

"Why you dey beg am, leave am make e go", Jasper shouted at Dede, he was very angry, "And make you bring that ₤50 join our money o", He reminded.

"You fit take the money, I no need any blood money", Wale replied. He opened the cubicle door again and made for a small box hidden at a corner that served as his safe. He opened it and counted some money then locked it again before leaving the room.

"Oya see una money; Jasper, ₤16; Umaru; ₤16 and Dede, ₤16", he kept saying as he distributed their money amongst them.

They counted their money to be sure it was exact.

"The ₤50 nko?" Umaru asked, he had been silent all the while.

"No be una money? No be me dey with the money", Wale replied.

"See am here", Dede offered.

"You no want follow share this one?" Jasper asked him.

"I no want", he replied.

"Leave am, no be Yoruba im be too?" Umaru retorted.

"Make una collect una things wey dey here abeg", Wale told them. Umaru and Jasper came into the cubicle looking angry and murmuring to themselves.

They collected their belongings and left without looking at us.

I heard them descending the stairs.

"Where you wan go now?"

Umaru asked Jasper.

"No be Tiv man I be, na we get the land, follow me make we enter Wadata", Jasper replied. We kept listening to their footsteps fade into the night. After they left, Dede said to Wale, "You for no sack them like that".

"I blame you, na because say no be you be the driver wey those soldiers beat and no be you fight Jasper", Wale replied him.

"Wetin we go do now? Dede asked, "You no say Jasper dey vex".

"I get plan myself, I know person for Makurdi." He started the train and rode on farther away from the spot before stopping and waited for some hours to kill time. conCLUDED

Temi Dollface I hummed sweet melodies as a baby from my cot

p.21

ShowBiz

GUS past winners Our lives after

p.22

SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2014

19

‘Some said my voice was awful and advised I quit music' At 19, Segun Akinlolu popularly known as Beautiful Nubia, had written over five hundred songs. In 1997 when he put in for Kora Awards as an unknown artiste, he was ridiculed. He however went all the way to become the only Nigerian artiste nominated for the awards that year.

Akinlolu, a veterinary doctor, tells OLUSHOLA RICKETTS the secret behind his music.

You were once a veterinary doctor; do you miss your old life?

I was trained as a veterinary doctor at the University of Ibadan.

I worked as a vet for about nine years and I enjoyed it. The study of veterinary medicine itself is very enjoyable, eye-opening and exciting. For any young person, it is a very colourful experience. The years I put in to study the course were very difficult and taxing. I made a name and some money too; it was a good life. But there came a time I said I wanted to start playing music full-time.

What have you been doing?

We are still doing the same things we have been doing. We are playing music, organizing shows and recording albums.

Our last album was released in January this year and the new album is already in the pipeline.

The last album is called Keere and it is a 12-track album. In the last 12 years, at least, we have recorded more than 100 songs.

Your kind of music is deep; what influenced your style?

When you have a gift it is important to stay true to it. The message in my music is deeply influenced and inspired by the people I grew up with and the things they taught us when we were children. I always tell people that I read a lot of books, but some of them are not papers; they are in form of people. My grandmother was a book I read for many years.

I put the wisdoms of our ancient people into music. But unfortunately for us the places where

young people could hear all these ancient’s wisdoms are failing us.

Everybody seems to be pursuing material gains now.

How acceptable was your first album?

It came in 1997, but most people know Jangbalajugbu. People think that is my first album, but it is actually my third. My first two albums didn’t really make much of an impact. My first had a kind of reggae, R&B, jazz and soul feel.

It was a 10-track album and there was no one Yoruba language in it.

I was trying to be all funky on the album cover with a cap and a shirt.

It got some airplay, but we really struggled to sell a thousand copy of cassette we made. People said they loved the album and I had talent, though some people also told me I should give it up. They said my voice was awful and since I was doing well as a vet I should not waste my time pursuing a career in music. But there came a review in The Guardian by Benson Idonije and the writer gave me almost a full page. He said I had promise, so I listened to people like that and took their words. I remember Benson saying that he could see that the guy has all kinds of influences. It was really difficult; it was difficult to produce, difficult to sell and it was difficult to even see the light at the end of the tunnel. What kept me going was the gift.

Do you have any favourite track?

I like them all. There are ones I like to play when we are doing live performances because of the audience or melody. It is like somebody who has children; it is difficult to

"I don’t play what is trending; I play what might be trending in the future"

choose a favourite. They all appeal to me in different ways.

How do you attract people to your music?

The kind of music I play is very difficult. I think I am lucky that I am a good manager of money and I learnt early in life how to live within my means. I don’t live big and I am always very careful with money. When we make good money from a show I reinvest the money in the business. I don’t have any house anywhere in this country; I don’t have any property so to say. I don’t drive expensive vehicle. We are not playing pop music that is highly commercial. I don’t play what is trending; I play what might be trending in the future. I dictate the pace when it comes to my musIc; I don’t allow the market to dictate for me.

Have you considered blending what the market wants with your desire to remain artistic?

I had never; no true artist does that! That is why artists are always

poor, but poverty depends on your definition. Materially, they can be poor and fulfilled in their art. I don’t really complain; money does not interest me. I have no interest in driving a nice car or building a house; my interest right now is to have a studio. How do I make my next album? How do I help artistes around me to grow? How do I put on festivals for artistes to come showcase their talents? I have no desire for material things. Life is a very short trip, so you better enjoy yourself. Whether we have money or not I am enjoying my life; I am having fun. And when it is over I would have no regrets because everything I am doing now is what I really want to do.

Could you share with us some awards, recognition or nominations you’ve got?

I have gotten too many awards I think, but I am not crazy about awards. What an award means to me is that somebody somewhere says he appreciates you and he values what you are doing. At that moment I am very grateful and that is it. People always call me to say they heard I don’t accept awards. I do accept them; I just don’t make noise about them.

The biggest award for me is the love of the people; when someone tells me that I listened to your music and it changed my life. Though for any young artiste who is looking for a breakthrough, an award is always great. Those days when Kora Awards was big I got a nominated in 1999, so that was huge for me. We were only five of us and I was the only one from Nigeria that got nominated that year.

At that time nobody knew my name or who I was. Though I believed I was going to get it, people laughed at me when I applied. We applied through Raypower and I remember well what happened when I went there with my package. It seemed Femi Kuti won it a year before. Lagbaja has gotten a nomination before too and I think Sunny Ade had won it also. So these were known names. When I got the nomination I remember an article in ThisDay noting that “this artiste that is not known to Nigerians has even gotten a Kora nomination”.

It seems you don’t really play at social events; why is that so?

That is not it; I do play a lot.

I am not always in Nigeria, but whenever I am in Nigeria we are always very busy. Like I said earlier we are playing this month.

The one I went to do at Ondo State two weeks ago was a burial. People invite us for birthdays, burials, etc and I tour universities a lot too. People also invite us for corporate events; it is just that we don’t make noise about them.

Is shaving off your dreadlocks someday a possibility?

I was born with locks, but it was removed when I was a child.

I put it back 12 years ago. I don’t keep it for any spiritual reason; it is just there. I could wake up one day and unlock it. I know many of my fans will not be too happy about that, but your body is the only thing you got control over. I still enjoy it and like the fact that when I woke up I don’t need to look for a comb.

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SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

LANRE ODUKOYA

SHOWBIZ TODAY

lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

Entertainment industry lecture holds in Benin, Warri

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head of the roll out of the Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Insurance Scheme (NEIHIS), the administrators of Nigerian Entertainment Industry Lecture Series (NEILS) have continued its nationwide sensitization and enlightenment campaign of the entertainment industry.

This is with regard to the workings of the scheme and the Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Trust Fund (NEIHTF).

The Warri segment held on Thursday October 30, at the Shell Ramp and was attended by top stakeholders in the entertainment industry in Delta State. Some of these include; the Secretary General of PMAN in Delta State, Mr. Quincy; President of Comedians Guild, Kudoslala; President of Urhobowood (the association for Urhobo movie community), Joseph Oreke; President of Bouncers Association, representatives of Actors Guild of Nigeria and other policy makers.

Since the commencement of the tour, the Warri participants have been the most interactive and critical of the scheme. They

E-BRIEFS

Rotary Club honours Dede Mabiaku, others

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frobeat musician, Dede Mabiaku, was one of the few Nigerians honoured by the Rotary Club of Maryland last Tuesday in Lagos.

The awards, according to Rotarian Austin Eneduwa-George, a past president of the Rotary District, were given to people who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers. Other awardees of the night are Tola Agboola, a female cobbler and Abayomi Obafemi, a Lagos-based auto mechanic.

Mabiaku, who has carved a niche for himself as one of the protégés of the late afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, received the award for being one of the few persons who defied intimidations to keep afrobeat music alive.

Mabiaku was said to have been disowned by his parents when he decided to pursue a career in music, but his resilience paid off in the long run.

Speaking shortly after receiving the award, Mabiaku commended the efforts of Rotary Club, particularly in the fight against polio.

fielded so many questions in a seemingly endless session that lasted several hours.

However, they finally keyed into the scheme after the conviction by the NEIHIS strong delegation comprising representatives from NEILS and the three partners from Health Management Organisation who all pledged their allegiance to the scheme. A working committee was later set up after the conference to help the organizers reach out to more entertainment practitioners within the state.

On Thursday October 31, the Edo State edition of the conference held in Benin at Oba Akenzua Cultural complex. Edo State also has its fair share of various associations and they were sufficiently represented. There were representatives from guilds and associations such as Edo Artistes Association of Nigeria, Entertainment Network of Edo State, Concerned Artistes Forum, Music & Films Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria and Orhionnwon Musicians Association.

The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) members were led to the

event by PMAN secretary general in the state, Willy Eghenova. Actors Guild of Nigeria members were also represented by some members as it was gathered that the leadership in state is currently enmeshed in crisis and an unending legal tussle.

Stakeholders and attendees lauded the initiative, with veteran musician and one of the members of the Edo State Elders’ Forum, Prof. Richard Ugiagbe, now partially blind, urging organizers to speed up the roll out process which he believes will help restore his sight. Also, the President

Chika Ike’s Crossfire with Charles Novia

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harles Novia’s new career in social commentary is earning more enemies than friends. The producer who now runs a blog where he swipes at celebs with overzealous public postures has had many of the stars battle him anytime he fires a salvo at them. He has had issues with actresses like Rita Dominic, Genevieve Nnaji, Ini Edo, Tonto Dikeh, and Cossy Orjiakor, as well as singers Tiwa Savage and Ma-

heeda, over stuff he wrote about them, but he cares less as he keeps pointing out their faults. This time around, he has apparently touched the sour side of touring actress, Chika Ike, who has been across some major cities, enjoying the good life and posting photos of her exploits.

Novia sees her flaunting photos of the hotel she stays and the yacht she is holidaying in as vain and egotistical.

of Orhionnwon Musicians Association, Baba Yankee, appealed that the organizers should do more for this initiative to further get to the entertainers at the grassroots.

Meanwhile, the Port-Harcourt segment of the event which was postponed from October 29th held on Tuesday November 4th. The leaders of various associations and other stakeholders unanimously agreed earlier to shift the conference to allow for a broader participation of all entertainment practitioners and stakeholders in Rivers State.

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Kanu Nwankwo canvasses votes for Desmond Elliot

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Mabiaku (left) receiving the award plaque

Group photograph of Kaduna Entertainment Industry stakeholders with NEILS and HMOs representatives

ormer Super Eagles forward, Kanu Nwankwo, has thrown his weight behind Desmond Elliot's bid to win a seat at the Lagos State House Assembly.

The ex-Arsenal striker joined Desmond Elliot at a forum the actor organised for widows in his constituency to speak and campaign for him. Kanu while delivering a speech at the forum, revealed that he believes Elliot will

make the people of Surulere proud when elected into the Lagos House of Assembly.

Since signifying his interest in running for a seat at the Lagos State House Assembly, Desmond Elliot has embarked on numerous campaign tours and also released a manifesto.

His manifesto covered sports development, a widows’ aid programme and healthcare for the elderly, nursing mothers and children.

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

Showbiz

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Temi Dollface: I hummed sweet melodies as a baby from my cot Temitope Phil-Ebosie who goes by the hilarious moniker, TemiDollface, is a songwriter, singer and style connoisseur. She supported Mary J. Blige at the Sisters with Soul concert held in Lagos in 2013. An MTV USA Iggy artiste of the week, she was one of few African acts invited to Nairobi to launch the Coke Studio project recently. She speaks with LANRE ODUKOYA on career and sundry issues.

How did you start music?

For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to music, singing whenever I got the chance as part of the school choir, at church and to whoever would listen. I'm told I even tried humming melodies from my cot as a baby and sang and danced when I was sung to. I, however, wrote my first complete song at the age of 7 with a keyboard gifted to me by my pastor. It was just an instinctive thing. I found my way around it without having had piano lessons.

In just a short time in the industry your profile is already on the rise; how did it happen?

I have been very fortunate and put it down to the grace of God, who has bestowed me with both a musical gift and a flare for creative visuals. I think both things work nicely together to culminate in my own special brand of differentness and that has definitely been helpful.

How many songs have you done since the start of your career?

I have created quite a large body of work but so far, only released two singles, Pata Pata and Just Like That. More is on the way.

What was your first love?

Music was my first love and still remains my first love. Being a shy only child, I felt I could express myself most this way when up against my more outgoing peers.

What were your earliest musical influences?

My earliest musical influences were gospel artists like Sounds of Blackness, Bebe & CeCe Winans, Tramaine Hawkins. My family are very heavily steeped in the church so this was what I heard blaring out of the speakers more often than not. I spent a lot of time with my cousin after school and his dad would play artists like Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, James Brown, Fela Kuti, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Roy Ayers, George Benson. They definitely had an impact on how I see and create music now.

How did your parents take the news of your career when it was really new?

It was on the cards for a long time that I would follow this path. It was clear to them that I was born for this. The question was 'what kind of music would I do?' It took my mum slightly longer to come round but she has been extremely supportive.

Who are the top Nigerian acts you've worked with and on what projects?

So far, I've worked with Black Magic, Poe and SDC on their own projects and will be working with a few others that will be revealed in due course.

Where do you draw inspiration for your lyrics?

My songwriting is spurred, not just by reading, but by triggers like something someone said, street signs, a phrase from a TV show that I might not even be paying attention to. Why these things are triggers, I don't know. It's the one moment that sets it all off though, and my imagination does the rest. I'm also always writing song seeds down as they come to me so I always have a few ideas floating around when I put pen to paper.

You have an imposing stage presence. How did that part of you evolve?

Most of it is what the music inspires me to do in the moment coupled with days, months and years of honing my stage craft. Funnily enough, I'm more comfortable on stage than I am anywhere else and I think that comes across.

Who are the leading Nigerian acts you would like to work with?

It would be great to collaborate with Phyno and Tuface.

A few top female acts dominate the industry at the moment.

Do you think you have what it takes to rival or even beat them?

I wouldn't be in this business if I didn't think I had what it takes. As for rivalry and competition, that's not what this is about for me. I believe the competition is with oneself to be a better you than you were yesterday.

Would you say that having good looks has made stardom easier to achieve?

You hear of artists who do not have the best of attitudes or bedside manner but are still achieving amazing things. Ultimately, the music should speak for itself but it's equally important to treat everyone with the same respect you want to be treated with for good measure and the balance of the universe plus it takes nothing away from you to just be kind & polite.

How do you handle over patronising male fans who want to share more than compliments?

I can't say I've had many of those. You just need to be firm when dealing with such people and don't give them room for manoeuvre.

What projects are you working on at the moment?

I'm working on my EP and album projects at the moment amongst a few others.

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Showbiz

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

Our lives after GUS –Past winners

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ebuted in 2004 as Nigeria’s first ever 100 percent local content reality television programme, the Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS), conceptualised and sponsored by the Nigerian Breweries Plc spurred the springing of reality shows in quick succession.

And on the average, the coveted show airs on 12 television stations across the country namely Silverbird, Nigezie, GET TV, Africa Magic, Ebony Life TV to mention but a few. The GUS highlights the travails and triumphs of tenacious young men and women who literally lock horns in the jungle to become the ‘Ultimate’ the world is waiting to receive. Aside failing physical tasks, having an axe to grind with the instructor and getting encumbered by aptitude tests that might well end the ambition of many, sheer lack of confidence constitutes clog in the wheel of success of others.

If the GUS was a war and the contestants were to ride into the battle, mental, physical and emotional fitness would be their horse.

Consistently for 11 years, the show which evolves with fresh theme and storyline every passing edition, has garnered followership from far and near. And it has rewarded visionary tenacity in the winners from the years in question. Not designed to be a winner-takes-all affair, NB Plc has worked out a rewarding system for the first and second runners-up effective from inception till date.

Nollywood actor, Chidi Mokeme anchored the debut edition and since then three others including, Dare Art Alade, Austin Tintin Imevbore and Bob Manuel Udokwu had been his co-travellers on the shows.

Last week, Chinedu Ubachukwu, 24, beat thirteen others to win this year’s search aptly dubbed, The Mission, which held at the Aguleri jungle in Anambra State. As he waltzed into the GUS hall of fame with the grand prize of N10million and a brand new Ford Explorer, 2014 model, prying eyes are already feasting on him particularly to know where he’d channel the fortune made from rigorous expedition. Many believe he won the search due to his vast knowledge of the clime and it’s buttressed by his initial claim when said, “My expectation is very high. I’m from Anambra and my village is actually a short distance away from Aguleri. So, I just have to win this one or else I don’t know if I will be able to go home for Christmas, if I don’t win it.”

Do you remember Ezugo Egwuagu? He was the first winner of the search in 2004 when he was barely 21. He smiled home with the grand prize of N3 million to open a show that would today be one of the most followed in Sub-Saharan Africa.

It held on the Snake Island, Lagos. Though he has shown a considerable reluctance to react to where he channelled his millions, we gathered he invested a chunk of it in stocks. He was still single while on the show and it might interest you to that in that regards, not much has changed till present. When we put a call to him, apparently overwhelmed by a situation, he said, “sorry, please let’s talk later at night. I’m in a middle of a situation.” We made several more attempts to get his reaction which he thwarted by being averse to commenting.

Hector Jobarteh had barely landed from the plane after a trip abroad when we made to reach him on life outside the jungle. He won the third edition of the show which held at Nifor, Benin and was rewarded with N5m and a brand new Ford Explorer SUV, 2006 model. He admits that his strongest rival on the search was Temitope Adewunmi. He invested his money in real estate and information technology as his area of core competence. On the show, “Temitope Adewunmi was my biggest contender and same explains why I said I was ‘lucky’ to emerge the winner of that season. It was a really fierce one,” he noted. If he’d ever considered participating in another reality show after what he named the GUS, ‘the flagship of reality shows’, it would be Survival Africa.

He was 27 and single in 2006 when he was on the show. It might also interest you to know that the IT savvy young man is the only married one among other past winners today. “Yes, it’s true that I’m happily married after I left the show. Cal-

Eleven men have laughed all the way to the bank after making fortune in Gulder Ultimate Search which debuted in 2004. Our correspondent, LANRE ODUKOYA, who met with some past winners of the reality television programme, writes that some of the ‘ultimate’ men made the best use of the opportunity.

Egwuagu

Mudabai

Oluremi

“I’d never given a thought to any other reality show since I emerged the winner of the GUS in 2007" –Dominic Mudabai

Okagbue

Jobarteh

Ubachukwu

Eronmose

Nwachukwu

culate what time it’s been since I left and you would know it’s only fair that I’m married by now.” He has been a telecoms consultant before the show and the fund and platform has taken his enterprise a notch higher than it was. Hector lives in Lagos.

Dominic Mudabai, the winner of the GUS 4, got N5 million, N500,000 clothing allowance and a brand new Ford Explorer, 2007 model. He said he channelled the giant share of it into ‘financial investment’. That particular edition held in Shere, Jos. He was 21 when he won and was single too. Mudabai is still single for your information and he lives in Lagos. He acknowledged Egbuna as his biggest contender while on the show. About what other reality show he might love to be part of, he responded, “I’d never given a thought to any other reality show since I emerged the winner of the GUS in 2007, that’s because what other platform would you possibly want here after winning the GUS?” Before he joined the search, he was a 200-level undergraduate of Estate Management at the University of Lagos.

In 2008, Michael Nwachukwu was the world’s spectacle as he won the GUS 5. The grand prize was N7 million, N500,000 clothing allowance and a brand new 2008 Ford Explorer SUV. And his expedition was on the Awgu Hills, Enugu State. He confessed

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

A race against time, GUS, where only the fittest survives

that his most fierce contender on the show was Frank Adamu Mohammed. “My major investments outside the jungle are in stocks and real estate. Though it was the same year there was economic recession globally, it was worth doing anyway.” He was 26 when he emerged the ‘ultimate’ and was single too. Not much has changed about his marital status today. He’d like to represent Nigeria on the Big Brother Africa show if it presents an all-star edition and he’d also love to participate in Survivors. Before the search, he was a graduate of Forest and Management Resources from the University of Ibadan. Nwachukwu is based in Lagos.

Oyekunle Oluremi won the GUS 7 and smiled home with N7.5 million and a Ford Explorer SUV, 2010 model. Oluremi who was 24 years in 2010 when he emerged the ‘ultimate’ invested his millions in academics and hospitality. “I had to spend part of the money in developing myself educationally and the rest went into hospitality which I’m enjoying today.” He’s still an eligible bachelor who shuttles between Lagos and the United States.

“I’ve never even thought about any other reality show since I left the GUS and while on the show, I saw everybody as a threat. It would be pretty dangerous to underestimate anyone.” He was at the Omo Forest, Ogun State for the search he would later win. Before joining the search, Oluremi was a 200-level undergraduate of Agricultural Science at the University of Ibadan and he’s been a professional dancer and actor on the side.

One of the most enchanting seasons of the GUS held in 2011 when Chris Okagbue became the winner of the 8th edition of the search. He won N7.5 million and a brand new Ford Explorer, 2011 limited edition model. “I invested my fortune in film production as I was an actor and a model before joining the search.” During the year in question, he was 24 and single, Okagbue is not married at the moment. As to whether he’d found another exciting reality show to consider, “I still keep an open mind and might consider any if I finds one. I never say ‘never’. Tony Horsfal and Kevin Best were my biggest contenders on the search, I must confess.” Okagbue who currently lives in Lagos was a 200-level undergraduate of

sociology from the University of Lagos when he was on the show.

Paschal Eronmose’s era as the winner of the GUS 9 offered more competitive reward system. He won a whopping N9.5 million and a brand new Ford Explorer, 2013 model. He insists that the better part of his millions went into real estate and he’s very happy he made such decision. “I don’t want any other reality show, at least for now.

I’m not all about reality shows.”

The 24-year-old young man hasn’t considered marriage yet. And interestingly, he made a sincere confession, “my biggest contender on the show was Onyiye Priscilla Udodi, who was my best friend while the show lasted.” He was a final year undergraduate of Applied Mathematics at the Univeristy of Benin before he joined the search. Eronmose is based in Lagos.

Chinedu Ubachukwu’s immediate predecessor, Dennis Okike won a grand prize of N10 million and a Mitsubishi Pajero SUV, 2013 model after emerging the ‘ultimate’ at the GUS 10. “I invested everything in importing and exporting, I believed in the business and I have no regret choosing to do it. If it was a risk, I thank God it turned out to be an intelligent one.” He’s too busy focusing on his business to pay attention to any reality TV show aside the GUS. He was aged 29 and single while on the show and Okike is still single at the moment. The contestant who closed rank with him the most on the show was Edward, he was afraid of losing the search to him. The search held in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom. Before his foray into the GUS, he was a graduate of engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and he was equally a model and an actor.

The show which shares abundant features with a reality TV programme in the UK tagged ‘Survivor’ is yet to produce a female winner and it’s the same reason for an intense clamour for a woman to win the search. Bunmi Odunowo, a blogger and an entrepreneur expressed her displeasure on the perceived sexual prejudice in the search, “I have followed the GUS religiously and I know that the females who made it to the jungle were mostly strong enough to win but never did. Why do I think that the GUS may never be won by a woman?’

"I have followed the GUS religiously and I know that the females who made it to the jungle were mostly strong enough to win but never did" Uphill task

Another baptism of fire in the jungle

A rare moment of laughter in the jungle

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have their opinions, they will say she sounds like her, some even said l look like Mocheda, Brandy and so on. People will always have their opinions but l am my own self and l want to be unique, l want to stand out, l want to be known peculiarly for what l do.

Do you play any musical instrument?

At the moment, no, but l will definitely learn the guitar because l believe it goes with my style of music, it's something I'm looking forward to learning and definitely l will pick it up.

Why are you particularly averse to the new dance movement?

