Binder1, june 28, 2014

Saturday Edition

Sanctity of Truth Facebook.com/newtelegraph

Saturday, JUNE 28, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 130

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Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

DR. OKEWALE

‘IT TOOK MY 60-YEAROLD PATIENT 31 YEARS TO CONCEIVE’ P.13

Okewale with Mrs Irurhe and her baby

PRAIZ ‘MY BEST MOMENT IN MUSIC YET TO COME’ P.20

GRACE AMAH IT’S OFFICIAL; GRACE AMAH’S HIATUS IS OVER P.17

Ekiti election

Saraki: FG was too desperate to win

lNew councils plot to destabilise incoming government, says PDP lNo mischief intended, Fayemi’s CPS insists

President Goodluck Jonathan at the scene of a bomb blast that occurred on Wednesday at the Emab plaza at Wuse 11, in Abuja on yesterday.

Ayodele Ojo; Ndubuisi Ugah; Adesina Wahab, Ado-Ekiti

F

ormer governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, has described the prevention of Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his Edo State counterpart, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, by security operatives from attending a rally in Ado-Ekiti, as an indication of the federal government’s desperation.

Saraki, an ex-chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, said given the rally was within the law, there was no reason why the governors should be barred from one organised by their political party.

“I think it’s because there are some political advisers who say to the president that ‘if you don’t take a state in the South-West, you can’t win the February 14, 2015 election,’” he said in an interview with New Telegraph on Saturday.

He advised President Goodluck Jonathan to see

photo: nan

Abuja blast: Amaechi, FCT minister, UK, Israel, others offer condolences l Jonathan vows to bring perpetrators of Abuja blast to justice l Says silence on Chibok does not ‘suggest inaction or weakness’

Ndubuisi Ugah, Yekeen Nurudeen, Anule Emmanuel, Leo Sobechi,

Ummal-fadal Babagirei

Lagos/Abuja

E

minent Nigerians as well as the international community yesterday expressed sadness over last Wednesday’s bomb blast in Emab Plaza, Abuja, which

claimed over 20 lives, including that of managing editor of New Telegraph, Mallam Suleiman Bisalla.

Reacting to the incident, Governor Rotimi Amaechi

of Rivers State, alongside the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, National Chairman of United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

See free 8-page sport pullout inside ATTENTION ON NEYMAR, SANCHEZ AS BRAZIL, CHILE CLASH

p.28

COLOMBIA, URUGUAY RENEW RIVALRY

p.29

SPSPLASH RT

FREE

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/sport

Chekwas Okorie, said the death of Bisalla in the blast was shocking and unforW tunate. Equally, the United

Ahmed Musa scoring his first goal for Nigeria against Argentina in the on-going FIFA World Cup

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

28 JUNE 2014

IT‘S A FRESH START FOR ME -MUSA

hen Osaze played at the Estardo the target.

We did well and deserved Odemwinge Beira in Porto Alegre, all At 2-2, it was a Messi- a result in the match. scored the eyes were again on Osaze Musa show before Ar“This is the biggest only goal for to shoot down the Argengentine, Marcos Rojo, stage in football and it Nigeria against Bosnia- tines but that was not to deflected in a cross from is not easy to score two Herzegovina in a crunch be. the left to earn the South goals in a match. It is Group F tie decided in The shining light in Americans the three even more difficult doing Cuiaba, his name was on the Eagles team was an points. Musa almost re- so against a great team the lips of many followers unassuming player. He corded a hattrick but his like Argentina. The entire of the game in the coun- is Ahmed Musa who was effort was blocked by team has been working try and beyond. outstanding even in the Pablo Zabaleta. hard and for me to have Osaze received a pre- 3-2 defeat. After a first For the CSKA Mos- scored is work of God. I cise pass from Emmanuel glance at the team sheet, Argentina’s Lionel Shortly before the in- cow player, this could am happy.”

Emenike from the right many were not comfort- Messi got the opener in terval, Messi struck again be the turning point in The striker said with flank and he wasted no able with Musa earning the 3rd minute and Musa with a free kick and first his national team career. his goals against Argentime in slotting in the a starting role. levelled up just seconds half ended 2-1. But just His brace was the first in tina, he will enter any ball past goalkeeper AsIt was a day Musa later with a fantastic three minutes into the history by any Nigerian match with the confimir Begovic. Incidentally, proved many of his crit- drive from the left flank. second half, Musa was player in one match. dence of hitting the target. that goal earned Nigeria a ics wrong. It was a day he He received a great pass on song again. One-two Musa said; “I am hapIn the Super Eagles, second round berth. was able to translate his from Babatunde Michael pass with Emenike and py with the two goals but Musa is one of the most Against Argentina club form to the national and his finish was fan- he sent the keeper to the would have been happier in the last group match team. tastic.

CONTINUE ON PAGE 27 wrong side before hitting with a victory or a draw.

KESHI, EAGLES ON THRESHOLD OF HISTORY}p.31

LAGOS ITTF WORLD TOUR:

} Charley boy bars Okorocha from speaking as justice oputa is buried p.6

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

OSHONAIKE, OMOTAYO APPLAUD ORGANISERS }p.27

URUGUAY LEGEND BLASTS STRIKER

}p.29

I LOVE MESSI - AZARENKA

CARROLL SCORING ALL OVER THE WORLD

}p.32

}p.32

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NEWS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

Content 28.06.14 MY STYLE In Short

Despite their obvious simplicity, shorts are trendy, sophisticated and comfortable to wear. Classic and yet modern, they are must haves for men’s wardrobe.

}15

SHOWBIZ All for Kefee

From Sammie Okposo to the comedian, Princess, artistes from across genres are planning big for the burial of Irikefe Momoh, the late singer known better by the moniker, Kefee.

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THE ARTS

War of Perception

A cross-cultural conversation on photography, identity and sexuality between German writer and filmmaker, Sarah Diehl, and Marxist critic and filmmaker, Didi Cheeka.

}23

AIRWAVES Radio Vibes

The feverish excitement of the World Cup nonetheless, the radio still features some equally exciting programmes that can take the pain of the Lagos traffic away.

}24

SPORT

Ahmed on Fire

He may have been heavily criticised for his less-thanaverage performance in his first two World Cup matches, but there is now a fresh love for Ahmed Musa after his two goals against Argentina.

}25

CHEF’S CORNER Ramadan Gourmet

As Muslims begin the 30-day period of abstinence today, Lagos Airport Hotel is enticing guests observing the Ramadan fast with some gourmet dishes.

}40

‘FG was too desperate to win’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the 2015 presidential election beyond the the Ekiti State governorship election, which Mr. Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged as governor-elect.

“I think Mr. President should look beyond Ekiti and look at the bigger picture. How does it help you?

It doesn’t help. At a time when the Minister of State for Defence should be visiting Borno State and Chibok, he’s carrying his entourage around. It just does not reflect well,” he said.

Saraki, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, said: “Despite heavy military presence and outside intimidation, the election recorded a high turnout of over 51 per cent of the electorate who came out in large numbers to vote their candidate of choice.

“I congratulate Governor Kayode Fayemi; who took the path of honour by conceding defeat and also congratulate Fayose on his success. With this show of sportsmanship, it is my belief that other politicians will respect the wish of the electorate and do the same in future elections devoid of violence and political bickering as demonstrated by the peace-loving people of Ekiti.

“This should also serve as a lesson to Mr. President and other elected officials that as an incumbent it is very possible to lose in Nigeria. If you fail to do the will of the people,” he said.

The former governor, who was one of the PDP chieftains that defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside five other governors from the party, lamented that except something urgent was done to check incessant cases of electoral malpractices in the country, the nation might be doomed ahead of 2015 elections.

Saraki said, “Democracy

is definitely in danger, let’s be honest. What we are saying is allow people to go and vote, there is no harm in this process. Because by bringing this level of force, you’re intimidating the voters, and by that they cannot express their rights as individuals, and to me, it’s not good for the democracy.

“The president has reassured Nigerians that he will not allow any Nigerian shed blood over his ambition, this is inconsistent.

Even General Olusegun Obasanjo in his time did not do such. This is the first time I am hearing of governors going for a rally and being stopped. I can’t even recollect such a thing during the military era.”

The APC chieftain, who also flayed the level of partisanship in the polity, called on the Senate leadership to expedite action on the issue. “I have to be honest; we are not doing enough, because unfortunately the National Assembly is too partisan. Everything is now on party lines, which is very unfortunate.

And once you have those that should rise up to say things, if it’s against the party they will not do that.

And it’s wrong because we swore by the constitution to defend this country. So, we must be able to do that, and I know we are doing that,” he added.

On the optimism expressed by the PDP that it would reclaim Kwara State in the next election, Saraki said: “I don’t have any fears because over the years, Kwara State has become one of those states that the people, the electorate are very conscious; they are aware of who are good leaders, and who are not.

What they have in Kwara are seasonal politicians; for the last three and a half years, you don’t see them with the people, then five, six months to the elections they come. Kwarans know who to vote for.

“I challenge any of them talking today. Since the

last election, they have not been with the people. So, we don’t have any fear that if there are elections, we’ll lose, unless you don’t want to have election. It is clear.

A party that has 193 councillors out of 193, and 16 local governments out of 16: has 22 out of 24 State House of Assembly members, how do you want to win them, how?”

Justifying his decision for defecting from the PDP to APC, Saraki said it stemmed from their insistence on the truth, which some party stalwarts were uncomfortable with. “Because we stood up and said the truth. We said initially that the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not doing well. Did he not later agree that the chairman is not doing well? We said that the party is not going in the right direction.

“We said the government needs to address the acts of impunity in the party. The difference between us is that we have decided to speak, and we are seen as speaking for the interest of the country,” he said. (SEE INTERVIEW ON PAGE 45)

Also, the Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party has described the plan to create 18 new additional local government councils in the state by the outgoing governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, as diversionary and a deliberate action to create confusion and instability for the incoming government of Mr Ayodele Fayose.

In a statement issued and signed by the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, the party said the creation of the new local councils by a government that would leave soon smacked of hypocrisy and betrayal.

“This latest action is a ploy to give the incoming administration a hard start. This is unacceptable.

The incoming government

of the PDP will review the exercise and take appropriate steps to curtail this reckless show of shame.

“A government that said it had many redundant workers in the local government councils few months ago is now desperately recruiting workers just to increase the debt profile of the government and create problem for the incoming government.”

But Fayemi who spoke through his chief press secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode, said no mischief was involved or intended in the exercise. “Agitation for new council areas started cropping up in 2011 when Governor Fayemi first toured all the LGs to meet the people of the state. It re-echoed in 2012 and last year.

“It was as a result of the clamour that the state government took the first step of asking legal luminaries all that would be involved in the creation of new LGs. After that, the Justice Akin Ajakaye-led committee was set up and it called for memoranda and 72 were received.

“The committee also went round to verify the claims by those desiring new councils and whether they met all conditions stipulated. After submitting its report, a committee looked at it and a White Paper came and it formed the decision of the State Executive Council that approved 18,” he said, adding that all legal procedures have been taken from the outset and would be taken to the end.

However, the PDP also said it had uncovered plots to create problems for the incoming administration and that the party was also aware of moves by the governor to cause disaffection between the PDP and the people of the state. It added that steps would be taken in the next few days to curtail the “recklessness and undemocratic actions” of the outgoing government.

Jonathan vows to bring perpetrators of Abuja blast to justice CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Kingdom and the Embassy of Israel in Abuja have condemned the act and other terrorist attacks in Nigerians.

Amaechi, in a statement by his chief press secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, condoled with the management and staff of New Telegraph over the tragic loss. “It is really very sad and sickening that Nigerians are daily caught up with the deadly acts of terrorists. Today it is Mallam Bisalla, it could be anybody tomorrow. He was a fine and distinguished journalist. He was a well-bred professional. The media in Nigeria would really miss him. These terrible and

senseless acts of killing innocent Nigerians must end,” the statement read.

Amaechi also sympathised with the family of late Bisalla and prayed that they find strength and comfort in Allah.

On his part, the FCT minister described the late Bisalla as an outstanding journalist, who practised the profession in line with its guiding ethics and principles. Mohammed in a statement issued in Abuja, by his special assistant on media, Mr. Nosike Ogbuenyi, said there were several outstanding valuable quality lessons to learn from the life of Bisalla.

“For the late Suleiman Bisalla that I know, I can confidently state that he was a professional journalist, who always stood for the truth and objectivity in the discharge of his duties. The editor certainly left positive imprints, which will make his memory to endure for many years to come; the late Bisalla did not die in vain.

Those who killed Bisalla can only kill the flesh, they cannot kill his spirit,” he said.

In a letter of condolence signed by the National Chairman of United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, lamented that the former Editor died at a “time his professional competence and

input in our development was most needed”.

“We also appreciate the fact that the quality of leadership he provided in his last position as Managing Editor (North) contributed to the massive public acceptance of New Telegraph about one year it was established and competes favourably with top Newspapers in the country,” UPP said.

The UPP added: “We also console members of the late Bisalla’s family and pray that God will give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. We are comforted that he lived a life worthy of emulation.”

Reacting also, UK’s Min-

ister for Africa, Mark Simmons, in a statement issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office yesterday, said: “I am deeply concerned by yesterday’s bombing in Abuja, the third since April.

We condemn all acts of terrorism in strongest terms.

“Terrorism has brought untold misery to innocent Nigerians of all faiths and backgrounds. We will stand with the Nigerian authorities as they seek to bring the perpetrators of this appalling crime to justice.”

Simmons went further to welcome the United Nation Security Council Sanction on the terrorist organisation, Ansaru as well as their

leader, Abubakar Shekau.

“The listing of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau and the terrorist organisation Ansaru at the UN demonstrates the commitment of the international community to stand by the people of Nigeria as they confront the scourge of terrorism,” Simmons said.

He said participants at the London Ministerial on security in Northern Nigeria on June 12 were committed to securing the listing which UK also co-sponsored.

“A sign of our commitment to defeating terrorism,” he said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

Adamawa Assembly, Judiciary trade words over impeachment Yola

l Lawyers berate legislature

he Adamawa State House of Assembly has engaged itself in battle of wits with the state Judiciary, stating that no court has the power to stop the lawmakers from impeaching Governor Murtala Nyako and his deputy, Mr. Bala Ngillari.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Ahmadu Fintiri, stated this yesterday, when he insisted that the ruling of the state High Court, presided over by the acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ambrose Mammadi, ordering the assembly not to serve Nyako and Ngillari, was not acceptable.

The assembly claimed that the assembly, had started counting date from the day the impeachment notice appeared in some national dailies.

Fintiri said the issue of impeachment was a constitutional responsibility of the lawmakers and that the assembly would not allow the judiciary to intervene.

“There is no going back over the impeachment ex-

ercise which the court lack constitutional power to intervene,” he said.

He cited section 188 sub-section 10 of the 1999 Constitution that enshrined separation of power within the three arms of the government, explaining that: “Impeachment is a constitutional matter that empower on lawmakers which court did not have jurisdiction over it.”

The assembly had on Tuesday published in two national dailies and Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) the notice of gross misconduct against the state governor and his deputy, despite a Yola High Court ruling, which refused the assembly’s request for substituted service to the duo through the media.

Mammadi in his ruling in the suit filed by Fintiri held that “the service of the notice of allegations against the respondents must be personal service”, citing a Supreme Court judgment in the case of Inakoju vs Adeleke.

Similarly, Mammadi had on Thursday granted two

Ibrahim Abdul

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separate interim injunctions restraining the assembly from taking any action on allegations of gross misconduct against Nyako.

Meanwhile, lawyers in the state have chided the assembly for disrespecting a court ruling that said the assembly cannot serve Nyako and Ngilari notice of gross misconduct through the media.

A cross-section of the lawyers, who spoke in yesterday Yola, over the development expressed disappointment with the legislature for it show of disrespect to the judiciary.

The lawyers were unanimous in their position that the service of notice through the media carried by the assembly was not only disrespectful to the court but unconstitutional, null and void.

“The service is unconstitutional, null and void. It is the same as there is no service at all, they just wasted public fund.

“The assembly should not be emotional about this.

The governor and his depu-

ty cannot permanently stay away from office or state as that too will be impeachable office,” Mr. Sunday Wugira said.

Two other lawyers, Messrs Yakubu Jimeta and Mohammed Salihu, insisted that since the assembly was the one that went to court in the first place it has no option than to respect court ruling or appeal the ruling if not satisfied with it.

Salihu said the three-tiers of government comprising the executive, legislature and judiciary were meant to respect each other for sanity and democracy to succeed.

“If the house can go ahead to neglect the order of the court issued by a competent judge, that doesn't speak good of an assembly responsible for making law.

“The assembly needs to know that judgement or order of the court were not made for fancy, they were made to be obeyed,” Salihu said.

On his part, Mr. Umar Ismail, said the action of the house was disrespectful to the judiciary and an invitation to chaos.

NEWS

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NEWS EDITOR, SATURDAY:

NDUBUISI UGAH

ndubuisi.ugah@newtelegraphonline.com; nduby001@yahoo.com; 08033617741

The Week Ahead Oyinolola, others’ suit comes up June 30 Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos has fixed June 30 for hearing in the suit challenging the recognition of Mr. Olagunsoye Oyinlola as the national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The plaintiffs in the suit are state chairmen of the party in Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Ondo as well as financial secretaries in Lagos and Ekiti states.

Public hearing on two bills holds June 30 The Senate President, David Mark, will be the special guest of honour when the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters begins its public hearing on the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, 2014; and Sexual Offences Bill, 2014 scheduled for June 30 at the Senate Conference hall, National Assembly, Abuja by 10.am. A statement signed by its Chairman, Senator Umaru Dahiru, said stakeholders were requested to submit hard and soft copies of memoranda to the committee’s secretariat before June 30.

Court rules on Delta Central suit June 30 The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed June 30 to determine whether or not it will cancel the by-election that was held in Delta Central senatorial district on October 12, 2013, over alleged electoral fraud.

The All Progressives Party (APC) and its candidate at the election, Mr. Oghenetega Emerhor, had filed the case before the high court. Joined as defendants in the suit were the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The plaintiffs had alleged that PDP, connived with one Mr. Olawale Dawodu, who is an official of INEC in Abuja, and smuggled in forged documents it said were relied upon to endorse the Nomination Form of Senator Edesiri Aguariavwodo, who eventually won the election.

Suit against Fayose fixed for June 30 A High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has fixed June 30 to hear the case instituted by e-Eleven against the governor-elect of the state, Mr. Ayo Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The court had ruled against the request for urgency as sought by e-Eleven, who are the claimants in the case.

CBN’s cashless policy begin July 1 The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has confirmed that its cashless policy will roll out in 30 states, hitherto uncovered, by July 1, thereby making it a nationwide project. The bank stated that this was sequel to the successful implementation of the policy under the phases 1 and 2 in the six pilot states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Udo-Aka’s biography launch holds July 1

Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda (right), immunising a child, during the vaccination of children against Polio, in Bauchi…yesterday

Ramadan: Kalu, Akran of Badagry urge Muslims to pray for Nigeria

A

s Muslims join their counterparts all over the world to commence this year’s Ramadan fast, a former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu and Akran of Badagry, Lagos State, Aholu Menu-Toyi I, yesterday urged Muslims to use the opportunity of the forthcoming Ramadan fast to pray for quick resolution of Nigeria’s security challenges.

Kalu, in a goodwill message issued by his Special Adviser, Prince ‘Kunle Oyewumi, wished the Muslim community soullifting experience with the commencement of the fasting, while describing the month as a special season

of blessing and recompense for sacrifice.

He said: “The month of Ramadan is here again, I felicitate with our Muslim brothers and sisters on the commencement of the mandatory annual fasting. It is a season of self-denial, atonement, humility, forgiveness, love and togetherness. I wish everyone a fulfilled Ramadan and pray that Allah, the merciful, will grant the nation the reward of the holy month.”

The former governor called for prayers for peace, unity and tranquillity in the country, urging the Muslim faithful to see the season as a period of sober reflection as individuals and as a nation,

by imbibing the teachings and lessons of the Quran.

Kalu used the opportunity to warn the perpetrators of the various attacks in the nation to desist from the dreadful act in the interest of national and global peace and called on the federal government to double its efforts for the release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

Meanwhile, the Akran of Badagry, who urged Muslims to against insurgency told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry, that Ramadan was a good opportunity for Muslims to seek Allah’s help in solving Nigeria’s problems.

“Prayer is one of the few

things that can stop the various bombings carried out by members of the Boko Haram sect. Muslims and everyone should pray for divine protection toward the sustenance of democracy in our country,” he said.

The royal father also urged Muslims to assist the less privileged in the society during the season.

“Muslims in Badagry and in the country should see this period as a special time for spiritual rebirth, when to demonstrate purity, righteousness, love and charity.

These should not be done only during Ramadan but should become part of all of us,” he urged.

Eminent Nigerians, including Chief Arthur C. Mbanefo (Odu of Onitsha), Managing Director/CEO of Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti, will converge on the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos to witness the public presentation of the autobiography of Dr. Udo Udo-Aka and the unveiling of the Udo-Aka Foundation, on July 1 at 11.am.

A statement issued by the Chairman of the organising committee, Mr. Paul Usoro and Secretary, Cordelia Ikeanyi, said Mr. Ray Ekpu, will be the book reviewer.

COEASU to review six-month strike July 1 The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has said it will hold a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on July 1 to take a decision on its six-month strike. The COEASU Chairman at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka chapter, Lagos, Mr. Taiwo said the union’s chapter chairmen had been summoned to Abuja for a meeting on Tuesday.

Akingbola: Court hears Notice of Appeal July 3 A Court of Appeal, Lagos Division will on July 3 hear a Notice on Appeal filled by a former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental bank, Mr. Erastus Akingbola, on the record of proceedings in the alleged N47.1billion theft trial preferred against him.

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NEWS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

OJO LASU releases new academic calendar

N EWS I N BRIEF

The Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, yesterday released a newly approved academic calendar for the 2013/2014 session in spite of the ongoing strike by the institution’s lecturers.

A statement signed by the institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Kayode Sutton, said the new academic calendar is applicable to both fresh and returning students.

It said the first semester of the session would run for 14 weeks, commencing from June 23, and last till September 22.

“Students are expected to resume from recess and commence online registration, and lectures, on June 23, 2014,” the statement said.

320,000

The total number of internet users in Mongolia in 2007.

Source: Blatantworld.com

OSOGBO

ENUGU MTN Link Train Moves to Port Harcourt

The MTN Link Forum train has moved to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital yesterday, having successfully provided a platform for young professional to meet and interact with business icons in Enugu last month.

The entrepreneurship platform, which provides small and medium business owners with opportunities to network their way to the top, would be held at Atrium Hall, Stadium Road, Port Harcourt.

MTN Link Forum provides opportunities for small business owners to interact with and learn from the experiences of established business men.

Aregbesola warns of plot to cripple his government

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on Thursday evening said the plot of the Federal Government to cripple his administration before the August 9 election in the state through the statutory monthly allocation will fail.

The governor, while answering questions during the eighth edition of “Gbangbadekun”, a state government public interactive feedback programme in Ijebu-Jesa Oriade North Federal Constituency, said aside from the drastic drop in the allocation, plans are underway to stop it temporarily to the state.

N7.9bn

The internally generated revenue of Cross River State in 2010.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

33.3m

The number of people internally displaced in 2013.

Source: Unhcr.org.uk

Nigeria-UK trade value may exceed £20bn in 2019 DIVIDENDS Nigeria and UK have strengthened their bilateral trade with improved proceeds

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Segun Edwards he total value of trade between Nigeria and United Kingdom has been predicted to exceed £20 billion in the next five years, the Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce has disclosed.

According to the NBCC, with the right policy and incentives, the volume, which currently stands at £7.2 billion with a target of £8 billion at the end of 2014, can be increased.

The President of the Chambers, Mr. Adeyemi Adefulu, who disclosed this at a recent trade mission to the UK, said it was time both countries rebased their economic relationship.

Adefulu noted a statement issued at the end of the trade mission that both countries had had challenges over the years, but the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, and President Goodluck Jonathan had demonstrated unanimity of purpose.

He said: “In 2010 when

Leo Sobechi

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he South East chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has disagreed with Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, over his plans to issue identity cards to northerners residing and doing business in the state.

APC said such plan was not only unconstitutional and

they resolved to double trade between the two countries from £4bn in 2010 to £8bn by 2014, it has gone down in the annals of our relationship as a master stroke in economic statesmanship. By the end of 2012, the figure already stood at £7.2billion and there is no doubt that the target of £8bn would have been exceeded well before the end of this target year of 2014.

“This is a demonstration

of the fact that when the right policy is backed by political will, it can achieve wonders. Perhaps it was time Nigeria and the UK rebased their economic relationship which is worth a lot more than the two countries seem to have appreciated or seemed to be getting from it.

It is my considered opinion that with the right policies and incentives, the trade between our two countries could hit £20 billion within the next five years".

Adefulu said over 40 delegates representing different sectors, particularly, agriculture, industry, education, banks and investments as well as state governments were represented in the delegation to the UK. According to him, the NBCC, the British High Commission and the UKTI in Nigeria now enjoy a robust relationship which favours the development of business between UK and the country.

Ex-Speaker proffers solution to pension issues in Benue Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

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governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Terhemen Tarzoor, yesterday said the contention surrounding pension administration in the state could be tackled if government sells out pension debts to financial institutions that can handle it.

Tarzoor, who was a former Speaker in the state House of Assembly, told journalists in Makurdi, that the only panacea was for the state government to commercialise the debt, noting that it was better to owe financial institutions rather than people who have contributed immensely to the growth of their fatherland.

“Pensioners are senior citizens who have served their fatherland meritoriously and is better for gov-

ernment to owe financial institutions such as banks and others than owing their citizens,” he said.

Tarzor stated that he had taken time to look at every sectors in the state, and if given the mandate to govern the state, he would rivet on only five critical sectors including education, health, agriculture, tourism and pension.

“We need to do something new to move Benue state forward and when I had this ambition I had taken time to look at every sector and I decided to take only Agriculture, Health, Education, Tourism, and Pension Reforms,” he said.

He further promised to involve the traditional rulers in executing projects in their localities, and create the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs as well as build the Benue Traditional Rulers House to serve as neutral ground for both local and national meetings of traditional leaders.

APC vows to upstage PDP in 2015 Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

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he national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, yesterday promised to heal the wounds of aggrieved members of the party which arose from the recently concluded convention of the party in Abuja the nation’s seat of power.

Odigie-Oyegun stated

this when he led officials of the opposition party on a courtesy visit to the Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, at Government House, Benin-City.

He said the party was committed towards ensuring positive change, in the light of events that brought him up as the APC helmsman even in the face of contentious issues surrounding his emergence among other contenders.

Odigie-Oyegun noted that by his election as national chairman of the party, a great honour had been done to Edo State and its people in the efforts at galvanising the party towards leading the country come 2015 and beyond.

“The healing is progress and I am committed to offer myself to reconcile all the parties. We must stand up as a people. We are in the eye of the storm. The whole world is watching” in the task of rebuilding and repositioning process aimed at offering the citizens an alternative leadership platform for improved living standard and overall development,” he said.

CHANGE OF NAME

Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido (left), and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, during Atiku’s arrival at Dutse International Airport, for a two-day visit to the state... recently

APC disagrees with Okorocha over ID cards for northerners

undemocratic but has the potential of setting off a spiral and reprisal measures from other states against Igbo.

In a statement signed by its spokesman in the zone, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, APC said: “Whereas we condemn the devilish and

heinous atrocities of the deranged Boko Haram elements; we are of the candid view that the Boko Haram elements are not playing a northern script, as their agenda is more or less opaque and futile.

“We cannot easily

forget that Boko Haram killed General Mohammed Shuwa, uncountable Northerners and nearly assassinated the Shehu of Borno. Reports indicate that the Emir of Kano did not recover fully from the trauma he suffered in their

hands before his death”.

The party, therefore, contended that “any attempt to segregate Nigerians like in Nazi Germany will be the greatest disservice to our dear country and to do so will either by omission or commission, be playing

Formerly MISS FAGUN EBUNOLUWA THERESA. Now wish to be known and address as Mrs ADESIYAN EBUNOLUWA THERESA All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

into the hands of Boko Haram insurgents.”

The statement read in part: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) South East calls on His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the governor of Imo State to rescind the unconstitutional and undemocratic plan to issue Identity Cards to Northerners in Imo State".

Displaced Wukari/Ibi victims vow not return to Taraba Musa Pam Jos

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ictims of Wukari/ Ibi crisis and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State yesterday vowed never to return to their abode in Taraba State.

Some of the IDPs, who spoke to New Telegraph in Dengi and Jarmai, where they were being camped, said they were afraid and uncertain of their fate should they return to Wukari and Ibi councils.

The crisis engulfed the two councils last week which led to the fleeing of the 2,000 IDPs to Kanam where they are taking refuge.

A victim, Hamisu Garba, said: “The way we were attacked by unknown gun men, I don’t it is wise or

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safe for anyone of us to return to Taraba State again.”

“We just saw people returning toward us shooting guns indiscriminately and attacking houses with fire burning down any house the come across; we have to run for our dear lives,” he said.

Speaking also, Mrs. Hajara Umar, a mother of three, said: “I don’t want to die prematurely and so will not return to that place.”

Umar queried: “What will I go back there for when our family house has been destroyed by the attackers, who set it on fire and even destroyed our crops.”

She called for the federal and state governments as well as concerned individuals to come to their aid saying, they cannot be sleeping on bare floors with their little children during cold and raining season.

BENUE Benue govt, teachers sign truce to end strike

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Clear indications emerged yesterday that striking primary school teachers in Benue State are set suspend their over seven months old strike action to resume normal classes next week following a truce reached with the state government.

The truce was said to have been brokered at the national secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Abuja between the state chapter of the union and Benue State Government.

New Telegraph gathered that the state's delegation was was made up of the SUBEB chairman, the Ministry of Education, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Solomon Wombo, while the NUT team was led by its chairman, Mr. Godwin Anya.

140,000

PANKSHIN Goa’r declares for Plateau Central senatorial seat

A member of House of Representatives, representing Kanke, Kanam and Pankshin federal constituency of Plateau State, Hon. Emmanuel Goa’r, has declared his intention to go into the senate in 2015 saying I am set to capture the senatorial seat of Plateau Central Senatorial zone from the Labour Party.

Speaking with New Telegraph in Jos, the lawmaker said the party cannot afford to allow opposition party win the senatorial seat.

“PDP is firmly rooted in Plateau State, Plateau is one of the few states in the country which opposition parties have continue to find it difficult to penetrate but since the former deputy senate president lost the election, it has been difficult for the PDP to regain the seat, so I am set to brake the jinx,” he said.

The number of adults and children estimated to be living with HIV in France in 2007.

Source: Blatantworld.com

10

The number of Liverpool FC players that will participate in the 2014 World Cup. Source: Goal.com

5

MAKURDI ‘Not yet time for parttime legislature’

The Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Terhile Ayua, has said part-time legislature would reverse the gains of democracy in Nigeria.

Ayua said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on the sideline of the Retreat of Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

“I don’t think we have reached that level of democratic advancement to handle legislation on part-time basis. Even as full time, the challenges are still enormous,” he said.

19,514

The total number of refugees in India at the beginning of 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

Abuja blast: Amaechi, FCT minister, UK, Israel, others offer condolences cont inued from page 2

Daily Editor, New Telegraph, Mr. Yemi Ajayi (middle), with the members of the Editorial Staff of the newspaper, during a minute silence for the late Managing Editor, Mr. Suleiman Bisalla, in Abuja...yesterday

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Boko Haram has religious, political dimensions, says Jonathan OUTBURST The President has said the activities of insurgents has more dimensions than envisaged

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Emmanuel Onani resident Goodluck Jonathan has disclosed that “there are political, religious and ethnic cleavages to overcome if we are to defeat Boko Haram.”

As part of measures aimed at eliminating the hydra-headed monster of insurgency in the country, therefore, the President said: “We need greater understanding and outreach between Muslims and Christians.”

Jonathan’s position was made known in Abuja yesterday, at the National

l Military: 50 terrorists killed in Borno Information Centre (NIC), where the Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, distributed excerpts of the President's comments on a wide range of issues, from The Washington Post.

The President was also quoted as expressing regret that his silence over the April 14 abduction of over 200 Chibok schoolgirls in Borno State, by Boko Haram members, was being misconstrued by critics to mean "inaction or even weakness.”

“Nothing is more important to me than finding and rescuing our girls,” he said.

Jonathan further revealed that since “Terrorism knows no borders”, a joint External Intelligence Response Unit, among Nigeria, Benin Republic, Cameroun, Chad, Niger, Britain and the United States, was

established this June.

The essence is “to share security information on such threats in West Africa.”

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters said yesterday that about 50 suspected terrorists were killed during a raid on a makeshift camp used by terrorists in Miyanti and Bulungu, Borno State.

In a statement posted on its website, the Defence Headquarters said 53 terrorists died in the encounter, while the troops lost two of their men, and five others received injuries.

The statement said a fuel dump used for storing fuel, vehicles, including Toyota Hilux trucks, and seven motorcycles were destroyed in the raid.

It also said 15 rifles, 11 machine guns and ammunitions were captured by the troops.

“In a separate encounter around Duguri, near the Nigeria–Niger border, troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force stormed a terrorists’ hideout in a raid.

The troops recovered 18 rifles, five general purpose machine guns, 25 hand grenades and IED making materials,” the statement added.

The statement said a suspected gun runner was apprehended and was being interrogated in connection with the seizures.

It said that the suspect was arrested during a cordon and search operation by troops.

The statement said 15 other suspects were being detained in Abuja after a raid that led to the recovery of seven rifles, pistols, swords and other weapons.

It said military operations to track armed gangs would be sustained in various locations.

Similarly, Israeli’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Uriel Paiti, in a statement addressed to Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, said: “The untimely death of the young journalist who has been described by his colleagues as ‘a versatile and committed reporter and an editor with rare eyes for details’ will definitely create a very wide vacuum among practitioners of the profession.”

Paiti noted that “Just recently, precisely on June 11, the late Suleiman in company with his three other colleagues from the New Telegraph had an extensive interview with me in the Embassy. It was for me a great and exciting experience to get to know the late Suleiman Bisalla. I most sincerely share in your grief.”

Also, a group, The Veteran Welfare Groups of the “National Future Builders” described the death of the managing editor as a “tragedy of a failing nation without a shepherd”.

In a statement signed by its coordinator, Ayoola Omonigbehin, the group said: “What category of negotiation that can pay for the lives of well meaning Nigerians like Sulaiman and others.”

In another development, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday vowed to bring the perpetrators and sponsors of Wednesday’s bomb attack in Abuja to justice.

Jonathan, who spoke when he visited the scene of the blast at EMAB Plaza in Wuse II, was accompanied by the minister of health, Mr. Onyebuchi Chukwu, and other top government officials.

The police said 21 persons died and 17 were injured in the explosion.

Briefed by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 7, Mr. Suleiman Abba, Jonathan

said: “The perpetrators of this attack, those who are directly involved and those who sponsor them will surely be brought to book.”

He said the attack was quite regrettable and extremely painful.

“Some Nigerians are struggling, thinking of how to contribute to national development; working very hard to take care of their families and train their children.

Others are busy planning to kill people, intimidate them and destroy their property.

“It is one of the darkest phases in the history of our nation but surely we will get over it. Some other countries have passed through such cloud before and they were able to overcome it and they were able to sail through. We share the pains of the people who have been directly affected, the pains of their families but we will surely pass through this ugly phase of our history,” he said.

Jonathan pleaded with Nigerians to continue to bear the pains and inconveniences resulting from stringent security measures that would continue to come up while the situation lasted.

“I will use this opportunity to continue to plead with our citizens that under such situation, security operatives will come up with different options that sometimes will create some inconveniences for us.”

The President said he had just arrived from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, to where he had travelled for the African Union’s Summit of Heads of State and Government, before being informed of the blast.

Also, the president has said his silence on the abduction of students of the Girls Secondary School, in Chibok, Borno State, should not be misconstrued as “inaction or even weakness”.

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IKEJA 354 retirees to get N1.78bn bond certificates in July N EWS I N BRIEF

The Lagos State Government will present retirement bond certificates worth N1.78 billion to 354 retirees on July 17.

The Director-General of the Lagos State Pension Commission, Mr. Rotimi Hussain, made this known in a statement he issued yesterday in Lagos. He said the presentation would conclude the settlement of the 11th batch.

The director-general said this was the retirees’ accrued rights for services to the state before April 2007, when the Contributory Pension Scheme began.

He said 437 retirees drawn from the local governments and the state Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC) were earlier paid N1.72 billion in the first payment of the batch in April.

ABAKILIKI

FCT ‘Ethics Institute is committed’

Chairman, Board of Trustee of the Institute of Ethics, Values and Mentorship, Prof. Tony Ogiamien, has said the institute is committed to advancing accountability and transparency.

Ogiamien told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja that accountability, integrity and transparency were features of good governance.

“An institute like this will begin to open up new avenues for people to be trained and to be re-oriented in various areas of life. We will be teaching and training people, even in remote villages, for people to wake up to their responsibilities,” he said.

$557bn

The estimated value of the global size of the market for water treatment and distribution plant and equipment for domestic and industrial use in 2013.

Source: Unesco.org

NBA aspirant pledges transparency in office

A contestant to the office of the chairmanship of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ebonyi State chapter, Mr. Friday Ogazi, has assured members of total restoration of confidence of the masses on the judiciary.

Ogazi stated that the confidence of members of the public, especially the down-trodden, who have legal problems would be restored.

“I want to restore the confidence of the common man on NBA. I want to ensure that NBA cares for the interest of its members. I want to ensure that there is synergy between the government and non-governmental organisations in other to move not only the association forward but also to make members of the society share the impact of NBA,” he said.

50.5m

The total population of Burma (representing 0.73% of world’s population) in 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

57.7%

The percentage of households with internet access at home in developed countries in 2008.

Source: Itu.int

S'court strikes out northern states' N7bn suit Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

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he Supreme Court yesterday dismissed the suit filed by 16 northern states over the N7 billion assets of the defunct Northern States Marketing Board (NSMB).

The apex court in a unanimous decision held that the suit was statute barred and incompetent, implying that the court lacks jurisdiction to look into the matter. So, it was accordingly struck out. It also upheld the objection to the suit filed by the federal government that the claim was statute barred by virtue of section 7(1)(e) of the Limitation Act. The appellants had approached the court asking it to compel the federal government to pay them N7 billion as outstanding values of the assets of the defunct Northern States Marketing Board (NSMB).

The board was taken over by the government in 1977 from the then Northwestern, North-central, Kano, North-eastern and Central-western states.

The states today comprise Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.

At the argument stage, the 16 states said in 1977, the then Federal Military Government forcefully took over the assets of NSMB by virtue of Decree No. 29 of 1977.

They said the then Supreme Military Council (SMC) stated that the federal government would pay for the assets of the NSMB and the assets of any other commodity boards.

According to them, before the assets were transferred to the FG, a valuation was carried out which put the total value of all the assets at N42 million.

10 suspects arraigned for Ejigbo sodomy AT LAST The police have finally arraigned suspects of sodomy act

N Ekiti State Governor-elect, Mr. Ayo Fayose (left), and the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, Mr. Bamidele Opeyemi, during a meeting with stakeholders, in Ado-Ekiti…yesterday

Charly Boy bars Okorocha from speaking as Justice Oputa is buried Steve Uzoechi

E Owerri

minent jurist, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa was yesterday laid to rest amid encomiums at his country home, Oguta, Imo state.

The burial ceremony which attracted the cream of the Nigerian society was nearly marred by an ugly drama between Governor Rochas Okorocha and the son of the deceased, Charles Oputa, who goes by the showbiz moniker, Charly Boy. The Oputa family had earlier in the course of the Requiem Mass announced that only the representative of the president would present a goodwill message.

Apparently uncomfortable with the development, the secretary to the state government, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, confronted the priest moderating the proceedings who explained

that it was the directive of the Oputa family.

However, when the representative of the president, Anyim Pius Anyim concluded his address and with the intervention of Bishop Matthew Kukah, the host governor, Okorocha, was announced to present his goodwill message.

At that point, Charly Boy who wore a gloomy look all through the funeral service, sprang up immediately Okorocha was called to read his speech and snatched up the microphone insisting that the governor would not present any address in his father’s funeral.

He was later quoted as saying that his father’s funeral would not be made a platform for political gains.

Embarrassed and visibly angered, Okorocha stormed out of the church in the company of his commissioners and aides.

Charly Boy had earlier

walked out on the Imo governor on Wednesday, during the Imo State-organised day of tribute in honour of the late justice. He left the event after the national chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun was called to present his tribute, long before the governor made his own address.

Earlier in his sermon held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oguta, Bishop Matthew Kukah who presided over the funeral, extolled the virtues and character of the late Judge of the Supreme Court.

Calling on Nigerians to emulate the late Oputa, Bishop Kukah urged Nigerians to stand up in defence of justice and equity. “Oputa before he died was worried about the quality of Nigerian lawyers and judges because he believed in the judiciary as the hope of the nation. Today his legacies are beyond his immediate family.”

President Goodluck Jona-

than in his goodwill message lauded the late jurist’s courage in pursuit of justice and described him as an impeccable Nigerian. The president was represented by the secretary to federal government, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

In a statement signed by the senior special assistant to the Imo State governor on media, Sam Onwuemeodo, the government blamed unnamed Imo politicians based in Abuja for the action of Charly Boy, describing the incident as unfortunate.

ine men and a woman were yesterday arraigned at an Igbosere Chief Magistrates Court in Lagos, over the alleged assault of three women at the Oba Morufu International Market, Ejigbo, Lagos State.

The accused include: Isiaka Waidi, 60; Azeez Akinosun, 35; Saheed Adisa, 28; Jimoh Busari, 49; Tijani Lateef, 37 and Adekunle Adenuga, 57.

Others are; Buhari Yusuf, 21; Haruna Abdullahi, 19: Ahmed Adisa, 65, and a woman, Oloruntoyin Dauda, 45, the head of the Market Women Association.

