Binder1 aug 9, 2014 by Newtelegraphonline

Saturday Edition

Sanctity of Truth Saturday, AUGUST 9, 2014

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Jonathan declares national emergency on Ebola Virus Vol. 1 No. 172

Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

See story on page 2

lApproves N1.9bn intervention fund lUS okays TKM-Ebola drug for public use lFG says warm water with salt can’t stop virus as preventive rumour spreads lNNPC hospital in Lagos shut over suspected admission of Ebola patient

SHOWDOWN IN OSUN

PROF. OsaghaE | Conversation

– VC Igbinedion University

‘Military govt. created cultism in universities’ P.13

BROWN IDEYE ‘I’ll justify West Brom’s spend on me’

| Sport

P.31 Aregbesola... The Incumbent

Omisore... The Challenger

l Boasts a huge ‘war’ chest l Flaunts support of past governors of the state l Was commissioner for Works in Lagos State

l Huge grassroots appeal l Was deputy governor and ex-Senator l Enjoys federal support

MAHEEDA

‘Yes, posting nude pictures gave me fame’ P.17

Osun voters elect governor today l Disqualify Aregbesola, Omisore, SDP tells INEC

Ndubuisi Ugah

s attention shifts to Osun State as residents elect their governor today, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said about 1,407,222 voters, comprising 661,394 male (47 per cent) and 745,828 female (53 per cent), have been registered by the electoral body to vote in the election. The information by the electoral body is coming on the heels of a statement by the police, warning against engaging in unlawful acts. Also, a former secretary to the government of the federa-

tion, Chief Olu Falae, yesterday called on stakeholders in the state governorship election to ensure a peaceful and credible election. An information kit on the election issued by INEC indicates that there were 332 wards, 3,010 polling units and 3,379 voting points across the 30 local government areas of the state. It was also gathered that 20 registered political parties fielded candidates to contest the election. The kit also stated that INEC could entertain complaints on the conduct of the election arising from telephone calls to its Situation Room in Abuja. “Complaints can be lodged or incidents re-

ported from any polling unit throughout Osun for swift intervention as may be appropriate,” INEC stated. It gave the numbers of cell telephone lines to be used for the calls as: 07098115257, 07098117563, 07098110916 and 07098116381. It said text messages could as well be sent via: 08101774434 and 07032492303. The leading candidates, whose parties are expected to make a good showing in the poll are Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Alhaji Fatai Akinbade of Labour Party (LP), who is also expected to do well in the

election. Aregbesola hails from Osun East Senatorial district; Omisore is also from Osun East Senatorial district, while Akinbade is from Osun West. A total of 29 domestic and foreign observer organisations were registered by INEC to monitor the conduct of the election. Speaking on the election, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mrs Folashade Odoro, who gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Osogbo, said the constitutional role of the police was well spelt out, CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

I’m not afraid of impeachment - Enugu deputy governor... Action smarks of mischief, says group p.2

| Showbiz

| Street Diary

Will you take your aged parents to old people’s home? p.12

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014

NEWS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014

Content 09.08.14 Jonathan declares emergency on Ebola Ndubuisi Ugah, Anule Emmanuel, Andrew Iro Okungbowa, Appolonia Adeyemi, Ibraheem Musa

INSTYLE

For Your Wrist Only

The wrist is not meant to adorned by wristwatch only; you can adorn your wrist with lovely and colourful wristbands for any event. It’s no surprise they have increasingly become a regular staple in men’s wardrobe.

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday declared as a national emergency the control and containment of the Ebola virus in Nigeria. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, announced the decision while briefing state house correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Jonathan’s message came on day health authorities in the United States relaxed safety restrictions they had placed on an experimental drug conceived for Ebola treatment, paving the way for a possibly early availability for public use. President Jonathan who returned from Washington

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SHOWBIZ

Rapping It Up

Last weekend at the Afrikan Shrine, memories of Fela were alive as artistes commemorate the fourteenth memorial of the late afrobeat singer. Yet, Mz Kiss, a relatively unknown rapper still managed to steal the limelight.

}19

THE ARTS

Roots of Passion

Lagos-based artist Babatunde Ogunlade recalls how hanging around Ibadan Polytechnic’s fine art department to escape domestic chores stoked an interest in art.

taken to effectively contain the threat of the Ebola virus in line with international protocols and best practices. “President Jonathan also approved a Special Intervention Plan and the immediate release of N1. 9 billion for its implementation, to further strengthen ongoing steps to contain the virus such as the establishment of additional isolation centres, case management, contact tracing, deployment of additional personnel, screening at borders, and the procurement of required items and facilities.” President Jonathan commended the vigilance of aviation and health authorities in Lagos who identified and isolated the index case in Nigeria, the late Patrick Sawyer, an American-Liberian who flew into the country. He also applauded the good work of health au-

thorities at both state and federal levels who had traced persons who had contact with him, isolated other identified cases and embarked on massive public enlightenment. Abati said the President called for greater vigilance and co-operation at all levels to stop the Ebola virus from spreading further. “As the effective implementation of the Federal Government’s Special Intervention Plan will require other stakeholders to take certain precautionary steps that are supportive of the government’s initiative, the President calls on members of the public to follow all directives by health authorities and report any suspected Ebola case to the nearest health facility for immediate medical attention.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

Osun voters elect governor today CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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adding that it was not a partisan institution. “We are not partisan, anybody may say whatever he or she likes. The position of the police is clear. The police are duty bound to protect law abiding citizens and to apprehend those who flout the law,’’ she said. Odoro also dismissed a report that a journalist, Mr Ayodeji Moradeyo, and a cameraman, Binafia Miebi, all staff of Television Continental, were arrested on Thursday. The spokesperson said the duo had gone to a party secretariat where they were refused entrance. She said the duo were assaulted in the ensuing melee, adding that the po-

IDEAS & BRANDS Talking PR

Public relations consultant, Muyiwa Akintunde, says ineffective enforcement of regulatory provisions has resulted in registered public relations agencies and professionals having an insignificant slice of the cake.

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CHEF’S CORNER Dining Out

Restaurateurs are extending the frontiers of outdoor dining as the number of people seeking to dine out without losing the home feel increase.

}40 GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Deputy Managing Director/DEIC YEMI AJAYI Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday WAHEED BAKARE Deputy Editor, Saturday LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board NDUBUISI UGAH News Editor TAIWO AHMED Advert Manager UCHEY OKEZIE Ag. Sales/Marketing Manager TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

on Thursday met with critical stakeholders privately at the Villa Friday where he obtained necessary information on the outbreak of the virus before declaring the emergency. The approval of funds is to further strengthen ongoing steps to contain the virus such as the establishment of additional isolation centres, case management, contact tracing, deployment of additional personnel, screening at borders, and the procurement of required items and facilities. According to Abati, the President directed the Federal Ministry of Health to work in collaboration with the state ministries of Health, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies to ensure that all possible steps are

lice eventually rescued the journalists. “Actually, the police had to come to their rescue in the process, but they were not arrested. They even appreciated the efforts of the police at the end of the day,” she added. Also on the election, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) candidate in Saturday’s governorship election in the state, Mr. Ibrahim Adeoti, said yesterday that the party lacked the power to disqualify him. Adeoti said this in Osogbo in an interview with the NAN. NAN quotes the UPN National Chairman, Dr Fredrick Fasheun, as saying that it did not field any candidate to contest the election. Adeoti said the state-

ment was “laughable and illogical’’, considering the guidelines for disqualification of candidates set out by INEC in the Electoral Act. He said he was still in the race for Saturday’s election on the platform of UPN. “On what ground can a candidate be disqualified barely 48 hours to an election by a political party? The excuse of Dr Fasheun that the process that produced my candidacy was flawed at the eve of election was not only spurious but scandalous. “I want to categorically say to the people of Osun that I remain the candidate of the UPN for the August 9 gubernatorial election in the state, and nothing can change that fact,’’ he said. Meanwhile, Osun State

chapter of Social Democratic Party (SDP) has called on INEC not to count any vote for both Aregbesola and Omisore in the election. The party clamoured for the disqualification of the duo for flouting the nation’s Electoral law which stipulates time limit for election campaign. The chairman of SDP in the state, Mr. Ademola Isola, in Osogbo yesterday stated that the last day of campaign according to the time-table released by INEC was August 7. According to him, the billboards and several posters advertising the candidatures of both Aregbesola and Omisore as at Saturday, August 8 were still placed conspicuously mounted across the state.

I’m not afraid of impeachment, says Enugu deputy governor Ndubuisi Ugah

eputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, has said that he is not afraid of being removed from office, so long as the masses and Nigerians know the reasons behind his travails. Members of the state House of Assembly, bent on removing Onyebuchi had implored the chief judge to inaugurate a panel to investigate the allegations against the deputy governor part of which includes the rearing of chicken in his official quarters at the Government House. He is also believed to have incurred the wrath of the state government in nursing a Senatorial ambition. “I do not mind leaving the office but the public know that I did not commit any offence, that I did not do anything that will justify my being removed,” he told New Telegraph on Saturday. “Let the people of Enugu State,

let Nigerians be the judge as to how honourable the members of the Enugu State House of Assembly are in this matter,” he said. According to him, before that happens (removal), I must let Enugu residents and Nigerians know the truth concerning my travail. “I believe that eventually I will triumph. There is a panel of man, there is a court of man, but more importantly, there is a court of God where nobody can manipulate the truth. He will also give His verdict at the appropriate time,” he added further. Onyebuchi also said: “It is true that I am the one standing trial but I want to say also that our democracy is also standing trial. I want to say also that justice is on trail; I want to say also that the integrity of all those involved, including that of the panel members, is on trail. “I believe that no matter how we want to manipulate truth and try to embellish it, eventually, if not now, the truth will triumph over falsehood.”

The embattled deputy governor, who noted that “this is a situation where the person who is being marched did not complain, rather the person, who is marching on him is the one complaining”, assured his supporters that he was determined to fight to the very last. “On the poultry in question, by January 27, all the birds were removed; I did not know what happened to them, whether they were sold or eaten; I never complained, rather the person who took my birds is the one complaining,” he told journalists shortly after appearing before the seven-man judicial panel looking into the charges. Meanwhile, a source told New Telegraph that Onyebuchi may have fallen out of favour with some powerful stakeholders in the state due to his perceived support for the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu. But the Enugu Professionals Forum has described Onyebuchi’s comment as “premature and designed to whip undeserved

sentiments”. A statement signed by its Secretary-General, Nebechi Ugo, said the deputy governor should present his defence to the charges to the panel, adding that his public comments on a matter that was still before the panel was contemptuous and designed to cast doubts on the integrity of the members. The EPL said that Onyebuchi was employing “an archaic and well-worn tactic” of trying to whip up sentiments instead of addressing the unambiguous charges levelled against him. “If the deputy governor says that he has some truth to tell about the charges against him, let him address it to the panel. His resort to making public comments and reaching conclusions about a matter that is currently being tried by a properly constituted judicial panel is clearly an attempt to undermine the panel’s integrity and smacks of high mischief and desperation.”

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 august 2014

Cholera claims 11 lives in Borno INFECTIOUS DISEASE Health officials battle to contain outbreak of epidemic

Ndubuisi Ugah

ith anxiety still mounting over the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria, health officials in Borno State yesterday said the death toll from suspected cholera outbreak at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Biu, Biu Local Government Area of the state had risen to 11. Also, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof. Temitope Alonge, has identified stroke as one of the complications associated with sickle cell anaemia in children. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that agt least five people were last week confirmed dead following the cholera outbreak at the camp.

l Anaemic children likely to suffer stroke, says expert The Principal Medical Officer at Biu General Hospital, Dr. Edward Diga, told a team of officials from the State Ministry of Health in Biu that the epidemic had claimed more lives. Diga said about 325 cases were handled at the hospital, adding that: “We treated about 325 cases at the hospital, unfortunately, 11 people died out of the number. We still have about 30 people on admission, while the rest have been treated and discharged.” Diga blamed the rising spread of the disease on the influx of IDPs from camps due to the continuous Boko Haram insurgency attacks on villages. “Mass movement of displaced persons from surrounding villages to Biu caused by insurgency attack has actually worsened the spread of the disease. “I wish to commend the state government for its timely intervention and support toward curtailing the spread,” he said. Also, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Salma Kolo,

said the team was at the camp to present drugs and other essential items provided by the government. Kolo was represented at the occasion by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Lawi Mishelia. She advised health officials to be cautious and innovative in handling suspected cholera cases to prevent and curtail the spread. Meanwhile, Alonge, a professor of Orthopaedics and Trauma, told the NAN in Lagos, that anaemic children between the ages of two and 11 stood the risk of recurrent stroke. He urged parents to ensure that their children were well hydrated and to also ensure that all forms of infections were treated ‘aggressively’ in order to prevent stroke in the children. “Stroke is actually one of the complications you really don’t want to have in sickle cell patients. “We find them in children between the ages of two and 11; and when they do they are multiple. “One reason that we have

adduced now is that they have a high level of platelets. There is a component in the blood that is called platelet, one of the cells. “This particular value is very high in sickle cell patients and if you allow them to carry on the way they are, you need a little bit of trigger for them to begin to cause blood clot; I mean to plug the blood vessels in the brain; they have multiple infarction. “And the moment they have it, everything more or less nosedives in their lives. The simple measures that parents can take in preventing stroke, quite frankly, is to ensure that these children are well hydrated and if they have any form of infection they should be treated aggressively. All of these will dilute the blood and therefore reduce the risk of the platelet sickling.” A free online publication, Medical Dictionary, defines sickling as the development of sickle-shaped red blood cells in sickle cell anaemia.

NEWS

NEWS EDITOR, SATURDAY:

NDUBUISI UGAH

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

The Week Ahead Osun governorship poll holds today The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct the Osun State governorship election on August 9. The election will be narrowed to the incumbent state Governor, Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr. Olusegun Akinwusi.

Ilaje League of Professionals parley ends today The first stakeholders’ conference of Ilaje League of Professionals (ILP), which started yesterday with the theme ‘Ilaje Nation’s Unity and Development’, will end today at Williams Event Centre, Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State.

National Conference delegates to resume Aug 11 The National Conference will now have to reconvene on August 11 for the certification of the final report of the conference. The Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications of the National Conference, Mr. Akpandem James, said the Eid-el-Fitri holidays declared by the Federal Government affected work on the compilation and production of 500 copies of the draft report to be presented to delegates, hence the decision to postpone resumption till August 11.

Jonathan to attend NIWA ICE meeting Aug 12 President Goodluck Jonathan will be the special guest of honour when the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) international conference and exhibition begins on August 12 to 14, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. A statement issued by the organisers stated that the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar; former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bayo Ojo and Chairman, Board of Directors of NIWA, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, are among the prominent Nigerians expected at the event.

ATCON plans workshop on IPV6 Aug 12 The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), in collaboration with Africa Network Information Centre (AfriNIC), is organising a three-day workshop on IPv6 in Lagos from August 12 to 14. Participants at the workshop are targeted to network engineers in the African telecoms industry, including the academic.

Delta APC fixes primaries for Aug 12 The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the party will hold its primaries on August 12. A statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Isaac Adaka Adakpo, noted that deadline for purchase and return of nomination forms for interested aspirants was extended to August 8 to enable aspirants to purchase the forms.

PVC distribution for Cross River, FCT begins Aug 15 Chairman of PAN Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Munir Jaafar (left), and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, during a courtesy visit by the Board of PAN Nigeria to the SGF in his office at Abuja…recently

CAMAC Energy finds oil, gas deposit in Nigeria Segun Edwards

Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)listed company, CAMAC Energy Inc, has announced preliminary results of its Oyo-8 development in Nigeria’s offshore space in OML 120, following the drilling process which had commenced in June this year. According to CAMAC, which is also listed on the

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), four new oil and gas reservoirs were discovered, with total gross hydrocarbon found, 34 metres thick. The Oyo field development had both a vertical and a horizontal section. Senior Vice-President of Exploration and Production for CAMAC, Segun Omidele, said: “This is an excellent result from the vertical section of Oyo-8,

as it positively established oil presence in new reservoirs in the Eastern fault block.” He added that the results were now being evaluated in details, as the company seeks to “establish the size of the incremental reserve additions.” With new oil and gas reservoirs found, the well will now be completed horizontally as a producing well in the Pliocene

formation of the Central Oyo field. Oyo-7, which was successfully drilled in October 2013, will also be completed horizontally in the Pliocene formation of the Central Oyo field. Omidele stressed that CAMAC was closer than ever to bringing the two development wells (Oyo7 and 8) to production as it seeks to generate revenue for the company’s shareholders.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will commence the distribution of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) in Cross River State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from August 15 to 17. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Cross River State, Mr. Mike Igini, made this known in Calabar, during a stakeholders meeting held to sensitise political leaders in the state on the preparation of the electoral body towards next year’s election. Also, the REC for the FCT, Dr. Godwin Kwanga, said the second phase of the distribution would commence on August 20 and end August 25.

TAN begins rallies for Jonathan Aug 16 A political group, Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) has said it will begin rallies for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election from August 16. The group’s Director of Public Communications and Strategy, Mr. Udenta O. Udenta, said the rally would take off in Awka, the Anambra State capital, and hold in other deep political zones. The group noted that it was worried over “the near absence of coverage of President Jonathan’s very many achievements nationwide.”

NEWS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 august 2014

Henry Abebe, late Stella Obasanjo’s brother is Dead N EWS I N BRIEF

FCT

ZUBA

FCT

Henry Abebe, one of the surviving brothers of deceased former first lady, Stella Obasanjo is dead, THEWILL has reported. THEWILL gathered that Henry, fondly called ‘Ahey’ by his friends and admirers died in a local hospital in Abuja, early Friday morning after suddenly falling ill. Henry, a businessman is survived by his parents, wife Beatrice and children.

Man, 30, in court for alleged fraud ‘Nigeria on verge of improving The Police yesterday arraigned Mohammed power generation’ Suraju, 30, in a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for defrauding a businessman. Monday Audu of ECWA Church 2, Zuba, reported the matter at the Wuse Police Station, Abuja, on July 29. Police prosecutor, Corporal Gideon Ekomson, told the court that the accused, of Behind NITEL Pole in Madala, Niger State, collected the money in May under false pretence that he was going to introduce the complainant to ‘the latest business in the town.’ The prosecutor added that the accused collected the money in the company of two other persons now at large. Ekomson said the accused attempted to commit the same crime with the same person at Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, when he was arrested.

72.5%

The percentage rise of Shares business of Nigeria’s capital importation in 2012 over the previous year. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

The number of refugees assisted by UNHCR at the beginning of 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

An oil firm, Zuma Energy Limited, yesterday said the license issued to it to establish a coalfire power plant from River Niger would enable it to improve power generation in the country. The company’s Executive Chairman, Dr. Innocent Ezuma, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja. Zuma Energy is one of the three companies that received water use license from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources on Wednesday for the purpose of establishing hydro power plants in the country. “It is a very excellent milestone that is achieved; the most important resources that are required for coal-fire power plant are coal and water," he said.

14%

The percentage of population of women above 60 years in China in 2012. Source: Un.org

PDP national scribe flays Oyinlola ... Tags ex-governor fifth columnist in the party Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

former Governor of Osun State and erstwhile National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who recently dumped the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been described as a politician without any electoral value even in his own ward. The National Secretary of PDP, Prof. Wale Oladipo, who stated this in Abuja, while reacting to remarks allegedly made by Oyinlola against his person (Oladapo) and Senator Iyiola Omisore, the PDP governorship candidate in Osun State, recently, said Oyinlola has outlived his usefulness both in national and Osun state politics. He noted that Oyinlola was a tired old soldier, who was no longer relevant in the politics of Osun State. Oladipo flayed the for-

mer Osun State governor 's uncomplimentary remarks on Omisore, who he said raised him (Oyinlola) from political obscurity and brought him to limelight. He maintained that Oyinlola was, indeed, not a factor in the Osun State governorship election holding today. Oladipo also contended that today's governorship election would seal Oyinlola’s fate politically, because “the PDP will win roundly and soundly”. The PDP national scribe said: “Omisore considered Oyinlola for governorship in 2003 for some political reasons, while the two struck an agreement that the former governor would only do a term in office. “Notwithstanding the act of magnanimity by Omisore, Oyinlola betrayed the trust his mentor reposed in him, and hence, faced severe challenges of returning to office for second term in 2007."

APC women, thugs clash at Nasarawa Assembly complex Cheke Emmanuel Lafia

T L-R: Executive Secretary, Christian Pilgrims Welfare Commission (CPWC), Mr. Kennedy Opara; his wife, Governor Serieki Dickson of Bayelsa State, Governor Rochas Okoracha of Imo State, Governor David Jang of Plateau State and Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, at the funeral service of Opara’s father, late Chief Paulinus Opara in Imo State…yesterday

Jonathan: Nigeria’s sovereignty can't be compromised DETERMINATION The President has reiterated that the nation's unity will not be subjected to debate

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said Nigeria will not compromise its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of current security challenges. He also said the nation would confront its present security challenges with “all our national endowment”. Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau (rtd), said this at the graduation ceremony of Course 22 Participants of the National Defence College (NDC). “We have made some gains against the adversary, we face an unspeakable evil and we must confront it with all our national endowment. And as government we will not compromise our sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria. “And we will not allow the authority of Nigerian state to be challenged.

Education is a human right which is invaluable transformational value and is the bases of our development progress. “We shall not give up that right for some faceless, misguided, self-styled using the means of terror,” he said. Jonathan called on the populace to close ranks with government to end to insurgency saying: “there is no challenge that can divide the collective will of the Nigerian. May I also use this opportunity to assure all Nigerians that we are committed to bringing back the Chibok girls alive.” He said called on the Armed Forces, intelligence and security agencies in the expanded security approach was crucial and urged them to take proactive measures in the discharge of their responsibilities. “On the part of government, we are committed to improving institutional capacity, platform and equipment, human and resources endowment of our security agencies to meet these challenges. “Let me use this oppor-

tunity to salute the gallantry of men and women of the armed forces, the police, intelligence and the security agencies and emergency services for their loyal and patriotic service to the nation. “My heart goes to all the service men that had paid the supreme sacrifice, so that other Nigerians may continue to live in peace and security. “I wish to convey my personal sympathy to Nigerians, who had in one way or the other suffered human and material loss on account of terrorism,” he said. Earlier in his welcome Wale Elegbede

equel to the reversal to the school fees of the Lagos State University (LASU) by Governor Babatunde Fashola, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has described the gesture as a greek gift, saying the move is momentary, deceitful and politically induced rather than being taken in good faith. In a statement signed by its publicity secretary, Taofik

address, Commandant of the NDC, Rear Adm. Patrick Agholor, said that the graduation of Course 22 marked the end of another successful academic journey at the NDC. Agholor said during 44-weeks duration of the course, the participants received series of lecture on a wide range of subjects. “I, therefore, implore you to use the learning experiences, skills and values acquired here as enablers to drive your creativity and innovativeness to meet challenges, you will face," he said.

he All Progressives Congress (APC) youths in Nasarawa State alongside thousands of women, who staged a solidarity rally to the state House of Assembly, yesterday forcefully broke their way into the Assembly complex, demanding that the rule of law be respected by the lawmakers. The protesters, who had assembled at the complex at about 11:30 a.m. had stormed the party secretariat along Shendam road before forcefully breaking into the premises of the Assembly complex, after overpowering a hand full of security personnel at the gate at about 1:11p.m. On arriving at the assembly’s gate, supporters of APC were halted at the entrance gate to assembly complex gate for over two hours because the main entrance was locked by authorities, which was manned by security agents comprising the police and the Nigeria

Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). The youths, who had waited patiently for the gate to be reopened to no avail allegedly broke the padluck and forced their way into the premises of the Assembly complex after overpowering the security personnel. Addressing the supporters, the member representing Awe North Constituency of the APC, Hon. Tunga and Hon. Bala Adams APC (Keffi East), commended the supporters for their courage to take the message of solidarity to the complex, demanding the respect of the rule of law by the lawmakers. Tunga, who spoke in Hausa, said the supporters of the party have the right to take their solidarity message to the lawmakers as citizens of the state who voted them as representatives. While urging them to remain calm and law abiding, Tunga appealed to their colleagues to have a rethink and reverse their decision to impeach the governor for the interest of peace and development.

LASU fees reduction political –Lagos PDP Gani, the PDP said though it welcomed the reversal on the LASU fees, it is sad that the government only used it to deceive the people to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015. While describing the losses the increment issue brought to the institution while it lasted as non-redeemable, the party averred that the decision of the APC-

led government to listen to public cries as and when due was undemocratic. The statement reads: “Governor Fashola was jolted by the open aspersions and protests organised by all unions on the campus during the Convocation programme which he was present, so he needed to save his face to escape any more terrible disgrace, thus the an-

nouncement of unplanned reversal of the fees.” “We congratulate the dogged unions of LASU on the reversal of the school fees. The reversal is however obviously with ulterior motives- to win the 2015. “Governor Fashola should apologise for causing delay of LASU students graduating on time," he said.

CNN MultiChoice African Journalist finalists emerges Sony Neme

inalists in the prestigious CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014 Competition in its 19th edition were announced today by Ferial Haffajee, Chair of the independent judging panel. According organisers, the competition received entries from 38 countries across the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa. In a statement sent by Timothy Okwu of MultiChoice, said: "There are 28 finalists from 10 countries: they include Daniel Biaou Adje, ORTB, Benin Safia Berkouk, El Watan, Algeria and Vinayak Bhardwaj and Tabelo Timse, M&G Centre for Investigative Journalism, Mail and Guardian, South Africam others are Romão Brandão, Jornal OPAÍS, Angola; Sean Christie, Freelance for Landbouweekblad and The Mail & Guardian, South Africa; Obinna Emelike, Business Day, Nigeria, Ben Ezeamalu and Emmanuel Ogala, Premium Times, Nigeria. Also shortlisted are Bob Koigi, Farmbizafrica.com,

Kenya; Joseph Mathenge, Freelance for The Saturday Nation, Kenya ; Anne Mawathe and Rashid Ibrahim, Citizen TV, Kenya; Patrick Mayoyo, Daily Nation, Kenya; Christine Muthee & Oliver Oscar Ochanda, Media Development in Africa (MEDEVA), Kenya; and Dickson Ng’hily, The Guardian, Tanzania; as well as John Muchangi Njiru, The Star Newspaper, Kenya; Olatunji Ololade, The Nation Newspaper, Nigeria; Bayo Olupohunda, Columnist, Punch Newspaper, Nigeria; Ossène Ouattara, Infoduzanzan.com, Côte d’Ivoire; Brito Simango, Televisão de Moçambique, Moçambique; Joy Summers and Susan Comrie, Mnet Carte Blanche, South Africa; Suy Kahofi, Freelance for West Africa Democracy Radio, Senegal; Paballo Thekiso, Saturday Star, South Africa; Bento Venancio, Jornal Domingo, Moçambique; and Evelyn Watta, Sportsnewsarena.com, Kenya. chairperson of the independent judging panel, Ferial Haffajee had while announcing the finalists, said: “2013 was a huge news year, and the stories from our continent set a global agenda."

Gunmen kill four, torch 15 houses in Kaduna community

fresh attack by suspected Fulani gunmen on Gimi Dogara village in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State has claimed four lives with 15 houses burnt down. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the attack, which was launched around eleven o’clock on Thursday night, left the villagers scampering to different directions for safety. The Chairman of the Local Government, Mr. Emmanuel Adamu , who Confirmed the incident, expressed sadness over the development and described the attack as “ret-

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rogressive.” Adamu said the frequent attacks were undermining the peace building process initiated by the council. He reiterated his appeal to the attackers to bury the hatchet and embrace peace as the pathway to progress. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Aminu Lawal, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said he was yet to be briefed on the alleged incident. About four villages in Sanga Local Government Area have come under separate attacks in the past two months.

FCT Minister decries dumping of wastes in rivers

NEWS IN BRIE F

The Minister of Environment, Mrs. Laurentia Mallam, has decried the alarming rate of the dumping of excreta and other waste in the nation’s rivers, urging Nigerians to desist from such act. Mallam made the call in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ms Josephine Lohor, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja. According to the statement, the minister made the call at the opening of the 24th Annual General Meeting and National Conference of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) in Warri, Delta State. The theme of conference was “Sustainable Use of Rivers in Nigeria.”

VICTORIA ISLAND SMEDAN tasks SMEs on equity financing

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) on Friday urged entrepreneurs to re-position their businesses for local and international equity financing. The South-West Co-ordinator of SMEDAN, Mr. Gbenga Ogundeji, made the suggestion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. “Equity financing is the method of raising capital by selling a company's stock to investors and in return for the investment, the shareholders receive ownership interests in the company. “It should serve as an alternative to bank loan or debt financing, but the only challenge we have here is that some of the basic systems have yet to be put in place,” he said.

180,558

The number of refugees in China at the beginning of 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

13%

The percentage of population of men above 60 years in Armenia in 2012. Source: Un.org

JALINGO Taraba govt prepares to combat Hepatisis

As part of its efforts to enhance an effective and good health care delivery for the people of the state, the Taraba State Government through the state Ministry of Health has entered into an agreement for public private partnership programme with Ruch Pharmaceutical Company to fight against Viral Hepatitis and other related diseases in the state. The state acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, stated this yesterday at an interactive media forum with representatives of the pharmaceutical company, in Jalingo. He reiterated government’s readiness to support any meaning programme of public importance especially in the health sector.

26.6

The average age of Algeria team in the just concluded Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Telegraph.co.uk

APC will clinch electoral victories in Imo – Mbadiwe ASSURANCE The victory of Gov Okorocha and his staying put in APC guaranteed Chukwu David

A Abuja

member of the House of Representatives, representing Ideato North/ Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Hon. Eddie Mbadiwe, has said the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state governorship election in 2015 was no more in doubt. Mbadiwe, who declared this position yesterday in an interview with New Telegraph, in Abuja, also stated that those who expected

that the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, would decamp from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would be disappointed because the Governor would not dump the opposition. He pointed out that his confidence over the victory of the APC in Imo was predicated on the excellent performance of Okorocha in the last three years he assumed political leadership in the state. The APC chieftain enjoined the electorate to base their assessment and choice of political aspirants on their previous performances and not on other parochial sentiments, arguing that governance was about performance. “Okorocha is not leaving APC; he will not leave APC and nobody can beat him in the next election.

Women leaders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State protesting at the state House of Assembly complex over fresh plot by the lawmakers to impeach Governor Tanko Al-Makura, after the impeachment panel had cleared him of corrupt allegations…yesterday

Governance is about performance, and he has performed. Go to the grassroots; they will confirm to you that the Governor has served them diligently and deserves re-election in 2015,” he claimed. He also clarified recent speculations that Okorocha was on his way to the PDP, stating that the claims were unfounded. On the members of the House of Representatives that defected from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA to the PDP, the lawmaker, said that the decampees had their reasons for their action and should

not be blamed. He, however, posited that the emergence of the opposition APC was a very positive development for Nigeria, pointing out that the party had been doing well in checkmating the PDP as well as ensuring that democracy is stabilised in the country. Mbadiwe also cautioned the traditional rulers in the country to be focused and desist from mixing their natural duties with politics, which he said would distract them from effectively discharging their primary function to the society.

Rivers will be tough for Boko Haram – Police chief Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

he Rivers State police commissioner, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, has said the Boko Haram sect will find it very difficult to carry out its attacks as the state police command has put in place proactive measures to curtail its activities. He said men of the command were at alert in the state, and that measures had been put in place for the police to respond faster to distress calls, just as he said that the command, and the military were collaborating on how to make the state safer. Ogunsakin, who stated this at a security sensitisation workshop in Port Harcourt, however, said that the police would operate better and make the state safer if people come forward with information

instead of folding their arms. He said the police had made available the phone numbers of all the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), and that any officer that does not exhibit professionalism would be handled appropriately. He said: “Wherever you work, in hotels, motor parks, supermarkets, and even residential areas, you must be vigilant and volunteer information to the police. Any strange objects you see, please don’t touch, but alert the police. “Terrorists go where they will have maximum effect, by going to where they will have a lot of people. Policing is everybody’s business; we must help each other to save lives and properties. "Everybody must be vigilant, and we must all work together.”

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Jonathan tasks Nigerians on terror, diseases PLEA To stem the growing tide of insurgent attacks and diseases in the country, Jonathan calls for prayers. Steve Uzoechi

P Owerri

resident Goodluck Jonathan has urged clergy men across Nigeria to intercede for the nation, against every shade of terror and the threats of epidemics. The president made the appeal yesterday, at Aboh Mbaise in Imo State, during the burial ceremony of late Mr. Paulinus Opara, who is the father of the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commision (NCPC), Mr. John-Kennedy Opara. President Jonathan, who was represented by Gover-

cont i nued f rom pag e 2

The president declared that the movement of corpses from one community to the other, and from overseas into the country should be stopped forthwith. Every death should be reported to the relevant authorities, and special precautions should be taken in handling corpses. “Religious and political groups, spiritual healing centres, families, associations and other bodies should, in the meantime, discourage gatherings and activities that may unwittingly promote close contact with infected persons or place others at risk.” “Public enlightenment agencies, including privately-owned media organs should support government’s efforts and disseminate correct information in all Nigerian languages, about preventive personal hygiene measures, the nature of the Ebola virus, modes of transmission and consequential steps to be taken in the event of infection.” He appealed to State governments and private day care, nursery, primary and secondary schools owners to consider the option of extending the current school holiday until such a time when a national reassessment of the level of the Ebola threat is conducted. The President also directed the National Emergency Management Agency and similar agencies at the state level to strengthen their public enlightenment campaigns and to use their networks to distribute hand sanitisers and other protective items nationwide. He has also directed the aviation and health authorities to embark on immediate intensification of the screen-

nor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, said: “We have resolved to confront and conquer terror wherever it is located in Nigeria and no evil machination can wane the strength of our resolve. In the same vein, we appeal that the clergy remain diligent in prayers to ensure that Nigeria continues to soar above terror and any form of epidemics.” Condoling with the bereaved family, the President said: “After all the qualifications and glowing credentials; after a life has gone by, what remains important is the quality of the life lived by the deceased and the legacy left behind.” He expressed hope that the family of the deceased would be consoled by the fact that their father lived a good and fulfilled life; and would be remembered by his lofty ideals ingrained in his children. Speaking also at the occasion, Governor Rochas

Okorocha of Imo State urged the family of the deceased to bear the loss

with fortitude, especially with the understanding that their father left behind

a worthy legacy. Speaking to politicians he said: “We must know

L-R: Commandant, National Defence College (NDC); Rear Admiral Patrick Agholor; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adeshola Amosun, at the graduation of Course 22 of NDC, in Abuja …yesterday

U.S eases safety concern on drug use

ing of travelers at all the nation’s borders. The Associated Press reports the Canadian drugmaker, Tekmira Pharmaceuticals, as saying that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has modified a hold recently placed on the company’s drug after safety issues emerged in human testing. The company has a $140 million contract with the U.S. government to develop its drug TKMEbola, which targets the genetic material of Ebola. But last month the FDA halted a small study of the injection in adults to request additional safety information. Also yesterday, the minister of health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, debunked suggestion that bathing with hot water and salt solution could curb the spread of the Ebola virus. The minister’s clarification was prompted by frenzied messages online and on the phone urging Nigerians to bathe with warm water to which salt had been dissolved. Nigeria’s health minister had written to the United States government requesting supply of the experimental drug, ZMapp, which had been used in treating two Americans diagnosed with the virus. While the FDA must grant permission for use of experimental drugs in the United States, it does not have authority over the use of such a drugs in other countries. Early studies of TKMEbola in monkeys suggested it could block high doses of the Ebola virus. But on July 21, the Vancouverbased company announced the FDA had halted a small dosing study of the drug in

when to unite as a nation and when to separate across party lines.”

healthy adults. The company said regulators had questions about a type of drug reaction that can cause nausea, chills, low blood pressure and shortness of breath. Tekmira’s CEO praised the FDA for modifying the restriction on Thursday. “We have been closely watching the Ebola virus outbreak and its consequences, and we are willing to assist with any responsible use of TKM-Ebola. The foresight shown by the FDA removes one potential roadblock to doing so,” said Dr. Mark Murray. Professor Chukwu told journalists on Friday that there are nine confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and two deaths in Nigeria. Chukwu also said that the federal government has shut a hospital owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in Victoria Island, Lagos, over suspicion that a patient thought to have contracted the virus had used the facility. The health minister disclosed this during a visit to Governor Babatunde Fashola at the Lagos House, Ikeja, noting that the federal government was shopping for more thermal detectors to enable it screen the temperature of passengers moving in and out of the country in order to curtail the spread of the Ebola Virus. He said:” We are going to procure more of the hand held thermal detectors so that we can put it round our borders. We have 49 land crossings, eight sea ports, eight international airports; it is not easy to cover,” he said.

He added that the hospital would remain shut until its premises is decontaminated to avert spread of the diseases. “It is still under investigation and by tomorrow, result will be out. We need to confirm that. Normally, once someone has been managed and there is suspicions, there are precautions that will be taken, we want to decontaminate and when you are decontaminating, like what we did to First Consultant, you close to enable you to go in, decontaminate it and reopen.” He also said the federal ministry of health was working with the ministry of communication and technology to get to the source of the rumours that salt water could prevent and cure the EVD. “Whoever is involved will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” he said. Chukwu, at a news briefing in Lagos also said there are six suspected EVD cases under investigation and total of 139 persons have been placed under surveillance. He said the federal government had approved resources to procure equipment and employ health workers as well as volunteers for patient care and to curb the spread of the disease. ‘’The nine cases are eight Nigerians and the case of the American-Liberian who imported the disease. So far, we have recorded two deaths and seven are alive and are receiving treatment in Lagos. ‘’The two additional cases to the seven that was confirmed on Tuesday are primary contacts; they are stable and are being treated.”