I'm of the generation of the very early part of 1980s, so l think l belong to the older generation. We have values handed over to us and thankfully we are still holding on to these values and part of my main goal is to preserve these values and pass it on. For me that is what life is supposed to be. Life is supposed to be trans-generational, some people have parents who have billions of naira and they passed it to them and they keep passing it on great companies in America they are trans-generational they keep passing it on from generation to generation. So if it's values my parents passed on to me l should be responsible enough to safeguard it and pass it to my children.

TOMIWA SOLARU:

I'm waiting for that man to find me Tomiwa Solaru, a budding folklorist makes a living eulogising people's ancestry fusing it with today's notes and tones. A Lagos State University graduate of history and international relations, Solaru seeks to promote values through her music. She speaks to LANRE ODUKOYA on her fledgling career and more.

How did you get into music?

Music started at the tender age for me as I've always loved music. It was something that was just there, it was not something l had to learn, it was just there. I love music and dancing. All the functions I went while I was just a tot, you would find me in the middle dancing and winning dancing competitions and then it grew and went further into singing. When l was much younger we started picking on television commercials and we sing along and people would marvel: so this girl can even sing?' It sounded awesome to me. So music is part of me, music makes me happy when l sing. I feel fulfilled even if nothing comes out of it at the end of the day. l just feel happy that this is what I'm supposed to be doing.

Are you into any other business apart from music?

Oh, yes. Right now, l try to do other stuffs at the side but music is my passion but this is not what l feed on right now, you know l have bills to pay and l have to take good care of myself. Yes l do other stuffs for now.

How many years have you been in the music industry?

Well I've been singing since l was really young when l was in school, primary up to secondary school even in the university, l had a girl group called the 'Rare Gems' and we used to sing and we actually came out with a demo and it was on radio a while back and we also featured in a couple of

magazines. I can say l have been in the music industry for well over twenty years.

When did you decide to take it up commercially?

Well l decided to pick it up commercially, l think this year, but before now l used to do some stuffs may be not on a big scale but l sing in gatherings, functions, weddings, birthdays and the rest.

"l thank God that l grew up in such a way that I'm able to evaluate myself because l know what l have and l know how to channel it for people to appreciate it"

Can you just mention one of the big events you've performed at?

I cannot honestly quite remember names but I've performed for a good number of notable people. There is this thing l do, it's called oriki (eulogising people). So, I remember that one of the senators requested for it through the event planner, the event planner was the person l know. We had ministers, governors, Oba of Lagos was there, Ooni of Ife was there, Delta State governor was also there. She was a Senator at that time so a lot of Senators were also there, that was a big one for me and also there was this yearly gospel event, The Experience, l also featured doing this same ORIKI stuff so these are the ones that readily came to mind.

Can you be likened to Ara, the female musician who also do similar chants and play the Yoruba talking drum?

Well in some ways, yes, because of the Afrocentric stuff we do, but l am my own self, my style of gift is peculiar to me. People will

What is the title of this single and how much would you say it's been accepted?

The title is lfe Otito which literally means true love. Yes, it's enjoying airwaves already. lt's on Lagos State Television, LTV, African Independent Television, AIT and also on Nigezie and I'm trusting it will also go across the shores of our borders. It's also been on Beat FM and a couple of other radio stations and even on Owerri FM. I thank God so far and l trust him for more openings.

Who are your audience or do appeal yo both old and new generations?

I believe my music appeals to everybody and l think the best thing that can happen to an individual is to be able to evaluate yourself correctly and l thank God that l grew up in such a way that I'm able to evaluate myself because l know what l have and l know how to channel it for people to appreciate it. That is why l said my expression is multi dimensional, l can flow in the congregation of elderly people and l can also flow well with the youth. l can also flow very well with the kids, so l think age is no barrier to the appreciation of my art.

Who are your role models in the music industry?

I have a couple of them, l admire Asa, l admire people like Onyeka Onwenu and also Sinachi these are the female singers l cherish because they always put out quality music especially Onyeka. l listened to her a lot when growing up these are people who inspired us when growing up.

Is there any plan to do collabo with these great people you just mentioned?

Most definitely, l look forward to as much as opening that will come my way, to perform with these iconic singers, wonderful people that sang evergreen songs. I'm seriously looking forward to sing with these people, it will be very honourable for me?

Tell us about your childhood I grew up in Port Harcourt, l was born there because my father worked in Port Harcourt.

After his retirement, he moved back to his home town in lperu Remo in Ogun State and I lived there with him briefly and then l moved to Lagos around 1994, and so I've been in Lagos since then.

Are you currently in any relationship?

Currently, no.

Are you searching?

He should be the one searching for me really, so I'm waiting to be found, it's a man that finds and not the other way round or we both find each other.

SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2014

FREE

Sport Splash 25

Boxing

Boxers need to work hard, says Ekpo p.27

Basketball

Injury: Oladipo urged to remain patient p.27

Premier League Anfield quakes as Liverpool host Chelsea p.28

Interview

Consistency our major strength in Kano sports – Abdullahi p.31

Congo:

Uche Banks on AFCON spirit R

Ifeanyi Ibeh

The Team

Vincent EboigbelAssistant Editor Ajibade Olusesan l Correspondent

Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent

© Daily Telegraph Publishing

eturnee Super Eagles striker, Ikechukwu Uche, believes the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo will not be a stroll in the park for Nigeria, but is confident the team can secure the required result against the Red Devils especially if they are able to reignite the form that won them the AFCON 2013 title.

The Super Eagles will resume their quest for a place at next January’s AFCON with a game against Congo in Pointe Noire on November 15 before taking on South Africa’s Bafana Bafana four days later at the Akwa Ibom Stadium, in Uyo. The reigning AFCON champions are currently third in Group A and in order to qualify for next year’s AFCON, need to win both matches, while hoping other results go their way.

And Uche, who hasn’t featured for the Super Eagles since the last AFCON final against Burkina Faso, on 10 February 2013, believes Nigeria can reign supreme over the Congolese if he and his teammates are able

to reignite the spirit with which they conquered the rest of the continent just over 18 months ago in South Africa.

“It wasn’t by chance that we won in South Africa; it was by a lot of hard work and determination on the part of everyone associated with the team. And if we are able to call upon that spirit I don’t see any team stopping us,” said Uche, in an interview with New Telegraph.

“Not much has changed between then and now as we still have a lot of quality in the team.

We only need to believe in what we can achieve together as a team.

“If we can believe in ourselves and play as a team, we will all return home happy and confident of completing the job of qualifying for the Cup of Nations before our home fans,” added Uche who hasn’t played an international fixture on Nigerian soil since the Super Eagles’ 6-1 drubbing of Liberia in Calabar in October 2012, in an AFCON qualifier.

The Villarreal of Spain forward however looks likely to end that two-year streak when the Super Eagles host South Africa on November 19 in Uyo.

26

Sport

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

Nigerian League Rendezvous

Federation Cup affected our drive for promotion – Gateway

T

Stories Charles Ogundiya he General Manager of Ogun State-owned football club, Gateway FC of Abeokuta, Tunji Onatolu, has said the club’s failure to challenge for promotion this season was as a result of featuring in the Federation Cup. Gateway got to the quarterfinal of the Federation Cup, first

time in the history of the club, a situation the general manager blames for their not too impressive performance in the league.

Speaking with League Rendezvous, Onatolu said the long distance covered during the cup competition affected the team, noting however that they have learnt their lesson.

“People keep saying we have performed badly this season,

but I am going to disagree with that notion. Gateway did very well, we got to the quarterfinal of the Federation Cup, first time in the history of the club.

We only lost to fellow Nigeria National League side, Prime of Oshogbo.

“If you look at some of the clubs that are fighting for promotion now like First Bank and 3SC, they failed to progress in the

Federation Cup. “First Bank didn’t even qualify from Lagos while 3SC got eliminated in the first round. During our progress to the quarter final, we played most of our games in the North and travelled back to Abeokuta for our league games,” he said.

He however said the management would be working tirelessly to secure one of the promotion

tickets in their group next season.

Onatolu said: “We have identified some of the areas we are lacking and we are already looking at addressing them.

“I can tell you that we are going to fight for promotion next season.”

Gateway finished third in the NNL Group B table last season and currently ninth on the table with a game to go.

3SC, Akwa Starlet in a winner-take-all match

S

hooting Stars and Akwa Starlet will be engaging in a winner-take-all match in Ibadan later this evening as the Nigeria National League season ends today, November 8.

A victory for either side will see them playing in the Premier League for next season.

3SC however have the better chance of picking the three points at stake, as they will be playing in front of their vociferous fans.

Akwa Starlet currently second on the table behind First Bank of Lagos with 48 points are one point ahead of 3SC and a draw will see the team competing in the top flight.

Speaking with our correspondent, the Media Officer of 3SC, Jubril Arowolo, said the players are fired up for the game.

“The players are ready to shed blood to gain promotion on Saturday (today). Any-

thing short of victory will see them playing in the lower division for another season and I am sure they will not want that,” he said.

Arowolo enjoined Ibadan fans to storm the Adamasingba Stadium to support the team against Akwa Starlet.

FACTS § Kaduna United are the only club not to pick a point in their away games this season. § Two goals conceded

by Heartland at home were the least conceded by a home team this season. § Nembe City conceded the highest number of goals this season, 69 in all. § Heartland have conceded the least numbers of goals all season, 25 goals. § League champion, Kano Pillars’ 56 goals were the highest by any side in the league this season

MATCH DAY 38: (9TH NOV 14) HEARTLAND VS BAYELSA UTD CROWN VS AKWA UTD SHARKS VS FC TARABA GOMBE UTD VS ABIA WARRIORS NASARAWA UTD VS WARRI WOLVES KADUNA UTD VS RANGERS EL-KANEMI VS SUNSHINE NEMBE VS GIWA ENYIMBA VS KANO PILLARS LOBI VS DOLPHINS

Giwa FC's unsung hero

A

Glo league table

Shuaibu

s Giwa FC continue their Cinderella run in the league, striker Ibrahim Shuaibu has shown that he has come of age with his performance for the club.

The striker increased his tally to 13 goals with a brace in a 2-1 defeat of Sharks FC in a rescheduled match, making it six goals in two matches for the Jos-based side.

Giwa FC are looking to secure one of the continental tickets with a match to the end of the season, and with the performance of players like Shuaibu, the target could be achieved.

The NPL debutants could end up above Nasarawa United and Warri Wolves, if they get the three points at Nembe City in their last game on Sun-

day.

Shuaibu's exploit sums up the impact he has made in his first season at the club as he continues his goal-scoring form.

Speaking with our correspondent, Giwa striker, Usman Nura, urged his teammates to keep up the winning spirit as they attempt to end the season on a high.

“If we keep up this intensity then we’re going to pick a continental ticket. We just have to keep on this course, putting in maximum effort and the reward will come at the end of the day,” he said.

The privately owned club gained promotion to the elite division at the beginning of the current season.

No.

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

Pts

GD

1

Kano Pillars

37

19

8

10

56

38

65

18

2

Enyimba

37

17

10

10

47

26

61

21

3

Warri Wolves

37

18

6

13

47

36

60

11

4

Abia Warriors 37

17

7

13

50

36

58

14

6

5

Nasarawa Utd

36

17

6

13

41

35

57

6

6

Giwa

36

16

8

12

40

34

56

6

7

Lobi Stars

37

18

2

17

39

46

56

-7

8

Dolphins

37

15

10

12

45

33

55

12

9

Heartland

37

14

13

10

35

25

55

10

10

Rangers

37

16

7

14

43

36

55

7

11

Sunshine

37

14

12

11

51

44

54

7

12

Sharks FC

37

14

10

13

42

38

52

4

13

Akwa Utd

37

14

9

14

27

31

51

-4

14

Taraba FC

37

15

5

17

34

41

50

-7

15

El-Kanemi

37

13

9

15

40

35

48

5

16

Bayelsa Utd

37

15

3

19

48

53

48

-5

17

Gombe Utd

37

13

8

16

38

40

47

-2

18

Kaduna Utd

37

11

5

21

32

53

38

-21

19

Crown FC

37

10

6

21

27

56

36

-29

20

Nembe

37

6

10

21

23

69

28

-46

Top scorer 1. Mfon Udoh Enyimba 2. Emem Eduok Dolphins 3. Peter Ebimobowei Bayelsa 4. Gbolahan Salami Warri Wolves 5. Osaguona Ighodaro Rangers 6. Christian Pyagbara Sharks 7. Adamu Hassan Kano Pillars 8. Ibrahim Shuaibu Giwa FC 9. Rabiu Ali Kano Pillars 10. Peter Onyekachi Abia Warriors

21 20 17 16 16 14 14 13 12 11

Keshi: The making of an untouchable Vincent Eboigbe

T

he intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan in the crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation, as significant and crucial as that was in resolving the long-running issue, has its downside that may invalidate the gesture of the president who only wanted to see sanity restored to a sport that galvanises Nigerians like no other.

Stephen Keshi at the best of time was a handful for the NFF. He had been involved in a continuing battle with his employers almost from the outset. The bust-ups with the federation ranges from his resigning in a foreign country after winning the African Nations Cup in 2013, to taking sides with players in their fight for bonuses during the World Cup in Brazil, to selection brouhaha and sundry issues.

It is better imagined what his relationship with the NFF would be like now that the man is back and with his hands seemingly and unwittingly strengthened by those who

apparently meant well for the game in the country.

Hitherto larger-than-life in his dealings with the NFF, players, ex-internationals, journalists and other stakeholders, the ‘Big Boss’ would now be even more so.

In this connection, would it not have been best if the president had restricted his intervention to the administrative side of the crisis?

The coaching function is a technical one that should not have been part of the negotiation.

True to type, Keshi has already started to dictate who should and shouldn’t work with him, even in matters that should ordinarily be out of his purview. He has insisted for instance that he doesn’t want to work with the media officer appointed for the team by the Amaju Pinnick board.

Again, the ‘Big Boss’ also did not approve of Garba Lawal as team coordinator, insisting on the former one, Emmanuel Attah.

Lawal had been one of Keshi’s staunchest critics in recent time, but are criticisms in themselves to be discouraged?

Can a coach dictate to his employers who he wants to work with outside of the coaching crew? At any rate president Jonathan ordered the recall of only Keshi.

Do the others also bear Stephen Keshi? This is the crux of the matter.

What is the propriety of this situation?

“I am not privy to the terms of the agreement between Keshi and the NFF and so it will be difficult for me to comment. I’m not an insider, but what I do know is that we have a way of creating problems for ourselves,” says former Eagles

coach, Adegboye Onigbinde who was unusually reticent.

Former Nigeria Football Federation chairman, Kojo Williams, was even more unwilling to dabble into the drama that is Nigerian football.

“Look I am tired of commenting on Nigerian football. I’ve been doing that for years and nothing has changed. I just don’t want to be involved; at any rate you can’t look at this issue in isolation, everything has to be looked at holistically,” notes Williams.

Lawal who has been one of Keshi’s most unrelenting critics for the way he has handled the national team also did not want to be bothered.

“It is left for the NFF to figure out how to deal with him (Keshi). I’ve read that he doesn’t want to work with me, that is fine.

I’ve not even bothered to go to the camp. I don’t want to say anything now so that they won’t say ‘I’ve started again.’ The only thing I will say is that it is only time that will tell,” Lawal says.

Sport

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

27

Barcelona, Eugene wait on IAAF for 2019 nod T

he cities of Barcelona, Eugene and Doha are waiting to see who will host the 2019 IAAF World Championships after the IAAF Evaluation Commission (EVCOM) concluded visits to the three candidates cities.

EVCOM, under the chairmanship of IAAF Vice President Sebastian Coe (GBR), concluded its visits to the three candidates for the 2019 edition of the IAAF World Championships: Barcelona (ESP), Doha (QAT) and Eugene (USA) on Friday.

Lord Coe was joined by his IAAF Council colleagues Abby Hoffman (CAN) and Katsuyuki Tanaka (JPN), a delegation from IAAF staff led by the IAAF General Secretary Essar Gabriel as well as representatives from the IAAF marketing partner Dentsu/ AMS. “On behalf of the IAAF, I am very pleased with the hospitality and engagement showed by all three candidates during our recent visits,” said Lord Coe. “My Council colleagues will be comforted to know that we have three excellent candidates, representing three different continental areas, and that each one of them is fully aware that the World Championships are the most important property in the IAAF portfolio of events.

Isaac Ekpo (right) in one of his professional bouts

Boxers need to work hard, says Ekpo

F

Charles Ogundiya ormer WBO Interim Africa Super Middleweight champion, Isaac Ekpo, has said he believes boxing is gradually regaining its lost glory in the country.

Making this declaration in Lagos, Ekpo said the coming of digital Cable TV service provider, GOtv into boxing, has given him hope that boxing will be great again in Nigeria.

According to Ekpo, young boxers now have the opportunity

to showcase their potential for the world to see.

“During my early days as a professional boxer in Nigeria, I was not given such an opportunity, but with the coming of these sponsors, the boxers now have better opportunity.

“I will advice the boxers to train hard because everybody will watch them and the only way to show they are the best is to work hard and impress people watching. I can say this is another opportunity for boxers in Nigeria,” Ekpo said.

Ekpo who defended his WBO title in Ghana last weekend, said what really led to the demise of the game of boxing in Nigeria was lack of sponsors.

Speaking further Ekpo said: “I have been looking forward to the day when some upcoming boxers will make wave in the country like me. Currently I am one of the few that have been making the country proud unlike those days when we had several boxers competing across the world in colours of the country.”

League venues becoming safe for fans

W

ith the latest developments in some league venues, the stadiums are becoming safe for fans.

At the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu, Mr. Ifeanyi Nnaji, came with his family to watch a live match involving Enugu Rangers.

When queried, Nnaji said he comes to the stadium often with his family to watch Rangers.

“This is not my first time of coming to the stadium with my family, I have been supporting Rangers for a while now and I don’t see a reason why I can’t come to the stadium with my family.

“You can see that the atmosphere is very conducive, the place is safe for my family unlike before when we were scared about coming to the stadium to watch games,” he said.

Also in Ilorin, a woman with her son were seen enjoying themselves watching ABS trade tackles with Shooting Stars of Ibadan.

With this latest development, it is obvious that league glamour will soon return and families will be visiting stadiums to watch their teams play and the clubs will be the better for it.

Mr. and Mrs. Ifeanyi Nnaji with their children at the Enugu

Injury: Oladipo urged to remain patient Ifeanyi Ibeh

N

igerian-American basketball star, Victor Oladipo, has been urged to be patient as he recovers from injury.

Orlando Magic guard, Oladipo, missed seven preseason exhibition games with a sprained knee ligament and recently picked up a facial fracture that looks set to keep him out of action until December.

Oladipo has however expressed an eagerness to return to action as soon as possible as the Magic set their sights on making a good start to the new season, which got underway last week.

Chicago Bulls star player, Derrick Rose, has however called on the second-year NBA player to stay patient during his rehabilitation from injury.

Rose, who is close friends with Oladipo, is in the best position to advice the Nigerian having missed most of the previous two seasons due to knee injuries.

And asked what advice he would have for Oladipo as he tries to battle through injuries and get back on the floor, the Bulls guard preached patience for the 22-yearold Oladipo.

“I would just tell him to have faith and be patient.

He’s young and he’s very good as everybody knows,” Rose said of Oladipo.

“He’s going to have a lot of basketball to play, so he just has to take it slow and let everything heal. Then, when he gets back out there he’ll be back out there (fully) and he can play as hard as he can.”

Oladipo

A mother and her son inside the Kwara state stadium watching ABS v 3SC game last Sunday

uventus host an improving Parma on Sunday aiming to build

L

iverpool will hope to become the first team to defeat Chelsea this season when they meet at Anfield on Saturday. The Blues left Anfield with a 2-0 win when they last met in one of the crucial matches that decided the title race last season.

The Reds may have been favourites to win that encounter, with Chelsea relying on special game management tactics, but they will be the underdogs this time. Brendan Rodgers’ side is currently seventh in the table and they have lost three of their last five games in all competitions.

But they will hope the gamble

of fielding a weakened team in the Champions League defeat at Real Madrid will benefit them in this game.

That calculated gamble allowed Liverpool to come into this game with six key players, including Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson, feeling fresh.

Their so-called B team narrowly lost at the Bernabeu, which left some critics wondering what could have been.

Under-pressure Rodgers will hope to be vindicated by a good performance from his stars on Saturday.

Chelsea are topping the league table after a great start to their sea-

Head-to-head liverpool chelsea 169 169 75 59 35 35

though as this will be their fifth game in just 14 days. Fatigue has increasingly affected their performances of late and Mourinho’s move to rest five of his regulars backfired at Maribor as they had to settle for a draw in their Champions League group game.

The injured quartet of Jon Flanagan, Mamadou Sakho, Suso and Jose Enrique will all miss this game, but Daniel Sturridge could feature against his former team-mates.

For Chelsea, Loic Remy and John Obi Mikel will miss out through injury but Cesar Azpilicueta will be available again after serving his suspension.

arseille visit Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday in one of the most anticipated matches of the Ligue 1 season.

M

PSG, Marseille clash in Paris

son, which has comprised eight wins in just 10 league games. They have by far the best attack in the division with 26 goals in those games. They also have the second best defensive record after Southampton, which is remarkable given their expansive play going forward.

Jose Mourinho’s men will come into this game with a few concerns

Played: Win: Drawn

Anfield quakes as Liverpool host Chelsea

Venue: Anfield Stadium Time: 12:45pm

Global Football Special

ewcastle youngster, Sammy Ameobi, will get another opportunity to prove his worth when Magpies confront West Brom on Saturday.

Ameobi has hit a run of good form and he is expected to feature for Alan Pardew side when they confront Brown Ideye’s Baggies.

He said that he was ready to work hard to cement his place in the starting lineup.

“I want to start for Newcastle every week, so I’ve got to make the most of this opportunity and make sure I don’t slip up," he said to the Shields Gazette.

“This season I’ve worked really hard, played Under-21 games to stay on top of my fitness, and have got my chance now."

N

Ajibade Olusesan

Ameobi, Ideye clash at the Hawthorns

Ameobi

EAGLES FOCUS

Sport

J

Juve aim to extend lead

Leiva

iverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has confirmed that he was subject of a bid from Napoli in the summer.

The Brazilian has been on the radar of former Reds boss Rafael Benitez for a while, with the Spaniard desperate to lure him to Stadio San Paolo.

Napoli inquired about the possibility of signing Lucas in the summer transfer window, but they could not strike a deal with the Premiership side.

The midfielder has now moved to confirm reports, suggesting that he is open to joining the Azzurri in the future.

“In the summer there was the interest of Napoli, as well as other clubs,” Lucas said to Sky Sport Italia.

“Benitez had asked for my purchase. My goal is to play with continuity. We’ll see.”

Numerous injuries have taken its toll on the 27-year-old, who lost his place in the starting line-up at Anfield and only made three Premier League appearances in total this season.

This is enough to suggest that the player’s spell with Liverpool is coming to an end, some seven years after he joined the Reds from Gremio.

Lucas Leiva reveals Napoli offer L

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

NEW TELEGRAPH

28 SATURDAY N 8 nove

B

R

Simona Halep World number three Simona Halep has split from coach Wim Fissette after the most successful season of her career.

Under Fissette, the Romanian reached her first Grand Slam final, being pipped to the title at Roland Garros by Maria Sharapova.

Most recently she ended the season with a final run at the WTA Finals, losing only to Serena Williams having beaten the world number one in the group stages in Singapore.

Halep, who also made the last four at Wimbledon and won titles in Doha and Bucharest, wrote on her Facebook page: "My collaboration with Wim Fissette will come to an end, following a mutual agreement.

McLaren has warned Fernando Alonso he is running out of time to commit to the British team for the 2015 season.

Media reports in the last days have suggested the Spaniard, whose five-year stint at Ferrari appears definitely over, has now decided to re-join McLaren to spearhead the team's new works Honda era.

Italy's Tuttosport said the contract is for two years with a total value of EUR 70 million.

Hangeland

said.

“That’s what you need to try and do.

You can’t defend for 90 minutes, you need to try and keep the ball and create something when you can.”

Pakistan's suspended off-spinner Saeed Ajmal says he will be as effective as ever when he returns with a remodeled bowling action.

Ajmal, 37, leaves for Britain next week to undergo tests on his new action, having been suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in September following a biomechanical test carried out in Brisbane, Australia.

"I have applied for the visa and hopefully I should leave next week. But I am supremely confident of a strong comeback to the national team," Ajmal told reporters in Lahore on Thursday.

SPORT BRIEFLY

rede Hangeland has urged Crystal Palace to go on the attack at Old Trafford on Saturday and try to cause an upset against Manchester United.