Waidi, Akinosun, Adisa, Busari, Yusuf and Abdullahi are facing charges of conspiring to murder and indecent acts.

Waidi is facing an additional charge of damaging property with violence, with intent to steal.

Akinosun, Adisa and Busari also face additional charges of conspiracy, managing an unlawful society

and unlawful assembly.

While, Lateef, Adenuga, Adisa and Dauda are facing charges of conspiracy and neglect to prevent felony.

The accused, however, denied the charges.

The prosecutor, ASP Charles Odii, told a packed courtroom that the accused committed the offences alongside others now at large on February 11, 2013 at the Oba Morufu International Market, Ejigbo, Lagos.

Odii said the accused assaulted one Miss Juliana Agoma, Mrs Ajoke Agoma and Mrs Nike Salami, by inserting ground pepper into their private parts.

The prosecutor said Waidi also demanded N50,000 from one Mr. Fima Agoma and threatened to injure him and kill his wife and daughter, if he failed to pay the money.

He said Akinosun, Adisa, Busari assisted in the management of an unlawful society called Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and also took part in an unlawful assembly at the market.

The prosecutor said Dauda, the head of the Market Women's Association, Lateef and Adenuga neglected to prevent the commission of the offences at the market.

'Third Mainland Bridge undergoing maintenance' A pparently irked by the heightened state of insecurity iån the country, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr. Godwin Eke, has allayed fears over the safety of the Third Mainland Bridge, saying it is safe, stable and

undergoing routine maintenance.

Eke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday in Lagos that there was no problem with the expansion joints which he said had earlier been repaired.

The controller said the

contract for repair of the abutment of the bridge was awarded in 2012, adding that the contract was ongoing.

“The Third Mainland Bridge is safe and sound, and the repair of the abutment is ongoing,” he said.

Compensate my Bakassi people, Ita-Giwa begs FG

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delegate at the ongoing National Conference and Chairman, Conference Committee on the Environment, Senator Florence Ita Giwa, has pleaded with the Federal Government to compensate her people.

Ita-Giwa, while contributing to the report of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Diaspora Matters, said the ceding arrangement which was ordered by the International Court of Justice in the Hague and carried out by former President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration was just to show to the world that two countries can settle a dispute without necessarily losing blood or staying perpetually in court.

According to her, it would have been a misplaced priority if the issue of ceding Bakassi to Cam-

eroun led to war between both countries adding that all the people needed to be placated was better settlement through compensation.

She appealed to other stakeholders to prevail on the Federal Government to adequately compensate the people of Bakassi even though they have been relocated.

Ita-Giwa said: "Commenting on the Green Tree Agreement, Nigeria after the end of the military intervention, Nigeria subjected herself to that jurisdiction in the Hague.

“Nigeria was obliged to abide by that ruling as we were told but by being obliged to that ruling used Bakassi as a litmus test to show to the world that two countries can settle a dispute without loss of blood and without staying forever in court".

‘Police addressing alleged militant camp existence in Riyom’ Musa Pam Jos

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he Plateau State Police Command has said it is responding to allegation of illegal training camps of armed men in parts of Riyom Local Government Area of the state.

The police said if not for their prompt response over the allegation, the situation in Riyom would have been worse than what it is today.

A Superintendent of Police (SP) attached to the command, Mr. Babayemi Akomolede, said this yesterday during the eighth meeting of the Plateau Peace Architecture Dialogue series held at the Cabinet office, Jos. Some communities in Riyom had raised the alarm

that they had discovered an illegal training camp of some unknown gunmen around Rim village.

Subsequently, they called on the police to come to their protection before the gunmen unleash terror on the communities.

The peace parley was sponsored by Search for Common Ground (SFCG) in collaboration with the Special Adviser to Governor Jonah Jang on Peace and Conflict Management, Mr. Timothy Parlong.

Akomolede, who made presentation on behalf of the command, said: “The police have not ignored the alarm of an illegal training camp in parts of Riyom. To the best of my knowledge, arrests have been made from those areas.

Court rules on Braithwaite, Standard Chartered Bank suit July 4 Joseph Onyekwere

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Lagos High Court, Ikeja, yesterday said ruling on the application filed by the Standard Chartered Bank seeking to strike out some paragraphs of the claimant's reply to the bank’s amended statement of defence was not ready six weeks on.

Instead, the court said the application had now been fixed for July 4.

The claimant, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, had instituted a N10 billion suit against the bank for erecting a high rise structure with a multi-level car park close to his residence on Victoria Island, Lagos.

On the course of proceedings, the claimant amended his claims, prompting the

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defence to do the same. Expectedly, the claimant exercising his right of reply to the respondent’s amended statement of defence, raised vital issues in support of its position. But the defence wants the court to strike out certain paragraphs it considers inimical to it.

At the last sitting, the trial judge, Justice Doris Okuwobi had adjourned till June 27, 2014 for ruling. Braithwaite, who took sometime off from the ongoing National Conference where he is a delegate, for the expected commencement of trial together with some expert witnesses was jolted when trial on the matter could not continue as a result of the application filed by the bank.

AWKA Group tasks South East governors on security

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A civil society organisation, the Progressives Leaders Organisation International (PLOI), has called on South East governors to evolve a collective proactive strategy against security challenges in the country.

The group made the call while briefing newsmen in Awka, yesterday against the backdrop of insurgency threatening part of the North East region of the country.

The Chairman of the organisation, Chief Emmanuel Ezeume, expressed fears that insurgents were already in other parts of the country where they wished to unleash mayhem on innocent and harmless citizens.

“There is security uncertainty in the South East as these terrorists are making effort to go beyond their zone,” he said.

$271.9bn TThe nominal GDP of Finland (IMF) in 2009.

Source: Blatantworld.com

FCT FCTA expends N20m on women empowerment

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has spent about N20 million on rural women empowerment in the territory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the women numbering 650 were trained on five skills.

The skills include making of cosmetics, shampoo, detergent, disinfectant, air fresher, bleach and juice.

The women were also given N30,000 grant each.

2%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Central African Republic in 2010.

Source: Itu.int

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LAGOS AU proposes $522.12m budget for 2015

The African Union (AU) has proposed $522.12million budget for 2015, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

According to documents made available to NAN in Malabo, the Equitorial Guinean capital yesterday, said the draft budget is expected to be adopted at the 23rd Ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of States and Governments of the AU. NAN learnt that the 2015 budget proposal, which is 32 per cent higher than that of 2014, is had already been discussed and debated at the Executive Council meeting of the AU earlier this week in Malabo.

$100bn

The estimated amount spent on health professional education yearly (rep. 2% of the global health expenditure).

Source: Who.int

Obiano convenes stakeholders’ meeting over activities of Fulani herdsmen SECURITY To stem any threat of attack, Anambra State governor has held parley with stakeholders and others Uwakwe Abugu

G Awka

overnor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has convened a stakeholders’ meeting on how to address the impact of the alarm raised by the leadership of the Hausa community in Anambra State over alleged infiltration of the state by some unknown herdsmen from some neighbouring states of the South East.

The meeting, the New Telegraph, gathered is to find ways of averting unwholesome development that

could result from the threat.

Apart from the Boko Haram-related threat, the Hausa community leadership hinted that, already, the cattle herded by the alleged invaders have been destroying crops and farmlands in both Enugu and Anambra states.

In view of the growing threats of the sect in the South East, Obiano is said to have set up a committee to coordinate activities of genuine cattle herdsmen and their host communities.

The governor, who convened the meeting of the stakeholders, including traditional rulers, said the early move was “to ensure effective maintenance of peaceful co-existence, peace and understanding between natives and residents in the state.”

According to the distress call of the Hausa commu-

nity, the infiltrators are unknown cattle herdsmen from outside the state, especially Kogi and Enugu states, who they accused of destroying crops and farmlands in both Enugu and Anambra states.

Fears had been expressed recently in parts of Anambra State concerning the arrest of 486 suspected terrorists in Abia State among who is a terrorist on the wanted list of security operatives.

Those in attendance at the meeting held at the Women Development Centre, Awka, were representatives of Hausa-Fulani community, chairmen of local government councils, some traditional rulers and presidents-general of communities affected by the activities of the herdsmen and security operatives.

Obiano said at the meeting that the committee would include representa-

tives of the Hausa-Fulani communities, traditional rulers and presidents-general of the affected communities as well as representatives of the police, among others.

On what would constitute the scope of the committee, he explained that the committee will, among other things, ensure that herdsmen are restricted to areas mapped for grazing to avoid the repeat of recent incident at Omasi community in Ayamelum Local Government Area that resulted in the killing of innocent farmers and destruction of two farms by herdsmen.

While assuring them of security of their lives and property, the governor called for vigilance and security consciousness, urging them to report suspicious situations and strange characters promptly to the nearest police and other security agents.

L-R: Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta, Warman Ogoriba; President/CEO, Schneider Electric English West Africa, Marcel Hochet; Chairman, Senate Committee on the Niger Delta, James Manager and Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, during a visit by the joint committees of the National Assembly on the Niger Delta to Isaac Boro Energy Training College at Grenoble, France...recently

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ABAKALIKI Ebonyi to display new rice brand at trade fair

The Ebonyi State Government has concluded plans to display its parboiled and packaged “Satteckee Rice” to the public during the forthcoming local trade fair in the state.

Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Ifeanyi Ikeh, said that all was now set for the trade fair tagged: “Ebonyi AgroIndustrial Development and General Goods Trade Fair” to commence.

He said: “We are using the trade fair to showcase the Satteckee rice from Satteckee mill built from Japan. We are also going to showcase our fertiliser because we have our fertiliser blending plant.”

N EWS I N BRIEF

VICTORIA ISLAND

HADEJIA Jigawa assures farmers of harvesting machines

The Jigawa State Government yesterday said it had concluded arrangements to procure minicombine harvesting machines to accelerate paddy rice production in the state.

The Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Idri Danzomo, said this during a farm demonstration exercise at Hago rice plantation in Hadejia, Jigawa State.

Danzomo said the state Agricultural Supply Company (JASCO) was mandated to supply the machines to small and medium-scale farmers at subsidised rate.

He said the state government had entered into partnership with an indigenous firm, Messier Agro-Allied Company, Zaria, Kaduna State, to facilitate smooth distribution of the machines.

Club Quilox goes on break from June 30

Nigeria's leading nightclub, Quilox, will embark on a one-month break from June 30 to July 31.

The New Telegraph gathered from a source close to the Chairman of the Club, Mr. Shina Peller, that the club will embark on the break after concluding the first phase of her annual calendar on June 30.

“Club Quilox is designed to operate a two session in a year. The first from January to June, while the second session starts from August,” the source stated.

The Club, situated on 873 Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos, opened December last year.

Jigawa Govt receives 113 detained travellers from Abia SECURITY Politicising security issues attracts dire consequences

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he Jigawa State Government yesterday received 113 of its indigenes detained and released by the Nigerian Army in Abia State.

The News Agency of Nige-

ria (NAN) reported that the 113 indigenes of the state were part of the 486 travellers recently arrested by the 144 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Abia State.

Receiving the detainees at midnight on Thursday in Dutse, Malam Aminu Ringim, the Chief of Staff to Governor Sule Lamido, said the detainees would be properly screened by the state government.

Ringim said all chairmen

2.82m

The total population of Izmir, Turkey in 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

of the 27 local government councils of the state would be involved in the screening to determine their true status.

He said the detainees were released after a meeting with officials of the state government, Chief of Army Staff, National Security Adviser and the Minister of Defence.

Ringim, however, cautioned against politicising security issues in the country, adding that security

N5.7bn

The IGR realized from other revenue sources of Oyo State in 2012.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

was collective responsibility of all and sundry.

Some members of the State Executive Council, special advisers and the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Salisu Mamuda were also on hand to welcome the released detainees to the state.

NAN reports that the returnees were also treated to a grand reception by the state government.

2.09m

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Ecuador in 2010.

Source: Itu.int

L-R: Company Secretary, Capital Hotel Plc, Chief John Ifebunandu of Ifebunandu & Co.; Capital Hotel Chairman, Mr. Goodie M. Ibru and the Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Olawale Makinde, during Annual General Meeting of the company in Abuja...recently

Mojeed Alabi

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he former acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Serah Alade, has decried Nigeria’s poor university education system linking the development to several challenges facing the sector including poor funding, corruption and inad-

Fayose’s victory has ended politics of deceit - PDP chieftain Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Opeyemi Falegan, has described the victory of Mr. Ayodele Fayose, governorelect in the June 21 governorship election in the state as an end to the politics of deceit and propaganda in Nigeria.

In a statement made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, Falegan also described the peaceful conduct of the poll as second to none in the political history of Nigeria.

The PDP leader also praised the electorate for their courage and steadfastness before, during and after the poll, claiming the good conduct of the people across political divides had shown to the world that the state is a land of honour.

According to him, though the victory of Fayose was well deserved, if the people of the state had not decided to make integrity their watchword, the election would not have

Capital Hotel records N4.67bn turnover in 2013 Andrew Iro Okungbowa

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apital Hotel Plc’s financial operations for the 2013 financial year have witnessed a marginal turnover improvement as it recorded N4.66billion, which represents an increase of 7.9 per cent over the 2012 turnover of N4.32billion.

The below par performance of the group is, however, not unconnected with the unfavourable business environment in the country.

The state of affairs of the company, which is owners of Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers, was made known by the board’s Chairman, Mr. Goodie Ibru, during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the hotel.

Ibru said the gross profit witnessed a dip of 12.8 per cent as it recorded N1.

21billion in 2013, as against N1.39billion it earned in 2012.

Nigerian graduates lack communication skills - CBN official equate human resources.

Alade, who said President Goodluck Jonathanled transformation agenda could only be sustained with massive investment in quality training and research outputs of universities, insisted that it is appalling that

today's Nigerian graduates lack ability to communicate clearly and effectfully.

She spoke yesterday on the theme: Rethinking the Concept of National Transformation: Roles of Higher Education Institutions, as the keynote speaker at the

ninth convocation ceremony of the Covenant University, Ota, in Ogun State.

Listing the challenges hampering the potentials of Nigerian universities, the speaker spoke about underfunding of the university education, poor remunera-

been conducted under such peaceful atmosphere.

“Despite electoral pressure and tension, people still defied all sorts of inducements and promises, but rather followed their minds by voting the candidate and party they have trust in and to ensure that there was change in the system of governance in the state.”

He opined that such feat could only be achieved by the people with matchless integrity.

The PDP chieftain assured the electorate that the government under the leadership of Fayose would not disappoint them, but rather correct all injustices and mistakes committed by the outgoing administration especially as it bothers on civil service, artisans and students relations.

Falegan also commended the professionalism and civility displayed by security agents during and after the poll, saying Nigeria had gone far in its electoral reform and thumbed up President Goodluck Jonathan in this regard and called for its sustenance for future elections.

tion for university workforce, skill gaps, poor student orientation, and corrupt practices among both the students and staff of universities, citing plagiarism among lecturers, sexual harassment, among others as leading problems facing the institutions.

Similarly, its profit after tax (PAT) dropped by 53.2 per cent, recording N167. 3 million to N357. 5 in 2012.

Despite this poor outing, the cheering news from the chairman was the rise in the total asset of the company by 18. 9 per cent as it had N3.23billion in 2013 compared to N2.72billion in 2012.

Giving an overview of the performance, Ibru outlined the impact of the security challenges of the country, especially in the northern part, the fall in international travel, cancellations of many government events and financial strangulation occasioned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) monetary policy, among others as having an adverse effect on the performance of the company.

He also hinted of the commencement of the first phase renovation of the hotel which, he said, would be completed by 2015.

The renovation, which is purely funded from internally generated revenue is to give the hotel a new look and enhance the experience of guests.

He assured stakeholders that with the various steps taken by the hotel’s management to cushion the challenges of the operating environment and other issues, which the hotel is in good position to maintain good result and bounce back in no time to its winning ways.

SEGUN EDWARDS olaedwards@yahoo.com 08111813095

Companies & Stock 28 JUNE 2014

Honeywell Flour: New capacity lifts revenue but costs hinder profit H oneywell Flour Plc which increased its milling capacity last year has reinforced revenue growth in the current financial year but an upsurge in interest expenses has diminished its profit capacity further. An all-round cost moderation is critically needed by the company to maintain profit growth this year but this isn’t achievable with the performance records at the end of its second quarter in September.

The company raised its flour production capacity from 1,610 metric tones to 2,610 metric tones per day last year. This has spurred sales revenue, which rose by 27 per cent to N27.86 billion at the end of the company’s second quarter compared with the corresponding revenue figure in 2012.

Based on the growth rate seen in the second quarter, sales revenue is projected at N57.2 billion for Honeywell Flour at the end of its current financial year next March. This will amount to an accelerated growth of 25.2 per cent over the full year revenue figure of N45.7 billion in the preceding year.

Some analysts have therefore expressed the opinion that the company looks very likely to beat its key competitors – Flour Mills of Nigeria and Dangote Flour-on revenue growth in the current year. It grew turnover by 20.1 per cent in its 2012/13 financial year.

The company’s profit capacity has weakened for the second year, as rising costs have depressed profit margin to the lowest level in recent years. The company posted an after tax profit of N1.0 billion at the end of the second quarter, which is a drop of over 23 per cent from the corresponding figure last

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irline Services and Logistics closed year 2013 operations with a drop in profit for the second year. It had opened first quarter trading this year with another big fall in profit. Its full year outlook isn’t that bad however, if the company will be able to maintain the first quarter growth momentum.

A moderate recovery in revenue and profit look achievable for the company at current growth rate.

Despite the dismal first quarter earnings the management of the airline service provider outfit has a chance to make up for the earnings disappointment in the course of the year. There was a considerable slowdown from the first quarter earnings figures last year and this will permit a moderate year-onyear growth if he is able to maintain the current growth rate.

The company recorded a net profit of N35.7 million in the first quarter, which is a drop of about 63 per cent over the corresponding period last year. If the first quarter growth rate is maintained to full year, net profit is projected at N156 million for Airline Services

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

Oba-Otudeko

year.

Based on the second quarter growth rate adjusted for possible seasonal improvement in the third quarter, the company is expected to earn N2.5 billion

in after tax profit in the current year. This will be a decline of 12 per cent from the after tax profit figure of N2.84 the company realised in the preceding year.

This compares with an improve-

ment of 5.5 per cent in net profit the company recorded last year.

The company’s profit weakness amid growing revenue reflects a sustaining decline in profit margin. Net profit margin has continued to go down from 7.1 per cent at the end of the 2012 financial year to 6.2 per cent in 2013 and further to 3.6 per cent at the end of the second quarter of the current financial year.

Increase in sales revenue is going into operating cost more than reaching the bottom line.

One major cost item stood in the way of a stronger profit growth last year and that was selling/ distribution cost. This year, a second cost item has joined to constrain profit performance, which is interest cost.

Selling/administrative expenses rose by 51.4 per cent in the second quarter to N2.95 billion compared to the 27 per cent growth in sales revenue. The expense line also rose far ahead of turnover last financial year at 59.3 per cent compared to 20.1 per cent. The full year figure of N2.88 billion for selling/administrative expenses last year has already been exceeded at the end of the second quarter. This means that the company continues to incur higher cost to make a naira of sales.

The second rapidly growing expenditure element is interest cost, which advanced by 141.5 per cent to N1.1 billion at the end of the second quarter.

With only a moderate growth in interest income, net interest cost surged from only N54 million to N669 million during the review period. While the company achieved net finance income last financial year, it was a fall by 45.3 per cent to N94 million.

Airline Services and Logistics: Year of falling earnings continuing?

and Logistics in 2014. This will amount to an improvement of 7.6 per cent over the net profit figure of N145 million the company posted in 2013.

Its profit had dropped for the second year by about 66 per cent in 2013 from N220 million in 2012.

That was a further drop from the peak profit figure of N240 million the company posted in 2011.

Should the profit growth rate slow down in line with the pattern of last year, the company may sustain the falling profit trend into the third year.

Turnover amounted to N805

Richard Akerele, MD Airline Service and Logistics

million at the end of the first quarter, which is a decline of 7.8 per cent over the corresponding rev-

enue figure in 2013. Based on the first quarter growth rate, turnover is projected at N3.65 billion for Airline Services and Logistics at the end of 2014. This will be a moderate improvement of 4.3 per cent over the full year revenue figure in 2013.

The company’s revenue declined by 2.8 per cent to N2.50 billion in 2013. Overall revenue performance shows inability to achieve growth in the past five years. The peak revenue figure of the company is the N3.84 billion it recorded in 2010.

The optimism for a moderate full year recovery this year reflects the fact that last year’s first quarter growth rate was not sustained to full year. The slow down at the end of the year creates a room for possible improvement in turnover on a year-on-year basis. If however the end of year slowdown is a recurring patter for the company, then a worse earning year is in the making for it in 2014.

W’Africa Capital markets to integrate

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apital markets in the West Africa sub-region may soon be integrated to boost regional trading and liquidity flow among member states.

The new development will enable Nigerian investors and companies to raise funds for trading in bonds and stocks listed in capital markets, who are members of the bloc using the service of a licensed issuing house or broker-dealer.

“Integration of our capital markets will bring about formidable benefits, and help increase the breadth and depth of markets across our region,” Director General Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Ms. Arunma Oteh disclosed at the 4th annual capital markets conference in Lagos .She noted however that the importance of ensuring best practices in the sub-region’s integration approach, is to herald product innovation.

Oteh also stressed that integrating capital market across West Africa is key to helping the sub-region solve the problems of inclusive growth.

The West African capital market will comprise the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) and the Cote d’Ivoire Bourse Regionale des Valeurs Mobilieres (BRVM).

2013 records show that the NSE has 190 listed companies valued at $82 billion; GSE’s 34 companies had a $26 billion value, while the 72 companies listed on the BVRM had a value of $12 billion.

50% Nigerian Ship owners out of business – ISAN

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espite the laudable investments and growth recorded in some business sectors in Nigeria, indigenous ship owners operating in Nigeria said they continue to face harsh business conditions, with over half the total ship owners said to be out of business.

According to Isaac Jolapamo, the founding and incumbent Chairman of Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (ISAN), the umbrella industry body of ship owners and operators in Nigeria, about 50 percent of ship owners in Nigeria have been out of business in the past few years. Those still operating are battling to stay afloat owing to huge debts incurred by most firms.

Jolapamo, a maritime industry expert, told a local Nigerian newspaper that lack of access to loans, huge debts and poor business environment have derailed growth in the shipping sector.

Using his business a practical example, Jolapamo who is also the CEO of Morlap Shipping Company Limited said: “I owe banks billions of naira and I have nothing to show for it. I knew about shipping in my 20s, I did star shipping in my 30s and now I’m close to 70.

At dealth would you donate any of your organs? p.12

Street DIARY NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

28 JUNE 2014

www.newtelegraphonline.com/streetdiary

10

Customers shun restaurants, bars over fetish practice by owners

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Camillus Nnaji

otel owners and restauranteurs at Mowe in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State are lamenting over low patronages due to the alleged confession of two restaurant owners that they have been cooking pepper soup and other delicacies with dead human flesh and water.

NT correspondent gathered that the two confessors, identified simply as Austin who hails from Isoko in Delta State and another called Lady B, owner of a restaurant all along Mowe-Ofada Road, confessed in a nearby Celestial Church at Imedu Nla, Mowe, in the same LGA. An eyewitness named ‘Iron Lady of Mowe’ who runs a shop opposite Austin’s bar, said, “Trouble started when the construction of a dual carriage express road along Mowe-Ofada Road affected the frontage of his bar. The equipment that was brought by the construction firm uprooted a pot he used to bury charms.

“We learnt that Austin was warned of the inherent danger if the content of the sun is exposed to sunlight. And because the condition for the efficacy of the charm was breached, Austin immediately became sick and was rushed to a hospital.

“But at the hospital, the doctors could not diagnose any ailment and his condition continued to deteriorate, forcing his family to take him to the Celestial Church at Imedu Nla where he was allegedly asked to confess all his wrong doings by the cleric in charge of the church.

“It was then that he allegedly confessed that he has been leading a double life all along, cooking and mixing dead human flesh with meat and water in a desperate bid to attract customers.”

Although it was rumoured that Austin had died after the confession, finding showed that he is still alive.

Our correspondent, who went to the church, could not speak with him because of his sickness. But a spokesperson for the family, who wished to be identified simply as Bishirinu, denied the allegation, saying Austin’s competitors in the area were out to discredit.

He said, “It is true that Austin is sick but not dead as you have seen.

He has been in and out of hospital for a while. But at present, he is in the church. Concerning the rumour as it concerns his business, I can assure you that there is no iota of truth in it. Rather, it is

Empty shops following the scare

his competitors in the area that are peddling such rumour. The man is a hardworking man and that is what those people are jealous of.”

It was also learnt that another woman identified simply as Bunmi, also a restaurateur in the area, has also confessed that she was involved in fetish practice to woo customers to her bar.

Interestingly, it was learnt that

she claimed that Austin introduced her to the practice.

An auto mechanic, Mr. Faith Onyenike, who has a workshop in the area, said, “Lady B’s restaurant was uprooted by a caterpillar and what was unveiled was an old pot that contained a white cat. Thereafter, she became sick and confessed at the same celestial church. Lady B admitted being in the business for

many years, she said it was Austin that introduced her to a man called ‘Jagaban’ who supplied her with the fresh human parts and water.

“She confessed that anyone who entered her restaurant and ate her catfish pepper soup or cow leg, will not leave until he had exhausted all his money because of the efficacy of her charm.

“She said none of her competi-

tors would sell their pepper soup until she had exhausted everything she cooked.”

Some operators of bars, restaurant and hotels in the area, who spoke with NT correspondent, admitted that the story had become a common talk in the neighbourhood.

They lamented that people in the area now shun their restaurants and bars because of the incident.

Angela Nnabugo, who runs a bar in the area, had yet to open her bar as at 12noon when our correspondent visited her shop.

When she eventually arrived, dejected Nnabugo admitted that business was bad, hence, she took her time before coming to open her bar.

She said: “What else shall we do? There is no business again. The story is true and very true because I can count how many times people have come to lure me join this fetish practice in order to boost my sales.

“They told me that if I did, the number of my customers would increase astronomically. They assured me that any time I open my bar, customers will be trooping in.

One of them promised to take me to a place in Sagamu, Ogun State.

The person said that I would be given a charm, which I will bury in front of my shop and a substance to sprinkle on my soup before serving customers.

“In the end, she said I would be required to pay a ransom to the herbalist who will prepare the charm for me. This is not incredible because I know many people are doing it.”

Another restaurateur, Ebube Chukwu, who owns Stainless Restaurant, admitted low patronage due to the incident.

He, however, said whenever customers come around, he would eat part of the food before serving them to assure them that he was not fetish.

Gombe SEMA decries influx of displaced persons to the state Ugo Willies GOMBE

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he Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has raised the alarm over the weekly influx of about 500 Internally Displaced Persons into the state from Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and recently Taraba.

Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states are under state of emergency rule following activities of Boko Haram, while Taraba State has recently been engulfed by communal unrest especially within Wukari and Donga communities.

The SEMA said it was getting worried over inadequacy of relief materials to cater for the growing refugees.

The Director of Administration and Finance (DAF) of the the agency, Hajiya Laraba Ahmed Kawu, decried the inadequacy of relief materials and the “unfriendly” food that children get from the relief materials.

According to her, apart from the inadequacy of food and other relief materials such as basic household materials, only noodles are made available for children who constitute large number of the displaced persons.

She said the children lacked nutritional food.

She lamented that most of the items the agency received as relief materials were not child friendly and constituted enormous problem to the agency.

Kawu added that the situation had placed SEMA in a difficult position without means and idea to tackle the matter and absorb the children.

She said that most of the displaced persons were women and children, adding that the agency found it difficult to cope because of the financial implication of having more internally displaced persons

in the state.

According to her, there is no day that SEMA don’t distribute relief materials to over 10, 000 displaced persons.

“The agency requires more relief materials from wealthy individuals and organisations to be able to cope with the development. Only Dangote has been forth coming with this kind of assistance,” she added.

She also expressed worry over the dangers of building a camp for displaced persons in the state, saying that such gesture could be abuse by some disgruntle elements who were not refugees.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

STREET DIARY

11

Cynthia: Defendants oppose video of confessional statements

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Joseph Onyekwere

ounsel to first and second defendants in the trial of alleged killers of Facebook lover, Cynthia Osokogu, yesterday stood against an attempt by the prosecution to tender a video recording said to have been produced during police investigation of the crime.

At the resumed hearing before Justice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos High Court in Igbosere, the prosecution called Emmanuel Peters, a film editor and cinematographer, to testify in proof of its case.

Led in evidence by Ade Ipaye, Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Peters told Justice Akinlade that he was invited by the Area Commander of Area E, Festac Police Station

to cover the taking of the alleged confessional statements made by Okumo Nwabufo (the first defendant) and Olisaeloka Ezike (the second defendant).

The witness, who described the scene of the alleged recording as “normal,” said he produced a DVD of the taking of Nwabufo and Olisaeloka’s statements and gave it to the police.

Peters said the Area Commander later asked him to delete the “raw files” he used in producing the DVD from his camera, adding that he could only identify the video if it was played.

Ipaye sought the leave of court for the video to be played, and Justice Akinlade granted it. Some seconds into playing the video, Peters confirmed that it was his work.

After the witness identified the video, counsel for the prosecution sought to tender it. Counsel for the first and second defendants,

Victor Okpara and Michael Ajayi respectively, however, opposed the move.

The prosecution, the defence counsel argued, did not comply with the provisions of sections 104 and 84 of the Evidence Act. They insisted that the video was a public document, which must be certified before it could be tendered.

The video, Ajayi added, was also inadmissible because the certificate verifying it showed that it was allegedly produced after the trial had commenced.

But before counsel for the second defendant concluded his submissions, Ipaye told Justice Akinlade he was withdrawing the video. He, however, asked the court to adjourn the matter to enable the prosecution to continue with Peters’ testimony.

The case was subsequently adjourned till June 30 for continuation of trial.

Cynthia Osokogu

Fake Glo Ambassador gets two-year jail Ugo Willies GOMBE

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Late Arisekola

Emulate Arisekola’s philanthropic nature –Cleric Sola Adeyemo IBADAN

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popular Islamic cleric, Sheik Muideen Bello, on Friday charged the wealthy indigenes of Ibadan in Oyo State to brace up and emulate the philanthropic nature of the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola-Alao.

Bello, who was full of harsh words for many of the notable Ibadan sons, whose accommodating nature he said was questionable, gave the counsel at the OluwoKekere, Basorun, Ibadan residence of the late Deputy President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs where the 8th Day Fidau prayer was held.

The down-to-earth cleric and social commentator, however, used the occasion to admonish hooligans and trouble makers who usually hide under the magnanimity and largeheartedness of the late Arisekola to foment trouble and get bailed out, to desist from the act, because, “there is no Aare Arisekola-Alao again.”

Bello said that “many Ibadan people are not good, but are lazy. I have not seen anyone of them do well to others as Aare Arisekola was always doing. Try to love one another and sustain the legacy that Aare has left.

Who is ready to do like Aare? No one. Many of you never do anything good to others like Arisekola would always do. I pray we have another person like him soon. We are praying for Aare Arisekola in his absence now; will people do same for you when you are no more?” he asked the audience.

ustice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Gombe has sentenced 29-year-old Khalil Ahmed Bappa to two years in prison for fraudulently extorting goods and money worth N267, 000 from a female student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Khalil Ahmed Bappa who claimed to be Glo Ambassador, fraudulently extorted goods and money worth about N267, 000 from the student, Yusra Ali Babakusa, with the assurances of making her a Glo Ambassador.

Khalil who has been standing trial for criminal charges bordering on obtaining by false pretences, offences contrary to and punishable under Sections 1(2) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), surprisingly changed his earlier innocence plea in court, and pleaded guilty to the two counts read to him.

EFCC principal witness, Mohammed Abdullahi, while reviewing facts of the case, narrated how Khalil sometime in 2012 presented himself as a Glo agent, promising to help Yusra become a Glo Ambassador through his contacts at Glo Communications.

Mohammed stated that the convict forwarded a code number to Yusra with assurances that she would soon be called up as one of the eventual winners and ambassador.

Khalil instructed her to send some money to him as part of the facilitation process and further told her to prepare for an interview trip to Glo head office in Lagos as her name had been selected; a journey Khalil told her had been paid for by Glo which include accommodation and return flight ticket.

On the expected day of the journey, Khalil prompted her to wait for him several times, but stopped answering her calls after a while and eventually switched off his phone.

It was when she made numerous attempts to reach him many

days after but failed that she realised she had been duped.

The investigator also informed the court that Khalil was invited; interviewed and volunteered his statement which confirmed investigation’s position that he fraudulently collected money and materials from the complainant.

Marrying the plea of the convict and his confessional statement prosecution counsel, Alqasim Ja’afar, applied that he should be convicted as charged.

Relying on Section 11 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act 2006, the counsel further urged the court to compel the Khalil to pay back

the money he received from the victim.

In view of the evidence and exhibits tendered, the court convicted the accused as charged.

Based on the passionate plea of allocutus by the defence counsel, Abubakar Imam, Justice Umar discretionally sentenced the convict to 12 months in prison without an option of fine on each the two counts, adding that the terms would run concurrently from the date of arrest.

The court also ordered the convict to refund the money obtained from the complainant before the completion of prison term.

Beware of circulation of fake currencies, police warn Gombe residents Ugo Willies GOMBE

G

ombe State Police Command has warned residents of the state to beware of fake Nigerian currencies circulating in some parts of the state.

The state command’s spokesman, Fwaje Atajiri (DSP), said the discovery was made after the arrest of some persons in possession of fake N1, 000 and N500 notes.

Atajiri, who paraded the two suspects alongside 28 others for various offences ranging from armed robbery to house breaking

and circulation of fake currencies, advised the residents to be vigilant.

He said, “Two of the suspects were caught with Nigerian notes while trying to transact a business along Sabon Layi area of Gombe metropolis last week. Four others were paraded for possessing such counterfeit notes. By these, we have now ascertained that fake currencies are in circulation in Gombe.

“Therefore, we are warning the general public to be on the look out for people approaching them with N1, 000 and N500 notes.

These are the two denominations being faked in the state.”

My husband is lazy, irresponsible, wife tells court

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housewife, Aminat Idris, of Ipata area of Ilorin, Kwara State, on Friday sought a court relief to divorce her husband, Mustafa Idris, alleging that he was irresponsible and lazy.

The 39-year-old woman prayed an Ilorin Area Court to dissolve her sixyear-old marriage to Idris over alleged failure to take care of her and their children.

The petitioner told the court that her husband preferred discussing football matters with his friends than struggle for the survival of his family, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

“My husband enjoys discussing football and politics under the tree with his friends than seeking a better job that will transform his life,” she said.

Aminat said that she married Idris in 2008, adding that the marriage produced two children.

She further told the court that she was solely responsible for the up-keep of their children.

She prayed the court to dissolve the marriage, saying she could no longer cope with a “lazy and irresponsible man.”

The defendant objected to the prayer of his wife, saying he was still interested in the relationship.

“I am still in search of a better job,” he said, adding, “Since I quit my former job due to frustration, my wife keeps insulting me every day.”

He prayed the court for adjournment to enable him to take steps towards reconciliation.

The judge, Mr. Yusuf Abdulkareem, adjourned the case to July 16 for a report of settlement or continuation of hearing.

12

Voices

Street Diary

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

At death, would you donate any of your organs?

Yes, I will Well, I have honestly never thought of it, but it will be an honourable and altruistic thing to do. Of what use will it be to die and waste properly functioning organs that could save lives?

So, yes, when I die, I'll definitely be willing to donate any of my organs.

(Raymond Eyo, political analyst)

If it is kidney, no I won’t If it is Kidney, no I won’t because drinking and smoking is usually the cause of kidney failure and the patients don't usually stop drinking and smoking after the surgery. I have heard of many who died after surgery because they refused to abstain from the habit.

So, I wouldn't want to waste my kidney.

(Chidi Uzoma aka Baba De Baba, comedian)

My culture and religious belief do not encourage that No, my culture and religious belief do not encourage such donation. By my culture, when I die, my body will be taken down to my home town for interment intact and my Christian belief does not encourage such act.

(Olisah Adiasor, Chartered accountant) Yes, if it is God’s will I will donate if God says I should, but I think one person has to be alive to take care of the children, because there is every possibility that even after donating kidney both might give up the ghost, then what becomes of our children by the time both spouses are no more, it is confusing and one have to plan it with the partner in order not to make a mistake.

(Mrs. Blessing Ahmed, lawyer)

It is fine but …

I don’t mind donating my kidney to my wife if it will not affect me, but if it will affect my health I will not.

(Dipo Ahmed, student) I don’t wish for it My God will not allow such to occur in Jesus Name!

Amen. I do not pray for that to happen to you too.

(Bayo Odejini, estate surveyor) I kick against it When someone dies, he dies with his complete body except if the person has an accident resulting in the loss of a part of his body. The scripture says you will give account of your full body so whoever tampers with the body when one is dead is a sinner.

Even the person who is dead might not be giving his body charitably. If I am alive, I can give money not my organ, I must go back to God as I came.

Pastor Philips It’s not right I don't believe in any fetish thing, but the bible that I know does not support it. I also I feel it’s not right.

Archanwey Innocent, businessman No, I won’t I wouldn’t do that, it is better for one of the spouse to be alive to take care of the children than for both of them to be living vegetables (useless) and living on drugs for the rest of their lives.

(Christopher Akuchie, lawyer) Impossible!

I just can't donate my organs at death not for anything in this world.

Ololade Matemilola, teacher compiled by

ANGELA DAVIES, TITTY GLORY AND ABIMBOLA SODEKE

Yes, I will Yes, I will since I am leaving the world and someone else might need it medically.

Why will I not donate it when there's no spirit in my body anymore? It’s just a carcass and none of us is coming back. So, why hold on to a bottle when it can't be refilled?

Olatunde Olumuyiwa works at engineering firm I can’t My body is not for charity purpose. I will love to go complete to my creator because when I reincarnate I will need all parts of my body. Although, I learnt that if one loses a part of one’s body or gives it out, one will reincarnate as a physically challenged person, I don’t believe in that. But I can't just donate any part of my body.

Mrs. Lilian Emmanuel, businesswoman It’s against my religion My religion does not support it. Jesus already died for our sins and he has the power to redeem any body organ and heal the sick. So, he has the power to make it work for someone.

Emmanuel Egbuta, marketer I can’t do it I don't believe in anything, but I can’t just do it. Why will I donate my organs? For what?

When one dies the rest is to bury the person as normal. It’s not normal to remove any part for donation.

Give out as a way of charity wouldn’t even work because these days, people sell human parts to make money and people are there to buy especially the politicians.

Gbenga Olawale businessman

NTWEEKEND

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C o n v e r s at i o n

‘It Took My 60-Year-Old Patient 31 Years To Conceive’ Dr. Tunde Okewale’s St. Ives Hospital has delivered several babies through IVF since it was established a few years back. But none But none has reverberated as much as much as the feat that involved the delivery of a 60-year-old woman, Mrs. Omolara Irurhe, of a baby. Okewale, chief executive officer of the Ikeja, Lagos-based facility speaks with LANRE ODUKOYA on the breakthrough DELIVERING A 60-YEAR-OLD LADY Who wouldn’t bask in the same euphoria as Dr. Tunde Okewale’s especially for the profundity of the history he made recently? The unassuming fertility expert echoed his emotions as well as his patient’s: “We’re so excited here for various reasons. The first is because the age is the oldest to become an IVF mother in Africa. The oldest IVF mother record in the world is 69 years old by and Indian. The United Kingdom’s oldest IVF mother’s age is 60, which more or less means that we’ve equalled that. The excitement is there for us but more for her because she has tried for 31 years to achieve the pregnancy. She had done various IVF procedures in the UK and in other places in Nigeria.

She persevered and did it thrice here before it finally worked for her.”

ON THE TRYING PATH SINCE 2010 The end of the story sounds happy, but its journey is usually a far cry. Okewale narrated the woman’s startling tenacity: “Yes, she’s been doing this with us for four years now. But that doesn’t mean this is how long it takes to achieve pregnancy through IVF. For some people, it works at the very first attempt; in others it might take more than one attempt. It’s like one trying to achieve a pregnancy in one month, it might not happen. I’m even talking naturally now, it might now happen as fast as one thinks. For most of our people in Nigeria, because they pay out of pocket for IVF, once it fails at the first attempt, they abandon the whole process and lose faith in it. But abroad, where the government pays sometimes for it, they pay for three cycles ahead because they know it might not happen the very first time. They tend to persevere a little longer. Sometimes in the majority, it happens at the first attempt, but in others, it might take a second or third attempt.”

the body might reject the embryo. This happens for various reasons.

Maybe the embryo is not good enough for the body because it makes its own selections at that level. But the fact that it doesn’t work for one couple doesn’t mean it won’t work for others. It’s just like a couple saying because they didn’t get pregnant for two months they are not going to have sex again or that sex doesn’t result in pregnancy,” the doctor explained.

WHY IVF DOESN’T COME CHEAP The fertility expert explains why IVF procedure tends to be very expensive in Nigeria. “Insufficient fund for the procedure is a major problem. IVF is a very hightech procedure, it costs a lot of money to put things together, to even set a unit otherwise every hospital will have an IVF unit. Every single thing you use in an IVF procedure is imported. There’s nothing locally sourced even up to the water. When one says it is expensive, it has to be brought into perspective compared to not having a child at all and other medicine procedures.

If you compare it with someone having a kidney transplant or heart surgery, you’d realise that IVF is not really that expensive. If you’re doing a kidney transplant, you’d be looking in the range of N5million. And most IVF clinics in Nigeria charges between N650,000 and N2 million depending on the problem. Putting that money down now depends on the couple and their priorities in life.”