While debunking wild rumour making rounds that salt water bath was a preventive measure for Ebola and cure, Chukwu said it was not only falsehood, but devilish and wicked. ‘’Taking salt water or bathing with salt water is dangerous to health and we do not need more complications in this country. ‘’People should be careful with unconfirmed information, all they need is imbibing proper personal and environmental hygiene, ‘’ he said. Also speaking, Mr Labaran Maku, Minister for Information, called for media and public cooperation to curb the spread of the disease in the country. Maku urged the media to disseminate messages that would enlighten the public on the disease, attract public cooperation and empathy for infected persons. Maku said that there was a ban on the transportation of dead bodies from Ebola endemic countries. He said that Nigerian Immigration Service and the Customs had been informed. Also, residents of Kaduna were thrown into a scare after claims via text messages that Ebola has claimed its first victim in Zaria. However, details like the name of the victim, where he lived and the hospital that diagnosed him with the disease were not contained in any of the said messages. But the various SMS went ahead to suggest remedies for the ailment or how to prevent it. In particular, one of such messages advised people to put salt in

hot water, drink some of it, before bathing with the rest. Curiously, the message didn’t state whether this was a curative or preventive remedy. It also didn’t specify any dosage. For example, it didn’t quantify the amount of salt or water to be used and the quantity of brime to be drunk. Another text message advised Muslims to engage in healthy habits in order to avoid the disease. In addition, the message advised people to ‘’read Suratul Fatiha (a verse in the Qurán) nine times in your bathing water,’’ asking recipients of the SMS to ‘’tell your neighbours and loved ones.’’ Although the use of bitter Kola as cure for Ebola has been widely denounced, another text message advised people to mix it with garlic and honey as an antidote for the dreaded disease. The message also claimed that Ebola had claimed its first victim at Kafanchan in southern part of Kaduna state. Like the earlier message, this one did not also specify where and when the patient died in Kafanchan. Speaking on Liberty Radio yesterday, Dr Thot Dogo, the commissioner of health denied record of Ebola disease in Kaduna state. He told listeners of the FM station that Ebola has still no known cure but advised people to observe simple hygiene and wash their hands regularly as an antidote. In a move to curtail the spread of the virus, the Adamawa State government has deployed over 50 experts across border communities. It also refuted the rumour that four persons have died after contracting the Ebola virus.

Companies & Stock

SEGUN EDWARDS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

olaedwards@yahoo.com 08111813095

9 AUGUST 2014

Despite profit dip for FBNH, optimism still abounds

irst Bank of Nigeria Holding Company released its 2014 half year results recently throwing up mixed reactions particularly stakeholders’ concern about the inability of the financial service provider giant in making much money as it used to do. With N48.5 billion profits recorded in the last two quarters of the year combined, which appeared significant, stakeholders reasoned FBNH is not making as much money as it used to do and hasn’t posted a profitability growth well, since the second half of 2013 looking at it on a year and year basis. Following the release of the results last week, the company’s share price soon dropped to N14.4 having opened the week at N15.7 per share. Whatever is the current situation, the management of FBNH would hold the belief it is till posting profits and billions of them for that matter. But then, what is the problem? The company’s pre-tax profits have seen a haphazard growth in the last six quarters hitting a high of N31 billion in first quarter 2013 and a low of N15.2billion in the third quarter of the same year. Further more, in this last two quarters of the current year, it has recorded N24.7billion and N23.7billion in pre-tax profits, certainly raising questions about this contraption in such a giant

Ashaka Cement records 201% half year Profit increase

shaka Cement, a unit of French Cement maker Lafarge, has posted a record H1 profit after tax of N3.51 billion ($25.14 million) in the first half of 2014, 201.41 percent higher than N1.15 billion ($7 million) it recorded in the corresponding period of 2013. The manufacturing company enjoyed a pre-tax profit surge of 166.16 percent, from N1.65 billion ($10.1 million) in the first of half of 2013 to N4.39 billion ($26.9 million) in 2014. Earnings per share (EPS) tripled to N1.57k from 52k in HY 2013 as net margin, the measure of profitability and efficiency, spiked to 28.33 percent in 2014, from 9 percent in 2013. The astronomical growth is in part thanks to the company’s switch to coal from the Maiganga Coal Mine in Gombe State for the generation of electricity, which for production, has been a cheaper alternative. This led to reduction in production costs as cost-of-sales margin dipped to 58.13 percent in 2014, from 80 percent in 2013, while cost of sales also fell by 22.44 percent to N6.71 billion ($41.1 million). This is as Ashakacem, based in northern Nigeria, plans an aggressive expansion across the country, having secured a N50 billion credit facility. N100 billion is also earmarked for projects like capacity expansion and coal-fire captive power plant, which should be completed within two years, the company said in April.

Bello Maccido... CEO, FBNH

financial institution such as HoldCo Bank. Thus, a few posers have arisen that should attract a closer

look at. With net Interest Income at N115.2 billion, up 2.2 per cent year from N112.7 billion posted in June 30, 2013, the bank’s ability to stay above 70 per cent in net interest margin on a quarter on quarter basis is very key to its ability to grow margins and post profits. With banks incurring regulatory authority’s wrath for infractions always it is expected that it would take time for them to consolidate their models to suit the new reality. Surely though, FBNH can’t afford to fall below 70 per cent for too long. Also with income from commissions and other sources standing at N157.8 billion, up 1.5 per cent

year-on-year from N155.5 billion in 2013, which is a key area for the bank and one that I have also watched closely for other banks. In fact, some banks have had to rely on this to boost profits as operating expenses often engulf net interest income. It did well in growth, a key indicator as it posted N23 billion the last quarter compared to N19 billion in first quarter. Income from C.O.Ts dipped on year on year basis to N7.9b as against N8.6 billion in the same period of 2013 but it’s still growing in this area probably due to its FBN Capital business. It has to keep growing in this area. Customer loans and advances (net) stood at N1.8 trillion, up 4.0 per cent year-to-date from N1.7 trillion recorded in December 2013. The group lost a staggering N20.3 billion last year alone in bad loans and 18 per cent of its adjusted operating profits. This year it has written of N6.6billion, though lower than the N9.9billion posted a year earlier. This was mainly because it recovered about N2 billion in past written off loans which is great. But with the way bad loans are written off has been more punitive lately so this is one line that have to be watched closely, especially with how much the group is able to recover. In terms of operating expenses last year, FBNH averaged N46 billion per quarter and a cost income

Honeywell Flour steps up profit growth on stable revenue

oneywell Flour achieved the strongest growth in profit in three years in its 2013/14 financial year ended March. Stable growth in sales revenue and moderation of operating cost lifted operating profit considerably but an upsurge in interest expenses prevented much of the gains from flowing down to the bottom line. The management led by Mr. Olarewaju Jaiyeola, CEO, operated with a higher level of debt than in the prior year. He therefore had to sacrifice profit margin, as he devoted a significantly increased proportion of revenue to interest expenses. This saw sales revenue grew by 20.5 per cent to N55.08 billion in 2014, which is a stable growth after an improvement of 20 per cent in the preceding year. The company has maintained an accelerated growth in sales revenue in the past five years. This is despite the problem of over-capacity in the flour-milling sector, which has resulted to volume declines in some leading companies. Cost of sales moderated during the year at an increase of 18.1 per cent to N44.63 billion against the increase of 20.5 per cent in sales revenue. That lifted gross profit by 32 per cent to N10.46 billion, raising gross profit margin from 17.3 per cent in 2013 to 19 per cent in 2014, representing a leap of about 80 per cent in other income reinforced the performance. This was however moderated by an increase

Oba Otudeko...Chairman Honeywell Flour

of 21.2 per cent in selling/distribution expenses to N3.49 billion but company still achieved an increase of 46.1 per cent in operating profit to N5.44 billion. A significant event in the year is the shift from a net finance income position in the preceding year to a significant net negative income figure in 2014. Interest cost rose by 257.4 per cent to N1.89 billion during the year and created a net finance cost of about N1.20 billion. That claimed a good part of

the revenue gains and cost savings and permitted only an increase of 11.1 per cent in pre-tax profit. A decline of 8.7 per cent in tax expense raised after tax profit by 17.9 per cent to N3.35 billion. Net profit margin slipped from 6.2 per cent in the preceding year to 6.1 per cent in 2014. Profit growth nevertheless accelerated from 5.2 per cent in 2013, representing the fastest profit growth for the company in three years. The company has maintained stable growth in profit in the past five years, which is unmatched by leading companies in the business. Flour Mills has suffered profit drops for the past three years running. Dangote Flour closed last financial year at a loss after two years of rapid profit drops. Profit was virtually flat for Northern Nigeria Flour Mills in 2014. The company earned 42 kobo per share in the 2014 financial year against 36 kobo in the preceding year, while its earnings per share has improved every year in the past five years from 15 kobo the company recorded in 2010. This led to the payment of a cash dividend of 17 kobo per share in the period.

ratio (by my calculation) of about 59 per cent (Zenith is 53 per cent and GTB 49 per cent). This year operating cost has averaged N51billion a quarter and a cost to income ratio of 63 per cent. This just can’t continue going forward. With its sustained subsidiaries stakeholders have lately complained often about the ‘baggage’ the group is carrying all because it wants to remain a HoldCo. Whilst the worry is often over bloated it is one aspect of the business to watch closely. It seems to contribute a huge cost FBNH’s high operating cost, while neither of the subsidiaries is non performing or at their growth stages. Finally, for FBNH to continue to retain stakeholders’ my faith it, they need to see key improvements in some of the highlighted areas. It just has to keep striving even if the market takes its time to reward it with market value.

Forte Oil posts 152% rise in profit for half year

oremost energy group, Forte Oil Plc (formerly AP PLC), has a significant 152 per cent increase in its audited half year ended June 30 2014, which showed that profit in the period stands at N4.19 billion. The results, which the company released to the investing public on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), also showed major highlights like Profit before income tax increasing by 152 per cent to N4.19 billion compared to N1.66 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2013 Revenue in the period also grew by 33 per cent to N79.61 billion as against compared to N59.96 billion recorded in the same period in 2013. The company in a statement attributed the its favourable performance to a number of factors, which include the successful launch of newly repackaged lubricants and aggressive consumer engagement activities to boost market share and the continued expansion in the company’s retail network at strategic locations to improve market dominance Others, it said was the aggressive growth and expansion of its industrial/commercial customer base to meet its objective of being the supplier of choice, strong performance from Geregu Power Plant despite operational challenges as well as the achievement of a 111.05 per cent year to date( YTD) share price appreciation in the period from N92.87 to N206.30 per share. According to the company other contributive factors include its inclusion into the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Frontier Market Index, one of the world’s leading equity index provider and its inclusion into the Nigerian Stock Exchange’s league of ‘Highly Priced Stock’

Will you send your aged parents to an old people’s home? p.12

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ast week, he was caught, allegedly, with a mysterious placenta without any proof that his wife had delivered a baby. Incidentally, a young woman whose house is some metres away from Gani’s house had, just a few days before the incident, done the naming ceremony of her baby. Indeed, Ilorin has come into the spotlight on the issue of suspected ritual killers as within a period of about five weeks, the police had recorded huge successes in the discovery and arrest of suspects. First it was on July 12 when state police commissioner, Mr. Ambrose Aisabo, called newsmen to intimate them on ‘a discovery’ which turned out to be a den believed to have been used by suspected kidnappers. The spot is an uncompleted building located along AirportEyenkorin Road, near NASFAT Village, a few kilometres from the Ilorin International Airport. Items found at the spot include three decomposed, headless human bodies, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) caps, female bras and sandals. Few weeks earlier, 35-yearold Mallam Salman Rafiu of Okelele, Ilorin, was reportedly rescued by passersby around 10pm around the area. He had been declared missing by his family earlier on. When he narrated his ordeal, Rafiu, who is the secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Shao Garage branch, Ilorin, said he had gone to a bank ATM to withdraw money where he met five other customers in the queue. One of those who also came to withdraw money, he explained, had sought to know from him if the machine was functional. “I said yes”, he recalled. “And that was all I could remember when I found myself in the hands of kidnappers in a dirty room,” adding: “I spent three days in the room with a N30 loaf of bread and a sachet of pure water in their shrine and I was ordered to kneel down in front of a large bowl.” Aisabo, the police boss, narrated how the den was uncovered: “The command’s special undercover agents on June 28 at 0700hrs while acting on a potent intelligence discovered the hide-out for criminals dealing in human parts. When we visited the place, we discovered a bizarre scenario. Among the items recovered are decomposed headless bodies, human feet, snail shell and clothes suspected to be used in strangulating their victims. I think that place is used as a market where people who are involved in ritual activities buy human parts.” Two weeks later precisely on July 25, Aisabo had reason

Ritual killings, kidnappings put Kwara in bad light

The arrest of a man described by the police as a jail-bird, Alfa Gani, has further heightens the fear that Kwara, a state regarded as one of the most peaceful states in the country, is becoming a den of kidnappers and ritual killers. BIODUN OYELEYE writes.

Kwara State governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed

to call the press again on a similar issue. He said the command had apprehended three suspected human parts dealers. One of the suspected human parts dealers is said to be the herbalist behind the gang. The suspects claimed that some of their patrons are politicians, although they refused to state their names or their locations. Aisabor said the suspected human parts dealers were caught at Tabira village near Okuta in Baruten Local Government Area. They were brought to the command headquarters with a fresh human head and arms as exhibits. They were arrested about 10:35pm on July 22, following intelligence report, according to the commissioner. Aisabor said that the suspects had, during interrogation, confessed to the crime and mentioned some top politicians and businessmen who allegedly patronised them. And now it is the turn of Alfa Gani who by the appellation to his name is supposed to be a cleric. Ordinarily, he would have escaped but a transformer at Laduba community, Ogidi area of Ilorin went bad and as

usual community leaders raised volunteers to mobilise residents to raise funds for the repair. When the mobilisers got to Gani’s house, according to sources, they met him and told him their mission. But some of them also claimed to have perceived a strong, offensive odour oozing out of the house. No one could confront him at first, so everyone went back merely grumbling. But some others spoke to other community members about their ‘discovery’ and some few brave ones among them decided to dare the cleric. They went to Gani and asked him what was bringing such odious smell from

The man was looking for a placenta of a new baby, exhumed the buried placenta and used it for whatever yet-to-be identified purpose.

his compound. But apparently infuriated by the effrontery of the inquirers, Gani was said to have accused them of trying to intrude into his privacy. That attitude must have been what infuriated the inquirers who thereafter insisted on getting to the root of the matter. But while they were still debating on what to do with their suspicion, Gani headed to the Oloje police station to lodge a complaint, a move many now argue might have been meant to cover his track. However, before he returned from the station, some brave members of the community were said to have forced themselves into the house where they met a boy allegedly preparing some charms with a baby’s placenta. The infuriated community members were said to have pounced on the boy, during which he allegedly confessed that Gani had asked him to exhume the placenta to prepare the charms. It was while this melee was going on that the young mother in the neighbourhood who had just delivered came home and on hearing the story flying around, rushed to the spot where her

baby’s placenta had been buried days earlier. On getting to the spot, she found it was no longer there. She raised the alarm that produced more fuel for the already raging fire of human anger among the residents. Soon the police arrived and since Gani was the complainant, they sought to lay hands on the intruders. However, the community rose against the move and told the police about their own discovery. Shunned by the narrative, the policemen were said to have gone ahead to search the house during which they reportedly discovered more human parts. Enraged by the discovery, youths in the community were said to have immediately descended on Gani’s house and soon turned it into rubbles while they also set his property on fire. They actually made attempt on Gani’s life but with the help of the police, he was rescued and brought to the station from where the police boss later paraded him after some interrogation. Police spokesman for the state, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi described Gani as a jail bird. “He just came back from jail,” he told newsmen but refuted claims that Gani’s house was another den of ritual killers in the state capital. He said: “That is not true. What was discovered was not a den of ritual killers, but a criminal who was used to performing fetish activities. The man was looking for a placenta of a new baby, exhumed the buried placenta and used it for whatever yet-to-be identified purpose. “He went to where a placenta was just buried about three days ago before the incident. He dug up the placenta and while he was doing that, people saw him and tried to do things their own way. In the process of damaging his house by the youth, the police got there and arrested the suspect with the exhibit. The police have started investigation to get to the root of the matter.” When asked during the week for update on the matter, Okasanmi only said the matter was still being investigated. National President of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) said there was need for everyone to be concerned about the activities of hoodlums and ritual killers now becoming common in the state capital.

STREET DIARY

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014

ONICCIMA advises members to embrace new technology Onah O. Onah Onitsha

he Director-General of Onitsha Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, (ONICCIMA), Mr. Domnic Ajibo, says the commercial city of Onitsha may lose inter bi-lateral trade relations if it fails to embrace new technology in trade and commerce across the globe. Going down the memory lane, Ajibo stated that ONICCIMA is an association of genuine, Organised Private Sector (OPS) operators, who are investors (or prospects) in the various areas of business, economy and industrial spheres in the country. Founded in 1954 under the pioneer leadership of late Chief C. T. Onyekwelu, the chamber was reorganised and reactivated in 1977 after the end of Nigerian Civil War and, and ever since then, has been gripping with one problem or the other. As a result of this, it has not met the target expectation of the people in the West African sub region. The vision, it was learnt was

to establish herself as a strong, consistent voice on issues affecting growth and development of private sector business enterprise in our environment, in partnership with other like-minded business associations, government agencies, development partners and non-governmental organisations. ONICCMA, according to director general, also promotes business ethics and undertake crucial services-oriented interventions; strive for a sustainable, conducive business environment, engage in appropriate social and legislative advocacy for the overall interest of her members and the citizenry - and through these measures, presents herself as a truly responsible, corporate citizen, actively fulfilling a vital social responsibility role for the common good of the state and the larger society. Ajibo said, “As the voice of the (OPS) in this part of our country, ONICCIMA renders services to members of the business community; among other functions such services includes businessinformation services. The Chamber provides important, statistical information to members, based on

Court remands man over friend’s murder

Anambra State Governor, Obiano

their individual business needs. “It also advises members on services, provides suggestions and proposals to her members on/investment opportunities, and the dynamics of local and international businesses. “I will also want to state here that training/human capacity development through her numerous annual seminars, symposia, and workshop programmes, the chamber offers her members and the

general public critical training and human capacity improvement.” Throwing light further on the activities of the chamber the DG said the chamber once in a while also embark on trade promotion; through trade fairs and exhibitions. He said the future of ONICCIMA was bright because the business environment, government policies and international affairs were becoming more dynamic by the day.

Timber dealer dies in road accident Onah O. Onah Onitsha

head-on collision involving a corona car and a motorcycle at 6:30am yesterday claimed the life of a 40- -year-old timber dealer, Mr. Ifeanyi Nwabugo opposite the Premier Breweries, along the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway. The corona car with registration number Anambra AGU654JT, according to an eyewitness, was coming from Asaba towards Onitsha and took one way before the accident occurred. The brother of the deceased, Mr. John Nwabugo, who spoke to our correspondent at the scene of the incident, opposite the Onitsha Electronic Market, said the deceased was his im-

mediate elder brother. “I was called this early morning (Friday) that my brother had an accident while going to his shop at the BridgeHead and when I arrived there, I saw my brother in a pool of blood and with the help of

some cyclists, we rushed him to a nearby private hospital but there was no doctor to attend to him immediately and we moved him to Borromeow Hospital where he later died,” Nwabugo said. When contacted, the Divi-

sional Police Officer in charge of the Fegge Police Division said that the Police Public Relation Officer, (PPRO) will give full details of the incident after investigations had been concluded. However, a police said that the driver of the car confessed to that he diverted to the left lane of the road in order to avoid accident when he noticed that the break of his car had failed. According to the source, the driver regretted that he eventually couldn’t control the car which ran over the deceased and his motorcycle before it plunged into a deep drainage demarcating the service lane. He said that the driver would be charged for murder.

n Egor Magistrate’s Court in Benin City on Friday remanded 23-year-old Emmanuel Ogendegbe in prison for allegedly stabbing his friend to death with a broken bottle. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Mabel Ojobo, said the accused should be kept behind bars pending advice from the state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plea of Ogendegbe, who is facing a charge of murder, was not taken. Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr. Ohiabor Greffery, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 19 at Enabulele Street in Uselu area of Edo capital. He said the accused killed his friend, Saviour Akpan, by stabbing him with a broken bottle on his ribs. The offence contravened Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Edo. The case has been adjourned till August 27 for trial.

Man in court for alleged attempted rape of minor

he police arraigned a 25-year-old man, Kolawole Kehinde, on Friday before an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for attempting to rape a 12-year-old girl. The accused, of no fixed address, was arraigned on a twocount charge of unlawful treatment and attempted rape. Prosecutor Zedekiah Orogbemi told the court that the accused took the minor to a bush but he was caught while attempting to rape her. He said the offences which were committed on May 25 around 8 a.m. at Igbodigo, Okitipupa contravened Sections 222 and 359 of the Criminal Code of Ondo State 2006. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Magistrate, Mr Funsho Akintoye, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100,000 and two sureties in like sum. Akintoye said the sureties must produce evidence of two years tax payment. He adjourned the case to September1 for hearing.

Ebola is real, Mushin council boss insists

he Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Hon Olatunde Babatunde Adepitan has appealed to residents of his area to take the deadly Ebola virus as real and deadly Speaking through the Council Manager Mr. Rasaq Oladeji at the public enlightenment campaign on the danger posed by Ebola to Nigerians, he stressed the need for the residents to take precautionary measures,on issues that can promote the attack and spread of the virus.Mushin has been mentioned as one of the Lo-

cal Governments where the people that had contact with the effected person reside. These therefore calls for caution and vigilance. According to him, residents have been advised to avoid the consumption of bush meat, particularly Monkeys, Bats and Gorilla,it is very important for the residents to obey the instructions that can help to contain the spread of the virus, whether real or imagined. Mushin Local Government is thickly populated and crowded infection of any individual

could spell doom for a lot of people. It is very important to take precautionary measures , especially on issues of sanitation,indiscriminate dumping of refuse, open defecation, avoidance of hand shake, watching of hands regularly with soup and disinfectants. Speaking at the public lecture, a medical practitioner, Dr. Tunde Oloyede appealed to the residents to be conscious of the early signs of the disease such as muscle aches, vomiting, red eyes, skin rash, diarrhea, stomach pain, acute symp-

toms include, bleeding/ hemorrhaging form skin, orifices, internal organs. Any individual that notices these symptoms should go the nearest hospital for proper diagnosis. The Medical Officer of Health Mushin Local Government Dr. Hameed Obani, enjoined the residents to take the issue of Ebola very seriously because no known cure has been found for the virus, he also added that the rate of death of the affected persons is too rapid , hence, it is advisable to prevent it than to cure it.

Voices

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 august 2014

Street Diary

Will you send your aged parents to an old people’s home? They don’t deserve such treatment I won't take my aged parents to an old people's home. It's like abandoning them. They don't deserve such treatment. They trained me and I am what I am because of them, so why would I want to do such a thing to them? People that behave in such a manner are wicked. (Emeka Ben, student) No, I see it as being evil No, I see it as being evil. My mom and dad will continue to stay with me or if necessary stay in their home with much care and attention. I can always get a nurse or helping hand to take care of them when they can no longer help themselves. (Ewoh Bright, project manager) Except on health grounds Well, this kind of situation can be very critical. If it is for health issues, I will take them there because it might be the best for them, but if there is nothing wrong with them, they should be allowed to remain in their home and handled with love and care. (Ryla Oluwadimilare, teacher) There is nothing wrong with it There is nothing wrong in taking them to an old people's home. They will meet other old people there like themselves. Old age can be very boring if they are left at home all by themselves. So it is not a bad idea because they won't be lonely and we can also visit them. It's not as if we are abandoning or neglecting them. (Eguarojie Omonuwa, artist) My parents are so precious to me My parents are so precious to me. I will take care of them myself instead of leaving them to suffer in the old people's home. (Olalere Ifeoluwa, student)

I can’t think of such act I love my parents so much that I cannot think of taking them to an old people's home because they mean so much to me. (Aduragbemi Otun, student) It depends on my relationship with them It depends on the kind of relationship I have with my parents. If they are the type that do not cherish me, I will take them to an old people's home but if they cherish me I will take care of them personally. (Ekpemure Monday, businessman) Never, I will look after them myself Never, I will prefer to get a nanny for them than to take them to the old people's home because they mean a lot to me and I love them. ( T h e o p h i l u s Olubukola, journalist) I can’t because it is not in our culture I can't do that to my parents, it's not our culture and not in our blood here in Nigeria. It is common with the Western countries and we cannot imitate what is not good. My parents gave me the best they could and now that I am old enough to take care of them I will try my possible best to give them the best treatment they require. Remember the way you treat your parents is the same way your children will treat you, there are no two ways about it. (Faith Eriamiator, entrepreneur) I won't desert them when they need my care the most I would take care of them because I believe I can give them the best care in the world. They didn't give me to nannies to nurse neither did they put me in the care of babysitters/maids. Instead, they groomed me themselves. For that, I have to reciprocate and even do better. I won't desert them when they need my care the most. (Oreoluwa Mogaji, student)

It is bad to do so Don’t abandon your parents and call it old people's home. Did your parents abandon you in a children's home? Please, there is nothing like old people's home for a proper African. Take good care of your parents and God will reward you. (John Louis, civil servant) If it is their wish, I will If that is what they want, I will do it in order for them to stay active as they would mingle with other people and have fun. I will be visiting them always and provide for them but if they complain and no longer enjoy it, I will immediately take them out of there. There is nothing bad in taking one's parents to old people's home. (Efosa Osai, civil servant) Never, how can I do that! Don't even say it, how can I take my parents to an old people's home after all they have done for me? I would rather bring them to my house where I can take proper care of them with the help of God and monitor everything going on around them or build a house around my area for them where my children can always go to on weekends and during holidays. My parents are so precious to me and it is my responsibility to take proper care of them. (Ifeanyi Okechukwu, banker) No, I will take care of them myself They took care of me when I was so little, so I think they deserve to be taken care of by me too. (Adegoke Taiwo, footballer) I will not I would prefer to take care of them myself. I believe it is a way to pay them back for the care they gave me. They could have as well taken me to a motherless babies' home when I was a kid but they didn't. (Rotimi Ajele, banker) compiled by

OLUSHOLA RICKETTS, VICTORIA EWOH, TEMITOPE SOBOWALE, Abimbola Sodeke and GLORY UCHE TITTY

Instyle

With colourful and lovely bracelets, men now enhance their personal style p.16

Hospitality

Heartland Holiday Resort, the heart beat of luxury service p.39

NTWEEKEND

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

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9 AUGUST 2014

C o n v e r s at i o n

‘Military government created cultism to silence civil society’ Professor Eghosa Osaghae, the Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, is known by many for his academic prowess. But his skill on family values stand him out as man of many parts . OLUSHOLA RICKETTS had an encounter with him.

ast Sunday, the joy of Professor Eghosa Osaghae knew no bounds. Osahon, one of his daughters was dedicating her child. She got married August 31 last year and gave birth May 25 this year. The church service took place at the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s Victory Chapel, Magodo GRA, in Lagos, which was followed immediately by merriment at the couples’ house at Magodo too. And of course the vice chancellor of Igbinedion University had a smile that seemed perpetually etched on his face. “It is a wonderful feeling to be a grandfather. We thank God; what else can I ask for than to see my grand-child in my lifetime. It is something that everyone looks forward to in life. And when you get to that point, you feel fulfilled.” You could glimpse his excitement in the way he spoke and carried himself throughout the ceremony. “I was brought up to cherish family values and that is what I have tried to inculcate in my children till date to recognise the centrality of the family and the values that come with it,” he said, his eyes scouring the venue to see if there was any glitch that required fixing. He pointed out in that peculiarly pedantic way of professors that families do not seem to bond as they once did. People tend to simply abdicate their responsibility to religious bodies, he said. “To be very honest, if we ever had strong morals in the country before, we must look into the factors responsible. I think families were together, there used to be organic unity and everyone recognised the place of familyhood. And morals were built within the family.” The professor of comparative politics and author of ‘The Crippled Giant: Nigeria Since Independence’ insists that it is the responsibility of parents to first teach their children how to grow up before the church or the mosque could take over. “With that mentality, it is not going to be possible honestly to have a balanced society. For morals to be restored, I think that is the place to begin from - familyhood, family values, organic unity, because they have disappeared. Now what you hear people talk about is instilling the fear of God. Where do we get the fear of God from? The fear of God comes from within the family itself. It is from your father, mother and your grandparents you begin to learn the fear of God. It is not to be imbibed from outside. It is a very fundamental and it is high time we corrected it.” For him, the absence of values is the reason for rising divorce cases in the country. Placing high premium on family values is “non-negotiable,” he said.

“If young people get married and all they do is to entertain the society, I think they are missing it. After spending much resources and energy on the marriage ceremony, you hear almost immediately that the marriage is dissolved for a reason or the other. Marriage is not about entertaining the society; it is about two people coming together, desiring to remain together for good or for bad till death do them part.” However, he concedes that it’s not a problem peculiar to Nigeria, noting that it’s a global problem. “Just like the music we listen to movies we watch, Nigerians are aware of these things and it tells on the society. All over the world single parenthood is becoming fashionable and people celebrate it as a matter of fact. So, many young girls would rather be single parents than make sacrifices or fight for their marriages to work. And there is an option of remarrying too. These are values via globalisation. I think if people retain the cultural values, the tradition, family morals in a traditional African society, things might be better. “But all over the world, let’s face it, there is diminishing values placed on marital stability and it seems to be extending to our society too. In places like India where the cultural framework is still very strong, we need to see through and ensure that we have a reproduction of it in our own social values. So, for us, marriage is important; it is not a social contract and it is a union of families. As long as we remember those words, we would not have a problem.” Given the occasion, it’s understandable why the dominant theme of the discourse was family values. Yet it’s inconceivable that the interview would not somehow revert to academics. The prof was particularly thrilled talking of his job as the vice chancellor of Igbinedion University. According to him, the management is committed to producing a new generation of Nigerian leaders, a new generation of Nigerians CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Prof. Osaghae

WEEKEND | CONVERSATION

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014

‘Graduates from private universities are doing better’ CONTINUED FROM PAG E 1 3

imbued with a patriotic vision and who can also operate within a global and competitive framework. “We instil in them the value of confidence and we groom them to be ready for the challenges of the world. At Igbinedion, we say we have people who are ready to conquer the world,” he said. Are private universities making a difference in the sector? The former lecturer at the University of Ibadan paused briefly, beaming with smile. It seemed he was expecting that question. “In all spheres they’ve been able to achieve that and even more. To begin with, it is private universities that have restored sanity in the tertiary education sector in Nigeria. If private universities did not exist, there are chances we would have prolonged strikes for several years on. But they provide an alternative; an option to public universities and that is the way I like people to see it. There must be alternatives, options in all societies. You know of course that when the private sector got into the media things turned around. The Guardian, Punch and, recently, your paper New Telegraph came up. It is the same thing in the university sector too. Private universities are relatively younger than many of the government-owned universities, but they have proven themselves.” He also thinks the graduates from private schools are doing better. The reason, he argues, is because they have better tuition and a stable academic calendar. Also, he said they are challenged to be centres of excellence while the older ones simply rest on the names they had made over the years. “Private universities have to prove their worth all the time,” the professor added. There is the notion that cultism is more pronounced in Edo State, the location of the school, and that it may have a negative effect on his university. “That’s what everyone says, but that is the history. History is no longer true; history has a changed. Universities , Ok a d edion and polytechnics that in b g I f rsity o have tendencies for such Unive in the past have transUniversity that proved helpful formed. They have moved was the introduction of an age limit policy. on; they are changing.” It may sound unusual, but the school does As a social scientist, when the issue not admit persons above 22. of cultism arises, the first thing he often “That has really helped. It does not considers is the factors that produced the however play down the essence of the malaise. If we know those factors, he said, university because children are leaving then it is easier to deal with the problems. school at 14, 15 and 16 years old now. We “Cultism was one of those things the must recognise that fact. If a child has left military government steadily built up to school at the age of 16 or 17 and didn’t destroy the spirit of resistance in the civil gain admission till the age of 25, what it society. It is an integral part of a culture means is that the person had been outof silencing the popular will of the people side the school for eight years or what you through terrorism, through violence and might consider the corridors of discipline. gang actions. It was something that the It begins the problem for you. So, the agemilitary government did deliberately in limit that has been very helpful.” The university also has a full campus the universities and they can count it as a gain today because it has succeeded. I residency policy as a way of curbing vices. think that cultism is not something that “Those things help in controlling some of individual schools can deal with; it is a na- these things. I am not saying that once in tional problem. Since government created a while we don’t get infiltration from the it, she has to solve it by empowering the outside or people who want to do that, young, building a culture of fairness and but we deal with them once we detect it.” justice, creating jobs and letting people see The professor describes students as that violence is not might. We celebrate culture bearers. To him, an individual reviolence as a country and unfortunately flects the kind of home he or she comes also, it is what is going on at present too. from. As a vice chancellor, he reveals that I am referring to the bombings in some he has seen different kinds of students. parts of the country, particularly the And through those students, he has seen different kinds of parents too. north.” He explained that one of the early deci“There are parents who just don’t sions taken by the founder of Igbinedion care about what their children are do-

“All over the world single parenthood is becoming fashionable and people celebrate it as a matter of fact.”

Prof. Osaghae with his grandson ing. Also, broken home is the major source of the social menaces we have here and there in our universities. Many students have single parents, especially single mothers and they have problem adapting and adjusting. We all know a bird cannot just fly with one wing. It is very unfortunate that it is a major source; the constraint of broken families. Many students get disoriented and they are looking for succour elsewhere and that could be problematic.” To curb cultism, he believes that families have a lot to do than the universities. Universities can modify behaviours, he said, but pointed out that doing so could result in one becoming very strong in applying sanctions. “You don’t want to become a terror in the eyes of your children, so we have counseling; but ultimate responsibility falls on the family. It must start from there. It is not even the church or mosque as most people seem to fall to for rescue. They can only add on; they can moderate excesses, etc. Since those things began from home, there should be corrected from there.” Another important factor which he cites is the schools that children attend before their admission into universities. Students who became cult members in the universities were already cult members while in secondary schools, he said. “Maybe you don’t even know the extent of this - cab drivers, okada riders are cult members too. They have groups. So if a child mingles with those groups even before admission, there is a problem. In primary and secondary schools, there are gangs and they have got the tendency to graduate into proper

cults in the near future.” Osaghae has a rich academic portfolio. Before taking up the appointment as the vice chancellor of Igbinedion University, he was the leader of the Ford Foundationfunded Programme on Ethnic and Federal Studies; Director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Ibadan, and chair of the University’s Senate Curriculum Committee. And between 1994 and 1998, he was Professor and Head of the Department of Political Studies at the University of Transkei, South Africa. He has also been a Visiting Professor/Fellow/Distinguished Senior Scholar at the Carter Centre of Emory University, USA (1989), University of Liberia (1989/90); Salzburg Seminar, Austria (1993); University of Cape Town South Africa (1994); the Nordic Africa Institute, Uppsala Sweden (1994); University of Ulster, Northern Ireland (1999, 2000); Northwestern University USA (2002, 2004); University of Cambridge UK (2003); a number of universities and research institutes in India (2005, 2009); Dartmouth College USA (2005) and Yale University USA (2009). For person of his calibre, it would be an eyesore for him not to attract recognition from the country and beyond. He was a Rockefeller ‘Reflections on Development’ Fellow (1989/90), and was recently a MacArthur Fellow. In 1996, he won the “Best Paper Award” at the 8th annual conference of the International Association for Conflict Management in Helsignor, Denmark. Professor Osaghae also won the “Best Article Award for 2004” of the African Politics Conference Group - a coordinate group of the American Political Science Association, African Studies Association and International Studies Association. That same article won him the 2004 Lawrence Dunbar Reddick Memorial Scholarship Award for the best article on Africa published in the Journal of Third World Studies. And the recognitions are still coming.

INSTYLE

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 august 2014

Denim, t-shirt and anything suitable Yaw may seldom be seen clad in anything else but casual attire, but the comedian whose real name is Steve Onu is by no means averse to the formal look, writes ANGELA DAVIES.

Alluring shades of black outfits

Angela Davies

one are the days when black outfits are worn just during mourning. Today they are not only an important fashion staple in many women’s wardrobe, they are appreciated for their stunning effects. Black is elegant and chic. It is slimming and looks good on all skin tones. The fact is that black looks as good on men as it does on women and it can be accessorised and brightened up with just any colour and type of accessories to make you standout. Black outfits women wear range from sleek skirt and top to fitted and flattering dress down to sexy shorts. Wearing a black outfit, however, can be unsophisticated and boring, and while it may seem easy to dress in all black, there are a few rules to keep in mind. TIPS • Vary the fabrics and tex-

tures especially when it is a skirt and blouse. • When putting together a black-on-black, fit is extremely important. Take advantage of the fact that black is slimming and have the cloth be more fitted and flattering, rather than shapeless and drab. • Even if your outfit is not fitted, it will look good on you when accentuated with a colourful belt. • To attract attention, bold and colourful accessories should be the statement piece of your outfit. • When it comes to shoes, you could opt for coloured high heels or black pumps matched with a clutch as you want. • Make your outfit more dressy and complete with deep red lipstick or casual with nude or light pink lipstick. Remember that no matter how gorgeous your black outfit is, accessorizing is still a must to change the look of the outfit.