The Eagles are without a win in four games after Monday’s 3-1 defeat to Sunderland, but United are on a barren run of their own and sit 10th in the Premier League table after a poor start to the season.

The Red Devils are set to field a makeshift defence given their lengthy list of injuries and suspensions, and former Fulham man Hangeland says Palace must try to take advantage.

“The message will be that when you go to Old Trafford there’s actually a bit of space to play and if you don’t get intimidated by the occasion and the fans, they do allow you to play football,” Hangeland

B

Fernando Alonso

have scored a stunning 47 goals, highlighting their potency in attack.

And it is not like Real's wins have come against Spanish strugglers - successes against Barcelona, Liverpool (twice) and Basel have come in the hot streak.

Meanwhile, Almeria are likely to wince at the sight of Lionel Messi when Barcelona come to town on Saturday.

The four-time FIFA Ballon d'Or winner has tormented Almeria in the past and enters the clash on the verge of more goalscoring history.

Ibrahimovic

Palace will punish weak Man Utd defence – Hangeland

Marcelo Bielsa's charges have proved the surprise package of the French top flight, currently sitting four points clear of PSG at the summit after winning nine of their opening 12 matches.

Bielsa was unhappy with his side's performance in a 2-1 win against Lens last time out, but former Stade Velodrome favourite Lucho Gonzalez has tipped the Argentine to continue upsetting the odds.

"With him, you are forced to work towards the common goal," the former Porto midfielder, who won the Ligue 1 title with the club during his three-year stay between 2009 and 2012, said.

"He unifies, brings people together. He always tells the truth, and I think people like that, but so do the players.

"He wants everything to be perfectly clear, and that is always going to be good for the club. He's going to continue surprising you."

Saeed Ajmal

eal Madrid head into Saturday's home clash against Rayo Vallecano in outstanding form after 12 straight wins.

A slow start to the season which saw them drop consecutive league games against Real Sociedad and local rivals Atletico Madrid - saw Real coach Carlo Ancelotti come under question.

Much was made of Ancelotti's decision to let Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso leave the club but the critics have since been silenced by a scintillating run of form.

In Real's 12 successive triumphs in all competitions, they Ronaldo

orussia Dortmund will attempt to arrest their dreadful Bundesliga form against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Jurgen Klopp's men are in the midst of a poor run in the league having lost their last five encounters.

The most frustrating defeat came at the weekend as Bayern Munich came from a goal behind to beat their biggest rivals.

Dortmund endured no such issues in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday when

continuing their 100 per cent start to this European campaign with a 4-1 win over Galatasaray.

However, they will face a tough test on Sunday when a Monchengladbach side riding high in third make the trip.

Bayern, meanwhile, are aiming to keep up their unbeaten record at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

The champions have enjoyed a typically dominant beginning to the season, winning seven and drawing three of the opening 10 encounters.

Dortmund look to end slump, Bayern head to Frankfurt

Real Madrid set to extend unbeaten run

on midweek momentum and increase their lead at the top of Serie A. Massimiliano Allegri's men stretched their advantage at the top of the table to three points last weekend.

Juve recovered from defeat to Genoa with a comfortable victory against Empoli while Roma slipped up at Napoli.

The defending champions carried that form into the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday as they came from behind to beat Olympiacos 3-2 and strengthen their hopes of qualification for the last 16.

But attention returns to domestic action this weekend with Parma standing between Juventus and a third straight victory in all competitions.

Roberto Donadoni's Parma will be confident themselves, however, having halted a run of six successive defeats with an impressive win against Inter last time out to ease the pressure on himself amid rumours over his future.

P PTS 10 25 10 22 10 19 10 19 10 18 10 18 10 16 10 16 10 15 10 13 10 13 10 12 10 12 10 11 10 9 10 9 10 7 10 7 10 6 10 5

NO TEAM P PTS 1 Bayern 10 24 2 Wolfsburg 10 20 3 Mö’gladbach 10 20 4 Hoffenheim 10 17 5 Leverkusen 10 16 6 Hannover 10 16 7 Paderborn 10 15 8 Schalke 10 14 9 Mainz 05 10 14 10 Augsburg 10 12 11 Köln 10 12 12 Frankfurt 10 12 13 Hertha 10 11 14 Hamburger 10 9 15 Stuttgart 10 9 16 Freiburg 10 8 17 Dortmund 10 7 18 Bremen 10 7

Bundesliga

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

Serie A

Bundesliga Saturday Leverkusen v Mainz Frankfurt v Bayern Augsburg v Paderborn Freiburg v Schalke Hoffenheim v Köln Bremen v Stuttgart Sunday Wolfsburg v Hamburger Dortmund v M’gladbach La Liga Saturday Almería v Barcelona Getafe v Elche Real Madrid v Vallecano Celta de Vigo v Granada Málaga v Eibar Sunday Sevilla v Levante Espanyol v Villarreal Valencia v Ath Bilbao Sociedad v Atletico

La Liga

NO TEAM P PTS 1 R' Madrid 10 24 2 Valencia 10 23 3 Atl Madrid 10 23 4 Barcelona 10 22 5 Sevilla 10 22 6 Celta Vigo 10 19 7 Málaga 10 18 8 Villarreal 10 14 9 Eibar 10 13 10 Getafe 10 13 11 Ath Bilbao 10 11 12 Vallecano 10 11 13 Espanyol 10 10 14 Almería 10 9 15 Granada CF 10 9 16 Deportivo 10 8 17 Elche 10 8 18 Levante 10 8 19 Sociedad 10 6 20 Córdoba 10 5

P PTS 10 26 10 22 10 20 10 17 10 17 10 15 10 14 10 14 10 13 10 13 10 13 10 13 10 12 10 11 10 11 10 10 10 9 10 9 10 7 10 4

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

Monday Cesena v Verona Lazio v Cagliari

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

Premier League Saturday Liverpool v Chelsea Burnley v Hull Man Utd v Crystal Palace Southampton v Leicester West Ham v Aston Villa QPR v Man City Sunday Sunderland v Everton Tottenham v Stoke West Brom v Newcastle Swansea v Arsenal

FIXTURES

Ideye is experiencing a difficult moment at the Hawthorns, as he is yet to sparkle following his record move to England.

He was not even listed for their last weekend’s tie and he will fancy his chances this time. His compatriot, Victor Anichebe may also play a part in the game.

NEW TELEGRAPH emBER 2014

Sport

29

30

Sport

Kano Pillars with their football and basketball clubs have dominated the Nigerian sports scene like a colossus. Ifeanyi Ibeh and Charles Ogundiya explore the reasons behind this dominance and how it can be translated to the continent.

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

Kano Pillars: A sure-footed

W

hen in 2013 Kano Pillars FC won the Nigeria Professional Football League title and their basketball team also emerged champions of the Nigeria Professional Basketball League, the Kano-based outfit went into the record books as the first professional team in the country to win the elite football and basketball championships in the same season.

This year, in July, Kano Pillars Basketball Club retained the NPBL title, and just last weekend, their football-playing counterparts whitewashed Nembe City 4-0 in Kano to emerge champions of the NPFL for a third successive season, becoming only the second team after Enyimba to do so since the professionalisation of the Nigerian league back in 1990.

Kano Pillars FC are now just one league title away from matching the record four consecutive league successes achieved by Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland FC) from 1987 to 1990, while their basketball counterparts will be gunning for a sixth NPBL title next season.

The dominance the Kano Pillars brand enjoys in the Nigerian sports scene is not peculiar to the country though as similar occurrences have occurred in other climes, most notably in Spain where not only are Real Madrid the most successful football club in that country, but have also won the most Spanish basketball league titles, winning 31 out of the 58 championships contested to date including a number of football and basketball league doubles.

Even their fierce rivals Barcelona have won 18 Spanish basketball titles to date, most recently in 2012 when they took a cue from their football counterparts, who won that year’s La Liga title.

Similar storylines can also be found in Italy (AC Milan), Russia (CSKA Moscow), Greece (Olympiakos and Panathinaikos) and Israel (Maccabi Tel Aviv) where some of the top football clubs in these countries have spread their dominance on the football pitch onto the basketball court.

It is easy to understand why some of these European sides have been able to enjoy considerable success from football and basketball as they have for long had structures in place to ensure success, coupled with the huge sponsorship money pumped into these clubs which has helped in bringing in some of the world’s best players.

But is the same obtainable at Kano Pillars that operates in a clime where most clubs are owned by government and run as parastatals? Possibly not.

But while the Kano Pillars franchise cannot boast of the huge financial muscle of the Europeans, one thing they have going for them is the sincerity with which they go about their business transactions with their current and would-be employees.

According to the Kano State Director of Sports, Ado Abdullahi, whose office supervises the day to day affairs of both the football and

Kano Pillar's Umar Sango, in action against Onyekachi Peter of Abia Warriors

When we promise you five naira, you will get it as at when due. We are always sincere in our dealings, especially with the players

Jubilant Kano Pillars players celebrating another Premier League title

basketball outfits. Whenever they promise something to their playing and coaching personnel, they do all that they can to live up to their words – a rare occurrence in Nigeria’s peculiar sports terrain where owing sportsmen and women their monthly salaries is commonplace.

“If you ask any of the players in Kano Pillars FC, we have been very consistent in paying their money.

When we promise you five naira, you will get it as at when due. We are always sincere in our dealings, especially with the players,” said Abdullahi, in an interview with

PHOTO: shengolpixs

New Telegraph.

He added: “Same thing applies to the basketball team. We don’t promise what we cannot fulfill and that has helped us to remain number one in the country.”

It was a view that was corroborated by Usman Abubakar, who emerged as the Most Valuable Player at the end of this season’s NPBL finals in Lagos.

Usman, who has spent close to a decade playing top flight basketball at Pillars, told New Telegraph: “I have been here for a very long time and I feel very much at home

and have no reason to leave Kano Pillars.

“It’s not that I have not been approached by other teams but I just don’t have an interest in leaving.

I have seen what is obtainable at other clubs and have no interest in going through such at this point in my career,” added the Nigeria international.

Another player who spoke with New Telegraph, Anthony Abawula, a defender with the football team, was unanimous in his opinion that Pillars are the best in the country when it comes to players’

Sport

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

march to sports zenith If half of the money invested in football is pumped into other sports, such as basketball, you will be surprised what the country will achieve

Royal Hoopers vs Kano Pillars

welfare, having seen it all in the NPFL with other club sides.

The former Bayelsa United defender said: “If you are looking for a club where the welfare of players takes paramount, then look no further than Kano Pillars. They are the best. Whatever they promise to give will be paid to the last kobo.”

Speaking further, the former Lobi Stars, Ocean Boys, Kwara United and Niger Tornadoes player said this kind of situation has helped in team bonding especially in a city that has in the recent past been the site of more than a few religion and ethnic related upheavals.

“Immediately you join the team, you have become a member of the Kano Pillars family,” continued Abawula, a Christian from the southern Nigerian state of Bayelsa.

“Nothing like I am a Christian or a Muslim. Nobody cares whether you are a Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa, as we have all become brothers.

“The only thing that can cause issues for you is if you fail to do the right thing, and what I mean by the right thing is working hard for the success of the team,” added Abawula, who is renowned for his long throw-ins.

Corroborating Abawula’s claims, the Director of Sports, Abdullahi said: “For us in Kano State, we love maintaining our high standards. As a player when you join us, you must abide by our standards and work very hard to push the team to the top.

“We are like one big happy family here. And this doesn’t apply to the football team alone, but also to the basketball team.”

Their successes from their respective playing arena might be similar but one area where the basketball team continues to play second fiddle to the football team is in the area of financing from their number one sponsors, the Kano State government.

“Football is the king of all sports in Nigeria and in most parts of the world,” replied Abdullahi, when asked the reason for the dissimilar-

ity. “The funds assigned for football are usually more than those set aside for other sports.

“But I have said it before that if half of the money invested in football is pumped into other sports, such as basketball, you will be surprised what the country will achieve,” added Abdullahi.

The football team also has a shirt sponsorship deal with the BUA Group whereas the basketball team cannot boast of such.

BUA, one of Nigeria’s largest business corporations, signed a shirt sponsorship deal with the football

club in 2013.

And according to the state’s Commissioner for Information, Internal Affairs, Sports and Youth Development, Professor Farouk Jubril, who put pen to paper on the sponsorship deal on behalf of the football club, the partnership was part of the state government’s way of making the football club financially selfsufficient.

Speaking on the partnership, Kabiru Rabiu, the Group Executive Director of BUA Group, said: “We are very excited with this partnership with Kano Pillars, the biggest

31

football club in Nigeria and the one with the largest fan base.”

Rabiu is definitely spot-on about the club’s huge fan base as the team’s home matches at the 25,000-capacity Sani Abacha Stadium are often filled to capacity hours before kick-off.

And with such vociferous support, it comes as no surprise that the club hasn’t lost a league fixture at the 16-year-old stadium in close to a decade.

But as important as the role home invincibility plays in the NPFL, it is not enough to explain the football club’s recent successes.

Former Nigeria goalkeeper, Alloy Agu, who is now the goalkeepers’ trainer at Nasarawa United, one of the handful of sides who appeared to challenge Pillars for the title this season, believes that the team’s home form, coupled with the continuity and fate the club’s management has shown in its playing personnel over the years, have been a key part of the team’s success story.

“It is not easy to win the trophy three times, and for winning it three times, they have done very well,” said Agu. “And one of the keys to their success has been continuity.

“When you look at some of the players there, the majority of them have been there for more than three years. When you have a team together for such a long period of time, the result is understanding and cohesion which will produce results at the end,” added the former FC Liege of Belgium and MVV of Holland goalkeeper.

Howbeit, the challenge before the football club is to translate their dominance on the domestic scene to the continent. In the immediate past season, the Kano side failed to progress beyond the preliminary round. The best they have achieved is a semi final berth in 2008. Winning the league third time in a row may be the tonic Pillars need to win the Champions League like Enyimba have done.

Consistency our major strength in Kano sports – Abdullahi Kano Pillars won the Nigeria Professional Football League for the third time in three years while the basketball team also made it a back-to-back victory in the DStv basketball league. The state Director of Sports, Ado Abdullahi, tells CHARLES OGUNDIYA about plans to prepare the team for the continent, among other issues.

Excerpts: Congratulations on the recent victory of Kano Pillars football club Thank you very much. We thank Allah for making it possible for the team to secure the third title despite the problem we encountered this season.

What has been the secret of this team?

The most important thing has been consistency and transparency. We have been dealing with the players as professionals.

Also we believe in continuity, if you look at some of the players in the team, they have been with us for a long time and that has helped us a lot. I will also say we don’t deprive our players what is due to them like salary, sign-on fees and match bonuses.

When we promise, we always fulfill.

The club has failed to perform well on the continent, what is the plan for the coming year?

Yes, you are right, but we are going to make a big difference next year. We are not going to allow the league to disturb us be-

I am not the governor of the state, but we are going to make a recommendation and I am sure the players will be happy. cause one of the problems we encountered in the past was the inability of the league to start on time. This time we are going to camp the players early and the camping is going to be in two phases. The first phase will be an open camping while the second is going to be close one. At that stage we will allow for proper concentration devoid of any outside interference. We are also going to be engaging in various friendly matches outside the country. All the teams we are going to be playing against are go-

ing to be top teams with pedigree. We are going to play them away from home to be able to ascertain our strength.

The basketball team has also won their league back-to-back. Does the same thing apply to them too?

All the teams in the state have been enjoying same atmosphere, so I can rightly say we have the same plan for them too.

The basketball team failed to qualify for the African Club Champions Cup, are you planning to apply for one of the wild cards?

Definitely we are going to do that. We have already sent a detailed letter to the appropriate authorities and very soon we are going to get an answer so that we can start our preparation early.

Are we expecting another car reward for the players?

I am not the governor of the state, but we are going to make a recommendation and I am sure the players will be happy.

32

Sport

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

neymar's new girlfriend bares all

B

Vucelic

arcelona striker, Neymar, has found love again after reports emerged that he is now dating model Soraja Vucelic.

According to reports in Serbia, Neymar has been keeping a holiday romance alive by flying the model to Barcelona in a private jet.

Belgrade-based tabloid Kurir claim the pair met last summer in Ibiza and

have been speaking frequently via Skype.

The paper says the couple agreed Vucelic would visit Barcelona at the end of October but then decided they couldn't wait that long.

Champions League star Neymar, 22, reportedly sent a private plane for Serbian starlet and model Soraya Vucelic to bring her to visit him in Barcelona

after the pair met last summer in Ibiza Neymar, whose full name is Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, allegedly sent an aeroplane to pick her up. The model later published a photo in Neymar's Barcelona FC jersey in the aeroplane on her Instagram account.

Neymar cancelled Vucelic's original tickets and sent the private plane to collect her and a friend instead. The

Ideye celebrates four years family anniversary

Reporter sent away from stadium for being too sexy

A

TV football presenter says she was told to leave the side of the pitch on a number of occasions because she was distracting the players by being too attractive.

Katarina Sreckovic, who hosts a show about Serbia's Red Star Belgrade, told how players initially struggled to answer her questions because the young men couldn't concentrate in

her presence.

'I admit it was a problem at the start but I think they've got used to me now,' she said. 'It was tough though because for a while it seemed as if they might not be able to work with me at all.

'I was also asked to go away a couple of times because I was a distraction on the pitch, and players complained that they couldn't concentrate.'

Katarina

Serbian beauty reportedly stayed in Barcelona for several days.

The model, who became popular in the Balkans after participating in their Big Brother show, also uploaded a picture of herself wearing Neymar's Barca shirt in an aeroplane - though there's nothing in the pictures to suggest the jet belongs to or was sent by the Brazilian.

S Keshi parties with Wizkid, Tuface Idibia in Abuja club

S

uper Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has found a way to unwind after a turbulent period as head coach of the Nigerian national football team.

Keshi stormed an Abuja night club last weekend during the

Hennessy Artistry club tour in Abuja to party and show support to Tuface Idibia and Wizkid.

Tuface and Wizkid gave a huge shout out to Keshi who was in a jovial mood as he interacted with other people at the party.

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.

– Henry David Thoreau

Stories courtesy Dailymail

uper Eagles strik- ued to thank God for er, Brown Ideye, His mercy. on Tuesday celOne of the photos on ebrated four years of his Instagram posted wedding anniversary on Tuesday, November with his wife.

4, is accompanied with The West Brom for- the message: ‘’God 1st ward on social media family next️ #thankyocelebrated the wonder- uGod #fouryearstillgoful time he has sepnt ingstrong. with his wife and children.

T h e foury e a r marriage has produced two boys and Ideye has contin- Brown Ideye and family

The Arts

Exhibition

November 22 at Alliance Francaise

p.34

SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2014

33

O'Nali showcases Life's Trajectory at Quintessence An exhibition of works by Promise O'Nali at Ikoyi, Lagos-based Quintessence toggles with contemporary concepts like evolution, writes MOSES KADIRI

"Art was the last act of our creator before He rested and is a great communication tool for mankind and occupies a place of honour in the world"

A

t the heart of the ongoing art exhibition titled, "ljeUwa" - Life's Trajectory, is the notion that the creator has endowed mankind with every good thing including the life process.

The works have several connection, from energy to matter, earth and societal issues in different forms and sizes. The artist, Promise O'Nali, chose flowing matching colours which blend the aesthetic in the showcase as he expresses himself freely with what interests him in the society. He also deploys several items that helps enhance the expression in the paintings and mixed media works.

"Art was the last act of our creator before He rested and is a great communication tool for mankind and occupies a place of honour in the world. It is a stamp of authority on the culture of a people. 'IjeUwa' is an honour for life pregnancy, as we all enjoy the great splendour of life because of creation," he said.

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, graduate who is said to have shown remarkable flair for arts while still in primary school uses wire, metal, fibre in his canvas. This is evident in one of the pieces, "Gaia Dilemma", where the visual artist harnessed situations and turned them into friendly allies. "There is so much pollution happening and so many unwanted things in the atmosphere; the work is being able to take the positive and negative and make something worthwhile," he enthused.

His works takes the viewer to different trends and fading events in the world as shown in "Noo Genesis" where he pictures human movement from the agricultural era to the technological era and the information age.

"Right now, we are leaving the information age behind and to the conceptual age and it is about mind development. Human beings are now seeing that it can now be harnessed, studied and devel-

O'Nali

Gaias dilemma, 2014

Anyi akalu nka, manu obu ogudu anyi kalu nka, 2014

oped over sometime."

He continued: "I was reading an article about Bob Lutz, the general manager of GM Motors. He was asked what he was going to do differently with the company, and he said he's looking at art and the entertainment business; that the company

Powerlines: Adegbite’s photography exhibition opens in Lagos

A

photography exhibition by Aderemi Adegbite opens on Sunday, November 9, at The Osh Gallery, Yaba, Lagos.

This documentary-montage, according to the artist, strives to unveil the details of a “power” contest within his community space. “Caught between the government’s policies and the intervention of various NGOs, this community strives to make sense of its present realities and an uncertain future.

The “lines” refer to the circumstantial

borders which have created a space for the youths within the community to express themselves and discover the strength in their being.

“The youths here around the Iwaya/ Makoko Waterfront are seemingly oblivious of the ‘power-lines’ or the perception of the government and NGOs − two parallel players who put them in the media as sub-human beings. Rather, they see the space beneath these powerlines as part of their heritage where they express and engrave their youthfulness."

will go into manufacturing mobile sculptors that can transport an individual from point A to point B." O'Nali hinted that the next phase globally is not about information anymore, but technology. He however pointed out that "technology is about aesthetics, about design.

People are looking at it that Mercedes has a V8 engine, but at the end of the day, how beautiful is it? People want to see beautiful

cars; I was also reading an article that says there are 4 designers to a chemical engineer in America. Design is where everybody is running to presently; people are pushing the mind ability to its limit and that is what my work is about," he said.

Another work, titled in Igbo language, Anyiakalonka, Manobuoguduanyikalunka (meaning, we are not old, but our clothes are old) is inspired by the atoms of the body which he said are millions of years old, but still the human body looks new. "The generic make up of our body is very old, millions and millions years old, but we look new." The figure in his work represents humanity; the lines represent a connection when creation started. "What we are going through now, there's a connection but we might not really see it. If you do not take care of your body you will age fast. It is a culture we need to imbibe; it is about the mind, people are pushing the frontier of the mind beyond looking for food and trying to eat everything."

The exhibition is O'Nali's third solo exhibition, but first in Lagos, and the artist has succeeded in exploring things that go beyond what the average person thinks about.

He tries to stay attuned with contemporary issues in the area of art. "I am not like others who explores things over and over again, l like to push my boundary," he said.

Though his first exhibition was not well attended, it nonetheless paved way for the artist who had his first solo exhibition in 2010 titled City of Refuge, in Port Harcourt. From that exhibition someone embraced his work and encouraged him to do something bigger which thereafter generated lots of traffic.

O'Nali has taken part in a number of group exhibitions and these include Exposition (Enugu, 2003), Salt of Earth (Enugu, 2004), Parenting and Child (Enugu, 2004), Images of Africa (Enugu, 2004), Dance of the Lyrical Lines II (Enugu, 2005).

34

The Arts

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

REFLECTION

Trace Root opens November 22 at Alliance Francaise

Burden of Life (1) Timothy Akinleye

Life is good only as it's fair For fair life extra-ordinary be, Each man his cross in life to bear.

Can life be good and not fair be?

T

Stories by Tony Okuyeme

race Root, a solo exhibition of art works by Eze Okechukwu Albert opens November 22, at Alliance française, Yaba, Lagos. The exhibition will run till December 6.

Okechukwu is a versatile artist who has participated in several exhibitions and workshop within and outside Nigerian. In 2010 he emerged second in the Life in My City National Art competition and won the Best Waste to Art price in 2011. Albert runs a gallery and studio in Lagos where he resides.

Born 1978 in Lagos, Albert graduated as a sculptor from the department of Fine and Applied Arts at the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu. He is currently one of the coordinators of Art is Everywhere project and organizing committee, Life in My City Art festival (LIMCAF), Society of Nigerian Artist (SNA), Pan African Circle of Artist (PACA).

Art, Albert says in his artist statement, has been his way of life. “I remember when I was still a boy I used to draw and sculpt anywhere I could fine space and means of expressing myself. This made me to draw on my school books, both text and exercise books, and my rewards was some strokes of cane and punishment.

“Trace Root is like reminiscence taking an adventurous look back from where it all stated. In 2004 I gained admission to study art, where my restlessness was divided in five sections - painting, sculpture, ceramics, textile and graphic - which I have battled with in my dreams and physical practice. Root to me is like having connection to creation and the creator of mankind who made heaven and earth who has rooted in me the Art of expression which has no boundaries.

“As I walked through a decade of art practice my willingness of expressing my mood, individuality, passion and perhaps fulfillment of me being an artist.”

