Binder1, may 10, 2014 by Newtelegraphonline

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Saturday, MAY 10, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 81

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Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

TUNDE OGUNRINDE The Nigerian who cooked for Obama P.33

TILEWA ADEBAJO Reviving Stationery Stores P.13

ESSENCE Back from the shadows P.19

Boko Haram

US senators blame Hillary Clinton for inaction

...say her failure to list sect as terrorist organisation empowered it l UK squad arrives l Nigerian military had a four-hour warning before attack, says Amnesty l Some perpetrators of Nyanya blast arrested — Jonathan Biodun Oyeleye, Ndubuisi Ugah; Emmanuel Onani Ummal-Fadal Babagirei

Ilorin/Abuja

ome lawmakers in the United States are blaming former Secretary of State and former First Lady, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, for her alleged role in refusing to list Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist organisation under her watch in the State Department. The report surfaced just as it was confirmed that some British counterinsurgency forces have arrived in Nigeria to assist the Nigerian government in its bid to rescue the over 200 female students of the Government Girls’ College,

Chibok, in Borno State, abducted by Boko Haram. According to US publication, The Daily Beast, many stakeholders believe that if Clinton had acceded to the request spanning a period of two years, it would have been easier to curb the atrocities of the group. The report said: “The State Department under Hillary Clinton fought hard against placing the al Qaeda-linked militant group Boko Haram on its official list of foreign terrorist organisations for two years. And now, lawmakers and former U.S. officials are saying that the decision may have hampered the American government’s ability to confront the Nigerian group that shocked

the world by abducting hundreds of innocent girls. “In the past week, Clinton, who made protecting

Africa to reap $68bn in investments as WEF rounds off Simeon Ogoegbulem, Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

he World Economic Forum on Africa rounded off on an optimistic note with the report that over 1,500 business owners have made a commitment to invest the sum of $68 billion in Africa. The Forum, the 24th since inception, which has as its theme, “Forging Inclusive Growth, Creating Jobs,”

ended yesterday in Abuja after three days of sustained deliberations. WEF’s managing director, Mr Phillip Rosler, described this year’s WEF as the biggest gathering in the series, saying the forum could pool investment totalling $68 billion to the continent. Rosler listed likely areas of the economy the amount could be invested to include, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

women and girls a key pillar of her tenure at the State Department, has been a vocal advocate for the 200 Ni-

gerian girls kidnapped by Boko Haram, the loosely organised group of militants terrorising northern Nigeria. Her May 4 tweet about the girls, using the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Eulogies as ex-Ohaneze president Uwechue is buried Dominic Adewole Asaba

he former PresidentGeneral of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Ambassador Raphael Chukwu Uwechue, was yesterday laid to rest. The late ambassador played a key role in the resolution of the decadelong Sierra Leonean civil war, which culminated in a peaceful and fair elections in 2002 when he was former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s envoy on conflict resolution in Africa. Uwechue also headed the ECOWAS Mission in Cote d’Ivoire, charged with coordinating and monitoring peace-keeping operations towards the resolution of the crisis in that country. The funeral mass held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ogwashi-Uku, in Aniocha South Local Government Area, in Delta State, was presided over by the Bishop of IsseleUku Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Micheal Elue, with his wife, Augusta, children CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Lagos, Ondo vow to prosecute perpetrators of ‘jungle justice’ p.6 Unending spat between Gov. Almakura and deputy p.47 Tiwa Savage: Nobody’s headache if I flaunt my bikini body p.20

South Africa to announce parliamentary election results today p.7

SURVIVOR of un building blast member feese sends solidarity message to chibok community

p.3

NEWS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 19 APRIL 2014

Content 10.05.14 Boko Haram: US senators blame Hillary Clinton INSTYLE Wedged Up

Get the regal look and add on a few inches to your height with wedgeheeled sandals.

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SHOWBIZ

Typically Dede

Afrobeat exponent Dede Mabiaku speaks on why many younger artistes’ attempt to rekindle the fire stoked by Fela is unsuccessful.

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SPORT

World Cup Pessimism

Ex-international Jonathan Akpoborie insists Stephen Keshi’s World Cup squad is hardly inspiring given the inclusion of some players past their prime.

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THE ARTS

Artist in Need

A photography exhibition opens in Lagos to showcase works by Motunlayo Sofowote, and rally help to fund her medical treatment.

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TRAVEL The Pearl Experience

A visit to Pearl Court Hotel, in Ikoyi, Lagos, is often a charming experience for the discerning guest.

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My Weekend

Rekindling Vitality

CEO of Church Vestments, Mrs Modupe Fasina, outlines a path to regaining the vitality lost to a strenuous work life in a bustling city.

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Eulogies for Ex-Ohaneze president CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

and grand children, in attendance. The bishop, in his homily, said it is instructive that the late ambassador was born on May CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

education, health, infrastructure and agriculture, among others. He commended Nigeria for organizing what he described as one of the best WEF with huge participants despite security challenge in the country. “It was a very successful World Economic Forum on Africa. We have more than 48,000 articles from these three days in Nigeria in comparison to last year which wad 16,000 and this is more than three times higher than last year. This is a proof

13, 1935, the day Catholic faithful claim an apparition of Virgin Mary’s appeared at Fatima in Portugal, noting that it explains “Uwechue’s special devotion to Our Lady of Fatima”.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

hashtag #BringBackOurGirls, was cited across the media and widely credited for raising awareness of their plight. “On Wednesday, Clinton said that the abduction of the girls by Boko Haram was ‘abominable, it’s criminal, it’s an act of terrorism and it really merits the fullest response possible, first and foremost from the government of Nigeria’. Clinton said that as Secretary of State she had numerous meetings with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and had urged the Nigerian government to do more on counterterrorism. “What Clinton didn’t mention was that her own State Department refused to place Boko Haram on the list of foreign terrorist organizations in 2011, after the group bombed the U.N. headquarters in Abuja. The refusal came despite the urging of the Justice Department, the FBI, the CIA, and over a dozen senators and congressmen. “The one thing she could have done, the one tool she had at her disposal, she didn’t use. And nobody can say she wasn’t urged to do it. It’s gross hypocrisy,” said a former senior U.S. official who was involved in the debate. “The FBI, the CIA, and the Justice Department really wanted Boko Haram designated, they wanted the authorities that would provide to go after them, and they voiced that repeatedly to elected officials.” In May 2012, then-Justice Department official Lisa Monaco (now at the White House) wrote to the State Department to urge Clinton to designate Boko Haram as a terrorist organization. The following month, Gen. Carter Ham, the chief of U.S. Africa Command, said Boko Haram “are likely sharing funds, training, and explosive materials” with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. But Clinton’s State Department still de-

clined to place the sect on its official terrorist roster. Secretary of State John Kerry eventually added Boko Haram and its splinter group Ansaru to the list of foreign terrorist organizations in November 2013, following a spate of church bombings and other acts that demonstrated the group’s escalating abilities to wreak havoc. The designation makes it illegal for any U.S. entities to do business with the group in question. It cuts off access to the U.S. financial system for the organization and anyone associating with it. And the designation also serves to stigmatize and isolate foreign organizations by encouraging other nations to take similar measures. The State Department’s refusal to designate Boko Haram as a terrorist organization prevented U.S. law enforcement agencies from fully addressing the growing Boko Haram threat in those crucial two years, The Daily Beast quoted some GOP lawmakers as saying. “The one thing she could have done, the one tool she had at her disposal, she didn’t use. And nobody can say she wasn’t urged to do it. It’s gross hypocrisy.” British High Commission’s head of press and public affairs, Mr. Rob Fitzpatrick, confirmed the arrival of the British team in a statement, on Friday. According to Fitzpatrik, the contingent was drawn from across government agencies including, Department for International Development (DfID), Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Ministry of Defence. “The team will work with Nigerian authorities leading on the abduction and terrorism in Nigeria. “The team will also be considering not just recent incidents but also longerterm counter-terrorism solutions to prevent such attacks in the future and defeat Boko Haram,” he said. And in a bid to address

the situation, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, yesterday said intelligence chiefs of member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) would meet in Accra on May 12. On why the intelligence chiefs are converging on Accra, Mahama, who is the chairman of ECOWAS, said the meeting would also proffer strategies to end terrorist activities of Boko Haram. He said the essence of the meeting was to discuss the Boko Haram threat in Nigeria and the subregion. “ECOWAS has a common anti-terrorism strategy, and so, as Chair of ECOWAS, I have been speaking to other member heads of state and they believe that we should activate that anti-terrorism strategy.” Meanwhile, Amnesty International has alleged in a BBC report that it was informed by several credible sources that the military was given about four hours’ warning of the raid. The military in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, according to Amnesty, were informed of the impending attack soon after 1900 local time – the school was attacked around midnight. It added that despite the warning, reinforcements were not sent to help protect the school in the remote Chibok area. Indications emerged over the weekend that the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), will coordinate multi-national troops, in the renewed efforts to rescue over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School, who were abducted on April 14, by Boko Haram insurgents. This development is coming on the heels of the arrival, in the country, of Special Forces from the United States (US), in fulfilment of President Barack Obama’s pledge to assist the federal government’s rescue efforts.

A top military source who spoke with New Telegraph on Saturday, said the terms of collaboration, which will be across board, were being worked out, as at Friday. He maintained that the Nigerian armed forces “will not be relegated to the background”. While noting that it was only some “hi-tech” equipment that they lack, he said: “Let me make it abundantly clear, that we (military) are throwing our hands in the air while our counterparts carry out the exercise. No. “Our officers and soldiers on the frontline are well trained, except that we need more sophisticated, up-to-date hardware, to deal with the challenge of terrorism which, you will agree with me, is a recent phenomenon,” he stated. While regretting comments in some quarters that the military lacked the capacity to effectively prosecute the war on terror, the military chief reminded the public of Nigeria’s military exploits at peacekeeping missions abroad. “There is no country that operates like an island, especially where the global scourge of terrorism is involved. “What we are having from the US and others, is partnership to defeat terrorists, who are enemies of the world,” he declared. .Apart from troops deployment, New Telegraph learnt that the US may deploy drone and satellite equipment, to enhance the rescue mission. “It won’t be cumbersome for the US, because the country already has its presence in Mali and the Gulf of Guinea,” he added. Apart from the US, China, France as well as the United Kingdom, have offered to assist Nigeria in her ongoing rescue operation. Also, yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan told participants at the World Economic Forum on Africa that some perpetrators of the bomb blast at Nyanya, Abuja, have been arrested.

Africa to reap $68bn in investments as WEF rounds off that Africa is very important to the people of the world. We not only want to create a future of interest but we are committed to improving the state of Africa. To put all the monies together which was committed by the Chinese and others, we have about $68bn in the next years for Africa and the African people for specific project like infrastructure, energy, and healthcare and vary importantly education,” he said. This comes as President

Goodluck Jonathan yesterday approved the sum of $10m (N1.6bn) for the Safe School Project. The money would be added to the initial $10 million provided on Wednesday by the business community. The minister of finance and coordinating minister for the economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, announced the additional sum by the president, bringing the total amount for the project to $20m (N3.2bn). Speaking during a brief-

ing, the minister said the additional fund would help in creating the conducive atmosphere needed to ensure safety of schools to prevent a reoccurrence of the Chibok saga. “The forum is a success because it enabled us mobilise all participants to support us to bring back the girls. The international community has rallied round us to ensure that we bring back our girls. President Goodluck Jonathan has just announced

another $10m for the safe our school project to be added to what the international community has announced. During the rally to bring back our girls, there have been added interests by investors to invest more into Nigeria. And this will help us create more jobs and ensure inclusive growth. Our commitment to bring back our girls is unwavering.” Former British prime minister and current United Nations envoy on education,

Mr. Gordon Brown, said the programme which would commence with 500 schools as pilot will help increase enrolment level in schools. “The message is that Africa is growing and no terrorist will stop the progress of Africa. We have been talking with Nigeria’s president on what will be done to bring back our girls and also the safe school project. We are determined to give all the support to the Nigerian government to bring back these girls.”

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 MAY 2014

Global outrage over Chibok abduction rises Ndubuisi Ugah with agency reports

lobal outrage continued yesterday over the abduction of the female students of the Government Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State. The outrage followed condemnations by some top religious scholars, working under the world’s largest bloc of Islamic countries, Islamic Fiqh Academy, which condemned the kidnapping of the schoolgirls, while also calling for their immediate release. Also, an International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, has condemned the sect’s abduction of the students just as the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Lagos State chapter, has dissociated themselves from the May 27 Children’s Day, until the abducted Chibok female students were found. A United Nations bomb survivor, Member Feese, has sent words of encouragement to the Federal Government and the Chibok community over the abduction of the schoolgirls. In US, Hollywood celebrities, including Sean Penn, Justin Timberlake, Bradley Cooper, Ashton Kutcher, Jamie Foxx, and others are tweeting photos of themselves holding a sign, saying “Real Men Don't Buy Girls.” The Boko Haram sect has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping in Chibok in a video released on Monday. On its part, the Islamic Fiqh Academy, which is based in Saudi Arabia and dedicated to the advanced study of Islam, said this

lMuslim world scholars, ICC prosecutor condemn kidnapping lLagos private schools to shun Children’s Day celebration lUN building bomb survivor expresses sadness

“crime and other crimes committed by the likes of these extremist organisations contradicts all humanitarian principles and moral values and violates the provisions of the Quran and Sunnah,” or teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. The academy is part of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), which is comprises some 57 Muslim majority member-nations. Also on Thursday, the OIC’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission, said Boko Haram was misguided to claim that the abduction of the girls and the threat to sell them off as slaves is in conformity with the injunctions of Islam. The rights body described the abduction of the schoolgirls as a “barbaric act.” “Right to education is a fundamental human right, and is in consonance with the basic tenets of Islam,” the group said. In the same vein, the Christian Science Monitor reported that Sean Penn, Justin Timberlake, Bradley Cooper, Ashton Kutcher, Jamie Foxx, and others were tweeting photos of themselves holding a sign, saying: “Real Men Don’t Buy Girls.” The artistes argued that the response to the kidnapping – and a threat to sell the girls–was reaching a global crescendo of opposition. “It’s not often that Hollywood and Islam are on the same page. More specifically, it's rare that pop singer Justin Timberlake and Muslim Imams share the same world view,” they stated. They said: “We are talk-

ing about Boko Haram, the Islamist militant group that is taken nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls captive. The group, which opposes secular Western education (among other things) has been active in Nigeria for years.” Equally, Lagos State NAPPS President, Chief Yomi Otubela, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lagos that the association would not participate in the celebration without the missing schoolgirls. Otubela said all the proprietors, parents, and students, especially the female ones, should be on the streets to address the abductors of the Chibok school girls on the Children’s Day. “All the fanfare for May 27, which is the Children’s Day, will be suspended if these girls are not found, and we will be on the streets. These girls are writing their Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations and should have been celebrating the day with their mates. They shall be at the point for the rally on children’s day,” he said. Speaking also, Bensouda said: “The troubling phenomenon of targeting females during conflict cannot be tolerated and must be stopped.” She urged all-out efforts to bring those responsible for such acts to justice either in Nigeria or at the ICC. Similarly, the International Women Judges Association (IAWJ), yesterday in Arusha, condemned the recent abduction of Nigerian schoolgirls by Boko Haram.

The former IAWJ President, Eunice Munuo, described the Book Haram action as barbaric. “Those girls are innocent, as women judges we condemn this barbaric incident. The children are denied access to basic rights like education and freedom,” she said. Reacting also, Banjulbased women rights group, Gambia Committee on Harmful Traditional Practices (Gamcotrap), said the sect’s action transcended the borders of Nigeria to other neighbouring countries and gave it a transnational dimension, which should be a “cause of concern for all of our countries.” Meanwhile, in a statement, Feese said: “My message to the Chibok community is to hold strong, don’t give up, your girls will come home by the grace of God, alive and well and very soon. To the girls, stay strong, all of Nigeria and indeed the world is looking for you. We will find you and bring you home. I am Chibok Girl. I am you. “On the 26th of August 2011, I went to the United Nations’ Building in Abuja to collect data for my schoolwork. The terrorists came and bombed the building. Their intention was to kill us and take away our dreams. They destroyed the building, killed many and wounded others including me but they could not destroy our dreams. “On the 14 of April, 2014 you went to school to get an education. The terrorists came and carried you away," she said.

NEWS

NEWS EDITOR, SATURDAY:

NDUBUISI UGAH

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

The Week Ahead

Awujale of Ijebuland, Adetona, clocks 80 today

The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, Ogbagba 11, will today mark his 80th birthday anniversary at his palace in IjebuOde, Ogun State. Dignitaries from all walks of life are expected to grace the occasion.

IPMAN holds emergency meeting May 10 The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), North West and North East zones will hold an emergency meeting of the zones on May 10 at Command Guest Inn, Kaduna at 11a.m. A statement signed by the Zonal Secretary, North West, Habibulah Ahmed Mohammed, said the agenda of the meeting would be focused on the state of business in the two zones as well as the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association.

National Conference reconvenes May 12 The National Conference will reconvene on May 12 after it adjourned proceedings to enable Nigeria to host the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa, which ended on May 9 in Abuja.

ATCON holds election May 13 The Association of Telecomms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and National Executive Council (NEC) elections in Lagos on May 13.

Court hears Boko Haram suspects’ suit May 14 A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 14 for arguments on the application by the Federal Government that its witnesses should wear mask, while giving testimonies in the terrorism charge slammed against a Kogi State University lecturer, Nazeef Mohammed Yunus, and two others by the Federal Government. Following this, the court said it would do everything possible to protect the identities of the witnesses.

Big vessel to call Onne port by May 14 The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said the West African Maximum (WAFMAX) vessel will call at Onne Port in Rivers State on May 14. Its Managing Director, Mallam Habib Abdullahi, said the vessel would fulfil its commitment to “appreciate” Nigerian customers. Abdullahi said the vessel, WAFMAX, would be operated by the Maersk -Line and APM Terminal, saying that the successive dredging campaigns by the NPA had started yielding positive results.

Mainstreet Bank EOI ends May 16 The management of Mainstreet Bank has fixed May 16 as the closing date for prospective buyers to submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) in English titled: ‘Expression of Interest for the Acquisition of Mainstreet bank Limited’.

CITN holds tax conference May 20 The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) will hold its 16th annual tax conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from May 20 to 24. A statement issued by the Chairman, Tax Conference Committee, Mr. Adekunle Adeola, said the event would have as its theme: ‘Achieving Optimum tax Compliance: Challenges and Sustainability’.

Abia lawmaker for burial May 22 A former member of Abia State House of Assembly, Iheasimuo Nwogu, who died on March 28 will be buried on May 22. Nwogu, who until his death represented Aba South, was honoured by his former colleagues, who suspended all plenary activities as a mark of respect for the late lawmaker.

Two drug trafficking suspects know fate May 23 L-R: Founder, Nigerian Network of Non-Governmental Organisations (NNNGO), Ms. Yemisi Ransome-Kuti; Justice Wonu Folami (rtd.); Senior Public Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre, Envera Selimovic; Coordinator of the rally, Ms. Aisha Oyebode and other protesters from the Women for Peace and Justice in Nigeria, at a protest rally on the abducted Chibok girls in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO:SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Two siblings, Innocent Okafor and Uzoamaka Nnamani, who were charged for drug trafficking will know their fate on May 23, when Justice Musa Kurya of the Federal High Court Lagos hears their bail application. The accused were arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a three-count bordering on conspiracy, unlawful importation and possession of a restricted narcotic.

NEWS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 May 2014

UMUAHIA

LAFIA

First Lady extols Ogbonna’s virtues

N EWS I N BRIEF

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, yesterday in Isuochi, Abia State, lauded the achievements of the late Eze Bob Ogbonna, father of Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who died at 73. Jonathan said this at the church service and reception in honour of the deceased. She said: “He was an accomplished businessman, disciplinarian, who impacted positively on his people and we will always admire his sterling virtues of steadfastness and humility.

ILORIN

Nasarawa Police denies Army appoints new PRO participation in Chibok protest An Assistant Director, Lt. Weri FinilNasarawa State Police Command yesterday denied the involvement of women police officers in the protest organised by some women groups in the state against the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State. The state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, who made the denial in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia, said the clarification was necessary in order to dispel insinuations that some women police officers in the command participated in the protest.

kumor, has been appointed the Army Public Relations Officer for 22 Armoured Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ilorin, Kwara State. Finikumor, who stated this in a statement yesterday in Ilorin, said he resumed duty on May 6. Until the new appointment, Finikumor was the administration officer at HQ 1, Division Army Public Relations, Kaduna State. Finikumor promised to further improve on the already existing good relationship between the army and the public.

PDP denies division in NWC Onyekachi Eze Abuja

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has defended its National Chairman, Dr. Adamu Mu’azu, over allegations of highhandedness, describing it as the handiwork of its detractors, who are not happy at the party’s successes since Mu’azu emerged as chairman. A national daily (not New Telegraph) had in its publication on Thursday, alleged a division in the National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP, occasioned by Mu’azu’s style of leadership. But the party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, denied the allegation. He said: “The national chairman has maintained very healthy and

robust working relationship with all our leaders at all levels across the country resulting in the impressive performance posted in the last three months.” Describing those behind the publication as paid agents whose aim was to cause disaffection among party leaders, Metuh said Mu’azu had been able to stabilise the party and restore sanity among its members since he assumed office in January this year. “We wish to state categorically that the claims made in the said article are totally false, maliciously and sponsored by disgruntled elements who have not been happy with the stability and wide-spread popularity our party has continued to enjoy since Mu’azu emerged as national chairman,” he added.

ASUP, COEASU protest retirement of colleagues, others Tony Anichebe Uyo

A President Goodluck Jonathan (left), and Cross River State Governor, Lyel Imoke, at the closing ceremony of the 42nd World Economic Forum (WEF) in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO:TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

N1bn fraud: Court hears Ajudua’s bail application May 13 UNCERTAINTY Court set to decide suspect’s fate over alleged fraud

n Ikeja High Court yesterday fixed May 9 for ruling on a bail application by suspected fraudster, Mr. Fred Ajudua. Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye fixed the date after hearing arguments from the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Seidu Atteh and Ajudua’s counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Ajudua is being prosecuted for allegedly defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff,

1,024m The number of individuals using the internet worldwide in 2005. Source: Itu.int

retired Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi of about $5.9 million (about N1billion). He is facing a 14-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences. Ojo, who urged the court to grant Ajudua bail on liberal terms, argued that there was overwhelming medical evidence before the court he was suffering from a lifethreatening ailment. He said: “The defendant (Ajudua) is a kidney patient and his only surviving kidney is about to collapse. The medical facility at the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons, where his health is seriously failing, cannot adequately meet his medical needs.” Ojo tendered a medical report dated August 12,

2013, which was issued by Dr. Adebisi Ogunjimi of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to support his submissions. He said the defendant was ready to face trial contrary to the claim by the EFCC that he absconded to India after he was granted bail on medical grounds in another criminal case. “The defendant voluntarily came back to Nigeria even when he knew that his bail had been revoked. The voluntary submission of the defendant to the prosecuting authorities and the court constitutes an exceptional circumstance which should be taken into judicial notice by the court,2 he said. Responding, Atteh ar-

895m The number of active mobile-broadband subscriptions of Asia & Pacific in 2013. (Source: Itu.int)

gued that there was likelihood that Ajudua would jump bail if the application was granted. Atteh said Ajudua absconded in 2005, after he was granted bail by Justice Joseph Oyewole, also of an Ikeja High Court. Meanwhile, the court has dismissed another application by Ajudua seeking the inclusion of his extra-judicial statement in the proof of evidence. In a short ruling, Ipaye held that the Ajudua refused to make the same statement after three attempts by the EFCC before the case was charged to court. The judge said Ajudua was at liberty to take the stand and give his own oral evidence during the trial.

8.78m

The total population of Melanesia region (representing was about 0.13% of the world’s population) in 2010. (Source: blatantworld.com)

cademic activities were yesterday grounded across tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State, including the state Polytechnic (AKWAPOLY), Ikot Osurua; College of Education (CoE), Afaha Nsit and the College of Arts and Science (CAS), Nung Ukim, as union leaders called out their colleagues in protest over sundry issues. Under the Joint Action of Unions (JAC), leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP); College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and the College of Arts and Science, met in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State

capital, condemning what they described as government insincerity in the development of tertiary institutions in the State. The Chairman of ASUP, Iboro Paul Ibara; the Chairman of COEASU, Gloria Inyang and Isaiah Ekwere of the teachers’ union at CAS, flayed what they called systematic erosion of the values of higher education, lamenting that such action has led to brain drain in the system. Addressing journalists yesterday, Ibara listed the problems to include the non-compliance with 65 years retirement bar for lecturers, haphazard implementation of teachers’ remunerations and the problem of decayed education infrastructure in the affected schools.

Edo APC crisis: Aggrieved members to return to Oshiomhole’s group Cajetan Mmuta Benin

trong indications emerged yesterday that some members of the breakaway group of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led by Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu in Edo State were ready to return to the fold loyal to the state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole. This came as a leader of the APC in Edo State, Patrick Igbinaken, has denied resigning from the party, saying he was deceived to attend a meeting where he and some others purportedly resigned their membership of the party. The state Interim Publicity Secretary of APC, Godwin Erhahon, who

disclosed this in an interview with New Telegraph in Benin City, said most members of the embattled group, who resigned have decided to retrace their steps, when it dawned on them that they were misled by their leaders. He urged all aggrieved members of the party not to allow themselves to deceived or used to achieve cheap political points in the name of any false ambition. Erhahon said the Oshiomhole-led government had enough evidence to prove to the people that it had no hidden agenda in the effort to resolve in their favour the crisis associated with the party’s congresses and membership registration.

FMBN has delivered 39,425 housing units –Kumo Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

anaging Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Alhaji Gimba Ya’u Kumo, has said 39, 425 housing units have been cumulatively delivered by the bank, under its Estate Development Loans (EDL) scheme, to Nigerians. He also said the bank recorded the sum of N82.1 billion as National Housing Funds between December 2010 and April last year. Kumo, who spoke yesterday, at a Leadership Forum in Abuja, however, pushed for the enactment of new laws as well as the amendment/replacement of some existing laws concerning the operations of mortgage institutions in the country for the purpose of efficiency and effectiveness. The managing director explained that 12,420 rep-

NEWS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 MAY 2014

resenting 31.5 per cent of the 39,425 housing units delivered so far by the bank were in the last 41 months. “Over the recent 41 months under review, N33.4 billion and N23.8 billion were disbursed as estate development (construction) and mortgage loans respectively. This translates to 47.8 per cent and 48.3 percent recorded since the commencement of the NHF scheme. By aggregation, the total disbursement of N57.2 billion recorded in the past 41 months constitutes 48 percent of the N191.1 billion,” he said. Kumo noted with regret that out of the N5 billion approved by the Federal Government as capital base for the FMBN in 2003/2004, only the government had paid its own equity share of N2.5 billion, while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), were yet to pay their own equity shares of 30 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.

IKEJA NDLEA sues Optalidon drug seller

NEWS IN BRIEF

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday, filed a charge before a Federal High Court in Lagos, against a 30-year-old businessman, Afiz Isah, over alleged drug trafficking. The accused, a resident of Atobaje Street, Agege, Lagos, committed the offence on July 23, 2013. The prosecutor, Mr. Jerry Aernan, said the accused was arrested in his residence, on a tip-off by officers of the NDLEA. He said about 3.9 kilogrammes of Optalidon, a psychotropic substance similar to heroine, was recovered from the accused, who allegedly engaged in illegal sale of the drug.

UYO CMD seeks support on prostrate cancer

DAMATURU 2015: Yobe APC hopeful of victory

The Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) has been urged to assist menfolks through qualitative research in the reduction of prostate cancer. The Chief Medical Director of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Prof. Etete Peters, who made the call yesterday, when the association led by its President, Dr. Valerie Obot, visited him in his office, said millions of Nigerian men were currently held in bondage by the disease. “Without men, women would appear not to be existing especially on the issue of child bearing and so we all must find a common solution to this malady,” he stated.

Yobe State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Maimala Buni, has said there is no doubt that about 99 per cent of the people will vote for APC in the state in 2015. Buni, who said this in an interview with the New Telegraph in Damaturu, said the APC would win the general election in the state as well as in the 17 local government areas. He said about 99 per cent of the people of the state were still in the APC, stating that the defection of some people to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not affected the over poll result of APC in 2015.

1.5m

10.38m

5% The percentage of individuals using the internet in Congo in 2010. Source: Itu.int

The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Somalia at the beginning of 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

The total population of Sao Paolo, Brazil in 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

Adamawa lecturers embark on strike over SIWES allowance Ibrahim Abdul Yola

he Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Adamawa State Polytechnic branch, has embarked on an indefinite strike to push for their SIWES allowances. The union said it decided to embark on the strike due to the failure of the school authorities to regularise the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) allowances for the branch ASUP for three years. Before the declaration of the full strike, the union had embarked on a threeday warning strike, calling on the authorities to settle the issue as they said they had exhausted all avenues of reconciliation with the

school authorities. The branch Chairman of the union, Dr. Coleman Goji, said the strike was comprehensive and indefinite until the Governing Council and the management of the polytechnic deemed it fit to resolve the matter. He said the strike commences from May 8, adding that the union had prevailed on the members not to even step into the school compound as the strike lasted. Goji said the union had learnt on good authority that Governor Murtala Nyako had made full payment in respect of the SIWES allowances but the management had blatantly refused to use the funds for the purpose they were meant.

Jonathan, others for Ekiti PDP rally May 22 Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

resident Goodluck Jonathan is expected in Ekiti State on May 22 visit to lend support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the June 21 election, Mr. Ayodele Fayose. Speaking yesterday in Ifaki-Ekiti, Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the state, Fayose said President Jonathan would during the visit officially present the party’s flag to him. He charged party members to be committed to the electoral battle to be able to emerge victorious in the coming election.

The PDP governorship candidate promised to return the University of Science and Technology, IfakiEkiti, established during the administration of former Governor Segun Oni, but which was phased out by Governor Kayode Fayemi’s government, to the town when elected into office. Fayemi had merged the university and The University of Education, Ikere-Ekiti with the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti shortly after he came on board. Fayose said he was ready to engage Fayemi in a debate on how to govern the people, even as a Higher National Diploma (HND) holder.

L-R: Former Vice-President/Founder, American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa State, Atiku Abubakar; members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Prof. Goodman Lou; and Prof. Muhammad Kah, at the 2014 AUN Yola Honour Society Awards Dinner in Yola…on Thursday

‘Nigerians now weep, mourn everyday’ Adesina Wahab, Temitope Ogunbanke, Steve Uzoechi and Sola Adeyemo Ado-Ekiti/Lagos/OWERRI/ Ibadan

kiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu and the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, yesterday bemoaned the spate of insecurity in the country, stating that the nation had become a nation of mourners. Also, the wife of the Imo State Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha, yesterday led about 500 female secondary school students and their teachers across the state in a march to convey their grievances over the non-release of the girls. This, however, came as Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin-led Women Arise for Change Initiative, has charged President Goodluck Jonathan and all stakeholders to do all that is necessary to secure the release of the abducted students of Government Girls College, Chibok in Borno State, by the sect.

l Okorocha’s wife, UI women, female students march for abducted schoolgirls l Protests in Rivers as Woman Arise seeks release of students In Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital came a report that a coalition of civil society groups, comprising youths, men and women yesterday protested the abduction of the students and demanded their immediate rescue by the Federal Government. Adelabu and Fayemi stated that Nigeria had become a nation of mourners in Ado-Ekiti, during a solemn procession of Ekiti women, led by the governor’s wife to protest the abduction of the students on April 15. Before the protesters hit the streets, the governor’s wife had presented a protest letter addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan to Adelabu, who received the team on behalf of the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi. In the letter, the women called on the President to act decisively and end the regime of ‘promises, diplomacy and pledges’ over the rescue of the girls from

the Boko Haram enclave. The deputy governor lamented that mourning and weeping had become a daily routine across the country following unabated sectarian violence, kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes. Adelabu said: “I am sad. This is not the Nigeria we used to know. This is not the Nigeria in which we grew up. We now mourn and weep everyday because of violence and criminal activities." Addressing the protesters, Fayemi said: “We are here to lend our voices in solidarity with others across Nigeria and across the world who are deeply distressed about the recent kidnapping of over 200 of our children from Chibok." In another development, Okei-Odumakin, who is also the President of Campaign for Democracy (CD) in a statement made available to New Telegraph, said the group would embark on nationwide peaceful protect

starting May 12 in different parts of the country to demand for immediate release of the kidnapped girls. The statement reads in part: “We must remind ourselves and our leaders that these girls who were stolen away in the middle of the night were in school writing their final examinations." The protesters, whose placards bear the following inscriptions “we want to kick out terrorism”, “we don’t want blood”, “free our girls”, “expose the sponsors of terrorism” marched from the popular CFC junction to the Federal Secretariat, where the leaders of various groups took time to address the protesters. A Niger Delta right activist and one of the organisers of the protest, Ankio Briggs, said the protest was aimed at sending a massage to the abductors of the female students that Nigerians were not in support of what they were doing.

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KADUNA ILO okays training for Nigerian port workers N EWS I N BRIEF

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has granted licence to the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, Kaduna State, to run ILO Port-worker Development Programme (PDP). The programme is strictly for training purpose in the country. Notice of the licence is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Public Relations Officer of the institute, Mr. Paul Mshelizah, in Zaria. The statement quoted Mshelizah as saying that the ILO issued the licence on December 1, 2013.

64,000

The number of adults and children estimated to be living with HIV in Republic of Benin in 2008 Source: blatantworld.com

ADO-EKITI

OWERRI Ukanacho condoles with Oputa family

A governorship aspirant under the United Progressive Party (UPP), Dr. Osmond Imo Ukanacho, has described the demise of Justice Chukwudifu Oputa as a great loss to Nigeria and Ndigbo in particular. In a condolence message to the family of the late legal icon, Ukanacho recounted the countless achievements of Justice Oputa in the nation’s Judiciary which included a number of priceless law books which had remained strong authorities in legal referencing. He said Oputa was a legal icon, who rose to become a Supreme Court judge without soiling his hands.

Director quits service to become Bamidele's deputy

A Deputy Director with Ekiti State Public Service, Alhaja Mariam Ogunlade, has resigned her appointment and has been picked by the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, as his running mate. Bamidele, who unveiled his deputy yesterday at a news conference in IyinEkiti, his home town, said Ogunlade (54) voluntarily retired from active service few days ago. He said the retired director would replace Mrs. Bolanle Bruce, a journalist whose name was initially submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

14.6%

The estimated percentage prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in girls and women (15 - 49 years) of Tanzania in 2005. (Source: blatantworld.com)

N2.1bn

The internally generated revenue of Borno State in 2010. (Source: National Bureau of Statistics)

Lagos, Ondo vow to prosecute perpetrators of ‘jungle justice’ Muritala Ayinla

orried by the frequent cases of jungle justice in the state and some parts of the country, the Lagos State Government yesterday issued a strong warning to residents who may be tempted to deliver instant punishment by lynching, burning or killing suspected criminals to desist or face the wrath of law. Also, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has inaugurated a taskforce on the evacuation of illegal immigrants, the destitutes and other social miscreants from the state. Lynching of suspected criminals had, in recent time, become practice among angry residents following barrage of kidnap cases in the country by suspected ritual killers and terrorists. With the declaration, beating, maltreatment or lynching of any suspect is now illegal as anyone caught taking the law into his or her hand might be jailed for doing so.

The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, who gave the warning, said that the full weight of the law would be brought to bear on anyone caught engaging in jungle justice, regardless of the nature of crime the alleged could have committed. The Attorney-General noted that this warning became important following press reports that some people were attacked in the state based on mere allegations of kidnapping, stealing or ritual killing. Meanwhile, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Aderotimi Adelola, while inaugurating the taskforce on behalf of the governor, said the taskforce was put in place to ensure that no room was given to anyone to perpetrate evil in the state. He noted that the government has noticed influx of immigrants and worrisome behaviour of some citizens in recent times, hence, the need to strengthen security for the betterment of all and sundry.

PDP group asks Jonathan to declare for 2015 Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola (left), condoling with widow of Late Sir Michael Otedola, Doja, during a Condolence Visit by Committee of wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) to the Otedola family at Epe, Lagos State…yesterday

Ajimobi sacks Oyo council bosses Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

equel to the expiration of the tenure of the Caretaker Committee Chairmen in the 33 local government councils of Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLAs) to take over the administration of their respective councils. The directive was contained in a statement issued in Ibadan by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo. The last six-month tenure of the chairmen, which was renewed by the state House of Assembly, expired on May 8. Following the dissolution, a list of new caretaker chairmen, according to the statement, had been forwarded by the governor to the House of Assembly for ratification and approval. The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adebayo Ojo, had in

...directs HLAs to take over helms of affair

gave judgment in favour of Ladoja’s appointees and held that they were illegally and unconstitutionally sacked by Alao-Akala. The court declared their sack as null and void and ordered that all their entitlements up to 2008 be paid,” Adebayo said. Similarly, he said the chairman and members of OYSIEC imposed by AlaoAkala in office in 2007 also went to court in 2011 to challenge their removal from office by the current governor, Ajimobi, as a follow-up to the judgment obtained by the Ladoja’s OYSIEC men.

pressure group within the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Freedom Group, yesterday called on President Goodluck Jonathan to declare his interest in contesting the 2015 presidential election. A communiqué issued by the group at the end of its meeting in Offa yesterday, said it was certain the President would coast home to victory in the election as members of the group and others in the state would work assiduously for the victory. The group in a communiqué signed by Alhaji Tajudeen Kareem, and made available to journalists in Ilorin, said: “The Freedom Group – a pressure group within the state chapter of the PDP, Kwara State, is committed to total freedom from the political leadership and oppression of our people.”

The group, which held a meeting in Offa, on May 3 reviewed the state of the nation and developments in Kwara State, and arrived at some key resolutions, among which are. “Declaration of support for President Goodluck Jonathan in his efforts at addressing the national security challenges facing the nation, believing that God will see us through. We also urge the President to declare his interest in the 2015 Presidential election. “The group, working with PDP state and national structures, pledges to mobilise and work assiduously for his victory at the polls.” The communiqué also said it was in “support of the pragmatic political moves by the national leadership of the PDP led by Dr. Adamu Mu’azu, to re-instate the PDP officials and candidates in the Kwara State Local Government Council Elections in the October 2013 elections.”

a recent statement attributed the delay in the conduct of local government election in the state to legal, rather than political considerations. He explained that the legal constraints, which hindered the constitution of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), have made the conduct of the local government elections to be put in abeyance until a competent court of law pronounces on the matter. “In 2007, former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala unconstitutionally sacked members and Chairman

of OYSIEC appointed by his former boss, Senator Rashidi Ladoja and replaced them with his own protégés. “Chief Oyemomilara Okunola and others appointed by Senator Ladoja and who were sent packing by Alao-Akala thus filed an action at the High Court, Ibadan to challenge their unlawful removal from office because the constitution guaranteed them a fixed term of five years from 2003 to 2008. “Oyo State High Court per Hon. Justice P.O. Ige (as he then was) and now of the Court of Appeal,

Joe Ezuma Port Harcourt

Bayelsa decries abduction of Dutch nationals

he Bayelsa State Government yesterday expressed regrets over the kidnap of three Dutch nationals at Letugbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state, describing it as "an

unfortunate incident". This is coming as the state government said it has intensified its search with a view to getting the abductees freed by their captors. A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary

(CPS) to the governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said: “The government wishes to state for the records that, the three Dutch nationals were escorted into the Niger Delta, through Warri in Delta State, by a non-gov-

ernmental organisation (NGO), without any prior notice to the governments and security agencies of both Bayelsa and Delta states, not until they were abducted by the gunmen. “While, the Government

of Bayelsa State appreciates and welcome visitors, especially foreigners, it is important that, the government and security agencies are put on notice of such visits. But, sadly, this was not done in this case," he said.

South Africa to announce parliamentary election results today zz UN hails peaceful polls Ndubuisi Ugah with agency reports

he final results of South Africa’s parliamentary and provincial elections will be announced today as over 95 per cent of the votes have already been counted, authorities reported yesterday. Also, United Nations (UN) yesterday congratulated the people and government of South Africa on the peaceful conduct of parliamentary and provincial elections, amid reports of high voter turnout. The Deputy Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Terry Tselane, told journalists in Cape Town, that: “I am confident that we will be done by lunch time.” Tselane said the IEC had made arrangements to declare the results today. The IEC results showed that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) would continue to govern the country and eight provinces, with the Demo-

cratic Alliance (DA) holding on to the Western Cape. The ANC has between 62 per cent and 63 per cent of the overall vote, but it has lost about three per cent points in the race for votes for the National Assembly, compared with the 2009 elections. The DA has about 22 per cent of the votes, strengthening its position as the official opposition nationally. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has been by far the most successful newcomer, with close to six per cent of the vote, and is set to be the official opposition in North West and Limpopo. South Africans voted on Wednesday to elect the new National Assembly and provincial legislatures. Meanwhile, a statement issued by the UN Information Centre in Pretoria said "the UN Secretary-General applauds the determination of South Africans to participate meaningfully in the democratic system the country has fought so hard to establish.

Ex-SDP chieftains vow to deliver council to Aregbesola Mojeed Alabi

eaders of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and traditional chiefs in Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State have pledged their commitment to the re-election of Governor Rauf Aregbesola during the August 9 governorship election in the state. The Chairman of the party, and Otun Jagun of Ilobu, headquarters of the local government, Chief Daud Ademola Alabi, after a recent peace parley among party leaders in the community, said the community would to vote for

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Aregbesola in the election, while also revealing the people’s resolve to guard their votes against those he described as perpetual election riggers. Alabi commended the leadership of the party in the local government for the ongoing massive mobilisation within the party to ensure the victory of Aregbesola in the election. He specifically commended the party Chairman in the local government area, Mr. Abayomi Oyedeji, for what he described as his doggedness and loyalty amidst intimidations by various individuals and organisations.