EMOTIONS THAT FOLLOW FAILED PROCEDURES Many patients feel left high and dry in the event of failed IVF procedures. The team collects the medical bill and goes ahead to do its bit, but how should a doctor handle the discomfiture of a patient who’d paid through the nose for a procedure that was to later fail? “The truth is that every failed procedure brings OKEWALE about a big psychological burden on both the couple and the doctor. This is so because as doctors, you know a lot about the patients, you have their history, where they are coming from, financial capabilities and so on and both of you live in hope while going through the process. So, POSSIBLE CAUSES OF DELAY for the pregnancy test result to come out negative can be very devastating to the couple And why do some get pregnant at the first attempt and others languish for more and the IVF team. These are people you’ve seen for quite some time and suddenly, everyagonising years? “It’s exactly the same reason somebody tries naturally for pregnancy body is like, what’s next? It’s not quite easy, but we tend to manage our emotions better in one month and it doesn’t happen. There are various reasons people don’t achieve it than the couples and we still have to give them hope. It’s more saddening that coming at the first shot. The fertilised eggs or the embryo might not implant. This means that back two or three years CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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‘Every failed IVF procedure is a psychological burder’ CO NTINUED FRO M PAG E 1 3

after a failed IVF process is like doing it the first time again.”

RISING COST OF HEALTHCARE GLOBALLY High cost of healthcare is of global concern. Okewale sheds light on the problem.

“Health is wealth, basically. Healthcare is expensive everywhere in the world and it’s because of the cost of drugs from the pharmaceutical companies, the costs of diagnostic equipment, professional training costs, costs of infrastructure and so on. So the onus is on the government to subsidize the cost of healthcare in any society. It cannot be a situation of ‘winner-takes-all’ where the rich can access healthcare and the poor cannot. Every normal government must carry along the under-privileged and the vulnerable groups like the children, women and aged people in the society.

This is also why health insurance has to be put in place. What happened in America all along was what happens in Nigeria where only the rich can access healthcare.

The Obama Care scheme is designed to level the ground so that the under-privileged ones can access healthcare. There’s a similar programme in Nigeria called the Nigerian Health Insurance Scheme, but for some obvious reasons, the government has refused to sign the bill till now. I think it’s a conspiracy among the elites who are just not interested in health for all. They can access healthcare anywhere in the world and are basically not bothered about others.”

ROLE OF AGE IN GETTING PREGNANT Why should age be a barrier to quick conception especially for those who need pregnancy desperately enough? Okewale cites lateness in trying to make babies as one of the major causes of infertility. “The number one factor in fertility for a woman is age. The younger a woman is the bigger her chances to fulfil the full potentials of fertility especially between the age of 20 and 30. Fertility in a woman starts dropping at a fast rate at the age of 35. By 40 for most women it becomes increasingly difficult to achieve their fertility potential.

The advice for young couple is to try and get pregnant as soon as possible, but there have been a lot of social problems in Nigeria over the last 20 years such that people are getting married at later age compared to anywhere else in the world. And it basically boils down to our socio-economic problems. So, there are a lot of late marriages because women are running after their career and men also trying to achieve some goals. This way we find a lot of people getting married in their 30s and late 30s and the incidence of infertility follows that as well.”

doctor in setting up a renal unit is the same that guides fertility practice by a medical doctor. There are many aspects of medicine and doctors have to self-regulate themselves in terms of many ethical issues. Professional associations and sub-professional associations like the Association of Fertility Doctors, we have guidelines on what we think we should do in our own environment. For example, in the UK, for cultural reasons and because the government pays for the healthcare and has a huge input in healthcare, the government of the UK can make a legislation that women should have only just one child at a time; there shouldn’t be twin-pregnancies especially when you do IVF, and that more than two embryos should not be transferred. But it’s a thing of joy here if you have two at a go.

So, you cannot import that kind of regulation to our own space. At the same time, we know that the higher the number of babies a woman carries, the higher the risks.

Those are the kind of regulations doctors and the sub-associations do and government has no input at that level.”

didn’t know something happened. In the medical parlance it was like man going to the moon. That caught my imagination and I was in sciences. I was still trying to make a decision about what to study when I get to the university. That was how it happened.

I really wanted to be part of good history too. At the university, you’d have to study general medicine first, you’d then specialise, for instance, in gynaecology and then sub-specialise again in fertility medicine,” he recalled.

SHRUGGING OFF WORRIES The emotional burdens do lighten up unless the doctor designs a programme to shrug off nagging worries. Okewale speaks of how he manages to relieve some emotional excesses: “I try to shed these worries, but you know the job of a doctor especially a fertility expert is a 24-hour job and your phone has to be perpetually open. There’s no closing time because people are always making enquiries and even the people you’re treating always have questions.

I try to create time by delegating duties, holiday at the right time and I socialise.

I’m also a cinema freak. I’m a member of Lagos Country Club, although I rarely go there and I frequently visit the gym.”

EARNING THE FAMILY’S UNDERSTANDING They say doctors’ family members hardly enjoy them and here might just be another confirmation. The job doesn’t only seem itinerant, it’s also one that requires the practitioners to put other peoples’ interest above self. Life above self has since become the way for Okewale and that’s what brings food to the table, an understanding his family is compelled to have. “They cope well and I just want to believe so. Once you’ve grown up to know that your father is a medical doctor, he works 24 hours and even when at home, he’s still giving advises, you naturally just get used to the way things happen around you naturally.”

FERTILITY MEDICINE AS A CHILDHOOD FANTASY For this doctor, fertility medicine was not just an afterthought; he had dreamed it and the inspiration to grow with aspiration couldn’t have come at a better time. “I’ve always thought that I’d be a doctor, not just one, a fertility doctor frankly speaking.

When I was doing my WASC in 1978, an event happened worldwide. The first IVF child was born that year and it was massive. There was no one on this planet that

SPORTS, A RESTED HOBBY He doesn’t only come across as an athlete, he was a sportsman but medicine was a jealous vocation that wouldn’t just spare him time for other considerations. “I used to do some sports when I was younger. In particular, I played football a lot. I did up to state level during the first national sports festival. In those days there were still Western schools and the rest of them. I played for the Mosquitoes Team and I played for my hall at the university, but as I got more

SUITABLE LEGISLATIONS ON FERTILITY MEDICINE “The same laws guiding medical practice in Nigeria is the same that guide the kind of job we do presently. But we do a lot of self-regulation because of the sensitivity of what we do. The same laws guiding a

“There have been a lot of social problems in Nigeria over the last 20 years such that people are getting married at later age compared to anywhere else in the world.”

Okewale with Mrs Irurhe and her baby

“I love good and enduring things. In automobiles, I really love Mercedes Benz cars for their luxury, engineering and the status.”

engrossed in medicine, I couldn’t go too far in that direction.”

OTHER FASCINATION Though, he’s feeling partly fulfilled already, he nurses another dream he hardly talks about. “Let me be frank with you; when I was growing up, I had two passions - medicine and broadcasting. This is so because I came from a broadcasting home. My father was a broadcaster and so is my sister. I’m even working in the direction of owning a TV programme on health matters and maybe this would happen in the coming years. I’ve not given up on it.”

FASHION AND STYLE Simplicity doesn’t end in the manner he picks his words, it reflects even in his style. “Fashion is something that changes and it means different things to different people, but whatever makes me comfortable within my means is what I clad. There are some things I wish I had, for instance, I wish I had an helicopter because it would ease my job. I would just fly from here to Ikeja and then to the office in Ikoyi. But I love good and enduring things. In automobiles, I really love Mercedes Benz cars for their luxury, engineering and the status.”

CRADLE MEMOIRS Though so much around him speaks “old money”, he would rather see himself like the child next door born without a silver spoon. “I come from a middle class family in those days. My father was a broadcaster with the Western Nigeria Television which later became Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation.

In those days, civil servants were the so-called middle class because we were neither poor nor rich. The simplicity of living then is something one still craves for. All that was required of us as kids then was to pass our exams and we lived in a close knit community in Ogun state and even when we were in Ibadan, Oyo state everybody was each other’s keeper.

Nowadays, you see young people of 13 to 15 years earning a living on their own, it wasn’t like that in our time. We looked up to our parents. We got protection from our family and the government. So, life was safer.”

INSTYLE

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

15

No revealing outfits for Olukunga Olayinka Olukunga, popularly known as Nnena, has a dress sense that is just as demure as the movie role that shot her to prominence. She discusses the roots of the simplicity seen in her style with ANGELA DAVIES.

Spot the casual shorts look Angela Davies

D

espite their obvious simplicity, shorts are trendy, sophisticated and comfortable to wear. It's no surprise then that some men tend to wear them, more than they had in past years, to different events for that smart look.

And since shorts stand for both the modern and the classic appeal, they should not be missing from a gentleman’s wardrobe.

However, before you decide to wear a short to any event, you should carefully consider the length down to the cut and from the fitting to the colours and patterns.

The length of your short should make you feel comfortable and also suit your style. It is advisable to select and wear solid colours such as black, brown, khaki, white and blue as they represent a safe bet, being the preference usually expressed by guys. If you are the bold type,

you can opt for striking shades like yellow, orange, pink or red.

TIPS • The fit is pretty much a matter of taste as it should reflect your personal style.

• Collared short-sleeve shirts are usually the best choice for a casual shorts look. But you can also wear shorts with T-shirt depending on the occasion and the fashion statement you intend to make.

• Consider fabrics like linen, chinos and madras for your shorts.

• Avoid shorts that are too tight.

• Choose plain, checked or stripes for a timeless, yet very much on trend style.

• Avoid wearing socks with shorts if you are pairing them with sandals, loafers, driving moccasins or sneakers.

To add oomph to your look, you should consider wearing a fedora hat and off you go.

How would you define your style?

My style is simplicity. Whatever looks good on me and I am comfortable in, that is what I wear.

What determines the kind of outfits you wear?

It is the nature of the event I am attending that determines what I wear.

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

That will be jeans and gowns.

What is the most expensive fashion item you have ever bought?

I can’t remember.

Is there any attire you won't be caught wearing?

I will never be caught in anything revealing.

Fashion accessory you cannot do without as a woman?

It is my wristwatch because sometimes I go without wearing earrings.

What kind of outfits do you love to wear?

I love wearing gowns, jeans and lovely Ankara jacket.

Best designer For me, you don’t have to be a famous designer for me to like your designs.

Once you are creative and your designs are beautiful, I will like you.

Signature perfume I love any perfume that has flowery smell.

How do you love your hair?

Due to the naturally curly nature of my hair, I just drop my hair. I don’t even relax or texturise my hair.

How do you love your makeup?

I love it simple, but I like emphasis on my eyes.

What is your preferred jewellery?

I love pearls, gold and silver accessories.

Style icon None. I just try to be me but I admire people when they look good and I love lovely fashionistas.

Best colour I am a freak for pink and, basically, I love colour combinations. I love to do purple, pink, yellow and orange. I just love to be colourful.

What do you think the world will look like without fashion?

It will be very dull and boring.

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INSTYLE

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

Accessories to live for

Belt it up An all-time favourite accessory, belts form an integral part of dressing. Belts pump up your style and add zing to your attire, writes ANGELA DAVIES.

A

wardrobe essential, a belt is a must-have accessory for men with a scrupulous dress sense. A belt can say a lot about your style. So, transform your simple clothes into stylish and trendy ensembles with a belt.

When buying a belt, you should know that there are two types of belts - formal or dress belts and casual belts. Formal belts usually sport a glossy, reflective finish while casual belts are more often found in flat, soft colours and textures.

The simplest rule when it comes to wearing a dress belt is that it should always match your shoes in colour and quality. Shiny black shoes demand a shiny black belt. When it comes to colours, most men prefer black or brown for easy coordination.

Meanwhile casual belts allow for more flexibility. Casual belts do not have to perfectly match your shoes. For instance you can wear dark brown shoes and a tan belt, or you can wear white shoes with a light brown belt. Also note that the bigger the buckle, the more casual the belt while small, sleek clasps are usually found only on dress belts.

Remember, the choice of men’s belt is limitless; however, there will be a belt that suits your personal style whether formal or casual.

Facts

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

Long sleeve paisley print shirt

Duro Olowu designs have been characterized as colourful, controversial combinations of African prints in a classic 70s tailoring. Based in London and of a Nigerian-Jamaican heritage, this lawyer and designer has allowed his rich cultural exposure to be the stepping stone to his success.

T

he fashion face-off this week is between Seun Soyeda and Ebuka Peters Ekwuelechi, a comedian with the showbiz moniker, Ambassador.

And the outfit in contention is the colourful, long sleeve paisley print shirt.

Soyeda wore a dark blue long sleeve paisley print shirt to actor cum director, Kunle Afolayan‘s private screening of his new production, October 1, held on Sunday, May 18 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. He tucked the shirt into a pair of blue slim-fitted jeans and held in place with a black leather belt with bronze buckle. He coordinated his look with a pair of black shiny shoes and gold wristwatch giving him a formal look.

On his part, Ekwuelechi also wore a blue long sleeve paisley print shirt to the third edition of the Needlekraft Fashion Show which took place at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island on Sunday, June 15. He also tucked his shirt into a pair of black pant held in place with a black leather belt with silver buckle. He harmonized his look with a black wristwatch, bead wristband, nerd glasses and a pair of timberland shoes.

So who do you think wore the long sleeve paisley print shirt better? Soyeda, wearing a print shirt with bigger size paisley motifs or Ekwuelechi, spotting a print shirt with smaller size paisley motifs?

The simplest way to store your belts is to use a belt hanger.

Loafers were originally designed for King George VI and the royal family as a ‘casual house shoe’.

They were deliberately designed without any laces or fasteners so that the king had no problem wearing and removing them.

The first mascara was invented in the 19th century by Eugene Rimmel.

Soyeda

Ekwuelechi

Kefee Nigerian artistes converge for funeral p.18 Praiz: My best moment in music is yet to come p.20

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It's official; Grace Amah's hiatus is over Grace Amah took time off acting to attend to the demands of motherhood.

But the lull may be over as the actress and mother of one makes a comeback. She discusses motherhood, relationship and fashion with ANGELA DAVIES. ABSENCE FROM NOLLYWOOD I have been away taking care of my son. I didn't work while taking care and spending time with him and that was a lot of sacrifice but it is worth it. But now I am back to do what I love doing which is acting.

MOTHERHOOD WITHOUT NANNIES It's very taxing to take care of a child. But there is always a sacrifice one has to pay and that for me is paramount because you want to look back tomorrow and be proud of your child. So for me, maybe I would have had a nanny close by but I will not completely leave my child in the care of a nanny because it is very dangerous as a lot of things are happening today. Aside the fact that you really don't know the person, you don't know what they will do to your child in your absence.

FRESH EXPERIENCE Motherhood has been fantastic because it has made me to be more serious, focused and responsible because before I became a mother, I would throw caution to the wind but now I won't try it. Then, I buy things without even minding how expensive they are, but now nobody tells me to spend wisely.

STRADDLING MOTHERHOOD AND MOVIE SETS Acting and motherhood are two different things which are time consuming so you have to be careful if not you will lose. But I know I can combine and cope with both very well successfully. Like I said earlier, I took time away from acting for a while because I needed to pay attention to my child because that for me is very important and I am still paying attention to him but at least he is a little grown. He is three years old now so I know I can leave him with someone. But I needed to be there for him and not for me to be everywhere and come home one day and my child will call me ‘aunty'. That will be painful so I had to avoid such a thing from happening which by God's grace I have done successfully.

NOT IN MARRIAGE YET NOT A SINGLE PARENT No, I am not a single parent but I am not married. I am with the father of my child.

RECENT MOVIE OUTINGS I have several movies but I have not done any at the moment. However, I have a couple of works that are yet to be released.

KEEPING AN HOUR-GLASS FIGURE AFTER CHILDBIRTH I just watch what I eat but I don't go out of my way to check out how I look because I am wonderfully and fearfully made. I know that I have gained some weight after childbirth, so I wear clothes that still suit my shape and bring me out in an elegant and stunning way.

FASHION TURN-OFFS You have to look at your shape to know what to wear but I have seen some women with protruding tummy wearing fitted outfits and for me, it is disgusting.

PERSONAL STYLE I like to wear clothes that suits me. I mean clothes that flatter my stature. The kind of outfits I wear is determined by the occasion.

However, the kinds of outfits that make up a larger part of my wardrobe are basically Ankara because I like to do a lot of African fabrics.

FAVOURITE FASHION ACCESSORIES I would say my handbag because women are known with their handbags.

DRESS I WON'T WEAR You will never catch me wearing bikini even by the poolside because my body is private and not for the public.

SIGNATURE PERFUME I have several of them, but the truth is that I am more of a masculine perfume person because the fragrance is stronger and also lasts longer.

MY TURN-ONS God makes me happy and I try to make myself happy because the situation of our country does not even help matters but we have to try.

GREATEST FEAR IN LIFE Well, I could say that maybe the fear of being a failure. I don't ever want to fail in life.

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LANRE ODUKOYA - 08059296445 lanreodukoya@gmail.com

Artistes unite to immortalise gospel singer Kefee T he death of gospel singer, Irikefe Momoh, a.k.a Kefee, remains one of the most talked about incidents in the Nigerian entertainment space till today. So, last week, we were part of those who goofed with the story that her corpse had arrived Nigeria. This is one of the predicaments of reporters who rely on sources from family members. Or how does one authenticate a story when the subject’s publicists also had no clue about the state of affairs while the deceased’s husband refused to respond to mails and call? Anyway, now we can authoritatively tell that over 100 members of the Nigerian entertainment industry gathered on Monday in Lagos to strategise on ways and means of giving Kefee a befitting burial. Some of the notable faces at the meeting were Nikki Laoye, Tosin Martins, Emem Ema, TeeY Mix, DJ Gosporella, Wamilele, Princess, Perry Martins, Praise Machine, Mudi, Righteousman, Nene Soul Diva, Victor Gospogroove, Gordons and representatives from Kefee’s family. One of those who made remarks at the gathering was Sammie Okposo.

Okposo noted that the death of Kefee has affected the Nigerian entertainment industry and the world over and not just the gospel music community in Nigeria.

"Kefee was a major contributor to the development of entertainment in Nigeria and the industry will be there for her even in death. We are going to

Niki Laoye

E-BRIEF

T

bury her as a queen and it would be nice for us to work together to make her burial a grand affair. It would also be nice to use this opportunity to get our acts together as Gospel artists and entertainers in general because that is what Kefee would love,’’ he said. Also speaking, Tosin Martins, suggested that activities in honour of Kefee should extend beyond the immediate burial plans to include a more robust an annual memorial symposium and other events which promote the interests and passion of Kefee for posterity’s sake.

A committee called the "Kefee Memorial Committee" (KMC) was thus constituted to plan the various events which would hold in Lagos and Sapele, the hometown of the late singer.

The members of the committee include, Sammie Okposo, Nikki Laoye, Commorade Rex Anighoro, Momodu Inu Noah, Tosin Martins, Anny Ibrahim, Joan Paul, Aity Dennis-Inyang, Emem Ema, Gbenga Akintokun, TeeY Mix, Tim Tehilla, DJ Gosporella, Praise Machine, Victor Gospogroove, Princess, Perry Martins, DJ Direal and journalist, Chilee Agunanna, who was Kefee’s publicist The committee would plan towards befitting burial events in Lagos and Sapele and some of the proposed activities were a symposium and service of songs tagged, "An Evening With Kefee" in Lagos.

There would also be a documentary on the singer’s life; performances of her

Sammie Okposo

songs by other artistes; Kefee memorial merchandise and a tribute concert in Sapele.

Kefee’s husband, Teddy DonMomoh, monitored the proceedings of the meeting from the U.S. where he is preparing to fly the body of his wife back home. He also stressed that some reports that claimed that he was stranded in the U.S. and soliciting financial help through a bank account were lies. Teddy said that, customarily, he would have to return home to Nigeria first, to be on ground to receive the body of his wife.

He said he was finalising the required paperwork before Kefee’s body could be flown from the U.S. to Nigeria and once those were done, more details of the burial plans would be released. Teddy said Kefee’s family had requested that she be buried in their hometown, Oghara-Inland, Ethiope East local government, with a celebratory service in Sapele afterwards and that he was comfortable with that. Those, according to him, were the only definite arrangements for his wife’s burial so far.

A condolence register has since been opened for the singer at her restaurant, Branama Kitchen, at Maryland, Lagos.

Princess

Tosin Martins

Thrills and frills at Baileys for Coloured Girls stage spectacle

heatre lovers last weekend at the Eko Hotel and Suites were treated to the best of stage performance as Baileys, the Irish Cream drink from the stables of Diageo Brands Nigeria sponsored “For Coloured Girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf”, an adaptation of Ntozake Shange’s work by Wole Oguntokun. The poem originally adapted for film by film-maker, Tyler Perry tells the stories of seven women who have suffered oppression in a racist and sexist society. The choreo-poem is an innovative combination of poetry, drama, music, and dance.

Speaking on why Baileys sponsored the event, Mr. Felix Enwemadu, general manager, Diageo Brands Nigeria said that Baileys is synonymous with today’s woman, the trendy woman

Grieving women on the stage of Coloured Girls

who dares to standout.

“The theme of the play syncs with the Baileys spirit of a trendy stylish woman, who dares every obstacle just to be herself. Baileys had sponsored this play to further reiterate its commitment esteemed to the advancement of womanhood

in a unique way. We want guests at this show to thoroughly enjoy themselves by the scintillating display of the cast. As a brand, Baileys want to provide more unique platforms like these to connect and engage with our consumers,” Enwemadu said.

The seven women in the play

are not named; they are meant to stand for the women who make up the rainbow. They are called “lady in brown,” “lady in red,” and so on. Each tells her own story. In a set of interwoven stories, each of the women tell hers reflecting on what it means to be a woman of colour, what chances and choices she’s had to make. It’s a convergence of women painfully in angst. They have been abused by their lovers, their rapists, their abortionists, and driven to the brink of despair. What strength they have left they find in music and in each other. The all-female cast drama starred artistes like Funke Akindele, Bikiya Graham Douglas, Ade Laoye, Oreka Godis, Diana Yekini, Carol King and Osas Ighodaro and directed by Keke Hammond. Although the

stories the women tell are tales of struggle, the play is ultimately uplifting. The seven women grieve, but they also celebrate their lives, their vitality and candour. As the play ends, the women recite, one at a time and then together: “I found god in myself/ and I loved her/ I loved her fiercely.” These women are not entirely powerless; they have the power of their own voices. They find the courage to tell their stories and thus triumph.

Female guests at the play had a great time visiting the Baileys boutique where they got free make-up sessions preparing them for the show. Some of the celebrities at the play include rapper Jude Abaga (M.I), comedian Ali Baba, Linda Ikeji, Sheyi Shay, Queen Aniva Adeyemi Adegeye, Kunle Afolayan, among others.

showbiz

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

19

s i a l e d e T , e t o Take n t x e n s ' d o o w y Noll ik d on the block Lagos-born actor and University of Lagos graduate of mass communication Tope Tedela has notched an impressive rise in Nollywood. The AMVCA winner speaks with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS Background I'm an actor, voice-over artist and a broadcaster. I am from Ekiti State. I'm dedicated to acting. And I like humble, respectful and confident people. I am the first of four children. I spent most of my growing up in Surulere, Lagos. For my secondary school, I attended Lagos State Model College, Meiran, Lagos. I was a bit mischievous while I was tender (smiling). I did a lot of funny stuff. I started as a science student, but I eventually ended up in the art class. I joined sciences because I saw that many of my friends were there.

How it all began I have always loved to act, but I didn't see it as something I would do professionally in my formative years.

My foray into acting began when I was cast as Julian on popular TV drama: Edge of Paradise as a student then.

And after I concluded my degree, I got more time to concentrate on acting as a full time job. I have been part of several performances, including Ola Rotimi's Man Talk, Woman Talk; James Omokwe's multiple awardingwinning Awakening; Moses Inwang's Torn; Jimi Odumosu's thriller In My Father's House; Cyanide; Apostates; Emerald; Heaven; The Hurrying Man and a host of others.

But the part I played in the movie, A Mile from Home, got me the Best Actor in a Drama Nomination at the 2nd Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) held in March 2014.

Romance with AMVCA My nomination at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards came as a pleasant surprise to me. It was totally unexpected and I'm grateful to God I was recognized for my work. I only did the best I could do and was open to anything that came out of it. I'm humbled and I felt glad winning the award. It means a lot to me. It has exposed me to a lot of people and more opportunities are coming my way. The award has placed me on a better pedestal, career wise.

Starring in A Mile from Home It was just like any other project I had embarked on. I believe it was just God. The script was good, interesting and challenging at the same time. It was something we were all proud to be part of. The news that I was not paid for the job painted the producer bad. He needed to make a film and there was no sufficient fund at as that time. But he had to carry out his plans to shoot the movie because he believed in it. I auditioned for the film and I was part of it. It was under that circumstances we did the movie, but he gave his words that everyone will smile when the film is released. We all trusted him and saw ourselves as partners for the success of the movie.

Motivation I feel life has been presented to us and we should make the best use of our gifts and talents so as to leave a mark on the sand of time. What drives me is the desire to leave the world better than I met it. I just wish I could turn it into a better place and I know my dream will come to pass someday.

Beyond acting Acting is my full time job. However, I proof-read, edit books and articles. I write occasionally too. I also anchor events whenever time permits me.

Tedela...'I think it's toxic to live in the past'

As a broadcaster I used to present programmes on UnilagFm and CoolFm. I was also once a newscaster at the NTA. Parents' backing My family have been supportive. But it was a different story while I was in school. At that time, they were so keen that I should acquire a degree. People also discouraged me then. I was asked to go look for work.

Plans for the future I hope I can continue to do great films and be part of projects that mean something to Nigeria, African and the world. I plan to hone my skills as an actor to a point where I can work on any stage in the world.

Crush on fellow artistes I do not have any crush exactly, but I admire the works of a lot of actresses. It is always wise to keep things professional.

Ideal woman I don't think there's an ideal woman or man. I am working on being a better human being. With time, I know I would find my own woman.

Between career and marriage There should be a place for my career and a place for marriage. I understand how relationships can be a bur-

den and a curse instead of a blessing so I think it's just important to make sure you are with the right person.

Fear in the industry Generally, you don't want to get lost in the applause and attention that comes with being an actor or someone in the public eye that you then lose your humanity and your soul.

Fashion sense I try to keep it simple, but nowadays, I am trying to experiment.

Likes and dislikes I am of the opinion that you can be here one moment and the next moment you are gone. I mean you're dead. I'm generally attracted to people who are down to earth and humane.

Regrets There are things, decisions, actions that one will rather not have taken or done. Nevertheless, I think it's toxic to live in the past. I've learnt not to move on regardless of the situation of things.

Advice to young actors I am a young actor myself in need of advice. If I were to advice a person, I would say, 'be sure this is what you want to do. Also, monitor your progress, keep a great attitude and be open to learning.'

20 SHOWBIZ OUT OF THE SHADOWS From the musical point of view, Praiz is a singer and song writer, music producer, and I have been in music for over 12 years. And as a person, I am Praise Adejo from Kogi State, Igala by tribe. My stage name is Praiz. I studied computer science at Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, and I’m the second child among five children, three boys and two girls. I was born in Lagos, but my father was transferred to Kaduna to work and we have been in Kaduna since 1992. I came back to Lagos for Project Fame and I decided to just settle because Lagos is the heart of the music industry. Since then I have been working.

DEBUT ALBUM UNDERWAY Funny enough, a lot of people believe I have dropped a lot of albums, but the truth is that my debut album is just on the way. I have dropped a couple of singles that have rocked the airwaves in Nigeria, Africa and in the United States as well. I am working on my debut album now which will reach the market by June by God grace. It promises to be a bomb because I have duet with a lot of great artists in that album; the likes of Sound Sultan, Ice Prince, Timaya and Wonder Baloyi from South Africa just to mention a few.

PIRACY NO LONGER A THREAT I can say piracy is being curbed in Nigeria.

It is reducing drastically for now in the Nigerian music industry, the digital music distribution has been helping which is why I am not scared about piracy.

ROLE MODEL There are a lot of people I have respect for in the industry. John Legend is a great musician, great singer and wonderful songwriter, also a philanthropist who has given me a lot of inspiration in life.

MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT ON THE BEAT That was when I have to perform on a particular stage and the people were just staring at me. Actually what happened was that, I have been on the same stage in the past, where I performed and the audience were thrilled, screaming and asking for more. But on this particular occasion, the same setting, the same audience, and to me I actually performed to the best of my ability, more than the first show, but the reaction I got that day was embarrassing. Although, I finished the performance, but deep down in me I was wondering what went wrong.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

PRAIZ ‘My best moment in music yet to come’

MTN Project Fame second runnerup, Praise Adejo, popularly known as Praiz, still enthrals with his enchanting voice. The artiste in an interview with CHARLES OGUNDIYA reflects on his career and family.

BEST MOMENT AS A SINGER To me the best is yet to come. I have had great moment so far in my career, I can’t deny that. But I am looking ahead for the best.

LOVE LIFE The love of my life are my family members for now. They will continue to be the love of my life because they have been there for me.

BETWEEN NIGERIAN AND FOREIGN MUSIC PRODUCTION No, I don’t think music production abroad is better than what we do back here. Currently, what we have in Nigeria is entertaining music and I would not wave it off. To me, music is symphony that gives you a particular feeling.

It could make you dance, smile or cry. It is just that Nigerian music is mostly dance music which is up tempo. You cannot deny the fact that we are number one in Africa.

Praiz

We’ve all got to pay our dues –Demmy Up and coming musician, Oyebade Ademola Olusola, aka Demmy, launched the video of his single, Tuale, this week at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos. He tells OLUSHOLA RICKETTS his desire to make a great impact on the entertainment scene When did you venture into music?

Professionally, I would say I started music about eight years ago. My first single was produced by Samklef and it was titled Padi Before and it featured Myro and T-Code in 2008. It was the first time I had the opportunity to work on myself. I was doing backups for people before then.

Demmy

Why not a career in the arts since music has been your passion?

If I had my way then I would have done anything that has to do with the theatre arts or music. I was a science student and the only one in my house. And for my parents, they do not compromise on education. It has to be either engineer or doctor for me. So since I had more interest in mathematics, I went for engineering. But the funniest thing

about passion is that it cannot leave you. If they wake you up at night or anytime, you are set to go. People expected my father to be my number one fans, but if you know the Ekiti people better you will understand what I am saying. They feel more proud to say we have a professor in the house than a Lamborghini. Education is paramount and you know the way we Nigerians see people who studied music or theatre arts.

What’s the story behind your first single, Padi Before?

The song was just centres around the fact that when you make money people will tell your story. And If you are on crime fighter too people will still tell your story. It was well accepted in the school then, but I could not push ahead because I knew my parents might not like the idea.

I don’t want to give them the impression that I was not focused. I did the little I could do and it was aired on the radio stations for a while.

What’s the story behind your new video?

The single is titled Tuale and it is like the official arrival of the “Royal Bread.”

I am from a royal family. Tuale emanated from the street and another word for is salute. At this point, we are trying to communicate to both the elite and the street.

The song is announcing to the public that I am finally here and this is where I want to be. The video was shot by Big John and the song was produced by Irich. It is an afro-pop song with a feel of indigenous tune, but I do not see myself as one genre kind of person. I try to do different genres of music because that makes you a professional. The only genre I will not do is rap. Not that I cannot rap, but I do not see myself rapping. I would rather feature an act I think is doing well in the area. But I have a special interest in Rnb because I see it as music that could make me relax and think.

Do you think the industry encourages up and coming artistes?

It is a hard question. I would use the word of Oritsafemi where he said, “if you are new in the game you have to pay your tithe”. I feel there are dues we need to pay to get to where we are going. Before people even listen to your song they have this feeling that it is sub-standard because of the songs we have lately. The encouragement part only comes from yourself, God and those who believe in what you do. And whatever you do, do not expect everyone to believe in it at the beginning.

You must be able to convince people by hard work and dedication to your trade.

SHOWBIZ

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

... a finger on the city’s pulse

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Friends pamper Danielle Allen on birthday

Arisekola-Alao’s prescience

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D

anielle Allen is a fast-0rising designer based in Lagos and shuttles between her home base in Harare, Zimbabwe, Lagos, Nigeria and the UK. The winsome lady was a year older a few days ago and she made no plans to roll out the drums. But to make the day a memorable one, her friends based in the UK where she had gone on vacation thought it was going to be a splendid idea to pamper with a two-toned exclusive birthday shindig. First was a super exclusive dinner for her and her close knit friends at the luxurious Buddha Bar on Knightsbridge in London. After the dinner and much backslapping, they motioned to another location to let down hair and partied till dawn.

It’s going to be a great year for the young, vivacious Zimbabwean because she would be showcasing her creative flair at various shows in London soon, the chief of which is the AFWL 2014 at the Olympia, West Kensington. Shortly after, she’s expected to showcase another couture collection at the gala and awards show at the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London.

21

Lisa Walsh returns to Ireland

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oung socialite, Lisa Walsh, who had a baby with her Irish husband a few months ago has jetted out to Ireland. The publisher of celebrity journal, Ella and owner of Prinatan Fashion left the country on her husband’s instruction over fears of insecurity in the country.

The Edo State-born entrepreneur and mother of three, according to sources, is sorely missing home but motherhood and matrimonial duties would make it daunting. Lisa is connoisseur of the good life with an irrepressible fetish for collecting eye-popping automobiles.

illionaire tycoon, Alhaji Azeez ArisekolaAlao who died and was buried last week might have had a premonition of his death.

Close family sources claim he had been battling the ailment since 2012. His doctor in the UK was said to have disclosed the severity of the ailment to the late mogul and had told him how long he might live. From that point on, he reportedly became more generous in giving and had warned his children sternly never to resort to violence over the sharing of his assets when he dies. Medication and strong faith reportedly kept him longer than the doctor’s report. Insiders insist that all the while, he enjoyed the remaining days of his life, took time to put in place arrangements on how his wealth should be taken care of to avoid bickering among his children and other beneficiaries. He reportedly placed his children numbering over 40 in charge of his various businesses. It was revealed that contrary to speculations that trouble will erupt in the family, Arisekola-Alao had taken time to document his last wishes and equally told executors to be discreet and upright in how they discharge their responsibilities.

The celebrated Islamic leader succumbed to the terminal ailment on We d n e s d ay, June 18.

Bishop Oyedepo completes Faith Academy in Ibadan

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ne of the world’s richest clerics, Bishop David Oyedepo without doubt leads the pack in private schools ownership in Nigeria and he’s further upping the ante with the completion of massive Faith Academy Secondary School in Ibadan, Oyo state. The ultramodern school is arguably the biggest among the Faith Academy Secondary Schools in his kitty and it’s estimated to be worth a whopping N300 million.

The school sits atop several acres of land and equipped with

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16th Wedding Anniversary for Tunde and Wunmi Obe

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lus-size singing couple, Tunde and Wunmi Obe were the happiest pair last Thursday, June 26. The couple had spent 16 years together in matrimony and Wunmi took to Twitter to appreciate her other half; “16yrs of marital bliss 2day with you. Luv you 2day & always. Hapi anniversary sweetheart.”

most modern gadgets that makes it world class facility. Works were said to have begun on the site about three years ago. The academic complex is oval in shape with all-marbled wall and has three buildings.

Aside that, there are other structures littered inside the plots of land which serve as administrative block, hall, hostels and staff quarters. The buildings have been completed and painted light yellow and cream.

And the school signpost boldly displayed at the entrance.

StartUps

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

28 JUNE 2014

You said you are an art entrepreneur, which means you make a living from sale of art works. What does it entail producing the pieces of works you sell?

The process of making art works has to do with getting the chassis, the wooding frames, then get the carvers, which is the clothing material which is used to cover the wooding frame, from there, you prime it. The priming has to do with treating the carvers so as to be suitable for painting. So, from there you start the painting. There are different mediums one can use, like different mediums of things like the oil, acrylics and so on.

How long have you been in the business and how did you develop the interest in the endeavour?

I started four years ago and I was driven by passion, interest, challenge to survive after realising my potential in this area.

What inspired you into making a living out of paintings and what were you doing before then?

I was doing it for pleasure initially as a teacher in private school where I got engaged in teaching of primary school pupils in a private school. I tried my hands in several drawings and paintings, in some cases drawings from pictures of pupils whom I was teaching and I did all that perfectly well.

So, somebody called my attention to it, that why am I wasting my time teaching with the potential I have? And that was how I started.

I said to myself let me learn it while teaching.

You mentioned learning, was it a formal training and what was the process of training?

I wouldn’t say I acquired a formal training because formal training entails enrolling in a conventional school. It was actually an informal training under my boss somewhere in Agidingbi. It was from him I acquired the skill which enhanced the art potential in me, and to a great extent it was him who inspired me.

How has the last four years of your incursion into art entrepreneurship been like in terms of patronage?

Art entrepreneurship is actually a lucrative business or venture. So, it’s been a very good business. As long as I continue to bring out new concepts in my paintings, people buy into them. If you keep doing new things people will appreciate them so, that is the way I see it. The moment you keep reproducing things they have been seeing often then they might actually neglect what you are doing. But if there is innovation in what you are doing, then you keep them coming.

How do you draw up your concepts, is it through mere imagination or what?

I draw up my concepts, let me say here that art drawing is generally putting geometrical shapes together, circles, squares, triangles, putting them meaningfully together, and putting together the right and appropriate colour combinations to produce a good art work. So, my concepts also come from inspirations, motive designs, and African motive designs. We have African patterns, which were used in the olden days probably to indicate signals, symbols and the rest so.

How many pieces of art works do you produce for sale at a time?

I produce as much as 120 and 150 works for sale at various times.

How do you derive different ideas of producing various art designs of such figures

I do what I do base on inspirations from God, I don’t know how to explain it

You need passion to succeed as an artist – Olanrewaju Afolabi Olufemi Olanrewaju, is an art entrepreneur, who eke living from commercial paintings of various designs, display at strategic locations.

He tells SEGUN EDWARDS that art entrepreneurship is lucrative but requires rare dedication.

without mixing them up or repeating one severally?

I would say here that, that is talent coupled with training and potential. I’m talented at doing what I’m doing, my potential enhances what I do, I do it without having to explain how I do it at times. The inspiration comes just like that but, I would attribute that to God’s doings. I do what I do base on inspirations from God, I don’t know how to explain it. I just know that I get inspired and people come to like what I’m doing but, basically, I derive my inspiration from God. If you talk about inspiration

coming from God, is it that you just sit down or meditate and start drawing? How exactly do you do it?

I get my designs from the things I see around, sometimes too, in my dreams when I sleep and wake-up I may probably get some inspirations and ideas about what I design.

I also attend exhibitions of established artists, where I get ideas about new ways of doing things.

Does the use of using art exhibitions to improve on your work not amount to spying other people’s works,

and have you been accused of copying people’s works?

No, I’ve not been accused, because I can say with all convictions that all my works are my original concepts. In fact, I can say I have seen some artists that have copied my works.

So, what have you done about that?

Actually, when I discovered that someone has copied my work, I try as much as possible to make my work unique.

Specifically, in what way do you differentiate your works from others?

I do this in terms of colour combinations, there is a way I would apply my colour combinations that even the boss who taught me wouldn’t be able to achieve this. Also, the use of lines and my signature will differentiate my works from others.

Who are your clients and how are you able to reach out to them?

My clientele is largely interior decorators who come by after furnishing houses and in order to add aesthetic value to what they have done, they come and get art works from me, I have them as my clients. I also have passers-by, people who are lovers of art, who naturally love what they see. They they stop and buy from me.

How much does an average of your art work sell for?

It ranges, I have painted art work that is as low as N1, 500 and I have works as high as N45, 000. So, it ranges.

Do you have designated places where you display your works?

At present, I display my works at the Ilupeju bypass, specifically on Town Planning Way close to Ikorodu Road and I have just sighted another one in Ikoyi, on Bourdillon Road.

For a start-up person coming into this venture, what is the basic requirement, the background or experience?

As a start-up, the basic requirement is the passion, then go further acquiring skill in use of lines, drawing circles, squares, acquiring skill in drawing geometrical shapes, then other things follow.

What about the take-off funds or capital requirement?

The financial commitment would depend on the amount of pieces of painted art works the individual wants to produce at a particular time. A new entrant can start with as low as N10, 000. Although this is outside funds required for rent of office space or workshop.

What is duration of the acquisition of skill despite having inspiration?

If it is formal education, it could be the Polytechnics which would take two years for the ordinary diploma, one year industrial training and another two years for the Higher National Diploma (HND), formal skill acquisition could also be got through the university in fine and creative arts for four years.

Have you had the opportunity of exporting your painting works?

I have clients who buy from me and export, but I’ve not been directly involved in exporting my works or have the opportunity of travelling abroad to showcase my works.

the arts

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

23

War of perception: A cross-cultural conversation on photography, identity and sexuality Writer, filmmaker and international abortionright activist, SARAH DIEHL, continues her conversation with Marxist critic and filmmaker, DIDI CHEEKA

S

D: I like your first remark, it makes me think of how situations and subjects become invisible by our preconceptions. So, even though they exist in real life they are doomed not to matter. I have no doubt that women were always gazing and desiring men. They were just not encouraged to do so. The female gaze was made invisible and a deliberate blind spot of society, in order to uphold hierarchies about who was empowered to desire and herewith control.

But the “blind spots” of my own gaze got awfully clear to me, once when I was traveling through Gambia. Gambia has a reputation now of European women seeking male prostitutes.

When I was there about 10 years ago, I was approached by men in that way but I couldn't see myself as a customer of people who prostitute themselves. I didn't understand the signs. It took me a while before I actually got that they wanted me to be their "sugar mommy." It was all very confusing.

To understand that these men could see me as a customer of their bodies, their sexuality and somehow also of their integrity, was very alien to me. Because I never learned in our culture that I could buy a man. It reminds me of an article I wrote years ago for a daily newspaper in Germany about my experience in a strip show by men for women. The whole event didn't work out for me, because I was turned off: I felt awkward due to how staged that seemed. It was so clearly trying to create a market niche where women cheer at men's bodies. There was nothing liberating about it, quite the contrary: instead of trying something new, it just copied a vulgar Ibiza-style.