Fittest only survives Life's a jungle.

Timeless duel: Evil wrestles good Ugly challenges beauty Crooked, a headway makes.

Is life to the just fair?

Rewarding crooks?

Trying the good?

Chastising the upright?

Striping naked the vulnerable?

A Pistorius, a girlfriend shot Out of culpable negligence,w He gets five years behind bars.

Some lunatic Boko Haramites Slain thousands in cold blood, And get an invitation to a round table!

Life's rough, Life's tough, Life, a burden is Life's what it is Unfriendly - that is life.

Art exhibition debuts in Ojude Oba festival

Nigeria’s Okparanta makes Etisalat Prize for Literature longlist

National telecoms carrier, Globacom, has explained why it incorporated arts exhibition into its sponsorship of the recently concluded Ojude Oba festival held in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

The art exhibition which debuted at the festival for the first time was mooted by the company to immortalise the values of the Ijebu people for posterity.

About 35 artistes exhibited their works at the art exhibition which flagged off activities for this year's Ojude Oba Festival sponsored for the eighth consecutive year by Globacom.

Head of Public Sector at Globacom, Tunde Amunikoro, said that collection of arts, artefacts and totems as items are significant to the experiences of progenitors of any race. He noted that art exhibitions specifically tell the story of a race in lucid terms adding that arts exhibitions commend time honoured values, virtues and prospects of the heroes past to present and future generations.

“The acts of Obanta Agborunjagun, the Ijebu progenitor whose gallantry won the entire Ijebu people the space they occupy today and the remarkable contributions of valiant soldiers known as Baloguns to the effective system of administering the Ijebu kingdom were on display at the exhibition,” Amunikoro said.

He enjoined all Ijebus and visitors at the exhibition to deploy the knowledge gained towards further appreciation of history, adding that the exhibition can be leveraged to boost commerce in Ijebuland and Ogun State.

The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona who declared the exhibition open noted that a robust knowledge of the past will lead to a glorious future for a race while adding that the cultures and traditions of people are embodied in their arts and artefacts.

Oba Adetona commended Globacom for adding the exhibition as a feature of this year’s sponsorship of the festival and prayed for greater successes and accomplishments for the network.

Etisalat Nigeria has announced the longlist of the Etisalat Prize for Literature 2014. This Prize which was launched last year is the first pan-African prize that is open solely to debut fiction writers of African citizenship.

The longlist includes: An Imperfect Blessing by Nadia Davids,; Whoever Fears the Sea by Justin Fox; The Thunder that Roars by Imran Garda; Penumbra’ by Songeziwe Mahlangu; Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, Fresh Air and other stories by Reward Nsirim; Happiness Like Water by Chinelo Okparanta; Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi; Shadows by Novuyo Rosa Tshuma.

Announcing the longlist, chair of the judges panel for the Etisalat Prize for Literature 2014, Sarah Ladipo Manyika said: “We the judges are excited about this long list which is reflective of the great diversity presented by the full list of submissions this year. We are happy by our decision and cannot wait to reread the nine books to prepare for the upcoming retreat where we will determine the shortlist.”

Speaking on the longlist, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria,

Matthew Willsher, said that the list is unique in several respects and would go a long way in helping to accomplish the purpose of the Etisalat Prize for Literature. “Five of the nine finalists are books authored by women; one of the nine finalists is a Nigerian citizen and two are of Nigeria/American and Nigerian/Ghana descent.

The longlist also features writers from South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe.”

The judges will be faced with the next task of selecting a short list of three novels at a retreat in Cape Town in December. The shortlisted writers who will have 1,000 copies of their books purchased

by Etisalat and go on a multi-city sponsored tour will be announced on December 8.

The overall winner of the Etisalat Prize for Literature will receive £15,000, an engraved Montblanc Meisterstuck and will attend an Etisalat sponsored fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia, mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of the Last King of Scotland. The winner will be announced at the Etisalat Prize for Literature Award ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria on February 22, 2015.

The haves gets more, The have-nots gains less!

Life beckons on fury of nature, And sweeps clean an estate Tsunami. Hurricane. Landslide.

They creep on their victims Some at night, others at noon, Chiefly unprepared.

Life overruns their lives.

Making mockery of a lifetime.

Just by a breadth of birth, Or by a chance of clime, Life condemns a man To a lifetime of denials, Poverty and suffering By same token, On others she bestows Provocative measure of opulence.

Neigbours, tribes and kinsmen Against one another rise: Herdsmen, in their kinsmen's Blood their cattle bathe.

And on their farmlands, Do graze their livestock, Violating their wives as jara. © November 2014 to be continued

Life Experience

'His family rejected me because I'm an outcast'

p.36

Dear Love Doctor, ‘My husband always talks about his ex' p.37

L ve&Lv ng SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2014

Confession When people come together in marriage, it is usually for life. However, when one party begins to show signs of slowing in long-term commitment, the marriage could be heading for the rocks.

M

y name is Chris and I'm an Igbo man from the Eastern part of the country. I'm 47 years old and have a good job. I grew up with what I can describe as a semi-silver spoon.

That's because my parents were not too rich but at least they were comfortable. I had my elementary education in Nigeria. I also completed my first degree programme in Physiotherapy at a university in the South-West.

However, my parents wanted me to become a medical doctor by all means. So was sent overseas to study medicine soon after I graduated. After I had successfully completed my medical studies overseas, I returned to Nigeria to work based on the

MODEL OF THE WEEK

‘My wife refuses to wed me' advise of my parents who said they wanted me back in the country because they were scared of me marrying a white woman.

On my return to the country, my parents quickly urged me to look for a suitable girl to marry in Nigeria.

They advised me to go to the village and pick a good girl. I heeded their advice and headed to my hometown three weeks after I returned to Nigeria after my studies abroad. It was in my village that I met Kelechi. Kelechi was a tall, fair and very pretty girl to behold when I first set my eyes on her. However, there arose a minor problem of communication gap between us during the initial days of our courtship.

The problem was that Kelechi was not very good at understanding the English language.

She only spoke and understood Igbo, while I spoke queen's English. I wasn't so fluent in Igbo and my many years of living overseas as a medical student had made me almost forget my mother tongue. But soon, I picked up with my mother tongue and Kelechi too began to communicate better in English.

Before long, we were head over heels in love with each other and we made certain that we saw each other everyday. It didn't need to seek a second opinion before I decided to

marry Kelechi, because as she lay in my arms everyday, the fire of love consumed me and I just couldn't let her go. Both families consented to our getting married and we had one of the most memorable traditional marriages.

Kelechi was heavily pregnant during our traditional marriage, so she advised me to postpone the church wedding until after she had given birth. That was 12 years ago.

We have had five children during the past twelve years, yet my wife is still not keen on getting wedded in the church.

Over the past decade of our marriage, I've tried my best to convince her on the need to wed in church. I'm a devoted Catholic but the problem is that my wife is not interested in anything that has to do with church. She doesn't even go to church except on Christmas day, Easter or New Year day. I've begged her to state her reasons, if any, for not wanting to wed in church, and she hasn't said anything.

I'm a member of several societies in the church and fellow church members always look at me strangely in the church because they know that I and my wife have not wedded in church. I've reported the matter to my parish priest and he says he'll talk it over with my wife. I'm ashamed and very disturbed about it, but I don't know what to do.

35

Romantic Quote “You can't force love, I realized. It's there or it isn't.

If it's not there, you've got to be able to admit it. If it is there, you've got to do whatever it takes to protect the ones you love.” ― Richelle Mead, Frostbite Vikky

08175900535

36

Love&Living

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

Miley Cyrus is reportedly dating Patrick Schwarzenegger, and his family is not happy!

Love News

T

hough everything else Miley Cyrus does make headlines, she’s kept a relatively lowprofile in the romance department since splitting from ex-fiancé, Liam Hemsworth, last year. But, it looks like that is changing.

The "Wrecking Ball" singer was snapped spending Halloween day with Arnold Schwarzenegger's 21-year-old son, Patrick, who is a student at USC and a model. And, a source tells ET that the rumors they are dating are absolutely true!

While we always love to see a new Hollywood couple emerge, Patrick's famous family – which of course includes mom Maria Shriver, John F. Kennedy’s niece -- is not too thrilled with the news.

In fact, our source claims Patrick's family has tried to talk him out of dating Miley, preferring one of his exes and fearing Miley might get him hooked on the Hollywood scene. Patrick’s not exactly new to LA though – he made out with Ariana Grande in her video for “Right There,” which was inspired by Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet.

Photographers caught Miley, who

l Moved on with Arnold's son?

Jon Secada

Just Another Day Morning alone When you come home I breath a little faster Every time we're together It'd never be the same If you're not here How can you stay away, away so long.

Why can't we stay together Give me a reason Give me a reason.

I, I don't wanna say it I don't wanna find another way Make it trough the day without you I, I can't resist Try to find exactly what I missed It's just another day without you It's just another day oh

turns 22 this month, leaving Patrick's Los Angeles apartment on Friday afternoon. The new couple kept it super casual -- both sporting sweatshirts.

Miley, who is also Viva MAC's new celebrity spokesperson, accessorized her cozy look with cut-off jean shorts over a pair of black tights and a beanie.

This is not the first time these two have been linked. In 2011, Patrick told

Details that the singer was his celebrity crush, saying, "My eye though is set on Miley."

Patrick’s cousin, Conor Kennedy, famously dated Taylor Swift in 2012.

Perhaps the Kennedy grandchildren are just drawn to famous blonde pop stars?!

Courtesy: Yahoo.

'His family rejected me because I'm an outcast' Life Experience

M

y name is Ngozi and I'm going to be 30 in December. I have had many men in my life whom I had expected to marry me. But things changed after we had sex. And although some of the men were personally willing to marry me, they never told me their reasons for dumping me instead of going ahead to marry me.

When I met Obinna, he was so different, he was the kind of man I had been praying for. Initially, I told him that I was not ready for any relationship and that we should just be friends.

But as days passed we became closer and he told me that he wanted to have something to do with me for a very long time. Obinna promised to marry me as soon as his business stabilized. I waited for Obinna for three years and slowly but steadily, his business stabilized and he became comfortable.

That was when he informed me that he was ready to travel to my village in Imo state and meet my people and do my introduction. I was overjoyed and I sent word home to my parents that very soon, my fiancé was coming to marry me. Obinna's people also wanted to meet me as their future wife and I happily went with him on one weekend to visit his parents. On getting there, they welcomed me and asked me many questions about my background.

I didn't tell them that my family were regarded as outcasts or osu because I felt that the caste system in Igboland was obsolete and that enlightened people no longer cared about such things.

But I was devastated when Obinna told me two weeks later that his parents had investigated my background and were now opposed to our marriage because I was an 'osu' or outcast. Obinna told me not to worry and that we should carry on with our relationship

Love Songs

Making the time Find the right lines To make you stay forever What do I have to tell you I'm just trying to hold on to something (Trying to hold on to something good) Oh Give us a chance to make it.

To make it no no no Don't wanna hold on to never I'm not that strong I'm not that strong.

I, I don't wanna say it I don't wanna find another way Make it trough the day without you I, I can't resist Trying to find exactly what I missed It's just another day without you.

Why can't you stay forever Just give me a reason Give me a reason.

I, I don't wanna say it I don't wanna find another way Make it trough the day without you I, I can't resist Trying to find exactly what I missed It's just another day without you.

Love Poem "When I met Obinna, he was so different, he was the kind of man I had been praying for"

as though nothing had happened. I believed him initially. But as days turned to weeks, Obinna stopped calling me as much as he used to before. I suspected he now had another girl he wanted to marry and I asked him about it. But he denied it and said that I was his one and only.

Obinna had always told me to respect his privacy because he disliked girls that invaded men's privacy by doing things like taking his phone and reading his text messages. But one day, out of desperation and curiosity, I went

through his phone and noticed the text messages he sent to a girl and the girl's reply. It was clear that they were having an affair. When I asked Obinna, he started pleading with me to forgive him and that he loves me but he cannot marry me because I’m an outcast.

I wept that day.

Now I’ve lost everything. I've lost all the men in my life just because I'm an outcast. I've never been happy all my life because the 'osu' stigma has been hell for me. My love life has been ruined. If only my Igbo kings, elders and people can understand the pain and emotional and psychological trauma of the osu caste system on their daughters of marriageable age, I'm certain that they will eradicate the evil tradition. I'm only telling the story of the osu caste system from a traumatized spinster's point of view. Maybe Nollywood actors & actresses can help by making a film on the Osu caste system and telling the story from the perspective of a traumatized young lady who no man wants to marry because she's an outcast.

Audra

More than anything I love you more than anything More than a diamond ring You smell like the flowers in the spring You bring the joy of everything You're my all I love you more than anything

*Send your love poems along with your name and number to ireto007@yahoo.com

Romantic Jokes

Finally Together

Maria, a devout Catholic, got married and had 10 children.

After her first husband died, she remarried and had 10 more children. A few weeks after her second husband died, Maria also passed away. At Maria's funeral, the priest looked skyward and said, "At last, they're finally together."

Her sister sitting in the front row said, "Excuse me, Father, but do you mean she and her first husband, or she and her second husband?" The priest replied, "I mean her legs."

8 NOVEMBER 2014

Relationships & Love Advice

‘My husband always talks about his ex' Dear Love Doctor, I have been married for 12 months. My husband and I are living together, we have no kids yet. He has grown up kids with his girlfriend before, (he didn't marry the woman), and he got married and got divorced as well. Now that we are living together he always talks about his ex, and other past girlfriends too. I am the sort of person who doesn't like to talk about my ex boyfriend because I don't really see the point in talking about it since it's past. If he asks me about my ex boyfriend, that's the only time that I talk and just briefly too, not to the extent of telling him everything my ex boyfriend did to me. What can I do to stop my husband from always talking about his ex?

From Abigail.

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Abigail, I think he’s carrying some feeling that’s unresolved regarding his exes. Maybe he feels hurt, wronged and angry.

The bottom line is we don’t keep ruminating and mentally revisiting issues and people from our past unless we’re feeling unresolved.

However, to get him to stop, you would ask a question like, “When you speak about your exes, I’m not sure how you want me to feel?”

At this point, you can check out your interpretation by saying, “Do you

Love&Living

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

want me to feel hurt or disrespected?”

When you ask this question, it will wake him up to the fact that you are feeling hurt and disrespected. Then he’ll say, “Of course I don’t intend this.” This way, he’ll realize how you’re feeling without your making him feel attacked.

Then once you’re talking, you could ask him what’s still troubling him. Getting him to talk about the unresolved feelings will help him put the old business behind him.

If you want daily love tips or advice, download The Color of Love Guide on your iPad and iPhone. Search for ‘Color of Love’ on your Apple App store now and download the App. *Send your comments/stories to Love Doctor. E-mail: ireto007@yahoo.com. For free marriage/relationships counseling, or if you have fibroid, fertility problems or need a male or female child; call Love Doctor Mike 07031028714, 08131161840. Visit lovedrmike.blogspot.com

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08037317375.

Lovers’ Answers Game: The rule: Ask the opposite sex one question about love, and choose your lover from the top 3 answers.

Faith, 23, in Akwa Ibom, is asking all men: "Between a man and a woman, who stays longer without having sex?" *Call Mike: 07031028714 to send questions or issues.

37

Blackberry Connection Chika, a principled and focused young lady, needs a gentle, intelligent, working guy of 30-39 years.

BB Pin: 7A111DF.

• Connect with Mike on WhatsApp or BlackBerry Pin: 7ab29e22 or 21978F71 for details on how to send your BlackBerry or Smartphone Connect request.

• Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641 to link up and for direct hookup.

Should you stop using antiperspirant? Giving up may help cleanse toxins from your body, perk up your love life AND make you smell nicer!

Odd News

S

weat. Even the word sounds unpleasant. We have around 2.6 million sweat glands in our body and for the vast majority of us, our major concern is in preventing significant numbers of these glands from functioning normally, lest we stain our clothes or offend people around us.

We consider sweat deeply embarrassing and spend a massive £550 million a year tackling it with antiperspirants and deodorants.

But medical studies are now revealing unexpected ways in which honest sweat is crucial for our health.

Without it, for example, our bodies would become corrupted with toxic metals. Our skin would also be unable to heal wounds in a manner unique to humans.

It's long been known that sweating is vital for regulating body temperature and that the consequences of that system failing can be fatal. As George Havenith, a professor of environmental physiology and ergonomics at Loughborough University, explains: 'The only way the body has of cooling is by sweating and losing the heat energy by evaporating it off.

'If you don't sweat, you can overheat within half an hour when exercising.

'If your body temperature goes above 40c, you suffer heat exhaustion or even heatstroke, which can be fatal.'

Indeed there is a condition called anhidrosis which puts sufferers at a high risk of suffering attacks of heatstroke - which can cause lethal damage to the brain and internal organs - because their bodies cannot use sweat to evaporate heat from their skin.

This is a rare condition, fortunately, linked to damage to the sweat glands caused by injury or (also rare) autoimmune conditions. But it highlights the importance of sweat to our health.

The potential dangers of trying to reduce sweating were shown in a recent review of evidence by Canadian investigators.

Everyone has some level of toxic metals accumulating in their bodies, thanks to the fact that arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are common in our environment and also in food.

We consume them in shellfish, grains, and brassicas such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, which absorb them from their surroundings, and particularly from tobacco, which 'avidly accumulates cadmium and lead from soil', according to the

review published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health.

All four metals are considered carcinogenic, as well as being harmful to our nervous systems, our hearts, brains and kidneys.

But we can literally sweat them out if we exercise vigorously or get hot, the review shows that we can excrete arsenic, cadmium and mercury 'in appreciable quantities'.

This effect can be boosted by taking sweat baths and saunas, the researchers said.

More clinical trials are needed into this area, but the Canadian review suggests sweating may be crucial for cleaning the body of these toxins.

The report concludes: 'The available evidence suggests physicians could consider recommending sweating via exercise or saunas as a low-risk, potentially beneficial treatment for individuals who may be experiencing effects of toxic elements (such as nerve damage and memory impairment).'

Using antiperspirants may undermine this natural process.

Most products work by dissolving in sweat and creating a thin coating of gel to cover over the sweat glands.

So by liberally spraying antiperspirants over our skin we may be inhibiting our bodies' ability to eject pollutants such as heavy metals.

38

Love&Living

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

True Story

SEXUAL COMMUNICATION

‘I drove away my only friend'

Sex and Beauty: Ways sex makes you beautiful

M

S

y daughter Olivia was due to start school and I attended the parents information session to find out how best to prepare my baby girl for big school.

I walked into a full room of mother's looking me up and down and I immediately knew what they were thinking. I had my daughter when I was 16 and was now only 21 so I did stick out like a sore thumb in a sea of middle-aged faces.

It was quite a formidable school with an excellent academic reputation and I knew that in an area like this having a baby in your teens was not the norm. I prided myself on having got my life together — since having my baby I'd met a wonderful older man, Steve who took on Olivia as his own, and provided me with life's luxuries including a beautiful house and a nice car.

I'd gone back to college and enjoyed working part-time as a dental nurse, in fact the only thing I didn't have was my own family and friends as they had turned their backs on me when I fell pregnant. Steve's parents had passed and he had no siblings so it was pretty much just the three of us which was lonely and isolated at times.

When Olivia started school I volunteered in the canteen and joined the P&C and found parents beginning to slowly open up to me, it was then I met Joanne. Joanne was in her early thirties and was just so bubbly and easy going, she seemed to understand what I had been through and included me in working bees and encouraged me to help on class trips.

We became firm friends and conveniently lived close-by so saw each other a lot, she was my only friend and I was determined to keep her in my life. I suggested we should walk to get fit and walk the girls home from school together every afternoon which she too thought was a great idea. I also

ex is the ultimate beauty enhancer. No product or procedure can beat getting down and dirty in making you even more gorgeous. Check out these eight reasons why.

"I even took my daughter and enrolled her at the same dance school as Joanne's child so that we could hang out during lessons"

started cooking extra at dinner and dropping it around to her house on my way past.

I planned shopping trips and family outings together and was thrilled to have found a soul mate. I often rang Joanne in the evening to have a chat before I went to sleep and it was during one of our regular chats that Joanne dropped a bomb. Joanne said I was smothering her and she needed more family time but that she would still see me at school, I said I understood but I was deeply hurt and had no idea where this was coming from.

I had thought everything was great.

I started to feel isolated again as Joanne withdrew further, so I began to follow her from school so we could run into each other shopping and changed my volunteer day in the canteen to the same as hers. I even took my daughter and enrolled her at the same dance school as Joanne's child so that we could hang out during lessons, but Joanne wasn't the same

around me — the comfortable closeness we had shared had gone.

My hurt turned to irrational thinking and I felt sure some other mother had been jealous and tried to break up our friendship. It rapidly got to the stage where Joanne would see me and walk the other way. I drove to her house to find out why she turned her back on me and saw Sarah who was another mother from our school at her house. I was furious being convinced Sarah had been filling Joanne's head with lies about me as she had always turned up her nose at me. I got out of the car and seeing red slapped Sarah across the face. Sarah had a complete look of shock on her face.

I wanted the driveway to swallow me up when I heard Sarah had gone to Joanne's house to bring her daughter's school bag back after Sarah's daughter had picked it up by mistake. I left in a hurry embarrassed at what I had become, I was using Joanne to fill a void in my life. I arranged to see a therapist and would apologise to Joanne and Sarah on Monday.

Monday came and there was no sign of Joanne. I found out she had taken her daughter out of the school.

I was completely distraught at what I had done. Everyone soon found out due to Sarah's big mouth.

I needed a fresh start so have moved Olivia to a new school two suburbs away and have started to make new friends but have learnt a lot of important lessons, not the least about boundaries.

Courtesy: msn.com

Wedding Traditions

The Substitute Bride: Russia

B

efore the wedding the groom’s family will visit the house of the brides family. After paying a dowry the bride is supposed to be presented to the groom. However, if the dowry is considered to be insufficient, a substitute bride will be presented (this could well be a cross dressing friend). If this happens then more money needs to be handed over, unless of course the groom is happy with the substitute.

Courtesy: list.com

1. Natural Makeup Every morning, you apply makeup and by lunch, you already need a touch up! But if you spend 15 minutes a day doing the deed, your cheeks will naturally flush, your lips will have that perfect red pout and your skin will glow. Move over Sephora—sex is nature’s makeup! As YouDoc Dr. Michael Roizen, the Chief Wellness Officer at the Cleveland Clinic Roizen explains, during sex, “You get excited, and you vasodilate.

[Just like] vasodilation happens in the male penis, which is swelling it with blood…well, the same thing is occurring in all your mucosal membranes [to give] you that ruddy look, that redness or that glow. It’s all the same phenomenon.” And, might we add, the sex effect lasts for hours.

2. Save Face Even if you stay out of the sun, you still may be at risk for premature pruning. “Other than sun exposure, the major wrinkler of the skin is your arteries,” explain Roizen. “Whether you have a wrinkle in your heart, which is a heart attack, or a wrinkle in your skin, it’s the same process.” Good blood flow brings nutrients and oxygen to the skin, which staves off wrinkling. Guess what increases blood flow and makes your skin act younger? You guessed it—sex.

3. Sex Gives You Confidence We all know that the sexiest thing a woman can have is confidence. According to sexpert Mary Jo Rapini, M.Ed, L.P.C., knocking boots gives every woman a swagger. “When I ask men: ‘What is the most attractive thing about your woman?’ one of the top three things is always the way she moves.” After getting frisky, you walk with an even more feminine gait. Your head is held high, your hips swaying from side to side—in other words, you’re getting your strut on. That confidence just reels the men right back in, creating a perfect cycle of sex appeal.

4. Doing “It” Is the Best Hairdo Sex can also contribute to a healthy head of hair. Roizen points out: “Each hair follicle has a blood vessel to it, and your blood flow is a major determinate of both internal and external beauty.” More blood flow means you’re nourishing your hair. Plus, you know sliding around in your sheets gives your tresses that va-va-va voluminous sexy bedhead.

To be continued

SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2014

Travel &Tourism 39

Chef's Corner Spoilt for choice p.40

Emglo Suites: A classy world HOSPITALITY

Travel Personality Arvind Nayer: I treat my business as my religion p.41

Destination

AKWAABA 2014: A testimony to tourism's resilience p.42

BLESSING ORUCHE explores the facilities and offerings of Emglo Suites.

A

muwo Odofin, Lagosbased Emglo Suites maybe a middle range hotel but it sure enjoys the ambience of a nicely crafted hospitality home with high quality facilities, enticing and artistic décor. The services too are excellently delivered in a somewhat professional manner, which is not surprising given that it has it eyes on the high end market though.