UYO C’River PDP crisis deepens

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The cold war between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership in Cross River State and some stalwarts of the party, who are loyal to a governorship aspirant, Mr. Goddy Jeddy-Agba, deepened yesterday as the group accused the state Chairman of the party, Ntufam John Okon, of allegedly removing Jeddy-Agba’s name from the state’s register. The group, which calls itself Jeddy-Agba Support Network, led by the immediate past Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Sandy Onor, said the leadership might have tampered with the register, thus removing Jeddy-Agba’s name from the list. Addressing journalists in Calabar, Onor said: “Recently, you heard that the party registers across the state were carted away to a destination only the party leadership knows."

14%

The percentage share of South Korea’s arms purchase from the US between 2005 and 2009. Source: blatantworld.com

ZARIA Institute harps on training for defensive driving

The Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) Zaria, Kaduna State, yesterday advocated regular training for drivers on defensive driving in the country. The Director-General, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, made the call in a statement issued by Head, Press and Public Relations, NITT, in Abuja, Mr. Paul Mshelizah. Yusuf, spoke at the opening of two courses on defensive driving. It explained that the training would prepare drivers to consciously apply safe driving techniques, to identify hazardous situations posed by some drivers in a predictable manner.

IBADAN Alao-Akala mourns death of ex-aide

Former Oyo State Governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, has described the death of his former media aide, and a prominent Ibadan High Chief, Gbade Ishola, as very shocking and painful. Ishola died in Ibadan on Thursday, after a brief illness and had been buried yesterday. In his condolence message made available to New Telegraph, through his media consultant, Mr. Abraham Ojo, Alao-Akala described Ishola as “a seasoned administrator and a versatile, experienced and astute journalist.”

485,529

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Jordan in 2010. Source: Itu.int

1.34m

The total number of internet users in Uruguay in 2008. Source: blatantworld.com

US Army trains 100 Nigerian soldiers on warfare SECURITY To boost security in the Niger Delta region, 100 Nigerians undergone training by US Army Clement James Calabar

n its efforts to bolster security in the Niger Delta region, the United States Marine Corps, Africa Command, in collaboration with its Nigerian counterpart have completed the training of 100 Nigerian soldiers on warfare at the Amphibious Training School (ATS), in Calabar, Cross River State. The soldiers were trained on fire team formation, use of micro-terrain, preparation for combat, mission planning, shooting

position, casualty evacuation, among others. Speaking at the grand finale of the training session, which began on April 17 and ended yesterday, Commander of ATS, Brig. Gen. Enang Ukagu, said the objective of the training was to equip personnel of ATS with basic concept of amphibious and riverine operations. He said the mission of the training was to provide high level military intelligence and knowledge of combating sea piracy and other forms of illegalities around the riverine areas. “The objective of this training has been achieved and the soldiers are now combat ready to engage in any warfare with the enemy in the riverine areas. The U.S Marine Corps Africa has added value to the capacity building of the Nigerian Army, especially

in the amphibious and riverine operations. “I must commend the graduating soldiers for having gone through the three weeks intensive and rigorous training, may your efforts never be in vain,” he said. He also thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, for approving and providing funds for the training. On his part, Minimah, who was represented by the Director of Training, Army Headquarters, Abuja, Maj. Gen. Bamidele Ologundudu, said the Army under his leadership was making tremendous efforts in addressing the security challenges in the country. He said the collaborative training was a milestone in equipping Nigerian soldiers with the confidence of curbing com-

mon security challenges in the country. “Over the past decades, a few challenges facing the nation have been a threat to oil exploration and economic activities in the Niger Delta area. This is as a result of the activities of criminals, and some misguided elements,” he said. He said the success of deployment of soldiers to curtail insecurity in the area was dependent on effective training of personnel and the capability to deliver the necessary efforts. Leader of the US Marine, Capt. Peter Kennedy, commended the Nigerian Army for their discipline and hard work. Kennedy said he was looking forward to having more training partnership between the US Marine and the Nigerian Army.

Insurgency: NGE lauds US, France, China’s support Taiwo Jimoh

he United States, China and France have been commended for agreeing to intervene in the search for the abducted schoolgirls by the Boko Haram sect. Speaking at the 50th birthday anniversary of the founder of Journalist for Christ in Nigeria, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, President Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Femi Adesina, said: “It is long due for foreign assistant to combat the insurgent who

had hold the country into bondage for long.” Adesina, who is also the managing director of the Sun Newspaper, said: “With the intervention of the international community and the provision of military and other resources the abducted school girls w ill be freed. We don’t know what those had gone through medically and physiologically.” The event was put together by Veteran Welfare Group to celebrate the celebrant on his contributions to the development of journalism profession in Nigeria.

L-R: Secretary General, Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Musa Ahmadu; member, Mrs. Margaret Icheen; Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Maigari; Benue State Deputy Governor, Chief Steven Lawani and Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr. John Ngbede, during a courtesy call on Governor Gabriel Suswam, at Government House, Makurdi …yesterday

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YENAGOA ‘Ize-Iyamu, others’ defection bad omen’ N EWS I N BRIEF

FCT

JOS

The Interim National ex-officio officer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South, Mr. Miriki Ebikibina, yesterday expressed concern over the resignation of the former National ViceChairman of the party, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his followers, saying it is a great loss to the party in the region. Ebikibina, who said though the crises rocking the party in the last few weeks in some states were avoidable, said: “The resignation of Pastor Ize-Iyamu is sad, painful, worrisome and avoidable if the national leadership of the party had waded in the crises early due to the problems from the last state congresses.”

Plateau Muslim pilgrims board constitutes medical team

FCTA Development Control marks 20 houses for demolition The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has marked some 20 houses for demolition at Trademoore Estate, Airport Road, Abuja, as part of effort to control flooding in the area. Confirming the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja, the Public Relations Officer, FCT Development Control Department, Mr. Kalu Emetu, said the exercise became imperative because the houses were built on flood-prone area.

The Plateau State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board (PSMPWB) has set up a 15-member medical team that will provide health services to this year’s pilgrims during Hajj. The Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Salisu Musa, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday in Jos. He said: “The 15-man medical team comprised doctors, nurses and other health personnel to render effective medical services to pilgrims during Hajj.”

Ekiti guber: 285,000 voters yet to collect cards l Fayose urges indigenes in the Diaspora to transfer cards to LGs

Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said about 285,574 prospective voters in Ekiti State are yet to collect their permanent voter cards, barely one month to the conduct of the June 21 governorship election in the state. This is coming as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, asked the indigenes of the state living in Ondo State to transfer their voters’ cards to their respective local governments in order to vote for him in the election. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Al-

haji Halilu Pai, said about 347,741 of the cards had so far been collected since the commission began exchange of the temporary cards for permanent ones. The REC said if all the eligible voters collected their cards ahead of the June 21 poll, it then meant that about 634,315 would be able to cast their votes for their choice candidates. He said it was not in the interest of the commission or any of the governorship candidates for qualified voters to be disenfranchised through avoidable mistakes. The INEC boss described voter card as the only weapon with which individuals could choose candidates of their choice on the day of the poll. He, however, reminded

such people not to forget to bring along their temporary voter cards. Pai declared that no voter without the Permanent voter's card would be allowed to vote during the election, saying it pays to collect the card early rather than wait till the zero hour. The alarm by INEC is coming just as gubernatorial candidates of the various political parties begun house-to-house campaign, urging their supporters to make sure they collect their voter cards before the election day. The duo of Fayose and his counterpart in the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, confirmed that it was true a lot of eligible voters were yet to collect their permanent cards.

Meanwhile, Fayose, while speaking to Ekiti indigenes living in Ondo State, on Thursday night, said the best way for the people to express his love for him was to cast their votes for him. Fayose, who was flanked by his running mate, former deputy governors of the state, Dr. Sikiru Tae Lawal, Mrs. Abiodun Olujimi, his campaign Director General, Dipo Anisulowo, among others, also presented his running mate in the election, Dr. Ayodele Ojo, to the people of Ekiti living in Ondo State. Fayose said if only the people at the event could transfer their voters’ cards to the state, he would win the election.

12 ships laden with petroleum products, goods berth in Lagos

he Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), yesterday said 12 ships laden with petroleum products and other commodities have arrived at the Lagos ports. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the NPA in its daily publication, “Shipping Position”, as saying that seven of the ships were laden with petrol, while one ship had base oil. It said the remaining four ships brought in bulk rice, general cargo, wheat, and bulk sugar. According to the publication, 57 vessels carrying various items will sail into the ports between May 9

and 31. “Seven of the ships will arrive with petroleum products, while 25 ships carrying assorted goods will also berth at different terminals,” he said. It said 25 of the 57 ships carrying bulk wheat, general cargo, bulk malt, fertiliser, bulk rice, used vehicles, bulk fertiliser, crude, palm oil, rice in bags and gypsum would also berth at the ports. The publication also said 25 ships were currently discharging various items including petroleum products, cocoa beans, rice, fresh fish, crude, palm oil, truck heads and steel products.

Mark visits China for inter-parliamentary cooperation Chukwu David Abuja

enate President, Senator David Mark, and some Senators left Nigeria yesterday for the Peoples Republic of China on the invitation of the Chinese Parliament, where issues bordering on inter-parliamentary cooperation and the place of the legislature in strengthening and deepening democracy, especially between the two countries are expected to be discussed. A statement issued by Mark’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, said the President of the Chinese Parliament and Chairman of the country’s ruling National Peoples Congress (NPC) of China, Zhang Dejiang and his colleagues are playing host to their Nigerian counter-

parts in Beijing. Senators on Mark’s delegation include: Ganiyu Solomon (Minority Whip), Helen Esuene (Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs), Garba Babayo Gamawa (ViceChairman, Aviation), Isa Mohammed Galaudu (Vice-Chairman, Banking) Sonni Ogbuoji (Vice-Chairman, Appropriations) and former Senator Ibrahim Saminu Turaki. Mark had in September 2013 played host to Dejiang in Abuja, during which the latter extended invitation for him to visit China to further the inter-parliamentary cooperation between Nigeria and China. The statement, however, said the Senate President and his colleagues are expected back in Abuja on May 15.

Lawmaker advocates citizens’ coalition against terrorism Onwuka Nzeshi ABUJA

L-R: Managing Director, Nigeria Film Production, Dr. Danjuma Dada; Director General, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Patricial Bala and former Director, Kano State Censors Board, Ahmed Dahiru, during the closing ceremony of 2014 edition of the Zuma film production in Abuja…yesterday. PHOTO:TIMOTHY IKUOMENISA

63.1

The number of newspaper journalists per 1m inhabitants of China in 2005. Source: blatantworld.com

357,021

The total area (in sq. km) of Germany. Source: worldfactsandfigures.com

23%

The percentage of households with internet access at home in the world in 2007. Source: blatantworld.com

ollowing the current security challenges in the country, Nigerians have been tasked on the need to be united in the war against terrorism because the activities of the insurgents were serious threats to the survival of the country. Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Environment, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, who gave the charge, urged Nigerians to support the fight against the insurgency, abduction, bombings and other forms of terrorism against in Nigeria. Ekwunife who was reacting to the abduction saga at the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State lamented that the mass kidnap of the school girls could have been prevented if the au-

thorities of the school and the people in the vicinity of the school had been vigilante and ready to work with security agencies. “We must see this fight as a collective challenge requiring collective efforts aimed at its eradication. Whilst a huge responsibility is reposed on the security agencies in this regard, nevertheless we must pause to ask ourselves whether we are really living up to our responsibilities as custodians of our immediate environs. "It is disheartening to hear that trucks were brought in to carry such a huge number of helpless school girls from one point to another before getting to Sambisa forest regardless of the time of day without anyone seeing them. It shows lack of vigilance, paucity of information gathering and security awareness of our environment on the part of the residents," she said.

SEGUN EDWARDS olaedwards@yahoo.com 08111813095

Bharti Airtel to invest $1b in Africa annually

harti Enterprises founder and Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal has promised to invest $1 billion annually in its African operations over the next few years. Mittal, a co-chair at the just concluded World Economic Forum on Africa in Abuja, says his company intends to increase investment in its existing operations in 17 African countries rather than expand to newer markets. “We have made massive investments in 17 countries and we spend capital expenditures every year in excess of $1 billion is the plan,” Sunil Mittal was quoted as saying on the sidelines of the forum. Airtel began operations in Africa in 2010 after it took over operations from Kuwait’s Zain Telecom in a $10.7 billion acquisition deal. Airtel Africa currently represents one-third of Bharti Airtel’s business. In the last fiscal, Airtel made capital expenditure of $635 million in Africa, bringing its cumulative investment to $14,388 million in the fast-growing continent at the end of 2013-14. Its revenue however declined by 1.7 percent to $1.145 million during March quarter while net income from operations stood at $116 million compared to $103 million recorded in the previous quarter. It also registered a net loss of $124 million in Africa as compared to a loss of $91 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. According its Africa MD/CEO, Christian de Faria, the quarter was “impacted by the seasonal downturn in parts of Africa and regulatory interventions in Nigeria.”

Companies & Stock 10 MAY 2014

Union Bank: Profit down on Q3 impact

nion Bank closed last year’s operations with a significant profit depletion figure down from the third quarter level. The bank reported an after tax profit of N7.58 billion in the third quarter, closing the year with a net profit of N5.46 billion. The last quarter disappointment was a repetition of the preceding year’s earnings records. An unpredictable earnings performance has been the feature of the bank’s operations for the third year running. The promises held by third quarter profit numbers have been rubbished each year by final quarter developments since 2011. Such wide swings in the bank’s earnings performance has raised the risk level of its equities. Profit from total operations came to N5.46 billion for the bank at the end of 2013. Based on the revised figures for the preceding year, net profit improved by 32 per cent in the year. Profit growth was much stronger from continuing operations at 53.7 per cent to N6.07 billion from a revised figure for 2012. Actual profit figure from continuing operations is significantly off its full year projection of N10.4 billion for Union bank in 2013. The bank lost track with its third quarter growth rate upon which full year projection was based. The ability to convert revenue into profit collapsed in the final quarter. Net profit margin fell from 9.5 per cent at the end of the third quarter to 5.0 per cent at full year, one of the lowest profit

Udo Udoma... Union Bank chairman Union Bank Group Results Highlights 2013

2012

Gross Earnings

N103b

N96b

Interest Income

N79b

N81b

Net Interest Income

N55b

N59b

Operating Expenses

N57b

N71b

Profit Before Tax

N4.2b

N3.4b

Profit For The year

N5.1b

N3.2b

margins in the banking sector in the year. Its revised profit figure for 2012 indicates an improvement in net profit margin from 3.4 per cent in the prior year. The loss of profit capacity in the third quarter happened against an improvement in revenue growth during the period. Revenue growth accelerated in the final quarter from N79.85 bil-

lion at the end of the third quarter in September to N121.40 at the end of the financial year. This means that well over one-third of the bank’s gross income in 2013 was earned in the final quarter. Gross earnings improved by 3.6 per cent in 2013, showing a major slowdown from the growth of 37.7 per cent in 2012. The bank managed to sustain its recovery in revenue for the second year in 2013. Its gross income had fallen by almost 35 per cent in 2011 from the peak figure of N130.4 billion in 2010. Actual revenue figure for the bank in 2013 was 12 per cent above our full year projection of N108.4 billion for it in 2013.

Africa Prudential Registrars leaps profit for second year

or Africa Prudential Registrars, formerly UBA Registrars, it leaped in strong growth in profit for the second year in 2013. The performance follows a strong growth in revenue and some moderation in operating costs. This is another strong improvement following the near tripling of net profit in the preceding year. Though, upsurge in tax provision depressed the company’s profit margin. The share registration services company closed its 2013 operations with an after tax profit of N914 million representing, an increase of 62.6 per cent over the 2012 figure. Its after tax profit had nearly tripled in 2012 to N562 million. Profit growth follows equally strong growth in revenue at 79.3 per cent to N1.85 billion in 2013. This is an accelerated growth from the 70.6 per cent improvement recorded in 2012. The spur for the revenue growth came from fees and commissions income, which soared from N96 million in 2012 to N775 million at the end of 2013. Investment income, which is the

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

Africa Prudential Registrars 2013 Results

Peter Ashade

main revenue line for the company, also rose by 13.1 per cent to N938 million during the year. There was a decline in net profit margin during the year from 54.4 per cent in 2012 to 49.3 per cent in 2013. The decline was exclusively accounted for by an upsurge in tax liability for the year by over 181 per cent to N298 million. Total operating expenses moderated relative to revenue at an increase of 75.4 per cent compared to the 79.3 per cent growth in revenue. That permit-

2013

2012

Revenue

N1,854.3b

N1,034.1b

Expenses

N642.1m

N366.5m

Profit Before Tax

N1,212b

N667.5m

Profit After Tax

N914.5m

N561.6m

ted pre-tax profit to grow ahead of revenue at 81.7 per cent to N1.21 billion. The company earned 46 kobo per share in 2013, a decline from the 56 kobo per share it earned in 2012. The decline is explained by the doubling of the volume of shares outstanding in the course of the year. The company, which was listed in the Nigerian Stock Exchange in January 2013, issued an additional one billion shares in the course of the year. The company has proposed a dividend of 35 kobo per share for its shareholders. The sharp increase in investment income during the year reflects a major build-up of shortterm deposits by about 144 per cent to N8.81 billion. This more than compensated for a decline of over

41% in financial assets held to maturity. The company took a good advantage of the prevailing high interest rates in the money market to boost its earnings. The company boasts of a robust cash flow position with over N11.2 billion in customer deposits. This figure represents a big leap of 104.4 per cent from the closing figure in the preceding year. The deposits represent dividends, return monies and other interest received from clients but yet to be claimed. Net cash flow generated from operating activities advanced by 82.9% to N6.94 billion. Net cash used for investing activities amounted to N4.67 billion while the company’s new issue generated a net cash inflow of N1.12 billion from financing activities against a net cash utilization of N3.61 billion in the preceding year. The company boasts of an equity capital standing of N4.33 billion and an asset base of N16.42 billion. Its earnings outlook for the current year appears promising, as it is expected to rebuild its earnings per share and with that also raise dividend capacity.

EDI launches African economic data service

lobal data provider, Exchange Data International has unveiled the African Economic Data Service (AFED), for organisations and investors seeking to invest in Africa towards enabling access on macroeconomic and financial data for all 54 countries on the continent in one spot. AFED will enable clients efficiently compare sources on the same indicator, and all data collected is normalised and classed into 13 main groups including National Accounts, Inflation, Prices & Wages, Government & Society and Politics. CEO at EDI, Jonathan Bloch said the AFED was created based on the gap perceived in the market for a consolidated source of macroeconomic data that will help support investor’s in making investment decisions. The macroeconomic database currently covers more than 15,000 key economic and financial data indicators from 89 multilateral sources. These include Investment Real GDP by sector, domestic and external debt, grants, Consumer Prices, employment figures and industry related indicators such as gold and car production. These figures are published by the source leaving clients the choice to adjust if required. Subscribers can retrieve any and all data points of interest, whether directly from the online platform or via MS Excel using AFED’s integrated plug-in.

Glo takes Mobile Money to Pharmacists

lobacom’s mobile money service, which runs on the network’s TextCash platform, has been described as the veritable tool to fasttrack the implementation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s cash-less policy. Making a presentation to members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN)’s 2014 Annual Luncheon held at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos recently, Globacom’s head of Mobile Money, Mr. Esaie Diei said that Glo partnered with the PSN to facilitate the Society members’ adoption of the tradition of doing business on the move and without cash, which is what the cash-less policy is all about. He noted that mobile money would help PSN members’ businesses to grow and expand as they use the mobile money platform to transfer money, pay bills, pay customers, receive payments and monitor their businesses or personal accounts. “Mobile money makes financial transactions easy and quick, real time and truly mobile in a fast moving economic environment like Nigeria,” he said.

What would you do if your child is abducted? p.12

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Businessman seeks divorce from wife for converting children to Christianity

Aluu 4: Accused admits hitting murdered students with stick Joe Ezuma Port Harcourt

kechukwu Louis Amadi, a.k.a. Kapoon , the third accused person standing trial in the alleged murder of four undergraduates of University of Port Harcourt, on Thursday admitted in court to using stick to hit the deceased during the mob attack that led to their death. The students were killed by a mob it at Umuokiri community, Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State in October 2012. Amadi , one of those standing trial for the alleged killing, admitted to partaking in the incident that led to the death of the students during cross examination in the trial within trial by the lead prosecutor, Mr. Rufus Godwins. However, Amadi employed drama before admitting his involvement as he laboured to ensure that he maintained his stance that he was not part of the crime. For over 30 minutes, the accused held the court to ransom as he refused to admit that he actually used the stick to hit the students as

shown in a video clip. He severally told the court that he saw himself in the video using the stick to chase people away from his house veranda and not hitting the boys. This is the third time the video clip was shown in court. It took the intervention of the trial judge, Justice Letam Nyordee, to let him understand that the court was in a serious business before he admitted that he was actually involved in the act. Justice Nyordee had ordered a trial within trial of the statement of the 3rd accused after his counsel, represented by I. M. Briggs, told the court that Amadi was coerced at gunpoint and with inducement by the police to sign his statement. He prayed the court to reject the statement as it was signed under duress. In his submissions after crossexamination, Godwins, who is also the Solicitor-General of the state, prayed the court to admit the statement relying on Section 135 sub 1 and Section 136 sub 1, respectively of the Evidence Act. He argued that defence counsel failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that his client was coerced

into signing the statement. Godwins further submitted that the accused discredited himself under cross-examination when he rigmarole from one point to the other. He prayed the court to hold that the statement was made voluntarily and mark it as evidence in the trial. During examination and crossexamination, the PW1, Supol Raphael Ezechi, told the court that Amadi volunteered information to the investigation team after the video clip was played to him at the police station. He insisted that the accused was neither coerced nor induced to make his statement. The judge later adjourned the matter to May 22 and June 12, respectively for ruling on the statement and continuation of trial. Earlier, the judge in his ruling admitted the statement of the second accused person, ex-Sergeant Lucky Orji, on April 10, 2014, under Section 292 of the Evidence Act. He admitted and marked the statement of October 11 and 14, 2012 as Exhibit G’ and ‘G1’, respectively, while the attestation made on April 16 the same year was admitted and marked as ‘G1a.’

Woman pours liquid substance on ex-husband’s genitals

n Ilorin Magistrates’ Court on Friday remanded a 35-year-old woman, Fausat Yakub, in prison for allegedly attacking her ex-husband, Tunde Idris, with a dangerous liquid substance, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. The prosecutor, Cpl. Sanni Abdullahi, told the court that the accused poured a liquid sub-

stance suspected to be a chemical on the victim’s body. He said the incident which took place on April 25, at Iyana Share, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara, seriously affected Idris’s genitals. He said the substance caused some degree of burns on other parts of the victim’s body. The prosecutor said Idris was

attacked when he took dinner to his two children, adding that he was lying critically ill in a hospital. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, and Magistrate Mariam Mogaji ordered her to be remanded in prison. She adjourned the case to May 16, for mention.

businessman, Mr. Saliu Adesokan, 50, on Friday prayed an Igando Customary, Lagos, to dissolve his 17-year-old marriage to his wife, Jumoke Adesokan, for converting his children to Christianity, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. He said that his wife always took his children to church, making them to abandon his own religion. “I enrolled my children in an Islamic school but my wife withdrew them from the school and she was taking them to church. “My wife has turned my house into a battle field because she is always fighting with her step daughters. “She detests my children and was always fighting them as if they were her rival,” he alleged. The petitioner said that he was fed up with the marriage of 13 years due to her bad conduct, but when he discovered that she was pregnant, he had to withdraw the suit. According to him, Jumoke does not take care of him, she does not cook or wash his clothes. He urged the court to dissolve the union because he was no longer in love with her, therefore not interested in the marriage. The respondent, Mrs. Jumoke Adesokan, 45, trader, told the court that she did not convert the children to Christianity, that they always went to her church with her because of free music training.

“My step daughters are making life miserable for me they turned me into a punching bag. If I report them to my husband, what he always says is that ‘leave them, they will soon go to their husband’s houses,’ he will not even scold them,” she said. According to her, Saliu had divorced his first two wives claiming that they had bad conduct. Jumoke said that it was now her own turn to be discarded by her husband. She explained that it was her husband that told her to stop cooking and washing his clothes, saying that he preferred his daughters to cook and wash his clothes. Jumoke urged the court not to grant her husband’s wish because she was still in love with him. The court president, Mr R.I. Adeyeri, adjourned the case till May 19 for further hearing.

Husband demands N425,000 as wife prays for marriage dissolution

farmer, Gudaru Woruduwaru, on Friday at Okuta Area Court in Kwara, demanded N425, 000 as claim from his wife, Sake, who sought dissolution of their three-month old marriage. Woruduwaru, who presented the claim before the court sitting in Okuta in Baruten Local Government Area, said the claim was the money he spent on marriage rites between him and his estranged wife. The items listed by the respondent included, a cow, bundles of clothes, bags of rice, pairs of shoes, body cream and dowry. Sake had prayed the court to dissolve their three-month old union on the ground of “no more love,” the News Agency of Nigeria reports. The plaintiff said that she had

never met the respondent in person before the marriage, stating that the union was facilitated through the representatives of their two families. The teenage wife noted that, “he is not the kind of person I had wished to marry. Please separate us.” But when the husband presented his claim, the wife described it as too outrageous, saying her husband did not pay up to that. Sake then presented a counterclaim, saying that she had distributed 10 plastic basins to members of their household as a new wife. She also sought to claim all kitchen utensils she took to the matrimonial home. While the two parties agreed on some items in their claims, they however disagreed on some others.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 May 2014

STREET DIARY

Man, 35, bags 21 years-jail term for robbery

Manko

Police deny kidnap, killing of pupils in Lagos schools

Juliana Francis he Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, yesterday dispelled the rumour making the round that 20 pupils from two different schools had been abducted and killed by kidnappers. Manko, who spoke through the police Spokesperson in the state, Ngozi Braide, said he was disappointed that some people could use social media platform to raise false alarm and create panic in the state. There was a rumour making the round on Thursday that some kidnappers had stormed Premier Groups of Schools, Mushin, and kidnapped 10 pupils. It was learnt that parents besieged the school to ensure safety of their children after a social media platform had reported the hoax kidnap of the pupils. Just as the police were trying to reassure worried parents yesterday that the news was a false alarm, another report emanated again from social media, alleging that Boko Haram had killed 10 pupils of Baruwa Primary School, Surulere. On the premises of Premier Group of Schools, some angry parents who met with Braide expressed their anger and disappointment over the use of social media by some Nigerians. The school authority denied that its pupils were kidnapped; adding that the rumour started since Wednesday around 5pm, adding the roll calls of the pupils showed that none of its 700 pupils was missing. Braide, who went in company with some journalists, said: “As you can all see, we’re in the school and nothing happened. We however want to use this opportunity to appeal to the parents to cooperate with the police and not to believe rumour mongers. People just sat somewhere and concocted that story. If anybody heard such a story and needed to confirm or give information to the police, they should call 08065154338, 08063299264 and my own number 08115557885.

“We have enough security men on the ground and security has equally been beefed up. We do not envisage any problem in Lagos because security is very tight in the state. We should learn to use the social media responsibly.” Also fielding question on the frenzy that had caught up with Lagos citizens who kill and set ablaze any suspected kidnappers, Braide said: “It’s wrong for people to take laws into their hands. Journalists should educate Nigerians about this. Today at Shasha area of the state, a mob attacked a man and almost lynched him. He was taking a two-year-old girl to school. The girl like most kids didn’t want to go to school and was crying. When people saw the man with the crying child, they attacked him with stones and sticks. “He was almost killed but the Baale called the police, who rescued the man. The parents of the girl later came, explaining that they were the one who begged the man to assist them take the girl to school.” She said the command would not take kindly to people taking laws into their hands, adding that someone would soon be used as a scapegoat to serve as a deterrent to others. One of the parents, Mrs. Rosemary Anugwala, a businesswoman, who has three kids in Premier schools, said she was still in shock that a popular radio station could broadcast the rumour without verifying its authenticity. She said: “I’m a businesswoman. I was in my shop when I heard on the radio that 10 pupils were kidnapped from Premier Group of Schools. I asked myself, which Premier schools? I rushed out, leaving everything in the shop. I was shocked and shivering. I can’t even begin to say how angry I was when I got to the school to see the children in class receiving lessons. I have three children in this school. The youngest is in crèche. That rumour was an expensive one.” Another parent, Mr. Nuga Babatunde, who has four kids in the school, said he only got to know about the rumour after he received

a text message from the school, that it wanted to address the issue. “I have been patronising the school for 14 years now. One of my kids will be graduating this year. I only came to fulfil all righteousness,” he added. Vice Principal of the school, Mr. Femi Orile, said they were shocked on Wednesday to see a parent dashing into the school, saying that she heard 10 pupils had been kidnapped. According to him, as the parent was assured that the pupils were safe, another parents dashed in, adding that this prompted the school to send text messages to the parents. He added: “Today, parents trouped in, but nothing happened in this school. Security is tight; someone is just trying to tarnish the image of this school.” The Executive Director of the school, Mr. Abraham Martins, said: “We have a transport system and students who don’t use it, are brought to school by their parents. We don’t release kids to anybody except their parents and those we know. We have top notch security in this school.” The police also said nobody had reported any case of children being “massacred” at Baruwa Primary school to them.

Jos High Court on Friday sentenced 35-yearold David Habila to 21 years imprisonment for armed robbery. Habila stood trial for attacking and robbing one Dr. Jasper Faya of Sabon Barki area of Jos South Local Government of Plateau of valuables on December 23, 2008. Justice C.L. Dabup sentenced Habila to 21 years imprisonment without an option of fine, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. Dabup said that the court was convinced that the accused committed the offence of robbery as proved by the prosecution. He said that the evidences presented before the court by the prosecution had convinced the court beyond reasonable doubt that the accused was guilty of the offence. Reviewing the proceeding before judgment, Dabup said that the prosecution was able to prove that Habila attacked his victim at his residence in Sabon Barki at 9:30pm on the fateful day with a stick and knife. He said that following the attack the accused made away with his victims laptop, video camera, a sum of N2, 000 and a Nokia E-66 handset.

Relying on the police First Information Report (FIR), he said that the accused was traced to his residence five days later through a phone call placed through the stolen phone. “One of the employees working in the victim’s company, Ruth, called the line with her own phone and the accused answered upon which she made an appointment to meet with him. “In the process, he scheduled an appointment with her, giving his location which was passed to the police. “When apprehended at the address by the police, the accused claimed to have bought the phone off somebody but was unable to produce the receipt,” he said. The judge pointed out that all the evidences pointed to him, and accordingly found him guilty of the offence under Section 1(2a) of the criminal code under the Robbery and Firearms Act. However, in sentencing him, the Judge took cognisance of the six years already spent in detention following the plea of his counsel, Mr. D.M. Kolo. He therefore reduced the actual period to be spent in jail to 15 years.

Police deny kidnap, killing of pupils in Lagos schools Juliana Francis

he Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, yesterday dispelled the rumour making the round that 20 pupils from two different schools had been abducted and killed by kidnappers. Manko, who spoke through the police Spokesperson in the state, Ngozi Braide, said he was disappointed that some people could use social media platform to raise false alarm and create panic in the state. There was a rumour making the round on Thursday that some kidnappers had stormed Premier Groups of Schools, Mushin, and kidnapped 10 pupils. It was learnt that parents besieged the school to ensure safety of their children after a

social media platform had reported the hoax kidnap of the pupils. Just as the police were trying to reassure worried parents yesterday that the news was a false alarm, another report emanated again from social media, alleging that Boko Haram had killed 10 pupils of Baruwa Primary School, Surulere. On the premises of Premier Group of Schools, some angry parents who met with Braide expressed their anger and disappointment over the use of social media by some Nigerians. The school authority denied that its pupils were kidnapped; adding that the rumour started since Wednesday around 5pm, adding the roll calls of the pupils showed that none of its 700 pupils was missing.

Man arraigned for alleged drug trafficking

40-year-old man, Amaobi Okoye, was on Friday brought before a Federal High Court, Lagos, for attempting to export one Kilogramme of cocaine. Okoye, who resides in Ketu Area of Lagos, pleaded not guilty to a one-count of drug trafficking, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. The prosecutor, Mr. Afum Obeta, told the court that the accused committed the alleged offence on April 20, at the departure hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. He said that the accused

unlawfully possessed one Kilogramme of cocaine, an illicit drug. Obeta said that the alleged offence contravened Section 11 (a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation 2004. He told the court to remand the accused in prison custody

pending the determination of the case. Counsel to the accused, Mr. Sunday Okwor, however, asked the court to grant bail to the accused on liberal terms. Okwor supported the bail application with a nine-paragraph affidavit. However, the prosecutor opposed the bail application with a 13-paragraph counteraffidavit. Justice Mohammed Yunusa, consequently, adjourned the case to May 27 for ruling on the bail application. The accused was remanded in prison custody.

Voices

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 MAY 2014

Street Diary

What would you do if your child is abducted? It is a tough one to handle

I will support the government’s effort

Ah! Abduction, that’s a serious one. Nobody will be happy, either abduction or kidnapping. A Yoruba adage says omo eni ku san ju omo eni nu lo which literally translates: if a child is reported dead, it is psychologically more relieving than when reported missing. I don’t know how I will handle it, but I only pray that God should not allow it to happen to anybody.

I will feel deeply sad and will look forward to seeing my child again. I will also try and support the government to search for the abductors by providing necessary information to the security agencies.

(Esther Atokunbo – businesswoman)

I will pray for Allah’s intervention

God forbids that I will find myself in such frustrating condition. However, only Allah can rescue and save. It is not very easy because we are not in that condition that is why we can question ourselves. We are not the victims so we really don't know how they feel but I tell you this, it is not easy at all.

(Mrs. Ibrahim Madina, housewife)

I will resort to prayer

It is better imagine than to experience it. It’s going to be a great shock. I am putting myself in the shoes of those whose children were abducted; it is so tough and mentally tortuous. If it comes to that state, the only thing I would do is resort to serious prayer so that God can appeal to the hearts of the perpetrators.

(Sunday Adenekan, Biochemist)

I will fight to have the abductors nabbed

I will not be happy at all but then I will fight back in my own capacity to make sure the abductors are nabbed. I will make sure the Federal Government works on its security agencies because both the old and young are not safe again in this country.

(Emma Brown, driver)

It is frightening to lose anyone to abductors or kidnappers and how much more frightening it will be to lose a blood relation. It is not an experience to share and I pray God softens the mind of the abductors to release our missing daughters.

(Dede Monica, executive assistant)

I could lose my mind. In fact, I would lose my mind. It's definitely painful to imagine my kids being kidnapped or abducted.

I will provide adequate security for my child

I cannot stand it hence I will try to prevent the occurrence by providing enough security for my child. He should not be walking alone, he should not go to wrong places and above all I will pray to God who is the supreme provider of security.

It is psychologically traumatic

(Blessing Raphael, businesswoman)

pleasant

I could go insane

(Ojomu Ademola, principal technologist)

I don’t pray that my child should be abducted. It is not easy for a woman to go through nine months pregnancy and just wake up one day you discover that the child has been abducted. It is psychologically traumatic and this can kill. But I pray that it won’t happen to me. In this present case of the abducted students, I wish that everybody prays to God to intervene in this protracted hostage.

It’s not a experience

(Emanuel medical doctor)

It is only God’s help

I will go to the mountain, fast and pray and commit the matter into God's hands. At that level, it is only God that can help.

(Chinyere Uroko, trader)

(Demola Abimbolu, works with an Insurance company)

I will pray to God

There is nothing physically I can do; so it is in two ways. First thing is to pray to God who gave me the child at the first instance to help rescue him or her. I would also leave the rest in the hands of the security agents to do their job and I would be hopeful she or he comes back home soon without any harm.

(Oladupupo Onikoyi, student, University of Lagos) Resort to prayer

This situation can be very frustrating, I feel pity for the parents of the victims and I sympathise with them. This is an evil act, because no parent can bear the pain of losing a child or knowing that such child has been kidnapped or being molested. God is our only hope because the government is doing absolutely nothing, if I was in such condition I can only pray and hope but I tell you it is not easy.

(Bello Rasheedat, teacher)

No peace for the security agencies

Firstly, I hate losing my valuables not to talk of human being. As much as I believe very strongly in prayers I won't allow the appropriate authorities to be at rest until my baby is produced. Thus we implore the Nigerian security to do more to secure the freedom of our missing jewels of Chibok, and many others too.

(Mrs. Atinuke Alabi, nurse)

It should not happen to me

God forbid it; I can't even think of anything for now. I pray it would never happen to me.

(Mrs. Titilayo Ogungbesan, a banker)

Owobu,

I will pray for God’s intervention

Psychologically, it won’t be an easy task. Like what is happening in the North, this can happen to anybody but I don’t wish to experience this. But if it happens, the only thing I will do is to pray to God to touch their hearts because I believe in the efficacy of prayer and that there’s nothing that God cannot do.

(Emmanuel technologist)

Okoh,

laboratory

Only God can help

I will pray to God to save my child because the situation of security in the country now is all man for himself. There is very little that security operatives can do to find missing people in this country. It is even worst when the kidnap is not for ransom. If it is for ransom, one w o u l d pay the ransom. But abduction for ritual purposes and all other purposes, only God can help us.

(Miss. Afoma Mordi, unemployed graduate) I will seek God’s intervention

This is a very serious question, well, I reject it in the name of Jesus as none of my children will be abducted. I feel pity for parents in this situation because I know that it is not easy. I can't do much all I need is God’s intervention because on my own I am helpless.

(Joseph Apeh, Engineer) compiled by

Mojeed Alabi, Olushola Ricketts, camillius nnaji, samuel eda elijah AND Victoria Ewoh

Instyle Eclectic ankara print styles p.16 Travel A makeover soon for Badagry slave port p.42

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10 MAY 2014

C o n v e r s at i o n

Tilewa Adebajo

The view from inside Stationery Stores “I remember crying so much when Stores lost the Challenge Cup final to NEPA. I can’t recall the year now, but I was inconsolable..”

ADEBAYO

Tilewa Adebajo strikes you straightaway with his down-to-earth engaging personality. The son of Israel Adebajo, the man who founded Stationery Stores, one of the most iconic and beloved football clubs in Nigeria, Tilewa relives the memory of growing up in that exhilarating Flaming Flamingoes era. He also speaks on his plans for the club now they are back in the league, his investment banking career, TV and radio talk show and much more in this encounter with Vincent Eboigbe Involvement in football

environment

Football has been a part of my life from the beginning. There are pictures of me when I was a kid with my dad at the stadium; that will tell you for how long I’ve been going to the stadium. It is something I grew up with, something that has been a part of my life. I have a passion for football, not only watching football, managing football but also coaching football. Yes my dad was involved in the game, but I also had to develop a passion for the game. I have followed it from when I was young; I played football for my school, played for my university. I’ve had a passion for football from way back. I go to most World Cups, I started going to World Cup in 1982 in Spain.

Well, you really don’t realise it. I was a kid so couldn’t appreciate it. But I knew the players, used to go to trainings with them. What was fun for me was that I lived in Apapa and the players had their camp then in Apapa, so any time I finished school early I will go to their camp and just be with them, watch them in training and on Saturdays when they are going for the matches I get to the camp early and jump into the bus to the stadium. Sometimes, I wait for them outside the house and they pick me up, and afterwards they drop me at home because my house was near the camp. Sometimes I’m there on the bench. That is how I came to love the game, even crying when we lose. I remember crying so much when Stores lost the Challenge

Growing up in that exciting Stores

Cup final to NEPA. I can’t recall the year now, but I was inconsolable. The curator of the team lived with us then and so the team shirts were in my house, they wash them there and we used the old discarded shirts in our own local team.

but the game started going down because people who administered the game started using boardroom politics to decide matches. So you didn’t have to win matches on the pitch, boardroom points were now the in thing. Before then matches were open, you could go away and win games but all that changed. Sani Toro and Abdulmumuni Aminu killed football in Nigeria. I saw what was happening and I knew that Stores wasn’t going to survive in this kind of environment. So I went to the amateur league and started coaching my team and we won the league three years in a row nationally. That was when I set up Flaming Flamingoes.

