Binder1 june7,2014 by Newtelegraphonline

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Saturday, JUNE 7, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 109

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MIMI ORJIEKWE Why not? I can act semi-nude P.17

KIKELOMO AJIBADE

A connoisseur’s guide to wine selection P.13

2SLIM

I’m a cultured gangsta P.33

Huge crowd swarm a hearse bearing the remains of Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero in Kano metropolis, yesterday.

Sanusi Lamido on the line as Ado Bayero dies lHe would be remembered for his ‘great wisdom and competence,’ says Jonathan Muhammad Kabir Kano

pall of gloom descended on the ancient city of Kano on Friday as reports

emerged that the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, has died. The Emir who returned from London where he had gone for medical check-up two weeks ago, was said to

have been indoors nearly all that time. Sources said that Bayero, on the thrown for 51 years, died of heart attack. There has since been a stream of eulogies from across the country since the

death was announced, with President Goodluck Jonathan noting that he “received with immense sadness and a deep feeling of great national loss, news of the passing away of the highly revered

Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Eyes on the Throne Bayero.” Already, the four likely }Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero (the deceased’s eldest son) successors to the thrown have commenced lobbying. }Sanusi Lamido Sanusi }Abbas Sanusi CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 }Tijjani Hashim

Soldiers stop newspapers’ distribution in Ilorin, Ibadan, Warri, Abuja Biodun Oyeleye, Ilorin, Sola Adeyemo, Ibadan, Joe Obende, Warri and Emmanuel Onani, Abuja

lIntelligence report prompted action - DHQ lNigerian Guild of Editors condemn action

Ibadan (Oyo), Warri (Delta) and Abuja yesterday

here was a mild drama in Ilorin (Kwara),

when a squad of armed soldiers reportedly im-

pounded the circulation vans of some newspapers,

thereby scuttling the papers’ distribution.

The action, which caused apprehension in the areas in question, was said to have paralysed human and vehicular activities, followCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

l Bashir Tofa : 2015 presidency should be open to all Nigerians... says issues relating to june 12 are over for him p.2

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2014

Content 07.06.14 Ex-CBN governor in contention as Ado Bayero dies INSTYLE

Men’s Grooming

Appearance and care for the skin should be important to men as it is for women. With a few basic grooming tips, men could look and feel confident and, of course, stand out. }16

SHOWBIZ

Big Screen to Tourism

Sam Dede’s absence from the screen may have been irksome for his fans, but it has no doubt been a rewarding one for the Rivers-born actor who’s at present the directorgeneral of his home state’s tourism agency. }19

STARTUPS Talking Interiors Chief executive officer of Inspiration Creations, Olabisi Modele, says flair is an indispensable trait for anyone seeking to launch an interior decor start-up. }22

THE ARTS

Brushstrokes for Chibok A solo exhibition of works by D’Artist Chike Onuorah at Didi Museum, Victoria Island, Lagos, pays homage to abducted students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State. }23

SPORT

World Cup Dampener

Ex-Super Eagles midfielder, Moses Kpakor, expresses reservations about the national team’s defence ahead of the World Cup that kicks-off on June 12. }25

TOURISM

Lull on the Plateau

Years of violent clashes in Plateau has literally overshadowed the tourist potential of Jos, the state’s capital. The luscious vegetation, undulating plains and temperate weather that gave the city its fame seem like a distant past.

}42

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The list includes Wamban Kano, Abbas Sanusi; Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero, eldest son of the Emir; former CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and Galadiman Kano, Tijjani Hashim, Those familiar with the tradition of succession at the Emirate say the governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankawso, is expected to give the final verdict after the four kingmakers comprising Madkin Kano, Makaman Kano, Sarkin Bai, and Sarkin Dawaki Miatuta would have submitted the list of contenders to the governor. Breaking the news of the death of Alhaji Ado Bayero, the 13th Fulani Emir of Kano, Mashe Bashir Wali, said: “Bayero is dead. He died this morning after a brief illness and he will be buried after Jumaat prayers.” The sombre air in the city was amplified by stateowned radio stations’ decision to suspend regular programmes for recitations from Holy Quran. As at mid-day, the city swarmed with the presence of dignitaries who had come to participate in the funeral rites for the emir, while major link roads to the Emirate Council has virtually been taken over by security operatives. A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity,

Dr, Reuben Abati, said: “On behalf of himself, his family, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, President Jonathan commiserates with the Emir’s family and all the people of Kano over whom the departed Emir presided illustriously as traditional ruler for more than half a century. “The president joins them in mourning the monarch whose uncommon leadership qualities and evident faith in the peace, unity, progress, and prosperity of Nigeria combined to make him one of the most respected traditional rulers in the country during his long and very successful reign. “President Jonathan believes that Alhaji Ado Bayero will always be remembered and honoured by the people of Kano and all Nigerians for his immense wisdom and competence as a traditional ruler, as well as for using his exalted throne to build bridges of unity, friendship and harmony across the nation. “The President reaffirms his declaration on the occasion of the Emir’s 50th anniversary celebrations last year that the late Alhaji Ado Bayero was one of the most decent and respectable Nigerians he has had the privilege of interacting with, and he will always treasure pleasant memories of their last meeting earlier this year.”

Also, speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has described the passing away of Ado Bayero as a monumental loss to the entire country, adding that he received the news of the passage with great sense of sadness. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal described the deceased as a strict disciplinarian who led an exemplary life characterised by honesty, fairness, generosity and service to God and humanity. He said the late Emir treasured knowledge and the search for knowledge. “Under his long and glorious reign, Kano witnessed unprecedented boom in all spheres of human endeavour. It’s eminent status as a trading point and centre of commerce in sub Saharan Africa was not only reaffirmed, but enhanced. “People of Kano and indeed all Nigerians will miss his advice and reassuring presence. It is gratifying however that he has left behind towering legacies for posterity and this should serve as comforting to us all,” Tambuwal added. While extending his condolences to the Kano Emirate and the state government, the Speaker prayed to Almighty Allah to grant his

immediate family the fortitude to bear the loss. In a similar vein, businessman and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has described the late Emir of Kano as a great monarch whose death is a big blow to the nation. In a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser, Prince ‘Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said the late Emir was an exceptional monarch whose exemplary leadership remains a legacy worthy of emulation. According to Kalu, the late Emir dedicated his life to humanity and his memory will linger forever in the hearts of peace loving Nigerians. “He was a father to all, irrespective of religion, tribe, age, social and political divides,” Kalu recalled mournfully. Kalu also said the late Emir was instrumental to the development of Kano State as he worked tirelessly with successive governments in the state to ensure the development of the state. He also sympathized with the people and government of Kano State, the Kano Emirate Council and members of the deceased’s family and asked the Almighty Allah to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss. The Emir was buried later in the evening according to Islamic rites.

Intelligence report prompted action - DHQ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ing claims by the soldiers that they had orders “from above” to seize some undisclosed newspapers. It added that the decision to interfere with the distribution of the newspapers yesterday, was necessitated by an intelligence report “indicating movement of materials with grave security implications across the country using the channel of newsprint related consignments”. However, the situation in

Ilorin was rather interesting as the soldiers had stormed the popular newspaper distribution centre located along Emir’s Road, Ilorin, looking for some of the newspapers they claimed they had orders “from above” to seize. The operation also extended to other parts of the metropolis as nearly all the distribution vans conveying yesterday’s edition of several newspapers were stopped at Eiyenkorin area or on the Ilorin-Ogbomosho Expressway. The drivers of the vans were detained and their

phones seized. The driver, who drove a consignment of The Nation newspaper and that of The Sun were still being detained by the soldiers beside the road as at the time of filing this report. The incident meant that only very few newspapers were in circulation in the North-Central part of state yesterday. The soldiers spent several hours at Emir’s Road but neitherarrested anyone nor produced any document to back up their action. About seven soldiers

carried out the operation at Emir’s Road and about the same number were spotted at the old Ilorin-Ogbomosho Road and the Ilorin–Ogbomosho Expressway too when the New Telegraph visited even as they did not allow anyone to speak with the detained drivers. However, a source at the 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi Barracks in Ilorin denied that soldiers carried out any operation to stop the sale of newspapers. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

2015 presidency should be open to all Nigerians - Bashir Tofa Ndubuisi Ugah and Muhammed Kabir Lagos/Kano

former presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) during the June 12, 1993, election, Alhaji Othman Bashir Tofa, has said the only way the 2015 presidential election could be adjudged as free and fair is for political parties to allow Nigerians, irrespective of tribe and creed to contest. Besides, he urged politicians jettison their “political ego” and collaborate with the electoral commission in making the election a huge success, especially above

what was the case in 1993. Speaking with New Telegraph, Tofa said: “But for us to eliminate people’s right from the beginning, to say that South, West or East will not contest is just like eliminating them. The feeling, therefore, will be that of loss of faith and confidence in this party right from the beginning. After all, the party told them that they cannot produce presidential aspirants, they cannot aspire to rule their own country. “I think it is better that the party gives everybody equal opportunity to participate so that when you lose, you cannot say that is because you were not given the chance,

the opportunity to aspire to rule your own country. That is how I think we should go about it so that people will not say the party that has denied them the opportunity of choosing their leaders. That is how we should do it to ensure that the convention is fairly-contested,” he said. Tofa, who was a former national financial secretary of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) during the Second Republic, said it was unfortunate that the PDP-led government had introduced Nigeria to a regrettable zoning culture, where a particular zone or ethnic configuration believes it should dominate the na-

tion’s political landscape. “If you have been reading what I have been writing for a long time, even while in the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), I was one of the most open advocates of zero-zoning, especially for presidential aspirants. Nigerians should go to the convention so that nobody feels bypassed or ignored. “Nobody has the automatic right to become president of this country. If people prefer a particular candidate or somebody from a particular part of this country, his promoters should work for him so that he can emerge as the candidate,” he said. While urging those

clamouring for power shift to have a rethink, Tofa said: “You know there are so many people in the APC who have the belief that the presidency should come from the North, so all these people should decide at the convention which northerners should be given the chance or voted for. We should also give others the chance to fully participate and contest the elections, even if they will not win.” On the call by former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, that the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola,

should be honoured, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, said: “I have no views on that. I promised myself that issues relating to June 12 are over for me. I will not discuss them again.” On the alleged intention to field former Head of State, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari as the APC presidential candidate, Tofa said: “People become whatever they will become when their time comes and I can assure you that Buhari will not be the only aspirant in this convention. There are still one or two people who will be there.” See interview on page 45

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2014

Ex-Liberian President lauds NGF’s focus on leadership Joe Ezuma and Temitope Ogunbanke

Port Harcourt /Lagos

ormer President of Liberia, Prof. Amos Sawyer yesterday commended the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), led by Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State for reflecting on critical areas that affected governance and development in Nigeria. Sawyer, who also called for the “Spirit of Cooperation” between the federal and state governments, charged the two tiers of government to nurture the cultivation of collective efforts at finding solutions to state problems. The former Liberian president remarks, however, came on a day a former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, warned the governors to beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing, by being mindful of the type of person they want to help to succeed them in office. Speaking at the fourth retreat of the NGF, Sawyer said Nigeria’s strength as a federation lied not only in good governance at the federal level, but also at the level of state and local governance. The NGF retreat, held inside the Banquet Hall of Government House, Port Harcourt, was attended by 10 state governors and two deputy governors. The governors included Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, Sokoto, Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Amaechi. Others were Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Adams Oshiohmole (Edo) and Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), as well as the deputy governors of Borno and Nasarawa states. Sawyer said there had always been challenges in the relationship between the federal and state levels

lKalu to governors: Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing

of governance, stressing that contentions over jurisdictional responsibilities and prerogatives, resource allocation and budgets, among others would always exist and solutions to the challenges might not always satisfy all parties. Sawyer, whose keynote address titled: ‘Transitioning out: Making the most of life after office’, said: “What is most important, however, is that there should always exist a spirit of cooperation between federal and state governments and a willingness to find solution together?” Delivering a lecture yesterday on “Transitioning Out: Life After Office,” at the NGF retreat, Kalu who was represented by Managing Director/Editorin-Chief of New Telegraph, Mr. Gabriel Akinadewo, advised the governors not to be too over-bearing on their successors. He said: “As one who has held executive office in your state for two terms, there is no way you will not continue to be a stakeholder in the

politics of your state. Being a stakeholder is not the same thing as being a godfather or kingmaker. No. You will naturally be interested in who succeeds you in office, without necessarily imposing your successor. “Therefore, you need to be on top of the political game, at this twilight of your stay in office, and even beyond. Therefore, you need to still be active politically, and keep tabs on development. A lot of younger people will want to ride on your back to achieve their political aims and ambitions. “Be there for them. That will also help you to retain your influence and respect. But this warning: Mind the type of person you help to succeed you. And in saying this, you know what I mean, because you are familiar with my experience. Beware of animals in human skin. “Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Be sure of the quality of person you are backing. Make sure he is a true human being, and not an animal or monster.

“William Shakespeare says: “there is a dagger in men’s smiles. The near in blood, the nearer bloody.” “Some of those that smile at you wear daggers, unknown to you. They will pretend, earn your trust, ride on your back into office, and having got there, they show their true colours. It has happened in many states round the country. Our own case in Abia is particularly the worst specimen. Watch it. Be careful, be circumspect. You can be very sad out of office, if you help a man to succeed you, and he turns to be an animal in human skin. I will not say more than that.” In his welcome address, Amaechi called for the institutionalisation of democratic culture and the respect of popular expression in the nation’s polity. He said: “As we forge ahead towards 2015, and the democratic bells ring again, let us continue to imbibe and internalise democratic tenets where freely given mandates are respected and upheld.”

he management of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, has described as untrue the report by a section of the media that the institution was yesterday shut over students’ protest. In a statement issued yesterday by the Public Relations Department of the university and signed by Assistant Registrar, Information, Mr. Olawale Olasunmade, the institution denied the closure while also revealing that no facility

NEWS EDITOR, SATURDAY:

NDUBUISI UGAH

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

The Week Ahead PACPM begins visit to prisons June 9 The Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM) will commence a nation-wide visit of prisons across the country. Chairman of the committee, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), who is the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, said the decision to embark on the visits, was reached after the committee’s meeting held on April 10. He also stated that the exercise would be used to examine inmates who are covered under the Federal offences that are qualified for presidential pardon in line with the approved guidelines.

Boko Haram suspects know fate June 9 Justice Gabriel Kolawole of an Abuja Federal High Court has fixed June 9, 10, 24 and 25, for accelerated trial of three Boko Haram suspects, who were arraigned on an eight-count charge bordering on terrorism. In his ruling, Justice Kolawole had refused an application by the Federal Government seeking to modify the court’s ruling on conducting the trial of three suspects-Mohammed Yunus, Salami Abdullahi and Musa Umar. He also said the prosecution counsel’s application lacked merit and he, therefore, refused it. “This court does not have the powers to vacate its earlier ruling. Acceding to such would amount to having empty benches in the court room without the public in attendance. The prosecution’s motion on notice, dated May 2, is hereby refused for lacking in merit,” he said.

AFTRA parley holds June 9 About 500 participants from 20 African countries will converge on Accra, Ghana for the third Teaching and Learning in Africa conference. The participants will also attend the 5th African Forum of Teaching Regulatory Authorities (AFTRA) Roundtable from June 9 to 15 in Ghana. Director, Professional Operations, Teachers Regulatory Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Dr Steve Nwokeocha, said in Abuja, it was AFTRA’s tradition to hold the two major events the same week and venue to maximise benefits.

FIFA World Cup begins June 12 The FIFA World Cup holding in Brazil will begin on June 12 with Brazil taking on Croatia in the opening game at Sao Paulo stadium. Spain is the defending champions having won the trophy in South Africa four years ago.

PDP’s mid-term convention holds June 14 The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) mid-term convention will hold on June 14 in Abuja. It was gathered that the convention would be the first to be organised under the leadership of Dr. Adamu Mu’azu since he assumed office as the PDP National Chairman on January 18. President Goodluck Jonathan (right) and his Sierra Leone counterpart, Ernest Bai Koroma, during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja…yesterday PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Protest: UNILAG not shut — Management insists Mojeed Alabi

NEWS

l Postpones exam by one week

was damaged. It described the protest as a peaceful one, which it said was occasioned by misinformation on the late registration processes on its portal. New Telegraph had gathered that what seemed to be a season of protests by students of higher institutions in the country had been extended to UNILAG as the students trooped out en masse to kick against what they described as imposition of illegal late registration fees by the

university management. Further investigations had revealed that the university’s portal for online registration for the undergraduate students had been closed about two weeks ago, but when reopened on Thursday for late registration and for students, who for one reason or the other needed to edit their course forms, there was alleged introduction of N25,000 charge, which the students insisted was far more than their

school fees. Meanwhile, the university has advised the students and parents to remain calm, saying no new fee has been introduced and that opportunity to edit course forms are also open to all concerned students without attracting any penalty. The university, however, announced the postponement of the first semester’s examination by one week, saying instead of the June 23 earlier announced date, the examination would now begin on June 30.

SUBEB holds placement test June 21 The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) will hold this year’s Placement Test into Lagos Public Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) on June 21. Executive Chairman, SUBEB, Mrs. Gbolahan daodu, said the examination would begin at the various designated centres across the state by 8a.m.

Zik Prize Award holds June 22 The 2014 Zik Prize in Leadership will hold on June 22 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The was set up in 1994 by the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC), as part of an annual activities in honour of the first President of Nigeria, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Court hears Braithwaite’s suit June 27 A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has adjourned the N10billion suit filed by Mr. Tunji Braithwaite, against the Standard Chartered Bank to June 27. Justice Doris Okuwobi gave the adjournment date for ruling on application filed by the bank seeking to strike out some paragraphs of the claimant’s reply to the bank’s amended statement of defence.

NEWS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 june 2014

ADO BAYERO (1930-2014)

Bayero: The end of an era I

Ibraheem Musa

n the north, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Bayero, the late Emir of Kano, personified royalty in carriage and demeanour. San Kano, as he was called, rarely spoke in public, never engaged in politics and he always had his people at heart. Regal, opulent and wealthy, the late monarch was always bedecked in costly apparels, rode expensive limousines and thoroughbred horses. In hierarchy, Bayero was the 4th Emir in the north after Sultan of Sokoto, Shehun Borno and Emir of Gwandu in that order. However, Bayero was first amongst equals. Specifically, the deceased was the 13th Fulani Emir of Kano but few of his prede-

cessors were as popular as Ado Bayero. Indeed, Sarki Abbas, their patriarch, Alhaji Abdullahi Bayero, the deceased’s father and Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, Ado’s elder brother were equally revered by their subjects. However, Bayero’s popularity went beyond Kano, northern Nigeria and the country as a whole. In part, his long reign, western education and public service experience contributed to Ado’s popularity. Born on July 25, 1930, Ado Bayero attended Kano Middle School, went to School of Arabic Studies and started working at the Bank of British West Africa. Afterwards, he joined the Kano Native Authority and went to Zaria Clerical College for further studies in 1952. Two years later,

Bayero won a seat to the Northern Regional House of Assembly. In 1957, he headed the Kano Native Authority Police and for five years, Bayero led the constabulary. Afterwards, he became Nigeria’s Ambassador to Senegal. Before him, no other Emir had western education, Ado’s political and administrative experience, including international exposure. In addition, his friends cut across ethnoreligious lines as the late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was one of his confidantes. Naturally, this worldview and cosmopolitanism helped the late Emir in performing his religious duties and upholding Kano’s rich tradition. Similarly, Bayero’s 51

bossom friend with whom Bayero was slammed a travel ban in 1984 by the military government for travelling to Israel. Turbanned in 1963 as emir of Kano, Bayero, formerly Dan Muhammad Abbass, was undoubtedly one of the most powerful traditional rulers in the country. He was the country’s former ambassador to Senegal and in 2002, led a forum of Kano elders to oppose the onshore/offshore abrogation bill. In 1981, the civilian administration of late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi forced some traditional rulers in his domain to stop paying traditional homage to the emir, sparking outrage and controversy. Bayero succeeded his halfbrother, Sanusi, who ruled for 27 years and is the father of the sacked governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. During his stormy tenure at the country’s regulatory bank, the younger Sanusi was often quoted as saying that he valued his royalty more than the top banking job and was only bidding his time before returning to pitch his claim for the Kano traditional stool. Bayero was the 13th emir of the ancient city of Kano. Analysts say that Bayero’s death came at a particularly difficult period, when the country’s sovereignty has been challenged by Boko Haram insurgency, prompting a former military ruler, Gen Muhammadu Buhari to ask the federal government to do whatever it takes to reclaim the country’s sovereignty from terrorists who have breached the authority of government in various areas of the northern part of the country.

Surmounting the odds Dominik Umosen

he Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero narrowly survived a failed assassination attempt in January, 2013. The former Chancellor of the University of Nsukka died yesterday morning in the ancient city of Kano, aged 83 years old. Before his death, Bayero was easily one of the most influential traditional rulers in the country and one of the richest, with investments in the stock market to show for his pre-eminence. Generally credited with bringing calm and stability to the ancient kingdom, Bayero was the Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and conducted his affairs with exceptional decorum and statecraft, alongside the Oni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, his

years on the throne, from available records, is the longest in modern Kano history. In this regard, the late Emir transformed from a religious and traditional ruler, to an institution which outlived every government since independence. In addition, the late monarch seemed to have heeded Sanusi, the elder brother’s counsel. Controversies In 1963, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi was deposed as Emir of Kano. Specifically, his deposition was a culmination of a power tussle, according to records, with Sir Ahmadu Bello, the then Northern Premier and a Prince of Sokoto Caliphate. Subsequently, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa was appointed Emir, but he died

three months later. Afterwards, Bayero ascended the throne and the new Emir, according to reports, sought Sanusi’s advice and blessings. The ex-Emir, banished to Azare, advised Bayero to steer away from politics and speak less both in private and in public. Apparently, Bayero took that advice but in spite of it, he had brushes with the authorities on two occasions. In the Second Republic, Governor Abubakar Rimi queried him for leaving his domain without permission. Thereafter, hell broke loose as the people of Kano went on rampage, burning public buildings. In that riot, Dr Bala Mohammed, Rimi’s political adviser was killed. Similarly, in 1984, the Buhari military regime suspended him and the Ooni of

Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade for three months for travelling to Israel. At that time, Nigeria had no diplomatic ties with the Jewish state. Last week, Bayero crossed swords with Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso over the turbaning of Sheik Muhammad Nasir Muhammad as Wazirin Kano. Citing security reasons, the governor asked the Emir not to turban Muhammad, but Bayero went ahead. Thereafter, a simmering feud ensued between Kano State government and the Emirate Council. Last Tuesday, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar interceded and the turbanning was nullified. Three days later, Ado Bayero died at 83 years of age, ending a long and glorious reign.

The late Ado Bayero

Soldiers stop newspapers’ distribution in Ilorin, Ibadan, Warri, Abuja C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 2

“I am even reading a newspaper right now and I can read to you from there,” the source said on the phone. Similarly, the police also denied knowledge of the operation. Spokesman for the state police command, Mr. Femi Okasanmi, told New Telegraph on phone that the command had no knowledge of such operation and referred newsmen to the military for possible confirmation because there was no formal complaint on such a development with the police. In Ibadan, the report was the same as the soldiers numbering about 100 were

said to have dressed in mufti and uniform, when they stormed Oke Padre, the popular newspaper distribution centre at around 6.00a.m. As at 2.00p.m., the soldiers were still stationed at the various entry points to the area, checking all vehicles that passed. Circulation vans of Vanguard and The Nation were still at the place with the drivers also held. As they disallowed the papers to be brought down for distribution, the mobile phones of the drivers were said to have also been seized by the soldiers. Journalists who tried to speak with the soldiers were rebuffed, while the drivers of the impounded vehicles could not

be reached. Similarly, the situation was the same in Warri with the soldiers believed to have come from the David Ejoor Barracks laying siege at the newspaper depot opposite Our Lady’s Model High School in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. Dressed in military fatigue, the soldiers numbering about 20 had arrived the depot Thursday night in pick-up light trucks to begin the siege. It was learnt that their target was two dailies (one published in Lagos and the other in the North) said to have carried “offensive” news stories on the mili-

tary. The story is in relation to reports suggesting that some generals were on trial for allegedly selling arms to Boko Haram insurgents. Reacting to the incident, the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major Gen. Chris Olukolade, in a statement allayed fears of a perceived attempt to crackdown on some organisations, noting that the role of the media in sustaining democracy cannot be overemphasised. “Troops this morning embarked on thorough search of vehicles conveying newspapers and newsprints across board. This followed intelligence report indicating movement of

materials with grave security implications across the country using the channel of newsprint related consignments. “The Defence Headquarters wishes to clarify that the exercise has nothing to do with content or operation of the media organizations or their personnel as is being wrongly imputed by a section of the press.” Meanwhile, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has vowed to mobilise Nigerians against the development which it said could be a prelude to the clampdown on the media in contradiction of the various charters

on human rights that Nigeria is signatory to. National Vice-President of the group, Taiwo Otitolaiye, said: “The CDHR see this as a brigandage employed by the federal government using security agent to carry out what is clearly a rape on the right to information and freedom of expression. We see it as a form of human rights abuse o the drivers who are detained and vendors and other workers affected by this development.” The detained drivers were eventually released at 5:40pm. This was after the soldiers had allegedly scoured the impounded vans with bomb detectors.

NEWS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2014

ADO BAYERO (1930-2014)

Atiku, Mark, Tafida, governors, Tinubu, UK, PDP, others mourn Emir of Kano TRIBUTE Mixed reactions trail the death of the Emir of Kano

Our Correspondents

ome eminent Nigerians, including former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, President of the Senate, Senator David Mark and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday mourned the death of Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero. Bayero was the 13th Fulani Emir since the Fulani war of Usman dan Fodio, when the Fulani took over the Hausa city-states. In a personal tribute to Bayero, Atiku said his relationship with the late Emir of Kano was that of a father and his favourite son, which spanned over three decades. He said he knew that death was coming (like it would for every mortal), but not in agony and humiliation because he (Ado Bayero) did not deserve it. Speaking also, President of the Senate, Senator David Mark described the demise of the Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero as a big blow and a monumental loss to the nation. Mark said: “He was a peace-maker. He made Kano home for all. He was accommodating. He preached love, unity and good neighbourliness. He was a detribalised leader who made the nation his constituency. His contributions to the peace and unity of Nigeria cannot be wished away. The nation owes him a measure of gratitude for his contributions to the socio- political and economic development of the country.” Similarly, Ekweremadu described as shocking and an irreparable loss the passage of the late Emir of Kano. “This is indeed a shocking exit of a sage and end of a glorious era. HRH Ado Bayero was everything a people could have wished for in a leader and royal father in a pluralistic nation. He not only served Nigeria in many exalted capacities before and after ascending the throne of his fathers, but cultivated friendship and admiration that cut across all ethno-religious boundaries,” he said. Also, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Alhaji Dalhatu Tafida, told the Europe correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in London that Bayero’s death was “a big loss to Nigeria

and the nation’s traditional ruling institution.” “This is a big loss not only to the Kano Emirate but to Nigeria as a whole. I commiserate with his family, President Goodluck Jonathan and the people Kano State. He has left a big vacuum, he was well respected and admired and will be greatly missed,” he said. The British Minister for Africa, the Overseas Territories, Caribbean and International Energy, Mr. Mark Simmons, in a statement issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said: “On behalf of the United Kingdom, I extend my sympathy to you and the entire people of Kano state during this sad period.” Reacting also, Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, said Bayero’s death was a national loss of unimaginable proportion. Ahmed, who made this remark in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, said: “As a Nigerian who lived and worked in Kano for many years, I recalled that the reign of Alhaji Ado Bayero as the Emir of Kano deepened the values of the Emirate as the Centre of Commerce in West Africa.” His Delta State counterpart, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr. Felix Ofou, expressed sadness at the death of Bayero, describing him as an epitome of peace and national unity. “Even at great risk to his life and threat by insurgents, the late Royal Majesty stood defiantly against religious extremism and helped to maintain peace in Kano which is the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria,” he said. On its part, Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, said the late Emir was a fountain of experience, who exuded wisdom and was a father to all regardless of ethno-religious affiliation. Aliyu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Israel Ebije, said: “It is indeed sad for the entire Northern states and Nigeria the passing of the Emir of Kano. We will remember him for his humility, truthfulness on issues, determination to serve the country and above all his religious chastity.” In the same vein, Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State described the late Bayero’s death as a tragic

loss to the country. Shema, in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Malam Lawal Matazu, said Bayero died when his wisdom was needed to achieve peace and stability in the country. On his part, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State described the late Emir as a friend of the Talakawa. In a condolence message signed by his CPS, Mr. Peter Okhiria, the governor said: “His Royal Highness was a foremost traditional ruler, under whose reign Kano Emirate witnessed phenomenal socio-economic, political, educational and cultural transformation and affirmed its pre-eminent status as a world-renowned Emirate, centre of commerce, scholarship and a melting pot for all Nigerians.” Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, expressed regret at the death of the Emir. In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Wakama, Amosun said: “The death of Alhaji Ado Bayero is regrettable because, even at his age, he was in the vanguard of efforts to curb the activities of insurgents in the North.” Rivers State Governor

and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, said Bayero death was sad and a huge loss to the nation. In a statement by his CPS, Mr. David Iyofor, Amaechi said: “Nigeria has lost a reputable icon, an excellent traditional ruler, and one of the most revered.” Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, expressed sadness at the passing away of Bayero. In a statement signed by his CPS, Mr. Christian Ita, Imoke said: “His death at a time the nation needs his wealth of experience and stabilising influence is a huge loss indeed.” National leader All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, described the Emir’s death as a sad loss. Tinubu said: “The death of His Royal Highness Ado Bayero saddens the mind.” Similarly, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Ajagungbade (111), described the death of the Emir as a painful loss. In a statement from Ogbomoso palace signed by Mr. Toyin Ajamu, Oyewumi said: “I was disturbed when I received the news of the death of Alhaji Ado Bayero. He was an outstanding mon-

arch whose reign in Kano Sate witnessed giant development. He was loved by many irrespective of tribe, age and religion.” Similarly, the Gwandu Emirate Council in Kebbi State has described Bayero’s death as a great loss to national unity and traditional institutions. The Wazirin Gwandu, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar, in an interview with NAN at the Abdullahi Fodio Palace in Birnin Kebbi, said: “The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammad Bashar, and the state council of emirs condole with the nation and people of Kano State over the irreparable loss.” In Zaria, Kaduna State, the Chiroman Shantalin Zazzau, Alhaji Sani Ladan, said the death of the late Bayero was a great loss to the North and Nigeria at large. Ladan, who is also the Protocol Officer of Zazzau Emirate Council, said this when he reacted to the death of Bayero. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), also commiserated with the Kano Emirate, the government and people of Kano State over the demise of Bayero. President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, who sent a condolence message expressed shock at the news

of the demise of the revered traditional. “The death of Ado Bayero is indeed a huge loss to the nation, his family and his community especially at a time when his wise counsel is most needed to help tackle moral decadence in our society,” he said. Sharing in the grief, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described as great shock and intense sadness, the death of the Emir. The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said: “The late Emir personified dignity and finesses. Till death, he was the longest serving and unarguably one of the most respected emirs in the history of Kano Emirate.” The APC also expressed profound shock and sadness at the death of the Emir, saying his demise came at a time that his great wisdom and wealth of knowledge are much needed to help Nigeria to surmount its challenges. In a statement issued in Lagos, by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the late Emir was a symbol of peace and unity in his lifetime, reaching far beyond ethnic and religious divide to help foster a united Nigeria.

New Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar (middle); Traditional Rulers and other dignitaries, at the turbaning ceremony of Shehu Abubakar in Gombe…yesterday

Abubakar emerges new Emir of Gombe Ugo Willies Gombe

he Gombe Emirate now has a new Emir, he is 36-year-old, Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, the third who succeeds his late father and immediate past Emir who died recently in a London

Hospital. Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, the eleventh Emir of Gombe was handed his letter of appointment by the Secretary to Gombe State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Sulei Bage, at the Gombe Central Mosque yesterday morning amidst a large crowd of well wishers. Until his appointment

which was arrived at by the Gombe Emirate Council of Kingmakers, Alhaji Abubakar held the traditional title of the Santuraki of Gombe. Born in December 1977, the new Emir attended Gombe Children School, High School, Federal Government College Azere, Sokoto and later completed his secondary school education

at Government Science College, Gombe. A graduate of Political Science from the University of Maiduguri, Santuraki, as he is popularly called is single and has always been with his late father and liked by the Palace circle, a reason why most people believed he would succeed his father even before his demise.

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IKEJA

OGBA

Court adjourns Ajudua’s trial till Sept 21

N EWS I N BRIEF

An Ikeja High Court yesterday adjourned further hearing in the trial of one-time Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, till September 21. Justice Kudirat Jose adjourned the matter to allow the Court of Appeal rule on the appeal filed by Ajudua challenging the competence of the charge against him. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Ajudua and one Charles Orie were being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

UYO

Canada condemns Boko Haram attacks Akwa Ibom to pay arrears of Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird pensioners yesterday said his country would continue to kick against the menace of the Boko Haram insurgency. Baird in a statement said: “Canada condemns in the strongest terms today’s terrorist attack in northeastern Nigeria, which has killed and injured scores of defenceless civilians, including women and children. “This was a cowardly attack carried out by the terrorist group Boko Haram, which has been unleashing unspeakable forms of violence and terror on the citizens of Nigeria. This causes us great concern, and we call for this violence to cease immediately.”

The Akwa Ibom State Government yesterday said it was now ready to pay all arrears of pension to retired local government workers. The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Uwem Etuk, said this in Uyo, while briefing the state House of Assembly Committee on Human Rights and Public Petitions. Etuk said all pensioners would receive their pension because the state government had increased the ministry’s monthly allocation for such payment from N60.5 million to N123 million.

Insecurity: Sierra Leonian President rallys support for Nigeria Anule Emmanuel Abuja

ierra Leonian President, Ernest Bi-Koromah yesterday assured that his country was prepared to support Nigeria in whatever capacity to overcome its present security challenges. Bi-Koromah, who visited President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja recalled how Nigeria gave his country immense assistance during their trying times. The Sierra Leonian president solicited the collaborative efforts of other African countries in support of Nigeria. He said Nigeria’s problem was not its own alone. According to him, anything that affects Nigeria would have spill over to other African countries. While sympathising

with Nigeria, he said: “In moments like this, we believe we should come and express sympathy for the bombings that have been taking place in Nigeria and most recently the abduction of about 200 secondary school girls. “We believe that this is not an issue for Nigeria alone. We must come in and identify ourselves with the problems that are ongoing here. “We believe strongly that the position Nigeria is enjoying as the largest economy in Africa, and the fact that one out of every four Africans is a Nigerian, issues like this happening to Nigeria are issues that will affect the whole of Africa.” Bi-Koromah condemned the activities of the Boko Haram and maintained that it was high time the continent came together to tackle the menace.

Moro, Obiano lament prison congestion in Nigeria Uwakwe Abugu Awka

Vice-President Namadi Sambo; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar (III); Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and other dignitaries at the burial of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero in Kano…yesterday

Nigerian Development Bank gets AfDB’s $400m equity stake ECONOMY Plans are underway for a Nigerian Development Bank come 2015

Ndubuisi Ugah

ndications emerged at the weekend that the Federal Government has concluded plans to establish its own Nigerian Development Bank (NDB), which would have the African Development Bank (AfDB), serving as a full partner with about $400 million equity stake both in loans and equity in 2015. It was also gathered that the AfDB and World Bank would form the anchor supporters and investors of

1.55 The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Angola in 2010. (Source: Itu.int)

…begins operation in 2015 the NDB, which is aimed at boosting the nation’s financial economy. Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who dropped the hint at the 50th anniversary dinner of the AfDB organised by its country office in Abuja, said the AfDB was putting in $400 million with an equity stake, which means both loans and equity. She further disclosed that: “The World Bank is putting in $500 million, Germany $500 million, and we are still raising both debt and equity. So, by the beginning of 2015, Nigeria will have its own development bank for the first time in this

country.” The minister, who said small and medium size enterprises, manufacturers and other businesses would be able to get resources at seven to 10 years tenor at reasonable terms of interest, added that the development was a good omen for the nation’s budding democracy. According to her, who hinted that Nigeria was the largest shareholder in the AfDB with the highest voting power of 9.2 per cent, also said the Federal Government had a $1.6 billion loans portfolio from the AfDB for 28 projects, which cut across private and public sector activities in the country. She explained that Ni-

geria had been a principal beneficiary of AfDB’s assistance, having received nearly $5billion in net investments since the bank commenced its operation in 1972. Okonjo-Iweala said the country had been committed to the development course of the bank since 1986 when the country established a Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF) within the institution. “We set up this money as a means of helping countries that were less fortunate and ourselves at the height of the oil boom of the 1970s,” she said. The minister said the trust fund started with about $80 million, adding that the fund grew to more than $600 million in few years.

70%

50%

The percentage projected growth rate of electricity demand globally by 2035.

The proportion of deaths due to diabetes in people under 60 years of age in Middle East and North Africa in 2013.

(Source: Unesco.org)

(Source: Idp.com)

s the Federal Government opens the Nnwei Prison in Anambra State yesterday, the Minister of Interior, Abba Morro and Governor Willie Obiano have lamented the level of prison congestions in the country, especially the preponderance of awaiting trial inmates now forming about 70 per cent of the inmates in most prisons. Moro, who spoke during the inauguration of the penal institution located at Umuezena, Nnewi, said the Federal Government had been grappling with the congestion of prisons, a reason it has been working hard to provide accommodation for those incarcerated through building more prisons.

He stated that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan had in furtherance of this objective built new prisons in IkotEkpene in Akwa Ibom State, Yenagoa in Bayelsa state, Aguata in Anambra State and the one opened for use at Nnwei. On his part, Obiano, who frowned at the enormity of the problems created by prison congestion, said his government would construct an access road to the new prison, donate a bus as well as a Black Maria van for conveying of prisoners. “Only the real guys that we are fighting now in our Operation Kpochapu and that we are pulling out of the street that find their way into the prisons and not those who would be there for falling foul of the law in minor cases,” he said.

Poll rates Fayemi 68% ahead Fayose, Bamidele

arring any last minute changes in voter behaviour, an opinion poll recently conducted by one of Nigeria’s leading research company, Brand Surveys Limited, has rated incumbent governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi as the preferred candidate by majority of registered voters in the state. The poll result made available to newsmen from the company’s corporate head office in Lagos and signed by its Managing Consultant, Olaniyi Ayeni shows that the study was conducted in the month of May 2014 across the 16 local government areas in Ekiti State.

According to the documented result, majority of respondents representing 68% of the people interviewed via questionnaire survey using multi-stage random sampling technique, government council areas of Ekiti State want the incumbent governor, Fayemi to continue in office to consolidate on the different spheres of his 8-point agenda, adjudged as touching the lives of Ekiti People in so many ways. People’s Democratic Party candidate, Mr. Ayo Fayose was preferred by 28 per cent of respondents whilst his Labour Party counterpart Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele scored four per cent.

National airline project on course, says Aviation Minister Wole Shadare

he Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr Samuel Ortom, yesterday assured on that the country would soon launch a national carrier. He said all plans had been concluded to ensure the quick realisation of the goal. He spoke during ceremonies to mark Kenya Airways inaugural flight operation to Abuja, just as he added that the commencement of Kenya Airways direct flight operations to Abuja was a landmark achievement for the airline in its network expansion programme and the effort of the ministry for providing the travelling public more travel options. Ortom said the operations of Kenya Airways and other international airlines into Nigeria’s major airports justified the huge financial commitments made in remodelling airport terminals. According to him, the initiatives were designed to improve safety, security and ease air transport services in accordance with government transformation agenda. “Very soon, the national carrier will start operations. We are making necessary contacts and putting everything together to ensure that we have a national carrier of our own. “We know that this is a transformation government; for the first time we are witnessing transformation in all sectors of the economy; with this desire, very soon we will launch our own carrier,” Ortom said. He said Nigeria and Kenya had developed good economic, social and political relations leading to the signing of so many bilateral agreements between

the two countries. He said one of such agreements was in the aviation sub-sector, where Bilateral Air Services Agreements were made. “I believe that this will go a long way in promoting trade, investment and other commercial activities that will further boost the economies of the two countries,” Ortom said. The Kenya Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr. Michael Kamau, said Kenya’s government was committed to boosting relations with Nigeria. Kamau said the government of Kenya in conjunction with Kenya Airways was keen to promote tourism opportunities between the two countries. “We are all excited that Kenya Airways, our national carrier, has today made its maiden direct flight to the capital city of Nigeria as we seek to enhance our relations further. “Kenya’s government has firmly undertaken to ensure that we grow the volume of trade between our two countries as a measure to increase intra-African trade,” Kamau said. He said it was unfortunate that intra-Africa trade accounted for less than 12 per cent of overall trade volumes, while trade with Europe and America took the lion’s share of Africa’s trade opportunities. Kamau said in spite of Africa’s massive potential and diversity, it accounted for less than two per cent of global airline passenger traffic and about one per cent of global airlines cargo. According to him, such figures clearly justify the need to join hands as African states to facilitate a pan-African renaissance through the breaking of air transport barriers.