I couldn't enjoy it, because my enjoyment would clearly buy into an ugly consumerism. My mother told me that she attended a Chippendale show with some girlfriends. She comes from a generation where this gazing was not permitted and encouraged (even though, of course, it took place among her girlfriends.

My mother actually told me that she enjoyed going out with her girl-gang checking out boys much more than having a boyfriend). So her perspective had an air of liberation and equality, instead of oppression and corruption. I enjoyed listening to her experience. But that is, of course, just one side of the story.

I think you are right with your observations on the Völkerschau: I want to add that, as Joshua Kwesi Aikins emphasizes

REVIEW in his research, the Völkerschau stopped in the 1940s not because they were seen as inhuman, but because some participants undertook some actions which were just too subversive for the German audiences. Some Africans compared the “tribal” dances they had to perform to the “tribal” dances in Germany - the Schuplattler, some wore suits instead of “traditional tribal costumes” (which were, as well as the dances, of course, totally made up from German exhibitors' imagination) - and, here it comes, looked back at the German audience with a lorgnette, an instrument which symbolizes sophistication, civilization and the arts. All this exposed the vulgar racism of the Völkerschauen which could not pretend to be the climax of civilization.

Africans looking back with a lorgnette put themselves in a position of higher culture than the Whites who rather behaved like going to a fairground attraction.

That, by the way, is a story totally ignored by the German history canon, where Africans - if they are acknowledged as victims of oppression at all – are hardly represented with their agenda and subjectivity. That also played into my confusion about Gambian male sexworkers.

I remember one night where a man in Gambia offered me his service and when I friendly declined he said, we could also make love without the penis. I found that offer quite remarkable and was wondering if it was something he liked personally or if this offer was accustomed to European clients of his sexwork, who want to be assured that the offered service is directed – with a focus on the clitoris rather than her vagina - at their pleasure. As an assurance not to be penetrated by a man who might turn out to be selfish. Of course, it could also mean he thought that Europeans were scared of STDs. Not only that, but also in relation to colonialism, poverty and sexwork, I find it very powerful when you say, through its myths, an image of male and female sexuality was produced that deprives sexuality of its humanity, because you indicate how the way we learned to gaze defines also our action and relation to each other. A classic cliche is that women tell men to switch out the light when they have sex. She is too ashamed to be all exposed for the man to see her flaws (thus she perceives herself that she has to be the perfect object of his desire) and see her excitement about him. Because she looks needy and horny, she is afraid that her arousal looks ridiculous to him.

The act that is supposed to be about total pleasure and melting into each other, lust and togetherness is forbidden, she is stuck in self-consciousness.

So, watching my boyfriend

Cover of Diehl's book

‘Is male prostitution also an irreparable damage, an irreversible destruction of a human body?' under the shower is an attempt to connect to him, maybe as an attempt to create true intimacy, when we overcame his shame.

And here, as well as with my experience with the male sexworker, we also come back to your question “Is a non-erect penis not part of male eroticism?” A question I really liked very much.

It is the eroticism of expectation, surprise, exposure, the absence of danger or force, as well as the intimate honesty and care of someone who cannot “perform”. A non erect penis is an offer of intimacy without the force of a man's will, exploring each other's body, without the need of penetration (and thus avoiding the possibility of the man to totally take over, which is by the way exactly the point of a particular debate about rape: a woman's NO has to be respected at all points of an ongoing sexual

encounter, even if she consented in the beginning, for the man might turn out during the play to be selfish or rude or violent).

A non-erect penis can be an offer for more time and space and sometimes depth in a sexual encounter for there is no need for a specific play and an orgasm. Also it is the aftermath, the cuddling and warmth after sex, when we lie in bed all wet and happy.

And that also is a quality feminist porn has in store. It is much more diverse, than just focusing on the male body for a female audience. It also includes a lot of signifiers for women to feel safe and not objectified, for example, they show the use of condoms.

The models don't always have to represent unrealistic beauty standards, it's not too clean and sterile, and often transcend strict gender signifiers, utilizing imagery we didn't expect. It's about having fun and not being objects.

It gives space for non-standard sex. Often the actors are being interviewed so you learn about their perspectives, why they like what they do. This enables a whole turnaround of the cage of the clear-cut images of women being “taken” by men. Like my friend Bini Adamczak came up with the term circumclusion instead of “being penetrated”.

It emphasizes a perspective of activity and sovereignty by women. A women circumcludes a penis.

DC: It's a way of seeing. I recall what you said about American Apparel Ad, the staging of men in position usually occupied by women, its seeming unworkability - which arises from the strangeness of seeing men occupy a position that is not theirs, so to say. This, and in a way, what you say of Gambia is a reason I detest a certain kind of "feminist," whose notion of liberation means women positioning men in ways long occupied by women. That is to say, the legitimization (by women) of women as bitches. In response to the deliberate invisibility of the female gaze, yes, I do think that male and female erotic responses to visual stimuli is culturally conditioned. What you say about your mother and her friends reminds me of a story my mother told me sometime ago: the first time she set eyes on my father's village champion wrestler. (My mother is from the coast, so the concept of half-naked men engaged in wrestling was alien to her.) She was twenty and newly-married. What a sight he cut: with his loin-cloth barely covering his heavy buttocks, and the women of the village chanting praises a safe distance behind. So, yes, I think Kinsey's female nonerotic response to visual stimuli is not biological.

To pursue Gambia a bit further. To challenge my preconception, if I accept prostitution as an act of violence a woman commits against herself for material gain, am I merely reconfirming a mindset? Do I see male prostitutes in this light? Is male prostitution also an irreparable damage, an irreversible destruction of a human body? Are male and female commercial sex the same thing? I think it's safe to say that with both male and female prostitution, men and women are both mauled by the reduction of sexuality and sexual fulfillment to having as many orgasms as often as possible. Part of the thrill of commercial sex, at least for men who use the services of female prostitutes, is the powerplay. Is there, I wonder, a transfer of power to these women who go to Gambia during the sexual encounter? This takes me back to Milbrath's photos, viz., how men and women are sexually positioned: is it about what could be done to this male body, or what this body could do to them - for these pleasure-seeking European women? In what way does the fact that, historically, men have held a sexual dominance affect our perception of male prostitutes? Is not our general perception of men in society one of power, domination? Do we ever look at these Gambian males as being exploited by the European women - because of their material circumstances - the same way we'd look if they were female?

I find it really interesting, your experience in Gambia, your use of market terminology. In a marketdriven society, form is usually c o n t i n u e s o n pa g e 2 4

WITH EVE BANIGO

Airwaves

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On the radio H ello there. So, I’m back. Before I start with anything, I want to apologize for my unintended six-week hiatus from review writing. There’s a noticeable air of feverish excitement everywhere. I knew this world cup would be packed full of surprises for its audience around the world. So far, it’s lived up to its promise. The most amazing thing I’ve seen so far was the goal scored mid-flight

by Van Persie (aka flying Dutchman). I’m still awed by the skill, the artistry that went into that display - especially since I’m a fan of the English club he plays for in the league. Persie made goal-scoring seem like music in motion.

Anyway, not to digress too much. This is not a football review. Here’s my list of radio programmes to listen to, the ones I find myself not wanting to miss whenever they’re on air. So, here we go!

RICK DEES WEEKLY TOP 40 Rick Dees has been around for as long as I can remember.

My romance with the weekly top 40 began in secondary school on a sweltering hot Sunday afternoon, with my little radio that served as my only means of getting information from the outside world. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked. The weekly top 40 is an international radio and the programme Airs on Sundays by 12pm. It features a list of foreign songs, from ‘’rave of the moment” to “been around for a while but still good stuff nonetheless’’. If you’re into Nigerian vibes only you might not find this to your taste. But, as compensation, Rick Dees drops juicy gossip and up to date news on

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the entertainment world.

GOOD MORNING NIGERIA SHOW Ever wonder why that colleague of yours at work isn’t always so grumpy in the mornings? Or that person who let you in his lane on your way to work this morning? They probably have been listening to the Good Morning Nigeria Show on Cool FM 96.9 with Mannie and the angels. I love this show.

The fact that Mannie is so hilarious makes it even better. I’m hooked, people, I know I am.

The show kicks off in the last moments of dawn with the inspirational hour, then the show proper commences one hour later. Sometimes they do kid programs that run between 7am and 8am. Great way to liven the journey to school for children.

Each day, there’s a different programme and theme, like the Single Wednesdays or Love Thursdays.

Although I find the commercials too incessant, and music played in between the breaks too rampant, I think it’s really good.

It’s not just entertainment all the way, current news concerning everyday happenings, sports, politics and finance is given. It’s the perfect combination for every taste.

CHICO’S DRIVE TIME SHOW The Drive Time Show hosted

by Chico on Classic FM 97.3 is one I hate to miss. I discovered it some months back and now, whenever I want classic 80s,and 90s music, I tune in to classic FM. I find it particularly soothing, especially on days I’m grumpy and stuck in traffic, or on evenings when I just want to drift away.

Listening to it always awakens feelings of nolstagia. I’m

quite sure anyone who grew up listening to 90s music would feel the same way. It’s perfect for the drive back home, or for an evening where a person wants that sort of ambience though I’m quite sure the myriad of advertisements would almost ruin it for the listener. Nevertheless, the show’s really good music prevails over the boredom of its incessant commercials.

NO RUBBER I literally balked the first time I heard this programme’s title, but be rest assured, whatever popped into your mind at first has nothing to do with the programme. It’s an interactive talk show done on Gidilounge FM,

Listening to it always awakens feelings of nolstagia. I’m quite sure anyone who grew up listening to 90s music would feel the same way which is an online radio station.

No Rubber is fresh, funky, and yes, could get a little obscene at times. Various topics are discussed, ranging from normal day to day happenings in life

and relationships to serious issues. I enjoy listening to it when I can, it airs on Wednesdays by zero dark on the dot, so it’s safe to say it airs on Thursday mornings. I like it because it mainly deals with issues that we encounter in the modern society but are too stuck up or sanctimonious to acknowledge.

If you’re like me who could do without a little sleep, I guess you could listen to it once. Listening to other people’s opinions in certain matters could be refreshing, and hilarious even.

Well, that’s it, folks. I hope you all have lovely weekends. If there are any shows you would like to share, please e-mail me nemibanigo@ gmail.com.

A cross-cultural conversation on photography, identity and sexuality C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 3

passed off as content. Since naked cash is the sole nexus between individuals, what common ground could exist between men and women except as buyers and sellers? Again, on the legitimization by women of themselves as bitches. Does the availability of commercial male bodies - in strip clubs and the Gambia - signify the arrival of equality, liberation? I can understand why male strip club did not work for you, the same way commercial male sex did not. Neither signified liberation, but rather a buying into ugly reality. They do not in anyway challenge our reality. I do wonder, however, to reference the Völkerschauen, if a modified version of it is enacted on the beaches of Gambia and Mombassa. It seems to me, these sex tourists who come to the Gambia are more comfortable with black males they can lead around with an invisible leash and make to perform. (I find what you say

Diehl

about the Völkerschauen really interesting.)

It is possible to agree with Freud - in reference to your comments about the cliche of the female need to shroud herself with darkness, her need to hide her desire - that every sexual act is “a process in which four persons are involved.” One can extend this to also include the preconceptions about ourselves and each other both sexes bring to the act. The

one responds to the other - during the act - not truthfully, but according to his/her own externally-imposed preconception. Identity is constructed from birth. It is safe to say that, distance tend to develop between women and their body. This distance is culturally constructed. In a way, I think this is expressed by the myth of Immaculate Conception: the construction of female sexuality in reproductive terms - to exclude

the vagina and clitoris. Woman, what is she? A womb, an ovary.

As an aside, I’m thinking of Jamie McCartney’s The Great Wall of Vagina. To what extent does it speak to female shame to never go down there? It is possible that to the traditionalist-minded, McCartney’s images (So unlike the astonishing leveling out of uniqueness in porn’s designer vaginas), from the most intimate world of women, which had always remained hidden from the eyes of women themselves is an excursion to the dark side of art. A person can either submit to this imposed identity, or seek to reconstruct herself on her own terms, to resist all attacks against her sense of self. (It must be said, however, that easy access to male flesh - on ‘female terms’ - and the staging of the male body does not in anyway constitute resistance to attacks against self.)

With Milbrath, there’s no attempt to go beyond the surface, to look beyond stereotype. There’s, in

this gaze, no questioning. My reality of being male is not validated by mainstream imaginings of men.

I’d managed to hang on to my own sense of self all through the crisis of adolescence and the pressures to conform. It is for this reason I make my male protagonists deliberately feminine. (The most powerful men are men who are not afraid to be feminine. Machismo is cover for insecurity.) I’d translated my discontent into new images with which I seek to undermine conventional perceptions of black male sexuality. For me, it’s not just the sex. I particularly like the shared silence, the talking, and the taking breaks, the nonsexual caresses. I like that it is not just the sex. The commodification of love expresses itself in the fetishization of sex, that is, sex stripped of its human quality, stripped of tenderness. To accept this is to accommodate oneself to a life without beauty.

- Cheeka is the curator of Lagos Film Society

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Ahmed Musa scoring his first goal for Nigeria against Argentina in the on-going FIFA World Cup

hen Osaze Odemwinge scored the only goal for Nigeria against BosniaHerzegovina in a crunch Group F tie decided in Cuiaba, his name was on the lips of many followers of the game in the country and beyond.

Osaze received a precise pass from Emmanuel Emenike from the right flank and he wasted no time in slotting in the ball past goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. Incidentally, that goal earned Nigeria a second round berth.

Against Argentina in the last group match

played at the Estardo Beira in Porto Alegre, all eyes were again on Osaze to shoot down the Argentines but that was not to be.

The shining light in the Eagles team was an unassuming player. He is Ahmed Musa who was outstanding even in the 3-2 defeat. After a first glance at the team sheet, many were not comfortable with Musa earning a starting role.

It was a day Musa proved many of his critics wrong. It was a day he was able to translate his club form to the national team.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi got the opener in the 3rd minute and Musa levelled up just seconds later with a fantastic drive from the left flank.

He received a great pass from Babatunde Michael and his finish was fantastic.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

28 JUNE 2014

IT‘S A FRESH START FOR ME -MUSA

Shortly before the interval, Messi struck again with a free kick and first half ended 2-1. But just three minutes into the second half, Musa was on song again. One-two pass with Emenike and he sent the keeper to the wrong side before hitting

the target.

At 2-2, it was a MessiMusa show before Argentine, Marcos Rojo, deflected in a cross from the left to earn the South Americans the three points. Musa almost recorded a hattrick but his effort was blocked by Pablo Zabaleta.

For the CSKA Moscow player, this could be the turning point in his national team career.

His brace was the first in history by any Nigerian player in one match.

Musa said; “I am happy with the two goals but would have been happier with a victory or a draw.

KESHI, EAGLES ON THRESHOLD OF HISTORY}p.31

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We did well and deserved a result in the match.

“This is the biggest stage in football and it is not easy to score two goals in a match. It is even more difficult doing so against a great team like Argentina. The entire team has been working hard and for me to have scored is work of God. I am happy.”

The striker said with his goals against Argentina, he will enter any match with the confidence of hitting the target.

In the Super Eagles, Musa is one of the most CONTINUE ON PAGE 27

I LOVE MESSI - AZARENKA }p.32

CARROLL SCORING ALL OVER THE WORLD

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26 SPORT

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LEAGUEMANIA WITH CHIMAOBI UCHENDU princehench@yahoo.com

08114495359, 08092747532

SHORT TAKES

Ajani poised to return to Sunshine

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jani Ibrahim could well be on his way back to former club Sunshine Stars from Sharks.

A top source close to Sunshine Stars said the striker has agreed to rejoin the Akure club for the second round of the Nigeria league season.

“There is already a gentleman’s agreement between Ajani and Sunshine.

He should have signed for Sunshine several days ago, but he asked that he be allowed some time to pick up his belongings from Port Harcourt first,” the source informed.

Ajani is one of several experienced campaigners who are heading back to Sunshine ahead of the second round of the season.

Both defender Emmanuel Olowo and midfielder Cletus Itodo have already

Ajani

returned to the Akure Gunners after they quit in the close season.

Former Gateway FC star Ajani, had reunited with former Sunshine Stars coach Gbenga Ogunbote at Sharks in the close season.

Frustrated Okwara set for Dolphins exit

Ebimobowei Peter of Bayelsa Utd beats Ebinipere Dengo

Nigerian referees must officiate S at next World Cup –Maude

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igerian referees are now envious of their counter parts from around the World, who are currently officiating at the World Cup in Brazil.

They seem to have woken up from their slumber, after they have been ignored by FIFA at major competitions.

Recently the president of the Nigeria Referee Association, Ahmed Maude said every impediment that had made his members unattractive FIFA and CAF must be removed so that they could be counted among the best in the world.

He declared that the Association is working on ensuring that Nigerian referees officiate at the next FIFA World cup in Russia.

“I am not happy that our referees are not officiating at this World Cup and we are not just sitting down doing nothing about it. We have put structures in place to see how more qualified referee capable of officiating at major football tournaments would be produced.

It is just a matter of time, we shall get it right, just be patient with us,” Maude said.

He argued that it was not a thing of joy that no Nigeria Referee is officiating at the Brazil World Cup. “My tenure as NRA President will come to an end next year, but I can tell you that whoever will take over from me will continue the good work to produce more

qualified referees for the nation. As you can see now the programme is already yielding result as we now have young referees officiating in the Nigeria Premier League and they are doing well,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Referee boss has hailed the performances of the referees officiating at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Brazil despite the mistake that have been made by some of them.

He stressed that the fact that some referees made some mistakes

should not be taken to mean that the performances of the referees whom he said are given their best to ensure that the matches go smoothly, are bad.

“I think the referees are doing so well at the World Cup and they should be praised for doing a good job and not condemned. It is not easy to hit 100 percent performance in officiating matches, so if a referee gets 70 percent I think he deserves to be praised. Mistakes are unavoidable in this business,” he added.

Enyimba assemble killer squad ahead of second round

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wo-time Africa Champions League winners, Enyimba International of Aba, are not leaving any stone unturned in their efforts to reclaim the Nigeria Premier League crown.

In this light, they have quietly eased out the entire coaching and backroom staff of the team and replaced them with tested hands ahead of the second stanza of the league which kicks off in few weeks’ time.

Inside sources told Leaguemania that aside the hiring of Coach Kadiri Ikhana to replace Zachary Barage, the club also hired Napoleon Aluma, a former assistant coach of Sunshine stars of Akure to replace Coach Imama Amapakabo and also engaged Friday Christo-

pher to complete the squad for the task ahead.

Ikhana is not new to Enyimba, as he won the CAF Champions League trophy with them before leaving, but the question on the lips of the club supporters is whether Ikhana is still in touch with current football techniques, having left coaching for some time.

Baraje could have finished the season with Enyimba if he had not lost control of the team and no longer commanded respect from both the players and his backroom staff.

The management of the club saw this development as a distraction that could derail their ambition and quickly showed him the exit door.

triker Fred Okwara has revealed he has been frustrated at Dolphins and so will quit the Port Harcourt club during the World Cup break.

“I will not return to Dolphins for the second round of the league,” disclosed the former Enugu Rangers and Enyimba striker.

“I have had a rather tough time with Dolphins.

“I have packed my belongings from Port Harcourt back to Enugu as a result.”

First-team appearances were few and far between for Okwara at Dolphins in the first round.

A likely destination for the striker would be Heartland, who he has already opened discussions with.

Besides featuring for several of the country’s top clubs, Okwara also Okwara posted a stint in Turkey.

Ebimobowei wants to be goal king

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ayelsa United’s Ebimobowei has said he wants to finish as top scorer in the Nigeria league after he smashed his 10th goal of the season against Giwa.

Ebimobowei is now joint leading scorer with Enugu Rangers striker Ighodalor Osagona, who has also netted 10 goals.

“I hope to win the highest

goals scorer award. It’s a dream and I hope to stay injury-free so as to achieve this,” he said.

“What I have scored so far is better than what I scored throughout last season.

“I was also happy that my goals have kept my club outside the relegation zone.”

Bayelsa are 16th on the table with 24 points from 19 matches.

Adekunle Salami

OMERUO AND YOBO It is normal for players to exchange jerseys with one another after a match. But this happens mostly between players of one team and the other. Shortly after the Nigeria, Argentina match on Wednesday in Porto Alegre, Nigeria’s strong man in the defence, Keneth Omeruo, ran to his colleague, Joseph Yobo and asked for his jersey.

Yobo promptly obliged him and wore it also immediately.

Omeruo later told newsmen that he did that out of the respect he has for the Norwich defender. “I was surprised when he approached me and feel highly honoured,” Yobo said.

LOST IN REPUBLICAN The landmarks here are so identical. A Nigerian restaurant has been discovered in Republican area of Sao Paulo. In most cases, we either go there to eat or we buy take away to eat at the hotel. Very late on Tuesday, with two other colleagues, we head for Republican. This time in a taxi and not metro. We got to a point and felt the taxi was playing pranks to enjoy the metre advantage and we also saw what we felt was a landmark to our destination. We alighted and trekked toward the place only to discover that we were wrong. We kept trying for over 30 minutes and failed to locate the food place. We found a Nigerian who further misled us with his description of the Nigerian food restaurant. 10 minutes later we were in the middle of nowhere and another Nigerian emerged and told us how to locate the place.

It took us close to one hour to get to the restaurant after we left the taxi.

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Lagos ITTF World Tour: Oshonaike, Omotayo applaud organisers

SAMBA NOTES FROM BRAZIL Compiled by

ADULT CLUB ROCKS There is an adult night club in Santana area of Sao Paulo where amazing things are happening on a daily basis.

The club is just about three minutes trek from my hotel. Every evening I see old men and women outside the place drinking and smoking cigarette. Findings reveal that you must be 65 years old and above to join the club but we see young guys in their 30s or below outside the club with old women. Young girls also visit the place to meet old men. The rule however is that no young person below the stipulated age can enter alone except as a partner with a member of the old club. The way these oldies ‘rock’ even outside the club is surprising.

You will see an old woman with wrinkled face in the arms of a young man in his thirties outside the club cuddling and kissing vigorously.

Some of them are also into drugs and after taking their ‘thing’ will just be on the floor helpless and waiting for the effect to clear before moving on. The club operates 24 hours.

SPORT

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

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Charles Ogundiya

ormer Africa number one women player, Funke Oshonaike, has praised the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation for organising the on-going Lagos Table Tennis Open, and giving players in the country an opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the best players in the world.

“The atmosphere here is of international standard,” said Oshonaike, who plays professionally in Germany. “The hall, the playing boards, the lighting, is of international standard. And we have the opportunity to play against world stars.”

Another player who also applauded the NTTF for staging the event was Italybased Omotayo Olajide, who

Oshonaike

Para-powerlifting Federation warns against doping

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ollowing a recent anti-doping order by the National Sports Commission (NSC) to various Sports Federations, the Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation (NPPF) has warned coaches and athletes to desist from any doping act in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games scheduled for Glasgow or risk life ban.

“We have ensured and sensitised our athletes for them to be free from drugs knowing that the country had drug scandals in the past.

In respect of that, we have sounded it as a note of warning that any coach or technical official found indulging or encouraging doping will be banned for life from our programmes and activities.

Technical Director of the federation, Mr Samuel Ekeoma who issued the warning yesterday noted that drastic action would be taken against any athlete or coach that tarnish the image of the country.

Mr Ekeoma further disclosed that no fewer than 14 Paralympians are currently in Ibadan where they are intensifying preparations ahead of Glasgow event.

“We are doing fine in Ibadan in terms of training and improvement; though other federations are in Abuja, but we are not regretting it. Our case is a peculiar one because of the accessibility of public buildings; so, we have a comfortable accommodation (Horizon Hotel) in Ibadan that is disability accessible; it is familiar to the athletes and officials.

sang the praises of the tennis body for doing its best to improve the standard of Nigerian table tennis players, even as he called on the National Sports Commission to tow the same line.

Other players who spoke with New Telegraph also expressed gratitude to the NTTF for staging the championship, adding that it will give them an opportunity to improve their game and world rankings, especially as it is difficult for Nigerianbased players to compete at international championships owing to a lack of sponsorship.

One of these players is teen sensation, Tosin Oribamise, who said that without investment in Nigerian-based players, the country will continue to falter and perform badly at international competitions.

Oshodi replaces Nsirim as Judo Federation president

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he board of Judo Federation of Nigeria which impeached their president, Timothy Nsirim has replaced him with Oshodi Musa.

They accused the ousted president of incompetence, highhandedness while also lacking the kind of leadership quality needed to lead the Federation to the height they all desire.

They also accused the ousted president of not carry-

ing the other board members along in the discharge of the activities of the Federation.

The board meeting which took place at the Abuja National stadium velodrome lasted for two hours, and the spokesperson of the board, Engr. Sulaiman Ahmed said that the leadership has also resolved not to allow non-Judokas to be in charge of the Federation henceforth.

“The federation wishes

to announce that there is a change of leadership in the Federation with the passing of a vote of no confidence on the President and had also gone ahead to replace him with a professional Judoka which is in line with the new rules given by the international body. We have written to the National Sports Commission/Ministry of sports and all relevant agencies intimating them of the new development,” Ahmed said.

It ‘s a fresh start for me -Musa CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

criticised players in the team due to his delivery and work rate. If he starts a match, he is a likely candidate to be substituted and sometimes he comes into the game from the bench.

He has not been consistent with performance in the team.

“If you can score against Argentina, you can score against any team. I am so happy I did and I feel this could be a new chapter in my national team career or do I say a fresh beginning. My ambition is to be a regular player and regular

scorer in the Super Eagles.

“I am happy we are moving to the next round of the competition despite losing this match but the Argentines too saw the kind of fight we gave them, “he said.

The Moscow based player stressed that his goals against Argentina were enough for his critics to take him as a special player in the team.

“Of course, I am special.

What I did in one match is there for people to judge me and I am sure I will do better in the team.” Musa said.

Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, also commended Musa for his

composure in the match against Argentina.

“He was focused and clever.

The two goals were very outstanding and Musa just like any other player in the team is good. It is not fair to criticise or underrate any player in the team. People were also asking why Babatunde was at the World Cup but we all saw his efforts against Bosnia and Argentina,” he said.

In the second round match against France in Brasilia, Musa is expected to start from where he stopped in the match against Argentina in Porto Alegre.

Willian

hile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo believes his side’s World Cup last-16 clash against Brazil on Saturday represents a “tremendous opportunity” to knock the home side out of the competition.

Bravo, who will move to Barcelona after the World Cup, has been in fine form for the South Americans and played his part in one of the tournament’s biggest shocks as they sent Spain home with a 2-0 win over the defending champions last week.

“We have the ability, we have the players and we have the tools to hurt Brazil.

They have great players, but we are focused on our own game and we know that we are very strong as a collective.

“It’s a great motivation for us because Brazil are a historical team in World Cups. It’s a tremendous opportunity for us to knock out the home team, the hosts, and we are going to give it everything we have.”

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We can eliminate Brazil-Bravo

ajibade.olusesan@newtelegraphonline.com

AJIBADE OLUSESAN

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

NEW TELEGRAPH

t’s now crunch time with the World Cup reaching the last 16 stage as Brazil and Chile clash today. With the crowd behind Neymar and co and Chile playing some of the most entertaining football in the competition so far, the stage is set for an absolute cracker of a match.

Like in their two previous matches, Brazil weren’t fantastic against Cameroon but still did enough to win the game quite easily. Having finished first in the group, Brazil avoided a clash with an in-form Dutch team but Chile will be treated with respect having impressed in Group B and beating current World Champions Spain in the process.

Neymar has undoubtedly been the main man for the Samba Boys in this World Cup. There was much

Barcelona man to perform at his best after giving the Brazil crowd a glimpse of his talent in the Confederations Cup last year. Well he hasn’t let the Brazilian faithful down with his goals being crucial to his team’s passage into the last 16. His two goals against Cameroon took his tally to four for the tournament, and will be eager to add to that if Brazil continue to progress through the competition.

HEAD TO HEAD Brazil Chile Matches played 68 68 Wins 48 7 Losses 7 45 Drawn 15 15 Goals 159 58

Neymar

stage with a defeat, Chile have been excellent so far in terms of their football and team spirit. The Chileans base their play on quick and precise movement, with the smaller and skilful players being able to express themselves. Vargas, Alexis Sanchez and Diaz have all impressed and demonstrated their fluency in the final third whilst being protected by a warrior-like Arturo Vidal in the middle. Cardiff City’s Gary Medel has been fantastic at the back for Chile as has most of the team. Having outplayed the current holders of the competition, Spain, you can see that Chile haven’t come to Brazil to make up the numbers and will pose a real threat to Brazil’s chances of winning the World Cup on home soil.

Attention on Neymar, Sanchez as Brazil, Chile clash I

Sanchez

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Ozil

ith the knockout rounds of the World Cup coinciding with the beginning of Ramadan, Muslim players must decide whether to observe the month-long religious fast which begins this weekend.

France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Algeria and Nigeria are among the teams that have Muslim players who may choose to observe the 30-day period of fasting and reflection.

During Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar, all healthy adult Muslims are expected to refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.

Such a scenario could play havoc with the tightlycontrolled diets of elite professional athletes, especially in the hot, humid conditions in which some World Cup games in Brazil are being played.

“The challenge is mainly trying to maintain hydration on a daily basis, and secondly trying to maintain energy levels,” Emma Gardner, performance nutritionist at the English Institute of Sport, told Reuters.

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iverpool midfielder Luis Alberto has joined Malaga on

United’s Herrera bid rejected

enoa president Enrico Preziosi has said that the club is open to selling Alberto Gilardino this summer.

The Italy international, who joined the Italian club in January 2012, has been linked with a move to both the MLS and the Chinese Super League.

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Genoa open to Gilardino offers

rsenal have rejected a bid from Manchester United for defender Thomas Vermaelen, according to reports.

The Belgium international is unhappy at being third choice behind Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker at the Emirates and looks set to snub a new deal.

This has alerted United who are looking to bolster their defence after long-term servants Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand both left the club at the end of the season.

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Arsenal reject bid for Vermaelen

loan.

The 21-year-old will spend the whole of the forthcoming season back in Spain after starting just twice in his first year at Anfield.

Liverpool paid a reported £6.8m for Alberto when he was bought from Sevilla last summer, but he was last seen in action in Janaury.

A club statement read: “Liverpool today confirmed that midfielder Luis Alberto has completed a season-long loan switch to Spanish outfit Malaga.

Ozil, Musa, others face TRANSFERS Ramadan Liverpool loan out Alberto decision

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Srinivasan New ICC chairman N Srinivasan has denied reports that India’s cricket board had threatened to pull out of the global body.

The Indian cricket chief has been put in charge of the International Cricket Council (ICC) amid changes to its governance that have handed the majority of power and revenues to the sport’s “big three” nations – India, Australia and England.

the first Uruguayan public figure to come out against the striker.

Suárez “plays well but he has done things that are not normal for a player nor for a football game,” Ghiggia said.

“This boy’s clearly not right in the head. That’s just not something you do on the pitch. I think FIFA can sanction him.

“He already did it before in England and now he’s done it again.

It’s abnormal. It’s a football match – not a war or a fight.”

Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao and unbeaten boxing champion Floyd Mayweather have been nominated for “Best Fighter Award” (boxing) in ESPN’s annual search for outstanding athletes in different sports categories.

Pacquiao and Mayweather were joined by WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward, who is listed No. 2 in the Rings Top 10 pound-for-pound rating.

Mayweather is ranked No.1 in the Ring rating while Pacquiao, who dominated the pound-for-pound rating before his stunning loss to Juan Manuel Marquez, is now ranked No.4 in the list.

uis Suárez has been criticised by Uruguay football great Alcides Ghiggia, the last survivor of the team which defeated Brazil to win the 1950 World Cup, and the man who scored the winning goa in the Maracanã.

Suárez is set to learn his fate on Thursday as his lawyer claimed calls for the Uruguay forward to face a lengthy ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini were part of an AngloItalian conspiracy.

Ghiggia has become

Sprinter Asafa Powell plans to compete at the Jamaica Track and Field Championships this week, a year after testing positive for a banned drug during the same event.

The former 100 metre world record holder was slapped with an 18-month ban by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission following a positive test for Oxilofrine.

SPORT BRIEFLY

taly captain Gianluigi Buffon admitted the Azzurri “made a bad impression” at the World Cup as the players returned home.

Buffon and a number of other players as well as resigned coach Cesare Prandelli and other staff landed at Milan’s Malpensa airport following Italy’s group stage exit from the World Cup. Only a handful of fans

were present to greet the players. The charter plane continued to Rome’s Fiumicino airport.

Balotelli, who came in for much criticism for his performances in Brazil, got off the plane sporting a newlyblonde crest in his hair.

Italy lost to Costa Rica and Uruguay, after winning its opening game 2-1 against England.

We were bad- Buffon

Cavani

They have forwards who play very well.

When they have the ball and you give them a little bit of space they can take advantage.”

Internazionale midfielder Fredy Guarin went one step beyond Zuniga; like many, he did not seem to accept that Suarez will even be banned. A repeated expectation among the Colombian contingent in Cuiaba was that FIFA will not want to lose one of the star names of the tournament.

“We don’t know if he’s suspended yet,” Guarin said of Suarez.

“Until he is ruled out then we prepare for everything. The important thing is to prepare, whether he is in the squad or not.”

...Uruguay legend blasts striker

C olumbia are not thinking about possible exclusion of Luiz Suarez in the Uruguay squad that will face them in the round of 16 match today.

Suarez is expected to be banned for the rest of the competition after the Liverpool striker appeared to have bitten Italy defender in their last group game. But the Colombians feel lessconcerned about the fate of the striker.

Napoli defender Juan Camilo Zuniga believes Uruguay are still a formidable team even without their talisman.

“We know that even without Suarez they have players who can make the difference.

Pacquiao

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olombia, and Uruguay will rekindle their rivalry as the two South American teams clash in round of 16 of the World Cup. There were high expectations when Uruguay came to the tournament. Even though it was in the “group of death” with teams like Italy and England, it was still favoured by critics to go to the next round. However, the way it started the World Cup was absolutely shocking. It lost to Costa Rica 1-3. Its world cup dreams suddenly looked uncertain.

However, it managed to recover at the right time. It won against England 2-1, thanks to Luis Suárez’s two fabulous goals. It still needed to win against Italy to qualify for the next round. Things looked pretty tight but Uruguay eventually managed to win the match 1-0 with Diego Godín’s header.

Colombia, however, may be the best-performing South American team so far. It started its campaign against Greece which looked helpless in front of the Colombian attack. Colombia showed its ability to score as it won the match 3-0. It was Ivory Coast it had to face in its second match. Colombia was convincing once again and won the match against the African team 2-1. They also beat Japan 4-1 to head to the next round with maximum points.

These two teams played 38 times against each other before. Colombia won 11, Uruguay 18, and the other 9 matches ended in a draw.

A total number of 97 goals were scored. Colombia scored 43, Uruguay 54.

Colombia play down Suarez absence

Powell

razil midfielder Willian has joined the list of big names praising Neymar but admitted he and his team mates must try to share the pressure on his shoulders.

The Barcelona attacker has handled the weight of expectation with assured ease thus far scoring four goals in three matches.

However, Willian appreciates that the other members in the Brazil squad need to share the burden of helping the host nation win a sixth World Cup crown.

“I know one thing; Neymar is a star. He is the biggest name in the squad, one of the best in the world.

“But his responsibilities are something we all want to share. We all feel it and we all want to take that responsibility.”

Going into the tournament many had speculated whether or not the 22-year-old could handle the pressure and so far he has answered those questions emphatically.

Willian and his team mates will now hope they can share the pressure, starting against Chile on Saturday.

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Willian: Brazil squad will help Neymar

Although they ended the group

Colombia, Uruguay renew rivalry

anticipation and excitement for the

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atford have completed the signing of Matej Vydra on a season long loan from Udinese.

The twenty-two year old’s return to Vicarage Road has been announced by the club this morning.

Vydra spent last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion making twenty-three appearances for the Premier League side scoring three goals.

Matej Vydra makes loan return to Watford

lfred N’Diaye looks set to start pre-season back at Sunderland next week after potential moves to Real Betis and Seville both fell through.

But that leaves the Senegal star in limbo - since Gus Poyet has already indicated the player is among several he considers surplus to requirements.

The Black Cats paid Turkish outfit Bursaspor £3.8m for N’Diaye in January 2013.

He made 16 appearances for the club, under Martin O’Neill then Paolo Di Canio.

New York City FC are reported to be interested in the 31-year-old, while Guangzhou Evergrande are also said to be monitoring the developments.

N’Diaye set for Sunderland return

thletic Bilbao have rejected an offer of around £28.85m from Manchester United for midfielder Ander Herrera.

Herrera was the lynchpin of Bilbao’s midfield last season as they finished fourth in La Liga and was believed to have a £28m buy-out clause in his contract, which rises to £32m after July 1.

He scored five goals last season, but despite being one of the most impressive performers in domestic football, is yet to break into the Spain team.

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Poor Eagles defence must worry Keshi

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Yacine Brahimi wheels away after scoring against Korea Republic

Algerians have always been gifted – Brahimi

An eight-year-old Parisian watched in awe as Zinedine Zidane headed France into heaven in his city in 1998. The youngster dreamt of emulating a man who, like him, was born in France to Algerian parents, by scoring a goal in a FIFA World Cup. His prospects of one day rippling a net in the World Cup has finally been realised in Brazil.

With Algeria 3-1 up against Korea Republic but under pressure, the Granada No10 played a defence-piercing one-two with Sofiane Feghouli before burying his finish. Brahimi discussed his goal and other isues.

The defeat of Korea Republic was among the most important in Algerian football history. How did that feel?

This match was really important to us as the Algerian people have been waiting for a victory for more than 32 years, so it was exceptional.

Scoring four goals in a World Cup [match] was unexpected, and these three points were really important to get through to the next round.

Can you tell us about your goal?

Sofiane [Feghouli] is someone I get on with off the pitch. I appreciate him a lot and we are lucky to link up well on the pitch, as well as you could see with. We did a one-two twice and I was lucky to finish it off and score. I’m really proud of it, it was a team goal, and it was exceptional to score in style.

Algeria were criticised for being very defensive against Belgium, but against Korea Republic you

played very attacking football.

Why was this?

For the match against Belgium, the coach put tactics in place. We had tried to carry it out even if the victory [just eluded us]. In the match against Korea, a victory was imperative in order to play a final against Russia and dream about the next round. I think that we were really determined and that we really wanted to drive forward, to score, to get in the game, to have more opportunities.

Does that attacking system fit in with what Algerian football has always been about?

Yes, of course. Algerians have always liked to take pleasure in playing football, with technical skills and lot of goals. Now everything must be brought together in football: offensive and defensive effectiveness.

We try to adapt our tactics to our opponents and play more offensively or more defensively accordingly.

We must be really good tactically. I think that our role is to play, to get in the game, and to stay back sometimes because you have to be able to implement both tactics. We must adapt ourselves to our opponents.

(Against South Korea) we showed that we could do that, play football and that we are still in the race in this World Cup. The Algerian and the Arab people in France, England and also in Brazil have been really amazed by the team’s performances.

Does that please the players or does it add pressure?

No, it doesn’t add pressure. We are really proud but let’s not get over-enthusiastic. We won a match but to reach the Round of 16, we will need a second good performance because it will be really hard. However, it’s always nice to hear compliments from renowned people, from great teams or from great football nations.

tephen Keshi blamed a poor first half performance for Nigeria’s 3-2 loss to Argentina on Wednesday, but expressed delight at a place in the second round of the World Cup. The Super Eagles twice levelled the game but were undone by an inspired Lionel Messi, as well as some sloppy defending, though in the end it didn’t matter.

Bosnia-Herzegovina’s victory over Iran in the other match in the pool ensured Nigeria would finish second and set-up a Last 16 meeting with France in Brasilia on Monday.

“It’s an honour and we’re very happy to reach the next round,” Keshi told reporters. “I think we lost the game because we showed them too much respect in the first half.

“After the break we managed to play our game, attacked more, had more possession and were better overall. But Argentina are a great team and Messi’s a great player.

“He’s blessed and there’s no way you can escape him. Messi’s from Jupiter.”

It is the third time overall that Nigeria have reached the second round following 1994 and 1998.

Ahmed Musa also scored a brace for Nigeria that shows his rich potential, but it is the poor form of the defence that will be a worry for Keshi ahead of their

meeting with a pacey and skillful French team.

Argentina now tackle Switzerland, a decent enough side under a wily coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

Certainly it is no ‘gimme’, but the South Americans, with magic Messi, will expect to advance.

“We’d already qualified for the next round but it’s good to have finished top of the group, that’s what we were aiming for,” Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella said. “We improved, were more mobile, passed the ball better and were quicker.

“We were better at changing the tempo of the game too, improved our interplay and had a lot of chances. The further into the tournament we go, the more we’re finding our rhythm. The structure of the side is getting much better.”

Messi himself believes it was Argentina’s best performance of the competition so far and has warned opponents that they are an improving unit.

“We were better in this game, regardless of the goals we conceded,” Messi said. “We were more threatening today, found the spaces to exploit and had more chances to score. But we still want more.

“The good thing is we improved and it’s a wonderful experience with the people here.

We’re all still chasing a shared dream.”

Super Eagles defenders struggle to stop Argentina’s Lionel Messi on Wednesday

FIFA probing Neymar for displaying underpants

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IFA has reportedly also found time to launch an investigation into Neymar’s underpants.

If there’s one thing that the governing body cares above all else, it’s the protection of its high-paying sponsors’ exclusivity.

After all, you don’t become a non-profit organization with a rainy day fund of $1.4 billion in cash by being concerned with players biting each other. You do it by making sure players don’t have underpants made by non-FIFA sponsors peeking out of their

shorts.