Decline of Stationery Stores

When I came back to Nigeria, Mr Sola Idowu was the sole financier of the club and Stores went on relegation and the way things were in Nigerian football I didn’t see any future in the game because the game was on a downward slide in the country after we qualified for the World Cup in the USA. You’ll recall that it was the league that was professionalised in 1990 that ensured we made it to the World Cup in the United States and then four years later in France,

The Gloria Adebajo connection

Let me tell you something people don’t realise: Stationery Stores is a limited liability company. It is Stationery Stores Football Club, registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. It has its board, shareholders etc.; now when you have that kind of situation it guarantees continuity, but people chose to ignore that fact and that is why I CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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‘We’ll list Stationery Stores on the Stock Ex never got involved with them because anything they were doing was not legal. The issues were a non-issue really because the board never met to ratify anything. I didn’t have any issues, but someone (Gloria Adebajo) was going around claiming that they owned the club. I didn’t pay any attention to what was going on then. She didn’t have the capacity to run the club and in the end she showed it. She ran the club aground. I decided I wasn’t getting involved in running the club at that time because I believed we were not ready for that kind of football in Nigeria. But when we were ready the first thing was to set up the board and the individual you are talking about is not even on the board of the club, so it is impossible for her to come and take any decision, she owns less than one percent of the shares. Because she owns one percent she can’t now come and say ‘it is my father’s club’. ‘No it is not your father’s club’; it is a limited liability company that has a board of directors. As it is now we have proper corporate governance within the club and it runs properly as a limited liability company, so nobody can come and try some funny business. Stationery Stores’ passionate, loyal fan base

What we have is a very powerful brand, an extremely powerful brand that has a lot of resonation with people and this has to do with the joy the club has brought Lagosians over the years. When people found out that the club has gone into a decline there was a lot of pressure, people got sad. But what I discovered is that when you have a powerful brand you need to be able to structure it and take it to the next level. Unfortunately, Stationery Stores was not able to make that transition at that time from a populist club with huge followership and take it to the next level. The reason was simple, at that time it was just a single individual sponsoring the club, we didn’t have the right corporate governance structure in place. What we have done now is put the proper structures in place. Luckily for us at that time Nigerian football, the league particularly, also went down. The people who were in charge of football then, Abdulmumuni and Sani Toro, those were the architect of the destruction of the league, started playing politics with the league, using boardroom points to decide the winners of the league at the end of the season. That was when they relegated Stores and I decided that Nigerian league was dead and I told them that they’ve killed the game. That was at the height of the June 12 crisis; how could any team have travelled for matches? They relegated us, but I wasn’t worried because the decline had set in then. Nobody was going to the stadiums anymore. That was when most of the clubs were owned by state governments; now Rivers State owns two clubs, the same with Abia - clubs that are being funded by tax payers’ money. All those clubs are not interested in returns; the governors just give them money, tax payers’ money. I couldn’t survive in that situation. But now we have a situation where they are signing TV deals. You know that Nigeria is the only country where clubs don’t want television in their stadiums because they can’t

engage in their underhand tactics. You saw the match where they scored 67 nil. If there was a camera there that would not have been possible. But when Irabor came with LMC with a vision for a way forward, that was when I called the board and said let’s get a slot maybe in the Nigeria National League to start with and progress from there. It may take us more than one or two seasons to get back to the Premier League, but by the time we get back then we will be fully ready. The ultimate goal is that as soon as we get to the Premier League we are going to list the club on the Nigeria Stock Exchange. That is what will ensure our continuity; once you list on the Exchange the future of the club will be guaranteed, because we will now have transparency, accountability, financing and strong management to deliver results. I want to be the pioneer club to do this. That is my goal and the structure we have put in place will help us get there. Stores, Shooting Stars match and rekindling the old rivalries

For us that match sent a strong message, and I’m happy that Irabor was at the stadium that day. When he saw the crowd, his reaction was ‘how do you do it?’ Even our last match against First Bank also saw a huge turnout and most of the fans were Stores’ fans. Interestingly we have not even started the publicity yet. In terms of crowd attendance we have the record; no Premier League side has been able to draw the kind of crowd that we have attracted. Wait until Bendel Insurance come to play in Lagos and we publicise the match. My goal is to fill Onikan Stadium when Bendel Insurance comes to town. These are the rivalries that people look forward to. There is the Liverpool – Man United rivalry in England. In those days when Stores played Rangers, Alaba Market, Idumota by 12 noon would have closed down. The potential is there but we need to nurture it, structure it and arrange it. But, more importantly, we need to get the generation who came to stadium with their parents and the generation that doesn’t even know anything about Stores but have only heard stories, involved. We need to capture those generations who are the Don Jazzy and Nollywood generation. We need to use Nollywood, the hip-hop artistes - Davido, D’banj, Naeto C and the rest of them - to help us attract the young people by wearing our jersies. That is the entertainment generation and we will use that to get them. The old people are already very happy, because since we came back they have been coming to the stadium. But there is a challenge, we need to improve the infrastructure because the stadium is not what it should be, we need to upgrade it and make it a family affair so that people can bring their families and their children and be entertained. We need to incorporate half time entertainment to make it look like a carnival like atmosphere. Crowd violence, insecurity at stadiums

The way we are going about it is not to agitate people. The people that killed football in the country are the referees and match commissioners. For instance, in our match against First Bank on April 27, I left the stadium in disgust because of what the

referee was doing. I knew that referee had been compromised; I can react in that particular way by leaving the stadium, but the guy who paid his hard earned money is angry and wants to vent. But these things can be easily controlled. We have a registered supporters club which had organised all our supporters. You have stewards in matches and they were the ones that brought the situation under control in the First Bank game, not the police; the police panicked. You must give people the right to protest, my people wanted to protest against the referee, they were not fighting, they were only shouting. What I say is let them vent their frustration at the referee and nothing further will happen, but it was the police that overreacted. It was the calls that the referee made that killed the match; corruption is rampant in the game. Now when First Bank come to Onikan to play us what happens? So I am saying let supporters vent if they are aggrieved and it will just end at shouting. Some of my people tell me ‘chairman I have been working the entire week just to be able to save N500 and I borrowed another N500 to come to the stadium’ now if such people feel some form of injustice they will react, that is the passion we are talking about. What we need to do is to channel that passion in a positive way. That is what we are doing at Stores; the skirmishes in the game against First Bank even happened because it was away; at Onikan we brief our stewards, our supporters, club representatives so there is always no problem at our home games. That is what we are trying to do to get families to watch our matches. That is what other clubs must also do. Look at the game against Shooting Stars; nothing happened in spite of the massive crowd. You could say we won and everybody was happy but we lost against ABS and nobody caused any trouble because they saw that we lost fairly. The police are not used to crowd control, they are not trained. At Agege last Sunday when I was leaving I had to tell the stadium manager to open the gates, it was already 15 minutes to the end - that is FIFA regulation. Government owning clubs

Clubs can survive without the governments. The South African League is valued so highly, the shirt sponsorship alone fetches them $100m yearly. The TV right is there so all in all you are looking at 800m given their population. IMG is trying to organise the league in India and it was valued at $300m, but in our case the valuation should be between $1.8b to $2bn given our population, but if you are not able to unlock the potential that is a problem, that is where my investment banking background is coming to play. The sponsors are here. The turnover of MTN alone is over N60b every month, they don’t make that kind of money in South Africa but look at the kind of investment they make in South Africa compared to what they make from there. If they spend a fraction of what they spend in South Africa, we won’t be talking the way we are now, but MTN is frustrated on how to go about it because they are talking to government and government has its own money and political agenda and is not ready to be given any conditions. If I see my football club as a business which should

Clockwise from top: Ade bayo with his children; tak ing a stroll on the pitch of Onikan Sta dium; watching a match at the VIP section

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x change when we get to the Premier League’ yield returns then I have a different perspective. I’ve told my sponsors for instance let’s concession Onikan Stadium and renovate it and bring it up to standard, put VIP boxes there, and make it a family section, leave the popular side as it is because the popular people want to always do their thing, have their own fun. The problem is the objectives are different for governments that own clubs. Irabor is trying to get the governments to privatise the clubs but it is a tall order because they’ve not seen the business side of it, but we’ve got 1960 Bet as our sponsors, Union Bank is our sponsors and we are still negotiating with about three others so that we can fix their pitch panels at the stadium. We can get people to sell their drinks in the stadium and get a commission from them; merchandising is another way to generate revenue. We want to have Stationery Stores tshirt and caps so that fans can have them. That is where we are going, but first we want to look at the TV rights; that is what makes football tick, where the bulk of the revenue comes from. Once that is sorted the next thing is merchandising, replica jerseys. We’ve sold close to 10,000 replica jerseys already and we have a demand for 100,000 more; that is giving us money to run the club. So we are going into full production to do that. The next thing is gate takings and we need to arrange that properly so that we can take advantage of the crowd to make money. Those are some of the things that can be done. We are not re-inventing the wheel, we watch all these English Premier League clubs do it. We need to move away from government and be more private sector-oriented and we will turn our football into the big business it ought to be. His father, Israel Adebajo

We first of all thank God for his life and the example and legacy that he left behind; our duty is to sustain that legacy. Stores is now an institution and it is bigger than me and bigger than anybody else. My dad was an entrepreneur, he started a stationery supplies stores and was very successful with it. I met some of his trade partners abroad and they told me what endeared them to my father was his honesty and integrity and those things led to his success in business. Eventually because of his honesty the foreign partners trusted him and sent their goods to him, he warehoused them, sells them, send the foreign partners their money and take his profit. Overtime everybody wanted to do business with him and that was how the business exploded. After some time he acquired an already existing club just the way we acquired Union Bank’s slot this time. He renamed the club after the name of his business. It wasn’t until the early ’60s that Challenge Cup started coming to Lagos because Stores won it back to back. That was what really endeared the club to Lagos fans. My father was one of the people who led Nigeria into affiliation with FIFA. He was the treasurer of the Nigeria Football Association, one of the founders, with other private sector people. They not only did that, they also raised money to fund the national team because what people don’t realise is that the NFA was a private sector body comprising clubs in the country. It was an association of the football clubs that led the move for FIFA affiliation, not government. So they ran the association and since they were men of means they were able to raise money. For instance, when we were going to the Olympics in 1968, where the Nigerian team drew 3-3 with Brazil, they raised the funds. My dad and his contemporaries were responsible for

funding that team, not a dime from government. It wasn’t until Ibrahim Babangida (former military president) promulgated Decree 101 that they took if from the private sector, and I’ve been urging government to return same to the private sector. Government has controlled the association since. That’s it really about my dad, he was an old school guy, born in 1920 and died in 1969 when I was just five years old. He wasn’t even 50 when he died. He died at 48 but he left a big legacy. Schooling abroad and coming back home

I schooled abroad, but I started my education here. I’m a Naija boy, a Lagos boy, specifically Apapa boy. So there was no debate about coming back. I grew up in Apapa, went to Corona School in Apapa, then went to St Gregory’s College, Obalende, before moving to Government College in Kano. From there I went to boarding school in England before going to America for university. After school I went to work in Wall Street for JP Morgan Chase, I spent 10 years before coming back. Combining investment banking with football

I’m the CEO of a corporate finance group, but we have an office from where the club is run with an administrative staff. I operate as chairman of the club, we have two committees, technical and management committees. The technical committee is headed by Dudu Orumen with Peter Rufai as the deputy. Teslim Fatusi is also a member as well as the coach Fatai Amoo, they take care of the technical angle. The coach reports to the technical committee and they report to me. So I don’t get involved in the day to day running of the club and that leaves me with time to focus on my other work. I’m the CEO of an investment company and I do a lot of work in Abuja; I am an adviser to the Minister of Trade and Investment. In fact it is because of the club’s re-emergence that I’ve started coming back to Lagos. TV and Radio talk shows

I have a strong presence in the media. I used to present a programme called Business Week with Tilewa Adebajo. It was business-oriented, about finance, economy. I still do a radio programme. You have to be very well organised to combine these things. You also have to have good assistants. I have a strong corporate finance group so my role really is to look for business. When I bring in business, my people will just package it and run with it. My job is mostly origination, marketing, public relations etc. Children following the legacy

I own a certain percentage of the Stationery Stores, but everybody has to have their passion. I’m not going to force anybody to do anything. If any of them shows interest then that’s okay. I encourage them to come to the stadium and sometimes they come, at other times they come with their friends, but what I have done is to encourage them to experience the phenomenon that is Stores. A lot of the younger people don’t know what it means to go to the stadium in Nigeria. if I’m going to watch the UEFA Champions League final, the World Cup or Olympics, for instance, the kids want to come with me, but it is not so much the same with going to the stadium here. But now they’ve been to some matches and they are beginning to get excited, but you must make it entertaining for them. They are beginning to catch on, sometimes they meet some of the players before matches. Now they even

call me with their friends wanting to experience match situations. Wife’s involvement

She comes to the stadium every once in a while, but she also has her own thing. What we want to do to get our wives coming to the stadium is to look at making the stadium conducive for them. I’ve spoken to some of my friends’ wives on how we can make the stadium more inviting for them and they are looking at it. Normally it is left for the dad and the sons, but the whole family can come and that is what we are looking at. But you know women, they want everything to be ship shape before they can come. Dealing with opposite sex while growing up

My dad used the common touch, that’s the way we were raised; I didn’t know much about my father until I grew up. But as a kid you grew up in an environment of privileges, I’m grateful for that, but then how do you get to still be able to relate with people. That is the common touch I talked about. You grew up around people, learning respect and that is humbling. My dad died when I was five and my mum had to do the raising. You meet people who say a lot of good things about your dad and there is a lot of goodwill, and you have to handle that. I had to maintain a high level of humility, there is nobody I can’t talk to. People have to know that they have access to me. I managed those things and never allowed it to get into my head. Involvement in other sports

I can’t play football anymore. I used to play football a lot, especially five-a-side. That was my main sport. I belong to All Stars, but I stopped playing because of the impact on my knees. I stopped playing like three, four years ago. I still play badminton, basketball, but not very actively. Once in a while I play table tennis or tennis. Anything that has high impact on the knees I run away from. I used to play cricket and hockey. Super Eagles’ chances at the World Cup

For me, unfortunately, the Eagles team has been politicised, but Keshi has done a great job rebuilding the team and we have to give him that credit and support him. The problem in this country is administrative. The only concentration now is the national team and that is because of the money in it and it is a bureaucratic thing and that is why we are saying that government must return the Football Federation to the private sector. Keshi has done a good job because he has called the bluff of a many players and focused on the domestic league which is where he came from. All the players that went to the USA ’94 I can tell you their names and clubs they played for. Finidi George played for Calabar Rovers before moving to Sharks where Westerhof discovered him. We used to watch him here at Onikan Stadium. He left Sharks and went straight to the first team of Ajax in Holland where he displaced Marc Overmars. If your league is strong and you are talented you don’t have to start from the third division abroad and hope to work your way up. Over the years the league deteriorated even the national team also suffered such that teams we could hitherto beat silly like Burkina Faso caught up with us. I think Keshi is doing a good job, let them leave him alone. He knows the job, he has shown that. Let them give him the support and let him live and die by his choices.

INSTYLE

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 MAY 2014

Being the trendsetter Asake Agoro, the brain behind the fashion label, Asake Oge Couture, speaks with ANGELA DAVIES on looking unique and setting the trend.

Eclectic Ankara print styles

Angela Davies

he Ankara fabrics are versatile and colourful. With the different beautiful patterns, designers churn out new and eclectic styles every day. Many celebrities and fashion connoisseur step out in exquisite styles in this print as well as in styles combined with fabrics like lace, chiffon, satin and sheer fabrics to different events to make their own fashion statement. You too can create your own unique style with the ankara print be it an elegant dress, fitted gown, jacket, skirt and top, pant, skirt or trouser suit and even maxi

gown to suit your fashion taste. However, choose and wear colours that match your skin tone for that alluring and chic look. With ankara print, all you need is to be creative with your own style either by combining with other fabrics or embellishments and accessorizing accordingly to oomph your look. The good thing about ankara prints is that depending on the style, the outfit can be worn to any event ranging from wedding, movie premier, social gathering, fashion show and beauty contest. Just ensure that the style flatters your silhouette. Then, accessorise and off you go like the African woman that you are.

What does style mean to you? For me, style means an expression of yourself. It means this is the way I am and it is like telling the world who you are without having to say a word. What determines what you wear to an event? For me, it is about expressing and marketing myself and my brand without having to say a word at whatever event I attend. I want to look unique always. Define your personal style? My personal style is very unique. I am used to standing out from the crowd. I always want to set the trend and not follow the trend. What kind of clothes make up a larger part of your wardrobe? My wardrobe is very eclectic. I have all sorts of clothes in phases. I go through a lot of phases in my style. There was a time when I liked baggy pants a lot. I went pass that phase, then I liked midi skirts but right now I am in a phase where I like very fitted pencil dresses. So right now you will find a lot of pencil fitted dresses in my wardrobe. Clothing item you will never be caught wearing? I will never be caught wearing bump shorts. I think my figure is a bit too much for it. Fashion accessories you cannot do without as a woman? My smile. I go everywhere with it. It is cheap and I don’t have to pay for it. Bags and shoes you like I like Louis Vuitton pointed toe shoes. And for handbags, I like the clutch purses. Best designer I love Alexander McQueen. I like the fact that their designs are very unique. I also like Victoria Beckham’s designs as well. Those are the two designers who really inspire my style. Most expensive fashion item you have ever bought I think it would be an Alexander McQueen shoes. If you have to flaunt any part of your body where will that be? I think it will be my face because it is the best part of my body. Everybody says I have a lovely smile. How do you like your make up? I’m not really a makeup person. But usually for an event, I will get a makeup artiste to do my makeup. But for my every day look, I go natural. However, I love red lipstick. Sometimes the only make-up you will see on my face is my Mac Ruby Woo lipstick which is my best lipstick. Favourite colour That will be red. Do you like jewellery? I am not a really jewellery person. I hardly wear any jewellery not even a bracelet. How do you love to carry your hair? My hair too is always in phases too. I wore my short natural hair for about four years. But recently, I had extensions added on and I have like this Chanel Monique kind of hairstyle going on at the moment.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 MAY 2014

INSTYLE

Accessories to live for

Wedge heeled-sandals Apart from making you seem taller, wedge heeledsandals are trendy and comfortable footwear, writes ANGELA DAVIES.

edge heeled-sandals are crafted to be durable and comfortable while giving you the flattering height you are looking for. Ranging from casual to elegant, wedgeheeled sandals come in different styles and heels ranging from nearly flat to very high. They are an extremely fashionable and versatile choice in women's footwear as they come in varied exciting colours, fabrics, styles and heights. These sandals are made with various materials ranging from leather to suede and sometimes combined with other fabrics to give that sophisticated feel and look. With adjustable straps, some of them come with gorgeous details like embellishments for that extra fashion statement. Wedge heeled-sandals look hot when worn with clothes like maxi skirts, shorts, short skirts, bohemian styles, wrap dresses, wide or flared jeans or pants. To make your own fashion statement in wedge heeled-sandals, ensure that your pedicure is flawless.

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

Facts

Royal Blue dress

Evans Akere, lawyer turned fashion designer is the brain behind Vans Kere, a ready-to-wear clothing brand established in 2004.

he outfit in contention this week is an elegant royal blue spaghetti strap and striking ruffles dress designed by Isi Atagamen Fashion Label. The exquisite dress was worn by Liz Yemoja and Naya Amobi at two different events. Media personality, Liz Yemoja rocked the dress to the 2014 Africa Magic Viewersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Choice Awards which held at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos in March. The fashionista accessorized her floor length dress with silver drop earrings and a red clutch. She coordinated her look spotting smokey eyes, blue eye shadow to match her dress, neutral lipstick and completed her evening look with an up do braided hairstyle. On her part, Naya Amobi stepped on the red carpet of the premiere of Half of a Yellow Sun movie which held at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island on April 11. The actress who also starred in the movie accessorized her outfit with gold-and-blue stud earrings and a silver bracelet. She matched her look with luscious pink lipstick and styled her braid in an up do style too. So who do you think rocked this royal blue dress by Isi Atagamen better?

The tradition of giving fiancĂŠe engagement ring was introduced by Maximilian of Austria in 1477. He gave his soon-to-be wife, Mary of Burgundy, masterfully crafted ring as a promise of marriage.

215 pair of jeans can be made with one bale of cotton.

Gold is one of the most popular jewelry raw materials because of its shine, longevity and softness. Amobi

Yemoja

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Legend promo winners thrilled by unique Dubai experience

he first set of consumers that emerged winners in Legend Extra Stout’s ongoing national consumer promo arrived Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on a shopping trip. While in Dubai, they shopped for gift items worth N1 million in one of Dubai’s biggest malls. They were also taken on a tour of some interesting sites in the city. Specifically, they went on a Desert Safari where they enjoyed exhilarating jeep rides and an exciting Falcon display, anchored by an experienced bird trainer. They then capped off a sensational evening with an exotic three course Arabian dinner; while a belly dancer was on hand to entertain the guests with scintillating dance steps. The following day, the consumers undertook the unique shopping experience. Within 60 seconds, they raced through some sections of the shopping mall, picking the range of items they could lay their hands on. Ernest Favour Nzelu, one of the shoppers, described the experience as wonderful. He also expressed satisfaction with the goods that he picked during his minute-long shopping exercise. Ernest said: “I’m more than satisfied with the items I was able to pick during the 60 sec-

onds. I didn’t even dream of coming to Dubai, talk less of shopping for these expensive items. In short, I really appreciate Legend Extra Stout. I don’t know how to express the joy that Legend Extra Stout has brought into our lives.” Ernest who owns a bar in Abuja said he has also used the opportunity to explore business potentials in Dubai. He said: “I’m a businessman who has been planning to explore the business potentials in Dubai. But I’m grateful that Legend Extra Stout made that dream come true. I now know a few places I can visit whenever I find myself in Dubai. For me, it’s like killing two birds with one stone.” He also advised young adult Nigerians thinking of perpetuating criminal acts to participate in the Legend Real Deal promo instead. He said: “For people that may be thinking of plotting criminal activities as a means of getting rich, I urge them to participate in the Legend Extra Stout national consumer promotion because we all know an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. If they try their luck and they win, it will serve as a good example for those that may want to plan evil things, that the opportunity will come someday for them to excel.

Unilever introduces new Vaseline variants into market

nilever Nigeria Plc, household name and manufacturers of diverse home and personal care consumer products including Omo, Close Up, Knorr, Sunlight, Blueband, Lipton, Pears, Sunlight, Royco and Vaseline, has launched Vaseline lotions and creams into the Nigerian market. The two new products are Vaseline total moisture and Vaseline cocoa glow. The marketing director, personal care, Unilever Nigeria Plc, David Okeme, stated that the products were launched with the Nigerian woman in mind. “Our aim is to get Nigerian women to fall in love with Vaseline lotions because Vaseline lotions and creams have Stratys-3, which ensures all 3 layers of the skin are moistured to give soft, smooth skin all day long. We believe that truly healthy skin starts with deep healing, it is not something you get by masking problems or through quick fixes,” he said. Also speaking, Category manager, Deodorant and skin

care, Unilever Nigeria Plc, James Inglesby, stated that Vaseline Total Moisture and Vaseline Cocoa Glow are a combination of vitamins, minerals and conditioning moisturisers. While Vaseline total moisture works like a moisture multivitamin to replenish your skin with 100 per cent of the daily hydration and nutrient your skin needs, Vaseline cocoa glow on the other hand penetrates deeply to ignite the skin’s natural glow from the inside out. Made with a combination of moisturisers and pure Vitamin E, Vaseline Cocoa Glow smoothens away all the roughness and dark spots to help the skin maintain an even tone and a healthy glow. “This is great news for everyone who desires beautiful skin” Inglesby added. Vaseline total moisture and Vaseline cocoa glow are both available in lotions and creams. Lotions are fast absorbing and light feeling on the skin while creams are thicker and used for deep moisturizing especially when your skin requires higher levels of moisturizing.

10 MAY 2014

XLR8 to manage BAT Nigeria's public relations brief

Dele Alao

ritish American Tobacco (BAT) Nigeria has announced that sequel to a competitive pitch and an extensive and painstaking evaluation process, the communications management consultancy, XLR8, has been appointed to manage the company’s public relations brief. According to Oluwasoromidayo George, head of corporate affairs for BAT West Africa,

“XLR8 presented a most strategic and compelling proposition.” In addition, “the feedback we received from its roster of current clients was excellent. There is no doubt that the quality of its work is very well regarded and that XLR8 is held in high esteem by its clients.” Chief executive officer of XLR8, Calixthus Okoruwa, said: “we are delighted at the opportunity to work for a blue chip corporation of the caliber of BAT and are humbled to have been se-

lected ahead of other, no doubt, competent consultancies.” He assured that “BAT is in good company as has been graciously attested to by our esteemed clientele.” XLR8 is a leading communications management consultancy and serves a clientele spanning industries that include banking and financial services, broadcasting and entertainment, information and communications technology and fast moving consumer goods.

L-R; Honourable Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. (Mrs) Omobola Johnson, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, Mr. Sunil Bharti and Group CEO, CWG PLC Mr. Austin Okere, during the panel discussion session themed: Empowering Africa’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) through ICT at the SME Summit.

Top brand personalities identify with Fayrouz L’original

bout 10 of Nigeria’s biggest names in fashion and style industry have signed up for the maiden edition of the Fayrouz L’Original Expression show. Mai Atafo, April By Kunbi and Kinabuti will be leading a team of top fashion influencers, designers, stylists and celebrity photographers like Omoyemi Akerele, Adebayo Oke-Lawal, Gozel Green, Kate Williams, Nobel Afrik, Martha Warebi and Micheal Imomoh to present the biggest fashion competition ever witnessed in Nigeria. These celebrated fashion influencers, who have over the years created a niche for Nigerian fashion will be mentoring young aspiring fashion lovers at the competition. These creative minds will come together to select the

best style team for the Fayrouz L’Original competition while mentoring them. Art director for the competition, Omoyemi Akerele, who is the creative director and founder of Style House is known for nurturing, promoting and developing the fashion industry for years now. She was also one of the brains behind the establishment of Lagos Fashion and Design Week and has been listed as one of the 500 most influential people in fashion in the Business of Fashion. Grand finale judge and mentor Ohimai Atafo, is the brain behind the lifestyle brand, Mai Atafo Inspired. Mai has been featured in several shows across the globe including the J Spring Fashion Show, Paris, Glitz Afri-

can Fashion Week, Ghana, Arise Magazine Fashion Week and Lagos Fashion and Design Week both in Lagos to mention a few. Second grand finale judge and mentor, Olakunbi Oyelese of April by Kunbi has styled various celebrities like Agbani Darego, Genevieve Nnaji, Tiwa Savage and Monalisa Chinda, to mention a few. She also took home the Rising Icon award at the just concluded 2013 edition of Music meets Runway. Grand finale judge and mentor, Kinabuti, whose fashion label has been donned by many notable personalities due to its unique and trend-setting designs. The brand has gained wide popularity and visibility largely due to its many CSR activities: (The Kinabuti Fashion Initiative (KFI).

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Essence: After Goldie’s death, I’ve learnt to take things easy Kennis Music's famous sign-on Okoro Uwale, whose showbiz is Essence, has been away for some time now. The velvet-voiced and dark-hued singer had notched an impressive array of hits before the hiatus. Back from the shadows, the singer speaks to LANRE ODUKOYA about her career, romance and her record label REASON FOR THE HIATUS Well, Essence is rebranding and it’s only fair for one to take time to re-evaluate oneself to see where one is coming from and where one has got and where one is going to understand the next level instead of running up and down like a mouse on a ferry’s wheel. I just took time out to rebrand and I’m working on my album titled Back to Basics which will be released soon and it’s going to be pure R&B and hip hop. The truth of the matter is that I’ve been here for quite a while and I cannot continue to do what I was doing before because you have to move with the times or move with your own conviction. But I’ve been stepping out at events and you know it sometimes gets tiring. I’ve been at the red carpet many times and those things don’t move me anymore. I’m there to do a job, I do the job and if I’m there to honour the host, I do just that. QUITTING KENNIS MUSIC Everybody is always sayings stuffs because everybody is porting up and down, but to put the record straight once again, Kennis Music is my family and I cannot leave my family. Even if there are young ones they’re pushing right now, it’s only fair that you give them space too otherwise one would become unnecessarily selfish. ABOUT JAYWON’S EXIT AND HOW IT AFFECTS ME I think it is something that happens in life, people meet and they later separate. It’s just something that happens in life. Look at the case of Tuface, many people have come and gone through Kennis music, but they remain on cordial terms. I think everything has been sorted out. The truth of the matter is, as against what people have been saying that I had the premonition that he was leaving the label, I only heard when everybody heard. I’ve been out of the country and when I came back, I was trying to acclimatize when the story broke. So, I called Jaywon as a younger brother and I spoke with him, he told me his story. Even if I said anything or mediated, it’s a family thing. One doesn’t wash his dirty linen in public. Very soon, everything will be okay. ON ARTISTES’ EXODUS FROM KENNIS MUSIC The truth of the matter is that I’m not the visionary behind the label. I didn’t conceptualize the idea and you must also realize that things happen in life and a lot of things change. As an artiste, I know it’s artistes’ commonplace to think first about themselves, we have good guys on the label in person of Joel and Minjin. Everybody has heard about Essence’s

Facebook Love or Kalankolo songs and these boys have been underground actually waiting for their turn. If artistes who joined the label before me didn’t give me space to grow, I should be kinder to the guys coming behind me because I’m in a position to understand their frustration. So, I know I need to give these boys the chance to be heard. The sky is large enough for all the birds to fly and it’s God that blesses songs. If you like do twenty songs and be certain they’re going to blow, God will only do what He wants to do. WHY I’VE NOT GONE TO THE GRAMMY’S WITH KENNIS MUSIC Ok, don’t worry, I will go to the Grammy’s with Kennis Music like Tuface and late Goldie. I don’t know why everybody is in such a hurry. After Goldie’s death, I’ve learnt to take things easy. As much as everyone claimed to love her, we all went to her burial ground and left her there. I’m no longer a kid. I need to re-evaluate and re-engineer my life. I am a graduate, I have some things in the pipeline and they are also pre-occupying me. People just think that once you’re in music, you must die there. There are other facets to life. HOW GOLDIE’S DEATH AFFECTS ME Goldie and I actually did collaboration and it was a reply to her song; “Mo le gb’oko lowo e”, it was like a fight, but we didn’t get to do the video before her demise. But the song is in my forthcoming album. Her death just tells me that life is very ephemeral; the red carpets, the clothes, the shoes, award ceremonies and the plaques themselves, at the end of the day, what legacy has one left? I want to leave a legacy for my children and fans. My songs are like my children for now and I don’t rush to release songs because I want to make mega hits. I make songs when I have something salient to say and thank God people who are my fans bring me pleasant feedback. When I got back after valentine and sang a single titled, ‘See me see love’, people expressed so much love for the song. They say this is a pure love song devoid of lewd language. That is what people are clamouring for. There’s a revolution going on and I want to wait, sit down and study where music is heading. BETWEEN KENNY SAINT BROWN AND I Okay, it’s true that we attended the same event and left separately and some people have been saying we are no longer on talking terms. What happened was that, her sister stays on the island and she had something to do with her sister, so she left for her sister’s place and I left to go home. Sometimes we roll together because it’s not nice to drive alone at night especially because most of these events run till very late at night. And it’s safer to go in pairs. I might fall asleep and it’s better when somebody is there to wake me up. She doesn’t drive and I’ve been telling her, ‘are you not going to learn how to drive?’ And you know when it’s late, her driver will also need to go home, or should one go and hire a driver at the night? HAND IN OTHER PIES I do basically private parties and the company’s name is Hello Events. ON MY LOVE LIFE Well, I have a man in my life and I will confidently say that I’m not searching. I am not a flamboyant person, if I even want to marry, the only people who matter the most are my parents.

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Tiwa Savage lashes out at Etcetera over article

ewly-wed singer Tiwa Savage and hubby are not finding funny, an article written by soft-rock singer, Paschal Uche Ejikeme, known by his showbiz moniker, Etcetera. They have lambasted their colleague for labelling Tee Billz a "second hand" husband. After the article Etcetera did to chide and apparently discourage "celebs" going after young men with complicated status, which was seen as implicit swipe at Tiwa Savage and husband, Tunji Balogun a.k.a. Te e Billz. The vocal

Mercy Johnson and her husband

powerhouse reeled out these words in defense of her husband and her decision to go on with the wedding; "You are not in a position to discuss how male artists are gigolos, most of them came after you and by His grace has achieved more. And before you all 'itoosabi' come on here saying I am a celebrity and I should expect public scrutiny, that's all well and good if the public has the right information, but they don't most of the time. I'm off to the beach to show more of my bikini body because I'm married, I should turn into a nun abi? Maybe if you worked on your body your husband will not be drooling over me" Thereafter, Tee Billz called for pictures to prove that he was ever married to another woman before taking Tiwa to the altar few days ago in Dubai, while his wife, disclosed that she doesn’t recognize Etcetera as a colleague or a singer. Tee Billz described Etcetera as “Mofo [who] is a failed musician to columnist.” Perhaps, Etcetera may well have others like Funke Akindele who hur-

E-BRIEFS

Terry G debunks hotel brawl rumour

ast week, there were media reports that, music star, Gabriel Amanyi aka Terry G was allegedly involved in a messy fight at the Treasures Exclusive Garden, off Bola Tinubu Road, Iju, Lagos. According to the reports, the incident happened at about6p.m on Wednesday, April 23 when Terry G and his boyscame to the hotel to relax. One of Terry G’s boys reportedly jumped into the pool without paying and was asked to come out by one of the security guards and the owner of the hotel, but he turned a deaf ear. He was then dragged out of the pool and his colleagues allegedly reacted violently which resulted in a free for all fight. However, the Apako crooner has come out to debunk the reports, claiming that there is no iota of G truth in the tale of ignominy. Terry who was recently unveiled as a peace ambassador released a statement in reaction to the allegations. The statement partly reads, "Right now, I am not happy at the reports circulating on social media. Yes, I do crazy hit songs, yes, I act crazy in my videos, I do all that for the money. How on earth at this point of my career will I be involved in such? I am not writing to convince anyone. Every lovely Nigerian is entitled to their own personal opinion. I might have a thick skin as a celebrity but am also human. I have blood flowing in me and not engine oil. It's only natural to feel bad when such stories are not true. Is it wrong for me to settle a misunderstanding between two parties without waking up in the morning to see such headlies (not headlines)? Will I at this point swim at a public hotel withoutpaying? My darling Nigerian journalists, you have played a positive role in my career right from my RnB days to this day. Please always try, not only on my behalf, but to my other colleagues to confirm any story from both parties before publishing. My energy is for entertaining my fans worldwide and not for street brawls."

riedly hopped into a marriage after her romance with colleague, Femi Adebayo was foiled by the latter's wife and the long drama to Mercy Johnson's eventual marriage at the headquarters of the Christ Embassy church in Lagos.

Funke Akindele and her husband

Dillish Matthews opens up on affair with Flavour N'abania

illish Matthews, the winner of Big Brother Africa ‘ The Chase’ has eventually bared her mind on her affair with singer, Flavour N'abania. While in Nigeria recently at the Mr. Nigeria contest precisely, the Namibian lady said, “Flavour and I are just friends. I mean he’s hot and I’m sure he thinks I’m hot, but we’re just okay with being friends. Besides, he hasn’t made any moves like that and I haven’t either. And no, I’m not expecting him to make a move. He has a girlfriend and I heard she’s a hottie.” Flavour played host to the delectable entertainer at his Lekki mansion a few months back and Matthews reportedly spend days in the house. The duo had photographs, dined and wined together yet they denied having any romantic tie. Matthews went further to reveal that something enigmatic strikes him about men from Nigeria and Ghana and that she might end up marrying from either of these countries.

Charly Boy to stage concert for dad

harly Boy says he plans to hold a concert in memory of his late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, who passed on May 4. He said the concert which will be put together to celebrate the life of his father, would feature artists like D'banj and Terry G. Speaking with sympathizers at his residence in Abuja, Charly Boy said no one should weep for his late fa-

ther. "They should join in celebrating a life well lived.” He also went down memory lane on his relationship with the late legal icon, "My father was a good and great man, though we did not start off well because in the beginning he always felt I was too rascally. I did not obey orders and I got tired of his rules, regulations and restrictions so it was important that I go my own way. I thank God I did that because at long last since the past 25 years, I won the kind of respect I deserved from the man who thought that the direction I took was a wrong move. For the past 25 years, we bonded and I am proud to have had a father like him," he reflected.

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ers to ensure that what goes around the system goes the right way. Since 1984, I have been recording. So, it is not about releasing; it is about showing people the way it ought to be.

Nigerian Idol judge Dede Mabiaku is an exponent of afrobeat and acolyte of the late Fela AnikulapoKuti. He speaks with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS At present, we have artistes like Orisha Femi, W4 and Burna Boy in the country who are trying to bring back the days and music of late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. What is your take on that? Let me point out where the differentials are. Fela played music live; Fela never used synthesized sound. Fela developed his music and lyrics and Fela groomed his band with the sound he had developed. Ethically, he cultured his sound built within the band. After that, he performed these songs over a period of time before going to the studio to record them. Did you see the sequence? But what we have nowadays is just artistes that go into the studio, bring a few sounds together and make a hook. They roll the hook continuously and back it up with lyrics that come their way. After doing that in the studio, the work is supposedly packaged and musical video follows it. Is this the same thing Fela was doing? I deliberately didn’t say what Fela did because Fela is a continual. People still listen to his songs all over the world and he still remains the most regarded Nigerian and African ever at the height of theatre despite the fact that he's no more. Are you saying these artistes are doing badly? These children need to go back to the basics, go and learn instrument, go and culture band and culture their sounds too. What is happening now is destruction, disservice to the quality of what Nigerian music should have. They have good voices and I got no doubt about that. They have good packages too, but we should please not class this as afrobeat. Afrobeat is not music per say; it is a way of life. I am happy that after so many years of lamentation these young ones are realizing the need to adopt the natural African sound with African element in their music. Young artistes who are really doing well such as Solidstar, Flavour, Davido among others are now infusing African origin, orientation to their music. Burna Boy and Orisa Femi you mentioned are also part of them. I believe that if they can go back, sit down and learn a lot more, it would take Nigerian and African music as a whole to the next level. I am proud of the likes of Tuface, Flavour too because they have decided to start doing live music. I fought Tuface severally over live music. He finally listened to me and he’s now doing well. People seem to forget that the most toured and regarded African band out there now is Egypt 80. Seun Anikulapo-Kuti and Egypt 80 are out there representing Nigeria internationally. Seun has done the Australian tour twice; they’ve been to Japan more than three times and they are still on the road representing us with their live music. But what would these young ones sing when they get there? So, there is a big difference. We can support them but we should also make them realise that there is essence in doing the real thing in the right way. We should not glorify mediocrity. Let’s assist what we have on a mediocre level to grow itself to a higher height. There

is a dearth of live music and musicianship in Nigeria. If we keep celebrating these young ones who are not learning the art, we would kill artistry in our sphere. You can support and encourage them but please lecture them on what they need to do. You want to be in the league of Fela? Go and learn; it doesn’t take long to learn if there is interest. Most people that started live music in Nigeria like Jide Obi, Chris Okotie etc did not last because they did not keep the essence of it. Chris was doing is live but what he did at that time was not right. He had all the opportunities to help the young. He was the shining light but he killed the essence of it by his excessive flamboyance and not wanting to listen to those who were teleguiding his growth. Let's these young ones not fall prey to the same thing. What have you done on your own to help the growth of the young? I am not trying to grow because I am there already. My duty is to assist this generation and nurture it to grow. And I am doing it. But why is it difficult for Dede after so many years to become a recording artiste? It is because he chooses not to. Is it by force to be a recording artiste? How do you expect the younger ones to learn from you when there is no point of reference? Some are there to record and they are oth-

Dede Mabiaku: Mediocrity is no standard for music industry

Some believe you are neither herenorr there and that you would have been a better theatre person barring your romance with music. How would you react to that? I do not know what they mean by I am neither here or there. I am a theatre person and it is an all encompassing realm. In the theatre you have dance, mime, music, acting, makeup, lightening, etc. All these are units under the theatre. You also have Mass Communication which is the driving tool for theatre. So within the theatre, I have been able to culture a multiplicity of units. In 1987, I was your very first best actor and got an award for it at the Nigerian Festival of Films and Television Productions. I am a professional theatre artist but along the line, I realised that music could also be a driving element. I made myself a participant and observer to the master himself, to study so that I can understand the future better. You have to be in Kalakuta Republic to be able to understand it. If you do not live within, how would you feel what is within? If you do not taste within, how would you know the essence of what is within? So, I sacrifice my whole and serve the master. I learnt from the feet of the master and all that which I have learnt is now being shared with so many all over the world. I have been to Germany to train people on afrocentric sound. I have been to America to train people and in Nigeria too. My work is not just

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talking about the music itself but culturing their minds. When was did last time you featured in a movie? I gave my support to one young guy with a good script. His name is Desmond Ovbiagele. He did Render to Caesar. But the most important project which I did as far as acting is concern is one that is coming out soon. I produced it too. Akon’s company, Konvict Records, has taken over the final project. It is a movie that we shot here and in America. Akon, Wyclef, OC Ukeje, Fox all featured there. People should be ready for it. The title has been changed to Rise Up and the world premier will soon be out. A lot of people believe you would have done better that Sahr Ngaujah in Fela! On Broadway. What would say to that? Those people took our hero and put him on the pedestal he deserved. When they were off Broadway, they came to me. They sent somebody to me but some units within decided that if I was to play the role they will not grant authority for that to be done because of the petite issues they had with me. So they left my angle and went elsewhere. To me and many, it was a mistake on their part because I who happen to be a theatre graduate, won the first award as the best actor in this country, who happen to be the second person beside the master himself needed to have been the best person to play the role. I understudy the ways of the master, so I did not need to talk about my values or what they had to offer. The guy did not know anything Fela; he never familarised himself with our ways; he did know what our food tasted like or our pains; he did not know about the bastardisation committed against Fela. Tell me how he can play the role well? My cry is that they needed to have taken some Nigerians as advisers for the production if you don’t really need to use us. Did you see the movie? I saw the premiere at the last day at Eko Hotel. Seun made me to come watch it. The "Nigerianness" of the concept was entirely lost. I don’t see why a white band will be continually milking out of Fela’s success. It should have been a Nigerian band, but we do not need to talk about that again.

