Binder1 march 29, 2015 by Newtelegraphonline

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SUNDAY Sunday, March 29, 2015 Vol. 2 No. 403

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2015 PRESIDENTIAL/Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ASSEMBLY POLLS

SHOCKING OUTCOME

lCard readers fail Jonathan, wife, govs, millions of voters lVoting extended to today lBomb blast rocks Enugu polling booth lPDP chieftain, INEC official, 38 others killed in Osun, Lagos, Borno lINEC website hacked, officials, materials arrive polling stations late lAPC chieftains attacked, arrested in Ekiti, Sokoto, Lagos lDPO snatches ballot boxes in Niger

AYODELE OJO he much-expected Presidential and National Assembly elections took place yesterday across the country, as 56.4 million Nigerians trooped out to exercise their civic rights. With the trend of voting yesterday, there are indications of possible upsets in

the elections. President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was locked in a battle with former Head of State and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari. Jonathan and Buhari expressed optimism at emerging victorious in the

presidential election. The result of the elections will be announced by Monday according to the Independent National Electoral Commission. The elections were marred with violence in some parts of the country with over 40 people reportedly killed including a soldier. Also, against expectation,

Jonathan casting his vote in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, yesterday.

millions of eligible voters could not vote as the elections recorded hitches across the country with the Smart Card Readers failing in many polling booths while late arrival of materials delayed the voting process in polling units. In several states, accrediCONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beyonce, } 17 Ashionye, on marriage, motherhood and career I believe in hard work, discipline, says } 17 top Nigerian fashion designer, MUDI }15

Buhari voting in Daura, Katsina State, yesterday.

Tough time for banks as economic woes deepen }23

SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Contents | 29.03.15 BODY & SOUL

It’s hard work and discipline Foremost designer, Mudiaga Enajemo of the Mudi Africa fame insists that discipline is key to success

}18

POLITICS

President must secure Nigerians As the Chief Security Officer of Nigeria, the President is bound by the law to protect Nigerians

}51

BUSINESS

Tough for banks

Nigerian banks now have to contend with a harsh macroeconomic environment, which will most likely impinge on growth opportunities

}23

FAITH

Trendy worshippers’ favourite Dominion City is the latest attraction to worshippers on the Lekki axis of Lagos State

}31

SPORT

Enyeama’s milestone delayed

Vincent Enyeama’s milestone as the first Nigerian to play 101 matches for the Super Eagles would have to wait for another time

}60

LIFE

Brutal death Family of hotel worker killed in police custody accuses police and employer of complicity

}57

SUNDAY

Editorial

Reflections on Immigration tragedy

fter much prevarication, some family members of the victims of the 2014 tragic immigration recruitment exercise have been absorbed into the Nigerian Immigration Service by the Federal Government. This has helped to assuage the hitherto the feelings of the despondent families of the victims and Nigerians as a whole. Coming a year after the disaster which was roundly condemned globally, about a fortnight ago, President Goodluck Jonathan presented the sum of N75 million as well as employment letters to families of those died in the recruitment exercise in March last year. In conformity with his promise made last year, the President gave 35 applicants selected from the 15 families their employment letters, besides a cheque of N5 million to each of the families. Though 45 persons (being three applicants from each family of the deceased) were slated for absorption by the NIS, there was the need for the families to provide replacements for 10 of them who were disqualified on account of height deficiencies, overweight or overage. Those of the beneficiaries who are graduates among them were employed as Assistant Superintendent; those who possess National Certificate of Education were engaged as Assistant Inspectors while West African School Certificate holders were absorbed on the level of Immigration Officer 3. Expectedly, President Jonathan was not only apologetic about the delay, but clarified that the financial compensations to the families of the deceased could not replace the lives of those victims. He added though that the employment of some members should assuage the pains of their families. It is germane to recall that during the tragic recruitment exercise which occurred on Saturday March 15, 2014, about 6.5 million applicants in all 36 states and Abuja stormed various recruitment centres in the country to jostle for the 4,000 vacant positions in the NIS. In the melee, at least 16 of them died while thousands of others suffered various degrees of injuries.