According to UOL, the underwear alarm went off at FIFA headquarters when Neymar’s were partially exposed after he swapped shirts following Brazil’s 4-1 win over Cameroon. And if you think that this is all a big joke, consider that Denmark’s Nicklas Bendtner was fined €100,000 ($125,797)

by UEFA (European football’s governing body) when he celebrated a goal by lifting up his shirt to reveal the name of a betting firm on the waistband of his underpants at

Euro 2012. For the sake of comparison, the Croatian federation was fined less for its fans’ combination of racial abuse aimed at opposing players and flare throwing at the same tournament.

This also isn’t the first time Neymar’s underwear has raised concerns from the football brand police. When a similar situation occurred while he played in a Champions League match for Barcelona two months ago, his press agent had to deny that it was an intentional marketing strategy.

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Keshi, Eagles on threshold of history

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uper Eagles could break their quarterfinal jinx in the World Cup if they manage to beat France on Monday in their round of 16 match at the Estadio Nacional in Brassilia.

Nigeria moved to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since 1998 despite losing 3-2 to Argentina following good result posted by Bosnia in the other group match against Iran. The Europeans beat the Asians 3-1 and sent the African champions to the Round of 16th.

Nigeria’s two previous attempts to move into the quarterfinal stage were fruitless. In US 1994 World Cup, Coach Stephen Keshi was in the team that lost to eventual finalists, Italy and in 1998, Daniel Amokachi who is now the team’s assistant coach was helpless as Eagles were ruthlessly beaten by Denmark in the round of 16. Michael Laudrupinspired squad walloped the Eagles 4-1.

Eagles had not progressed beyond the first round ever since then until Wednesday when they

zz As Nigeria confront France

planted Nigeria’s flag in the knockout stage and Keshi men will now fancy their chances of moving into the quarterfinal for the first time.

Three African countries have reached that stage before. Cameroun in Italia 1990, Senegal, as debutants, made it in 2002 while Ghana were controversially eliminated at the stage by Uruguay in 2010.

The current Nigeria cast has the potential to join that group but they know a date with France

is a tough one.

Eagles’s loss to perennial rivals, Argentina, portrayed them as a tough side that can hold their own against top oppositions, even legendary Lionel Messi attested to that fact. The team’s performances in Bosnia and Argentina matches have rekindled the hopes of millions of Nigerians who had written them off.

Keshi has been the architect of the show. He became the first African coach to lead his team out of the group stages of the World

Cup. The gaffer has been under criticism following the team’s poor showing in the friendly matches and in their drab opening game against Iran.

But the former Togo national team handler has proven that he is a good coach considering the state Nigeria were in when he took over in 2011, his achievement is remarkable as well as important having won the Nations Cup in 2013 and brought the team thus far in the Mundial.

Nigeria and France have met just once and that was in a friendly match in 2009 with the Super Eagles running away with a 1-0 win. Joseph Akpala scored the only goal of the game.

France have moved from a side with an outside chance to win the World Cup to the dark horses and after a blistering start to their campaign have suddenly be regarded as one of the favourites.

Their resolve will be adequately tested by the Eagles and according to Coach Didier Deschamp the match will never be a walk in the park for them. He told journalists after their goal-

less draw that Nigeria has a fast team and it will be difficult for any team to beat Africans.

The 1998 World Cup winner has the players to help him progress in the competition with a certain Mathieu Valbuena expected to drive the show.

The Olympique Marseille midfielder is the creative force in the squad, his teammates, especially the strikers have benefitted from his immense skills and Nigeria’s Ogenyi Onazi must maintain awareness to cut the play of the diminutive midfielder.

Karim Benzema, is another force for France. The Real Madrid striker’s scoring spree was halted

by Ecuador in the last group game and he will be desperate to get on score sheet because he is just one goal away from being the highest French goalscorer at a World Cup since Just Fontaine in 1958.

This is one match Mikel Obi is expected to raise his game because victory might be decided by the battle in the middle.

Can Nigeria scale the hurdle; can they go a step further this time? It remains to be seen.

PLAYERS TO WATCH NIGERIA Vincent Enyeama The Lille shot stopper is always reliable and Enyeama could be the main reason Nigeria will progress into the next round. Though he conceded three goals against Argentina he still posted manof-the-match performance and if he reproduces such heroics against France the Eagles could be on their way to the quarterfinal.

FRANCE Mathieu Valbuena France scored eight goals in their first two opening games and this Olympique Marseille midfielder was at the centre of it all. He has proven that he’s the livewire of Les Bleus, a fact that was glaring when he was not on the pitch in the game against Ecuador. Valbuena will be key in this tie and if Eagles made effort to stop him they are close to winning the tie.

Kenneth Omeruo He is always commanding in the heart of Eagles defence. He dealt with Edin Dzeko and coped against Lionel Messi, the Chelsea defender will surely get busy alongside, Joseph Yobo to stop Benzema and Oliver Giroud. Can he do it? He’s more than capable.

Kareem Benzema Benzema has had a blistering start to this tournament. He scored a brace in the first match against Honduras and added another goal in the 5-2 win over Switzerland. He was slowed down by Ecuadorians and Eagles must endeavour to do same.

Emmanuel Emenike Nobody can under-estimate Emenike’s contribution so far in the competition. He gave two assists in Eagles three goals in the group stage but the Fernabahce striker will be concerned that he is yet to score a goal of his own.

He scored five goals as Nigerian won the Nations in South Africa and he might start firing on all cylinders in the knockout stage.

Raphael Verane The Real Madrid defender has been tipped for glory by top coaches in the world and the 20-year-old has not disappointed. He has been rock solid for the former champions and Emenike and the rest of Eagles attacker must find a way to deal with this guy.

Emenike

Verane

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

Omeruo

NIGERIA GOALKEEPER, VINCENT ENYEAMA “It is an added advantage for me, but the match is not only about me it is for the entire squad.

I hope to do my best to stop the rampaging French players, who are hot at the moment.

FRANCE COACH, DIDIER DESCHAMP “Nigeria are a strong, fast team who have great qualities and it is going to be a really difficult match and we will have to fight,” “My team selection was not by chance and it’s important that all players get into the rhythm. Now we have five days to prepare for our game against Nigeria.

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Carroll scoring all over the world

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nd Andy Carroll and Billi Mucklow don’t look like they are in the mood to jet home anytime soon as they were seen embracing each other in their latest destination – San Francisco.

The former TOWIE beauty and the footballer took to their respective Instagram accounts to post several pictures of themselves having a thoroughly enjoyable time in California.

Billi even looked to be having fun when she got locked up ‘in jail’ in Alcatraz, the infamous prison situated on a tiny island in San Francisco Bay which is

Lifestyle

no longer in use and now plays host to tourist visits.

The couple – who are rumoured to have got engaged after Billi posted an Instagram shot of herself with a ring on her engagement finger recently – flooded their Instagram accounts with several kissing selfies.

As well as being infatuated with each other, the pair also appear to have fallen in love with San Francisco.

Billi posed for two pictures in which she was seen performing various yoga poses with the Golden Gate Bridge situated in the background.

I love Messi - Azarenka

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Azarenka

ormer world No 1 Victoria Azarenka, can’t support her native Belarus at the World Cup, so she follows Argentina because Lionel Messi is cute.

“I’ve been a supporter of Argentina for the last three World Cups,” said former double Australian Open winner Azarenka.

“They even have pictures of me wearing an Argentina shirt from maybe 2000. I love Messi. I think he’s one of the greatest players of all time.

“He’s so little, so cute. It’s just fun.”

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Falcao and family enjoy holiday, as Colombia shine in Brazil

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adamel Falcao was supposed to be one of Colombia’s key players in their first World Cup appearance since 1998.

But with injury having cruelly ruled the Monaco star out of the tournament, the striker has instead decided to spend the summer on the beaches of Miami rather than the pitches in Brazil.

The 28-year-old was seen enjoying a post-season break with his wife Lorelei Taron and their daughter Dominique Garcia.

The former Atletico Madrid hitman suffered a knee injury back in January which he ultimately couldn’t recover from fully to be fit for Brazil 2014.

Billi Mucklow

Minna polo: El-Amin raises IBB Cup bar with 14th title M inna polo festival has over the years thrilled Polo enthusiasts and the 2014 edition was no exception.

Kings of Minna polo, EL-Amin took their invincibility to a new height with their 14th IBB back-toback victory.

After five days of galloping with horses, with over 20 teams from across the country, the prestigious Minna annual polo extravaganza climaxed with three new winners in the medium and low-goals cadres, while Mohammed Babangida’s EL-Amin set up the longest cup win ever by any team in Nigeria’s 110 years history.

The ambitious Kaduna Kakuri team raised the stakes, as it battled to wrestle the coveted IBB Cup from perpetual champions, ElAmin, but Minna polo buffs were never in doubt as to the destination of the coveted trophy.

Parading their hit squad complete with Aminu Alhaji, Bello Buba, Ibrahim Mohammed and their patron, Mohammed Babangida, EL-Amin outpaced the quartet of Ibrahim Abba, Ibrahim Babangida, Ali Hassan and Hamisu Buba in Kakuri colours to keep their treasured cup in a show of

supremacy that dates back to over a decade now.

Urged on by their teeming supporters who stormed the Niger State capital city to cheer their polo superstars to victory, EL-Amin rose to the occasion, reducing the debuting Kakuri to rubles in the final game to add the glittering Gen. Abdulsalami Cup to their victory haul this year.

EL-Amin’s unflinching superiority served as the tonic for the Katsina contingent, as Katsina Gobarau came from behind to win the Governor’s Cup, denying Senator Hadi Sirika’s Rubicon their first major title in Minna.

Kaduna Trappco Ranch who defeated city rivals, Kaduna Profile and Rubicon in their campaign, could only manage a Governor’s Cup runners-up title.

Their woes followed their slim goals difference that gave the title to Kobarau who top the log with a comfortable four goals from their victories over Minna Jamillaville Farms and Rubicon respectively.

The IBB Sports Complex, venue of the glamorous annual festival sponsored by the Niger State Government and supported by corporate firms like, the Unity Bank, Nexim Bank, Profile Technologies,

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CHIMAOBI UCHENDU

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08092747532

Dantata & Sawoe, among others, was always full to capacity as the battles for the coveted Emir of Minna and the General Hassan Katsina cups raged.

Five equally matched arch rivals from Yola, Port Harcourt, Bauchi, Katsina and the Nigerian Police showed up for the Emir’s royal prize and at the end, it was Bauchi Nadabo that came tops with their biggest win in Minna.

Boosting Suleiman Shema, Atiku Seibo, Usman Idris and Haruna Ningi, Nadabo edged the Police IGP Strikers, parading Hamisu Ahmadu, Ibrahim Mohammed, Ibrahim Musa and Lado Aliyu, to the crown on goal difference.

Kaduna Malali who had arrived Minna on high to defend their General Hassan Cup was dumped on the wayside as Guards Brigade Nana’s Place and Jos Malcomines navigated through a crowded field of eleven teams that included the debuting Maiduguri EL Kanemi, Action at the last Lagos Polo tournament to clinch their final berth.

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Government needs to engage experiential professionals, says Olagesin, EXMAN president Kayode Olagesin, the current president of Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria is a marketing communications professional with 25 years industry experience cutting across mainstream advertising and experiential marketing. In this interview with KINGSLEY OGBONNA, he reviewed the experiential marketing profession and decried the use of non-professionals to execute public events Assessment of the Industry I believe the industry is quite robust if you look at the relative age of the industry. When compared to the rest of the sector in the IMC industry, you will realize that a very giant stride has been made compared relatively to our age. If you look at it from the scope of the kind of activities we carry out and the kind of returns that our clients get from the experiential activities, you will realize that a lot has been done. Though we are far from where we want to be if we look at ourselves from the context of global best standards and what is happening globally. If we look at it from that perspective, we can say yes, we have a long way to go.

And I will only say that not necessarily from the point of view of idea generation and strategy but generally in facilities needed to be able to implement certain concept of the business which are in most cases technologically-driven. As to that extent, you find out that we are limited in abilities to get some of those things done.

But then you also find out that there have been significant investments by third party suppliers and other service providers in providing a lot more up to date and other technical support required in bringing some of our ideas to life. So to that extent, I will say that we are beginning to see a major improvement. I remember way back, when you want to do a major concert some of the equipment needed to execute some of your briefs could not even be sourced locally. You would need to fly some in from the UK, South Africa for you to be able to provide the required equipment. But today you have a lot of state-of-the-art public address system, backlight, etc available in market. Also if you wanted to do a major indoor concert before the arrival of the Expo Hall in Eko Hotel, you have severe limitations in terms of big venues to do big events indoors. In terms of professionalism of some of the people that we are dealing with, you will find out that the entertainment industry had also grown, because we use entertainment in educating our targets, as in we rely a lot on entertainers to be able to provide some of the contents for the kind of activities that we want to do. They have also become very profes-

the area that I believe that we have to be very careful with is in the fact that some people tend to see what we do mainly as entertainment

sional and international in outlook and that makes our job a lot easier. What I am saying in essence is that the resources that we would need to be able to bring an idea to life are improving by the day in Nigeria. I will also say that the know-ledge base is increasing as people are getting on the job trainings. I believe that the quality of manpower is improving. Having said that, the area that I believe that we have to be very careful with is in the fact that some people tend to see what we do mainly as entertainment and they forget that experiential marketing is just one leg of the promotional mix elements. What we are doing is providing support for the marketing objectives of brands and if you don’t put that at the back of your mind, you can get carried away with some of the activities that we are doing. Forgetting the fact that there is a business and a reason to what we are doing and you must deliver returns in terms of volume to the brand in question. So I believe that there is need for us to have more marketing knowledge across board for practitioners. The proliferation of practitioners hasn’t helped because once you have a crop of professionals surrounded by people who are not professionals, then you begin to find that the industry would be rated very low.

We have professionally minded organizations in our fold, and we also have some who are not properly structured who are the portfolio agencies who know somebody from the client side and begin to operate. Though they are getting businesses but the way and manner that these jobs are being executed you will surely see the gaps.

Ensuring professionalism We have a professional body now, the Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN) which was not in existence before now. It started May last year of which I am the President and we recognize that we must tackle the issues we have in this industry and so, one of the areas that we focus our attention on is that if we want people to take us serious as professionals, then we must professionalize our industry. That was why last month; we launched the Experiential Marketers Code of Conducts.

That is essentially our own effort at self regulation to ensure that we regulate our practice ourselves and ensure that certain minimum operational standards and ethics are in place. Our mem-

bers have subscribed to these codes and we are encouraging ourselves that we all, try and walk and live by it. That is the only way by which we can improve standards.

In the area of knowledge, we have put in place certain initiatives in this regard. EXMAN did training for middle level and entry level executives in both agency and client side sometime last month and it was fully subscribed and those that attended really benefitted.

Last year, we also had two major forums. We had very useful deliberations and shared knowledge there.

EXMAN’S achievements so far Again, one of the key things we also have with EXMAN is the protection of our members which is over 30 from undue harassment from certain authorities.

To be a member, you Continued on page 34

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‘Government needs to engage experiential professionals’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

(L-R) Corporate Media/ Brand PR Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Edem Vindah; Marketing Manager, Non- Alcoholic Drinks, Sampson Oloche; Presenter of the Show, Osas Ighodaro and the Maltina’s Senior Brand Manager at a briefing session in Lagos

OSMI launches FIFA World Cup Centenary Promo …..Cars, cash, World Cup tickets, laptops, generators to be won

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ptima Sports Management International (OSMI), the exclusive 2014 FIFA World Cup terrestrial broadcast rights owners for the Nigerian territory, in conjunction with SET Plc and the Centenary Committee, has launched a mouth-watering World Cup Promo.

The promo is SMS-based and available to mobile subscribers in Nigeria. It is an interactive experience whereby subscribers provide answers to World Cuprelated questions, predict game scores, and participate in polls in order to win some prizes.

The promo, which runs between June 3 and August 31, affords mobile subscribers the opportunity of winning prizes

APCON holds training programme for Enugu Zone

A

dvertising Practitioners in the South East will experience an interesting, educative and irresistible mandatory training programme on July 24.

The event will take place at Tommylyn Hotels Limited Independence Layout, Enugu.

The training will expose Practitioners on current developments in the practice, equip them to pursue a successful career in Advertising.

While it launches beneficiaries on sure path of a smooth and and successful advertising career, it is also a condition for status upgrading in the profession.

The event has taken place in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Kano, Kaduna, Asaba and Port Harcourt . according to the release, the fee is N40,000 andPractitioners who paid their annual license fee will enjoy 25 percent discount. Organizations sponsoring three persons will also enjoy 25 percent discount. “The seminar will be interactive will afford you the opportunity to express your and ask questions” the release signed

by Charles Obasi, Head, Enugu Zonal Office APCON said.

including cash, Hyundai cars, generators, television sets, laptops, three tickets to watch the semi-final matches in Brazil and a grand prize of N100 million. The prizes have been grouped into daily, weekly, and monthly ones.

Daily, weekly and monthly prizes will be determined by participant’s accumulated points from correct answers of the trivia game and extra points given from various bonus phases (favourite teams, goals, polls, etc.). The weekly draws hold on Wednesdays and Saturdays and it will be aired live.

MojisolaAdenusi, Commercial Manager, Cellcast Nige-

ria Limited, member of OSMI Group, said the promo was designed to reward the passion of the Nigerian football lovers.

She said: “An average Nigerian is a passionate sport lover, especially of football, and we are currently in the season of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which is the biggest sport event in the world. OSMI, as the rights holder of the mobile platform for the World Cup in Nigeria, decided to exploit the opportunity of the passion of the Nigerian football lovers and the on-going tournament to test their knowledge and reward them with fantastic prizes.”

Grand Oak unveils football promo

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s part of effort to connect with its core consumers and further strengthen its leadership position in the Nigerian Spirit and Wine market, Grand Oak Limited (GOL), marketers of Calypso Coconut Liqueur and Dark Sailor Rum which comes in 75cl, 3cl and the Cool Twista Range, is set to reward consumers with prizes worth millions in Naira in the ‘Predict & Win’ Promo for the 2014 Football Competition holding in Brazil between June 12 and July 13.

According to Mr. Brajesh Kumar, GOL’s manager in charge of marketing, in order to participate in the ‘Predict & Win’ promo, interested participants must visit the GOL Facebook page or log on to the Cool Twista website where they can fill in their data and predict match scores as instructed on the page. He added that there will be a timeframe for the closure of entries for any given game that is selected for the promo.

He promised that GOL will make the mechanism for participation simple and straight forward while fans will be able to see the predictions made by others.

Prizes to be given away include several units of DSTV Walka 7, Dark Sailor branded T-shirts, and Calypso branded T-shirts, Football jerseys, Footballs and loads of products.

Kumar further noted that football is a sport with huge followership across various platforms that bonds citizens and serves as a melting point for all age groups.

He further said that the company has chosen to leverage the digital platform using this promotion to reach consumers who can win several mouth-watering prizes.

In addition, there will be offline brand activities to ensure consumers have fun.

Grand Oak Limited (GOL) is a marketing and distribution company of the Lexcel Group; other brands on the stable of GOL include Seaman’s Schnapps, Regal Dry Gin, Lords Dry Gin, Bacchus Tonic Wine, etc.

Kumar

must have certain functional departments like Admin and Finance, Business Development/ Client Servicing and creative/ operational departments. If you have these key functional departments even if there are three people in the agency with the MD, then you have a company. What we are saying is that if you do not have these people in place, then you are going to be challenged in executing your functions as an agency. So, in view of that, we are trying to protect ourselves.

We are also looking at collaborating with other bodies in the sector. We are looking at what type of collaboration that we can have with APCON that can be in the best interest of our members. The reason for that is that APCON is a government agency that was established by law and so, we believe that it will offer some type of protection for our members. We are also using the platform of EXMAN to discuss with our clients through ADVAN to share some of the challenges we are facing and also to begin to look for ways that we can have solutions to them. We operate in an environment where some of the clients issue POs to execute some campaigns and they pay in 30 to 60 days after. If you find yourself working with four of such multinationals operating that system and you have two banks from which you source finances, you will definitely have cash flow problem. We are discussing with ADVAN to find a model that will work because we continue this way, sooner or later, something would have to give way. So we are using the platform of EXMAN-ADVAN to address the issue. We also have an initiative that we are working on and that would be announced later. It will involve all the sectoral groups in a way and manner that they have not collaborated before in a joint project. We want to build a very good industry where people are doing very well and clients are also getting value for their money. If a client is getting returns from their investments, you can only expect that they will do more and those who have not been spending in that area will also want to experience that too with their brands.

Relationship with LASAA We have a very good relationship with LASAA. It is actually one of the agencies that we have engaged with since EXMAN started. We have a very good rapport with them in terms of being able to address some of the challenges that we faced in the course of doing our jobs. We have a direct line to be able to make complains when faced with the problem of high-handedness on the part of some of their operatives. We are in discussion with them on getting some concessionary rates given the volume of things that we do.

So, I will say our relationship with LASAA is quite good which is also one of the reasons why we are participating, even though on individual basis, on their planned

Olagesin

exhibition and conference. We are also engaging some other government agencies to discuss the issue of multiple taxations.

Our people operate in different locations across the country and once you have paid the local government charges in one particular local government, it is supposed to carry you through and across Nigeria. But what you find is that you pay virtually in all the local government areas.

Our AGM is coming up in July in which we would be announcing our achievements and report card of our one year stewardship so far and chat course for what the association would be doing going forward. We now have a voice and we will try to make our voice be heard in the industry and earn the respect of not just our industry, but also of the larger society and ensure that the government begins to take us a lot more seriously. Talking about the government, when you look at the events being done by government, without necessarily pointing at any, when you consider the amount of money being spent, the singular fact that they were not handled by persons who understand the business; professionals who know how to put these things together in a way that it delivers an experience, it becomes not impactful. And it may be because before now we do not have a voice and now we want to begin to project our association better and ensure that what the companies and brands are enjoying at present can also be extended to the public space at both national and state levels.

Towncriers, the journey so far We are happy that we are one of the top Experiential Agencies in Nigeria in terms of billings or what have you. Definitely, we are one of the leading agencies in this country. The clients that we are opportuned to work for will attest to this. Whenever we work for any particular brand, we ensure that we marshal out the necessary skills to be able to deliver on the marketing objective of the brand. We believe that as the industry continues to do well, Towncriers will continue to do well. We have moved outside the shores of this country, we are in Ghana and plan to expand even beyond the African shores.

L ve&Lv ng

No Love Lost:

Feud between the Clintons and Obamas laid bare by author p.37

True Confession: 'I had sex with my minister' p.38 NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/loveliving

MICHAEL UCHEBUAKU ireto007@yahoo.com 0813 116 1840

Love Confession

MODEL OF THE WEEK

‘I paid to have sex with a young man'

Name: Keecheer Tel: 09032076761

think of an alternative.

I was doing my hair at the local hairdressing salon when the hairdresser offered me a newspaper to glance through.

I was browsing through the link up pages of the newspaper when I spotted the advertisement of a muscular guy looking for a sugar mummy.

The advert said this guy needed a woman or sugar mummy for a "discreet relationship". I quickly checked to see if anyone was looking. When I was certain no one was looking, I tore out the advertisement and slipped it into my purse.

That evening, I dialled the advertised number. A deep, sexy male voice answered.

He was called Anthony. We arranged to y husband Terry and I have meet at a nearby hotel. So I booked a room been married for 13 years and in the hotel and gave him the room number we have three little boys aged and said I would be there waiting for me. eight, 10 and 12 years. We are I didn't want anybody to see us togethby no means rich, but we are not poor ei- er at the hotel lobby. I couldn't afford to ther; we have just enough money to pay take any chances. That's why I told him to our bills, and then some. Our three boys are come up straight to the room and meet me. happy and carefree, and Terry is a deeply At the hotel, a tall, dark and muscular caring, attentive husband and father. I young man greeted me at the door. I was know that I am a very, very lucky woman. already feeling horny even before I opened However, ever since our first boy was the door for him, because it had been quite born twelve years ago, Terry gradually lost some time since I had been intimate with interest in making love. We have not made a man. Besides, the excitement from my love regularly since the youngest was con- expectation of him turned me on. ceived over eight years ago.

As soon as I opened the door, Anthony It is not as if Terry has another woman smiled into my eyes and hugged me. He or anything like that. was so handsome!

He just isn't interWe chatted for ested in sex at all. It So about a year ago, I some time because seems that our three to know decided I needed to find Ia wanted boys are all Terry few things about ever really wanted a solution to the lack of him before I could out of our marriage, fully open up to him. and now his world sex in my marriage When I was sure is complete and he that he was quite a doesn't want anyresponsible person thing more. and not a criminal, I told him I wanted He is such a wonderful father that for to take a shower first before we got down the sake of our boys I'd rather not rock the to business. boat. Besides, I want to feel wanted and So Anthony gently took my hand and desired as a woman. led me into the bathroom. He undressed me Simply telling Terry how I feel seems and bathed me himself. It was so romantic pointless if he's not interested in making watching this young man wash my body. love anyway. I'm sure he just assumes that Even my husband had never given me I am not interested in sex either and that a bath in all my years of marriage. I'll neveverything's just fine. er forget the rest of what happened that So about a year ago, I decided I needed day! For one night only, I was a cherished to find a solution to the lack of sex in my and desirable woman. marriage.

After the show, I paid the young man I wanted a simple, no-strings attached so- a few thousands as expected of a good lution that wouldn't risk my marriage or hurt "sugar mummy". I told him that whenever and embarrass Terry and the boys in any way. I needed his services, I would call on him.

We live in Lagos and walls have ears. I didn't I warned him never to call me, especially want anybody to start spreading rumours when I was at home, to avoid my husband about me and hurting my family. having knowledge of what I had done.

During the Easter break, I convinced The young man respectfully and hummy husband to travel with the children bly agreed to abide by my instructions and to the village for the weekend and leave since then, our relationship has truly been me at home in Lagos to attend to some discreet. businesses.

When I first married Terry, I never So when my husband took the boys thought I would be the kind of wife who away to the village, I first thought of would pay to have sex with a man, espetalking to one of the young men in our cially a man so much younger than me. neighborhood. But I was scared of hav- But I do know that I am more content and ing a boyfriend so close to my husband's a better wife and mother because of that house. So I decided to do my hair first and one special night.

A sexless marriage is every man or woman's nightmare.

That is because marriage involves the emotional and sexual commitment of one person to another. In this story, the challenge of living in a sexless marriage forced a loving and faithful wife to cheat on her husband.

M

If you want to be our next model, please send your photos to: ireto007@yahoo.com Call: 0703 102 8714, 0813 116 1840

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

28 JUNE 2014

35

36 LOVE&LIVING

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

Love News

Jennifer Lopez enjoys night out with Chmerkovskiy after denying dating rumours

S

till just friends? Weeks after they shot down dating rumours, Jennifer Lopez and Maksim Chmerkovskiy met up for a "very flirty" night on the town.

The Dancing With the Stars pro, 34, attended Lopez's show at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut on Saturday, June 21, after which he and the "First Love" singer, 44, danced the night away at Shrine Nightclub.

An eyewitness says the two stayed close for most of the night, talking and dancing together in a big group. "Maks was whispering into her ear

Love Songs

BRYAN FERRY

Slave To Love

The sky is burning A sea of flame Though your world is changing

Tell her I'll be waiting In the usual place With the tired and weary

I will be the same The storm is breaking Or so it seems

There's no escape To need a woman You've got to know

We're too young to reason Too grown up to dream Now spring is turning

How the strong get weak And the rich get poor You're running with me Don't touch the ground We're restless hearted Not the chained and bound

Love Poem

and hugging her," the eyewitness says. "They looked very flirty with each other...She had a huge smile on her face and looked like she was having a great time."

At one point toward the end of the night, the two held hands and talked before sharing a long hug and saying goodbye.

Chmerkovskiy then left with a male friend, while Lopez stayed behind with the rest of the group.

The "I Luh Ya Papi" hitmaker who split from longtime boyfriend Casper Smart earlier this year, first met Chmerkovskiy

Your face to mine I can hear your laughter I can see your smile No I can't escape I'm a slave to love

Jeremy Vega

L.O.V.E. L, is for the Laughter I give to you every day knowing you'll never go away O, is for the Options we'll have when were together knowing our love couldn't get any better V, is for the Visions I have of you knowing I'll never find anyone quite like you E, is for Everything that's true I've ever said especially when I said "we'll be together till were dead" *Send your love poems along with your name and number to ireto007@yahoo.com

Romantic Jokes

The Man Of The House

A man was married to a woman whose commands to her husband were as sharp as the bite of a barracuda. It wasn’t so much that he was a coward, or too timid to talk back, but you know how it is…let’s keep peace in the family. One day the wife invited a group from the local women’s club to her house for tea and discussions. To make sure that her husband did not interrupt the goings-on, she ordered him into the closet and sternly told him to stay there until the last lady had left. During their bridge game, the ladies of the club spoke of the authority they wielded over respective husbands. Not to be outdone, the hostess informed the others that not only had she ordered her husband into the closet, but she could order him to come out, at will. “I’ll prove it,” she boasted. “Bob!” she commanded, “come out of that closet!” No response. “Bob!” she called in a louder voice, “come out of that closet this instant!” Nothing. “Bob!” she screamed at the top of her lungs, “I order you to get out of that closet this instant!” “No, I won’t!” came her husband’s muffled cry from inside the closet. “I’ll show you who’s boss in this house!”

Words of Wisdom: Be faithful to your partner

through her pal Leah Remini.

They later shared the stage at the 2013 American Music Awards, and then hung out at the Library Bar in L.A. back in March, when Chmerkovskiy's brother Val celebrated his birthday.

Multiple sources say, however, that the relationship is platonic for now, at least. "They are friends," one insider said of Lopez. "She doesn't have a second to date anyone right now, and it is definitely not romantic with Maksim."

Courtesy: yahoo.

'I dumped my girlfriend after some men threatened my life over her'

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y name is Eric and I'm 37.

I was in love with a girl of 22 and dated her for 3 years before i had to abandon the relationship due to threats to my life.

Jane was in 300level at the University of Lagos. She was tall, dark, and beautiful. She had small eyes and sexy lips.

Her cleavage was very attractive and the beautiful look of her firm breasts made me daydream.

I expressed my feelings to her and asked her for a date. She agreed. And at a restaurant later that evening, as we sipped our drinks and chilled in the twilight breeze, I told her that I wanted us to go steady.

I told Jane that I didn't know where our relationship would lead to, but that I wouldn't mind if it led to marriage.

As we dated, however, I noticed that Jane loved too much of the good things of life. She was the kind of person that loved to be spoilt with money.

Later I began to see her with a guy whom she said was her casual friend.

But my surprise was that the guy threatened to hurt me if I don't leave 'his' girl.

Love Education

B

Life Experience

Later I began to see her with a guy whom she said was her casual friend Whenever I asked her who that guy was to her, all she said was that the guy was just a friend. And the question I asked her was that would he have threatened me if they were just friends?

I received two more threats from

What is Breast Cancer?

reast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells. To better understand breast cancer, it helps to understand how any cancer can develop.

Cancer occurs as a result of mutations, or abnormal changes, in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy. The genes are in each cell’s nucleus, which acts as the “control room” of each cell. Normally, the cells in our bodies replace themselves through an orderly process of cell growth: healthy new cells take over as old ones die out. But over time, mutations can “turn on” certain genes and “turn off” others in a cell.

That changed cell gains the ability to keep dividing without control or order, producing more cells just like it and forming a tumor.

A tumor can be benign (not dangerous to health) or malignant (has the potential to be dangerous). Benign tumors are not considered cancerous: their cells are close to normal

in appearance, they grow slowly, and they do not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body.

Malignant tumors are cancerous. Left unchecked, malignant cells eventually can spread beyond the original tumor to other parts of the body.

The term “breast cancer” refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast. Usually breast cancer either begins in the cells of the lobules, which are the milk-producing glands, or the ducts, the passages that drain milk from the lobules to the nipple. Less commonly, breast cancer can begin in the stromal tissues, which include the fatty and fibrous connective tissues of the breast.

Over time, cancer cells can invade nearby healthy breast tissue and make their way into the underarm lymph nodes, small organs that filter out foreign substances in the body.

If cancer cells get into the lymph nodes, they then have a pathway into other parts of the body. The

two other men and to crown it all, I received the beating of my life one day when I went to visit Jane in her offcampus apartment at Yaba.

I met one big man there who said that he had spent millions of naira on Jane and her family and that he wouldn't fold his arms and watch me snatch her from him.

He subsequently ordered the boys who stood around him to beat me up.

Now, Jane is back, begging me to marry her because she has realized that those rich men only want to keep her as a mistress but don't want to marry her.

I told her that only an irresponsible coward of a man would threaten the life of a fellow man just because of a woman. I also told her that I cannot marry her because she is not a wife material.

Students like her that date rich men for money can never make good wives.

I don't know if what I did was wrong. Some people may think I acted cowardly by giving up my girl without a struggle. But the truth is that no woman is really worth dying for in such a situation. And my life is certainly more important than a mere relationship. breast cancer’s stage refers to how far the cancer cells have spread beyond the original tumor.

Breast cancer is always caused by a genetic abnormality (a “mistake” in the genetic material). However, only 5-10% of cancers are due to an abnormality inherited from your mother or father. Instead, 85-90% of breast cancers are due to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process and the “wear and tear” of life in general.

There are steps every person can take to help the body stay as healthy as possible, such as eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and exercising regularly.

While these may have some impact on your risk of getting breast cancer, they cannot eliminate the risk.

Developing breast cancer is not your or anyone's fault. Feeling guilty, or telling yourself that breast cancer happened because of something you or anyone else did, is not productive.

Source: breastcancer.org

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

'My boyfriend no longer shows me love' Dear Love Doctor, I am a 22 year old girl. I have a boyfriend and we were both in love to the extent that I aborted a two-month-old pregnancy. He recently went to join the Army. He is now back after nine months, but he no longer calls me like before or shows love. All he asks for is sex.

Does he love me? What should I do?

From Tinuke.

Love Doctor’s Advice:

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.

Blackberry Connection

Oluwatosin, 24, in Lagos, needs a guy from 28 to 35 years for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage.

07039818016, BB Pin: 218AF48D. • Connect with Mike on WhatsApp or BlackBerry Pin: 7ab29e22 or 21978F71 for details on how to send your BlackBerry request.

• Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641 to link up and for direct hookup.

*Send your comments/stories to Love Doctor. Email: ireto007@yahoo.com If you’re in a crisis, call for help: 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641.

For free marriage/relationships counseling, call Love Doctor Mike 07031028714, 08023700641. Visit lovedrmike.blogspot.com

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FERTILITY If you have fertility problems like fibroid, low sperm count, or want a male child or baby sex selection, call 07025350586; 08122352054.

37

No Love Lost

Relationships & Love Advice

Dear Tinuke, Don't rush into making assumptions without first investigating to determine the actual cause of your man's behavior. Maybe he is no longer able to give you all the time and attention like he did before, due to the stress and challenges of his new job. Give him time to settle down and see if he'll change. If not, have a serious discussion with him and find out if he still wants you or not. If he does, find a way to put the passion back into your relationship. Good luck. .

LOVE&LIVING

Men looking for relationship/marriage: ♥ Temitayo, in Abuja, needs a woman or lady for a discreet affair anywhere. 08085932033. BB: 21A4B824. ♥ Emeka, 33, in Aba, needs a virgin, Igbo, tall, slim, born again girl of 20-28 years for a serious relationship. 08071210609. ♥ Chris, 38, 6ft, a businessman in Lagos, from Anambra, HIV Positive, needs a shapely, caring and sweet woman as a life partner. 08056576819. ♥ Ebube, 43, 5.5ft, chocolate, in Enugu, business man in Lagos, needs a woman of 34-37 years for marriage. 09032233402. ♥ Jona, 37, 6ft, works in Lagos, needs a working or business woman of 42-48 years, single mother, divorcee, or widow for a romantic relationship.

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08034296228.

Lovers’ Answers Game: The rule: Ask the opposite sex one question about love, and choose your lover from the top 3 answers.

Ifunanya from Ebonyi, via 08184605693, is asking all men: “Must sex be the number one priority in a relationship?” *Call Mike: 07031028714 to send questions or issues.

'I hate that man more than any other who has ever lived' Feud between the Clintons and Obamas laid bare by author who claims Michelle calls Hillary 'Hildabeest'

T

he simmering cauldron of hatred that exists between the Obamas and the Clintons threatens to explode in a volcanic eruption that could threaten all Democrat chances in 2016, says a sensational new book.

Despite their much-vaunted public truce, journalist Edward Klein claims in 'Blood Feud' that Bill Clinton despises President Obama and that Michelle refers to Hillary behind closed doors as the 'Hildebeest'.

The animosity between the Democratic Party's two power couples has reached such intensity that Klein says the president is willing to renege on his promise to endorse Hillary for 2016 and has teased the Clintons with suggestions that Michelle would be a strong candidate for the Oval Office.

Dating back to then Senator Obama's defeat of Hillary Clinton for the 2008 Democratic nomination they believed was theirs, Bill has never forgiven Obama for allegations he made during that bitter campaign.

'I hate that man Obama more than any man I've ever met, more than any man who ever lived,' said Bill Clinton to a friend after Obama suggested he was a racist in 2008 according to Klein's book, excerpts of which appear in The New York Post.

Indeed, despite President Obama bringing Hillary into his cabinet as Secretary of State after his storming victory in 2008, her presence only proved to antagonize relations between the two couples.

According to an account of Klein's explosive allegations in The New York Post, Michelle Obama would sit in the evenings with her trusted adviser, Valerie Jarrett to gossip and make fun of Hillary over a bottle of Chardonnay.

They nicknamed Hillary the 'Hildebeest', in reference to the ugly and sturdy gnu that is often seen wandering the Serengeti.

In the run up to the 2012 election, President Obama's campaign team advised the sitting president that he needed to utilize the suretouch of Bill Clinton if he wanted to secure a second term.

Loathe to do this, President Obama finally asked the former president to play a round of golf with him in September 2011, to ask for his help.

'I’m not going to enjoy this,' Bill told Hillary according to Klein.

'I’ve had two successors since I left the White House — Bush and Obama — and I’ve heard more from Bush, asking for my advice, than I’ve heard from Obama. I have no relationship with the president

— none whatsoever,' Clinton said.

'I really can’t stand the way Obama ¬always seems to be hectoring when he talks to me.

'Sometimes we just stare at each other. It’s pretty damn awkward.

Now we both have favors to ask each other, and it’s going to be very unpleasant. But I’ve got to get this guy to owe me and to be on our side.'

The golf game was petty, tetchy and not without incident.

President Clinton immediately tried to claim the upper hand by reminding Obama that he presided over an economic golden age, while Obama was struggling to affect any change during the Great Recession.

Hammering home his point, Bill Clinton told President Obama that obviously he and Hillary would be running for president in 2016 and that his wife would be 'the most qualified, most experienced candidate, perhaps in history.'

This rankled with President Obama, acutely aware of any attacks on his relative inexperience on walking into the White House.

'And so Bill continued to talk about Hillary’s qualifications . . . and the coming campaign in 2016,' writes Klein as featured in The New York Post.

'But Barack didn’t bite. He changed the subject several times.

Then suddenly, Barack said something that took Bill by complete surprise. He said, ‘You know, Michelle would make a great presidential candidate, too.’

'Bill was speechless. Was Barack comparing Michelle’s qualifications to Hillary’s?

'Bill said that if he hadn’t been on a mission to strike a deal with Barack, he might have stormed off the golf course then and there.'

A deal was struck nonetheless. Bill delivered a barnstorming speech to the Democratic National Convention, which threatened to upstage the president himself.

However, the Clintons both felt that the president was wavering in his commitment to endorse Hillary for 2016 as his side of the bargain.

In an effort to smooth over the rising tensions, the Obamas hosted the Clintons on March 1, 2013 at a dinner - the day that the $85billion 'sequester' budget cuts went into effect.

The meal could go down as the moment that all bets were off in the two couple's political marriage of necessity.

According to Klein, who spoke to those with knowledge of the dinner, Bill couldn't help hectoring the president about his handling continues on page38

38 LOVE&LIVING

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

True Confession From Overseas

'I had sex with my minister an hour before church'

I

t all started three years ago when I was 18. Our church hired a brand new minister. Let's call him Adam. When I first met him, I wanted our old minister back. Adam was distant, cold-hearted and ugly. At least that's what I thought. A Over the next two years, we never spoke.

We saw each other every Sunday, but I made it a point to stay away from him. It continued like that until early this year.

I was at church on a Saturday rehearsing for one of the many church plays I'm in. There were a lot of people there, plus Adam. We were running through my first scene when I messed up and swore loudly.

He started to laugh. I couldn't help but notice what an infectious laugh he had.

After that day, he was suddenly gorgeous to me. And funny, smart and warm.

But now that I had these new feelings, I still couldn't manage to talk to him. His very presence made me nervous.

My mother had always told him what an avid writer and reader I was. So about two months ago he asked if I wanted to look over some of his sermons for the next few weeks. I said okay, while secretly dying inside.

After church one Sunday we went over his sermons and then chatted for almost an hour. He told me he was busy all week, but would like to get together the next Saturday to discuss more about his upcoming sermons. I said sure and that I would meet him at the church around one on Saturday afternoon.

On Saturday, we chatted again in his office, until he offered to take me for a coffee. I agreed and we drove to the coffee shop a few blocks away. I was ridiculously nervous and made even more nervous by

SEXUAL COMMUNICATION

He told me he was busy all week, but would like to get together the next Saturday to discuss more about his upcoming sermons the way he was acting. He seemed a little awkward and I wasn't sure if that was just the way he was or if it was because of me in particular.

At the shop, we chatted about everyday things, which was a first. He told me about his son and ex-wife and his love of sailing. We talked about my favourite TV shows. After that he drove me home. But before dropping me off, he asked if I could come into church a little early the next

morning, so he could run through his sermon one more time in front of me. I didn't think anything of it because he often did this with other people. So I agreed.