22 SHOWBIZ What is your background like? I was born in Kano, but grew up mainly in Lagos and London. My father is from Ibadan, Oyo State, while my mother is from Jos. I schooled briefly in Lagos before I moved to London to further my education. I studied Information Technology at the University of Greenwich, London. While I was in London, I was also doing music. I worked with the likes of May James, Craig David, among others. I did some songs for myself too. And before I joined Soul Muzik, I did a song that caught the attention of the Nigerian market. The song was titled Red Carpet and it even got me multiple award nominations in 2011. Tell us about Red Carpet? It is just a fun-filled track and it is also like an introduction to Mo Easy. I didn’t expect it to make the kind of impact it made. The video was heavily played and supported. Then, I was still based in the UK but I always visited the country and go. Since I signed under Soul Muzik, it was just right to relocate back to the country. Like many artistes who traced their music background to the church, do you have such background too? I am a Church boy. I started singing at the church and my mother does not joke with Church’s activities. She loves to do everything in God’s way. I was always going to Church and I do not like missing the praise and worship session. I was always looking up to that because it is music. Music is something I really liked as a kid. What is your style of music? I don’t believe I got a genre. If you listen to my last single and the present one, there are two different genres. Smile (one of his singles) is very lay back, though everything still falls under pop. But basically I do not believe I got one because music/sound is very big. You can venture into so many things and play around with different sounds. If I had to pick a genre, I would probably settle for “totality of Afro.” What are you working on presently? My current single is Ragabomi and it is doing well at the movement. The video was released about two weeks ago and the response has been incredible. A lot of people like the single and we are getting great feedback. I am keen to always put together good music that people could enjoy and relate with. The single is all about having fun again. The video was shot by Clarence Peter and the choreography was done by Kaffy the dancer. When you have such people on your video, you are rest assure to get be the best because they have mastered the art overtime. And also, whatever we (Soul Muzik) put out is always quality. I was blown away when I saw the final production of the video. It is energetic; it is exciting and explains what exactly the song is all about. Why Soul Muzik? I signed to Soul Muzik like two and the half years ago and the reason I opted for the label is because I was convinced they have the same structure with what you get in the UK or outside Africa. Also, anything they record is quality and this is what the international market demands. We are not just a label; we are like a family too. The family chemistry was also one of the the most important things I considered. When should we expect your debut album? Personally I still want to do more singles. I still want to showcase myself a bit more. I am not saying we cannot release an album if we need to but the focus is not to release an album right now. We still want to release a few more singles before an album comes in. We are recording at the moment. How do you get inspiration? Inspiration is just from everyday living. You I went out, saw something I really enjoyed, I probably do something on it. Unlike some artistes, I do not think you need a marijuana or chocolate for you to get inspired. If

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 May 2014

Mo Easy Music Is all of my life After spending some years in the United Kingdom, Moses Agboola aka Mo Easy returned to Nigeria to etch his imprint on the entertainment industry. Signed under Soul Muzik, a record label owned by Dare ArtAlade, Mo Easy recently released the video of his fun-filled single, Ragabomi. The video was shot by Clarence Peters and it is gradually winning the attention of the public. He shares his journey with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS

Mo Easy

it is in you, then it is in you. Also, my inspiration comes from family and loved ones. What does Mo Easy do away from music? I love photography but everything else I do is around entertainment. I produce, write and act as an engineer for other people. As a child too, it was all about music. Music for me is a way to release stress, and a way to talk about what I am going through without telling people and I got accustomed to that. Above all, I really enjoy music. Why did you then study information technology? I still studied music as well; I studied the history of music. In school too, I learnt how to read drum notes. I play drums well. There might not be core courses but I learnt a bit about music in the course of my education years. However, the reason I decided to study information technology was that I became intrigued with h o w the computer works. It still

helps me now because when you produce you are using the computer and anything you do these days you must use the computer. So, it is great to have the knowledge. During a recent conversation with Dare ArtAlade, he said he is the king of Rnb. What would say to that? Mr. Darey has done so much for the industry. I do not believe there is anybody else who has done so much in the Rnb scene like he has done. He has opened doors for many artistes who are doing Rnb now whether they like it or not. When he started it, most people were not doing it. I think he deserves credit for what he has done. Are you not saying all these because he is your boss? As well as I know him and he knows me, I would not say stuffs because he is my boss. Whether he is my boss or not, he has done enough and I look up to him. 2face is 2face and I would not say anything contrary regardless. It is the same thing with Mr. Darey; he has done so much for the industry. What are the apparent challenges? In the industry, the challenges are numerous because you will come against many different kinds of people. Some will smile at you, while others will not. Also, you need to study the sound of what is going on within the next sixmonth or next year. Things do change quickly in Nigeria. So you have to keep studying, not just keep recording. Basically, being on your toes and being able to give great music that people will en-

joy are the challenges. Plans for the future? I plan to release more good tracks and uplift the African music industry. To compete globally is the make focus and the reason for everything we are doing. Even though some artistes are already doing well, it can get better. The more we do it, the better for us. What do you admire in a lady? She must smell nice. Her hygiene has to be on point. She must know how to carry herself on the street and on the road. Between marriage and music, what would you settle for? Music brings in the money to play the role of a father and you know money nourishes love. If you have a family, you have to provide for them. I don’t think I would ever get to that stage that I would need to pick either my family or music. I will always do music and my family is my family. What’s your fashion sense? I like being comfortable and smart. I like smelling good too. What are your dislikes? I hate selfishness, a situation where you have no thought or interest of others at heart. We need to look out for others. Any regrets? Everything I have gone through is the reason I am here doing this interview. If I had done anything different, I would not be doing this interview. I try not to regret; I believe everything happens for a reason and God knows the best. What would you say to emerging young artistes? The first thing they need to do is to put God first. The second thing is to believe in themselves. If you believe in yourself, it doesn’t matter what people say.

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As the General joins league of septuagenarians

he sleepy town of Odogbolu, Ogun State, woke up to an avalanche of festivities last Saturday when Nigeria's former Chief of General Staff, Lt. General Donaldson Oladipo Diya celebrated his 70th birthday. The event started with a thanksgiving service at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Odogbolu and followed by a grand reception at Diya' private residence, Tanimowo Villa. Expectedly, it was graced by who’s who in the state and from around the country. The celebrant was born on 3 April 1944 at Odogbolu, Ogun State, then Western Region, Nigeria. He was educated at the Methodist Primary School, Lagos, the Odogbolu Grammar School, and then at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. He later attended the US Army School of Infantry, the Command and Staff Col-

Yomi Casual buys multi-million naira home in Lekki

lege, Jaji (1980–1981) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru. While serving in the military, Diya studied law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LL.B degree, and then at the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Oladipo Diya became Commander 31, Airborne Brigade. He was appointed Military Governor of Ogun State from January 1984 to August 1985. He became General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigerian Army in 1985. General Oladipo Diya was commandant, National War College (1991–1993) and then was appointed as Chief of Defence Staff. He was appointed Chief of General Staff in 1993 and vice chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council in 1994.

yo Makun’s younger brother, Omoniyi, who owns the towering fashion designing office, YOMI CASUALS in Surulere, Lagos, is another testament to the age-long maxim: “great things start from little beginnings”. Last Sunday, the hunk staged a small house warming in his newly acquired four-bedroom apartment in highbrow Lekki. Omoniyi is fast pacing up to his senior colleagues like Clement Enajemo (MUDI), Frank Oshodi and the other top tier players in his industry.

Oba Adedapo Tejuoso’s son weds In Lagos

ast Saturday, the Lagos social circuit stood still when the families of Tejuoso and Adejuyigbe played hosts to the high and mighty who gathered to witness the wedding ceremony of their children. The union was between Prince Adedayo Oyebola and Princess Adenike Adebola. The groom is the son of Oba Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso, Karunwi 111, the Osile Oke-Ona Egba and Olori Olabisi Oladunni (the elder sister of PR guru, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya) while the bride is the daughter of Prince Joseph Adebowale Adejuyigbe and his wife, Bukola Ibukun.

The solemnization of holy matrimony was done at The Latter Rain Assembly, Ogba, Lagos, and a grand reception followed at the 10 Degree Event Centre, Oregun, Lagos. The colour theme for both families was champagne and red. These ceremonies were preceded by a traditional and engagement ceremony on Thursday, May 1 at Memorable Gathering Hall and Event Centre, Ikeja, where fuchsia pink and teal colours were the spectacle of the high octane guests who stormed the party.

Ayo Fayose, Kashamu Buruji's rift over guber campaign fund deepens

nformed sources insist that the cold war between Ayo Fayose, the Peoples Democratic Party's candidate in the upcoming gubernatorial election in Ekiti State and famous party stalwart, Kashamu Buruji is getting deeper by the day. It's the same reasons some party faithful are of the opinion that the two are working at cross purposes to actualise personal goals against the party's interest. Buruji, operating under the official title of the coordinator of the South-West Mobilisation Committee of the PDP had reportedly availed Fayose of N1b campaign fund while the latter was prosecuting his ambition as an aspirant. But Buruji is said to have requested for their deal to take effect with the first batch of alleged N2b earmarked for the prosecution of the election by the party. Sources added that refusal of the candidate to honour the pact in the course of campaign is the cause of the simmering but quiet quarrel between the duo. Kashamu is said to have exposed details of the hidden deal - a discredit to the

O'tega heiress Ufoma welcomes first child

person of Fayose who claimed to be cashstrapped to hurry the release of the fund as part of efforts to recoup his fund. Insiders claim Buruji is operating on the conviction that with all he is privy to, Fayose has more than enough fund to prosecute the election and honour their agreement that helped seal his candidature especially from the primaries. And he is said to be using his position and clout within the party to stifle release of further funds as part of efforts to pressurise the candidate to make good his pledge. Further digs however revealed, the former governor turned new candidate has blatantly refused to honour any pledge until after elections. He is said to have insisted he needed all funds he can lay his hands on to unseat a sitting governor with seemingly limitless coffer. Sources disclosed the opposing paths being trodden by the members of the same party is gradually turning both into enemies with whispers of conflicts of interest gradually transforming into actions amongst loyalists.

n a season where there seems to be more report of crashed marriages than marriage anniversaries, the Emerhors are reveling in the joy of a biological addition to the family. Ufuoma, the first daughter of banking guru, Olorogun O'Tega Emerhor, welcomed her first child, a baby boy she has with husband, Toritseju, on April 28 in London. Ufuoma and Toritseju got married in May 2013.

SOLUTIONS TO CROSS WORD PUZZLE

Fayose

Buruji

G E S T A T H A L O I L S I S U O T I T S A L E S Y U N B U S H B N A P I C A R B I O I C

E A N O R C I A I D S E S K A G T E I N R E B E

C E E R S P R N O L M O N R G

ACROSS 1. GESTATE 5. ACE 7. NOR 8. OIL 9. SIL DOWN 1. GHOSTLY 2. SALUTE 3. ALSO 4. ENCASE 5. ARID 6. ERR

10.AIDS 11. TITS 12. AS 16. UN 17. KANO 18. BUSH

22. APE 23. IMO 24. CAR 25. BIO 26. ICEBERG

13. PROLONG 14. BUHARI 15. SATIRE 19. UNCO 20. GENE 21. BIB

24 the arts

Art in a time of need A photography exhibition conceived to showcase the works of Motunlayo Sofowote and also highlight her failing health opens in Lagos, wites TONY OKUYEME

ounder and president of Glowing Channels’ Foundation, Mrs. Motunlayo Adefunke Sofowote is critically ill at the University Teaching Hospital, Lübeck, Germany (otherwise known as UniversitatsKlinikum Schleswig-Holstein, UKSH), and requires financial assistance, to continue her treatment. For a woman who has been very active over the past few decades, as a writer, motivational speaker, philanthropist and a regular volunteer in a number of humanitarian activities, it was a telling sign to slow down or shut down. The one fondly called "Mummy Sofowote" has since found herself in life-threatening situations repeatedly. It was at the close of 2011, when she was preparing for her Glowing Channels Foundation annual charity concert, that she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. As her treatment at the Eko Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, progressed just before Christmas, she found that she was getting weaker. “I was getting really ill.” She is presently receiving a series of medical treatment in the German hospital. So far, close friends and family have rallied round her, by constantly providing money to cater for her treatment. As a result, some measure of success has been achieved with her treatment this far. But a bigger amount of money, which is far beyond the scope of what her immediate family and friends can afford, is now required. According to her husband, Segun Sofowote, the renowned dramatist, writer and veteran broadcaster, every session of treatment she undergoes costs the equivalent of well over a million naira. “We need now N25 million to pay for her hospital bills, another N5 million to pay for her medications and prescriptions and another N5 million to take care of her living expenses in Germany.” The costs themselves are threatened by the fluctuating foreign exchange rates of the market. She is being taken through a series of treatment regimes more that would span over a long period of than the cost of those pictures, time. She is not expected back to Niif they see it as a fundraising geria till about the end of next year. activity. There would also This explains why a group of be those who would buy friends have launched the "Mrs. because of the theme of Adefunke Sofowote Cancerthe activity, particularly Fighting Fund Team" to put because they know the together a photo exhibition, to woman at the centre of reach out to a wider audience it all and they want to to raise at least N35 million for identify with the projthe cause. The exhibition, which ect.” Dada added: “It’s is taking place under the theme, all about involving her "She Lives On", opened on Sunday own public which she has May 4, at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Sofowote and some cultivated over the years, Lagos, and would run for one week. of her photographic as the brain behind Glowing As a dedicated part-time photograworks (above) Channels. pher with longstanding experience, Mrs. Mrs. Francesca Yetunde Emanuel, Sofowote has quite a unique collection of photographs, out of which 40 have been selected notes in the foreword, that Mrs. Sofowote uses for the exhibition. “We have had to go through a creative fusion of nature and photography a collection of photographs she had taken over in acknowledgement of the Might of the Suthe years, to select the ones we would put on preme Being. “This exhibition is a collection of display,” coordinator of the exhibition, Mr. selected picture from her veritable ‘arsenal’ of Charles Ayo Dada stated. Even he was sur- nature photography, and while most of us are prised with the kind of photographs that were nature lovers in some personal degree, Motunfound in her collection. The interesting thing layo elevates this naturalism to a philosophical about photographs is that the older they are, and spiritual level. “Her lenses capture and record a perspective the more fascinating they become. “It’s a creative way of raising the necessary of her subject that elevates the object beyond its funds,” Dada enthused, adding that, “The idea apparent value or meaning. Her poem A Peep is to give back something to the patrons.” In his At His Greatness is the thematic chord of this view, those who would support the cause of this collection, and supplies from its words the capexhibition would come in different categories. tion for the selected photographs,” she said. Combining visual content with poetry, as “Those pictures have their own appeal, so there are those who would buy because they love art. Mrs. Emanuel also notes, “she suggests to us But there are those who may be moved to give that we contemplate the complexity, wonder

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 MAY 2014

and vastness of Nature, either in its detail or in gross, and realize how insignificant we may seem as part of a Greater Whole. Yet as humans with ability to think, to contemplate these things, to consider them philosophically and spiritually, Motunlayo reminds us that therein lies a manifestation of the Almighty in the Everyday. I believe through her photography, she is teaching us to see God in every creation of His household we behold. This collection is an overwhelming experience of humility with an overflowing sense of adoration and praise. Mrs. Taiwo Ajai Lycett, described Mrs. Sofowote as a prolific writer, singer, administrator, organizer, trainer in corporate practice and etiquette, and an impresario, adding that this exhibition of photographs by her is therefore not only to showcase her undoubted skills as a naturalist and still photographer, but principally to generate those urgently needed funds to cover her medical expenses. “With this collection of photographs, Funke the naturalist, by great force of will and thought, illustrates how everything in nature contains all the powers of nature, is made of one hidden stuff. And this, the photographer bears witness to the light which gives her such unshakeable satisfaction. This loyalty to the incessant soul, of being one with all things, all the beauties of the new day, the sweet air, the rising sun, the blue sky, the song of the birds, the fragrant blossoms, the sparkling dew, the radiant life, indicating that all these are ours and we are theirs. And as Hamblin said, "We are all one, one with another and with God in the life of God." And so, here we are, at this exhibition, being entertained to a graphic realization of the infinite abundance of the Universe, and how wonderful and comprehensive is the plenty of the Divine Universal Mind. “Funke has always given joy. She exudes it and infects others with her joie de vivre. Love, and you shall be loved. And all love is mathematically balanced as much as the two sides of an algebraic equation.The Laws of the Universe dictate that the more we give to and help others, the more the Universe reciprocates in kind to us,” Ajayi-Lycett said. The opening of the exhibition had in attendance scores of dignitaries, including the wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola who commended the organisers of the photo exhibition while also extolling the virtues of Mrs. Funke Sofowote. Other guests at the event include the Chairman/CEO of Juli Pharmacy Ltd, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, OFR, Professor J.P. Clark, Fadesewa of Simawa, Oba Gbenga Sonuga, Managing Partner of CEP Nigeria Ltd. and the immediate past president of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Mr. J. Olusegun Ajanlekoko, and others. Mrs. Sofowote, 67, is a passionate giver. Every December since 1998 (with the exception of the last one), she has remained committed to her annual Glowing Channels concerts, primarily to give succour to the needy and provide wholesome entertainment for families. Over the years, the likes of Kayode Olajide, the late Benjamin Aderounmu (better known as Kokoro), Bright Chimezie (a.k.a. Okoro Junior), Therese D’Avila, superior soprano from Ivory Coast, and groups like Notes and Tones, Seye Aluko’s Sound Foundation and Professor Mosun Obidike’s The Symphonic Voice from Ibadan, Oyo State, have featured at the concert. Glowing Channels, the humanitarian organization, was inspired by the memory of the late Chief Adeyemi Olusola Lawson, to revamp wholesome entertainment for the spiritual uplift of people, as well as a vehicle to raise funds for the succour of the less-privileged in society. As those who know her very well would readily attest, Mrs. Adefunke Sofowote is a warm, modest and elegant woman. As a writer, she provides rare insights. “I’m motivated to write from the deep well and wealth inside of me,” she told this writer after the launching of her fourth book, 366 Days of Soulful Planting in May 2009. Mr. Chike Ofili, former chairman of Association of Nigerian Authors in Lagos, remarked that what is interesting about Mrs. Sofowote is that her interest lies in altering the nature of man for good. “She does this with all her being: her dressing, her politeness, in her relationship with people, her concerts, and her writings; she is just amazing in the entire medium she brings to play on the continuous ennoblement of man and woman."

REFLECTION

The Mysteries of Life Timothy Akinleye

Every creation with its attending bliss and sorrow Its unceasing flow of tears and boundless aching happiness This double-faced monster of smile and frowns And every man with kiths and kins an inch away Lives in the perpetual din of fear and uncertainty Fear of failure Fear of eventuality The uncertainty of success. Every man wakes up, Full of wheres, hows, whens and whats! The deluge of tears on their smiling faces What a travesty! The day one wishes the chimes of life were stopped, An equivalent of neighbourly longing for its infiniteness What an irony You wished your books were closed Tomorrow, you question the brevity of life. No man genuinely has peace until from him life goes For life is anxiety, uncertainty, fear and sorrow personified Perhaps then, the only place of peace Is a place where no man lives but angels Where man knows nothing of but sings about Where fantasy, reasoning commands, Only, where the godly shall go At the completion of the terrestrial assignments To give account of their stewardships In this world of uncertainty, fear and antagonism. Every moment a marriage of sorrow and joy, Where man runs the errands: Sometimes he crosses joy, At other times, he crosses sorrow Every inch of his life therefore, Is balkanized by these monstrous couples To you therefore, my colleagues in bereavement, Who share these heavy hours with me I urge you to take heart For it is doubtless The joys, sadness, fear, anxiety and the uncertainty that attend us to bed, Are nothing but spices of the life we live in. The inexplicable contrast and ironies of life.

SPSPLASH RT

CITY WRAP ONE ARM ROUND CROWN

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Emenike eyes more goals

Obaseki wants continental football revolution

How Otegheri swept me off my feet -Okagbare }p.31

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‘C’Wealth Games: Doom looms for Team Nigeria’

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Azeez, Ighalo in survival battle in spain

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Akpoborie slams world cup list

� Says coaches not ready for Super Eagles

Vincent Eboigbe

Yobo

onathan Akpoborie has reiterated his long held belief that Nigerian coaches are not ready to manage the Super Eagles, not due to incompetence, but because of their tendency to allow sentiments dictate their actions. Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi finally released his squad for the World Cup last Tuesday, and Akpoborie said the list again highlighted the issues that undermine Nigerian coaches. The retired Eagles striker insisted, in a telephone chat with our correspondent, that to pander to sentiments in a matter that affects over 160 million people was taking it to unbelievable heights. “I’ve always said that I don’t want a Nigerian to handle the national team. Don’t get me wrong; I am not saying they are not good enough. The problem is that they allow too much sentiment to affect their choices and the list released by Keshi again showed that,” said an

obviously miffed Akpoborie. “I can’t understand how a player that is injured, hasn’t played in the last two months and is over 30 and you include him in your squad. My position is that if as a coach you want to carry on a personal fight with players you can go on, but when it concerns Nigerians it is a different matter altogether. We are over 160 million people and it is not fair on us.” “Nobody can convince me that Keshi with all his experience playing in Europe and the time he has spent as a coach, will select a player that has not played for Nigeria in two years. Akpoborie who argued that a foreign coach would not succumb to such sentiments, added that having given the coach the job of handling the National team, the Nigeria Football Federation should also have given him the free hand to do the job. The former Hansa Rostoc and CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Eagles need Yobo’s experience in Brazil – Austin Eguavoen }p.27

26 SPORT

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 May 2014

Leaguemania with Chimaobi Uchendu princehench@yahoo.com

08114495359, 08092747532

Sack fever grips coaches

s the Nigeria Premier League and the National League enter its cruising stage, coaches and managers whose teams are not faring well are on the edge of their seats as their sponsors prepare to wield the big stick. It is at times like this, that clubs begin stock taking on permuta-

tions that could bring silverware to the club or how to beat relegation. Although some coaches had lost their jobs on account of low productivity before now, it is likely that more will follow. In fact, rumours of impending sack are spreading like wildfire, but the affected clubs’ spokesper-

sons are putting up defence for their coaches and managers. In Ibadan, the rumour mill has it that Coach Franklin Howard’s days are numbered, even as the club has come out to deny such talk. Although followers of the League have described such talk as irresponsible, there is likely to be some truth in it.

It was learnt that Howard is under pressure as the management of Shooting stars has handed him an ultimatum But before clubs begin to take action in this regard, they will also need to put the necessary machinery in place to give coaches the right atmosphere to build formidable teams. Kaita

Bosso blames inexperience for Abia Warriors slump

Clubs begin search for elite players

bia Warriors head coach, Ladan Bosso, believes the lack of experience of his players is responsible for his side’s slide in the Premier League table. Bosso blamed his players for not playing to instructions and lacking confidence, having just gained promotion to the top flight. “It was a good game, but my players ignored our tactics. They didn’t play to our instructions,” he said. “All the goals we conceded were avoidable. We must go back to the drawing board and make corrections. “We are just coming up. They have to improve their level of confidence on the ball and how they support their teammates. “We just have to be patient with them till they get it right. “You will see the best of Abia Warriors in the second round of the league.” Ebube Okpokwu and Jonathan Zikiye scored in the 21st and 45th minutes respectively, leaving Abia Warriors with a mountain to climb in the second half.

Bosso

Azubuike Egwekwe of Warri Wolves (r) in action at a recent Premier League match

Obaseki wants continental football revolution

ormer Nigeria Premier League chairman Oyuki Obaseki has asked the LMC to start a revolution that will see Nigeria reclaim its lost glory in continental club football. He is disappointed that no Nigerian club is in the group phase of the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup. Nigeria’s last club on the continent this year, Bayelsa United were sent packing from the CAF Confederation Cup by Sewe Sports of Cote d’Ivoire, who defeated them home and away with 3-0 aggregate. Kano Pillars, Enyimba and Warri Wolves had earlier been kicked out of the continental competitions.

Obaseki

“It’s very sad that none of our clubs made the group stage of the

CAF Champions League or the Confederation Cup,” Obaseki said. “It does not speak well of our league. For a league that has been rated so highly in the past due to our exploits on the continent, for us not to have a single team in CAF competitions now is a shame. “If our league must grow, it must continue to compete with the best on the continent by at least making the semi-finals of continental club competitions every year. “We must start now to crown worthy champions or else we shall pay dearly for it.” Nigeria Premier League was rated as the strongest league in Africa when Obaseki was in charge of the body.

Club Owners storm Makurdi for Iorfa’s wedding party!

ll roads lead to Makurdi, Benue State capital, this weekend as former international, and one of the longest serving football administrators in Nigeria, executive vice chairman of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi, Mr Dominic Iorfa, takes his wife to the altar to officially perform the marriage rites. The Association of Nigeria

Premier League Club chairmen and Managers (Club Owners) havs therefore mobilised all its members and officials to grace the occasion billed for Saturday 10th May 2014 at the Catholic Youth Centre Makurdi by 11am prompt, while the grand reception will hold at the Aper Aku Stadium Makurdi same day.

Acting Secretary of Club Owners, Alloy Chukwuemeka enjoined all members to grace the all important occasion and prayed God to grant Mr and Mrs Dominic Iorfa all the blessings of marriage and to accept with the highest esteem the best wishes of the club owners Association and the entire premier league clubs in Nigeria.

Iorfa

ani Kaita’s debut for Enyimba in a Week 11 game of the Glo Premier League on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, against Sharks has motivated other Premier League clubs that didn’t believe it can happen. Since Enyimba announced their signing of the former Super Eagles midfielder, most clubs that thought it was a fairy tale are now set to follow suit. Leaguemania gathered that most clubs that have title aspirations have mobilised their agents to go after elite players, since their salaries would be augmented by the League Management Company. Kaita was signed by Enyimba, as part of the Elite Players Project recently initiated by the League Management Company (LMC). Kaita, who was recently cleared to play for the People’s Elephant, hailed the Elite Players Project initiative, stating that it will attract more established stars to look towards home. Kaita informed that making a decision to return to the local league was not a difficult one. He noted that there are remarkable improvements in the league, although he added that there was still room for improvement. “It’s the same football, whether in Europe or in Nigeria. The game is already in my head, but as someone with the experience that I have, I know I am going to the pitch for business,” he said. “When the chance to play here came up, it wasn’t a hard decision for me to make. I have been around here for a couple of weeks and from what I have seen, we may not have arrived at where we are going, to but the league has definitely improved.” MATCH DAY 11 RESULTS Bayelsa Utd 4-3 Rangers Nasarawa 1-0 El-Kanemi Kaduna 1-0 Dolphins FC Taraba 1-0 Abia Warriors Akwa 2-0 Warri Wolves Lobi Stars 1-1 Sunshine Heartland 1-0 Giwa FC Crown FC 1-1 Kano Pillars Sharks 1-1 Enyimba Gombe 6-0 Nembe WEEKEND FIXTURES Bayelsa Utd vs Enyimba Sunshine vs Giwa FC

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 May 2014

Eagles need Yobo’s experience in Brazil –Eguavoen

Charles Ogundiya

ormer Super Eagles defender, Austin Eguavoen, has stated that the presence of Norwich defender, Joseph Yobo, in Eagles squad to the World Cup, will be an added advantage for the team. Eguavoen believes the team will need the defender’s exposure at the Mundial. While ex-raying the team’s defence ahead of the World Cup, the current coach of Insurance of Benin, said barring any last minute injury, Yobo should be on the plane to Brazil. “Definitely if Yobo is not injured, with his wealth of experience, he should be able to provide a lot of coverage in that middle,” he said. While accessing the defence, he said; “Initially, I was a little bit uncomfortable with the defence, especially during the qualifiers, but after a while, I started having confidence with their performance. The last friendly match against Mexico, the defenders stood out. There will

Charles Ogundiya

be big games like that of Mexico and I believe they can withstand the big oppositions. “The back four of Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Kenneth Omeruo and EldersonEchiejile, to me is a very solid defence. Egbwueke is not out of place, he is paying every week for Warri Wolves, and the few times he has comes in, he has done very well. “I love that new boy that got injured against Mexico, Leon Balogun. It is quite unfortunate that he wouldn’t have enough games before the World Cup because of the injury. However, playing in the German league I believe the confidence will be there.” He however advised that the midfielders should also pull their weight during matches. “To me, our defence is not something to be afraid of, but the midfield will have to do their part. You can’t leave the job for the defence line alone, that is where we need the strength of Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi to always be there and help the back four,” he said.

Wolfsburg striker also took umbrage at the delay in releasing the list, which is not even a final one when many other teams have since released their final squads. “They delayed the list for long periods but I think we should already know the 23-man squad. Brazil has named their 23-man

team as have s everal other teams. If you want to talk football really we should be involved in doing tactical training now not still bickering about a provisional list. “Again if we are not taking our best players and we are going up against teams with their best players, there will be a problem. We may just be going to Brazil to make up the number.”

Baba Ganaru targets Federation Cup ormer Kano Pillars coach Baba Ganaru, has declared in emphatic terms, that his target is to win the Federation Cup, claiming the trophy is something he has a strong desire to lift. Speaking after his club, Nasarawa United, won the Nasarawa State Federation Cup, Baba Ganaru said his players were improving daily. “You know the Federation Cup is a different ball game entirely, it has a lot of tradition and there have been surprises in the past, we have to wait first to know our opponents before we start planning our strategy. “From what I have on ground, the boys are improving. We have targets to achieve and honestly, we are not going into the competition to lose. Our plan is to go there and give a good representation of the state. Also, I have never won the Federation Cup, I have a strong ambition to win it, something I am working hard to achieve,” said Ganaru who won back-to-back Nigeria Premier League title with Kano Pillars. On the home game against Enyimba this weekend in Lafia, the coach said his boys were battle ready. He said; “All matches are important, we approach all the matches with seriousness. Enyimba is a team I respect very much, but I don’t fear them and we are going for the maximum points to improve our standing on the table.”

Akpoborie slams World Cup list CONTINUED from PAGE 25

SPORT

Keshi

C’Wealth Games: Doom looms for Team Nigeria

Nigeria athlete Stanley Gbagbeke in a long jump event

espite promises that Nigeria will never experience the type of shame brought upon the country at the Olympic Games in London two years ago, danger signs are again flashing that the worst may happen at the Commonwealth Games scheduled to hold in Glasgow, Scotland, in July. Two months to the Games, there is no significant sign of any preparation by Team Nigeria athletes to warrant medals haul in Glasgow. Last Wednesday, national federation presidents who met with the Nigeria Olympic Committee, to deliberate on the matter, left the National Stadium offices of the Olympic movement sighing in frustration. They were told that no money has been released by the Federal Government for the preparation of the team and there is no hope in the horizon that it may happen soon to enable Nigerian athletes sparkle in the Games. “What this means is that Nigerians should not expect any miracle from the athletes we are taking to the Commonwealth Games. If

...as federation presidents raise the alarm two months to the Games in Scotland, money has not been released for preparation, what then do you expect from the athletes? ”, observed President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Chief Solomon Ogba, shortly after the meeting at the NOC. “We were in a similar situation for the Olympic Games in London two years ago. At the end of it all,

no Nigerian athlete won any medal and we the administrators were blamed for the failure. It is to avoid taking blames for what is not our direct fault that we are sounding it loud and clear that nobody should expect medals from Team Nigeria in Glasgow,” stressed the AFN chief who is running his federation’s programmes from private funding.”

MultiChoice promises uninterrupted World Cup broadcast

ay-TV giants, MultiChoice Nigeria, has assured Nigerians of uninterrupted broadcast of the 2014 World Cup, which kicks off in Brazil next month. MultiChoice, which recently announced that SuperSport on its DStv platform has secured screening rights to all the matches of the World Cup, is confident of screening the matches in excellent sound and picture quality.

Speaking in Lagos recently, Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing, said the company is committed to continually deliver thrilling content in the best picture and sound quality available. He assured subscribers that all the World Cup matches will be screened live on its DStv and GOtv platforms, and will also be available on the SuperSport HD channels.

hinedu Obasi is expected to be in action when Schalke take on Nurmberg as the Blue Royals are set

Obasi set to earn Schalke Champions League ticket

igerian internationals, Odion Ighalo and Ramon Azeez, are expected to be in the battle when Granada host Almeria in a Spanish La Liga fixture today. The two sides are heavily involved in survival battle and their Nigerian imports will not be friendly with each other until the end of the hostilities. Azeez has been enjoying a regular playing time since he broke into Almeria first team and the defensive midfielder has managed a27 league appearances and has weighed in two goals. The former Flying Eagles captain has enjoyed an impressive week when he scored his second goal and got called up by Coach Stephen Keshi for the World Cup. His confidence level is expectedly high and that should reflect in his performance in the tie because he has talked up his desire to help his team avoid straight return to the lower division in Spain. Ighalo has been struggling for form since he returned from injury that laid him off for several weeks and he has been unable to add to the solitary goal he has managed this term.

Azeez, Ighalo in survival battle in Spain

Ighalo

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rendan Rodgers has urged Liverpool to set up a title shoot-out on the final day of the season as he warned Manchester City the race to be crowned champions was “not over by a long way”. The Liverpool manager delivered a defiant rallying call ahead of tonight’s showdown with Crystal Palace by casting doubt on City’s ability to win their final two matches despite Saturday’s 3-2 win over Everton taking them to the Premier League summit on goal difference. A victory at Selhurst Park would see Liverpool re-establish a three-point lead and put the pressure back onto Manuel Pellegrini’s side, who host Aston Villa on Wednesday. “The message to the players is take it to the final day,” said Rodgers. “We have seen so many things happen on the final day before. That is where we want the season to go that is for sure. Hopefully, it will. “Manchester City need to win all their games, which means they will have won five in a row, and they have only done that once this season. So it will be a wee bit new for them as well. It is certainly not over by a long way. “At this stage of the season to play three games that really, really matter is a real, real tough ask for them. Aston Villa are an incredible team on the counter-attack and better away from home and West Ham, on their day, can be a really difficult opponent.

Rodgers aim to pile pressure on Man City

anager Manuel Pellegrini expects Manchester City to be crowned English champions for the second time in three seasons with his side needing only a point from their final home game against West Ham United on Sunday. City will win the Premier League unless Sam Allardyce’s

nal match of the season with 83 points, two ahead of Liverpool whose collapse at Crystal Palace on Monday when they blew a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3, left their title hopes in tatters. The only way Liverpool can end their 24-year-wait for the title now is if City lose to West Ham and Liverpool win. If City draw and Liverpool win, City would

on aggregate in the Capital One (League) Cup semi-finals, so an upset looks unlikely. The only other outstanding issues to be decided are whether Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester United take the final Europa League place and the final confirmation of Norwich City’s relegation. Norwich, who battled to a

ston Villa are amongst a host of club who are tracking Augsburg midfielder Kevin Vogt, who looks set to leave Germany this summer. The 22-year-old has been in excellent form for the Bundesliga outfit this season following his move from Bochum in 2012 and is on course to steer Augsburg towards a top-eight finish. A string of good performances has brought him to the attention of a number of sides in the Premier League, including Aston Villa. Vogt has just 12 months left

Villa chase Augsburg ace

alatasaray coach Roberto Mancini is being linked with a return to the Premier League. The former Manchester City chief has endured a disappointing first season in Turkey and is under mounting pressure. The Daily Mail says Inter Milan have already identified Mancini as a candidate to replace under fire manager Walter Mazzarri at the end of the season. However, the Italian has also been linked with Tottenham and Newcastle United in recent weeks as he eyes a return to England.

Mancini targets Premier League return

City wrap one arm round crown A zNeed z one point to be champions

Global Football Special

No. Team 1 Juventus 2 Roma

P 36 36

SERIA A

No Team P 1 Bayern 33 2 Dortmund 33 3 Schalke 33 4 Leverkusen 33 5 Wolfsburg 33 6 M’gladbach 33 7 Mainz 05 33 8 Augsburg 33 9 Hoffenheim 33 10 Hertha 33 11 Hannover 33 12 Bremen 33 13 Frankfurt 33 14 Freiburg 33 15 Stuttgart 33 16 Hamburg 33 17 Nürnberg 33 18 Braunschweig 33

BUNDESLIGA

Pts 96 85

Pts 87 68 61 58 57 55 50 49 41 41 39 39 36 36 32 27 26 25

NO TEAM P Pts 1 Atlético 36 88 2 Barcelona 36 85 3 Real 35 83 4 Bilbao 36 68 5 Sevilla 36 60 6 Sociedad 36 58 7 Villarreal 36 53 8 Valencia CF 36 46 9 Celta de Vigo 36 46 10 Levante 36 45 11 Vallecano 36 43 12 Espanyol 36 41 13 Málaga 36 41 14 Elche 36 39 15 Granada 36 38 16 Almería 36 36 17 Getafe 36 36 18 Osasuna 36 35 19 Valladolid 35 35 20 Real Betis 36 22

LA LIGA

PREMIER LEAGUE

NO TEAM P PTS 1 Man City 37 83 2 Liverpool 37 81 3 Chelsea 37 79 4 Arsenal 37 76 5 Everton 37 69 6 Tottenham 37 66 7 Man Utd 37 63 8 Soton 37 55 9 Newcastle 37 49 10 Stoke 37 47 11 C/Palace 37 44 12 West Ham 37 40 13 Swansea 37 39 14 Sunderland 37 38 15 Aston Villa 37 38 16 Hull 37 37 17 West Brom 37 36 18 Norwich 37 33 19 Fulham 37 31 20 Cardiff 37 30

28 SPORT NEW TELEGRAP 10 MAY

Costa

this season as well, could successfully complete a roller-coaster season with a strong finish. They could be boosted by the presence of captain Benedikt Howedes, back from injury as the defender races to be fit this week. Schalke will also have winger Jefferson Farfan back but will be without suspended top striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Their opponents are desperate for a win that could possibly see them snatch the relegationplayoff spot from Hamburg, who are a point ahead in 16th.

Phil Mickelson will look to end a streak of failing to finish inside the top-10 at any PGA Tour event this season when he tees off at this week’s lucrative Players’ Championship. Last week’s tied-11th finish at Quail Hollow’s Wells Fargo Championship means the five-time major winner is yet to record a meaningful result this year having missed the cut at the Masters as well as withdrawing from two other events.

Mickelson

I nter can move a step closer to sealing European qualification with victory over Lazio at San Siro on Saturday. Both sides are pushing for a place in the UEFA Europa League next season, with Inter occupying fifth spot in Serie A with just two games remaining. Lazio, meanwhile, are in with a chance of claiming the expected additional qualifying position after Napoli and Fiorentina - placed third and fourth in the table - contested the Coppa Italia final. Inter failed to challenge for the title in Walter Mazzarri’s first season in charge, but have consistently been in the top five throughout the campaign. Edy Reja’s Lazio have spent the majority of their season in mid-table, but they missed a chance to move up to joint sixth and close the gap on Inter to two points when they needed a stoppage-time goal from Stefano Mauri to draw 3-3 with Verona. However, the Rome club remains just four points adrift of Mazzarri’s men - meaning a win at San Siro would give them a real chance of snatching fifth place.

Inter tangle with Lazio for Euro ticket

Mazzarri

0-0 draw at Chelsea on Sunday, have 33 points, three behind West Bromwich Albion but with a hugely inferior goal difference they look sure to go down.

Team Liverpool Liverpool Man City Man United Man City Arsenal Manc City

Dortmund Munich Dortmund Berlin Nürnberg

6 Stefan Kießling 15 Bayer Leverkusen

Bundesliga Pos.Player Goals Team 1 Robert Lewandowski 18 1 Mario Mandžukic 18 3 Marco Reus 16 3 Adrian Ramos 16 3 Josip Drmic 16

6 Llorente 15 Juventus

Serie A No Player Goals 1 Ciro Immobile 21 2 Carlos Tévez 19 2 Luca Toni 19 4 Gonzalo Higuaín 17 5 Berardi 16 6 Giuseppe Rossi 15

Team Torino Juventus Verona Napoli Sassuolo Fiorentina

Bundesliga Saturday Mainz v Hamburg Hoffenheim v Braunschweig Leverkusen v Bremen Augsburg v Frankfurt Bayern v Stuttgart Schalke v Nürnberg Hannover v Freiburg Hertha v Dortmund Wolfsburg v M’gladbach

Betis v Valladolid

LA Liga Villarreal v Vallecano Levante v Valencia Sunday Bilbao v Sociedad Atlético v Málaga Celta de Vigo v Real Elche v Barcelona Espanyol v Osasuna Getafe v Sevilla Granada v Almería

Livorno v Fiorentina Sampdoria v Napoli Sassuolo v Genoa Torino v Parma

Serie A Saturday Verona v Udinese Inter vs Lazio Sunday Atalanta v Milan Bologna v Catania Cagliari v Chievo

Premier League Cardiff v Chelsea Fulhamv C/Palace Hull v Everton Liverpool v Newcastle Man City v West Ham Norwich v Arsenal Southampton v Man Utd Sunderland v Swansea Tottenham v Aston Villa West Brom v Stoke

FIXTURES

3 Napoli 36 72 4 Fiorentina 36 61 5 Inter 36 57 6 Torino 36 55 7 Parma 36 54 8 Milan 36 54 9 Verona 36 53 10 Lazio 36 53 11 Atalanta 36 47 12 Sampdoria 36 44 13 Udinese 36 42 14 Genoa 36 41 15 Cagliari 36 39 16 Sassuolo 36 31 17 Chievo 36 30 18 Bologna 36 29 19 Catania 36 26 20 Livorno 36 25

TOP SCORERS

La Liga No Player Goals Team 1 Cristiano Ronaldo 31 Real 2 Lionel Messi 28 Barcelona 3 Diego Costa 27 Atlético 4 Alexis Sánchez 18 Barcelona 5 Karim Benzema 17 Real 6 Adúriz 16 Athletic Club

EPL Pos. Player Goals 1 Luis Suarez 31 2 Daniel Sturridge 21 3 Yaya Touré 20 4 Wayne Rooney 17 4 Sergio Agüero 17 6 Olivier Giroud 16 6 Edin Dzeko 16

lympique de Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac is not counting on extending his stay at the club just yet as the new manager may not want to keep him. The French striker was previously a target of West Ham United in the January transfer window who looked to take advantage of his fall-out with former boss Elie Baup. However, with Baup long gone and Marcelo Biesla set to be the new manager in the summer, Gignac remains hopeful that he will extend his stay at the club. Gignac said in comments relayed by Le 10 Sport that he has a “tendency” to remain at Marseille, although admits that he is uncertain whether Biesla will want to keep him.

Marseille’s Gignac’s future uncertain

Gignac

to run on his current contract and the Villans are keen to try and take advantage of that by forcing Augsburg into selling one of their star assets. Villa will face stiff competition if they do move for Vogt, with Hull City said to be ready to rival any offer the Midlands club make, while Southampton, Stoke and Leicester are also reportedly monitoring the defensive midfielder.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal, and not Roger Federer, is the greatest tennis player of all time, according to eight-time grand slam champion, Andre Agassi. The 32-year-old Federer, with 17 grand slam titles, leads his younger opponent who has 13 majors and is recognised as a complete player on all surfaces. “I’d put Nadal number one and Federer number two,” Agassi told Singapore’s Straits Times newspaper, stoking the popular debate.

Nadal

a legal battle in 2011 to stop Van Gaal taking over as technical director at Ajax. And it appears there is still no love lost between the two after Cruyff mocked Van Gaal for Holland’s style of football and taking a team that was rated the best in the world behind Spain to tenth.