Define your style My style is simple. What determines the kind of outfit you wear? The event and timing determines what I wear. There are some events that states that it is strictly formal and there are also events with dress code; so I dress to suit the event. But, if it is a late night or club event, I just go on my normal jeans and t-shirt. What kind of outfits make up a larger part of your wardrobe? I am more of a t-shirt, jeans and face cap person because of my simplicity and the kind of work I do. What is that clothing item you will never be caught wearing? It is a two way thing. As an actor, I can wear anything but as Steve Onu, I cannot be caught wearing women’s cloth. Most expensive fashion accessory ever bought I think it is a wristwatch. Fashion accessory you cannot leave home without I think it is my wristwatch because every minutes and second counts. Signature perfume I love Black Orchard because the fragrance stands out. But I also love to mix so that you will not know the actual perfume I am wearing. Best designer I like Mudi because of his style and creativity. He has built his brand up to a particular level but notwithstanding, I wear anything that is good. Best colour I love Red. I think in all I have T-shirts with red collar like six or seven. Then I have round neck T –shirts with red more than 15. I love red or a touch of red but I love red. What kind of shoes and colour do you love to wear? I love to wear loafers because I’m more of a jeans person. I also love to wear slip-on shoes that are casuals. Fashion blunder I wear clothes the way I feel, to someone else it might be fashion blunder but to me, I am good with it. But fashion is funny these days before I left home, I did not know that I could wear suede loafers with a native, I felt it was not right because I thought it was strictly for jeans and chinos but I had to ask my stylist and he said I could wear it with native Yaw that fashion has changed.

INSTYLE

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 august 2014

Accessories to live for

Facts

The wrist ain't only for watches As a man, you too can adorn your wrist with lovely and colourful wristbands for any event, writes ANGELA DAVIES.

o you think bracelets are for ladies only? Then you are wrong. Some stylish guys like Uti Nwachukwu, Alex Ekubo, Ik Ogbonna and Jimmy Jatt adorn their wrist with lovely bracelets. Commonly called wristband when it comes to men's fashion, adorning your wrist with wristband enhances your personal style and completes the look you are trying to pull off. Bracelets are a subtle expression of your persona and fashion taste. So if you are also thinking of adorning stylish and charming wristband, which you can wear to any event and at anytime of the day, you can select from beautiful designs in leather, braided and beaded. Leather wristband: Leather bracelets come in different unique styles and colours. A leather bracelet in black or deep brown colours in an appealing design on your wrist signals refined masculinity. Braided wristband: Wrapping some braided wristband around your wrist is a great way to accent any colour in your outfit. They also come in a variety of style. You can pull off a braided wrist that picks up a colour from your shirt or t-shirt. Beaded wristband: The beaded wristband can be made with anything from onyx, beads to wood. When it comes to beaded wristband, the bigger the beads, the more casual the wristband is. For a more formal, sophisticated look, keep it simple with the smaller beads.

FASHION ETIQUETTE

Statement necklaces perfect with simple outfits ometimes it is ideal to add some Sstatement oomph to your plain outfit with necklaces than simple gold or silver jewellery. Wearing statement necklaces are the perfect way to complete a drab outfit and add a little wow factor. A really glam statement necklace can transform a plain outfit into something special and chic, and a particularly large one might be the only accessory you need with a certain outfit. So, the perfect way to wear statement necklaces is to pair them with an outfit that is boring, like a plain dress, skin or trouser and blouse, traditional attire or even a t-shirt and jeans. They are such an easy way to dress up something simple and can be worn in so many different ways.

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

Long lace gown

he fashion face-off this week is between wife of Nollywood actor, Jumai Ossai and Nollywood actress, Toyin Aimaku-Johnson. The outfit in contention is the lustrous long lace gown in the same colour palette. Ossai wore a fitted deep blue elegant lace long gown to the Needlekfrat Fashion show which took place at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos on June 15. The four-piece lace gown which features a round neckline and three quarter sleeve was fully lined. Ossai harmonized her look with a deep blue slim belt with silver buckle to accentuate her waistline, open toe heels and clutch. She also accessorized with a silver wristwatch and cocktail ring. Ossai completed her elegant look with a deep blue eye shadow, nude lipstick and a side part hair style. On her part, Yoruba actress, Aimaku-Johnson, stepped on the red carpet at the City Peoples Award which held at 10 degrees on June 22 dressed in a sky blue long lace gown. The beautiful- fitted gown featured a round neckline and three quarter sleeve as well. However, the gown was not fully lined as the lining ended above her knees. From where the lining ended, the gown flared out thus giving the gown a chic look. Aimaku-Johnson coordinated her outfit with red open toe heels, parted curly long locks and red lipstick. Her nail polish also complemented her outfit. She had no accessories except her wedding band. Although both women wore long lace gowns in different textures and colours in the same colour palette, however who do you think rocked it better? Ossai or Johnson?

Adebayo Jones widely known as "The king of couture" in the fashion world is a Nigerian Londonbased fashion designer and style consultant who has long been associated with glamour, elegance, opulence and style. He has continued to build an international brand following his fashion label in the last three decades.

The liberated fashions of the 1920s introduced an era of acceptance of makeup as a part of women's costume that has continued into the 21st century.

Pearls are one of the most remarkable and striking forms of jewellery for women.

Women who love to wear red lipstick are considered sexy. However, in ancient Egypt, lipstick was used to protect the lips from wind and heat.

Taste of Love New drama series debuts in October p.18 Kenechukwu Okafor Why I dumped law for music p.20

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My life sometimes makes me cry – Maheeda Caroline Sam better known as Maheeda earned her notoriety from posting raunchy pictures on the social media. The self-acclaimed goddess of x, talks about why she goes brazen with posting lewd photos, family among sundry issues in this interview with ANGELA DAVIES. Growing Up Growing up was difficult. I lost both parents at an early age so I don’t even know my extended family members. According to the story, I am from Edo State because I didn’t meet my father. Although I met my mum when I was living in Kano State and she was in living in Lagos. The next time she came to see me, she died so I didn’t really get to know her very well. So, I started fending for myself at the age of 14 and it was not easy. I worked as a house girl, sales girl and even a bar girl. Transiting from good to bad girl Maybe people are right. For me I keep telling people that change is the only constant thing in life so it will always happen. I don’t even know what will happen next. Whether it is in the positive or negative direction depends on how people see it. People see it in a negative light but for me it is a positive change. Exciting fans with lewd shots I just felt that people really like to see things like that. To prove this, there was once I was preaching on twitter and people did not really care, but as soon as I posted just one nude picture and the next, while the Christians and pastors say Maheeda needs deliverance, many others say they love what I am doing, they just proved to me that sex sells, so I use it. Famous for the wrong reason To be honest, I will say yes posting nude pictures gave me fame. My true feelings about the notoriety I am not satisfied, but happy because business is going on fine. But what is making me happy is that I have my husband and my 13-year-old daughter, Divine. I have a family to call my own. And then the next thing that will make me happy is if I can adopt two children or have my own orphanage home and then my dream is fulfilled. To have an orphanage home is a very big task because you need a lot of money. It is not just something I will sit down and achieve. I have to do something weird, great and strange. I am on a journey, let’s see how it goes. Backlash of my weird choice For me, I am doing business. It is not affecting my life because I have a wonderful husband and daughter and we are all happy. It has taught me how we Nigerians think but business wise which is very important for me, I am making my money and people are calling me more now for shows abroad. So for me, business wise posting nude pictures is working and I am happy. My husband’s reaction Of course, he knows I post my nude pictures on social media because he is always online, he is a businessman. But he is a white man so the way they see things is different from Nigerians. Why I name my tweeter hand ‘goddess of X’ I remember when I was really going to church; they taught us that we are ‘gods’ which I believe. When I decided to open my twitter account, I decided to use ‘goddess of X’ instead of ‘sex’. Insults on twitter Now I think I am used to it. Those insults made me strong and since they insult me every day, now it is part of my life. However, my followers have started loving me and it surprises me. The truth is that there is nothing they have said on twitter that is weird to me. My daughter on social media No, I don’t stop her from using the social media. She has seen some of my modelling nude pictures that I did

in Holland. In Holland, it is normal because they have models who model bathing soap and those who are completely naked and painted like Africans. The last one I did, they were moulding me with some clay sand, I was completely naked standing and she came in and went out. She knows it’s my job and that I have been paid. So, I think at the end of the day, it is just about what you teach your children.

My girl gets freedom from age 18 When she turns 18 years old and she says, mummy I want to go into modeling, whatever kind of modeling she decides to do, yes I will encourage her. All I will do is to use all the experiences that I am gaining now to advise her. Here I am from gospel music Honestly, now I just sing how I feel. The song before my latest single was titled, ‘Concrete love’. I was feeling very loved by God because He is still blessing me despite everything. So I thought it must be a different kind of love from what people know. Consequently, I dropped that song because that was the way I felt. If I feel like giving thanks to God, I will right away and if I feel like been the naughty Maheeda and asking a guy ‘Can you handle it?’ which is the title of the single I just dropped, I will also do it. Why I titled my single, ‘Can you handle it’? I feel a lot of guys want me, they want to have a night with me and the question is, ‘Can you handle my wahala?’ basically, that is it. Although it is very naughty, they think maybe I am saying can they have sex with me well? No, I am saying can you handle me because I’m not just normal. I am not just a normal Nigerian woman, I’m crazy. I just do things and it is crazy. I think it is the way I see things. Going to church and the congregation’s reaction The first time I came to Nigeria and went to The Redeemed Christian Church of God and later Christ Embassy after a while of posting my nude and semi nude pictures, everyone was like, 'Pastor wants to see you'. Some worshippers who knew me said to me, 'Aunty Maheeda why are you doing this? We are praying for you.' It was so touching and some were even crying that a soul was gone but I assured them that I was alright. I was the one who even started preaching to them. How I met my husband I met him at the bar when I was working as a bar girl hustling for my life in Port Harcourt. He is Dutch. He was new in Harcourt and was looking for where to go so he came to the bar and started asking other bar girls. They told him that the only person who can show him round town was Maheeda. He came to meet me and I promised to show him round town. So from doing that, we became friends and before we knew it, we started dating and today we are married. I was just nice and my normal self with him. Still a childless marriage with my hubby No kids yet. But we have my daughter, Divine. I have a daughter and I want a son. However, no matter the number of children I have with my husband, I must

adopt.

All that I am First of all, she is wahala. Then, a strong African woman that is ready to make a cultural change in her life. If at the end of the day, I write a book, people read it, learn from it and think they can follow my footsteps, fine and if they don’t it is also alright. But I think I am just a strong woman that wants to live her life. My style It is weird, I mix colours. I just want to be different no matter what it takes. I know my being different may not be right but I am alright with it. What makes me cry Love and when I look at my life sometimes. I am human so sometimes I sit down and I think about what people say about me on the internet, how bad I really wanted to have a name, have a life after losing everything, and then tears starts coming down my cheeks. People don’t really know me and also how much I love my country. I wish I could help especially the street girls and the orphans. So, when I look at my intentions and how my journey is so far, sometimes I cry. And then when I also see love from people it touches me. When some people see me, they just start crying. That is a great love because that means they really love me and these are people that I don’t even know and they don’t know anything about me other than Maheeda was once a gospel artiste but then now she is like this. They feel that a soul is gone but I wish they can open my heart and see that I am alright. So this kind of love and what is inside my heart that people don’t know touches me. Maheeda tomorrow I will be big in Africa; already I am getting bigger because that is my aim. Then, I will see what to do with it.

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Taste of love for debut in October F ans of drama series are in for a viewing pleasure as a fresh soap opera, Taste of Love, is set to make its debut in October in Nigeria and across Africa. Though adapted from the Telenovella culture from Latin America and Eastern Europe, the new soap is embedded with original Nigerian features from a true-to-life storyline. Taste of Love is sourced from one of the best selling romance novel produced and adapted locally for the Nigerian television audience. It captures a romance story that dates back to the Nigeria's military era of the 1990s. The drama chronicles a tale of friendship, betrayal and hatred between rival sugarcane plantation families of Musa Phillips and Pepple. The telenovella love series tells an enthralling story through 150 episodes involving three major families and two love birds, Hadiza and Kelechi, children of two rival families. Taste of Love began shooting since April and has location sets across cities like Ilorin, Ibadan and Lagos. The novel series is to begin to air on terrestrial, cable, satellite, digital and mobile TV less than two months away. The project is produced by Micromedia Productions, a subsidiary of Micromedia Marketing Limited. The CEO of Micromedia Marketing Limited, Mrs. Shileola

Cast on the set of Taste of Love

Ibironke said, “Micromedia’s main objective is to replicate Global Production Accustom and the success of the Latin American genre of drama within the Nigerian pro-

duction, entertainment, and media landscape.” The growing love for Telemondo, producers of several Mexican drama series, is hoped

E-BRIEFS

It's no to marriage for Burna Boy

Curtains fall for David on MTN Project Fame

hen the sun rises for some, it’s sunset for others. The curtains have fallen for David, a riveting performer who bowed out of the MTN Project Fame competition last weekend. After performing the same songs that landed them on probation the week before, Clement, Shola, Emeka and David went some notch above the previous. Apart from the anxiety over who exactly would be first to leave the competition, other contestants who’d survived probation did a beautiful medley of Whitney Houston's tracks, paying tribute to the legend. The moment of truth came and it was delightful to see that Ghana stood up for hers. Clement was saved as he got the highest number of votes from viewers. The Faculty in turn saved Shola, leaving David and Emeka’s fate in the hands of their fellow contestants. David had just three votes while Emeka got a second chance into the Academy with eight votes. Giving a beautiful twist to the show, Tolu, a contestant in Season 3 rocked the stage with a brilliant performance and once again proved to all that inability to clinch the star prize does not ruin chances of becoming a super star.

In an emotion-laden ambiance, David bid the competition farewell with Bruno Mars' Lazy Song. The second nomination show was tagged "a night of pop, urban, and rock tunes’. It was clear that something had changed in the contestants, it seemed they suddenly became aware of the competition in the wake of previous night's elimination where David bade them goodbye. As pop, urban and rock tunes was the order of the night, the contestants came on stage with more energy and an attitude that showed they dreaded being put on probation. History again repeated itself as the Faculty and judges were at loggerheads over whether or not Lasbrey’s performance was impressive. Just like the previous week, Tee Y mix’s comment about his performance insinuated that it was not impressive, but Ms. Ige countered it by saying it had the entire necessary element it should have. Lasbrey performed Craig David’s 7 Days at the second nomination show. Ade Bantu buttressed TY Mix's assertion saying the performance was simply below average with Ms. Ige voicing her disagreement.

to be challenged by this huge budget indigenous entertainment adventure. This drama series stars some Nollywood artistes and broad-

casters who have earned the audience's admiration. The cast comprises Lanre Coker, Wale Macaulay, Omowunmi Dada, Femi Brainard, Ayo Lijadu, Mofe Duncan, Dolapo Orisajobi, among a host of others. “We’ve been working here since April and it has been an exciting experience particularly because of the kind of project we’re doing. We’re particularly pioneering something and like my executive producer would say, ‘we’re giving birth to a whole new nation’. We’ve had several soap operas in this country but this is the first time and individual will be funding one of this magnitude,” Coker remarked. As to retaining the originality of what ought to be wholly Nigerian as against the outright imitation of Latin America telenovella storylines and interpretations, Dolapo Orisajobi who plays the role of Nnena Pepple responded: “There are so many things they would be doing that we aren’t doing because we’re Nigerians. I am a mother in the drama and the way I play my role as a mother is definitely not the way it would be done abroad. I am an African mother. We speak our own English, Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa. And none of us has even seen this telenovella; therefore you cannot possibly copy what you’ve not been in contact with.”

o matter what marriage means to you, there’s just that neighbour to whom it means nothing after all. Even the Holy Bible’s exhortation, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh” w i l l still not make much difference to the man who chooses to be a non-conformist. No matter how many wedding ann iversa r ies Nigerian celebrities commemorate or the alarming number that produces unsavoury headlines of crashed union, Bur-

Paul Play sues Etisalat, Optima for alleged theft of intellectual property

ighlife and R&B artiste, Paul I.K. Dairo, has sued Etisalat and Optima Media Group, the organisers of the music talent show, the Nigerian Idol, for the unlicensed use of his song, Mosorire. He accused them of reproducing his song on the show and airing it on the TV as well as their Youtube channel without his consent. It was understood that the organisers ignored the artiste's lawyers when they had initially written to them, prompting Paul Play, as the singer is fondly called, no choice other than to drag the organisers to court. Paul Play has sued them for N200m for what his lawyer's calls "flagrant and unlawful exploitation" of his work. The case is expected to be heard in court soon.

na Boy is just that one guy who’s yet to see a reason folks should marry. His tweet on marriage still trends. "Hahahahaha....!!! I'm never getting married nigga," he tweeted. Although the artiste did not state his reasons, fans have begun to probe the reason for this weirdness. Here are some of the comments: DJ JamJam Oswagga ‫@‏‬JamJamOswagga 23h lmao!! @burnaboy i think you’re the first Nigerian i've heard say that #RealTalk, Òtúnba timi alao ‫@‏‬ drealtimibaba 23h @EZEcertified » Lmao....he @burnaboy is still young though, Òtúnba timi alao ‫@‏‬drealtimibaba 23h, @EZEcertified aiye n se......."Dem dey follow am", Eze ‫@‏‬EZE certified 23h, @ drealtimibaba He probably Just wanna get some two kids on the side, so he cud keep in touch with every other women- @burnaboy cos its unfaithful being faithful #streetz.

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Mz Kiss: I’m living my mother’s dream At the Afrika Shrine last weekend it was all about the 14th anniversary of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Kuti. But at the show tagged 'Finding Fela' a young Nigerian female rapper, Akindele Justina Omowunmi aka Mz Kiss, thrilled the crowd with immense energy and vocals. She speaks with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS. When exactly did you venture into music? Professionally, I started singing 2010 when I met my first producer, Soplain (Dimeji Mosaku). I had two singles then, but you know everyone has one or two scrappy songs at some points. The titles were Yoruba in ‘Pratua’ and one other song. I actually started as a singer but Yoruba in ‘Patua’ was a rap song I tried to do. It was also the first time I rapped in Yoruba dialect. It seems like crap to me now, but then it gave the impression that I had arrived. At what point was your transition from a singer to a rap artiste? I still sing, but I do more of rap songs. I started doing rap in 2011, during a particular visit to the studio. An artiste came to record a song and he demanded for a female rapper. I thought I could do it. I did freestyle and it actually came out well. What informed your choice to pursue music? Music is natural to me. I starting miming, dancing at the age of 3 and when I was 6 years old, I joined the church children choir. My dad was a pastor, my sisters were choristers and my brother was a drummer. So I would say I grew up in a music environment. I started growing deeply in music when I took the lead in the church. But I really wanted to go into music because I followed the music of the likes of Remedies, Beyonce, Rihanna, and a host of others. And then my mum used to say she wanted me to be like Beyonce. It stated from there. I got the support of my mother. My dad is late; he died sometime in 2002. So it wasn’t a big deal when I said I wanted to sing. My mum supported me with prayers and the little finances she got. I am now living the dream of my mother. I have done songs like ‘You Go Craze’ produced by Frenzy and ‘Holla A Me’, a freestyle So far, how would you describe your growth in the industry? It has been amazing; I have met a whole lot of people in the industry and I have also been through some ups and downs. It is really not easy for a female artiste because we have a lot of male artistes doing great, but I thank God for the position I am today. Who are your mentors? I love Beyonce a lot because she is full of energy. I listen to Lil Wyne also; he is crazy about pop. I listen to a bit of Joe Cole, Kanye West and Drake Tell us about your present singles I have Figure 8 and my latest release Spartacus. Figure 8 wasn’t a song I planned to do, but I visited the studio and found myself singing to a beat the producer was working on. The video was directed by Paul Gambit. For Spartacus, I actually wanted to remind my fans that I am a rapper. With the former most people forgot I am a rapper or I even rap. People now know that I am a rapper with a concentration on the use of Yoruba dialect. The song is the opposite of Figure 8; it shows the real side of me. Works are still on, but I plan to drop my debut album next year by God’s grace. I just don’t want to drop an album; I want it impact to be spread like a ‘wildfire’. You performed at Finding Fela. Tell us about the show. It was the 14th anniversary of Fela Kuti, so we wanted to bring back the memory and it was a two-day show, Friday and Saturday. I performed on Friday because I had something to the next day. It was just all about bringing back the memory of the late Fela, celebrating his life and music. I thank God a lot of people loved my performance. As you saw yourself the response was fantastic and I carried the crowd alone. It was all about the street that day and it was fun. Are you obliged to any record label? Yes, I am signed under Bad Dog Entertainment owned by Paul Gambit, a video director. I met him in 2011 through a male artiste who needed to shoot a video. He featured me on the song, Efimile. I didn’t even know he would sign me and I am the only artiste under the label at present. My manger name is David Andema popularly known as NAS. Do you have other things you do aside from music? I am a bit into fashion and decoration. I am also studying mass communication at the National Opening University, NOUN.

How have you surmounted challenges? I have been through a lot but the biggest an artiste could face is for people not to believe in you. I have been lucky, as people always showed me love right from time. It is not difficult for me to approach anyone to show them my music. But promoting your music is not really easy. You might even spend a lot of resources without achieving anything. What are your strengths? How I rap in Yoruba dialect. A lot of people love it. They call me female Olamide What do you like in a man? He must be humble, very understanding and good looking. He must love what I do because I love what I do. Also, he must appreciate me and have a good sense of humour because I am very energetic. Can you dump music for marriage? I don’t have a man like that, so I cannot really say. But at a point you will have to withdraw a little bit to take care of your family and other responsibilities. We have other young talents out there that should take over in future. I might not do music forever, but right now I don’t intend to drop music for any other thing. What is your philosophy to life? Don’t do what you wouldn’t like or would be ashamed of later in the future. People have different ways they view life, but for me I will not do what I am going to regret at the long run. What turns you off about people? I don’t like people who lie a lot. It is different thing to lie, but it should not be gross. And again I don’t like body odours. What are your plans in the near future? Let’s say in the next 5 years by His grace I should have about two to three albums out. And I would love to have touched more lives with my music and in other ways I can. What is your fashion statement? I like to keep it simple, but most people think that when I keep it simple I don’t look like the girl they see on TV. I am a very simple person; forget about the grandeur on screen. My record label is also on my neck because of the way I dress. But I am basically a jean and top person. If you see me wearing gown it must probably be an occasion where I really need to do it. And I don’t think you will ever catch me on heels. Any regret so far? I don’t have any regret. It is possible I would have grown more than where I am today if I had started singing professionally at a tender age, but God knows Mz Kiss the best for us.

I like to keep it simple, but most people think that when I keep it simple I don’t look like the girl they see on TV

20 SHOWBIZ

Why I dumped law for music – Kenechukwu Okafor Lawyer-turned singer, Kenechukwu Okafor, also known as Khaycee Girl is a budding artiste with unique velvety voice and eclectic dance steps. Shortly after her call to bar in 2012, she picked a job with one of the multinationals in the country, but soon chose to follow her passion- music.The Ogidiborn songstress from Anambra State and a product of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has a 10-track album, produced by Del-B, (producer of WizKid, Flavour, K-Cee Limpopo etc) which was launched last year at 4-Point by Sheraton on Victoria Island, Lagos. She speaks with BIWON IKLAKI about her genre of music and message. How far has music taken you in your short foray in the industry? I have performed at various functions like Diamond Bank’s 20th anniversary, Diamond Bank Christmas party, Glo Campus Storm, Miss Uni in Sierra Leone, etc of which I performed alongside many celebrated artistes like P-Square Timaya, Tiwa Savage among others. What inspired you to go into professional music? My deep love for music transcends just singing for leisure or hobby. I needed to be involved in the creation and if possible every aspect of it. Music to me is all there is to be. I became so passionate about music that every fibre in me thinks and breathes it. More so, I love art and creativity and music is a perfect medium to express these. Besides, in life it is said that the easiest way to succeed is to turn your passion into your job. That way you enjoy what you do while earning a living. Even when it gets rough you hardly quit because you are passionate about it. So for me it was an easy go because of my passion for music. Apart from singing I write too. Music is a lot of fun. Tell us about your song. My songs are inspirational and of course with wonderful beats that make you want to dance through the day as well as feel good about yourself if I must say "sexy". They are songs for musically-matured minds. Currently, I have a 10 tracks album of which my trending single, "ONE CHANCE" is inclusive. The video which was shot by Clarence Peters is presently enjoying air plays and it’s also available on Youtube. What is your genre of music? I will say R ’n’ B with an infusion of hip-pop Who is your target audience? My target is anyone and everyone with ears for good music. There's no age limit to my songs.Who is your role model in music?First and foremost, it’s my family because I come from a background of

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 august 2014

music people. Even though my uncle in America "Charleston Okafor" is the only one that does music professionally, we have always been a family of music lovers. However, I have an outstanding admiration for female singers who have carved a niche for themselves in the music scene. Do you see yourself getting to the level of music icons like Celine Dion? With God all things are possible. So, what kind of messages are you passing through your music? My aspiration in life is happiness. Life is too short to live it unhappy. I often say that a perfect waste of time is doing what you don’t enjoy. More so, where ever you find yourself, do make the most of it, whatever you do, do your best and leave the rest to God knowing that the race is not to the swiftest nor the battle to the strongest but time and chance happen to them all. All these and more are the messages that I try to pass along through my music. Do you have an album yet? Yeah, I have an album, like I said just earlier; I have a 10-track album titled Providence, which I released last year. So what’s your perception of the industry so far? It is overwhelming how big and well Nigeria music industry has emerged. Music from Nigeria is enjoyed across the globe. It is really impressive how far we have come. We may have our lapses but we are growing and that is quite encouraging. Tell me what style means to you For me, style is a reflection of a person's personality. A person's style could depict his or her inner self, emotional state (mood), perception in life etc. Basically style is who you are, how you feel, where you are from, sometimes it could be where you have been, that is your level of exposure and absorbance into other people's culture or yours, etc. Who is your favourite designer and how big do you spend on fashion? At the moment, I am not so keen about big names in fashion. Days are gone when I rendered patronage to big names just because they are big. Way back in the university, you want to dress in big names designer’s apparels because in a way that validates you, status wise. But then you get to grow into becoming a brand yourself and lose sight of those kinds of things. It gets to a point you want to define that kind of status life as "using the money you don’t have, to buy things you don’t need, to impress people you don’t like" .Anyway, I love looking good. In fact very good only that now I go for what I need, love and fits perfectly in irrespective of the designer whether big or not as long as it is of good quality. If I have to spend a fortune to purchase a fashion piece, I won’t mind as long as I love it and it makes me happy.

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Lagos Commissioner for Works, Femi Hamzat, eyes Fashola’s seat

arely six months to the governorship election in Lagos State, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat, has resigned his appointment to pursue his governorship ambition of the state next year. We have it on good authority that Hamzat submitted his resignation letter to Governor Babatunde Fashola last week. The resignation is expected to take effect from August 1, 2014. Engineer Ganiyu Johnson, a Special Adviser in Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure will act on his behalf before a substantive commissioner is appointed. We gathered reliably that Hamzat has already set up his campaign office in Aromire Avenue, off Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja. The office is closely situated to the building which was used as Fashola's campaign office in 2011. With his decision to resign, Hamzat has joined the growing lists of contenders for Fashola’s position. Other aspiring for the position are Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji; former Commissioner for Education and Health, Dr. Leke Pitan; Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, GOS, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, member, House of Representatives, Abike Dabiri-Erewa and former Accountant General of Lagos State, Akin Ambode.

Hamzat

L-R: Amb. Greg Mbadiwe, Abah Folawiyo, Evelyn Shawcross Obioha, Sen. Ita Giwa and Chief Great Ogboru at the family meeting preceding the formal introduction

Ita Giwa’s daughter, Koko, gets proposal letter from fiancee’s family

hat former senator, Florence ItaGiwa, is giving her daughter, Koko’s hand in marriage to her friend’s son is no news. What’s fresh however is the proposal letter the ex-lawmaker got last Sunday from her in-law to be. The lucky young man is Chimaobi Shawcross Obioha Jnr, one of the sons of the late Chief Shawcross Godwin Moore Obioha & Barrister Evelyn Shawcross Obioha. He has a Master’s degree in International Business from The Coventry University, England. Koko also schooled in the United Kingdom and she recently finished her Master’s degree. Chimaobi and Koko have been courting for seven years and the two families gave a nod to the romance that’s blossoming into marriage. There had been

an agreement of some sorts between the families to allow Koko to conclude her Master’s before marriage. Now that she’s done with academics, next in line is the September 20 talk of the town wedding. Indications are rife that Florence Ita-Giwa’s annual Red Ball for Bakassi Charity event may not hold this year because of her only child’s wedding. Koko who spends most of her time abroad in the last couple of months, did a foundation law course in Cambridge. She studied International Relations for her first degree and International Development for her Master’s degree. She has also worked at Industrial and General Insurance Company. On the other hand, Koko has a thriving hair care business on Banana Island, Lagos, called 'Hair by Koko' with an impressive number of top notch patrons.

Chris Anyanwu fires back at Okorocha

he war of words between Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha and Senator Chris Anyanwu took a new dimension when the latter’s special assistant released a press statement lashing out at the governor. The governor was reported to have made derogatory remarks against the female senator who found the demeanour rather appalling and felt it should not go unattended to. The statement reads in part; “So, at the Owerri cultural festival, he urged the people not to vote for women who are generally prostitutes and who have the tendency to slap their husbands – and as usual he got away with it. Senator Anyanwu does not fit into his bizarre description and category, but it was well interpreted by the crowd, and reports thereafter, to be a statement directed to his enemy, the Senator. We all know, it’s no longer a cold war, why Rochas has drawn the battle line with Senator Anyanwu. Apart from

Anyanwu being his strongest and best contender in the 2015 guber race, Rochas will not forget the power wielded by Senator Anyanwu for his victory as governor of the state at the point when Anyanwu and APGA had not been betrayed and sold out by Rochas. This is his sordid nature. Rochas Okorocha needs some sort of therapy, fast. "To this extent, no counter attack came, and none will come, from distinguished Senator Chris Anyanwu because in his usual cowardice, he made a general, sweeping statement derogatory to women. Women must come together to fight against such irresponsible and immodest conduct coming from a man who

gives impression that he has no reputation to protect; who has no respect for the office and position he represents in the state. "The great news is that Rochas has raised Anyanwu to the status of candidate. She has become a he-woman to be feared by king-kong himself. Rochas made a grave strategic error. He asked the general question: will you vote a woman? It is not just Senator Chris Anyanwu that is woman in Imo, but Anyanwu is that one that he fears and dreads, knowing her strength and disciplinary nature.” These jibes were released by Vivian Jonathan Iwuoha, Anyanwu’s Special Assistant on Public Affairs and Communication.

Koko and Obioha Jnr.

SOLUTIONS TO CROSS WORD PUZZLE A L T A N T A

M E I

Anyanwu and Okorocha

N I L

E M E R G E A C I D

I M A M

V G

C F O

I B E R I A

A B A C H A

I N D

T A R A

U L S B

A S E A

D O T

T A R A B A

A L D A S B B A M W A

ACROSS 1. AMERICA 5. AID 7. BUS 8. LEE 9. AFA DOWN 1. ATLANTA 2. EMERGE 3. IMAM 4. ABACHA 5. ASEA

10. CLAP 11. NIGH 12. OH 16. BI 17. BADA 18. HAVE

22. RNA 23. ABA 24. IGI 25. LAD 26. ADAMAWA

6. DOT 13. ALABAMA 14. IBERIA 15. TARABA 19. ACID

20. TARA 21. NIL

22 THE ARTS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 august 2014

Artists need patience, determination to achieve set goals, says Ogunlade Babatunde Ogunlade, Lagosbased prolific young artist and one of the contemporary voices in the Nigerian art scene, in this interview with TONY OKUYEME, speaks on his passion for art, among other issues.

“I

grew up under my uncle Moses Ogunlade,” he recalls, adding that though he was born in Lagos, his father, David, sent him to Ibadan, under the tutelage of his uncle, who was working at the Polytechnic, as a security officer. “While there, I became a menace due to my escapades and romance with anything art. “I enrolled in the elementary school known as Ijokodo Primary and Secondary School. After school hours, my guardian’s wife made me hawk a local delicacy, ‘moin moin’, a common Nigerian food made from beans. The youthful exuberance in me would not allow me adhere to the rules of hawking around town for daily sustenance of the family. Instead, I roamed the Fine-Art section of the Polytechnic College and got enthralled with their mode of dressing, in long overalls, and tools the students worked with. For me, they were tin-gods. The innate desire in me made me to always forget the job. I would sit on the school lawn to pick some of the tools and drawing materials the students abandoned stylishly as a prankster and I would draw everything I saw because I saw them as gods. I kept drawing their actions on the field and always told myself I wanted to be like these people. I would go back home with no sales at all. I still cannot recall the number of times I was spanked on my buttocks. My guardian saw me as an indolent child, but I had my dreams. “My secondary school was a special one. It is a school for able students and challenged ones, especially, speech and hearing-impaired students. I spent just a year in the school in 1987 and after my uncle’s retirement, we relocated to Abeokuta. I still know sign language and communication. The students there fell in love with me not because of my academic brilliance, but rather, because of my ability to draw subjects like biology, geography and others.” He was, however, not disturbed being in the midst of challenged ones, especially, speech and hearing--impaired students. Indeed, it further propelled him to explore his talent. “I came back to Lagos in 1992. I didn’t do well in my English examination and my father went berserk. He was so angry with my academic performance. He didn’t know where I was coming from since I didn’t grow up with him, but my uncle knew. My father wanted me to go and do arts and design apprenticeship with a famous marble designing company, Filade Marble Works.” But the Polytechnic, Ibadan, really inspired him for greater things. And thereafter, his father sent him to Government Technical College, Ikotun, Lagos, where he spent three years. "We were taught basic theories on how to design rubber stamp, signboard and printmaking skills. The federal government later introduced National Board for Technical Education entrance examination into higher institutions, which was equivalent to Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB). I applied to Lagos State Polytechnic, and got admission. I had a very good Ordinary National Diploma result, but in my time, they didn’t have any Higher National Diploma section. I later did my industrial attachment at the

Universal Studios of Art, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, under veterans such as Abiodun Olaku and Alex Shyngle. "I bagged my higher diploma certificate in 2002 at the Federal College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos, as one of the best five in my class. I had upper credit and I proceeded to serve in Kano State.” On his invitation to Brazil, he said: “I was preparing for my first solo exhibition when I got the invitation to go to Brazil for a residency. I chose 70 works in my armoury in Nigeria and when I got to Belo Horizonte, Brazil, I created another set of 20 pieces and the exhibition was entitled The Road. Fortunately for me, I held my debut solo in faraway Brazil. “I remember, one of my earliest collectors was the influential Dr. Kunle Filani. My first encounter with him was in my national diploma year. My lecturer then, Mr Balogun, asked me to represent the school in an art competition organised by a German art collector and Dr Kunle Filani was the coordinator and he was awestruck with my talent and questioned the aptitude of such a young talent. He requested for me and congratulated me. He was still at the technical college in Akoka and gave me his support. He started collecting my works to encourage me. I remain grateful to him . I was a resident artist, alongside other notables such as, Imoesi Imhonigie, Mufutau Aponyin, Raji Olanrewaju at the Aina Onabolu gallery for some time to carve that niche that I needed. While there, I was to get connected to the collectors, gallery owners and other patrons in the business. I started brushing myself into a well-packaged artist as I later discovered that packaging and education means success.” He believes that his works are ambassadorial tools within and outside the country. According to him, Instituto de Arto Cultura Yoruba, a culture institute where they promote African art and culture, saw his art and creations on social media and they got connected. “They saw a different approach in my creations which drew them over to me. One of the collectors even asked me if I studied in Europe because my works are unique. I was also asked to coordinate a workshop. “It was a wonderful experience for me. I

Baba

Iya Ibadan

was only being mad about my passion and somewhere in Brazil, some people started admonishing my creations. The Road exhibition was successful. I travelled down to Brazil with 70 artworks. I spent two and a half months over there and did another additional 20 works. Every work was exhibited. All the works were mine. I exhibited in two venues. I am even preparing to go back, but I am still holding on due to some engagements. Brazil is a virgin land for African art. One thing we fail to realise is South American countries are virgin lands

and avenues for African art and culture to thrive. Most times, these people don’t travel to see what we have. They have good economy and financial backing. The environment is also conducive. Meanwhile, Nigeria and Brazil has some cultural affinity. The Nigerian community in Brazil has the same similar culture. Some parts like Bahia speak Yoruba language. The man that invited me is Yoruba, an Ondo indigene, and goes by the name Olusegun Akinrele. He is the chairman of Owiwi Art Gallery. Akinrele, a graduate of Lagos State University, Ojoo has been there for 16 years now. “Nigerian culture transcends what we see here. It is well packaged over there. They are so inquisitive about everything around them. They even asked and enquired about my name, the root, origin, and the essence and myth it signifies. All our traditional divinities and deities that we jettisoned are being propitiated there, like Ogun and Osun, even in modern ways. They embrace Nigerians so much, but we don’t know our worth that’s why we take things for granted. They see the deity, Osun Osogbo in Nigeria, as their pilgrimage. “The people over there believe, art tells events, stories document histories. Their government supports art generously and you see it visible in their way of life. Every home, street, favela, urban centres, you see art well displayed. I even learnt, art is part of their mortgage and if you don’t have paintings, you pay higher tax! Galleries in Brazil are owned by artists majorly, unlike here, where you have business people running galleries. “Artists need to be patient and determined to achieve set goals. Some are so much in a hurry; they go to join advertising firms to live life on the fast lane. They always forget, there is always a measurement for every vocation. The advertising firms will not keep you there forever, in fact, the younger and fresher the talent, the more the appreciation in modern times. I have seen some of the artists at such firms being fired so many times, because of the freebies they enjoyed like car loans and allowances, they find it difficult to go back to their basics. Then disappear gradually into oblivion.”