I took the bus that morning at eight and waited for about 10 minutes before he arrived and let me in. We talked for about 20 minutes on his office sofa, before it started.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" he asked.

I shook my head no. He smiled, I smiled and in a moment we were kissing. We broke apart within seconds, for what I thought would be him apologising, but instead he got up and locked his door.

And we proceeded to make love on his sofa. It was weird. We did this for about half an hour, until after nine.

I got dressed and walked out of his office as if nothing had happened. Minutes later people started to arrive and I pretended to be busy reading a book.

He came out a half hour later to start the service in his robe and dishevelled hair.

I couldn't sit through the service. I sat at the back and waited for my mum to take me home.

We have had sex again since then, but never at church. I spend weekends at his apartment and tell my mum I'm at a friend's. It's hard though, because on Sundays we have to act like we always did — distant. Some people have commented that we seem to spend a lot of time together and someone even saw me getting out of his car on a Sunday morning. I told them he'd seen me at the coffee place and picked me up. I don't think anyone suspects.

Courtesy: ninems.com

Wedding Traditions

How can women reduce pain during sex?

I

f you suffer from pain during sex, here are some tips to help you reduce your discomfort and enhance your enjoyment during sex: Practice Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor.

Use plenty of lubricants.

Use a topical anesthetic gel with a 5% concentration of the local anesthetic lidocaine to ease burning during intercourse.

You can get this with a prescription from your healthcare provider.

Apply a frozen gel-pack wrapped in a towel to your vulva to ease irritation after manual sexual stimulation or intercourse.

After intercourse, urinate (to avoid an infection) and rinse your vulva in cool water.

Some women will benefit from training the muscles of the vaginal opening to relax using pelvic floor stretching exercises or lubricated dilators. Other women may benefit from treating vaginal atrophy with regular use of long-acting vaginal moisturizers or low dose vaginal estrogen cream, tablets or ring.

c o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 3 7

of the economy.

Hillary, attempting to change the subject asked Michelle if it was true she might copy her and run as a Senator, in Illinois, after her husband left office.

Michelle demurred to answer and allegedly Bill was stunned that Hillary would have shown her hand so openly. The backand-forth between the four grew steadily more icy.

Bill suggested that the president turn over his much-vaunted

Stealing the Groom's Shoes: India

O

ne of the traditional Indian wedding games played to celebrate the couple’s union is the stealing of the groom’s shoes. The groom’s family have to do their best to keep the

shoes from falling into the mitts of the bride’s family, and the groom ultimately has to pay a ransom to get them back.

Courtesy: eharmony.

Lovers in Court

'My husband's house isn't safe for me' Stories by Abimbola Sodeke

M

oses and Kehinde Popoola have been married for some years and have a child together.

However, Moses recently filed for divorce against his wife, Kehinde, accusing her of abandoning him.

"When we got married a few years ago, things were okay in the family. We were living peacefully because there was love and care in the family. But one day, I got home and found that my wife had moved out of the house," he said.

Moses stated that he was surprised at his wife's action because they had never had any misunderstanding that would warrant her leaving the house. He added that she had yet to tell him if he had offended her.

However, his wife Kehinde told a different story. She said they got married out of love but that their families weren't in support of their marriage due to religious differences. "My family was not happy that I had married a Christian and were never in support of the marriage," she said.

Kehinde told the court that her husband's younger brother was responsible for their problems.

She said that once when her husband wasn't around, his younger brother had tried to sleep with her, but she rebuffed his advances.

"When my husband came back, I told him what his younger brother did and immediately he got angry with me and called a family meeting. However, I was surprised when the entire family told me to respect my husband's younger brother.

"I never believed they could say such a thing because in Islam it is wrong for my husband's brother to come to my bedroom late at night," she said.

She claimed she had to move out of the house because she thought the house was no longer safe for her.

Kehinde pleaded with the court to grant her custody of her child because, according to her, her husband could not take good care of the child. She also claimed that she had not seen her child since she left the house.

The court president, P.A. Williams, ordered the plaintiff to bring the child to the court at the next sitting so that his mother can see him.

'I hate that man more than any other who has ever lived' social media enabled campaign know-how to the Democratic party at large.

'You have to use your organization to aid the candidate in 2016,' Bill pressed Obama.

'Really?' replied a sarcastic Obama, according to Klein.

Things deteriorated as President Clinton continued to lecture the table as the president began to ignore his guests and check his

Blackberry.

According to Klein, Hillary tried to change the subject again and asked if Barack Obama was happy he wouldn't have to campaign again, especially because he didn't seem to like it.

'For a guy who doesn’t like it,' Obama replied, 'I’ve done pretty well.'

'Well,' Bill said according to Klein in The New York Post, 'I was

glad to pitch in and help get you re-elected.'

The after-effects of that meal are still being felt.

The Clintons have become convinced that Obama will not back Hillary for 2016 and that he is seeking to endorse Vice-President Joe Biden or a new, young politician, just like he was.

'He’s convinced himself he’s been a brilliant president, and

wants to clone himself — to find his Mini-Me,' says Bill Clinton to Chelsea according to Klein.

'He’s hunting for someone to succeed him, and he believes the American people don’t want to vote for someone who’s been around for a long time. He thinks that your mother and I are what he calls "so 20th century". He’s looking for ¬another Barack Obama.'

Courtesy: Daily Mail

Travel&Tourism ON SATURDAY NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/travel

HOSPITALITY Eko Hotel and Suites, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA, is a delightsome hospitality home with many enticing offerings.

L

OCATED in Victoria Island, Lagos, the hospitality home, which is about the biggest hotel in Nigeria in terms of size, rooms and services, is the pride of Lagos State and seats majestically on a vantage spot offering a good view of the Atlantic Ocean and the Kuramo Lagoon.

With about 600 rooms, the hotel which prides itself as "nestling international standard with African hospitality" is truly a rich blend of sophistication and rich indigenous taste with its facilities spread across four-in-one hotel that are fittingly accommodated within its expansive garden–like landscape.

The four hotels, which each offer rich and distinct characters are apportioned and fitted with upscale and modern facilities, each a display of the concept and vision of the owners, which is a dedication to the best hospitality culture and services professionally delivered in line with the culture of excellence and traditional hospitality creed of the hotel group – the promotion of business and leisure tourism.

The hotel consists of Eko Gardens, Eko Hotel, Eko Suites and Eko Signature, which is the most recent and perhaps the best in terms of interior design and facilities, combining aplomb and opulence to reflect a standard that arguably eclipses any you can think of in this part of the world.

Eko Gardens Starting with the rooms, they are each furnished to taste and fitted with amenities ranging from satellite TV, fast internet connection, a fridge and bathroom amenities of the highest quality.

The categories of rooms include standard and classic rooms.

Eko Hotel This is actually the main hotel from which the other three take their inspiration. It boasts a high level of posh and sophistication.

The reception and lobby area exudes inviting presence always and most times busy.

All the rooms are well-fitted with various amenities for the pleasure of the guests. With a spa-

Destination DELTA: Scores big in oil but pitiably low on tourism p.42

Chef's Corner Lagos Airport Hotel entices with Ramadan gourmet p.40

ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA, EDITOR, TRAVEL AND TOURISM iroandy@ymail.com

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

28 JUNE 2014

39

Eko Hotel and Suites: Magnificent, delightsome treats cious balcony as well, each of the rooms offer view of either the Atlantic Ocean or the bustling city, especially its variegated night view.

The rooms’ categories include diplomatic suite – a somewhat five-star attraction of the hotel with upscale facilities including a kitchenette.

Others are classic suite which comes with a separate sitting room and ideal setting for some privacy, classic superior and Atlantic superior room.

Eko Suites This is another classic and vintage property within the hotel featuring cushy rooms made of deluxe, presidential, executive, club and studio suites.

Eko Signature It is perhaps the most iconic of all the properties with mindblowing design and interior décor that are masterpieces and sheer display of opulence. Every of the feature and facilities within this

hotel come with a distinct style and classic ambience that put the hotel in the biggest league hotel.

From the rooms, dining, leisure to meeting facilities, they are all exceptionally set and styled to the astonishment of the guests.

The classes of rooms include premium suite, which comes with a beautiful setting and all the trappings of luxury and with a separate lounge to the bargain; the opulent signature suite; and the presidential suite which offers an unapologetic luxury with breathtaking scenery.

Conference facilities With its array of conference facilities, Eko Hotel and Suites comes across as the best if not the leading business tourism promoter in the country. These facilities are of different categories, all fully equipped and fitted with modern business and meeting amenities of note. They also offer amazing technologically and professionally

driven back up services in terms of its facilities structure, staff, food and beverages, among others.

The list include the grand ballroom, which sits about 350 people and great for upscale events and Eko Convention or Expo Centre, which is the latest addition to its conference facilities is the first of its kind in Nigeria. With fantastic ambience and ample space. These two facilities afford flexible setting and can be subdivided to host any form of event including, banquet/dinner, concert, exhibition, conference and party.

These are complemented by 13 purpose-built meeting rooms.

There is also a business centre to provide support service and a bookshop just a step away. Both are located at the lobby end of the main hotel.

Dining Dining and wining are a lovely and pleasurable experience here

Enticing facade

with different options to explore by the many distinctively located restaurants within the hotel complex. These are Sky Restaurant and Lounge, which is located in the penthouse of Eko Hotel and its specialty is Asian fusion and opens daily to diners; Calabash bar, also located within Eko Hotel is a spot to savour the best of African scenery with a lot to drink and eat, the atmosphere is great and provides opportunity to bond, especially at night in open skies and sometimes bluesy mood; Kuramo Sports Café is also contiguous to Calabash bar and offers dining and wining options with the added advantage of catching your best sports live on the big screen.

There is also the Lagoon Breeze Restaurant by the poolside offers varieties of grill foods among others, which offers good meals; Casa Chianti takes you to the home of pasta, Italy as it offers great traditional Italian delicacies; Steakhouse, situated in Eko Suites is a comfortable and relaxing spot to savour real steaks done in different styles; 1415 Italian restaurant, which is located in the new Eko Signature Hotel is the newest addition to the many options on offer in the hotel. It offers fine dining with the finest Italian cuisine to the bargain; great atmosphere with cool and breezy musical entertainment of the jazz classics while the bar and lounge offers exciting mood to enjoy the hotel’s list of fine wine and spirit.

Wellness Wellness freaks would find the hotel also well suited to their needs with its gymnasium and steam room, swimming pool, tennis and volleyball courts, among other recreational facilities.

Signature Suite Lounge-Eko Signature

Sky Restaurant

NEW TELEGRAPH PARTNER HOTELS BENEFITS

FESTAC, LAGOS

PARKVIEW ESTATE, IKOYI, LAGOS

There are lots of benefits to derive as one of our partner hotels; for enquiries and details on how to join the programme, please contact Andrew Iro Okungbowa: 08023152195 (sms only), e-mail: iroandy@ymail.com or Chinyere Okpara: 08063768131 (sms only) e-mail angela_curtis@live.com

40 TRAVEL&TOURISM

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

CHEF’S CORNER

Lagos Airport Hotel entices with Ramadan gourmet

T

Andrew Iro Okungbowa HIS year’s Ramadan – the 30-day period of abstinence for Muslim faithful – begins today.

Any sumptuous meal before and at the end of each day’s fasting would certainly be a welcome and delightsome treat to any Muslim faithful embarking on this spiritual retreat. And in Lagos, one of the eateries to visit for a savoury gourmet should be the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, which has rolled out enticing menu for the season in what it has entitled "Ramadan season booster".

According to the general manager of the facility, Mr. Kayode Adenigba, the hotel by this act, is once again reconnecting with Muslim faithful in line with the "rich culture and tradition of the hotel in ensuring that they find the place a suitable home away from home to engage in the ordained spiritual exercise".

This culture, according to him, has been in the offing in the last one decade and for this year, he said it is being taken to a grand height. Adenigba said the Ramadan season booster is designed to "assure Muslims of the hotel’s commitment and share in the passion of the season as it will provide opportunities for Muslims who need to transact their businesses outside their place of abode and simultaneously observe one of the tenets of Islam by observing the Ramadan".

Dining and wining during these 30 days, he said, would be

an interesting affair as the hotel has greatly improved its menu. ‘‘The hotel has new improved products and varieties of cuisines, especially for the customers and gourmet to chose from.

During this Ramadan period, the interests of our Muslim brothers and sisters would be catered for in terms of the type and nature of food and fruits available to break their fast.’’

Furthermore, the hotel, he said, ‘‘will offer the best of dishes highly favoured by Muslims for the Ramadan.’’ Besides the normal a la carte and buffet offering of both continental and African dishes, he said the hotel’s chef would delight the people with special menu that are not regular offering but are meant to be consumed at this period by the people.

He said that both the staff and Odu’a and Olomo restaurants are well primed to ensure that the clients’ orders are promptly met and delivered in a professional and efficient manner to the satisfaction of the clients.

This, he said, include the early morning meal requests before the commencement of each day fast as the restaurant would open for breakfast by 3.00am while 24-hour room service delivery would be intensified.

To ease the stress of the period and empower the people, free offers accompanying the menu packages include fruits during breakfast, Sahur (Sari) and Tafsir while the standard of the hotel’s mosque has also been improved

on and fitted to create the right and conducive atmosphere for prayers and the daily lectures by Muslim faithful.

In addition to this, the hotel’s package is also extended to other aspects with a 20 percent discount on rooms for all guests during the period, corporate discount for block booking and free branded gift to all guests who lodge for four consecutive nights at the hotel.

The general manager added that security and safety of guests have also been beefed up, with the acquisition of modern security gadgets while the security personnel have been trained and motivated to be at their best 24 hours.

Ramadan Kareem!

L-R: Marketing Manager, Ade Sunmoni, General Manager, Kayode Adenigba and Controller, sales and marketing, Adebayo Gabriel Ayodele...at a media event organised by the hotel

TRAVEL BEATS

Wavecrest College's students score big at Accor’s Take Off Challenge IN Paris, France, there were accolades for Nigeria's hospitality as students of Lagos-based Wavecrest College of Hospitality emerged second best at the recent Accor’s 2014 Worldwide Students’ Take Off Challenge on Digital Innovation on Hospitality. It was the third edition of the programme, which is aimed at identifying originality in mobile service delivery.

500 students from 68 universities, business schools and hotel management schools globally took part in the competition. Wavecrest College of Hospitality ambassadors at the event, namely, Naseefat Bello, Zita Ubajaka and Onyinye Ibegbulem, all final year students of the Higher National Diploma in hospitality management, created a mobile communication and training application for Accor employees worldwide.

Their entry, which won wide acclaim combined the features of popular social media applications to create a platform for Accor employees to engage, share and learn using their

smart phones. The school was only representative of Africa in the female category of the challenge hunt event.

The winning team from Vatel International Business School in Thailand developed the concept of a full option application that guests could use to control everything using their smart phones – from ordering what one needs to organising a trip in the town.

The three other finalists were from Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Switzerland,

Centro Superior de Hosteleria de Galicia in Spain, and Queenstown Resort College of Hospitality in New Zealand.

Accor Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Sébastien Bazin, made special mention of Wavecrest’s entry as one that he particularly took note of as it touched on a very important area – people. In addition, Fabrice Tessier, Accor Group’s schools relations and partnerships director commended the students as very “…very courageous, serious and not

Zita Ubajaka, Onyinye Ibegbulem and Naseefat Bello, runners up at the Accor Digital Innovation Challenge with officials of Accor in Paris recently

Ogbunike cave for world stage

AFTER so many years of neglect and abandonment, Anambra State government has now taken the first bold step towards improving one of its leading tourist attractions, Ogbunike Cave into a world class tourist centre as it prepares to launch a new tourism drive for the state, noted more for its commercial and industrial push.

This new move was recently declared by the state governor, Mr. Willie Obiano, while announcing the renewal plans for the tourist centre located in Oyi local government area,

Starwood Hotels and Resorts on Google Glass DESIROUS of offering seamless services to its clients, Starwood Hotels and Resorts has made a debut with the Google glass app for hospitality, which enables guests to explore and book at any of its nearly 1,200 hotels around the globe.

The newly introduced SPG app, which is the first from a hospitality company leverages the emerging wearable technology platform. This powers the group ahead of others, technology wise, as it empowers mobile travellers with a new view as they explore destinations and book stays at all Starwood Hotels and

which include commissioning of a feasibility plan for the project and award of about N2 billion contracts for the construction of Ogbunike community road project.

This was announced by Governor Obiano during a thanksgiving mass held in his honour by the Ogbunike Catho¬lic Community. According to him, the government had already advertised for professionals to handle the feasibility study.

Resorts. The new experience will enable guests to review their SPG account and immerse themselves in any of Starwood’s nine, designled brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and Element®.

The SPG app for Google glass was designed and built entirely by Starwood’s internal team of technological experts with the goal of delivering a seamless experience for its guests.

The app is designed to assist travellers in each stage of their journey - from imaginative destination exploration to practical logistics planning before, during, and after a visit - all within a quick, easy, and streamlined format valued by on-the-go users of wearable technology.

TRAVEL&TOURISM

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

41

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

Ours is to give corporate guests nice experience – Bamgboye Bob Bamgboye heads CurrentLinks System, an IT solution provider for the hospitality sector. He tells ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA of his outfit’s silent revolution aimed at enhancing the experience of hotel guests and efficient service delivery. For this feat, he was honoured as one of the 100 travel persons of the centenary early in the year.

T

HE Global hospitality sector is on the jet lane and thanks to the advancement in technology, which has greatly increased the speed of service delivery and promoted seamless transactions at various levels. Different applications and operative systems are now being used to fast track business to the delight of hotel users and the benefit of investors.

In Nigeria, the story is not any different. Although the progress may be slow, surely, operators in the sector know there is need to adopt the latest world system to improve their services. One of the IT solution providers leading the somewhat silent revolution is Current-Link System headed by Mr. Bob Bamgboye.

“We look after the hospitality industry,” is how Bamgboye describes the work of his company. “We look after the

hospitality industry -hotels, restaurants, fast foods, catering services and motels,” he says, adding that even stadia are not left of the coverage.

He cited highbrow stadia such as the Emirates and Wembley both in the United Kingdom as enjoying the services currently. The possibility of winning over that huge and captive market is not ruled out by Bamgboye as he looks ahead: “We are looking at that when the time comes or the country develops to that level. But at the moment we focus on hotels, mostly the five star hotels in Nigeria have our solutions.”

The journey started in 2000 when he finally left the United Kingdom where he had studied, lived and worked for years and headed for Nigeria to set up his current company. There were just two Abuja hotels in his company’s portfolio then but today no fewer than 300 hotels most of which are five star hotels now scrambled for his service.

He elaborates on what his company does: “We are dealers on software we called Micros Fidelio. I used to work for them before I returned to Nigeria to open an office. They have a very large share of the hospitality market around the world, so everywhere you go to you find Micros Fidelio products. We are the dealers here in Nigeria.”

There might not be implosion in the use of the solution yet, however, Bamgboye says there is a high level of awareness about the system among the hotels.

“Most hotels understand and use it to different levels. The major and big chains use it all the time. With the major hotels we don’t have challenges because they

know about it but for the one star hotels and hotels owned by individuals, it is a difficult terrain,” he says.

According to him, the major challenge is the fact that investors or hotel owners most often are more concerned with the physical structure of the hotel and they go every length to put up a beautiful edifice without realising that what makes a hotel a complete business is both the building and the fittings.

“At the very end, the challenge is to put in the right hotel system and it is the last thing that anybody thinks of because it is not in the fore front from day one. So we have challenge where client wants to buy this solution but he hasn’t got budget for it,” he seems to lament.

The noticeable trend, he says is that “the older generation feels comfortable using microsoft and excel but the younger generation knows that they need a system and it is easy to convince them but we find it more challenging to convince the older generation to buy a system,” he says of the effort at educating the people and arousing them to the latest trends in the industry.

As to whether the company has made

‘The challenge is to put in the right hotel system and it is the last thing that anybody thinks of because it is not in the fore front from day one

Bamgboye: 'Lagos is like New York or London...the more hotels and restaurants you open, the more people come in.'

tremendous stride in its inroad to the market, he answers in the affirmative.

“Well, I think so, we have been in business since 2000 and we are growing, getting more and more clients every year and people are learning about this solution and they know the benefits, the security it offers and the support system that we have in place.”

Bamgboye who have experienced the better of the two worlds, in his dissect of the development within the Nigeria hospitality sector, gives a thumb up to Nigerian hotel local chains, which he says are raising the bar. “We have local chains; they are doing very, very well now. They are being run by Nigerians and sometimes they bring in expertise to help but they have their chains and their standard is very, very high.

“From services to solutions to the way the hotel looks and to the maintenance in the hotel, it is very, very high. It's nice to have Nigerians managing Nigerian hotels and maintain the standard. And then you have the independent hotels and they vary. Some are of a very high standard and some actually drop below standard.”

The growth of hospitality in Lagos State, he says is on the rise comparing it to what obtains in New York or London: “Lagos is like New York or London because the more hotels and restaurants that you open the more people come in and I don’t know how that works but it happens. If you go to any of these hotels most of them are full, their prices are good as well. The hotels are actually doing very well because I do go to some of these hotels to visit my clients.”

42 TRAVEL&TOURISM

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

DELTA: Scores big in oil but pitiably low on tourism Delta State is an oil rich state that prides itself as the "big heart;" but when it comes to tourism, all may not that be fat, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA

I

N the early 2000s, Delta State was one of few states that paid more than just a lip service to developing and promoting tourism. Its tourism board then was one of the best – being well-funded and effectively run.

It did a lot to develop and market the state's tourism potential both locally and internationally, as it showed up in most events and trade shows. It was also about this time that Grand Hotel, Asaba, made its entry with Asaba itself, the state capital, coming into its own as a leisure spot with the likes of Dema Kitchen and few other leisure spots and eateries springing up and getting all the attention.

Delta was the only state then and perhaps till now that invested huge funds in the purchase of tourism buses, all dedicated to the promotion of tours within the city and the entire state. It was a pleasure those days enjoying a pleasurable city tour. Some of the vehicles are still there but the momentum and initiative have long suffered a reversal.

Warri, which used to be the hotbed of social life and even high wire politics in the state, was on low about this time while Asaba was on the ascendancy. So it was expected that it would attract people and interest and certainly, it did with it being the new centre of development and attraction for the government and people.

Even Nollywood took note of the new status of the city and gradually made the place home with many of movie producers using the city as location. But till date the state government has so far failed to take advantage of this to invest in the much touted film village for the city. Even Enugu that has the rare distinction of being the most patronized Nollywood scenery has only succeed in building a real film village on paper.

The hospitality sector also came exploring the city and the result is the various shades of hotels dotting the landscape. If this development continues down the line, every area if not street in Asaba may end up with more than one hotel. However, the quality, offerings and patronage may be sore points to consider.

Despite this new move, there seems to be a disconnect of sorts with the government apparently lacking the political will and vision to leverage the new spirit in town to develop the city and the entire state into a major tourist hub as even the tourism master plan it once floated during the heyday of its tourism board was jettisoned.

Perhaps aware of its failings over the years, the present administration at the twilight of its stay in power launched new vision

anchored on "Delta beyond oil."

With some level of attention is now on tourism but how far this can be sustained is yet to be seen.

The government has launched a private initiative to create two destinations for the state - Delta Leisure - with the directorate of culture and tourism led by Richard Mofe–Damjio and the general manager of the tourism board, Mrs. Nkem Ajufo renewing their commitment to the industry.

But the timeline for delivery of this twin projects is not yet known. The same applies to when the government would also go beyond this to give new lease of life to the other attractions scattered across the state, and create the right environment to attract private sector investors and revitalize the once buoyant and vibrant tourism industry of the state.

Here is a list of some tourist attractions: Nana's Palace and History Museum Located in the port town of Koko, Warri North local government area of the state, the palace turned museum was once the power base and home of Chief Nana Olomu of Ebrohim, a powerful king and influential business mogul who was noted for his resistance to colonial ascendancy in his domain.

Besides the museum, Koko town itself, which is a sleepy and laid back port community also offers impressive scenery to explore, experience the local

DESTINATION

Gov Uduaghan

The site also hold some spiritual and religious significance for the people as people from all over the state and elsewhere visit to worship and consult the chief priest of Umuaja who with his acolytes conducts the people through the religious and sacred ground. Regular cultural performances are held for the benefit of the visitors.

Araya Bible site It is a legendary site, which houses a holy bible, which legend says descended on the spot directly from heaven. To preserve this myth, the place has been preserved over the years and it attracts a number of visitors to the host town, Araya in Isoko area of the state.

Mungo Park House One of the surviving colonial buildings of the state is located in Asaba. It once served as The Residency, Asaba, the first headquarters of the Royal Niger Company but now a museum under the auspices of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments. The building is almost becoming an endangered one and needs urgent restoration.

Mofe-Damijo

people, their culture, cuisine and boat cruise on the river, which is not yet a thriving business.

River Ethiope Source It is one of the most popular sites and widely visited attraction in the state. Otherwise known as Umuaja in Ukwuani area of the state, it is home to the source of River Ethiope, one of the cleanest rivers in the state.

Cultural display at the Richard Lander Anchorage

Richard Lander Anchorage Built on the bank of River Niger, Richard Lander Anchorage is built on the spot where the big ship of the Lander brothers was believed to have berthed when they first crossed River Niger to Asaba on their exploratory mission. Built into a beautiful resort ground, it bears the statue of the Lander brothers, it has ample space for picnic and cultural event as well as a museum, which houses a number of arts and craft materials.

Squash Club, Asaba Is one of the many hideout spots in Asaba, attached to the government house, it is actually the leisure home of the governor and his guests with a private lounge and bar but it is opened to the public and patronized by government officials and some of the big names in the city. Well laid out and secured, you are assured of your privacy with assorted drinks, local delicacies on the bill.

Olona Ranch and Holiday Resort Otherwise known as "nature’s gift to mankind," is a natural enclave in a forested and almost wilderness – like resort - well suited for leisure and fun seekers. Visitors would find the resort quite attractive and appealing because of its natural and traditional ambience, its peaceful and artistic scenery.

Every of the building features thatch roof and traditional elements to give it a touch of Africa feel with admixture of contemporariness as well. The facilities include chalets, fish ponds, poultry, love gardens, deep spring, nature walk and therapy, botanical garden, stomach care and paradise in the jungle.

One of the things to look forward to here is the fresh brew palm juice in the early hours of the morning.

The Turf Situated in the university town of Abraka, precisely, Oria– Abraka, in Ethiope East local government area, The Turf, is a private leisure resort with lush and enticing natural landscape sculpted against a tropical forest with River Ethiope just a distance away, thus giving the resort a distinctive character.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

TRAVEL&TOURISM

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TRAVEL TIPS

What is jet lag?

Asaba airport

Mungo Park house

River Ethiope

Nana Museum

It has well apportioned chalets, swimming pool, sports facilities, library, gazebo garden, restaurant and a number of other attractions, which make for a complete fun at the enclave. You can also go on a safari and natural swim in River Ethiope as well as enjoy a picnic and party at the huge platform constructed across the river. The game of polo is high on the bill here with a yearly polo tournament hosted during the Easter period.

Benbo Games Village, Abraka This is another leisure and sport facility centre in Abraka town and offers different options for fun and leisure seekers, especially sports enthusiasts who would find the home a naturally conducive environment to relax and enjoy their favourite sport.

Demas Nwoko House Located in Idumuje – Ugboko in Aniocha North local government area, is the private resident of Demas Nwoko, one of Nigerian renowned architects.

The house is design to international standard and taste, made of traditional materials with a tinge of Igbo and Benin styling.

It has an impluvium at its centre, which collects and channels out rain water. It is opened for public viewing and tour and opportunity to have a chat with the architect if he happens to be around on the time of visit.

Ned Nwoko Resort Ned Nwoko, a businessman and politician and also relation of Demas Nwoko has also created what could be rightly called a private resort in the same town as his brother. It is a most appealing and magnificent holiday home for people with high taste. Besides its sophisticated elements, it affords a natural bliss with its forested environment.

Obi Palace, Idumuje Ugboko The palace of the traditional ruler of the Obi of Idumuje Ugboko, it's a well–laid out and structured traditional building, is also of classic architectural appeal and attracts visitors to the palace.

Araya Bible site

Some chiefs from the State admiring the Delta Leisure Resort model during its laurel

Abraka Turf

Delta State Leisure and Wildlife Resort Few years back, the state government under its Private – Public Partnership initiative launched a multi-billion (about N40 billion) twin tourism destination projects, known as Delta Leisure Resort - Leisure and Wildlife Resorts currently under construction in Oleri village, Udu local government area and Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South local government areas of the state. It is in partnership with SarnerPFM (in conjunction with its international arm, Sarner Ltd UK).

The project which is a part of the Delta Beyond Oil initiative, is expected to be completed

by December 2014. Spanning over 300 acres of land with an estimated 1.8 billion visitors by 2030, the resorts features some of the following offerings: Theme Resort (Oleri Village, Warri), shopping malls, a range of Floridian, Mediterranean, Oriental and English themed dwellings built as modern inns and private villas, a five star, five story hotel with 250

bedrooms, a three star, eight floor hotel with 504 bedrooms, waterfalls, service communities including a retail village, Africa Cultural Village, sports village, recreational amenities such as casinos, cinemas and ample parking spaces and restaurants.

While the Wildlife Park and Resort at Ogwashi-Uku, Asaba end also boast offerings such as: adventure park and safari, animal village, zoo and botanical garden, cycling and hunting trails, a five star hotel of 50 rooms and 38 luxury guest chalets.

Ibru Centre Located in Agbarah otor, Ughelli North local government area of the state, it is an ecumenical centre for religious tourism and you would find it a peaceful, inviting and well – laid out environment to engage in some form of religious retreats, worship and pilgrimage.

Festivals Delta State hosts a number of colourful festivals all through the years at the various localities. It is for the majestic nature of this rich and vast cultural festivals with a lot of dances,

music and songs as well as entertainment elements that the state is also known as the land of one thousand dances.

Most of these festivals are celebrated annually while others are at different intervals of the year. The endless list include - the Edjenu of Agbarha in Ughelli North local government area, the Ishe Festival for peace and progress in Ewulu town of Aniocha South local government area and the Oki Masquerade of Torugbene in Burutu local government area.

You also witness the celebration of water regatta with colourful cultural float display on water. The Directory of Culture and Tourism once harped on boat regatta festival as a means of leveraging its water resources and culture, but like other designs it never got off the drawing board.

Cuisine Delta State offers rich and varieties of delicacies, especially local food in every parts of the state, you are sure to have special delicacies to suit your taste bud. Fish meal of different species is what you would savour in abundant in the state.

Your best spots to enjoy real local food, served hot and simmering in earthen pot wares and plates are in local restaurants – and not your typical five-star eateries.

Other attractions Eni Lake, Uzere, Isoko South local government council; Okpuzu Fall, Ibusa OShimili North local government area, Iyiada Valley; Ogwashi – Uku, Aniocha South local area; Expatriates Graveyard, Asaba and Ogbeke Square, Asaba.

Jet lag can occur any time you travel quickly across two or more time zones. The more time zones you cross, the more likely you are to be sleepy and sluggish -- and the longer and more intense the symptoms are likely to be.

Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder, but not temporary enough for many travelers. If you’re flying from San Francisco to Rome for a 10-day trip, for example, it may take six to nine days to fully recover. That’s because it can take up to a day for each time zone crossed for your body to adjust to the local time. If you’re traveling east to west, from Rome to San Francisco, jet lag could last four to five days -- about half the number of time zones crossed. Jet lag is generally worse when you “lose time” traveling west to east.

If you’re an older adult, jet lag may hit you harder and recovery may take longer.

Causes of jet lag Jet lag happens because rapid travel throws off our circadian rhythm -- the biological clock that helps control when we wake and fall asleep. “Cues such as light exposure, mealtimes, social engagement, and activities regulate our circadian rhythm,” says Allison T. Siebern, PhD, a fellow in the Insomnia and Behavioural Sleep Medicine Programme at the Stanford University Sleep Medicine Centre.

“When you cross time zones, it disrupts those, and your internal clock and the external time are desynchronized. Your body needs to get on the rhythm of the new time zone.”

Other aspects of air travel can aggravate the problem. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2007 found that air cabins pressurized to 8,000 feet lower oxygen in the blood, making passengers feel uncomfortable and dehydrated.

And people don’t move around as much as usual on an airplane. “These can increase symptoms of jet lag and further disrupt your circadian rhythm from re-synchronizing,” says Siebern.

Handling jet lag Simulate your new schedule before you leave.

“If you’re traveling east, start moving your bedtime earlier,” says Avelino Verceles, MD, assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and director of the school’s sleep medicine fellowship. “Shift it a half-hour earlier each night for several nights before you leave.”

If you’re traveling west, do the opposite. You can also try moving your mealtimes closer to the time you’ll be taking them at your destination.

Adapt to your new schedule while in flight Change your watch when you get on the plane.“This is mostly psychological,” says Siebern, “but it helps you get into the mindset of what you’ll be doing in the place where you’re going.”

Try to sleep on the plane if it’s nighttime where you’re going or stay awake if it’s daytime -- but don’t force it. “It can be difficult to force yourself to sleep and that can cause frustration, which can then prevent sleep,” says Siebern. “If that happens, just try to rest as much as possible.”

Arrive early If you need to be on top of your game for an event at your destination, try to arrive a few days early, so your mind and body can adjust.

Stay hydrated Drink water before, during, and after your flight to counteract dehydration. Avoid alcohol or caffeine a few hours before you plan to sleep. Alcohol and caffeine can disrupt sleep and may cause dehydration.

Move around Get up and walk around periodically, do some static exercises, and stretch on the flight.

But after you land, avoid heavy exercise near bedtime, as it can delay sleep.

Consider melatonin Melatonin naturally secreted in our bodies helps regulate our circadian rhythms so that we sleep at night. But the jury is still out on the effectiveness of the supplement melatonin to combat jet lag and aid sleep.

Some research shows that it can reduce jet lag on flights both east and west, but other research has not shown a benefit. to be continued next week

My Weekend NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

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I can’t compromise my leisure time for money –Awodiji To Mr. Kunle Awodiji, principal partner, of Adekunle Awodiji & Co., a firm of legal practitioners, he lives his dreams of always sharing the derivable joy from family bond, despite his tight schedules. He tell SEGUN EDWARDS, that he never compromises the rule as he derives utmost relaxation from sharing quality times with them through various recreations.

Awodiji

D

espite his busy schedules as a lawyer, Kunle Awodiji, says he will never compromise his leisure time particularly, with his family for any other thing.

He captures his position succinctly saying, “God forbid that I will want to make money to the detriment of my relaxation. I ensure that l don’t mix my relaxation with my official duties as I always ensure plans in this regard are not obstructed by anything.

I put the plan in place always to make sure everything fall in place. The scripture says give unto Caesar what is due to Caesar and to the Lord, what is unto the Lord. Once I get home, I concentrate fully on my family.”

He says he has adhered strictly to his principle because he is homely person, who enjoys his preference of being an indoor person as well embracing a lot of indoor sports.

“I relax in a number of ways. I’m homely. I play all the indoor games like table tennis, chess, draft, and computer games with my children. In some instances, when I’m leaving home in the morning I would tell my boy, when I come back in the evening I will defeat you in retaliation for the defeat I suffered in your hands earlier.”

He clarifies that this does not take away his love for other recreational activities like swimming on weekend.

Besides, he also cherishes the idea of travelling on vacation abroad either by himself or with members of his family.

“I don’t go shopping when I travel. I go on a proper vacation because I realise that most Nigerians when they go on vacation, they come back with extra luggage, mine is not like that,” he enthuses.

Awodiji, a native of Okerimi-Oro, in

Kwara State and a second to the last child in a polygamous family of the famous merchant Awodiji on Idunmagbo Avenue on Lagos Island says he is a football freak.

He says, “I ’m a supporter of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu. I’ve been supporting them since 1976 and outside Nigeria, I support Liverpool Football Club, which I have been supporting since 1977.”

His love for the Nigerian and English football clubs goes beyond the ordinary, as he identifies with them religiously.

“I have jerseys of both clubs at home, I even have Liverpool’s towel. Rangers didn’t do a towel anyway but, I have that of Liverpool,” he adds.

He admits he has been to Anfield, the home ground of Liverpool in England, despite not been privileged to watch the team play live. He however relishes his love for Rangers International, his Nigerian club with nostalgia.

He recounts, “Well, unfortunately, I’ve not been able to watch Liverpool play live, I’ve been to Anfield, that’s Liverpool ground.

But I’ve watched Rangers very well and I can recall I watched Rangers in 1978 inside the National Stadium, Lagos, when Rangers played the Bendel Insurance in the FA Cup final. We were defeated by 3-0.

“Bendel Insurance captain, Felix Agbonifo, scored two goals against us, I was in the stadium with my elder brothers. So, I know the Rangers team very well. Then we had players like Emmanuel Okalla, in goal, Chairman Christian Chukwu, was the captain of the team. We also had somebody like Christian Madu, there was Nwanbueze Nwankwo, I don’t know if I’m right. We had a lot, Aloysius Atuegbu, ‘the Block Burster’

was there, we had quite a number of them. I don’t want to mention Liverpool, they are there, anybody can google them and see them but some of us have been their supporters for a long time.”

Revealing his cherished bond for his immediate family in term of sharing his relaxation with them, he bemoans the attitude of some busy executives, who place the penchant for money seeking above spending time with their families.

“For some people, they deliberately stay late in the office not because they are busy but they will just stay back in the office till late.

I don’t belong to the class of those people. No matter my busy schedule, I always create time for my family. For instance, I make sure I drive my children to their schools despite that the fact that there are other alternative for them to get to school. I just deliberately do that to create an atmosphere of bond between me and my family,” he says.

Apart from taking the children to school, Awodiji says he also finds time to recreate at swimming pool or visit lots of fun spots mostly on weekend with them.

“We do go out on Sunday after service.

I may say let’s eat out for lunch on Sunday.

On this occasion, I go out for lunch with the family creating time to bond with them. We have been to fun spots not clubs, because I’m not the club type, but we have visited places like Shoprite, the Silverbird Galleria and some other places. I can assure you there is no fun spot in Lagos that we have not visited,” he reveals.

Speaking further on what he likes wearing and how he likes to dress on weekend, Awodiji reveals that he usually dresses light on weekend preferably in casuals and traditional attires.

But he is quick to add that he sometimes dress formerly in some cases to perform his responsibilities as a Minister of God. He says he has preference for two colours-blue and grey-which are prominent in his wardrobes. ‘’It’s just subconsciously.

Maybe if I go out and buy clothes for myself it is either blue or grey, even when someone buy for me the majority of them are either blue or grey colours. It is just subconsciously, even traditional clothes as well.”

He also accords the popular Nigerian menu, pounded yam, prominence in his weekend menu list. ‘’I can say for sure that most Sunday, I eat pounded yam when I come back from church and it is not the pounded yam that is cooked on fire, it is the real pounded yam.

During the week if anybody feels like eating it, he can eat the pounded yam made on fire,” he says.

He reveals that his household eats along with him whatever menu he chooses, adding, “There is no food I eat that my family

don’t eat.”

On the legacy that he wants to be remembered for and lesson he wants his children to imbibe, he says, “Diligence pays. Despite all odds, be diligent, be focused. Don’t look at other people’s ways of life and pattern your own way along other theirs. Be Godly, let God show the purpose and the objective He holds for you and follow it doggedly. Ignore peer pressure, know the people you flock with, be focused in life. Have a role model.

The role model I prescribe for you is not the type that is not worthy to be called a role model. Identify a role model, study the life of that role model and pattern your own life, not after his own life but after his ways of life, They are two different things.”

Awodiji equally recounts his childhood days on Lagos Island, as he points to some distortions that presently characterises the place of his birth.

“I grew up in a closely knit family set-up and we are our brothers’ keepers. I’m the second to the last in a polygamous family of eight children; the Awodiji family of Okerimi-Oro, Kwara State. My father had two wives.

“We were born and bred on Lagos Island.

I spent all my youth days on Lagos Island.

I only moved out in 1997 to Ikeja but in my childhood days, Lagos Island was not what obtained now. Then it was well planned, peaceful and cleaned. “ln those days, Lagos Island had a central sewage system, not that each house had its own. There was a sewage system, once you built your house, you just connect to the central sewage system right in front of your house. So, it reduced the incidences of what I call degrading of the land by digging ‘soakaway’ on all plots.

“All the gutters were flowing. Nobody built on drainage system. The gutters were so clean that I will make a paper boat and mark it; my brothers too will make and mark theirs. We will put them in that gutter from General Hospital, and follow them up, watching the one that will get to the Tom Jones axis first, before we come back to our house and they moved uninterrupted. Things were in order.”

He seeks a restoration of Lagos Island from both the environmental and social degradation, saying the situation can be redressed by the concerted efforts of the people and the authorities.

He says, “A good individual will be a good family man, a good family man will be a good member of a community, a good member of the community will be a good member of the society he is staying. A good member of the society you are staying will be a good member of the local government you have, a good member of that local government will be a good member of the state and a good member of a state will be a good Nigerian.”

Awodiji says he has also contributed his fair quota to the enhancement of the Justice system, by giving assistance to the less privileged in terms of legal service.

Alao-Akala: PDP will take over South West in 2015 p.47 Anambra is severally short-changed, says Okonkwo p.51

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SARAKI: Jonathan should look beyond Ekiti election Dr. Bukola Saraki, Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, in this interview with AYODELE OJO, bares his mind on the harassment of governors by security agents, Federal Government’s agencies, Ekiti and 2015 elections.

Governors Rotimi Amaechi and Adams Oshiomhole were recently prevented from attending a rally in Ado-Ekiti; what is your take on this?

It’s just another example of the desperate level that this government has gotten to, because you ask yourself, the rally was within the law, the governors were going to attend a party rally. Why would you stop a governor, a senior party member from attending a party rally? What is the thinking behind it? And it just shows the level of desperation.