The deaths were caused essentially by overcrowding, stampede, exhaustion and impatience on the part of the applicants and poor planning by the NIS and the consultants who handled the exercise. Today, many Nigerians are still grief-stricken by the incident and its implications on the nation’s public service recruitment patterns which are shrouded in mystery, poorly handled or fraught with nepotism and godfatherism. The sheer pitiable handling of the exercise as well as the fact that the applicants were compelled to pay N1,000 each was not only exploitative, but grossly inconsiderate of the fact that the applicants were unemployed. Besides, the handlers betrayed poor judgment in crowd management by failing to distribute the applicants into various stadia in the state capitals. The consultants could not feign ignorance of the number of applicants ahead of their arrival. Such foreknowledge would have assisted them in making adequate arrangements, taking cognisance of the capacity of the venues into account, since the job seekers had applied for the jobs online. The claim of the Minister for Interior, Abba Moro, that the applicants’ impatience and failure to comply with instructions were responsible for the tragedy, therefore, falls like a pack of cards in the face of simple principles of event/ crowd management and common sense. President Jonathan’s warning to all government agencies never to allow a repeat of such should be elevated from mere words to the level of action. The nation seems to be lacking in the area of systematic and corruption-free recruitment process, especially as it affects the public service and security agencies. In the past few years, there have been allegations that an average of N250,000 is paid to secure a place in some of these agencies - a development that impedes the engagement of the best brains into offices. While we believe that the outcome of the Senate’s probe into this immigration saga and similar recruitment scandals should be implemented, it is timely to commend the Federal Government for keeping its promise in this regard.

DAILY TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

Eric Osagie

Editor n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor n Suleiman Uba Gaya

Editor, Saturday n Laurence Ani

Editor, Sunday n Emeka Madunagu

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Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz

Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins

Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam

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Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed

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Head, Graphics n Timothy Akinleye

Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 29 MARCH, 2015

News

Card readers fail Jonathan, wife, govs CONTINUED FRO M PAG E 1

tation could not start due to late arrival of materials or failure of the card readers. Voting was still ongoing as at 8p.m in some centres in Lagos State due to the late arrival of voting materials. Voting will continue today in some polling units in Lagos and Taraba states. The State House, Abuja was affected by the late arrival of electoral materials. The electoral materials could not arrive the two polling booths located within the Presidential Villa until 10:05a.m. Card readers’ failure Nigerians, who trooped to the polling centres, complained of the slow pace of card readers or non-functionality during accreditation. Jonathan and his wife, Patience, could not be accredited with the SCR in his country home of Otuoke in

Bayelsa State. The President and his wife made several efforts to get accredited but the card reader failed to recognise their thumbprints at Unit 9, ward 13. It took the intervention of INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to salvage the situation with the resort to the use of manual accreditation. Jonathan was accredited at about 9:20am as an incidental voter. The SRC also rejected the thumbprints of Governors Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Sullivan Chime (Enugu) and Bala James Ngillari (Adamawa). Yuguda’s thumbprints were rejected in his polling unit in Babasidi Primary School, Bauchi, The governor tried several times but the card reader could not verify his thumbprints. “I used all my fingers; still the car reader could not verify me. I was asked to clean my thumbs with my

clothes, which I did with no result. May be there is something wrong with the card reader,” he said. In Plateau, the card reader also rejected the thumbprints of Governor Jang, his wife, Talatu, and son. The card reader at Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola, one of the designated voting centres for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), failed to capture the biometric of Governor Ngillari. Voters in Nasarawa State decried the failure of card readers in capturing their fingerprints across the state. Governor Chime and some members of his family were rejected by the electronic device at the Premier Primary School, Udi/ Agbudu 1. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, and his wife were also rejected by the card reader during accreditation at Mpu Ward

10 in Aninri Local Government of Enugu State. Bombs, killings Despite the security measures put in place across the country, there were incidences of violence in some parts of the country. In Enugu, a bomb planted in a car exploded at the WTC Primary School Polling Booth in Enugu North Local Government Area of the state shortly before the commence of accreditation. The incident occurred at about 7.30a.m. Also, INEC officials were abducted with electoral materials by gunmen. Anti-bomb unit of the police was able to detonate three other unexploded Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at the polling unit. Another bomb also went off in Amenyi, Anambra. The explosion took place at Community Primary school, Amenyi. No life was lost in the attack.