Jonathan grants police self-accounting status Emmanuel Onani Abuja

s part of measures to reposition the Nigeria Police for effective policing in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan, has granted a selfaccounting status. The disclosure was made yesterday in Abuja, by the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, during a meeting with Police Finance Officers at the International Peacekeeping Centre. In his opening speech, Abubakar charged accounting officers, to demonstrate professionalism and transparency. He enjoined the officers to make prompt payment

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of salaries and emoluments of police personnel their watchword. According to him, the financial autonomy granted the police, as a ‘watershed’, moreso that it is “coming after more than eight decades since the Nigeria Police was established as a single and centralised national Police Force in 1930.” The IG promised that, “as a step towards building the necessary infrastructure for a smooth operation of this new status, the police will take every necessary measure towards ensuring that the finance and account units, at all levels of the force, are staffed with officers with requisite accounting and professional background.”

FCT ‘All parties’ summit will curb electoral fraud’

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The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) has said next week’s All Political Parties’ summit will help curb electoral violence and fraud in the 2015 general elections. TAN also believed that the outcome of the summit would help shape “the overall political tone of the 2015 general elections in the areas of issue-based campaigns that are decent, decorous and civilised, the adherence by political parties and politicians to the code of conduct that they willingly subscribed to in 2011.” In a statement signed by its Director of Public Communications and Strategy, Dr. Udenta O. Udenta, it, however, cautioned that this political interaction should not be a one-off affair but it should be made a permanent feature as part of the nation’s on-going democratic dialogue and inter-group conversation.

N853.6m

The IGR realised from direct assessment sources in Ekiti State in 2012 Source: National Bureau of Statistics

IBADAN Lead City varsity holds workshop on entrepreneurial linkage Lead City University Consultancy Services is to hold a workshop on revigorating entrepreneurial linkage in Nigeria billed for the Conference Centre,Ibadan, Oyo State the event is in collaboration with the Oyo State Government Ministry of Industry and Applied Science and Technology and International Centre for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development (ICLED). The thrust of the one-day conference is to develop a model of synergy for entrepreneurial agencies in the country due to an observed disconnection and gap between an array of agencies target to alleviate poverty and encourage entrepreneurs and SMEs.

48,201

The number of pending asylum seekers of Greece at the beginning of 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

PORT HARCOURT Group threatens corrupt Niger Delta leaders

A group, Eye of Niger Delta (END), said it has concluded plan to expose any sons and daughters of Niger Delta region who are into corrupt practices, especially those occupying positions of trust so as to reduce the high level of corruption in the region. The group said it would collaborate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) to fight the cankerworm eating into the fabric of the region.

87%

The percentage of water withdrawals for agriculture in India. Source: Unesco.org

43,000 installed prepaid meters already tampered with — IKEDC power Some consumers under the IKEDC have been accused of tampering with their prepaid meters

Segun Edwards he management of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has revealed that no fewer than 43,000 prepaid meters have been tampered with by their owners out of 134,000 installed by the company in the last five years. This stunning figure according to the Chairman of the company, Mr Abiodun

Ajifowobaje, represented about 32 per cent of the total number of prepaid meters in use across areas covered by the electricity company. Ajifowobaje, disclosed this at a meeting between the company and Community Development Committees of various areas under its purview, stating that a prepaid meter could be said to have been bypassed when customers disconnect high-power-consuming appliances from the meter, and connect them directly to power. He said those engaging in such practices had been paying less on power, while the bulk of the power they consume was not being paid for. Ajifowobaje explained,

“When people do this, you hardly know because the meter will still be working and reading. We only get clues when we see from our projections that the amount paid by a consumer is continuously dropping for no justifiable reason. We then pay such customers an unannounced visit.” The IKEDC boss, therefore, maintained that any customer seen to be bypassing power in a any form, would not be given prepaid meters, if they were yet to get allocation. According to him, 6,000 prepaid meters currently in store, and will be allocated to customers that have made deposits for them. Other applicants for prepaid meters that have yet

to make any deposits, will only benefit from the next phase of the allocation if their application processes are duly completed. On estimated billing, which had been a major issue for customers across the country, Ajifowobaje said the company was only adhering to the directions and format of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. But he said: “If we discover that we have deviated from this format, we will correct it.” He, therefore, urged customers to forward complaints to the company if they were convinced that they were unfairly treated in terms of electricity charge.”

L-R: Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano; Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Rt Rev. Owen Nwokolo and Commissioner for Works, Callistus Ilozumba, during a visit to the site of the collapsed four-storey building in Onitsha...yesterday

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DUTSE

Kazaure LG empowers 500 youths N EWS I N BRIEF

OWERRI

VICTORIA ISLAND

In its efforts to curtail truancy and unemployment among youths, Kazaure council in Jigawa State has given gainful employment to about 500 youths, the council Chairman, Alhaji Sadis Abubakar has said. Speaking at a press conference at the council’s secretariat in Kazaure, Abubakar said this would go a long way in curtailing truancy, among the youths in the area. He said: “As elected office holders, we have a duty to honour the plights of our youths and community who gave us their mandate to serve them.”

LBS alumni holds dinner today

Imo monarchs identify cause of youth restiveness

This year’s Lagos Business School Alumni Association (LBSAA) President’s Dinner holds today at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. It will be graced by distinguished professionals from all walks of life and captains of industry who are products of the esteemed institution. LBSAA President, Mr. Demola Aladekomo, said: “This year’s president’s dinner, which is the 20th, will be attended by some of the institution’s alumni who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields.”

The Chairman of Oguta Local Government Area Council of Traditional Rulers, Imo State, Eze I.O. Asor, and the paramount ruler of Obudi Agwa autonomous community, has identified the proliferation of traditional institutions in the state since 2003 as the reason for the youth restiveness currently rocking some communities in the state. The Chairman Emeritus of Traditional Rulers of Oil and Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria TROMPCON, said this at his palace, shortly after the visit of Managing Director of ISOPADEC, Dr. Henry Okafor.

APGA crisis: Okwu, Obidigbo are impostors — Umeh COURT VERDICT Following the court ruling, Umeh calls on all agitators to sheath their swords Uwakwe Abugu

N Awka

ational Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, has declared that by the victory of Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, at the state Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on Wednesday, all those who have been laying claim to the leadership of the party, including challenging the governor’s election at the tribunal are impostors after all. Umeh, who reacted to the verdict of the tribunal

which dismissed the claim of Dr. Chike Obidigbo, that he was the rightful candidate of APGA for the election and not Obiano since he (Obidigbo) was produced as candidate of the party by the Chief Maxi Okwu-led national executive of the party, said the pronouncements by the tribunal had shown that all those who tried to claim the chairmanship and governorship candidate of the party were fake. At the tribunal, Okwu had shown clear support for Obidigbo as a product of his faction of the national executive of the party, especially as he recently obtained a court verdict ceding the position of national chairman of the party to him, a development that is being tackled by Umeh also by legal means. Umeh said: “You can look at me, I am very happy because Chief Willie Obiano is a child of my leadership

of APGA. And having won here, you know what it portends. For those who have lost, they should know that they are impostors. They are not leaders of APGA. “They should allow this party to have peace. We are going to prepare for the 2015 general elections with this victory consolidated in Anambra State and we are sure that we will give very good representation to the people as has been the case all the time. According to him, APGA remains one political party, “for those who are in APGA and still confused, let them know now that APGA is one political party. That is also what the tribunal determined, that APGA is one party and that it has one leadership. It had one candidate for this election and that the candidate has been declared the winner.” Making reference with

Mr. Peter Nwosu, who was APGA’ s governorship aspirant before he collapsed his structure into supporting Obiano during the election, Umeh called on all the petitioners to abandon whatever they have been pursuing in dragging the new governor to further litigation but that they should join hands in the task of developing the state. Umeh said: “I call on all the petitioners to allow peace to reign in Anambra State. APGA does not rig election, we don’t have that culture. Since 2003, it is a paradox that those who have been rigging elections here and we have been winning them in the court turned around and accused us of rigging. “So, we call on them to join Governor Willie Obiano and contribute their quota as indigenes of this state to develop Anambra State for the good of our people.”

Islam forbids killings of innocent people, say clerics

group known as League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, has said contrary to the practice of the insurgent group, Boko Haram, Islam is against killing of innocent people irrespective of their religious affiliation. It also advised governments at all tiers to eradicate corruption and impunity from the polity so as to facilitate growth and development in the country. This was contained in a statement by the group’s Publicity Secretary, Sheik Habibullahi Adam Al-Ilory, and Secretary General, Imam Ahmed Aladesawe, in Lagos on Wednesday. It stated, “Islam forbids forcing people to embrace Islam as Allah has stated in the holy Quran that ‘there should be compulsion in religion.’ “There is no provision in Quran that enjoins the killing of innocent people or Christians as Allah has stated emphatically that whatsoever kills an innocent person is perceived to have killed the whole of mankind.” On the stance of the insurgent group on western edu-

cation, the clerics said there was no provision whatsoever that forbids education, western or otherwise as “prophet Muhammad himself encouraged all faithful to ‘search for knowledge from the cradle to the grave.’” The group warned that unless something urgent was done, the level of corruption would further impoverish the masses and affect good governance. It stated, “In view of the foregoing, we call on governments at all levels to as a matter of urgency and utmost priority to review all relevant laws that slow down our criminal justice system. “They should also strengthen all anti-corruption agencies, so as enable them to combat corruption without fear or favour and review the country’s judicial system to meet up with new challenges.” The clerics also advised the Federal Government to create conducive environment for businesses to thrive by providing cheap and regular supply of electricity and removing bureaucratic bottlenecks associated with business registration.

Protect the environment, Nigerians urged Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

he Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Millennium Development Goals (SSAP-MDGs), Dr. Precious Gbeneol, has urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of protecting the environment for sustainability. Gbeneol, who made this remark on the occasion of World Environment Day, also stated that with concerted efforts, the society could be better for habitation as well as help the country in attaining the

goal 7 (Achieving Environmental Sustainability) of the MDGs framework. In a statement signed by the Head, Information and Communication, Dr. Christopher Otabor, the presidential adviser noted that with increasing global threats of climate change, drastic decline of biodiversity and the extreme vulnerability, Nigerians must challenge themselves to step up efforts to protect and preserve the eco system through usage of biodegradable and eco-friendly products as well as recycling of plastic products.

Miyetti Allah to assemble 10million Fulani herdsmen for Lamido Dahiru Suleiman Dutse

L-R: Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aliu Wamakko; Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha and his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the opening session of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) retreat, in Port Harcourt,... yesterday

54%

The percentage contribution of food sector to the production of organic water pollutant in low income countries. Source: Unesco.org

875,686 The total number of internet users in Macedonia in 2008. Source: Blatantworld.com

$103bn

The amount required to finance water, sanitation and wastewater treatment in developing countries annually through 2015 Source: Unwater.org

lans are under way by the highest decision making body of the Nigerian Fulani race, under the aegis of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), to assemble over 10 million Fulani people in Dutse. This was stated by Miyetti Allah’s National President, Alhaji Ardo Muhammad Kirawo, who sought the consent of Governor Sule Lamido to permit the association gather the Fulani tribes in Dutse, the state capital. Ardo said: “We will like you to permit us to assemble our tribe, the Fulani’s and I assure you we are not just assembling the elitist

Fulani but the real typical bush Fulanis.” “It is at that convention that we intend to bestow on you the prestigious title of ‘Garkuwan Fulanin Nijeriya’, meaning the ‘Shield of Nigerian Fulanis’ as a result of your outspoken attitude on our plights. I assure you sir that we will at least assemble no fewer than 10 million Fulani’s to show our gratitude to God and to you and we would use the occasion to also showcase to the world our might in terms of our population.” The Miyetti Allah president, who later visited the families of the victims killed by unknown persons also donated the sum of N200,000 as a token to the families.

PERSPECTIVES

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2014

The problem with our diaspora folks O The ne of the downsides of Facebook is the possibility of actually being “friends” with people of whom we hardly know anything about and being “tagged” in a post whose message we may not necessarily agree with or even consider plain silly. Nothing lately has amplified the dilemma thrown up by virtual friendship like the global angst generated by the abduction of over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School, in Chibok, Borno State. I have mostly watched from the sidelines, baffled scandalised sometimes - by the level of hate spewed and the unabashed aversion for divergent views in the comments of presumably enlightened persons. Indeed, there seems to be an unwritten code which suggests that the default mode for issues that involve the state is cynicism. So expressing an opinion contrary to that shared by these social media packs inexorably earns you some unflattering labels. An example of such tendency is seen in this post by Adekunle al Muftau Adeite, a Nigerian who apparently lives in the United States. “The new set of victims in the Nigerian blame game is now Nigerians in the diaspora. They are now blamed for just talking and not acting. My brothers and sisters at home, if you are waiting for those abroad to lead your cause, you will wait for a thousand years. If you at home can’t say enough is enough, and you are waiting for a doctor based in America to come home and fight for you to have electricity, good roads, good health services, and good governance, your last name is sorry.” Adeite’s comments set loose a trail of triumphal expletives from fellow émigrés, aghast that Nigerians back home could have allowed things to degenerate to such degree that over 200 students could be abducted without a trace. Knowing the feral nature of social media debate, I didn’t dare mention that they wouldn’t have fled

GAUNTLET LAURENCE ANI laurenceani@yahoo.com

the country if things weren’t in terrible shape while still resident here. Listening to some of our diaspora folks you would think the good life in their adopted countries they idealise so often was built by them. Of course, the life of the immigrant is one that is terribly conflicting; the need to integrate usually comes as an imperative, but then it entails a subtle abnegation of sorts. That is the reason our folks in the diaspora always seem to be perpetually drawing parallels: “Can you imagine the UK prime minister standing in a tube! That is unthinkable in my country”; “Wow! The US president taking a walk in a park and obliging requests for photo-ops. Can Jonathan ever attempt that?” “Nigerian leaders should take a cue from the resignation of South Korea’s prime minister over the ferry disaster.” There is hardly any self-questioning. But the truth is that the emigre is just as guilty as the state in the seemingly innocuous act of overstaying their visas or citing non-existent threats to their lives back home in a bid to secure asylum. The failings of the government do not sully the image of the country anymore than the desperate actions of some of our exiles. Whereas living in cities with more advanced economies often impacts positively on immigrants’ financial state, it does not necessarily confer a better perspective. But this is the tragic notion which a good number of our

folks in the diaspora have imbibed. And it is the root of the sense of entitlement apparent in many immigrants’ relationship with their country of birth; the most common being the assumption that they should naturally be considered for a job ahead of “locals” who may have a similar qualification. It also reflects in their distrust of anyone who takes a stand that is inconsistent with that held by the horde on cyberspace. I know a few angry young men who had similarly been scandalised by the sudden deified halo that once simple men and women wrap themselves in on accession to public office. This incorrigible tendency is as much indicative of character weakness in the Nigerian leaders as it is an indictment on the people. Societies do not thrive on the benevolence of leaders; it is rather the doggedness of the people to change the status quo that results in progress. The Magna Carta which is largely seen as the precursor to constitutional rule and the impetus for the liberties enjoyed in the United Kingdom and much of western civilisation was not issued because King John was a benevolent ruler. The same could be said of the bill of rights in the United States. There was an evident unyielding demand by the governed in both cases. And the changes wrought by their resilience were not achieved thousands of kilometres away from home soil. Follow on Twitter@AniLaurence

Random Thoughts the rave

Now you could press for your right to be forgotten

or those dissatisfied with results from their name search on Google, here’s a toast to victory. A ruling by the European Union’s Court of Justice has given individuals the power to demand the removal of links stored by search engines because such “information may be prejudicial” to the individual who may simply wish that it be “forgotten after a certain time”. Like Mario Costeja Gonzalez - the Spanish lawyer who sued La Vanguardia, a local newspaper, and Google whose search results includes an article published in the newspaper highlighting the fact that his house was auctioned 12 years ago when he fell on hard times - I’ve always found it worrying that each time I succumbed to the narcissistic urge (well, in this age of selfies, no one should begrudge a man some little indulgence) and Googled up my name, it throws up unflattering results such as “Thisday Chairman Sacks Saturday Editor, Laurence Ani” or “Okonjo-Iweala Denies Role in Thisday Editor’s Sack“. And each time I pressed on with the search, hopeful that I might find some redeeming entry that sets the record straight not having actually been sacked, but suspended, upon which I resigned - some results even more shocking emerge: “Lawrence Anini was a notorious armed robber....” Now, wouldn’t you rejoice at the prospect of having certain results associated with your name search removed if you were in my shoes? But there is yet a profound moral in the narrative which might be drowned by the victory acclamation: words alone do not change situations that usually throw us into a grumpy fit; you have to take a step to remedy that anomaly - as Gonzalez had done.

...the duplicitous

The Lagos Assembly resolution T

he Lagos State House of Assembly this week passed a resolution that condemned police commissioner Joseph Mbu’s earlier decision to ban the #BringBackOurGirls protest in Abuja. Even though it later emerged that Mbu’s plan had been overruled by the police high command, members - including the Assembly’s speaker - spent ample time railing against Mbu’s “provocative and unlawful action”. But at about that same time, an anti-riot squad from the Lagos State police command was brutally suppressing a protest march called by students of the Lagos State University to denounce outrageous fee hike at the institution. However, our dear legislators simply lost their voices.

...and the downright silly

Grazing reserve for the herdsmen T

he announcement that the federal government intends to establish grazing reserves across the country is yet another desperate attempt to be politically-correct. The nomadic herdsman is a 21st century anachronism , and creating grazing reserves which will still entail moving cattle from one distant point to another once the grass have been depleted is not an enduring solution to the problem. A creative response would be to encourage owners of large herds to establish ranch-style enclosure where the cows will be fed with fodder. That way, they would no longer swamp farmlands as herds move down south in search of green vegetation.

Who should babysit between husband’s mother and wife’s? p.12

Street DIARY NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

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7 JUNE 2014

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Again, LASU students paralyse activities at Fashola’s office

Suspected cable thief electrocuted in Jos

Muritala Ayinla

ggrieved students of the Lagos State University, LASU, yesterday resumed their protest at the Lagos State Governor’s Office, demanding immediate release of their colleagues and reduction in their tuition fee. They stormed the governor’s office with pots and beds and began cooking as they did on Thursday. They insisted that they would continue to stage the protest until their demands are met. But unlike Thursday’s protest the enraged student were barred from reaching the main entrance gate of the Governor’s Office by the combined team of the security personnel attached to the office and some police officers attached to the Rapid Response Squad, RRS. The security personnel barricaded the roads leading to the office to prevent recurrence of the ‘show’ that took place at entrance gate. The students who arrived about 4pm from gaining access to the Governor’s Office, chanted war song, insisting that the state government must make a categorical statement on the reduction in the tuition. When they could not gain access to the main entrance gate, the students, in a bid to achieve their aim, immediately barricaded the access roads to the State House of Assembly and the Governor’s Office. This led to traffic gridlock around the secretariat, as many motorists plying the area were denied access roads. Consequently, some of them were forced to drive against traffic. After barricading the intersections, the students brought out their gigantic loud speakers and danced to music played by some of them. Some of them set up stones and firewood in order to cook as they did previous day. Also, efforts to pacify the students return to their school and wait till Monday when the sevenman executive committee council would present their report to the State Executive Council proved abortive. Speaking with New Telegraph, the President of the Students’ Union, Nurudeen Yusuf, vowed that the students would not succumb to pressure and intimidation from the state government. He said: “We won’t stop protesting until they do something. We are cooking again today at Governor’s Office. In fact, we are preparing eba and egusi soup for

Musa Pam Jos

LASU’s students camped at the entrance to the governor’s office, Alausa

protesters. Our demands must be met.” An Assistant Superintendent of Police, who identified himself simply as Ajao argued that they were instructed not to allow the protesters gain access to the governor’s office. Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Student Affairs, Mr. Hakeem Animashaun, said that they were surprised to see the students again. Animashaun said, “They were here yesterday and the commissioner for transpor-

tation and information and strategy provided all the information they needed. But they demanded that they must see the governor to make an immediate pronouncement that the fee be reversed. And we made them to realize that the governor has gone to Rivers State for the Governor’s Forum. “We will continue to appeal to the students to accept dialogue. When the tuition fee was increased, it went through a process. And change the fee; it will require that it must go through the same

PHOTO: STARCONNECTS.COM

process. “In spite of the plea, they have decided to continue with the protest. We are practising democratic system of government. Anyone can protest to express his grievances. In as much as they don’t inflict hardship on other citizens of the state. Meanwhile, all efforts by the All Progressive Congress, APC Lagos State Youth leader, Mr. Tayo Sanya-Olu, to appeal to the RRS officers to allow the student access the Governor’s Office proved abortive.

man suspected cable thief was yesterday electrocuted while attempting to vandalised a power cable in Jos, the Plateau State capital. The incident which took place in the early hours of the yesterday in quarry Company near Dadin Kowa, attracted a large crowd who gathered to catch a sight of the corpse as it hung on the pole for hours. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Felicia Anselm, who confirmed the incident to New Telegraph said the police were investigating the incident The Quarry Manager at the company where the incident took place, Toma Davou, decried the activities of cable vandals. He said, “This is not the first time that this incident is happening here. We have handed some suspects to the police in the past. In fact it was our security men’s strategy that caught up with the man. “What they do at night is to put off our security light. So, when the vandals came, they thought there was no light and one of them climbed the pole and got electrocuted.” Davou called on the police to carry out a thorough investigation, saying there other suspects who fled the scene should be arrested.

Money collected by Ikuforiji were legal, says EFCC witness Joseph Onyekwere

former clerk of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adewale Olatunji, yesterday told the a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos that all the money allegedly received by Mr. Adeyemi Kuforiji, the speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, were in accordance with the law governing the legislative arm of government. Olatunji, who was the clerk of the House of Assembly between July 2001 and August, 2011, stated this while being led in evidence by Chief Godwin Obla, SAN, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Olatunji is

the second prosecution witness for the EFCC. Ikuforiji and his aide, Oyebode Atoyebi, are facing 56 counts of money laundry offences. The former clerk told the court presided over by Justice Ibrahim Buba, that as an accounting officer of the House of Assembly, he coordinated all the activities including the finance of the House and reported directly to the speaker. He also told the court that there was an appropriation law that guard the Assembly from over spending any budget allocated to it; and to ensure that the money was expended in accordance with the budget. Olatunji, who is now a fish farmer, also told the court that

most of the money allegedly received by speaker and his personal assistant, were received in the capacity of the speaker of the State House of Assembly, not to the speaker as a person. He stated that the speaker usually send his personal assistant to collect such money. He stated further that the speaker only received money after budget had been passed by the state government and disbursed, adding that all money spent were determined by the Accountant-General of the state. The former clerk also told the court while being cross-examined by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, counsel to Ikuforiji, that the petition purportedly written by Eleya Olotu of Anti-

Corruption Vanguard, which informed the speaker’s investigation and prosecution was not shown to him (Olatunji) when he was invited to the nation’s capital, Abuja, for interrogation by EFCC. When the prosecution witness was asked by Olanipekun, if the money allegedly collected by the speaker and his personal assistant were not illegal and not for official purposes, he told the court that all the money received by the two accused were from the state government which was used for official purposes that they were collected. Consequently, Justice Buba adjourned the matter till June 20 for EFCC to call its third witness.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 june 2014

STREET DIARY

Imo cult war: Four killed, 25 arrested, as tension mounts Steve Uzoechi Owerri

t least four people have been confirmed dead while 25 have been arrested following the raging cult war between the Black Axe and the Vikings confraternities in Imo state, New Telegraph has learnt. It was learnt that those suspected were arrested by the police for their alleged complicity in the gang clashes which has left Owerri, the state capital tense. Speaking to New Telegraph in a telephone conversation, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Andrew Enwerem, said that for some inexplicable reasons, some media outfits had exaggerated the victims of the gang clashes to be 15, a situation he described as utterly false. He said, “We have had to invite some of the authors of such reports to educate and inform them of the true position of things with empirical facts. Four persons have been killed and we have 25 persons in custody undergoing interrogation. We are prepared to go to any

length to arrest the situation and bring to book all those culpable in these killings.” It was however gathered from a shop owner on Douglas Road, where the early clashes were believed to have occurred last Saturday, that a member of the Black Axe Confraternity was shot and killed by members of the Vikings Confraternity for yet to be ascertained reasons. In a swift reprisal, he added that the colleagues of the deceased succeeded in killing one of their rivals who had just dedicated his newborn in the church a week before the incident at an area known as Umuoyima, also in Owerri. This resulted in a free-for-all between members of the rival cult group leading to the killing and maiming of several persons in the state capital. While some believe that the perpetrators of the gruesome killings are not from Owerri, others are convinced that the violence is home-grown. As the police continue their clampdown on hot spots in the state capital, they have solicited for calm among residents as investigations continue.

Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswan

NSCDC impounds taker laden with fake diesel Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

Governor Rochas Okorocha

Benue: Fear grips Igede over Fulani invasion of communities

Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

he people of Igedeland in Benue South senatorial district of Benue State have been gripped by fear following the invasion of their communities by suspected armed Fulani insurgents. New Telegraph learnt that hundreds of Fulani herdsmen begun grazing their cattle in the area, a situation that has raised concern by prominent people in the area. Already, the people have expressed misgivings over the presence of the Fulani herdsmen in their land, and called for concerted efforts to move them out of their

domain. Traditional rulers in the area including President General of Onminyi Igede, Mr. David Ode, the Ada Oju, Chief Augustine Ogbu and that of Obi, Chief Cyril Okute, have protested against accommodating the herders in their midst. The people, who made their feelings known when members of the peace and security committee on the Fulani crisis for Benue South Senatorial District led by Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd.) visited the area, resolved that the cattle rearers be permanently relocated from their land in the interest of peace. Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Mr. Bright Ogaji, said it would be impossible for Igede

people to cede part of their land for grazing in view of the fact that his people are predominantly arable farmers. Ogaji stated that they could not accommodate the Fulani herdsmen due to the destructive nature of their cattle and appealed to the committee to consider their position on the matter in the interest of the people. In his reaction, Onoja stated that though the crisis which affected other communities in the state did not affect Oju directly, the presence of herdsmen in the area was a matter that bothered the committee. Onoja said the committee would come up with practicable measures to stem the ugly situation in the area.

he Ekiti State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said on Friday it impounded a fuel tanker loaded with adulterated 10,000 litres of alternate gas oil, otherwise known as diesel. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Afolabi Tolulope, said in a statement in Ado-Ekiti that the said oil was suspected to be part of the products illegally siphoned by vandals and later sold to unsuspecting members of the public. He said preliminary investigations revealed that the truck was a regular supplier of adulterated diesel to a particular mobile phone provider in the state, with the connivance of some fuel stations. According to him, the culprits that escorted the trailer have already confessed that they had been supplying the product to the said network provider for over one year. The PRO said two persons, Ayetan Kolawole and Omoniyi Julius, who were arrested with the fuel tanker were already in the custody of the NSCDC, and would soon be charged to court. He therefore called on people of the state to continue to furnish the command with useful information that could lead to the arrest of other vandals and collaborating fuel stations. He also promised that such confidential information would be kept as utmost secrecy so as to guarantee safety of such informants.

NSDC boss, Ade Abolurin

Police eject sacked Imo traditional rulers’ council chairman from office Steve Uzoechi Owerri

here was anxiety yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, following the ejection of the Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Agunwa Ohiri, from the council’s secretariat by armed policemen who were executing an Appeal Court judgement that earlier sacked the monarch from office. The reinstated monarch, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, who was removed as Chairman of the Council by the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, in 2011, immediately resumed office amidst tight security. Speaking with newsmen shortly after, Ilomuanya, said that his removal from office in the first place by the governor was illegal and contravened the constitution of the

Traditional Rulers’ Council, adding that his victory in the court would restore the dignity of the traditional institution in the state. He said, “In June 2011 shortly after the governor assumed office, he asked me to convene a meeting of the traditional rulers as the chairman, which I did successfully but that same evening I was shocked to hear the governor announced the dissolution of the council. “The following morning I met with him and appealed to him to rescind his action that if he didn’t want to work with me, he should have asked me to resign but he did not heed my advice. It was then that I showed him our constitution, which clearly stipulates that the chairman of the council can only vacate office in the event of death or resignation. “I am happy that justice had prevailed at last. What I did was

Police IG, Mohammed Abubakar

to protect the traditional institution, we deserve some honour and respect as traditional rulers. But then I hold nothing against the gover-

nor, I have forgiven him and I am willing to work with him.” However in a swift reaction, the state government deposed the embattled traditional ruler after it announced the withdrawal of his staff of office and certificate of recognition. In a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, Ilomuanya who is also the Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers’ Council, ceases to be recognised as the traditional ruler of Obinugwu community. “In accordance with sections 11 and 14 of the Imo State Traditional Rulers Autonomous Communities Law No 6 of 2006, the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has approved the withdrawal of the Certificates of Recognition and Staff of Office of Eze Cletus Ikechukwu Ilomuanya, the traditional ruler of Obinugu autono-

mous community in Orlu Local Government Area of the state. And Eze Cosmos Onyeneke, the traditional ruler of Lagwa Autonomous Community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State with immediate effect. Accordingly, Chief Cletus Ikechukwu Ilomuanya and Chief Cosmos Onyeneke cease to be recognised as traditional ruler of Obingwu and Lagwa Autonomous Communities respectively. The Secretaries of the Community Government Council of the respective autonomous communities will be liaising with the government on behalf of each of the affected Autonomous Communities pending the selection and presentation of an Eze-elect in accordance with the custom and constitution of each of the affected autonomous communities,” the letter read in part.

Voices

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2014

Street Diary

Who should babysit between husband’s mother and wife’s? Wife’s mother should babysit

Traditionally, it is the husband’s mother. It is believed that once a woman is married she belongs to her husband only. But I think the wife’s mother should be the one babysitting because of the bond between the mother and child. The mother knows her daughter better and she will be free to expose her body to her mum. And she needs ultimate care during the few months after delivery that a mother-in-law might not be able to give.

I prefer my wife’s mother

Both mother-in-laws have equal opportunities in the home of the couple but the choice to decide who babysits is relative. For me, I will prefer my mother-inlaw to babysit because of the understanding between my wife and her mum.

(Akintunde Taiwo, media consultant)

I will go for the wife’s mother

(Tolu Odumuyiwa, entrepreneur)

Is the wife’s mother

I believe it should be wife’s mother. The reason is that the mother of the girl knows her daughter better than the motherin-law. Omugwo is not for the child only, but also for the daughter.

(Samuel Djabo, musician)

Based on my experience, I think it is better for the woman’s mother to do the baby-sitting. The woman may be experiencing emotional stress and she would still be required to cook and clean; she may even have postpartum depression and as a result can overreact over little things. So, she will need someone who understands her to be around at that difficult period.

(Funke Osae-Brown, writer)

Either of them are fine by me I prefer wife’s mother

My mother is it

For me it’s my mother because she is my mum; and I can be very free with her and ask her to do certain things for me and she won’t reject such requests. But there are things that I cannot tell and request from my mother-in-law. This is because an attempt at such things will be seen as being disrespectful. But I cannot reject if my husband insists that her mum should come around to take care of me and the grandchild because it’s her right.

In my opinion, who takes care of my baby between my mother and mother-in-law is a matter of choice. They are both my mothers and the baby in question is their grandchild. Picking between both mothers is like making preference which can result in conflict between both families. If I had my way, I want them both.

(Kemi Adejumo)

(Precious Moses)

Women have bond with their mothers

First of all, I think the women have a choice in this situation. Because it’s their mothers who brought them up and there is a bond of understanding between them, as they feel more comfortable with their mothers coming around to take care of them after delivery. But this is not to say that we don’t have mothers- inlaw who are very caring and loving without minding the background and the personality of the daughter-in-law. There are also occasion when the lady will request her mother-in-law to come around for the after-delivery care.

Boniface Oyoria

I prefer my mother

I will go for my mother because I know her very well; she will be nice to us. But my mother -in-law will be siding her daughter whenever a family issue comes up; again I will not like her to know everything going on in my house.

(Lukeman Rashidi)

Wife’s mother is best suited

The woman’s mother should be the one taking care of the baby. It is her mother we are talking about, so she can communicate easily. However, in my own case, it was my mother-in-law who came to do the baby-sitting and there was no problem. I actually made the choice as we also understand each other well.

(Anne Agbaje, journalist)

The wife’s mother is best for the job

I feel the best person for the job is the lady’s mother being that the maternal connection is already there between them. The lady’s mother will be in a proper position to look not only after the baby but after the mother too. And the mother can also help take care of the home until the daughter is fully recovered.

(Odezi Onyeke)

Wife’s mother should babysit

The wife’s mother should babysit. She deserves to go there because she carried her daughter for good nine months and besides, she can take good care of her child and grandchild very well. She is the mother that knows everything about her daughter.

Chinyere Uzoigwe

I prefer mother-in-law

In most cases the woman’s mother is better positioned to come to the house because of the relationship that already exists between the mother and daughter. There is something personal a n d intimate in the hygiene involved. So, the mother, who already knows her own daughter intimately, is better suited to do some of these more intimate things. I would prefer my mother-in-law without any doubts.

(Mike Asukwo, cartoonist)

I will go for my mother

It can go either way. But I’ll prefer my mother because of the kind of person she is to me. For some women, their mother is a nagging type and there is nothing they can do to satisfy them. Such women will prefer their mothers-in-law to their own mothers.

(Ngozi Ogbonna)

My wife should make the choice

Any one of them is okay by me because personally I have a good relationship with my in-laws. But ultimately it is my wife that decides which of them should nurse our baby.

(Bosun businessman)

Samuel,

I will go for any of them who is less troublesome

For me to invite any of them it depends on the type of character they have. If my mum is the troublesome one she will not come, if it’s my mother -in-law, she will not come also. Secondly, I will go for any one of them that have endurance and cannot be argumentative.

(Abiola Oyende, businesswoman) compiled by

VINCENT EBOIGBE, Olushola Ricketts, ELIJAH EDA SAMUEL, CAMILIUS NNAJI AND MICHAEL UCHEBUAKU

Instyle Convenient, comfortable flip-flops p.16 Travel In Plateau, extremism takes toll on tourism p.42

NTWEEKEND

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C o n v e r s at i o n

AJIBADE

Wines and the art of good taste Last Saturday, May 30, Kikelomo Ajibade hosted wine patrons who thronged The Regent Events Centre, Ikeja, in Lagos, for a wine-tasting ceremony. The high octane guests at the soiree where all were serenaded by famous entertainer, Yemi Sax, were availed a fresh opportunity to discuss Nigerians’ attitude to wine consumption as well as a memorable weekend get-away. LANRE ODUKOYA witnessed the gig and engaged Ajibade, late Gani Fawenhimi’s niece, about life as a wine connoisseur

ine-tasting events scarcely hold in Nigeria, except of course, in major cities and among the haves and the nouveau riche. Driven by the conviction that the land is green for this tour of duty, Ajibade believes Nigerians are not entirely laid back in matters concerning wines. “Yes, Nigerians are very receptive to anything classy. I am sure that the turnout today, would easily convince any doubting Thomas that Nigerians love the good things of life. You’ve seen the way people enjoyed themselves here today, the way they have had real fun, yeah, I can say that we, as a people are receptive to a classy lifestyle. Initially, I couldn’t believe the turn-out myself. I am pretty glad that everybody turned out. We’ve all had fun,” she grinned. But frankly speaking, “I think majority of Nigerians are still very much unaware of the benefits of wine consumption. Maybe I should say they are not as much as informed as they ought to be about certain information one needs to look out for before you can conveniently vouch for a wine brand. For me, I am much concerned about giving Nigerian connoisseurs the basic awareness about the vintage of the wine brand; I mean the vineyard it is produced from. The various countries and wine presses that give quality wine for drink. I want to create an awareness platform where consumers will be interested in the different wine brands we have and the reputation of the various producers. Lots of our people consume wine brands that day of production they don’t even know; they don’t have the reputation of the producers. You must be able to pick a bottle and you know if the product is one month old, six months old or a year old, so that you don’t consume what is not good for your health. For instance, a very good wine must not stay in the sun. It affects the quality and diminishes the taste value. It is not also healthy for consumption. These are the basic

information that we give our consumers at Ann Marie. It is a total package. You must know the region where your wine comes from, you must be able to guarantee the identity of the producer and vice versa,” she said. An interesting feature of the rendezvous was a nearly-strict attendance by guests perceived to have been drawn from the very top. But Ajibade would not have any of that. “No, I wouldn’t say that. The wine is for everybody. I am just privileged to have these friends around me now. I really do appreciate their coming and I thank them for all their support.” From the array of wines across the globe: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir whether from France, Austria, California, Oregon, New Zealand, Ajibade has such an incredible defense for her choice among the lots. She singled out the Organic Wines in whichever category they come from. As to why she chose to unveil a variant of organic wines at the soiree, her words partly read; “Oh, I can talk and talk non-stop on the benefit of organic wine. Everybody is leaning towards organic wine these days, and not all of us know why. For those who do not know, it is because when a grape or particular food or fruit is grown, fertiliser is used for its growth. That means its growth is forced. But in this case, fertiliser is not used. That means its growth is not forced. It also means that these wine plants grow according to its original life span. The benefit of that is enormous. It is an amazing thing that you can actually drink wine and all that benefit included into it. We have had a lot of people say today, that the benefit of such to our health is enormous. “But more importantly, the bottom line is that everybody has to drink reasonably. If we all can actually drink moderately, it makes a lot of sense because it is one of the best ways to go right now. You need to drink moderately. That is why we keep resounding CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

WEEKEND | CONVERSATION

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“I feel the same way I have felt when I was 30. I am still who I am. Age is of the mind. Life, I believe is delicate — one second you have it, and the next, it is gone just like air.”

‘A glass of wine to a meal is amazing’ CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 1 3

the word ‘moderately’ because, drinking moderately helps the heart which goes ahead to help the entire body. If only we can drink moderately! A glass of wine to a meal is amazing. It digests the food pretty well and you get all the other benefits as well.” But we heard that these organic wines are somewhat in short supply at the moment. “It will soon be everywhere; so many people here have signified their interest to be our distributors. The office is in Opebi, Ikeja-Lagos. I want everyone to benefit from it,” she enthused. Her life reads like a fairy tale as she also has fingers in other pies. For someone who runs a high-brow spa in Lagos, Ajibade knows what it takes to be beautiful and stylish. Understandably, she is no stranger to having an up-to-date wardrobe. “I am very conservative,” she said of her dress sense and you wonder how her wardrobe looks like. The Ondo State born mother of five remarked on her style, “I can’t tell you if it is contemporary or modern. But I just have my own style. Whatever suits me is what I wear. I don’t join the bandwagon. I love the clothes I am wearing and I am cool with my phase of fashion.” Not by any means brazen with dresses, she would not be caught dead in a swim trunk. “It’s indecent, and I hate anything that would reveal my body. Dressing is all about moderation and I don’t think I would be caught dead wearing a bikini outside of my personal swimming pool.” The chief executive officer of Ann Marie, her spa in Ikeja, Lagos, 48-year-old Ajibade’s gait doesn’t suggest she’s an inch close to it. She’s effortlessly youthful and unarguably charming. “Age is but a number,” she said. I feel the same way I have felt when I was 30. I am still who I am. Age is of the mind. Life, I believe is delicate — one second you have it, and the next, it is gone just like air. So, if you have it, you must cherish it and handle it with such care. Health generally is something that is given by God but we can work hard to ensure it stays with us well. Thus far, I have enjoyed good health, peace and joy and love around me and I thank God.” With a degree in computer science and housing management from the Middlesex University, London,

she returned to Nigeria to float a state-of-the-art spa. Even after completing her master’s degree, she was not averse to picking a job with any blue chip company. “I have always believed in beauty,” Ajibade, who is the only child of her parents recalled. “It has always been part of me even when I was young. I believe you have to look good. Then, I would copy my late mother whenever she was dressing up. I think no matter how good you are on the inside, the outward must actually portray what is inside. So, I usually pay extra attention to my looks, especially my skin. I had a bit of short beauty courses until I realised that this is what I really wanted to do and I ventured into it and I am happy doing it.” To be beautiful sometimes, she said, you have to go the extra mile. “There is no woman on the surface of earth who is not beautiful, it depends on how she carries herself and how well she looks after herself. Beauty to me, is like a package – your behaviour, your attitude, your inner person which could radiate to the outward. It is a total thing.” Don’t give Ajibade an impression that women visiting spas is elitist, otherwise, what you’d get is; “You can’t put a price on your skin. It’s just priceless and that is how I want everybody to view their skins. Put it this way: you have a Rolls Royce, a top notch car, the engine is fantastic, and the body is great. Put it on the road and it would do you a 130/200 per hour. But when it is not cared for, it goes bad. The same applies to your skin. We all have great skin especially in Africa — we don’t age quickly. If you don’t look after it, what happens? It gets bad. Visiting spas is for any woman who can afford it and I decided making mine affordable. It is my passion. It is something I really want to do and the satisfaction for me is when you see people coming to you to say thank you.” And back to her wardrobe: “I am given to smart casuals, tops, lots of pants and denim. My native attire depends on the occasion and I love simple but gorgeous accessories. My wardrobe could have been larger than what it is but I give out a lot. I love accessories but I love good cars, though not a do-or-die thing with a good car, my day is made.” Ajibade is a warm and wholly-family person. This she espouses the second your paths cross. “Of course, my family is the best thing I have and would ever have. I cannot trade my family for anything

else. My family comes first to me in anything. I am an only child of my parent. (Architect Kayode Fawehinmi, immediate younger brother to late Chief Gani Fawehinmi) and growing up both in Nigeria and the United Kingdom was quite interesting. My father was a very strict and shrewd disciplinarian while mum was much more tolerant. She could give me a piece of her eye just to ensure that i am happy and comfortable. She is late now and i miss her so much but dad is very much around and i think with benefit of hindsight, he is the best father in the world. I am a mother of five and I really appreciate the fact that when the kids are at home, you see a lot of talents, idiosyncrasies and emotions around you, and that really tells you one thing about life; that yes, we could share a common background but we are different individuals. We only need to be able to tolerate our different idiosyncrasies and with that we can move and survive the challenges of everyday life. I am a home person. I hardly go out and if you see me at an occasion, maybe it was initiated by Ann Marie or one of our clients.” Her enterprise makes her very itinerant and as one who pays quality attention to lifestyle, where would be her best holiday spot? “This is an emotional question but I will try and give you an emotional answer. I love Monaco in Southern France. That is my favourite holiday destination and as you can see we are done with anything France. Majority of our wine brands comes from France. The second place I can call my tourist destination is Seychelles; it is a small island with few people living on it, but with best things of life from the beaches to the weather and even their food. Most of their foods are organic. It is my best tourist destination while Monaco is the best holiday spot.”She’s unapologetically a fan of automobiles; “My favorite car is a Bentley sport which comes nice with a steaming engine and for SUV, I can do with a Range Rover super charge. Those are my best automobiles:” And in the kitchen, here’s quite a riveting chef. “I love cooking, that is one thing my family knows me for and if you ask what is my best meal, I will tell you pounded yam and efo riro (vegetables)” . Just give me the necessary ingredients and I will make you a lovely meal of pounded yam and efo riro, but remember to take a glass of wine after the meal.”