Cruyff slams van Gaal

Barca and Atletico have already met five times this season, with four draws and that one single-goal Champions League win for Atletico which saw them reach the semifinals. It could be Atletico’s greatest ever season and they’re now in the Lisbon final against neighbours Real Madrid, who could have ruined their season by winning the league and a 10th European Cup. Yet Madrid’s 1-1 draw at Valladolid on Wednesday night - after conceding an 85thminute equaliser to cancel out Sergio Ramos’s opener - has all but knocked them out of the title race. They can only reach 90 points and Atletico can go past that on Sunday. Atletico also have a superior head-to-head record against Madrid.

utch legend Johan Cruyff has stuck the boot into Manchester United’s managerto-be Louis van Gaal after criticising the job he has done with Holland. Cruyff was accused of undermining Van Gaal during his time in charge at Barca before the former fought

van Gaal

tletico Madrid will be champions of Spain this Sunday if they win at home to Malaga and Barcelona don’t win at Elche. If they both win, then the league will go to the final game of the season, when Barcelona play Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday May 18. So let’s put it another way: if Barcelona win their remaining two games then they’ll retain the league, even if they finish on the same points as Atelti. That’s because by winning the final game of the season, they’d have a superior head-to-head record having drawn the league game in Madrid.

SPORT BRIEFLY

our teams are fighting for the chance to play in the Champions League next season as the Bundesliga finale on Saturday promises a nailbiting climax and a battle for Hamburg to avoid their first ever relegation. Third-placed Schalke, three points ahead of Bayer Leverkusen, have the best chance to keep their place with a win over 17th-placed Nurnberg and grab the last automatic Champions League group stage spot. Schalke, who competed in Europe’s premier club competition

win the title on goal difference. City have beaten West Ham three times this season, winning 3-1 at Upton Park in the league and routing the Londoners 9-0

Atletico may claim La Liga title Sunday

West Ham pull off a major upset at the Etihad Stadium and Liverpool beat Newcastle United at Anfield. City, who beat Aston Villa 4-0 on Wednesday, head into the fi-

Four clubs battle for Champions League spots in Germany

Rodgers

With Mumbai Indians getting back to winning ways with two back-to-back victories at home after five straight losses in the UAE, all-rounder Corey Anderson feels the defending Indian Premier League champions have soaked up the early pressure and are on track again. “I guess there was lot more pressure being champions as well last year to come out and I guess dominate again. We are on track at the moment and if we can keep it going and get to the play-offs and then take it from there, then we will be doing well,” Anderson said.

Anderson

uper Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, will hope to end the season on a high by adding to his 12 goals as Fernabahce host Michael Eneramo’s Karabulspor this weekend. Emenike has not scored in his club’s last five games and he will be desperate to end that drought in this time. Fernabahce don’t have much to play for other than pride as Yellow Canaries have won the league already.

For Enaramo it has not been an impressive season for him. He failed to tie down a regulr shirt at Bursaspor before he was loaned to Karabulspor and he has just four strikes to show in the league so far. Godfrey Oboabona will be expcted to be in action when Rizespor travel to Kasimpasa in the Turkish league. The Nigerian defender has been a regular feature on Rizespor’s starting line up and he has rewarded his coach with two goals.

Emenike eyes more goals

Obasi

to clinch a Champions League spot. The former Hoffenham striker has been playing regularly for Schalke since he returned from injury that kept him out of action for several months. The Nigerian has racked up 14 games and has scored twice. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Nigerian should start against the relegation battlers today because Schalke are going to be without their top striker, Klaas Huntelaar, who has been suspended. He will be keen to add to his tally and help his side clinch automatic Champions League ticket. PH ON SATURDAY AY 2014

SPORT

30 SPORT

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 May 2014

Peter Crouch’s wife looking mint

rom chicken fillets to surgery and plunge bras, there’s no shortage of ways for women to boost their assets. But for those who dread the double boob effect push-up bras can create, help is at hand in the shape of ‘The One’ bra - the latest addition to Ultimo’s cleavage boosting arsenal. Fronting the new campaign was Abbey Clancy who looked glamorous as she posed in the bra which comes in a range of summery pastel hues including mint and peach. It seems we can’t get enough of long-limbed Abbey Clancy in various states of undress. After being treated to various shots of her in a flawless bikini on holiday, the model can now be seen showing off her toned physique in Ultimo’s latest range of pretty pastel

Abbey

bras. Whether you have it on show or not, a classic lace lingerie set is a musthave for any woman. Forget black and white, with spring here to stay, now is the perfect time to be sporting pastel shades. Talking about the new designs, Abbey said, ‘The new Ultimo range is beautifully bright and flirty – perfect for summer. ‘You can mix and match the two new styles, so the collection is very easy-to-wear and lots of fun.’ Abbey, who regularly presents This Morning’s fashion segment and is the wife of England footballer Peter Crouch added: ‘Mint is a gorgeous colour for summer – really fresh and breezy and suits almost every skin tone. It also looks incredible with a tan or sunkissed skin.’

Balotelli shows off range of footwear

ario Balotelli is wellknown for his extravagant showings both on and off the football pitch, but his latest Instagram snap is surely a shoe-in to top the lot. The AC Milan striker posted a picture of, what can only described as, an incredibly extravagant array of footwear - none of which you’d imagine would be much use in a quick game of five-a-side. At times the 23-year-old can appear moody and sullen, but the vast array of colours, pat-

Lifestyle

terns, sparkly stuff and gold bits serve well to highlight what a vibrant character he is away from football. One thing is for sure though, Balotelli will struggle to get all of them into his suitcase in a few weeks, as he prepares to head off to this summer’s World Cup. It’s been an incredibly disappointing season for the Italian so far, as Milan have struggled badly in Serie A, and look set to miss out on Champions League football for the first time since 2009. Balotelli

Serena takes pampered dog for a walk in Madrid Serena walking her dog

elebrities and athletes often have big entourages, but Serena Williams prefers hers to be small and of the four-legged variety. The Tennis ace stepped out in Madrid, Spain recently with her most enthusiastic supporter, her dog Lorelei. Unlike most people, who have to leave their pets at home when they travel, the 32-year-old - who is in town for the Madrid Open - jets her Maltese terrier out with her. Obviously Lorelei is a seasoned veteran at supporting her famous owner and happily trotted alongside Serena, unlike Esther’s puppy who seemed a little unwilling to walk along by herself. While an unusual way to prepare for a match, the technique clearly worked as the ace went on to win her first round match. On Sunday, Serena crushed Belinda Bencic 6-2 6-1, making a strong start to retain the Madrid Open title. For their doggy day out, the player dressed as if she were about to hit the court any moment. Serena showed off her famous curves in a pair of three-quarter black leggings and a matching hooded zip up sweater.

Abuja, Kaduna jostle for Zaria 2014 polo laurels

Action at the last Lagos Polo tournament

op Nigerian polo stars, and their foreign counterparts are set for the finals of the Zaria International Polo Festival. Kaduna State witnessed the best of polo as Zaria polo festival galloped off in grand style last Monday, with over 25 teams jostling for top honours in one of Nigeria’s oldest polo festivals. President of Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) Francis Ogboro, will lead chieftains of the national polo ruling body and top dignitaries from across the country for what promises to be a colourful closing first phase ceremony. Zaria Polo Captain, Isa Hazo who confirmed this, stated that the prestigious polo festival had guaranteed exciting moments over the years as the best of Nigerian players and their counterparts from Europe, Argentina and South Africa, participate in the long standing festival. The highly revered Royal Signal Trophy, which has been contested for since the early 1920 top the list of major titles to be won in the weeklong Zaria festival. Former champions Abuja Rubicon is pitched

WITH

Chimaobi Uchendu

princehench@yahoo.com

08092747532

against the defending champions, Katsina Max Air in this high stake Royal Signal crown. Other major prizes that are traditionally at stake in the century old Zaria polo fiesta include Emir of Zazzau Cup, The Governor’s Sarkin Jafaru Memorial, the Commandant’s Cup, The University Cup, Unity Bank Cup and the Beginners’ Cup, among others. As the first tournament that gallops off the second leg of the glamorous national polo tour, the Zaria event is guaranteed to be highly competitive and exciting as the players and the ponies return to action fresh after three months of break. Billed for its traditional Queen Elizabeth Road Polo Ground venue, the weeklong event is a must attend as most of the big names in Nigerian polo are expected to showcase their skills. Zaria polo is all about the Royal Signal Cup, the tourna-

ment biggest and one of the most wanted polo prizes in the country. The allure of the title comes from the fact that the winner of this prestigious prize is crowned the king of Zaria polo. Teams from Kaduna, Abuja and Katsina are the traditional rivals in this high-goal cup showdown, and this year the rivalry is certain to acquire an added zeal for obvious reasons. For three consecutive years, Kaduna teams had looked forward to breaking the Royal Cup jinx and made it to the final, only to lose to the holders, Katsina Max Air who has remained invincible winning record backto-back victories. Abuja has already dispatched fully armed squads to Zaria with an express order to exact revenge against their Katsina rivals and return with the main titles. Other clubs that are also vying for honours during the tournament include those from Bauchi, Jos, Yola, Minna, Sokoto and Maiduguri, who have already warmed themselves to the hearts of Zaria polo enthusiasts since their arrival.

SPORT

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 May 2014

How Igho Otegheri swept me off my feet -Okagbare Nigeria’s track queen, Blessing Okagabare, x-rays the forthcoming Commonwealth Games and Rio Olympics, while also reliving the truimphs of the past. She also opens up on the love of her life,former Super Eagles player, Igho Otegheri, in this chat with EMMANUEL TOBI Congrats on your win at the Jamaican Open. Did you see it coming? Sure, I prepared for it. I told you I knew Jamaica is a land of champions and Blessing Okagbare is Nigerian champion going to compete with champions. It was great winning the 100m race. I am okay with the time I ran. I came here and wanted to stay healthy. I was just trying to execute my plans. Let me also quickly correct this impression that Shelley Ann Fraser-Pryce was meant to compete in the 100m. It was just a mix up in the media. She did the 200m which she won. You have started your 2014 season on a winning note, is it a sign of things to come? Definitely. I’m working very hard to be at my best this season and do my utmost to be the best in my field What went through your mind after winning the two medals at the World Athletics Championship in Russia last year considering your disappointment at the London 2012 Olympics? First, during the 2013 World Championship, I was not thinking about London 2012 failure. It was already forgotten because I don’t think about failures. I always strive to think about the positives because the striving to be better in whatever you do will not allow you remember the failures. The truth is that I was really aiming for three medals at the World Championship in Russia but I got two and I think it was not too bad. It was worth it because I knew what my body went through preparing for Russia 2013 and I felt it after the competition. Getting two medals in a major championship like that was not really easy but I was just happy because it would have been somebody else. I give glory to God because it was Blessing Okagbare that gave my country the medals at the Championship. I feel blessed and so proud of it. A lot of pundits still believe we don’t have a team for the Commonwealth Games. What is your take on that and your personal target for the championship? I can’t really say much about the team but I can speak as an individual. I know the Athletics Fed-

Okagbare

love to sing at my quiet time. I have a lot of gospel music and I try to sing. I sing in my bathroom and also in the choir in church.

er ...with Otegh Okagbare

eration has plans and programmes for the athletes and they are monitoring our individual preparations and participation at different championships across the world. For me, this is my first Commonwealth Games because I missed the last one. Individually, I cannot vouch for people because I don’t know their programmes and I don’t know what they are doing, but I can only speak as Blessing Okagbare. My aim is to do well at the Commonwealth because this is my first outing at the competition and it will be great. I really want to do well. My target is to come back with two medals for sure. What are the events you will be competing in at the Games? You will know when the time comes because it’s just a secret (laughs……) What about the relay? Are you no longer part of the team? The relay team is a group effort and that is why I didn’t count it in but I will be doing two track and field events. We have a strong team for the relay team and who says we can’t win? Let’s go personal now, who is Blessing Okagbare? Blessing Okagbare is a lady that was not born with a silver spoon but everything she has earned, she worked for it. She is a little strong headed but has a positive attitude to life. She always

wants the best for herself, family, people around, the fans and loved ones. I sometimes accept criticism from people because it helps me to grow. She is God fearing and easy going, but I talk to people who want to talk to me. I’m a very family oriented person and sociable. I’m just strong and try to care for people. So tell us about the man in your life and what was it that made you believe you found the right choice? He is Igho Otegheri, a footballer who is very down to the earth. One thing about relationships is that you need a person that understands and tolerates you both in your good and bad times. He is someone that really cherishes me for who I am and not the fame I have got. He is someone that looks at your inner beauty and wants to help you grow. He supports my dreams and pushes me to hit my targets. He came and I couldn’t say no. So how did he win your heart or what did he do to sweep you off your feet? I actually knew him before I left the shores of Nigeria. He is someone I knew through a friend and we were not really talking, but something happened and we got talking and that was it. I actually liked him as a friend before I left and we were talking as friends on the phone and I was

not really surprised when he asked me out. But you know, I had to bid my time even though I was very happy that he asked me out. We are women; we need to do a bit of delay tactics before accepting proposals. He is someone I really want to be with because he is nice and God fearing. Those were some basic things I prayed for in a man. He is kind and that is a great thing for me because he supports my life, my career and my aspirations. I couldn’t say no because he has all what I prayed for in my ideal man. Will you say being a footballer or a sport person also influenced your decision to accept his proposal? No. Sports had nothing to with my decision to accepting his proposal. Honestly, the sports aspect did not have anything to do with it. So what did he say that convinced you? He is a very easygoing person and he does not see me as Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare, but as the woman he loves and I love it. Most times he forgets that I’m Blessing Okagbare and sometimes I get upset (laughing) I’m just kidding. That is a very great thing because a lot of people just put the whole “Blessing Okagbare thing”’ on their head and that pisses me off. So how do you relax when you are not running? I watch a lot of movies and I

What about outdoors? how do you socialise? I like staying indoors because I’m not the out going type. I like sleeping a lot because of the type of training I undergo every day. Some people say I don’t eat but personally, I feel I’m trying to eat but strictly on diet. So when are you tying the nuptial knot with Igho? Very soon, but it is going to happen this year. Later in the year, everybody will know because a lot of people have been waiting anxiously. Now tell us about your immediate family… Yeah, I’m from a polygamous home. My dad is a very great man and something I like about him is that, he does not know how to beat his kids. He is a very calm man because most times when I don’t do well at competitions, he calls to encourage me. Though we were not born with silver spoons, but he cares for his family. My mum was never really in my life before she passed away. I have a brother and a sister from my mum and other steps brothers and sisters. My brother Felix is a nice guy and cares about me and my sister. My elder sister is like my mum and holds down lot of things for me at the home front. So what are your long term plans and target for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil? I’m looking forward to 2016 Olympics in Rio because it will determine lot of many things. I hope to set up my foundation this year and also start making babies after the 2016 Olympics. I need to settle down and invest in my personal family because the life span in competitive sport is very short.

32 SPORT

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 May 2014

Countdown to Fifa World Cup

Fernadinho, Brazil Onazi, Nigeria Khedira, Germany

DeRossi, Italy Tiote, Cote d’Ivoire

Defensive midfielders

Alonso, Fernadinho, Dembele ready for battle

Adekunle Salami

Alonso, Spain

Dembele, Belgium

he midfield is regarded as the engine room of the team in football. There are some supporting the attack creatively while others are assisting the defence to prevent goals. In the forthcoming World Cup in Brazil, the role of holding midfielders will be key because of the array of creative stars expected to be at the event. Spain has Xavi Alonso of Real Madrid to rely on for the yeoman job of stopping attackers from encroaching on the goal area of the defending champions. He does that very well for Real Madrid. He wins balls and also sprays long passes to initiate attack. Bastian Schweinsteiger of Bayern Munich is also being awaited by soccer fans to perform magic in Brazil for the Germans. He is very mobile and has a way of switching play to put opponents in trouble. He scores crucial goals with his unique style. He was outstanding at the South Africa 2010 World Cup for Germany. Another German playing in the same role is Sami Khedira. He is a great ball winner and does his job cleanly. Khedira is not rough like most people playing this role. He is very good in aerial battle but playing against Ghana, Portugal and USA will be a big task for the young lad playing in the holding role for a big team with defensive tradition. It will be interesting to see him face his teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo. The Azurris are like the Ger-

...Onazi, Song, Tiote too mans in terms of defending. Italy might not score but the opposition also finds it hard to break the Italian defence. Daniele De Rossi is one of those making the Azurris tick in the middle. De Rossi is tough and he scores regularly for club and country. He averages eight goals for his Italian team, Roma, every season. France is undergoing transformation in the national team and Paul Pogba, at 21 is one of those giving Le Blues a new look. He has scored just one goal in eight games for France but he is a strong player in the middle. He is more of a box-to-box player because he goes forward too. His abundant talent has earned him a regular shirt in the colours of Juventus. He played a great role in the league win this season. Fernadinho is another player expected to give fans something to cheer at the forthcoming World Cup. He is an emerging superstar like Pogba and he will file out for host country, Brazil. He has featured just six times for Brazil with one goal to his credit and has scored four goals for Manchester City in 28 games. He is very intelligent in his mode of breaking play and this could stand him out at the Mundial. The star-studded Belgian side has Moussa Dembele as the main man in the middle. With five goals so far for the national team, Dembele will be looking forward to score more in Brazil. He dictates game pace and is very strong with the ball. Belgium has Russia, Algeria and Korea Republic as preliminary foes at the Mundial and Dembele is tipped to work with Marouane Fellani to take Belgium beyond the first round. Nigel de Jong is Dutch but features for AC Milan of Italy. For club and country, he is a combative player. He is very strong and good in keeping opponents off the goal area. It is important to mention some of

the Africans playing the holding role for their countries. Yaya Toure of Cote d’ Ivoire comes to mind but he plays more attacking role now for club and country. Cameroun’s Alexandre Song is a solid man in the holding role. He has not been having enough playing time in Barcelona but he is very consistent in his role for Cameroun. Song will face an uphill task against host Brazil, Mexico and Croatia in the first round stage of the competition. He will have to up his game with the challenges ahead to boost his team’s chances of moving ahead in the group. With Toure expected to play more attacking role, Chieck Tiote is the man in front of the back four for Cote d’ Ivoire. He is not noted for goal scoring but he is good in breaking play and spraying good passes to help the attackers. Columbia, Japan and Greece are the opponents of the Ivoriens and Tiote could push his team to make round two at the Mundial In 18 games, Ogenyi Onazi has scored just one goal for the Super Eagles but his mobility and efficiency in the middle is very good. He has also scored a goal for Lazio in 51 games. Onazi is the one pushing Mikel Obi upfront to join the attack in the Nigerian team. He has been consistent in the green and white colours and have the potential to do much more in Brazil Former Eagles coach, Amodu Shuaibu, described the holding role as a key area in the round leather game especially in modern football in which everyone surges forward for goals. “Those in that position are not always noticed but they do the dirty jobs to tidy up things and prevent trouble in vital areas. No coach will joke with his defensive midfield position where a very strong and intelligent player is expected to be in charge,” he said. Years back, players like Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira and Edgar Davids helped their teams to be successful from the defensive midfield position.

StartUps NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

10 MAY 2014

For how long have you been in the Quick Service Restaurant industry? I worked with Burger King in the United Kingdom for 17 years and I joined the industry in Nigeria in 2009. So I would say 22 years. At Burger King, I did various things, including marketing, franchising, operations and training. If you want to ask me which role I enjoyed most, I would say operations. When Obama was campaigning in November 4, 2008, I fed 5,000 people at the American embassy for Burger King. All the businesses I run with them were successful. I was a successful trainer and created several training programmes for the company which are still running. Although I never set out to work in the food industry, I fell in love with it along the way. I was looking for a job and stumbled on the industry. There is the perception that when you work in this industry, you are probably not the most educated person. But when I joined, I found out that I was running a business that was turning over millions of pounds. I learnt very quickly that the industry will give one the skills to help you run profitable businesses. I worked in London, came back to Nigeria to join Food Concepts Plc, an indigenous company where I was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Chicken Republic division. When I returned to Nigeria, the competition was stiff and KFC had just come into the market. We had to dig deep to keep Chicken Republic afloat. I was instrumental in transforming the business in the face of increased competition in the QSR industry in Nigeria. I have really learnt some hard lessons in Nigeria. This terrain is tough but good to learn from. What do you do presently? A year ago, I left Food Concepts to set up my own consulting firm, QRS Consult. We specialize in providing bespoke consulting services for new and existing business in the hospitality industry. I have helped developed three new quick service restaurants (Grubs, Spice Bowl & Kobis) this year and currently working with several other companies in improving their overall operational performance or market entry plans across West & East Africa. I am also involved in Green House Farm situated at Shagamu, Ogun State. We supply vegetable, tomatoes and equipment to the catering and hospitality industry. The products will start rolling out by the end of May this year. I am accredited to deliver several hospitality industry-focused training programmes for the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) UK. I hold director level positions in some successful food-related businesses, including (Mac Brothers Nigeria, Q8 Nigeria Limited, Urban Deliveries Ltd & Grubs International Limited) working on several projects across West and East Africa. How do you cope in an industry perceived to be dominated by the women folk? I am not sure it is dominated by women; I think I would have to challenge you. Although this is the general perception, consider the best chefs in the world today. Gordon Ramsey, a Scot, is one of them. He has won several awards to his name and we have many other good male chefs. The problem is that people think the food business is all about cooking but that is probably the easiest part. And generally too, there is a feeling that women can cook better than men. I am not really into that argument but when you cook, have it at the back of your mind that you need to market the product and make it acceptable in the public. Most people can cook, but the question is what would continue to attract people to you. This is where management comes in.

The Nigerian who cooked for Obama

For 17 years, Tunde Ogunrinde worked with Burger King where he fed over 5,000 people at the American embassy in United Kingdom when President Barack Obama’s visited in 2008. He returned to Nigeria and joined Food Concepts (Chicken Republic) in 2009 as the chief operating officer. He resigned in 2013 to set up his own firm. Ogunrinde spoke with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS

33 sistency of the products) and the last thing is the branding element in terms of what it looks like. The idea is actually to be world class and modern Africa and I think they have been able to transform the business and become a serious player both in Nigeria and Ghana. They have four stores in Ghana now and over 60 in Nigeria. Why have those brands that used to be very strong some years ago declined? It is a tough market out there and competition is increasing every day. If you do not keep up with competition, you will struggle and fall by the roadside. It is also all about three things; your people; your products and your image. I think some of those brands may not have been able to keep up and some of the new brands doing well have been able to attract funding from external companies. So, funding has also helped to reinvent. However, despite the tough market, fortune favours the bold. As an authority in the quick service restaurant business, do you have plans to set up shop? I have one already, Grubs International Limited. It is at Freedom Park, Lagos Island and the second site opens in 45 days at Lekki expressway. I call myself a “food entrepreneur” whose vision is to feed people with useful knowledge and their tummy with good, wholesome food. As a kid, what was your dream? I wanted to be a doctor. I actually lived in France for a year, learnt how to speak French and wanted to study medicine. But I had a rethink. My first degree is in Micro Biology from University of Ilorin and I love the food aspect of it, but I didn’t want to work in a restaurant. Once I joined the business as far back as 1992 with Burger King, I realized that it was an exciting industry. Since then, the vision has been to set up my own restaurant, which I have done and there are still many things I want to do in the industry. I graduated from the Kings College, London in 1992 with M.Sc. in Food Management and Science. I am also an Associate Member of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) UK. What are your plans for the future? It is very clear - to be the number one food entrepreneur across West Africa. How would I measure that? By making sure my own restaurant is established and we have different branches in the next five years and by making sure the Green House is the most successful vegetable processing farm in Nigeria. I have equity in the Green House; I am a director there. We want to grow it to be successful. Grow the restaurants; grow the Green House and explore other markets in West Africa, including Ghana, Ivory Coast and Rwanda.

Ogunrinde

The problem is that people think the food business is all about cooking but that is probably the easiest part. And generally too, there is a feeling that women can cook better than men How would you rate the QRS industry in the country? The industry is very young in Nigeria, though I give credit to some of the brands that are over 50-years-old. You

can continue to think about the length of time and the experience they have had so far. We are pretty much in what I would call our teenage years. Just like a teenager, sometimes it is tough to manage that teenage years, compounded with the infrastructure challenges we are facing in the country. But despite the challenges, this is where the excitement and opportunities are. Other brands came into the market because they see prospect there.

Any advice to entrepreneurs seeking to invest in the food industry? I think the market is big enough, but it is all about having the right idea. With the idea, the money will come to you. People are always looking for money fast. If you are passionate about your idea, you will get money to back you. It does not work well when you look for money first before the idea. You have to believe in something; something got to keep you awake and focussed.

Has Chicken Republic been able to position itself as a serious player since it arrived in the industry? The company has been able to achieve that by focusing on three things- people (by bringing in the right people to help drive the business); products (in terms of making sure that we maintain the con-

Do you wish any of your children should take after you? I would not discourage any of them and all my children can cook. I have three boys and one girl. I posted something on my face book page recently on when one of my sons made his first burger. He is 14 years old.

Faces

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

10 MAY 2014

Another kind of health fair at the creek

Sony Neme

t was an unusual Easter celebration for people of Aboh Kingdom in Ndokwa East of Delta State, with Ndokwa women being challenged to take up elective positions to liberate the people from the shackles of poverty amid oil wealth During the period also, residents of the oil-rich Niger community and its environs benefited from Aboh Ladies League’s (ALL) free medicare on Good Friday, being day one of the two-day event. The community based charity association that will be 30 years in May next year, with membership nationwide, held a twoday health fair to complement government efforts and awards ceremony. Chairman of the event was a former acting military governor of Mid-West Region, Brig.Gen Alabi Isama (Rtd), the leader of Izu Anioma, a Pan Anioma group, who doubles as the grand patron of the women’s group. The health fair with the theme, Celebrating the Aboh Woman, started with eye treatment, distribution of glasses to deserving women and children in the oil rich kingdom. They were also screened for diabetes and blood pressure. The next day witnessed a colourful awards ceremony for indigenes, and friends of the community who have been of immense help towards the development of the kingdom. Apparently irked by the absence of political leaders from Ndokwa land, the retired army general demanded to know what the recipients have done for the kingdom to deserve being honoured. Thereafter he challenged members of ALL to go for elective offices so as to take the people out of the woods. His words: “From my observations there is no presence of our elected representatives from the councillors, to the chairman of this council, representative of our people at the Delta State House of Assembly, Asaba, as well as the National House of Assembly.” Isama called on the people to contribute towards the league’s infrastructural development in the kingdom. Aboh Ladies Leagues’ president-general, Chief Annabelle Nkonyenum Uruakpa ad-

Day one of the health fair

Dignitaries at the event

Chief Anabelle Uruakpa (left), President General of Aboh Ladies League and other members of the association

vised political office holders in the region to emulate the awards’ recipients. “We should not shy away from doing things that are noble and of good report in our community, because we have since realized that local government is the engine room to development of the nation. We must change the game for a better community,” she said. She also appealed for donors to assist in completing their cottage industry that is about 70 percent completed. The essence of the bakery and gaari making industry, she explained is to provide meaningful employment for Aboh women and empower the women folk on family welfare. The project was launched decades ago and she said her regime is poised to finish and put it to use before their thirtieth anniversary next year. Uruakpa further stressed the need for de-

mocracy to be people-oriented. “The need of the grassroots dwellers is paramount; and the development therein is the only way progress and poverty alleviation will occur. as a result, we should emulate other communities, which have grown in development. if you are in a place of authority, or elected into an office, please use your office for the good and progress of your community,” she said. She further stressed the importance of the event in her topic, “Laid back syndrome”: “The Aboh woman should outgrow the laid back syndrome. we should identify our unique selling points and employ them effectively well for a better family and community development. For this year’s conference, we have decided to take up the health fair screening for blood pressure, blood sugar, eye tests and distribution

of free eye glasses.” She said: “Heath fair is a dynamic tool to increase awareness and an effective tool in public health education, because most people move about without knowing their health status. so this is to promote awareness, as well encourage individuals to assume responsibilities of their own health.” The event also attracted eminent personalities from across the country, with a number of them giving speeches. They include Prof Eddie Olisah Alumana of University of Nsukka; and Dr. Ogaranya Tabowei, a medical doctor and former commissioner for agriculture in Delta State. They spoke on economic empowerment of Aboh Rural woman in the development of Aboh; and prostate cancer, blood pressure and diabetes. The second day of the event was rounded off with an award ceremony to encourage some distinguished indigenes and friends of the community. Among the recipients were former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Dr. Olisa Imegu, Dr. Chris Osiomha Itsede, Chief Jacinta Omenogo Otokiti, Princess Philomena Oputa of NDDC and Chef Anthony Uti, Ugboba of Aboh Kingdom. Others are Chief Sule Ugboma and Chief Chris Ogwu among others. The only post-humous award went to Chief Hannah Ezedi Ogunbiyi for her achievements as a worthy community leader while she was alive. Among eminent personalities that graced the occasion were representatives of HRM, Obuenwe Imegwu II, Obi of Aboh Kingdom, Brig-Gen Onyekweli and Chief Emeka Uwaka Otunuya 1 of Utagba Ogbe among others.

Prof Josephine Alumana (left), presenting an award to Mrs Phil of NDDC

Relationships:

‘I cheated on my boyfriend but he has refused to forgive me’ p.36

Wedding Traditions: Spitting on the Bride: Massai, Kenya p.38 NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

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10 MAY 2014

'My boyfriend had an affair with my dad' Love Confession The expectation of every beautiful and young straight lady is to meet a straight guy who might turn out to be the man of her dreams. Sadly, for this writer, she was deceived by her so-called straight boyfriend and this deception led to her discovery of the truth about her own father.

y parents separated when I was very young, and as I grew up I realised it was because my Dad was gay. I stayed at my Dad's place every weekend until I was about 17, so I had met and bonded with a few of his male partners over the years. When I moved into an apartment with Uni friends, I began to see less and less of my dad. In my first year of University I met Rob at a friend's party. We bonded straight away over our taste in music and soon became really good friends. Rob was gorgeous- cropped dark hair, broad shoulders and bright green eyes - he looked like a male model! While I was usually extremely shy around good looking guys, I found Rob so easy to talk to and laugh with - hanging out with him was like hanging out with one of my girlfriends. While I always thought Rob was very good-looking, I had never really felt a spark between us, and was content with our close friendship. One day we were both hanging out in my apartment, drinking cheap wine, and I began to feel a bit tipsy. I had just found out that a guy I really liked at my work had just gotten a girlfriend, so I was upset and pouring my heart out to Rob. He listened to me babble on all night, offering me hugs and telling me that I was beautiful and would find the perfect guy one day. Without thinking I leaned forward and kissed him. At first he didn't respond, like he was in shock. He looked really confused, but then kissed me back. We made out for a while, and although he was a bit awkward at first, he soon loosened up and we both seemed to feel very comfortable. After that night our friendly 'dates' turned into proper romantic dates. Rob was such a gentleman, always holding the door open for me, paying for my meals at restaurants and never acting sleazy. After a few weeks we started referring to each other as boyfriend and girlfriend. At the age of 20 Rob was my first boyfriend, as I had always been way too shy to date boys in high school. As he was my first boyfriend, I didn't really know what to expect from the relationship. I knew that all my friends who were my age started sleeping with their boyfriends after a few weeks, but Rob

and I had been going out for a couple of months by this stage and he still hadn't made that move. He never kissed me in public, and our make out sessions never lasted very long, but I assumed he just wanted to take things slow. "I assumed he just wanted to take things slow..." Our relationship continued this way for many more months, and I began to feel rejected by Rob's lack of physical affection. I never mentioned this to him because by this stage I was very much in love with him and didn't want to start an argument. Christmas time came around, and Rob invited me to lunch at his parents' house, while I invited him to dinner at my Dad’s house. I was really nervous about meeting his parents for the first time, as he gave me the impression that they were quite strict. I tried my best to act confident during lunch, but Rob's parents soon proved to be very judgmental, making me even more shy than usual. They made petty comments about their son's appearance, and subtly criticised his choice of study (he was studying Teaching at the time). While they weren't out-right rude, I could tell from their sly comments that they were very hard to impress, and poor Rob copped most of their criticism. With lunch out of the way, we finally escaped, then headed to my Dad’s house later on for dinner. After having just broken up with his latest partner before Christmas, Dad was currently living by himself, and it was obvious that he was pretty lonely. When we arrived, Dad was really happy to see me, and very excited to finally meet my boyfriend. Dad and Rob seemed to click straight away - they both loved to travel, and spent the entire dinner discussing the places they had been and the places they wanted to go. Dad was a high school Art teacher, and Rob was studying to become a teacher, so they had that in common too. After dinner we moved into the living room to continue chatting. It was late and I soon fell asleep on the couch, but every now and then I would drift in and out of sleeping and Dad and Rob would still be immersed in conversation. Rob and I didn't end up leaving until well past midnight, and the whole way home he couldn't stop commenting on how cool my Dad was and how young he seemed. The next week, Dad invited us over again for lunch on New Year’s Day. Again, he and Rob chatted for hours, before Rob had to leave for work. I stayed to help Dad clean up and we started chatting about Uni and work, and of course Rob. Dad asked if it was serious between us two, and my mind flashed back to my embarrassing attempt to seduce him into my bed the previous night...which of course he rejected. I was feeling very unsure that day so I told Dad it wasn't really that serious yet. Over the next few weeks we all spent more time together than usual, and eventually it got to the point where it was just Dad and Rob spending time together without me. "At first I was thrilled that my boyfriend and my Dad were getting along so

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“Dad and Rob seemed to click straight away - and spent the entire dinner discussing the places they had been and the places they wanted to go” well, but then it started to get a bit weird." Rob was coming over to my place less and less, and we starting only seeing each other about once a week. At first Rob would enthusiastically tell me every detail of the time he had spent with my dad- but after a while whenever I asked what they'd gotten up to the day before, he would go quiet and try and change the subject. It was weird and eventually I checked his phone and found a whole bunch of

messages from my Dad saying things like 'I know I only saw you this morning, but I already miss you'. My heart sunk. Never in a million years did I think that my Dad would steal my boyfriend. I had no proof that they had actually had a physical relationship, but as soon as I saw those messages, I felt so stupid for not realising that Rob was gay. The signs were all there, it was so obvious. He was only with me to please his parents and to stop them from becoming suspicious about his sexuality. Two years later and I don't speak to Rob anymore, and my relationship with my Dad is still very strained and awkward as we have never spoken about what happened. I never told anyone the real reason why Rob and I broke up, not even my close friends or my mum. On the plus side I've recently met an awesome guy who is loving, kind and can't keep his hands off me! Courtesy: ninemsn.

36 LOVE&LIVING

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 MAY 2014

Love Song

Paralyzed bride planning a baby via surrogate Love News

mother," Rachelle told TODAY Sunday. "As soon as the accident happened it was the first question in my mind — will I be able to have a child? And they said, yes." Rachelle had hoped she could carry the baby — she can conceive — but they decided to go the surrogacy route because she relies on medications which could be harmful through the pregnancy. Rachelle’s story started in 2010 at her bachelorette party in Virginia Beach, Va., when she and her friends decided to take a late night dip. As she stood beside the pool, a friend lightheartedly pushed her. She went head first into the pool, which was only three-and-a-half feet deep. “As soon as I hit the water, I felt my body kind of stiffen up. I went numb and I kind of heard a crack in my neck,” she told TODAY.

n accident four years ago left Rachelle Friedman Chapman paralyzed just below the collarbone months before she was to marry her husband, Chris Chapman. On Sunday, after years of struggles, Rachelle shared happy news with TODAY: She hopes to have a baby using IVF and a surrogate. Rachelle and Chris have long hoped for children, but with her health struggles and financial problems it never seemed like the right time — until fate intervened. After a blog she wrote for a surrogacy website was tweeted and re-tweeted, the Surrogacy Together foundation contacted Rachelle offering to cover many of the costs. "I’ve always wanted to be a

Lovers in Court

Can’t stop loving you So you’re leaving in the morning on the early train I could say everything’s alright And I could pretend and say goodbye Got your ticket Got your suitcase Got your leaving smile I could say that’s the way it goes And I could pretend and you won’t know That I was lying Cause I can’t stop loving you No I can’t stop loving you No I won’t stop loving you Why should I? Rachelle and Chris's wedding photo, July 22, 2011.

Rachelle, also known as the paralyzed bride, suffered a C6 spinal cord injury when her head hit the bottom of the pool, losing all feeling from the collarbone down. Doctors say she will never walk again. She and her friends have vowed to never reveal the name of the friend who pushed her. Courtesy: Today.com

‘My husband is mad and evil’

Abimbola Sodeke

hirty-nine-year old Faith Obinya, a business woman has pleaded with the court to dissolve her eight-year marriage with Adekunle Akeredolu. She told the court that they have a five-year-old child (Oluwadarasimi) but were not formally married, stating that her marriage had been hell and she wants to divorce him given that there was no more love. She also claimed lack of care, threat to life and alleged she was beaten to coma. “When we first met I thought I have found a husband because he was gentle. So we started living together in my house, but now am sure he does not love me because he always beats me for no reason, whenever he comes home, he will just start to beat me like an animal. “He is still living in my house as I

“ Whenever he comes home, he will just start to beat me like an animal” speak and does not come to church again so I want him out immediately” she said. She added that he is irresponsible and does not take care of their child and had threatened to kill her. “He is irresponsible to the core. I met him in church and thought he was a believer, and a real Christian. it was later I discovered he had been married before and did the same thing to the woman after a child too. He is evil, mad and not responsible to our child, to me, what we eat, and

PHIL COLLINS

the clothes I wear; not even the soup in the kitchen,” she emphasized. Obinya narrated in tears how he slapped her five times and threatened to kill her and inherit her property. “I don’t love him anymore, let him go his way. He said he must kill me, and now he is selling out my property because I ran away from the house. He is mad and evil,” she narrated. She appealed to the court to grant her custody of the child since she has been the "mother and father" since birth, and also wants him to quit her property in order to live in peace and make heaven. The court president gave his ruling, stating that since Adekunle wasn’t present in court to narrate his part of the story, that he should be given time till the adjourned date of May 19.

Love Poem

MICHAELA TATUALLA

I Want To... I want to kiss your reddish lips I want to touch your rosy cheeks I want to hear your lovely voice Although it can make a loud noise I will forget all my sorrow Just to be with you .......... Send your poems with your name to ireto007@yahoo.com, call 08131161840

Romantic Jokes

Wedding Night

Sipho gets married and on his wedding night he calls his Father for some tips on what to do, since he has never been with a woman before. "So what do I do first?" His father: "Take her clothes off and lay her on the bed." Five minutes later Sipho's on the phone again. "She's unclothed and in bed, what do I do now?" His father can't believe what he is hearing, "Take your d*mn clothes off and get into bed with her." After another five minutes poor Sipho is on the phone again. "Dad, I'm unclothed and in bed with her, what do I do now?" His dad's patience is now running thin so he says, "Silly son, do I have to spell everything out for you? Just put the hardest thing on your body where she pees. Good night!!!" Just when the old man starts snoring, His son is on the phone once again. "Ok Dad, I have my head in the toilet bowl what do I do next?" "DROWN YOURSELF YOU BLOODY FOOL !"

Words of Wisdom: Hold on to your lover

'My ex-boyfriend faked cancer to cover up his drug addiction'

006 was the year I lost myself, lost my mind, and boarded my own proverbial crazy-train. Sparking it was a miserable divorce. My then-husband had an affair with our neighbor and got her pregnant, right around the time we were discussing conceiving our first child. Right after we split, I did the last thing I should have done: created a spunky Match.com profile and started serial dating. After a month of two of dating some normal guys, I met Brian. Our first date was nothing short of a cheesy romantic comedy. Too much wine, him looking deep in my eyes telling me how amazing I was, hilarious jokes, him carrying me piggyback down busy streets back to his trendy loft for drunk, first-date sex. (I did have a rule of “no sex on the first date,” but since he was perfect, I made an exception.) On our second date he told me he could see himself marrying and having kids with me. And I fell for it -- hook, line, and sinker.

Life Experience "This went on for a few more months, and slowly I had to admit to myself that we weren’t getting cancer meds" He also broke the news to me that he had cancer. And that he was currently looking at treatment options but wasn’t sure what the future held for him. He offered me a dramatic option: never see him again or continue our everso-engaging love affair and see what happened. As the sappy love music played in the background, naturally, I chose the latter. In the weeks that followed I

felt like just the two of us lived in this bubble of romantic chaos. One week would be amazing -- filled with love letters, flowers at work, and plans for our future. The next he would call me crying, saying he got news from his doctors that the cancer was spreading. And the most messed up thing was that this emotional roller coaster made me fall in love with him even more. About two months into our relationship, Brian had to quit his job because he was too sick.

This also meant he had no health insurance. Around this time I began to find out that he had an estranged relationship with everyone in his family except his sister who lived in another state. He also had no friends except for a handful that lived in his building and they were all new. All this information was interesting. He then let me know there was a new experimental drug called “some-crazy-name-hecouldn’t-pronounce-nor-could-

I-Google” but we could get it in Mexico. Hoorah! We lived in downtown San Diego and the pharmacies in Tijuana were just a hop, skip, and jump away. So, off we went to T.J. to get Mr. Cancer-love-of-my-life’s meds. Just about every weekend we went down to the Mexico pharmacies, he asked me to wait outside while he got his life-saving medicine (nope, I never questioned that). And oh, did I mention I started paying for it? He had no job, no money, so essentially I started supporting him. But, really, I was saving his life. One day I came to his loft after work and he was terribly sick. Puking, pale and trembling, he begged me to drive down to Mexico to get his meds. I knew it was going to be dark when I got there which scared me, because no young American female has any business being in Tijuana, Mexico alone at night. Ever. When I said no, he cried and begged me. So, I went. Still in my work clothes (a Bac o n t i n u e s o n pa g e 3 7

LOVE&LIVING

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 MAY 2014

Relationships & Love Advice

Love Education

'I cheated on my boyfriend but he has refused to forgive me'

What is Gonorrhoea? Dear Love Doctor, a few days after having sex with my girlfriend, I started finding it very painful to urinate. I learned that I have been infected with Gonorrhoea. What kind of sexual transmitted infection is Gonorrhoea. From Daniel.

lso called the "clap" or "drip," gonorrhea is a contagious disease transmitted most often through sexual contact with an infected person. It involves inflammatory discharge from the urethra or vagina. Gonorrhea may also be spread by contact with infected bodily fluids, so that a mother could pass on the infection to her newborn during childbirth. Both men and women can get gonorrhea. The infection is easily spread and occurs most often in people who have many sex partners.