Ideas&Brands ON SATURDAY

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

9 AUGUST 2014

‘Private and public enterprises need a re-orientation on PR functions’ With over 28 years communications experience cutting across journalism and PR, Muyiwa Akintunde, chief executive officer of Leap Communications Limited and the current General Secretary, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) can be described as a an accomplished communications practitioner. He speaks with Kingsley Ogbonna.

The PR profession in Nigeria The public relations profession is growing in terms of its contribution to deepening understanding between the stakeholder groups in the public and private sectors. Increasingly, brands, products and the government are finding public relations relevant in their campaigns and interventions. However, ineffective enforcement of regulatory provisions even by the government that put such legislations in place has resulted in registered public relations agencies and professionals having an insignificant slice of the cake. You will recall that governments and other institutions, including political parties have made it a habit to hire foreign public relations agencies to handle their campaigns in clear breach of the law of the land, when the competencies to handle public relations challenges with local nuances reside here in Nigeria. Challenges of public relations One is the lack of understanding of the role of public relations by government and private organisations. I will give you an example. A few years ago I made a presentation to a team of state government officials and had to make references to the term ‘public relations’ using the well known acronym “PR” a number of times. I realised that one of the members of the panel was on edge each time I say “PR”. At the end of my presentation, this panellist was the first to raise her hand. Being a public relations professional herself, she said she understood the term ‘PR’ to mean public relations, the profession. But her problem was that upon assuming office as a Special Adviser to the state governor, she found out that “PR” in the minds of government officials stands for “bribery” or “inducement!” So, there is a knowledge gap to be filled. You also find that public relations is not brought into the picture early enough, and often not until there is already a crisis on hand. Several private organisations do not understand that public relations is a management function, meaning that the head of the unit would only have to act on decisions already arrived at by the board without having the opportunity of making his input to the decision that may end up against the grain of public opinion. We at the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) admit that there is also the challenge of knowledge gap in the industry. And it is the reason we instituted the PRCAN Masterclass workshop which commenced in February 2011. So far, we have ran 11 workshops and are indebted to various resource persons on the client and agency sides who have shared case studies with our participants. Future of PR consultants in Nigeria The future is bright in spite of the incursion of foreign agencies and the increasing

tendency of budget owners on the client side to run their own agencies on the side. I believe that the true professionals who stay true to their responsibilities would have their day in the sun eventually. We at PRCAN have intensified our advocacy campaign with the objective of bringing the attention of the government to its own law which makes it an offence to do business with public relations professionals and agencies that are not registered with either the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) or PRCAN, as stipulated by the NIPR Act 16 of 1990 and the PRCAN Bye-Law No 3 of 1993. Getting the local/home grown companies to buy into PR services We are tackling this as a collective. PRCAN is working with NIPR to raise awareness about service offerings of public relations professionals and consultancies. Upon the assumption of office of the present PRCAN Executive Committee two years back, we commenced advocacy visits starting with our own internal public – NIPR. First, we had engagement with the Registrar, Dr Stephen Adebayo and later with the then President, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi and other Council members. Although Alhaji Abdul- Akintunde lahi has since completed his tenure, we are lucky that his successor, Dr has been arduous but we are applying ourRotimi Oladele was in attendance at that selves to the plough, unrelenting. We have meeting. Dr Oladele’s involvement in enjoyed the confidence of a number of the just-concluded National Conference communications professionals on the clihas denied him the opportunity of sitting ent side who believe in our competences. down with PRCAN Executive Committee And we have not given them any reason on the advocacy drive. We shall get back to regret their decision. to that campaign shortly. Yes, we will diversify. But we are workWe believe that our major challenge ing on growing and stabilising the Leap is getting the government and political Communications brand at the moment. leadership at various levels to understand We aspire to be among the top five public what public relations can add to their camrelations consultancies in Nigeria in the paigns. The private sector is complying but next five years without compromising our I must admit not sufficiently enough. values hinged on integrity and passion. PR and 2015 general elections Who is Muyiwa Akintude? Public relations will exploit the pecuI practised full-time journalism for 18 liarities of each situation to seek the most understanding between the candidates years – between 1986 and 2004 – and was privileged to work under demanding ediand their political parties on one hand, tors who I thought were ‘task masters’ but and their various stakeholder groups. ended up sharpening my skills. I was a What would win eventually would not be a one-solution-fits-it-all strategy. restless journalist and spent an average of two years in each media house – from The Guardian to TimesWeek (Daily Times A word on Leap Communications Limited newsmagazine) to Newswatch, Theweek We were registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission only two years ago magazine, The Post Express newspapers and it appeared we came into life when and finally UK-based Africa Today magapublic relations budgets are shrinking. We zine. I ‘defected’ from journalism in April have therefore faced the challenge of hav2004 and learnt public relations under the ing to stand on our feet and growing our competences and the business. The journey feet of the leading lights of the industry –

Nn’emeka Maduegbuna and Mike Meze – at C&F Porter Novelli. I had the privilege of working as Head of Media and Influencer Relations. I then joined MarketingMix & Company, another reputable public relations consultancy as Chief Operations Officer, becoming the Executive Director about a year later. My boss, Akin Adeoya demonstrated absolute confidence by allowing me to manage the agency with minimal interference. At the first edition of the Lagos NIPR Golden Eagle Awards, MarketingMix won the ‘Best Public Relations Agency’ award. I left MarketingMix in August 2011 to work as managing consultant with HotSports Nigeria Limited, which is owned by my ‘brother from another mother’, Taye Ige. Both of us were classmates at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism between 1984 and 1986, and we had always done things together over the years, particularly since our paths crossed again while I was deputy editor at Theweek magazine and he came in as a National Youth Corps member in the early 1990s. He, for instance, was my best man and years later when his own best man failed to show up, I got to be his best man! It was from HotSports that I branched out to start Leap Communications.

24 IDEAS & BRANDS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014

Scholars commend research on 75 years of Nigerian journalism

ournalism scholars at the Media75 Conference, organized by the School of Media and Communication of the Pan Atlantic University have commended the school’s commitment and support for pioneering research work on 75 Years of Nigerian Media and Journalism. The Media75 Conference featured academics from various institutions who met to appraise the research effort towards the publication of major works on 75 years of Nigerian journalism. The media project consists of interviews with 75 media players in the Nigerian print and broadcast media. It covers a period spanning 1935 to 2010, and includes various themes of media leadership and management, circulation/coverage and distribution, readership/viewership/listenership, changing media landscape, media and military, as well as the efforts and effects of social media and changing demographic patterns. Prof. Adigun Agbaje, a former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, chaired the conference. Participants included Prof. Dayo Alao of Babcock University, Prof. Lai Oso of Lagos State University, and Dr. Bisi Olawunmi of Bowen University. There were also Prof. James Tsaaior, Dr. Isah Momoh and Dr. Josef Bel-Molokwu, all of the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, and Chido Nwakanma, President of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN). Welcoming the scholars, the Vice Chancellor of the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), Prof. Juan Elegido, affirmed the commit-

ment of the university to research and knowledge creation. Elegido said PAU believes “you cannot be a proper university without an active research team.” The Vice Chancellor said that PAU strongly supports the research effort because “we especially aspire to be a university whose contributions are relevant to industry and society.” The Pan-Atlantic University and the Nigerian Guild of Editors fund the research. Agbaje commended the School of Media and Communication for initiating and supporting the research effort. He said it would help to preserve the “institutional and national memory” of the Nigerian media.

Richard Ikiebe of the Centre for Leadership in Journalism (CLeJ) of the School of Media and Communication, who is the brain behind the research, said he was motivated to carry out the research to fill the gaps in study of Nigerian journalism since the pioneering work of Alfred Omu’s Press and Politics in Nigeria. It became imperative, he added, as many of the pioneers have passed on without sharing their experiences. Prof. Dayo Alao, who pioneered mass communication studies at Babcock University and was the editor of Times International – a Daily Times publication, said the work represents a significant contribution to knowledge of

the media. Those featured in the work include Sam Amuka, Patrick Dele Cole, Christopher Kolade, Vincent Maduka, Segun Osoba, Garba Shehu, Tony Momoh, Lade Bonuola, Ray Ekpu, Kevin Ejiofor, Muhammed Haruna, Adamu Ciroma, Doyin Abiola, Areoye Oyebola, Ted Iwere and Laban Namme. It also includes John Momoh, Frank Aigbogun, Femi Kusa, Kabir Yusuf, Idowu Sobowale and Festus Adesanoye, among others. The proposed work would be a multimedia documentation, with print books, audio books, ebooks, as well as video and webcast of the interviews.

L-R: Marie Jamieson, Global Creative Director of TBWA; Vincent Magwenya, MD of Magna Carta Reputation Management Consultants; and Graham Cruikshank of TBWA at a special Symposium on Creativity held recently in Lagos.

Optimum Exposures unveils Africa’s largest LED billboard

ptimum Exposures, a Lagosbased outdoor advertising agency has unveiled what it termed the largest LED billboard in the whole of Africa. The billboard

was unveiled last week in Lagos. Located at the Adeniji-Adele end of the Third Mainland Bridge, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Bayo Adio said the LED

billboard was targeted at giving premium quality to brands. ‘It is also a result of the need to place Nigeria’s advertising industry on the same pedestal with global best practices. That way, we can of-

fer brands an unrivaled out-of-home showcase platform. This new LED billboard keeps brands ahead of competition, while it serves the dual purpose of illuminating and beautifying our environment,’ he said.

P&G’s contest to boost girl-child education

n a bid to boost the girl-child education in Nigeria, Procter and Gamble Nigeria has announced a new consumer contest “Always Moving Forward”. The contest is a part of the activities lined up to launch the company’s new thematic campaign tagged ‘Always Forward Ever’. The contest, which is open to all girls between the ages of 12 and 18 years, will see them answer the question, “Who will you be in 10 years from now?” The contestants’ answers, which will come in form of a short profile titled, “Me in 10 Years”, will attempt to articulate their dreams and forecast their achievements in the next ten years. The fifty lucky winners who will emerge from the contest will be presented with educational grants worth N100, 000 each. Speaking on the new campaign, Tolu Pogoson, Brand Operation and Integration Manager, said as the competition is in line with the brand promise of Always sanitary pad, which is to improve the lives of females, especially the teenagers, inspiring and empowering them to achieve a bright future. “The contest, apart from the rich financial rewards it promises to the winners, is designed to inspire these young girls by providing them with an opportunity to think positively and work assiduously to achieve a bright future for themselves and the society,” said Pogoson. Olatomiwa Akande, Brand Communications Manager, corroborates Pogoson, saying “the aim of the contest is to assist young aspirational females in their quest of attaining educational excellence.” She added that all intending contestants will have to register on the “Always Moving Forward” Facebook page to have the address of where to send in their profile entries, accompanied with three empty packs of Always Ultra sanitary towel. She informed that the contest will close on August 15, and advised interested and eligible females to go to the “Always Moving Forward” Facebook page for more details on the contest.

Lagos produces 11 finalists at MDA 8 audition

leven contestants scaled through to the next stage at the Lagos audition of family dance show Maltina Dance All (MDA) season eight held at the National Art Theatre Iganmu, Lagos. The 11 contestants: Nwaeze Favour, Aina Damilola, Tolu Okelowo, Ndulue Uche, Eniola Awokoye, Nwankwo Josephine, Akin Afolajuwon, OreOluwa Oladapo, Samuel Owusu, Abunwa James and Awokoya Gbenga, who are known as family representatives will still have to perform with their respective family members and if they meet the tough criteria and pass the stringent medical tests they will then be admitted into the Maltina academy alongside families from other regions. The first day of the auditions - which was the general session -

was set aside for dancers from age categories 5 - 12, 13 – 19, 20 - 29 and 30 and above, to compete for prizes ranging from Home Theatres, 22inch Flat screen television sets and 5.5KVA Generating sets. In the 5-12 age category; 10year old Okafor Favour emerged winner and went home the grandprize of a brand-new generating set while Segun Ahmed 7 and Precious Npamugo 12 emerged first and second-runners up respectively with a home-theatre and LCD TV Set as prizes. The 13-19 age category saw Ore Oluwa Oladapo 18, emerge overall winner while Oko Faith 16 and Awokoya Eniola 19 emerged first and second-runners up respectively. For the 20 - 29 age category, Ndulue Unchenna 22, came out tops while Nwaizu Emmanuel 22 and Aina Damilola 24, emerged

first and second-runners up respectively. In the 30 and above age category, Maua Ulugbe, a 31 year old media practitioner emerged winner while Binta Martins 48 and Ephiphame Pascal 43, emerged first and second-runners up respectively. Maltina’s senior brand manager, Wole Adedeji remarked that, “MDA has been a very tangible platform to convey the Maltina brand message over the years. The excitement and the happiness expressed by everybody here is a reflection of what the Maltina brand is about and is in sync with this year’s MDA theme, Rhythm of Happiness’. The MDA is also a strong platform that brings families together. It’s all about bonding, sharing and caring. The energy, talent and excitement displayed by the dancers were impressive.

The eleven contestants stand a chance to compete for the grand prize of 10 million naira and the title of Nigeria’s number one dancing family. The first and second runners up will also get N3 million and N1 million respectively.

L-R: First runner up of age 30 and above category, Binta Martins; Overall winner, Maua Ulugbe; Senior Brand Manager Maltina, Wole Adedeji and Second runner up, Ephiphame Pascal during the prize presentation at Maltina Dance All Season 8 audition in Lagos.

Van Gaal won’t be intimidated, says Giggs

p.28

Xavi: I regret not playing with Scholes

p.28

SPSPLASH RT

VINCENT EBOIGBE

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NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

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9 AUGUST 2014

Sunshine, Pillars, ignite Akure

}p.26

U 20 World Cup: Okon upbeat about Falconets’ chances }p.27

I am ready for life at Monaco -Echiejile

}p.27

zTargets z Champions League success

I won’t be under pressure to deliver at West Brom – Ideye

}p.31

Ronaldo named fittest man alive

}p.32

26 SPORT

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014

Nigerian League Rendezvous with charles Ogundiya

charlesog2001@yahoo.com, charles.ogundiya@newtelegraphonline.com

08098042287

Sunshine, Pillars, ignite Akure

unshine Stars and Kano Pillars will today battle for the three points at stake in a crunch week 22 league match inside the Akure Township Stadium. Both sides recorded contrasting results in

their last league match on Wednesday. Sunshine lost 2-0 away to Enyimba in Aba while Pillars recorded a 3-1 home victory against Giwa in Kano, and will hope to start another unbeaten run in the league after Dolphins halt their

11-match winning streak in Port-Harcourt some weeks ago. Speaking with League Rendezvous, coach of the Akure Gunners, Henry Abiodun, said they had to bounce back from the loss against Enyimba with a

victory against Pillars. He said; “We can’t afford to lose back-to-back matches in the league and a victory against Pillars will restore confidence in the team. “I have told my players not to dwell on the defeat

against Enyimba, we are not going to settle for anything less than victory against Pillars on Sunday. “Our target is a continental ticket and we need to start getting more points away while winning our home matches.”

Promotion: Plateau United will be focused, says coach Musa Pam Jos

Obi

League action involving Giwa FC of Jos and Enyimba of Aba

Ripples over league stadia

t the beginning of the 2013/2014 season, the League Management Company, went round all the stadia to be used as home venues by the various clubs. Some stadia got the nod of the body while others did not; those that did not meet the standard were banished to other stadia. But investigation by League Rendezvous has revealed that the home grounds of some clubs are not good enough to host a secondary school football match let alone a premier league tie. Watching the 2-1 defeat of Rangers by Nembe FC in one of the week 21 league matches during the week, inside the Krisdera Stadium, Omoku, the adopted home ground of Nembe, one wondered if the pitch was actually a football field or a cattle ranch. Expressing his displeasure to League

Rendezvous, Rangers coach, Imama Amapakabo, said: “This is not a serious league. The pitch is a big disgrace to professional football in the country.” The Lafia Township Stadium, the home ground of Nasarawa United, is another of the terrible venues. The poor state of the stadium was exposed during the home game involving Nasarawa United and FC Taraba. The match was played under heavy rains and it was obvious that the stadium was not in a state to host matches especially during the rainy season. The technical area has no cover to prevent rain from drenching the officials and players sitting on the bench. The LMC needs to look inwards and probe those who approved the bad pitchThe playing surface of Krisdera Stadium Omoku, Rivers State es for the league.

hief Coach of Plateau United FC of Jos, Patrick Mancha, has told League Rendezvous that the club remains focused in spite of the tough battle for promotion in the Nigerian National League. Mancha who spoke to our correspondent in Jos recently said that his team would not lose concentration, but would do all it could to gain promotion to the elite cadre of the league. He said that the club would not let the two consecutive home wins against Wikki Tourist of Bauchi and Jigawa Golden Stars cause over-confident. “Things get tougher towards the end of the season and we need to work harder to achieve our aim of gaining promotion. We are going to sustain the tempo of winning games till the end of the season,” the coach said. Plateau defeated Wikki Tourist 2-0 in Week 21 of the NNL Group A and also defeated Jigawa Golden Stars 1-0 on Wednesday in the rescheduled Week 19 match. With the wins, Plateau United are third in the group after 21 matches.

MATCH DAY 22 (10TH AUG) Giwa vs Dolphins Bayelsa Utd vs Gombe Utd FC Taraba vs Kaduna Utd Abia Warriors vs El-Kanemi Sunshine vs Kano Pillars Lobi vs Sharks Heartland vs Crown Akwa Utd vs Nasarawa Rangers vs Enyimba Warri Wolves vs Nembe

Glo league table No

Team

Pts

Kano Pillars

Nasarawa Utd

Abia Warriors

Dolphins FC

Sharks FC

Enyimba

Giwa FC

Warri Wolves

Akwa United

-1

Lobi Stars FC

-2

Sunshine Stars

El-Kanemi

Taraba FC

-8

Rangers

Heartland FC

Bayelsa Utd

-7

Kaduna Utd

-7

Crown FC

-9

Gombe Utd

-1

Nembe City

-24

Eugene seeks new challenge in El-Kanemi

l-Kanemi midfielder, Eugene Obi, has informed League Rendezvous that he joined El-Kanemi Warriors simply to experience a new challenge. The former Kano Pillars player who joined El-Kanemi during the mid-season transfer window said his quest for new challenges necessitated his movement to the club. Obi said he had already won the league title back-to-back while playing for Pillars and it was time to move on. “I won two league trophies with Kano Pillars and I need another challenge. El-Kanemi nearly won the league last season, I can see a great team fighting for honours and I want to be part of it,” the former Lobi Stars player said. Eugene spent three and half seasons with Kano Pillars, winning two league titles in the process. He signed for El-Kanemi till the end of the current season.

Facts • Abia Warriors recorded the biggest away win this season when they defeated Bayelsa United 3-1 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, the ad opted home ground of Bayelsa on May 14. • The 6-0 defeat handed out to Nembe City by Gombe United on the May 8, at the Pantami Stadium, Bauchi, remains the biggest win this season. • A total of 446 goals have been scored so far after 210 matches in the ongoing season.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014

I am ready for life at Monaco, says Echiejile

Ajibade Olusesan

uper Eagles defender, Elderson Echiejile, believes he will enjoy regular playing time at his Ligue 1 club in the coming season. He also says he is ready for the challenges in the French outfit. The former Rennes defender was reduced to just five league appearances since moving to the Principality club in January as Coach Claudio Raniaeri preferred Frenchman, Layvin Kurzawa. However, Ranieri has been replaced by Leonardo Jardim who managed Echeijile at Braga and the player told New Telegraph that he expects to feature more prominently under the new manager. “I cannot say that I was victimised last season, it is just that the coach preferred the other guy. That does not mean that he does not like me, after all he was the one that brought me to the club but all of us

U 20 World Cup: Okon upbeat about Falconets’ chances

uper Falcons coach, Edwin Okon, has urged Nigeria’s women under-20 national team, the Falconets, not to be disappointed in the result of their first group match against Mexico. The encounter ended a 1-1. The coach, who led the Falconets to a semifinal finish in the last tournament in Japan, said the girls must work hard to ensure that they win their remaining matches, noting that this is crucial if they must progress in the competition. “I am praying for Peter Dedevbo and his girls to win their remaining matches to boost the confidence of the girls to qualify from their group and do the nation proud. Thank God they did not lose their first match so they should pick themselves up and get the maximum points from the remaining matches. “We know they won all their matches in qualifying for the World Cup but they must guard against complacency if they must progress. The World Cup is a different ball game and the girls must remain focused and double their efforts to emerge from the group,” he stated. Okon stressed that he would be praying for the team on behalf of the entire Super Falcons players and officials, adding that hopefully the Falconets would do the country proud in Canada.

cannot play at the same time. “I am looking forward to playing more regularly now because we have a coach who understands me very well. I played under our new coach in Braga and I know that if I work well he will give me a chance to prove myself,” he said. Monaco will play in the Champions League next season after several years of absence and Echiejile said the team was strong enough to surpass the 2004 feat when they reached the final of the competition. He said the team would achieve something special despite selling one of their key players, James Rodriguez. “We have the ambition to become one of the best teams in Europe. It is refreshing for the team, the players and the fans that we are going to feature again in the Champions League and everybody is looking forward to a strong showing in that competition,” he said.

Powerlifter targets gold in Rio Ajibade Olusesan

ommonwealth Games gold medalist in powerlifting, Paul Kehinde, has said he can repeat his Glasgow heroics in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. The 26-year-old picked a gold medal in the 60kg in the powerlifting event in his first appearance in the Commonwealth Games. The athlete told our correspondent that his target was to pick the ultimate prize in his category in Brazil. He said that he had to keep working hard so as to claim a place in the team to the games because the national team selectors do not consider past glory, but current form to select the athletes. “I thank God for this gold medal because it will give me the opportunity to meet Mr. President. I

National powerlifting coach, Aare Feyisetan

can’t wait to meet President Jonathan because that is one of the things that motivated me to work hard and win the gold medal. “This is my first major international competition and I thank God that I was able to come out the best in my category. It was not easy to be the first among over 70 contestants. Now my target is to win the Olympics. That is my lifelong dream and I am getting close to that although I know it cannot come easily, but I will try my best,” he said. Echiejile

World Cup ticket tout released on bail

he man at the centre of the FIFA World Cup ticket touting investigation, Ray Whelan, has been released on bail from Rio de Janeiro’s Bangu Prison. The British executive consultant of Match Services, a subsidiary of the company that provides tickets, hospitality and accommodation services for FIFA, was arrested, released and then re-arrested over allegations of involvement in a $100 million (£60 million/€75 million) ticket touting ring. Whelan handed himself in to the police on July 14 after taped recordings were handed to a national television station of Whelan discussing expensive hospitality packages with a French-Algerian, Lamine Fofana, alleged to be the leader of the ticket touting ring. This followed the Briton’s initial arrest on July 7 and release on bail amid a police probe. Three days later it was claimed

Whelan had left the Copacabana Palace Hotel, where Sepp Blatter and other senior FIFA officials were also staying, via a service exit an hour before police arrived to re-arrest him. Despite being labelled a “fugitive” for the act, Match strongly denied Whelan had deliberately avoided detention. Both Whelan and his bosses at Match insist he has done nothing wrong, stating instead that he was perfectly legitimately trying to resell packages that had been returned to Match at the 11th hour by a Brazilian hotel chain. After being re-arrested in midJuly, Whelan has spent his time in the infamous Bangu Prison. However, a Supreme Court ruling stated the decision by a lower court judge to deny bail was not necessary because Whelan had handed over his passport and fulfilled all the conditions imposed on him.

Okon

Akpejiori dumps basketball for American Football Ifeanyi Ibeh

Akpejiori

ormer University of Miami basketball player, Raphael Akpejiori, is on the verge of making the switch from basketball to gridiron football, also known as American football. The 6-foot, 9 inches tall Akpejiori, who weighs 109 kg, played four seasons of basketball at UM, but is now trying his hand at American football, a sport he has never previously played. 23-year-old Akpejiori, who was born in Lagos, won an ACC Conference title with the UM basketball team back in 2013, and has been practising in the past couple of months with the varsity’s American football team, the Miami Hurricanes,

in the hope of joining an elite league of players who won college titles across two sport disciplines. “At first I was getting jammed a lot,” said Akpejiori, in an interview with the Palm Beach Post. “I didn’t know how to get a release. But I’ve been doing pretty well so far. I’ve been finding myself open a lot. I dropped a few balls, but I think I caught more than I dropped. It’s been great.” “I won an ACC championship as a basketball player (in the 2012-13 season), and my goal is to win one as a football player,” he stressed. “One day in the future, they can tell my story as a two-sport athlete at the University of Miami who succeeded at everything he did.”

Xavi: I regret not playing

ert van Marwijk, who led the Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final, is interested in taking over as coach of South Korea’s national team and negotiations are set to conclude next week, the head of the KFA’s technical committee said on Thursday. Lee Yong-soo told reporters in Seoul he had flown to the Netherlands earlier this week and held a meeting with Van Marwijk, who has also managed Dutch side Feyenoord and German teams Borussia Dortmund and Hamburg SV. Hong Myung-bo resigned as coach in July after South Korea’s woeful World Cup campaign in Brazil, where they earned only one point and finished bottom of their group. “I met with coach Van Marwijk and heard from him that he is interested in South Korea’s football team,” said Lee, who also headed the committee in 2002 when Guus Hiddink coached the Koreans to fourth place at the World Cup on home soil. “We talked for an hour and 50 minutes .... There was no concrete result but we’ve confirmed his interest.” Lee, who said last week the committee had narrowed their shortlist to three foreign coaches, added that Van Marwijk was the only candidate they had spoken to so far. “Negotiations with Van Marwijk will be finishing up in a week,” said Lee.

Korea await Van Marwijk decision

ajibade.olusesan@newtelegraphonline.com

ajibade oluSesan

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

NEW TELEGRAPH

yan Giggs has launched a staunch defence of new Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal after rival manager Brendan Rodgers suggested that the Premier League could take the Dutchman by surprise. The Liverpool boss was beaten 3-1 by the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach in the final of the International Champions Cup and responded by suggesting that his 62-yearold counterpart would face far sterner tests when the Premier League kicks off. But Giggs, now assistant manager at Old Trafford, believes that Van Gaal will adapt seamlessly

son, is quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News. “Even the manager has realised how big this club is in the short space of time he has been here. The crowds for friendlies are ‘unbelievable’ in his words. “He’s managed at the top level for a long, long time and won’t be intimidated or afraid of managing Manchester

says that the players have responded well to Van Gaal’s arrival, despite prior reports that the Dutchman is a strict disciplinarian, and hailed his meticulous attention to detail. “I think he’s a great character. He is, first and foremost, a leader and demands respect, demands discipline and a real sort of detailed structure,” Giggs continued. “But, within that structure, there is obviously freedom to move. It’s been great. The players have really enjoyed it so far and I certainly have. “Everything is structured

Schurrle

helsea attacker Andre Schurrle hopes to continue his trophy winning habit. Schurrle has developed a taste for silverware after his exploits in the World Cup and believes the Blues are now well equipped to win honours. “I’m hoping to achieve what we couldn’t last season, which is to win something,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about, winning matches and winning trophies. “We have the squad, we have the players and now we just need to work hard.”

Van Gaal won’t Schurrle targets more trophies be intimidated, C says Giggs

Man United’s Wayne Rooney vies for the ball with Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel in a pre-season friendly...recently

tletico Madrid midfielder Mario Suarez is not concerned by the Spanish champions’ lack of goals in pre-season. Diego Simeone’s men have just one goal to show in four friendlies since their excellent 2013-14 campaign ended with defeat in the Champions League final in May. “I am not concerned. It is a matter of time. We dominated and had had more opportunities to score,” he said. “We still have games and players up front who are yet to return. We missed [Antoine] Griezmann… and it was only the second game for [Ma- Suarez rio] Mandzukic.

Goals will come for Atletico, says Suarez

Global Football Special

uventus are lining up a swoop for unsettled Manchester City centre-back Matija Nastasic. The Italian champions are keen to add one more defender to their ranks before the new Serie A season begins, says the Daily Star. Juve sporting director Beppe Marotta has made Nastasic his No.1 target and is

Juve chase Nastasic

Genoa medical

est Ham United refuse to meet Stoke City’s asking price for Peter Crouch. The Telegraph says the Hammers are refusing to pay Stoke’s £3 million asking price for former England striker Crouch. Having lost Andy Carroll to injury again, West Ham are desperately searching for a new front man before the start of the Premier League season. Crouch is one of the club’s main targets and the Hammers have explored the possibility of signing the 33-year-old for £1 million. But Stoke want three times that amount, which West Ham believe is far too much.

Crouch’s price tag worries West Ham

underland midfielder Alfred N’Diaye is expected to make a decision over his next move. Real Betis and Celta Vigo have made offers for the Frenchman. “Alfred is thinking about his future and Real Betis are one of the possibilities,” N’Diaye’s brother and agent Bakary Ciss told the Sunderland Echo. “Both clubs have reached an agreement and the player will make a decision very shortly.”

TRANSFERS N’diaye to make Betis, Celta Vigo choice

28 SPORT NEW TELEGRAP 9 AUGU

Monaco

Giggs

going to have a lot of games this season,” he told kicker.de. “It’s not going to be possible for every player to play week in, week out. If we don’t w a n t to lose

United.” Giggs

our quality, then we need new players. We want to challenge in all three competitions we are in. We want to try to qualify for the Champions League, but that’s not going to be easy.”

him to Santiago Bernabeu. While they may not have been lavish in their spending over recent months, the principality club have a fully-fit Radamel Falcao available again after a serious knee injury and the lure of UEFA Champions League football to attract further targets. Jardim is not the only new coach in Ligue 1, with Bastia and Bordeaux appointing Claude Makelele and Willy Sagnol respectively.

Former No. 1 NBA draft pick Greg Oden has been arrested in Indianapolis on battery charges following allegation that he punched a woman in the face. Police in the suburban community of Lawrence say the 26-year-old was arrested early Thursday on two preliminary counts of misdemeanor battery and remains jailed. A police report says officers called to a home found a woman on a sofa with a bloody face. Oden allegedly told officers “things got out of control” during an argument with his ex-girlfriend and he punched her in the face as others tried to hold him back.

Responding to the cold reception of boxing fans to the Manny Pacquiao vs. Chris Algieri fight, Pacman’s business manager Eric Pineda said that they are confident that the bout has huge revenue potential. “He’s Pacquiao, It’s Pacquiao, and he has a lot of following around the world,” Pineda told The Manila Times on Thursday in a phone interview. “We’re not worried about the pay-per-view outcome because we’re expecting many fans will watch and support us.”

Andy Murray revealed that he has finally returned to full training after being slowed by the recovery from back surgery the first half of the season. Murray, who hasn’t reached a tournament final since his 2013 Wimbledon win, did make the semifinals in Paris before getting bounced in the Wimbledon quarters. But going forward he could be a different player. “I started to feel good, actually, like just before the French Open. My back started to feel good. Back felt fine throughout the French Open and through the grass court season.”

“I was enjoying a comfortable match in which the little I had to do had gone smoothly,” he is quoted as saying by AS. “The goal was my mistake, definitely a lapse in concentration. The shot came from far out and I thought I had it covered. “This is what it is to be a goalkeeper. You have to learn to live with these things. “I’ve not had much time in training but that’s no excuse. It’s not the first time it’s happened and there is no goalkeeper who hasn’t made mistakes.”

Oden

Bravo

arcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo accepted responsibility for his mistake on debut but explained it was something that came with the job. The Chile international, signed from Real Sociedad in June, made a first appearance in a Barcelona shirt in Wednesday’s friendly with Napoli in Geneva. It ended in embarrassment, however, as he palmed Blerim Dzemaili’s longrange effort into the net 10 minutes from time to hand Rafael Benitez’s men a 1-0 victory.

Bravo downplays costly error

aving replaced Claudio Ranieri with Leonardo Jardim during the closeseason, Monaco will be striving to go one better than their secondplaced finish last season but they will have to do so without James Rodriguez. The Colombia striker spent just a season with Monaco before his exploits in the World Cup in Brazil prompted Real Madrid to pay a fee reported to be €80million to take

Monaco begin quest to dislodge PSG

and really detailed. I think the lads have all enjoyed all the things that have come that are a little bit different. Right down to meeting for breakfast, and for lunch, and even the team meetings that we have. Plus the training.”

Pacquiao

SPORT BRIEFLY

olfsburg winger Kevin De Bruyne believes the club need to invest in more players if they want to challenge for trophies this season. The Belgian is back in pre-season training after the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, but remains concerned by the threadbare nature of the Wolves squad. By finishing fifth in the Bundesliga in 2013/14, they have qualified for the UEFA Europa League and De Bruyne feels it is therefore necessary to swell the ranks of players while the transfer window is still open. “Given that we are playing in three competitions, we’re

Wolfsburg need new players – De Bruyne

De Bruyne

to life with the 20-time English champions and is confident that he is ready for the challenge. “He’s not going to be overwhelmed,” the former Wales international, who hung up his boots at the end of last sea-

Murray

v Lorient

LIGUE 1 FIXTURES August 9 Bastia v Marseille Evian v Caen Guingamp v Saint Etienne Lille v Metz Montpellier v Bordeaux Nantes v Lens Nice v Toulouse August 10 Lyon v Rennes

verton boss Roberto Martinez admits he’s shopping for a new winger. Everton have been linked with a loan deal for Chelsea midfielder Christian Atsu. “It’s only one position (we need),” Martinez said. “We want to take as long as we can to see how quickly we can get the injured players back to being available for the first-team. “Probably another player would help for the September month when we have three competitions to fight for, and we’ll carry on working hard on that. “Wide player is the position we want to bring in but in terms of names, it is too early to mention to our fans.”

Everton shopping for winger – Martinez

arcelona midfielder Xavi has paid tribute to Manchester United legend Paul Scholes this week. Xavi announced his international retirement with Spain this week. “When I think about all I have won with Spain and Barcelona and all the great players I have played with - it is impossible for me to have any regrets,” said Xavi. “Maybe one small regret is that I never got to play with Paul Scholes - but I was never going to leave Barcelona and he was never going to leave Manchester United.”

with Scholes auricio Pinilla is close to finalising his move from Cagliari to Genoa. The two clubs were widely reported this week to have agreed to a €1.2m deal for the Chile international, although other reports indicate a total of €2m will be transferred. The forward is believed to have also provisionally agreed to an initial two-year contract with an option for a third, he has been reported as arriving in Genoa to undergo medical tests. Expected to complete formalities on the move, Pinilla will end a two-and-a-half-year association with Cagliari, during which time he has scored 22 goals in 63 Serie A appearances.

for Pinilla

chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge recently admitting the Bavarian giants had spurned enquiries from teams in England and Italy. However, Liverpool, Roma and Juventus, and now Monaco, all feel they can tempt him away from the Allianz Arena with the offer of regular firstteam football.

he immediate future of Napoli striker Goran Pandev would appear to lie away from the San Paolo with former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli keen to take him to Turkish side Galatasaray, joining Serie A rivals AC Milan and Fiorentina in registering their interest in the Bulgarian.

The 31-year-old was absent from the Partenopei’s pre-season friendly against Barcelona in Geneva on Wednesday night, and although that was due to a minor injury rather than his impending departure with his contract ending in less than a year will almost certainly depart.