INSTYLE

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2014

The classic, South-South look Angela Davies

he etibo attire commonly called “SouthSouth” or “resource control” is a classy and stylish wear for men who want to stand out at an event. The attire most times is sewn with plain cotton fabric or a mix of cotton and polyester. Some men also use checked fabric depending on individual style and then worn with a plain coloured trouser. However, some men prefer to use the same fabric for both the etibo and the trousers but with a funkified edge to the tops. Tips • You can wear etibo to the office on Friday, church or special occasions like dinner, wedding or an award ceremony depending on how you choose to accessorize the outfit.

• The beauty of this outfit is that even though it has button holes, stud is used in the button holes instead of buttons, thus, giving the outfit some old world elegance. • Etibo comes in different styles and has a way of making men have a royal look especially when they add the walking stick to it and also wear a bowler hat for that complete look. However, these days, some men wear it with a fedora hat for a funkier look. • When it comes to footwear, for occasions like wedding, award or dinner, it is appropriate to wear black loafers without socks. For a casual event or church, you could wear lovely leather sandals or slippers. The etibo is a trendy and exquisite outfit suitable for any occasion; so, you don’t have to be a Niger Delta indigene to wear this elegant outfit.

Going skimpy For Princess Edith Duru, leggy actress, model and chief executive officer of ED Professional Modelling Agency, having some good legs aren’t just enough; you have got to flaunt them. That’s why she loves skimpy dresses, she tells ANGELA DAVIES Define your style My style is simple yet elegant and eye-catching. I love creativity. I like creating my own style to be me. I don’t like looking like some other person. What determines the kind of dress you wear to an event? I would say the event, because I dress according to the event I am attending. What kind of clothes make up a larger part of your wardrobe? Trendy, sexy and flattering evening gowns that make me look fabulous on the red carpet. What is that clothing item you will never be caught wearing? I will never be caught tying wrapper because it doesn’t make one free. There is nothing bad in tying wrapper but to me as a workaholic, it doesn’t give me freedom to walk, work, sit or jump the way I really want. Favourite piece of clothing I love skimpy gowns and skirts that flaunt my unique legs. Where do you consider as the sexiest part of your body? My legs that is because people always say it looks hot and lovely. It is my biggest asset. Best designer I have a few designers that I like. However, I choose a designer based on the quality or style that I get from that particular designer at that moment. Most expensive clothing item you have ever bought? A pink Dolce and Gabbana evening gown and an orange coloured Fendi evening gown. Are you a shoe freak? Of course, I am. I love high heel shoes in unique styles. I have passion for shoes. What is that fashion accessory you cannot do without? My clothes and shoes Best colour I love black and white because it comes out well in everything. They are also matured colours. It is either black or white or mixed together. I love pink as well. Signature perfume Elizabeth Arden. I love the way it smells. The fragrance is mild. How do you love your make-up? I don’t wear heavy make-up. I use just my powder, eye pencil, lipstick or lip gloss and off I go. How do you love your hair? I have a natural long hair that is full which I flaunt sometimes. I fix and I wear wigs too.

INSTYLE

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Accessories to live for

Reliable flip-flops Due to the convenience and comfort they give, flip-flop sandals hardly ever go out of fashion, writes ANGELA DAVIES

he flip-flop slippers are just perfect for wearing with traditional and casual attires. They are usually made with leather and come in many colours. However, many men prefer to buy and wear palm slippers in either black or brown colours for easy coordination. They also come in various designs and shapes to choose from, and give your feet some air to breath unlike your covered shoes. More importantly, they are very comfortable as they help your feet relax.

BEAUTY

Facts

GROOMING TIPS FOR MEN

aking care of your skin and appearance should be important to men as it is for women. Men can look and feel confident with basic grooming upkeep and stand out. Here are some simple grooming tips • Shave A good, close shave followed by aftershave use help achieve optimum skin health. Women like men with clean and neat shave. • Keep your nails clean and well-trimmed Dirty, long fingernails could be irritating. You should try to keep your nails clean, welltrimmed and filed neatly. If you do not have

a good nail grooming kit to do it at home, you could visit the salon for a professional manicure.

grooming regimen. It is nice to smell good, but everyone does not have to smell it. Just remember not to bathe in it.

• Brush and floss your teeth It is important to keep your teeth clean and ensure that your breath does not smell.

• Match your belt with your shoes Note that if you are wearing black shoes, you don’t wear a brown belt. Your belt and shoes should always match.

• Wear clean, fitting clothes No matter your body shape, the right fit makes everything look so much better. You should appear clean and neat always as this will boost your confidence. • Less is more when it comes to fragrance Perfume is an important part of a man’s

• Neat hair If you wear skin or low cut, ensure it is neatly done. If you wear dreads or even weave your hair, make sure you take proper care of it. Whatever hairstyle you choose to wear, make sure it is neat.

It was Felix Aaron, creative director of Feron who put Akwa Ibom State on the map by being the first Akwa Ibom born designer based in Akwa Ibom State whose works were showcased at the Nigeria Fashion Show at Abuja in 2004.

In the 15th century, women preferred not to have any hair on their face. Because of that fashion style, the famous Mona Lisa does not have eyebrows.

Between 1920 and World War II, chemist and cosmetologist invented face mascara, eyebrow pencils, lip gloss, sunscreen oil and hairspray.

Have a clean and neat shave

Keep your nails clean and well-trimmed

Mayonnaise is one of the oldest forms of cholesterol treatments for the hair. Dating back to the 1950’s when heat styling tools were first made available to the public.

Branama queen, Kefee still in coma p.18 Sam Dede Relishes new tourism experience p.19

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I wear bikini to the beach, so I can act semi-nude – Mimi Orjiekwe Ex-beauty queen and actress, Mimi Orjiekwe first had a stint in acting in 2000s. But a lull in her career soon set in. She speaks with ANGELA DAVIES about life as an actress and why it took a while to return to acting MAKING A DEBUT IN NOLLYWOOD I started acting in 2009. Actually when I was at Caritas University, in Enugu, studying business administration, I entered for the Miss African Queen beauty pageant which I eventually won. During the competition, one of the judges, Nonso Ekene Okonkwo, who happened to be a movie director, discovered my acting talent and gave me my first role in the movie, Royal Madness, which starred stars like Mercy Johnson, Majid Michael and Jim Iyke. After shooting the movie, I went back to school to concentrate and complete my studies. I also got my MBA from the University of Abuja. After my master’s programme, I returned to acting again in 2012. It’s been fine, fantastic. I have done over 50 movies and still counting. A few of the include Secondary School Girls, Mission to the grave, blind game, another man’s wife and many others. WHAT WAS THE MOTIVATION? I have always loved parties, the red carpet and fashion. I love dancing, acting and anything that has to do with shows. MOST CHALLENGING ROLE I would say my role in Mission to the Grave was a bit challenging because I stayed in the bush for more than a month. I had to climb the tree and learn to do many things I wasn’t doing before. I literarily became a man because I was meant to save some people. Staying in the bush for a month plus was really challenging because of the mosquitoes, ants and all other factors. The truth is that the stress was the challenging part of it. The movie has just been released. NOLLYWOOD MENTOR I just like Genevieve Nnaji. I grew up watching her movies and she was one person I saw who did it right. She is a talented actress. I really like Genevieve.

EMBARRASSING MOMENTS There are so many. But recently I refused to chat with some of my fans on Facebook because the truth is that I cannot give them all my time and they started abusing me. Some of them even said that Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is good because she has time to chat with her fans. Some even said I was stupid and advised that I should have time for my fans. But you cannot please all your fans. Anyway, I had to apologise to my fans so that peace could reign. Also, I had to take a bike to the airport because I was almost missing my flight. When we got close to the airport, the bike rider recognised me and asked if I shot a particular movie, I was so embarrassed. I am sure he was surprised to see me on a bike, but I just smiled. There are so many incidents like that. COPING WITH MEN’S PRESSURE I am just nice to everyone. I say hello to everyone at the right time, but I don’t give my time excessively. I don’t have to be rude to them, but I have accepted it as part of my life. Even when I am not in the mood to talk to anybody, I have to pretend. WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING IF YOU WEREN’T ACTING? I would be into business. Even as an actress, I still do business. I like to create things that will bring money to make life easy. As much as I love my job, it is not going to give me all the food or the things I need. So I try to do other things that I can lay my hands on. I work with my mum in Abuja. She is a contractor, so I try to use her company to get one or two things for myself. DECLINE OF IGBO FILMS I am an Igbo lady and I speak the language. So I feel bad knowing that Igbo films are gradually fading. However, we are trying to bring back Igbo films. To do this, we have to start by answering our Igbo names. I answer Mimi Orjiekwe so at least my surname tells where I am from. I have done two Igbo films lately and I tried my best in terms of speaking the language, pronouncing words the way they should be pronounced. It wasn’t easy, but the director helped out. It was fantastic. WHAT’S YOUR STANDARD BEAUTY THERAPY? I don’t do anything extraordinary to sustain my beauty. I just eat well, have enough rest and do everything right. MY STYLE I don’t dress to impress people; I wear clothes that make me comfortable. WOULD YOU ACCEPT A ROLE THAT ENTAILS ACTING NUDE? No, I won’t do nude scenes. But I could act semi-nude scenes because, after all, when I go to the beach I wear my bikini. ROLE MODEL My mother is my role model. She is a very strong and hardworking woman. I am like my mother.

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A honorary doctorate for Mo Abudu

xecutive chairman and CEO of EbonyLife TV, Africa’s first Global Black Entertainment and Lifestyle network, has been conferred with an honorary award of Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) by the Babcock University at the institution’s twelfth convocation ceremony. Ms. Abudu was the co-recipient of this prestigious award given to only two deserving Africans annually by the private Christian co-educational Nigerian university owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria. The other recipient is Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, finance minister and coordinating minister for the economy, who was awarded Doctor of Science in global economic development, Honouris Causa. Reflecting on the words of Mohandas Ghandhi, “Man can never be a woman’s equal in the spirit of self-service with which nature has endowed her”, president and vice chancellor of Babcock University, Professor J.A. Kayode Makinde, described Mo, as she is often called by her fans, as “a woman of rare worth, an embodiment of great wit and an inspiration indeed for Africa”. Eulogizing the virtues and values of the celebrated talk show host, Professor Makinde said: “You have become a role model to the young and an inspiration to us all. You are cherished for your numerous and brilliant initiatives targeted at bringing relief and smiles to the faces of the suffering. Indeed, Nigeria and all of Africa will forever bear the imprint of your timeless and inspiring contributions to national development.” In her acceptance speech, Abudu did not mince words about how excited she was at the honour, “I am speechless and honoured to be given this award. I am extremely happy to be associated with this prestigious univer-

sity. There are so many men and women deserving of this award today, thank you for finding me worthy,” she said. Addressing the graduating students, she challenged them think big and not to rest on their laurels as they moved on the next chapters of their lives. “Amongst many of you are some big ideas and I want to say to those of you today that have those big ideas, do not be afraid to think big or dream big. Dream beyond your wildest imagination, dream so hard, that it almost seems impossible for it to be ever become reality, then you know you are on to something big!” She also used her speech to address the problem of insecurity in the country as it affects girl child education. Describing the Babcock University Convocation ceremony itself as a representation of the triumph of education over the forces underdevelopment, she asked her audience to spare a thought for the abducted Chibok girls while praying that God should protect and cause the girls to return safely to their loved ones. Finally, Abudu dedicated her degree to those who have believed in her and have stood by her over the years up till now. “I dedicate this honorary degree bestowed upon me today to those that have believed in me over the years, those whom without I would not be here today receiving the award. I continue to give God all the glory for his Grace, favour and love. “I thank my beautiful mother for her relentless prayers and support. I thank my amazing children, Temidayo and Adekoyejo for their love, patience and understanding. I thank my friends who continually encourage and support me; I thank the various teams I have worked with over the years and those I continue to work with, because ultimately without them, the vision would never be realized.”

LANRE ODUKOYA - 08059296445 lanreodukoya@gmail.com

E-BRIEFS

Branama queen, Kefee still in coma

wo weeks ago, reports emerged that Branama queen, Kefee Don Momoh, collapsed on a flight to Chicago after a performance, but shortly after then, a contrary report made the rounds that it was all untrue. But Kefee’s publicist has confirmed that she’s indeed in a coma in a hospital under intensive care and will send out a press statement later. Meanwhile, her husband, Teddy Don-Momoh has asked people to pray for her. Pregnant Kefee was reported to have collapsed on a Chicago-bound flight last week which forced the plane to make an emergency landing in Los Angeles so that she could receive medical attention. Teddy flew to the US last Saturday to be with his wife.

Oge Okoye launches Crystal Glam brand

Amaka Igwe gets tribute website A

tribute website has been launched in honour of late Nigerian filmmaker Amaka Igwe who died of asthma attack in Enugu. The website www.amakaigwe.ng has been created for goodwill messages and pictures. The site will also contain comments from Twitter and Facebook celebrating the late movie icon, as well as pictures, videos and speeches of the prolific filmmaker, who passed away last month. Fans of the late movie director have already started paying tributes on the comments section of the website. Words streaming in on the visionary and pioneer of modern Nigerian Television TV, drama and movie production partly read, “R.I.P. Ma. U lived a life worth of emulations. U promised me u were going 2 put CHECKMATE on CD and I was hopin n waitin patiently 4 dat day!

hile the rumour mills are still ferrying preposterous tales about Oge Okoye, the actress has obviously moved on to find a better rhythm in her life. Although she has been in the make-up business for years, she decided to launch her brand, Crystal Glam, to create awareness for its potential customers and expand its market share after much use and testimonies of the product. Crystal Glam brand which is a division of Chivog Nigeria Ltd with the catchphrase “perk up your look” consist of make-up, wigs, skin care and accessories. According to Okoye, “Crystal Glam is an international standard brand to offer consistency, quality, value and style to users in ways that will accentuate physical beauty, engender inner satisfaction and self-esteem.” The event showcased models on the runway with different 100 percent Brazilian hair - human and synthetic, lovely jewelleries and display of properly done make-up all from the brand. The event also had performances from comedians and musicians. However, the wrap was cutting of the lipstick shaped lovely cake. Okoye was ably supported by her close friends and colleagues in the industry which include Ebube Nwagbo, Doris Simeon, Rukky Sanda, Angela Okorie, Chita Agu, Ifeoma Okeke, Mimi Orjiekwe, Charles Billion, Yomi Casual and Adunni. Others are Big Brother Africa trio, Beverly Osu, Bimp and Bolt among others. The fun-filled launch took place on Saturday, May 31, at The Club, Sheraton Hotel, in Lagos. Excited Lolo Vivian Okoye, Oge’s mother in her closing remarks gushed, “Today, the idea my daughter conceived has materialised and I am very happy.”

Moreklue debuts with Pacesetter

ast rising media and events practitioner, Ademola Ajibola popularly known as MOREKLUE has shown us another side of his versatility as he is set to release his first studio project titled, Pacesetter. A press statement from Moreklue Group said: “the need to record a song was to encourage our audience, mostly the youth, and motivate them to know they can be whatever they choose to be no matter what the obstacles and challenges. “Many people know MoreKlue for his magazine publications, Awards Events and Club Shows across Nigerian cities but with this new single, people will know what Moreklue really is. The single, produced by T-Piano features BK GMB, Embrace and Likkle Tee”.The tuneful work of mid-tempo delivery will be premiered globally on June 10 on websites and radio stations across the country and the groups believes its audience won’t be disappointed.

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Sam Dede relishes new tourism experience Actor and lecturer, Sam Dede’s absence from the screen may have been irksome for his fans; but it has no doubt been a rewarding one for the Rivers-born actor who’s at present the director-general of his home state’s Tourism Development Agency. He speaks with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS on his new job and desire to return to acting. How has the experience with tourism? The task that we have is to develop tourism in Rivers State and this is what we are doing. You know it is a huge, long-term project, so for now we want to concentrate on those short-term projects because these are the ones we can do quickly. We all know that there is always change in government and it affects projects. In Nigeria, we really do not like to do is to continue the project of another administration. You rather want to take those ones you can do within the shortterm range and move on to other things. When was your last movie? It was two years ago. Do you intend to return to Nollywood? Yes, I will go back to Nollywood as soon as I am done with this appointment. There are so many jobs to be done in Nollywood and lot of corrections to be made. The fact is that a lot of things have gone wrong while some of us have been away. Some have gone into politics, some into other businesses and others have taken up political appointments. We need to come back stronger and more experienced to put Nollywood on the right track What could be responsible for those wrongs? I think a lot of people have come into Nollywood without having a vision and the creativity needed. It has merely been a means of creating employment, but people who are not professionally trained and do not have the direction have come into the business. This is what I meant when I said a lot of things have gone wrong. We need to come back and guide the industry to the right direction. Do you still lecture? Yes, I still do, but on a part-time basis. Though it could challenging, we just have to create time. Do you see a link between tourism and Nollywood? I think we can use the medium of films to showcase our tourism potentials. The fact is that nobody goes anywhere that he doesn’t know. It is only adventurers and explorers that go to places they do not know. So we must use our films to talk about these places and show visuals about it in order for people both outside and inside to begin to see the potential that we have. When they see them, they can come to visit. This is the whole idea of tourism and films, so there is quite a strong relationship. What have been the challenges? It has been challenging. What you should do is to face them. And the good thing going well for me is that I already have interest in tourism before the appointment came. So, my coming into the terrain and drawing a strategy plan for tourism in Rivers State was not really difficult because the idea has always been there. This is just time to put it down for people to see. This is what we have done and we are moving gradually into it.

Do you miss acting? The bad thing about being an actor is that it erases your privacy. It completely wipes it off because you are now a public person and everyone wants to know what you are doing, your next plans, where you are going and whom you are going there with. But it has its good side too. One is that it opens doors for you and it also gives you a leeway to get through things in life. I think I am using the advantage of the goodwill to get some things going for us. What is your take on films with strong fetish content? The truth is that films that have very cerebral, academic, strong and high-sounding content do not sell well like those ones that have simple and fetish content. So we should not blame an average producer that is based in Onitsha because he wants to sell his film. If the films continue to sell in the market, we cannot expect him to stop producing such. If we begin to ignore those films, then he could be compelled to change. But for now, this is what people are buying. We should also know that these films brought Nollywood to where it is today. How about the call for a film village? It is not a priority for now. Not that it is unnecessary. For me, everywhere in Nigeria is a film village because most of the locations we shoot our films are real. Remember that when you build a film village, management becomes a problem. It eventually begins to waste or fall if it is not well managed. I think for now the investment should be on training the practitioners. We should train the practitioners and leave the film village. It would come itself because people will get ambitious and start to build their own facilities. If you are vested with the responsibility of managing Nollywood, what are the things you will put in place? First of all, I will increase investment in training practitioners. I will train practitioners to be more technically-oriented. Once we achieve it, the quality of our films will improved. I think that is the direction for us to go. We need to get people to have the mindset of improving their skills. What is your take on nudity in Nollywood? I am not a supporter of nudity. I do not like it and I do not think we should do much of it in our films. But to some extent, frankly speaking, you find out that these are little things that attract people to see films. Those films with nudity have a tendency to sell more and an average producer wants to make films that will

Vital Stats Sam Dede is Nigerian actor and a theatre arts lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt. He has featured in over 30 films and some of his notable films include Issakaba, Ijele, Paradise II, Desperadoes, Last Burial and Igodo. Before he featured in Blood Money in 1996, only few people know about Sam Dede. He had previously featured in My Father’s Promise but the movie did not fly. Blood Money gave him the needed breakthrough while Issakabba won him huge fans. He trained the likes of Charles Okafor, Hilda Dokubo, Rita Dominic, Ejike Asiegbu and others at the University of Port Harcourt.

sell out. Also, young people all over the world now are crazy about nudity even to the clothes - mini-skirt and clothes that are skimpy - they wear. So when you have people wearing such things in movies, there is a tendency it would attract more sales. The truth is that many of us get hypocritical about it. We like to see these things and in the quietness of our rooms we watch them. But we come to events and begin to preach that it is not good. How did the man see it in the first place? He must have watched it! So let’s give Nollywood a chance to grow. It started on its own and built up itself without the help of anybody. It would be very diffi-

cult to instruct Nollywood to do what you want it to do. The only way to do that is not to buy films you do not like. How do you relax? I do a lot of martial art, especially taekwondo. I like music, films and I like to read more than anything else. I can read for a whole day. Relaxing for me is a very important thing. We need to relax so that we can think straight. If you are faced with the choice of continuing with tourism course or returning to Nollywood, what would you settle for? Let me finish this first term (laughing); I have two more years to go. Once I am done with it I would know the next step to take. For now, I want to concentrate on this, go back to the university and Nollywood. How do you advise up and coming actors and actresses? It is not as easy as you think. A lot of people have come into Nollywood for the wrong reasons. People are looking for fame and sometimes they do not even care about the money. I don’t think it is wise; you must have a vision and know why you want to go into acting or directing or why you want to produce a film. So, I would encourage young people to think about what they want to do first, then get a vision, get focused and begin to make a head way. Things will surely work out for everybody one day.

20 SHOWBIZ

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 june 2014

‘Music took me off my academic pursuit’ You’ve been silent for a while. What’s happening to Konga? At present, so many things are going on. I have been working tirelessly and I have been in and out of the country for shows. The music industry requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice. If you really want to continue to win the heart of your fans, you must work hard. So I am working hard not to disappoint them. Time has changed; we need mature music now and that is what I am working on. I just dropped a new single, Omodun. I will also be dropping some videos and some collaboration I did recently. I am now working with a US producer, Nagato. I am also working with T-Money.

Back from hibernation of sorts, Olumo Lawal Olalekan popularly known as Konga is undergoing a major rebranding. He has as well released a single, Omodun, and has a new management team, writes OLUSHOLA RICKETTS

novels, movies and songs. All what we hear in the clubs those days were foreign songs and Awilo. It became very hard for DJs to play indigenous songs. I was mad at the development, wondering when we would have our own vibrant music industry. The issue continued for a couple of years and it was one the reasons I started singing. I really wanted to venture into something my people will appreciate. I discovered Nigerians were going through a lot of things during late General Sani Abacha and MKO Abiola era. So I thought of music that will relax people’s mind and shift their mind from the tough situation. This was how the inspiration came and we all know that Konga is one the means of survival. If not for Konga, a lot of things would have really gone wrong. Then, when you woke up in the morning, people assembled to fetch some water from Kon-

Do you think you’ve done enough in the music industry? I think people are yet to feel my style much. I am rebranding presently. I am now working with a new manager and management team. Some people used to call me the “Gorimapa” guy. And when they meet me, they always confess that they thought I was a local guy. I am doing a full rebranding right now; it will tell in my management team and in my kind of music too. I am also working on a new album. What I really want to do now are evergreen songs; songs that can fit into any society at home or abroad. The current album is filled with beautiful melody. I’ve done away with abusive or vulgar language and the videos are also worth it. People have been commending my videos and I am trying to perfect my dancing skills. Though I am a choreographer, I am now working with other choreographers too. Right now we are working seriously hard like never before to drop a good album.

What inspires you most? It could sound funny, but I am always inspired when I have sexy girls around me. I also get inspired when I exercise. How about your role models? In the music world I don’t really have a role model. I do everything my way and always do my thing with the fear of God. But Tuface is my real guy. How far did you go academically? There is nothing much about my educational background. I attended Olorogun Nursery and Primary School in Isale Eko, Lagos. Thereafter, I proceeded to King Ado Secondary School still in Isale Eko, but later moved to Government College, Ikoyi. I later went to study computer engineering at the Union Computer Training School. I was supposed to continue my education at University of Ilorin, but unfortunately fame caught up with me. As at the time I am speaking, Baby Konga was already everywhere. My parent really wanted me to do something different, but I wanted music. I see music as my calling. What are your likes? H o n e s t y, faithfulness, tolerance and hospitality.

Can you say a bit more about the album? No, I do not think I want to do that due to some ugly incidents in the past. I am not going to tell you the content of the album because I have learnt from the past. I have discovered how fast and smart Nigerians are. If you tell people your plans today, they might hijack it from you.

And dislikes? W h e n people I really trust turn their back against me. It pains me. How do you relax? I like chilling. When I want to relax, I just go to the gym and swim when I am done. Then I look for a quiet place where I can read my novel or listen to beautiful music. I don’t like noisy environment.

Do you plan to change your style as part of the rebranding process? Konga style is unique. The uniqueness always speaks in every verse and chorus, be it Rnb or hip-hop. It is the same style that gave me most of my hit songs, so I do not plan to change it. What I would do is improve on it. Why Konga? People always ask me this question, but sincerely I can’t give a direct answer to that question because Konga came naturally. I did not know Konga can go this far. There are a lot of things in Konga: gold, crude, diamond etc. Konga is actually bigger than what you are hearing as a song. How did you come about the name? I read a lot and I write a lot. I write

ga so as to get ready for work and do lot of other things. For Baby Konga, my hit song, the inspiration came along when I woke up one morning and I saw a young damsel fetching water from the Konga (well). This was how the song, Baby Konga, was composed. The song took me to the limelight and people started paying attention to my music. The Alaba boys (CD marketers at a major Lagos market) liked it, DJs embraced it and it was a club banger. I remember reporters always asked me then where the music industry will be in next 10 to 15 years. We can now all see that Nigeria’s music industry is now doing great and can at present compete internationally.

Konga

What’s your typical advice for younger musicians? This game is a very transparent one. You must be loyal to the game as well as the people you meet. You must be friendly too because it gives you the knowledge of the things you don’t know. They must also not joke with their fans because they are the ones that will make you. And God should always come first.

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At grand pa’s burial, Florence Otedola on the wheel-of-steel

t was with seeming disbelief that the super-rich guests and allies of Femi Otedola caught a glimpse of his daughter, Florence, on the turntable at her grandfather’s funeral. While mouths were still agape and jaws dropping, to the charming lady popularly known as DJ Cuppy, it was perhaps the least she could do to bid a loving grandfather goodbye. At the recently held funeral of the former Lagos State governor in Epe, not a few were caught unawares by the significant sign put up by DJ Cuppy of paying tribute to her grandfather, Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola. DJ Cuppy, the daughter of bil-

lionaire, Femi Otedola, was the DJ at her grandfather’s burial. She was obviously dishing out cool tunes as guests including her father, Femi, were seen digging it out on the dance floor. Those just seeing her in her mettle couldn’t hide their excitement and admiration at her dexterity that surpasses even that of notable pioneers who reign supreme on the wheel of steel. Interestingly, this lady didn’t allow her traditional attire get in the way of her job. The young woman must have inherited the love for music from her dad who keeps a praise anthem with juju maestro, Sir Shina Peters.

Get ‘em dancing...Florence on the turntable

…Still on Otedola I

t has been a torrid past few months for the billionaire owner of Forte Oil. In the middle of what was said to be an unusually challenging financial situation, he lost his then Oando building on Ajose Adeogun, Victoria Island, Lagos. Observers say that barring some high net worth real estate investment he had, it might have been much worse. But some of the troubles of the past have since become lessons to learn from. The storm is over and things are looking great again. After a couple of months in the doldrums, Forbes Africa has claimed that FO is back with a massive bang, earning a whopping $398 million dollars in only 3 months (between March 3 and June 2) which totals about 67 billion Naira. How did that happen? The share value in his oil and gas portfolio, Forte Oil appreciated by a whopping 167 percent in less than 100 days.

SOLUTIONS TO CROSS WORD PUZZLE S U S P E C T

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ACROSS 1. SCUTTLE 5. BIT 7. NEE 8. SIT 9. LIE DOWN 1. SUSPECT 2. UNTIDY 3. TOLL 4. ENERGY 5. BELT

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Kanu Nwankwo’s brother Ogbonna opens strip bar

Oni

Akinruntan

Akinruntan, Ooni make Africa’s top five richest monarchs

orbes Africa just released their list of the richest Kings in Africa with two Nigerian monarchs making the list. On the list is Oba Obateru Akinruntan, Ugbo Land, Ondo, Nigeria as the second richest with his net worth put at 300m USD from investment in oil

while Oba Sijuade Okunade is the third in this category with his net worth put at 75m USD from his investment in construction, property and oil. The richest African king is King Mohammed VI of Morocco whose net worth is estimated at 2b USD from several investments.

gbon na Kanu, is t he younger sibling of one of the most awarded Nigerian footballer ever and, former Arsenal forward, the incredibly gifted Nwankwo Kanu. It was gathered that, Ogbonna has begun what might gradually become a very profitable business venture for him. He has launched a hangout for erotic dancers - or strippers. The location of this joint is none other than his elder brother’s exclusive hotel on Lagos island known as Hardley Suites, on Victoria Island. According to inside sources, the hangout used is the beautiful bar and lounge on the upper suite and it won’t be an all comers affair. This joint launched three weeks ago kicked off with two strippers and hopes that the number will increase by popular demand.

Rumble in Gov. Nyako’s homefront over succession

he battle for a successor to governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako has finally moved to his home front. Sources say that two of his wives are at each other’s throat over who should take the baton from their husband in 2015. Nyako has four wives. It was gathered that the battle for Nyako’s successor is between the governor’s most senior wives - his first wife and mother of his first son, Navy Commander Abdul Azizzi Nyako on one hand and his second wife, Hajia Zainab Nyako whose daughter, Zainab is married to one of Nyako’s aide, Dr Salihu Bakari Girei on the other hand. Dr. Bakari is the Adamawa State commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs. According to a source close to the Adamawa State first family, Governor Nyako has been grooming his first son to take over from him in 2015 and the young man had to cut short a promising military

career to understudy his father in the art of governance. It was gathered that while Abdul Azizzi was waiting in the wings to take over from his father, one of his half-sisters, Zainab, also showed

interest in becoming First Lady of Adamawa like her mother, and has started laying the grounds for her husband to take over from her father. Zainab’s mother was said to have bought her son-in-law into the scheme of plans, to become the next governor. However, Governor Nyako would not hear of it. This brewing feud was said to have boiled over a few days back when two of Nyako’s wives allegedly engaged in shouting bouts over the governor’s possible successor. Furious over the crack within his immediate family concerning the governorship ambition of his son-in-law, Governor Nyako was said to have threatened to sack Dr. Bakari from the state cabinet. However, close associates of the governor reportedly prevailed on him to jettison the idea of sacking his son-in-law as the scandal would be catastrophic, particularly given his problems with the state assembly.

StartUps NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

7 JUNE 2014

Flair is a major factor in interior decoration –Modele Olabisi Modele, CEO Inspiration Creations Enterprise, a firm of Interior decorating outfit tells SEGUN EDWARDS that success of any interior decoration entrepreneur is driven by his flair.

What is interior decoration all about in the Nigerian environment? Personally, from my own point of view, I see interior decoration as a lucrative business if you have the flare and you are good at what you do. A lot of development is taking place in Nigeria right now, people are building houses all over the place and there is the consciousness in people to acquire good things that obtain in the developed countries and if you work from the professional and proficient perspective, definitely the market will be there for your service as an interior decor outfit. What does the business entail for a start-up person, in terms of challenges that could confront somebody venturing into the business? I will talk about what has worked for me, how I started. I started with my house, painting of my house after I got married and when people saw what I did, it was a client that saw what I did that now told me that she liked what I’ve done in my house and said I should come and work in her house and that was how I got my first business. Concerning challenges, the major challenge I encountered was getting good workmen to work with but if you find any one that is good and committed, you have to know how to keep them. It is a different thing for you to have a vision of how you want something to look like, I don’t paint myself, I can only tell you use this colour, I need painters to paint it, I can only have an idea of what I or how I want it to be but I cannot actually start doing it myself so, the challenge has been getting good workmen to do it. I think what you have said has to do with capacity, how did you acquire the capacity? Is it through training or what? For you to go into interior decoration business, you have to have the flair, you have to know your colours and I think flair is in-born. Go on-line, do your research, go for courses here and there but the flair is the first thing you have to have. You have to have flair for using your hand to work, mixing colours, knowing what colour goes with what colour, you have to develop yourself going for courses here and there. Ordinarily one would have thought this area of business is an exclusive of people with the academic background in Arts, in your case you said you develop the interest from school without the background of Art. How come? While I was in school, I discovered early that I did not want to work in the bank. I discovered that I like to do things with my hands, creative things with my hands, and whenever my school was on strike, I was always happy. This is because I had time to go and learn. I felt that my calling was towards making clothe. So, I went to learn how to make clothes and

that didn’t go to waste because whenever I have issues with cuttings I’m able to fix it, I’m able to amend it. I have idea of how to use sewing machine. So, it didn’t go to waste but I realised that with fashion I was not patient to make a dress. Then again, I went over to jewellery making and I realised that I was patient. I enjoyed doing it. So, in my bid to get capital for the jewellery business, I went to work for an interior decor outfit, Furniture Logic, and when I entered the office we were using, I realised that I had done my house like that, a lot of things that they had used in the office were things that I had already done. I was like so I can do this. That was where the flair comes in. I didn’t even know I had it. I had someone who supervised me on the first job they put me on. The supervisor took me to a lot of places like Tejuosho where to get materials. For a start-up person how much would you say is required as take off capital? With interior, the barest minimum and you can start with is throw pillows depending on how creative you are with the throw pillows. If you can catch the eye of a client with that, you can now go further to say ‘I can do this, I can do curtains.’ That’s the barest minimum I can think of or bed sheets. With throw pillows, if you have N20, 000, you can start. Won’t one need office space? I don’t think you should start with an office immediately. Your business will tell you when to get an office space. With interior decorating, you need client first; you need clients that can trust your skill because they are the ones that will market you. It’s someone’s house that I did that got the next client for me, and the next, I’ve never had to do any advert. Does a start-up person requires any form of training, or is it just the flare? The only thing I’ve so far is to do managerial courses, I cannot say I have done anything to compliment what I’ve been doing apart from reading. This is why you have the internet out there, to read and reading for in-

With interior decorating, you need client first; you need clients that can trust your skill

terior is like looking for pictures. When you see a picture, you know this colour goes with this. It is about getting ideas. There is an apps on the Ipad that you can use, it is called House, anything you want to create that has to do with a house you find it there. That has helped me a lot. Another funny thing that has helped me because majorly my selling point has been painting, is the background colours in cartoons, the way they combine colours helps. So, I cannot say I have done any major training in interior decorating. Another thing that has helped is that I have learnt a lot from my workmen. What are the expected challenges in dealing with back-up workmen? The major challenge in that in this case is that he can get cheated, if he doesn’t have the experience the workmen will sense it. Once they know that you don’t have the experience, they will want to cheat you. There will also be wastage of your materials and at the end of the day, you may not get return from your investment. So, you need experience. You need how to deal with these workmen, because you really must have to come down to their level if you want their committed. What has worked for me is that you have to pay them N1, 000 more than what they earn out there. At times, this can earn you their loyalty. Also, the way you treat them and how you relate with them matter a lot. You have to make them feel they are part of the growing company, this helps to get their loyalty. Since your commencement, what is the atmosphere like in terms of competition? For interior decorating, it is wide, there are so many aspects to it and the thing that could stand one out is one’s selling point. As for me, I don’t just have clients. I have clients that I have built relationships with to the extent that they

Modele

will not even think of changing their interior decorator. So, my clients I have become part of my business. The building industry is busy with a lot of construction, how do you deal with more than one job at a time? You need a lot of workmen to work with you. If it has to do with painting, I have different batches of painters. if it has to do with plumbing, you need to have two or three set of plumbers that can handle a particular site at a time. It is advisable to have workmen who are contract rather on salary. What is the return on investment in the business dependent on? It is dependent on the client and your expertise. If you are good, your demand will be high. There are lot of people doing these things, interior decorating is wide. For example, let’s take painting, if your job is good, people will acknowledge it. They will always call you back. So, it is dependent on how good you are and the number of clients you have that will determine your return on investment. This factor will determine whether your return on investment would be on the long, medium or short term. What is the impact of the Nigerian business climate in relations to the business? The only thing that was an issue but which I think we found a way around was the ban on importation on furniture. However, this has made people to be more creative. You find people now using Ankara to make chair fabrics. Interior decoration has to do with creativity. As long as you are a creative person you will bounce back. In my own case, I don’t import furniture, I make them here and I make a lot of things.

THE ARTS

Review Emerging afro hip-hop rapper, 2Slim’s Stay Strong is a bold creative statement p.33

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edicated to the students of Girls Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State, abducted by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, the works range from floral to the ethnic, the religious and the trending. He expressed his feelings in beautiful paintings, adding voice to the works with the thoughtful poems that accompany each piece in the exhibition that he has titled Priceless Heritage ... the treasures of our time. Bless This Day is one of the works, an acrylic on canvass, it is the portrait of a woman in prayer asking for guidance and thanking God for His blessings. There is Chai! na only me waka come o!!!, an oil on canvass showing a starving village child in search of food. Strong Heritage, African Family Ties and Flowers of the Forest are some other pieces that make up the Priceless Heritage. With their prices ranging from N40,000 to N3m, D’Artist believes the price is not determined by the beauty of the work but a result of a combination of factors. “The highest priced does not have to be finer than the one that is the least priced. It may just be the one that has taken a longer time and more mental and material resources to complete. In the same vein, the one you consider the masterpiece may be the one another may not really appreciate. Somebody may however be lucky to buy the least expensive, which will end up being the master piece of tomorrow. So it is not about the price tag the artist put on it, it is about what has gone into the production of the work, the opinion of the public and so much more. So whichever one you adjudge as the best is the best.” An artist with intense tenacity and demonstrable determination, Onuorah has, despite all odds, consistently exhibited his works yearly both nationally and internationally since 1992. Sometimes he had more than one exhibition in one year and skipping even a year is one thing he is not contemplating. “I have done exhibitions abroad and I also exhibit in Nigeria. I try to exhibit every year no matter the odds. I don’t plan to skip any year. With the way things are going in this world, it has become necessary for people to re-invent themselves. In this unfolding re-invention, it has become necessary to hold unto one’s core values, the identities that are peculiar to a people.” While other young men are eager to go to the West in search of greener pastures, Onuorah feels that there is no place like home. “I’ve been there and came back to help in developing arts in my fatherland. Over there you queue up, here, youjoin the queue too. So I decided to queue up

For the abducted girls, a timely brushstroke EBERE AMEH writes on a solo exhibition of works by D’Artist Chike Onuorah, a Nigerian artist, at Didi Museum, Victoria Island, Lagos

Onuorah and some of his works above

‘Cherish the simple things that make us who we are. Hold on to your values. Hold on to your identity’

Guests at the exhibition hall

in my own country and contribute to the development of arts in my country. Some young ones are looking up to me. I may just be the one that young artist needs to blossom. We need to work together to salvage and preserve our heritage.” On the value of his works, Onuorah who says he does not like one more than the other notes that artworks are never sold. “I value all my works equally. But the one I value the most is the one that is about to ‘leave the fold’. Just like in the parable of the lost sheep I feel like I should leave the rest to go after the ‘lost’ one.But the fact is that we don’t really sell artworks, you can’t sell it. The buyers are just the custodians of the work. Artworks are priceless treasures,” Onuorah explained. With regard to talented artists who are still struggling to make ends meet, Onuorah notes that it is all about attitude. “Attitude is everything. If you are selling diamond and you decide to set up your shop in the ghetto, you take whatever you get. The fact is that

you must have a luxurious inclination to appreciate art. Nigerians appreciate artworks but you must leave your comfort zone to be able to make it as an artist.” With a good turnout of both Nigerians and expatriates on the first day of the exhibition, ten year-old Ayomide Fadiran, a brilliant saxophonist, was on hand to lighten the mood and impress the people with his cool and pleasant tunes. A student of Tripple Cross School, Agidingbi, Fadiran who says he wants to be like Kunle Ajayi, his role model, said that he has an indescribable feeling whenever he plays the saxophone. Onuorah in his statement on the exhibition notes that with the way things are going on in the world, it has become necessary for people to re-invent themselves. In this unfolding re-invention, it has also become necessary to hold on to one’s core values, the identities that are peculiar to a people. “Look around you. Listen to the radio, watch the television news or read the newspapers. Source the news on the internet,

anywhere. It gets more amazing and sometimes absolutely ridiculous. Man keeps proving to be the worst virus in all creation. “Everyday is another story. The line between good and bad is not just getting thinner but getting blurred by the day.Values are torpedoed by strange beliefs and indoctrination. Human life is no longer sacred. These days, it is just a number. May God and creation have mercy on us all. “If you don’t know where you are coming from, you will not know where you are goingto. One can get caught up in the chase that selfish desperation becomes the driving tonic behind decisions. A desperate man has dwindling and most times no values. “Cherish the simple things that make us who we are. Hold on to your values. Hold on to your identity. Be proud of your heritage. It is true that a tree cannot make a forest and man is not supposed to exist in isolation. However, the core essence of our being should not be lost in the quest for a self-assessed upgrade. “Protect what you have. Protect your values. Protect your heritage. It is your true identity. It is priceless.”