Dear Love Doctor, My name is Ada and I live in Lagos. Please I want you to tell me what to do. I have a problem with my boyfriend and I am the cause of everything that happened because I cheated on him. However, since then, I have been begging him to forgive me but he has refused. Please tell me what to do because I don't want to lose him. I love him so much. From Ada. Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Ada, What you did must have hurt him very deeply and also destroyed the trust he had in you. If you truly loved him, you wouldn't have cheated on him. There are boundaries in every relationship and when you cross those boundaries, your partner might be so deeply hurt or emotionally/psychologically scarred that resentment towards you becomes permanent and reconciliation becomes impossible. For now, maybe he needs time to heal. So give him time to get over it since he is still angry. When his anger cools, you can seek reconciliation with him again. Perhaps by that time he might be willing to take you back. However, if after all said and done, he still refuses to reconcile with you, learn the lesson that infidelity doesn't pay, and move on with your life as a changed or more responsible person. c o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 3 6

nana Republic silk skirt, matching blouse and heels, I still remember) I found the bar he told me to go to and asked for the Mexican dude he told me to ask for. I suddenly realized there were only men in the bar and they had all turned to stare at me. A low whistle came from somewhere in the bar and about 4 or 5 of them all started walking toward me slowly. Inside my head I heard, “GET THE HELL OUT NOW” and so I promptly did just that. As I scampered back toward the U.S border, I called Brian telling him what happened and he yelled at me for not staying and told me to go back. I told him to go to hell because I was done. Two weeks later, he begged me to come back to him and I did. Why? Because I had officially lost my mother-loving mind. This went on for a few more months, (including late night scaryas-all-hell cab rides to Tijuana alleys with Brian to get his “medication”) and slowly I had to admit to myself that we weren’t getting cancer meds, we were actually getting Vicodin and Oxycontin. (I finally overheard him talking to a pharmacist about it.) However, I still truly believed he had cancer and this is how he was dealing with it. I mean, what kind of asshole lies about having cancer? No one -- in my sheltered, innocent world -- could do that. About seven months into the entire ordeal, things suddenly got better. Brian wasn’t using, had gained back the 20 or so pounds he’d lost, and he was offered a job in northern California. He asked me to move there with him so I quit my job and got out the lease of my apartment. As we made plans to move, he relapsed. I found his aunt’s phone number in his phone and tearfully called her. I told her who I was and that Brian needed help. That he had a drug problem and I was pretty sure it got bad because of his cancer. After a long pause she said, “Oh honey. Brian doesn’t have cancer. And you’re not the first girl he’s lied to

If you want daily love tips or advice, download The Color of Love Guide on your iPad and iPhone. Search for ‘Color of Love’ on your Apple App store now and download the App. *Send your comments/stories to Love Doctor. E-mail: ireto007@yahoo.com 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

about this.” What the hell? An intervention was held. He agreed to go to a fancy rehab that his mother who was long over his antics, paid for. There, in rehab, he fell in love with another addict and we finally broke up. I have to admit -- this story is an embarrassing one to tell and you might be thinking, “Is this girl an absolute birdbrain?” I mean, I look back and think the same thing. But, you guys, I was so, so messed up and desperate for love, I wanted to believe him. I was so terrified of being alone, I clung to any crumbs of this romantic notion that things would work out. But, this experience needed to happen and I need to tell it because getting conned was apparently what I needed in order to completely change my life. It was my ultimate rock bottom. I was broke, had no place to live, and no job. After the fog cleared I realized got slapped in the face with a few lessons. First, I completely ignored my gut feelings during the relationship up until the end. On the first date I had a feeling something was up with this guy. It was almost as if he was trying too hard, but instead of listening to that voice, I got drunk instead. Second, I was a raging love addict. (Yes, it’s a real thing.) Love, men and relationships were my drug. Add in a side order of intensity, and it was my favorite high. I was addicted to him and the drama, and I actually thought this is what love looked like. Third, I had been so afraid to be alone because I had no idea who I was. I would rather cling to any relationship than none at all. Fake cancer and drug addicted? I’ll take it! This experience forced me to look at how I felt about myself, what I was attracting and tolerating, and I had no one to blame but myself. At the end of the day, I’m grateful for Mr. Fake Cancer. And I sincerely hope that he has found his peace, as I have found mine. Photo: amissionformichael.com Courtesy: xo.com

What Causes Gonorrhea? Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in mucus membranes of the body. Gonorrhea bacteria can grow in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body) in women and men. The bacteria can also grow in the mouth, throat, and anus. Source: webmd.com; medicalnewstoday.com

H♥♥K UP...find your heart’s desire Women SEEKING relationship/ marriage

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♥ Crisphina, 26, from Abia, a orper serving in Minna, HIV positive needs a HIV positive, working man of 33 - 37 years for marriage. 08173348624.

♥ Temidayo, 45, tall, a widower in VI, Lagos, needs a matured lady for a serious relationship. 09036226953.

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Lovers’ Answers Game: The rule: Ask the opposite sex one question about love, and choose your lover from the top 3 answers. Precious, 23, via 07034496914 is asking all men: “What can attract a man to a woman?” *Call Mike: 07031028714 to send questions or issues.

Blackberry Connection

Ada, 28, in Abia needs a man of 35 40 years for marriage. BB pin: 21D29ECDßº. • 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.

38 LOVE&LIVING

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 MAY 2014

True Confession from Overseas

SEXUAL COMMUNICATION

'I'm the reason mum tried to commit suicide'

hen I was 14 I turned from a good, if not naÏve, child, and into my parents' worst

nightmare. I think I've always been a bit of a loner and although I had friends in primary school, I was never the most popular and looking back I remember feeling different and lonely most of the time. Once I started high school I found it even harder to be noticed in the crowd and it didn't take me long to discover that I had something all the boys wanted and I thought that the way I acted gave me an edge on the other girls and made me popular with the boys. The problem was, I was never respected, and I was never the girlfriend. I would be the one the boys looked to for a good time before choosing a girlfriend, or going back to their girlfriend. Upon realising this, I became even more unhappy and lost respect for myself, as everyone else had already done. Tough girls that used to call me a slut and pick on me relentlessly must have picked up a vibe from me and started to invite me out with them. I started smoking pot, drinking and staying out for days without calling home. I thought my parents were really square and were trying to make my life miserable for making me follow all their rules and curfews. The more they tried to lay down the law the less I went home. My parents had me drug tested, sent me to therapists and once had me admitted to a psychiatric hospital for a month, I think just for the peace of mind that they knew I would be safe. Little did they know, the hospital was full of teenagers like me, who introduced me to even more than I already knew. Around the

time I was 14, I started using speed, and medications that had the same effect. A girlfriend a year younger than me had 3 older brothers, one of whom was prescribed a medication I took for fun. Her house to me was heaven. There was drinking, drugs and drag racing every night, and the parents didn't care, and even joined in. We'd walk to a service station and buy chips and pies when we wanted to eat, no-one ever had a curfew or had to clean the house, and my friends mum wasn't too fussed whether we went to school or not. I thought it was the most fantastic place ever. I stayed there and even told my parents I wanted to move there and that I wanted my friend’s mum to be my guardian. My friend’s mum agreed, which now seems totally unbelievable to me and I'm not even a parent. In reality, my friend’s house and family were everything that would now disgust me. It stank, was dirty, the people were dirty and disrespectful and they're probably still living in the same squalor all these years later. A mediation session was arranged for my friends mum, my mum, dad and myself to meet at my parents house with a counsellor and I went there staunchly determined that I was going to hold my ground and leave there free of my parents and their rules. For over an hour I put forth my case, my parents put forth their case, and my friend’s mum sat in my parents immaculate home in silence, listening to my parents break down in tears and tell her how they worried whether I was safe, where I was when they had calls from school to say I hadn't been there and wanting to know what they'd done to deserve this and why hadn't my friends mum

Wedding Traditions:

Spitting on the Bride: Kenya

t a wedding ceremony held by the Massai people in Kenya, West Africa, the father of the bride blesses his daughter by spitting on her head and breasts. She then leaves with her husband and does not look back for fear of turning into stone. Courtesy: huffpost.com

Is it safe to have sex in the swimming pool?

“ I have never forgiven myself for that, even 10 years on, I know it's my fault my mum and dad are separated, and my mum has an addiction to prescription medication.” ever contacted them to discuss the fact that their 14 year old daughter had moved into her home without their consent. The counsellor asked that my friend’s mum leave and I stay for a while to discuss everything further and that the counsellor would drop me back around to my friend’s house when we were done. When it was just my family and the counsellor, I was asked if I knew that my mum had tried to commit suicide the week before. I hadn't known. My mum had asked that I not be contacted because I didn't care. I was sickened. It honestly wasn't until that moment that I realise that my parents cared about me that much and had been that worried and desperate. I was in shock. I did get a lift back to my friend’s house. But I was there less than an hour before I packed my bag and said I was going home. I

wasn't even offered a lift, I walked all the way home with my bag and just hugged my mum and dad when I got home. I have never forgiven myself for that, even 10 years on, I know it's my fault my mum and dad are separated, and my mum has an addiction to prescription medication she was put on for depression, sleep problems and anxiety. I was still not a model daughter after that. I left home at 16 after meeting a really dangerous man who introduced me to an even worse lifestyle. The upside to my story is that the dangerous boyfriend led me to meet my now wonderful husband, and together we have worked step by step to build for ourselves what we like to call a normal, respectable life. In the years since I turned 18, my parents have frequently told me how proud they are of me and how wonderful I've turned out. I have a fantastic younger sister who is now 17 and remembers most of the bad times, but all of the good, and says I've been a great sister. My family are probably more relieved than proud, because I know that whatever I may have done right, can never make up for what I put my parents through in those few years. And when my dad says to me, "I can't wait until you have children so you they can terrorise you", he may be joking, but a shiver runs down my spine. •Picture: posed by model. Your say: Have your say about this true confession. Courtesy: ninemsn.

aving sex in water sounds so sensual, doesn't it? When you're swimming in a pool or lake, you're practically naked already, so why not slip off your bathing suit and get it on? But, wait: is it safe to have sex in water? Not exactly. Lake, river, ocean, and pond water all contain bacteria. Having sex can introduce that bacteria into your vagina, which could put you at risk for infections that you don't want up there. Pool water, on the other hand, contains chemicals that could irritate your lady business. Aside from health risks, the logistics just aren't with you on this one. Since lubrication is key when it comes to sex that feels good, you don't want to end up all washed out (literally). The water dissipates your natural moisture, so you're left with frictionfilled sex that won't last long. What's worse is that if you're using a condom, the friction could cause a tear, and you won't be protected from pregnancy or STIs if the condom breaks. However, some women with dry vaginas who find it difficult getting lubricated say that sex in water helps in getting them lubricated faster and for that reason, they enjoy it. In the end, sticking to what works best for you and your partner is the best way to go. Have a happy sex life!

Woman dances with 12,000 bees on her naked breasts

apelli, 44, has created a lot of Internet buzz by topless dancing with 12,000 bees all at once. The Portland, Oregon-based beekeeper describes her bee dances as "a duet among many." "These 12,000 bees push with their powerful wings from each side of my body" In order to attract the bees to her topless body, Mapelli anoints her body with a special pheromone oil that is equivalent to the scent of 100 queen bees. The bees usually stay on her body for about two hours at a time. Mapelli says she's been stung more than 100 times since her first bee dance in 2001, but that doesn't bother her. “I just want people to understand that they don’t need to fear nature,” she said, according to India.com. Mapelli describes the feeling she gets when doing the performances as like "being in a tornado of bees," according to Barcroft TV. When Mapelli is done shaking her tail feather with the bees, an assistant removes the pheromone oil around her neck and then she jumps up and down to shake off the swarm, the Daily Mail reports.

Odd news

She then removes any stingers sticking to her flesh with a soft brush. Mapelli believes her bee dances send a message to the bees as well. "I hope to help the bees of the Northwest by encouraging them to swarm and become hardy to the ever changing environment," she said. In videos uploaded to YouTube she warns viewers: 'Do not try this at home.' She also says that applying the first layer of bees of bees is extremely painful as they cling on to her armpits, hair,

breasts and chin. But she says the pain is worthwhile and hopes that her unusual line of work will help the bees' plight. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that the total number of managed honey bee colonies has decreased from 5million in the 1940s to only 2.5million today. From the winter of 2006 to 2011 annual losses averaged about 33 percent each year with causes including viruses, parasites and toxic pesticides used in farming. The winter of 2011 to 2012 was an exception, when total losses dropped to 22 percent. Climate change is also cited as a possible reason for colony decline. If numbers continue to drop, the Department of Agriculture notes that the cost of honey will inevitably increase. On her website Ms Mapelli, who lives with her artist partner, Theodore Holdt, encourages people to grow flowers in a bid to help solve the problem. She concludes: 'Bees also love a bowl of water with large rocks that act as islands during the hot summer months. 'So go outside and beautify your surroundings for the future of us all.' Courtesy: huffpost, dailymail.

Travel&Tourism ON SATURDAY

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/travel

Destination Planned Marina project to give Badagry slave port a makeover p.42

Travel Personality BARRY CURRANT: Committed to building Starwood's legacy p.41

ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA, EDITOR, TRAVEL AND TOURISM iroandy@ymail.com

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

10 MAY 2014

HOSPITALITY

A facacle of Pearl Court Hotel

It's a different world at Pearl Court Hotel Pearl Court Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, is distinctively heavy on providing world class and personalised facilities and services, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA

N every respect, the Parkview Estate, Ikoyi–based Pearl Court Hotel, is distinctively in a world of its own. From inception, the hotel’s chairman, Deacon Olatunji Kolade Belo, had his eyes trained on building a world class hotel featuring standard and quality facilities and managed by a Nigerian with global experience who can impact the hotel for good and make it a reference point in the hospitality sector. The chairman seems to have achieved these and many more within its short existence (three years), as Pearl Court Hotel is highly regarded by guests and operators in the sector. The general manager, Mr. Kassim Durosomo, is a United Kingdom-trained hotel manager, the first black hotel general manager in England. He was head-hunted from England in 2010 to nurture the hotel from scratch. From the look of things Durosomo’s romance with the hotel appeared to have paid off given the success level of the hotel and its various achievements within the three years it has opened for business. ‘‘To tell you the truth I have never regretted coming back to Nigeria to manage hotel. What I like is the fact that I am trying to transfer the experience that I have gained internationally to the people of Nigeria and my staff,’’ Durosomo beamed as he highlights

the unique features of the hotel. ‘‘The owner is a quality man. From what you can see here everything is a state of the art facility, quality is his priority. He got everything from Germany, from the flooring to the furnishing, the beds, crockery, everything came from Germany and that was why he went for a quality manager. He said he wanted a Nigerian somewhere with international experience to manage the hotel and that was why they looked for me.’’ According to the general manager, ‘‘it was a big challenge when we first opened for business. Since we opened, business has been very good for us because we have even achieved the West Africa Hotel award as the best boutique hotel in 2012, shortly after we opened.’’ Furthermore, he reveals thus: ‘‘We met the expectations of people coming here more than we ever thought and they went round telling others about us, that 'if you go to Pearl Court you will get the

Golden Tulip FESTAC welcomes China AT Golden Tulip FESTAC, the stage is set for the hosting of the Little Chinese Festival, a gastronomy fiesta that promises to be a blend of Chinese food, music, decor and exquisite costumes. Scheduled to hold between May 12 – 25, it would feature some of the unique and popular Chinese dishes such as firecracker prawns, the famous teriyaki chicken and beef, noodles, peking soup, chicken shrimp, fried rice, beef chow mien and many more. The dinner buffet holds between 7 and 10.30pm daily.

oom A typical bedr

best service there'. We are relying on a lot of referrals. We have a hundred percent occupancy during the weekdays and close to 80 percent at weekends.’’ For the boutique hotel, Durosomo explained that the market base of the hotel is corporate business and travel while also mopping on families, friends and individuals visiting and on short stay. The hotel has 36 well–furnished and tastefully-fitted deluxe rooms, and which at the same time can cater for 72 conference guests as the double beds could be split into two separate beds for twin–up. The conference facilities include two conference rooms fitted with state of the art equipment for conference and other business meetings as well as social events. For culinary treat, its Mi-

rabelle Restaurant offers a rich selection of foods alongside the bar, which provides vintage drinks. There is a swimming pool with ample space for sit-out and hosting of a private party. There is also a gymnasium with all the basic facilities located on the first floor. Mainly for the use of in–house guests, the hotel general manager says it is also open to non–resident guests who are carefully selected. The facilities, he says, are easy to use hence there is no stationed trainer or instructor at the gym as ‘‘you can always work yourself through the programme because it is very instructive,’’ he informs. ‘‘The vision of the company is for Pearl Court to be the best hotel offering the best of hospitality in Nigeria because whenever people use our facilities they always say this is bet-

HOSPITALITY BITS

Marriott opens four thousandth hotel AMERICA’s international hotel chain, Marriott International, has made a ground-breaking record with the opening of its 4,000th hotel, Marriott Marquis Washington, DC, which is the largest in the US capital and it is coming 87 years after J. Willard Marriott and Alice S. Marriott opened a nine-seat root beer stand up the street from the hotel. Marriott Marquis Washington, DC is owned by Quadrangle Development, along with its partner Capstone and is to be managed by Marriott. The newly opened hotel features amazing high design—from an all-glass rooftop to a 56-foot steel

sculpture centerpiece—and cutting-edge technology, from interactive TV's in every guest room to a just-released Marriott Hotels mobile services app. Connected to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center via an underground concourse, the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC brings more than 105,000 square feet of meeting space, 1,175 rooms including 49 suites, and five signature dining experiences to its downtown Washington, DC neighborhood. Situated at 901 Massachusetts Avenue, NW and spanning almost an entire large city block, Marriott Marquis Washington, DC is one of only five Marriott Marquis properties in the country.

ter than other hotels that they have used,’’ he reveals but the secret of this success is hinged on the quality of the staff. ‘‘I do spend a lot of time training my staff but the major challenge is monitoring them because to remain on top you have to constantly monitor your team to ensure that they are offering the best service. If you allow your team to get loose you become complacent, so I work with them on a day-today basis to make sure that we maintain that standard,’’ Durosomo said. He also highlights some of the unique aspect of the hotel. These include the staff, the building and the facilities. ‘‘You can have a nice building but if you don’t have a good staff forget about the building. The staff is the unique thing for me first; they are well-trained and they know what they are doing. Then the secondary is the building and the facilities that you have modern facilities because a lot of people want something modern. The cleanliness of the area is important to people.’’ Added to these, he says, is a good and impressive menu set. ‘‘Then good food is very important because at the end of the day’s work, people want to enjoy good food and have cool beer before they go to bed. So all those things are very important that you get them right at the right time.’’ With the success achieved so far, he said the future of the hotel is very bright. But he pointed out that moving forward, the hotel's next stop is either acquiring more facility or expansion of its present facility. The expectation is that with the high end location of the hotel, it should be scoring big. But Durosomo argues that the location is actually a challenge as the hotel has to go out to market itself and pitch for the right clients. ‘‘The hotel is in a high brow area but that doesn’t bring the business in. Because we are inside an estate and you don’t have a working trail and so, as a hotel manager you have to go out to bring people in. The location is a challenge because you are not on a high street but an estate. In Parkview there are so many people who are affluent and so they do everything within the confines of their homes.’’

40 TRAVEL&TOURISM CHEF’S CORNER

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 MAY 2014

At Rockview, Chef Ekong dictates the pace For regular guests of Rockview Hotel in Festac Town, Lagos, the chef’s special is a daily treat to look forward to. The hotel’s executive chef, Pius Ekong, tells ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA what makes dining at the hotel a special treat.

OCKVIEW Hotel, in Festac Town, has since its debut carve a niche for itself as an upscale hospitality outfit where guest satisfaction is a driving force with its facilities and services tailored to ensure the wellbeing and safety of the guest while closeted within the hotel. Its food and beverage outlet is conscious of this, and so, it constantly seeks to up its game as it ensures the section stocks the best and most sought after products. The restaurant in the words of the hotel’s executive chef, Pius Ekong, welcomes guests to a homely treat daily with its display of full complement of menu set. Ekong delights guests daily with his chef's special, a unique Nigerian delicacies, selected and specially prepared by him to give the guest a feel of the gastronomic packages of the hotel. For instance, on the bill on Monday is nkwobi; Tuesday – isiewu; Wednesday – abacha; Thursday – ugba while Friday offers special salad – mixed salad. Then at weekend – Saturday and Sunday – special pepper soup with mixed meat are served. Besides, for special or themed full course menu, Friday is Chinese n i g h t while Sat-

urday and Sunday are primps' days beginning from 11am - 5pm then Chinese offerings take over from 5pm – 12 midnight. Wednesday and Thursday are dedicated also to African delicacies with a rich blend of menus on display. Chinese delicacies appear to enjoy more days in the offerings of the restaurant. Ekong attributes this to the fact that it's more in demand these days because many Nigerians are beginning to develop the appetite for it and appreciate it more because seafood is very rich, colourful, healthy and appetizing on presentation. On a general note, both a la carte and buffet are served by the restaurant ranging from African to continental. On the African menu list are edikang ikong, ekpan kukwo, ogbono, equsi, ewedu, efo riro, onugbo and oha soups top the table while on the continental table are meals such as pilaf rice, coconut rice, fried rice, konkonlx rice, spinach (green) rice. Mexican chicken, chicken delight and supreme chicken are part of the poultry offerings as well as fish and meat. For dessert, the salad bar also has on offer different types of fruits and vegetable salads and cakes. For Ekong, everyone is welcomed to the culinary treat of the hotel as effort is made to provide for the needs of each guest whether listed on the menu set or not. He said every request is meant because the hotel has a vast and rich supplies. The kitchen is well–kept as part of the health regime of Ekong and his kitchen staff. According to him, safety of the guest is very paramount as well. As a result, Ekong ensures a mixed preparations of fried, boiled and steamed meals so as to offer options for the guest. ... Wedding without stress One of the special packages on offer by the hotel’s food and beverage section is called "wedding without stress," which according to the Food and Beverage manager of the hotel, Mrs. Udoye Ego is designed to give a classic and befitting wedding reception to newly-wed. The detail of the package include two complimentary room nights for the couple, an air-conditioned hall and public address system while the menu set for the day is rice/coleslaw, salad/ebo/ semo accompanied with water, malt and soft drinks as well as non - alcoholic wines. The capacity is for 150 persons at a rate put at N420, 000. With this special package, which has been gaining ground since its introduction, the couple is relieved of stress as all the planning and presentation are done by the hotel based on the preferences of the couple.

BACKGROUND Ekong's vast experience over the years has served the hotel well as he started his cooking career as a steward. It was not until after a year into the job that Ekong had the opportunity to be trained. Thanks to one of the former bosses who noticed his keen interest and took him under his wings taking him through the rudiments and encouraging him to be steadfast. As a result, he developed interest and passion for the job, which saw him working in other places such as Avon Gel Company in Apapa, Tin Can Hotel in Tin Can Island and Creek Restaurant in Ikoyi. He also ventured into setting up a private restaurant, which he ran for about five years but had to shut down due to challenges he couldn’t cope with. But in 2007, Rockview Hotel beckoned and he heeded the call and ever since has maintained his cause with the hotel where he has also undergone series of training and rose through the ranks. Ekong said that he derives joy and fulfilment from cooking, especially putting smiles on the face of people with his culinary creativity. His desire is to continue to improve his trade and acquire more skill and knowledge just as he is also interested in improving the capacities of his kitchen staff, training them and pushing them to the fore to take charge and explore the field putting into use their skill and experience.

TRAVEL BEATS Mayaewotours Tours rolls out 2014 packages

ABTA to host business travel conference in Nigeria

MAYAEWOTOURS, a Lagos – based Lekki tour management outfit has rolled its tour package for the year with the Brazil World Cup 2014 topping the list of tours spanning Europe, America and Africa. The details include: Brazil World Cup 2014 - June 13- 23 Students tour of France and Italy - July 29 – August 6; Student Tour of Spain -August 5 – 13; Students Tour of America -August 15 – 23; Students Tour of United Kingdom -August 20 – 28; Students Tour of South Africa - August 29 - September 6; Pilgrimage to Spain - September 23 – 30 and; Travel Conference to Canada - September and October 2014. Package include - visa fee, return ticket and accommodation. Contact - Mayaewotours@gmail.com

THE African Business Travel Association (ABTA0 has concluded plan to host its next event in Lagos Nigeria, billed for May 20, the ABTA business conference would hold at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel, Lekki. According to the founder of ABTA, Monique Swart, the one day forum is holding amidst the many challenges facing the Nigerian business travel industry. ’’These challenges include poor management of company image and brand, a lack of staff training and customer service, inef-

ficient processes and limited access to telecoms and technology to name a few. Many of these challenges seem too big to overcome, but many can be addressed and improved with the right guidance and motivation.’’ Therefore, it is to carve a pathway that ABTA’s led conference is designed to address, said Swart. ‘‘ABTA's next event in Lagos on May 20 will address what travel agents, hotels and airlines can be doing to improve their image and professionalism, giving direct insights from travel buying

clients as to what they feel is lacking in the industry. With the eyes of the world moving increasingly to Africa and global companies investing in the region, improving levels of professionalism in order to gain access to these potential new clients is vitally important.’’ Some of the sessions slated for the event include corporate case study on practical ways to better manage business travel spend, a 'how-to' session on collection and usage of travel data and an interactive round table industry discussion.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 MAY 2014

TRAVEL&TOURISM

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

BARRY CURRANT: A commitment to building on the Starwood legacy Irish-born Barry Currant is the new Area General Manager of Starwood Nigeria and also doubles as the General Manager of the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Towers. In this interview with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA, Currant says his vision for Starwood Nigeria is beyond building on its legacy.

The decision to come to Nigeria It was an easy choice to make actually because this is an extremely exciting country and a very exciting time for the country and we just learnt that it is the largest economy in Africa as per its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and I think it is long overdue, personally, and I am sure that nobody is going to ever overtake you again. So, hopefully you would hold on to this number one spot and grow from strength to strength. I have had the opportunity and pleasure of meeting the Nigeria (Starwood staff) team over the last four, five years because every year in Starwood we have an annual conference where all of the countries or areas get-together and it is fair to say that the Nigerian team has come on the stage, the world stage of Starwood, over these five years, so I have gotten to meet the people, gotten to know the people and I have been extremely impressed by their professionalism, friendliness, open attitude and dedication to work and overall, just a great team. So, it was a very easy decision when you are presented with a team of such quality to have the opportunity of coming to work with them makes the decision very, very easy. Vision We would be continuing the expansion programme, we hope to open another four or five hotels within the next six, seven

years and most of these deals have already been signed with Nigerian partners. It is very clear to see that the expansion that we really had in the last five to six years have been really tremendous for our associates based in our hotels in Nigeria because almost without exception, each property that has opened has provided promotion opportunities for people who were already working in our older properties. In fact that is really what worked for us because it means that we have been able to transfer the skills that they have held in those properties immediately into the new properties. This has helped them tremendously in getting attention in the market and deliver the sort of service that we are well known for in this country. We need to re-invest in the hotels and we are starting a major renovation programme in the Lagos property beginning in June. It is a three-phased renovation programme and we would cover the entire hotel. In June, we would start with two floors (five and six) and then we would move on to the public areas – lobby, restaurant, banqueting and then we would complete the remaining floors in the phase three of the programme and those are actually the floors that are the newest and they are already in good shape. Starwood brands Starwood Resort is an umbrella body and within that umbrella body are a number of brands and all of the brands are positioned differently to target different segments of the market and different lifestyle. This is because we try to develop our brands as lifestyle brands and you are quite correct to say that the Four Point is performing very well and the real reason for that is because it is a new product and it is in a great shape. So it captures the people’s imagination and a good position of the market. To clarify the positioning of the brands, the Sheraton brands should be aiming at a higher mark than Four Points and I am quite confident that that will happen once we get into our renovation programme and have some newer products to bring to the market. zz zz

PROFILE

T was a Saturday morning, and the stage was set at the Abuja Sheraton Hotel’s Wazobia Bar for the first meeting of the newly appointed area general manager of Starwood Nigeria, Mr. Barry Currant (He took over from the Austrian-born Alexander Gassauer who did a 10-year stint) with a group of journalists. He was shepherd into the bar by the General Manager of Abuja Sheraton Hotel, Mr. Boris Bornman. As they walked into the once boisterous bar, suddenly calmness descended on the scene and one could hear a pin drop. But as the journalists struggled to get their rhythm, calm and calculated Currant took the centre stage. In fact, he electrified the bar with his presence as he literarily stole the show with his wise cracks – disarming jokes and debonair nature whilst unveiling his person. After listening to him, the impression one has is that Currant not only has what it takes to get the job done – experience, skill and well - abreast of the prevailing situation in Nigeria and within the Starwood family but that he comes with a friendly disposition and suave touch. “I am from the Ireland originally, we are not a very big island but we do our best to promote ourselves,” Currant sure lived to this billing as he made a pitch for Starwood and himself:

Educated at Shannon College of Hotel Management and Cornell University; His position at Starwood Hotels and Resorts in 2005 as general manager at Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel and Spa; Area manager, Cairo Hotels based at Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel and Spa in Egypt, a position he had held since 2012; Has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry and has occupied various management positions in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Guyana and Egypt, these include: Complex manager, Le Meridien Hotels Egypt - 2001 – 2004;

We are going to be addressing our brands presence in Nigeria because we have nine brands and only three of them are represented in this country right now. There is no question that there would be many more Four Points because that has been a real successful brand in this country and I see at least two more of that coming into the market in the near future. But we have other brands which can add a lot of value, like the luxury collections, which I mentioned is going to open in Lagos. There is an opportunity for Westin, which is another brand that we have then we have other more boutique brands, like W Hotels, like Elements, which can actually spice up the hospitality market in this country. So we have a lot to offer and we are looking forward to the opportunity of doing it. Entertainment content We have a very successful Wazobia Night on Fridays at Lagos Sheraton, which zz zz zz zz

Area manager, Starwood Resorts Egypt- 2005 – 2012 and; Area manager, Starwood Hotels Cairo - 2012 – 2013; He has also overseen the opening of two new hotels in Egypt: Le Meridien Dahab and Le Meridien Cairo Airport. He has to his credit a proven track record in coaching and developing high performance teams and individuals, a number of which have been promoted to General Manager and Area roles. Barry also has a history of strong owner, staff and guest relations. Married and has two children, he is a lover of golf, tennis, rugby and skiing.

is focused on the local market. So, my question is, why are we doing only one night a week? As an immediate thing we are looking at expanding that to three nights a week. Number one, it is real because it is really much of the local people and for the local people and number two, it is very much successful. And number three, the people there are having a great time. That sort of a thing in terms of reaching out and providing the service that the people want to buy locally is something that we will be looking at in the immediate future starting with that. We are thinking of starting a dance on Friday night to Saturday and maybe on mid-week as well if I can persuade people to come out and have good time mid-week but that might be a bit more of challenge but I am going to try. The Nigerian market It has a huge population and how would I define what I have seen so far? Where I come from in Ireland is known as having a very warm people and this is one of our biggest assets and what we have been doing in centuries is marketing that warmth and that friendliness and I see exactly the same thing in this country because you can almost not find any Nigerian that doesn’t have a smile on his face. And when you consider some of the difficult circumstances that some of the people have in terms of their day to day living, this is remarkable. The other thing is that of a very welleducated people, the level of education is very high, very articulate people. For me, it is all about the people and I do think, in reality, it is your greatest resource. I don’t think it is the oil and gas but the people.

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Planned Marina project to give Despite its historical significance, Badagry is hardly a hit on the tourism calendar. But this former slave port may get a new groove once the Badagry Marina project is completed, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA

ITH the introduction of the Lagos Black Heritage Festival (LBHF), by the Lagos State government over a decade ago and with Badagary hosting the first few editions, it rekindled the hope of turning the spotlight on the slave port town. The turnaround is expected to be similar just like what the Roots International Festival has done for The Gambia, causing a swarm of tourists to visit the country for a re-enactment of a cultural fiesta linked to the slave trade era. For what seems to be a lack of commitment and passion for the true concept of LBHF, it was half-heartedly implemented and even abandoned for some years. However, it got a shot in the arm years after and since then the place of Badagry as a central focus was lost with the celebration now given a new impetus and turned into a city affair. But given the occurrences within the town, it would appear the Lagos State government has not entirely turned its back on the once famous slave port, as it has once again set its sight on calling attention to the town. This time, the dream is to transform it into a tourist haven taking a cue from such countries as Dubai, Tanzania (Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar's Stone Town) where similar dream is now blooming. The state government recently inaugurated the Badagry Marina project. Conceived in 2010 with a golf and resort developer, Ocean Beach Golf and Leisure Resort Limited, spearheading the project, it is meant to be an entirely private effort to renew the former slave port, starting with the Badagry Marina Project. The dream is to transform it from its present laid back and almost forgotten status to a tourist destination of world class standard and quality. Speaking on the project, the chief executive officer of Ocean Beach Golf and Leisure Resort Limited, which is also handling the Lekki Beach Golf Resort under a public–private partnership scheme, Mr. Ibukun Fakeye, is sure about the prospect of the project, which he said on completion, would totally change the face of Lagos tourism and Badagry town as well as its environs. According to him, the state government is only leveraging on the historical antecedents and natural endowments of the town, which over the years have been neglected to build a world class facility. It's expected to bolster tourism and grow the town into an economic resort that will benefit the people. He pointed to such places as Dubai, which presently thrives on tourism, the Stone Town in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, the capital city of Tanzania both of which share the same historical precedent with Badagry. Today, due to the commitment and

DESTINATION passion of their government and people, they have been transformed into notable tourist centres. Fakeye gave credit to Governor Fashola in conceiving the project. He revealed that it was the governor who commissioned his company years back to study the town and advise on what needs to be done to transform it. Once the recommendation was made, he said the governor didn’t hesitate to approve it and gave all the necessary support. The engineering work for the foundation is almost 70 percent complete but it has been stalled for a while now due to lingering issues, which he assured are being addressed. As soon as they are resolved, he said, work would commence and once completed within the next few months, he said the project would be thrown opened to the public to invest in. Fakeye said the Badagry Marina project and others dotting the state’s landscape are needed in order to attract the right attention to the state. ‘‘I know that these projects being conceived by Governor Fashola are projects that are necessary for a megacity like Lagos." Given its population and vast asset with particular reference to its coast line, Fakeye said: ‘‘Lagos State, as the most populous state in Nigeria is where tourism should thrive. Tourism in Lagos, I think should be the number one industry because of its beach front. We know that Lagos has over 150 kilometres of beach front in Nigeria and what else can we do but to turn it into a tourism environment.’’ The Badagry Marina project, he said, has employed the services of a renowned Nigerian architectural firms in its design. Given the extent of the project, Fakeye expressed optimism in the ability of the project to generate instant tourist traffic and economic gains: ‘‘we know that it would generate employment, it would bring visitors and investors who are on leisure holiday.’’ According to him, the project would create ample opportunities for the people to relax and savour the best offerings and would attract both local and international visitors. ‘‘They would come to relax and see where they can invest in Nigeria. It is more or less like a place that is prepared for both the locals and foreigners to meet and look at what the opportunities are in Nigeria.’’ According to the developer, the project seeks to create a new addition to the historic Badagry town, as it links the adjacent existing settlements and historic buildings with the new park and the proposed activities at the Lagoon front – social, cultural and commercial. The project also offers opportunity for the protec-

Models of some of the fcailities expected of Badagry Marina

tion of the slave route trail leading to the "Point of No Return" at the Atlantic Ocean. According to its urban development plan, the Badagry Marina is a dedicated tourist destination with state of the art facilities, including a beach front, refurbished museum, museum shops, fleet of boats, hotels, taxis, golf course, skilled tour guides and recreational parks as well as creative industry. All these are supposed to generate huge economic returns for the locality and the state government. The proposed tourist attraction would sit on an area covering one kilometre length stretching along the southern part of Marina Road. A shoreline reclamation work being carried out by the project developer is aimed at restoring the marina and making the base firmer to stand the avalanche of facilities proposed. The project itself is an integrated one as it infuses the old and existing historical elements and relics of the town with modern elements so as to give it a blend of the ancient and contemporary. With this, Fakeye said the local communities around the project site are fully brought into the project and a feeling of ownership is created as this would serve to protect the project and elicit participation from the local people who are also part of its client base. To this end, the local market or produce market of the people,

where the people sell their local products such as food stuffs and the popular hand-woven mats, is infused into the project with a modern slant given to it while the local scenery and colours are retained. As part of the project, the historic Gbereful otherwise known as "point of no return," would be preserved as one of the tourist attractions alongside the slave route trail while the waterway would also be effectively utilized stretching to Lagos Island. The neighbouring countries would also be encouraged to patronize the site. Parkland and landscaped public spaces for the use of the communities and the visitors would also form part of the array of exciting facilities at the Badagry Marina. The project is designed for execution in three phases with each phase accommodating different facilities and components, which on completion would present diverse and abundant leisure offerings ranging from upscale leisure, dining and wining, shopping, trading, cinema, theatre, boat cruise to entertainment. Phase 1 1. Slave Jetty 2. Pedestrian Promenade 3. Slave Boat Anchors 4. Tree lined landscaped park 5. Reinstated Slavery Museum 6. Waterfront Retail 7. Bars and Restaurants 8. Viewing Platform 9. Pontoon Bridge

Phase 2 1. Hotel with retail units at ground level 2. Retail Shopping Arcade 3. Waterfront Retail, Bars and Restaurants 4. Ferry Terminal 5. Viewing platform and launch platform for the Pontoon Bridge 6. Market and Lockup for local Traders Phase 3 19. Restaurant and retail building 20. Conference and Convention Centre 21. Events and Community centre 22. Hotel and Retail at Ground 29. Public Amphitheatre Badagry at a glance Badagry is a coastal town at the western flank of Lagos on the lagoon off the Gulf of Guinea, between Lagos and the border with Benin at Seme. Its population is estimated at 240,000 and it evolved as a settlement around the 15th century and became a major slave port during the slave trade era as a result of the port. It is on record that over half a million slaves were ferried through the Badagry port to America and other European countries. The town also served as home to the Lagos monarch, Oba Akitoye, who was deposed by the colonial masters. With the abolition of the slave trade came the dip in the popularity of the town while trading and agriculture assumed place of

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Badagry slave port a makeover

importance in later years. It has a rich culture and is inhabited by different ethnic groups with its traditional ruler known as Oba Akran. Today, the town which plays host to a number of relics, which are both symbolic of its slave trade and colonial existence would soon bounce back to reckoning if Fakeyeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dream project finally hits the bull's eye by attracting the right investors and patronage. Asked what fate may befall the project once Governor Fashola leaves the scene next year, Fakeye waxed poetic as he gave assurances that government is a continuum. He noted also that Lagos State over the last 15 years has witnessed a smooth transition and continuity in projects. He doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t envisage a change in government policies and direction, he added. If anything, Fakeye said the next governor would have no choice but to continue from where Fashola stopped because the project is private sector-driven and is meant to enrich the people and the state with very little cost to the government. So, there is no reason stopping the project, he said. Tourist attractions The Brazilian Baracoon quar-

ter; the first storey building in Nigeria. It was here that the famous Nigerian clergy, a returnee slave, Bishop Ajayi Crowder was believed to have stayed and translated the Bible into Yoruba. Lord Lugardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house, the Black Heritage Museum, which houses a number of slave trade artifacts and a range of Nigerian historical and cultural elements. Some of the other spots to reconnect with the past or catch a glimpse of the slave trade history are a private museum curated by the Mobee family, one of the families that were part of the history of the era. There is also the modern slave museum built by the Lagos State government by the port side along Marina Road; the slave market, where slaves were paraded and put on auction; the palace of Akran, the traditional ruler of the town also entices with a number of arts and craft of the people and their rich history. There is the first Christian crusade where open evangelism was first held. The Agie tree planted by the spot represent this moment. There is the missionary and colonial cemetery. Endangering the environment As the world awaits the coming to fruition of this gigantic and ambitious tourism

Gov Fashola

project, one of the issues that may on the long run affect the future of the project and which requires the urgent intervention of the Lagos State government, is that of the degradation of the ecosystem and the environment as rich flora of the town, are being destroyed as a result of increase in the activities of poachers and even land grabbers. Gbereful end of the town, an island of note with inviting natural allure is gradually losing its natural appeal with poachers felling trees indiscriminately without no regard to the environmental effect of their action. Home to the "point of no return" where the slaves were taken out of the country, some of its

Fakeye

flanks have been denuded with felled coconut trees, leaving the stumps as sad reminder of their once cherished covering for the region. It's not just Gbereful that is being desecrated; a similar degradation is seen too at the adjoining region and other parts of Badagry town itself with construction works of private residences springing all over the place, although feeble attempt is made to secure and preserve some of the historical relics dotting the land. What is happening at Badagry now, according to many observers and stakeholders in the tourism industry, is almost a re-cast of the fate that befell Lekki area, which

during the administration of Raji Rasaki was designated as a tourism zone. Moved by the rhetoric, people like Mr. Ben Ikeakor built the first ever leisure facility, Leisure World - Happy World in Lekki, Lagos. It caught the imagination of the people and attracted patronage but gradually some government functionaries bought over the place and turned it to high brow residential area that it has become today. The government simply looked the other way at the detriment of the tourism business. Leisure World - Happy World was run out of business while the promoter quietly shut down and left town. It was also the same treatment that was given to the now Parkview Estate, which once was the home of the popular Ikoyi Park. If the present encroachment into the natural enclave of Badagry and land use is not checked urgently by the government it would become too late to do so later. What this means is that the state may as well kiss its dream of transforming the place to a tourism enclave goodbye because at the time the Badagry Marine project would have firmly taken root as declared by the observers, Badagry would have lost its natural appeal, which actually is one of the attractions for the project and the tourists.