Milan, others fight for Pandev

onaco are ready to rival Liverpool and a host of Serie A clubs for the signature of Bayern Munich ace Xherdan Shaqiri. The Principality side is in need of a new playmaker after selling James Rodriguez to Real Madrid and they are now targeting Switzerland star Shaqiri. Bayern are keen to hang on to the 22-yearold, with their club

Monaco join Liverpool in race for Shaqiri

hoping to negotiate a 12-month loan deal. The Serbia international emerged as one of the brightest defensive prospects in Europe after joining the Premier League champions in 2012 from Fiorentina for £10m. He looked to have established himself at the heart of City’s defence before suffering a succession of injuries last season. PH ON SATURDAY UST 2014

SPORT

30 SPORT

Vincent Eboigbe

he irrepressible Nigerian spirit showed up, once again, in clear relief during the just-ended Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. While adequate and timely preparation can be said to have been pivotal to the successes of England, Australia, Canada, Scotland, India, New Zealand and South Africa, the countries that placed first to seventh ahead of Nigeria in the eighth place overall, the same can’t be said for Africa’s most populous nation. With two weeks to the games, sports federations still complained that nothing serious was happening by way of preparation. Indeed a board member of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Tony Ubani, stated then that doom was on the horizon for Team Nigeria in Glasgow. The departure of the contingent for Scotland only served to accentuate the general feeling of despondence as athletes arrived in batches, a far cry from the organised way other contingents landed for the games. But Team Nigeria still managed to excel, winning a total of 11 gold, 11 silver and 14 bronze medals, edging their outing in New Delhi, India, four years ago and just slightly below Nigeria’s best ever showing at the Victoria Games in 1994, where they got 11 gold 13 silver and 13 bronze medals to place fourth overall from just four events. “What worked for us in Glasgow was simply that die-hard attitude of the Nigerian, because in all honesty preparation wasn’t good,” noted Ubani. “The federation presidents on their own did a lot to get their athletes ready, they spent their personal funds to ensure that the athletes were put in camp. Although they will be reimbursed when funds are eventually made available, you will agree that is not the way to prepare for a major meet.” But Patrick Omorodion, special adviser on media, to the Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo, has a slightly different view with regard to preparation for the games. While agreeing that the derring-do spirit of the Nigerian was a major factor in the success of Team Nigeria in Glasgow, he however argued that there was some measure of preparation. “The mistake most people make is to think that it is only when there is a training tour that preparation can be said to take place. A training tour is just the last leg in the process,” Omorodion pointed out. “There was an open camp after the selection of the athletes followed by close camp to get them ready. So to say there was nothing is wrong. All the athletes may not have gone on training tours, but some of them did, it is only the last batch that did not. The boxers, for instance, were in Cuba, some other athletes were in Edinburg 10, 15 days to the start of the games to continue their training.” Athletics provided Team Nigeria with three gold, 12 silver and one bronze, with Blessing Okagbare the leading light, winning the blue ribbon events of the games- the sprint double and capping it with a silver medal in the 4X100 relay. The sprinter set a games record of 10.85secs in the 100m, the highpoint of a superlative performance in Glasgow. Weightlifting weighed in with two gold medals, four silver medals and one bronze medal. Wrestling wrestled two gold, two silver and eight bronze medals for the overall effort. The story of wrestling provides a compelling reason to put ex-athletes in charge at the federations. Daniel Igali, the federation’s president, was not only a top wrestler for Canada, winning an Olympic gold, but his knowledge of the game, familiarity with the top echelon of the sport in the world, coupled with being acquainted with the Canadian system, helped in no small measure in the success of wrestling at the games. Powerlifting got the most gold –four and two silver. Boxing failed dismally again, while table Tennis could only manage a paltry one bronze medal from the team event, which translated to five bronze medals in keeping with the game’s rule. The young man, whose virtuoso performance ensured Nigeria got a bronze, Ojo Onaolapo, is only 19 years old; so it is time long-serving stars like SegunToriola and

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014 L-R: Silver medalist Bose Omolayo, gold medalist Loveline Obiji both of Nigeria and bronze medalist Joyce Wambui of Kenya celebrate after the women’s heaveyweight powerlifting

4 1 0 2 w o g s Gla t c e p s o r p e h t and s c i p m y l O o i for R

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Funke Oshonaike were eased out. President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Wahid Oshodi, could not hide his disappointment. “I felt so bad when the last set of players crashed out in the Round of 16. Before the Round of 16 games, I had the optimism that Aruna Quadri who is the African number one ranked player would get to the medal’s zone. It was a devastating blow as I saw our dream of winning medals at Glasgow 2014 fizzle away,” moaned Oshodi Of the 11 gold medals Nigeria won at the games, the men could only account for two. Tellingly, the two were from the powerlifting event, further underscoring the fall of the male athletes. Top Nigerian sprinter, Mark Jelks, managed to place fifth in the 100m finals, while Ogho-Oghene Egwero could not even qualify for the finals. Of course the fall of the men is not restricted to athletics as highlighted by their overall contribution to the total medals haul. Motivation has been suggested as one way of getting the men to the top again, but athletics coach, Isaac Ekhabome, insisted that the wheel would turn and the men wouldfind their groove again. “I really don’t think we should make heavy weather of the whole thing. We may have forgotten, but there was also a time the women were not doing so well and it was the men that hoisted Nigeria’s flag before (Mary) Onyali and then (Falilat) Ogunkoya came onto the scene,” recalled Ekhabome. “I don’t think it is down to any particular reason even though I believe that motivation is also a key element. It is a natural shift and it is the turn of the women to shoulder Ni-

The federation presidents on their own did a lot to get their athletes ready, they spent their personal funds to ensure that the athletes were put in camp

geria’s hopes; the wheel will turn again and the men will bounce back.” One particularly unsavoury fall-out from the games was the failure of drug test by Chika Amalaha who had won gold in the 53kg. With her B sample also returning positive she was stripped of the title. She was found not only to have taken HydroOdunayo-Adekuruoye…celebrating her gold chlorothiazide, but also a masking agent. This latter fact suggests a deliberate some others spotted Adidas branded outfits. It attempt at concealment. The question that im- was so bad that Nigerian medal winners had mediately follows is could a 16-year-old have to share the one tracks suit that was available done all this alone? Is her coach complicit? to attend medal presentations. If an athlete “What could I have done?” wondered Em- were smaller or bigger than the tracks suit they manuel Oshomoh, Amalaha’s coach who ar- would have to use it that way. By the time the kits eventually arrived the games were rived the country on Tuesday. “My own responsibility was to train her. I almost over. Countries learn from their mistakes to don’t stay with her in the room for 24 hours, so I could not have been aware of what she avoid repeating them thereby making their appearances in subsequent games better, but was up to.” Expectedly Amalaha was shielded from experience has shown that Nigeria does not the press. learn from experience. Would things be different in the OlymOshomoh said that he was prepared to be investigated for his role in the sad episode as pics in Rio, which is barely two years away? sports minister, Danagogo, had threatened in Would Team Nigeria commence preparation the aftermath of the dope failure that “heads on time? Won’t kitting be an issue yet again? will roll.” What of funding and grants for athletes? Oshomoh also revealed that tests were “I don’t think we should over celebrate conducted on the athletes before they de- the Glasgow feat. I believe this is the time to parted for Glasgow but that the results were start work to build on this momentum for the not ready then, underlining another prob- Olympics in Rio in 2016, it is just two years lem: Amalaha’s tests and results, both A and away,” added Ubani. B samples, were all carried out during the “Thankfully, Chairman of the National course of the games, yet results of the tests Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye has done at home several weeks ago are still not pledged to support the athletes to win gold medals in Rio. The minister has also made ready. New Telegraph last Saturday reported the promises. It is achievable. Okagbare for inembarrassing kitting of Nigerian athletes in stance can do it. Glasgow. Athletes had to settle for all manner “I spoke with her coach in Glasgow and of ensemble because their official kits were he told me that the regimen she was on was not ready as at the time the games got un- such that she could be a candidate for gold, derway. They wore all sorts of clothes and but that she needed to focus her energies on colours; some of them were even said to be the sprints alone and forget the long jump as wearing bathroom slippers. it was a distraction. Adidas is the official kit providers for Team “I think that if the administrators match Nigeria, but some of the athletes wore brands action with their words we can really surpass like Nike, others were seen in Joola, while yet expectations in Rio,” Ubani stressed.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014

I won’t be under pressure to deliver at West Brom – Ideye

SPORT

West Bromwich Albion record signing, Brown Ideye, tells IFEANYI IBEH in this interview how he had got over his cut from the World Cup squad and how he came to be known by the nickname, Bobby. Excerpts…

Do you think you can cope with the pressure expected from being West Brom’s record signing? Why not? I just don’t want to let the money get to my head right now. The most important thing is to just focus on my game; try to do the best for the team and try to work with my manager and my teammates to make sure that we get good results for West Brom fans. That is what is important for me right now, and not how much was spent on my move. I am not even thinking about the fee. I know a lot of people are talking about that but all I want is to do all my talking on the pitch, and to have a good relationship with my fellow players and coaches. I just want to focus on my game and to do well for West Brom. You head into a West Brom team that previously had a Peter Odemwingie who is still fondly remembered by fans of the club for scoring a then club record 15 Premier League goals in his debut season. Can you cope? By the grace of God and hard work, I believe I will do as well as he did. It has been my dream to play in the English Premier League so I have to give 120 per cent to make sure I do well in every game. It is all about hard work and prayers. With those anything is possible. But I want to do all my talking on the pitch, and I believe by the grace of God I will do very well. Victor Anichebe is also at West Brom. How excited are you regarding the prospects of playing alongside a fellow Super Eagle? I am excited because Victor is a very good friend. He is a very good player and I can’t

and teammates? I am really excited and can’t wait to meet up with the manager and the rest of the guys. It is all about hard work, hard work and more hard work, and I’m ready to be the best that I can for the club; giving my best in every game. I am also excited at the prospects of Nigerians sitting in front of their television sets watching me on a more regular basis and cheering my every move. I want to prove to the world that the money West Brom spent in bringing me over hasn’t been wasted. I just want to do everything to make the club and fans very happy.

wait to meet up with him. I am sure we will have a very good relationship. A lot of people were caught unawares by this move. How much did you know about West Brom’s interest in your services? I think that should be directed at my agent because he has been working very hard. I really didn’t know much about the transfer. My agent is in the best position to answer that as my job is just to play football and do my best for my club while I leave all the negotiations and search for clubs to him. Last season you grabbed 21 goals in all competitions for Dynamo but you were left out of the Super Eagles team to the World Cup. Just how disappointed were you? I felt bad about it but I think I have got over it. I really wanted to go to the World Cup but that didn’t happen. I have moved on and am just thinking now of how to do well for West Brom and bring joy to fans of the club. Are you still keen on playing for the national team? Ah! Do you want me to retire? Of course I still want to play for my country. You’re one of the most misunderstood players in the national team as a lot of fans tend to judge your input by the number of goals you’ve scored. How does this make you feel when you see some of their comments on social media networks? I feel sad about it but I have learnt not to pay too much attention to stuff like that and

to move on. So will you be looking at silencing your critics and earning the respect of Nigerian fans now that you are at West Brom? Like I said earlier, I just want to do all my talking on the pitch, and I believe by the grace of God I will do very well. I will not allow the pressure to get to me and just focus on playing well for the club and for the fans, and to make sure I have a good relationship with everyone associated with the club. Your family must really be glad that you’re heading to England, especially considering the language barrier they must have experienced back in Ukraine. How soon do you think they can join you in England? You are right about that; my family is quite happy about it. As soon as all the visa requirements are sorted out I am sure they will be joining me in England. How excited are you about the prospects of finally meeting up with your new manager

It has been my dream to play in the English Premier League so I have to give 120 per cent to make sure I do well in every game

In your first interview with your new club’s website, you insisted on being called Bobby. How did that come about? That name was given to me at my first club in Switzerland some years ago. It is the tradition for new arrivals to introduce themselves to their new teammates by performing a song. So when I came out and introduced myself as Brown Ideye, someone at the back who probably didn’t hear what I said screamed Bobby Brown, and as a result everyone asked me to perform a Bobby Brown track and to dance like Bobby. I told them I couldn’t dance but that I can sing, and that was how the name stuck. Even when I was leaving Switzerland for Sochaux, in France, officials of the French club actually thought my name was Bobby Brown and made enquiries about the name. But officials of the Swiss club informed them that there was no Bobby Brown at the club; that they only have a Brown Ideye. Nevertheless, I have been stuck with the name Bobby as that is what I have been called by all my teammates and fans from my time in Switzerland, France and Ukraine. Everyone calls me Bobby, so when the guys at West Brom asked for any other name they could call me, I didn’t hesitate to tell them Bobby as that is what I have been called for as long as I can remember all through my time in Europe. On a final note, do you have any words for your fans across the world? I just want to thank them for all the support and to urge them to keep backing me, and to continue to pray for my success. They are always in my thoughts and prayers and I want them to know that I will keep working hard to make them proud.

32 Sport

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014

Ronaldo named fittest man alive

Lifestyle Cricket legend, Brian Lara, Dwight Yorke party at the Kadooment Day

ristiano Ronaldo has been named “The Fittest Man Alive” by Men’s Health magazine. It’s always nice to see a shirtless man on MH, it’s even nicer when that shirtless man is soccer stud Ronaldo. And while you could do a load of laundry on his abs, Ronaldo insists they just come with the job: “I don’t do special exercise to get a six-pack,” he tells the magazine. “I train to be strong for the whole season.”

rian Lara and Dwight Yorke may be sporting legends of Trinidad and Tobago but they’re clearly quite at home in Barbados. The former West Indies cricket captain was in the party mood at the island’s Kadooment Day parade, and was seen frolicking with a scantily-clad reveller. He was joined by pal and former Manchester United and Aston Villa striker Dwight Yorke. Kadooment Day is the climax of ‘Crop Over’, a traditional harvest festival, which dates back on the island to 1688. It is a national holiday, drawing huge crowds and parades.

Lampard on an outing with fiancee, Christine

Lampard celebrates Man City move with fiancée F

rank Lampard is getting used to life at a new club in a new city - dining out at Manchester’s famous San Carlo restaurant with fiancee Christine Bleakley after his first training session on Wednesday. The new Manchester City signing opted on a step up from room service at his Lowry Hotel residence with a meal at the celebrity haunt having met his team-mates for the first time earlier in the day. World fittest man, Lampard has already admitted Ronaldo, with an that moving to another Premier un-named model League club after 13 years at Chelsea feels ‘very strange’ - although he seems to be getting used to the move up north after taking in the city streets. The England international will wear the No 18 shirt at the Etihad until January when he moves to New York City FC ahead of the MLS season. ‘This is another little adventure for me,’ Lampard said on Wednesday. ‘I hope in the short space of time I can make an imprint and fit in at home at the training ground and do well here. ‘Pushing yourself to come to a different place and fit in it’s sort of character building. There’s a lot for me to do here as a person and as a player and hopefully I can contribute on the pitch.’

Brian Lara dances with an un-named reveller

Pires enjoys time away with Jessica in the Caribbean R

Pires and wife, Jessica

obert Pires has been making the most of his free time ahead of his move to the Indian Super League by spending time with his wife Jessica in the Caribbean. The pair have been enjoying the glorious sunshine at the Eden Rock hotel - a luxurious resort in St Barth which is one of the top 100 hotels in the world. The 40-year-old agreed to come out of retirement last week

to link-up with the former teammate Freddie Ljungberg and David Trezeguet, who will also be involved in the inaugural season which begins in October. It was announced a fortnight ago that former Sweden midfielder Ljungberg had penned an ambassadorial contract with the ISL, while Pires is expected to line up for one of the league’s eight teams.

Stories courtesy Dailymail

StartUps

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

9 AUGUST 2014

What does dress making demand from a would-be entrepreneur and what is your own assessment of the business as an entrepreneur? I see dress making which is generally referred to as fashion designing as interesting, to me it is a business that demand creativity from anybody that is coming into the business. For me, I love being creative, creating styles so, that for instance, if I walk along in the neighbourhood I would become instant attraction. Everybody particularly the women folks would discuss among themselves about the finesse of the dress and seek to have the apparel in their wardrobes. In this way, I would also always attract customers to my business. It is not good for a dress maker or designer to dress in unfashionable way. Through these efforts, an entrepreneur like me in this business would always attract patronage. Also, I crave always to advertise my business through the dresses put on and made by me, making sure that what I’m wearing right now would be improved upon by the dress I’m would be wearing the next day. My customers are always appreciative of what I sew for them because I ensure that almost all designs of the dresses I make are my own original designs. You said the dresses you make are your own original designs, how do you do this? My approach to this, is that when I come in contact with a client or customer, I should know what befits the person. What this simply means is that the shape, the body frame of the person or customer wishing to have her dress made by me would always determine the type of design I would turn her fabric into. For instance, for a person who has large burst line or hips or a generally fat person, the cutting and other artistry that will be put into such design for the customer would depend on the proficiency of the dress maker. In the same way, the design for a slim person requires what befits a slim. In other words, what befits a slim person will certainly not befit a fat person. So, that is why I keep creating designs for my customers. It is not just enough to see a particular design made for one person and think the same will befit another person as different persons have their different shapes, curves, burst lines etc. it is im-

portant to take all of these factors into consideration in making dresses for customers. As artists would say, their inspirations in creativity come through dreams, can it be said that it is the case with your business? Yes, inspirations on some my designers do come through dreams. For instance, I can tell a customer, who desire, to have a very quintessential and exclusive design to be made from her fabric to allow me ruminate over the right design in a day or two, and I have always come up with something very scintillating and beautiful that will make them to stick to me and even recommend me to their friends. For anybody who wishes to take up a career in this business, what is the duration for training? For anybody coming into the business of dress making, the person will undergo training for three years from my institute. What make the person trainable, do you specify any level of education for trainee, or do you just admit anybody from any background? Even if the trainee is almost an illiterate, what is required for the person to acquire skill in the business is understanding and if there is understanding every-

thing will go on smoothly. This is because I believe that where there is love, there is everything. I need trainees to enable me to attend to major aspects of my business which will also enable me enhance the quality of training I would want to impart in them, this would also impact positively to their learning process. After training for three years, what are the requirements for a fresh entrepreneur to set up the business? To me, with current economic situation where we have varying capabilities in individuals, the situation that is interpreted as ‘all fingers are not equal,’ is apt. lf a fresh entrepreneur wants to start, she can start from a modest level, as I said earlier what this business needs is devotion, even if huge fund is invested to buy tools, without devotion the entrepreneur may find it very difficult to make any success of such investment. The business will only grow with the devotion of the person involved. So, what are the requirements to kick start, may be the tools? The person can start off with one sewing machine with current market price pegged at around N10, 000, that is for the straight sewing machine. You talked about the need for the business owner to be

involved in the business. How does this impact on the success of the person? Like every business endeavour, anybody involved in any business must as much as possible create time for the business to be successful. It is not only what you have learnt from the start that will make you grow in the business. This is where creativity comes in, the person has to devote time to think and be abreast with the latest skill as well as acquaint him or herself with latest skill and trend in the fashion industry. By doing this, the person will be able to attract patronage, and there will be no limit to his or clientele base. The basic thing is that if you cannot create designs on your own, you cannot move on. For instance, if such person depends on designs captured in printed fashion catalogues which is the trend, he or she may not attract the right patronage because a would-be customer will be more attracted to a creative person who is always able to create his or her own designs. If the person wants to start big, how much is required? To start big, the person will require funds in the region of N500, 000 with the current realities, money for suitable outlet is however not inclusive. There are many machines like the embroidery whipping, straight sewing, zig-zag, button hole and button covering machines and others. With these tools, the person can conveniently commence the business. How long have you been in the business as an entrepreneur and who are your clients? By the grace of God, I’ve been into this in the last one decade and my customers or clients cut across all strata of the society, the rich, the middle and lower income earners, the traders, corporate individuals. They also comprised the people living in this neighbourhood, there are those living in highbrow areas like Ikoyi, Victria Island, Lekki. It will interest you to know that I have clients living abroad, they direct me to pick their fabrics to be made into their desired designs in certain locations and make payment through international money transfer after I would have sewn their dresses and sent back to the locations, for onward return to them. I have the measurements of such customers.

A would-be customer will be more attracted to a creative person who is always able to create his or her own designs

Designers that are not creative can’t go far, says Makanjuola Balikis Makanjuola, an entrepreneur in dress making and the proprietor of Balikis Fashion Designing Institute, tells SEGUN EDWARDS in this interview that total devotion is key to success in dress making.

Short Story NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

Writer in focus:

MICHAEL UCHEBUAKU

08131161840

9 AUGUST 2014

Anything For You ing on the lagoon." As the policemen withdrew, a group of fishermen in a boat rowed towards the spot where Ade had fallen. They quickly pulled him into the boat and made away quickly. "I held my breath for some time under the water to deceive the police that I had drowned," Ade said to the other members of his gang in the boat who had disguised themselves as fishermen in order to rescue him. Jumping into the lagoon had been the 'Plan B' to prevent any of them from getting caught, and Ade had perfectly executed it. The robbers soon got back to their hideout where they shared their loot. Since they regarded each other as one family, Ade was given his own equal share of the money even though he had lost his get-away car and had narrowly escaped being captured or arrested by the police. Ade now had enough money to enable him fulfill his promise to Betty, his fiancĂŠ, the very next day.

You cannot possess what you are not willing to pursue.

he bank robbery began at midnight. The robbers had come in three cars, one of which carried explosives which they used in blowing up the safes. Fifteen minutes later, the gang leader gave the signal for them to leave. From experience, he knew it would be more dangerous to spend longer time on an operation. Ade was the last robber to leave the bank and by that time the police were already approaching the building. Ade entered his get-away car and started driving as fast as he could, and the police started blaring their sirens and pursuing him relentlessly. Ade's car was the last car in the convoy of the bandits, which made him the one that seemed easier for the police to nab; and for that reason, the police thought it wise to concentrate their efforts on catching him. Ade drove through nooks and crannies in an effort to get the police off his back but they seemed determined to get him that night. It was well past midnight and the roads were free with little or no vehicles and passers-by in sight. So there was no risk of any pedestrians being knocked down by the speeding cars. Ade knew that if he didn't think of a plan and execute it fast the police would catch up with him and that would be the end. A thousand thoughts passed through his mind and death seemed to be drawing closer and closer... Ade increased his speed and drove like a man on a suicide mission. If he died, he had nothing to lose. And if he lived, he had nothing to lose. After all, it was because he was a loser in life that he was forced to go into armed robbery in the first place. Life was a game of winnertake-all and the losers were those who were born without a silver spoon, he thought. Opportunity comes but once, they say, and those who take advantage of their opportunities in life live happily ever after. He remembered how opportunities had come to him in his youth and how he had wasted them. At school, he had been offered a scholarship from the federal government. But instead of focusing on his studies, he had joined a bad gang and engaged in extra-curricular activities which had resulted in his expulsion from school. Even when his father had tried to establish a business for him, he had been unable to sustain the business because of his drinking, smoking and gambling habit. He had already been a part-

time robber while at school, so it didn't take long before he began to fully rely on crime for his survival after his business collapsed. However, in the midst of all the crimes and robberies he had been involved in, Ade had begun to have a re-think about his lifestyle. In the beginning, leading a life of crime had sounded hot and exciting - like music to his ears. But now that he had "been there and done that" it no longer seemed so appealing. He had seen it all, and now he desperately wanted to re-invent his life - if he survived! He knew that just because one was born in the ghetto didn't mean one was destined to a life of poverty. He had heard stories of how people who had been born in poverty had struggled to succeed and become wealthy in life. He knew he could make it to the top - if he survived! ************************* Now Ade was approaching the bridge over the Lagos la-

They kissed. And as their lips met, they knew that the sun, the stars and the moon belonged to them goon. The police had already started shooting at him from behind and he had to keep driving in a zig-zag way to avoid being hit by bullets and dropping dead on the steering wheel. Ade drove recklessly to the top of the bridge and stopped his car right at the peak of the bridge overlooking the lagoon. The police coming from behind saw him stop and stopped too. They thought that he was now going to give himself up to the police. Ade slowly alighted from his car at the top of the bridge and started walking slowly towards

the police vehicles about a hundred meters away from him. He had only taken a few steps when he abruptly turned sideways and moved up to the bridge barrier. Ade now stood at the railings and looked like he was going to jump off the bridge. This action shocked the policemen. Instead of giving himself up to the police, it was now obvious that Ade was going to commit suicide by jumping off the bridge and drowning to death in the lagoon below. Ade jumped off the bridge. The policemen heard a very loud splash as he dropped into the lagoon by far down below. In the darkness, they looked over the railings of the bridge as he sunk deep into the water. "That fool decided to kill himself rather than face the law," the Superintendent who led the team of policemen said to his second-in-command. "It's better we return to the station and come back at daybreak when the corpse would have started float-

************************* Betty heard a knock on her door at 10am and opened the door. It was Ade, the love of her life. That very day was her birthday and Ade had promised to spend the day in her arms. Betty desired nothing more than to spend her big day in the arms of the man she loved; and she was glad that Ade had come in fulfillment of his promise. They kissed. And as their lips met, they knew that the sun, the stars and the moon belonged to them. "Did you bring my birthday gift?" Betty asked him. "Of course I did," he answered. Ade gave Betty the diamond necklace he had bought for her for her birthday and she just couldn't believe it. The necklace looked so expensive and Betty wondered how Ade was able to get the money to buy it. "Where did you get the money," she asked. "Which money?" "All the money to buy this beautiful diamond necklace for me?" "That's not important, my love," Ade said, tenderly. "I just want you to know that I can do anything for you." Betty believed Ade, because she could see it clearly in his eyes that he could do anything for her. She had given him her body and soul, and allowed him to possess her because he was willing to go to the ends of the earth for her. Ade was the only man in the world she had ever met with a will strong enough to pursue and possess her. That was why she loved him dearly. She didn't care about where he came from or what he did for a living. All she cared about was the fact that he loved her and was willing to give up his very own life - for her.

L ve&Lv ng

Dear Love Doctor,

'She left me for a close friend of mine' p.37

Wedding Traditions: Sharing a bowl of soup: Czech Republic p.38

MICHAEL UCHEBUAKU

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

ireto007@yahoo.com 0813 116 1840

www.newtelegraphonline.com/loveliving

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;My husband was responsible for my boyfriend's death' Love Confession In Africa, children are regarded as blessings from God, and childless people usually go the extra mile in search of children. However, in this story, one desperate man goes too far in his search for a child...

eople always say that wonders will never end in this world. That's because the world is full of mysteries. What happened to me is just like a movie. Indeed, it is just like a film and I'm still trying to recover from the shock of what I went through. Is it a crime to be married to an impotent man and leave him? What else could I have done after been married to an impotent man for 15 years without a child, if not to leave him for good? I want readers to judge for themselves in this matter between me and my exhusband, Marcus. Marcus was short, ugly and fat when I met him years ago in the village during the yuletide period. I have the habit of traveling home to the village whenever it is Christmas because nothing compares to celebrating christmas in your hometown. I love traveling home for the holidays and I did just that 16 years ago when I met my husband. Alhough Marcus was short, ugly and fat, he had the most beautiful smile in the whole wide world and I fell for that most beautiful smile of his. We became friends and when he learned that I was still in school, he pledged to sponsor my education, which he did. And I am forever grateful to him for that singular act of charity. Our relationship lasted from my first year in the university till my final year when we decided to settle down. We got married when I was in my final year because Marcus told me that he was afraid that if he did not marry me now, I would dump him for another man after I had graduated and then all the money he had spent sponsoring my education would have been wasted. That is in addition to him having a broken heart at the end. So I married him in my final year in order to assure him that I was forever his. I remember our

wedding eve. Marcus took me into his arms and whispered into my ears: "Amaka, I will always love you. I will cross the seven seas with you and climb the seven mountains until death do us part." That was one of the sweetest sweet nothings I had ever heard in my life. However, we got married and as the years progressed, I realized that I was living in hell. Marcus never told me that he couldn't father a child before marrying me. And for the next 15 years he hid the truth for me while I grieved every morning of every day for my barrenness, thinking that the fault was mine. It was my husband's personal physician who secretly told me the truth. And that was when I decided to leave my husband. I moved my things out of my husband's house on the same night he traveled for business. I moved in with a young man I had taken as my lover and before long, I conceived for him. I decided to officially divorce my husband, Marcus, and the divorce litigation was still on when strange things started happening to my young lover. First, my boyfriend was attacked and beaten up by thugs on his way back from work one night. He was hospitalized for three days and resumed work only for the same thugs to ambush him again two weeks later and stab him to death with broken bottles. I heard gossip that it was my husband who organized the thugs. It was a very trying period for me but I managed to carry my pregnancy for my dead young lover to the end, and I gave birth to a baby boy. However, immediately my husband heard that I had given birth to a baby boy, he started claiming the child as his own and begging me to return to his house. Marcus is still begging me to come back to his house. He is begging me to let him hide the shame of his impotence by adopting the boy as his own. He says that in his culture, when a married woman gives birth, the boy belongs to her husband, irrespective of who impregnated her. But I've told Marcus to go to hell. I've told him that he's lucky that I don't have evidence to have him arrested and prosecuted for murder. I'm ready to raise the boy I had for my late boyfriend on my own. As far as I'm concerned, Marcus is a murderer and I will never return to his house.

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2 AUGUST 2014

MODEL OF THE WEEK Name: BLESSING Tel: 0806 411 8825

36 LOVE&LIVING

Odd News

n Alabama man who went in to a hospital last month for a circumcision awoke after surgery to find his penis had been amputated, his lawyer said on Thursday.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 august 2014

Man sues hospital, claiming penis amputated instead of circumcised Johnny Lee Banks Jr., 56, said in a lawsuit filed in state court earlier this week that no one at the Princeton Baptist Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama, had told him why it had been necessary to remove his penis, according to his attorney, John Graves. "My client is devastated," Graves said. Banks, who is married and does not work due to a disability, did not recall the precise date of the incident but believed it occurred in June, his

attorney said. The lawsuit does not specify a monetary value of the damages, Graves said. Named as defendants in the lawsuit are the hospital, the Simon-Williamson Clinic, Urology Centers of Alabama and two doctors, Graves said. Spokeswomen for the hospital, the clinic and Urology Centers of Alabama did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Courtesy: Today

Man throws wife to her death after she caught him giving oral sex to another man

Florida man is accused of throwing his wife off a jet ski after she caught him in an affair with another man Michael Doster, 50, is now under investigation in the death of his wife, Pamela. The two were riding a jet ski on July 13 off of Passage Key Beach is “popular with boaters that like to take their clothes off,” Manatee County Public Information Officer Randy Warren told the WTSP. Police say the couple got into an argument when Pamela Doster, 45, told her husband she caught him and another man performing oral sex on one another, according to a sheriff’s report obtained by The Smoking Gun. Both the Dosters had been drinking, according to NBC News. Michael Doster allegedly pulled his wife off of the jet ski by her hair, but she climbed back on. This happened 4 more times, but on the

Love News fourth time she hit her head on the side of the craft, according to the sheriff’s report. She said after she hit her head, her husband tried to get her to get back on the jet ski, but she refused. He then called 911, telling dispatchers his wife had jumped off of the craft. The woman was able to make it to a sand bar on her own, where she was found around 10 p.m. with a swollen hip and bruises on her arm and head. She told responders what happened, but died of her injuries at a hospital on Wednesday. Michael Doster was initially arrested and charged with domestic battery, but is now also being investigated as a suspect in his wife’s death. Officials say medical reasons may have contributed to her death.

'My twin sister slept with my husband'

y name is Rosemary and I’m a twin. My twin sister is Anne, and ever since we were small, she has always been jealous of me. Maybe it was because I was prettier and more brilliant than her. I remember those days in primary school when I used to come back home at the end of the term with the first position while Anne took average position. My parents were always very proud of me and I guess this was what engendered the jealousy and envy in the heart of my twin sister. Even at the university, boys looked in my direction and ignored my twin sister. I won the contest for the most beautiful girl on campus and ac-

quired all the hot and rich boyfriends on campus while Anne had to make do with those poor guys on campus that can hardly afford to take their babes out. I didn’t need the pocket money my parents gave me since I got a lot of money from men. But Anne, on the other hand, had to share her little pocket money with her poor boyfriend who found it difficult to even pay his school fee. I laughed at both Anne and her boyfriend and made a ridicule of the poor boy in public. I thought it was only a joke but my sister hated me for that and swore to get her own pound of flesh from me later. I thought it was the mere ranting of an ant. Three years later, after we had both graduated from the university, I met Ike, a rich handsome young man who proposed to me within two weeks of meeting me. When I announced my marriage plans, Anne did not rejoice with me and my parents. She just kept to herself.

BRYAN ADAMS

(Everything I Do) I Do It For You Look into my eyes – you will see What you mean to me. Search your heart, search your soul And when you find me there you'll search no more. Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for. You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for. You know it's true: Everything I do, I do it for you. Look into your heart – you will find There's nothin' there to hide. Take me as I am, take my life. I would give it all, I would sacrifice. Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for I can't help it, there's nothin' I want more You know it's true: Everything I do, I do it for you, oh, yeah. There's no love like your love And no other could give more love. There's nowhere unless you're there All the time, all the way, yeah. Look into your heart, baby... Oh, you can't tell me it's not worth tryin' for. I can't help it, there's nothin' I want more. Yeah, I would fight for you, I'd lie for you, Walk the wire for you, yeah, I'd die for you. You know it's true: Everything I do, oh, I do it for you. Everything I do, darling. You will see it's true. You will see it's true. Yeah! Search your heart and your soul You can't tell it's not worth dying for I'll be there I'd walk the fire for you I'd die for you Oh, yeah. I'm going all the time, all the way.

Courtesy: Huffington Post.

Life Experience

Love Songs

I wedded my husband in grand style and got a good job with a bank. However, my husband usually closed from work before me and whenever he got home there was nobody to cook his dinner for him, since I usually closed late from the bank. So, in order to find a permanent solution to the problem, I begged my twin sister to come and live with us. I thought it was better for my sister to live with us instead of getting a house-girl because I had heard how house-girls snatched women’s husbands. Little did I know my twin sister would try to snatch my husband. I usually returned home from work around 10pm. My sister Anne had lived with us for a year and six months when one day, I had to close earlier than usual because my boss traveled that night. So I arrived home by 7pm and caught my twin sister, Anne, and my husband Ike, on the couch in the sitting room making love. The three of us had a big fight and my parents had to come from the village to settle the matter. But my sister refused to apologize to me for what she had done and simply moved out of my matrimonial home. To this day, the relationship between me and my twin sister is still strained. I believe that blood is thicker than water. But when adultery is involved, it is totally unacceptable.

Love Poem

Chloe

Come a little closer Come A Little Closer Honey, Come a little closer, let me whisper in your ear. Let me tell it to you softly, So that no one else will hear. What I have to say is private, and is just between us two; just want you, to know how much, I love the things you do.

*Send your love poems along with your name and number to ireto007@yahoo.com

Romantic Jokes

Pragmatic Wife

After being married for 30 years, a man took a look at his wife and said, "Honey, do you realize 30 years ago, I had a cheap apartment, a cheap car, slept on a pull out bed and watched a 13 inch black and white TV, but I got to sleep every night with a hot 21 year old blonde. Now, we have a nice house, nice car, big bed and plasma screen TV, but I'm sleeping with a 51 year old blonde. It seems to me that you are not holding up your side of things." Now the wife, a very reasonable woman, told him to go out and find a hot 21 year old blonde, and she would make sure that he would once again be living in a cheap apartment, driving a cheap car, sleeping on a sofa bed and if he was lucky he would have a small television to watch.

A programme for Singles and Married takes place at Holy Family Catholic Church, Festac Town, Lagos, every Monday by 7.00pm. Hosted by Rev. Fr. Sebastine Ukwandu.

LOVE&LIVING

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 august 2014

Love Education

Relationships & Love Advice

What is Romance (love)?

'She left me for a close friend of mine' R

Dear Love Doctor, I'm going to start from the beginning. This girl and I have been best friends for about a year and she always came to me with her problems and stuff. She recently broke up with her boyfriend of 3 years and she wanted me to be there for her since she took it hard. This happened about 2 months ago. I always had feelings for her but since I respect others' relationships, I kept those feelings to myself but everyone including her knew I liked her. Now for the past 2 months we got really close and she made it clear she liked me too. We hung out everyday, or she'd come over, and we would chat all day and all night. We also did stupid stuff together like sing to each other at night and other romantic things. Now, about a week and a half ago, she traveled and stopped responding to my texts and calls. During this time I noticed that my friend and her have been texting constantly but I wasn't worried that much since my friend already had a crush on a different girl. When my girl came back, all communication stopped. She stopped coming over and didn't have time to hang out with me any-

more. Later she told me that she only wants to be my friend. That same day, my friend told me that he was taking her out to the movies and that I should not bother her anymore. This was when I felt extremely betrayed by my friend and by my girl. If there's any way I can get her back, I'd like to hear the advice.

Romantic Quotes Loving each other is the closest we can get to loving God. – Dr. David Fox A king without a queen is not a king. The main point of creation is the union of male and female. – Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson

When we love each other, we are synchronized with the movement of life. – Rabbi David Aaron

Our souls were split in two in heaven in order that we should find each other in this world and become whole. – Rabbi Avroham Czapnik

From Andy. Love Doctor’s Advice:

Dear Andy, Your so-called friend didn't snatch her from you, because she went to him on her own accord. If she wanted to be your girlfriend, she would be. Simple. She used you while she was grieving for her last relationship, but when she got over it, she found someone else who she is attracted to. I think you need to stay away from her. She's not actually your friend and neither is he. Your circle of friends will understand and now you are going to find out who your real friends are in your time of need. I am sorry that this happened to you, but you will get over this. Don't waste your time. Give your kindness and heart to someone who genuinely cares about you and wants it.

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

omance is the expressive and pleasurable feeling from an emotional attraction towards another person associated with love. In the context of romantic love relationships, romance usually implies an expression of one's strong romantic love, or one's deep and strong emotional desires to connect with another person intimately or romantically. Historically, the term "romance" originates with the medieval ideal of chivalry as set out in its Romance literature. Humans have a natural inclination to form bonds with one another through social interactions, be it through verbal communication or nonverbal gestures. With some individuals, these social interactions can span beyond what one would typically view as a platonic relationship. Positive romantic relationships are a crucial part of society in that not only do these relations affect those that are in participation, but they can also have an influence on those that are in close vicinity. Sometimes, what may be viewed as tradition does not allow for as much of a range that is realistically present among those that are aiming for a healthy positive relationship. Some traditional approaches place certain responsibilities or unsaid assumptions on each party, where each person is expected to act a certain way simply because that's how it's supposed to be. With positive psychology, there seems to be a push for a more equal division of responsibilities regardless of sex, gender, or any other circumstances. Each individual can learn about love on more than one level; there is an acknowledgment of the word having multiple meanings, as well as relationships having multiple outcomes, as a result of previous attachment patterns in other social domains (i.e. parenting). Courtesy: Wikipedia

H ♥ ♥ K U P . . . f i n d yo u r h e a r t ’s d e s i r e Women SEEKING relationship/marriage ♥ Mimi, 37, big, busty and sexy, from Delta, needs a mature man of 55 years and above who is romantic and caring. 08142142659. ♥ Esther, 34, civil servant in Abuja, single mother, needs a man of 37 years and above for marriage. +234 8114226917. ♥ Favour needs a mature and responsible man of 30-40 years to love. +234 708 083 1522. ♥ Jennifer, 25, from the East, a student of UNIPORT, needs a man for a serious relationship. 08100648387.