24 the arts

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2014

Loud, eloquent Nuggets from Universal Studios of Art I Tony Okuyeme

Stretch by Efosa Ero

t has been aptly described as loud and an eloquent testimony to the mentoring efforts of the founders of Universal Studious for close to 30 years now. The ongoing group exhibition titled Nuggets from the Universal Studios of Art, which opened on May 24 at Mydrim Art Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos, features about 50 works - paintings and sculpture – by 10 Lagos-based such as Abdullahi Haliru, Godfrey Okojie, Kehinde Olusola, Olajide Salako, Olufemi Oyewole, Boma Joe Jim, Olusola Fakeye, Niyi Fakeye, Efosa Ero and Emeka Nwagbara. With Nuggets, these artists are no doubt making a bold statement in announcing their presence on the Nigerian art scene. It also demonstrates the high level of professional training available at the Universal Studios of Art . The array of works also shows the artists’ preoccupation and their sensitivity to development in their environment, as could be seen from the works on display: Hope of Change (Ebony wood) by Haliru, Majestic Movement (Ebony wood) by Jim, Stretch (Wood) and Dancer (Wood) by Ero, And The Search Continues (Oil on canvas) and Eko Culture (Oil on canvas) by Nwagbara, Family (Wood) and Care (Wood) by Godfrey, Elegance (Wood) and Supplication (Wood) by NiyiFakeye, Marine Supermarket by Olusola, Passion of Labour (Watercolour) by Oyewole , SME (Oil on canvas) and Frozen Print (Oil on canvas), and OLEKU – Onigele (Wood) by Olushola Fakeye. As notable sculptor and chairman of Universal Studios of Art, Mr. Bunmi Babatunde, stated: “With this bold novel stride, we believe that these ‘Nuggets’ have started a fresh journey towards the limitless golden horizon of professional art practice. Imbued with the energy of acquired skills and techniques, the inner spiritual strength and professional characters of their mentors, they are set to stamp their indelible prints in the

annals of art history, like the masters before them, all things being equal. “Our professional future, the future of our nascent creative industry, which in the beginning was fraught with uncertainty and the danger of being asphyxiated in an inclement economic order, gave us the grit to set survival action plans. Some of which are: to develop high standards of practice, to consistently create works of global competitive quality, and the consuming passion to raise professional platforms for posterity by supporting, training and leading talented individuals, budding artists and fledgling professionals through mentorship. “The Boys, as these exhibiting artists are fondly called (unfortunately, our girls have often moved on, pursuing other interests), are some of the products of our mentoring efforts. It must be noted however, that these are mentees who are resident members of our Studios, as hundreds of them are bearing the flame worldwide. Some of them, Abdullahi Haliru, Godfrey Okojie, Kehinde Olusola, Olajide Salako, Olufemi Oyewole, were formally trained, while Boma Joe Jim, Olusolafakeye, Niyi Fakeye, EfosaEro received informal studio training. Emeka Nwagbara read and practiced accounting before pursuing his first love in painting, in the studio.” It was however not easy. Babatunde said: “As the management of Universal Studios took up the onerous task to showcase our protégés to the world of creative enterprise, we admit that the cost of mentoring is staggering! Experience has taught us that professional baby-sitting, baby-walking, spoon-feeding and sometimes force-feeding, as well as baby-spanking become a necessary means to an end – a most veritable street-wise nurture. Our great joy today, as this exhibition opens, is to give gratitude to the Almighty God who gave fruitfulness to our mentoring womb to deliver these healthy, potential-laden ‘children’ into the creative world.” The exhibition ends today.

REFLECTION

Nature of Man (Two Little Twins)

co n ti n ued f r om last week

Timothy Akinleye

From still dregs of heart, Grieves poured forth best music Played by the nine sisters circling visit. In the sage’s arms, Man’s might swells But when the Young Un takes arms, The mighty he fells. Though your victim hence to hide Whereof under your immaculate apparel dwell Melancholy’s vicious offsprings; And in your sapphired hell, Wherefrom arrant tragedy springs Though your victims hence to hide Whereof you ride with pleasured pride

Oleku - Onigele by Olushola Fakeye

Quiet Moment by Abdulahi Haliru

Oh Melancholy in your old, ebony thorny robe, Under where Aurora’s temple bloom, Where repairs, redress and meditation take abode, And which thou seldom reveal with gloom; Let me your friend, make a tour When needs of a tourist wake the tears. When from Joy man is sent a courtesy knock, Eagerly, his door yields Like the rape of Belinda’s reverend lock, Masterly restored in those phony battle fields. As the fowls chanced meeting. The longevity of their renowned mating. But when Joy to Cholly’s chamber takes you, Disaster, his prime-maid imbued with trances, And Distress, yet another maid frowns at who Upon the sweet treasure of their master prance: To feel the tranquil and the visionary Smithworld of the ordinary. Thus, Melancholy and his Joy brother, With their insidious and ravaging checkered limbs, Until the sacred books is closed together, Shall somber down and brighten up men’s minds: In their practiced parlances, Into cosmos shall forever pump their balances.

Majestic Movement by Boma Joe Jim

co n cluded

Nigeria tackle USA in final warm-up

p.28

I fear Eto’o; he’s a killer, says Brazil captain

p.28

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Eagles defence weak -Kpakor F

Charles Ogundiya

ormer Super Eagles midfielder, Moses Kpakor, has expressed reservations about the national team’s defence ahead of the FIFA World Cup which gets underway on June 12, insisting it is the weakest link in Stephen Keshi’s side. “I am sceptical about our defence. We keep conceding early goals which make the game more difficult for the team, and this has been a major concern for me and most Nigerians. “It will be good for the midfielders and attackers to assist the defence line at all times so that we can go far in Brazil,” said Kpakor. On the 23-man list recently released by Keshi, the former BCC Lions of Gboko star said Nigerians should rally round the team. “We can’t expect everyone to be on the list; we

Wozniacki, Serena show off butt in Miami }p.30

Despite LMC reforms: Clubs still owe salaries, allowances }p.26

Exclusion of Uzoenyi, Mba, Nosa gets knocks }p.27

only have 23 slots, so let us support the team with our prayers, even if your town boy or your favourite player is not in the team. I believe this is the time Nigeria will improve on her World Cup performance,” he continued. “The technical crew picked the players in the belief that they are the best we have at the moment and it is left for the players to impress the country,” said Kpakor, who was a member of the Eagles team to the African Nations Cup in Senegal 1992. Kpakor also took time to comment on the allegations of match-fixing currently rocking Nigeria in the international media, as baseless. He said: “I can tell you it is nonsense and absolute mischief against our team, coaches and the entire country. Some people are playing pranks here and I am sure no evidence will be found at the end. “We are not going to Brazil to joke, we are going there to show our class, and come out with unprecedented success.”

world cup Top players missing in action }p.32 I rejected UNILAG admission for football – TARIBO }p.31

26 SPORT

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Leaguemania with Chimaobi Uchendu princehench@yahoo.com

08114495359, 08092747532

Despite LMC reforms ultimatum:

Clubs still owe salaries, allowances

t the beginning of the current season, when clubs consented to the guidelines of the League Management Company to among other things, pay their players regularly, stakeholders and enthusiasts foresaw a turn around of fortunes on and off the pitch, but the reverse is the case as almost all the clubs are running contrary to the document they signed. Investigations have revealed that players of most of the clubs are owed backlog of salaries and allowances. They are however, threatened to keep quiet if they hope to keep playing for their teams. It is laughable to see professional football players go cap in hand before they eat or send their children to school. The time has come for the LMC to come hard on these clubs that have no regard for players who cannot give his best without proper feeding and a relaxed atmosphere. That brings to the fore the issue of club ownership and sponsorship, which is the albatross of our league. State governments own eighteen of the twenty Premier League clubs, while the remaining two are private entities, but there is no difference between the two categories. The two private clubs are the greatest culprits because they have refused to market what they have. Sponsorship opportunities abound but the right initiative is yet to be consummated and until they engage the right professionals, they might as well kiss the Premier

DID YOU KNOW? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Enugu Rangers have taken the first Lead in each of their last six home matches in the #GloNPFL Gombe United are winless in their last six league matches If the league had started on 20th April, Akwa United would have accrued 11 points from a possible 30 points Sharks FC have not defeated Kano Pillars in the last four meeting between them, scoring no goal in the process. Kaduna are now the only side yet to score an away goal this season Taraba FC are the only side in the league this season to have won all matches in which they scored first. Kaduna United are unbeaten in their last five league matches played on a wednesday 3W 2D Sunshine Stars are unbeaten in their last four league meetings with heartland 2W 2D Warri wolves have scored 50% of their goals at the Warri Town ship Stadium this season,fewest by any home side Osaguona Ighodaro(Enugu Rangers),Ibrahim Shuaibu(Giwa Fc),Ifeanyi Egwim(Dolphins Fc) are the only players with a hat trick this season

League bye because they might not be able to finish the league. For the state owned clubs, they have opportunities to increase their revenue base and depend less on government if they also go out and market their products. Shirt deal is just one of the avenues of increasing revenue base of a club; branding and merchandising are other sources. The earlier clubs begin to depend less on stipends from government, the better for our league.

Enyimba and rumour mongers

ince Enyimba lost to sister club, Abia Warriors early in the season, no day passes without one dig being made at the club. I wonder why a team that is third on the league log cannot be respected after a slow start. Yes, they crashed out of the Champions League in the second round, but they are in the running for the League shield. One thing that is not contestable is that the leadership of the club has a vision which it pursues with passion, while the technical crew and the players are hungry for success. It will take Enyimba another decade to find their feet if those seeking to forcefully remove the management team succeeds.

Match Day 19 fixtures Heartland vs Lobi Stars Crown vs Bayelsa Utd Sharks vs Akwa Utd Gombe Utd vs FC Taraba Nasarawa vs Abia Warriors Kaduna vs Warri Wolves El-Kanemi vs Rangers Nembe City vs Sunshine Stars Enyimba vs Giwa FC Pillars vs Dolphins Match Day 18 Results El-Kanemi 4-0 Kaduna Kano Pillars 4-1 Sharks Sunshine 2-2 Heartland Abia 4-1 Akwa United Dolphins 2-0 FC Taraba Rangers 3-1 Lobi Stars Giwa FC 2-0 Crown FC Enyimba 2-0 Gombe Nembe City 0-0 Nasarawa Warri Wolves 3-0 Bayelsa

Lobi Stars’ Zango Umar (right), struggling for the ball with Okey Nwadike of Heartland, in a league match

Heartland boss orders instant payment of bonuses

ew General Manager of Heartland FC, Prince Okechukwu Ibe, has instituted a regime of instant payment of match bonuses to players and officials claiming this as an important way of encouraging performance. To this effect, the club has cleared the three match bonuses representing the victories over Rangers International FC of Enugu, Akwa Utd FC of Uyo and Bayelsa Utd of Yenagoa, all of which were won by Heartland FC after Ibeh had assumed office. The former central defender said,“I want to encourage my

Sharks’ title charge still on track - Ogunbote

harks manager, Gbenga Ogunbote was pained at his side’s 4-0 loss to Kano Pillars on match day 18 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). “It was unfortunate and very painful especially when one considers that we conceded four goals”, Ogunbote said. Sharks’ loss Wednesday in Kano represented the club’s heaviest defeat, but Ogunbote insists his players will not let their heads drop.

“This is a heavy loss but we cannot allow it to unsettle us. We have to start all over again and try to achieve our set goals. Club captain, Odinga Odinga is eager to inspire the side’s return to winning ways. “Our loss toPillars is painful, but we can’t dwell on that game. We must now focus on our next game. “Kano is a very difficult place to get a result, but we cannot be deterred,” he said.

players so that they can go ahead and win every game in sight. My job here is to get them to win and my target is to return Heartland FC to the continent. If I don’t motivate them, there’s no way they can feel happy to give me their best and the little we can do at the moment is by way of match bonuses, so I had to pay them immediately after they had won. “At least I was once a player myself and I know what it takes to motivate young players. By the time I begin to unveil my package for the team people will marvel at what success we’ll achieve.” Ibe was excited by the 4-3 victory which his boys earned over hardfighting Bayelsa Utd in Benin, but cautioned that jubilations over one match must not becloud the task that lies ahead. “Of course I’m happy for the way my boys played and won this game. It was a game that stretched two days and still they won convincingly despite all the antics of the home side. I think we have cause to celebrate, but I will tell my players that they don’t have to over celebrate because we have two more important matches before the break. If they can give me victory in those matches, I assure you I will be very happy,” he stated.

PLAYER FOCUS Rolan Koffi, a product of Ekaf Sports Academy, in Ivory Coast, is one of the few foreigners in the Nigeria Premier League. He joined Heartland of Owerri at the beginning of the current season from Ekaf Football Club, as a replacement for Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, aka Mosquito who left the Owerri side, for Warri Wolves. He has played key roles in the revival of Heartland in the last few weeks. The midfielder is our player focus this week. Roland Koffi Former Club: Ekaf SC Abidjan, Ivory Coast Position: Midfielder Jersey No. 6 Age: 19yrs

Koffi

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Brazil: Oloyede tips bench warming Eagles to shine Mercy Jacob

Exclusion of Uzoenyi, Mba, Nosa gets knocks Akanni, Akpoborie, Ezeugo flay final squad

Vincent Eboigbe

uper Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi’s final 23-man list has continued to elicit reactions from many football followers, with most of the comments verging on outrage. The exclusion of Ejike Uzoenyi, Nosa Igiebor and Sunday Mba specifically, has been the main talking point. Uzoenyi, who was the most valuable player as Nigeria placed third in CHAN earlier in the year, was seen as a player who should have made the squad to Brazil. He has 19 caps with three goals to his credit for Nigeria. Igiebor on his part has been hampered by injuries leading to limited playing time in his club, Real Betis. This may have scuttled his World Cup dream, although it is arguable if a half-fit Igiebor is not better than a Gabriel Reuben who also had injury worries. Mba, who was the hero of the Nations Cup triumph in January 2013, has not been able to reproduce that form since. The CA Bastia man could not help his side from getting relegated despite scoring four goals in 17 games. Mba who was a key member of home-base Eagles has featured for Nigeria 21 times and scored five goals. Obinna Nsofor, Daniel Akpeyi, Nnamdi Oduamadi and Joel Obi were the other players dropped from the World Cup squad. Nsofor’s exclusion is probably linked to injury worries “I would have preferred Uzoenyi and Igiebor to Michael Uchebo and Michael Babatunde of Cercle Brugge and Volyn of Ukraine. I don’t know how these choices were arrived at or is it because of the fluke goal Uchebo scored in the friendly against Scotland? Uzoenyi was not only the best player in CHAN, he also bring options as a left footer,” noted retired Eagles midfielder, Waidi Akanni. “Beside that, I also fault the list in that there are six central defenders in the squad. Instead of that

high number of central defenders why not pick more midfielders who can then be converted to left back or right back because of their energy levels and ability to score goals. There are many areas that the list can be seriously faulted.” Jonathan Akpoborie also can’t understand the thinking that informed some of the choices Keshi made. “Juwon Oshaniwa is supposed to be a left back, so how come Keshi decided to switch Ambrose to left back in the match against Greece when there was a direct replacement in Oshaniwa? If he had no confidence in Oshaniwa why take him along?” asked Akpoborie, a former Eagles striker. “Beside Uzoenyi, you can also look at Sone Aluko, another natural left footer who played in the FA Cup final and had no injury worries and he was not picked. We can go on and on about that list.” Emeka Ezeugo also has cause to complain about the final squad. The retired Super Eagles defensive midfielder also specifically mentioned Mba, Uzoenyi as players who should have been in the team, while pointing at Reuben, Oshaniwa and Babatunde as players who have no business being in the squad. “I would ask questions about Mba, Uzoenyi, the only natural left footer in the team. These are players who did very well in the last two continental championships. Mba’s visa issue may have contributed to his exclusion. Uzoenyi is a small guy, but we could have benefitted from his bag of tricks,” said Ezeugo. “I have heard of Reuben before now, but he didn’t do well in Scotland with Kilmanock or even with Waasland Beveren in Belgium, so I don’t know how he came in before Mba and Uzoenyi. And then of course there is Oshaniwa who doesn’t bring much to the table. I’m at a loss understanding Keshi’s choices, but we will have to accept it. He is the coach after all.”

ormer Nigeria international, Taiwo Oloyede, has said that Super Eagles players who warmed the substitutes’ bench at their various European clubs in the recently concluded season will be at their best during the World Cup in Brazil. The former Stationery Stores captain also predicted that players such as reigning African Footballer of the Year, Yaya Toure, and Cameroon legend, Samuel Eto’o, will struggle at the World Cup owing to exhaustion resulting from having played too many games with their respective clubs. “It is true that some of our players did not see enough playing time before the season ended in their various clubs, but I believe that would not in any way affect their performances in the World Cup,” said Oloyede. “Rather, it would boost their performances unlike players like Yaya Toure and Samuel Eto’o who have been burn-

ing their strength week in, week out,” he stressed. Oloyede, who captained Stores to FA Cup glory in 1990, also expressed confidence that the Super Eagles will soar in Brazil while calling on Nigerians to support the team’s handler, Stephen Keshi. “Keshi has picked his players and I believe they will do well at the World Cup,” continued Oloyede. “All he needs is our support and prayers instead of criticising him for not including some players. Most times the best players often don’t make the team to the World Cup. Nigeria is not an exception, because a player like Samir Nasri of Manchester City was dropped from the French World Cup team even as Ashley Cole was also dropped from the England team.”

Royal hoopers ’ll be relegated -Odaudu Chimaobi Uchendu

hief Coach of Royal Hoopers Basketball Club of Port Harcourt, Ogoh Odaudu, has given up hope of turning around the fortunes of his side this season. He said they are condemned to go down to the lower division because of neglect by their sponsors, the Rivers State Government. After losing to the Police Baton last weekend, Ogoh, said that they had condemned themselves to life in the lower division next season, and warned that it could get worse if they are left to fend for themselves.

“It is not surprising we are where we are at the moment because the players hardly train together, because they are always going out to look for what to eat. “Most of them are bread winners in their families and I cannot stop them from going where they will get some money to keep body and soul together. “As I speak with you, we are yet to be paid salaries for close to two years, and they expect us to do magic on the court, it is not possible,” he said. “We have accepted our fate, but I want to urge the Rivers State Government to do something to rescue this situation”.

DStv Basketball league action at the National Stadium, Lagos

FAEA Charity Golf Tourney holds today Ifeanyi Ibeh

he 2014 Friendship Association Education Assistance (FAEA) Annual Charity Golf Outing comes up Saturday, June 7, 2014 at the PB Dye Golf Course, Ijamsville, Maryland. The golf tourney has Slok Nigeria Limited as its title sponsors, and will have in attendance close to a hundred golfers, including a team of golfers from the Enugu Sports Club, in attendance. The golfers from the Enugu Sports Club will be flying Nigeria’s flag at the event in the hope of carting away one of the numerous trophies and prizes on offer at the tournament which is now in its ninth year. Saturday’s event at the PB Dye Golf Course, which was recently voted as one of the best golf courses in Maryland by top golf magazine, Golf Digest, will commence at 1:30 p.m. local time with a shot-gun start, followed by a closing reception with awards. Information posted on the tournament’s website also disclosed that there will be a raffle draw at the end of the event. Slok is the leading indigenous company in the upstream sector of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and the company’s chairman is former Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, a keen golf enthusiast, who is also the youngest Nigerian to be given a National Merit Award, while the FAEA is a non-profit organisation, founded in 1996 to further charitable and educational causes both in the United States and Africa. The organisation has a goal to support under privileged children in its target areas and uses the Annual Charity Golf Outing as an avenue to raise funds.

Nani hopeful on

Messi

lejandro Sabella will be hoping to see a more clinical Argentina when his side take on Slovenia on Saturday. Despite picking up a 3-0 friendly win over Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday, the South Americans squandered numerous opportunities to pile on the goals in Buenos Aires. Only five of Argentina’s 17 shots found the target in that match, which could prompt Sabella to rotate his front line for the nation’s final FIFA World Cup warm-up. Rodrigo Palacio, Lionel Messi and Ezequiel Lavezzi led the line for Argentina on Wednesday, but with Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain waiting in the wings, Sabella may feel he has more potent attacking options at his disposal. That said, it was Inter forward Palacio who opened the scoring against Trinidad and Tobago, with Javier Mascherano and substitute Maxi Rodriguez adding a goal apiece after the break. And Rodriguez, who featured at both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups for Argentina, is optimistic about his country’s chances in Brazil after his goalscoring cameo on Wednesday.

Argentina to fire Slovenia

DAYS TO GO

World Cup:

igeria Super Eagles will confront United States in an international friendly today. This is only the second meeting between the two nations, the previous match happening almost twenty years ago. Both continue to build for the World Cup, with the United States looking the sharper of the two at the moment America, the winners of the CONCACAF qualification zone have been building nicely for the World Cup. They

took a 2-0 win over Azerbaijan at the end of May and kicked off June with a good 2-1 win over Turkey. Jurgen Klinsmann’s troops will come up against much tougher opposition at the World Cup of course, having to take on Germany, Portugal and Ghana in their group. This will be their final warm up match ahead of their Brazil 2014 kick off which is against Ghana on June 16th. So a test against another African nation makes a lot of sense for them.

Hard to judge overall where the US are at, playing in the very weak CONCACAF zone, but the win over Turkey will have done their confidence the world of good. Nigeria have drawn their last three games, not impressive in their build up at all. They took a 0-0 against Mexico back in March, and then were lucky to get a draw in a recent game against Scotland, equalising right at the death. They only manage a 0-0 draw against Greece a few days ago.

razil captain Thiago Silva has said that the striker he fears

I fear Eto’o; he’s a killer, says Brazil captain

E x-Ghana youth star Awudu Issaka claims coach Kwesi Appiah has lost the dressing room ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The former Ghana Under-17 playmaker claims Appiah lacks respect from the players following the fallout from the country’s highprofile international friendly against the Netherlands last Saturday. AC Milan midfielder, Michael Essien, has come under public condemnation for turning his back to the game while the action was still on at the Stadion Feijenoord. Defender Jonathan Mensah was reluctant to come on after Jerry Akaminko suffered a horrible injury and the former Anderlecht midfielder claims Appiah has lost the dressing room. “From where I sit I can tell you that the players don’t respect the coach (Kwesi Appiah), he told Asempa FM “They are pretending to be supporting and respecting him. I know they don’t respect him and just a fraction of that was shown during the Holland friendly. “He should have been bold enough to drop certain players which will create controversy. That is the only way to send a strong signal to the players that they are not above anybody. “Ordinary Ghanaians are struggling to pay taxes for them to be paid such huge amounts and so we should not allow anybody (player) to take us (Ghanaians) for granted.

Appiah has lost dressing room - Ex-Ghana youth star

Global Football Special

Nigeria tackle USA in final warm-up

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alermo boss Giuseppe Iachini, has confirmed interest in AC Milan striker, Alessandro Matri. The Rosanero won promotion back to Serie A. “This was a big promotion for us,” Iachini told Sky Sport Italia. “It was important we got up, but this group can still grow. “Next season we want

Palermo Boss Iachini Keen On Matri

esiktas are ready to pounce for Chelsea striker Demba Ba. As soon as Chelsea close a deal for Atletico Madrid powerhouse Diego Costa, Besiktas will be given the green light to sign Ba. Besiktas board member, Deniz Atalay, revealed the club’s intentions to snap up the Senegal striker. Atalay said: “We have been linked with a lot of players but the only player we are interested in right now is Demba Ba.”

Besiktas wait for Chelsea over Demba Ba

latan Ibrahimovic has told Sports Illustrated that Thierry Henry’s success in the MLS could sway his decision to end his playing career in the USA. “I don’t know,” he said when asked about the switch. “I mean, it’s a question a lot of journalists have been asking. I have a contract for another two years, so let’s see how I am physically in two years and if the opportunity is still there.

Ibrahimovic open to future MLS switch

TRANSFERS

28 SPORT NEW TELEGRAP 7 JUNE

Eto’o

Middlesex all-rounder Gareth Berg has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury. The 33-year-old had been recovering from an abscess in his shoulder in recent months, but his campaign has been brought to a premature end after a medical examination revealed a large rotator cuff muscle tear. Berg will undergo surgery in the coming weeks to repair his injured shoulder.

Berg

f Roy Hodgson’s post-Ecuador comments are anything to go by, Ross Barkley has some convincing to do when England take on Honduras. England were held to a 2-2 draw against Ecuador in Miami on Wednesday, with Wayne Rooney and Rickie Lambert finding the net for Hodgson’s men. Barkley turned in a fine display at the Sun Life Stadium - capped off by his jinking run to set up Lambert’s goal - but it seems the Everton midfielder has a way to go to force his way into contention for the England starting XI at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

“I’m not prepared to address your (the media’s) obsession with Ross Barkley,” England boss Hodgson told reporters after the match. “He lost the ball an awful lot of times as well. If he’s going to be the player we want him to be, he has to make better decisions of when he turns with the ball. There is, of course, no guarantee that Barkley will be given the chance to impress on Saturday in the side’s final friendly before the World Cup, with Hodgson likely to field a stronger team against Honduras, having handed opportunities to fringe players on Rooney Wednesday.

England to parade strong squad for Honduras

ani believes Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit to lead Portugal’s World Cup campaign in Brazil, despite fears over the former Manchester United star’s current fitness. The Portugal Football Federation has confirmed the Real Madrid forward is suffering with a muscle injury on the back of his left thigh as well as a condition known as jumper’s knee. Ronaldo’s absence would represent a major blow to Portugal’s chances of reaching the latter stages but Nani insists the FIFA Ballon d’Or winner is relaxed about the situation. The United winger has also played down the impact his pal’s potential absence would have on their hopes in Brazil. “We hope that Cristiano is in good enough shape to play and to help the team,” Nani told reporters at a press conference. “He is going well and he is relaxed about it, things are going the right way. If, for some reason, Ronaldo is not there, whoever is there playing has to be confident in their ability to get the job done. “The World Cup is a one-of-a-kind challenge,” the Reds winger continued, when pressed on his own ambitions. “I want to be fully fit, and in top form alongside my team-mates. I could not be there last time [in 2010], but happily, I am here now.”

Ronaldo

Kemboi

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso says he will not retire from Formula 1 until he has secured a third world title. The Spaniard took back-to-back championships with Renault in 2005 and 2006 but has failed to finish a season at the top of the drivers’ standings since. Talking to BBC Sport ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, where Mercedes drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton look set to dominate once again, he admitted that will not think about retiring from the sport until he has won a third championship.

warm-up games in Switzerland. “My players have regained some physical freshness. Certainly they had felt a slight fatigue, but I have already told you they will be even better as we approach the World Cup. In 10 days, they will be even better,” he said of Algeria’s opening Group H match against Belgium.

Halilhodzic

An application by Kenyan athlete Edwin Kipchirchir Kemboi for Austrian citizenship has officially been approved. On Tuesday, the Council of Ministers (Ministerrat) in Vienna officially announce the naturalisation of 59 celebrities, among them 21 sports people. Kemboi won the Graz-Marathon in 2011 and the Salzburg Marathon in May this year.

lgeria proved they are capable of beating top teams at the World Cup in Brazil with a 2-1 win over Romania in their final warmup game, coach Vahid Halilhodzic said. He declared the 2-1 victory in Geneva one of the side’s best performances since he took over three year ago. “The team showed it could win over top teams. We leave for the World Cup with a good track record. We could have scored more goals if we had been more effective in front,” Halilhodzic said after the match which was interrupted by unruly fans before halftime and again during the second half. “I felt that my team were able to raise their level from the previous match against Armenia. I am very optimistic for the future,” he told reporters. Algeria beat Armenia 3-1 in Sion on Saturday in the first of two

Algeria can beat best teams, says coach Halilhodzic

Feghouli

Alonso

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Eto’o. He warned the World Cup hosts must beware Cameroon frontman Samuel Eto´o when the sides meet June 23. Silva said: “You can’t give him an inch of space, he’s a killer.” “He is an experienced player and a handful to deal with. In the Champions League he was not 100 per cent but he made his presence felt. He has impressive technical abilities and is lethal in the box. He is the striker who most worries me.” Silva meanwhile said Brazil, famed for their attacking flair over the years, intended to be a mean machine at the back at the World Cup and were targeting clean sheets throughout. “We are a very well-drilled team – particularly at the back,” he told reporters at Brazil’s base camp in Teresopolis outside Rio. “The days off have done me good,” he added. “Tests showed a bit of muscle fatigue but I feel fine. “We have played a lot this season and I think that ended up affecting me.”

most in their World Cup group is Cameroon’s Samuel

B S

Perez resists Man Utd, Valencia rumours

chalke are interested in Chelsea midfielder Thorgan Hazard. The player’s father, Thierry, has confirmed Blues boss Jose Mourinho wants to send him away on-loan again next season. “Thorgan must have a guarantee that he gets enough playing time. This is essential so that he can continue to develop steadily,” said Thierry. “German clubs have spoken to him.”

Schalke target Hazard

Lukaku

remier League pair Everton and Tottenham are leading the chase for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku. With the Blues on the verge on completing the £32m signing of Atletico Madrid star Diego Costa, boss Jose Mourinho is prepared to ship out the Belgian. The Portuguese even tried to use Lukaku as a makeweight in the deal, in order to reduce the transfer fee for Spain striker Costa.

Everton, Tottenham lead race for Lukaku

enfica midfielder Enzo Perez has cooled reports linking him with Valencia and Manchester United. Prior to joining up with Alejandro Sabella’s Argentina squad for the World Cup, Perez signed a contract extension which will keep him at the Stadium of Light until 2018, but understands speculation has been rife. “I know about their interest, I have heard about these possibilities and my agent told me about them too,” he told O Jogo regarding the reports of interest from United and Valencia.

to reach safety as soon as possible and then see where we can go. “We have a competitive squad, but there’s always room for a few quality players. Matri is a great striker and we’d love to have him here. “However, there are quite a few teams who would say the same thing.”

PH ON SATURDAY E 2014

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Pennant, wife sunbath on honeymoon

ermaine Pennant is clearly enjoying married life after uploading a picture of his wife, Alice Goodwin, to his Instagram account. The couple got married in May and are currently on their honeymoon in the Seychelles - where the midfielder took the picture. It is the latest photo published by Pennant of the couple’s exotic honeymoon on Instagram, who could be poised for a move abroad after the former Arsenal and Liverpool star was seen with his agent last month at the Al Nassr club in Dubai. Pennant has been without a club since January following his release from Stoke City. Pennant said: ‘I’m determined to play the best football of my career over the next few years. ‘I feel settled, happy

Pennant

and ready to take on a new challenge on the pitch. Hopefully my situation will be sorted when I get back from our honeymoon.’ The 31-year-old winger cried tears of happiness at his wedding in front of 100 guests at the plush Mere Golf Resort & Spa near Knutsford. Goodwin, 28, wore a stunning £10,000 Ronald Joyce dress with a diamond tiara made of handcut diamonds. Pennant started his career at Notts County before joining Arsenal aged 15 for £2million. He has since played for Birmingham, Liverpool, Real Zaragoza and Stoke before being released by the Potters in January this year by new manager Mark Hughes He was arrested for drink driving in 2005 and 2012.

Gerrard’s wife prepares for World Cup in Portugal

er husband is currently preparing for the World Cup finals in Brazil, but footballing concerns appeared to be far from Alex Gerrard’s mind as she soaked up the sun in Portugal. The chief WAG has been enjoying a scenic break while husband Steven prepares to guide Roy Hodgson’s England through a hazardous Group

D, which will see them compete against Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica. Reclining on the sand during a short family break last Tuesday, Alex, 31, caught the eye in a bold lilac bikini that showed off a generous portion of her ample cleavage. Her skimpy two-piece was accompanied by matching lilac tinted shades, while the strik-

ing assortment of gold accessories she sported on both wrists worked well in complementing her bronzed skin tone. Blonde Alex kept her long locks tied away from her face as she topped up her tan on another scorching hot day in Portugal – and she appeared to be making the most of the relative calm before World Cup fever Alex descends.

Lifestyle

Wozniacki, Serena show off butt in Miami

hat better way is there to nurse a broken heart than hit the beach and enjoy some female healing

time. That’s what tennis ace Caroline Wozniacki did in Miami with her tennis buddy Serena Williams. The two spent some quality time having fun on the beach together in their sexy swim wear. Serena went for a leopard print onepiece to show off her curves, while Caroline chose a blue and white striped bikini that displayed her trim and taut figure at its best. The Miami jaunt came after Caroline was butted out of the French Open in the first round, and heart break following golfer, Rory Mcllroy’s cancellation of their marriage Last week, Rory announced he and Caroline had mutually decided to split only days after sending out wedding invitations. He confirmed the relationship had ended after he realised he was not ready for marriage.

Ogboro hails peaceful Kaduna Polo AGM, election

resident of Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF), Francis Ogboro has congratulated the management committee and the entire members of the Kaduna Polo Club, on their peaceful conduct at the just concluded Annual General Meeting and elections in the club. Ogboro who noted with pride, the uncommon transformation of the Kaduna polo centre in recent years, hailed the out-going Mohammed Babangida led management committee on the peace and huge infrastructural development the club has witnessed lately. He urged the in-coming management committee to build on that achievement that puts Kaduna polo firmly on the global map, and reposition the club as one of the best polo clubs in Africa and indeed the world. The NPF boss who hailed Kaduna for hosting the secretariat of NPF, urged all elected officers of the club to rededicate themselves to the continued progress of the club and carry everybody along in their drive to promote the game of kings, polo in the country. Ogboro disclosed that NPF is

WITH

Chimaobi Uchendu

princehench@yahoo.com

08092747532

happy with the new found peace within the polo family in Kaduna, adding that as an affiliate of NPF, the club has a lot to do in promoting the noble game of polo across the continent and the world at large. He urged all members to give the new management team their fullest support as they lead the club and the game of polo on the part of prosperity. Two of Kaduna based polo aficionados, Alhaji Suleiman Abubakar and Alhaji Mohammed Kyari, have the challenging job of returning Kaduna Polo Club to its past glory and restore the club to its prime position as one of Africa’s best polo canters. The duo who are returning to administrative duties after a brief retirement, were handed the mandate at a recently concluded Annual General Meeting of the foremost polo club held in Kaduna. Abubakar who had previously functioned both as polo captain and First Vice President, was voted

the new First Vice President, while Mohammed Kyari who has operated in various capacities from General Secretary and Tournament Manager, was voted the new Polo Captain by members during the AGM. Newly Elected Officers of the Club 1. President

Alh. Shehu Muazu

2. First Vice President

Suleman Abubakar

3. Second Vice-President

Goke Adeniyi

4.Secretary

Ibrahim Kankia

5. Polo Captain

Baba Kyari

6.Grounds Member

Ibrahim Babangida

7.Bar Secretary

Tijjani Sani One Minute

8. Pony Welfare

Nasiru Yusuf

9. House Member

Sani Jega

10. Security Member

Hamza Musa

Action at the last Lagos Polo tournament

Dubai defeats EL Remanso in Queen Cup Polo clash

he Albwardy family’s Dubai polo team notched up their second win in this year’s Cartier Queen’s Cup, defeating El Remanso 15-11. However in the early stages there was nothing to tell these teams apart, with the scores level for the first three chukkas – 3:3; 5:5; 7:7. It was the second half that made the difference with Adolfo Cambi-

aso justifying his 10-goal handicap status. He scored 10 of his team’s 15 goals – six of them in just two chukkas. Although Diego Cavanagh was the only other member of the Dubai team to score in this game, his consistency contributed substantially to Dubai’s victory at Dubai’s home ground. El Remanso was always going to

be a tough match for Dubai. The Hanbury family’s team came into this game with two wins already under their belts, but would have loved a third to confirm their dominance in league one. Although they ended up losing, it must be said that El Remanso were more cohesive as a team – with all the players scoring goals throughout the match.

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I rejected UNILAG admission for football – Taribo West

Former Nigerian international, Taribo West, retired from playing football rather abruptly, but the former AC Milan and Inter Milan defender insists he doesn’t regret his decision to quit the game the way and manner he did. The Atlanta ‘96 Olympic Games gold medallist also disclosed how he rejected an offer to study at the University of Lagos in favour of a career in football. He spoke with Mercy Jacob. Excerpts…

tificate.

How did you become a footballer? Football is a game I love so much. I was not only dreaming about playing football, but I also had a vision for it which I worked very hard to actualise. I started playing football right from a very tender age, but I owe my discovery toMonday Sinclair, a former Super Eagles coach and one of the greatest coaches to have ever managed Nigeria Professional League side, Sharks of Port Harcourt. It was Sinclair who drafted me into Sharks’ feeder team from where I began my football career. Do you remember the clubs you played for? Like I said, I played for Sharks before joining Ibukun-Oluwa, which later became Obanta United in 1989. From there, I returned to Sharks in 1990. I later went back to Obanta United in 1991 and thereafter, moved to Enugu Rangers before I joined Julius Berger FC in 1992. It was from Julius Berger FC that I moved to Europe. While in Europe, I played for AJ Auxerre, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Derby County, Kaiserslautern, and Partizan Belgrade. I also played for Al-Arabi in Qatar, as well as Plymouth Argyle in the English lower division. When did you retire from football? I retired much earlier than I expected in 2000. In fact, I did not know that I would retire from football before Nwankwo Kanu because I thought that I had all it took to last longer in the game. I was full of strength and energy but suddenly my encounter with God changed many things in my life. It was God who charged me to throw in the towel when I did. I initially resisted the instruction because I was not ready to leave the game I loved so much, but when I began to have challenges, which I knew were from God, I obeyed. Do you regret retiring that early from

Why did you stop at O-Level? After obtaining my O-Level certificate, I wished to further my education but the love for football stopped me from looking that way. I actually got an admission to study at the University of Lagos but I abandoned the offer for a football contract which, for me then, was more important than getting an education.

football? Not at all! God is my creator and He knows the best for me. Who knows whether I would have been a dead man by now if I had ignored His instruction and continued with football? He is the one who gave me the talent and could have scuttled my efforts if I had resisted answering His call. You sound so religious, were you born again as a player? Yes, but I was not really a committed one. However, I had the fear of God and I never did certain things most players took pleasure in doing. But you loved clubbing, or didn’t you? Honestly, I didn’t live a profound social life as a player. In fact, I didn’t have time for parties. I was instead married to football, which was my business. What about girlfriends? I was highly disciplined in that area. Women were never my priority as I was more interested in what I wanted to achieve in life. I think my coach and mentor, Sinclair, influenced me a lot in that regard. He

was not just a coach to me but a father, and he guided me to understand my left from my right. I had a good foundation and all I wanted was to become the best that I could be. I really wanted to make a name for myself; money was not the key motivation for me. Your eccentric hairstyles never suggested you were as disciplined as you claim though… What I had then as my hairstyle was only an identity I carved out for myself. For the fact that I wanted to be one of the world’s best, I decided to create a hairstyle in the mould of outstanding players. Ruud Gullit, who was one-time captain of Holland, and Frank Rijkaard carried unique hairstyles. My hairstyle made me to appear dangerous and rugged on the pitch. So, my appearance, in a way, scared most strikers away. It was never easy for strikers any time they encountered me on the pitch because I was a nightmare to them and my unique hairstyle contributed in the phobia they had for me. Are you a university graduate? No, I only hold an Ordinary Level cer-

Do you have any regrets dumping a university education for football? I don’t have any regrets. Though education is important, everybody cannot be a university graduate. I may not have achieved all that I achieved in life if I had toed the line of education. Meanwhile, it was not easy to combine education with football in my days. What was the experience like, playing at two World Cup finals The World Cup has a spirit that cannot be compared to any other competition. I had the opportunity of playing at the Olympics also, but you cannot compare that experience to the World Cup. The World Cup is filled with tension, and the pressure of the competition can turn even the best club players to an ordinary one. How far do you think Nigeria can go at the World Cup in Brazil? I see the Super Eagles of Nigeria stunning the world like they did at the last Nations Cup. The reason is because the Super Eagles do not have any single player one can say the team is built around. They are a good team and I think they can go to Brazil and become the revelation of this era. If we could win the Olympics in 1996, I believe this current crop of players in the national team can win this year’s World Cup in Brazil.