Former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu being accredited for voting at Alausa, Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Disclaimer: ‘Kalu apologises to T. A. Orji’ T

he media team of the former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has expressed dismay and utter disgust over the hacking of the web site of The Sun Publishing Company owned by Dr. Kalu and the malicious posting of a distorted page on a concocted letterhead of Dr. Kalu with a cloned signature of his which audaciously declared that Dr. Kalu had apologized to Gov. Orji. “Nothing can be as ludicrous as this charlatanistic deviancy. Only gullible Nigerians can be deceived

by such imbecilic actions. It is a brazen fabrication that borders on stupidity, wickedness, mischief and viciousness. There is nothing on earth that will make Dr. Kalu apologize to his successor in office. This unmalleable position is known to all right-thinking members of the society, especially Abians. “We disclaim the purported publication which ingeniously seeks to give the erroneous impression that Dr. Kalu has returned to his vomit by recanting and apologizing to the

worst governor in Nigeria, who, incidentally, he mistakenly foisted on Abians. “It is obvious that Dr. Kalu’s soaring popularity since he began his senatorial campaigns a fortnight ago has really rattled his detractors who have now resorted to blatant blackmail of reengineering websites and posting preposterous materials to taint the boundless and borderless profile of Dr. Kalu,” the statement pointed out, adding that “the media team had foreseen this kind of thoughtless

and reprehensible action after the unprecedentedly carnival-like rally in Aba on Thursday which gloriously shut down the commercial city as multitudinous crowds thronged his electioneering train.” The media team in its release called on discerning Nigerians, particularly Abians, to disregard such devilish website manipulations and misrepresentations. It also alerted members of the public to more of such stupidities in the days ahead and the utmost need for them to be wary of desperadoes.

Violence rocked Rivers State with the killing of three persons including a soldier during Saturday’s elections. There were cases of shootings, hijack of electoral materials, including INEC’s card reader in the oil-rich state. The soldier was killed in an ambush in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, and was rushed to the hospital where he later died. In Borno, Boko Haram insurgents killed 25 people in Buratai village of Biu Local Area of the state. House were also set ablaze by the terrorists. The insurgents also killed a member of Gombe State House of Assembly, Alhaji Umar Aminu (APC), and eight others in Gombe on Saturday. One of the terrorists was arrested at the palace of Emir of Gombe. The insurgents who attacked Dukku and Nafada local government areas of the state were said to have killed the lawmaker representing Dukku South Constituency. A source said that the insurgents, who came from Yobe, initially attacked Shole, Birin Bolewa and Birin Fulani towns of Nafada and later attacked Dukku. There was confusion in the two areas as some voters left the polling units but others later returned to be accredited, the source said. According to the source, the insurgents killed three persons in Nafada Local Government Area, including a policeman and killed six persons in Dukku Local Government Area, including the legislator. The insurgents left on the Dukku-Darazo road after the attack, according to a source. Osun State was not spared of the violence as a PDP chieftain, Yomi Ademola, was killed by gunmen in Ikirun. An unidentified middleaged man was also killed in Oke-Odo in Ife-South Local Government Area. Houses were razed by hoodlums in the council. Three suspects were arrested by the police over the killing. In Lagos, the residence of Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, and the INEC office in Agege Local Government Area were attacked by hoodlums. At the commissioner’s residence, the hoodlums shot sporadically and destroyed vehicles and properties before they left. The attackers carted away some sensitive materials at the INEC office located at Orile Agege Local Council Development Area. One person was killed at the INEC office in Lagos In Kogi, political thugs