And I think it’s because there are some political advisers who say to the president that if you don’t take a state in the SouthWest, you can’t win the February 14, 2015 election; that’s all. Ekiti is one of the smallest states, it’s not that they have some resources there that are so important. Why the level of desperation?

With these inconsistencies, I think there are some people in government that need to be embarrassed. Look at the Minister of Finance, who goes all around the world saying Nigeria is now developed, and that it is now the biggest economy in Africa, and we go to basic primitive actions, we set the image of the country backward.

I think Mr. President should look beyond Ekiti and look at the bigger picture.

How does it help you? It doesn’t help. At a time when the Minister of State for Defence should be visiting Borno, and Chibok, he’s carrying his entourage around. It just does not reflect well.

What do you think it portends for democracy in Nigeria?

Democracy is definitely in danger, let’s be honest. What we are saying is allow people to go and vote, there’s no harm in this process. Because by bringing this level of force, you’re intimidating the voters, and by that they cannot express their rights as individuals, and to me, it’s not good for the democracy.

The president has reassured Nigerians that he will not allow any Nigerian shed blood over his ambition, this is inconsistent. Even General Olusegun Obasanjo in his time did not do such. This is the first time I’m hearing of governors going for a rally and being stopped. I can’t even recollect such a thing during the military era.

I want to assume that the president is not aware of it. He needs to call them to order, because they are not giving the government a good name.

I also nurse the fear that the army and military is being unnecessarily brutal to the populace. It’s too much because the military has greater responsibilities. It does not give good image. Other countries like America and the British are coming to work with us on the issue of Boko Haram and terrorism.

What will feel if they know that the military are getting involved in things like election in Ekiti.

What was the problem? There was no state of emergency in Ekiti; it does not have a history of tendency for violence. I was even told that there were as many soldiers

as voters in Ekiti. It’s unnecessary, and the law is clear, it says that no armed security man should be at any polling booth, which means these people are to just patrol the streets. But I think the message here is that the people should go against this, and come out and vote.

What is the Senate doing to curtail the excesses of the executive?

I have to be honest; we are not doing enough, because unfortunately the National Assembly is too bipartisan. Everything is now on party lines, which is very unfortunate. If you rise up at the National Assembly to say things, which some people feel it is against their party, they will not support you, even if what you say is in national interest. And it’s wrong because we swore by the constitution to defend this country.

Our girls are still missing, while the military is being used for politics. It sends the wrong message. I think that the military

At a time when the Minister of State for Defence should be visiting Borno, and Chibok, he’s carrying his entourage around

should not be politicised; the Minister of Defence should not be going around as an enforcer of elections. He has responsibilities now. It will be nice to see him in Borno or Adamawa overseeing the effect of the state of emergency, not these kind of activities.

This is the mistake we always make, we don’t go by history, the message, the level of desperation, and the signals show that we don’t learn from history. There is an impeachment move on Adamawa State governor and while that is on, you froze the state accounts. How can you do that? It’s not a personal issue, there are laws that guide such things.

Some are of the opinion that Amaechi is increasingly becoming a target of the state.

Do you share this view?

They have been coming after me. He has immunity, but I don’t have. My only immunity is God. I have said it a lot of times, it’s not personal, and it’s not about President Goodluck Jonathan. It’s about our country and where we are today, and we must speak for the interest of all of us. Some of these things are totally not necessary.

My problem started in 2011 when I spoke about the level of massive fraud in the oil subsidy thing. And my own view was that the level of fraud was too enormous for us to keep quiet. N2 trillion? When we processed the budget, I spoke out again. I said the assumptions are wrong. Today nobody CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

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THE SATURDAY INTERVIEW

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

‘Court shouldn’t have interfered in Diezani’s probe’ C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 5

is talking about that. You did a budget based on 2.3 million barrels per day. Do you know how much we are producing daily? Now it is 1.9. So, we are going to have crises definitely by the end of the year, because we have 400,000 barrels below oil production.

When we talk, they say we don’t like the government, that’s not true. Let us do the right thing.

This issue deserves crisis management because definitely we are going to have serious deficit by year end. Luckily for us now, the price of crude oil is at $110 per barrel.

These are things we should be addressing, but the government is not.

What is your take on the outcome of the Ekiti governorship election?

Despite heavy military presence and intimidation, the election recorded a high turnout of over 51 per cent of the electorate who came out in large numbers to vote their choice candidate.

I congratulate the governor-elect, Mr. Ayo Fayose, on his doggedness and his closeness to the grassroots which spans over the years and has been attributed to his victory. I equally congratulate Governor Kayode Fayemi; who took the path of honour by conceding defeat and congratulating Fayose on his success.

With this show of sportsmanship, it is my belief that other politicians will respect the wish of the electorate and do the same in future elections devoid of violence and political bickering as demonstrated by the peace-loving people of Ekiti. I will also like to congratulate the electoral agency, INEC, as it appears the body has shown remarkable improvement. This should also serve as a reminder to every politician in other parts of the country especially Kwara that this is clear indication Nigerians now know how to differentiate grassroots politicians from a seasonal politicians.

I urge the governor-elect to see this victory as an endorsement on the expectations of Ekiti people for continued dedication to governance and focused purposeful leadership.

This should also serve as a lesson to Mr. President and other elected officials that as an incumbent, it is possible to lose in Nigeria. If you fail to do the will of the people, you will lose.

You’ve been an active player in the country’s politics for some time now, and your state is one of those the president has vowed to win in 2015. Are you nursing any fear?

I don’t have any fears because over the years Kwara is one of those states that the people, the voters and electorate are very conscious; they are aware of who are good leaders, and who are not. What they have in Kwara are seasonal politicians; for the last three and a half years, you don’t see them with the people, then five, six months to the elections they come. Kwarans know who to vote for.

I challenge any of them talking today to tell us when last they visited the people.

Since the last election, they have not been with the people. So we don’t have any fear that if there are elections, we’ll lose. It is clear. How do you want to win a party that has 193 councillors out of 193, and 16 local governments out of 16; has 22 out of 24 state House of Assembly members? How do you want to win such party, how?

Some of you who were once with the president, have fallen out with him. What is really the problem?

Because we stood up and said the truth.

We said initially that the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not

doing well. Did he not later agree that the chairman is not doing well? We said that the party is not going in the right direction. We said the government needs to address the acts of impunity in the party.

The difference between us is that we have decided to speak, and we are seen as speaking for the interest of the country. And since then things have got worse. All the issues we raised concerning corruption, lack of transparency, impunity in 2011, they said, ‘no, impossible.’ They said we raised those issues because we don’t like the president.

But everything we said now has come to pass.

So to us, what the president should have done was to listen to us, adjust, and made some changes. Rather, they advised him not to listen to ‘blackmailers.’ They don’t told him, ‘Amaechi doesn’t like you,’ ‘Saraki doesn’t like you.’ And I’ve told the president, it’s not personal. If those right things had been done, we would not have left the party. But it’s clear that it has even got worse now, with the level of desperation that is going on.

And will it end?

How can it end with the way it is going on? The only way it will end is if the people of Nigeria will speak, and they are speaking; and you saw what happened when the people were doing their non-violent protest to bring our girls back. Why would a commissioner of police want to harass them?

What are they doing? So, you can see the level of desperation in every sector.

What crime has Adamawa governor and his deputy committed that you want to remove them? Nobody has told us yet. But we know that he (Murtala Nyako) is one of those that left PDP, he’s one of those that have spoken against the government.

People like us have been receiving random visitors, its either the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), or special fraud unit. That’s the pattern that has emerged.

I say to people, some of the things that make the All Progressives Congress (APC) popular is not because we’re angels or special people. Don’t get me wrong. We are people who are moving with the tide of the people. If you look at our convention, for a party that has never done a national convention before to have such a massive turnout speaks volume. And that is why I’m saying, it’s not APC per say. The turnout of people at our national convention showed that people are tired of what exists at the moment.

So, what we need to do as APC over the next few months, is to sell our party to Nigerians, to tell them that we are different. But the decision that people have made is that they are tired of this government, and this man. And it’s clear he’s not ready to change, because his actions are not accommodating, they’re not showing traces of democracy.

People have been found to be corrupt, but instead of going after such people, they are chasing people who are speaking out. But we must on our own part in the APC now show that there is an alternative. I think the beauty of this election is not even about APC or PDP, the beauty of the coming election is that Nigerians need to win one victory, and what is that victory? ‘You are bad, you have not performed, and I will vote you out.’ That’s the victory we need. You know why? Because if it’s the wish of the people and God that APC comes, we must come, because we know again that if we are bad, you’ll vote us out. But if we continue to vote in people who have not performed, then we are not doing well to this democracy.

You’re talking of performance, whereas the

Saraki

The turnout of people at our national convention showed that people are tired of what exists at the moment government also says it has done well?

Done well when $20 billion cannot be accounted for?

But your committee cleared the petroleum minister…

We never did. Our committee never cleared Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke. And the chairman said it categorically that our committee never cleared her. We’re waiting for the forensic audit report to see specifically where those funds are. There are three sectors in the committee; there is the issue of third party payments, that’s the one we were conclusive on, and there’s a specific amount that needed to be refunded. That was the specific.

There’s the issue of the NPDC, and there’s the issue of the fuel subsidy, which is about $10 billion; it’s the one the forensic audit is looking into. If you go by the consistency of the documents submitted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), it’s clear already that there’s going to be areas that cannot be accounted for. There’s no need for you to even go far, even by the fact that as of today NNPC owes the federation account over N2 trillion. That tells you that money is missing.

It’s just that sometimes we don’t go indepth in some of our analysis. Why does NNPC owe the federation account? Simple question. The money that was meant for federation account has been used for something else. The question the audit will an-

swer is; that money you claimed to have used for something else, was it used for that something else. So, I don’t think there’s any dispute that there’s money missing. What is in dispute is what the magnitude is. That question needs to be answered.

How do you see he rage over pension for former governors as exemplified by the pension bill signed into law in Akwa Ibom State?

That’s a wrong thing. There are different laws for different states, and I think that people should separate, and not compare them. What Akwa Ibom attempted to sign or pass into law is totally different from what exists in my state, Kwara, for example. Akwa Ibom signed N100 million for medical payment, N50 million for domestic upkeep, and so on. There’s no such thing in Kwara State.

I’m a former governor. I think my pension was N829, 000 per month until 2011 when it became N1.2 million, compared with whatever they set in Akwa Ibom.

There’s no allocation for maintenance of domestic staff, the cars are the ones you had as at the time you were serving, not annually. It’s on record, I’ve not been paid, nor have I ever requested any payment for medical bills. They contributed to the building of a house in Kwara, which I’ve not even taken up yet.

Do you think the court should interfere in the probe of the Minister of Petroleum Resources by the House of Representatives’ committee?

You know the answer to that. Why should the court interfere in the functions of the legislature? It’s not right. But I have not read the details, but I think it will send a wrong message. I’m sure the House of Representatives will act on that.

POLITICS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

Alao-Akala: PDP will take over South West in 2015

The PDP has won back one of the states it lost from it in 2010 through the victory of governor-elect Ayo Fayose in Ekiti State. Do you think your party can repeat the same feat in Oyo State?

Not only in Oyo State, but we are going to give red card to APC in the South West.

This will not be limited to the South West, but in other concerned states. Do you know what happened? They came in fraudulently and they must go back. You know it is not possible for them to stay; they cannot sustain what they’ve been trying to do. Most of the states they got were as a result of court verdict, so you will see what will happen in Osun too. We are going to drive all of them away. Somebody cannot stay in Lagos and be sending District Officers to us here. So, we are going to send all of them away.

In Osun and Oyo, it was through court process, but in Oyo, the defeat was through election.

Yes, the capturing of Ekiti and Osun through court had effect on other states in the South West. They have reasons to tell lies and cajole our people but this will not happen again. A lot of our people are aware that they are not ready for governance.

Your people in Ogbomoso said they have endorsed you as their candidate for election in 2015, what is your position and response to the call?

Charity begins at home. I cannot do otherwise. I belong to this community and thank God they have called me. I have listened to them and accepted the offer to run for the governorship in Oyo State under PDP and sooner or later, I will make the declaration public. I have accepted the wish of my people to run.

Why did the endorsement come at this time when just few days ago your party won back Ekiti State from the APC? Unfortunately it coincided with the time that we fix our meeting. We had fixed today for our meeting as we usually have it. What we did not plan for is that we are not expecting this kind of large crowd so that they will not be part of our meeting. But they came because they are aware that we are meeting today and that is why they mobilise to the meeting.

Will you consider the endorsement by your people as a boost to your aspiration to rule Oyo State again?

They are the ones on the drivers’ seat, driving me to where they are going. Their own is to wake me up to do what they want me to do and this is basically because of the antecedents.

So, if you eventually win the governorship election, they may ask you to go for the presidency after you might have completed your tenure?

That is hypothetical. Let us wait till then. When we get to the bridge, we shall cross it.

In 2011, there was a rift between the Ogbomoso political class, leading to the loss of election by the PDP. Senator Adeseun, you bosom

Somebody cannot stay in Lagos and be sending District Officers to us here. So, we are going to send all of them away.

Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, former Oyo State governor and one of the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state tells SOLA ADEYEMO in this interview that he is capable of winning the state for the PDP in 2015 just like Ayo Fayose did in Ekiti.

friend and ally, defected to the then Alliance Congress of Nigeria. What is the situation now that you are having a frontal role to contest?

That is a strategy we are working on. You will soon be adequately informed.

Most of the aspirants claim that they have your backing to contest, but now that you also want to contest, what will happen to their aspiration and the support they expect from you?

I don’t want to respond to that. They are my people, I won’t deny or castigate them. They are many and I think I am the best of them. There is the need to stop all this declaration for governorship as if we are contesting for councillorship.

The way to stop is to have somebody who can tell others to wait to stabilise things in the party and Oyo State politics.

And don’t forget that I have just only four years to spend and within that four years I will be able to stabilise and pick one of them; the best among them, to come out and that is the best way to do it. There are many of them now and I don’t want to be seen as causing rift among them. All I will do is to stabilise the situation and after the stabilisation, transfer to whoever is going to take over from me.

Do you think that the PDP structure is solid enough to win election in the state?

Is it the party that is clamouring for Akala to come back? It is the people. Don’t forget it is the antecedent and personality that helped politicians to win election. Thank God for governor Ayo Fayose, who has used PDP platform to achieve his aspiration. Even when some party members were against his candidacy, the people like him. So, both worked for him. The party is important as a platform and the personality is also an im-

portant factor. So, we don’t have problem with that. The party structure is formidable and when it is time, everything will fall in line.

But the Ibadan is believed to have voting strength because of the number of their local governments and population which are more than other local governments in the state…

(Cuts in) You people should not divide us. An indigene of Oyo State is an indigene, irrespective of

47

where he comes from and he is entitled to occupy any seat once he is qualified. Ayo Fayose is neither from Ado Ekiti nor from Ikere. People should stop those things. That is what we are trying to preach. Let us give equal opportunity and right to the people irrespective of where they come from. You can come from Agbonle, or Okerete or Iware. If you are a good man, you will be recognised.

Please don’t divide us. Everybody loves Ibadan because Ibadan is what Enugu is to the easterners and Kano to the northerners.

Don’t let us divide ourselves. We are all the same; we are all Oyos. We speak the same language, and we are the same.

Senator Lekan Balogun recently spoke glowingly about you and said that he will support you if the party presents you as its candidate. Is that an indication that the crisis in the party is over?

I’ve always been telling you guys that there is no crisis in PDP. When the time comes, everything will fall in line and we will work together to achieve a goal. Have I ever called for the dissolution of the party executives? No. There is no crisis in the party.

One of the PDP aspirants said that you don’t have any business contesting for governorship again because you are expected to stay in the background and be playing godfather role.

Don’t mind Olaosebikan. He is my person. He just has to say that to win my attention and I know he didn’t mean it the way it is being interpreted by people. But all the same, my coming into the race is to ensure stability in the party and the state.

What is your relationship with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, now?

It is cordial. Our relationship has been cordial. Alaafin is father to all of us.

So, he has no problem with us. We are in very cordial relationship.

48 FEATURE

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

A Briton, Dr. Mark Walker, grandson of Captain Philips Walker, one of the principal figures who took part in Britain’s punitive expedition to Benin, culminating in the stealing of several historical and valuable Benin artefacts, has returned the items to Nigeria after 117 years. But CAJETAN MMUTA writes that like Oliver Twist, the people of Benin want other historical materials carted away by the British to be returned to Nigeria.

T

he history in the journey to existence, fate and living among the people of Benin kingdom in what is now Edo state is one that dates back several decades. One outstanding fact remains that the kingdom has carved itself as strong in so many areas of human endeavours which linked the area with the outside world. The ancient city has large potential in agriculture products, mineral resources, table and arable land mass for growing food and cash crops, evergreen vegetation and enormous population that are mainly farmers within the hinterlands. Of great recognition that mostly exposes the kingdom to the nationals and the world over is its rich culture and traditions. Another quality that has brought immeasurable recognition to her existence is the great art works in bronze and other metals that have helped to create an already market and add boost to her trade with many countries in the past and even presently. Added to these is a well-organised traditional institution under the supreme and highly revered leadership of an Oba. The royal institution no doubt has galvanised the people to produce quality men and women whose activities have traversed across the globe, especially, to build the kingdom to what it is today. With its geographic location, the Bini-speaking people in Edo State have a resounding aura in tourism potential and sites that command attention. One of such is the great Benin moat that served as protection during the wars. More so, the strategic position of Benin, the capital of the ancient kingdom as a nodal or gateway to other states in the north, South-East and oil rich South-South to which it belongs to speaks volumes about its richness in mineral resources. However, in spite of these numerous attractions, the kingdom before now had a history of an admixture of joy, tears, blood and sorrow. The ugly antecedents of the gory past of the kingdom played a fast recall on the psyche and memories of the living about what the forbearers passed through in the hands of the British colonial masters about 117 years ago. Indeed, it was a gross pensive moment for the people to recount their loses in trade, great men of value and valour, history of destruction and pillage and horrendous claws of slavery meted to West Africans and indeed Nigeria, Africa’s populous black nation by those who posed as friends but turned out to be enemies at the people tragic regrets.

So, it was a sober scenario and mixed reactions last week Friday when the royal palace of Benin kingdom rolled out a red carpet in honour of a repentant and patriotic Briton, Dr. Mark Walker, the great grandson of Captain Philips Walker who was his great grandfather and one of the British soldiers that looted the much valued artefacts of the Benin kingdom during the 1897 British invasion of the area. Mark had willingly returned two of the bronze items of heritage to the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, and people of the state. A letter to inform the palace of the intention by the Briton to return the highly valued items had earlier been routed through the Nigeria High Commission in London to Nigeria. The letter from Yusuf Abdullahi Usman of the Commission Museums dated

Benin Monarch being presented with the artefacts

Reminiscence as Briton returns looted bronze items to Benin April 15, 2014 with reference number IF.37/ Vol.1V/219 and a previous one dated February 11, 2014, with reference AF.370/Vol. XV1/940 respectively. Laudable, though, the gesture came after several years of strong agitation and protests by the Benin people, stakeholders and concerned Nigerians at all levels. The two artefacts were carted away during the 1897 conquest of the ancient kingdom. The costly bronze works include a bird with long beak and a bell, were handed over to the revered palace amid a colourful but short ceremony in the state capital. The costly items were removed by the soldiers but were kept by Captain Philip Walker.

The highly elated Oba Erediauwa of the kingdom noted that the return of the Bini ancient antiquities was a good testimony for the people of his kingdom and a costly birthday gift ever showered on him. Oba Erediauwa’s birthday will come soon. The revered monarch while receiving the items made a passionate appeal to relatives and descendants of living and late British soldiers to toe the path of Mark by returning back other vital objects to the kingdom. The state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, in his speech expressed happiness that the event took place without violence, legal fireworks nor loss of life as against what was the case when the items were taken away from the kingdom and also during the reign of Oba Erediauwa. Oshiomhole said, “It pleases God Almighty that during the reign of Oba of Benin these two artefacts were returned without firing a gunshot or hiring a team of senior advocates on international law to persuade Mark to return the artefacts.” The governor described Mark as a man with a “heart of gold” for doing what was right.

The Chairman of Great Benin Centenary Committee and Oba Erediauwa’s brother, Prince Edun Akenzua, said the return of the

I was very pleased to have them in my possession because they reminded me of my parents items would help in “healing the bruises etched on the psyche of Benin people in 1897. Prince Akenzua also joined the royal palace to request the British government to take further steps towards returning other bronze works still in its possession.”

Also the Secretary General of the Benin Cultural Heritage Centre, an apolitical, nongovernmental and non-profit making organisation floated with the sole aim reviving the glory of old Benin kingdom, Isaac Ehanah said, “I was enthused by some of the things said by the great grandson of one of the British soldiers who returned the artefacts a few days ago. Ehanah observed that Mark had stated that ‘he can now have peace of mind’ and pointed out also that the gesture by the Briton “should apply to others who are still keeping our artefacts.

He said, “There is no way you can have peace of mind nor rejoice when you keep somebody’s property in your possession.

If you believe in God, equity, fairness; we advise all others whether in Germany, in Britain and in the USA and all others who still have in their possession such stolen artefacts to return them just Philips great grandson did recently so that they too can have rest of mind.”

He stated further that “For us in the kingdom we are very, very happy in the sense that these original artefacts they speak volumes about our history and our culture.

“You will appreciate then that the issue of keeping records and writing was not a common thing then. But as a result of our advanced civilisation, our records were usually kept in our artefacts. We are happy that these original art works have been returned to us. You will appreciate that when a sculpture or an artist does an original work, it is always very difficult to produce a replica of that original work. So, that is why we are insisting that these artefacts stolen from us should be returned to us by all those who are still housing them in whatever continent of the world because they are scattered all over the world. The renowned University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) Agricultural Science graduate and culture expert observed that the returned items command great socio-economic and developmental strategic importance to the kingdom.

He said, “Art is wealth. It depicts the character of the people. Receiving them, no doubt, will encourage our budding artists and sculptors to try to emulate the sculptors of very many years back and you will appreciate that in modern day life, sculptural times and other artefacts play a big role in foreign exchange earnings. So to those who produce them and to the state and the kingdom, they have a major impact on our people.”

He also maintained that, socially, “the Benin people have a place in the pre-colonial history of Nigeria. When you harness these resources our people will now be in a position to appreciate their place in the scheme of things in the country.” Reflecting further on the attitude of the Briton, Ehanah said, “I see the great grandson of Philips Walker as a very, very honest person with high selfrespect and someone who believes in atonement for whatever sins that he may have committed and as a Christian when you do

FEATURE

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

There is no way you can have peace of mind nor rejoice when you keep somebody’s property in your possession

The bronze objects returned by Adrian Walker 2

that you will be at peace with yourself and your God. “I know that these days the craze for wealth and naira such attitude may be will very strange and rare here for people to do.

But I think our present generation has a lot to learn from the great grandson of Philips Walker. Do you know that those artefacts if you put them for sale in the world markets, they are worth millions of naira but this gentleman did not think that that was the proper way to make money; so we advise our youths, the incoming generation to emulate the character of the young Briton who has done himself and his family proud.

In fact, he has stood out as a very patriotic and highly respected British citizen. We expect too that the British government will emulate him.”

Mark in his account told the monarch and all top chief and citizens that gathered at the ancient palace that he was happy for the reception and hospitality accorded him in the effort at returning back the cultural antiquities to their original place.

He also lauded the Benin royal institution and people of kingdom for the warm reception accorded him, particularly, for the kind words to his grandfather in spite of his action. He disclosed that the return of the two items was made possible through the efforts of his grandmother.

He said, “I was very pleased to have them in my possession because they reminded me of my parents. But when I realised that my children were not interested in the bronze works, I knew I had to protect their future.”

Mark explained that he discovered the original owner of the bronze item when he had typed the words ‘Benin bronze,’ that he stumbled on website of the Richard Lander Society manned by Steve Sunstone, a feat he stated had linked him with the origin of the antiquities.

He added that “On that website is a brief history of the Benin and a passionate plea for the return of the bronzes. So, I contacted Sunstone and he very kindly put into effect a lot of work by him and his colleagues who arranged for visits to Nigerian High Commission in London and made contact with the royal household here.”

It would recalled that the two statues from among thousands of works of art looted by British soldiers during the 1897

conquest of the Benin kingdom followed constant calls by indigenes of the state and kingdom for other “stolen” treasures to be repatriated.

Strong revelations showed that more than a century, the artefacts from the ‘Benin Bronzes’ collection had been in the family of retired medical consultant Mark Walker, whose grandfather was among the British soldiers who invaded Benin Kingdom in 1897 and stole the artefacts. But the Friday’s reparation of the costly items depicting a fabled ibis bird and the traditional monarch’s bell by Mark demonstrated the level of positive response and sense of nostalgia that has trailed the people of the kingdom.

Mark pointed out that he decided to return the statues to Nigeria in September last year after learning of their history, from his grandfather’s diary, which described the treasures as ‘loot.’

He added, “That gave me the idea that perhaps they should go to the place where they will be appreciated forever. I’m very proud to be part of this because it is clearly seen as an historic occasion. I had no idea it would be regarded with such importance and it is very gratifying to me to have been able to play some small part in the history of the restoration of the bronzes because I think more will come back.”

Sadly too, the tale of the Benin stolen artefacts was one of intrigues and tragedy. It needs be recalled that nine British officers were killed while on a deviant adventure to Erediauwa’s grandfather, ruler of the then kingdom of Benin. The British reaction was fierce. Mark’s grandfather was part of a British military troop deployed in the kingdom to avenge the death of the officers.

The overwhelming show of strength, might and power left several thousand local Benin people dead and the city was set ablaze.

The then monarch Oba Ovonramwen N’Ogbaisi was forced into exile in Calabar, the present day Cross River State in the oilrich South-South zone. The royal palace was looted, resulting in the removal of hundreds of artworks, including the Benin Bronzes, which showed highly decorative images of the Oba and his courtiers then. Most of the ornate bronzes which included melted down and refashioned brass from bracelets and other objects offered in exchange by Portuguese traders in the 15th century have

since found their way at the British Museum in London.

During the tragic onslaught against the great Benin kingdom, Captain Phillips was reported to have made a formal request to his superiors in England for permission to invade Benin City, and, in late December 1896, without waiting for a reply or approval from London, Phillips embarked on a military expedition with two Niger Coast Protectorate Force officers, a medical officer, two trading agents, 250 African soldiers masquerading in part as porters, and in part as a drum and pipe band.

To disguise their true intent, the force’s weapons were hidden in the baggage carried by the ‘porters.’ His request to London was to depose the king of Benin City, replace him with a Native Council and pay for the invasion with the ‘ivory’ he hoped to find in the Benin king’s palace. To perfect his plot, he sent a message ahead to the Oba Ovonramwen N’Ogbaisi that his present mission was to discuss trade and peace and in the process demand admission to the territory in defiance of Benin law explicitly forbidding his entry. Unfortunately for Phillips, some Itsekiri trading chiefs who foresaw the intended plan had quickly sent a message to the Benin monarch that ‘the white man was bringing war.’

But the Benin traditional ruler on receiving the news quickly summoned the city’s highest ranking chiefs and nobles to an emergency meeting at which the Iyase, (Commander in Chief of the Benin Army) argued that the British were planning a surprise attack and must therefore be given a hard defeat that would teach their home country a lesson for their lives. The monarch however was bent on allowing the British to enter the ancient city in order to ascertain whether or not the visit was a friendly one.

This was resisted by the Iyase who also ignored the king’s views, and ordered the formation of a strike force that was commanded by the Ologbose, a senior army commander, which was sent to Ughoton, the present day Ovia North East council area, to destroy the invaders.

On January 4, 1897, the Benin strike force composed mainly of border guards and servants of some chiefs caught Phillips’ troops totally unprepared at Ugbine village near Ughoton at a time Phillips was not expecting any opposition and was unaware that his operation was being perceived with alarm in Benin. His contingent’s only weapons, consisting of the officers’ pistols, were locked up in the head packs of the African porters. Reports had it that only two British officers survived the annihilation of Phillips’ expedition.

Regrettably too, on February 17, 2011, there was a move to sell off some of the looted but cherished and rare items in the heat of wild protests, criticisms and condemnations by the Benin traditional institution, stakeholders and concerned citizens against an advertisement for such action.

The attention of the world was quickly drawn to the move for a selfish and illegal disposal of what was tagged as “a rare, newly re-discovered, 16th Century ivory pendant mask depicting the head of the Queen Mother from the Edo people of ancient Kingdom of Benin along with five other rare works collected at the same time.

According to findings, only four other historical ivory pendant masks with related iconography of this age and quality are known – all of which are housed in major museums around the world and the ivory masks are widely recognised for the quality of their craftsmanship, for the enormous scale of Benin’s artistic achievement and for their importance in the field of African art.

They were items of culture and traditional ceremonies for the Oba of Benin and serve as ivory pendant masks of testament to the

49

Kingdom of Benin’s golden age when the kingdom flourished economically, politically and artistically. Investigations further revealed that the masks rank among the most iconic works of art to have been created in Africa. The mask was staked for auction sale at Sotheby’s Arts Gallery stand in February and was estimated at about £3.5 million and above. Also, the items were on public view in 1947 as part of a loan exhibition at the Berkeley Galleries in London entitled ‘Ancient Benin’, and then again in 1951 in ‘Traditional Sculpture from the Colonies’ at the Arts Gallery of the Imperial Institute in London, with the tag that “The mask and the five other Benin objects will be sold by the descendants of Lieutenant Colonel Sir Henry Lionel Gallwey who according to records in 1913 changed his name to Galway and was appointed deputy commissioner and vice-consul in the newly established Oil Rivers Protectorate (later the Niger Coast Protectorate) in 1891.”

Gallwey was quoted to have remained in Nigeria until 1902 and participated in the British Government’s ‘Punitive Expedition’ of 1897 against rich kingdom, Benin. The faces of the five known pendant masks have been interpreted widely by scholars of Benin art as that of Idia, the first Queen Mother of Benin, the mother of the Oba Esigie (c.

1504 – 1550), Queen Idia was granted the title of Iyoba (Queen Mother) by Esigie in recognition of her help and counsel during his military campaigns. She was a celebrated figure in Benin, known as the ‘only woman who went to war.’

The masks were created at least in part as objects of veneration. The worn and honeycoloured surface of the offered mask showed years of rubbing with palm oil, and surface as well as the style of carving. The mask comes to auction together with: a highly important carved tusk made with a group of other similarly carved tusks for the altar of an Oba who lived in the 18th century.

The imagery presented depicted emblems of power and strength which are related to the life of the Oba himself. The iconography is specific, and can be seen repeated across many arts forms in Benin, including the well-documented bronze plaques. The collection also includes two richly carved ivory armlets which incorporate many of the panoply of motifs used by the artists of the Igbesanmwan, the Royal Guild of ivory carvers. As with most ivory carvings, these were more than likely made for an Oba, as he would have had complete control over the production of works of art made from precious ivory. Also in the collection is a rare bronze armlet, cast with Portuguese figures in an openwork motif. The earliest appearance of the Portuguese in plaques and free-standing figures and bracelets in the 16th and 17th century was undoubtedly calculated by the Benin to add considerable prestige to the Oba and his courts demonstrating that his power extended beyond the confines of his own people. Finally, the collection includes a very rare bronze sculpture of a type historically identified as tusk stands. The twisted and hollowed form of this stand suggests it served the same function as the more familiar bronze commemorative heads, as a stand for a carved ivory tusk on an altar created to honour a former ruler. Interestingly, the mask was kept by the family Lt. Col. Henry Galway.

The media was awash with the planned auction sale when pressure mounted on a UK-based Nigerian lawyer whose name could not be readily ascertained to get injunction against the sale. Shocking as the move became , for several years the British claimed they do not know about the mask only for the mask to resurface in the family home of Henry Galway and rather than get the mask back they were put up for sale. However, it is evident that strenuous attempts by people of the Benin kingdom and others who are moved by the ugly past have been a great reminder to the British government and the world about the pains and sorrows of their actions to humanity hence the need for concerted efforts to revisit the clamour for obvious reparations and compensation where they are most required and the timely this is done the better.

50 MILESTONE

Sulaiman Bisalla: A Tribute T

Imam Imam

here are days that will stay with us for the rest of our lives residing in our memory. Some are good while some are everything but. I have vivid memories of both days. In the same vein, there are people who you come across in life and the memories of your times together will never erase from your mind for good or for bad.

For Sulaiman Bisalla, the Managing Editor of NEW TELEGRAPH newspaper who was killed in last Wednesday’s bomb blast in Abuja, I will cherish the moments I have shared with him forever. As I write this, few hours after taking part in the Islamic burial rites to finally wish him good bye, my heart is heavy from the sadness of his passage.

It is not everyday one comes across persons who are as humble or gentle as Bisalla.

I still remember the first time I met him. It was just before the 2011 general election.

Even though we were meeting for the first time, our reputations had preceded the meeting. Both of us were then Political Editors, Bisalla with Abuja-based DAILY TRUST while I was with THISDAY. Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, had gathered editors from the leading newspapers in the country to give his government’s side of the story following skirmishes between his supporters and those of the governorship candidate of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), James Akpandoedehe.

Akpabio had felt that most of the stories about the various clashes between PDP and ACN supporters in national newspa-

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

pers had portrayed Akpandoedehe as the victim. He wanted us to visit the scenes of the clashes and talk to the ‘real’ victims for us to judge for ourselves. I had my reservations about all that was said by the government and its spin doctors. I felt I could not arrive at a fair decision so long as I did not hear from the other side. I never hesitated in sharing my misgivings to Bisalla. The first thing he did was to give me the phone number of Akpandoedehe, and an appointment was booked for a future interview in Lagos.

I never knew that first meeting would bring me close to a man who I have come to respect very much for his integrity,

midst of my anger tears swelled up as I tried to be strong and hold them back. I couldn’t.

Though a Muslim who believes all things are ordained by Allah, I tried to search for reasons why my friend had to die the way he did, especially because he had such a young family and is at the beginning of a new career and a new phase in his life. Why did it have to come to this?

No one really knows why.

All I can say is that things happen and we have no control over them.

Bisalla’s death made me question the wisdom in the say-

Late Sulaiman

commitment to duty and open-mindedness. As a man of very few words, one of Bisalla’s greatest attributes was his ability to listen carefully before taking a decision.

Once you are his friend, he will always be there as only a true friend could be. He had a way about him that made just about everybody to like him. He was genuine and sincere.

When I heard of his death about two hours after the blast, I was gutted. In the

ing that those who live by the sword, die by the sword. Bisalla died a violent death even when was not a violent person. He never believed in violence, yet agents of violence became the reason of his death.

As night fell and the reality of what really happened on that fateful day sank in, I, like virtually all Nigerians, have continued to ask why do we have to keep bearing the brunt of the activities of terrorists in our midst. We keep wondering whether our se-

curity agencies have the competence to end the massacre of innocent persons whose lives are taken away almost as frequent as the terrorists want. We have watched in pain how our students, hawkers, labourers, women and their children, drivers of taxicabs and their passengers got killed or maimed.

It won’t be out of place to say that we need a change of strategy from our security agencies. The killings have continued for too long, and as one politician pointed out recently, we are running out of excuses.

The same way we need more men in the armed forces of Nigeria, we need better equipment that are of global and modern standards to be used by the armed forces. The same way we need volunteers to come forward with information about the activities of deviant persons in their localities, is the same way we need to use local intelligence to help secure our towns and villages.

Three years into his tenure, the spate of killings underscore the enormity of the task facing President Goodluck Jonathan.

While it is convenient, as we have seen from institutions like the ruling party, to now mischievously blame the opposition for the deaths all over the land, we must not lose sight of larger problems like unemployment and poverty bedevilling our country. In addition to economic decline among vast majority of the populace, there is increased inequality among the citizenry, a situation that fuels dissent and provides breeding ground for would-be terrorists.

Bisalla was a reporter who reported diligently on all issues affecting the nation.

When necessary, he had given his thoughts on how the problem of insecurity could be tackled in the country. He was a devoted friend who cared for the well-being of all persons. In the short but eventful years I came to know him, I have learned many things from him. He was one of a kind and he will be missed very much.

To me, the biggest, and saddest lesson, however, is the fact that losing a close friend at a young age makes one to take stock of his own life. As Madame de Stael aptly stated, “we understand death for the first time when he puts his hand upon one whom we love.” I now know the real meaning of death.

May paradise be Bisalla’s final abode, amen.

Imam is the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to the Speaker of the House of Representatives

‘Last moment with my late brother’ Mohammed Bisalla is the elder brother of Alhaji Suleiman Bisalla , managing editor of New Telegraph Newspaper who died in the Wednesday bomb blast at Emab plaza Abuja. He spoke to ANULE EMMANUEL shortly after the body of his brother was laid to rest at the Gudu Cemetery.

How will you miss your brother?

As a Muslim, anything that comes, you accept it as an act of God. The Almighty destined that my brother would die in the blast and that is why he was there at that particular time of the unfortunate incident. So, I personally accept his death as an act of God. But his death has created a vacuum that will be difficult for anyone of us to fill. Suleiman is a very humble person, if you go to our village, almost everybody admire his attitude. He gives people at will his last kobo, last Thursday, I was with him and he was telling me that Tomorrow Friday (yesterday), he will be visiting our village because he has arranged, fasting is coming and he has bought so many things to share with people in the village. So, you see the kind of person he was. He was always humble, any time he had money, he would always want to travel to. Saudi Arabia, pray and thank Allah for his life and what Allah has done to him. Seriously, before we can get someone to fill that vacuum, it will be difficult in the entire family.

Was he directly next to you?

There are three people next to me before him. But we are of the same father. I was so close to Suleiman that if I don’t call him for like three days, he would call me. But most of the times, I do the calling because I am the senior. So, I do that to find out how he is doing, his job and his family. I last met him on Thursday , one week now before his death. I traveled to the village but I did not leave the village until this week. When I came back, I did not call him, the last thing was that I hd a call from his wife that he was involved in the blast at Emab plaza. So, from there, I rushed to the hospital, I called his phone and it was picked by someone. I went and met them at the hospital, from there, I checked the emergency ward and did not see him.

When I went to the Mortuary, I saw four corpses and identified him among them.

He was however not completed mutilated.

I just prayed for him and left for the police station where I was told to come back the following day. I came back the following day and we started with the process of retrieving his body for burial.

What about his wife and children?

They live in Mararaba area of Abuja, his wife and five children. Three girls and two boys. We are going to the village Tomorrow (yesterday), we will pick them Tomorrow to go to the village, she will spend a week there before we bring them back to Abuja because the children are in school and we will not like to delay them there. Immediately after the 7 day prayer, we will take them back to Abuja.

But you were at the hospital very early to get the corpse. What happened?

We had thought he will be released immediately. In fact when we got to the hospital, we were thinking they will release the corpse to us immediately so that we will bury him according to Islamic injunction. Unfortunately, they told us that we have to go to the police station to obtain a police report and bring it to the hospital before they could release the corpse.

So, on reaching the police station it was entirely a different thing all together. The process is so long. We waited there they came to the mortuary to snap his corpse, printed his picture, they filled the form and attached it and took it to the magistrate court for stamping and then bring it back to the hospital. On finishing that one, we were thinking that is all but they then said the corpse belongs to the federal government. That we have to go to police command again report to them and obtain a clearance before we come and take him.

POLITICS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

Anambra is short-changed severally, says Okonkwo

Assess the rallying role played by Nzuko Imeobi for politicians during the last governorship election in Anambra State.

The organization is a grassroots movement, which is enhancing the participation of Idemili North and South and beyond in politics. Membership cuts across political divides, making it a non-partisan organization. No matter who political parties present to them as their candidates, after all the political calculations and alignments, the people must have a say even when they are not members of that particular party.

Concern is in the quality of candidates which is where support is based. In the last election, Nzuko Imeobi led the people of Idemili to understand that fairness, equity and justice should be the hallmark of our political development. These are the attributes of harmonious co-existence between communities. For that reason, we endorsed power shift to Anambra North regardless of the fact that there were candidates from our zone in Anambra Central. We told the candidates that Anambra Central has had its fair share of political leadership at that level and for the sake of equity, it was time to change. The people abided by that reality and in that election, favoured candidates from the North in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives People Alliance (APGA). We were aware that the former governor and APGA understood that during the administration of Dr. Chris Ngige, Idemili benefitted more than any other community and, for that reason, it was not disguised that we deserved almost nothing in the last eight years. We were regularly told that, “Idemili people already have enough.” Maybe we were favoured during Ngige’s era but we felt there were other reasons. Whatever they were, Idemili people paid for it. In the end, we achieved what we planned. Votes were denied a candidate in our area and the PDP and APGA benefitted.

The APGA team, which had shown a commitment to change the old system, benefitted from our good faith and support. We effectively nullified the hold of any other party in the zone in other to free the votes for the candidates from the North.

Seeing how civil society groups, including religious organizations, influenced the outcome of elections, do you support this growing influence?

The involvement and participation of civil society groups cannot be easily quantified. What we have done in the recent past in Anambra is to play what I call developmental politics. In that regard, we have focused on individuals who have shown the potential of performing at the highest level and delivering to the people the often mentioned democracy dividends. This hasn’t worked as we anticipated because when these people are in the positions from where they will serve the people, they usually disappoint and fall short of expectations and this has led to so much frustration and despair amongst the people.

As a believer in the capacity of civil society groups as change agents, I have used the platform to ensure the participation of the people at the grassroots in the democratic process. Beside the Nzuko Imeobi there is the Anambra State Good Governance Forum (ASGOFF). The focus is to ensure that politics should be nothing but service and we are ready, at every point, to influence things. It requires a high level of integrity to practice it, so we don’t believe that politics is dirty, maybe it is the kind of people who practice it that choose to dirty themselves. I believe that there is still room for the right people to get involved. We are aware that sometimes the fear of the unknown has kept many good heads away from venturing into the race. This time around, we are trying

Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, Leader of Nzuko Imeobi Idemili North and South, the apex socio cultural and political organization of Idemili in Anambra Central Senatorial District; Political and Economic Adviser to the Archbishop of Onitsha & Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province and Founder, Nigeria-Belgium Business Forum, is categorical that only superior vision can leverage Anambra to pioneer infrastructural revival in the South East. Okonkwo, Board Member of the National Metallurgical Development Centre, Jos recommends an integrated economic agenda to lift the zone, told New Telegraph that despite its challenges, the ongoing national conference is timely.