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Countdown to Fifa World Cup

Top players missing in action

726 players from 32 countries will converge on Brazil to flaunt their skills and techniques as World Cup takes centre stage in few days’ time. However, some great players will miss out because their national sides have failed to qualify for the event while wicked injuries have forced some out of the campaign. Some other big stars were omitted by their national team coaches for various reasons. AJIBADE OLUSESAN in this piece, highlights some of these players that will be missing in action in Brazil.

Bale

Radamel Falcao Colombia’s World Cup dream was dealt a big blow after it was confirmed that their talisman, Radamel Falcao, could not win the fitness race ahead of the Mundial. The Monaco striker damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in January and it was feared the world would miss the former Atletico Madrid star in Brazil. But the medics predicted that he could still make it and he was included in the provisional 30-man squad but CoachJose Pekerman sadly said the striker was too unfit to make his final 23 list. Falcao scored nine goals in the qualifiers. Christian Benteke, Belgium Belgium are considered the dark horse to win the tournament in Brazil but the Europeans will miss Benteke who was the focal point of the team’s sharp attack during the qualifiers. The Aston Villa striker suffered an injury in April which will keep him out of action for several months. Belgium will now rely on Chelsea youngster Romelu Lukaku for goals in Brazil.

Uche

Ike Uche, Nigeria Nigerian coach, Stephen Keshi, snubbed the services of the country’s best player in Europe last season for the World Cup. Uche scored 14 goals in the La Liga for Villarreal last term, but that was not enough to make Keshi change his mind. Uche fell out with the coach during the Nation Cup conquest and the former Getafe striker has not featured for the country since February 2013. Gareth Bale, Wales Ironically, the most expensive player in the world will not be in the world’s most important football showpiece after his country, Wales, failed to make it from their qualifying group. He joined Real Madrid last summer and he helped them to Copa Del Rey and Champions League titles. Unfortunately, the world will miss his pace, power, dribbling skills and customised long range shots. Robert Lewandowski, Poland The Pole is one of the finest finishers in Europe but his talent will be sorely missed at the World Cup after Poland failed to qualify. For two seasons Lewandowski has been the highest goal scorer in the Bundesliga and will have opportunity to further cement his place among the best after he moved to Bayern Munich from Borrusia Dortmund, but the 25-year-old would have used the World Cup platform to further prove his worth. Samir Nasri, France French coach, Didier Deschamp, sensationally dropped Samir Nasri from his squad. The Manchester City player is one of the best midfielders in Europe as he helped his team to Premier League and League Cup titles last term. Though he has not played for Les Blues since November last year it was still expected that Deschamps will include him in the 23-man

Falcao

list considering his present form but the French coach claimed he can’t tolerate Nasri’s poor attitude.

Walcott

Petr Cech, Czech Republic The Chelsea goalkeeper is one of the finest in the world, but he will not have the opportunity of showcasing his talent on the biggest stage after his Czech Republic side failed to make it to the Mundial. The team finished fourth in their qualifiers and missed out on the chance to compete with the best. Cech has won everything in club football with Chelsea, but he’s yet to play at the World Cup. Victor Valdes, Spain The former Barcelona goalkeeper would have been Spain’s undisputed Number One in the Mundial if he had not suffered a knee injury in March. Iker Casillas had confined him to the second spot for so long, but a series of commanding performance for Barca which coincided with Casillas’ dip in form for Real had placed Vades in pole position for the main glove. However, his dream of a regular appearance between the sticks for the defending champions in major competition was dashed with the injury he suffered during a league match against Celta Vigo. He’s another highprofile player to miss the Mundial

Tevez

Ashley Cole, England Roy Hodgson snubbed veteran defender for Southampton youngster, Luke Shaw. Cole has had a glittering international career with over 100 caps, and Brazil World Cup would have been a perfect stage for him to bow out, but Hodgson had a different idea. Carlos Tevez, Argentina Tevez remains one the world’s leading strikers, but he was unable to force his way into Argentina’s World Cup team. Coach Alejandro Sabella is spoilt for choice, in the attack. With Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria in fine form, the coach has the luxury of doing away with Tevez. The former Manchester City striker had a successful debut season in Italy after helping Juventus to the Serie A title scoring 19 goals and making 7 assists in 34 league games and it is unfortunate such a talent will not feature at the biggest stage. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden The PSG striker had his dreams of gracing the World Cup shattered by Cristiano Ronaldo’s magic as Portugal piped Sweden to the ticket. No doubt, the world will miss his flamboyant display; his swagger and aura would have made much difference in Brazil. Theo Walcott, England The Arsenal winger’s dream of featuring in his second World Cup was left in tatters when he suffered an injury in Gunners 2-0 win over Tottenham. He will now support England from home. Ibrahimovic

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2014

ARTS

Somolu Blues: Review of Emerging Afro Hip-Hop Rapper 2Slim’s Stay Strong

Didi Cheeka n the drizzling rain, people gathered in groups discussing the night’s happening: a gangland shooting that failed to dispatch the intended victim to the great beyond. Not long after, the gathering disperse with the rain. It’s just another day in gangland. The street, a long strip on the edge of University of Lagos, is not exactly Gangster’s Paradise. But, then, this is Somolu. Somolu. The heady mix of crime and melancholy love of my teenage years. A place I first encountered in Temple Omare Boyo’s Somolu Blues. After the rains, comes a gathering of the tribes. They come from teeming tenements, colonial-style single-room apartments, from dark and dingy bungalows, hailing each other by their acquired names: Ele, Iroko, Ojinga, etc. People on their balconies, on roadside bars and bukas, passers-by watch them as they gather before the carcass of a bungalow in the heart of a great city. This morning, there are no police siren. No shot rings out. One of the ghetto’s own is making a lyrical stand. The lyricist himself, 2Slim, cuts the persona of a gangsta. (Afterwards, I ask 2Slim this: if a gangsta persona is necessary for the acquisition of street credibility.) “In a way, I’m a gangsta myself, but I’m a cultured one. Living as you do in the ghetto, there’s no way you can escape being touched by the ghetto.” By this time, the overcast sky has given way and the sun is at an angle. Inside the concrete carcass, strange characters keep coming and going. The building, is ringed with zinc, as if to hide its ugliness out of sight. On the peeling surface, yellow against blue, is the symbol 1. “I’m 2Slim but my mission and vision is fatter than me.” 2Slim’s lyrics are sharp, like the cutting edge of ambition. 2Slim sits astride his ambition, and rides it like the hero of a Western. “Destiny can never be changed... No time to relax.” 2Slim had always known that someday he would find an outlet for the music in him. “Music is all I’d ever wanted to do. My lyrics are a combination of everything that I am, I borrow a little something from every experience I’ve had.” 2Slim offers us inspiration to appraise the ways in which we look at ourselves. In his understated style, the rapper seem to contrive a persiflage on Hip-Hop’s ruggedness. It is not that there is not attitude to 2Slim. There is. A natural one born out of the knowledge that a confident guy need not swagger. I wonder if I can digress a bit. All too often, [Nigerian] artistes tend to overlook the function of publicity. As the day’s shoot comes to an end, the camera operator, a rather insecure fellow, takes offense over my request for stills. “I studied mass communications,” he stated defensively, unasked, as if to convince himself. (I mean, how did we get here?) Warning to emerging talents: beware of averagely-educated camera operators with overbloated egos whose conception of themselves is totally without foundation. “I’m richer than you!” he thundered. And then, the classic cliche: “Who are you?” Well, what can I say? Mr. Camera Operator, just type my Didi Cheeka on Google Search to find out for yourself. Anyways, back to 2Slim. The Afro HipHop rapper is an English major from University of Lagos. 2Slim entered music in high school but was forced to give it up due to parental pressure. (He used to rap with a youth group, the exceptionals.) At the university, 2Slim met FreeStyle and

‘Now, more than ever videos are becoming an integrated part of the music. The look of reality must not give the lie to the sound of the real’

REVIEW JahBless and reentered music, resuming his musical career. “Being in the ghetto is like going through an institution,” the rapper said. The album, Stay Strong, is produced by Sarz and features Xsax and Seriki - who is absent from this day’s shoot. “Music comes from inspiration,” quips Xsax. “It’s food to the soul.” The duo’s outlook - bandana, hood, dark glasses highlights the persona, a sort of Soweto Blues in a real nice way. 2Slim’s lyrics are peppered with ghetto reality, the everyday struggle and fights to make a place for yourself. Dramatically, under the rapper’s voice, smoke and alcohol-soaked voices - in a kind of bar chorus - begin a bragging chant. But, it’s a storm is over kind of chant, a sailor’s celebration of land sight after long weeks at sea. “No more story, no more drama,” the voices oozed alcohol and smoke. What makes a lyric real? Obviously there’s more to reality than the mere lyrical representation of

something real. Clearly, an artist assumes great responsibility for the reality he (re) present. A singer’s lyrics can challenge or reinforce the listener’s perceptions of reality and participate actively in reality. One can say that contemporary Nigerian music is dictated, not just by reality but by the audience. To submit to this is to not challenge your reality and your audience. Of course, commercialism does not help at all. Urban lyrics has got to move beyond the simplicity of windows and doorways. Lyricism must also be about asking questions, not about conforming to the status quo. Our lyrics must challenge our audience, must shake the framework of our reality, otherwise they won’t stand us out. Nothing about 2Slim indicates he wants to be just another run- of-the-mill rapper. After the Arab Spring and other global political movements, the political and national contexts in which our lyrics are produced and rhymed has got to come into focus. I’m talking about the social, the political, the personal contexts - and in today’s world the personal is political. How does reality sound? If I say I heard

its sound in Stay Strong, what I mean is that it is anticipatory. I want this rapper to push himself. As an aside, to go back to the shoot, one can make really great video on a no-budget. Music video is not a whimsical adjunct to the song. It’s an inherent part of it. It is serious business. Now, more than ever videos are becoming an integrated part of the music. The look of reality must not give the lie to the sound of the real. Again, how does reality sound. It is nightfall in Somolu. Once again, it’s raining - this time cats and dogs. The rainy night is pierced by distant gunshot and police siren. These and others, they make for a very aurally arresting sound. The soundtrack and the visuals must feel like each other. Of course, reality can be dreamy - especially, on a rainy night like this. Sure enough there’s a song of 2Slim’s: “I Like Orobo.” You get the drift? But, reality is also noisy, it is probably this that the bar chorus tries to do: bring the noise back. Yes, the personal is political. But all too often, Nigeria’s Hip-Hop act spend their time making lyrics about their names, their cars, their successes and percieved enemies. One feels, however, listening to 2Slim’s lyrics, that one is experiencing the gravity of the ghetto situation, the urgency to confront and challenge the everyday experiences of ghetto living, an urgency to escape an environment that kills not just people’s dreams but their very bodies. “It is this everyday reality,” 2Slim says, “that is propelling me beyond things I’ve always taken for granted. It’s this that is making me move beyond the simplicity of personal lyrics, imbuing my songs with transformative insights.” I totally agree about the need to move beyond the simplicity of personal narratives. “I was brought up with respect,” 2Slim continues, nearing anchor point, “so you don’t want to mess with me.” There’s none of the braggart in 2Slim, there’s the level-headed determination that is going to push him far. There’s the “cultured gangsta’s” respect and cool-headedness that lurks beneath the seeming hostile necessary-for-street-cred exterior. “A bite is deeper than a scratch, if you know what I mean,” 2Slim proclaims. Xsax joins 2Slim midway. The duo could not be farther apart: the one tall and slim - and stronger, not just mentally. 2Slim knows how to stand his ground, how to be his own person. “I got to stand strong, I got to move on. Keep standing up, keep moving up.” If he stays on his ambition, there’s no denying he will ride it into the glorious sunset with his girl sitting behind him. - Cheeka is a Marxist critic, writer and filmmaker.

MyWeekend NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

7 JUNE 2014

I am a pastor but listen to secular music –Shofowora

Babatunde Shofowora, is the CEO Red Ribbon Limited, a PR firm and former President of the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB), in this interview with SEGUN EDWARDS, says the Nigerian environment is yet to create desirable accessibility to relaxation for the citizenry.

abatunde Shofowora appears sharp and smart. When asked what the secret was, he says he keeps fit through various pragmatic efforts towards living a healthy life despite his busy schedules as chief executive of his own company. For a man who spent 21 years in the marketing media and communication industry, relaxation is his topmost priority. Besides, he is mindful of what he eats and drinks. “My shape has always been like this, but all the same I try to exercise all the time particularly in the morning when I wake up. I do some exercise like jogging myself. I try to do a bit of that on my own, but the best exercise I do is that I watch what I eat, apart from being a Christian, I’ve never been associated with alcohol,” he says. Even the much adored drink-the red wineby a lot of people, does not attract his interest. Rather, he queries the consumption of such substance, asking “what about it?” According to him, even health benefit associated with the red wine like enhancing functionality of the human heart has never attracted him to take a sip. Shofowora bares his mind on consumption of red wine. “Never mind all those beliefs that it is good for the heart but I say to people that alcohol and I are not friends. Before I ever got converted, I never indulged in habits like smoking or drinking of alcohol. It is about staying healthy. I watch what I eat. I eat a lot of vegetable; I like salad. “I take a lot of olive when I’m taking menu and I take a lot of water. I take water in the morning; I take water in the night before I sleep. So, all of those things also help me to keep shape. I hardly fall sick. God has blessed me with good health and I hardly go to hospital. My family hardly go to hospital. I think in all, it is the Grace of God in my life.” Asked if his adherence to keeping fit through exercise endears him to engaging in sporting activities, he says he was involved in playing tennis sometime back but that he loves watching football games. However, he adds that he now watches football if he is less busy as such time is now devoted to pastoral work. Shofowora says, “I like tennis I try to play sometimes in the past but I stopped and I am a football fan particularly the Premier League in the UK. I’m a fan of Chelsea. I used to be a fan of Arsenal. Kanu Nwankwo was the person that took me to Arsenal. Emmanuel Babayaro was the one that took me to Chel-

Nigerians don’t go on vacation, when we say we are on vacation, we go out shopping sea. So, I love those guys. There was a time when Arsenal was not doing well so I moved to Chelsea and ever since I have remained with Chelsea. “But the reality is that today, unlike before when I followed the team religiously, these days I only watch as a form of entertainment but it is suffice to say that football is my favourite sport and I watch when I have the time. Buttressing his position of keeping fit through what he consumes in terms of foods irrespective of whether it is weekend or not, he says most of his weekends are not spent at home. This, he attributes to the need to nurture his new outfit which is barely two years to the desired place in PR industry According to him, he does not have to stick to any special meal for the weekend, stressing that he is not a stickler for food even if he observes any special weekend. “Food is not a centre of attraction for me and my wife knows that. I don’t indulge in the habit of eating much. I watch what I eat. I eat good food, I don’t eat too much and I eat food when I feel that I am hungry and once I’m satisfied that is the end of it. But I like to eat good food, I like to experiment so when I see nice things; I like to try them out. Sometimes it is good to try new things out,” Shofowora says. He, however, states that whatever he may be missing for not being a big eater, he gets in being a music adherent, adding that is being a cleric does not prevent him from listening to secular music. “I love music; I listen to music a lot. I love jazz; I love classical music at times when I feel like listening to them. I have lots of collections from jazz, classical. I have collections of soft music. In the secular world, some of the best artists that have appealed to me, right from when I was in school are Whitney Houston, Diana Ross. “Yes, Whitney. She is late now but I love her music because she grew up as a Christian. I select my kind of music. There are some of those music out there they make sense,’’ he

said. He adds that that his venturing into the world of divinity has given him the opportunity to enjoy music the more as his churchChrist Embassy-has the best of gospel singers. Singling out his love for the music of late pop singer, Michael Jackson, he says, “I listen to Michael, because you know, unfortunately, I don’t want to say he didn’t die a Christian, I don’t know exactly but you see his kind of music is the brand of music that talks of how to impact positive change in the life of the people globally, touching the people, societies, preaching togetherness, love for one another irrespective of race. “For example, in one of his lyrics, he talked about changing the world. This made him more appealing to me. And when you look into his background, how he started from a humble beginning that was why I fell in love with him from when I was in school.” When I asked to choose a location in Nigeria where he would like to spend his weekend, if he has the opportunity, the former corporate communication head at FCMB expresses some misgivings on the lack of real development of the Nigerian tourism sector . He says, “Unfortunately, I have to say this: Nigeria is not structured for people to easily access places for relaxation. We have not considered giving priority to developing the tourism sector. I will share an experience with you. I took my family out, we were looking for where to relax, we got to Shoprite and we couldn’t get a place to park the car. At the end of the day I said I learnt there is something going on along the Bar Beach, let’s go there, when we got to the beach everywhere was crowded, I thought there was something spectacular going on, there was nothing spectacular. “I just saw families sitting down on mats. There was no fun, everything just looked rowdy. I think this is a challenge and I think it is an industry that we have to invest a lot of money to have the right atmosphere.” He agrees that it’s worth it once in a while if such opportunity comes with a trip outside the country. “Shoffy”, as he is fondly called says, “Outside the country is beautiful because again what I mean is that we haven’t prioritised two things in this environment. When a white tells you he is on vacation, he is really on vacation. But when we say we are on vacation, we are not. Nigerians don’t go on

vacation, when we say we are on vacation, we go out shopping. You find people who travel out on vacation they come back more tired but you see a white when he say ‘I’m on vacation, you can’t disturb his vacation, he will take his wife, his family, he will go on a Caravan, he will go somewhere far, far away to explore, they like to explore different things. “They’ll go to places they’ve never been to. They will try new things they’ve never done, new food, just to relax their mind but ours, we go running from one shop to another buying all sort of things. But we are beginning to learn all of those things now. I just came back from Mauritius just a few days ago. Last year, I was in Cuba, Havana, that is Fidel Castro place, a very lovely place, very pleasant place, I have to tell my wife, we have to go back to Havana because it was difficult resisting the temptation of visiting such a place. We are hoping that one day we will have people travelling to Nigeria and say let’s go to Ikogosi. Have you heard about Ikogosi before? A very lovely place but who is going there today?’ He adds he also relaxes by attending social functions but chooses the functions that he attends. “I go to parties where my spirit will not be offended,” he says. Another point about him is the fact that he is a smart dresser, an idea which, he says, he incorporated while he working with his employer, Otunba Subomi Balogun, whom he describes as one of the best dressers he has ever come across. Shofowora cares about his clothes and appearances, an idea he says he picks from his esteemed mentor and former employer in FCMB, Otunba Subomi Balogun. He recalls, “I worked directly with him and he is one of the best dressers, perfect dresser. He taught me how to dress and look good. I remember one time when he commended me for my dressing. I was standing before him and I noticed he was looking at me, and when we were done talking, he now said ‘I like what you are wearing; I like your suit, this is smarter on you, it is better than those other big suits you were wearing.’ “He didn’t know what he did to me on that day because when he said this is smarter on you, I took note of it.” He says the focus of his PR outfit, Red Ribbon is to do things differently, adding that the setting up Red Ribbon was an inner motivation.

L ve&Lv ng

Life Experience:

‘My boyfriend asked me to seduce his friend’ p.36

Wedding Traditions: Smashing Plates and Dishes: Germany p.38

MICHAEL UCHEBUAKU

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

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www.newtelegraphonline.com/loveliving

7 JUNE 2014

‘My fiancé ran mad on our wedding day’ Love Confession A wedding day is meant to be a day of joy when a couple is joined together in love. However, for this storyteller, her wedding day was a day that brought nothing but pain.

“T

here’s no mountain too high for our love to climb, and no river too deep for our love to cross. Our kisses are like whispers in the wind. They are the sweet things that God first created.” These were the words Alexander always said to me before the ugly incident that marred our wedding and left me devastated. He had even written the sweetest poem in the world for me. And it went thus: Bees use our sweet words to make honey, Birds borrow our faith as wings to fly, Lions derive their strength from our unconquerable hearts, We lend the colours of our love to rainbows; That’s why we deserve to be together forever. I don’t really know how to tell you my story, because it is the story of a love that defies all foes and overcomes all odds. Love, to me, is the sweetest thing on earth. It is food to the soul and serves as inspiration to the spirit to rise and shine. It is true that love reawakens our spirits and makes us aware of the innermost longings that have been there all along in our hearts, but of which our minds were too dull to notice. My name is Gloria and I’m proud to say that the love of Alexander is the greatest love I have ever had, and will ever have. In my own estimation, love is not measured by how long it lasts, but by how strong it is. Even if it lasts for a moment, there is a kind of love that could be stronger than the loves that last for years. That was the kind of love that I and Alexander shared. Don’t look down on me because my fiancé is now a mad man, because I’m determined to stand by him till the end. He is my dream come true, and I’m not ready to let go of that dream, no matter what happens. Besides, our love is all I’ve got left to cherish in my life. It all began 10 years ago while I was still in secondary school. I was staying with my aunt and my school was on holiday, so my aunt suggested that I go and spend the holiday with the children of her bosom friend in Enugu. That was how at the age of 12, I went to Enugu to spend a holiday. The family of my aunt’s bosom friend was a very happy and united one. We called my aunt’s bosom friend Aunty Ngozi, and she had three boys and 3 girls. I was gladly introduced to all her children who welcomed me with open arms. The names of her three boys were Alexander, Ikenna and Chukwuma, while the girls were Chidinma, Chioma and Ugonma. They instantly regarded me as one of their own from the moment I set foot in the house, and I had no cause to feel homesick or miss my aunt in Lagos. Alexander was the first son of the family and he showed it in the way he always tried to act like a man even though we were all still very young. He was 16, my elder by

four years. And he had just finished writing his G.C.E. exams and was in a hurry to gain admission into a federal university where he hoped to study medicine. Alexander was very fond of me during the time I spent holidaying with his family because I seemed to enjoy some of the things he enjoyed doing. Alexander enjoyed playing lawn tennis and table tennis whenever he was less busy, and I was also passionate about both games. So, everyday, after we had had our lunch, he would drag me outside to play table tennis with him. Sometimes I defeated him in the game but most of the time he ended up being the winner, maybe because he was a boy. When we got back indoors, Alexander would force me to play a game of Ludo or Snake-and-Ladder with him. I usually defeated him in the ludo game because I was a specialist in ludo. I was also very good at chess. That was one game that I and Alexander contended over. We competed seriously to see who would emerge as the regular winner, but it was very hard to tell, because if he won today, I would win tomorrow.

We worked our brains out at every game of chess we played and whoever won the day’s game knew that victory was achieved after a long hard fight. The most interesting part of my holiday with Alexander and his family was that Alexander enjoyed cooking like me. So, we would cook coconut rice together on weekends and then eat together from the same plate. Alexander’s mother seemed pleased as we grew more and more fond of each other, and when the holiday ended and it was time for me to return to Lagos, she encouraged us to keep in touch by writing letters regularly to each other. Back in Lagos, I missed Alexander so much. Whenever I felt lonely, I would pick my pen and paper and write a long letter to him. And three or four weeks later, I would receive his reply through the post. At first, our letters of friendship were very innocent, but with time, our long letters of friendship and innocence grew to become long and passionate love letters. In some of my letters, I would ask Alexander if he had kissed any girl or whether he’d ever taken any girl to bed. I was still a virgin then, but I had become

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a teenager. My breasts had developed and I was beginning to evolve into a real woman with desires for a man. I read a lot of romance magazines and on my bed at night I would find myself lusting for Alexander. No man had ever got between my thighs and so I wondered how it would feel if Alexander undressed me and put his manhood between my thighs. I yearned for the day I would see him again, and the day that he would make me feel like a real woman and fulfill all my expectations. The day eventually came after I received a letter from Alexander stating that he was coming to Lagos to begin a new job at a factory where he had applied for employment. He invited me to his office at Agbara and when I got there and set my eyes on Alexander again, I noticed that he had now become a big boy. He now had a beard and a hairy chest, and his voice had now become deeper than ever. “You’ve changed a lot, my love,” I said to him. “You too have changed,” he retorted. “You now have breasts.” We were so happy at seeing each other again that we hugged and kissed and looked each other over to see how much each of us had grown or changed. He asked me to wait at the reception till he closed for the day. He told me that he was staying at a hotel pending when he would get accommodation in Lagos. So I accompanied him to the hotel. In Alexander’s hotel room, we undressed to take our baths together. In the bath tub we soaped and scrubbed each other’s bodies. We began to caress each other and then we did it right there in the bath tub. Alexander proposed to me right there in his hotel room and I agreed to marry him. He introduced me to all his friends as his bride, but his best friend, Tunde, tried to discourage him from marrying me by telling him that I was from a poor family and would steal all his money and run away. The truth was that Tunde had tried to befriend me behind Alexander’s back, but I had snubbed him repeatedly. Alexander and I picked a date for our wedding and we looked forward to that day when we would become husband and wife. Our wedding was supposed to take place last Saturday at a Pentecostal church in Lagos, but unfortunately, Alexander started acting funny right from the moment he woke up from sleep that day. First, he started to say incomprehensible things. Next, he tore his pajamas and ran out of the house naked. I was shocked and screamed at the top of my voice, and his brothers quickly got hold of him and rushed him to a private hospital. It was at the private hospital that it dawned on me that my fiancé had run mad on our wedding day when the doctor on duty referred him to a psychiatric hospital. Alexander is still in the psychiatric hospital in Lagos and our wedding has been postponed indefinitely. But Tunde, his best friend, is now asking me to marry him and dump Alexander. I’ve been hearing rumours that Tunde used black magic to make my fiancé mad so that he can marry me, but I have vowed never to let Tunde succeed in his evil plans. I will stand by my fiancé, Alexander, till the end. I’m determined not to get married until he regains his senses.

36 LOVE&LIVING

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2014

Love News

New bra unhooks itself when you’re ‘in love’

f you thought technology couldn’t get any more bizarre, hold your horses. There’s a bra out there that will get open ‘only if you are in true love.’ Japanese Lingerie Company Ravijour has introduced a high-tech lingerie that comes undone only when you reach a true lover’s state. Billed as ‘True Love Tester’ bra, this has sensors embedded inside which are connected to a smartphone app via Bluetooth that detect a particular heart rate.

“It would only open when in-built sensors sense the user’s pulse rate reaching the ‘True Love Rate’,” said a report on ITMedia, a Japanese website. How does it function? he sensors detect a woman’s heart beat increase caused by ‘adrenal medulla’ - part of the adrenal gland. The adrenal medulla secretes catechlomine, which affects the automatic nerve, and apparently increases the heart rate. The sensors then study the heart signal and dispatch it to the app for examination. The app then calculates the ‘True Love Rate’ based on the heart rate changes. When the ‘True Love Rate’ exceeds a certain level, the bra unhooks automatically, the report added. The magic bra would not automatically unhook itself while exercising or walking. The sensors have the ability to differentiate between heart beat rise owing to exercise and being in love, the report added. Courtesy: firstpost.com

‘My boyfriend asked me to seduce his friend’ Life Experience M y boyfriend Chris was a kind and honourable man. We had been together for five years, and he always treated me as though I was someone really special. I felt so safe and secure with him that I was sure we would be together forever. So it came as a huge shock when he suggested one night that I should seduce his best friend. Chris and his friend Richard had known each other since Secondary school. While Chris was confident, outgoing, and could talk to anyone with disarming ease, Richard was as quiet as a mouse, the shyest person I’d ever met. Though he’d been around for as long as I’d known Chris, I never felt like I actually knew him. His aloofness could be quite offputting, so it wasn’t any wonder he hadn’t had a girlfriend in a while. He could barely even talk to me! Chris constantly worried about his friend, and was forever trying to set him up on a series of dates, but most of the time Richard wouldn’t even turn up. Chris said that his friend had suffered a heartbreak in the past and that depression from his heartbreak made him cold towards women. One night, after a few drinks, Chris made the startling revelation that Richard had once been sweet towards me. I nearly fell over! But his next words almost made me choke. “I think you should seduce Richard,” Chris said seriously. “Not because I want anything to happen, of course. But I think it would help him to know what it feels like when someone he’s attracted to could possibly like him back. It would also help him to desire women once again.” I refused at first. I couldn’t believe that Chris would even want another guy looking at me even if nothing was going to happen. But he seemed to be so genuinely concerned about his friend that gradually he won me over with his plan. We decided to throw a night time weekend dinner party, invite Richard, and have Chris be called away to a fake work emergency at the last moment. Then I could engage in some seductive small talk, batter my eyelids a few times, and make Richard feel special. The night of the dinner party arrived. Wearing a low cut red dress and killer heels, I at least looked the part. Richard arrived, and Chris took his false phone call, leaving quickly to go to the “hospital”. He

‘Before I knew it, things had moved into the bedroom, and Richard and I made love on the bed I shared with my wonderful boyfriend, Chris’

was really going down to a restaurant near our area to drink beer and watch a game of football for a few hours to give me enough time to seduce his friend. And then, as I smiled warmly at Richard, a funny thing happened. Richard relaxed. In fact, he didn’t just relax, he completely opened up. I realised that this was the first time Richard and I had ever been alone. He told me that he’d always loved me, but that seeing me and Chris together made him so anxious he could barely stand it. And that’s why he’d never had a serious relationship in all the time that I’d known him, not because of his heartbreak. As we talked, I realised that Richard wasn’t everything that he seemed. He wasn’t, apparently, so shy when I wasn’t around. For someone who I had thought had no personality, it suddenly became clear that Richard was really a sweet and special guy, with a lot of great qualities.

And I’d also had a lot to drink. So when Richard leaned over to kiss me, I couldn’t help but kiss him back. Richard had liked me, idolized me, for five years! That can make a girl feel like a goddess! And at that moment, it was like Chris didn’t even exist. Before I knew it, things had moved into the bedroom, and Richard and I made love on the bed I shared with my wonderful boyfriend, Chris. That thought didn’t even cross my mind, though, until it was far too late to undo the damage. Richard’s first thought after our moment of passion was Chris. He couldn’t believe he had betrayed his best friend. If it’s possible, I think he was even more devastated than I was, and he quickly left, after making me promise that I wouldn’t tell Chris. My boyfriend Chris arrived home an hour later, excited to see how it was going. Knowing that Richard would never want to repeat our act of betrayal, I knew that I could lose everything. With a heavy heart, I told Chris that Richard had gotten angry over my seduction attempt and left. Disappointed, Chris agreed that we should probably never mention the night to Richard again. So many secrets and lies. I felt sick for a long time, and deliberately avoided Richard for months, not feeling safe until he was transferred by the company he worked for to the Eastern part of the country later that year. Chris and I recently got engaged. Richard will be attending our wedding later this year, although I’m constantly hoping that something will come up so he won’t make it. I’m constantly in a state of guilt over what I did, and angry that Chris put me in this position.

Love Songs

TONI BRAXTON

You Mean The World To Me If you could give me one good reason Why I should believe you Believe in all the things that you tell I would sure like to believe you My heart wants to receive you Just make me know that you are sincere You know I’d love for you to lead me And follow through completely So won’t you give me all I ask for? And if you give your very best To bring me happiness I’ll show you just how much I adore you ‘Cause you mean the world to me You are my everything I swear the only thing that matters Matters to me Oh baby, baby, baby, baby Baby, ‘cause you mean so much to me Now it’s gonna take some workin’ But I believe you’re worth it Long as your intentions are good, so good There is just one way to show it And boy I hope you know it That no one could love you like I could.

Love Poem

Stanley

A Short Love Affair There is a beautiful world where I can see your face, It exists only between time and space Time shreds space like worn out fashion, And leaves us desperate for our precious compassion Space consumes time without our consent, And hides the reality that our dreams were once spent Our love is regained when we meet in between And there we can dance again in our dream.

Romantic Jokes

Adam and Eve

Existence was so tranquil and peaceful for the young couple Adam and Eve, like straight out of a story book, until one unfortunate day when Adam showed up one hour late for supper. By the time Adam finally came home Eve was a nervous wreck, and her imagination was working overtime. “Honey, what happened? Why are you home so late?” Questioned Eve. “Oh I’m sorry! Adam responded with a wave of his hand, “I just lost track of the time.” Now Eve didn’t have a Mother or girlfriend around to calm her fears, after all it was just her and her Husband and despite Adam’s convincing act her overactive imagination could not be calmed. That night after two hours of restlessly turning in her bed, enough was enough. “WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU DOING!” Hollered Adam jumping out of bed. “YOU KNOW DARN WELL WHAT I’M DOING” Screamed Eve right back, “NOW YOU BETTER LAY STILL RIGHT NOW, AND LET ME FINISH COUNTING THOSE RIBS!”

Words of Wisdom: Love never fails

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2014

Blonde Brazilian man undergoes 10 operations so he can look Korean

‘He beats me up anytime and anywhere’ A

white Brazilian man with blonde hair and blue eyes has taken the extraordinary step of undergoing surgery to look like an Asian. Xiahn, 25, has a love for ‘K-pop’ and Korean dramas and became obsessed with looking like the locals during his time as an exchange student in the country. A year at Dongseo University in South Korea gave him the desire to have ‘slanted eyes’ and dark hair. ‘I put my fingers inside the eye and pulled. That was the way I wanted to have my eyes,’ he told Brazilian newspaper Zero Hora. Xiahn underwent more than 10 operations to get the desired look, spending more than $3000 to look remarkably like a natural-born Asian man.

Dear Love Doctor,

I am currently dating a man who has promised to marry me. But the problem I have been facing with him is that he beats me up anytime and anywhere. He can’t control himself when he is angry and nobody can control him. There was even a day he started beating me up in a bank premises and the security had to ask us to leave. I don’t know if I should still go ahead and marry him by December when he wants us to wed, because I’m afraid that he might end up killing me if I marry him. But I love him. What should I do? From Nike.

Love Education

surrogacy arrangement or surrogacy agreement is the carrying of a pregnancy for intended parents. Surrogacy is when another woman carries and gives birth to a baby for you. Surrogacy allows infertile couples or individuals to have a baby that is genetically related to them. Using a surrogate mother or surrogacy, is still somewhat controversial. But it is one more option people have for having a baby through new reproductive technologies. There are two kinds of surrogate mothers. Traditional surrogates. Artificial insemination first made surrogacy possible. A traditional surrogate is a woman who is naturally or artificially inseminated with the father’s sperm. She then carries the baby and delivers it for the parents to raise. A traditional surrogate is the baby’s biological mother. That’s because it was her egg that was fertilized by the father’s sperm. Donor sperm can also be used for a traditional surrogacy. Gestational surrogates. In vitro fertilization (IVF) now makes it possible to harvest eggs from the mother, fertilize them with sperm from the father, and place the embryo into the uterus of a gestational surrogate. The surrogate then carries the baby until birth. A gestational surrogate has no

Odd News

Relationships & Love Advice

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Nike, you’re definitely in an abusive relationship and I would not advise you to marry anybody who abuses you. Did you hear of the Naizi girl that was recently murdered in South Africa. She was a Nigerian student in a South African university. It’s such a tragedy that it was her boyfriend of three years who is being accused of the murder, because Naizi’s friends said the boy had been abusing her. This is why I keep asking people to walk away from abusive relationships. It doesn’t pay. It is not love. An abusive relationship will never bring you anything good. A girl is dead and all her dreams and ambitions are all gone and her family are now

LOVE&LIVING

‘I guess now yes I’m there, I just need to wait for the swelling (to go down) for the end result,’ he said. ‘I was not afraid that something would go wrong, but I was afraid to stay with scarring in the eye and so I did look plastic, but everything worked out. My vision is perfect. Originally named Max, the only thing hinting at Xiahn’s former appearance is the shape of his nose. Along with surgery to change the shape of his eyes, Xiahn wears dark eye contacts and dyes his hair black. Hitting out at criticism, Xiahn said on his Facebook account: ‘Regardless of religion that the person is, whether or not you believe in past lives, you have only this life, you have to be who you want to be.’

left to mourn. Where is the love now? Please leave that abusive relationship now. Your life is more important than anything else. 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

What is Surrogacy? genetic ties to the child. That’s because it wasn’t her egg that was used. A gestational surrogate is called the “birth mother.” The biological mother, though, is still the woman whose egg was fertilized. In the U.S., gestational surrogacy is less complex legally. That’s because both intended parents have genetic ties to the baby. As a result, gestational surrogacy has become more common than a traditional surrogate. About 750 babies are born each year using gestational surrogacy. Intended parents may seek a surrogacy arrangement when medical issues make pregnancy not possible or make carrying a pregnancy risky or otherwise undesirable, or because the intended parent or parents are male. Monetary compensation may or may not be involved in surrogacy arrangements. If the surrogate receives compensation beyond the reimbursement of medical and other reasonable expenses, the arrangement is called commercial surrogacy; otherwise, it is referred to as altruistic surrogacy. The legality and costs of surrogacy vary widely between jurisdictions, sometimes resulting in interstate or international surrogacy arrangements. Source: Wikipedia

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Blackberry Connection

Oluwatosin, 24, in Lagos, needs a guy from 28 to 35 years for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage. 07039818016, BB Pin: 218AF48D. • Connect with Mike on WhatsApp or BlackBerry Pin: 7ab29e22 or 21978F71 for details on how to send your BlackBerry request. • Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641 to link up and for direct hookup.

38 LOVE&LIVING

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2014

True Confession From Overseas

‘I found out that my ex was cheating through a sex tape’

here is no better private investigator than a woman with Internet access and a curiosity. I can let you know if your boyfriend is cheating, find the girl he dated in college, and figure out every picture your love interest has liked on Facebook in the past fortnight. Serious q: is the CIA hiring? I do all sorts of online stalking. My typical daily activities as a single woman include: Lurking my crush’s Facebook Creeping his Instagram Memorizing his Twitter feed Creating a relationship with him in my head What I’m trying to say is I consider online stalking to be my full time day job, and sometimes I may accidentally, unintentionally, woopsie-daisily bring these behaviors into my relationships. It paid off though, when dating my ex-boyfriend, who for the sake of this article I will call Demetrius (because why not?). A psychic once told me I needed to be more aware of red flags in my dealings with men. Maybe she was talking about the time Demetrius told me there wasn’t a title that could define his love for me. Or maybe she was referring to the mysterious way his phone seemed to die on nights we’d spend apart. Any way you looked at it, Demetrius was bad. He introduced me to his friends as “baby girl” instead of his girlfriend. He was a blackout drinker. He was constantly receiving texts from other women who he alleged were “just his friends,” even though they were all at midnight asking him to come over. I always knew Demetrius was up to no good, but questions only got me long-winded answers and bizarre excuses. Eventually I chose to look the other way, for reasons that could make up another article in and of itself -- like low selfesteem and abandonment issues -- to name a few. Until one day I finally woke up certain everything had finally changed for the better. “Do you know what day it is today?” he asked. Yes, I did. It was my birthday. To be quite honest, I was going to be really surprised if he had remembered. Demetrius pulled out a collection of brightly colored balloons from behind his back and told me in his very best Oprah voice that: “WE’RE TAKING A SURPRISE TRIP TO DISNEYLAND!” I couldn’t be more excited -- or shocked. We NEVER did things like this. It was completely out of character for him (his version of romance was dining in at McDonalds). Something was up. What did he feel guilty for?