With a serene and calm environment, the hotel offers 31 rooms of different classes ranging from standard, executive, royal and presidential suites, all fittingly furnished to taste, featuring a number of amenities such as flat screen TV. Tea/coffee set, working desk and comfy bed with the presidential suite very outstanding as the star product of the hotel.

The hotel’s general manager, Akachukwu Soloko, proudly shows off the presidential suite for the luxury and posh ambience that it exudes, pointing out that guests at the presidential suite alongside other room types are actually treated as royals because "without the guests, the hotel would be soulless and may have to close shop".

So for this simple reason, anyone that walks through the hotel’s gate is highly treasured and as everything is possibly done to cultivate and make the guest feel welcomed and special. Care, he says is taken to tender the hotel’s facilities and to maintain its tranquil appeal because of its target clients.

“We cater to the needs of important personalities such as politicians and celebrities that patronize us every now and then.

As a high end hotel, we watch the type of people that come here; it is not open for miscreants. The hotel has been in operation for some years now. We have been

The hotel's facade

able to create a good name for our hotel as one with a unique offerings and outlook.”

The hotel’s restaurant and bars both have an inviting appeal. While the restaurant offers delicious dishes from continental and local pots the bars are well stocked with a blend of expensive and choice drinks. They offer a relaxing and colourful atmosphere for people to unwind and experience a savoury treat.

It also rates high within the Amuwo – Odofin and the adjoining Festac Town environs as event centre of first choice. With its event hall, which is well-furnished and primed for different meetings and social events, is always in high demand.

The general manager added that the hotel aims to be a full service hotel with every need of guests well taken care of. To this, a modern gymnasium is currently under construction and when completed it would be devoted to offering sophisticated facilities that are trendy and enhance the health regime of the guests.

Security is also on the radar of

the hotel as the general manager, says that ‘‘the main reason why our customers patronize us is because we are security conscious.

Customers are always right, so we go out of our way to treat customers with high regards, because most customers want a place where their personality is respected. The words naturally flow around because when one customer is satisfied, he tends to market your services to his friends and people in general."

To keep its commitment to clients on the right path and attract new ones, the hotel at regular intervals renovates its property and one of such renewal is ongoing and once completed, he said the patrons should expect an enhanced environment, a better improved facilities and a highly professionalized service culture.

“Though we are still carrying out renovations, but once we are

One of the comfy beds

through we will begin offering free breakfast to our customers on a daily basis. The management believes in flowing with current trends. We have a culture of upgrading our facilities every year, especially from the months of June to October. After which the new face is usually ready for the Christmas season. We have good taste and as such believe in spicing things up, thereby making our guests beg for more.

"On future prospect we will keep doing what we are doing, and to ensure that our customers are happy with our services, because it is not all about making money, and also to build branches that particular type of service to our clients."

NEW TELEGRAPH PARTNER HOTELS BENEFITS There are lots of benefits to derive as one of our partner hotels. For FESTAC, LAGOS

enquiries and details on how

ABA LAGOS

to join the programme, please contact Andrew Iro Okungbowa: 08023152195 (sms only), e-mail: iroandy@ymail.com or Chinyere Opara: 08063768131 (sms only)

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

ABA

e-mail angela_curtis-2@live.com

40

Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

CHEF’S CORNER

Spoilt for choice With weeks yet to 2015 a number of professionals and organizations in the culinary world are beginning to envision what would top the palate, one of such is the Boulder, Co Sterling-Rice Group (SRG), which has recently made public a list of its top 10 culinary trends to look out for in eateries across the world. Enjoy the savoury toppers.

A

dvanced Asian: From Filipino food to a new generation of Thai, not one but a host of more complex and true-to-region Asian foods will dominate in 2015.

Matcha Madness: The never-ending quest for wellness and energy will lead many to Japanese matcha, a nutrient powerhouse green tea now hitting the market in convenient formats like lattes, sodas, and ready-to-drink cans.

Cannabis Cuisine: Edible marijuana moves far beyond cliched pot brownies. In states where it's legal, look for new, sophisticated options from gluten-free baked goods and confections to bottled cold-brewed coffee and flavoured syrups.

Hop-Free Suds: Channeling their medieval predecessors, craft brewers are making unhopped beers with herbs, spices, and bitter plants yielding unique and intriguing flavors instead of hoppy bitterness.

Incendiary Charcoal: Look for more excitement around Asian styles of super-hot burning charcoal as well as charcoal coloring and enhancing breads, crackers, and even cosmetics.

The Local Grain Network: Products made from freshly milled flour are making their way to consumers thanks to the growing network of farmers, bakers, and chefs committed to local grain production.

Coconut Sugar Sweetness: Boasting a lower glycemic in-

dex than white sugar makes coconut sugar popular among consumers—from natural food fans to sweetsloving Paleos to Southeast Asian food lovers—looking for better-for-you foods.

Farm to Table Kosher: With keeping kosher on the rise, kosher food businesses address consumer demand to eat in more sustainable, conscious, and cultural ways.

The Hunger Games—Restaurant Edition: Dining concept incubators create lively experiences where curious diners test experimental eateries and vote with their forks in revolving pop-up settings or hip dining parks.

The Ugly Fruit and Vegetable Movement: Misshapen and funny-looking produce will no longer get picked over as food resourcefulness and efforts to combat hunger come into sharper focus.

TRAVEL BEATS

Transcorp Hilton Abuja celebrates group's service week Over 50 employees of Transcorp Hilton Abuja last week engaged in different community services across the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja as the hotel marked the third edition of the annual Hilton Worldwide Global Week of Service, a show of Hilton’s commitment to serving and enriching communities where it operates.

Two schools with over 500 pupils benefited from the services rendered by the staff who volunteered their skills as an integral part of Hilton Worldwide’s culture and acts of volunteering. ‘‘We are always delighted to be of service to the community where we live, work and travel” said the hotel’s general manager, Etienne Gailliez, adding that ‘’it was inspiring to see our team members volunteer hours and days to impact the lives of school children in the community during this year’s Global Week of Service.’’

For two days, the hotel’s team members went on an outreach programme to Durumi Community School and LEA Primary School Durumi where they taught the pupils basic hygiene practices, including practical demonstrations and distributed hygiene

Swiss Spirit Hotels opens today

The city of Asaba will welcome a new hospitality outfit to its fold today as Swiss Spirit Hotels Mardezok opens to the public today amid pomp. Guests from across the state, country and promoters of the hotel would gather to toast to the new hotel, which is expected to boost tourism business in the city.

The general manager of the hotel, Lee Hess, said the hotel is part of the Switzerland-based Swiss International Hotels and Resorts, which has recently come into the Nigerian market and has since continue to grow in influence amassing a number of hotels across the country.

The Swiss Spirit Hotels‎ Mardezok - Asaba is the second Swiss Spirit Hotels brand to be operated in Africa and the first in Nigeria complementing other Swiss International Hotels in Port Harcourt (Mabisel) and Lagos (D'Palms Airport).

The Transcorp Hilton demonstrates hand-washing routine to student kits including hand sanitizers to over 500 pupils. Organised in partnership with ACE Africa Charity, the outreach program was part of the hotel’s community intervention programs to prevent the spread of Ebola Virus Disease.

"ACE Africa Charity is proud to partner with Transcorp Hilton Abuja during the Hilton Worldwide Global Week of Service," said Kiki Harrison, founder and director of ACE Africa Charity. "Transcorp Hilton Abuja’s initiative to organise the outreach program on hygiene

UNWTO holds conference on accessible tourism The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is set to host the first ever conference on accessible tourism in Europe. Billed to hold between November 19-20, it is in collaboration with the government of the Republic of San Marino, Village for All (V4A) and ONCE Foundation. Slated for San Marino, it is to advance the social inclusion of people with disabilities to tourism.

With a focus on heritage cities, it is expected to address how to maintain and develop quality, sustainability and competitiveness in accessible tourism. The Conference will feature best practices for universal accessibility and design

in a wide range of European destinations. It will pay special attention to destinations that have developed accessible quality services for all while boosting their competitiveness, without neglecting the challenges of heritage protection.

The conference will be inaugurated by San Marino’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pasquale Valentini, Minister of Tourism, Teodoro Lonfernini, and the former Capitano Reggente (Chief of State) of San Marino, Mirko Tomassoni, who will be joined by the UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai and the Chairman of the World Committee on

could not have come at a better time than now when every effort is being made to curb the spread of Ebola."

Global Week of Service is Hilton Worldwide’s largest annual volunteer service initiative and brings together team members from across Hilton Worldwide's offices and hotel properties, helping to strengthen the company’s connections with its local communities and bringing team members closer together.

More than 3, 000 hands-on service projects were carried out globally by the group.

Tourism Ethics, Pascal Lamy.

Speakers include representatives of the DG Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission, the League of Historical and Accessible Cities (LHAC), Salzburg, winner of the European Award of Accessible City in 2012, the Spanish ACS Foundation, the Spanish Agency for International Development and Cooperation (AECID), the ONCE Foundation, the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), the Portuguese Tourism Organization (Turismo de Portugal), the Regions of Veneto and Sicily in Italy, Village for All (V4A), Scandic Hotels from Sweden and Visit England.

A model of the new Swiss Spirit Hotels, Asaba

Hospitality security workshop holds on November 21 A day executive workshop for hotels and catering outlets across as well as related stakeholders is billed to hold on Friday November 21 at the Oranmiyan Hall of Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. Tagged Nigerian hospitality security workshop, the forum is being organized by a team of professionals in the hospitality sector, including Nigerian Hospitality Security Network, Finale Hotels Services Limited and BNK Consulting Services.

According to the representative of the organizers, Mr. Bright Uwabor, the theme of the security workshop is security challenges in hotels and hospitality industry in Nigeria – the way forward. The objectives include acquainting participants with the various appliances and gadgets for security, creating security consciousness and evolving enduring strategies to avert crimes and theft in the hotels and establishing baseline awareness and integrating security challenges.

A host of guests and security experts are listed for the event.

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Arvind Nayer: I treat my business as my religion combined unfortunately it is not being heard. You got to be proud of who you are. If you are not proud to be who you are, unfortunately your neighbours are not going to come and help you.

“There is a saying that if you love yourself first the rest of the world will follow you. If you don’t respect yourself the rest of the world is not going to respect you and I am very, very proud to be a Zimbabwean and I can assure you that.”

Arvind Nayer, an Indian-born Zimbabwean is the managing director of Harvey World Vintage Travel and Tours, Harare. He speaks with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA of his life’s trajectory during an encounter in Harare.

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Life is full of challenges Traversing the world and staying atop of the travel world is as challenging as life itself but Nayer seems to be handling it well as he says that “Life is full of challenges, it all depends on how you accept the challenges and how do you go forward.

If there are no challenges in one’s life then one’s life will be very, very boring. My company is always looking for where to make an impact and that is what is keeping me going.”

is world revolves round travels, a subject so dear to his heart. He speaks about it with a certain glow and endearment with almost contagious passion that hearing him speak about his life’s journey as he tells you that “I eat, drink and sleep travel,” in a modulating timbre you are immediately transported to a wonderland with him as your guide, professionally sound for that matter.

Arvind Nayer and his wife, Rajan, both dressed in their traditional country - India outfit couldn’t be passed off coupled with the fact that they were stationed at the ‘Incredible India,’ stand, which was nicely and captivatingly done. In fact, it was the cynosure of all eyes and photo opps scenery during the just concluded Sanganai/ Hlanganani travel exhibition, made them a compelling sight.

From a mere handshake and armless exchange of pleasantries, Nayer with a typical salesman instinct and drive draws you into his stand to have a view of the exhibits. Soonest both of us were seated comfortably and instantly hit it up with laughter ringing out to the exclusion of the bursting world around us as Nayer dug deeper and deeper into his business and travel world.

The journey “When I was a young person, I wanted to become a pilot. But I wanted to become a pilot on my own two feet, which means you basically want to do something in your life but by yourself. Unfortunately that was not possible because of the kind of funds which was not available personally,” recounted Nayer of his childhood fancy.

But when he couldn’t fund his childhood dream, he has to look elsewhere and what came natural was the travel world.

His late father was some kind of globetrotter and with a heavy pocket as well to the extent that wherever he goes, his family went.

So in 1983, he left his native country, India, and packed his family along with him to visit Zimbabwe. That journey however changed the family’s fate and momentum.

“My late father used to travel all over the world and wherever he went we used to travel along. So, when we came here it used to be Salisbury in 1983.”

Instantly the family fell in love with the then Salisbury, particularly Harare otherwise known as the funshine city or jacaranda city because of its blooming garden-like and lively nature. “So then I fell in love with this country, this is a beautiful country and I decided to make it my home and now I am proud to be a Zimbabwean,” revealed Nayer who was just 18 years then.

Jettisoning his earlier dream, Nayer found love in the travel world as the family decided to make Zimbabwe their new home. “And then I joined the travel industry, I eat, drink, sleep travel. So, that gives me about 32 years of experience in Zimbabwe in travel. I am actually born in India

A firm believer in God “I am a very firm believer in God, I treat my business as my religion because the moment one starts doing that I am sure one will see the difference,” he says. He admits that even though Africa may have huge potential, there is the absolute need for Africans to be exposed hence the reason for his many travels across the world. “In order words, if you sit at home you can’t grow. You’ve got to go forward in a respectable way.”

Nayer with his wife, Rajan

but never lived in India,” he glows about his penchant for the travel world and how eminently qualified he is running a mega travel company.

He adds, “I have been in the travel industry since 1983. I am highly qualified and I actually came tops in Africa in 1986 when I went to Geneva to get my award.

We are a member of AZTA, ZTA, ASATA, TAAI, IATA, India travel agency, PATA, franchise for Harvey World Travels in South Africa. Passenger Sales Agent for Jet Airways, the largest private airline in India, flying to 86 countries with a fleet of 100 aircraft- Go Journeys in India.”

I’m proud to be a Zimbabwean Nayer is not just only a proud travel personality but also proud and enamoured with his adopted country. “So then I fell in love with this country, this is a beautiful country and I decided to make it my home and now I am proud to be a Zimbabwean.

“I will say that since I came into this country a lot has changed in the travel industry,” he says, as he tells you that Zimbabwe tourism is looking up with tourists coming from all over the world particularly from Africa, Europe, Asia, UK and America.

“Where we were and where we are today there is quite a growth in incoming tourism,” he says of the country's tourism profile.

He describes the tourism attractions of the country in glowing terms. “Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Wonders of the World; we have Lake Kariba, which is the largest man-made lake in Africa. We have Hwange,

TRAVEL PERSONALITY “I am a very firm believer in God, I treat my business as my religion because the moment one starts doing that I am sure one will see the difference"

which is as pretty as Geneva, the only thing that we don’t have in Zimbabwe is the snow.

If it was there people won’t be going to Switzerland but basically they will be coming to Zimbabwe,” adding that “then Zimbabwe will become Switzerland in Africa.”

Africa needs to unite and speak with one voice Nayer speaks of Africa in the same manner as he does of his beloved Zimbabwe. “I personally feel that there is a lot potential in Zimbabwe and in Africa going forward,” but to make the difference in the world and be heard, he insist that Africa must learn to unite and speak with one voice, in fact, tell its own story by itself as no one else can do so perfectly well.

“If Africa unites and speaks with one voice, the rest of the world will hear. If you speak with many voices which are not

In love with Cambodia He is a globetrotter but still has his eyes on his native country, India, as he visits home on a regular basis for business and private engagements. But one of his beloved destinations, he says, is Cambodia.

“I was in Cambodia last month. I haven’t been to Myanmar but I have been to Manila and China. And it is very interesting when you travel out of Zimbabwe because that is the time basically that you meet with who is who and you see exactly where your company lacks and how you can bring those products back home to your advantage and to the nation’s advantage as well.”

Prayer is my recreation You will expect that as one who's widelytravelled, he will bask in the moment to see the best corners of the world on vacation, but he pointedly tells you that “one thing, a businessman never takes a holiday.” But wait for this: “One way of my recreation is that I pray in the morning, that is my recreation. I grow with a very strong belief in religion but also I am a very modest person."

I owe my success to my late father “My success is to my late father, my mum is still alive and to my God as well.

I was very, very close to my late father, he was my mentor.” Then of course he suddenly turns his gaze away from you, focusing on his wife whom he then begins to speak about in an elated manner.

The wife too is of India parentage but born and bred in Zimbabwe. They both met and found love in Zimbabwe and are blessed with children. She is the company’s deputy managing director.

Quite an inseparable pair you will say.

“Obviously, they say behind every successful man is a woman and my woman is sitting right behind you. That is my better half. I treasure my family, my family is my biggest asset, and not the money I have in bank. Like they say you are either born in wealth or you make wealth. I was born in wealth,” he concludes.

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DESTINATION

AKWAABA 2014 A testimony to tourism resilience Akwaaba –African Travel Market-celebrated its 10th edition last week with an impressive attendance and a high rating.

Although it fell short of its expectations, ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA writes that it served its purpose.

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Post script his year’s Akwaaba, a travel and tourism trade exhibition held between October 16 -18 at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos was the 10th edition of the yearly forum, dedicated to promoting and marketing the travel industry across Africa to the world. It usually attracts a number of destinations in Africa, service providers and suppliers, administrators, buyers and others.

The expectation was that it would hit the roof and possibly emerge as the most celebrated in the annals of the expo. But this was not to be due in part to the fear of Ebola, which had hit some parts of Africa's west coast affected attendance at the expo. The fact that Nigeria had got an all clear status from the World Health Organisation was not enough to save the fair as many of the confirmed destinations and promoters pulled out on the eve of the expo.

Given this ugly development, many people expected the organizers of the tourism platform, Africa Travel Quarterly (ATQ) led by Ikechi Uko, to have cancelled the expo.

But aware of the implication and the negative impact such a move would have on the subsequent editions, the organizers decided to take the losses and went ahead with it, which on a hindsight turned out to be a most braved and courageous decision as it turned out to be a success of some sort with many of the attendees pouring encomiums on the organizers for keeping fate with the expo.

Describing the decision to hold the expo as a bold move and the outcome a success, Uko gave some insights into the build-up: ‘‘Usually for Akwaaba, we start building immediately after the event ends, fix a date and we start running down the clock. By August, we start our first phase of publicity for the public, but this year by August when we were supposed to start the public sensitisation we found that we were pushed into a situation where we have to fight for survival.

"So from August until this week (the week the event held), it was a race of survival for us, a lot of things to be done. We are happy that we eventually held the event because almost towards the end it looked

Some of the awardees displaying their plaques

like it wasn’t going to hold. For the fact that it held, we considered it the biggest success that we have had so far because the others (previous editions) were not that difficult to put together but this was very difficult to put together so we are very happy that it happened."

Day one – Africa Awards The three-day event was well structured and focused with each of the days dedicated to a particular activity.

This made it quite easier for people to access and follow activities at the expo as you know what to expect for the three days. And for the exhibitors, this was a good development as it helped them to put together their marketing plan and know exactly who to target for each of the days.

The first day featured the opening ceremony and Africa Award/dinner night. It was a colourful event and attracted a lot of trade visitors and the travelling public besides the exhibitors who had set up shops within the exhibition space. The guests were led by the minister of lands, housing and urban development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi.

In her welcome address, the head of the organising team, Uko expressed appreciation to all the exhibitors, trade visitors and others who found the time to attend the event particularly the exhibitors for defying all odds and insisting that the show must go on. He said it was for them that the platform was created as the need for Africa, West Africa in particular, to have a platform such as Akwaaba cannot be over-emphasized, insisting that Africans must learn to embrace and support such initiative in order to create a bond and expose the various destinations to the world.

While in her address, Eyakenyi who was the chairperson of the night’s event eulogized and paid glowing tributes to Uko for his vision and tenacity even as she urged the various exhibitors and operators to take advantage of the three days gathering to conduct their businesses.

She also took time to speak on the transformation agenda of the President Jonathan Goodluck administration, highlighting areas of development and

Atunda Entertainment with Anu on stage

achievements in aviation and tourism as well as landmarks in her ministry.

Eyakenyi also had some encouraging words for the awardees, especially the women among them, praising them for their outstanding achievements, which she said should serve as encouragement to other women.

The climax of the night’s event was the award ceremony where about 15 individuals and organizations from hotel to airline, were awarded for their various achievements and contributions to the travel industry in Africa. Perhaps the star recipient of the night was Captain Irene Koki Mutungi, a female pilot with the Kenya Airways who bagged the global legend of travel award.

She was also honoured by the Women in Aviation (Nigeria) International-Glowing Wings Chapter led by Mrs. Ify Megwa for her achievements. The list included being the first female pilot of Kenya and Kenya Airways, first African female to captain a commercial flight and the first female to fly the Boeing B787 Dreamliner. Her sterling qualities were acknowledged by all as she shone like a million star on the night.

Day Two – ABTA day Besides the exhibition and networking, which continued on the second day, the day witnessed a travel seminar headlined by African Travel Business Association (ABTA) led by its founder, Monique Swat, who led a team of travel experts from across the country to look at the travel trend

in the country. The panel discussion featured talks on the title, "the changing corporate travel landscape in Nigeria, the travel management company value proposition". This was followed by a round table industry discussion on "practical strategies for re-defining travel management company, travel agent, supplier and client relationships".

The event was well attended by many of the ABTA members and non– members including the exhibitors and travel trade visitors.

Day Three – Hospitality/winetasting day This day for many was the most eventful and fulfilling because of the enriching nature of the activities that were hosted. Also, the quality of people who attended added to the fact that it was a public day. So many of the visitors from the town, including students, made it to the exhibition thus making it a very busy day for everyone.

The first event for the day was the hospitality workshop with the theme, "hotel innovation - being one step ahead Hotel Innovation," hosted

by Samsung West Africa, one of the exhibitors. The keynote address was presented by Chief Sonny Odogwu on "Investing in hospitality business: between the known and unknown".

He was represented at the event by Dr. Udu Yakubu while the panel of discussants was chaired by the area manager of Starwood Hotels Nigeria, and general manager of Lagos

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Endnote ‘The fact it held was the biggest success’

Some of the exhibitors at their stands

Ikechi Uko attending to guests during the event

Sheraton Hotel, Barry Curran with the general manager (West Africa) of Swiss International Hotel, Dr. Wasiu Oba, Kazeem Durosomo who is the general manager of Golden Tulip Hotel, Port Harcourt and the general manager of Eko Hotel and Suites, Danny Kiopourogiou, making up the panel.

Papers were presented by the CEO of Current – Links Systems Limited, Bob Bamgboye, on "the futuristic hotel and innovations in hospitality"; and the head of business enterprise, Samsung West Africa, Anu Rotimi Agboola, on "innovation and technology as a platform to enhance the guest experience".

It was a most stimulating, informative and educating session with both the panel and audience weighing in to share ideas and opinions on the various issues raised by the speakers. While the need to employ technology in the hospitality sector was emphasized however, the human ad personal touch to service delivery was underscored as an essential element going forward.

This was later followed by wine-tasting session, which was making its debut and it attracted a number of wine distributors who had on display a number of wine and champagne brands. It was a most savoury and entertaining moment for the people who attended the event, which lasted till late evening.

The sales executive of Utec Green Limited, Chinonso Ifeanyi, distributor of champagne vollereaux, described the event as a welcomed development, adding that if offered the company the opportunity to expose and project its products to the world. ‘‘It has helped us to introduce our wine to a section of Nigerians and the international community and we believe that we stand to gain from this exposure,’’ said Ifeanyi.

Perhaps a befitting close to the day’s event and the entire expo was the serenading and entertaining event celebrated at la Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort where the president of the resort, Wanle Akinboboye was presented with a double award from Cote Di’ Voire. There were a lot to drink, with Atunda Entertainment serenading the audience with music as Olo, the female bata drummer and Anu, the ekwu percussionist on display.

List of Awardees 1. Best Resort in West Africa- Obudu Mountain Resort, Obudu-Nigeria 2. Best Airline in West Africa- Arik Air 3. Best Short Haul Carrier (West-Africa) - Asky 4. Best boutique hotel -West Africa-Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos 5. Best African Airline to West Africa- Ethiopian Airlines 6. African Airline of the Year - Ethiopian Airlines 7. African Hotel chain of the Year - Protea Hotel Group 8. Hotel Manager of the Year, West Africa- Adrian Landry-general manager, Legacy Hotels and Resorts, International 9. Hotel Manager of the Year, West Africa-Danny Kiopourogiou, general manager-Eko Hotels and Suites 10. Best Tourism Marketing Agency (Africa)-South African Tourism 11. Global Legend of the Travel- Captain Irene ‘Koki’ Mutungi 12. Best Short Haul Airline (Africa)-Asky 13. Best beach resort -West-Africa-La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort 14. Balafon Award of Excellence-Dorcas Aketch 15. Most Passenger Friendly Airport (East Africa)Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa.