invaded polling units at Igi, Omedo and Eti Ajah in Dekina Local Government Area of the state, where ballot papers were snatched and other electoral materials were destroyed after voters have been dispersed. It took the intervention of the security agents to bring the situation under control. A Divisional Police Officer (DPO) attached to Magama Local Government Area of Niger State (name withheld) reportedly snatched four ballot boxes and papers at Mungoro Central Polling unit of Majin ward in Niger State. An eye witness Barrister Ibrahim Rege said the accreditation exercise was peacefully conducted and voting was in progress when the DPO invaded the polling unit, released shots of tear gas and snatched the ballot boxes and papers away. The DPO was also alleged to have tear-gassed both the INEC officials and electorate who were on queue to cast their vote. In Kano, it took the intervention of the security agencies to save President Jonathan’s aide, Hajiya Baraka Sani, at a polling unit in Kawaji/Jigirya of Nassarawa Local Government of Kano State. She was chased away from the polling unit by hoodlums who smashed her Prado Jeep’s windscreen. Her aide was seriously injured in the attack. Agbaje, Obanikoro, Fani Kayode lose wards; Sambo, Fayemi win Lagos State PDP governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, lost his polling unit 09, ward C in Apapa Local Government Area. The result showed that APC got 127 votes for presidency while PDP got 60 votes. The Minister of Foreign Affairs II, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, also lost his polling unit while spokesman of the PDP presidential Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode, lost his polling unit in IleIfe to APC. Buhari won in former President Olusegun Obasanjo unit in Abeokuta. Buhari polled 100 votes against Jonathan’s 16. Unlike 2011, Vice-President Namadi Sambo won his Kaduna polling unit for the PDP. Governor Olusegun Mimiko was said to be losing grip on Ondo politics. Former Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi won his Unit 09, Ward 11 Isan Ekiti polling unit for Buhari. APC polled 140 votes against PDP’s 24. National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s ConCONTINUED ON PAGE 8

News News

SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Presidential/National Assembly elections

PDP Presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, being accredited by INEC Officials at INEC Ward 13 Unit 39 Otabla Otuoke, in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State…yesterday Vice President Namadi Sambo, being Accredits for the 2015 Presidential Election in Kaduna…Yesterday

President of the Senate, David Mark casting his vote at Otukpo Ward 1, polling centre by the INEC Officials during the Presidential and National Assembly election in Otukpo, Benue State Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State being accredited with the card reader at Ward 10, Unit 1, Iyamho on Saturday.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun casting his vote Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, during accreditation

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson casting his vote at Ward 2, Unit 5, Oru-erewari, Toru-Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state…PHOTO: LUCKY FRANCIS

All Progressives Congress Vice Presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (left), being accredited by an INEC official, during the presidential election in Lagos...yesterday…PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

Presidential/National Assembly elections

First Lady, Dame Patient Jonathan, being accredited by INEC officials at INEC Ward 13 Unit 39 Otabla Otuoke, in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State…on Saturday

Gov. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State casting his vote at Kwankwaso ward polling unit, at 2.55pm. Photo: Govt. House,Kano

Princess Stella Oduah, the PDP Senatorial candidate for Anambra North completing accreditation at the polling unit at Akili-Ozizor

Enugu PDP governorship candidate, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, casting his vote at his Amube Ohum ward 1 and 2 in Orba Udenu LGA Enugu State

Photo News

Enugu State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, casts his vote during the Presidential and National Assembly elections at Udi/Agbudu Ward in Udi l.G.A, Enugu State...yesterday

Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar casting his vote in the Presidential/National Assembly election at Ajiya Ward II, Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State…. yesterday.

Minister of Trade & Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga casting his vote at Gerrad Road, Victoria Island, voting poll, Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi casting his vote at his Unit 009, Ward 11, Isan-Ekiti…yesterday

FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed casting his vote at Jubril Aminu Model School, GRA Bauchi

Photo News

SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Presidential/National Assembly elections

The First Lady of Lagos, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola (left), having her fingerprint validated through the card reader by the Presiding Officer, Miss Monisola Sarumi (right) during the accreditation of voters for the Presidential and Senatorial elections at the Ward G3, Unit E002, State Junior Grammar School, Itolo Street, Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday, March 28, 2015

Senator Gbenga Ashafa(L), casts his vote at Ward F, Bogije, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Lagos State

Former Ghana President John Kufor at the Kubwa Satellite Town in Abuja in monitoring the general election PHOTO. TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs. Helen Mark while casting her vote at Otukpo Ward 1 polling centre in Otukpo, Benue State

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State(left), fielding questions from International Observers shortly after casting his votes at the 2015 general election in his home town, Abigborodo in Warri North LGA of Delta State.