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FERTILITY

If you have fertility problems like fibroid, low sperm count, or want a male child or baby sex selection, call 07025350586; 08122352054.

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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. A lady is asking all men: "What can a woman do if her husband doesn't make her reach orgasm?" Contact the lady via 08160508580. *Call Mike: 07031028714 to send questions or issues.

Blackberry Connection Ada, 28, in Abia, needs a man of 35 to 40 years for marriage. BB PIN: 21D29ECD.

• Connect with Mike on WhatsApp or BlackBerry Pin: 7ab29e22 or 21978F71 for details on how to send your BlackBerry or Smartphone Connect request. • Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641 to link up and for direct hookup.

38 LOVE&LIVING

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 august 2014

True Confession From Overseas

SEXUAL COMMUNICATION

'I seduced my son's friend in the laundry' M y son's teenage mate Johnny was sleeping over one weekend. He is a gorgeous 19-year-old guy who I've known since he was little. I've always known he was attracted to me, but of course I just let it go as a teenage crush. At about 2am, I thought I heard a noise at the other end of the house, so I got up to investigate. All the bedrooms were quiet, with only the sounds of sleep to be heard. I crept down the hall, towards the source of the noise, and could see light shining from underneath the laundry door, which was closed. That gave me a shock, as I knew I had not left it on before I went to bed. I gently opened the door, and was stunned to see Johnny going through the washing basket! What's more, he had a handful of lingerie (mine). He had taken it from the laundry basket next to him. I was so shocked by this that I stepped inside, closed the door, and asked him what on earth he thought he was doing. Naturally he was very embarrassed. He stood up and said that he was sorry, but had been fantasising about me for ages, and was going crazy knowing I was just one room away. He couldn't get to sleep, nor could he help himself, he said, and admitted that it wasn't the first time.

Nine benefits of sex during pregnancy S

He said that every time he had ever been over in the past few years he had managed to sneak a piece of lingerie out, and take it home to add to his collection. I couldn't believe it, and was speechless. I knew bits and pieces had vanished over the years, but would never have imagined the real reason. He walked straight up to me (he is much taller), and told me that he had dreamed of being with me for years and, at 19, was finally old enough to approach me as a man. The lingerie was only taken through utter desperation, he pleaded.

In a split-second, I decided to do something I never thought I would. I reached for his head and gently drew it down, and kissed him. That was it. Any nervousness disappeared, and he kissed me back, and put his arms around me. The next half hour was indescribably beautiful for both of us. "Think you might be able to get to sleep now?" I asked him, kissing him and walking to the door. "See you in the morning Johnny," I whispered, creeping back down to my room. Courtesy: ninems

ex during pregnancy is good for both you and baby: It can help you sleep better, lower your blood pressure, and even make you happier! Here, a few good reasons to make a little love tonight. 1. Improves orgasms: Blood flow intensifies your sexual desire. In fact, some women achieve a real orgasm for the first time ever during pregnancy! 2. Burns calories: Sex is the most fun way to stay fit — you’ll burn 50 calories or more in 30 minutes of love-making. 3. Lowers blood pressure: Sex has been found to lower blood pressure…a good thing for both of you, since high blood pressure is linked to the pregnancy complication preeclampsia. 4. Reduces pain: Orgasm releases oxytocin (or the “love hormone”), which one study found to increase pain tolerance by 74%. 5. Improves sleep: For moms: Sex is relaxing — so it helps you sleep better. For babies: The rocking motion of a sex session often lulls baby to sleep. 6. Boosts immunity: A study found that sex boosts levels of IgA, an antibody that helps avoid colds and other infections. 7. Boosts happiness: Orgasm releases endorphins — which make both you and baby happier and more relaxed. 8. Increases intimacy: Thank oxytocin again — it’s been linked to romantic attachment. 9. Expands the vagina and prepares the pelvic floor for childbirth. For women with small vaginas in particular, sex during pregnancy helps to expand the opening of the vagina, which makes it less difficult for the woman to give birth. Orgasms during pregnancy also prepare the pelvic floor for childbirth, which in turn speeds postpartum recovery. Do Kegels during pregnancy sex to pump up those vagina muscles — and increase pleasure for you both!

Lovers in Court

Wedding Traditions

'My husband is too lazy' Abimbola Sodeke

housewife, Rita Udo, has pleaded with a customary court in Lagos to dissolve her union with her husband, Friday Uniore, and grant her custody of their child. Udo, who got married to her husband four years ago, claimed that she had endured threats to her life, constant beatings from her husband, as well as lack of love and care. "I want to divorce him because he doesn't care for me and the child. He beats me instead and threatens to kill me and my daughter," she said. "He is too lazy. He does not want to do anything, instead, he is waiting for me to work in order for him to eat," she said. "He drinks and smokes and he is very lazy. Two years ago, I bought two motorcycles for him to ride so that he can provide for the family like other husbands, but all he did was sit somewhere all day till 12 midnight then come back home and claim that there was no work." Rita also told the court that her husband didn't come to the hospital on the day she gave birth to their child. She said she was the one who paid her hospital bill herself, before she was allowed to leave the hospital. Her husband, Friday Uniore, was not present in court to tell his own side of the story. So, the court president, P. A. Williams, adjourned the case till August 28.

Sharing a bowl of soup: Czech Republic

t is said that sharing a single bowl of soup during the wedding dinner ensures greater cooperation between the newlyweds. The same is said of the ritual cutting of the cake together. Some even believe that the one who grabs the cake's knife first – the bride or groom - will always have the last word in the marriage. These rituals have also remained as common Czech wedding traditions.

Before the wedding, the bride's friends traditionally plant a tree in her yard and decorate it with coloured ribbons and painted eggshells, because, according to legend, the bride will live as long as the tree. Reproduction plays a central role in the Czechoslovakian wedding ceremony. Before the marriage vows, a baby is placed in the couple's bed, to bless their fertility. The bride is also given three

motherhood-promoting dishes: wheat for fertility, millet mixed with ashes that she must sort through in order to prove her patience, and in the third a sparrow hides under the lid. During the wedding ceremony, Czech women surround the bride, dancing and singing. They then remove her veil and put on a handmade babushka. Courtesy: Business Insider.

Travel&Tourism ON SATURDAY Destination Memories of Sao Paulo

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

p.42

www.newtelegraphonline.com/travel

Chef's Corner Dining out without losing the home feel p.40

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

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

9 AUGUST 2014

Luxury finds a heartland in Aba

NEW TELEGRAPH PARTNER HOTELS

FESTAC, LAGOS

PARKVIEW ESTATE, IKOYI, LAGOS

Swimming pool

A new hospitality resort births in Aba and offers exactly what its name says - luxury service. ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA writes

eartland Holiday Resort is a plush and luxury resort, reputedly the first of its kind in the heart of the bustling commercial city of Aba, Abia State. The facility exudes an inviting aura that calms visitors as they walk in. Its services, according to the Managing Director of the resort, Omenma Nwokoro, are tailored towards corporate businesses, executives, banking and financial institutions, multinationals and event organisers as well as social and religious groups and individuals seeking an environment to savour the best of life. It has 26 rooms of different categories all lavishly furnished and fitted with splendid in–room facilities for the comfort of guests. Abia Standard room is a singleroom occupancy with a large size single bed, fridge, reading table and chair, flat screen TV, tea/coffee making amenities. Imo Standard room is also a room occupancy with large size bed, fridge, flat screen TV, reading chair and table, a bathtub; Port Harcourt Standard room offers inspiring and colourful décor, double bed, reading table and chair, bathtub, fancy flowers, fridge and flat screen TV; and Lagos Standard room, which also offers tasteful and inviting décor with a bigger space, double bed, reading chair and table, bathtub, fridge, flat screen TV, special fancy flowers. Other categories include Abuja Standard room, which comes with a bigger space as well, double bed, bathtub, reading table and chair, flat screen TV, special decoration and unique flowers while Presidential Stan-

LAGOS

Sit-out area

HOSPITALITY

ABA

Nwokoro

dard room, which is the biggest and most fanciful, is luxuriously furnished and offers presidential treats of different blend. For diners, the resort’s executive dining facility presents a colourful atmosphere to savour the blend of Africa and international menu set on offers with special local delicacies while the executive chef also treats guests to special signature offerings, especially at weekends and festive periods. For leisure seekers, the twosome bars – main bar and VIP bar - are good setting with aesthetic sceneries and offering well-stocked corkage of different blend of wines, spirits, beer and others while you can also enjoy a relaxing moment and good swim at the swimming pool arcade which comes with ample sit-out area, VIP bar and snooker, table tennis as well as a bush kitchen

for unique local delicacies and a fully-equipped gymnasium to catch up with massaging and other forms of keep fit and healthy exercises. The resort boasts a modern conference hall with 200 sitting capacity, suitable for business meetings, conferences, wedding and birthday celebrations, among other forms of social events. According to Nwokoro, the resort’s conference hall is the most sought-after in the city because of its classy offerings and professional catering that the guests enjoy. The Aba-based resort, Nwokoro says, ‘‘is strategically located and well-equipped with facilities that offer maximum satisfaction to our guest. The security within the resort is second to none within our business environment. 24 hours electricity and high security

alertness are some of the many factors that have continued to make our resort the most preferred destination for all." He is confident that the resort is destined for the top, ‘‘to remain the dominant hospitality company within our environment through a pre-determined hospitality behaviour.’’ However, he laments the challenging business environment with poor road network and epileptic electricity supply hampering business. But the resort, the managing director, says has not allowed its business to be affected by this, as it has gone out of its way to improve on the environment and make it conducive for its business to thrive and also to add value to the community by creating access road, electricity and street lights as well as a well-knit security network for the community.

BENEFITS There are lots of benefits to derive as one of our partner hotels. For enquiries and details on how to join the programme, please contact Andrew Iro Okungbowa: 08023152195 (sms only), e-mail: iroandy@ymail.com or Chinyere Opara: 08063768131 (sms only) e-mail angela_curtis-2@live.com

40 TRAVEL&TOURISM

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 august 2014

CHEF’S CORNER

Dining out without losing the home feel Restaurateurs are extending the frontiers of dining out. ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA explores some of these options

Family time-out

Nigerian food set

he global perspective on dining out, which has fast taken root in our hospitality sector is perhaps the formalised European style of exploring any of the highbrow or medium level hotel with posh restaurant where the setting and offerings are stylishly designed. The idea here is that of a treat with an average of three to five course meals. You actually look to such treats and come away with a memorable experience of some sort. But in the Nigerian culture and local food parlance, the belief and setting are quite different. Generally, dining out is a borrowed tradition and although it is gaining popularity here, the fact is that Nigerians still prefer the home cooked meal to the luxurious treat of the European style dinner. With the upswing in fast food outfits and luxury restaurants or eating parlours, which are elevated versions of the bukateria that you now find around in many street corners or even clubs, the home style cooking has now been fully transported to some of these eateries. What you now find is some level of competition, which comes with all manner of attractions and setting as well as enticement to elicit patronage. With the high flavours and colours that come with some of the offerings, Nigerians are now beginning to look forward to a varied treat in some of these eateries. It has now become a most fashionable affair and part of the social or dating culture, especially for the middle class and some well-heeled to enjoy a good home cooked menu in any of these eat-

TRAVEL BEATS Tourism records impressive growth in 2014 first quarter report AS predicted by the United Nations World Tourism Organisations (UNWTO) tourism has continued with its impressive runs as international tourist arrivals across the globe grew by five percent, according to the latest report released by the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer for the period of January – April. This has raised the hope for higher prospects for the current peak tourism season with over 460 million tourists expected to travel abroad between May-August. The report puts international tourist worldwide received at 317 million (overnight visitors), 14 million more than in the same period of 2013. This five percent growth consolidates the already strong increase registered in

2013 (+5%) and is well above the long-term trend projected by UNWTO for the period 20102020 (+3.8%). According to the secretary general of UNWTO, Dr, Taleb Rifai, the record posted is a very encouraging one, “the encouraging start to 2014 and the overall positive sentiment in the sector raise high expectations for the current peak tourism season, benefiting destinations from both advanced and emerging economies,” said Rifai, adding, “the 5% growth in the number of international tourists crossing borders in the first months of 2014 further reflects the impact of the increase in public support to the sector as well as the immense capacity of tourism companies to adapt to

changing markets.” Every of the regions were reported to have benefitted evenly from the growth with Asia and the Pacific and the Americas posting the strongest growth (both +6%), followed closely by Europe and Africa (both at +5%) while by sub-regions performance Northern Europe, Southern and Mediterranean Europe, North Africa and South Asia, (all +8%) were the star performers. Asia and the Pacific (+6%) consolidated its growth of recent years, with South Asia (+8%) and North-East Asia (+7%) in the lead. Growth picked up in the Americas (+6%), with all four sub-regions showing significant improvement compared to 2013.

eries with dates, friends, families or business associates and groups while some even have a business luncheon overseen by the owners of these spots. What also makes this rising dining out culture very interesting and fun is the fact that nearly all of these eateries offer the many indigenous cuisine variations, especially with regard to the special delicacies making up the different menu set. For instance eateries like Mr. Bigg’s now incorporate indigenous meals to their setting while outfits like Sweet Sensation and Tantalizers also offer local delicacies in different measure and style. But one can actually enjoy good treat dining out in places like Mama Cass. Mostly located in cities across the country, the setting is typically clean, decent and in some of the branches creatively done with reserved and business section for those seeking exclusive and personalised treat. The standard home cooked meals feature a large selection of the different variations of Nigerian food, starting with the soup-based dishes, which has the popular edikang ikong, egusi, okro and other vegetable-based offerings. These can be eaten with eba, amala, semovita, pounded yam and amala while you have for protein chicken, turkey, fish, cow and goat meats. You also have the three popular rice offerings of white, jollof and fried and to the bargain is the ofada rice served with its specially prepared stew. It is found in the South-western part of the country and is gradually gaining fame across the country. Fruit salad and vegetables are also served alongside fruit drinks with assorted soft drinks. For diners looking for a good home cooked treat, Mama Cass is highly recommended. You are sure to have a swell time with your date or friends.

NTDC to partner National Planning Commission on capacity building

deliver on its mandate hence it is going into partnership with NPC. "NTDC staff are the core stakeholders in the Nigeria's tourism (L-R): Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, National Planning industry, hence they must be Commission (NPC), Dr. Zakari Lawal, Mbanefo, Ugbo and Director, well-equipped and practically Administration and Supply Department, Mr. Boniface Chukwueku made ambassadors of the NiEboka... during a recent visit to NTDC by NPC. geria's tourism industry to drive director general of NTDC, Mrs. AS part of its strategic vision to development in the industry. Sally Mbanefo, when the execu- ‘‘We must feed the goose that enhance the professional competency and delivery of its staff, tive secretary of NPC, Mr. Ntufam lays the golden egg. As a result, Fidelis Ugbo. the Nigerian Tourism Developcapacity building and staff welAccording to her, as a marketing fare are the priority on my agenda ment Corporation (NTDC) is to outfit, there is the need for it to partner the National Planning in repositioning the Nigeria's have a well trained and profesCommission (NPC) on capacity tourism industry and promoting building. This was revealed by the sionally primed crop of staff to domestic tourism in the country.

TRAVEL&TOURISM

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 august 2014

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

ABIOLA OGUNBIYI: Government should partner tour operators Mrs. Abiola Ogunbiyi is an accomplished lawyer but also a tour operator and one of the respected voices for ennobling tourism and an equitable Nigerian society. She speaks with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA on her life’s trajectory.

lawyer by profession but by calling Mrs. Abiola Ogunbiyi, a mother of two - a boy and a girl - has traversed other areas of life, displaying exceptional passion and commitment to those courses. One of such is tourism, which she describes as life. “I agree with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) that tourism is life,” she says. “In fact I think there are four basic needs of man- there is food, shelter, clothing and leisure,” explains Ogunbiyi. Her forage into tourism is not a chanced venture but something she was destined for given that ‘tourism is life.’ She takes you back to the starting point of her romance with the tourism industry. “I must say that I have been travelling since age 10,” recalls Ogunbiyi. She recounts the experience of travelling the west coast of Africa and other parts of the world for holidays growing up. She continues with the tradition in her career as she organised trade missions to Asian countries and other places. But the switch to tourism for her was when she became a member of the West Africa Enterprise Network where the fire of integration within the western coast as enunciated by the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) was stoked. In 1990 SJ Tours and Allied Services was borne with her as the managing director, venturing into un-plotted terrain. In the month of May of same year, she organised her first group tour to Benin Republic. With the success of that inaugural trip, there was no turning back as others followed suit. “The people were excited and we enjoyed it. But the border was a problem; it was such a beautiful trip. I did a few of those and that is how I started,” she recalls. Within a short period, she became popular with her city breaks and also turned her attention to the west coast working through her group, West Africa Enterprise Network. But she was stopped on her track by what she described as a family tragedy, the death of her husband in August 2001. The aftermath of that tragic event was a slight change in her focus and somewhat slow pace to the dreamed destination. “I went back into legal practice because that was a little easier to manage and then I had to educate the children. So, the focus changed slightly but then I got involved with a lot of advocacies for tourism,” she says. Domestic tourism is the driver of tourism “Charity begins at home and so to develop the tourism industry domestic tourism is the driver. We haven’t quite paid enough attention to that sector. The mistake we made was that it was foreign investment that we were looking for in the 60s and 70s and it is not going to happen because like we see until we started talking about our small and medium scale industries nothing happened. But see what is happening to foreign investment now,

we are the beautiful bride and the largest growing economy and it is because we the people are doing something about it. “And it is going to be the same thing for tourism because you are not going to invite anybody as a tourist to bring the tourism dollars into Nigeria for leisure tourism until they can see what is happening. How are the Nigerians enjoying themselves within the system? So we need to formalise tourism, which is happening now because when people go home for Christmas it is tourism. It is just that we have not formalised it and put an enabling environment to it and allow it to continue beyond that. “But we are doing it disjointedly, everybody is important, everybody has a part to play, the loop has to continue otherwise you are spending so much energy and reinventing the wheel over and over again. Those are the kinds of things that are missing. So, where we are at this point in time is disjointed effort. Efforts are being made but disjointed and sometimes we are putting the cart before the horse.” The tour operator is the link While she seems to appreciate the current trend of Ogunbiyi tourism awareness at the federal government level and some of the states, however, the seasoned tour operator believes that the best way to creating a viable and sustainable tourism market is for the government to partner the tour operators. “But have they really pinpointed who their real partners are? Do they have understanding of who their real partners are? I am a lawyer but am also a tour operator and why would a lawyer with a Master’s degree decides to go into that sector in the tourism chain? Because “the tour operator is the link,” adding that government needs to walk its talk by working with the tour operators. She also advices the government to work with the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), the umbrella body for tour operators in the country, which she says is better placed to partner the government. “So, if you are going to find a partner that is going to walk this talk with you that association should be one of

BACKGROUND She studied law at the University of Lagos, served in Kaduna and worked for Ajumugobia , Okeke and Oyebode and later Aluko law chambers; executive secretary to the CEO of the Nigerian-ASEAN Chamber of Commerce; set up her law firm later; managing director SJ Tours and Allied Services; ex-officio member, travel, tourism and hospitality committee of the business law section of the Nigerian Bar Association; board member of Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria and immediate past president of Alpha Nigeria; and the Ghana-Nigeria Business Council.

your key collaborators. I am not sure that government has realised that.” I get fulfilment from tour operation For her what is more gratifying is that “at the end of the tour, I get people who are not just saying thank you but I also

get a number of them praying for me. And a lot of people say to me I am going to bring my family. I have been driving through this place all these years and I never realised there was something like this here. That is fulfilling.” To get to this level, she says takes a lot of commitment and passion as well as financial outlay, insisting that “we need to use tourism to create wealth.” Therefore, she advocates a tourism desk to be created in every ministry and government departments and agencies, which should liaise with the ministry of tourism to develop and promote tourism. Her expectation for the industry, she says is: “I will like to see that tourism has helped Nigerians to have an understanding and appreciation of who we are and what we have as a nation and that we are proud to be Nigerians because tourism can do that.” Although her tour operations have been in the cooler for awhile but she looks to getting it back on track next year January.

42 TRAVEL&TOURISM DESTINATION ADEKUNLE SALAMI who was among journalists from across the world who covered the recent FIFA World Cup in Brazil, recalls his experience en route to Brazil.

New look MMA but... have many reasons to be eagerly excited about this trip. First, it was my first trip outside the country this year. I was so curious to see the changes at the international airport following the remodelling exercise of the federal government at the airports. It was a surprise that the security entry point at the departure lounge was wearing a new look. Quite modern and fitted with sophisticated security gadgets for seamless checks and movement. I asked questions on the use of some of the gadgets and explanations were given to my satisfaction. One was impressed with the level of improvement on display but the authorities need to look for a more permanent and creative solution to the general cooling system of the airport. One would had thought that with the level of sophistication achieved so far at the immigration checking point, the heavy presence of uniformed men should had been drastically reduced. They are still there in their numbers and for them, it is still business as usual as there is no uniformed man you encounter that would not frisk you in the name of security check only to end up with the usual question of ‘wetin you bring for us.’ You wonder for how long this beggarly attitude, worrisome and shameful display would ever stop. With the ongoing renewal, there should also be a concerted effort by the airport authority and security agencies

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 august 2014

Memories of Sao Paulo to re-orientate their men and officers to show some level of decorum and decency as well as respect for their persons and uniform and cut their uncouth behaviours.

Tale of the young trader At the Qatar Airline counter in Lagos, a young trader was accompanied to the airport by his boss. I was with a colleague, Tony Ubani of Vanguard. The young man tried to get acquainted with us by striking a conversation which was not to be as his boss, an elderly-looking man sternly and in a sartorial manner warned him in Igbo dialect, never to again attempt it and that it was risky to make friends at the airport. I didn’t quite pay attention to the conversation since I didn’t understand the language but Tony, an Igbo man, did. But strangely when we arrived at Doha, Qatar, the young trader again emerged from nowhere and started a conversation with Tony in a low tone. Again, I did not understand what was going on until midway into their talk when he decided to speak English and ‘claimed’ that his money, about $2,000, was stolen between Lagos and Qatar and he had no money left on him again to board a vehicle out of the airport. Tony asked him why he decided to talk to people when his boss had warned him not to. His story was ridiculous because how could he claimed to lose $2,000 between Lagos and Doha on air when in fact there was no bus stop or whatever. He maintained the money was in his bag but couldn’t find it on arrival in Doha. We just did not bother with him anymore as we refused to fall for his tricks. We still had a long trip ahead of us and so why allow a ‘conman’ distract us? The airline, the service I travelled with Qatar Airline and it was my first experience with the Middle Eastern airline. One is used to patronising Emirates and the other international carriers

but never flew Qatar until now. It was a massive aircraft with over 300 passengers on board headed to various destinations across the world. Less than half of the passengers were destine for Doha, the operating hub of the airline with the others on transit. Some were travelling to far flung places as China, Argentina, and Australia while I was headed for Brazil as my final destination. One was impressed with the big body airplane, the newness and freshness it exhibited. You could easily be wooed by its breezy nature and come away with the feeling that here is one good piece of aircraft. Not only that, taking in the setting, you get attracted by the cabin crew members who were stylishly attired with the men in smart outfits while the ladies adorned skimpy skirts and smart tops. One was quite impressed with their good look and friendly disposition and one gets the feeling that it would be a pleasurable flight with a classic in-flight entertainment aplenty. It turned out to be exactly what one had imagined. Good in-flight catering service with the delectable lady cabin crew members at your side with inviting smile at the slightest touch of the button. I recalled at a point that I had to get off my seat and took a walk round my section of the aircraft and got to the service point, which looked exactly like a bar. Just before I could utter a word one of the ladies – cabin crew members was already on her feet and asked whether I needed a drink or whatever. I couldn’t resist an offer of a drink from her and I was there for about 30 minutes sipping my drink and chatting with her. It was a good treat and one can’t forget in a hurry. I wondered what the treatment at the business class would be like if at the economy class this amount of pampering and lavished treat are offered. Doha transfer At Doha airport, it was a long wait, and no one will be comfort-

able with that as we landed the airport about 11.45 pm local time with our flight out of Doha scheduled for 7.45am the next day. It was a long night and unlike some airlines that will lodge you in a hotel for the night Qatar Airline didn’t afford us that luxury as it wanted you to experience the luxuriating airport with all its beauty and attractions, especially the dining and wining, and shopping at the array of duty free shops. The airport itself is a big spectacle to behold, brand new and luxury infused with heavily sophisticated amenities closeted within the architecturally appealing and masterpiece design façade, which in itself is something out of this world, particularly at night fall with the simmering and brimming electrifying and eclectics lightening system. The newly-built international Doha airport was officially inaugurated just about six weeks prior to my trip and as I was told the event was a big spectacle. It is said to be the most expensive airport in the world today with over $18billion spent on it. Looking at the tarmac, it was a different story entirely. Ninety per cent of the planes were Qatar Airlines and most of them are very new and big too. For the government, this is one big attraction and a boost for the tourism industry, especially with the 2022 World Cup in view. Spending over eight hours at the airport window shopping for most of the time you come away with the feeling that, keeping every transit passenger, especially as it was a beehive of activities for the entire duration with planes from virtually every part of the world arriving almost within 30

Qatar Airways' Airbus A-380

Front view of Hamad International Airport Front view of Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos

Departure lounge of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos

TRAVEL&TOURISM

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 august 2014

Night view of Sao Paulo

Travel update Travel information on Ebola Virus Disease

Aerial view of the Sao Paulo museum

Obelisk of

The Brasilia Shopping

minutes interval of each other, is a ploy by either the airline or the aviation authority to have all transfer passengers spend at least a dollar at the airport therefore boosting their economy.

14 hours flight to Brazil As we were about departing the next day, the captain announced that the duration of the flight was 14 hours. That was shocking and surprising discovery for me because the time difference between Nigeria and Brazil, which is about four hours, beclouded the fact that it would take that long – 14 hours from Doha and not even from Lagos to get to Brazil. The longest time one had flown before now was 11 hours to Perth, Australia on my way to Sydney from South Africa. Because the aircraft was big, each time we encountered turbulence, the effect was not that much felt by the passengers. Flashback to the good old days of Nigeria Airways The long duration of the trip made me to remember Nigeria Airways. Brazil to Nigeria ordinarily should be about seven hours direct flight. But I travelled about 21 hours to get to the South American country. Sad enough, seven hours after leaving Qatar, we have to make a detour and fly through Nigeria, spending about two hours on Nigerian air space before continuing the journey to Brazil. There is nothing as good as having a national carrier. It helps travellers especially when long distant trips are involved or interconnectivity within Africa, which should make it possible for one to easily access one part of the world from anywhere in Africa without embarking on this kind of rigmarole or somewhat stressful and if you like hazardous round trip. Samba in mind The flight no doubt was smooth, which

Sao Paulo compensated for the long haul. I enjoyed a good and dreamy sleep this time around with thoughts of the fun and excitement awaiting one in the Samba country. Thought of the state of the facilities, the Super Eagles, the Copa Cabana beach and the half nude samba girls all over the place crisscrossed my mind. I have encountered them from a distance and one couldn’t just wait to have a life experience of the magical and romantic destination called Brazil. It is 'mouthwatering.' For about two hours I was in a dream world only to be jolted out of the esoteric and experience about two hours to landing time, which in effect means one had been on air for about 12 hours non-stop.

Aerial view, arrival As we were about touching down at the Guarulhos International Airport in Brazil, two things occurred to me. The first was the fact that most airports abroad are surrounded by water. The airport in Sao Paulo is the same. I also observed that the road network was similar to the ‘jagajaga’ in Lagos. It was when I got into the country that I knew better because the roads were actually in perfect condition. Little awareness, language barrier At the airport in Sao Paulo, it took time to know that an event as big as the World Cup was on the way. It was two days to the opening ceremony and yet the awareness level was that poor. I was almost at the point of departing the airport when I saw some volun-

Good in-flight catering service with the delectable lady cabin crew members at your side with inviting smile at the slightest touch of the button

teers f o r t h e Wo r l d Cup. Three Monument to the out of the Independence of five volunteers Brazil, Sao Paulo were Nigerians. They were ready to help and they gave ideas on how to get a cab to the hotel from the airport. The airport is very beautiful but it was learnt that it was the old airport. The new airport was meant for FIFA officials and participating teams. This was also a way of controlling traffic to avoid air congestion due to VIP movement. Traffic plus initial information Between the airport and the hotel, a bit of Lagos problem was encountered and that was congested traffic. However, the traffic was not caused by bad roads but it was due to the traffic lights on the airport road and the volume of traffic in the city that evening. Bad enough the taxis use metre and that is an advantage to the driver. Brazil is two hours ahead of Qatar while Brazil is four hours behind Nigeria. Within Brazil itself, there are three different time zones in the massive country of about 215 million people. They speak Portuguese and for English speaking visitors, language is a big issue. A volunteer followed me to the cab to tell the driver where I was going. From my experience with the taxi driver, I knew tough times await me in the next five weeks because of the language barrier. Sao Paulo and Lagos Sao Paulo is the commercial capital of Brazil just as Lagos is to Nigeria with most foreigners working in Brazil based in Sao Paulo. But in terms of infrastructure and governance, the two cities are worlds apart. There is nothing like state or federal road in Brazil as the state government is totally in charge of all the infrastructure and social amenities. The roads are good, electricity regular; transportation is very efficient despite the huge population of the city that has about 44 million inhabitants. The city also contributes about 35 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product of Brazil. The cashlite policy is working perfectly in the city for indigenes and visitors. The security is excellent because the police are all over the place.

1. Tourists and businessmen/women returning from affected areas in a country The risk of a tourist or businessman/woman becoming infected with Ebola virus during a visit to the affected areas and developing disease after returning is extremely low, even if the visit included travel to the local areas from which primary cases have been reported. Transmission requires direct contact with blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected living or dead persons or animal, all unlikely exposures for the average traveller. Tourists are in any event advised to avoid all such contacts. 2. Visiting families and relatives The risk for travellers visiting friends and relatives in affected countries is similarly low, unless the traveller has direct physical contact with a sick or dead person or animal infected with Ebola virus. In such a case, contact tracing should confirm the exposure and prevent further spread of the disease through monitoring the exposed traveller. 3. Patients travelling with symptoms and fellow travellers There is a possibility that a person who had been exposed to Ebola virus and developed symptoms may board a commercial flight, or other mode of transport, without informing the transport company of his status. It is highly likely that such patients would seek immediate medical attention upon arrival, especially if well informed, and then should be isolated to prevent further transmission. Although the risk to fellow travellers in such a situation is very low, contact tracing is recommended in such circumstances.

TRAVEL TIPS Tips on engaging with travellers in a personalised way to enhance customer experience continued from last week Excellent service communications: Travellers want instant booking confirmation with evidence that their payment has been received. Again, if your booking system is not fully automated, the payment process will be extremely clunky on both ends, requiring some back and forth communications between you. This is not ideal. Stage 4: Anticipating Now that they've made an online booking with your tour or activity, it's time to keep them excited leading up to it. What they expect from you: Instructions for what to bring: This will greatly influence their experience on your tour. If you know that it might rain, tell them to bring an umbrella. If you know that it will be sunny, tell them to bring a hat and some sunscreen. It shows that you are committed to making this day the best it can be. Details on how to meet you: A map with directions should be sent to each traveller, because they are probably not familiar with the area. Let them know how to identify you at your meeting spot. Terms and conditions: It is important to re-state your terms and conditions with each reminder email you send. This will remind them of what they agreed to - especially regarding your cancellation policy. Stage 5: On Tour It's time to impress! We are sure that you're already amazing at what you do, but make sure that you are always mindful of how your customers are feeling. What they expect from you: Entertainment: They're here for leisure, so show them a good time. Crack a few jokes and keep them entertained. Visit points of interest. Don't just state facts, but tell a story. Storytelling never fails. Food, water, and toilet stops: Make sure there are plenty of opportunities for your customers to take a toilet break, or buy meals. They need to stay hydrated and feel comfortable. concluded

My Weekend NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

9 AUGUST 2014

Weekend was fun in Lagos in 70s, 80s – George

e readily confesses to the fact that he was not born with the silver spoon, but the urge to rise above the imminent poverty level and perhaps face life squarely like a man drove him to seek the greener pastures in the God’s own country. George says he has no regrets for taking that decision more than 30 years ago, when he left his clerical officer job with the then famous ITT Telecommunication Company to search for greener pastures in the United States of America. He recalls that while working for ITT, one of the companies owned by the late business mogul, Chief M.K.O Abiola, he also had plans to improve his academic fortunes. “After some failed attempts at securing admission into any of the Nigerian universities to read and acquire the degree that could push me into the upper rung of the economic circle in Nigeria, I decided to move on when the opportunity came in 1985, to do so in the God’s own country and didn’t allow it to slip off my hands,” he adds. Fifty-three year old George, speaks with nostalgia his escapades as a young man with friends in Lagos on weekends with whom prior to his sojourn abroad, attended several parties and social functions in the late 70s and early 80s. Then, he recalls, it was like a taboo not to groove with friends every weekend in Lagos. George says, “As a young man, I and my friends were always looking forward to weekends, but I remained focused. I was very passionate about education but, I was always seeking fun with friends as a young man, and this fashion was there when I got to the US. I sought fun while I worked and studied. “It has been good and very satisfying. The reason for going abroad is basically to seek greener pastures and I think it has been rewarding. I have two kids and it’s been so far, so good. At present, I’m into Geology with specialty as a seismic analyst, I’m the site supervisor to a group of seismic analysts. “I’m heading a group of Geologists, collecting data from the oil fields and delivering such data for the purpose of extracting oil and identifying oil fields. So, far it has been a satisfying experience. That is my main discipline for now, a seismic analyst.” As a young man who has always craved fun while growing up, his sojourn in America has been

Felix Folahan George, is a trained Geologist and one of the few Nigeria’s diaspora technocrats, whose wealth of experience is yielding positively to the development of the American economy. He tells SEGUN EDWARDS, that he has no regrets for leaving the shores of Nigeria 30 years ago. fun-filled both with family and friends as he says he often created time for relaxation and socialisation. “For me, I create time to have fun both with my family and with friends and whenever there was an avenue for fun. Of course, if a gathering that will add value to me and the atmosphere is the right to me, I join friends and fellow Nigerians to wine and dine. On such occasion, I will meet people of like minds, various Nigerian professionals from d i ff e re n t fields

of endeavor. In some cases, you will be surprised you will meet people that you grew up with back in Nigeria. So, it was always fun. “Such occasion also create the rare opportunity for one to eat one’s local delicacies which for me I don’t always get to eat at home because I don’t have a Nigerian spouse. I create time to visit some designated Nigerian cafeterias to eat some local foods but not all the time because of lack of time or inappropriate logistics. So, the social platforms are usually veritable opportunities for reunion with old friends and also opportunities to feel varieties of sumptuous Nigerian delicacies,” he says. In the midst of friends during his visit to Nigeria recently at a pub in Magodo estate, where he usually stays whenever he is in Nigeria on holiday, he recalls that he never took things for granted, stating that on his way home after a hectic day at work in the US, he would always branch into such places after work. Citing a well-dressed young man, who apparently wanted to relax at the pub with his drink after he had removed his tie, George says, “I used to be like this young man, I used to also branch in a place like this in Houston to take a few beer bottles after a hectic day at work. I really enjoyed doing it. George, who is he the younger brother of Chief Olabode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, says he had the privilege of attending one the notable secondary schools in Lagos, St. Finbars College, Akoka, which he portrays with a lot of pride as producing some of the brightest Nigerians in various fields of endeavours including sport, communication and the corporate. “I attended the Holy Cross Primary School and St. Finbars College, Akoka, where I studied along with some known Nigerians not necessarily as classmates but schoolmates like the coach of the Super Eagles, Steven Keshi, Paul Okoku, Nathaniel Ogedengbe, and Godwin Odiye, among

If a gathering will add value to me and the atmosphere is the right one, I join friends and fellow Nigerians to wine and dine

others. “I also attended St. Finbars with other notable people like the entertainment and popular media personality, Patrick Doyle and corporate guru, Marcus Kunle Alake, CEO in one of Dangote’s group of companies. It was a big privilege, fun and a pride to have attended St. Finbars. These soccer stars lifted the image of the school to what can be likened to unimaginable height of course aided by a committed Principal, Rev. Father Slithery, who gave the utmost encouragement, guidance and inspiration to the athletes for the school to excel. “It was indeed, a swell time, though some of the soccer boys as we use to refer to them in those days were seen as rascally, as they hardly ever stayed in school for lectures but today, what they lacked in education, they gained in sport. I’m always proud of Keshi as the manager of the Super Eagles. Then, I travelled to the US and studied Geology at the Southern University, in Houston Texas, where I obtained B.A honours in Geology and right now, I work with an oil prospecting company, Fluor International as a seismic analyst in Saudi Arabia.” On his background, he says, “I was born in Lagos to the family of late Pa Ayodele George, the Eleshin of Lagos, on Evans Street, Lagos Island, where the prominent ex-military officer and politician, Chief Olabode Goerge, was also born and he is at present the head of the George family. I was born into a family of six children and third in the line of children I won’t say we were born with the silver spoon but we didn’t lack anything material wise but our parents ensured we were well catered for. “So, in some respect, I can say I and my siblings enjoyed the best of childhood, when compared to some other kids.” On his plan to resettle back in Nigeria, he says, “I’m really not in a hurry but hopefully I’m planning may be in another two or three years, I may decide to resettle back in Nigeria but I will not say this is the exact time. I really depend on God to take that decision when the time comes but, I have the plan and I’m working towards achieving that. I have plans but that would depend on a lot of other things which I’m trying to put in place. And he says he would prefer to establish a business in the terrain he is familiar which is the oil and gas sector, saying, “I would really love to play in the oil and gas sector but anything that would be better would attract my interest but I’m really understudying the situation in the business atmosphere of the country. My major focus is the oil field or the petroleum, which is still what I am still conducting some studies on.” He says in the effort to achieve his aim, commenced with a feasibility study on the oil sector of Nigeria stating, “I’m planning something right now but not really extraction of oil because that is a big area for only the multi-nationals but definitely I’m doing feasibility on something pertaining to geology especially in the oil fields but I’m still putting things together towards having something to fall back on, when I eventually take the decision to resettle back in the country.” George however flays the Nigerian oil sector which he says has not lived up to expectation from the perspective of a professional in the sector because the lots of the citizens of the Africa’s biggest oil- producing and richest country is not better despite the huge fortunes in petroleum and gas.