Then he threw another curveball my way: “Alison, babe, I’m going to go get you breakfast in bed.” And so, the love of my life, because we all love the men who are the worst for us, went to my favorite Mexican restaurant to get me Huevos Rancheros. As I waited patiently for my meal, excited to finally be treated like a Queen on my birthday, I decided to hop on the computer to check out normal things like the weather and which rides might be closed at Disneyland that day. As I turned on the computer (a PC desktop, red flag one), I got a sinking feeling in my stomach. I couldn’t explain it as anything other than women’s intuition, but something inside me told me to snoop. That’s when I saw a folder on his desktop marked “Private.” He might as well be asking for it. I double clicked. There was a single video inside. I clicked again. And then I was subjected to a one-hour porn of my boyfriend having sex with another girl. I watched the entire thing. Three times. The first time I watched, I fast-forwarded through. Was this an old video with an exgirlfriend or a weird, experimental one-night stand? No, it wasn’t. Demetrius had only moved into his apartment a few months prior, and there he was. Having doggy style sex with a girl who wasn’t me in his bed, on camera. The apartmentwarming present I had given him, a Tupac Poster, hung in the background. I watched it a second time to see who the girl was. Was it that bartender he was always flirting with? That weird girl he always claimed was “just like one of the guys?” I’d watch and

‘Demetrius had only moved into his apartment a few months prior, and there he was. Having doggy style sex with a girl who wasn’t me in his bed, on camera’ pause, watch and pause, putting my face a few centimeters away from the computer screen to examine his homemade video. I watched his hands caress this stranger’s body, pull her mess of brown hair, watched them as they rolled around the bed I slept in almost every night. It was the young, flirty coworker he was always texting with, a skinny brunette, the Veronica to my Betty. I then watched the video a third time for details. Was the sex romantic? Was it passionate? Was it clumsy, like two people discovering one another for the first time? Had this happened before? What positions were they in? Did they have chemistry? Did he touch her like he touched me? Did she look good naked? Did he use protection? Since when did he shave?! When I heard the door open, I turned off the computer and leapt into bed, pretending nothing had happened. I felt physically ill, comatose, unable to

process what I had just seen so I pretended I had seen nothing at all. I knew what I had to do. I just wasn’t able to do it yet. I still went to Disneyland that day, because I really love Disneyland and no one in their right mind should turn down a free trip to the happiest place on earth. But I ordered rounds of churros like shots at a bar, and made Demetrius buy me three different Buzz Lightyear sweatshirts, a princess hat, and a collectible pin, even though Alison was spelled with two L’s. I slept our entire ride home, and broke up with him when we got back to his apartment. His response: he had made a mistake and didn’t realize his Skype camera was on and recording. Men, AMIRITE? I’m not going to lie, that breakup was emotionally damaging. I slipped in to a deep depression. I lost 15lbs. For months, I couldn’t close my eyes without replaying the footage of my ex having sex, fun, wild, exciting sex, with another woman. Throughout the day I’d have blinding flashbacks of his fingers running through her hair that would stop me in my tracks. I couldn’t sleep, I developed insomnia, and I certainly lost faith in both men and in relationships. It has taken a solid two years of introspection to feel ready for an honest and healthy relationship that can be built on a foundation of trust, respect, and friendship. One where I won’t snoop. One where I won’t have to. Was this all my payback for snooping? Maybe. But I had a hunch that something was up, and when I investigated, I was right. So ladies and gentlemen, trust your gut. If something feels wrong, it probably is. There’s no need to wait several years driving yourself crazy to find out for sure. Snooping might find you the answers you’re looking for, but it also lowers your self-worth, self-respect, and makes you the crazy person and the bad guy. So don’t wait for a psychic to tell you to be aware of red flags. And don’t wait until you find a sex tape to break up with your cheating boyfriend. We have instincts for a reason. Courtesy: xo.

Wedding Traditions

porcelain to bring luck to the couple’s marriage. The belief in the effectiveness of this custom is expressed by the old adage: “Shards bring luck” (German: Scherben bringen Glück). The expression is derived from a time when the word

Man seeks dissolution of marriage over alleged threat to life Stories by Abimbola Sodeke Mr Kayode Aworetan wants his union with his wife, Morenike, dissolved. Aworetan had previously pleaded with the court that he still loves his wife, and that he was willing to change. He had even signed an undertaken to that effect when he was brought to court by his wife some months ago. At that time, his wife had told the court that she wants to divorce him for failing in his responsibility to cater for her and their children. However, Aworetan later changed his mind and told the court that he is tired of his wife. He alleged that his wife wanted to kill him, and insisted that it was better they separated. “I am ready to divorce her. This woman can make one commit sin. After we were advised in court to keep the peace and I was determined to change, she started misbehaving. “She refused to give me food, I put the sum of N10,000 on the table for feeding allowance and she didn’t take it initially, until after three days. She is now denying it. Whenever I come back from work she locks the children inside the room to prevent me from seeing them, “ he said. “I can’t talk to my own children. I can’t send them on errands. She wants to frustrate me,” he lamented. His wife Morenike stated that all allegations against her were false and claimed her husband was the cause of all the trouble. She also told the court that her husband steals from her and has a second wife. Morenike made it clear that she doesn’t want to divorce her husband but wants him to change. “I still love my husband and I am not divorcing him. I just want him to change,” she said. The court president, P. A. Williams, advised the couple to be patient with each other and let the spirit of forgiveness prevail in their marriage.

‘My wife and children beat me’

Smashing Plates and Dishes (Polterabend): Germany t a party on the evening before the wedding plates and dishes are smashed to scare off evil spirits. Only china can be used. Anything else would bring bad luck. The bride and groom have to clean up everything. This is to indicate that they can work together. Polterabend is the term for a German wedding custom in which on the night before the wedding the guests break

Lovers in Court

“shard” referred to the unbroken clay pots of pottery makers, and not just the broken pieces. It was said that a full jar was a lucky thing to have, therefore the expression “shards bring luck”. Image: Shutterstock; Courtesy: Wikipedia

53-year-old retired soldier, Disu Olanrewaju, who has been married for 27 years has pleaded with a Lagos Customary Court to dissolve his marriage and grant his wife Ganiyat, custody of their three children. He told the court that his wife steals from him. He also accused his wife and children of assault, saying: “She and the children ganged up to beat me when I was sick. She tarnished my image by telling people what is not true about me.” He insisted that he doesn’t love his wife anymore. When the court president, P.A. Williams, asked after his wife, Ganiyat, who was absent in court, Olanrewaju claimed that his wife refused to come to court. The president adjourned the case to hear Ganiyat’s side of the story, hoping that she would appear in court at a later date.

Travel&Tourism ON SATURDAY NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/travel

HOSPITALITY Abuja Sheraton is one of the biggest brands in the Federal Capital Territory and with eyes on the top, the hotel is undergoing cutting edge renovation and repositioning, reports ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA

BUJA Sheraton Hotel and Towers may be one of the oldest hotels in the Federal Capital Territory but yet it doesn’t want to be seen as a dinosaur. With its sights trained at the top and a desire to beat all competitors to the game, the need to constantly renew the product and its services to enhance the experiences of its guests, is a compelling vision for the hotel’s management. General manager of the hotel, Mr. Boris Bornman, admits in a chat that the hotel is quietly repositioning itself. ‘‘Over the last 18 months we have done soft refurbishment and we have enhanced the product quite a lot. But the vision for this product is that it really can compete equally with any product in the world that you would find.’’ He points out matter-offactly that the Transcorp Hilton Hotel and Abuja Sheraton are perhaps the only two world class brands in neck deep fight for the top. While it seems the former is enjoying all the accolades, he says that’s because it has undergone refurbishment over four years ago. He is not disturbed by this development; he is confident that once the cutting edge renovation ongoing in Abuja Sheraton is completed, it would be the hotel to beat. ‘‘The Transcorp has an advantage because it was renovated about four years ago; but again once Abuja Sheraton’s renovation is completed it would be ahead of Transcorp again because Transcorp renovation has already happened,’’ the South Africa–born general manager said. Is his hotel therefore playing catch-up with its strongest competitor? No, he says, explaining his game plan thus: ‘‘We tend to rather see opportunities and actually follow our own way and set trends rather than see what Transcorp is doing and try to copy it or do it better. A big drive in Starwood is innovation and it is a very innovative company on a global scale because we set our trends rather follow others.’’ The whole idea, Bornman reveals, is to improve the experiences of the hotel’s guests be-

Destination Plateau State: Extremism takes its toll on tourism p.42

Travel Personality Abiodun Odusanwo: Improving tourism profession p.41

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

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

7 JUNE 2014

Abuja Sheraton dreams rebirth with cutting edge makeover cause ‘‘what we realised is that people coming to hotels are not really buying rooms and foods but they are buying experiences. And we have a big drive to create experiences because part of the Starwood vision is called GPS or Global Positioning of Starwood, which literarily means that a guest’s experience in one hotel can be recreated in another. ‘‘So we have started a programme, which we call memorable memories, which really is to allow staff to connect with the guest to know and understand what really the guest wants or

the world.’’ Having done close to two years stint at the hotel, Bornman who has a vast knowledge and experience of the hospitality business, having been exposed to the different aspects. He would like to be remembered as one who sought to create a workforce that can beat the benchmark anywhere. ‘‘I want to leave behind a product that we can really be proud of in the sense of a product, which can compete with any other Sheraton product across the world.’’ Here are samples of some of the hotel’s facilities and services:

are on the topmost floors. They both offer exclusive access to the Sheraton Club Lounge for private check-in and checkout, complimentary continental breakfast, evening drinks and snacks – all day refreshment. Dining The hotel offers rich dining and wining options for people with its themed restaurants and other spots, which include

treats and various social events with its elegantly designed Ladi Kwali Ballroom as the star attraction. It can be divided into four different sections to accommodate different meetings and numbers of people with ample space to play with and a VIP lounge and spaces for those who so wish. It also boasts seven different meeting rooms, a 24-hour business centre offering support services and the Link at Sheraton

Lounge bar Exterior view of Abuja Sheraton

enjoy, to create moment to exceed your expectations. We have been running the programme for about two months now and it has been very successful. Because people want to have an experience and that is what you pay for. You don’t pay for the coffee in you cup but you pay for the experience that comes with it. ‘‘We are corporate hotel simply because there is no leisure market of note in Nigeria,’’ he says, emphasising the importance of Abuja to the brand’s business. ‘‘It is really a place where people come to connect with each other and that is also what we try to do with the spaces that we have, create areas where people can connect with each other. Like the social hour and the link bar where you have a quick meeting and have a bite at the same time.’’ He said the prospect of the hotel remains bright as long as the management keeps on the right path. ‘‘It is a beautiful location and it has a huge footprint in Abuja. If it is of the standard that it should be, it will do extremely well because I have no doubt in my mind because it is well located and it has great staff and ability to be a top hotel not just in Nigeria but anywhere in

experience with Microsoft, which offers ample opportunities to connect with friends or business associates at the lobby area as it has fully wired workstations, complimentary Wi-Fi, printing services and a comfy chair.

One of the bedrooms

Accommodation The hotel has 540 guest rooms and suites, all perfectly styled and apportioned with different amenities for the guest’s comfort and relaxation. Some of the features are complimentary WiFi internet access, a 42-inch LCD television, a large balcony and the signature Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed, Shine for Sheraton bath amenities, in-room safe, tea/coffee supplies. The Sheraton Club rooms are located on the seventh, eighth and ninth floors while the suites

Papillon, an all day dining restaurant serving both local and international meals; Luigi’s for Italian cuisine; Obudu Grill for some of the best and exciting live cooking steaks and grills in the city; Boathouse by the poolside offers soul refreshing and natural appealing scenery for tropical al fresco dining and cocktails; and the Lobby Bar for express breakfast and all day snacks in a relaxing atmosphere with soothing music. Business meetings/conferences A perfect location for business meetings, conferences, re-

Fitness/wellness This service also rates high in the hotel’s service profile as it offers a fully equipped gymnasium programmed by core performance and runs for 24 hours for in-house guests while membership option is available for walk-in guest. Then there is the fitness centre, sauna and steaming room, outdoor swimming for adults and children. Leisure Top on the bill is the Sheraton Social Hour holding Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays evenings at the Lobby Bar for a real time out after a hectic day. You can so connect with friends and conduct businesses as well. There’s also the Club Lounge, tennis courts, squash courts, a football pitch and children’s playground.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2014

CHEF’S CORNER

Ayodeji Megbope On the crest of a wave

...displaying her moin-moin

Ayodeji Oluyemisi Megbope has emerged from the shadows literarily to be become a most sought after caterer in the hospitality business, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA

ER walk to the top and stardom began in 2007. From making and vending one of Nigeria’s local delicacies, Moin–moin, bean cake, has announced herself with her craft and now an established business of some sort taking her to the highest level – meeting with presidents and business moguls from across the world. From making and selling moin –moin to friends and people within her neighhourhood, she expanded her horizon to catering for smalls and now to a full scale catering. According to her, it all started with an initial One thousand naira (N1000) investment but today with mentorship from Nigeria and outside business, she has learnt the rope and now seats atop No left Overs Nigeria Limited, which net millions annually. ‘‘I started my catering and hospitality business in 2007 to make a meal of “MoinMoin” (local bean cake). My first clients were limited to family and friends. We hawked our product from one client to another. We didn’t have a clear strategy and what we sold was not commensurate with the effort we were putting in. We found that we couldn’t make enough money just selling “Moin-Moin” so we also started catering for small events, says Megbope of her beginning. According to her, moin moin making or catering business was not exactly what she was cut out for but it was something that she had to fall back to when other things did not add up for her. It all started with the first moin moin she made for the sister

Megbope

in – law who was quite impressed and requested her to make her some more. But from that simple request and some more the journey to setting up No Left Overs Nigeria Limited and writing her name in gold began. She made some more for her and also for her neighours. ‘‘When I started, it was not with the intention to start a business. I got to a situation where I had little or nothing to fall back on. It was a coincidence. I prepared moin-moin that day and had my sister in law pay me a visit. She tasted themoin-moin and she was wowed by it. ‘‘Requested that I make for her the following day, she asked me how much it will cost her to get exactly what she had eaten. I told her N1000 and she gave it to me. I made for her, had some leftovers and gave to some people to taste. They enjoyed it. The question my sister in law asked the first time kept coming back: how much would it take for you to make exactly this? The same answer I gave to everybody: “N1000!” Having decided to go on this lane, the

next question for her was how to set up and where best to locate her business so as to attract attention. ‘‘So the question that popped to my mind was: where can I go so as to make my products/services available to a wide audience? So I went to my last place of work. It was a very humbling experience for me. It was a school and when I was leaving I had told everyone that cared to listen that I was going to open my own school. To go back to the same school and hawk moinmoin was very humbling for me. But I had to do it because I prayed about it and knew that was where I needed to be. And it just opened me up to a wider market.’’ In order to grow her catering business into a full scale outfit with different options for the people, particularly in the area of Nigeria sumptuous local delicacies, she has to school herself in the art of cookery by going to the grassroots and the local caterers around the street corners to learn and master the of tummy care. But more importantly is the fact of her elevating her art and trade from the pedes-

trian level to a high street and high end venture with high class and taste. Not only attractive high network corporate clients and individuals as well as events but funding for the business and attention of funding organizations and individuals who have over the period impacted on her business and outlook. As part of this effort at empowering and exposing her to both the intellectual and funding intelligence as well as the culinary skills needs to enhance and take her business to the next level, has been involved in different mentoring and training programmes both within and outside the shores of Nigeria. The list include taking part the 10,000 Women Initiative by Goldman Sachs- a programme set up to empower 10,000 underserviced women worldwide with formal business skills and education. This programme, for her entirely changed her orientation as she was exposed to the basic elements of setting up and running a success business. Having imbibed the lessons, she set forth in confidence to practicalise what she has learnt and today, the result is obvious for all to see with her high profile restaurant in the Gbagada area of Lagos. Her outfit I like a household name attracting people of all ages, colours and statuses. She is not only a top beneficiary of the programme but she also serves as a roving ambassador for the group, going round the world teaching, delivering lessons and inspiring as well as motivating others, particularly the young women to build and develop themselves and businesses. She was also at a time speaker at the Clinton Global Initiative at the White House with world leaders in attendance and has also addressed the Annual General Meeting of Goldman Sachs in New York both in 2009 and other groups in Nigeria over the years. ‘‘My future goal is to continue our expansion and make the ‘No Leftover’ brand a household name,’’ she says, as she advices others: “Never be afraid to start small; never be afraid to start with what you have.” She is happily married and blessed with kids.

TRAVEL BEATS Lagos is Africa’s future, says South African High Commissioner

THE South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Lulu Louis A Mguni, has commended Lagos State as the future for investment in Africa. He made this disclosure at a media and dinner event organised by Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel for selected delegates from South Africa at Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos. Mnguni said the South African economy is big but Nigerian economy is in a stage where a lot could still happen. According to him, they decided to bring their media to Lagos to tell the people back home what

they have been missing. “We South Africans do not travel a lot. It is only good to bring South African media here to go tell the story of Lagos to our people and investors because Nigeria is a gateway into West and Central Africa,” said the high commissioner. However, he believes that the visit and the media report would attract more tourists and trade delegation from South Africa, insisting that “we must not forget that Nigeria has recently overtaken South Africa as the biggest economy in Africa. This is a big development and investors are expected to come to into Nigeria more. Nigeria is homely and a very important market for investors.”

UNWTO celebrates improved tourism growth

THE United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has expressed great delight over the growth rate and improved earnings by tourism in 2013. This followed the release of the industry performance details in 2013 by the UNWTO World Tourism Barometre. According to the release, the total export earnings generated by international tourism was US$ 1.4 trillion while receipts by destinations from international visitors grew by five percent, reaching US$ 1159 billion and US$ 218 billion was earned by international passenger transport. Also, earnings on expenditure

UNWTO Secretary General, Dr. Taleb Rifai by international visitors on accommodation, food and drink, entertainment, shopping and other services and goods was put at US$ 1159 billion while international tourist arrival growth rate was up by five percent reaching 1087 million in 2013 from 1035 million in 2012. UNWTO Secretary General, Dr. Taleb Rifai, described this development as positive of the

industry: “These are very positive results as growth in international tourists last year was equal to growth in income generated by over one billion tourists that travelled the world in 2013, for business, leisure, visiting friends and relatives or other purposes.’’ He affirmed that the positive result is a confirmation of the increasing importance of tourism to the world economy. ‘‘Such results confirm the increasingly important role of the tourism sector in stimulating economic growth and contributing to international trade,” adding that “these results show that it is time to position tourism higher in the trade agenda so as to maximize its capacity to promote trade and regional integration.”

… Ministerial meeting on mega events for sustainable tourism development

A ministerial meeting on mega events for Sustainable tourism development is bill to take place in Sochi, Krasnodar Territory, Russian Federation between June 16 -17. The event is to be organised by the Federal Agency for Tourism of the Russian Federation and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and is aimed at discussing the challenges and opportunities of tourism destinations for hosting mega events. Ministers in charge of tourism and international experts will participate in the following panel discussions.

TRAVEL&TOURISM

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2014

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

Abiodun Odusanwo: A commitment to improving on professionalism in tourism Bubbling with zeal, he boards the next available flight from the UK to his fatherland – Nigeria – with the singular purpose of contributing to quality standard delivery and professionalism in the tourism business. Six years on, Abiodun Odusanwo’s dream, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA is just coming to roost.

F there is one thing that has fired the bones of this soft spoken, Ijebu – born educationist, consultant, tourism professional, development expert and many more in between, it is the desire to add quality and value to the standard of products and services delivery in the tourism and allied businesses in Nigeria. Having lived and worked in the United Kingdom for close to 35 years where he has served as an educationist at different capacities and levels, Mr. Abiodun Odusanwo thought it wise to return to Nigeria, his place of birth to speed up development. So in 2008, he jetted backed home leaving behind his wife and children (all young adults now) in England. Teaming up with other friends of like minds, he established the Institute for Tourism Professionals (ITP). He is currently the national president and chairman of the institute’s Governing Council. It was envisioned among others to enhance the changing manpower need of the industry; furnish it with professional personnel who can provide good quality standard of product service; raise and promote the standard of tourism and allied practices; promote professional ethics and efficiency in tourism. He said ITP is highly rated and should be the ‘‘gold standard’’ in the industry. ‘‘Our qualification should be the hallmark of competency in the industry. If you have it, it is a gold standard of achievement. To ensure competency and quality that was why we went through all these processes,’’ he tells you. Were it to be the UK, it would be a matter of days to get the paper work done and the institute registered - up and running. But in Nigeria, as Odusanwo discovered later to his chagrin, things take years to get pretty settled, especially if it has to do with government agencies and ministries. Just o ensure that the institute got the official nod required for its operations, Odusanwo has to drum up plans to collaborate with different government bodies, ranging from the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NHOTOUR), Ministry of Justice and the Consumer Protection Council among others before it was formally registered in 2010 by the Corporate Affairs Commission. Then in 2011, mother luck smiled on

the institute as the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) also gave its approval for the institute to carry out training and certification in tourism and allied business with the aim of adding value and providing the platform for ‘‘Continuous Professional Development,’’among others. If there is one thing that this MBA holder and international development expert abhours about the Nigeria system, especially the tourism sector, it is the obvious lack of CPD, a means, which ought to enhance the skills, knowledge and professionalism of the workers in the industry. According to him, while the private sector have their share of the blame, the worse hit, he said, is the federal and state government ministries where majority of the workforce, especially the top echelon are not tourism certified and yet do not bother to go for professional enhancement. Also, the lower cadre to the middle level workforce who possess tourism qualifications are not allowed to rise beyond certain level in service due mainly to the disparity between degree and HND holders in the country. After so many years of waiting for his dream to take firm root, it finally came in 2013 with the NBTE’s introduction of the National Vocation Qualification (NVQ) framework. In England when it was introduced in 1988/1989, Odusanwo was part of the whole process. So, his joy knew no bound when finally his country woke up to this reality and decided it was the right way to go. ‘‘I was very pleased with this development when I saw that it was being introduced in Nigeria

by NBTE. I am one of the few people that were trained in this field,’’ Odusanwo who ended up taking part in the national workshop that was first held in 2013 and with a follow up in 2014 to properly shape and harness the project. Then in April this year, the national occupational standard devised by the body was given a final approval by the Federal Executive Council. With this, elated Odusanwo said the tourism industry alongside others now have a standard means of ensuring quality standard and professionalism as every employer in the industry must acquired the right education and certification through the new process before they can be employed to deliver service in the industry. ‘‘If this is done properly, it is going to ensure that those who are trained are competent for the job because it is competent based and value added system,’’ said Odusanwo who is also the current Vice President, South West, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN). According to his explanation, the new skill has four components – the regulatory body, awarding body, training provider and sector skills council. Odusanwo’s ITP would function at both the level of awarding body and training provider. What makes this new system very profound, Odusanwo said is the fact that all of the segments of the society and economy are involved as the employers of labour and service providers are involved at the level of the sector skills council, insisting that it bode well with the employers it will greatly enhance the competence of their workforce and add value to their delivery. Giving details of the function of ITP, which he said has

since commenced operations with a function administrative office in Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, it maintains about level membership structure – students, licentiate, associate, member and fellow. Exams, he revealed are conducted to get into any of the level and that there are no direct conferment of membership except for the fellow status, which he said is through direct recommendation by the governing council of ITP. Odusanwo affirmed that ITP is more than ready to pay it role as designed by the new national standard vocation qualification as it would henceforth be responsible for professional membership and awarding body for hospitality, food, services, passengers, transport, travel and tourism.

UP CLOSE Odusanwo was a former staff of the defunct Nigeria Airways where he worked as a commercial officer between 1975/76 before departing for the UK in 1976. In the UK he studied marketing, got an MBA in international business and also a post graduate degree in tourism and hospitality management. He was the first black man and Nigerian to be the principal of London College of Tourism between 1987 and 1989, he was actively involved in education at all levels in the UK and was member of Lewisham Strategic Partnership Board, which was the highest policy formulation body for Lewisham. On his return to Nigeria, he became a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management in 2010, he is chartered management practitioner, quality assurance practitioner and tourism and allied occupations practitioner. He has also at various times served as lecturer, head of department, course tutor and educationist. He described his years in England as comfortable and opportunity for him to be an agent of change and transformation. ‘‘I found myself as an agent of change and transformation in my various engagements. To make people better persons, equipped and skilled to face the challenges of life,’’ he recalled, adding that ‘‘there is nothing as fulfilling as to see the transformation in people’s lives, and to see them generate or create wealth.’’ Homecoming Homecoming for him, he said was something that he had looked forward to, ‘‘I was ready for the opportunities and challenges that Nigeria has got to offer. There was no desperation and pressure on me,’’ he said, adding that it has been impressive experience stemming from the fact that it was a decision by me to come back.’’ He said that he has refused to make comparison between the UK and Nigeria since returning home rather, he said that he benchmark Nigeria against Nigeria and that he has his own expectations and even though they have not be met, he is however not disappointed as what drives him is the founding principle of the Institute of Tourism Professionals, which is to give value to society and so he is not perturbed by the challenges. Furthermore, he said pointedly that ‘‘I want to make an impact, the whole idea is to give something back to the society by bringing back the experience that I have garnered in England.’’ This perhaps informs why Odusanwo is virtually everywhere, spreading himself tiny through his various engagements as a tutor, educationist, consultant, tourism practitioner and many more. Looking ahead, he said that the future is very bright for ITP, as he tells you that ‘‘my dream is that it would contribute significantly to the professionalism, competency level, financial returns for investors, improves quality of products and services and play a great role in the grading and classification of hotels and tourism establishments in the country. Be the gold standard of achievement in the industry and quality maintenance at all time.’’

42 TRAVEL&TOURISM

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Plateau State: Extremism With the increasing state of insecurity in Plateau resulting in incessant killings and destruction of life and properties, tourism, writes BUHARI BELLO, has taken flight in Jos and the entire Plateau.

RANSPORT yourself to time and space, to those glorious years when Jos, Nigeria’s once famed “Tin City” was more like a perfect artist creation on a stretched out canvass. A garden–like atmosphere, beautiful and attractive luscious greens doting almost every corner of the city, rock formations with the Riyom rock complex a typical out-of-this-world creation, hilly and rocky formations, plains and plateaus littering every part of the state. With a temperate weather you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in Nigeria, the physical, geographical and material outlay of Jos and the entire state were outstanding with vast and rich vegetation, which seemed the inspiration behind the moniker: “home of peace and tourism.” Jos city itself was a conundrum of sorts welcoming people of different colours, races, ages, economic and professional status. Nigerians and whites of different backgrounds found the city a warm and hospitable place in harmony with nature and itself. So, the various inhabitants lived in peace and harmony, forging a unity as they all created a haven that was the envy of others, especially first timers. No one visiting the city was ever in a hurry to leave; rather often finding some reasons to extend their stay and even make the place a permanent abode. A fascinating city with a loveable people, tourism was on ascendancy and booming, night life was fantastic, the outdoors was inviting and tempting as the government and the private investors realizing the nature of the place and the inhabitants’ desire to explore the wonderful gift of nature, decided to build and locate tourism facilities and attractions of different dimensions at the various sections of the city and its environs. Years before a state like Cross River State woke up to the importance of tourism, Plateau State with Jos as the attraction was already flourishing and enjoying global acclaim as a city of tourism and leisure. Interestingly, no effort was spared then by the state government to put its tourism on the front burner with the establishment of Plateau State Tourism Corporation, years later taking this dream to a greater height. Dating back to 1975 when the state was created, the then Military Administrator of the State, Police Commissioner, Joseph Gomwalk understood perfectly the unique nature of the state’s natural endowments and in conjunction with the leaders of the state and people laid a solid foundation for nurturing and promoting its riches. The expectation would had been for this dream home of peace and tourism to continue to blossom, but owing to a lack of the right impetus and understanding of the vision of the founding fathers, lethargy soon set in and with it, a floundering of the dream. Gradually, Jos became almost a wasted land as abandonment was visited on many of its tourist attractions and icons. Business tourism was made to suffer as people turned their attention to something else, the once robust and vibrant city became a shadow of its past glories. Night life and the outdoors were jettisoned with the government and its people looking on helplessly and not knowing what to do to rescue its rich tourism economy from the abyss. With just the carcass left, the increasing state of insecurity that has been visited on the city and its environs in the last one decade finally drove the lid into the coffin. Today, peace and tourism have taken flight from the state. With the government not be able to hold together the security, the centre can no longer hold as the warlords

Big Main Market In Jos.

bats, apes, chimpanzees, baboons, vultures, guinea fowls, two lions, a piton, one elephant and crocodiles now in sight. For now, the only active unit of the world life park is the picnic section where members of the public retreat to for various celebrations while the same ground as also serves a wedding and social events venue. The workers lament the poor state of affairs here, calling on the state government to take the appropriate steps to revival the attraction.

DESTINATION have driven the wedge between what once held the vibrant city. The once agreeable climate of Jos has turned into a simmering hot and blistering weather; the safe haven and cocoon has suddenly been transformed into a consuming cesspool; the once tempting and attractive city has almost become a parched and desolate land with no one longer interested in visiting as many have relocated while the few that are left live in fear daily no knowing when the next bomb will go off or when the day and night marauders would strike. For many, the coming of Governor Jonah Jang seems not to have bode well for the tourism of the state because outside of the killings that have surfaced in the wake of his assumption of office, hardly any investment has been made in tourism by the state government as all of the attractions and facilities owned by the state are abandoned and neglected. As the floundering continues the state government appears to have proved incapable of arresting the slide as the ministry of culture and tourism, which should take the initiative, appears bogged down by what observers of happenings in the tourism sector see as festering political crisis arising from the recent appointment of a new commissioner for the ministry. Many view the recent appointment of Yiljap Abraham as a misnomer as both the stakeholders and workers in the ministry perceive him as lacking the capacity to handle the affairs of the sector, which already is in a poor and critical state requiring a tested technocrat or tourism operator to give it a facelift - not papering over the crack. While crisis of confidence rages, Abraham has called for calm, promising that he would fix the sector as the government of Jang considers tourism as a critical sector, which must be accorded priority. However, the commissioner has left everyone in the dark as to how he intends to fix the sector as no blueprint or agenda has been articulated by him since assuming office some months ago.

Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang

State of tourist attractions A recent survey of some of the state’s tourism attractions reveals the poor and sorry state of the once buoyant and functional attractions. A good number have been used for purposes they were not meant, others have become criminal dens while the state government and the ministry of culture and tourism simply look the other way. Jos Wildlife Park and Zoological Garden Established by the administration of Joseph Gomwalk, the once rich and vastly endowed enclave, spanning a forested land mass of eight kilometers square (3.09 sq. miles) of unspoiled savannah bush about four kilometres from Jos, with buoyant ecosystem, fauna and flora as well as a functional zoo, park, wildlife museum and trophy, picnic area and many more have been left to rot. The forest reserve, which served as the wildlife park have not only suffered from the activities of poachers, but has been sold to private investors for different use by the state government thereby altering the natural colour and use of the wildlife park and zoo with flower garden, recreational centres, restaurants, bar and hair dressing saloon occupying the once forested land. The wild life population has also greatly depleted with just a few animals such as

Pandam Wild Life Park Located in Quan-Pan local government area of the state and also established by Gomwalk is also suffering the same fate as the Jos Wildlife Park and Zoological Garden as its resources have been depleted and the facilities left in state of abandonment. It is home to hippopotami, crocodiles and snakes of all types and it also offers sports fishing facilities with tourist accommodation. Mado Tourist Village The once popular and largely patronized tourist village in Tudunwada, Jos, has since been abandoned and taken over by the public as a farmland while the chalets and suites have all collapsed, the facilities vandalized and now a safe haven for mis-

Riyom rock

TRAVEL&TOURISM

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takes its toll on tourism creants and the homeless in the city. The state’s indoor theatre has also been converted to a church by EBOMI International Church owned by Prophet Isah El-Buba. State-owned hotels The state-owned hotels such as the Jos Hill Station Hotel are also neglected and poorly managed. The feelers from the state government indicate that the government has resolved to turn some of these hotels into hostels and rented out to civil servants to generate revenue. While the state hotels are at the verge of collapse, hotels owned by individuals

BACKGROUND Plateau State, geographically occupies a very unique location and pride of place in Nigeria, almost centrally located as it is bordered by Bauchi State to the north east, Kaduna to the North West, Nasarawa to the south west and Taraba to the south east. A middle belt state, its landmass spans about 26, 899 square kilometers with mountainous ranges and rocky and hilly plains dominating its landscape and giving it the beautiful and scenery look that many people have come to associate with the state. Created in February 1976, the state has since its formation transformed to what it is today, once a beautiful and attractive state with a buoyant economy where agriculture, trading, tin mining and other businesses were firmly rooted but today, all that has changed, especially Jos city, which has been decimated by ethnic – religious crisis, resulting in killings and destructions of properties. The state has 17 local government areas, namely - Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos, Jos East, Jos North, Jos South, Kanam, Kanke, Langtang North, Langtang South, Mangu, Mikang, Pankshin, Qua’an Pan, Riyom, Shendam and Wase. It mixed population is made of different ethnic groups, over 40, including Berom, Afizere, Amo, Anaguta, Aten, Bogghom, Buji, Challa, Chip, Fier, Gashish, Goemai, Irigwe, Jarawa, Jukun, Kofyar (comprising Doemak, Kwalla, and Mernyang), Montol, Mushere, Mupun, Mwaghavul, Ngas, Piapung, Pyem, Ron-Kulere, Bache, Talet, Tarok, and Youm.

have come to the rescue with names such as Crest Hotel, HBC Resort, Elim Suites, Three Angels Suites and Lodge, Sharna Hotels. But most of them are starved of patronage, a situation they blame on the prevailing insecurity as many no longer visit hotels over safety concern. Festivals Since the state of insecurity crops into the state, embargo has been placed on many of the state once celebrated festivals while some of the localities have turned their back on their aged long traditional and cultural fiestas, this resulting in the death of social life in most parts of the city and its environs. The chairman of the state’s traditional rulers council and the paramount ruler of the Berom, Gbong Gwom Jos, Dr Jacob Gyang Buba, frequently rues this state of affairs which, he says, has severely hurt the development of tourism. National Museum The Jos–based National Museum, which was established in 1952, is a repository of some of the best and finest collections of the country’s archeology material. It also boasts a pottery hall warehousing creatively crafted pottery from the various parts of the country. The Nok terracotta heads and artifacts dating between 500 BC - 200 AD are among these collections. A must visit attractions years back but hardly does it command any visit these days.

Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture Located within the same complex as the Jos National Museum, it’s a huge replica of Nigeria’s traditional architectural pieces and also some colonial era materials. What a delightsome viewing its promises but just likes, it is currently suffering from lack of patronage and maintenance.

Jos in Wase town. It is also home to the white pelicans and a bird sanctuary and wildlife development.

Assop Falls This is one of Jos’ most recognizable symbols and locations, which attract hundreds of visits daily, located on the fringes of the city, about 64 kilometres from the city, on the road to Abuja, the waterfall presents ample opportunities for picnickers, leisure seekers of different colours, mountaineers, swimmers and others to savour its numerous offerings. But activities at this poster waterfall is at its lowest ebbs.

Shere Hills Harbours the highest peaks of the Plateau, presenting colourful and scenic range of hills, mountains and rocks. Home for mountaineers and adventure seekers.

Kurra Falls A wonderful resort set in the midst of natural hilly and rocky plains, about 77 kilometres away from Jos, present picturesque scenery with different attractions – rocks, hills, and lakes suitable for boating, picnicking and camping activities and suitable accommodation while Kurra Fall itself is home to the state first hydroelectric power station. Wase Rock An impressive dome-shaped inselberg reaching an incredible height of 450 metres located about 216 kilometres southeast of

Wildlife in Jos

Solomon Lar Amusement Park

Assop waterfalls

Hill Station Hotel

Wase rock

Jos plateau

Kerang highlands It is the home of the popular Spring Water Company (SWAN) bottled from the natural spring of the enclave, which also boasts volcanic mountains, hills and springs.

Riyom Rock This is perhaps one of the most beautiful and naturally creative sites ever in the town of Riyom, which is about 25 kilometres away from Jos. Rock forms are unique and spectacular to behold. A good ground for harvest of fun and picnic. Solomon Lar Amusement Park Equipped and furnished with different classes of amusement facilities as a theme park. It used to be one of the most sought after leisure parks in the city. Rayfield Resorts Located in Guut Rayfield in Jos South local government area of the state, the resort offers variety of facilities for different leisure activities, ranging from water related activities such as swimming, boat cruise and sport fishing.

Short Story

Writer in focus:

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MICHAEL UCHEBUAKU

7 JUNE 2014

The Bachelor’s Eve

t is said that hell has no fury like a woman scorned. And Elizabeth felt scorned. She felt scorned because David, her boyfriend and fiancé of many years was finally leaving her to marry someone else. The date for his wedding with his newfound lover had already been fixed, and the invitation cards had already been sent out to guests, and in the midst of all this excitement, Elizabeth had been abandoned like an old, used car, and left to rot. Elizabeth was a human being, even though she thought David didn’t see her as a human being. She was a woman and she had feelings and strong emotions too. However, in this game of love, she felt that she had lost. All that was now left for her to do was to contemplate revenge. When she went to bed at night, all she experienced were nightmares. Her sweet dreams seemed to have gone for good and they had now been replaced by the most bizarre kind of dreams. In one of her nightmares, a snake was pursuing her and she kept running. At a point, the snake turned into a leopard and continued pursuing her. And at a point again, the leopard itself changed into a tiger and kept pursuing her. Elizabeth ran and ran until she tripped over a fallen tree trunk along the bush path and fell. And as the tiger caught up with her, it changed into a huge python which opened its jaws and was about to swallow her when she woke up sweating and screaming. Elizabeth blamed all her nightmares on David who she regarded as the singular cause of her heartbreak. She recited the Biblical words, “Vengeance is mine” to herself. Indeed, this time around, vengeance was going to be hers. She wasn’t going to leave it for God, because God already had too many problems in the world to solve, than to revenge on her behalf. Elizabeth remembered her father’s old hunting gun which he usually loaded with gunpowder. That kind of gun was now archaic, and she needed a more sophisticated firearm to use in killing David. She had not murdered anyone before, and she was not a murderer. But now, her mind was in a mess. She thought of the saying that the mind is a terrible thing to waste, and she believed that truly, the mind is a terrible thing, because of what great evils the mind was capable of conceiving. Then suddenly, Elizabeth changed her mind about killing David. She wasn’t going to kill David anymore. She had a better plan and she was going to execute it on the eve of David’s wedding. She would make sure that he would never forget his bachelor’s

eve. David’s wedding was to take place on September 30th of that year and Elizabeth looked forward to it. Her mind drifted back to when she first met David at a bank in the city and how handsome he looked in his black suit. She had fallen head over heels in love with him and he had acted like a complete gentleman. She remembered the first time he had taken her out on a beautiful romantic date and said the sweetest things to her. David had vowed to love Elizabeth forever and never to leave her. He had made that vow one night while making love to her. But now it seemed that he had forgotten his vow, because men usually forget whatever they say while making love to a woman. David had said to her that night: “Do you remember that song entitled I Swear by All For One? I swear to never leave you. I will always love you.” He had made her feel so special that night, and Elizabeth too had sworn to die beside David. She had said to him: “Me too, I swear that I will die beside you. I will never leave you.” September 29 finally arrived. That was the wedding eve, and Elizabeth knew that David was organizing a big bachelor’s eve party that night. In fact, he had specially invited her to attend his bachelor’s eve party so that they could make love for the last time and say goodbye. Many men like to commit all the ‘sins’ they want to commit on their bachelor’s eve, because from their wedding day they would be entering into a new life of commitment to their spouses. David was no different from those men who reasoned that way. So, on his bachelor’s eve, he planned to have a hot and wild night of sex particularly with his former girlfriend, Elizabeth. On the morning of September 29, Elizabeth woke up feeling relieved.

She felt relieved because she knew that after that day, she wasn’t going to bear any more heavy burden in her heart. Her apartment looked dirty but that day, Elizabeth didn’t do any cleaning, because it was no longer necessary since she wasn’t coming back home. She went back to bed and slept until 3pm. Then she went out to buy a small liquid substance in a bottle and returned home to wait till evening. At 7pm that night, Elizabeth took her bath for the second time that day. She applied a sweet scenting perfume all over her body and dressed in the most seductive manner possible. Before Elizabeth left the house, she gathered a l l her clothes and belongings together and set them ablaze on the ground in front of the building. She wasn’t going to need any more clothes apart from the one she was wearing at that moment. After setting all her clothes, shoes and bags ablaze, she stepped out of the door and called a cab to take her to David’s place for his bachelor’s eve party. While in the taxi on the way to David’s place, Elizabeth drank all the liquid content in the small bottle she had bought in the afternoon. It was a slow poison which was going to take effect within the next five to six hours. When David saw Elizabeth that night, she looked so ravishing and he was filled with lust. He loved the way she was dressed to kill. And as the music played, he danced very seductively with her and couldn’t keep his hands off her. Not too long after the dancing started, he led her straight into the bedroom and undressed her as quickly as he could. That bachelor’s eve night, David was quite exploratory. He made out with Elizabeth in every possible way and thought that he was having fun. David ravished Elizabeth until he was exhausted, and then he fell asleep for some time beside her. Shortly after midnight, David woke up from his little nap and squeezed Elizabeth’s breasts in the darkness. He wanted to have sex with his former girlfriend one more time before saying goodbye, but he was surprised that she didn’t react to his touch. In fact, her body looked still and felt cold. David was both shocked and frightened when he noticed that Elizabeth’s eyes were open and staring lifelessly into space without blinking. He screamed her name and shook her naked body beside him several times but Elizabeth did not move. She was dead. She had finally fulfilled her promise to die beside him. THE END.