Voters at Mafoluku area of Oshodi, Lagos, waiting to be accredited …PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

An elderly woman waiting to cast her vote at Omole Grammar School. Omole Estate, Lagos… yesterday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Voters waiting to cast their votes at Cameroun Road, Victoria Island, Polling unit , Lagos… yesterday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 29 MARCH, 2015

National News

Buhari satisfied with accreditation, harps on peaceful polls Chukwu David

T Katsina

he Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday expressed satisfaction with the orderliness and peace that characterized the accreditation process at his polling unit in Daura Local Government area of Katsina State. Buhari, who was accredited at about 8:45 am, also assured that, going by what he saw at the polling centre, the Presidential and National Assembly elections would be peaceful, advising the electorate to continue to conduct themselves in a manner that would sustain the already existing peaceful process throughout the voting exercise.

The Presidential hopeful also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the effective handling of the verification exercise, which he said would help eliminate manipulation from the nation’s electoral process, if sustained. Buhari arrived at Kofa Baru 3 polling unit at 8:38 am, in company with his wife, Aishat, in a convoy heavily guarded by sternly armed security men. He successfully went through the verification exercise with his wife as they spent less than 10 minutes in getting through the process. Briefing journalists shortly after his accreditation, the former head of state commended INEC for doing a good job in this particular election. He said: “I like the integrity of the system. If people are allowed to vote, rigging will

actually be an impossibility in this system”. Buhari also commended the timeliness of the electoral officials at the polling unit, saying, “I think INEC has done very well and I have said it to my colleagues elsewhere that from their presentation to the council of state which I happen to be one of the members, INEC this time has done extremely well.” The accreditation of voters actually commenced at about 8:25am at Kofa Baru 3 polling unit. In accordance with Islamic tradition, which prohibits open body contact of men and women, separate queues were created for women and men to do the verification. As a mark of reverence for Buhari, the electorate formally refused to be accredited on the argument that they were waiting for

their leader to be accredited before them, thereby, delaying the process. But the polling officials persuaded them on the essence of time in the accreditation and voting process before they yielded. However, at Kofa Arewa 2 polling unit, the smart card rejected some finger prints even as the identity of the holders were verified through the Permanent Voters Card. The INEC officials on duty told journalists that the smart card actually verified the PVC and the biodata of the card holders, but some of the finger prints of the card holders were not easily verified by the smart card. As at 4:11pm, voting had not commenced at the Kofa Baru polling unit as the accreditation process was still ongoing. The unit has a registered voter of 744 persons,

who were being verified with two card readers. Meanwhile, there was a heavy turnout of voters at every polling unit visited by our correspondent within Katsina metropolis and other local government areas outside the state capital. In Funtua Local Government Area in Katsina South Senatorial District, the Electoral Officer, Mr. Ahmed Ado Deneji, explained that the impressive turnout of the electorate was the result of massive voter education carried out in the council throughout the period electioneering campaign went on. He also attributed the positive response of voters to this year’s general election in the area to the desire and willingness of the people to exercise their fundamental right in choosing their leaders in the next political dispensation. The

INEC officer noted that there was no any form of hitches in the deployment of materials and personnel to the various polling centres within his geographical jurisdiction. He also said that the card readers were working very well, with only few challenges, which he said, were also quickly addressed by replacing few non-functional machines with new ones so that the voting process would not be interrupted. Deneji stated that a total of 85, 000 permanent voter’s cards, PVCs, were collected and distributed to the electorate in Funtua to enable them participate in the polls, while disclosing however, that over 32, 000 citizens of the area were disenfranchised as their PVCs were not accessed up to yesterday when the federal elections took place.