List of exhibitors NATOP, NANTA, ATA, HOFA, Alneko Nigeria Limited, Eko Hotel and Suites, African Sun, D Edge Hotel, Port Harcourt, Samsung West Africa, Ethiopian Airlines, Protea Hotel, Remlords, Asky, Jofino Travels, Kenya Tourist Board, RDB – Rwandair, BTI, Swiss International Hotels, Arik Air, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort and NCAA.

‘‘Once Ebola hit and the World Travel Awards cancelled their event in Abuja the information was communicated to most people in the travel industry in Africa that they were not coming to Nigeria. So, practically every other travel industry professionals took cue from that and everybody started cancellation because of Ebola. That is where the volcano erupted as it were.

"We expected a lot more of the exhibitors, but we are happy that we got the powerhouses, which are South Africa, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria. These are the most powerful countries and we are happy that they supported the vision.

"Initially, we had more countries participating, it is not just the products, the destinations are important because if you have a product in a difficult destination the product will suffer. So we are happy that the destinations themselves came to Akwaaba.

"For the fact that it held, we considered it the biggest success that we have had so far because the others (previous editions) were not that difficult to put together but this was very difficult to put together, so we are very happy that it happened.

"We don’t consider any thing a loss for the fact that we held. But if the event was cancelled it would be more than a hundred percent loss because you now have debts you will still have to pay which you have incurred. However, given that you held the event, at least we can defray some of the losses.

"The fact that there were fewer exhibitors made it possible for the exhibitors that came to have more value for their money. And the fact that they also showed faith despite the losses that they all suffered, to me, it was very unique, remarkable and worthy of recognition. So we are very, very happy.

"For some of our exhibitors from the reports that we’ve heard, they have done very good business and to us that is why we set up this exhibition and we are happy that they got the responses and results. We are grateful that they took the risk and it paid off.

"This is the 10th which was supposed to have been a big anniversary, but we ended up having to fight for its survival and it surviving is a good result. It shows the industry is resilient and we just contributed to that fact because we just proved that it is resilient by not giving up.

We showed courage and we are praising ourselves now. We showed that the industry is resilient and that the industry will always bounce back."

–Ikechi Uko, founder of Akwaaba

‘It's a success story for Swiss International’ ‘‘It is still business as usual in terms of the quality and the market potential that it offered. It was a good thing that we attended because on the first day we were able to swing 1,000 rooms deal for all our hotels in

West Africa but today (the last day) it has risen to between 8, 000 – 10, 000 guaranteed bed nights.

"We have gained exposure for our brands and we have also shown our investors and clients that we are committed to their success.

Akwaaba has always been a one – stop shop in West Africa and for us, Swiss International, it is a success story and it is worth the time and money invested.’’

–Dr. Wasiu Oba, general manager (West Africa) Swiss International Hotels

‘It has been a great exhibition’ ‘‘The exhibition has been fine, it has been fantastic for us as RDB we are using this platform as a leverage to showcase the about tourism attractions of Rwanda and Rwandair as a carrier to all the East Africa countries and our rates are fantastic and cheap. People have seen what Rwandair and the country can offer, so it has been a great exhibition and we will be here again next year.’’

–Ozavize Ogunmefun, head of sales and ticketing, Rwandair

‘The quality was very good’ "I think the organiser has done well to have pulled this off despite the challenge with Ebola resulting in cancellation… But the quality is very good and we will continue to support it to raise the standard in this market. It has been a successful show for because we have been to meet with a lot of people and develop good business relationship and it has given us the exposure that we actually wanted.’’

–Hloni Pitso, regional manager (West Africa) South Africa Tourism

‘It was better than last year's’ ‘‘In terms of meeting people it was better than last year and the quality of people we have met have added value to our business. It has been a successful outing but we need to advert the event more so as to get more the travel agents and tour operators and also get more families to visit.’’

–Thammary Reppoh, regional sales/marketing manager (West Africa) African Sun

‘The show for me has been fantastic’ ‘‘It has been fantastic and the organisers have been professional in engaging with the public through via various platforms and the media… We in East Africa identify with the organizers and by next year we would be here in full force and it will be better. With regard to the presentations, it was wonderful during the hospitality day and award night with so much information and so much to learn from each other.

The show for me has been fantastic and I have manage to create new business partnership and I am looking forward to it as we negotiate with them to finalize on the deals.’’

–Dennis Gathanju, a Kenya and publisher (Safari Communications)

TV & Radio with Angela Davies

Sharing Life issues with Chaz B

STV

lines are opened for the guest to answer bugging questions begging for answers from callers. Some listeners also call to clarify certain issues related to the topic discussed.

Since the programme airs at 5:30pm, many people tend to use the programme to catch up in traffic. If you call-in while driving, you will be asked to call back or find somewhere to park for safety reasons. Most would rather park because the chance of getting through again is very slim. And callers have the right to mention their names or remain anonymous to participate in the programmes.

If a listener calls and needs counsel or advice considered delicate and cannot be discussed immediately on air, the caller is urged to send a text message to a particular phone number or email with the issue as the subject . That way, he gets a prompt response.

In life as we know, whatever has a good side also has some bad sides. The programme which airs at 5:30pm takes a break at 6:00pm for the news then continues at 6:15pm. In reality, this may cause a sort of

disconnect with the listeners because they must have set their minds that it is an hour programme so it should flow.

Also, sometimes callers complain that getting through to the programme is difficult hence they have to keep trying for weeks or even months. It is really annoying and embarrassing when a caller calls-in a few minutes to 6:00pm and is urged to hurriedly speak because it is almost time for the news. Most times, such callers actually mix up or even forget what they have to say.

As much as the programme has large listeners, it would be proper if the programme is aired without any break for proper connectivity with listeners. Also, calling in should be made easy for listeners to participate in the programme.

Chaz B does not forget to emphasise the "God" factor in everything you do because according to him, he is not ashamed to be associated with Christ. His aim is to make a difference in people’s lives through his radio programme, “Sharing Life Issues with Chaz B.”

Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards holds Nov 15

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he fifth edition of the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards, the pioneer awards for TV/Radio broadcasters and On-Air Personalities is billed to take place on Saturday, November 15 at the Ballroom of Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards was designed to reward personalities who have

had memorable impact on their listeners and viewers over the years through their programmes to educate, inform, entertain as well as promote peace.

It is also an avenue to celebrate, honour and appreciate past and current broadcasters, who have distinguished themselves as role models, mentors and propagators of social change

TELEVISION

MiTv

Saturday 8:00 Nickelodeon 8:30 Drake and Josh 9:00 Brights 2:00 London Boy 2:30 One music 3:00 Dawn in the Creeks

Chaz B

His aim is to make a difference in people’s lives

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This weekend

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ith his distinct voice purring through Rhythm Fm's network airwaves Monday through Fridays, you will hear, “Guard your heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life...” which is the sign-in signature of Chaz B for his soulfully refreshing programme, “Sharing Life Issues with Chaz B." It is a daily evening programme that made Chaz B popular among massive radio listeners because of the way he maturely handles topics of discourse each day. The programme which maintains a phone-in format is done in partnership with MTN, and anchored by Charles Bruce Chukwuma popularly known as Chaz B where different issues are discussed and efforts are made to provide solutions as much as possible.

With spiritual connectivity in interacting with his radio listeners, Chaz B uses his own challenges, experiences and that of others to encourage, counsel, advice, encourage his listeners on topics ranging from romance, marriage, family issues, domestic violence, health, dating, self esteem, business development and other general issues. Callers also contribute to the topics of discourse as well.

Sometimes, Chaz B co-hosts the programme along with his friends, Chike and Stephen, with the aim of touching lives through the programme.

The programme has lots of good sides to it. Firstly, it is not limited to the learned. It is meant for everyone. Even if a caller speaks in pidgin English, they would still have a say.

People also phone in to thank Chaz B for saving their relationship, marriage or even business because of the wise counselling or advise he gave when they called-in maybe weeks or months earlier.

On Thursdays, professionals in different fields are invited to talk on their area of specialization ranging from doctors, business development experts, business experts, entrepreneurs and so on after which phone

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in society.

This year ’s event will be hosted by Wazobia Fm's presenter Omotunde AdebowaleDavid, better known as Lolo1, Rhythm FM’s ace presenter, Anita Isedeh otherwise known as Omalicha alongside Elajoe, Nigerian music producer.

The event which is packaged by The Reality Entertainment con-

sists of 92 competitive categories with over 350 nominees. It is going to be a gathering of broadcasting heavyweights and society big-wigs.

The event will also feature cocktail, dance drama, fashion exhibition by 3G stitches, performances from shining music and comedy stars, as well as other side attractions.

3:30 Boom Town 4:30 Beautiful liars 6:00 Little Miss Jocelyn 5:00 Family Ties 5:30 Two Sides of a Coin 6:00 MTV 7:00 STV News 7:30 The intern show 8:30 Local movie 9:30 Head 2 head 10:00 News at 10 Sunday 7:30 Cartoon 8:00 Winx club 8:30 Superman 9:30 Gospel Rhythms 10:00 St. Dominics 11:00 Gospel Symphony 1:00 The advantage 1:30 Love, dating & marriage 3:00 Quantum Leap 6:00 WWTBAM 7:00 News 8:00 Real woman 8:30 Stand up Nigeria 10:00 News 11:00 Smooth DJ mix

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SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2014

Politics 45

FaceOff

Tambuwal:

Two house members trade words over Speaker's defection p.46

A tale of defiance and deception

Perspectives

Ojo Maduekwe and his Abia tale by moonlight p.50

Edgar’s World

OJB Jezreel - the fallen angel p.51

Tambuwal

L

Onwuka Nzeshi ast week, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, made history as the first presiding officer of an arm of the National Assembly to dump his political party for another party before the expiration of his tenure. Tambuwal is not a stranger in the game of defection. He has changed political parties a record five times in 11 years.

In 2003 when he was first elected to represent the Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, it was on the platform of the All Nigeria People's Party( ANPP), the dominant opposition party at that time. Towards the end of his first four years in parliament, he defected to the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) when the then Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, fell out with the ANPP and established the DPP. Again, when the tide changed and Bafarawa lost power to Governor Aliyu Wamakko, Tambuwal realigned forces with Wamakko and they both returned to the ANPP .

However, when Wamakko saw that his political aspirations could no longer be achieved in ANPP, he left for the People Democratic Party (PDP) and Tambuwal followed suit.

At the beginning of the seventh National Assembly, Tambuwal was re-elected to the House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP from where he emerged as the Speaker on June 6, 2011.

Š Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

How he became Speaker Tambuwal's ascension to the throne in the House is a story of intense political intrigues.

The PDP which won the majority of the seats in the lower chamber of the parliament had

zoned the position of Speaker to the South-West and nominated Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola as its candidate for the post. But some legislators elected on the platform of the PDP were uncomfortable with the arrangement and were therefore not prepared to abide by the directive of their party. In their defiance and disregard for party supremacy, they played into the hands of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) which was then the dominant party in the South West geo-political zone.

Since 1999, the ACN and its forerunner, the Alliance for Democracy (AD), had had a running battle with the PDP for the control of the SouthWest. Initially, the AD controlled the six states of the South-West but the PDP took over five of them following an alliance President Olusegun Obasanjo brokered with AD leaders in the build up to the 2003 general election. At the end of the day, the PDP managed to spare only Lagos State for the opposition party. This crushing defeat and depletion of its territory forced the leaders of the AD to the drawing board and this resulted in the formation of the Action Congress (AC) which subsequently metamorphosed into the ACN, one of the legacy parties that merged to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Towards the end of his first four years in parliament, he defected to the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) when the then Governor of Sokoto State

As at 2011, all the states of the South-West except Ondo were back in the hands of the ACN and the party was not prepared to concede an inch to their rivals. Indeed, the ACN saw the zoning of the speakership to the South West by the PDP as a threat to its position in the region.

The opposition party feared that should the PDP succeed in enthroning a legislator of SouthWest extraction as the speaker, that office would become a rallying point for the PDP to re-invent itself in the region.

The grand conspiracy This bitter party rivalry and the resolve by the ACN to block the PDP from having a foothold in the South-West tallied with the personal ambition of some members of the PDP in the House to snatch the speakership position from the South-West. The ACN knew quite well that going by parliamentary conventions and precedents, it stood no chance of producing the speaker being a minority party, but it was smart enough to sell a dummy to the unsuspecting members of the majority party.

It was some opposition legislators from the South West that first flew the kite that the PDP did not perform well in the South-West during the 2011 polls and therefore such a region did not even deserve to have the speakership slot.

They pointed to other zones where the PDP did considerably better and argued that fairness and equity demanded that such high performance should be rewarded instead of giving it to the South-West.

Armed with these arguments, some PDP legislators from the South-East where the ruling party had a more favourable outing at the CONTINUED ON PAGE 49

FaceOff SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH 8 NOVEMBER 2014

46

Tambuwal's exit is no big deal – Ogor The defection fever has been in the air but it finally descended last Tuesday when the Speaker of the House, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and formally joined the All Progressives Congress ( APC) . However, the Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Leo Ogor said the PDP will not lose sleep over it. He spoke with Onwuka Nzeshi .

As one of the leaders of the PDP in the House, what is your reaction to the defection of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal?

Well, first, I think that it is a bit sad and quite disappointing. It is quite sad and very disappointing for me as an individual. We have all been reading about this move on the pages of the newspapers but clearly it has come to pass. For me, it's already history but I think and I am convinced beyond reasonable doubts that we will forge ahead as a party. We will be able to manage the situation. I don't think that we have really lost any big thing. I believe that as a party, we need to forge ahead. We need to also restrategise and know how to defend our party's interest on the floor of the House. But I can assure you that the interest of our party will be 100 per cent protected no matter who has defected from the party.

With the development, a lot of Nigerians believe that Tambuwal will have to vacate his seat as Speaker of the House since he has left the PDP which is the majority party in the house. What do you think about this public opinion?

Like I said earlier, I will stand on the position of my party. We are going to be having some level of party meetings to discuss the way forward. But I am also mindful of some of the constitutional provisions specifically Section 50(b) 1 of the constitution which states clearly that: The Speaker and Deputy Speaker shall emerge from members of the House. It did not state that he must emerge from the majority or minority party. So, that is another subject matter for debate. But, like I said, the event took everybody unawares and what we need to do now is to restrategise and see how we can collectively defend the interest of our party. You will be hearing from us in respect of this subject matter. It is not going to be the end of the whole scenario.

But unfortunately, we are going on holidays at the moment; a kind of a working holiday where members would be staying away from plenary for about a month while committees would be carrying out

their oversight functions.

In the process, some decisions would be taken. I can assure you that as a party, we are going to meet very soon and a position will be taken clearly about what to do and what not to do.

What exactly is the correct numerical configuration of the parties in the House?

Let me appeal to you here to leave that because the issue of numbers are totally inconsequential here. It brings me to a very fundamental issue . Government is made up of three arms namely, the Judiciary, Legislature and Executive and I think that at this particular hour, there is a major responsibility on the judiciary in respect of the issue of defection.

You are aware that the PDP had actually gone to court over this subject matter. The provision of Section 68(g) of the Constitution is still very important and because the matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it will be very difficult for anybody to react at this particular moment. The judiciary should try as much as they can to expedite action in respect of this matter because at the end of the day we are working together as one government and it becomes very important that some of these provisions are clearly interpreted to avoid ambiguity. It will help us to know precisely what we are doing and forge ahead. A scenario or situation where a case would be in court for a long period of time and when probably the judgement comes the tenure of the present House would have elapsed will not serve any useful purpose. It would be more like justice delayed and you all know that justice delayed is justice denied. So, this is an opportunity for me to call on the judiciary that it is time for it to act because of the challenges arising from the defection of members from one party to the other.

I am not talking specifically about the case of the Speaker because as it stands today, we can do very little or nothing because the matter is before a a court of competent jurisdiction.

I insist that the judiciary should do something about a particular matter that is before them in respect of the defection of members.

Ogor

We won't lose our sleep over Tambuwal's defection.

We have the capacity... to do and undo!

You admitted that the defection of Tambuwal has been a subject of speculations for several months, would it then be correct to say you were caught unawares as one of the principal officers of the house?

Well, the action taken that day was not expected. I would accept the fact that there were speculations but we weren't expecting it until it came at the last minute.

It came up when we were about closing. Nobody was expecting such a decision. If you ask me if I was caught unawares, I will tell you yes. But like I said earlier, it's no big deal. Our party's interest would be properly protected. We would definitely work as a party on the floor of the House and you can be rest assured that no constit-

uency is bigger than the others.

We have the capacity, ability and the technical know how to challenge anybody on the floor on any issue. We stand to lose nothing.

He said clearly to us there that the issue has to do with his local politics and we all know politics is local. So, if he has decided to go to APC because his people want him to go there , we wish him good luck. It has no major impact in respect of our party because the party has great materials on the floor to match anybody no matter who or she may be. We are not disturbed at all. We won't lose our sleep over Tambuwal's defection. We have the capacity and I can assure our party leaders that the PDP members in the House have the capacity to do and undo!

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

What's your reaction to Tambuwal's defection to All Progressives Congress (APC)?

I want to really congratulate Mr. Speaker, the Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for a number of reasons. In the first place, he has proved to the world and to us in Nigeria that the key to our problem in this country is leadership. You can lead a people; you can lead a country with multiplicity of ethnic nationalities and still stabilise the ship of the state. Tambuwal was a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) from the inception of the 7th Assembly. Majority of the PDP members, former members of the defunct felt he was the one that could lead the House. Against all predictions, against the principles and policies of his party, he was enthroned and sworn in as Speaker.

He has managed the House for three and half years with minimal turbulence or no turbulence at all.

He won the admiration of all members.

In his home base, the political office holders from the governor down to the councillors fully defected to the APC but he remained in the PDP to stabilise the ship of the state.

A good number of us who were then in the PDP defected to the APC and some people went to court to ensure that we were thrown out of the parliament, but Mr. Speaker adhered to the provisions of the constitution and protected each member; friends and foes alike.

When it became appropriate and germaine, he took the bull by the horns. He did not only take the bull by the horns, he also fitted the declaration of his defection to an appropriate time when it would be acceptable to all and sundry. Obviously, he read the mood of the nation; he read the mood of his state; he read the mood of the House and then took the decision that majority of us had predicted will come to pass. Like he said, all politics are local. He cannot continue to be an island in the PDP in Sokoto State.

Tambuwal's membership of the APC been an open secret before his formal defection. So, what is the big issue about the timing of this move?

To me, the timing was most appropriate because he also looked at the programme of all the political parties in the country and very intelligently and in consultation with his colleagues took a decision that we all proceed on recess for one month. This is to enable all the members of the House from the various political parties to go back home to pursue the political aspirations in one form or the other. We all know that the PDP, APC and the rest of the parties are currently in the process of picking nomination forms and getting their candidates through primaries for the next elections. This one month break will enable members to go back to constituencies to see if they will be lucky enough to have their mandates renewed. This was why Mr. Speaker defected to his new party.

But this long adjournment is seen in some circles as a strategy to prevent any swift reaction from the PDP that could lead to a change of leadership in the House.

Don't you see it from that angle?

No. I don't see it that way. I have earlier told you that the Speaker, Tambuwal, is generally accepted by

FaceOff | Politics

47

PDP has lost a big fish, says Uchendu Chairman, House Committee on Public Service Matters, Hon. Andrew Uchendu, is a ranking member of the House of Representatives who led 37 of his colleagues in the historic defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last year. In this interview with Onwuka Nzeshi, the lawmaker describes the exit of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal to the opposition as a major loss to the ruling party.

Uchendu

the various political divides in the House. Well, the public could make such insinuations on his decision to adjourn the House immediately after his defection but the correct thing is that all the political parties have their nomination programmes between now and December and members of the National Assembly whether House or Senate need to go back home to see how their mandates could be renewed. If they don't do that now, they will definitely lose out. It is in the interest of Mr. Speaker and all the 360 members of the House of Representatives to proceed on recess now.

Are there no fears that the ruling party, the PDP, may want to instigate crisis in the House to get Tambuwal out of the seat?

The House is not going to be in session for the next one month.

Moreover, this House has maintained a reasonable level of independence and no matter what the ruling party may think or do, it is not going to affect the political dynamics in the House of Representatives.

The only thing that I can imagine is

that they ( PDP) will go back to the drawing board. As a ruling party, they've lost a big fish. They've lost a good leader in Tambuwal. Again it is not just about Tambuwal, the PDP should have done everything to forestall the defection of the five former PDP governors because this is where the whole thing is coming from and I see them losing out in the 2015 general election. The picture is getting clearer by the day that Nigerians desire change. Things must change. We just can't continue this way. We must get a government that will be selfless. We must get public officers that will think more of the people than themselves.

If they don't do that now, they will definitely lose out.

You were once a member of the PDP before your defection to the APC last year. If you were still part of the PDP, how would you have reacted to this development?

I agree with you that I have been a member of the PDP but remember that things were moving on reasonably well and we were hoping that we would continue to improve on our performance until the last four or five years when the PDP

lost control in virtually all sectors of the polity. Why would a party that had genuinely carried out its congresses according to its own rules sit idly by and watch one or two men upturn the structure?

You cannot run election without a platform but if you chose to ignore this fact then there is no hope that the good people will be given the opportunity to serve. People like us must check out of such a system.

In all my years in parliament, I have been more concerned with what is there for my people and not what is there for me. I challenge anybody to go and check my records. I have lived a very simple life because I am more for the people than for myself. Now that it is beginning to be the politics of clientelism, some of us can't just fit in any more. A situation where might is right. No. We want to identify the weak links in the system; we want to identify those who are handicapped and fight for them because they are part of this country.

These vulnerable groups must be provided for in our society. I am not speaking for those whose goal is to acquire all the wealth on earth for children of their tenth generation.

Why the persistence of the crisis in Rivers State?

It took my people in Ikwere land almost 40 years to be given opportunity by other tribes in Rivers State to run the affairs of the state in the person of Governor Chibuike Amaechi. By next May, we would have ran government for eight years but because power has slipped into our hands, some people think we should run it for another eight years. Some of us are thinking that an Ikwereman should succeed an Ikwereman. This s what is creating crisis there now.

Can you allow other ethnic groups to thrive? I cannot be party to a group that will take decision today that will foreclose the future political ambition of my own people including my children. No. I will not be party to it.

Are you part of those championing the clamour for power shift in Rivers State?

I am not just championing it in Rivers but in the country as a whole because of the political developments in the country. We must take into consideration the pluralism of our society. Anything short of this will be myopic.

In other words, you are in support of the clamour by the riverine groups to rule Rivers State in 2015?

It is not about riverine people; it is about rotation. There is no senatorial district in Rivers State that hasn't got upland and riverine components. The important thing is the common denominator which is to rotate power among the senatorial districts. I think that the constitution of most of the parties provide for rotation too.

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Politics

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

IGP goofed on Tambuwal, says Sagay

Itse Sagay, professor of law, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights activist in this interview with DOMINIK UMOSEN, speaks on the withdrawal of security details of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, insurgency, corruption in the military among other burning national issues.

Should Aminu Tambuwal resign as Speaker of the House of Representatives, having ditched the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC)?

Two issues are involved, really. The first is whether there should be consequences for changing parties, crossing from a party on which platform you were elected to another party. That is number one. Two: under what circumstances can a speaker lose his seat?

Those are the two main issues.

Let us take the first one, that of a member of any legislature leaving the platform on which he was elected and going to another party. Now that section (of the constitution), comes with a proviso. The main statement in that section is that when you cross over like that from a platform under which you were elected to another, you would lose your seat.

But there is a proviso that says provided that such a cross over is not as a result of a division in your original party. The effect of that is that this is not a situation in which the police or anybody can act automatically, especially where there is a dispute or requires judicial intervention and interpretation.

So, I think it was a mistake by the Inspector-General of Police to jump into this and start interpreting the constitution. It is not his job. It is the job of the court. He should have awaited the outcome of judicial action before imposing his own action on the order of the court. Going on to the second issue, with regard to under what circumstances the speaker could be removed, when does he lose his seat? Well, we know the normal thing. A speaker can resign or may die. But if a speaker is willing to continue in his position, how does he lose his seat? He can lose his seat if there is a motion supported by two-thirds of the members seeking his removal.

Only such a motion duly supported seeking his removal can confirm or validate his removal. So, if you look at these two scenarios, you will see that the move is premature for anyone to ask the speaker to either resign as speaker or member of the House. The court still has to decide whether there has not been sufficient division within his party to have given him the legal right to cross over.

Certainly, there is no vote in the House in which two-thirds of members are saying they no longer want him as the speaker. For all legal purposes, he is still the speaker.