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litigation to regain his mandate in the House of Representatives. He begged for an opportunity to return there for a second term and make amends. He was obliged. But the people collectively have raised the question of zoning his seat. The federal constituency, which he represents, comprises two major councils and another section from the North is saying it is its turn. I brokered the deal that he should return for a second term with the understanding that in the 2015 election, the Idemili North should produce the candidate.

And we believe that this is the reason the APC leader, Ngige was referring to when he said the man will not get the ticket because other people must be given a chance and this might be why he is now running back to the PDP. I give Ngige credit for sticking to that understanding reached after very tough negotiations.

Explain the inspiration for crises in the PDP and rate the party’s chances in future elections?

At every election, the chances of PDP are usually higher than any other party. These internal crises mean that PDP has become its own worst enemy. Anambra is a stakeholders’ state, meaning that the people are guided by political leaders. Most of the heavyweights are government contractors or friends of people in government and they always have influence over the voters. But when we come to internal crisis, it is quite unfortunate but suffice it to say that some of the gladiators have been hurt after fighting and, eventually losing the elections, they realized the futility of crises ravaging the party. They benefit nothing after the fights and they have realized it. I can only say that the chances of the party have always been good and for example, despite the crisis, it was not a secret the even APGA had to seek the alliance of PDP to win in some areas in the last election.

So our hope is that in the 2015 election, they would have learnt their lessons. We hope that the time will come when everyone will sit on the table and talk over things rather than fight over things. The chances are good. The possibilities that they will work are good.

Okonkwo

a new approach. In the past, the parties had picked the people and brought them to seek the support of the people. We want the people to raise their own candidates and convince the politicians to take them. The right people can be brought to the limelight, they can be exposed and charged with the responsibility of leading the people.

Have you not ever considered standing for elective politics?

I have not because I believe that you can serve the people in different ways other than standing to be voted for. I have served them in various capacities and although I am a member of the PDP, I have not been partisan as a developmental politician. I have been involved in organizing things strategically in Anambra and this has been felt in many quarters. I don’t believe that you have to be in power to be of service.

If you are asked to run for the Senate, will you go and if you do, what will you do differently?

We usually say that the voice of the people is the voice of God. If my people make the call, I will respond knowing that they must have a reason for making the call. I will answer to the call if I believe I can deliver on their contract. Representation is not about you just as I wonder if people go to the National Assembly to solve their personal

financial problems. I assume that they go there to serve their people. Without holding an elective post, I have attracted investors and federal projects to my constituency. I have built schools, offered scholarships to students in foreign and local universities, empowered the people, etc. Many people had expected me to run for office but I have always disappointed them over the years.

Anambra Central is the only place in the South East where the APC has lawmakers in both the state House of Assembly and the National Assembly. Assess the impact of the APC representation, especially in the National Assembly?

The impact of Senator Ngige, of course, goes beyond Idemili and as a matter of fact beyond Anambra, knowing that he is a senator of the Federal Republic, so it is not easy assessing him in that context. But maybe expectations from his immediate constituency have not been met or maybe the expectations were too high and that is why yearnings for change are reverberating.

The people wish for a change in the House of Representatives for several reasons. The incumbent might have done well in certain areas but Idemili seek change. We feel that we lost the opportunity for credible representation. Stakeholders, including myself, met with him on this score and he explained how it took him a long time to scale the hurdles of

Part of the disengagement process of the last administration was the donation of large sums of money to churches. As an adviser to the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, how did this come to you?

It is something that raised questions and praises in some circles but despite the fanfare, there are still grey areas. For example, we have inquired about the source of the money; whether it was budgeted for or did it follow due process. The answers are not clear to me. But what we know is that the church is managing the resources in the provision of infrastructure as the money was used for the provision of infrastructure in the educational and health sectors. Not that the Church was not lacking in these areas.

I believe that credit must be given to the Church for the success we have seen in the educational sector because there is a tradition of high performance when the church controlled education. The money that was given to the church did not suddenly change things. The last governor always shared money. His policy always embraced that. He started by sharing money to town unions leaders and traditional rulers to build schools and rehabilitate old ones. The secret of success was not sharing of money as that the church kept their tradition of providing quality education. For me also, the education fund that went to the church, was specifically about infrastructure and the provision is still ongoing, so they have not fully impacted even on the education. We strongly believe that the educational sector like any other sector must be planned and sharing money is not the solution.

52 SOCIETY

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

My 31 years as a Rotarian - Olowu Did you grow up joining Rotary or at what point in life did you decide to join Rotary?

The beginning of my Rotary life started from my uncle, Jonathan Majiyagbe, who was the Rotary International president after my university days. I worked in Kano where he worked and I had the opportunity to be going there always and he was taking me to the Rotary clubs and any other Rotary club he decide to visit. I also had time to go as well. He aroused my interest into Rotary activities, programs, ways and Rotary projects. Naturally, I like everything that he did and I like everything I saw so I decided to join Rotary.

What exactly struck you about Rotary?

The air of humanity that paves the love for the fellow human beings and then something happened that made me to ask him that I wanted to join Rotary. I went on a trip to United States sponsored by the USAID. It was called United States visitors’ program. I was taken through USAID program in about 20 states in America, organised for young business people. I came back to start telling him stories about my experience in America and the different places I went to, like government establishments. We met some Rotarians who took us to their clubs and to their different villages and cities and all that.

When I started telling him the stories of what I did in U.S.A. through sponsorship; he said these things also exist in Rotary. I said what! Rotary as a small organisation is doing what a country like U.S.A. does?

I said if Rotary can also add this to the many things I have seen them doing, then Rotary is for me because I love travelling, I like to know people and I like to gain knowledge and if I’m offered that by Rotary, then I am in the right place. Eventually I participated in the same program of Rotary called the Group study Exchange, GSE, in 2008.

If I’m not mistaken, you have been in Rotary club for about 30 years...

Almost 31 years, I was 30 years in Rotary last November.

Is there any difference between the Rotary you used to know and the Rotary of today?

The Rotarians of that time are different from Rotarians of this time. Rotary has a policy that cannot change or that can change only at the council of legislature and manner of policy or procedure of Rotary guides for all of us. So, there is nothing that has changed in Rotary or with Rotary as an organisation except new development. Rotary has developed from what it used to be through experiences of others, a lot of changes and development are taking place in the way we do things, in policies of rotary, in the focus of our projects and so on. But what has changed for me is the calibre of people that were in Rotary when I joined in 1983 or the Rotarians I observed from 1980 to 1983 when I joined.

The Rotarians of that time were the justices, permanent secretaries, directors in ministries, managing directors in private organisations, up and coming youths in good positions in their places of work, we call them mobile in Rotary then. People you will think do not have time for the organisation actually had time because it was founded for businessmen, professionals and community leaders. But these days, you find people who are not even at that level in Rotary and the ones complaining they don’t have time. Why they do not have time is because they are unlike the Rotarians of the past, they do not have their own businesses at that level. They still saying yes sir, yes ma. And if their bosses do not agree with Rotary principles, then they are not allowed to attend meetings and that’s the basic difference.

What is your projection about Rotary?

The projection, like I said, the idea for

Olugbemiga Olowu, the outgoing District Governor of Rotary International, District 9110, is a man of many parts. With 84 clubs in Lagos and Ogun States under his belt in the last one year, he has seen enough as his tenure draws to an end. In this interview, he spoke about Rotary, his passion and his life style. He spoke with OLUWATOSIN OMONIYI. school, a block of class rooms for primary school in Legumi beyond Akute. All these and many other things, I’m not only talking about the big ones done by the district directly, the presidents of Rotary clubs have done tremendously well in all the six areas of focus which include, peace and conflict redemption, community development, economic development, waters and sanitation. We have always be doing waters and providing sanitation relief to pupils in this year that we concentrated in schools. This year we have been able to do twenty one water projects through the district’s effort. Many Rotary clubs also did many projects on their own; thirty-three clubs participated in the projects through the district’s grant and I’m happy to say that all of them performed wonderfully.

I commissioned one water project this week; these projects include distribution of books, supply of medical equipment and so on. In the area of peace, we have achieve a lot of peace co-existed among Rotarians in our district and this year is a big year for peace because we have been ranging on certain issues and this year has been very peaceful and everyone had cooperated to ensure that the work of Rotary goes on without rancour.

Olowu

The major highlights of my tenure as the district governor are the many people I have been privileged to work with membership drive now is to bring in “quality members” but for me the quality members are not those with tie, they must not necessarily be managing directors or permanent secretaries, but those people who have time and who can give their talent and give themselves to help other peoples.

If there is no passion in anyone for humanitarian service, that person cannot perform, passion is the word. You may have all the money in the world and we have many rich men around that will tell you “oh! How much do you want? That I will give you but I don’t have time to attend your meetings.” Its passion to have time and because Rotary decisions are taken jointly, all its projects are not meant to benefit Rotarians.

So since our projects and programs are supposed to benefit others, then we need as many people as possible to sit down and discuss that program or project to give out to the people.

Looking at the last one year, what would you say are the major highlights of your tenure?

The major highlights of my tenure as the district governor are the many people I have been privileged to work with, as a president of my Rotary club, although I count the best of time and the best opportunity working with people but I had just 30 people then. As a district governor, I had to work with 2100 people and you know even in a family setting, family of five; Parents and three children is always a learning process where you are growing up and when you have grown up, learning from just four people compare that with working with

two thousand, one hundred people directly and millions indirectly. Now find out what are the highlights of my life as a human being. The opportunity to know the feelings of others, to know what others can do, to know the thoughts of others and to know how to work with others who are not my family members, who are not even from my town or my community and decide to give to the community what they also want, is a very big thing for me and then I was opportune to travel to places I never dreamt of getting to. As a district governor seeing people from different areas has been a lot of learning process and I’ve learnt a lot, human beings will never surprise me anymore because I have sufficiently known them.

So what will you call you achievements, what have you been able to achieve?

I have been able to achieve in the areas of health and in the areas of education, which we concentrated on. Although Rotary has six areas of focus and at the beginning of Rotary’s acceptance to doing something real good in the areas of disease, retention and treatment, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy; I can say we have actually launched in on these few areas. We completely refurbished the Ojodu primary health Centre; it’s not what was there last year. We fully equipped the NTA clinic; we also gave incubators to children in the hospitals through the effort of the district and the currently running is a surgery project, “cleft and the palates construction.

That alone gives so much happiness to the recipients and their parents or guardians because they have passed through a lot. They have bad lips and if the lips are constructed and they get back their lips together, they have now become complete human beings in the society and the stigma will be removed from them. They will go to school happily and be able to concentrate. We have also rehabilitated a school with a block of class rooms in Abeokuta, the Anglican Girls Grammar school and we have completely built a

Who are you outside Rotary?

I am a very simple and shy individual.

I’m a businessman, I work in branding support and I do monogamy, printing work and little public relations (PR) business. I also do consultancy in the area of management. That’s what I have been doing over the years. I’m a graduate in procurement and supplies. I have also worked in procurement and supplies for many years. As a graduate in finance, I used the knowledge to get my business together and also from my secondary school days, I discover I’m a poet and I wrote a lot of poems. So in my spare time, in fact , I won’t say spare time, you do not write poem in your spare time except you want to write academics poems and you want to go for the rhymes, for consonants and all that. If you are a real poet, you do not really say you are spending time, the inspiration just come to you when you are doing your work, keep it aside for ten minutes put down your thoughts, then, you can go back to edit it. Just put down your basic thoughts and you can go back to your work. I have done a lot of writing while travelling, anytime I found myself travelling, especially when I’m up in the air. I write a lot up there because I get the feeling of what the world should be and what it could be? It’s so beautiful up there when you see the star, How come the District has not witnessed a female DG; could it be a political intention or more of male chauvinism mentality?

There are potential females that can sit here even now but the position of district governor is always contested for so it depends on what and who you want to bring in. who you are, how many years you have been at the level of which you can aspire to be a district governor. There had been a female district in Nigeria, district 9410 and the next governor nominee in this same district 9410. They are yet to attain to that level but we have had in our district,(9110) past assistant governor. Very good Rotarians who can be put together, I’m saying that it won’t be too long before we have a female district governor. Within the next five years we should have a female district governor. I said five years because as I’m leaving someone is taking over me and the one who will take over him is already known.

PERSPECTIVES

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

T

Jerry Ayansi

he Nigerian Customs Services, NCS, by itself, has widened its scope of operations. Apart from carrying out their statutory duties of checking goods and services that go in and out of the country, by extension, they have joined other government agencies to facilitate trade and inflow of foreign investments. This week, the agency was in United Kingdom to showcase the country’s reform agenda, especially as it relates to its service.

Doing business in Nigeria could be quite challenging, but very rewarding, especially with the recent reforms carried out in the Nigerian Customs Services. But reforms, on their own, cannot do the magic. They are tantamount to nothing without synergy with either local or foreign investors. This, exactly, was the point of view of the NCS which really propelled them to go all out to entice foreign investors.

Within a couple of years, the Nigerian Customs Services has modernised its approach to doing business by queuing to international standard of clearing goods and services. They have introduced automated ways of dealing with import and export of goods and the introduction of Nigeria Trade Portal, though there are rooms for improvement.

But the good news here is not about the introduction of the portal, but its efficacy of attracting and helping foreign investors on what to do without spending decades to find simple information. At the event, Business in Nigeria Trade Facilitation for Africa’s Business Hub, that was organised in partnership with the Financial Times and the NCS, the Comproller-General of Nigerian Customs Services, Mr. Dikko Abdullahi, disclosed that every month, about 100,000 foreign investors visit the Nigeria Trade Portal website in a bid to study how to invest in the country and the legal requirements needed to execute business.

Truly, the event, which was held this week, was designed to provide an in-depth view of Nigeria’s investment and trading policies with senior government and private sector representatives discussing on key issues. These are the macroeconomic outlook for Nigeria, opportunities and challenges for international investors wanting to do business in Nigeria, the role of the Nigeria Customs Service – its achievements and future plans, critical analysis on the recent reforms undertaken by the NCS, and how it has impacted towards promoting trade competitiveness in Nigeria.

From all indications, the portal which was hosted to make information alot easier for investors, the NCS boss said has recorded unimaginable achievements, as lots of potential investors doing business in Nigeria touched base with the website and sieved information from the portal. It has eliminated the chances of foreign investors getting ‘unpolished’ information on how to invest in the country. The portal has helped boost trade facilitation and has also enabled users’ access information from other related government agencies. It is also easier to use the website get guidelines and procedures to obtain permits, licences and certificates of definite goods and country of origin.

The introduction of the application equally gives room to investors to convert currencies to exchange rates as set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on a month by month basis, make payments, simulate tax and access the CPC Code. The portal did not come from the blues, but was developed as a result of futuristic vision and dedication of the Nigeria Customs Service and its technical partners, some officers of the Service and efforts from some stakeholders.

Dikko said both the NCS and the federal government are working assiduously on other vital programmes that will enhance the performance of the agency, speed up transaction and eliminate bottlenecks that slow down it activities. As a matter of fact, he said it is not because NCS is not working effectively, it is just that it activities are

Abdullahi Dikko

How Customs Aid Foreign Direct Investment hampered by other factors which they have rectified and government is doing something about them, he said.

For instance, on why goods shipped from Nigeria to the outside world are more expensive to those of neighbouring like Ghana, he noted that NCS has no hand in such dealings, but was quick to shift blame to exporters. “The incentives granted to exporters on return of payment by the government is causing some problems to us. It is the exporters that inflate prices of their cargo in order to get return of import value.

We have monitored it, and it has stopped and currently under review by the government,” the comptroller-general said.

Though, technology is good in modern days business, but without adequate trained human resources to successfully operate them, it is basically of no need having them. But Mr. Dikko is not giving room to chances as he said that the employment of about 10,000 youths into the NCS under his leadership is to drive the dream of the agency go beyond human imagination. He said that singular action is yielding great dividends and capable of transforming the Services.

Dikko’s achievement in the Nigerian Customs Services was eulogised by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, who also attended the event en-route to Austria for another national assignment. The minister in his speech stated that the Customs Services is not only focusing its energies on trade but also on proper border management, facilitate trade, provide security in the country and revenue generation.

Aganga made use of the opportunity as the key speaker to project the image of the country and Africa at the event. He minced no words at saying that the future of world trade is in Africa and Nigeria is leading that way to success. He recounted from his finger tips economic achievements the country have recorded despite the calamitous situation of insecurity brought by Boko Haram. To cap it all, he said that what the country has not achieved in 30 years, it has achieved in seven months. He strongly believes that the government of President Goodluck Jonathan has achieved a lot notwithstanding what view some people could hold against him.

Under the current economic climate,

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the minister said Nigeria will soon begin to reap from a lot of opportunities on trade and investment, adding that trade is the blood of modern economy and destiny of the people in the globe. The minister affirmed that for a business to be firm and successful, there is need to have an encompassing plan, with big emphasis on domestic market and regional integrations. He said the country has put a lot of policies in place to attract investors and expects that very soon they will be fallen over themselves to make investment. He maintained that one third of the world economy is driven by trade and that the world has never been integrated as it is in terms of trade and other economic issues.

Utilising the event effectively, Aganga opined that growth in global trade is faster than gross domestic product (GDP) which has opened new markets for complementariness as trade has boosted employment and attracted new investors as companies move to reach new markets. But one major challenge that affects intra and inter movement of goods is transportation. But the minister who never lacked words, said, “The long term is to move goods to where they are needed. For the first time in 23 years we have trains that can move goods from Lagos to Kano and now we have over 5 million people patronising it. We are prioritising train infrastructure because it is cheaper, faster and easier to manage. We are also committed to World Trade Organisation (WTO) trade facilitation agreement which we agreed in value and already Nigeria has identified three boxes in that regard. The things that will be done now, a year or two later and long term.”

None the less, the minister’s job was not over in London, as he said he was leaving for Austria shortly after the event that night to attend a meeting with global industry ministers on investment and on the ground that Nigeria has launched the industrial revolution plan which focuses on its comparative and competitive advantage. His trip was also designed to promote Nigeria as a one-stop business destination and a top 10 player in global trade. He said that the United Nations Industrial Development Plans Organisations (UNIDO) has identified Nigeria and Ethiopia as two African countries that have great potentials to industrialise. “We are going there to present and share our plans with global industry ministers to attract investment and finance,” he said.

Importantly, he mentioned that with Nigeria as part of the Netherlands’ 700 million Euro Growth Fund which the Dutch government has established, will help business in some countries. The inclusion of Nigeria as one of the benefitting countries was not by chance, as it was based on Nigeria’s huge economic potentials and as the biggest economy in Africa. No doubt the Fund is expected to help fast-track inclusive economic growth, especially in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy, he said.

“The Dutch Fund will promote the Joint Venture and investment of Dutch companies with their Nigerian counterparts. Nigeria has been included as one of the countries that will benefit from the Fund because we see great investment and growth opportunities in Nigeria,” a report said. Aganga said that African continent is building synergies in a competitive way, as the federal government has done a lot to improve domestic and international trade, and has integrated among African countries. But the minister is optimistic that the country will push for higher level of intra trade to ensure it romances strongly and modernise most infrastructures to meet the need of the people.

While other sectors of the economy appreciates drastically, the oil and gas is not left without progress. The Dangote Groups are also well placed to ensure that investment made in the downstream sector will soon contribute to the country’s economic growth. Mr. Ahmed explained in a separate media chat that in the next couple of years, importation of fuels and gas flaring will seize, as waste will be converted to wealth.

54 PERSPECTIVES

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

The bad win sometimes…

rovided with numerous tools for attack in his armoury, the strategist who sees that dominating his environment is an essential task could resort to odious tactics to gain an edge over his opponents. Let us bear in mind that there is no such thing as a level playing field . Every person or organization seeking to sell a product, person or service, uses what he has to get what he wants. We work from strengths. So if you have the ability to hound and pound your competition and get away with it just to win, why not do it?

Rogue marketing engages ostensibly in the pull him down syndrome by sending a variety of messages to the buyer, some direct, others indirect. The objective is clear: make the competition look undesirable and unattractive by engaging in mudslinging that splatters the image and makes the opponent or competition have a tainted aura. We have seen this activity reoccur in our commodity market and our politics in recent times. A popular noodle product was once speculated to be harmful to children. There were rumours of children dying from eating it! A public relations firm was contacted. Celebrities were made to eat the product live on national television and it was nipped in the bud.

A carbonated soft drink was also rumoured to cause diabetes and its sales took a nose dive smack in the middle of promotion that was designed to boost the sales of the product. Analysts strongly believe that the “story” came from the competition. Another large soft drink company started a secret activity of buying off the bottles of a competitor and crushing them.

The highly strategic move was concocted to weaken the competitor and take over the market, since new bottles would be a serious challenge.

Our politics has taken various slants in recent times. Political opponents of one political party have labeled the spokesman

of the other party as a liar, not because the short form of his name sounds like “a lie”, but because of the way he appears to twist certain truths in favour of his party on national television.

Proponents of large political parties might need a lot of people to express their views and defend their cause, but when a lot of them take to the airwaves and have varying and discordant views about issues, the listeners are confused.

When ministers and directors-general of government departments are caught with their hands in the till or found to be misappropriating allocations, and state governors display the ignominious use of public funds, such activity casts an odious aura on them. More so when the mini-

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Ekiti: Poverty of Ideology

his election has come and gone but the ripples remain. Ayo Fayose has succeeded in dragging us back as a people with his brand of politics. I am, to say the least, extremely angry at what occurred in that state if reports coming out are to be believed.

I have read that the people preferred bags of rice, loaves of bread to economic development. One particular report quoted a guy saying that since Kayode Fayemi’s administration, he had not gained anything personally but in two weeks, he had been gifted N5,000 and a bag of rice and as such Fayose has his vote.

This is all the more painful for us as a country if you take into consideration that this is happening in Ekiti State the fountain of knowledge. A state that boasts all the intellectuals and PhD holders. This is sad and I really blame Fayose for taking advantage of the people’s poverty to ride back to power with really no conceivable plan for them.

But who do we really blame, the starved people who find it very difficult to use ideology, long term macro-economic development plans to feed their families, secure their health and send them to school or the Fayemi administration who found it very difficult to balance the need for infrastructural development and the people’s immediate need or Fayose who accurately reading the situation took advantage.

This dilemma will repeat itself in Oyo State and most likely in Osun where Gov. Aregbesola has started shouting already. I once met with one top official of the Oyo State government who mentioned that the people’s stalls and shops that were demolished for good passable roads to be built are still very upset with the government and as such may not vote for them again. You see the dilemma of the political

BUSINESS SENSE ALEX OGUNDADEGBE alexogundadegbe@gmail.com

The odious ways of selling a product may work on the short term, but on the long run they back fire. A person who slings mud for long will get splattered

mum wage recommended for the states is described as being unrealistic. A lot of the political office holders have gone the limit and there is mass agitation for change among the voting public.

The odious ways of selling a product may work on the short term, but on the long run they back fire. A person who slings mud for long will get splattered.

Anyone who engages in a perpetual witch hunt would eventually be branded a witch. Palatable turn around strategies for people involved in product, service and people marketing and promotions include differentiation, focus and cost control.

Differentiation is only relevant if it is recognized by the buyer. Do those who we want to buy in to our product really see us as being different from before or perhaps different from the competition in an advantageous way? To differentiate we need to establish in the minds of consumers a wide perception that the product is unique or even superior to that of the competition. So certain basic things have to change about our product: design and quality, abilities to market, improved reputation, superior communication and better delivery of the buyers’ desired goods and services. There has to be some kind of uniqueness for the people to buy! If the “newness” turns out to be the same old wine in new bottles, if its

EDGAR’S WORLD JOSEPH EDGAR

josephsamsponedgar@gmail.com office holder; should he just play “Amala” politics or give to the people real development but stand the risk of losing in the next elections.

But wait, the pension man in Akwa Ibom seems to have perfected the act of getting a balance. He has led tremendous development of the state, proclaiming uncommon transformation while in his own case playing the “Afang” politics so perfectly. I hear over 50 people are in Brazil right now courtesy of the state government.

I agree with the elitist nature of the Fayemi administration being their folly.

At the initial stage, I used to go to Ekiti to look for business. Most commissioners came in from Lagos and London. Getting accommodation for them was the government’s immediate task. They were so detached that three commissioners shared a flat because they did not live in Ekiti.

Friday was ghost town because they were all headed to Lagos and I sensed even then that this administration will not last. Even

I agree with the elitist nature of the Fayemi administration being their folly. At the initial stage, I used to go to Ekiti to look for business. Most commissioners came in from Lagos and London the person handling the first lady’s pet project was repatriated from London. One even began to wonder if the governor himself still remembered his homestead.

They were too British for the backwaters of Ekiti.

At meetings, you here some esoteric plans that you start asking yourself if all these advanced ideas were for these same Ekiti? People just wanted to eat, have

merely window dressing and disguises in terms of packaging, such an attempt could do worse damage than before.

The focus of the marketer is of utmost importance. He could select a target audience and reorganize his product in such a way that it appeals to that group of people.

We are yet to see a political party that targets the youths, people who fall between the ages of 18 and 39. Ministers and other sundry officers who have anything to do with youth and youth development are in their 50s. For a political party that says it cares for the youths this is indeed strange. The focus of an organization, group or product enables the domination of an environment when we direct the product to a particular target audience. It is difficult to cultivate appeal to all sectors at once since there is bound to be a gap in some cases. The price domination in people and product marketing has to do with the expense involved in appropriating the product and the cost of living when a political party is in power.

If the majority of the people in a country bear the brunt of spending more on food, shelter and electricity, and other essential commodities, the people who represent the party would have a tough time convincing the electorate that they ought to stay in power. Nevertheless proper tactics and strategy could enhance a turn around in most environments. It would be interesting to see whom the All Progressive Congress chooses to be flag bearer for the presidential ticket. Fielding Asiwaju Tinubu as Vice Presidential candidate could be detrimental to the well being of the party. There are growing concerns about Asiwaju’s influence. Governor Kwankwaso would do better as presidential candidate; General Buhari has a lot of baggage and limitations down south. President Goodluck Jonathan could still win the elections in 2015 if he restructures his cabinet, doing away with tainted characters and if he chooses a more influential running mate. Hard choices. good health facilities, cloth themselves and go to school in the first instance. Underground fibre optics, space ships and laser beamed remote controlled facilities where just too much for them at this point.

This is what you get when you have been foisted on people. You get a leader who does not feel what they feel and cannot sense the common man’s pain.

This is what Fayose read accurately and exploited the situation and took out Fayemi. The loaves of bread and the bags of rice would soon turn into a poison chalice for the people of Ekiti. They would soon see the Greek gift in its true colour because like they say, the leopard does not change its skin. They will cry, run and look for help from the “London” people they have just kicked out and it will take all of four years for their prayers to be answered.

By the way, where did the Efik people get this boldness from? Have their women finally released them from their bosoms or have they stopped drinking their palm wine? They want to be their own nation.

We will never agree, so when it is time for the Calabar Carnival in December, we will be looking for visa? God forbid. The only way we will agree to this is for them to go without their women. Let all the men go we don’t care, but those delectable Calabar women must remain as Nigerians.

That is my only concern.

Let me go back to the issue at hand, please. I beg Fayose now that he has reemerged to at least pity these people and work this time. He is lucky to have this second opportunity, he should not waste it on the altar of perfidy and childishness.

He should genuinely use his so called grassroots appeal to better the lot of the average Ekiti man he so profusely claims that he supports and lives for.

By the way, egbon mi Fayose, where can I go collect my own bag of rice?

SPORT EXTRA

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

Bolt confirms Commonwealth participation

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A winner has emerged in the Zenith Sports/ New Telegraph Brazil 2014 World Cup Predict and Win promo. New Telegraph Managing Director, Mr. Gabriel Akinadewo, second left, presents an authentic Super Eagles jersey to our winner, Mr. Sunday Opasola, at the company’s corporate headquarters. With them are the Saturday Editor, Mr. Laurence Ani, left, and Head of Special Project, Mr. Biodun Durojaiye, right.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

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resh crisis has engulfed the Super Eagles camp, as the players failed to train on Thursday evening ahead of the second round match against France on Monday in Brasilia.

The players, boycotted their scheduled training in protest, demanding for World Cup appearance fee, and threatening not to file out against France on Monday.

Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, was angry over the development, as he walked out on the players and vowed to go ahead with his programme for the second round tie.

A source told our correspondent that Senator David Mark, was in camp to again appeal to the players to be focused.

The source said, “Senator Mark promised to take the issue to Federal Executive Council, to see how supplementary budget would be approved for the team, since the fund made available to the NFF did not capture the appearance fee.

“But he became angry when the players did not take him by his words. He is worried that the players and their sponsors are trying to damage the image of

Super Eagles in appearance fee row • Team boycotts training, travels to Brasilia • Players demands unreasonable –Green

the country.

“As it is now, we may witness a repeat of the 1998 incident, when Denmark thrashed Nigeria 4-1, after a similar players’ revolt.”

However, the Technical Committee Chairman of the NFF, Chris Green, said it was unfortunate the players took such position when the money from FIFA, was yet to be received.

Green said, “The demand of the players is unreasonable, it is also un-

...Players tackle Yobo

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uper Eagles skipper, Joseph Yobo, is in the middle of the money row as some of his colleagues are angry with him for not supporting them.

Authoritative sources said that Yobo counselled the players, that appearance fee from his past experience having played in three World Cups for Nigeria normally comes three months after the World Cup. The players, it was

learnt, did not take kindly to that and labelled him a stooge of the NFF. Former international, Victor Ikpeba, told the players that; ‘’I’ve played in two World Cup finals and on both occasions we were paid our appearance fee by the NFF about 3-4 months after the World Cup. I hope this is not a ploy by the players to tell us that they intend to lose their game against France on Monday,” Ikpeba said.

thinkable. NFF paid $5,000 for the draw against Iran, paid $10,000 for the win against Bosnia-Herzegovina and paid another $5,000 to them despite losing to Argentina, just to motivate them.

“The appearance fee they are asking for cannot be paid now. They are asking for 30 per cent of the money if they get to the last 16. We are in that stage but the event is still on we could be in the last eight

“We are expecting FIFA to also deduct our feeding, accommodation and transport expenses at the World Cup from the money.

“In 2010, FIFA eventually gave us $6.4m out of the $8m grant. This time, we cannot get up to that because we are playing more games here in Brazil and the logistics of travelling here is so huge.”

Green however said; “This is the biggest stage in football. I can assure Nigerians that the players will file out against France and this money issue will not affect their performance. They are professionals and they are also playing for their respective career.

“FIFA will be embarrassed if the players carry out their threat and Nigeria will be heavily sanctioned.

The Secretary General just travelled to get the money for the last 16 stage so that we can play them if they beat France.”

ix-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt says he is available to compete at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The 27-year-old Jamaican said he was unlikely to take part in an individual event but could run in the relay.

Bolt, who won gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, has been struggling with a foot injury.

“I am available for selection for the Commonwealth Games and have submitted the relevant documentation,” he said.

Bolt is not fit enough to attempt to qualify in the 100m and 200m at the Jamaican Championships this weekend.

“I have received lots of requests, invitations and messages of support from my fans in Scotland who are looking forward to a great event” “I do not wish to take the place of anyone who qualifies this weekend in an individual event, but am available for relay duty if the selectors feel I can be an asset to the Jamaican team in Glasgow,” Bolt added in a statement on his website.

55

Remo Boys, Alamuwa Girls Win GTBank/Ogun Principal Cup

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emo Divisional High School, Sagamu male’s team have emerged as the new champions of Guaranty Trust Bank/Ogun State Principal Cup, after beating hardfighting famous Adeola Odutola College,Ijebu-Ode 5-3 via penalty shoot-out .

The keenly contested final played last weekend at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta, the state capital was dominated by the Adeola Odutola College but were denied by the heroic performance of Remo boys goalkeeper, Biodun Adebayo.

Biodun Adebayo continued his heroics during the penalty shoot-out, stopping the first kick of the IjebuOde boys before taking the winning kick from the spot, for the ultimate prize of a million naira and trophy of secondary schools’ most prestigious football competition .

In the female final earlier decided, Alamuwa Grammar School , Ado-Odo/ Otta won the golden prize of a million naira also with a penalty shootout after ending full time 1-1 against Egba-Owode Grammar School.

Wimbledon: Sharapova beats Bacsinszky to reach third round

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aria Sharapova put in a businesslike performance to cast aside qualifier Timea Bacsinszky 6-2 6-1 in only an hour on her way to the third round at Wimbledon.

The fifth seed showed the sort of ruthless precision that won her the French Open title this month. She broke Bacsinszky’s serve five times on Thursday, forcing her Swiss opponent to scram-

ble left and right to retrieve powerful groundstrokes.

Sharapova, the world’s highest-earning sportswoman, moved with economical ease on Court One and has completed two rounds for the loss of only four games.

The 27-year-old Russian, bidding for a second Wimbledon title 10 years after her first, meets American world No.44 Alison Riske in Saturday’s third round.

GAMES/CROSS WORD PUZZLE You could save your money for some of these items.

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23 9 Police officer 24 10 Move furtively 25 11 Slim 26 12 Body odour 1 Finger joint 5 Speck 7 Extinct bird

Wood chopping tool Measurement of surface First man to be created Object’s extremity Things in poor condition One GSM operating company LGA in Lagos state Very large and strong

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6 Fasten with rope 13 Out of control emotionally

SEE SOLUTION ON PAGE 21

DESTINATION

DELTA: Scores big in oil but pitiably low on tourism

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SPORT IT ‘S A FRESH START FOR ME -MUSA

Sanctity of Truth w ww. n ew te l e g r ap h on l i n e . c om

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

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2014

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Orji Uzor Kalu, Ikedi Ohakim and the imperatives of reconciliation W BROADSIDE orld Reconciliation Day is the 2nd of April and world Forgiveness Day is the First Sunday in August. These annual memorials are little recognised, scantily publicised, uncelebrated and pass us by without much reckoning. That the world has chosen to maintain a somewhat hardof-hearing indifference is indicative of our collective disposition to matters of reconciliation and forgiveness. On the complex plane of human relationships, there are individuals that can neither forgive nor reconcile mainly because they find it far too hard so to do. But precisely because it’s hard, those who achieve it quite rightly earn the distinction of greatness. It was Mohandas K. Ghandi who aptly observed that “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

There are two elements to the embrace of peace and brotherhood that reportedly broke out between the former Governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu and the former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim on June 10, 2014. The first element is reconciliation. The second is forgiveness.

The ugly history that necessitated this move in the first place is well documented and passionately narrated. The attempt to rise above it could not have been a decision that came easy to either man.

Responding with an act of kindness to a wrong or a deep hurt or betrayal is one of the thorniest gestures any human being could be called upon to demonstrate. When we read historical or fictional accounts of people who answered acts of hatred with demonstrations of love, we feel in our own hearts the glow and warmth of the force of goodness; the triumph of humanity over bitterness and injustice. But when if falls directly upon us to emulate such grand acts of humility, we buckle – we buckle because we find it easier to relish the arrogant notion that vengeance is a dish best served cold. Thus we forget that “Vengeance is mine. Leave vengeance to me, sayeth the Lord.” (Romans 12:19). We forget the poetic admonition of Ann Lander: “Hate is like an acid. It damages the vessel in which it is stored, and destroys the vessel on which it is poured.”

It is instructive that Kalu made the conscious decision to take his own counsel.

In 2001, he brokered a truce between Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and Dr Alex Ekwueme which had remained elusive for more than a generation. It was an initiative that was commended by all thoughtful and historically literate citizens.

Ndigbo could not afford such an expensive distraction involving two of their most distinguished sons. In 2002, Kalu went a step further, venturing into a territory that was considered impregnable. He brought Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Muhammadu Buhari to Abia State and aided them in confronting each other with whatever grievances that stood as an iron curtain between them. The personal animosity that made it impossible for both men to exchange as harmless a human gesture as greetings was lifted, even if lasting pacification was not

EMMANUEL ONWE agubata@aol.com

achieved. It was remarkable, and grabbed the imagination of a nation enthralled by the cold war that had simmered between the Generals since 1985.

Whatever offence on earth you care to accuse Kalu of committing, and whether he is guilty or innocent of such charges, he must justifiably take credit for these substantive efforts. If for nothing else, his actions in this respect help in sharpening the profile of a man who has an astute grasp of the dynamics of history, and whose motives are moderated by considerations of faith. Human beings are fallible. The Omniscient, All Knowing El Shaddai, made it so in order to contrast His own infallibility and omniscience.

Both Ohakim and Kalu have accumulated their fair share of life’s inevitable baggage – the good, the bad and the inbetween. As actors on the public stage, they have played and continue to play their destined roles – for better or for ill. In the case of Ohakim, whose public profile lies, indisputably, in the shadow of Kalu’s, he retains a portrait that is neither better nor worse than most public servants in our benighted nation.

His legendary arrogance allegedly exceeded his accomplishments. He gained notoriety for his brazen aggression towards a Catholic priest. He was accused of confrontational approach to governance, relegating merit and promoting his kindred spirits in mediocrity. He attained a dubious reputation for not keeping to promises and agreements he reached in good faith. The allegation that he acquired a choice property in the exclusive and insanely expensive Park Lane area of London has never been satisfactory disposed. I only ever met him once, as a serving senator of the republic. And the simplest, non-pecuniary promise he made to me, he swiftly broke. And I forgive him.

The conscious and deliberate decision to break the chain of anger, vengeance and resentment requires a great power of imagination and strong will.

But Kalu’s forgiveness is larger, much, much larger. There is enormous credit in Maya Angelou’s admonition that “We cannot change the past, but we can change our attitude toward it. Uproot guilt and plant forgiveness. Tear out arrogance and seed humility. Exchange love for hate --- thereby, making the present comfortable and the future promising.”

These two gentlemen took small steps towards giving substantial meaning to their professions of the Christian faith. For, Paul David Tripp told us an immutable truth when he noted that “The church is not a theological classroom. It is a conversion, confession, repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness and sanctification center, where flawed people place their faith in Christ, gather to know and love him better, and learn to love others as he designed.”

We are all one - or at least we should be - and it is our job, our duty, and our great challenge to fight the voices of division and seek the salve of reconciliation, always bearing in mind the authoritative words of Desmond Tutu when he said that “Forgiveness and reconciliation are not just ethereal, spiritual, other-worldly activities. They have to do with the real world. They are realpolitik, because in a very real sense, without forgiveness, there is no future.”

The power of the example that Kalu and Ohakim set should be understood against the backdrop of a nation riven by conflicts, divisions, hatred, bitterness, betrayal and disloyalty, from the lowest rungs of society to the uppermost crust. Central to our spiritual salvation and physical liberation as true sons and daughters of Lord, Master Adonai, is the amazing idea that you must hold back your offering, even if you intend to offer Him the entire universe (which belongs to Him, at any event), and return to your brother and seize him in an embrace of forgiveness and harmony and reconciliation before proceeding to lay your offering at the feet of Jehova Shalom. We are so instructed because El Olam knows that we can do it. He has given us the gift of grace that will take us there. M. Fethullah Gülen captures the strength of grace that resides in us: “Thanks to their hope for forgiveness, humans can rise above the dark clouds that threaten their horizon and seize the opportunity to see light in their world. It is impossible for people who have given their heart to seeking forgiveness not to think of forgiving others. Just as they desire to be forgiven, they also desire to forgive.”

Bitterness and anger serve as nothing more than weeds that cluster our hearts and deny us the freedom to live happily and harmoniously with the world and all that are in it. Doris Day minced no words in reminding us that: “We plant seeds that will flower as results in our lives, so best to remove the weeds of anger, avarice, envy and doubt, that peace and abundance may manifest for all.”

If you search your soul, reach into the deepest recess of your heart, and recall the clusters of injustice and evil and betrayal that people might have inflicted on you over the years, your blood will run cold the moment you contemplate the possibility of embracing them in the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation. It is only when you place yourself in that psychological realm that you will appreciate the miracle quality of the act of forgiveness and reconciliation.

But we need that miracle to make us whole because, according to Dag Hammarskjöld, “Forgiveness is the answer to the child’s dream of a miracle by which what is broken is made whole again, what is soiled is made clean again.”

The conscious and deliberate decision to break the chain of anger, vengeance and resentment requires a great power of imagination and strong will. We become addicted, and ultimately hostage, to these destructive emotions when we habituate our deeds and thoughts to their dictates. That is why I applaud the penetrative grasp of the imaginative essence of the art of forgiveness: “Forgiveness is an act of the imagination.

It dares you to imagine a better future, one that is based on the blessed possibility that your hurt will not be the final word on the matter. It challenges you to give up your destructive thoughts about the situation and to believe in the possibility of a better future.

It builds confidence that you can survive the pain and grow from it.”

If the pursuit of peace and happiness constitute some of the central imperatives of life, then tell me how anyone could attain the fulfilment that comes with a serene and happy life if his heart is congested with bitter resentments? Robert Muller could not have captured the sentiment better when he observed that “To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.”

And if you desire to showcase the quality of the temporal and spiritual love that animate your actions and thoughts, then listen to Francois De La Rochefoucauld: “One pardons to the degree that one loves.”

I am moved by the combination of simplicity, profundity and brevity in Mark Twain’s characteristically witty observation: “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” This profound wit is complemented by the beautiful refrain that marked Martin Luther King, Jr’s exhortations in the 1950s and ‘60s: “Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.... In spite of the fact that the law of revenge solves no social problems, men continue to follow its disastrous leading. History is cluttered with the wreckage of... individuals that pursued this self-defeating path.”

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