IBB, Abdulsalami, Aliyu task Nigerians on peace Dan Atori MINNA

ormer Nigeria Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida; former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu have called on Nigerians to remain calm and shun anything that will lead to post election violence. They spoke to Journalists separately after they were accredited at their polling units in Minna, saying the elections would be credible and transparent. According to IBB:”This election will be credible and transparent. I call on all Nigerians to be calm and desist from anything that will lead to violence.” Abdulsalami, who is also the Chairman of the Peace Accord Committee, charged Nigerians to go out and vote in

peace. “I hope politicians and indeed the candidates will accept the result in accordance with the peace accord recently signed in Abuja. We must maintain peace in the country”, he said. Aliyu, while calling on the INEC to improve on the electronic means of voting, said there was the need to improve on the process. He said: “Out of my 10 fingers, only one was caught but I had to go through all the 10 fingers. I don’t know the value this might have added to this election. “I have my PVC; there is a picture of me in the papers and I believe with all the agents of all the parties here, this might just be an unnecessary issue. “If we want to go electronic voting, this is now the time to start making people understand what it means and not to wait until election time to begin to throw things to people”.

Tinubu threatens suit over fake text message Mojeed Alabi and Wale Elegbede

he National Leader of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has threatened to sue whoever was behind the purported text message being sent round in his name advising his loyalists to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Tinubu, who addressed the media in his late mother ’s residence in Ikeja, shortly after he was accredited at about 10:40am, described the

development as one of the antics of the ruling party, saying such development was one of the reasons PDP does not deserve to be in power. The former Lagos governor queried why he would leave the house he helped build and nurture at the point its success was around the corner. He, therefore, advised his party members and faithful, both far and near, to disregard the text message, reiterating his unalloyed loyalty to the APC, and the presidential candidate of the party, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

Voters waiting to cast their votes at Omole Grammar School. Omole Estate, Lagos… yesterday.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Jonathan, wife vote in Otueke after hitches Anule Emmanuel

resident Goodluck Jonathan and wife, Dame Patience voted yesterday for the presidential and National Assembly elections at Unit 9, ward 13 his home town after series of the card reader failure to read and authenticate his Permanent Voters Card PVC, his thumb and that of his wife.

The president, who arrived the venue at about 9.19am could not be accredited for about 30 minutes. It was the same case with his wife, even though his mother passed the accreditation in short time. The president was eventually accredited at about as incidental voters and given a form to file after his thumb could not be authenticated by the card reader.

President Jonathan told reporters before he left the voting venue that he had spoken with the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega. After being accredited President Jonathan said was “I am not a ghost worker, my wife is not a ghost worker. We have to be patient. Let us be patient with INEC”.

President Jonathan had on Friday arrived Otuoke country home in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State amid tight security for the election. There was also tight security in neighbouring towns. Military personnel, police operatives and other security agents were seen going round the President’s hometown.

Late arrival of materials at Aso Rock polling booth, Abuja Anule Emmanuel

here were incidences of late arrival of electoral materials at the two polling booths located inside the presidential villa and some parts of Abuja. Against the 8:00am time scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for commencement of accreditation of voters, electoral materials and officials arrived at about 10:05 am at the Aso Rock polling station while the enthusi-

astic crowd waited at the venue as early as 7:00am. The two stations witnessed a massive turnout with voters expressing enthusiasm to express their franchise. Some voters who spoke to our correspondent said they arrived as early as 5am to take numbers. As 10:30, officials were still trying to arrange the crowd. At Maitama, officials arrived at about 9am. Most of the officials were still trying to set up on tables provided for by the community.

Meanwhile, at a Wuse 2 polling unit, the officials started at 9:10 am but were being slowed by the card reader. Seven out of nine accreditations failed the thumb printing test and had to be checked manually. Our correspondent observed in most polling centres in Nyanya area that accreditation kicked off at 9:am. Heavily armed soldiers were seen patrolling the area to ensure peace and orderliness. At the EC 30 polling unit in Nyanya, most voters com-

plained about the slowness of the card readers in accreditation process. Also at EC 30B unit in Nyanya, one of the officials said they were already having issues with the card reader batteries but expressed confidence that since they were allocated four card reader machines at the unit, they may be able to complete the process successfully. Depending on the number of voters in each polling unit, not less than three card readers were allocated to a polling center by INEC.