Ex-detainees have hijacked PDP in Osun – Oyinlola p.48 Detainees helped Oyinlola to win governorship election –Olaoluwa p.49

POLITICS ON SATURDAY

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So far, how has dumping the APC for PDP been, having been elected on the platform of the former? Well, let’s get it straight, I wasn’t actually a member of the APC. I was elected on the platform of the ACN even before the coming of the APC and after the local government election that was held last year, the then ACN state chairman, Mr. Thomas Okosun, publicly disowned me through the newspapers on the grounds that I told them not to rig the election which they intended to rig with impunity and for which they made arrangement that soldiers should assassinate me for trying to block rigging of elections and plant a gun on me. But when the soldiers got there, they found that I arrived at the scene of the crime with policemen. So what the soldiers did was to restrain themselves; beat me to a pulp, planted a gun on me and then took me to their barrack. It was even in their barrack they told me that I was very lucky, that they were under instructions to kill me and put the gun on my dead body on the pretext that they killed me in self-defense, in exchange of fire. But on getting there when they saw policemen, they restrained themselves. And in the process, they turned me over to the police and I was charged to court for illegal possession of firearms. So, it was in that process that Okosun said the party had disowned me. How could I have gone on the same platform with those who expressly stated that they had disowned me? No, I was actually never a

I can’t be sacked from govt house – Abdulrasak Momoh Threatened with loss of his seat, embattled Edo State legislator, Hon. Abdulrasak Momoh, in Benin, relives the crises that has racked the legislature in the state to CAJETHAN MMUTA.

member of the APC, although I nosed around to find out what the APC was made up of and I found out that it was the same crop of leadership in the ACN that suddenly hijacked the process and, naturally, I just stepped aside and that is it. And being in the PDP, so far so good, we thank God at least, one now has rest of mind. You are not on a termite hill where you are being stung as it was in the APC because certainly from Governor Adams Oshiomhole and others, they never wanted me because I was too outspoken and, perhaps, too upright for their liking; for that kind of leadership style of impunity, imposition, godfatherism, dictatorship and tyranny. Now that you are in the PDP, have you gotten a safe-landing and is that party a safer platform for you? Well, to a very large extent, I will say yes because you find out that my movement to the PDP was actually as a result of people of my constituency moving enmasse from the APC as it was then, Labour Party as it was then, to the PDP and I could not have remained without a party as it was and therefore since my people are comfortable there, I am also comfortable there. If my people feel safe under the umbrella, I am also safe because where my people are is where I am and will be. Was it because you were perceived as a threat by the ACN leadership that it allegedly plotted to edge you out? Of course, that was what I said. They saw me as a definite threat of some kind because of my outspoken nature and being frank to a fault. So to them, I was definitely a threat. Talking about your outspoken nature, how much of it has reflected in your constituency in terms of dividends of democracy you attracted to them? Well, if you want to look at it that way, as far as outspokenness in terms of representing my people is concerned , I remember I drew attention to the Auchi erosion, severally, on the floor of the house under matters of urgent public importance. I have equally drawn attention to the substandard work that was done on Jagbe Road under matters of urgent public importance as part of bringing dividends of democracy to the people of my constituency. I have made positive efforts on the issue of rainstorm disaster that happened in Jagbe and some houses whose roofs were blown off and those that were completely destroyed by the rainstorm as well as the robbery that took place in Auchi where about four or five banks were robbed simultaneously and dynamites and explosives were used and I alleged that it was, more or less, a terrorists attack on the community than a case of robbery. Again, I equally drew attention, after my release from prison remand when I got to the floor of the house on June last year, to the world that the people of my constituency did not vote, that elections were not conducted in my constituency but candidates were announced for the positions of councillors and chairmanship. That was, again, another way to ensure that the democratic rights of my people are protected. So we have been quite up and doing in that regard to CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

46 THE SATURDAY INTERVIEW

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014

moved the motion, that it is the people of their constituency that moved and that was why they moved. So the issue of impeachment does not arise in you changing parties. For Nyako, did the people have to change party to be able to impeach Nyako? When Ladoja was impeached, was it not the same PDP that impeached him? So what are they talking about, what is the relationship between them except for the fact that maybe the guilty are afraid?

C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 4 5

the best of our ability. I can recall these very few. Last week, the speaker of the state house of assembly, Mr. Uyi Igbe, declared your seat vacant on the ground that you did not follow the process before jumping from the ACN to the PDP. What is your reaction to that? Well, to start with, you said Uyi Igbe, is the speaker but a speaker sits in the house of assembly, not in a corner of the government house. The house of assembly is an institution, it must sit in the place so provided for it and nowhere else. This was the Supreme Court judgment in the case of Lakoju when the Oyo State house of assembly went to sit at De Rovans Hotel and the Supreme Court said that whatever they had gone to De Rovans to do was null and void because that is not the designated place for sitting of the state house of assembly. So, Uyi Igbe only spoke as Mr. Uyi Igbe, he could not have spoken as speaker of Edo State house of assembly because he was not sitting in the Edo state house of assembly. That is one; two, I want to refer you specifically to the Vanguard newspaper of Thursday July 10, 2014 at page, this is a full text and it was signed by Mr. Uyi Igbe; it was a full page he took for an advertorial to explain the position in the Edo state house of assembly crisis. In that page, let me read to you what Uyi Igbe signed himself in that page concerning me. He said being a responsible house which recognizes the supremacy of the rule of law, the house declined to take disciplinary action against Hon. Razaq Monoh. This was in consequence of a subsisting court order obtained by Hon. Razaq Momoh from the High Court in Auchi. The house took this action in light of the issues raised therein which are yet to be pronounced upon by the court in order not to be seen or perceived as acting in contempt of the said order. This was on July 10th and at about July 17th or thereabout, the courts went on strike. The strike is still on till now and the court has not sat on this matter. What has changed since then till now that Uyi Igbe, whether it is contempt of court or disobeying the court order, I wouldn’t know but they will be the first to tell you that people don’t obey court orders. I drew your attention to this, as a journalist, to this now at least this is a public document and this is Uyi Igbe’s statement. I would want to let you know that Uyi Igbe’s action is prompted by the fact that they forged my signature for the process of the purported impeachment of the Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea and the law enforcement agencies are taking appropriate steps to bring them to book. And it is a calculated attempt to ensure that they smoke me out of the confines of the safety of the house of assembly complex, send me into the streets and send assassins after me to eliminate me so I will not have the opportunity to give evidence when the time comes for their prosecution. That was why he took that desperate move. And take note that that day was their last day of sitting. Immediately he made that pronouncement, he went straight, with his cohorts, to the airport and they had already obtained their passports; they traveled out of the country, as I am telling you now while the assassins are on the prowl looking for me to kill so that at the end of the day, they will come up with an alibi to say that they were not in the country when I was assassinated. Even as I am sitting down here, I am expecting them to bring down thugs. They brought some yesterday, I don’t know who cautioned them, whether it was the commissioner of police, I wouldn’t know. They removed them but I am waiting for them to come and kill me here because they are so desperate that they want to bring thugs to try to eject me out of this place (legislative quarters) so that they

Is this why APC lawmakers and their PDP counterparts have become irreconcileable, sitting in different locations as they have been doing for some time now? It is because of the lawlessness of the APC legislators and their godfather. That is why it has become so hard. He has cajoled his boys and they have agreed with him to collapse the legislature into the executive who have gone against the Supreme Court ruling that the house of assembly must sit in the place so designated for it. Rather, they chose to sit in the government house and from there, they begin to make laws from that place and roll out rules of impunity. So they have made it impossible because there is no way the PDP legislators will go to government house to sit. We are never going to go there. The place so designated for our sitting is where we are sitting and nowhere else.

Momoh

‘Speaker forged my signature’ will say that I was killed in the process. And then if they succeed in getting me out of this place, assassins who are on the streets will go after me and kill me and even kidnap some of my children and members of my family. And to that extent, I have so laid the complaints of their grand designs and in addition to all that, the state government, itself, has a hand in all that because you are aware that I moved a motion on the floor of the house calling on the law enforcement agents to quiz the N22 billion fraud that they perpetrated in diverting the fund allocated to Edo state local governments and it was widely reported on Sunday July 27, 2914 in the Pilot newspaper at page 4; so all of them, you can find out that the legislators and the executive arm of government are conniving to find how to snuff life out of me to ensure that I am not there at the appropriate time, either as a witness or otherwise. Have leaders in your constituency and the state brought this ugly situation to the attention of the governor who, incidentally, is your kinsman? The governor is from my constituency and although I wasn’t there but traditional rulers, from that area, have had cause to visit the state chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih to say that they were interested in the issue being resolved; that I was one of those championing the move to impeach the governor and I wonder how that could be. They have taken various steps and made recommendations that the status

quo ante be maintained so that peace can return but the governor has not kept his own part of the bargain as he has continuously urged his boys, including Uyi Igbe and co to continue their reign of impunity. As I am talking to you, even the state chairman said it, the salaries of PDP legislators have been stopped, go and look at the payroll for July, the names of nine of us are not there. I am aware they have made efforts but the power that be will always have his way because, you know, he is the sitting governor and who has immunity. One of the accusations against those of you that defected from the APC to the PDP is that you were induced to impeach the speaker, deputy governor and the governor himself. Is this true, were you paid? Have they committed impeachable offence? The thing is that they always say that the guilty is always afraid. Maybe, they are guilty that is why they are afraid but I do know, like I said before and I know from all my colleagues that

So that is to let you know that by the Supreme Court ruling, an appeal, in itself, is an automatic stay of execution pending when that appeal is heard

To what extent, would you say, the PDP lawmakers have complied with the order of the courts because the allegation is that you have been violating the order of the court to go back and obey the rules of the house? Well, to a very large extent, just as we said in the plenary on Wednesday30th or thereabout, that in the first place, a man that is on an appeal cannot be said to be violating an order that he has appealed against because there was a case where a man was on appeal. He was convicted and was supposed to have been killed. I don’t know whether he was convicted for armed robbery or murder. While the appeal was pending in the Supreme Court, he was executed and the judge said no you can’t do that. So that is to let you know that by the Supreme Court ruling, an appeal, in itself, is an automatic stay of execution pending when that appeal is heard. There is no matter that is before the court for which an order has been obtained against the PDP house of assembly members. It is against them. You have found out therefore that the PDP could not have been said to be in disobedience of any court order because in every case when an order is made that is not to their won benefit or not to their liking or acceptability, they go to the court to appeal and file a stay of execution. Is it true that the governor, with others from the state, met President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja to broker the crisis? Yes, he was told to go home and sort out the problem. When we came back to Edo state, the governor said we should come to government house to hold meeting on how to resolve the problem but we said no, we are not coming to government house. He has to come to the house of assembly on Ring Road where we can meet and discuss or some other neutral ground. But nobody is going to the government house to discuss those issues. However, I want to tell Edo people to be steadfast in their struggle for the protection of the country’s nascent democracy. And they should not waiver as anything good must cost time, money and inconveniences. This is the way we can start by, first of all, ensuring that the legislative arm is not collapsed into the executive arm so there can be checks and balance. The PDP are grateful to them for their unflinching support all through this struggle. They are most appreciated.

PERSPECTIVES

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014

Udom Emmanuel in the eyes of Ibibio Elders

“A

The many faces of Babangida Aliyu

Dominik Umosen

ven in its advanced atrophy, including security personnel snitching on colleagues, even on to death and public officers stealing from the dead and pilfering retirement benefits of the aged, it was still possible to collapse into a huge fit of laughter last week after reading the story about the Niger State governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu allegedly weeping over the calamitous plunge in the fortunes of education in the country. I actually pinched myself, severally, as I read the report, somehow expecting a contradiction because the smooth-talking governor, who lured some of his colleagues into opposition but tactfully hung back in the ruling PDP, ordinarily ought not to have said – as he did - that there is need for the private sector and professional bodies to establish more universities and polytechnics in different parts of the country as a conscious move to reverse the dipping fortunes of education in the country. If you are familiar with the utterances and antics of some members of this generation of political leaders, including Aliyu who is the chairman of Northern Governors Forum, surprise over this latest position of the governor is perfectly understandable. Even without recalling his feigned dissatisfaction with the ruling party, only to sit back and laugh at rookie rebels like Murtala Nyako, Ahmed Abdulfatah and other governors who bought his dummy by jumping political ship, Aliyu, from all indications, does not appear to be eager to disappoint those who have categorized him as an unstable politician. Unless the Niger State governor does not realize the need to update his repertoire of intrigues, he should have known that many Nigerians still recall that he led the rabbel of opposition against the visionary plan by unduly-maligned President Goodluck Jonathan to integrate the social dregs of Arewa, almajiris, into the countrty’s educational system. I can still recall Aliyu arguing that the reprehensible almajiri system, which remains a favoured tool of oppression by feudalism, should not be tampered with by the Federal Government, allegedly because it is a cultural issue and, as such, should not concern the government. Because public officers often hide under the excuse of having been misquoted as explanation for various indiscretions and unguarded utterances, many right-thinking Nigerians expected Gov Aliyu to walk this familiar route. But they waited in vain because he is no different from the typical feudalist who does not believe that almajiris deserve a decent live. The tear-jerdking denial of a decent live for almajiris is an enduring cornerstone of the social fraud called feudalism. Until Gov Aliyu tells Nigerians what has

changed between when he opposed project liberation for almajiris and now, his crocodile tears fcr education remains another sad index of political duplicity and irrelevance to the ordinary northerner who have been duped by generations of selfish political leaders. In his gyration to the same song but before different audiences, the governor must explain why he chosed the forefront of ill-advised opposition to President Jonathan’s commendable initiative for almajiris, as if this category of citizens are no better than fleas ticking his over-fed dog. Instead of commending the move to give a meaningful life to those traditionally raped by feudalism, Aliyu volunteered to be a critical pillar of opposition against the FG’s plans to improve the lot of veritable victims that feudalism condemned to a lifetime of inconsequentiality. How, then, could his latest weeping for education be different from crocodile tears?. This is the same jaded antic a former governor of Yobe, now a senator, deployed to hound the president for poverty in the North-East; the same area the he squandered resources on exquisite palaces and exotic limousines for traditional rulers, instead of poverty-alleviation schemes for the people. For several years, this confused blend of mischief and deceit was deployed by selfish political leaders in that part of the country. For example, while a negligible few feasted obscenely on the commonwealth, accumulating staggering fortunes in the process, the vast majority wallowed in poverty, including almajiris whom the avaricious high-priests of feudalism decreed as sub-human and fit only for a life-time of begging. This explains the staggering contradiction whereby mindboggling affluence and some of the wealthiest Nigerians co-habit with mind-numbing poverty. Attempts by some mischievous politicians to hang this contradiction on President Jonathan not only come across as hilarity re-defined but also attract guffaws and allegations of cluelessness against those who monopolized political power in the country, only to turn around and blame others for their self-inflicted poverty. If not disingenuous mischief, why would a former governor who spent eight years acquiring choice limousines and more palaces for traditional rulers now be blaming President Jonathan for his lack of fore sight. For a very long time, this same country bumpkin world view held sway in this country. And that is what is most likely going to happen by the time this selfdestructive madness by Boko Haram liquidates itself. Another barbarian with a wicked sense of humour might insist on equality of representation for all Nigerians, including those that are causing mayhem and killing innocent citizens to repudiate western education.

nd it came to pass when they come, that he looked on ELIAB and said, surely the Lord’s anointed is before him. But the Lord said unto Samuel, look not on his countenance or on the height of his stature, because I have refused him: For the Lord seeth not as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. Then Jesse called ABINADAB and made him pass before Samuel, And he said, neither hath he chosen this.Then Jesse made SHAMMAH to pass by, and he said neither hath the Lord chosen this. Again, Jesse made seven of his Sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, the Lord hath not chosen these. And Samuel unto Jesse, Are here all thy children ? and he said there remaineth yet the youngest and behold he keepeth the sheep, and Samuel said unto Jesse, send and fetch him, for we will not sit down till he come hither......And the Lord said, ARISE, ANNOINT HIM, FOR THIS IS HE.’’THE HOLY BIBLE,1 SAMUEL 16:6-12.KJV. The above story in the scripture is about the search for a suitable LEADER. The beginning to the end, false appearance to reality, rejection to acceptance. Like the Biblical Samuel, Ibibio Elders Forum waited for whom among their sons and daughters the 2015 governorship cap would fit in Akwa Ibom State.The Forum were not in a hurry to endorse anyone among the legion that has consulted them, knowing that it is pardonable for youths to make mistakes and not excusable when elders are involved. Aterall,’ the words of elders are supposed to be words of wisdom’.The elders, like the biblical Samuel patiently listened to ELIAB, ABINADAB, SHAMMAH and the seven sons of JESSE but prayerfully awaited when a David would step forward for endorsement. That day came on Friday, August 25, 2014,when Mr Udom Emmanuel, incumbent Secretary to the State Government [S.S.G] of Akwa Ibom State met the group in Uyo,Akwa Ibom State at the residence of the chairman, Dr Okon Akpan Uko. Mr Emmanuel’s visit rounded off the group’s search for the next governor of the state. Joyfully, the group not only received Mr. Emmanuel but also endorsed him as their choice for the coveted position of chief executive of akwa ibom state come 2015. Speaking during the event, Rt.Hon. Nduese Essien, a former federal legislator and Minister for Housing and Urban Development recalled, the superlative performance of Mr. Emmanuel in the private sector, which, he noted, facilitated unprecedented employment for indigenes of the state, saying “those who got jobs through Mr,Emmanuel’s assistance have established themselves to the envy of their contemporaries in other states.” The elders acknowledged the fact that Mr Udom Emmanuel is the only Ibibio son to sit on the Board of African Finance Corporation and remains the highest ranking Akwa Ibom son in the financial world, wondering “why Akwa Ibomshould go to war with mere recruits when they have a ‘General’ who has discharged himself creditably. Chief Nduese Essien added that the governors’ forum needs a driving personality like Mr.Udom Emmanuel who can compete and blend effectively with other governors.“It is on this basis that the entire Ibibio elders of Akwa Ibom State have realized that we need someone like Udom Emmanuel as Governor, come 2015,because he is the right choice and truly deserves the seat,” he said. Earlier, the chairman of the forum, Dr Okon Akpan Uko decried the intense falsehood, bad propaganda/blackmail and the pull down syndrome of Ibibio illustrious sons. While extolling Udom Emmanuel, Dr. Uko admonished him against cultism and urged him to be close to God as he

Emmanuel

has always been, noting that Emmanuel easily stands out as the most appropriate and credible candidate for the job and wondered why people think that the incumbent governor should not have a say in who succeeds him. The forum expressed optimism that with his level of exposure and connections within and beyond the country, the Udom’s tenure as governor will attract direct foreign investments to the state, which they noted, would ultimately lead to the industrialization that the people have been yearning for In attendance were prominent elders from all the 10 Federal Constituencies in the state, including a member of the SouthSouth People’s Assembly, Dr Emmanuel Akpanobong (Secretary of the forum); Obong Otu Robert; Engr. Billy Etuk; Elder Ben Udobia; Obong Okokon Etuk; Obong T. O. Akpan, and Dr Cyril Ekiko. Others were Chief Michael Afangideh; Obonganwan Ebinda; Martyns Udoinyang; Chelly Okoko; Obong Israel Utit; Mrs. Christine Akpan; Obong Isaac Akpakam; Obong Onaidem; Tony Mike; Barr. Esema Esema; Obong Emmanuel Ibiok; Obong Michael Afangideh, and the Chairman of Okobo Local Government Council, Hon Mrs. Felicia Bassey.Though it was a gathering of Ibibio elders, many prominent citizens of the state from Annang and Oron ethnic groups also attended. Like the biblical rebuke of David by his kinsmen as recorded in 1 Samuel 17:2430,the endorsement of Emmanuel has ruffled feathers but there are indications that he will press forward. After all, the biblical David consoled himself with these words in the book of Psalms 23:5 ‘’ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointed my head with oil, my cup runneth over’’.With the statewide endorsement of Emmanuel, certainly his cup over-floweth. The endorsement by Ibibio elders and others can therefore be described as a fulfillment of the scripture and end of the search for the next governor come 2015. •

Mr Akpan Umoh writes from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

FaceOff NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

9 AUGUST 2014

Ex-detainees have hijacked PDP in Osun – Oyinlola The former National Secretary of the PDP, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola on Tuesday publicly declared for the All Progressives Congress, APC, where he accused some individuals within the state’s chapter of PDP of forming a clique of ex-detainees. In this interview with journalists in his Osogbo residence on Wednesday, the former Osun State governor, substantiated his claim, among other things. Adeolu Adeyemo and Mojeed Alabi were there. Excerpts: Why did you choose to join APC and not any other party? Thank you very much. The primary objective of any serious political party is to seek to take control of government to better the lot of the people by improving the economy through good policies and programmes. The only opposition party seeking to do that in Nigeria today is the All Progressives Party, APC. Or which other party is as serious as APC? This is a party with about 15 governors while PDP has 17. When you look at several other parameters too, you give it to APC automatically. So if anyone is really interested for the betterment of this country, I think the best platform to join is APC, and that is why I am in the APC. But how will you cope relating with your old enemies, who you had at different times in the past exchanged bitter words, especially with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu? Such is politics. In politics, there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies. What is permanent

give Nigeria the best leadership that will address all the major challenges facing this country, and I think that is what they are after. All the engagements we have had in the past were simply displays of politics. We are relating with each other as best of friends, and I can tell you categorically clear that immediately after the rally on Tuesday, everybody including Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Isiaka Adeleke and even the governor himself had dinner with me in my Okuku hometown. So, that is to tell you that politicians have the same feathers and can fly in the same direction at any time and can part ways at any time too. At times too, we disagree to agree. But the same APC has at different times described your seven and a half years in government as a waste. How do you feel about that now? What is the different between what you just raised and what we have been discussing? It is all politics and if they didn’t condemn what I did how would they justify their aspiration? That is the nature of politics and I don’t brood over what is past. It is not in my character because life itself is like a coin with two faces. You alleged some people within the PDP in Osun State of having pacts together based on their detention experience. Why did you say so? Why wouldn’t I say so? Even before they contest election they have shared all the available positions and we found out all the people pencilled down to take one position or the other within the party are those who were detained together with their governorship candidate in Ibadan over the alleged killing of late Chief Bola Ige. My former commissioner, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan, is a minister; Ganiyu Olaoluwa is the party chairman; Prof. Wale Oladipo is the national secretary of the

PDP; Kunle Alao (Lele) is the candidate for the Osun Central Senatorial district; and Omisore is the governorship candidate? Why the coincidence? Does it mean that before you are entitled to a position in our own party we must have been in prison with them? Such coincidence must be critically looked into because it portends a great danger not only for our party but also for the country. But I am not saying they killed Bola Ige o. I don’t know who did, so don’t misconstrue me. The PDP has claimed that you are a spent force without any followership in the party anymore. What is your reaction? Let them say whatever they like but why are they troubled about my exit if I don’t have followers again? Why did they continue to mount pressure on me not to leave PDP even till the moment I mounted the rostrum to declare for the APC? Did you see a copy of the letter sent to me by Olaoluwa himself in the Tribune newspaper publication of Tuesday? Many people had left the party without them appealing to them, why was my own case different? It is normal for them to say anything; in fact, saying such only reflects that they are disturbed. But let’s wait and see, whether I still have followership or not, Saturday will determine when they would have failed woefully. The party also said you used Otunba Omisore’s ticket in 2007 for your rerun? That is not true. How could that be true? In fact, when he said he wanted to run, Ooni of Ife called the two of us together and said, ‘Look Omisore, all the obas under the platform of the Council of Obas have agreed that Oyinlola should go for second term and 11 Oonis cannot change it.’ That was how baba put it that day. Kabiyesi then said he should return to his Senate and that he should support my governorship term while he should prepare for 2011, and that was why I was committed to his ambition in 2011, even when Ooni wanted to think otherwise. I simply reminded Kabiyesi of our earlier agreement. What will you miss in your former party? What will I miss? I miss nothing practically. My friends are still my friends and the only thing that has separated us is politics. I still regard them as my friends. Will Adejare Bello or even Omisore come into my house now and I will chase them out? That is not possible. They remain my friends except they don’t want to take me as one. Like I have always maintained, I don’t brood over what is past.

i s interest, and my interest now is to

Oyinlola

Many people had left the party without them appealing to them, why was my own case different?

But did you inform both your so much revered bosses of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, before you took this decision? I believe very strongly that they are not unaware of my travails within the PDP and they also made spirited efforts to get the issues resolved but President Goodluck Jonathan had made everything impossible. So I think if they found themselves in my shoes, they might have taken similar steps. What do you see on Tuesday? I see nothing but victory for the APC. What else will I see than victory when you could see the crowd everywhere shouting APC?

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014

FACEOFF | POLITICS

Detainees helped Oyinlola to win governorship election –Olaoluwa As the chairman of the party, how does the PDP view the defection of former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola to the All Progressives Congress, APC? Defection is a normal thing in politics, and to us, former governor Oyinlola’s exit from our party means nothing and nothing at all. He had left our party long ago and what you saw on Tuesday by his public declaration was just a ceremony. He had been working for the APC long ago, which we had identified and prepared against. So, his public defection could only be new to outsiders and not to us. So there is no vacuum at all and his defection cannot in anyway alter the victory of PDP at the poll. Why would you say he had defected long ago? When did he become a member of APC? I am the chairman of this party (PDP) and even when you blink I know what it means. Let me give you the details of the genesis of his defection and how treacherous Oyinlola could be. He was sitting by my side at the convention in Abuja as we were dressed in the same attire and suddenly the former governor said he had stomach disorder and that he was going to toilet. The next of him we would see was on Channels Television screen where they had formed the New PDP. Without informing anybody and I was shocked. How could somebody sitting with me take such a decision without even hinting me and you think he is not dangerous. And who actually formed the New PDP, was it not the handiwork of the APC? So, it had been long that he joined them. Aside this, there was a time I led the state working committee of our party to his house while his case was still pending in court and he told us to be preparing to join APC, and I asked him; ‘Including me the state chairman?’ He said ‘yes,’ and I told him point blank that I will never work with the likes of (Asiwaju Bola) Tinubu who you yourself had told us live a fake life. I said that will be like a dog eating his vomit. So, you can see how long he had made up his mind. Apart from this, if you had listened to him carefully, he was saying calling APC our party and he never made a mistake of saying PDP. That would tell you that he had left long ago. But the former governor has described your camp as a group of ex-detainees, insisting that all of you who defected from the Alliance for Democracy and detained in Agodi prison in Ibadan have hijacked the party from them, the foundation members. What is

Whatever Oyinlola may say, he has reached the end of his political career and mark my words, the contradictions within APC will soon claim all of them

Alhaji Ganiu Olaoluwa is currently the chairman of Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who in 2003, 2007 coordinated the former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s campaigns. In this interview with Adeolu Adeyemo and Mojeed Alabi, the former Chairman of Olorunda Local Government Area of the state refers to his former boss as an ingrate. Excerpts: your take on this? Oyinlola, calling us ex-detainees? That shows he is a big ingrate. Who was Oyinlola in 2002/2003? Where was he? Did he ever think of contesting for governorship? Was it not these same detainees who won the election for him from prison? Omisore was the only sellable candidate but the trumped up charges against him by the never-do-wells had been on, and right there in the prison, he allowed his governorship form to be used by Oyinlola and he campaigned for him. Go and note it, Omisore won his election into the senate from that detention with the highest number of votes recorded by any senator in the country during the election, just to prove to you how his victimisation had won him sympathy. And apart from that, in my own case in particular, I was not an ex-detainee when I was leading his campaigns then. For five months, 14 days, I never slept in my house and most times we would both sleep in the car. Oyinlola taught me how to eat kolanut as food and even sugarcane too. And if he is now saying that all of us had been to detention together, was he not number seven on the list of those of us to be picked up then? Was he not the greatest beneficiaries of our travails? Was he not the same person sending me to those left in the detention to take care

of them? If he is now claiming that we want to hijack the control and share the spoils of the party, were we the ones who was a governor for seven and half years? Could he come out openly to say that it was his popularity that won him such? And when he was removed as a governor, he also became the National Secretary of the party, but mismanagement caused him the job. But the former governor said your political camp intimidated

fellow party members and that you are only after the spoils of the party. What is your view on this? If you had listened to former governor Oyinlola very well on their podium that day, you would notice that the glory he wanted to gain had been gained for that moment and that has marked his political end for life. And talking about intimidation, how did it happen? Who did we intimidate? Was it Isiaka Adeleke who never took part in the primary? He came one day and told me that President Goodluck Jonathan had ordained him as the party’s candidate but when I asked him who was sent to us because as the party chairman I felt I should be the first to know if that was the case, and he said former governor Gbenga Daniel was the one sent. I immediately called Otunba Daniel and I put the phone on speaker, and he refuted the claim, saying it was long he even saw Adeleke. Daniel even asked me; ‘Am I a member of your political party again?’ I was dumbfounded. Could you believe that? Such is a man gunning to become a governor under our platform. So whatever Oyinlola may say, he has reached the end of his political career and mark my words, the contradictions within APC will soon claim all of them. They are bunch of liars and a party of propaganda.

Olaoluwa

50 Feature

ince the death of Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian who died of ebola virus in Lagos on July 25 and the subsequent death of one of the nurses who attended to him, fear has gripped the majority of the Nigerians. The fear was compounded when the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said at a presss conference that, “Nigeria has now recorded seven confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVB).” Following the announcement that personal and environmental hygiene is a preventive measure, Nigerians who have become aware of the presence of the ebola virus now scamper to buy hand sanitisers to use especially after shaking people. No doubt on a daily basis, we touch dirty doorknobs, touch money, use ATMs, use germ-filled bathrooms, encounter people who cough, sweat and sneezes, some Nigerians now have a portable hand sanitiser that they carry with them to use at intervals as a preventive measure to the spread of the ebola virus since they are always on the go and will not have the time to always wash their hands. These hand sanitisers which are made by different companies come in an array of packaging and in different sizes. However, some are easy carry-on as they can easily fit into your trousers pocket and handbag without feeling the weight. It is especially convenient in an office environment to keep your hands germfree throughout the day. Some of this ultra-portable hand sanitisers uses alcohol or other chemicals to disinfect and cleanse as needed. Some also come in scented spray, lotion, and foam forms that do the double duty of killing germs and moisturising. Sales and demand for hand sanitisers on the rise Shops and supermarkets visited by New Telegraph on Saturday confirm that the demand for hand sanitisers which have been left on their shelves for months has risen significantly due to the ebola virus. At a medium size household and toiletries store at Ogba, the sales girl who gave her name simply as Ogechi said that the demand for hand sanitisers and hand wash has been on the increase in more than a week. “Now we are out of stock of hand sanitisers which have been on the shelves for sometime. But some people buy hand wash especially the Dettol hand washes since the brand has been in existence for years and is a household name when it comes to sanitising,” she says. At Addide, a big supermarket along Iju Road, it was confirmed that since the outbreak of ebola virus, the sales of hand sanitisers is on the increase. In fact, as at Friday, they are out of stock of hand sanitisers due to the increasing demand. Also, when New telegraph visited Shoprite Ikeja yesterday (Friday) morning there were no hand sanitisers left on the shelves. However, one of the sales representatives in the cosmetic section confirmed that they are out of stock. “People have been coming to buy hand sanitisers like never before. We are out of stock right now. With the awareness of the ebola virus in the country, hand sanitisers are on high demand. People buy hand wash too but hand sanitiser is the main thing,” she adds. Also at Poise, a cosmetic and toiletry shop within the Ikeja Shopping Mall, that incidentally seem to be the only shop that still have hand sanitisers in stock, the portable carton was placed right on the cashier counter where it can easily be seen by anybody. The female cashier says, “The demand for hand sanitiser has increased. You will not find any left when you come back in the next five minutes.” Hot water and salt solution In the early hours of Friday, social

Ebola:

Pains, gains and myth of a deadly virus

As the ebola virus continue to be a source of concern to Nigerians, WAHEED BAKARE, ANGELA DAVIES And CAJETAN MMUTA, examine how people are reacting to advice being given by the government on how to curb the spread of the deadly virus. media were a washed with claim that ebola can be prevented if people add salt to hot water and bath with it. Some people who spoke with one of our correspondents say they received calls and text messages from friends and relatives asking them to use hot water and salt solution as a precaution. It was learnt that some churches and mosques advise their members not to ignore the advice. A social media commentator, Ikem Okuhu, posted on his facebook wall that, “Persistent phone calls woke me at 3am. At first, I ignored them and thought I could continue to sleep but the damned thing won’t stop ringing. “I put the phone in silence mode and tried to sleep but Ebube (his child) chose that time to want to weewee! So while walking him to the toilet, I opened my phone and saw that my sisters, aunties, cousins, friends and sundry distant relatives have been calling. At first, I thought a relative had died. Because I was not picking, two of them had forwarded the messages below: ‘Please ensure that you and your family and all neighbours bath with hot water and salt before day break today because of ebola virus which is spreading through the air.’ “Because I know that sleep has gone for good, I called two of them and was shocked that they were all awake still hoping to reach me before day break. While this showed how much they cared about me, I was more concerned about how much religion-inspired superstition

We sell mainly bush antelope meat and compliment it with other types of bush meat but now nobody is asking for the essential meat and that was why we folded up

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014

Health workers fumigating the environment

has come to control almost all that we think and do.” As this claim was going viral on the Internet, the government again issued a statement to discredit this claim. In Edo, fear for bush meat is the beginning of wisdom While sellers of sanitisers are laughing all the way to the banks, those who sell bush meat are bemoaning their fate as people now shun the delicacy which they once savoured. In other words, millions of people are awe stricken about the health hazards of consumption of bush meat as major source of protein of residents in the rural and urban centres in most West African nations. The ever growing agrarian communities and residents are presently at crossroads over what fate offers in the wake of the raging holocaust. While the markets for bush sales have drastically dwindled in the past few weeks following reports of the spread of the virus and bush meat being major vectors, those who patronise it and the sellers are too scary. Available findings show that bats, monkeys and other species of Apes are believed to be core vectors. As medical personnel battle, though somewhat lately, to find solution through researches on the possible ways out of the global epidemic of human race if nothing urgent is done to nip it in the bud, the life of people in each passing day hangs in the balance. In parts of rural communities and even urban centres of Edo State, there is a high rate of dread and abstinence from bush meat consumption. New Telegraph on Saturday investigation shows that those who patronise bush meat sellers in some of the markets in the far local and major towns have taken to their heels in fear of the unknown. This was after it had been warned and even proven with the death of the Liberian ebola carrier, late Sawyer and the latest female doctor in Lagos, about the imminent danger of such or continued indulgence in bush meat which over time has been the main delicacy of large number of people in the state.

The hospital where Sawyer was taken to at Obalende

In Benin City, and its environs, study shows that women who are the major dealers on bush meat and make contacts daily with hunters, are threatening fire and brimstone. Their grouse is the mounting campaign by states and the federal ministries of health against bush meat consumption. According to them, the campaign has pushed them out of their traditional and ancestral business hence their means of livelihood has seriously been jeopardised. One of our reporters who visited New Benin, Oliha, Ewotubu and Igbuyoko markets in Oredo and Egor council areas of the state discovered that the bush meat sellers have closed shops and their tables for the once thriving business have been overturned to the shock of many. One of the sellers, who wished to be identified simply as Mrs. Victoria, said, “This is very bad for us and our families. How do we feed our families? Ebola is not in Edo State but since government and people started this their campaign we packed our tables because customers have failed to come and buy from us.”