She’s the Rain

he called him the man with yellow eyes, because he always wore yellow sunglasses. She also called him a blunt knife, because his arms were not the kind of blades that could cut her heart. And although he tried to tell her the truth that he loved her, all she did was see the truth halfway, like a half moon shining in the night sky. So she snubbed him when he knocked on her door. She snubbed him when he brought her flowers. She even snubbed him when he kissed her, because his kiss went only halfway across her heart like a half moon. But one night, as he stood outside her house in the rain, a man with lips that weren’t for kissing walked up to him and said: “Sam, don’t waste your time planting dead flowers. You can only take a shower, but you can’t take the rain with you. She’s the rain. That’s life.” As he said these words, another man walked up to her door and knocked. When she opened it, he swept her into his arms and kissed her. And Sam realized that one great kiss was the world between him and her. Next morning, he stood lonely and speechless, one kiss away from her. That kiss from that man tore his soul apart. He wished he could ‘unkiss’ her of that man’s kiss, and make her kiss him like the one she loves. As he watched them get into the car and head for the church to get married, he wished he could do something – anything – to win her. He wished he could shout and he wished he could scream. He wished he could do anything except stop loving her. He can hear the music of her laughter in his head, but his heart isn’t dancing. His heart isn’t moving. Instead, it is still and breaking, like frozen tears. “Sam, don’t waste your time planting dead flowers. You can only take a shower, but…” The words shook him like an earthquake. He looked like the man that built his castle on sand and when the waves came, his castle got swept away. So he wished he was no archer and he wished his heart couldn’t break. And his tears froze on his cheeks when the cold came. He still dreams of half-moons when he sleeps. But half-moons are broken moons, like his heart. But even when it’s over, half-moons still shine like broken china in the dark. He’s just a quiver full of broken arrows. There is no love left to shoot. Not even a smile to hold on to. He’s just the man with yellow eyes, shedding frozen yellow tears. He’s just a blunt knife, loveless at the edge. Yet, he still shines like broken china in the dark. She’s the rain. That’s life. He could only take a shower, but he couldn’t take the Rain with him.

FACE OFF Oba Akiolu can’t dictate to APC stakeholders – Magbade p.48 Insurgency is sheer criminality –Ali Ndume p.50

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Jonathan, PDP stand no chance in 2015, says Tofa From wrangling with state governors, the APC seems to be gravitating from one crisis to another. What is your take on this? First of all, we have to realise that APC is a brand new party. So, many groups, many individuals are trying to find their level in the party and to ensure that they get to that level, everybody is struggling and scrambling. It is natural, you find that in every political party, not only in Nigeria but also in Europe. You find cleavages and groups in the parties projecting their particular interest. Either their interest about how to control the party or their ideological interest, you find them with different names and aims. I am sure you can find this in All Peoples Grand Alliance or in the Peoples Democratic Party. You will hear about these problems in other parties. So, it is not a new thing, particularly in the APC which people credit with a tremendous capacity to win most states and even the presidency. So it will not surprise anybody if there are competing groups of people. Not only the governors but some ambitious politicians who might try to make sure that they exert their influence so that their own interests in the party can be better served. So people are working hard. What is important now is how we can become the source of alternative hope for Nigerians. You know we are going to have our convention in the next few days and some people are going to contest to be chairman of the party, secretary and all that. That is another reason why people will group to ensure that the sort of quality they are looking for in who eventually becomes their chairman is considered. But in the end, the governors, the new leaders that will emerge and all of us will unite together for the common purpose of winning the election. So let us give it time, let us come out of the convention and let us see how the party can fuse together all these various groups so that we can focus on what is important which is presenting good candidates in the presidential election, senators, and all that so that we can rescue Nigeria. But prior to this, people accused governors who defected of importing strange tendencies into the APC in order to hijack the opposition party for their selfish reasons. These are all natural things, you don’t expect that a political party with new people coming in to remain the same way. These governors came in with their influence from other parties and nobody will like to lose his influence. The important thing is how to carry on, how we deal with this internal situation is a different thing altogether. Now that everybody is settling down and finding his own level either as governor or party follower, things are calming down. Most state congresses have been done, some with a lot of difficulties but they have been done, and do not forget that some of the governors did not come from the legacy party. They came into APC as a group and came with that complex that unless we assert ourselves, we will be treated like new comers and all. That, in itself, is enough reason for them, in their own assessment, to ensure that they are not left behind; but like I said, things are CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

settling down. People are now used to one another and becoming friends and party members and by the time we have this convention, things will be quieter. Do you agree with Governor Babatunde Fashola that the issue of zoning is no longer tenable in the APC? If you have been reading what I have been writing for a long time, even while in the All Nigeria People’s Party, I was one of the most open advocates of zero-zoning, especially for presidential aspirants. I urge all Nigerians, whoever they are and wherever they come from, to go to the convention so that nobody feels bypassed or ignored. Nobody has the automatic right to become president of this country. If people prefer a particular candidate or somebody from a particular part of this country, his promoters should work for him so that he can emerge as the candidate. But for us to eliminate people’s right from the beginning, to say that South, West or East will not contest is just like eliminating them. The feeling therefrom will be that of loss of faith and confidence in this party right from the beginning. After all, the party told them that they cannot produce presidential aspirants, they cannot aspire to rule their own country. I think it is better that the party gives everybody equal opportunity to participate so that when you lose, you cannot say that is because you were not given the chance, the opportunity aspire to rule your own country. That is how I think we should go about it so that people

Nobody has the automatic right to become president of this country

7 JUNE 2014

THE SATURDAY INTERVIEW

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‘Fani-Kayode has deviated from his father’s path’ C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 4 5

will not say the party that has denied them the opportunity of choosing their leaders. That is how we should do it to ensure that the convention is fairly-contested. If zoning has been entrenched in Nigerian party politics, how can you now opt out of this arrangement? I think right from 1999 to date, the zoning formula you are talking about is all about PDP, not in any other party. For instance, the ANPP never zoned any position to anywhere because it was not given the chance to rule and showcase its political prowess and quality leadership. Do you also share the persuasion that power must shift to the North at all cost? No, I don’t look at it that way. You know, there are so many people in the APC who have the belief that the presidency should come from the North, so all these people should decide at the convention which northerners should be given the chance or voted for. You know there are two or three people willing to contest the election from the North but there are also others who might be willing. We should also give these others the chance to fully participate and contest the elections, even if they will not win. The opportunity to do so should be given to them so that they can feel the same sense of belonging; that feeling that the opportunity has been given to them. I don’t want APC to entrench zoning in the party. I want, in every convention, everybody is allowed to participate and contest whatever he so wishes. Are you afraid that internal wrangling within your party can rob it of its position as a strong opposition or even a viable alternative to the party in power? I told you that these problems could certainly be minimised. There is no organisation, no matter how small, that is without problems. People are sorting it out that this is what we want that and all that. This is only natural. Just because people are struggling to justify their positions or find their levels and achieve their individual ambition does not amount to what you call problems. Personally, my belief is that the best way to handle these kind of problems is to minimise it; to have greater internal democracy in the party. And part of that internal democracy is when you go to the convention, you allow all Nigerians to aspire for every position. Let us go as democrats and showcase that yes, we can do it. I don’t want any part of this country to be eliminated from aspiring to the leadership of his country. Let us go there as democrats and do it, because one strong reason that can make us fail and lose the election is to deny certain parts of the country the opportunity to contest. Let us demonstrate that all Nigerians have equal right in this new party. I am not saying that the north should not be given the chance but am saying that all parts of the country should be given the chance. I think is better for us to do it that way. Do you share the suggestion that the old guard in your party should give way to younger elements to revitalise the party? This is all nonsense because integrity, experience have nothing to do with age.

I promised myself that issues relating to June 12 are over for me

Younger people are no better than older people. What we need in this country is not a young president, not an old president, not a Northern or Eastern or Southern President. We want a good President who will do this country well, regardless from where ever he hails and whatever his age. Those people who say we want young people because they are young, in the next 20 years or even 15 years, they will also be old and would automatically be eliminated, you know. I remember while we were in NPN, as young as I was, I was the national financial secretary and we were saying we have to make use of the time we have. Somebody said, ‘Bashir be careful, one day you will also be an old man too, and they will also eliminate you.’ I am beginning to see it now. So, what am I saying is that we should focus on good leadership. We should focus on who will remedy the situation and do all Nigerians proud, whatever his age is. So long as he is healthy, mentally well and will do well for the country, anybody can be the president. That is what we should consider. But will projecting Muhammadu Buhari, a candidate who has contested severally and failed, not jeorpardise APC’s chances of winning in 2015? I remember, I think, people said similar things about Abdullahi Wade, former President of Senegal who contested for about 10 times and then he got it when he was 70 years old. People become whatever they will become when their time comes and I can assure you that Buhari will not be the only aspirant in this convention. There are still one or two people who will be there. I remember Sam Nda Isaiah of Leadership Newspaper is also contesting. So, this is a good thing that APC should be seen to have varieties of people interested in the presidency. And then it is possible may be Abubakar Atiku may want it. I have also read that Bola Tunubu is considering contesting. All these are good indications that the party can sit and discuss between the various interests and see how they will navigate their way to victory. From these people who have shown interests, it shows that a lot of people have interest in the party. When you see people like these showcasing their interests, then you know that people have seen good things in that party. What we really need to ensure victory is the matter of strategy and that is a matter that the party has to sit and discuss in a very serious manner so that we do not make any mistake because candidates alone do not win elections. There are other i s -

sues that people are concerned about that need to be discussed, including the need to tell Nigerians this is how we are going to deal with these issues X, Y and Z. We have to do that in order to convince Nigerians that if they give the APC the chance, the party will do it and that the APC is a collective responsibility, not just a one man show. Nigerians should be told that because X is now the President, he can do whatever he wishes. The APC has to deal with each Nigerian as a human being who has rights equal to other Nigerians. That is the only way we can solve our problems and move forward.

Do you agree with Femi Fani-Kayode who dumped the APC, after accusing the party of being a circle of murderers because of your support for amnesty for Boko Haram? Well, Femi Fani Kayode, I really do not know him very well, but I knew his father very, very, well. He was a very good man with strong points and so on. I think Femi, the son, has deviated a little bit from the path of his father as a consistent person. If Femi left the party, well I don’t think it should bother me. Anybody coming in or leaving the party depends on the ways he sees things. He may want to be in the PDP

for a different reason than what he is telling us. He may want to defect from APC for a different reason than he is telling us. People must find a reason to justify their actions but I don’t think it should bother anybody. But does the party’s support for amnesty for Boko Haram qualify it as a circle of murderers? Well, allegations are allegations. What he needs to do now is to prove those allegations for the law to take its course. For someone who had the opportunity but refused to do so, could former President Olusegun Obasanjo have been sincere when he belatedly said that Chief MKO Abiola deserved to be honoured? I have no views on that. I promised myself that issues relating to June 12 are over for me. I will not discuss them again so you can skip that. Is the future of the foundation of the Nigerian state threatened by the unholy trinity of insurgency, corruption and tribalism? Well, the solution is good leadership, honest, transparent leadership. And there are so many Nigerians, even in the PDP, and that is why they should look more inward and find somebody whom they are sure can win them the election in 2015 because, as it is, it is unlikely if Jonathan can win any election anywhere despite what they are saying. I don’t see him having any support anywhere in Nigeria. What the country needs now, like I told you, is good leadership, whether from the South or from the North. He has to be a person with tremendous integrity, faultless not hundred per cent but to the extent that nobody can pink-point any harm that this person or the party has done to the country; somebody not a criminal or a corrupt person but somebody who is conversant with the country and its politics; someone whom Nigerians can trust. This is the solution all the parties should embrace as ultimate solution to our problems. Are you suggesting that President Jonathan lacks these attributes? I didn’t say he lacks in all.

PERSPECTIVES

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 june 2014

Forcing financial Efficiency on Nigeria

f all the forty-one odd ministers that comprise the cabinet of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, President and Commander in chief of the Nigerian Armed forces, two strike me as striving hard to demonstrate the qualities of efficiency and effectiveness that are required in good management. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Mr. Adeshina Akinwunmi. Akinwunmi appears to be determined to grow the agriculture sector that has witnessed decades of neglect by previous governments and Okonjo-Iweala has to keep her eye on the finances and the overall economy of a nation that is use to wastage, pilfering and outright extravagance! There are better jobs in that cabinet. An overwhelming aura of austere honesty permeates the meticulous minister for finance. Okonjo- Iweala has that soothing effect on people and it has nothing to do with her wax print attire or ascetic jewelry. Listen to her speak and you actually feel for her as she quotes figures from her head with such ease and discomfort, as if the money spent is hers. And often when she is talking about spending money in the Nigerian nation you are wont to ask with her: where did all that money go? Listing revenue allocation in the states, Okonjo-Iweala said recently: “In 2013, the top 10 allocations went to Akwa Ibom, N260 billion; Rivers, N230 billion; Delta, N209 billion; Bayelsa, N173 billion; Lagos, N168 billion; Kano, N140 billion; Katsina, N103 billion; Oyo, N100 billion; Kaduna, N97 billion; and Borno, N94 billion. The public read about all these billions in the papers and they heave sighs of wonderment. The question that would be on the mind of the minister for finance would be how do you grow an economy like Nigeria that puts strong men above strong institutions? Efficiency in management from my special perspective has four major markers:

BUSINESS SENSE ALEX OGUNDADEGBE alexogundadegbe@gmail.com

Time, Cost, Quality and Scope We discuss this at every management seminar I speak in. The bottom line here is, if we want real growth in an economy, we have to take these variables into consideration so that it is done properly. Time is of essence. Any project, plan or activity that is not allocated a fixed time to finish will go into over time. And like they do in sudden death football matches, the organizers would extend the time until someone happens! Cost refers to resources used to achieve an objective, while quality has to do with standards. Costs are a considerable burden on the Nigerian economy. We overprice and overvalue everything. From key ministers’ and legislators’ salaries to stationery bought for official activity in government circles. It is simply atrocious and we are not willing to cut back. Quality refers to standards and it matters when we talk individually, but when government infrastructure is taken into consideration, it is not strange to see auditors “looking the other way”. Scope refers to the area of operation. The nation’s 2020 vision has three tiers as its scope: “by 2020 Nigeria will be one of the 20 largest economies in the world, able to consolidate its leadership role

in Africa and establish itself as a significant player in the global economic and political arena”. This seems like a dream under the present circumstances. South Africa has the top seven companies in Africa today in terms of turn over. Ironically, five of these companies have a presence in Nigeria and have their largest market there too! If we are to measure Nigeria’s progress based on simple efficiency variables outlined here, the giant of Africa would fall short abysmally in many areas. Especially in costs. Governance is highly expensive. The United States of America has 24secretaries while we have 41 ministers. We have innumerable government commissions with only 30% of them having any internally generated revenue. This means that many of them just wait for allocations. The presidential fleet of aircraft comprises planes that Mr. President hardly uses. His travel convoys are often larger than life. The governors are merely copying the president, since the constitution makes them “President” in there own states. If our minister for Finance wants accountability it ought to start at the centre! We lead by example.

Our nation desperately needs development financing, and to find it government is looking at taxation. The federal government’s research shows that “75 percent of registered companies in the country are not registered with tax authorities”. The problem of course is traced to the point of registration. Countries all along the West Coast of Africa provide a tax registration number side by side with company registration forms to enable the authorities follow up on the company immediate it registers. Moreover, it is difficult and seemingly impossible to do business with government registered companies in these countries without paying your tax. Not in Nigeria! This is tricky ground. How do you attract investors and then turn around and tax the hell out of them? Just how long should tax holidays last? There are also multiple levels of taxation from local government to state onto federal. There is a large informal sector in Nigeria that is difficult to account for. When people get sacked or retire from government jobs they often register a business name and join this sector. They buy and sell or consult for which they are paid cash and at the end of the day end up paying little or no tax. The Tax Act of 2011 gives the minister broad powers: “Where for all practical purposes the income of the tax payer cannot be ascertained or records are not kept in such a manner as would enable proper assessment of income; then, such a taxpayer shall be assessed on such terms and conditions as would be prescribed by the minister. These regulations shall apply to the informal sector, including micro businesses that have an annual turnover of N6m and below.” There are very few people who will be willing to pay tax when they see the way our finances are being managed on a broad level. Do you blame them?

Imeobi is a statement of equity, says Ekwuno

During the run up to the 2013 governorship election, your organization vowed to make some impact. How well has it faired? We ensured that there was a level playing field in our areas. We had a chance to meet with and assess the serious contenders and extracted promises based on the needs of the people. No other group had that opportunity. It was not by accident that it was in Idemili North and South that INEC recorded the highest number of cancelled booths during the election. We ensured fairness, equity, fair play and we stuck to our principles. Do you think associations like Nzuko Imeobi should become partisan by getting involved in partisan politics? If having an interest in the political affairs of the community; if working out modalities that will ensure that the people get quality leadership that will lead to the improvement of their welfare, then we are partisan. Nzuko Imeobi is an umbrella organization where stakeholders and traditional rulers with a shared vision have assembled. Our vision is to be a proactive association speaking with one voice for the development of Idemili North and South councils and beyond. The aim is to strengthen communal unity and equity through mobilization of the grassroots. One of our political objectives is to ensure that quality and credible persons are presented to the electorate in any electoral contest in accordance with our criteria for contesting elective offices. In the past, we welcomed political parties and individuals from across the state and especially in Anambra Central seeking elective political offices. We have reached out and are gathering stakeholders from the old Idemili and we are seeking out groups with the same vision on this project from other areas. In the past, we have scrutinized the political office holders and supported those we found worthy. What we want to do in the 2015 election is to recognize and persuade some identified people who have excelled in different areas of endeavour by asking them to come forward and run for political office. We would rather

President of Nzuko Imeobi, the apex political cum socio-cultural organization of Idemili North and South Councils of Anambra State, Chief, Sir, Edwin Ofili Ekwuno is worried that politicians only pay lip service to the role of the grassroots to the development and entrenchment of democratic norms. He explained to New Telegraph how his organization insisted on equity, balance and justice in the politics of Anambra Central. Ekwuno, proprietor of Ekwuno Memorial Secondary School, Obosi, Zonal Chairman National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools.

and as soon as they entered into their hallowed offices, they began to seen themselves as tin gods; they lost touch with the structure that put them in power. Some of them have started campaigning, jumping from one party to another and pretending to be what they are not. We will follow the principles that we have used in the past to seek leaders in 2015. We will withdraw support from people who have failed to live to expectations, people who have failed to represent what we stand for in Nzuko Imeobi. We want to go back to the old days where the people pick their own persons and not just people jumping into the fray and getting the people behind them. Right now, we are scrutinizing some people across political parties, and at the appropriate time, we will make things public. We are alerting the parties to be wary of politicians without bases who are looking for platforms.

Ekwuno

support someone identified and chosen by the stakeholders rather than waiting. Is Nzuko Imeobi sponsoring any candidate in 2015? It is not as categorical as that. We are simply saying that we are looking forward to a new kind of people to emerge in the National Assembly polls especially in Anambra Central. In the past we had supported people

Is it appropriate for socio-cultural organizations to get involved in partisan politics? Imeobi is just a socio cultural group. Being non-partisan is not about sitting down and not being part of a process that will produce a leader in your domain. The failure of governance has come from the neglect the grassroots has suffered. We think the grassroots is a bunch of rural people who are remembered only during elections. Time has come for people at the grassroots to hold elected politicians accountable. Every unit of the society should be recognized

as part of the political structure and we at this level recognize that accountability is the watch word. Is there any arrangement in place in Anambra Central regarding zoning and how would you ensure the emergence of the next leaders in 2015? Zoning has its advantages and drawbacks, but for the sake of fairness and giving people a sense of belonging, we support it. Fairness and equity are part of the objectives of the Imeobi agenda. In our meetings, we agreed that fairness can be further advanced in the manner we approach the issue of zoning or rotation of power. But we also agreed that zoning obviously is better realized when all parties involved come together to talk about it and work out the modalities. An effective zoning formula is that where the power sharing charter is agreed upon and respected. If people respect the political interests of others or if a proper zoning formula was in place, we would not have to make a campaign out of power rotation. This agitation for zoning comes from the fact that leaders have not been fair in their dealings with the grassroots or with some level of people who have desired to lead the people. What kind of leaders do you envisage for Anambra Central in 2015? The concern is to use the same standards we have always used in the belief that the Anambra people, especially those in the Central recognize what is good for them. The criteria for public officers is outlined in our Charter. It is quite elaborate, but essentially, we expect people with competence; people who will bring inclusive leadership and give everyone a sense of belonging. We want people who recognize the people at the grassroots as the bedrock of our democracy and most importantly, we want people the people can trust, we have suffered enough from the betrayal of past leaders.

FaceOff

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

7 JUNE 2014

Oba Akiolu can’t dictate to APC stakeholders - Magbade Mr. Bashir Magbade, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos in this interview with WALE ELEGBEDE, questions the rationale behind the recent endorsement of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as APC gubernatorial candidate in Lagos by the Oba of Lagos, HRH Rilwanu Akiolu.

Magbade

The APC said it has zoned the 2015 governorship ticket to Lagos East. What is your thought on this? Lagos is a peculiar state given its cosmopolitan nature. I don’t think anybody, party or group should unilaterally zone the oval office of a state governor to a particular district. What should be obtainable is for stakeholders to come together, critically look at those who have had a shot at the position and appeal to other division to concede the office to the particular zone in question. Not this one that someone thinks APC is in his pocket calls or his Yes-Men who can’t say no to him and deciding that he is zoning ticket to the East. That singular action without mutual understanding and agreement would disenfranchise people from other zones. All what the APC has been preaching from the formation of the party is equality, fairness and justice. Let the people decide which zone should produce the governor. Recently, Badagry division has been agitating for governorship and they vowed that if the ticket wasn’t given to them they won’t vote for our party. From our findings, we discovered that the PDP is looking at their direction so as to counter the APC in that area. I know that when the chips are down, our leaders will go to the round table and sort things out. But the traditional face of Lagos, Oba Akiolu recently endorsed the candidature of Ambode who is from the Lagos East? It’s quite unfortunate that the highly respected Oba Akiolu decided to dabble openly into partisan politics to the extent that the PDP left no stone unturned

by throwing pebbles at every angle. It is uncalled for an Oba to come up and be dictating to politicians. It is expected that PDP governorship aspirant will come to you for their blessings, Labour Party would come, but with this action, he has shown that he is APC Oba. In fact, the emergence of Oba Akiolu as Oba of Lagos is still under litigation up till today by the Akinsemorin family and it is expected that such a person should not be throwing stones. I am still very sure that the Kabiyesi would retract such a statement because lots of pressure has trailed his endorsement. In fact the party cannot even endorse anybody talk less of an Oba who was selected among eight white cap chiefs, they called them Idejo of Lagos. How many people did Oba Akiolu consult widely as he claimed in his statement that he has consulted with elders and chiefs? Does that mean that all other Obas in Lagos are chiefs in the eyes of Akiolu? That is why the Obas condemned that comment that they were not consulted. Don’t you think his comment was to ensure that the Lagos indigene heritage is protected by not allowing any nonLagosian from becoming the governor of Lagos? Some two to three weeks before Akiolu’s statement, many people were saying the present Commissioner for Works, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, is going for governorship as well. In the course of garnering support for the commissioner, somebody quoted Alhaji Olatunji Hamzat who is the father of the commissioner as saying that Ambode is not from Lagos but from Ilaje

in Ondo State. Do you know that Akiolu was part and parcel of those that installed Alhaji Hamzat as an Oba in Afowowa under Ewekoro Local Government in Ogun State? So, with Oba Akiolu pitching his tent with Ambode, he definitely needs to attack the camp of Hamzat that the commissioner’s father has become an Oba in Ogun State and the son of such Oba cannot be the governor of Lagos State. But Oba Akiolu didn’t say anything about other aspirants. For instance, everybody knows that Senator Ganiyu Solomon is a major player in Mushin politics while his father came from Ikorodu because in the then Unity Party of Nigeria-Action Group, Alhaji R.I. Solomon, the father of Senator Solomon was a councillor in Ikorodu Local Government. It was the Action Group that delegated him to go and stabilise the party in Mushin. That was why he migrated from Ikorodu-Ipakodo to Mushin. So, Senator Ganiyu Solomon’s native home is Ipakodo while his political base is Mushin. So, it is not that he was trying to relocate or aiming to buy a house as being speculated in some quarters. Do you think Oba Akiolu’s endorsement of Ambode represents the voice and mind of some elite in your party? I agree with you on that. At a point in time, Oba Akiolu disagreed with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on the second term bid of Governor Babatunde Fashola. Oba Akiolu insisted that Asiwaju must return Fashola because he knows that the Fashola administration has the overwhelming support of the people and due to the pressure, Asiwaju mellowed down and gave Fashola the ticket. The same thing will happen this time around as well. The tested and trusted other aspirants will be given the edge. What selfless service has Ambode given Lagosians? He has never contested an election and he hasn’t faced the crowd before. We won’t be toiling day and night as politicians and when it is time to hold political offices, they will now be telling us that they want technocrats. Where are those technocrats when we were forming the party? Where were the technocrats when we were mobilising and registering members

‘Implosion can’t be ruled out if Tinubu does not allow the wish of the people to prevail on who becomes the governor’

for the party? The best government so far in Lagos happens to be that of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, a politician. His administration is better than that of Fashola even in the face of enormous resources we have now. Everything you see in Lagos is a build-up from Alhaji Jakande’s government. So, I can’t rule out the fact that some powers that be might be behind the statement credited to Akiolu. But the Kabiyesi should let us know who, where and when the elders and stakeholders he mentioned took that decision to endorse Ambode? Akiolu needs attention and everything is just politics. Are you saying that traditional rulers don’t have a say in the political system of their domain and can’t express their opinion? Traditional rulers have their rights to vote as a Nigerian and not to be voted for because they are already a custodian of traditional mandate. Their office is for all political parties and they have the traditional rights to bless the aspiration of every aspirant. Oba Akiolu did not mention any other Oba but stakeholders and chiefs. Are you telling me that Oba of Ikorodu is a chief not an Oba? Are you saying Elepe of Epe, Oba of Mushin, Akran of Badagry, Oba of Agege are chiefs? They might be under you as chairman of Lagos State Council of Obas, but they should not be referred to as chiefs. It is an insult on those Obas. Already some of the Obas have come out to say they didn’t take such decision to endorse anyone. Elepe of Epe has already called for neutrality among traditional rulers that they are not aware where stakeholders took such decision. You see, the role of traditional rulers should be in advisory role. Constitutional roles for traditional rulers would undermine their roles and influence. They have enough responsibilities in their hands. Do you see implosion coming up in APC over the issue in question? That can’t be ruled out if Asiwaju Tinubu does not allow the wish of the people and stakeholders to prevail regarding who becomes the governor, there may be unrest which opposition might capitalise on. I can assure you that the youth in the party are angry over some of these developments. For me, I still don’t believe that Asiwaju has anointed Ambode. We want a politician as the governor because it is only a politician that knows what happens in the grassroots. You see, Fashola is not a technocrat because he was a chief of staff for six years under Tinubu and by that he has been inducted as a politician. The governorship race in APC is still open and we believe our party would pick the right politician for the task.

FACEOFF | POLITICS

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He has right to back any candidate – Oyewuwo Alhaji Fatai Oyewuwo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) believes that Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty (Oba) Rilwan Akiolu has the right to endorse any candidate of his choice for Lagos State governorship. Oyewuwo, a former Lagos State chapter Vice Chairman (West) of Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Action Congress (AC) in this interview with TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE also speaks on the need for public office aspirants to seek the blessing and support of traditional rulers. How do you see the recent endorsement of Mr. Akin Ambode by the Oba of Lagos? As far as I am concern, there is no candidate of our party as at this time, therefore we cannot be talking about endorsement. The party has set rules and at the appropriate time it would come out with guidelines, which every contenders or aspirants must follow. Once there is no primary or any reached consensus, we cannot say we have endorsed anybody. Talking about the endorsement by Oba of Lagos, the monarch has his personal right to have interest in any aspirant who might have consulted him. The stage we are now, even though it was not announced or pronounced, the first thing for any aspirant is to start consultation with his family and friends and that would be followed by awareness, which will still be within his friends and mobilisers. So, I am not saying what the oba did is right or wrong but I concede it to him that he has his own choice of a candidate who may have met him. Before the advent of the military in government, the traditional rulers had the powers of nominating, selecting and recommending but it is also equally good for the traditional rulers to be advisers; fathers for all politicians. In Nigeria today, we have several political parties but if I should limit it to Lagos, the major parties in the state are primarily two; All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). So, between these two parties, naturally we would have people who are gunning to wrestle power from incumbent Governor Babatunde Fashola. So, each of them in a political party have a right to meet with the traditional rulers for their blessings and support but there are different types of categories of monarch. Some of them are not really politicians but for anybody coming to them, seeking their support, it would not be wise for any traditional ruler to reject any aspirant because he has already given his support to someone. Their own is to pray for the best candidate to emerge and for God in His infinity mercy to give us the best person that would cater for the majority of the citizens.

say this is my candidate and while leaving where he said it, there would still be some people that will say that is not their own candidate. Even some of us who are party leaders, we may have our choice candidate and people are coming to us but it will not be wise for us to start carrying it about because we may never know who will emerge eventually if we lay the rules on the table. So, he is entitled to his own opinion. I have not seen him attending our meetings but he is free. What if other two or three more aspirants go to him tomorrow, they are his subjects; he will not drive them away.

In your own view, do you think it is right for the Oba of Lagos to have endorsed a particular aspirant among many aspirants that are aspiring for Lagos State governorship? He has his own choice, which he has made but he is not the alpha and omega within the party. He might even know some of the powers that be in the top hierarchy of the party; he might be talking to them and at the end of the day he may win or lose. So, I am not saying he has no right to support a candidate of his choice but when you are talking about an endorsement; that means giving final say on the choice of the people. He might

Since it is expected for traditional rulers to play a role in the choice of who governs Lagos State, how then do you see the criticisms that trailed the endorsement of Ambode by the Oba from some quarters? While I do not want to ignore or rubbish anybody, it is not in our tradition either as a Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo or as a Nigerian to ignore, abuse or ridicule

So, you believe that there is nothing wrong in a traditional ruler endorsing or giving his blessing and support to a particular candidate for elective position? For any wise aspirant while he is concluding his campaign, if he is sensible, would still go to all the traditional rulers living within the state. Because if he snubs them by not going to them, the traditional rulers he snubbed may organise some people and asked them not to vote for him. So, it is an indirect way of canvassing for the best candidate. I know the oba would wish that the best candidate should duly emerge and take over the number one seat of Lagos State politically. So you believe that the roles of traditional rulers are very important in the choice of who becomes the next governor of Lagos State. Yes, any aspirant who shuns them is at his own peril. The first stage to getting the governorship ticket, like I said earlier, is starting with family and friends because charity begins at home, so aspirant needs to inform his people first about his aspiration. Next is consultation, third is awareness and the awareness is about pasting posters or organising mobilisers and foot-soldiers that will be campaigning for him in his own little way. So, those are the stages until it gets to when the party will come out with guidelines for conduct of the party’s primary.

Oyewuwo

traditional rulers. They are the custodian of our authority. I read it sometime ago when people were saying what is the business of the monarch in the choice of who becomes Lagos State governor. He has a business in who emerges but we have different ways of expressing our views. He chose an opportunity to air his views and that may even be a way of scaring other aspirants not to join the race believing that since the Oba of Lagos, as the number one traditional ruler in the state has endorsed someone. That may even influence lesser challenge. We (APC) have taken one huge step by zoning the governorship to a particular senatorial district. Although some of our people are arguing that rather than zoning the governorship to senatorial district, why not zone it to a division in Lagos State, we have five divisions. We can use division when it comes to appointment of political office but for the governorship, it would augur well for our party to zone it to senatorial district because what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. So, it is better to give everybody a chance rotationally within the three senatorial districts. Are you saying APC has already zoned its governorship candidate to Lagos

‘He has a business in who emerges but we have different way of expressing our views’

East Senatorial District? Yes, that is the first thing we have done and that would reduce tension. It would lessen unnecessary expenditure we subject our people to. Where is the money these days for anybody to squander only to be disappointed? Primarily that sometime would cost us losing some more members to the opposition, which we don’t want to do. It is better now that everybody knows that the governorship has been zoned to Lagos East Senatorial district, which comprises five local governments; Somolu, Kosofe, Ikorodu, Epe and Ibeju-Lekki. Although nobody has personally come to me to seek for my support, there is nothing wrong for any interested aspirant to go to people and seek their support. Including the traditional rulers? Including the obas. Even after anybody has emerged, if he is in his right senses, he should visit all the traditional rulers again for their blessings rotationally and not to focus on only one traditional ruler. Whoever emerges as the party’s candidates should seek the blessings and support of the traditional rulers. He should travel round the state to seek f o r their support.

50 Politics

Insurgency is sheer criminality –Ali Ndume

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, in this interview with CHUKWU DAVID speaks on the insurgency, why Northern Senators supported extension of emergency, among other national issues.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 june 2014

Could you explain the horse-trading that took place before the Northern Senators’ Forum shifted ground to support the extension of the state of emergency in the North-East? Well, as you are aware, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan requested for authorisation for the extension of the state of emergency twice. Unfortunately, things got from bad to worse. And so, when Mr. President brought the request for the extension of the emergency rule for the third time, as Senators, we said this is not something that we will just give a blanket approval again. We resolved that we will sit down, analyse the situation of things in that area vis-a-vis the existing emergency rule and find out why the situation degenerated from bad to worse. And then, we did a lot of consultation as representatives of the people. We received so many calls and text messages from our people that we should not approve the extension of the state of emergency because it has worsened the security situation in the North-East zone. So, when our people expressed that position to our members in the National Assembly, before the request was passed, as we were debating whether to approve it or not, they fortunately understood us, and requested that we should insist on certain safeguards to be put in place as conditions to enable the emergency rule to achieve its prime objectives this time. One of these key conditions, is that the service chiefs including the National Security Adviser (NSA), should be first invited by the Senate at plenary to explain to us why the extension was necessary and why the previous ones failed to address the security challenges in that area. So, when we heard from the security chiefs in a closed-doors session, we also asked them questions. We now resolved to go back to our constituents and leaders and consult with them on what the security chiefs had told us. And we also requested that the leadership of the National Assembly should consult with the governors of the three affected states and also encouraged the President to consult and discuss with the governors of the three affected states which he did. We got the reports back from the Senate leadership; and we, the nine of us, Senators from the three affected states, sat down on Tuesday morning that week, with the Senate President (David Mark) to discuss the details because he who wears the shoes, knows where it pinches and how severe the pinch is. We discussed elaborately. Even before then, the Northern Senators’ position was that we are not going to approve the extension of the state of emergency. But we had a caveat that day, that if we have to, then it has to be with some conditions and not business as usual. That was what we did at the Senate chamber that day at the plenary. Our colleagues agreed with us and gave us (Northern and North-East Senators) unanimous support. That was why the motion was just passed as it was. You are also aware that there were about eight conditions that are now attached to that approval. These conditions are not something unusual, but they are geared towards achieving the purpose for which the state of emergency was declared. We feel that if these conditions are adhered to, we will see the end of insurgency in the shortest possible time. Do you support international assistance to secure the release of over 200 abducted students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok? Let me even tell you that l am totally in support of all those conditions stated for the approval of the extension of the emergency rule, including the Senate declaration of support for foreign intervention which you are talking about. I was even part of the Senate drafting committee of those conditions. I agree intoto with the conditions so stated therein as part of what we agreed in the Senate.

It has been allowed to linger for over five years until it became a monster What inspires your optimism that conditions attached for the extension of emergency rule would help reduce terrorist activities in the North East? I like the use of that word curtail because the issue of insurgency is something you can curtail but not eliminate permanently or reduce to a zero level within the shortest possible time. But the intensity and the way the insurgency has taken over, including maiming and killing of our people, is very alarming. But if these actions were taken, it will bring the insurgency activities to a minimum level. We hope that it can be totally eliminated. But with the history of insurgency that we know all over the world, we may not be able to wipe them out overnight. There is no society without criminality and criminals. So we are hoping that once those measures contained in the conditions are implemented, I think we will see the end of insurgency in the country. Senator Ahmed Zannah alleged the other day that the military authorities have not been cooperating with NorthEast Senators and Borno Senators in particular. He also alleged that all the intelligence information being given to the military authorities regarding the activities of the insurgents and their itinerary with the abducted girls were ignored by the army. In your view, what is actually happening? Well, this is an area too that we have worked on and l think it is going to improve, especially with the appointment of the new chief of army staff, who is very serious about this issue at hand. You know, this problem of insurgency was initially politiised and trivialised. It was given a religious coloration, which made people to think that it was a problem of the North-East. At one time, it was thought to be a religious problem. At another time, it was also thought it was a tribal problem. Instead of looking at the insurgency problem for what it is, which is sheer criminality and address it the way other countries did, the government was playing politics with it and trivialising the issue and giving it a religious coloration. This monster was allowed to grow to a point where it is almost consuming the country. It’s better late than never that the country is standing up to it now. But the issue of Boko Haram or insurgency specifically, has now matured to a level that it is now difficult to tackle after lots of lives and properties have been damaged. A lot of lives have been lost for us to see clearly that it is not a religious matter. It is not an issue that you can say that so and so people are behind it. This is real criminality and calamity that is facing the country now and it should be addressed as such and as early as possible. Unfortunately, it has been allowed to linger for over five years until it became a monster. But that does not mean that a country like Nigeria cannot tame that monster. When you blame the government for trivialising the issue of insurgency in the North East, are you talking about the federal or Borno state government? The Federal Government, of course. Section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is very clear on the issue of security and welfare of Nigerians as the primary purpose of governance. And the security which is the army, police and related security forces, are in the hands of the Commander-inChief of the nation’s Armed Forces. In the states, the governors are the chief security officers. But the buck stops at the Presidents table. So Mr. President has the CONTINUED ON PAGE 51

POLITICS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 june 2014

‘I am optimistic on Chibok girls’ C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 5 0

responsibility of the states and the federal governments. Although l am not actually putting blames on anybody, the issue is not about apportioning blames on anybody. We are just looking at the history of the present insurgency in our country. But the fact still remains that when this thing (insurgency) started, instead of looking for solutions, government was busy looking for scapegoats. People were being accused of complicity in the Boko Haram menace instead of seeking cooperation from them to solve the emerging problem at hand. Those that were supposed to provide necessary information, were being pointed out as the accused. So everybody took cover in other to hide themselves from the authorities. There was a time and even till now, that if you provide information about Boko Haram to the government, they will come after you. The government will treat you as a suspect. We had these cases of people being blackmailed and persecuted just because they are critical of certain things or policies of government or even the way they are handling the present security situation. Senators like me from Borno State have been given all sorts of names blindly and ignorantly. I particularly have been persecuted and prosecuted for saying that l spoke with somebody on the phone that is a Boko Haram member. When the federal government initially wanted to declare a state of emergency in the North-East, the elders of the North were opposed to it. Don’t you think that inspired government reluctance in applying a full scale military operation to combat the insurgency menace? When the Federal Government demanded for a declaration of a state of emergency, we, the elders in the North particularly in the North-East, unanimously gave our blanket support to it. Even in the Senate, we did not even debate it. Even the second state of emergency which came by extension, we did not debate it. We gave government total approval because we felt there was a need for that emergency rule to be in place to enable Mr. President to take extra ordinary measure to curb the existing situation of insecurity. Initially

they were recording success. Boko Haram insurgents were pushed back and chased away further. Government took pro-active measures instead of reactive measures. But after some time, they reverted to reactive measures and became demobilised. The securities were in one place waiting for Boko Haram instead of going after them. When they drove the Boko Haram members out of Borno North where they were occupying, they found out a more convenient place in Sambisa forest. They did not chase them in Sambisa; so they found it very convenient to launch attacks from there. They targeted villages and towns, killing people massively. That is why we hear of people being killed in their hundreds. Why our elders from the North-East zone rejected the extension of the emergency rule this time, was because the situation has gone from bad to worse and the casualty figures are glaring. There were about twenty four attacks after the declaration of the state of emergency. Specifically, from October last year to now, there were twenty four deadly attacks in and none Borno State o f t h e in-

We are supposed to have an army that has personnel of at least two or three million surgents was either arrested or even killed. So the situation as it is, was getting bad. That was why our elders said, as the representatives of our people, that we should not extend it because by extending it, the situation is going to go further worse than it was before, because that is what has happened. But with these stringent conditions attached to this present extension of emergency rule, if they are adhered to, we are hopeful that that situation will not be the case. Was sabotage probably the main reason why the military operation in the NorthEast against the insurgents failed? Well, let me say this to you. I am an optimistic and realistic person. You cannot say in a situation like this or in any other situation for that matter where you have a great number of people, that you can’t have bad eggs. And those bad eggs usually involve in activities which include sabotage. But the responsibility of governance and leadership, is to be positive. Sabotage is usually present in all situations even in your own house if you look out for it. But if you don’t watch out for it, then you will be surprised what will happen in one day. So, government should have it at the back of its mind that there can be sabotage and care should be taken to avoid such. One of the conditions given by the Senate before approving the extension of the emergency rule is that the local civillian JTF should be recruited into the army to assist in the fight against the insurgency. Are these people going to remain permanent in the army or would they be discharged or withdrawn once the war against terror is over? Why should they be withdrawn or discharged? These are people who can make or will make a career in the army. And the Nigerian army is grossly inadequate in terms of manpower. A population of over 160 million people, you have less than two hundred thousand of all the forces which includes the army, navy and the air force. We are supposed to have an army

that has personnel of at least two or three million. Egypt that is about eighty million has about three million policemen and women. In Nigeria, we have less than four hundred thousand policemen. Our country’s military forces are just too small. Since we have this army of youths that are unemployed, the senate then thought it wise to employ these people that are ready to go and fight. They are not people who enlist in the Nigerian army to get a job. Somebody who is going there to get a job is not ready to die. We do not want a situation where people will run away when they encounter Boko Haram. But here, you have youths with sticks and local matches with which they go after Boko Haram. If you are going to recruit truely, who are you going to recruit first between the civillian volunteer JTF and those who want to enlist in the army because they want jobs? Recruitment in this case, does not mean that the Nigerian Army cannot recruit from other areas. But we have a danger zone in the country now and we need to recruit the number we need now to protect that area so that these youths can help us face the problem at hand. The Nigerian Army needs to be built up. They need to be well trained and well equipped. If we have sufficient number of military personnel, this issue of Boko Haram wouldn’t have come to this level. A provision for an intervention fund has also been made by the senate among their conditions for the approval of extension of the emergency rule. We are also aware that similar measures have been provided in the case of the Niger Delta which from all available indications has not been well utilised. What is the guarantee that we won’t have similar case of misapplication of the funds? The problem that we have in these states affected by insurgency and that of the Niger Delta is not the same. You have militants and people coming in to register as militants. But in this case, you have people that their properties have been destroyed. There must be evidence to that effect, so that there will be genuine bases for them to be assisted. Government can still inspect the houses burnt before assistance can be given to them. So, application of this fund, if made available, will strictly go to rehabilitation or resettling of people that are displaced entirely as a result of the insurgency activities. That is why even the international community are willing to assist because we are talking about humanitarian crisis now. It’s not like the Niger Delta which is economically deprived from the resources that are coming from their backyard or people who lack infrastructural development, or their environment is being degraded where they go and do their fishing or their little farming. These are different scenarios. That is why the chance of misapplication or misappropriation of funds was noticeable. Do you think that the abducted Chibok students will ever be found or rescued as the whole world is demanding? Well, l am not a security expert, but we thank God that the international community and the whole world are with Nigeria in this search for these missing girls. And a situation where the whole world is involved in the search for these girls, l am very hopeful that we will get them back alive and as soon as possible. If it were Nigeria alone searching for these girls, my hope would have been dimmed. But having seen those girls on that video, has given us hope that they are alive. And with the recent cooperation from the four neighbouring countries like Chad, Cameroun, Mali and Niger, there is hope that the girls would be found and also the menace of this insurgency would be severely curtailed, if not possibly eliminated.