My Weekend NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

10 MAY 2014

I work hard, sleep deep – Fasina

he is no doubt a woman of substance. Mrs. Modupe Fasina, who clocked 60, last year September, says she finds time to relax every day no matter how busy she is. Although she is no longer in active politics, Fasina states that she is still a politician as politics runs in her blood because she always wants to be heard, makes things happen and likes to influence situation. She states, “If you are once a politician, you are always a politician. I want to be heard, I want to make things happen. I’m not docile. I want to influence things. Influence is politics. When you look at the corporate entities, they wield power and influence. For instance, the banks render services, which they use to influence their customers. “People must come to the bank to keep their money. People must go to the bank to do things. So, there is no really no cut out line between corporate entities and politics. The only thing is that political office holders wield a lot of power on the people, whereas the corporate entities go to the people for power and sustenance. With our voting right, power is in our hands, but when we give them the power they don’t fulfil their promises which shouldn’t be the case.” Fasina recalls that even as a local government vice chairman, she found time to relax. Emphasising the importance of relaxation, she explains, “I cannot speak for people in higher place but when I was the vice chairman of the local government, I had lots of time to relax. It will be very stupid and foolish if any public office holders don’t have private life. If you die, you are gone, you won’t be of use to anybody. “It is in the best interest of public officer to have private life. When I was in public office, I had private life and have enough time to relax. When I get home, I cook for my husband, I take care of my children and I sleep well. I’m a deep sleeper. I don’t mix work with pleasure.” She thanks the Cable television for providing more relaxation through the African Magic segment, noting, “I’m sure most women are hooked up with that programme.” Fasina adds, “When I get home, I cook, then relax in front of the television. I often discuss topical issues with my husband. We sometimes talk till late at night. I have my seven hours sleep routine, I don’t wake up until it is 7am. So, my phones are switched off from 12am to 9am. So, if you call me in the night, you won’t get me.” When asked how her children get in touch with her if there is an emergency, she responds, “I have a private line for the children in case of any emergency. But even at that, they know they cannot call me in the night. I have to sleep, I don’t want to die early. I want to die at the right and appointed time by God because if you don’t take care of yourself, it’s like you are killing yourself. My children know how to reach me in case of emergency otherwise when it is 12 o’clock whatever you want to tell me will have to wait till the next day.” On weekends, she says she attaches a Fasina

Mrs Modupe Fasina, a former Vice Chairman of Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Office of Church Vestments Nigeria Limited, says one of the ways she relaxes is partying. SEGUN EDWARDS writes.

lot of importance to cleaning the home on weekend, partying with friends and visiting the gym as part of her ways to recreate. Fasina also says she enjoys reading and partying, adding, “In Lagos, partying is a form of recreation.” “I go to parties with my friends and we always enjoyed ourselves. Apart from attending party, I go to gym where I do Sauna and massaging. However, what I like to do most when I am relaxing is either to read or watch African Magic channel on cable television. I also listen to news. She says she has nothing to worry about when it comes to the children as they are all grown up and can take care of themselves. “I’ve lived for them for some time now I’m living my own life. They are big now. They have left the nest. So, they are on their own,” she enthuses. On whether she prepares any special menu for her husband

It will be very stupid and foolish if any public office holders don’t have private life

on weekends, she says although there is a roaster for menu, she hardly craves any special menu for the weekends because according to her, her entire household eat whatever good food she dishes. She however admits that she prefers the local delicacy, amala and ewedu, which she likes to eat with fish at any time, adding, “I love it and that’s my best meal.” According to her, she has no preference when it comes to dressing for the weekend. R a t h e r, s h e

adds, “I just make sure I wear something comfortable. I don’t have any particular way I dress for the weekend.” Asked whether she dresses in western attires on weekend like she does on ordinary days, she says “Yes I do, I have lots of them. I put them on whenever I feel like.” Fasina does not have favourite colours but “I just put on my desirable colour combinations when it comes to dressing that gives me satisfaction.” What could easily pass for a special drink for the home irrespective of whether is a weekend or not according to her, is herb tea. My husband is a health conscious person or I would say a health freak who eats well but doesn’t dictate. He is so easy to please, he is an Omo Eko (Lagos boy). He will eat any good food I dish or prepare for him and of course, we drink little wine which is okay, you know one is not getting younger, we are health conscious but we drink a lot of tea. Even in the heat of the sun, we drink a lot. Relishing the love she has for her marriage of many years, she flaunts the fact that she married to one the Fasinas. “The one I’m married to is fantastic and is kind. I love him and he is kind, he accommodates all my excesses and feels for me, he is a great provider,” she says. Fasina, a graduate in Economics and Political Science from two universities also lends her voice to the condemnation of the recent abduction of over 200 young schoolgirls by the Boko Haram insurgents in northern part of the country, saying the act is evil. Fasina says, “Those of us not on the streets are with them but we should pray and continue to pray. We must remember that God has not forgotten us in this country. This thing happening is going to turn out to be something good. Those abductors are cowards, because the people they have abducted are innocent, they are young and they cannot defend themselves. I sympathise and feel for the parents. It could be anyone of us.” She says as an ex-political office holder, she still relates with the present crops of politicians particularly those in her constituent Eti-Osa Local Government Area. The name of her company, Church Vestments, according to her, speaks for itself. It is an outfit essentially established to make robes for Churches and various interested organisations like the academia and other organisations.

Talking Point The festering crisis in Nasarawa p.50 National Conference was designed to fail –Melaye p.50

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Could you briefly describe your trajectory in Nigerian politics? I used to be the deputy chairman of NPN (National Party of Nigeria) in Ogun State between 1979 and 1982 when (MKO) Abiola was the state chairman. I was also a member of the national executive council of the party. I was a front-runner for the gubernatorial seat but I was not lucky enough to get the ticket. I was the gubernatorial candidate for the 1983 elections in Ogun State. During Gen. Sanni Abacha’s transition programme, I was the Ogun State leader of ANC but the ANC was not registered because Abacha believed that those of us who were there were too strong for him. Our national chairman was Chief Sunday Awoniyi. Other key members were Adamu Ciroma, Bamanga Tukur, Umaru Shinkafi, Lawan Kaita, late Ahmed Kusamotu, Rev. Hyde Onogoruchi, Chief Odili, Lateef Jakande, late Bola Ige, late Solomon Lar, Professor Jerry Gana, to mention a few. So, when he saw the array of personalities and the team in that association, he did not register us. So, at the inception of the present political dispensation, I was among the 14 people who started the Peoples Democratic Party. We started PDP in the house of Jerry Gana. Our first leader was Alex Ekwueme, his deputy was Solomon Lar. I was on the committee that wrote the original constitution of the party, Bola Ige was the chairman. But we left the party before it was registered to form APP (All Peoples Party). Why did you leave for APP? We left because we believed the association was too strong and it would lead to one-party system because everybody was there. As I said, we had the Awoniyis, Ciromas, Bamanga Tukur, S.M. Afolabi. The present actors were not part of the formation of the two political parties. We left because we thought it was going to be too strong and it would turn out to be a one-party system after the elections. So, we thought we should form another party that would be nearly strong so that we have a balanced political set-up in the country. Again, I was among the first three people who met to say we should get out of the PDP and form another party. We held our first meeting at Nicon Noga Hotel – myself, Umaru Shinkafi and Bola Ige. We decided to make contact with other people to form another political party. We formed the APP. Again, the Alliance for Democtacy broke out of the APP on the eve of the submission of application form for registration. That was because of the fight within the Afenifere group in the APP. While some believed in the leadership of late Chief Bola Ige, some people believed Lulu Briggs should be their leader. So, on the eve of submitting our documents for registration, they broke away. Later on, we discovered that what was happening within their group was that the younger elements wanted Bola Ige to contest for the presidency while the elderly people wanted (Olu) Falae to contest. Because of Chief Suarau Olayiwola Alani Bankole is a notable politician, prominent busithese irreconcilable differences within nessman and father of former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji their group, they had Bankole. In this interview with KUNLE OLAYENI, the former national chairman to make a way for us. So, we ended up havof All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) speaks on sundry political and national ising PDP, APP and AD sues. at the commencement of the present political dispensation in 1998. I

Jonathan’s govt has lots of inexperienced people –Alani Bankole

was the first deputy national chairman of APP. I became the national chairman a year later in 1999. During the first election, we had nine governors, the AD had six governors and the rest went to the PDP. After our convention of 2000, I decided to leave active politics to come and face my business. But within two weeks, an intra-party committee was formed even before I left. I was still the national chairman of APP when that committee was formed to review the Nigerian constitution. But the committee was not inaugurated before I left. But after I left, I got a letter that I should come back to Abuja and start the committee’s work. So, I served on that committee along with other 23 members for about two years. Our recommendations never saw the light of the day because we recommended a single term of six years for the president and fiveyear single term for the governors. Our position was that single term would enable whoever wins election to concentrate on governance instead of spending the first two years to govern and the last two years on politics looking for second term. But because (former president Olusegun) Obasanjo had a different agenda, he did not only want two terms he also wanted a third term. So he made sure he kept our recommendations, he never submitted it to the National Assembly for consideration. My son then decided to go to PDP in 2001. Then, you were not in the party? I was more or less in business. As I said when we finished the constitution drafting, I came back to face my business. I thought I had no business in politics anymore. Having been able to rise to the post of national chairman of the second biggest party in Nigeria in those days, I don’t know what I could contest for anymore. I believed I had got to my peak. The president then was from my state, the only thing I could contest was the presidency. I was deeply involved in setting up the government in 1999. I was always with the president with the two other party chairmen, advising the president on how best to entrench democracy in those days. Even in PDP there was a division. So, my senators in APP who were 28 were always working with a faction of the PDP to support the then president to whom I was very close. So, when my son decided to contest, I decided to support him. Of course, he won overwhelmingly during the 2003 elections. My son scored 39,000 to AD’s 11,000 votes in Abeokuta South Federal Constituency. In 2007, of course, he became the Speaker. Since then, I’ve withdrawn to live in Abeokuta permanently and to face my factory which is aluminum fabricating company. Recently, a Federal High Court in Abuja discharged and acquitted your son, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, over alleged involvement in fraud. Were you expecting this kind of judgment? It was not fraud. Well, they accused him of inflating prices of stationery and blah blah blah. I was not surprised whatsoever because if you remember when he (Dimeji) was arrested, I told some journalists who accosted me that I’m sure my son did not commit any offence and that he will be eventually vindicated. So, I was not surprised. But naturally I was happy. Until the judge makes a final pronouncement, you never know and that’s why there is provision for appeal. So, I was happy that the judiciary lived to my expectation and I’m happy because we now have hope that if some people who don’t want to see your face try to implicate you, our judiciary is still capable of taking the right decision, of course, based on presentation to them. So, I was not surprised but very happy. And I’m still very happy because since 1965 when I started working, I cherish my family good name which I inherited and anything that will tarnish it, I will do my utmost best to prevent it and I was sure my son was doing exactly the same thing when he was the Speaker to ensure that the name of the famCONTINUED ON PAGE 46

THE SATURDAY INTERVIEW

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 May 2014

Jonathan’s govt has lots of inexperienced people –Alani Bankole C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 4 5

ily was not tarnished. I was very close to him, I knew most of the things he was doing and I was sure it was fabrication of lies against him. So, to that extent, I was not surprised about the judgment but very happy and elated. There are speculations that your son intends to contest the governorship of Ogun State in 2015. How true is it? It is not speculation. What happened is that for the last three months, a lot of efforts have been made to rebuild PDP, to solve the internal problem of PDP, to unite all the factions within the PDP in the state and then, the efforts started to yield results because most people in different factions decided to work together while we still have some that have left to go to either Labour Party or All Progressives Congress. So, those left behind in the PDP who thought that PDP is the answer to the political problem in Ogun State invited Dimeji to their meeting in Iperu during the last court adjournment just before the judgment, and let him know that they want him to come and lead them in PDP. They want him to come and reorganise PDP, to come and unite PDP since he does not belong to any of the factions. And his response was that, number one, he’s still in school and would not finish until about end of March. Two, he didn’t know that was the reason they invited him to that meeting and that he would give it consideration. And he then gave them conditions. The conditions he gave was that they should continue with the efforts they were making to unite the party and that he doesn’t want to come and contest in PDP if PDP is still as fragmented as it was when he was invited to that meeting. Since he left, I think more efforts have been made to unite the party. Even the national headquarters is now making very good efforts to make sure that the old factions come back and reunite the PDP. So, that is the position. But if your son decides to contest, would you give him the required support? Of course, I’m a father and Dimeji is not only my son, he’s a son that I believe so much in. He’s one of my beloved sons and he has never disappointed me. So, if he decides to do anything, at 44, my duty as a father is to give him advice as I see it and allow him to take his decision. And if his final decision is to contest, I will support him with everything I’ve got to make sure he succeeds. What advice do you have for the PDP new National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu? I wouldn’t want to speak about that on the pages of newspapers. I know Adamu very well and he knows me very well. So, it will be unfair to him to start to talk on the pages of newspaper. If I have any advice I think it is only fair that I call him and advise him. So, for that mutual respect we have for each other, I don’t think it’s fair for me to start to advise him on the pages of newspaper. The situation in your party is worrisome for a lot of founding members who believe that the PDP has been depleted to the extent that it might not win the 2015 election. What is your take? Well, I don’t know which of these founding fathers you are talking about. As I said, I am a founding father. Those of us who are founding fathers still talk a lot and we believe PDP is the party to beat despite the problem we have and we believe the problem in PDP is very minimal to what will happen to the combination or association called the APC. But the APC is waxing stronger by the day… I don’t know where you got that from. You see, I say I can claim to be a political tactician. How do you see them growing bigger? For example, some PDP governors defected to the APC? How many of them? Five… Out of how many?

Bankole

There are speculations that more governors and other chieftains in PDP would still defect. Five out of how many? Let me start from Sokoto. The present governor of Sokoto was in ANPP. He left for PDP because of his disagreement with (Attahiru) Bafarawa. Bafarawa is back in PDP. So, PDP has lost nothing in Sokoto. I can assure you that as at today, the governor wants to come back but because Bafarawa is already there. In Sokoto, Bafarawa is now with (Mukthar) Shagari, the state’s incumbent deputy governor and the governorship candidate of PDP before Wammako crossed to PDP and he (Shagari) was prevailed upon to move to number two. As far as we are concerned, when we talk of the electorate and the movers and shakers of politics of Kano State, if PDP is not ahead of APC, we are at par. In Kano, former governor Shekarau has moved from APC to PDP and he came with his followers. He was a former governor like (Rabiu) Kwankwaso who was a former governor before he came back and with what is happening there, I can tell you that PDP is stronger than what it used to be under Kwankwaso. In Kwara State, Belgore who claimed that his election was stolen by the PDP has now moved to the PDP from APC because of the arrival of Ahmed and (Bukola) Saraki. He’s now working closely with Senator Gbemi Saraki. And in Sokoto, the members of House of Representatives who moved out en masse are now moving back to PDP with the appointment of Aliyu Gusau as the minister of defence. So, where is the APC getting stronger and PDP is getting weaker? In any event, the problem of APC will only open up during nomination and I can assure you that I will be surprised if another party is not formed out of the present APC within the next six months. The truth is this: (Abubakar) Atiku has gone there and he has been strategically positioned to win the nomination of APC because he will be supported by the South West led by Jagaban. When that happens, the supporters of Buhari would either move to PDP or go and form another political party. They will not work for Atiku and it will be too late for APC to settle their problem since 2010. We are getting stronger. If the so-called founding fathers are people like former President Obasanjo, he was never a founding member. He was not even a free man when PDP was formed. One of the reasons why some of us left the PDP was that we saw (Alex) Ekwueme emerging as the presidential candidate and we wanted a Yoruba president after the death of Abiola. We thought we would not be able to campaign for any other presidential can-

The problem in PDP is very minimal to what will happen to the combination or association called the APC. didate than a Yoruba candidate. If Obasanjo was already in PDP by that time, we wouldn’t have left. So, if you are referring to Obasanjo, he’s not a founding father of PDP. Awoniyi, Bamanga Tukur, Aminu Wali, late SM Afolabi, late Bola Ige, late Solomon Lar and Professor Jerry Gana who was our first secretary and the meetings were being held in his house in Abuja; not the present actors in PDP. But do you think the PDP still retains its original ideology? Yes, the original ideology of PDP was to be a republican party and a party strong enough to be feared by the military. If the military did not take over during the hullabaloo of sickness of (Umaru)Yar’Adua, then to that extent, PDP has achieved what it wanted. We don’t want any army incursion anymore. We want a situation that we will be able to develop. Whatever you think about PDP and APC, in my opinion, PDP is still the party to beat. We have problem with this government, no doubt about that. We have quite a lot of inexperienced people in the government but that is government, not the party. And you know how this government got there? It’s because of the death of the person the PDP put there and that is constitution; there is nothing we can do about that. We believe with what has happened in PDP, people now know that a vice presidential candidate is also a substantive president. Therefore, when you are choosing a running mate, you should see that person as a potential president. So, we are developing and the PDP is at the vanguard of this political development in the country. The Americans went through it, the British went through the same thing, the French were even worse. So, for me, PDP has problem, we are working very hard to solve it, we have brought in a cool-headed person like Adamu Mu’azu to use his experience to reorganise the party and I think he’s doing his best. Some people have expressed concern over the gale of defections – people crossing from one party to the other. Do you think this is

healthy for Nigerian politics? Yes, it is. People are now having their choice. But again, we have some people who are not stable naturally. We have some people who have actually moved round all the political parties but at least, people have different choices which they can make. Let them make it. The truth is that the voters in Nigeria are now better informed. They now know what they want more and the party in the present system in Nigeria will become less and less important but the person contesting. For instance, during the last election in Ogun State, people voted against some people in PDP. The present governor and most of the people in government were just beneficiaries of the fact that the people of Ogun State were tired with some elements in PDP not with the PDP itself as a party. So, the voters are becoming wiser; that is the advantage of what is happening in this country. In other words, they can assess them and can now make up their mind who to vote for. When they say cancer of the leg, you can cut the leg; when it is cancer of the arm, you can cut it; when it’s a cancer of the blood, you can replace it but when it’s a cancer of the head, that is the end of that person. They now know that who heads the government is what is important to them in the state – that is the governor and whoever that heads the government at federal level is the president, that is what is important to them. So, people are likely to vote more for the personalities because they know that what we lack in Nigeria is leadership, not ideology, not ideas, not constitution, it is the operators. The system gives so much power to individuals; the president is deputy god. He has the power of life and death. That system is defective. The governor can call anybody and give him road contract of N50billion. We have been told that this government that has been there for less than three years have awarded road contracts alone worth N237billion. What is the budget of the Ministry of Works for each of the three years? So, the governor can commit any crime. The system does not put in place checks and balances. We just copied the American system blindly. The federating units send money to the centre in the American system; it is exactly the opposite here. Do you think the constitution amendment that the National Assembly embarked on can really address some of the challenges that you have identified? Well, I hope they will do but I’m not sure whether they would have the courage. You know the problem with most people in the National Assembly is that they are looking forward to becoming governors in their states. Some of them are looking forward to becoming president or vice president in future. So, those things that the president is doing that needs to be curbed or shaped, they believe if they support him now, by the time they become governors in their states it would affect them. I hope we would be able to have enough of statesmen that think more about the people than themselves. If they are able to do that, the amendment will go a long way to helping us in solving some of the problems in Nigeria. For instance, I don’t know why they are having problems in changing the Land Use Decree, which was promulgated by the military and which is affecting our progress economically especially in agriculture. The idea of the military was to have free access to land but it is the other way round now. These governors just jump into other people’s lands for no reason and when they are even issuing C-of-O, they refuse consent for economic purposes to be able to borrow money. It takes years for some governors to sign consent to mortgage. While the document is already perfected, to now give consent some of these governors charge exorbitant fees and they delay it, thereby delaying economic progress and economic activities for which those documents were to be used for. So, we need courageous statesmen to be able to effect changes in our constitution that would be meaningful and be able to help us to move forward.

Talking Point

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

10 MAY 2014

The festering crisis in Nasarawa

hen Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura was sworn-in alongside his deputy, Comrade Damsihi Luka Barau in 2011, it was a good time for both politicians to swear to uphold the constitution of Nigeria in all their undertakings.The first two years of the administration was a smooth sail for the duo as nothing untoward tested their ability to work as a united team. The deputy governor usually spent most of his time in government house with Almakura, fixing things for the smooth running of the administration. At a point in time, people began to envy their style of governance, especially where a governor confided in his deputy in every aspect of his administration and equally delegated most of his duties, especially outside the state, to him. No body suspected that both the governor and his deputy were only managing to tolerate each other until a few months back when news of plans by the deputy governor to defect to Peoples Democratic Party enveloped the entire state and beyond.The issue imposed a huge burden of explanation on the All Progressive Congress(APC) camp because the deputy governor never, for once, betrayed the fact that he suffers either humiliation or exclusion in the affairs of governance in the state. Indications of a fundamental crack in the projected façade of normalcy grew, both within the state and beyond, when the deputy governor went against the stance of party which urged members of the party in the national assembly not to assent to budget or any other executive bill until the Federal Government took steps to resolve the crisis in Rivers State. The deputy governor held a totally different view, describing the directive as harsh, both to members of APC and other parties who, he said, would suffer a worse fate if such actions were taken. The statement pitched him against the governor and some party stalwarts, leading to his suspension from the party while on a journey to the United Kingdom and the Middle East on religious obligation. Even when he returned from overseas, he re-echoed his controversial stance, reaffirming that “I stand by my statement, both as a Nigerian who has the right to voice out his opinion and in my position as a deputy governor’. Before his suspension, the deputy governor’s marginal profile since assumption of office remained below average but with the suspension, he became an instant celebrity, the ensuing controversy shooting his profile into the vortex of political prominence. This new-found celebrity status, analysts say, gave him the confidence to dump the APC for the PDP but even after that, the state governor still promised to settle all his legitimate entitlements as an elected officer recognized by the constitution. Almakura had, in a meeting with all his commissioners after the deputy governor dumped APC, said that he held no grudge against his him, pledging that he would accord him his right as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. “Damishi Luka remains my Deputy and I am duty bound by the constitution to accord his office all its dues and entitlements”. Al-Makura said he bore no grudge against his deputy because of his action and urged the people to remain calm. But barely two months after that statement, the deputy governor has revealed that since his defection, the state governor has refused to accord him his rightful status as the number two citizen of the state. Damishi said he now uses his personal earnings to run his office, performing his

The defection of the Nasarawa State deputy governor, Comrade Damishi Luka to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has thrown his continued relevance in government into a crisis. Although Gov Tanko Almakura promised to uphold the constitution by not victimizing the deputy governor is not victimized, being in a different party from his principal. However, the reality tells a different story as MUHAMMAD AHMAD reports.

Gov. Almakura

official duties from his private residential office. The deputy governor said he decided to perform his duty from home because of security threats, since the state governor has stopped paying his overhead expenses. “Nobody has given me one kobo as my overhead; they only give directors in my office their imprest. I am coping from my personal savings and goodwill”. “No body has ever invited me for any meeting as a member of the state executive council and I have two offices. Even when I didn’t defect, some times I operated from the residential office just as it is provided in government house”. “ With the defection, there have been a lot of threats and other things so I have to take security precautions to protect myself but I do my work from the residential office. That is where my staff come to visit” he added. Barrister John Mathew, an Abujabased lawyer, said that the action of the state government is a constitutional breach because the governor has no right to stop the entitlements of his deputy. Barrister Mathew alleged that the action of the governor amounts to abuse of office, adding that he doesn’t have the constitutional powers to deny the deputy governor his rights and privileges’.

Luka

The governor has no such power to stop the running cost of the deputy because he is still the deputy governor of the state and until he ceases to be deputy governor, nobody has such powers to stop his running cost “The governor has no such power to stop the running cost of the deputy because he is still the deputy governor of the state and until he ceases to be deputy governor, nobody has such powers to stop his running cost”. But the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Innocent Lagi holds a contrary view. According to him, the office of the deputy governor is an appendage of the governor adding that it is only the governor who decides what happens and what is released as funds. “The deputy governor is an appendage in the office of the governor. He has

no responsibility, only when the governor asks him to perform a specific function. You can look at the case of Atiku versus the AG of the Federation” “The Supreme Court was clear about that there are no two offices, only one office which is that of the governor and the constitution does not contemplate the fact that the deputy will have any other responsibility except when the governor assigned him”. On the issue of running costs, the AG said that the deputy-governor ’s office is redundant without any function and that he doesn’t need such finances. “The truth of the matter is that there is nothing he is running; there are no functions in the office of the deputygovernor except those the governor assigned him to do”. Although the state Commissioner for Information, Hamza Elayo directed the question of “why the deputy is not invited to council meetings” to the council secretariat, he however explained that invitations are usually sent to members of council and those who cannot make it send apologies to the secretariat. The Secretary to the State Government ,SSG, Hajiya Zainab Abdulmunini said she doesn’t speak to the press and perfected the official rigmarole by redirecting the reporter to the Commissioner for Information.

FaceOff NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

10 MAY 2014

South-South govs have not justified 13% derivation –Mantu "While the masses are wallowing in poverty, their governors are competing on which type of executive jets to buy"

Senator Ibrahim Mantu, former Deputy President of the Senate and a delegate of the North Central geo- political zone at the 2014 National Conference of the Nigerian people in this interview with ONWUKA NZECHI bares his mind on resource control. You and other committee members have been embroiled in heated arguments over resource control. Did you expect the kind of intense debate on this Issue? Well, quite frankly considering the quality of contributions at the plenary, I did not expect that at the committee level, we will go back to the kind of things we experienced during the first two days of this conference. But again, as a veteran presiding officer, I am used to all these kind of heated arguments. It is very exciting because I know that at the end of the day, we will always find a point of equilibrium. One way or the other we will come to a meeting point. We started very well; there have been quite a lot of hot and heated arguments but as you can see, the tension is coming down; there is a great improvement even though a while ago it was as if we were going back to the spirit of militancy and all those kind of things. However, this is what happens when people are passionate about something. There are people who have come here with a fixed mind and a mindset – ‘this is what I want for my people and nothing short of it will be acceptable.’ But you should not go to any meeting with a fixed mind set. Any meeting you go to, go with an open mind; subject yourself to quality debate and of course superior reasoning. If people come up with superior reasoning, you accept whatever they say because their argument is superior to yours. But when you go with a fixed mind you will have problems because if the meeting is not going the way you want it to be then you will find out that you are stranded. It is just like you teach some body how to cram (memorise) something for the pur-

pose of a debate. Now if he makes a mistake or forgets his lines during the debate, he gets confused and stranded. So people must always allow superior reasoning to take centre stage in whatever they do. It appears the North came to the conference with a fixed mind to stop the clamour for resource control, derivation, power devolution and the region is poised to ensure that the status quo is maintained on these issues. Is that the position? lf you had been there you would have found out that there are northerners who made contributions that are similar to that of the Southerners and there are Southerners who made contributions that are also similar to that of the Northerners. I think that it is wrong to say that a particular zone or region came with a particular position. I believe that there are positions; all the regions have positions and some of them have been documented. I am sure you must have seen the position of the South -West, position of the Igbo (South-East) and so on. But that notwithstanding, some of them inside there are making contributions that are contrary to the positions they had earlier adopted in their regions because they have seen superior reasoning. This is why I am telling you that one cannot just have a fixation that this discussion must go in a particular direction. For example, I am from the North but I am in sympathy with those who are calling for the control of their resource but I cannot say that hundred per cent resource control should accrue to the owners of these resources because, like I said before, even the people are saying when oil was found, it was found by some foreign companies. All the government did was just to give them licence. I beg to disagree with that kind of argument. Yes, perhaps that must have been the story at the beginning but today the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is a partner in Shell, Chevron and partner in every oil exploration company in this country. They are partners because they all have equity investments in these companies. Now before we started getting oil in large quantities, who provided the Federal Government or the NNPC with that equity money? It was from the tin mines in Plateau State where I come from, it was from the groundnut and cotton pyramids from Kano, it was from cocoa from

Ibadan and also from the coal, palm oil and palm kernel from the East. Whether we like it or not, as at the time oil was discovered in commercial quantity, our government took interest in it and bought equities in all the exploration companies. So definitely when you invest money in something, you expect dividends. All the people whose monies were invested in these ventures are saying “we are entitled to dividends." So we also must have something. But of course, you cannot say you want to have the same amount of dividends as the man who provided the bulk of the capital. I believe that we should look at these things passionately. For me as a person, I believe that all these suspicions - you are Igbo, you are Yoruba, you are Hausa and all that is like allowing things that we cannot change to prevent us from making progress and achieving prosperity. For example, if we say we are all Nigerians and we put our nation first before any other consideration and I see you first as a Nigerian rather than an Igbo man and you see me as a Nigerian rather than somebody from Plateau State, we will make progress. I should see you first as a human being and a Nigerian rather that Urhobo, Itsekiri or Edo person. What is good for me should be good for my fellow human being. I don't know any factory in the world that creates human beings. The only creator of human beings on earth remains the living God and that God is the one that created the Igbo man, Hausa man, Yoruba man, Itsekiri man and everybody. Whether you are a Christian or Muslim you were created by God. Whether you are an Indian or Japanese, you were created by God. Human beings no matter the colour of their skin and the language they speak are by extension, the same people. We are from the same source. If we are from the same mother and father, I would not like any harm to come to you and you will not like any harm to come to me. Even the issue of religion, if I was born in Indian I most likely would have been a Hindu; if I were a Korean, I will be Buddhist. Today, if you were born a Hausa man from Sokoto, you will be a Muslim and I was born an Igbo man from a predominantly Christian region, I will be a Christian. So the accident of our birth and environment has something to do with what we become in life but hunger does not know the difference between a Christian and a Muslim. Poverty does not know the difference between an Igbo man and Hausa man. So why shouldn't we close our ranks and pull our resources together to fight all those things that dehumanise us. We need the collective effort of everybody to fight hunger, poverty and disease. If we see ourselves as one people, I will not be angry with what God has given you because I know that if I am in need you will help me. Once we maintain that brotherly love, it will be easier for us to arrive at common positions here. But if we see ourselves as one man from Bayelsa and the other one from Jigawa; if we give them 50 per cent resource control they are going

to progress more than us that is wrong. So these are the issues we are trying to see that we put aside sentiments and look at them objectively. We should put ourselves in the shoes of the other person in whose domain the oil is being produced. He is suffering from environmental degradation, pollution and his means of livelihood, fishing is no longer there. In your own opinion, what per cent age should be given to those clamouring for ownership and control of their resources? It is not the issue of percentage yet. First, we have to agree on the basics. Is it 100 per cent resource control or is it derivation that they want? I think that the popular opinion seems to be derivation. If we take derivation, then we now begin to think in what direction the derivation would go. It is only then that we would be able to work out the formula for calculating the appropriate derivation percentage. But let me say this on the issue of percentage; whether it is 100 per cent resource control or derivation, I have a different view. What is this view? The view is that even the 13 per cent they are given now, those who are supposed to be benefitting from it are not the ones benefitting from it. The local oil communities are still as poor as they were many years ago. I went there some two months ago and the same people I saw when I visited there many years ago when I was in office are still in the same condition. Nothing has changed. The people, their houses and living conditions are still as the same which means that this money that we are sending is not actually getting to the people. So if we are going to do anything whether on derivation or resource control, it must go to the communities that are actually suffering from environmental degradation as a result of oil exploration and production. Look at what is happening now in the states where the oil is produced. While the masses are wallowing in poverty, their governors are competing on which type I executive jets to buy. So this is the point and we must address this injustice here. I tell you that a poor man in Jigawa and a poor man in Delta are the same because they are both suffering from the same disease. Do you think the conference can address it? That's what some of us are here to do. What exactly would be your solution to the persistent agitation for total resource control by the South- South region? Like I said earlier, people have different views about the issue but my problem with it is that before oil became a dominant feature of our economy, the government was using money derived from other resources. The Federal Government used money from other resources to invest in oil business and owners of these earlier resources feel that they have a right to enjoy the oil money because they had invested their own resources into it in the past. But I think that the best way to resolve this problem is that we should be our brother's keeper. I personally want to propose that maybe we should now agree that a certain percentage be set aside for the development of other resources including solid minerals that are available in other states so that in the next 10 years or so, every state that has something might have developed their resources also so that everybody will be bringing something to the table and Nigeria will become a more prosperous nation with more to share to everyone.

FACEOFF | POLITICS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 MAY 2014

We must take control of what belongs to us â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Asara Chief Asara A. Asara is the traditional ruler of Asara Kingdom in Bayelsa State. He is part of 20- member delegation of the Federal Government to the ongoing National Conference and a member of the Power Devolution Committee at the conference. He tells ONWUKA NZECHI that oil-bearing communities should have control over their resources. Why are you so agitated when the issue of resource control comes on the table? I believe that God has a reason for sending me here. You know that in many countries, oil is found in the desert and therefore, there must be a reason for God to have deposited this hydrocarbon in the Niger Delta. The reason is that our environment is so fragile and the terrain so difficult to develop. It requires a huge amount of money to develop communities in the region. I think that God decided to deposit this rich resource in the Niger Delta so that we will tap it and use it for the development of the area. But now the oil has turned to a curse because of the obnoxious laws that the Nigerian government have put in place to govern the exploration and exploration of oil and gas. These laws have empowered the Federal Government to exploit these resources and take away the proceeds without recourse to the owners of these resources. This is why we have been agitating for several years now that we must control our resources. It is now a must. There is no begging for what belongs to you. We must take control of the resources in our land. It is a task that must be done. But some delegates here are of the opinion that oil producing states are already benefitting from their resources through the 13 per cent derivation on oil revenue. What is your take on this? When cocoa, groundnut and cotton pyramids were the main stay of the national economy, was it 13 per cent that their owners were collecting? Was it not 50 per cent? At that time, the regions collected 50 per cent and then paid royalties to the centre. Is it the 50 per cent that you want? We must negotiate. We want 100 per cent, but are ready to shift grounds if those of them who do not believe the resources belong to us can also see reasons and shift grounds. This conference has been convened for all parts of the country to find a common ground on some of these contentious issues. What concessions are the Niger Delta people ready to make on this matter? No, it is left for other parts of the country to make concessions first. We have to see what concessions they are ready to make before we make any concession. We are not saying that we are not going to concede anything at all. We are Nigerians but we need to also see what others are bringing to the table. By the grace of God, we have a visionary leader in President Goodluck Jonathan who is from the Niger Delta and has seen the way the country has been going down. He is in pains. He knows that Nigeria is heading for the precipice if things continue playing to the gallery and glossing over this issue. That is why he decided to convene this conference for all of us to sit down, talk and find solutions. This is no time to pay to the gallery. He convoked the conference so that we can talk frankly about all the issues bothering Nigerians. You will recall that in his inaugural address he said we should discuss these issues openly so that we can articulate a

common position so that we can live as one united country. Nigeria is a beautiful country. Nobody will want to leave Nigeria, except we are forced. We want to stay here and enjoy the resources that God has placed in our land. We have to lay the foundation for a better country for our children. This country was never negotiated at the time of the amalgamation of 1914. It is 100 years now and we are saying, let us talk so that we can all agree on how to make Nigeria a better country than how we met it. We are the creators of the rubbish that is going on and some of us who are the beneficiaries of this rubbish don't want a change. This conference was convoked so that we can discuss and if possible, come out with a new constitution that would treat everybody equally; a new constitution that will guarantee equality, justice and fairness to all citizens of Nigeria. We should know that we are all Nigerians and nobody is a slave to anybody. Look at what is going on in this country- a child from the South-West, SouthEast and South-South will score like 130 points in the national common entrance examination and will not gain admission into the Unity Schools while somebody in a place like Adamawa in the North-East will score seven points and he is admitted into the same school. Is that the kind of country we want? A country where some who have a first class honours degree are on the street without a job, meanwhile a mediocre who has ordinary pass is occupying a very sensitive position. Is that the kind of country we want to leave for our children? We want a country where everybody will be treated equal. Some delegates have canvassed that the Niger Delta Development Commission, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs should be scrapped and there should be a reintroduction of the onshore/ offshore dichotomy if there must be resource control. What is your reaction to these proposals? Those are some of the oppressive suggestions they are making and that is where we disagree. When we hear these things our heart bleeds. It is unfortunate that some Nigerians continue to behave the way they are behaving. Some people are trying to appropriate Nigeria to themselves. I am a better Nigerians than some people who claim to be Nigerians. Some of these people who make such suggestions are not Nigerians. Some of them come from Niger Republic and Chad but I am a full blooded Nigerian because my father and mother are from this place. I have my rights as a Nigerian. We hate not accepting their suggestions that NDDC and Ministry of Niger Delta should be scrapped.

"We hate not accepting their suggestions that NDDC and Ministry of Niger Delta should be scrapped"

You know that before Nigeria gained independence, the British colonialist set up the Willink's Commission through which the minorities expressed their fears about their future in the country. The commission was set up to look into the fears of the minorities and the commission came up with a report that recommended the establishment of a Niger Delta Development Board to take care of those peculiar problems we were having even at that time. But what happened to the report? Immediately after independence, they turned it into something else and went ahead to establish several River Basin Development Authorities. The one in the Niger Della was downplayed and it is not been funded. Now that we managed to get the Niger Della Development Commission (NDDC) they say it should be scrapped. On what ground? The NDDC is not being funded by anybody. Are they getting money to fund NDDC from any other source apart from oil? It is our money. Look at what is happening - a country where people are calling for amnesty for criminals who have been wreaking havoc, bombing places and killing people all over the place. Some have argued that there is no difference between the Boko Haram and the Niger Delta militants. Do you agree? They are not t h e same. I am the paramount ruler of an oilproducing community so I know what I am talking about. When the Niger Delta militants were demanding resource control, was that how they were killing people?

They were not killing people but they had a genuine cause. The environment was polluted, there was no more fishing because aquatic life was gone. No farmlands because they have all been polluted and the soil had lost its nutrients. So there was need for remediation of the environment but no one was listening to the cry of the people. The idea behind the struggle was that if we now control our resources, we would be able to set our priorities right, take our destiny in our hands and bring a better life to our people. But some people have also raised questions about the management of the resources that have accrued to the oilproducing states over the last few years. What is your position of the alleged profligacy of governments across the region? Niger Delta people are very responsible people. If I have money, I should be able to decide the way I want to use it. You don't have to dictate how I use it. Those people that are raising questions about the way we use our money, have they been able to give a good account of the money they have been given to them? I have traversed the length and breadth of this country and I can tell you that poverty is written on the faces of the people in the North more than those in the South. Both the old and the young are beggars. Have you ever seen that kind of society? Are we begging? We don't beg. So how can you now turn around to accuse us of not using our money well? Then they are saying we are irresponsible. You can't dictate how we live our life.

50 Politics What’s your take on the recent bomb blasts at Nyanya and if you were still in government, what would you have advised should be done differently? The truth of the matter is that this government is just very lousy about matters concerning security. The constitution of this country has made it very clear that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary objective of the government. But instead of the managers of Mr. President to start confronting the Boko Haram insurgencies headlong with strategies, they’re busy politicising the whole crisis by attributing the act of terrorism to the enemies of the president who want to pull him down or those who don’t want him back in 2015.

National Conference was designed to fail –Melaye Former House of Representatives member, Dino Daniel Melaye, tells LANRE ODUKOYA that President Goodluck Jonathan was not proactive to curb the insurgency in the country.

What manner of strategies are you proposing? One fundamental strategy is to first discern that terrorism thrives when it’s properly funded. We expect the president to set up a strategic mechanism using the instruments of our security agencies including the military to carry out what I call, money trail. There’s a need to carry out this trail to know; who are the sponsors of Boko Haram? Which banks are responsible for the transfer and distribution of their funds? This is the intelligent gathering that we expect Mr. President to make strong directive to all the intelligentsia groups in this country including the military, police, DMI and NIA. And he should give them a task within a stipulated period to bring result. I also expect Mr. President by now to have shut down the Nigerian borders with Chad, Republic of Benin and Cameroun. They cannot survive the closure of the Nigerian borders for one month because they predominantly depend on Nigeria from electricity to their commodities. So, if you shut down these borders and give a strong condition that you want all elements of Boko Haram in their countries arrested and detained. As I speak to you, the missing over 200 girls are in Chad and Cameroun, let them know that they must locate and return these girls. These are some of the proactive steps we expect the president and the presidency to take. Are you very confident that if the president resigns tomorrow these attacks will not stop immediately? It is not about a Hausa, Igbo Ijaw or Yoruba man, it’s about Nigeria and meritocracy. It’s time we stopped talking tradition and start talking meritocracy. Nigerians are too ethnic conscious. It’s so bad that when you go to a general hospital to obtain a form, there’s column for religion, local government, tribe and so on as if that is going to facilitate your recovery. So, we must actually get ourselves back to the old national anthem that reads, ‘Though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand.’ For the presi-

Malaye

dent, I believe you cannot give what you don’t have. With the massive penetration of the All Progressives Congress in your state, Kogi, are you not worried about the possible volatility in 2015 and where to pitch your tent? Well, I was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party. I was blind, but now I can see and can never go back to darkness.