But the government appears desperate to remove him as the speaker?

It is a very risky thing to do because the only legal way they can remove

him is by moving such a motion duly supported by the required number of members when the House reconvenes.

If not, anyone who wants him out just has to swallow his anger or disappointment and let it be.

In Nigeria, we believe in zero-sum politics. If I want something and I have the power, I will explode, crash on everything and will enforce it regardless of whether it is lawful or not. It is the tendency of the black man. He is not yet accustomed to following rules; not yet accustomed to having the rule of law to prevail. It is his might and raw physical power.

That is the tendency of the black man in power. That is a sign of underdevelopment and political immaturity which we really have to resist if this country is ever going to develop and get to a level we can say we have a developed society.

Is the constitution specific on which party should produce the speaker?

It is clear. The speaker can be anybody. Once you are a member, you might come from the most minor party.

May be there are only two members of your party. If all the members decide that you are a speaker you are a speaker.

The constitution does not require you to come from any particular party. Membership of the House is what matters.

Why is there so much fuss over the defection of Tambuwal yet not much has been said about the defection of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State from Labour Party (LP) to the PDP? The main point to make there is that we should even leave Mimiko alone.

Our constitution makes no provision about governors, only legislators.

Alright? Looking at legislators, you will recall what has been happening in this country is that if somebody crosses over from another party to the ruling PDP, nobody bothers; nobody is concerned. You are not harassed.

Recall that Musiliu Obanikoro, Adeseye Ogunlewe, Wahab Dosunmu were elected on the platform of the defunct Alliance for Democracy into the senate. Three of them crossed over to the

He (IG) should have awaited the outcome of judicial action before imposing his own action on the order of the court

Sagay

PDP and nothing happened. Nobody raised an eyebrow. The speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly crossed over from LP to PDP, almost within the same time as Tambuwal, and his police details were not withdrawn. I do not know why we Africans are so shameless. If I were in the PDP government, I will say, look, am not happy about Tambuwal but in view of what has been happening, I cannot morally come out and say I want to oppose it. Let us swallow the bitter pill but our people are so shameless, doing things with impunity. That is the impunity we are talking about. You do things blatantly without caring but when other people do it, you clamp down on them and want to smash them to pieces.

In fact, the point that should be made is that crossing from one party to the other is routine now in Nigeria. It is no longer any thing we should consider strange. We have, by our own convention, amended the constitution. That is an additional reason they should leave Tambuwal alone. Let me say this. Yes, the PDP government controls all the coercive forces. But when you have a party as large as the APC, you do not use that any more. They are so large that if they are mobilised, having that extra access to coercive force will not make any difference. So if you are the one in power, do not risk it by taking unnecessary risks.

How do you see the disposition of the human rights community to criticise the government for alleged human rights infringements but ignoring the atrocities committed by Boko Haram?

I can tell you that I have been highly

offended by the attitude of these human rights groups, particularly Amnesty International. It seems as if they have plans to create instability in African countries; create disorder, chaos and anarchy just to satisfy what I may call superiority complex. Normally, their mother branches are from abroad. They want practices that they themselves cannot sustain. See Boko Haram burning the country, turning it upside down, cutting off people’s heads, killing people at a massive level and without reference to any rights of the person. In fact, these are people who enjoy killing and creating death among humanity at an unparalleled level and in a manner which is so inhumane and cruel that this world has never contemplated before, just like their ISIS (Islamic State), counterparts in war-torn Syria. These so-called human rights groups, particularly Amnesty International, have never found anything wrong with that.

But a country that is defending itself against this inhumanity, this level of cruelty which has never been seen before, it is that country, that entity that is trying to survive, that they begin to attack. So, one begins to wonder what the motive really is. I think it is time that we should ignore anything said by these human rights organisations because they are speaking in bad faith.

They are setting on stage the destruction of our society and to allow these depraved elements to take over. But we are not going to allow that, we owe a duty to ourselves not to allow that to happen. Let Amnesty International and its comrades in mischief say anything they like. We must continue to defend ourselves against anarchists, destroy all

Politics

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

This situation is worsened by the fact that our government and the ruling party are not models of transparency

particular about Campaore being removed but that the military was handing over to a transitional administration.

And the African Union screamed no. I said to myself, that if someone who held power illegally for so long now says that he wants to hand over to a transition arrangement, I will not have seen anything seriously wrong with that. May be the objections about handing over to the speaker as acting president are justified. What struck me is the hypocrisy of the United States, the greatest backer of Egypt, which is headed by Gen. Sisi, who overthrew a democratically-elected government. Why are they now crying because the military in Burkina Faso wants to run a transition government before handing over to civilians?

So, there is a lot of inconsistency and hypocrisy in governments all over the world, including the African Union and the western powers.

forms of terrorism, whether they are happy or not.

Is it morally justifiable for people to be promoted generals even when a simple battle is yet to be won?

My only reply to that is that it is consistent with the Nigerian culture. In everything we do, we do it without basing it on performance. If you look at the last national honours that were awarded, people were given honours for holding certain positions, not for how well they have such positions. Not for what value they brought to such positions but for merely occupying such positions. If you are Supreme Court judge, you get an automatic honour. Same for Senate president. Everything is automatic. So, you get it for being in a particular position, not for what you have achieved in being in that position.

Normally, we should wait for them to retire and we say this position was held by you and you achieved so much as a result of this position that you held. No. Somebody is elected or promoted to a position and you give him an honour. Nigerian values are upside down. The way we do our things is the opposite of what is done in a sane and rational society. Everything is wrong if people are promoted generals in spite of the disasters we are recording in the war front, that is consistent with the Nigerian culture and what has been going on in this country all along.

It is like the attention of the African Union is zeroing in on Burkina Faso. Has the continental body just realised that there has been a Blaise Campaore all this while?

Actually, the African Union was not

How far should state governors go to influence their successors?

There is nothing wrong in departing governors want their cronies to succeed them. But they must not be imposed.

There is a difference between wanting and imposition. You might have a wish and give your preference your support but it is not by imposition; by having absurd congresses as it is happening in some states now. You don’t have to deprive those who genuinely want to contest the opportunity of making their case. Not by having these fraudulent congresses which are what we are having now. If they do that, there are two possibilities: Either those who have been deprived of participation will go to court to declare such illegal or they should or will cross over and join hands with the opposition as it is already happening. They can ensure that ultimately, the anointed person is defeated to give good lesson for the future.

For several years, especially during military rule, Nigerians yearned to be led by an intellectual and luckily, their prayers were answered in President Jonathan. In your assessment, have their aspirations been justified?

I think that in away, it is a good lesson for Nigerians that ‘knowing book’ (if I may use Pidgin English), is not necessarily evidence of knowing good governance. It is not necessarily so. In other words, you could be an excellent statesman without having gone to the university

Sagay

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Tambuwal: A tale of defiance and deception CONTINUED from PAGE 45

polls started jostling for the seat. This was how logic and ambition stoked the fire of rebellion among the legislators. Apparently not impressed with the line-up of contestants from the South- East, the opposition further fuelled the rebellion when it floated another argument that the legislature was an independent arm of government which should be free to choose its leaders without any external influence including the political parties.

So while the ruling party was beckoning on its representatives to support its policy of zoning, the ACN was luring them with the principles and ideologies of an independent and autonomous legislature. It was this scenario that threw the speakership race open instead of the plan by the ruling party to restrict it to a particular zone as has been the practice.

The secret pact Ironically, while the PDP legislators abandoned the position of their party, the opposition ACN legislators worked closely with the leadership of their party in choosing a suitable candidate for the position. They worked behind the scene and their head hunting produced Tambuwal, a former Deputy Whip of the House during the sixth Assembly.

Investigations revealed that Tambuwal did not just emerge as a candidate for the speakership; he underwent an interview and was found worthy in character and experience for the assignment. He was first presented to the leader of the ACN, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who screened him and found him fit to serve the purpose of the opposition in parliament. His job description was clearly spelt out: to checkmate the ruling party and frustrate its policies and programmes where possible.

It was after Tambuwal had accepted to abide by the terms of the contract that the ACN rolled out its machinery in his support. It was this grand conspiracy that resulted in the defeat of the majority party by the minority party in the House of Representatives. He dragged along, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, his close political ally of many years. They both defied the system including the security dragnet thrown around them to prevent them from presenting themselves for the election in the House of Representatives.

They came disguised in strange apparels to beat security checks at the gates of the parliament.

Playing Janus No doubt, Tambuwal emerged as speaker by popular votes. He won a landslide victory, scoring 252 votes to defeat Akande-Adeola who scored only 90 votes. It was a triumph of democracy but the beginning of the intractable crisis which the ruling party has had with the parliament.

Since the ruling party failed to galvanise its members in parliament to pursue a common cause, the party got a speaker it never wanted and so began the shadow boxing that has lasted three and a half years.

Although there were attempts by Tambuwal and his deputy, Ihedioha, to mend fences with their party the damage was already done and not much could be done to make the relationship cordial.

Tambuwal knew that he was like an unwanted baby whose parents wished everyday they had aborted while still in the embryonic stage. He knew that his membership of the PDP family paved the way for him to clinch the coveted position in parliament but he also knew that the ruling party never wanted him.

What did he do? He decided to play Janus, the Roman god, depicted by a man having two faces on opposite sides of his head. During the day, he would sit and preside over the House and by night he would be hobnobbing with the opposition.

Tambuwal presided over the House tactfully because he knew he was wearing the robe of the PDP and the shoes of the ACN. He did a good job of it, maintaining the delicate balance. He was always careful not to be caught on the wrong side by either his original party or his adopted party.

However, when the great tribulation came upon the PDP and a faction was purportedly formed, Tambuwal betrayed his bias for the opposition and other forces against the ruling party. He did not only welcome with open arms, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and his New PDP but created a soft landing for the 37 PDP lawmakers who eventually rode on the back of the splinter group into the mainstream opposition camp.

The final move Barely one year after that exodus of PDP faithful into the opposition camp, Tambuwal has finally dumped the PDP and joined the APC from where he hopes to contest the governorship of Sokoto State on February 28, 2015. From what has transpired in the last few weeks, it is evident that he defected from the PDP long ago. All along, he had been plotting a way of legitimising it including upturning the numerical configuration of the parties in the House in favour of the opposition. In his calculation, that would enable him to switch camp without losing the benefits accruing the broom and the umbrella.

Tambuwal has proven to be a tactician on the political turf. It takes some extra-ordinary scheming capabilities to last this long on a seat someone else was programmed to occupy.

The PDP has itself to blame for all the mess. Their rather feeble handling of their party members in and outside the parliament created much of the problems. Had the leadership of the party maintained an open channel of communication and addressed the little grievances of its members, they would probably not have fallen prey to the antics of the opposition. Now that the battle has shifted to the courts it will be too early for anyone to predict its outcome.

Tambuwal

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I

Perspectives

n the advertisement, entitled: Orji Uzor Kalu and his ‘Stewardship,’ Maduekwe claimed that he conquered the Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA) in Abia State.

His version of conquest is the defection of the state Governor, Chief Theodore Amaefule Orji, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Claiming that he led a delegation that talked Governor Orji into joining PDP, Maduekwe had stated in the advertisement: “The evidence is irrefutable that as the leader of the PDP in Abia State, in the absence of the governor, I had no interest in the internal workings of Orji Uzor Kalu’s PPA other than to degrade and dismantle it, which I succeeded in doing when I was part of the leadership delegation of three that strategically went to persuade Governor T. A. Orji to return to PDP. Mission was accomplished.”

For Maduekwe, luring Governor Orji, who Chief Arthur Eze looked straight in the eye and told him that his government was a failure, as, according to him, “Abia stinks,” from one party to another is a great achievement. What an achievement! That Maduekwe is boasting that luring the non-performing Abia governor to PDP is an accomplishment tells a story of who he is. He’s celebrating a governor who has neglected the people he was elected to cater for, as seen in the state of infrastructure in Aba and other parts of Abia State. Since this makes him happy, he should go on celebrating.

For us, the exit of Governor Orji from the PPA was good riddance to bad rubbish. This is so because his nonperformance negatively rubbed off on PPA when he was our member.

His presence portrayed our party as a political association that had a nonperforming governor, when we stand for excellence.

However, Maduekwe failed to tell the whole truth about Governor Orji’s defection. The truth is that he or whatever delegation he claimed to have been part of, did not woo the governor of Abia State from PPA to PDP. At that time, he had no capacity whatsoever, to have successfully wooed any of our member. This is so because he does not have the political clout to perform such a feat.

What happened, however, was that Governor Orji joined the PDP from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), where he defected from PPA. So Maduekwe was wrong that he wooed Orji from PPA to PDP. The question that Maduekwe, who is now claiming to have succeeded in killing PPA should answer is: Where were he when PPA won the governorship election, senatorial and House of Representatives seats and all state House of Representatives seats in 2007 general elections?

This man, who is now claiming to be an almighty conqueror was in PDP during the 2007 elections, but his party was roundly defeated by PPA. Now he’s making claims, perhaps, thinking that Nigerians are fools and therefore, do not know history.

Funny!

Talking about the PDP, Maduekwe was the national secretary of the party from 2005/2007. How can Nigerians forget what happened in the party at that time? For those who may have forgotten, it was during his secretaryship that the PDP became a toy in the hands of then President Olusegun Obasanjo, who did whatever he wanted with the party. Maduekwe presided over the ignoble programme of the PDP, which saw to the exit of prominent members of the

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

Ojo Maduekwe and his Abia tale by moonlight EMEKA OKAFOR reacts to the half page newspaper advertisement placed by former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, in This Day of October 31, this year regarding how some people arrogate to themselves what they are not party, with the re-registration exercise. The PDP, where Maduekwe was secretary, had set out a programme with which it kicked out members who would be opposed to the third term project of Obasanjo. Calling it re-registration exercise, the Maduekwe PDP at that time deregistered such noble members as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and many others across the country. It was the deregistration of Kalu in PDP that brought about the birth of PPA in 2006. Having been born, the PPA, in less than six months, succeeded in winning the governorship elections in Abia and Imo states, a feat that is unprecedented in the history of Nigerian politics. Maduekwe was there, as the so-called “leader” of the party in Abia State and the party lost woefully. Of course, this is not surprising. Maduekwe is a political featherweight.

Yes, when the story of the unpopular third term project of Obasanjo is told, Maduekwe will sure be mentioned. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria specified that a president could only serve for two terms of four years each. But Obasanjo, supported by PDP of which Maduekwe was secretary, wanted tenure elongation. The Maduekwes campaigned for it, to the extent of threatening PDP members

Maduekwe

In any case, I do not worry much about those who support Governor Orji.

of dire consequences if they did not support Obasanjo’s scheme. Thank God for the Senate, which buried the proposed constitution amendment on tenure elongation. If not for this patriotic move, Maduekwe and his ilk would have led Nigerian to a path, where we could have been in the same shoes as Burkina Faso, where a president ruled for 25 years and wanted more until the military kicked him out and Zimbabwe, where a president, who came to power in 1987, is still in office.

Since 1999, Maduekwe has been minister of transport, culture and tourism as well as foreign affairs.

He was also an ambassador. How did he become a minister, in the first place? Of course, he would not tell the world that it was Kalu, as Abia State governor, in his benevolence, that graciously nominated him to be minister representing his state. Were it not for Kalu, of course Maduekwe would not have been minister. And having become a minister, national secretary of PDP and ambassador, which may not have been if not for Kalu’s nomination of him, Maduekwe would have been in obscurity.

But pray, what did he do with the positions he was so appointed? Nothing tangible. It was only controversy that Nigerians saw.

To be sure, as Minister of Trans-

port, Maduekwe, instead of evolving a programme that would improve the transport system of the country, like the revival of the rail system, as has been done now, was more interested in policies of the stone age. It was he who, as minister of transport, wanted Nigerians to start riding bicycles. You could imagine a Nigerian riding bicycle on the Third Mainland Bridge, in Lagos. This funny campaign ended in disaster when Maduekwe nearly died in a bicycle accident in Abuja.

Also, we will not forget the controversy he also generated as minister of foreign affairs, like the brush and altercation he had with a one-time Nigerian ambassador to the United States.

I wonder why Maduekwe is trying to over-rate himself. Despite serving in various top positions in the country, he still has not done anything whatsoever for his people. He’s so unpopular that nobody wants him around. This manifested when he was tipped as one of those that could be appointed to the exalted position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (AGF) by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, when Igbo rose to say that he should not be so appointed. He was rejected by his people, who know that he is selfserving.

I am not surprise that Maduekwe would be praising Governor Orji, at a time when the majority of Abia people and those from other states, who are living witnesses to the mess that Abia has become are crying over the decay in a once vibrant state. He’s behaving true to type. For people like him, it’s a matter of survival. And he thinks that the only way to survive is to play close to Governor Orji, as he always does any government in power.

In praising Governor Orji, Maduekwe had written, in the advertisement: “Suffice it to say that we of old Abia PDP owe Governor T. A. Orji a duty to continue to support him and his administration. It’s a matter of honour and principle.” I have no problem with that. Maduekwe can continue to support failure in Abia State. That’s cup of tea. But we the progressives in Abia would not support mediocrity and ineptitude, which is what Governor Orji represents. However, when Orji is out of power, I hope that Maduekwe will stand by him, knowing that he would be irrelevant and be recorded in the dark side of Abia history.

In any case, I do not worry much about those who support Governor Orji. This is because when he eventually stings them, they would recant. This is what is happening now that such people as Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Senator Uche Chukwumerije, who supported Governor Orji and secretly encourage his war against his benefactor, Dr. Kalu, are now having a taste of his bitter medicine. I laugh that these senators, who had Governor Orji as their manFriday some months ago, are now crying that he wants to manipulate the electoral process in Abia, having dumped them in the unfolding 2015 elections. It’s such fate that awaits Maduekwe, as Governor Orji would definitely dumped him.

All said, my parting words for Maduekwe is this: Go tell your tales by the moonlight to the marine. Your support for a failure governor and attempt to rewrite history would not make we Abians to forget who you are: An "AGIP" (Any Government in Power).

• Okafor is the chairman of Abia PPA.

Perspectives

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

The best Soldier does not attack The superior fighter succeeds with out violence The greatest conqueror wins without a struggle.

The most successful manager leads without dictating. This is called intelligent non-aggressiveness. This is called the mastery of men.

-Lao Tsu, (Toa The King)

O

n our political and business landscapes, not many people have mastered the art of communication to the height of being flexible and accommodating.

What we see is the profound aggressive expression of personal and sometimes organizational views which serve as a repellant to the receiver and douse the feedback in the cold ashes of rejection, apathy and resistance. We fight and disorganize structures before a compromise is met. The damage remains; rendering our reliance on sacred institutions as faulty and failing. That the defection of Honourable Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Speaker of the House of Representatives to the opposition All Progressives Congress is a master stroke on the political terrain of Nigeria is of no doubt to many observers. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) were caught napping, not because they did not know how to respond, but because of the office and personality of the speaker.

Since attaining the position of speaker, Hon Tambuwal has become a centrist, building bridges in the House, ensuring proceedings are carried out without fear or favor. Such are the demands of the high office of this institution.

Subtle but firm, his grip on the proceedings of the House has scared members into thinking he may manipulate proceedings to the favor of the minority APC which he has joined. Since he alone can call the House to resume proceedings and the courts have ruled in effect that there will be no re-

U

nassuming but highly talented, I first heard about him like millions of Nigerians when suddenly the social media space went agog with the news that he had come down with a debilitating kidney problem. A major fundraiser immediately began with all sorts of characters jumping on the bandwagon to steal their own five minutes of fame.

By that singular act, OJB threw the plight of over thirty million people suffering from this illness to the front burner of public discourse. All of a sudden the heat got to the rest of us. We all suddenly realized that our lifestyles could lead us into a predicament that would necessitate a kidney transplant after long years of painful but needed dialysis. OJB in his fall, brought us all into this reality.

I met him by chance. On my way home from one of my dodgy moves, I switched on the radio and put the dial to the usually boring Sonny Irabor talk show. But this Sunday, instead of the old expired dragons he is used to forcing on us, we got OJB in all his eloquence. His clarity and eloquence got my attention. I parked the car and listened clearly to his story and felt myself dragged into his morass. He further brought the debilitating situation home to me and I felt I must contribute my own to this fight.

Not quite long, I met Monica. A beautiful and graceful but petite being. Her mum was going through the throes of this illness.

Her strength and firm resolve to fight this disease further galvanized my juices to action. I saw the pain in her eyes, but in a split second, I saw strength courage and determination to stand resolutely beside her mum.

As the damning diagnosis hit her, she stood firm in the belief that her mum would be well no matter what the doctors say.

Mastery of men BUSINESS SENSE ALEX OGUNDADEGBE alexogundadegbe@gmail.com

Do we always have to counter the competition or opposition?

make more sense, even when it comes from the opposition.

It looks strangely out of place to call every brand of a product “number one”. We all know there can only be one number one and it’s the people who use the product that can determine if its number one or not. So the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria might have slightly overplayed their hands in their billion naira campaign.

Tambuwal has communicated a message in highly subtle terms. The reactions of his former party members are highly aggressive, but in the present state of things, there is not much they can do about it, except ask him to resign which they have done plenteously.

Removing his security detail is highly aggressive. Suppose the court asks the police to reinstate? Will it not look rather high handed and immoral on the part of the law enforcement agency? That was another unintelligent and aggressive move which onlookers might well trace to Aso Rock in Abuja. The PDP did not give Tambuwal the Speaker’s position, neither did the APC. Votes came from both parties. The logic is only both parties can vote to remove him. I was shocked to hear Senator Musliu Obanikoro play the ethnic card on Channels Television when he said the people of the South West have been denied the position of the speaker in the

sumption except at the appropriate time, it appears the House of Representatives is in the speakers hands.

Do we always have to counter the competition or opposition? Must we always be seen to be on the other side? If the competition’s view is an emphatic yes, must our’s be an emphatic no?

Lao Tsu also said “one who is too insistent on his own view finds few to agree with him.” Presenting your stand as understandably as possible can win support to your views. But forcing our opinion on others will generate controversy, rejection and lethargy.

Communication is the essence of all forms of leadership, whether its business, religious or political. To say, for instance, that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has not done anything since he became president would be highly aggressive and greatly misinterpreted. To say he has worked hard and that its time to take it to the next level would

51

House. How come Obanikoro only realized this when the Speaker defected?

The unintelligent aggression is further being played out in Rivers State where Nyesom Wike is running a highly aggressive grassroots campaign to be governor when he does not even have the flag bearer’s ticket yet. Many people in different local governments of the state appear to support Wike, but there is a great question of zoning in the state. There is an overwhelming opinion that it is the turn of the Kalabari people to take the governorship. The argument being that Kalabari produces more of the natural resources than any other part of Rivers State.

Wike’s aggressive mien will not win him the governorship. A more strategic alliance with the forces that are against him in PDP would win it for him faster than any aggressive campaign. Wike and incumbent governor Rotimi Amaechi are from the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. All Amaechi has to keep doing to destabilize Wike’s campaign is to promote the fact that its time for someone from another local government to take the position.

Presidentail aspirant of the APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, has endorsed Mallam El Rufai for the APC gubernatorial ticket in Kaduna State. Mallam Rufai is another aggressive actor in the political terrain. He is accustomed to sending Twitter messages that send shock waves into the political landscape. There is no doubt that Kaduna would be divided between Rufai and Namadi Sambo Incumbent Vice President who might no have much clout else where but certainly would have some in his own state.

Rufai would have to resist releasing such explosive material which would serve as feeders for the media. He would have to settle down and do some grass root campaigning.

The mastery of men entails winning people over without unnecessary aggression. Its also leading them without arm twisting impunity. Statements made in advertisements, campaign rallies and on posters should be well thought out before they are broadcast or published. Strategic plans should be based on the critical path which often leads to expected out comes.

OJB Jezreel - the fallen angel EDGAR’S WORLD JOSEPH EDGAR

josephsamsponedgar@gmail.com

So I placed a call to my "Ebgon", Kenny Ogungbe and he immediately linked me to OJB. OJB in his usual manner cited his handicap and lamented the lack of cooperation of the society in his quest for finding peace for the millions of kidney sufferers in the country. He told me how he got bounced cheques, how some celebrities came to him with camera men in tow and asking him not to present the cheques that have been publicized but that they would send cash which usually was a lot less than the publicized amount.

His frustration was visible and his fine face was ached with helplessness and frustration. There was no outlet for his compelling need to help.

It was at this juncture that THE KIDNEY TRUST FUND was born. This fund is an initiative of OjB's foundation and The Bow Tie Club. Members of The Bow Tie club are experienced investment bankers with a unique love for the bow tie as not only a symbol of continued corporate success, but as a rallying point for societal renaissance.