SEGUN EDWARDS olaedwards@yahoo.com 08111813095

Companies & Stock 7 JUNE 2014

Can Total Nigeria sustain third year profit recovery?

otal Nigeria has been on a profit recovery trend for the past two years but the oil marketer is facing the task of been able to maintain the trend this year. Profit improvement decelerated in 2013 and a decline looks likely for the company based on the first quarter performance. This is so, because despite two years of recovery, the company’s profit has remained below the 2011 peak record of N5.44 billion. A sustained recovery could have established a new profit high for the company this year but a profit decline in the first quarter may follow it to full year if the growth rate fails to accelerate in the course of the year. Its Managing Director/CEO, A. Vovk, has defended profit margin in the past three years at about 2.2 per cent but this time whatever strategy that worked for him in the past seems to be failing. Profit margin has declined from 2.2 per cent at the end of 2013 to 1.8 per cent in the first quarter. This reflects the company’s inability to grow sales revenue as well as reduce costs sufficiently. Sales revenue declined slightly in the first quarter at N60.59billion for the company from the corresponding figure in 2013. Based on the first quarter growth rate, turnover is projected at N245 billion for Total Nigeria in 2014. This will be a marginal improvement of 2.9% over the company’s sales revenue figure of N238.16 billion at the end of 2013. The indication is that revenue slow down is expected to continue for the company this year. Revenue growth had decelerated from 25.3 per cent in 2012 to 9.3 per cent in 2013 and a further slow down is anticipated at current growth rate. The company has maintained a continuing growth in revenue over the past three years after a drop in 2010. Against a slight decline in sales revenue, net profit declined at a

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TOP FIVE BY VOLUME TRADED Symbol

Volume Traded

Volume (N)

Closing Price (N)

Change (N)

TRANSCORP

36,346,392

156,091,313.79

4.39

0.24

UBA

17,684, 760

133, 475, 248.94

7.55

0.05

GUARANTY

17,116, 298

513, 359, 307.72

30.00

(0.06)

MBENEFIT

10, 936, 450

5, 468, 225.00

0.50

0.00

OANDO

9,111, 494

182, 636, 599.53

19.98

0.98

Nigeria tops AfDB’s ownership with 9.2% holdings

Managing Director/CEO, Vovk

faster pace for Total Nigeria at the end of the first quarter. Net profit amounted to N1.07 billion for the company during the period, which is a decline of 6.6 per cent over the corresponding figure in the preceding year. Based on the first quarter growth rate, net profit is projected at N4.75 billion for the company at the end of 2014. This will be a decline of 11 per cent from the net profit figure of N5.33 billion the company posted in 2013. The company has been rebuilding its profit in the past two years after a major drop in 2011. The re-

covery process may therefore be interrupted this year and the possibility of attaining a new profit high in 2014 is significantly reduced by the first quarter performance. Loss of profit margin has happened to other oil marketers in the first quarter. For instance, Mobil Oil Nigeria saw a sharp drop in net profit margin from 4.4 per cent at the end of last year to 1.7 per cent in the first quarter. Forte Oil, leading the oil marketing group this year on profit margin, recorded a decline in net profit margin from 3.9 per cent in the 2013 full year to 3.2 per cent in the first quarter. Silarly. MRS has managed to defend its already tiny profit margin at 0.7 per cent over the same period. Profit margin is constrained for Total Nigeria from both angles of costs and revenue. While earnings declined, costs claimed increased shares of turnover. Cost of sales increased by 3.7 per cent to N53.5 billion year-on-year against the 0.7 per cent decline in sales revenue. That caused a more rapid decline of 8.0 per cent in gross profit, which amounted to N7.10 billion in the first quarter. Gross profit margin therefore declined from 12.6 per cent in the first quarter of last year to 11.7 per cent in the current year.

igeria has emerged the largest shareholder in the African Development Bank (AfDB) with the highest voting power of 9.2 per cent. Minister of Finance and the coordinating Minister for the economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, who disclosed this at the 50th Anniversary Dinner of the bank organised by its country office in Abuja, said the Federal Government had a 1.6 billion dollars loans portfolio from the AfDB for 28 projects that cut across private and public sector activities in the country. She explained that Nigeria had been a principal beneficiary of AfDB’s assistance, having received almost five billion dollars in net investments since the bank commenced its operation in 1972. Okonjo-Iweala said that Nigeria had remained committed to the development course of the bank since 1986 when the country established a Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF) within the institution. “We set up this money as a means of helping countries that were less fortunate and ourselves at the height of the oil boom of the 1970s,“ she said. The minister said that the trust fund started with about 80 million dollars, adding that the fund grew to more than 600 million dollars in few years. Okonjo-Iweala said that the fund had serviced and benefited so many countries with 88 key operations among 34 regional

Nascon set to step further low on 2014 profit

ational Salt Company of Nigeria is losing on both sales revenue and profit fronts this year and that could lead to a stronger fall in profit at full year. The company lost sales revenue last year and further losses were reported in the first quarter in the current year. It may be able to prevent turnover from declining for the second year but with loss of profit margin, the profit slip in 2013 could accelerate to a wider decline at the end of the current year. The salt manufacturing company is experiencing a bitter taste of declining earnings and rising cost. These adverse developments constitute the challenges that shareholders will be looking up to Mr. Ade Adeniji, the company’s managing director/chief executive officer to overcome this year. Unless he succeeds in either propping up sales volume or peg-

ging costs, shareholders should expect another year of inability to improve their lot. At the end of the first quarter, sales revenue amounted to N2.69 billion, which is a decline of 3.2% over the first quarter figure in 2013. If the first quarter growth rate is maintained, full year turnover is projected to be in the region of N11.5 billion for Nascon in 2014. This will be an improvement of 6.0% over the full year turnover of N10.84 the company posted at

the end of 2013. Part of the earnings weakness reflects a drop over 73% in investment income during the period. Sales revenue had dropped by 19.2% in 2013 from the company’s peak revenue figure of N13.41 billion in 2012. Revenue growth needs to accelerate in the subsequent quarters for the full year earnings outlook to improve. Revenue growth had been fairly stable for the company until last year. A reasonable growth is needed this

Aliko Dangote

year for the company to be able to defend its bottom line position. The company earned a net profit of N553 million in the first quarter, a drop of 19.5% year-on-year. After tax profit is projected at N2.3 billion for Nascon in 2014. This indicates a drop of 14.8% from the full year net profit figure of about N2.7 billion recorded in 2013. Profit growth is therefore expected to accelerate in the course of the year.

member countries. She said the country also followed up the fund with a trust fund called the Nigerian Technical Cooperation Fund (NTCF) of 25 million dollars of grant resources. “This fund is to assist in the preparation and implementation of development projects and programmes of countries that are less fortunate than ourselves and poorer countries within the continent, “ she said. Okonjo-Iweala said the country maintained a strong macroeconomic stance which had given her a platform within which to leverage the needed structural and sectoral reforms in key sectors. She said that the diversification of the economy really showed off in the rebasing exercise which showed that the service sector was the leading sector at 51 per cent.

CBN to delay cut in rates until 2015

lans by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to cut interest rates may not materialise until after the conclusion of nation’s general elections in February 2015. This was disclosed by the new Governor of the apex bank Godwin Emefiele, who told Reuters that the any such plan would not be embarked in the immediate term giving assurance that anything in that regard will be only be considered after the presidential election in February 2015. The new CBN Governor, who assumed office on June 3, had signalled a dovish tone on interest rates in his first news conference, saying he would seek a gradual reduction in rates, which have been stuck at 12 percent for more than two years. Emefiele, however told Reuters yesterday that the bank sees interest rate as something “aspirational”, to be pursued only if monetary and other economic conditions allow. The apex bank retained the monetary policy rate (MPC), known as interest rate consecutively unchanged at 12 per cent since 2011, , citing the potential risks occasioned by pressures from the fiscal activities of the government. The apex bank also upheld the 50 per cent cash reserve requirement (CRR) on public funds as well as 12 per cent for private sector deposits in deposit money banks.

COMMENTARY

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 june 2014

Before We Forget!

Yusuph Olaniyonu

he pressure on governments in our country to document, dramatise, advertise and celebrate their achievements, no matter how modest or little, stems from the tendency of our people to easily and quickly forget the difference which such achievements have brought to their lives. Often, our people shake off the effects of what used to be and live what presently obtains as if the present condition has always been the norm. The difference between the old times and the present situation easily pales into insignificance. The result is that governments at local, state or federal levels are tempted to spend significant time and resources to put on record what positive difference they have brought to the people. It is the era of what government information organs now call the ‘before and after’. Officials of these organs are constantly reminded, even by members of the public, of the need to ensure that they record what the old structure or situation is and place it side by side the new ones so that people can appreciate what the incumbent government has achieved. While seeking to satisfy this demand for ‘before and after’, some governments end up spending more money than the cost of a new project to advertise or commission it. Perhaps, this is one of the prices we need to pay as our democracy trudges on into maturity stage. However, let me also use this medium to demonstrate how easy it is for our people to forget what used to be and live today as if there was never a yesterday. At several fora, the present government in my state led by Senator Ibikunle Amosun is often commended for its achievements in rebuilding the infrastructure, democratizing access to education and returning quality to the sector, making the state an investors’ destination of choice, thereby creating employment opportunities, growing the internally generated revenue and aggressively creating new opportunities in the housing and urban development sector. However, it usually baffles me how such commentators take for granted the efforts of the government in creating a safe, secure and conducive environment for people to live, do business and recreate. For those who know what obtained in Ogun State, particularly between 2006 and 2011, one of the remarkable achievements of the Amosun administration should be that it returned sanity to the state and ended the era where violence enjoyed official endorsement. In the pre-Amosun Ogun State, violent crimes directed at people, their property and psyche was the order of the day. Top government officials undisguisedly promoted and sponsored cult groups in higher institutions. People were openly attacked and a culture of silence was imposed on the people. The official name of the head of government was ‘the Lion’ and many of his key aides claim to be ‘tigers’, making deliberate attempt to spread fear among the people. During those dark days, hit men were constantly recruited among cult groups on campuses in the state tertiary institutions, security agencies, unofficial security groups and others. It was then easy to buy guns in Ogun State as it was easy to buy cans of coca-cola. Many government officials could produce different brands of guns from their vehicles and they use them to terrorise innocent people at the slightest provocation. Those who believe I am exaggerating should read the book by a senior official of that government and a close confidant of the then governor. The author detailed series of violent events staged with official support. The doubting thomases should also check out the views of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, an army General and war veteran while speaking at the State Christmas Carol service held in Abeokuta on December 22, 2013. The former president, while stating that ‘things are getting better in Ogun State’,

Even the Governor drives himself around town and mingles with the ordinary folks as he daily inspects different on-going projects narrated how he often watched with dismay from his hilltop residence, how dead bodies were daily evacuated from the premises of the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, before the present administration came into office. Though most of these violent activities were organized for political purposes - to silence the opposition and perpetuate the reigning tendency- they have serious economic implications for the state. The proliferation of guns and the official protection for criminals upped the rate of robbery across the state. It scared many indigenes away from home. The situation was so bad then. So bad, that banks located in some sections of Ogun State, particularly the eastern and western parts, refused to open to customers. They closed their doors after suffering several robbery attacks. People were forced to come to the state capital for financial transactions. Many of such people ended up being robbed on their way back home. So, what exactly did the present government do to change the situation? It used a combination of strategic deployment of resources and official change of attitude. The first thing the Amosun government did was to make heavy investment in security apparatus after a comprehensive need assessment made in collaboration with security agencies in the state. This resulted in the purchase of 13 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), over 200 Hilux vans equipped with communication equipment and supply of other necessary security gadgets to the security agencies. The government secured the posting of more mobile policemen to the state and therefore formed a new anti-crime unit called Op-Mesa. A joint police-military patrol operations team was also created. The anticrime operation is being specially funded by the state government. The government also launched a Security Trust Fund to create regular source of funding. The fund is headed by Col. Kayode Areh, a former Director General of the State Security Service (SSS). Again, the government sent a clear signal that there will be no form of patronage for cultists or thugs in the state. So, whoever runs foul of the law will face the consequence of his or her temerity. More importantly, the government deliberately re-orientated the people and created a relaxed atmosphere across the state. Apart from the governor, deputy governor, speaker and maybe two other people, no other government official has any form of security arrangement around them. Top government officials submit themselves to general security arrangement as is available to other residents and visitors to the state. Even the Governor drives himself around town and mingles with the ordinary folks as he daily inspects different on-going projects. Neither the Governor nor other officials is allowed to use siren. All these symbolic representations have assured the people that it is a new dawn and the government is people-friendly. Now, the opposition and other critics can freely express their opinions. It is now a contest of ideas and healthy exchange of words, no exchange of gun-shots. The state-owned media is now open to all political tendencies. The culture of violence and silence is dead. There is now an open, free and orderly society in Ogun. Perhaps, before we forget, I should remind commentators on developments in Ogun State that it is not just about physical transformation. The sub-structure of the on-going Mission to Rebuild our state is the safe environment created by the present government. • Olaniyonu is Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ogun State.

Gov. Obiano and APGA chairman, Victor Umeh, Savour the moment of victory

Obiano’s Tribunal victory: When the lines fall in pleasant places Onukwube Ikokwuadirom

n moments the scene exploded with colours - yellow, green, black and all. The flags flayed in the evening wind. A light drizzle opened up from the pregnant clouds above, washing the dust off the swaying flags, their clothes and their feet. Their voices rose in an animated chant. It was a chant of victory. Their man, Chief Willie Obiano’s victory at the polls has once more been affirmed by the Tribunal. Their joy was understandable. Anambra State is finally on the rebound. After months of intense legal swordplay, the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka has ruled in their favour and made victory a certainty. Now, there would be no break in the steady progression from Agulu to Aguleri and its transformative effects on Ndi Anambra. Now, there is a sense in which onye Anambra, proud and unbending as always, can say to his or herself; “we are finally back on the track.” Neither would it be entirely out of place if he or she chose to echo the Psalm that influenced the title of this piece – the lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places, yeah, I have a goodly heritage. Indeed, for Ndi Anambra, it is increasingly beginning to look like a goodly heritage. Anyone who has followed the sweeping changes brought by the administration of Chief Willie Obiano in the last two months will be hard-pressed to draw a different conclusion. It is fascinating how the trajectory of greatness begun by debonair and unassuming governor Peter Obi has been sustained and expanded by the stylish and charismatic Willie Obiano. The judgement delivered Wednesday in Awka by the Justice Ishaq Bello-led Election Petitions Tribunal has assured that there is no break in Anambra’s sturdy march to greatness. Prior to the judgement, prominent opposition figures in the state had sought to halt Anambra’s resurgence with a rash of litigations. Some had sounded so preposterous that you would almost be excused if you thought that some people’s desperation had driven them to a point of thoughtlessness. The charge of multiple registrations is a good case in point. Even if Chief Obianohad no other pastime, he would have found the presumed frequent

Dismissing the petition from Chike Obidigbo, Justice Bello opined that he had no locus standi to challenge Obiano’s election under section 137 of the Electoral Act 2010

trips to registration centers a little burdensome. Yet, the opposition had made a swan song of this frivolous charge, alleging that Obiano had registered more than two times, some claimed that he had four voter’s cards, actually. But in what has been largely hailed as a brilliant interpretation of the electoral laws of the country, Justice Ishaq Bello and his team had exposed the bagful of lies that the opposition hoped to ride on to victory. In four separate judgements delivered to tumultuous approval in Awka, Justice Bello threw out all the petitions seeking to torpedo Obiano and upheld him as the validly elected governor of Anambra State. Dismissing the petition from ChikeObidigbo, Justice Bello opined that he had no locus standi to challenge Obiano’s election under section 137 of the Electoral Act 2010. Driving the final nail in Obidigbo’s legal coffin, Justice Bello observed that “it is highly illogical, inconceivable and injurious for APGA which won an election to petition itself at the tribunal,” in a veiled reference to the fact that Obidigbo was making a plea as an APGA candidate and not a candidate aspiring to unseat Obiano from another party platform. Rubbing the mud deeper into Obidigbo’s skin, Justice Bello further observed that his failure to produce Forms CF001 and CF002, cast a huge doubt on his claim of nomination as a candidate in the election. Indeed, Obidigbo’s petition had seemed preposterous from the outset. People had expressed horror at the first hearing of the suit but the entire drama had been rescued by the theatrical skills of his attorney whose performance had drawn some complements from the Tribunal Chairman. In much the same way, the Tribunal Chairman crumpled the charges of multiple registrations against Obiano like a disused tissue paper and cast them aside. “In our view, the case of multiple registrations is baseless; the submission that Obiano’s voter’s card is a forged document is misconceived,” the judge declared, pointing out that the petitioner’s failure to call INEC to testify to its claim that Obiano possessed multiple voter’s cards had completely invalidated the petition and consequently tossed the curious petition to an inglorious corner. On the charge of disenfranchisement by Senator Ngige’s legal team, Justice Bello held that the witnesses brought by the petitioner failed woefully to produce the voters’ register to demonstrate how they were disenfranchised in the election and that the petitioner also failed to prove that the failure of all INEC staff to swear an oath of neutrality substantially affected the validity of the poll. Ngige’s attorneys had alleged disenfranchisement of voters, invalid voters register, multiple registration by Obiano and corrupt practices as some of the electoral malpractices that substantially marred the poll.

54 NEWS EXTRA

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2014

ENUGU FG okays two staple crop processing zones N EWS I N BRIEF

Two Staple Food Processing zones will be established in the SouthEast in line with the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the Federal Government. A Director in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Uche Nwafor, said this known when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu yesterday. He said: “The two sites are located at the two adjoining communities of Omor and Adani in Anambra and Enugu States, respectively.”

186.1

FCT

MARINA Plateau cleans up scenes of bomb blast

Plateau State Commissioner of Environment, Silvanus Dangtoe, said the ministry has step up efforts to clear and fumigate the scene of the recent Jos twin bomb blasts to make the environment conducive for business activities as part of their activities for the World Environmental Day. He noted that the ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resource and Information and Communication have launched a campaign to create awareness within Jos and its environs. Dongtoe, who stated this in an interview with the New Telegraph yesterday in Jos, said the administration of Governor Jonah Jang was committed towards providing an enabling environment to boost the economy of the state.

The number of newspaper journalists per 1m inhabitants of Chile in 2004. Source: Blatantworld.com

945,087

The total area (in sq. km) of Tanzania. Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

‘Nigeria generates 65m tonnes of waste annually’

The Waste Management Society of Nigeria (WAMASON) has decried the absence of waste management infrastructure that could recycle the 65 million tonnes of waste annually in the country. The National President of the society, Mr. Ruben Ossai, said in Abuja, to mark the 2014 World Environment Day. He identified Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano as the cities that generate the highest amount of waste in the country. According to him, Port Harcourt generates 6,000 tonnes daily, while Kano and Abuja generate 7,000 tonnes and 2,000 tonnes of waste respectively with Lagos accounting for 1,000 tonnes.

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Botswana in 2011. Source: Itu.int

Ogun APC crisis: We’ll face Amosun at elections, says Osoba INTRA-PARTY CRISIS The festering differences between Amosun and Osoba deepens Kunle Olayeni

Abeokuta

ormer Ogun State Governor and an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Olusegun Osoba, yesterday declared that he and his loyalists would face incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, during the forthcoming elections. He said this while reacting to the inauguration of APC state chairmen by the party’s Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, in Abuja on Thursday. Akande had inaugurated the factional APC chairman loyal to Amosun, Alhaji Rokeeb Adeniji, a development Osoba’s loyalists had kicked against. But speaking at a consultative meeting held at his Ibara GRA residence in Abeokuta, Osoba expressed displeasure at the decision of the APC national leadership to recognise the faction loyal to Amosun. He described Akande’s decision as “unjust and Onah Onah Onitsha

he National Conscience Party (NCP), Anambra State chapter has commended Governor Willie Obiano over his determination to flush out criminals in the state, urging him to use employment opportunities to fight crime.

provocation,” adding that it was an indication of the dangers ahead. “There is no greater provocation than the one we suffered yesterday. I saw it coming,” he stated. The former governor, however, ruled out the option of contesting the issue at the court, saying “this fight is political, it is not a judicial matter.” He also denied speculation that he and his loyalists would defect to the newlyregistered Unity Party of

Nigeria (UPN). Some of the chieftains in attendance were Senators Adegbenga Kaka (Ogun East), Gbenga Obadara (Ogun Central) and Akin Odunsi (Ogun West); Mr. Olumide Osoba, Mr. Adekunle Adeyemi, Mr. Bukunola Buraimoh. Also present were members of the state House of Assembly, including Daisi Elemide, Elizabeth Anifowoshe and Femi AllenTaylor as well as Chief Remilekun Bakare, and fac-

tional APC chairman loyal to Osoba, Chief Olu Agemo. Osoba alleged that the sum of N18,800,000 being the payment made by APC aspirants loyal to him for the recently concluded congresses were still lodged in the account of the party in Abuja. He said: “The fight is a political fight. Some people said we should go to court. I said this is not a judicial issue, it is political. If they are greater than us or not, let’s wait till the elections. We will wait for them at the poll.

We must reshape our democratic process for the better —Balarabe Musa Dahiru Suleiman

A Dutse

former governor of Kaduna State in the Second Republic, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, has called on the Federal Government to evolve a better democratic process, which will address the frequent deprivation of the citizens rights by its leaders. Speaking in Dutse yesterday, at a public lecture titled: “Democracy, the youth and quest for credible leadership”, Musa hinged the present deficiencies on corruption, insecurity, poverty, among others, stating that what Nigeria was witnessing at present could be likened to democracy of deprived right and privileges of the less privilege. He said: “Our democracy is in total disarray as it lacks basic concepts of

Stakeholders want Zamfara’s REC redeployed Mohammed Munirat Nasir GUSAU

ollowing the alleged irregularities that characterised the just concluded Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in some parts of Zamfara State, some stakeholders have called for the cancellation and conduct of a fresh exercise in order

L-R: Head of Department, Electrical and Electronics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Ogbonna Oparaku; Director of Administration, Ibru Group, Dr. Henry Mougho; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Adedayo Fashakin and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Energy Matters, Prof. Abubakar Sambo, at the presentation of awards of excellence to Mougho, Sambo and Oparaku at FUTA, Akure…recently

Use employment to fight crime, NCP tells Obiano The party also suggested that mass employment would be the best option as well as yield better result in the long term in engaging unemployed youths. Speaking during the induction of a House of Assembly aspirant for Ogbaru II State Constituency, Mr.

Arinze Nzelu, the National Chairman of the party, Unusa Tank, represented by the state Chairman, Peter Okala, urged Obiano to remain focused and tackle the issue of youth unemployment as panacea to solving insecurity in the state. Welcoming Nzelu into

the party, Okala who described NCP as youthbased party said the party would spring surprises in the next general election and called on all those who love Nigeria to join the party to bring the desired change that would bring adequate security ,

true democratic ideals. The present democracy is more than civilian rule due to its negative tendencies, such as denial of free and fair elections, disabuse of rule of law, question of impunity, among others.” Musa, who was the special guest speaker, advocated the overhauling of the nation’s political structure, including the reshaping of tertiary institutions for the better. “This could be achieved through upholding the principles of true democratic tenets in the adoption of free and fair elections to pave the way in producing credible leaders, arresting corruption among other social vices detriment to our development. On the theme, he called for concerted efforts on government at all levels to chart a new cause for both on future development, and youths development as leaders of tomorrow.

employment and sustainable peace in the country. He called on the governor to evolve a pragmatic measure towards engaging the youth in the agriculture sector so that the state would become one of the food baskets of the nation, adding that the party shall always

not to disfranchise many eligible voters in the state in the 2015 elections. Also, the stakeholders called for the redeployment of the state’s Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Jibril Zarewa, from the state. However, the stakeholders’ under the aegis of the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Decampees’ Forum claimed that Zarewa could not conduct a free, fair and acceptable elections in 2015 due to his alleged romance with the ruling All Progressives Congress-led government. Addressing journalists in Gusau yesterday, the Chairman of the forum, Alhaji Uba Abdullahi Ubama, said the way the CVR was conducted by the commission had shown that INEC was tilted towards ensuring that members of the APC got upper hand in the registration exercise. He described the situation where CVR was conducted in homes of some people instead of the designated polling units as unfortunate and deliberate attempt to disfranchise many PDP members in the state. support the genuine policies of the administration in the state to excel. Earlier, Nzelu had said his choice of joining NCP was informed by the leadership and the integrity of the political party, which he said would enthrone peaceful democracy in the country beyond other political parties.

SPORT EXTRA

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 7 june 2014

Ugboaja Basketball Camp opens in Uyo

TRANSFERS

jike Ugboaja Foundation’s annual summer sports camps have started at the Ultra Fit Sports Complex in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, and it is expected to return to the National Stadium, Abuja from June 13th to June 16th 2014. The first Ejike Ugboaja basketball camp in Nigeria was held in 2007 to help future Nigerian generations realize their educational dreams, while providing them with the exposure and assistance that Ejike himself never received as a youth. Three young men received scholarships to education institutions in the United States. The camps are now held annually and have expanded rapidly, including American football in 2011 and attracting increasing numbers of participants. Through the life cycle of the foundation, over 700 Nigerian youths have secured scholarships in high schools and colleges across America and a number are expected to become professional sportsmen over the coming years. The 2014 edition of the camp is set to be the biggest yet, with over 600 participants expected across Abuja and Uyo.

Basketball action

Nadal, Djokovic zoom into French Open final

orld No.1, Rafael Nadal, received little resistance from Andy Murray, as he marched into French Open final on Friday. He made light work of Murray in the last four, beating the Scot in straight sets to reach Sunday’s final at Roland Garros. The Spaniard comfortably saw off Murray 6-3, 6-2, 6-1, to reach yet another final in Paris. Nadal will take on Novak Djokovic on Sunday after the Serbian beat Ernests Gulbis in four sets earlier on Friday. Djokovic the brave Latvian Ernests Gulbis a 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. The first two sets were a stroll for the second seed. But from then, both players showed discomfort in the heat, with indications they were both injured. Gulbis showed great character to take the third set, but Djokovic kept his nerve.

Djokovic

Newcastle sign Ameobi’s replacement

ewcastle United have signed Spanish striker Ayoze Perez from second-tier side Tenerife on a longterm contract to fill the vacuum for departing Nigeria’s shola Ameobi . It is Magpies boss Alan Pardew’s first summer signing and helps fill the attacking void following the departures of Shola Ameobi, Loic Remy and Luuk de Jong. Ameobi, 32, has been released after 14 years at his hometown club, while France striker Remy and Netherlands forward De Jong have returned to their respective parent clubs, Queens Park Rangers and Borussia Monchengladbach, after loan spells.

Real line up £72m bid for Suarez

Super Eagles jubilation

Eagles are injury-free, says Keshi

our style in the last 15 minutes against Greece,” he said. “I was not happy with the performance against Greece but I hope our play against the USA will be much better.” Nigeria have until 24 hours before their opening game

Chimaobi Uchendu

agles Coach, Stephen Keshi, has dismissed fears over the fitness of his players ahead of the World Cup, stating that aside minor knock on Eldeson Echejile, other players are injuryfree. Keshi said he had taken time to examine the players with the team doctor, who had given them a clean bill of health. We’ll have no injuries presently, except for Echejile, who the doctors have an appointment for an MRI scan, to determine the extent of the problem,” said Keshi. “We will know exactly what the problem is and where we go from there.” “Juwon is just coming back after three or four days out with malaria and Musa is a little bit injured, otherwise we have about 95% healthy players.” “Hopefully everybody will be fine before we leave for Brazil.” Keshi also asked Nigerians not to despair as he molds his team to shape, beginning with the US friendly tonight. “I was asking for a lot from the team but I realised that we only started training as a team last week. But I needed to push and ask for more. I only saw

talian newspaper Corrierre dello Sport say that Real Madrid will bid £72million (90m euros) to sign Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. Despite no Italian clubs being linked with Suarez, the paper still decide to splash on the move because the striker will line up for Uruguay against Italy at the World Cup on June 24. Real’s interest in Suarez is well known with Spanish daily Marca reporting the same facts - that Real will bid £72m - on Thursday. A day earlier they reported that Real president Florentino Perez had told manager Carlo Ancelotti that Suarez was the next galatico the club wanted to sign.

against Iran on June 16 to replace any injured player. After Saturday’s friendly against fellow World Cup finalists USA, Nigeria open their Group F campaign against Iran before facing Bosnia-Hercegovina and Argentina.

World Cup 2022: Qatari officials consider legal action

atari officials are believed to be considering all options open to them, including possible legal action, if the vote for the 2022 World Cup is re-run. Allegations of corruption in the bidding process have led to calls for a re-vote should wrongdoing be uncovered. Qatar denies claims of improper action, but its fate lies in the hands of Fifa investigator Michael Garcia. The American lawyer is due to complete his long-running inquiry into the entire bidding process by 9 June.

Uefa president Michel Platini, who voted for Qatar, says he would back a re-vote if allegations of corruption against Qatar are proven. His stance echoes that of Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce, who said he would have no problem if the “recommendation was for a re-vote”. Qatari officials claim more than £23bn of investment linked to the 2022 World Cup would be under threat if Fifa, football’s world governing body, strips the Gulf state of its right to stage the showpiece event.

Bolt delays return to action

ix-time Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt has delayed his return to competition after falling behind in training because of a foot injury. The world record holder has withdrawn from this month’s Ostrava Golden Spike and Par-

Ribery out with back injury

is Diamond League meetings. Bolt, 27, said he was “100% healthy” and back in full training after missing sessions in late March and early April. But added: “Unfortunately due to the training that I missed I’m behind where I normally am at this time of year.”

rance attacker Franck Ribery will miss the World Cup through injury, Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed. The Bayern Munich player, 31, was ruled out after injuring his lower back in a training session on Friday. “He is not capable of training for a few weeks, let alone playing a game,” Deschamps told a news conference. Lyon’s Clement Grenier is also out with a hip injury, leading to a call-up for Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin.

GAMES/CROSS WORD PUZZLE Things seen in an hospital environment.

KEY WORDS

NEEDLE SOLARIUM RESPIRATOR INFIRMARY SPA INCUBATOR CLINIC SICK BED AMBULANCE HOSPICE BATHS STRETCHER SCANNER TENT SANATORIUM WARD IRON LUNG PUMP ROOM

R O T A R I P S E R G

E L D G C S C L I R E C O M K T O B A O E B R D U P U C M U N U L

E T N P S J D I A I N

E N I P S R R E F R O

A M R

N E C A R O O P E A R

S D E T L C R E N E A A T P L C S U H A B E W M R E A L O S I A T

B A T H S O W K O R E

S C A N N E R O Y A D

4 7

10 12

14 16 18 19 21 24 25

9 Recline 10 Ceremonial act 11 Final parts 12 Officer of the guard, abbr.

16 Tool for cutting 17 Inform somebody 18 With low rainfall 22 Yoruba king 23 Consume something 24 British rule in India 25 Signal to speak 26 Of distant past

15 17

DOWN 1

20 22

1 Coal container 5 Small amount 7 Indicating maiden name 8 Place in seat

ACROSS

Have suspicions

13 Noticeable 14 Ex Oyo state Governor

2 Not neat

15 Period of appointment

3 Damaged sustained

19 Not often happening

4 Ability to do things

20 Talcum powder

5 Specific area

21 Section of a circle

6 Number after nine

HOSPITALITY

ABUJA SHERATON DREAMS REBIRTH WITH CUTTING EDGE MAKEOVER

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

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

SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 2014

N150

Eagles defence weak - Kpakor P.25

Confab: The Ebonyi challenge to the Igbo agenda

bonyi State’s delegation to the National Conference should absolutely reject any movement or resolution in favour of regionalism. It is my submission that the historical experience of the people of present day Ebonyi State in the old Eastern Region was worse than slavish subjugation. The enslavement of any group of people, as abominable as slavery truly is, allows for the retention of at least some recognition of their utility, even if condemned as sub-humans. But to hold a people in utter ignominy, and treat them as though they do not exist at all, is to deny their essential humanity altogether. To state the very obvious: Regionalism presumes a regional government. For the people of Ebonyi State, that would simply mean a government located in Enugu and run by ijekebe people, with Ebonyi and its people stuck behind the damned wall of irrelevance. Oh, the nightmare; the shudder; the horror. Déjà vu simply does not even define such retrogression in the psyche of Ebonyi people. Déjà vu is the sense of merely having seen something before, whereas déjà vécu is the experience of having seen, been and felt something in great detail before. This is also usually accompanied by a very strong feeling of knowing what is going to come next. In Ebonyi people’s experience, they not only know what regionalism will entail for their children and the natural resources with which they are endowed, but are excellently positioned to tell those around them what is going to come next. And they are telling. They should be listened to. A people stereotyped and dismissed as cannibalistic Wawas cannot entrust their welfare, economic and social security to the very system and structure of government and negative presumptions that brought them nothing but humiliation and ruination for generations. If regionalism is the Igbo agenda and if that agenda succeeds, then it spells a fundamental reversal of the small fortunes which the Ebonyi people have gained under the extant structure of federalism. The controversy that exploded around the alleged characterisation of the National Conference as “a huge joke” by Governor Martin Elechi was a stark example of manipulative politics. It was nothing but a mischievous attempt to discredit the governor and prepare the ground to attack his scepticism over the sort of regionalism being bandied around. It depicts expedient politics at its most banal. It is also the apotheosis of the politics of divide-andconquer – a contradiction of the very best ethos to which we ought to aspire in the community of public service. I say so because the one political philosophy held by the Governor around which has coalesced a solid unanimity of approval and passionate support is in respect of the general position of Ebonyi and, particularly, Abakaliki when it comes to the politics of South-eastern Nigeria. The Israelites must never contemplate a return to Egypt. Such retrogression is the very definition of collective suicide. Governor Elechi is old enough to

BROADSIDE EMMANUEL ONWE agubata@aol.com

Governor Elechi

have witnessed the ignominy suffered by his Abakaliki zone from Eastern Region right through to East Central State, Anambra State and down to Enugu State. Reprieve and liberation came following the creation of Ebonyi State in 1996, following his dogged effort in collaboration with other Ebonyi greats, such as Dr Akanu Ibiam. With the singular exception of the heroic efforts made by the administration of Chief Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo as the governor of old Anambra State, which saw dramatic elevation and single-minded commitment to education, health and citizen empowerment in Abakaliki, the administrations of the previous polities brought nothing but deliberate humiliation, degradation and neglect to the zone. Some very senior practising politicians in Igboland today still describe Abakaliki as more of a “Cross River enclave than Igboland” and its inhabitants as cannibals. Abakaliki indigenes in other South-eastern states are less regarded and

Ebonyi representatives should join other compatriots who are insisting on true federalism actively shunned by the indigenes of the host states. Seen as the runt in the family, Abakaliki was historically muscled out of the feeding trough, marginalized, cheated, abused and disrespected. The creation of Ebonyi State in 1996 ignited a sense of parity and self-determination. Anything that threatens this new confidence found in autonomy, equality of opportunity and fair play is bound to be resisted by the generality of Ebonyi people because they would rather collectively drink hemlock than return to the era of subjugation and imposed inferiority under a regional system of government.

This, then, is the bitter history of the political, economic and social experiences that underpin Elechi’s scepticism and reflexive resistance to any notion of a national dialogue that contemplates the emasculation or dismantlement of statehood in favour of regionalism. Ebonyi representatives should join other compatriots who are insisting on true federalism (with the states as the federating units), a perfect or near-perfect constitution, economic and social development, et cetera, and push for a voice and a pedestal for the little guys, like Ebonyi, that, for too long, have borne the brunt of gross injustice in this country. This is beyond mere expressions of principle, or professions of philosophical preferences. It is, for Ebonyi people such as Elechi, and those who harbour a deep comradeship of belief with him on this matter, a passionate creed. But in the heat of expedient politics, all of the above become vulnerable and are liable to be misinterpreted and manipulated. A definition of what is meant by “true federalism” is apt here. For, once that is achieved, regional autonomy becomes superfluous - because you then risk creating another layer of bureaucracy that would only detract from the very essence of true federalism. A Federal System is a democratic power distribution model, which involves the division of power between a central government entity and subordinate, or, preferably, coordinate governments. It provides for a single head of the unified body while giving autonomous authority to the constituent parties to run their own affairs to the extent that is consistent with the exigencies of a federation. We should adapt it to mean a system which extols the primacy of the residual list over the exclusive list, and in which exclusive list will be retained only matters of defence, customs and excise, immigration, foreign relations, federal reserve/central bank, et cetera. A system which treats the concurrent list as the interloper that it really is – a superfluity that insinuates itself into serious business and which must be erased. There is no need for a concurrent list. We should adopt a system which insists on each state retaining the fruits of its labour or the fortunes of its divine blessing, be they in liquid or solid forms. A system that entitles the centre to only 20% of the national income, howsoever generated (taxation from states, income from the activities within the exclusive list, for example, customs and excise). Nigerians talk about true federalism because they recognise that the contraption we call federalism at the moment is a perversity. Unitarism, in which power is concentrated at the centre while the quasi-federating units are nothing more than mere provincial outposts for the dispensation of the patronage of the single authority at the centre can no longer sustain the pretensions to federalism. A vote by the Ebonyi delegation in favour of regionalism will be a vote to affirm the indignities of the past. It will confer acquiescence to the certain subjugation of the future. The warning signals from history are loud and clear.

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off Acme Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498. Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert hotline: 01-8541248, Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: Laurence ani. All correspondence to PMB 10000, Ikeja, Lagos.