The powers of the president to appoint the chairmen of the EFCC, ICPC and Code of Conduct must be taken away from him

Do you also believe Nigeria has a lily-livered president as some are claiming already? The president has graduated from

being a weak president to being a wicked president. The president has

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 May 2014

no capacity to correct this problem. The Boko Haram menace is not different from the Maitasene crisis in 1981. But the difference between what happened in 1981 and now is simple, the ability to contain. How true it is that the APC is planning Buhari-Tinubu Muslim/Muslim 2015 presidential ticket? I actually don’t dwell on rumours because the APC is yet to organise the primaries and no presidential aspirant has been announced and anyone who dwells on rumours will build a skyscraper on a stung. Do you think Nigerian’s current security crisis can degenerate into disintegration? The signals for disintegration are there but we anchor our unity on this nation and God almighty. Nigeria will not disintegrate. What we are passing through are teething problems, the passing times and we will come out of it stronger. All we need is for Nigerians to come out of their cocoons. They must develop the culture of agitation and protest. They must resist ineptitude, injustice and negative leadership. All we need to do is to resolve and come together as a people. Nigerians must either decide to walk in creative altruism or we perish in the darkness of destructive selfishness. Egyptians came out and resolved, then Mubarak who was president for over 30 years was forced to resign because of the people’s resolve. It also happened in Libya where the almighty Gaddafi fell to the will and captive of the people. I’ve always called for a bloodless revolution. Extension of the national conference has been announced, considering the weighty matters on its table, do you think things should be different? That confab is an equivalent of a national theatre. It was designed to fail and it is failing. Where we have gone wrong is by allowing the wrong person to manipulate our electoral process. The powers of the president to appoint the chairmen of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission and Code of Conduct must be taken away from him. You don’t expect the president to appoint the chairman of INEC and all our and anti-graft agencies and don’t get manipulation. The power must be taken to the National Judicial Commission who will recommend to the council of states, but as long as there’s no constitutional correction, things will remain the same. It’s a like a team playing against another and one of the team decides who should be the referee, it can never work. Do you think the military might be worried and plan to overthrow the government? Anything is possible but I advocate generational change. National Conference was designed to fail

Former Gov Otedola goes home

he first politician in Lagos State to ride on the turbulence of fierce intra-party wrangling to electoral victory and eventually become governor of the state (199293), Sir Michael Otedola, passed last Monday. Born on July 16, 1926 into a Muslim family in Odoragunsin, Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, he died 5 May, 2014 at his residence in his home town of Epe, on the outskirts of Lagos. After moving to Lagos to pursue his education, the late elder statesman won a scholarship to study Journalism at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London where he

graduated in 1958. He began his career as a teacher before working as a reporter at the St. Pancras Chronicle, then as a reporter and later sub-editor at The Guardian and The Times in England.[3] On his return to Nigeria in 1959 he became an Information Officer in the Western Nigeria government, and while in this post, he was appointed the Editor of the Western Nigeria Illustrated. In 1961 he moved into public relations, working for Western Nigeria Television/Western Broadcasting Service (1961-1964) and Mobil Oil Group of Companies (1964-1977), continuing as a consultant to Mobil after leaving

the company. He was elected governor of Lagos State from 1992 to 1993 on the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC), leaving office when General Sani Abacha came to power. His administration facilitated the establishment of the Yaba College of Technology campus in Epe, his home town. After leaving office, he continued his career as a writer, a consultant holding positions on the boards various businesses, and a philanthropist. In February 2010 ThisDay newspaper announced that he was among 15 eminent Nigerians who had won Life-

time Achievement Awards. His son, Femi Otedola became the billionaire owner of Nigerian oil giant, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited. It would be recalled that the sensational inability of the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP, to reconcile two of its most promising gubernatorial contenders in Lagos State, late Prof. Femi Agbalajobi and former Communications Minister, Chief Dapo Sarumi, paved the way for protest votes which facilitated election of the candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention, Otedola Chief Otedola.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 May 2014

A’Ibom needs a credible person to succeed Akpabio –Inyang

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Transformation Initiative, Mr. Ephraim Inyang, in this interview tells DOMINIK UMOSEN, that Eket Senatorial District deserves the right to produce the next governor of Akwa Ibom State. What is Transformation Initiative all about? Transformation; Initiative for the Empowerment of Akwa Ibom People is a non-governmental organisation that is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, in Abuja. It has the sole aim of bringing Akwa Ibom people to the realisation that there is the need to take interest in those who lead us. It is time to begin to ask questions like why should this person represent us. It has the responsibility to enlighten people on the need to ensure that the very best among them lead the state at the national level; federal level of representation ; ministerial appointment; people who would speak for the state on issues concerning Akwa Ibom to ensure that the state has a voice. If you feel so strongly about the calibre of representation of Akwa Ibom, how come you have never registered this displeasure? I have not registered my displeasure because there is time for everything. When Obong Godswill Akpabio, in his wisdom, decided to come to Lagos to pick my friend, (Mr. Udom Gabrielle Emmanuel), as his successor, he did say in one of his ‘meetthe-people fora’ that some of us were asked to come to Lagos and make our impact felt. Obong Akpabio became interested in why my friend should become the governor. There were quite some stories about how he was allegedly unknown and some of us felt there was need to come and tell our people that they sent us out with the argument that Akwa Ibom sons and daughters could not all stay back at home but should seek elsewhere for greener pastures. We reminded the people that those in the Diaspora always returned to contribute their quota to the development of the state whenever called upon to do so and therefore could not be regarded as unknown. And on the basis of that, we said that we all could not jump into positions at the same time. Emmanuel, the current Secretary to the State Government, SSG, in Akwa Ibom, is seeking the position of governor of the state. It is therefore my place to give him the support he requires. It becomes a crowded affair if all of us now decide to jump into the race. Let him go in there and exhibit the stuff that he is made of. We want to give him the support first. If some of us have seen the difference, may be some will ask, why don’t you also come and represent your people? But it is like there is so much resistance against your friend in the state? I do not think so. But let me ask this simple question: What is the reason for the resistance? He is a good material that no one can fault. Nobody is quarrelling with that. Everybody contesting against him acknowledges this fact and should therefore welcome him as God-sent. We are saying that every aspirant/ contestant should come and say what they have in stock for the people of Akwa Ibom, not stuff perhaps written for them to memorise and rehash for political advantage. We want to know,

we are interested in the personal mettle of each aspirant who wants to be governor. Chief Godswill Akpabio has done a fantastic job as governor and whosoever succeeds him should be someone who can sustain the pace and momentum of development in the state. And even raise the bar since a child is expected to do better than his/her parents. Remember that Obong Victor Attah, from Uyo Senatorial District, led Akwa Ibom peacefully for eight years. Akwa Ibom people came together and for about the second time, the position was given to Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. Don’t you think that fairness and equity make it proper that the position should also go to Eket Senatorial District, the economic mainstay of the state? At present, there are lots of candidates from the senatorial district. Others are also free to enter the political fray. But we are saying that the very best from Eket Senatorial District should be given the slot; someone who would make the state proud; someone like Governor Akpabio who has brought Akwa Ibom into the limelight of national politics. Why do you believe that Udom Gabriel Emmanuel can make the difference? I have been in touch with him since our days in the National Youth Service Corps several years ago. I have seen him rise through the old Peat Marvick (accounting firm), to Diamond Bank and rose to become executive director in Zenith Bank, by sheer capacity. If you talk of godfatherism, the owner of Zenith Bank is not from Akwa Ibom, so there is no way he could have been favoured. There was no one in the bank who could promote his interest. It was personal capacity that thrust him forward. He has kept his cool, remained himself and if he could excel in a neutral environment. While Emmanuel served as executive director of Zenith Bank, the internet platform of the bank was part of his responsibilities; under his watch. And at that time, it was the best in the industry. So, he is a good material who has got stuff to deliver and should be celebrated. This is our son who does not need consultants or pieces of paper to transmit his thoughts. He has got capacity, is exposed and it is no mistake that ObongAkpabio left Akwa Ibom to seek a credible successor in

This is our son who does not need consultants or pieces of paper to transmit his thoughts. He has got capacity..., There must have been something that the celebrated governor discovered in the man.

Lagos. There must have been something that the celebrated governor discovered in the man. We must give it to Akpabio, he is an intelligent man and to have gone in search of another intelligent person, I think I agree with him. It takes the deep to know the deep. How did you feel that the Senate Majority Leader, Victor NdomaEgba, assisted you in Abuja when you had expected the Senator representing you, Helen Esuene, to play such role? It was difficult to even gain access to my sister, the Senator. When you do not make yourself available, you make yourself unavailable. If it becomes very difficult for people to access you, it is not good enough, especially for a public officer like a senator. What is your position on women and education? Well, let me get to the home front. I do not think there should be any segregation between the male child and the female child because I believe, with all my heart that my wife, the female child that my father-in-law gave to me, has done well for her family in Oruk Anam. So, I see my children in equal terms. They should have equal opportunities. The truth is that children deserve equal opportunities. If you look at university results in Nigeria, you will discover that most of the first class certificates are gotten by indigent children, especially women. So, if we are to exclude them, it would amount to a disservice to humanity. Does your principal share this vision? If I speak to you, Udom believes in the things I say which is why I can speak for him. The Bible tells us that two cannot work together unless they agree. Education will be given a priority in Akwa Ibom and if education is given a priority, the female child will be given a pride of place.

POLITICS

52 insight

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 May 2014

How Nigerian security put up a 5-Star performance at WEF 2014

Simeon Ogoegbulem

or three days, beginning from Wednesday, May 7 to Friday, May 9, key global economy players converged in Abuja as Nigeria hosted the 25th World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa. This is the first time Nigeria hosted the high profile economic gathering which has been previously held in South Africa, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Against the backdrop of security challenges, which heightened less than one month to the commencement of the event there were apprehension by the host and the delegates as to whether the event will eventually take place. For the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, ensuring that the global event which occupies a strategic place in global business and economy calendar hold became a huge challenge. Meeting the challenge became an equally huge task. And Jonathan and his team did meet the challenge. As part of measures to ensure a hitch-free three-day event, government did not spare resources to ensure that delegates most of whom are potential investors or investment advisers left the country with positive impressions about Nigeria. The most contending issue for the success of the WEF was security. Thus, security operatives did not stop at anything ensuring they overcome any obstacle to make sure that security was not compromised while the events lasted. Prior to the beginning of the 2014 WEF on Africa, security operatives were drafted from different arms of the armed forces and para-military agencies with special training given to them. The operatives were said to have undergone various rigorous trainings especially on how to be firm but polite in the discharge of their duties. From the divers who were mostly drawn from Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to members of the Legion, Police, Army and plain clothes security personnel deployed at strategic places in Abuja, Nigerian officials worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the August event in a manner they never did before. With government directives that all public office proceed on three day holiday, traffic was light especially in the Abuja Central Business District (CBD). The area came under massive security blanket as the delegates to the WEF began converging at Transcorp Hilton Hotel. All the major access routes to the heart of the CBD, where cordoned off by a combined team of security operatives. At strategic intersections in the district, stern looking but polite security operatives were seen diverting traffic

President Jonathan

Chinese Premier, Li Kegiang

WEF audience

Okonjo Iweala

to other routes. Motorists who have no access to all the designated hotels for the event were refused entry. Unlike what usually obtained in the past were highly placed officials use their position to circumvent

the law, those who tried it during the WEF received the shock of their lives. For instance, at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, where delegates picked their accreditation Tags (accreditation was done online and ended nearly two weeks

to the kick-off date), a top government official in Toyota Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) was turned back when his driver skipped the queue probably because he was conveying a â&#x20AC;&#x153;big manâ&#x20AC;? and therefore will not subject him to joining the queue Another incident that showed that it was a new Nigeria during the duration of the event was the polite but firm refusal to motorists from accessing areas designated as no-go areas even if the vehicle is bearing any form of government official vehicle registration number. As part of measures to ensure minimal traffic build-up around the designated hotels, shuttle buses were provided by government to move participants and delegates to different designated venues. Also in order not to let anything to chance, all the vehicles at the designated hotels were all evacuated leaving only duty vehicles at the car parks of the hotels.

Staff of all the hotels where events related to the WEF held were also specially accredited for them to have access to their places of work while those not selected for the event were asked to stay back at home. At the Transcorp Hilton, the main venue of the WEF, movement of accredited staff and delegates were highly orderly as access tags determined which entrance to use. One of the major surprises of the WEF was the courtesies exhibited by the Nigerian security personnel. The brashness usually associated with them in the discharge of their duties was completely absent. The few Nigerian journalists that got accreditation to cover the event were pleasantly surprised as the security personnel went about their duties in a manner very unlike the typical security operative on official duty in Nigeria. Some of the local delegates relived of their pleasant surprises from the security operatives who were involved in the organisation of the global economic gathering. According to them, it was like there were outside the shores of Nigeria probably somewhere in Europe as the personnel deployed personal charm in the discharge of their duties. In all, the Nigerian security outfit who took charge of security of lives and property in the build-up to the event gave a good account of themselves and were indeed good ambassadors of the country. Indeed, they showed the Nigeria and Nigerians are the hospitable place and people on earth. The question now on the lips of Nigerians is whether they will continue with the excellent show of patriotism and display of efficiency now that the WEF 2014 has come and gone. Only time will tell.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 May 2014

he Nyanya Bomb Explosions and the kidnapping of the Bornu Girls by Boko Haram are two of the biggest blows to the national psyche of Nigeria so far. This not to say that the terrorists have not hurt Nigeria before this. Attacks on churches and other public places in the northern part of Nigeria have also been gruesome; but like a boxer in the ring, who is tottering from the effect of punches from an opponent, the onlookers measure the fighter from his response to these attacks. The overwhelming question on the minds of many Nigerians is what will it take to stop Boko Haram? Many analysts are asking that we call terrorists to a table for discussion. Foreign experts are arguing over the nomenclature with which Boko Haram should be described. Media advisors of the leadership of Nigeria have placed pleas on twitter asking the Kidnappers to return the girls. Nobody can claim to be an expert as regards the minds of terrorists. It is pretty difficult to predict their next move. A friend of mine practically swore on Facebook that they could not go to Nyanya again. How wrong he was. One thing is certain: negotiation in the face of terror is a gross sign of weakness and inadequacy. If any group of people can set a bomb off in a public place and kill people in the process, do you call them and ask for their demands? Negotiation during or after the reign of terror will instigate more militant terrorist groups to tread the path of bloodshed. Moreover, history teaches us that terrorists and blackmailers are never satisfied. Our laws write kidnapping off as a heinous crime, killing people for no just cause is murder. Do we put aside these simple laws and say we seek peace and tranquility through negotiation? No. Its time to batten down the hatches, gird our loins and prepare for a hard fight! Security will give way to conspiracy and there is no gainsaying Nigerian security has witnessed tremendous lapses in recent times. Government officials have consistently lamented the porous state of our borders. We have seen and heard of: trailers bearing re-

want to look beyond the mockery, the laughter and the thought that maybe the First Lady’s recent outburst was stage-managed. I am seeing major sabotage in the whole Boko Haram saga. Very powerful interest are working round the clock to embarrass and harass this government out of power. I do not believe all these terrorism tale. It’s all about power shift, it’s all about making Nigeria ungovernable and I couldn’t care less; but involving innocent young children in this fight is where everybody has drawn the line. Last night, I looked at my 11-year-old daughter sleeping peacefully and imagined her being kidnapped and sold as we are hearing. I immediately started crying and feeling my chest tightening. I wept in the darkness of her little room while praying for those girls and their parents. My tears woke her up and she asked why I was crying. I could not speak, so she began to cry too. I hugged her and told her it was ok that she should go back to sleep. She however said she would sleep only if I told her why I was crying. I told her I was just wondering what was happening to the kidnapped girls. She sighed and said she thought I was coming to cancel her trip to Ghana. That is the innocence of an 11-year-old that is being exposed to marauders. God knows why this is happening and that is why the First Lady in her own way was screaming “there is God o”. That was the pain of a mother, a representative scream of all mothers in this country, a cry too devastating to behold. I watched it and

BUSINESS SENSE ALEX OGUNDADEGBE alexogundadegbe@gmail.com

After the Reign fined petroleum products being driven into neighbouring countries for profit; secretly armed Fulani herdsmen driving cattle across borders under the pretense of looking for “greener pastures”; beggers strolling into the border towns under the guise of looking for alms in Nigeria. This is horrendous! Nigeria has one of the biggest armed forces in Africa and indeed one of the largest intelligence communities. The security agencies have recently been strengthened by sundry additions to their force with all manner of defence corps being armed for real security work. Even the customs have undergone training in the handling of arms and ammunition. Our children are taught in Civic Education that the government plays the role of protecting citizens from external and internal aggression. Its time for our governments at all levels and our security operatives to be more conscious and cautious of their security function. This does not necessarily mean boots on the ground all the time. Since Nyanya Bombing, Abuja residents and commuters of that area have been subject to gridlocks that hamper their movement and so members of the public bear the brunt of traffic hold ups after the reign. Alhaji Aliyu Gusau and all the military chiefs and intelligence personnel need to constitute a specific monitoring and action plan against terror, seeing them on national TV say it is the responsibility of every member of the

President Jonathan

public certainly is not enough. The tragedy of Boko Haram reign of terror is six years and several bombings old, with thousands of lives lost in the wake. We do not know specifically when it will end and government’s response to it appears too perfunctorily and lethargic to be efficient. Wherever there is a problem we find a business idea erupting. Already “experts” in

Truly, there is God EDGAR’s WORLD JOSEPH EDGAR

josephsamsponedgar@gmail.com

broke down again. I cannot even begin to imagine what gruesome acts these girls would have been subjected to. The hardship, the violence, threats and God knows what. My friends company once had their British expatriate kidnapped in Lagos. When the Scotland Yard people flew in, they said nobody should worry, that the guy was an ex-Special Force man, that he can take care of himself. By the time Nigeria Police rescued the man, he was broken, crying like a baby and talking to himself. All his so called training came to nought. This was in a hotel in Amuwo Odofin, in Lagos. You could then imagine the case where we are sure the girls are being kept in some decrepit cave or dungeon. The First Lady in her own way saw

sabotage or at best lethargy on the part of those charged with the custody of the girls. Hence the “and you waka come alone” remark. This was reminiscent of the Obasanjo blow down on the heels of a myriad of plane crashes. He summoned stakeholders meeting and tongue lashed people and even sacked on the spot “idiots” who were playing with their jobs. Do you think if President Jonathan had called a similar meeting and publicly showed his anger and gave ultimatums and punishment to lethargic officials, we would not make progress? This is no time for committees or emergency meetings. Also, this is no time for protest rallies and social media protests; it’s time for we as a nation to move on as one into the forests and physically bring

POLITICS

the field of terrorism and security are swooping on the nation like vultures, offering their services to different levels of government. We ought to ask: What happened to the CCTV allegedly installed by ZTE for the National Assembly in 2010? There is information making the rounds that this security apparatus is moribund and that a contingent of our representatives made a trip to China to research this same apparatus! Why is the Senate not passing the Criminal Justice Administration Bill passed by the House of Representatives since 2013? The bill arms our law enforcement agencies and intelligence community with everything they need to fight the reign of terror. The truth of the matter is there are no foreign “experts” on the Nigerian terrorism and security situation. We have to learn to combat Boko Haram ourselves, using our own homegrown methods. First of all, every true Nigerian needs to be registered and put on data. We need a central records system in Nigeria where every living Nigerian would be accounted for. Once information is available half of the solution is found. There has to be a coordinated and integrated effort at filing information on suspects of Boko Haram and other crimes. There has to be a concerted effort to understand their methods and modus operandi. Data can be acquired from all Nigerians through the activity of individuals who are schooling, banking, traveling, using medical facilities or simply engaging in major business transactions. A centralized records and information management system will complement the efforts of security agencies that have boots on the ground and will also enable us to keep watch of criminal minded individuals. The evil of terror and terror related activities needs to take a form and space in our public information systems. Terror has to be fought from every angle thinkable. The intention is to minimize and control the crime wave in Nigeria and bring it down to a minimal level. Ogundadegbe, a farmer, speaker and teacher can be reached at alexogundadegbe@gmail. com

these girls out. Everybody from senators to market women should all enter that forest o. The First Lady should take a seat at a square in Abuja everyday until the girls are found. That way, she will be a rallying point for the push. Every Nigerian interested in this cause would find their way to the First Lady’s square. There will be protest songs, placards, speeches, exhortations, poems, prayers from all denominations every day till we find our girls. The first Lady’s protest will put pressure on both government and foreign powers to ensure we get a closure. Malaysian plane has disappeared with over 200 people on board. Me I am sure they are all dead, but millions of dollars have been spent looking for the wreckage. Over 50 countries have joined the search, yet for our girls who are still alive we are still setting up committees and playing politics. There is God o. Let all those 50 countries join this search, let the drones, satellites and all that American gizmos join this search. We must find these girls, failure is not an option. Mummy, I am with you on this one. Ignore the fools focussing on rubbish when the most important thing is how to galvanize civil society and everybody to collaborate with the authorities in finding these girls. I feel your pain, I see your tears and I assure you the vast majority of us are all crying with you. Let them call me anything they want; I don’t care. I just want our daughters back. There is God o and he is watching.

54 milestone

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 May 2014

Oputa, ‘socrates of the bench’, passes on

Olugbenga Soleye

minent jurist and a former Justice of the Supreme Court (JSC), Justice Chukwudifu Oputa is dead. The legal icon was said to have died early this week at the National Hospital in Abuja. Justice Oputa, who would have been 96 in August, according to one of his sons, Geoffrey Oputa, suffered a relapse of the stroke he had in February this year and was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The late Justice Oputa was born on August 22, 1924 in Oguta, Imo State. He had his early education at the Sacred Heart School, Oguta and Christ the King College, Onitsha. After his secondary education, he attended the then Yaba Higher College. But due to the exigencies of the Second World War, he was sent along with others to the famous Achimota College, Ghana, then Gold Coast, where he graduated with B.Sc (Hons) Economics in 1945. After this, he came back to Nigeria and took up a teaching appointment with Calabari National College. He later came to Lagos where he worked as an Assistant District Officer (ADO). It was here that Justice Oputa achieved a remarkable feat as he studied at home and obtained his BA (Hons) History. Justice Oputa then proceeded to London where he bagged his LLB (Hons) and was called to the Bar in Gray’s Inn, London. Upon his return to Nigeria, Oputa went into private practice, handling such celebrated cases and special inquiries as the Oguta Chieftaincy dispute 1958/ 59,

Oputa

the Amanyanabo Dispute 1956/ 60 and many more. In 1966, Justice Oputa was appointed Judge of the High Court of the then Eastern Nigeria and moved on to become the first Chief Judge of Imo State 10 years later. In 1984, he was elevated to the Supreme Court, from where he retired in 1989. Justice Oputa would be remembered for chairing the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (HRVIC) otherwise known as the Oputa Panel. The late legal icon, was often referred to as the “Socrates

of the Supreme Court” during an era that was regarded as the golden era. But legal practitioners have been reacting to the passage of the legal icon, saying that he would be remembered for his laudable contributions to the course of law and the judiciary in the country. Three lawyers, former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), Chief Funke Adekoya (SAN) and a human rights activist, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) have eulogised

the late legal icon, saying that he would be remembered for his landmark judgements. Ojo said, “He was an iconoclast of humanity, the Socrates of our time and one of the finest breed of jurisprudence and a commitment to justice. His death is indeed the drawing of the curtain on an era in the justice sector that generations after would forever long for. He belonged to the ages, his memories are naturally bound to be immortal. We shall all surely miss him”. For Falana, “Owing to his prodigious grounding in philosophy, he was referred to by his learned brethren as the Socrates of the Supreme Court. His commitment to social justice was unparalleled. At a time in the 1980s the jurist allied with Justice Kayode Eso and Justice Andrew Obaseki to form a trinity of judicial activists who mobilised the Supreme Court to grant justice to all classes of people even if the heaven would fall. “The greatest tribute that can be paid to Justice Oputa is for the Federal Government to release the report of the Oputa Panel and proceed to implement the recommendations of the panel. For the legal profession, Justice Oputa should be celebrated for his incorruptibility and consistent defence of human rights, rule of law and democracy.” Adekoya said, “the Bar has lost another of its icons, our own Lord Denning. He was one of the greatest philosopher judges Nigeria has produced, and his judgments always displayed an interplay between law and morality. He has gone to rest, but remains with us through his judgments and legal writings.”

Mama Nurse, Margaret Gillis-Harry, joins the 80s’ club John Obi

er charm, charisma, beauty, character and brain stood her out amongst her contemporaries. This attracted Sunday Iwowari Idoniboye Gillis-Harry a Custom’s officer from Obonoma, AkukuToru local government area of Rivers State to fall head-over-hills for her. They soon became man and wife. Margaret Ebun Gillis-Harry (nee Ajise) was born on the 30th of April, 1934 at Ifon, Ondo State. Her father Chief Ojo Ajise was a technocrat, renowned teacher and a disciplinarian, one of Nigeria’s first Indigenous entrepreneurs. Little Margaret was brought to Lagos as a child by her dotting father who wanted a great beginning for his first child. They lived at Strachen Lane, near Race Course, Lagos. Madam Gillis-Harry attended St. David’s Primary School, near Obalende and Queen’s College Lagos from 1950 to 1954. In pursuance of her career, she was later to join the nursing profession and qualified with the Nursing Council of Nigeria as a first generation of Nigerian nurse in 1959. In 1964, she qualified and became a Midwife after series of exams with the British Royal Society of Health which she brilliantly passed. She also bagged her diploma as a Health Sister

with Health Sister’s Council West Africa on the 18th of May, 1967. Gillis-Harry thereafter attended the University of Ibadan, where she obtained her Master’s Degree in Public Health. For a period of several decades, she led and competently managed several health centers in Lagos, including Ikorodu, Epe, Apapa, Surulere, Lagos Island Maternity amongst others. In 1983, Gillis-Harry retired after a meritorious 35-year service as an Assistant Chief Health Sister in Lagos State. Mama is a pan-Nigerian who sees every tribe and state as her constituency. She enjoyed a high network of friends alongside her husband, who served as the first Chairman, Men’s Improvement Society, of the Methodist Church Tinubu, Lagos. The late Mr. Gillis-Harry had voluntarily retired from the Nigerian Customs Service as a Controller when he could not yield to the whims, caprices and rot in the system. The theatre of the absurd of the Nigerian state played itself in her marriage when a structure built by her husband adjacent the Murtala Muhammad Airport was forcefully occupied by the defunct Nigerian Airways in 1981. Mr. Gillis-Harry unfortunately died in the struggle to reclaim his property and the structure was neither returned to the family nor compensation paid. The said property has since been sold by the state and occupied

by an airline operator as its head office. Madam Gillis-Harry sites this injustice as her greatest pain. Not done, the Nigerian state today has not paid her pension for the last four years. This is a tragedy of honesty and hardwork. In Plato’s allegory of the metals, the philosopher classifies man into groups of gold, silver and lead. Madam Margaret Ebun Gillis-Harry is pure gold - there is gold in her intellect; gold in her unfailing tolerance and generosity; and gold in her unfailing loyalty and self-sacrifice. As much as I respect her as a neighbour and mother-in-law, that is how much I love her as my mother. Mama is indeed a virtuous woman, and this has shown in the quality of her children Deinso, Telema, Jenefaa, Selesinma, Beletela and Owanasem. Mama as you clock 80, may the Gift you are (Ebun) abide with us still, while Marshall, Ebunoluwa, Gabriella, Beletela and I join other Nigerians in wishing you a happy birthday as you proudly step into the Octogenarian league. Congratulations mama. -Obi is a public affairs analyst

Gift

Transition Gift

he funeral rite of Mrs. Gift Onyemaizu, aged 41, who died on Palm Sunday, April 13, 2014, holds as follows: Christian wake keep on Friday may 16 at the Onyemaizu’s compound, Ochansi Village, Nsukwe Isielu, Ubakala in Umuahia South, Abia State by 6pm; Lying –in- State at the Onyemaizu’s compound on Saturday May 17 by 8am while funeral service holds on same day and venue by 10am followed by entertainment of guests at Ubakala Secondary School field, Ubakala, Umuahia South Abia. Late Mrs. Onyemaizu, a businesswoman and seamistress was a devout Christian, children teacher and member of New Jerusalem – City Baptist Church, Ejigbo, Lagos. She is survived by her husband, Mr. Johnson Onyemaizu of Zenith Bank, four children, parents, brothers, sisters and others. Service of Songs was held in her honour on Friday May 9 at her Lagos residence.

Foreign-based’ll get us goals -Falcons coach

Serena

Serena withdraws from Madrid Open

erena Williams pulled out of the Madrid Open on Friday because of a thigh injury. Williams was hurt during a first-round win over Belinda Bencic on Sunday, but continued to play and won two more matches in straight sets before deciding to withdraw prior to her scheduled quarterfinal against Petra Kvitova. “I have a left thigh injury and, unfortunately, have to withdraw from this year’s Mutua Madrid Open,” Williams said in a statement on Friday. “It happened during my first round match. It started to get better, but most importantly right now, I just need some time to rest and recover.” Williams was the top seed and the two-time defending champion at this event. Williams is still planning to play next week in Rome.

our players were on Friday dropped from the Golden Eaglets’ CJ Planet International Hotel Camp in Abuja as Coach Emmanuel Amuneke wielded the stick after repeated

SPORT EXTRA

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 10 May 2014

uper Falcons Coach, Edwin Okon, has expressed the optimism that the team’s low goal-scoring problem will be solved by the foreignbased professionals invited for the Africa Women Championship clash with Rwanda. The inability of the Nigeria senior women team to convert scoring opportunities has been a major concern to Okon and his assistants and it was very glaring when they only managed to beat Cameroun 1-0 in a friendly after creating several chances. But the coach is hopeful that the trio of Pepertua Nkwocha, Oparanozie Desire and Francisca Ordega who are among the eight invited foreign pros would score plenty goals for the team. According to the coach, the invited professionals must however prove that they are better than the home-based players to get the nod to play against Rwanda. Speaking after Friday’s training coach Okon said every body in the team will get equal chance to make the team that will travel to Kigali to play Rwanda on May 24. “There is no automatic jersey for any-

Brazil: Jones, Rooney fit for England

anchester United interim manager Ryan Giggs says Phil Jones and Wayne Rooney will both be fit to play for England at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil. United defender Jones, 22, injured his shoulder in Tuesday’s 3-1 win against Hull, while forward Rooney, 28, has had a minor groin problem.

THE PROS INVITED Perpetua Nkwocha (Sunnana SK, Sweden) Sarah Micheal (KIF Orebro,Sweden) Francisca Ordega (Pitea IF,Sweden) Onome Ebi (Minsk FC,Belarus) Osinachi Ohale (Houston Dash, Utd States), Faith Ikidi (Pitea IF, Sweden) Desire Oparanozie (Belediyespor, Turkey) Helen Ukaonu (Sunnana SK, Sweden).

body no matter where you are coming from. They are all Nigerians and have equal right to the team. All I want is the best for the country and so I will use the best “I am glad that the foreign based players will start arriving next week to camp and I know they would be great additions to the team and hopefully help solve the team’s poor goals scoring record” he said. Coach said that he and his assistants were working tirelessly to ensure that the home-based players were in good shape before the coming of the eight foreign-based players.

Yobo

place to another because there aren’t any. “The biggest challenge will be for them,” Valcke told a group of international news agency reporters. “It will not be for the media, it will not be for the teams, it will not be for the officials, it will be for the fans.”

warning against poor performance and conduct by his players. The players who got the marching order were Kingsley Michael; Okonkwo Orji; Chibuzor

Ibekwe and Paul Obasi; even as he advised the rest to pull their weight since no undisciplined conduct would be tolerated both on and off the field of play.

Yobo to miss Arsenal clash

Charles Ogundiya

uper Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, might have played his last game for Norwich City, after the defender was ruled out from the team final league match of the season against Arsenal on Sunday. Norwich City host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday as two teams who have fallen well shy of mid-season expectations go head-to-head. Norwich had been eyeing the season finale as a potential opportunity to save their topflight status, but Sunderland’s 2-0 win over West Brom on Wednesday means Neil Adams’ side need a 17-goal swing to overhaul Pepe Mel’s men. According to reports, Yobo, currently battling with a calf injury will be missing the game alongside Anthony Pilkington (thigh), while Wenger confirmed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains out with a groin problem. The former Everton defender was recently named by the Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi in a 30-man provisional list ahead of the World Cup, but with his inability to recover from the injury, he might be missing out in the final list for the World Cup.

FIFA president, Sepp Blatter

Four Eaglets dropped

Omeruo rejects Chelsea contract extension Charles Ogundiya

Fans face biggest challenge in Brazil - Jerome Valcke razil’s huge distances, shaky infrastructure, security problems and varying climate have turned the World Cup into a logistical nightmare for teams, officials and the media. But the secretary general of world soccer’s governing body FIFA, Jerome Valcke, admitted nobody will face as many difficulties as the hundreds of thousands of visiting fans who face high prices for limited transport and hotel options. Valcke warned that fans could not just turn up in cities and sleep in their cars or at camping sites as they did in Germany eight years ago while they could not simply hop on trains to get from one

“I really want to thank all of you for what you have done so far but the truth of the matter is that some of you are not doing enough and as a matter of fact, we won’t also condone indiscipline,” Amuneke said.

uper Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo, has rejected a new contract offer from Chelsea, according to his representative. The World Cup bound defender has spent the season on-loan at Middlesbrough. His representative, Chika Akujobi, has been quoted as saying he wants a better deal from Chelsea before he leaves for the World Cup in Brazil with Nigeria. “We want them to double the offer, but they said they have a new policy for young players yet to break into their first-team and this ensures they do not go overboard with their offers,” he said. “But Kenneth has already proved himself in the English Championship which is even more forceful and physical than the English Premier League, which is more about tactics. “Chelsea have to come up and they have to do so soon, before the club go on summer holidays.”

GAMES/CROSS WORD PUZZLE Types of flutes the world over.

KEY WORDS

BAG PIPES BASSOON OBOE PICCOLO CLARINET PIPE FLAGEOLET BASSET HORN REED RECORDER SAXOPHONE STRAW PAN PIPES OCARINA FIFE NOSE FLUTE WHISTLE WIND

T R E E T E L I N O E O E M H G A P A N O L I X F R A B A S I C M N O S

C O R L D N A N D R M I I O F N B H E O I T E L R E A S O O O L O E F L

D E R I W E C A I A R F O T I A S F T A E O E T R M S N I P C C I U T E

8 E R U P I P K W A H C M A S S D E E R P P Y I I F P P S N G P A A F P B

4 7

9 10

14 16 18 19 21 24 25

1 5 7 8 9 10 11 12

Carry offspring in the womb Air force fighter pilot And not Thick greasy liquid To attack somebody physically World’s incurable disease Small songbirds Arsenic symbol

16 United Nations 17 Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso’s state 18 Ex United States President 22 Tailless primate 23 Gov. Rochas Okorocha’s state 24 Automobile 25 Indicating ‘life’ 26 Mass of floating ice

15 17 20

ACROSS

DOWN

13 Make something last longer

14 Former PTF Chairman

Reminiscent of ghost

2 Greet somebody

15 Use of wit to criticize behaviour

3 In addiction

19 Australia’s uncoordinated person

4 Surround something closely

20 Basic unit of heredity

5 With low rainfall

21 Protective clothing

6 Make mistake

S e e s o l u t i o n o n pa g e 2 3

TRAVEL

SPORT Sanctity of Truth w ww. n ew te l e g r ap h on l i n e . c om

IT’S A DIFFERENT WORLD AT PEARL COURT HOTEL P.39

nyone fearful of the adverse consequences for the unity and progress of this nation posed by Boko Haram should similarly be apprehensive about the grave impact to our national cohesion that the virulent anti-North prejudice and bigotry that have exploded in the South portends. Hate, too, is explosive and inimical to the best interests of a nation seeking unity in diversity and mutual respect. [The Muslim North is not Boko Haram, Broadside, New Telegraph, March 15, 2014]. It is evident from the recent inflammatory memorandum by Governor Murtala Nyako to the governors of the 19 states of northern Nigeria that the cycle of political letter writing by politicians is yet to run its full course. The grand objective of the letter writers is clearly determinate – the toppling, by legitimate or treasonous means, of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. But Nyako goes a step further; he has maliciously prepared the ground for a possible holocaust against the Igbo. Friends, in the fundamentalist court of Governor Nyako, the President of the republic has been found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. The existence of Boko Haram is denied and the existence of a presidency-sponsored brigade of cutthroats is affirmed. And if you wonder: On what reliable evidence did he base his guilty verdict? Well, in his primeval jurisdiction, the guilt is first established and then international non-governmental organisations are invited to assist in investigations and gathering of the evidence. We live in bizarre times, indeed. It is a truism that poor writers make poor thinkers. If Nyako’s memorandum is a reflection of the quality of his mind, then what a chaotic, bitter, hateful, hypocritical, and juvenile mind he’s cursed with. In style and diction, Nyako’s memo is embarrassingly pedestrian, typifying the mediocrity that has held sway in the Nigerian armed forces over the last four decades. His effort shames the exalted admiralty. In a meritocratic society, he would have had no business ascending to the office of Vice Admiral. But in its primary and wicked intent to inflame passions, the memorandum did not just flow from the soft point of a pen. It was a chronicle written on a granite plate of ethnic hatred at the steely point of political subversion. Should Jonathan lose the presidential election in 2015 and a Nyako-supportedleadership emerges, people of “Eastern Nigeria” should brace themselves for revenge slaughter based on the crime of phantom genocide. History’s testimony to the antiIgbo genocide of the 1960s is still ringing loud and dangerous. If pogrom was the answer to an alleged ethno-biased coup d’état, then the repercussions for an alleged genocide might well be permanent extermination. If you are a citizen of eastern extraction in this country, you may treat Nyako’s memorandum lightly at your own grave peril. This ruse concocted by Nyako is a potent launching-pad for “Operation craw-craw” to parallel or eclipse Operation Araba – the revenge coup d’état of July 29, 1966 under which the slaughter and annihilation of the officer corps of Igbo origin, from the first Major General the nation ever produced to the lower cadre of Second Lieutenants, was executed. It presents a perfect opportunity to re-enact the Abandoned Property heist – the military decree-backed theft of a living and present people’s property. If people who ran for safety from Port Harcourt to

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

SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2014

N150

AKPOBORIE SLAMS WORLD CUP LIST

P.25

Governor Nyako: It takes a genocidal maniac BROADSIDE EMMANUEL ONWE agubata@aol.com

Gov. Nyako

Aba, a distance of less than 100 kilometres, were presumed to have permanently forfeited their property, then the looming ọsọ ọgụ in which Easterners will be compelled to embark on exodus from Abuja to Enugu for safety will see their stupendous real estate declared “Gifted Property.” The principal actors in the Abandoned Property grand theft are still very much around, more politically powerful and influential, with greater appetite for illegitimately acquired wealth and heightened anti-East prejudice. A band of vengeful and powerful old brigade, made up of Nyako and men of his ilk, are embittered by the dramatic turn of historic events that saw the ascent of a citizen they presume to be nyamiri to the Presidency. That it happened in their life time under circumstances that allowed them to claim dispossession gave rise to a form of psychological brutalization from which they are never likely to recover. This psychological derangement has manifested in abnormal conduct by men such as Nyako. The existential dilemma suggested by the memorandum betrays the helplessness and paralysis at the heart of northern leadership. And those looking for culprits should look no further than poverty of imagination, visionlessness and selfish material gluttony, which combined to cripple the region and bury its modest promise. Northern Nigeria is whimpering under the black clouds of

apocalypse, make no mistake about that. And again if you ask, whose fault is it? The answer is rich in complexity and calls for a treatise. But a simple generalisation will suffice for the moment. Those in positions of leadership in our nation are placed on the challenging scales of good and evil. It is far easier to do something mighty and evil than it is do that which is noble, distinguished and good. From amalgamation through independence to this Fourth Republic, our union has been unique in the problems and promises it presented and uniquely has its leaders been challenged. Catastrophically, however, the Nyakos of the North, greedy, venal and unenlightened as they were, held sway for far too long, thus bequeathing the republic with the products of their primitive and retarded ways. And the sharpest brunt has been borne by their own region. In their old age and with the ugly evidence of their neglect and criminal misrule staring them in the face, some of them, such as Nyako, have grown increasingly apoplectic with rage and disappointment, as the North convulses in instability and spews the smoke from the fire of half a century of degradation. But the cowardly Nyako has not got the balls to lay the blame and responsibility where they belong. Why so do when there is a convenient peg on which to hang the ragged coat of a battered and regressing region? Blaming Jonathan, the presumptive nyamiri infidel from the East, will do just fine. A dangerous brew of lies, vague conspiracies, sub-literate invocation of perverted history and outright insults become the ingredients of their denial. It is frightening that the Nyakos of the North are still at that stage. The Kübler-Ross model, otherwise known as the five stages of grief (a series of emotions experienced when people are afflicted with catastrophe) shows how victims start with denial and advance through anger, bargaining, depression before finally arriving at a state of acceptance. At overseventy years of age and presiding over squalor and deprivation, it’s doubtful that Nyako will advance much farther than the first stage. In his memorandum, Nyako sought to rely on the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to establish his phantom genocide allegation. Below is his citation: “International Criminal Court Charter broadly defines genocide as:

· Mass killings of human beings · A deliberate action by a government that embarks on a policy that denies a group basic social amenities. · A deliberate action by a government or group of people who embark on campaign of hatred against the innocent.” All these and much more took place during the Nigerian Civil War. Nyako was an active player in that war. Nyako was commissioned by the Nigerian Navy in 1966 and held command duties in Benin, Obuma, Kwa Ibo River and Ekpe from 1966 to the end of 1969. In the course of this period, it is alleged that he ordered and personally participated in the slaughter of refugees fleeing from various war fronts in 1968. Testimonies of women he allegedly raped and drowned in Kwa River in the late 1960s have come to light. Stories about children he allegedly plucked from their mothers’ breasts and then proceeded to cast them into the river to drown are now being narrated. Decommissioned Biafran soldiers are standing ready and willing to testify to Nyako’s crime of deliberately and with malice aforethought sinking boats ferrying war refugees to safety, drowning thousands of mothers and their babies. He stands accused of blockading relief supplies from the International Committee of the Red Cross, leading to mass starvation and deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent children. In the corpus of criminal law, both international and domestic, the doctrine of statute of limitations does not apply to criminal matters. In that connection, therefore, Nyako remains a legitimate target of potential criminal investigations for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. President Jonathan ought to instruct the Attorney General of the federation to commence investigations into these allegations forthwith. Accusing easterners of complicity in genocide is not only a malicious falsehood but pointing his blood-soaked finger at the very people against whom he committed unspeakable atrocities is taking hubris by Nyako to disdainful heights. It takes a genocidal maniac to put on display such reckless stupidity. Citizens of northern Nigeria led this nation for 38 years, down the very precipice of a terrific abyss on which it now totters. No citizen of eastern Nigeria had ever written an accusatory memorandum holding the entire northern region culpable for the actions of eight men. The citizens of the South-South of Nigeria who today stand collectively accused of aiding and abetting a cut-throat genocidal administration were the staunch collaborators of the Nyakos in the course of the Nigerian Civil War from 1967-1970. The Second, Third and Fourth Republics witnessed an inflexible support and collaboration between the people of the South-South and northern Nigeria, shunning, most blatantly, the efforts of Dr Azikiwe’s Nigerian People’s Party (NPP) to construct a regional political and economic solidarity between 1979 and 1983. Are the chickens coming home to roost?

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