The fund would attract monthly dona-

tions into a pool that would be held in trust by a Trust Firm. A portion would be managed by an asset management firm, growing it and ensuring stable income for the fund, while the bulk would be used to pay for treatment free for the teeming thousands suffering from this wicked disease. Already some financial institutions are queuing up to be part of this initiative. Paga, the frontline mobile payment behemoth have signed up thereby opening up its over one million subscribers to the fund.

Excitement is palpable and I have shed that lonely tear when I see OJB swagger out of another successful meeting.

OJB is my source of strength. In his frailty I see a strong future. I watch him take his drugs, his injections, as we get ready for another long marathon meeting. I watch him enjoy his celebrity as people on the streets recognize him and beg for their pictures taken with him; his calmness as he describes what we are trying to do to a usually reluctant audience; his mild depression when we get negative responses, but his immediate bounce back when another victory comes in.

OJB has been simply fantastic, taking meetings, meeting people, speaking Eng-

lish and generally being the spirit of the initiative. His calmness, his objectivity and, most of all his, strong public good will has pushed us to this point where it is only a matter of days before we launch.

As part of the fundraiser, a major theatre production is being arranged with OJB as the main character and me in the waka pass role. The production is being organized by one of the most prolific theatre companies in the country. Paws Studio have graciously lent us their highly talented director, Kenneth Uphohwo, to direct the play which we intend to take on the road. The play is centred around dreams and would create more awareness and further drive donations to the fund.

OJB is thinking of shaving his dreadlocks for this production and that to him will be the ultimate sacrifice he would be making for this project. As my own contribution, I would start going to church.

All these rabid sacrifices we hope would not go down the drain as we expect Nigerians to come out to support us with their donations.

We will raise two hundred million Naira so that people like Monica's wonderful mum and OJB would need not go through the humiliations of looking for funds from already starved society to get life. OJB and Mama Monica have inspired us at The Bow Tie Club that we can be better people in this society no matter what.

For more information, kindly call me on 08051000195 or visit our website www.kidneytrustfund.org.

Thank you.

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News Extra

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

CALABAR PSC approves new CP for Cross River

N EWS I N BRIEF

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the posting of Henry Adebayo Fadairo, to Cross River State as the new Commissioner of Police for the state command.

A statement issued by the Head, Press and Public Relations Unit of PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, said Fadairo until his new posting was the Commissioner of Police in-charge of Administration at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The approval for the posting of Fadairo to Cross River State had since been communicated to the Inspector General of Police (IG) in a letter signed by the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Commission, Mr. George A. Ossi.

90,474

The total number of refugees in Western Sahara at the beginning of 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

EPETEDO APC governorship aspirant unveils agenda

RCCG Province 37 to organise business seminar

13,400

20

A former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Olanrewaju Ope, has declared his intention to contest for the 2015 governorship on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking at Epetedo, while declaring his intention to succeed Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2015, Ope said he was in the race not just to hold the office as the governor of the state, but to take a big leap in the socio-economic development of the state.

“We will focus on projects that impact the generality of the people. We will explore and harness the opportunities in water transportation to improve the transport system in our Lagos,” he said.

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Congo in 2010.

Source: Itu.int

SHASHA The men wing of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Province 37, is organising business and entrepreneurship seminar as part of the activities marking the annual men’s fellowship convention of the church with the theme: ‘Men of exceeding Greatness’.

Pastor Bola Odutola will deliver a paper on business and entrepreneurship, while Pastor Bisi Adewale, will talk on family and couples. The event, which is bill to take place at 7, Sambosh Street, Moshalashi Bus stop, Shaha, Lagos, will hold on November 15 and 16.

The life expectancy of women at age 60 years in Algeria in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.org

Ondo PDP: Kuku hails Mimiko’s ‘sharing formula’ S pecial Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Kingsley Kuku, has expressed satisfaction at the sharing formula for elective positions in the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that the state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has given a reasonable offer.

Describing the sharing formula as fair enough, Kuku appealed to members of the old PDP in the state, who were still agitated to allow peace reign to enable the party consolidate on its leadership position.

While speaking at a fence mending parley on Friday, Kuku explained how the sharing formula was arrived at, disclosing that a five-man committee

was formed from among the old PDP members with the mandate to reduce tension in the party following the dissolution of the state Executive.

As part of the brief of the Committee which the Special Adviser was a member, he said: “We came up with a procedure and harmonised positions thus: Senate(old PDP 2, old 1), House of Reps (new PDP 6, old 3) and House of Assembly (new PDP 17 and old PDP 9)."

He stressed that the sharing formula could be worked with if the objective of members was to move the party forward in the state.

“It is not a bad bargain at all. It is better for Mr President , it is better for PDP, it is better for all of us,” Kuku said.

Amaechi, lawyers’ meeting ends in deadlock Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

A

Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Mustafa Pulat (left), and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Aminu Wali, during the envoy’s courtesy visit on the minister in Abuja…yesterday Photo: NAN

No tax payment, no government –Aregbesola COMPLIANCE Governor Aregbesola warns people of the state to comply with tax payment.

Cephas Iorhemen

O Makurdi

sun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has said the payment of tax by citizens is an essential ingredient of governance.

The governor, who made this observation at the inauguration of electronic tax clearance certificate in Osogbo, added that no government could be functional if citizens failed to fulfil their civic responsibility as exemplified by payment of tax.

The newly-introduced electronic card tax clearance

l Suswam moves to access N6bn loan to finance projects certificate is aimed at eliminating fake tax clearance certificates; a tax payer's means of identification; aids reconciliation of tax returns and will also serve as an identity card to the holder.

In the same vein, Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has commenced the process of accessing a N6 billion loan facility from the capital market for the completion of projects initiated by his administration.

The state House of Assembly, had in March this year, approved the governor’s request at plenary to access N11 billion to enable him to meet some capital and recurrent expenditures before leaving office.

However, Aregbesola, while explaining the reason the government embarked on the project, noted that

the act of non-payment of tax was a civil wrong which would not be allowed in an organised society, saying taxes are what government uses to perform its statutory duties.

“All over the world, government is run by the tax of the people. In essence, it means taxes is essential part of any government administration. And that is why tax evasion is considered as a criminal offence. Every responsible citizen is expected to pay tax and this is what government uses to execute its projects and programmes."

Meanwhile, the loan request by Suswam had sparked off protest as the legislators were in near fisticuffs where six of them had voted against the approval, saying it was wrong for the governor to

ask for N11 billion, even though it was later slashed to N6 billion.

Saturday New Telegraph gathered that already, a delegation from the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) had commenced a facility tour of some ongoing projects in the state with a visit to the Greater Makurdi Water Works to enable it to have a firsthand information on the projects and how the commission will assist the state government access the facility from the capital market.

The delegation was led to the projects by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Mrs. Esther Zungwe, her counterpart in Information and Orientation, Mr. Justin Amase, that of Finance Mr. Omadachi Oklobia as well as that of Works, Mr. John Ngbede.

meeting convened to resolve the judiciary crisis rocking Rivers State ended in a deadlock yesterday after Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the state’s five branches of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), failed to reach a compromise at the end of the meeting, held at Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt.

The meeting was attended by top members of Port Harcourt, Bori, Isiokpo, Degema, Ahoada, and Okehi branches of the association, and was moderated by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wogu Boms.

At the meeting, the governor and members of the bar expressed their views on the crisis, and proffered solutions on how to resolve the crisis,

despite failing to reach an agreement on how to end it.

For some months now, lawyers in the state have not gained access to the courts due to disagreements between the state government and the National Judicial Commission (NJC) over who becomes the Chief Judge, following the retirement of Justice Iche Ndu. While Amaechi’s favoured candidate, Justice Peter Agumagu, was disqualified, Justice Daisy Okocha, who was pencilled for the job by the NJC was not favoured by the governor.

Amaechi accused the NJC and the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, of complicity in the crisis in the state. He also criticised the leader of Concerned Lawyers’ Forum, Rev. Chris Itamunola, for spearheading a protest against the state government over the crisis.

High infant mortality, offshoot of unhealthy eating habits –Nestle MD Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

M

anaging Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Dharnesh Gordhon, has advised parents and their wards to adhere to healthy eating habits in order to guide against childhood obesity, related deadly diseases and infant mortality.

Gordhon gave the advice in Ibadan, yesterday during a one-day workshop organised by the firm for the head teachers and two teachers each from each of the 33 selected primary schools in Oyo State.

The programme entitled: “Nestle Healthy

Kids”, was designed to raise awareness on the importance of good nutrition and an active lifestyle among school-age children in Nigeria.

Represented by one of the principal officers of the company, Mr. Bola Audu, the CEO further said: “The primary goal of our nutrition education is to help children adopt eating behaviours that will promote health and reduce risk of disease.

“Knowing how and why to eat healthily is important but knowledge alone does not enable children to adopt healthy eating behaviours.

Cognitive-focused education results in gains in knowledge but usually have little effect on behaviours.”

8 NOVEMBER 2014

How I stopped senators from revolting in 2011 —Saraki Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

F

ormer Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday revealed how he used his position as Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), to stop a revolt of senators who were about to be denied return tickets months to the 2011 general elections.

Although he acknowledged the matter is an internal affairs of the ruling party, Saraki said given his experience in the last crisis, while he was still in the PDP, the party’s leadership would have to beg the governors, who were in complete control of party structures in their states and would always win every primaries no matter how many times it is repeated.

Saraki, currently chair-

man of the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, blamed the present crisis of confidence between the presidency and PDP senators on the PDP leadership which he claimed focused more attention on securing endorsement for President Goodluck Jonathan which he noted has made the president unable to confront state governors.

He said the 2011 situation was about to create an impasse but using the leverages of the NGF, he was able to extract a signed agreement with the then PDP governors to ensure they allowed at least one of the senators from their respective states to return.

The agreement, he said, made the return of incumbent senate president, David Mark, to the office much easier.

Submission of PDP nomination forms ends today Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

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spirants who obtained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination forms for various elective positions in 2015 general elections have up till today to return them the party’s National Secretariat.

According to the party's guidelines for next year's elections, this will be followed by screening of aspirants before next Saturday's local government delegate congresses.

Last week, ward congresses were held throughout the country to elect three delegates for the local government congresses.

The results of the congress

are before the appeal committees, which will soon submit the outcome to the PDP National Working Committee (NWC).

Yesterday, aspirants made spirited efforts to beat the deadline as they besiege the party’s secretariat to submit their forms.

A former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, who is seeking to return to the government house, Owerri next year, said the state will lose N20 billion if he is defeated at the November 29 governorship primary.

This he linked to the loss of projects initiated by his administration which according to him is at various stages of completion before he left office.

APC won’t have Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket –Lawmaker Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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member of the House of Representatives, Bimbo Daramola, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not field a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the presidential and vicepresidential slots in next year’s general elections.

Fielding questions from journalists in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, Daramola, who represents Ekiti Federal Constituency 1, said those touting such were only engaged in mere conjectures and urged Nigerians to wait until the party picks its candidate.

The APC stalwart said his party would do the needful in meeting the as-

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pirations of the people as far as choosing the right candidate was concerned.

Daramola, who donated a 32-bed hospital to the people of his constituency, said he would handover the facility to the Anglican Church to manage.

“I instituted what I called 'Abo mi re', that is my scorecard. This donation is the flagship of all that I have done for the people of the state since I was sent to the National Assembly.

“Joan Taiwo Daramola Memorial Hospital, IreEkiti, is to be ran by the Anglican Church that owns and runs Ile Abiye Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, where somebody like me was born nearly five decades ago," he said.

53

OGBOMOSO FCT IKEJA New Telegraph Manager's CNPP condemns introduction Adeola-Akande seeks car vandalised re-election of SURE-P Task Force

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Hoodlums vandalised a Toyota Corolla car belonging to the Sales and Marketing Manager of New Telegraph Newspapers Abuja, Mr. Anthony Agbetuyi and made away with a bag containing his belongings.

The incident, which took place on Thursday night occurred at the Yellow Page area in Kubwa, Abuja.

The stolen bag contains valuable documents including a cheque book. The incident, however, has been reported at the Nigeria Police Station, Phase IV, Kubwa Abuja.

Lagos State chapter of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) yesterday condemned the introduction of the black uniformed men known as SURE-P Task Force officials to illegally control traffic on Federal Highways in Lagos.

The CNPP in a statement by its chairman, Akinola Obadia, said the introduction of the black uniform personnel three months to general elections was suspicious and therefore appealed to the Federal Government to immediately withdraw the SURE-P Task Force.

“No doubt, the SURE-P programme introduced by Federal Government has given jobs to some Nigerians, however, we do not appreciate their deployment three months to the general elections."

N3.5bn

96

The total capital importation value of the Banking sector in 2007.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

The sex ratio of women to 100 men in Andorra in 2011.

Source: Un.org

Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Mrs. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, yesterday offered herself for re-election as the representative of Ogbomoso South/Ogbomoso North/ Oriire Federal Constituency, pledging to do more for the people.

The legislator, who offered herself for reelection used the carnival-like declaration ceremony to seek support for the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Having reeled out her achievements since being voted in 2007, she declared that the Jonathan administration had transformed the nation in all sectors and deserved to be re-elected for continued transformation of the nation.

1,831 The number of interactions (both conflictive and cooperative) over the last 50 years.

Source: Unesco.org

Workers protest over unpaid salaries CHAOS

Workers in Benue State have protested the non-payment of their salaries by the state government.

Cephas Iorhemen

T

Makurdi

he inability of the Benue State Government to pay workers in the state their mandatory three months arrears of salaries yesterday ignited tension with aggrieved workers vowing to draw a battle line with government and vote against the PDPled government in 2015.

Already, the state Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has pulled out of the ongoing salary negotiations between the state government and officials

l FG okays $495m IDA credit to boost irrigation of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state.

The NUJ had said the decision of the union to bow out of the intractable negotiations became inevitable because of lack of transparency on the part of labour and its failure to address the main issues in contention.

But the state government in a swift reaction, said it was up to date in the payment of workers’ salaries, adding that even last month's salaries have been paid.

Director of Media, Government House, Makurdi, Mr. James Uloko, who gave the clarification in an interview explained that the issue of unpaid salaries to workers is not peculiar to the state and called for understanding from the workers.

Uloko said the state was not the state where civil

servants were being owed salaries, reiterating the commitment of the state government to the welfare of workers and sued for calm since the matter required a gradual process.

The NUJ in a statement signed by the state secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Agber, further stressed the need for government to amicably settle all contentious issues to avoid heating the polity.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has approved the use of the $495 million (about N77 billion) credit it secured from the International Development Association (IDA) to boost irrigation nationwide.

The Minister of State for Finance, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, stated this when he briefed State House correspondents after the weekly

Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

“The first memo is on the approval of an International Development Association’s credit of $495 million for the proposed irrigation management.

The idea about this facility is to upscale what the Federal Government is doing in improving the irrigation system so that we will have year-in-year-out farming season in the country.

“Part of the fund under this IDA credit is to upscale the cultivation of the irrigable land in the country. Currently, we have an estimated 2.2 million hectares of potentially irrigable land in the country out of which about one million hectares are situated in the Northern parts,” he said.

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Rivers State, Dr. Beks Dagogo-Jack (left), submitting his nomination form to the party's National secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, in Abuja…Thursday

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8 NOVEMBER 2014

Okafor backed to enter NBA in 2015

Ifeanyi Ibeh

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uke Blue Devils coach, Mike Krzyzewski, who also handles the US national men’s basketball team, expects Duke University freshman, Jahlil Okafor, to spend just one year in college before turning pro next year and playing for one of the teams in the National Basketball Association.

Early projections have Okafor, who was born in the US to a Nigerian father and an American mother, as a leading candidate to be the top pick in the 2015 NBA draft.

The 6-foot-10, 265-pound centre was named preseason player of the year by CBS Sports and was one of the stars at this year’s FIBA U-19 World Championships.

And Krzyzewski does not expect the 18-yearold to stay beyond a year with the Blue Devils, who, following their acquisition of Okafor, are one of the favourites for this season’s NCAA title.

“We won't have him long,” Krzyzewski said.

“We'll have him this year and then he'll be one of the top (NBA) picks.”

Krzyzewski, who led the US to glory at both the 2012 Olympics and 2014 FIBA World Cup, added: “He's really one of the great kids. He's 6-10, about 265. He has huge hands. So the ball is small in his hands. Part of that hurts him some because he's accustomed to rebounding with one hand, and rebounding is better with two hands.

But scoring-wise he's able to do it. He's got incredible touch and really good feet.”

arlo Ancelotti has confirmed Gareth Bale will be restored to the Real Madrid starting XI this weekend against Rayo Vallecano.

The Wales international has not started for the Liga leaders since October's 5-0 win over Athletic Bilbao due to a gluteal muscle injury.

After a substitute appearance against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions league on Tuesday, the 25-year-old will return to the starting side as Ancelotti rotates his squad.

"Isco and James [Rodriguez] have played well through this period," he told a media

Mourinho grateful for Costa's Spain absence

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helsea manager Jose Mourinho believes that striker Diego Costa will benefit from being left out of Spain's squad for their upcoming international fixtures.

Costa has been struggling with an ongoing hamstring problem since joining the Blues in the summer, and Mourinho, who will start the forward against Liverpool on Saturday, has revealed that the right decision has been made by the Spanish football association.

The 51-year-old told reporters: "We think that he is ready to start the match (on Saturday).

Jonathan opens Akwa Ibom Stadium � As Gov. Akpabio announces Nigeria-Brazil March 29 friendly date

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Adekunle Salami

Okafor

Bale to return against Rayo

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Night time view of the Akwa Ibom Stadium

conference on Friday.

"One of them will have a rest to put in a fresh player like Bale.

"I will take someone out. This rotation is something normal."

Ancelotti expects a tough test at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday against the team from Vallecas, noted for their attacking flair, and warns they must respect Rayo to avoid an upset.

Ameobi keen to play for Nigeria

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ewcastle United forward Sammy Ameobi has spoken of his desire to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Shola by playing for the Super Eagles.

The Ameobi brothers played together at Newcastle United up to Shola’s summer departure. Now, the younger Ameobi would love to link up again with his older sibling on the international stage.

Shola, who went to the 2014 World Cup with Nigeria, like Sammy, represented England at Under-21 level, before switching allegiance late in his career.

However, Sammy admits he must maintain his form at club level if he is to get international recognition and realise his dreams of playing for Nigeria.

“I’m looking to get involved in the national team,” Ameobi told the Gazette.

“Hopefully, I can do that.

I’d just like to play alongside Shola again.

resident Goodluck Jonathan, on Friday, officially declared open the Akwa Ibom Stadium, in Uyo, at a colourful ceremony, which had in attendance the president of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, and his counterpart from Cote d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, as well as former Ghanaian president Jerry Rawlings.

Several other dignitaries were also in attendance at the ceremony, including former Nigeria internationals Peter Rufai, Victor Agali, Victor Ikpeba, Etim Esin, Taribo West and Waidi Akanni.

Also in attendance were some

State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, thanked everyone involved with the construction of the stadium and prayed that the arena would go a long way in fulfilling the potential of the country’s sports men and women.

Akpabio also announced that the Super Eagles would take on former world champions Brazil on March 29, 2015 in an international friendly to be played at the stadium.

It will be the first meeting between the Super Eagles and their Brazilian counterparts since their last meeting in 2003, in an international friendly played in Abuja which ended in a 3-0 win for the South Americans.

of the country’s leading musical acts such as Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Prince and Dr. Sid who thrilled spectators at the 30,000-capacity stadium constructed by Julius Berger with their hit single, Doro Bucci.

President Jonathan, while declaring the stadium officially open, alongside his Ghanaian and Ivorian counterparts, said: “Today is a happy day for me.

“To witness the formal commissioning of the Akwa Ibom Stadium, here in Uyo, is a very happy moment for me.

“I laid the foundation stone for this stadium and I am very proud to be the one commissioning it,” added President Jonathan.

Speaking earlier, Akwa Ibom

Keshi right to drop me, says Moses expressed fears over his fitness especially as the winger had only recently recovered from a thigh injury.

“There's a reason why I'm not in it and the manager has said I'm just getting back from injury and he didn't want to take the risk with me,” said Moses.

“I think he was right to do that. I'm the sort of player who always wants to represent Nigeria, but I just need to make sure I get myself back to full fitness.”

Moses last played for Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup where he was a bit part player after the first game unlike during the AFCON 2013 tournament where he was a regular, scoring twice and setting up three goals as the Eagles lifted the trophy for the first time since 1994.

Ifeanyi Ibeh

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igeria and Stoke City winger, Victor Moses, has said that Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, did the right thing by leaving him out of the squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo and South Africa.

The Super Eagles will take on Congo in Pointe Noire on November 15 before returning home to take on South Africa four days later in Uyo as they bid to qualify for next year’s AFCON after a poor start to the campaign left them in third spot in Group A behind their upcoming opponents.

Moses will however not get to play in any of those games after Keshi

Moses

GAMES/CROSS WORD PUZZLE Islands in the World-2

KEY WORDS

1

2

JERBA KURILE LEWIS IKARIA LASTOVO BELCHER LEEWARD LEFKADA BELITUNG ICELAND ANDROS KORNAT KOMORAN ATTU ALDABRA LESVOS ARRAN BARBADOS

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B E L I T U N G A N D

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N A R R A A I S O V R R K L I O A B W C M G E A D O L L L D K E C D N A E H A A B W E B L R A R R E E R O A C

J

D

S

D

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D S T A N R O K G H S

L E J B V J U S C U O

A L I K A R I A J T R

S E C D I F H J N T D

T R G L E F K A D A N

K

A

R

I

E L

O V

11

12

D

T

18 19 21

A

22

25

ACROSS 1 5 7 8 9 10 11 12

Area on Lagos Mainland, (7).

Of great size, (3).

Professional person, (3).

Restraint of speech, (3).

Driver's compartment, (3).

Not difficult, (4).

Bird's dwelling, (4).

Mother, (2).

15 17

1 Of living things, (7).

2 Absorb something into the body, (6).

23

3 Curved structure, (4).

4 Uncastrated beat, (6).

5 Dominant person, (4).

26

16 Aluminum symbol, (2).

17 Min. of Agric & Nat. Resources, abbr., (4).

18 Previously mentioned, (4).

22 Place of crime, (3).

23 Beverage drink, (3).

24 Cause to have problems, (3).

25 Lawyer's profession, (3).

26 Broaden in scope, (7).

DOWN

20

24

S

6

13

14 16

O

5

10

G

O

4 7

9

E

V

3

14 Seat for riding on animal, (6).

15 Exchange goods for services, (6).

19 Far away, (4).

20 Relating to anus, (4).

21 Catch somebody, (3).

6 Supernatural Being, (3).

13 Land measured in acres, (7).

See solution on page 20

SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH

8 NOVEMBER 2014

55

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SATURDAY

SPORT

Sanctity of Truth

Kano Pillars: A sure-footed march to sport's zenith

Emglo Suites: A classy world

P.39

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2014.

N150

P.30

Costa

ready to devour Liverpool C Ajibade Olusesan

helsea faithful will be keen to see their talismanic striker, Diego Costa, rediscover his scoring form as they face yet another big test with a trip to Anfield for a premier league tie with Liverpool on the card this weekend.

Costa was ruled out of four competitive games, including their 1-1 draw at Manchester United after he got while on international duty with his adopted country, Spain.

But the former Atletico Madrid hit-man returned to Chelsea line-up last weekend in their 2-1 win over local rivals QPR. However, for the first time since taking the Premier League by storm the Brazil-born Spanish international failed to score.

Costa also played a part in Chelsea’s Champions League match against Maribor on Wednesday but he still did not find the back of the net in the 1-1 draw.

But Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho, has cautioned against pressing the panic button over the lack of goals of his top striker in recent time as he backed the player to hit top form soon.

“A muscular injury doesn’t just affect your body

but also your brain, because after that you are afraid of reactions,” he said. “Normally, the next match for him will be much better.”

The striker has been in imperious form, netting nine goals in just eight Premier League matches this season, sending Chelsea to the summit of the table and creating hope that the Blues may finally reclaim the league title.

Having arrived from La Liga champions, Atletico, last summer there were fears that the 26-year-old will be unable to adapt to the English game, but with creative help from Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard, Costa allayed fears surrounding his career in West London, and Chelsea finally have a world-class striker allowing Blues fans to forget the memory of Fernando Torres.

Although Chelsea appear to have flourished even in the absence of the striker, the player adds a certain kind of dimensions to the squad that makes opponents panic. He is such an impact player that doesn’t fizzle out of big games. He made incredible contributions as Chelsea secured victory over Arsenal and a draw at Manchester City.

Liverpool will be desperate to keep him at bay but if he finds his bearing, he is always unstoppable.

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by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotline: 01-8541248, Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: Laurence ani.