Feature

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014

I was more concern and how much religioninspired superstition has come to control almost all that we think and do

Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu

Sawyer

The mother of five who was reluctant to comment on the state of her sales since news of the spread of the virus blamed officials of ministry of health for destroying the bush meat business which is the source of her livelihood, insisting that instead they should tell the public with emphasis not to eat bats and monkeys. She explained that before she got married to her husband she inherited the bush meat business from her nonagenarian mother. She said, “We sell mainly bush antelope meat and complement it with other types of bush meats but now nobody is asking for the essential meat and that was why we folded up. “Before the ebola issue the antelope meat as a delicacy was very expensive because it was in high demand during marriages people are always requesting for it for traditional marriage ceremonies. They buy it in whole but now you can see there is no one asking for it again. Since early in the morning when I came to the market to this evening I have not sold any one. Yesterday it was the same problem, what do I do now

because of ebola?” An aggrieved dealer who did not want her name mentioned in print said that they were going to protest against the ban on bush meat since they could not find another means to cater for their families now that ebola scourge has taken over their business. Findings show that fully-dried antelope meat sells for N4, 000 while porcupine bush meat goes for N5, 000 yet no one seems to be asking for them from an available stand in Oliha and New Benin markets when this reporter visited. An aged woman who had a good number of bush meats on display at Oliha market appeared desolate as there was no one in sight to buy from her as activities peaked in the area when our reporter visited, although she failed to respond to questions about customers’ response to her wares. But Madam Ayo who is reputed in the local supply of bush meat dismissed the claim that ebola is contracted through eating of bush meat. She told New Telegraph in a telephone interview that the business is still in high demand by her

customers who place orders for bush meat for marriages and burial ceremonies within her areas of jurisdiction. She said, “The Ebola thing does not affect my business; I still sell at the same rate as before and the ebola problem is not from bush meat rather they said it comes from the consumption of monkey meat and we don’t sell monkey.” Meanwhile, observations point to the fact that there is increased anxiety and apprehension among residents in the state over repeated warnings and campaigns by various media outfits and government agencies on the import of the ebola outbreak and need for absolute clean environment, individual hygiene and emphasis on regular washing of hands. Mad rush for bitter kola Besides, reports have it that bitter kola has become a common resort as last minute relief and preventive option for the disease. Investigation shows also that there is a mad rush for bitter kola making it possible for a sudden rise in the price of the local product. Bitter kola, no doubt, has some medicinal effect for the cure against cough, catarrh and is believed to boost immunity as well as other traditional benefits to the local residents, for example, offer to guests in appreciation for their visits to homes and ceremonies. Although the government has advised people that bitter kola did not have medicinal value to cure ebola, some people said they now chew it to wade off the virus. Findings show that the smallest bitter kola now goes for as high as N50 per a ball as against a wrap of six or seven balls or pieces for the same cost. More so, findings in some of the nearby mar-

kets in the capital Benin city revealed sharp differences in the prices. At the New Benin market, the bitter kola that usually in wraps of six sells for N50 now sells in measured bowls and a small bowl goes for N2, 500 while bigger one is sold for N3, 000. The rise in the price may not be unconnected with the media report few days ago about the scarcity of the product in parts of northern Nigeria as people reach out for it as preventive measures. But Mrs. Esther Olihah, 26 years, who sells kola nuts and other accessories acknowledged that she got wind of the ebola issue through a call on her by a friend from Lagos State. She noted however that the price of bitter kola has not gone up as is the case in some other markets in the state. Olihah explains that the price either in wraps or bowl depends on how each dealer buys from the local suppliers, adding that a wrap of six or seven sells for N50 and nothing much has changed since the reports on ebola scourge. As citizens and the world wait helplessly for possible drugs and treatment option against ebola brouhaha, the Edo State government recently announced that there is no trace of the deadly disease in the state. The government however advised the people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious case to the nearest health facility. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aihanuwa Eregie, at a press briefing, said the state Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other health partners has carried out disease surveillance activities in all parts of the state to ensure early detection of any outbreak and the timely containment and control of same. The commissioner says since a case of the deadly Ebola Virus has been confirmed in Nigeria that there is need for everyone to be extra vigilant to prevent the virus in the state because of the highly contagious nature of the disease. Eregie explains that ebola virus is a deadly infectious viral hemorrhagic disease that affects humans and is usually transmitted from infected persons to another by direct close contact through body fluids and secretion. According to her, many animals including monkeys, chimpanzees, bats, antelope, porcupines, gorillas among others, are known to be the hosts, adding that signs of the disease include sudden onset fever, weakness, muscle pains, headaches and sore throat followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash and impaired kidney and liver functions. Eregie warns that the disease may progress to internal and external bleeding, organ failure and consequently death noting that the disease initially manifest like other ailments like malaria, typhoid fever, hepatitis, cholera, diarrhea, lassa fever and meningitis. The health commissioner adds that the disease can be diagnosed through laboratory tests and can be prevented by avoiding contact with likely infected animals (dead or alive) and infected persons and corpses of victims, in addition to adhering to strict personal hygiene. She stressed that any suspicious case in the community should be reported to the nearest health facility, the local government or state Ministry of Health immediately. “There is no cure and vaccines to prevent it yet,” and advises health workers to observe standard precautions at all times including hand washing routines and use of personal protective equipment.

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Lagos State House: Let more people run!

he line up to Lagos government house appears to be getting longer by the day in the All Progressive Congress (APC). The more the merrier. At the last count there was Lanre Babalola, amiable Chief of Staff of the incumbent governor; Dr. Leke Pitan, sociable Medical Practitioner and former commissioner for health; Akin Ambode retired Super civil servant of the Lagos State Government and choice of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Dr. Obafemi Hamzat is the Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure in Lagos State; Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Senator for the Lagos West constituency of Lagos State; Representative Abike Dabiri, member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Ikorodu . I read a post on Facebook that Dabiri’s constituency had asked her to run; and Adeyemi Ikuforiji, speaker of the House of Representatives in Lagos. All these people want to be governor of the most difficult state to run: Lagos. Why do we say it’s difficult? Well you only have to look at the grey hairs on Babatunde Raji Fashola’s head and you will get the drift. The list would be quite complete if we have a matching and worthy contender running for the position on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The only person that readily comes to mind is Musiliu Olatunde Obanikoro, the current Minister of State for Defence. He is believed to understand south west politics better than any other prominent person in the PDP at present. He has been a senator on the AD Platform in Lagos, the high commissioner to Ghana and now he is part of the machinery that has been working hard to break Asiwaju’s grip on South West Nigeria. I read with a lot of concern a lot of text messages and tweets that said he was in Ekiti on the last Election Day. I also read a post from him on Facebook that said he was in Lagos; He even attached a photograph to the post to prove it.

BUSINESS SENSE ALEX OGUNDADEGBE alexogundadegbe@gmail.com

Ikuforiji’s case in court could discourage his candidature among the party faithful. Dr. Leke Pitan has become more like an outside –insider, so to muster support might not be that easy Two places at the same time? Obanikoro once told me that he would still like to be governor of Lagos. Which Lagosian would not like it? Koro, as he is know in down town Lagos, knows the state as well as the others and even perhaps better in some ways. So this is an open invitation: Run Obanikoro, run! Lagos needs to be heavily contested this time, both within the parties concerned and at the polls. There is no room for selection. If a candidate is forced upon the party like is intended with Ambode, there could be trouble. This is not to say that Akin Ambode is not qualified. Having served the state for about 27 years as an accountant who rose to become the Permanent Secretary

Ministry of finance and later Accountant General of Lagos state, his qualifications are not in doubt. The over a hundred thousand strong civil service in Lagos know him very well; Many civil servants believe he is the choice of the majority who work at Alausa and in the local government offices spread all around the state. But some of these public servants have other choices like Babalola. I asked the opinion of a group of civil servants and the response for Ambode was not all that cheery. Babalola, I gather, had earlier planned to go to the senate from where he would retire. But the word in Alausa is that the governor Babatunde Raji Fashola(BRF) prefers Babalola over and above all the other candidates who are on the line up! Former banker and technocrat extraordinary that Babalola is, who would blame BRF for his preference? He has shown the country that technocrats work better than politicians. We can not totally ignore the accusations heaped on the APC by the governor-elect of Ekiti, Prophet Ayo Fayose, who said that the Lagos state governor hardly had a hand in choosing anyone of his commissioners! Can he then choose his successor? Can we narrow the contenders in the APC down? The best hands to run the state that is the Centre of Excellence: APC are chauvinists so Abike

Dabiri might not stand a chance. In fact, the word in politicking circles is that her candidature was resolved in the negative, in an inner circle caucus meeting with another female APC bigwig protesting vehemently. Guess who? Ikuforiji’s case in court could discourage his candidature among the party faithful. Dr. Leke Pitan has become more like an outside –insider, so to muster support might not be that easy. Ambode’s non lagosian status could work against him. The Super civil servant it is believed actually hails from Ilaje in Ondo State and not Lagos as claimed. Lagosians, I think should give another technocrat a chance. At least give Babalola leeway to fly the flag for the APC in Lagos. If all the other contenders can queue up behind him and support him, I think he has a big chance of winning. The big question is: would Asiwaju give in? The former Lagos state governor is no doubt a factor in APC and indeed in South West politics in Nigeria. Everyone knows that Fashola owes his candidacy partly to Asiwaju and partly to the royalty in Lagos who wanted a Lagos indigene to be governor. Among the listed contenders there are a lot of Lagosians, but the state of origin alone is not the only prerequisite here. Who can build on the modest achievements of a governor who has widely been voted one of the best in Nigeria today? Would it not be someone who day in, day out has been with him all the way? We have seen in Lagos that it pays to shun politics as much as possible, and concentrate on development. Lagos is unique in the sense that even though it falls into the south west part of Nigeria, the population is highly cosmopolitan. The votes cast, therefore, would be for a person who can protect the interests of all. Could that person be Babalola?

The Ebola Virus and the quest for bush meat

have never liked bats. As a kid I used to watch the ugly things hang upside down in fruit trees in Shomolu. As we tried to get the fruits, with stones and sticks, the bats will wake up from their lazy slumber and fly away too blind to attack us. We will then pick the fruits from the ground and discover that the bats would have chewed half of the fruits, all we would do is to just bite off the points the bats had chewed and commence eating without even washing. You see how ignorance and poverty make people risk their lives. Little did we know that we were playing with the dreaded Ebola virus. A virus that is so vicious in its attack that the initial public enemy number one, HIV, is now like a baby rash. I hear that within 21 days of contracting the virus, you develop the disease and in five days we are singing at your funeral. It’s so bad that even the corpse is still a viable killing machine. Ebola has failed to respect boundaries. It has crossed into America and Spain and even gone for pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. This thing can wipe out the human race as we know it all from a stupid bat or bush meat. I recently saw a picture of Nigerian Immigration staff all dressed in preparation for the arrival of Ebola in our country. If not that this is a serious matter, I for yab them. Dem no see what the Americans are wearing, full coverage our people put gauze

EDGAR’S WORLD JOSEPH EDGAR

josephsamsponedgar@gmail.com

and gloves with short sleeve shirt and say they are ready. I could even see fear in their eyes. Those people will just bolt at the first sight of boil on the face of a passenger talk less of Ebola. We are never serious in this country that is why doctors refuse to call off their strike. Who wants to die. People who refused to work because of money will now come back to work to fight Ebola with bare hands? Me, I will never cease to marvel at Americans. Did you see on CNN the way they transported Ebola in captivity to their country and immediately neutralized it. The plane landed in all its majesty, discharged its patient and immediately took off to pick the second Ebola and we hear the people are getting better. Meanwhile our gallant doctor who must have thought she

Those people will just bolt at the first sight of boil on the face of a passenger talk less of Ebola. We are never serious in this country that is why doctors refuse to call off their strike was treating a simple case of malaria is battling for her life with the barest of attention. The Americans are even talking of the virus as a weapon in biological warfare, this tells you just how

much they understand its mutation. We have just begged for the drug to use and Obama says he cannot give us. That it is not safe just yet and not approved, but it’s working for his people. I am just looking at him, on his next visit, we will give him bush meat to eat. Pastor Joshua is a funny man. I hear he has asked his congregation to stay in their countries. He could cure AIDS, Ebola should be small thing. The man who singlehandedly captured Boko Haram, squeezed cancer out of people and slapped tuberculosis out of people has now asked Ebola people to wait in their countries that he is coming. I am on standby to escort him so that I can document this miracle of the century for future generations to watch. Ebola has kept me at home o. Nowadays I don’t hug people again, no handshake and certainly no bush meat again. I am now a recluse, I don’t want to die in five days. This thing will blow over, but I’m certain it will leave in its wake a different social ethos. It should give our authorities a wakeup call. They have still not closed our borders, I’m laughing here o. Lagos State with over 20 million people who are very mobile and who cross the borders like play are unusually exposed. Government should act fast or else by the time Ebola descends on us in real terms there will be nobody left to vote for APC.

IKEJA

ABEOKUTA

Binatone rewards customers

Court remands steward, friend in prison over N30m theft

IGBARA-OKE Adedeji for burial Aug 15 N EWS I N BRIEF

Chief Samuel Adebisi Adedeji, who died on July 17 will be buried Adedeji on August 15 in IgbaraOke, Ondo State. He would have been 89 on that day. According to a statement issued on behalf of his family by his son, Dr. Dokun Adedeji, the obsequies will begin with a service of songs at his residence next Thursday evening and then there would be a funeral service at the Anglican Church, Igbara-Oke, the next day before the interment. Adedeji is survived by his widow, Chief Grace Olubanwo Adedeji and children and many grandchildren.

29%

The percentage distribution of water-related disaster that occurred in Africa in 1990-2001. Source: Unesco.org

Leading electronics manufacturing brand, Binatone has concluded its football season campaign with a grand draw, giving away hundreds of its products to its customers, along with one brand new Kia Picanto car as the grand prize. The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Gurumoorthi Sridhar, said: “We know how much our customers love the sport of football and this football season, we chose to engage them through our unique promotional campaign.” All the winners will be individually contacted for the collection of their prizes. The list of winners will also be published.

22%

The percentage of population under 15 years in Bahamas in 2012. Source: Un.org

An Abeokuta Chief Magistrate's Court yesterday remanded, Abel Vibon, 28, and his friend, Aime Siavi, 28, in prison custody for alleged burglary and theft of his employer's N30 million. Prosecutor Banji Sangotokun had said that the two accused persons committed the offences on June 9 at 10 p.m. at Iyana-Oloke, Ibara Housing Estate in Abeokuta. Sangotokun said the accused persons burgled the house of one Bode Mustapha, a politician and damaged one Gababi Electronic digital safe valued at N10 million.

10.69m

The total population of Belgium (rep. 0.155% of world’s population) in 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

Insurgency will soon be over – Shehu of Borno BOKO HARAM The Shehu of Borno expresses optimism that peace will return to the state.

he Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, yesterday expressed optimism that the Boko Haram insurgency would end soon. Garbai said this when he received a coalition of civil society organisations in his palace in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. He said it was unfortunate that the insurgency had negatively affected the social and economic development of the state. The monarch recalled that in its over 1,000 years of existence, Borno State had witnessed similar crises in the past but came out stronger. “Kanem Borno had witnessed so many crisis in it’s over 1000 years of existence as an entity. We will surely overcome the Boko Haram crisis like we overcame those crises in the past,” Garbai said. He said what was needed was prayers and commitment by the Federal Government in fighting Boko Haram. Andrew Iro Okungbowa

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 august 2014

he Federal Government has now finalised plans to commence the implementation of the Growth and Employment (GEM) project in the country, following the receipt of financing for the project from the World Bank. A statement by the project coordinator, Mr. Y.S Labaran, said: “A Project Implementation Unit (PIU) has been set up and is fully functional at the Ministry

“I believe that with prayers from the people and commitment on the part of the state and the Federal Government we will overcome this. Borno will soon overcome the security challenges and regain its lost glory as ‘Home of Peace,” Garbai said. He said the Boko Haram insurgency was alien to the people as Borno people were known to be peaceful and law-abiding.

“The people of Borno have been known to be peaceful, law-abiding and accommodating. Hence the slogan `Home of Peace and Hospitality,’’ Garbai said. He commended civil society organisations for initiating numerous support programmes for victims of insurgency in the state and pledged his cooperation where necessary. He also pledged sup-

port for other community development programmes. The leader of the delegation, the Regional Manager of Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme, Hajiya Hafsatu Al-amin, said the visit aimed at seeking Garbai’s blessing and support for the organisation's programmes. Al-amin commended Garbai for his efforts in restoring peace to the state.

NMA strike: Doctors yet to report to work in Delta Joe Obende Warri

ith the strike by medical doctors in government employ called off, the physicians are not back to work in Delta State, saying they have not been ordered to do so by the Nigerian Medical Association. All government hospitals in the state have remained ghost spots except for a few nurses, pharmacists and other hands but without doctors. At the Warri Central Hospital which New Telegraph visited yesterday, virtually all the departments and wards were empty save for a few nurses, pharmacists and two patients at the Accident and Emergency Department who were being attended to by two senior nurses. One of the nurses, who said: "But you know we nurses are not on strike. When they come like this, we do what we can in the absence of doctors."

he Lagos State Coordinator of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN), Mr. Kuddus Kolawole, has

FG gets World Bank nod on growth and employment project Labaran stated that plans for the first phase of the project, which is focused on ICT, entertainment, hospitality/tourism and light manufacturing industries, have been concluded with a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) set up at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment Secretariat in Abuja. To this end, he said: “As a critical step in the programme implementation,

the PIU is organising a series of sector sensitisation workshops throughout the month of August. The workshops have been organised to ensure that the sector is fully informed about the project aims and have a chance to feed into the intervention plans from the outset.” The series of enlightenment workshops are aimed at improvement in investment climate, increase competitiveness of strategic

The Radiology, Medical Records departments and wards including male and female surgicals, chest/ skin, ante-natal and paediatric were empty. At the card-issuing unit, the personnel on duty told New Telegraph that patients come to obtain cards to see other health workers with their complaints other than doctors. He said there were others too for some other units such as Ear, Nose and Throat and Dentistry departments who see persons other than doctors too. Two pharmacists were at their duty posts doling out medication to patients. They said aside new cases and 'special' patients, there were old ones on permanent medication who come for them even though there was a lull since the strike began. A doctor who works at the hospital and who spoke to New Telegraph at his residence said he was yet to receive a back-to-work order from the NMA hence he was home.

Nigerian fashion industry worth over N1.55trn – FADAN T

Winner of the first prize of Kia Picanto, Mrs. Ifeayinwa Okoro, being given the car key by the Managing Director of Global Appliances Nigeria Limited, Mr. Gurumorthi Sridhar, (middle) with Mr. Vijay Pratap Singh, Service Manager, Mr. Atul Saraf, Regional Manager, Mr. Jai Arora, Product Manager and Mr. Yinka Oladepo Admin Manager.

of Trade and Investment Secretariat in Abuja. “As a critical step in the programme implementation, the PIU is organising a series of sector sensitisation workshops throughout the month of August. The workshops have been organised to ensure that the sector is fully informed about the project aims and have a chance to feed into the intervention plans from the outset.”

clusters, sustainably increase number of jobs and provide economic diversification. Following this, the Hospitality and Tourism Cluster Sensitisation is billed to hold on August 14 at the Premier Hotel, Mokola Hill, Ibadan, with key stakeholders and operators in the sector expected to attend the event alongside government officials, the World Bank and the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment.

said the nation’s fashion industry is worth about N1.55 trillion ($10 billion) and should attract investors “because it is juicy." Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday, he said that the Nigerian fashion industry was striving hard to grow, in spite of serious challenges such as erratic power supply and other overhead costs. “Our population in Nigeria, I must say, is one of the advantages we have in the fashion industry because it provides the platform for our works. “I can boldly say that Nigeria’s fashion industry is worth over $10 billion, but we are yet to tap into all the potential because of the cost of production which is aggravated by poor power supply. “For me as a designer, for instance, I spend up to N150,000 to fuel my generator in a month and most of my colleagues who own bigger companies spend even more. “In six years of doing business, I am about to buy my fourth generator, coupled with costs of advertising, photo shoots and others. “The fashion industry is so lucrative, in spite of the crippled state of the textile companies which was once the second major employer of labour.” Kolawole said the association planned to have a production hub and a retail store with a cluster of about 700 tailors and designers.

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Why FG is deploying military in elections – Nwagu JUSTIFICATION Reasons have been advanced for the deployment of troops to election areas in the country Onyekachi Eze

C ABUJA

hairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, has given reasons why military personnel are being deployed for the conduct of elections in the country, blaming it on the spate of the insurgency in the country. Nwagu, who spoke in Abuja yesterday on the preparedness of the police for today’s governorship election in Osun State, noted that adequate arrangements had been made for the security of lives and property before, during and after the election. The senator, who said that he had visited the state to see the readiness of members of the force deployed to monitor the election, said he was satisfied with what he saw on the ground. “INEC is doing its job but the security is doing more because without security, there will be no election. Af-

ter my interaction with the new IG, I come to the conclusion that Nigeria Police is ever ready to guarantee the security of lives and property of the people of Osun State on Saturday during the gubernatorial election. “I have no doubt in my mind that the election in Osun State in terms of provision of security, in terms of other arrangements will be better than that of Ekiti. This election is a test case for all the (political) parties, the electorate themselves then the security agencies and this election will also determine what will happen in 2015,” he added. He denied that some people had been deliberately targeted for arrest by the police, noting that while in Osun State, he did not see any act or movement by the security agencies, either the Army, Police or the SSS, which suggested that they targeted somebody for arrested. Nwagu however, warned that "in this election, if you think you will bring in thugs, you will be arrested, no matter the political party you belong to. Even the governorship candidate of the parties, if you commit an offence, you will be arrested; nobody has been marked for arrest”. On the issue of the use of the military in the conduct

of elections, Nwagu said the military were deployed in states or places based on where the government envisaged that there would be trouble not because government didn’t want members of a particular party to participate.

“Militarising Nigeria is because of insurgency and if elections are to be held in any part of the country, insurgents can capitalise on it and cause mayhem in that place. I hope all of us heard what the President even said about security in

the country generally,” he added. Nwagu who is a governorship aspirant in next year’s governorship election in Ebonyi State commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the

peaceful conduct of last month’s governorship election in Ekiti State, adding that “if elections are conducted in a transparent manner of that nature and the security is provided, a better candidate will always emerge”.

Court declines Nyako’s deputy’s request to stop by-election Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

he Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday refused the ex-parte application brought former Adamawa state deputy governor, James Ngilari seeking to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from conducting by-election to fill the vacant governorship seat following the impeachment of Murtala Nyako. The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, however, ordered that INEC be put on notice and fixed August 12 for hearing of the motion on notice containing similar prayer of injunction. Justice Ademola, who listened to Ngilari's counsel, Festus Keyamo moved two ex-parte motions filed on behalf of the plaintiff, granted his prayer for substituted

service, via the newspaper. The court also granted leave to the plaintiff to serve court processes on the defendants outside Abuja. Ngilari, whose office was declared vacant on July 15 by the state's lawmakers following the impeachment of the governor, had earlier this week sued the legislators and asked the court to sack the state’s acting Governor, Ahmadu Umaru and make him (Ngilari) the governor. The suit with number, FHC/ABJ/CS/545/14, joined Umaru, the Speaker, Adamawa State House of Assembly, the House of Assembly, the Acting Governor, Adamawa State, Nyako and INEC as defendants. Ngilari, who denied resigning his position within the contemplation of the provision of Section 306(1), (2) & (5) of the Constitution, said the purported resignation letter he sent to the Speaker was not meant for

to be acted on by the House of Assembly. He stated, in a supporting affidavit, that “I did not submit any letter of resignation to the 5th defendant (governor) or any other person other than the 1st defendant (the Speaker). “I only submitted a purported letter of resignation (exhibit A), to the 1st defendant but I never intended to comply with the strict provisions of sections 306 (1), (2) & (5) of the 1999 Constitution by submitting it to the 5th defendant (the Governor). “I never intended exhibit A (the letter) to be any subject of debate or resolution by the 2nd defendant (House of Assembly), but a private correspondence between myself and the 1st defendant, hence it was marked ‘secret’. “That exhibit A was only submitted to the 1st defendant with the intention of discussing the contents with

him privately at a more convenient time to alert him at a possible action I may take at a later date because of certain political developments in Adamawa State, hence I did not submit it to the 5th defendant (as Governor of Adamawa State) as strictly stipulated by section 306(1), (2) & (5) of the 1999 Constitution. “That I was therefore shocked to see that my letter was read and acted upon by the entire members of the 2nd Defendant when it was never addressed to them,” Nggilari stated. The embattled deputy governor raised seven questions for the court’s determination, and asked the court to restrain INEC and its agents from conducting a bye-election to fill the office of the Governor following the impeachment of the governor and the purported resignation of his deputy.

WORSHIPPERS AT THE LORD'S CHOSEN MINISTERS' CONFERENCE IN LAGOS

General Overseer, Lord's Chosen Charismatic Renewal Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, speaking at the event

Some of the pastors

Another set of pastors

A cross section of women leaders

photos: stanley chibuihem

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2014

Efe Ambrose back in Champions League

NFF dismisses Eddy Mark’s ‘decision’

uper Eagles defender, Efe Ambrose, is back in the UEFA Champions League after his Scottish side, Glasgow Celtic, was handed a lifeline by UEFA after Legia Warsaw made a massive mistake by fielding an ineligible player and have been knocked out of the Champions League. The Scottish Champions were knocked out by Legia 6-1 on aggregate over the two legs of their play-off match and were outplayed fair and square. However, with two minutes left of the second leg and the Polish side already 6-1 up, they brought on Bartosz Bereszynski as a substitute. Bereszynski had been sent off in their final Europa League game last season and therefore had to serve a three-match ban. For fielding Bereszynski, Legia have been kicked out of the competition for breaching the rules by fielding an ineligible player. Celtic were handed a 3-0 win in the second leg, and after losing 4-1 away from home in the first leg, that meant the scores were tied at 4-4 but the Glasgow club went through on away goals and will face NK Maribor in the final play-off match.

The Nigeria Football Federation has stated that its Appeals Committee is yet to meet over appeals by former Executive Committee members, Mr. Chris Green and Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’. Green and Ahmed ‘Fresh’ were suspended from the NFF Executive Committee and banned from football –related activities for different periods on Thursday. The former Chairman of Technical Committee was slammed a six –month ban for glaring anti-board activities and uncharitable media interviews, while ‘Fresh’ got a one-year ban for anti-board activities and forging a document to alter the decision of the Executive Committee on Management Staff. Nigeria football spokesman Ademola Olajire said on Friday: “This clarification is necessary in view of a report being circulated that the Appeals Committee has upturned the decision of the Executive Committee on these persons. “It is true that Barr. Green and Alh. Ahmed Yusuf have appealed their suspension from the Executive Committee and ban from football -related activities for different periods. But the letters of appeal only came in on Thursday night. “A decision purporting to have been handed down by the Chairman of the Appeals’ Committee (Eddy Mark) was received Friday morning in the NFF. The socalled decision did not state how many of the committee members were present, or whether the secretary was also there. “Whenever the committee will meet, its meeting will be at the NFF secretariat as it has always been, and all parties to the appeal, including the NFF Executive Committee and the appellants, will be available to present their case. The date of the meeting and time will also be made public. “It is a known fact that the Chairman of the Appeals Committee is a personal friend of one of the appellants. But Nigeria football is not the private business of any individual. “The decision still stands and will be conveyed to the next General Assembly for ratification.”

Efe Ambrose (right) and Juventus’ Alessandro Matri during last season Champions League match

Glasgow 2014 fallout: Locals abuse blackman, spit on him

Charles Ogundiya

ust days after hosting a successful Commonwealth Games, the locals living in Glasgow, capital city of Scotland, have been caught on camera abusing a black man. In a video currently circulating on the social

media, it shows a gang of thugs hurling racist abuse at a black man in Glasgow City Centre before hitting and pulling him to the ground. The group, led by two teenage girls, calls him a “black b******” and tells him: “Get back to your own country, don’t try to steal ours”.

People queuing to get into the nearby Classic Grand venue stand and watch as the man - who looks to be in his late 20s - is abused while standing innocently waiting for a bus. The ringleader first spits on him as she’s urges on by the rest of the group who film it on their mobile phones.

Drogba ends International career

UEFA Champions League play off draw

idier Drogba has announced that his days of playing at the international level are over. The striker announced he’s stepping away from that side of the sport after more than 100 appearances for the Ivory Coast. Announcing his retirement, Drogba said: “It is with much sadness that I have decided to retire from international football. “These past 12 years in the national team have been full of emotions. From my first call up to my last match, I have always tried to give my best for my country. “I am very proud to have been the captain of this team for eight years and to have contributed to placing my country on the world stage of football taking part in three World Cups and two African Cup of Nations finals.”

Drogba

Some laughed and posed in front of the camera when they realised it was being filmed. The black man holds his hands up as if to show his innocence before another girl runs towards him followed by the ringleader. The video has been passed to Police Scotland. NK Maribor

Celtic

Salzburg

Malmo FF

Aalborg

Apoel

Bucuresti

Ludogorets

Bratislava

BATE Borisov

Besiktas

Arsenal

Standard Liege

Zenit St Petersburg

Copenhagen

Bayer Leverkusen

Lille

Porto

Napoli

Athletic Bilbao

TRANSFERS Vermaelen close to Barca switch Athletes at a recent Obudu Mountain Race

Obudu Mountain Race gets November date Charles Ogundiya

he tenth edition of the annual Obudu Mountain Race has been slated to hold on November 8 at the Obudu mountains of Cross River State. According to the Local Organising Committee for the event headed by Sir William Archibong, this year’s edition which has been tagged “Mountain Race of the Stars” will be restricted to stars only and participation will be based on invitation. To this end, the LOC is currently working with the president, African Mountain Race to get the best stars

from five African nations to participate. The essence of the latest innovation as stated by the committee is to ensure that this year’s event coming at the terminal stage of this administration will attain higher level of achievement, and a stronger team of participants. Another innovation is the introduction of another race for the youth to take care of the progression from the children’s race to the adult race. This will ensure that there is proper development of budding talents in mountain running and long distance races. The LOC therefore announced that in the chil-

dren category, 60 athletes between the ages of 8-12 and 40 within 13-15 years would be invited to take part. Obudu Mountain race usually a continental championship in the past nine editions prides itself as paying the highest star prize in the history of the competition worldwide and according to the chairman of LOC, the star prize will be maintained in this edition. Meanwhile, as part of preparations for the upcoming event, the State Tourism Bureau has commenced the certification and licensing of all hotels operating in the state to ensure they conform with minimum standards.

Arsenal captain, Thomas Vermaelen, is close to joining La Liga side Barcelona after it was confirmed that the club have agreed a £15million fee for the centre back. The 28-year-old Belgian left footer is now working on agreeing personal terms, and will then be attending a medical at the Nou Camp later this week. Vermaelen was the subject of Manchester’s interest, though the Reds’ bid of £7 million was deemed not enough by Arsene Wenger. The Arsenal manager was clearly also aware of the flak he received from Arsenal fans for selling Robin Van Persie to United two years ago. Vermaelen’s move to Barcelona ends a five-year spell at Arsenal where he went from being among the club’s most celebrated players – and team captain – to a bit part substitute.

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ABIOLA OGUNBIYI: GOVERNMENT SHOULD PARTNER TOUR OPERATORS

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SPORT I am ready for life at Monaco -Echiejile

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

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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2014

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The prayer after the nightmare T

welve months ago, Dr Ibe’s life, like an automobile on a slippery highway, skidded, took a sharp turn and headed into the woods. Much like the biblical curtain of the temple, he was torn in two, from top to bottom. Everything altered. Everything was knocked out of keel, so to speak, by the nightmare that became a regular, shattering feature of his life. The nightmare, poignant, vivid and pretty much like reality under the thin veil of a dream, turned him half-mad and blighted his entire life. The recurring, relentless torment left his family devastated beyond description. Like every dream, every nightmare that must disappear with the grey mist of the morning, Dr Ibe thought that this one would disappear someday soon. But he was wrong. Ever since Colonel Oron, Dr Ibe’s best friend from childhood, was captured, tortured and decapitated in Bama, Borno State, by Boko Haram thugs, his haunting nightmare began. It attached itself to his sleep like a leech. Each night, he dreamt that Nigerian Muslims and Christians rose in one final moment of incomparable madness and slaughtered each other with machetes and axes, bows and arrows, to effective extinction. What made the nightmare remarkable was that it had the nature and quality of a precision recording. For days, weeks and months, it was the same nightmare, recurring with unfailing regularity – the same sequence, the same events, the same dramatis personae, the same location, the same dialogue, the same conclusion. In the dream, Dr Ibe found himself wandering on the green plains of what was once among the world’s most beautiful landscapes. To his left and to his right there were pools of blood. Whichever direction he turned, blood flowed and branched out into tributaries. Vultures swam in the rivers of blood. Scarecrows hovered overhead in wing formations. Fire burned on the mountain peaks, sending fists of smoke into the clear blue sky. Severed human heads and limbs and tongues and gorged eyeballs littered the green fields. The horrific scene recalled the aftermath of an autumn storm, but instead of mounds of dead dry leaves there were random heaps of limbs and piles of headless bodies. Dr Ibe found himself the only living human amidst this vast plain of barbaric butchery. God’s greatest achievement was laid to waste, he thought. The field of carnage represented the most striking example of man’s inhumanity to God. As he wandered eastwards, his back turned to the golden sunset, Dr Ibe heard a loud, chilling voice say to him, “If you turn round and face the west, Dr Ibe, the sun will rise again.” Dr Ibe was frozen by the voice – much like the vast, endless plains which appeared frozen in space and time. It was a distinct, metallic voice that carried the authority of a divine command. It came neither from the east nor from the west. It was a voice without a body, without a source. It came, simultaneously, from nowhere and from everywhere. Dr Ibe trembled, his hands over his ears. That ethereal, guttural voice slapped against his ears a second time,

and his eyes swept over the rolling hills and rocky mountains to the infinitude of the golden firmament. The milky clouds parted. And the sun rose. Its silver intensity stunned him, and momentarily blinded him. In the intervening seconds between the sun hitting his eyes and his vision dimming into a dull void of darkness, a great roar of human voices rose and filled his head. His sight restores, he saw that the rivers of blood had turned to water. Felled trees began to rise. The burnt vegetation on the mountain tops grew back and bathed bright yellow by the rising sun. Bouts of laughter, the shrill screams of children playing on boulders topped with red dust, the voices of adults calling and laughing and waving goodbye rented the air. The shock of the fevered commotion jolted Dr Ibe from the nightmare. Drenched in sweat, he rolled over, ambled out of his bed and sank on his knee and cried to God. His voice pierced the hot air like a braying donkey, as he recited the Great Invocation:

BROADSIDE EMMANUEL ONWE agubata@aol.com

agony. His voice seemed to carry far to the ends of the earth. But he persevered in the motion of turning. Eyes wide open, Dr Ibe lifted his head heavenwards in time to see a colony of vultures swooping down on him. The vultures attacked him, crapped over his head, and tore off his loincloth, so that he stood in stark, quivering, nakedness. As the birds flew away and disappeared behind the arc of the rainbow, he could hear their laughter take on the quality of human voices, and echoed through the vast emptiness of space, at once sneering and mocking. Dr Ibe’s body sprung alive in a million beads of goose pimples. He shivered. A tugging sensation emanated from his left sheen. The severed head of a three-year old child had sunk its teeth into his sheen bones, pulling away like a strange, batteryoperated device. Its sunken eyes blinked wickedly up at him until it dropped off Dr Ibe’s leg, with a chunk of his flesh dangling between its teeth. As he continued turning, Dr Ibe saw, clambering up the hill, the frail, staggering figure of a white Nun wearing a white habit, her bowels split asunder, her entrails in her hands and her habit a study in crimson. She inched closer and closer to Dr Ibe. He could not move. He simply stared. The white Nun came and embraced him, crying: “save us from damnation!” She croaked like a frog. Ignoring her completely, Dr Ibe continued his super slow motion. Finally, he completed one hundred and eighty degrees rotation, facing the west. He raised his head

Shekau

curling through his auditory meatus like peppered tendrils, hurting his head. “If you turn round and face the west, Dr Ibe, the sun will rise again.” Then, like a thoughtless somnambulist, Dr Ibe began to turn. His strong, hairy hands hung limply by his sides. He was barefooted, naked but for a piece of red loincloth around his waist. Slowly his body rotated, head bowed and chin pressed against his chest. As he turned, he pondered over the unnatural suggestion that the sun would rise from the west. Suddenly, a severed human head leapt on to his thigh. It sank its teeth into his flesh and bit away a lump of flesh. Dr Ibe shut his eyes tightly and screamed in visceral

From the point of Light within the Mind of God Let light stream forth into the minds of men. Let Light descend on Earth. From the point of Love within the Heart of God Let love stream forth into the hearts of men. May Christ return to Earth. From the centre where the Will of God is known Let purpose guide the little wills of men.... The purpose which the Masters know and serve. From the centre which we call the race of men Let the Plan of Love and Light work out. And may it seal the door where evil dwells. Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.

GAMES/CROSS WORD PUZZLE World Languages-1

KEY WORDS

EFIK PORTUGUESE FRENCH ENGLISH SPANISH AMHARIC

AFRIKAANS BULGARIAN KISWAHILI DANISH SOMALI SWEDISH ALBANIAN CZECH GERMAN SLOVAK DUTCH FINNISH

I N A K I F S E N H K E F I N R S G E W L N A I C H S H I H I L A

P S H E W K D E F A D R N I S I S R S H D H F R H C T G H E M O S

S U T C H F A G U Y Z

I E N A M R E G D U J

N T O P K A V O L S F

A N A I N A B L A U S

P O R T U G U E S E B

H M A

S H

S A

8 11

18 19

ACROSS 1 God’s own country 5 Assist 7 Public conveyance vehicle 8 Sheltered place 9 Oke ---, Lagos suburb 10 Applause 11 Near 12 Expressing surprise

15 17

16 Indicating ‘two’ 17 Former Celestial Church leader 18 Compelled 22 Ribonucleic acid (abbr.) 23 Town in Abia state 24 Yoruba tree 25 Young boy 26 Atiku Abubakar’s state

DOWN 1

S E

14 16

4 7

A city in the USA

14 Region in Georgia Republic

2 Come into existence

15 Governor Nyame’s state

3 A mosque

19 Sour taste substance

4 Former military dictator

20 ‘Nine’ in Hausa

5 Seaward

21 Naught

6 Small roundish mark 13 A state in the USA

See solution on page 21

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