SUNDAY 29 MARCH, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

News / National

Card readers: INEC admits challenges, resorts to manual accreditation Onyekachi Eze

T ABUJA

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has admitted the challenges posed by the use of Smart Card Readers (SCRs) in accrediting voters for the elections. The commission also blamed the late arrival of INEC ad hoc officials and election materials to some voting centres in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the problems it had with members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). Chairman, INEC Committee on Publicity, Dr. Chris Iyimoga, at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, said the commission has noted the challenges encountered in the use of the card readers, resulting in slow accreditation of voters. Iyimoga added that even though the guidelines for the conduct of the 2015 elections provide that where card readers fail and cannot be replaced elections in such polling units will be postponed

to the following day, “the scale of the challenge that we have observed has necessitated the reconsideration of the elections guidelines. “The commission has therefore decided that as part of guidelines for the general elections, the polling units where the card readers have failed to work the presiding officer shall manually accredit voters by marking the register of voters, upon being satisfied that the person presenting a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) is the legitimate holder of the card. “Those notwithstanding, the polling units where accreditation was suspended to the following day in accordance to the electoral guideline, arrangements will be made for voters to vote tomorrow subject to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2015 (as amended).” He, however, assured Nigerians that the commission “would thoroughly investigate what happened.” Iyimoga noted that accreditation commenced in good time in some parts of

the country, adding that in Abuja, the problem with members of the NURTW had been sorted out. He said he had gone round some polling units in the territory and was satisfied with the turnout of voters. “That is not saying we

didn’t have challenges. In a few others states of course, there were still a few delays but generally the commencement time was quite good across all borders. “But like we said and will keep saying we can only do our best but there are other

parameters to make up what we call an excellent election. And the process of election has to do with many people,” he said. A member of the committee, Dr. Ishmael Igbani, said no one can really say what went wrong in Otueke,

Bayelsa State where the card reader failed to accredit President Goodluck Jonathan. Igani observed that part of the process of using the card reader is that when such a situation occurs the incident form will be used.

Princess Stella Oduah, the PDP Senatorial candidate for Anambra North completing accreditation at the polling unit at Akili-Ozizor

Obasanjo, Amosun, Daniel, others hail accreditation Mark lauds polls, calls .Kunle Olayeni “I have come to my for patience Abeokuta

..Task INEC on card readers

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo and Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday expressed satisfaction with the voter accreditation process in the Presidential and National Assembly elections which held across the state. Obasanjo and Amosun, who hailed the high turnout of voters, urged Nigerians to maintain orderliness and peaceful conduct throughout the electoral process. They spoke as many eligible voters in the state yesterday lamented the challenges posed by the use of card readers.

Former governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, as well as candidates of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently address the problems associated with the card readers. In some areas monitored by our correspondent, residents complained about late arrival of ad-hoc electoral staff and election materials. Sunday Telegraph gathered that accreditation started early in some areas but commenced late in others while at many oth-

CONTINUED FRO M PAG E 3

INEC website hacked, officials, materials arrive late

gress (OPC) also lost his ward. He is an ardent supporter of President Jonathan.

unit in Daura Local Government area of Katsina State. Buhari, who was accredited at about 8:45a.m., also assured that going by what he saw at the polling centre, the Presidential and National Assembly elections would be peaceful, advising the electorate to continue to conduct themselves in a manner that would sustain the already existing peaceful process throughout the voting exercise. Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, commended the voters’ accreditation process in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

INEC website The official website of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was hacked into during the election. INEC’s Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, later told Sunday Telegraph that the site had been restored. Reactions Speaking on the process, Buhari expressed satisfaction with the process after accreditation at his polling

ers, electoral officers had to resort to the use of manual means to conduct accreditation of eligible voters. Major streets in Abeokuta and other towns in the state were deserted as people complied with the restriction order imposed by the security agencies. Obasanjo, who spoke with reporters shortly after he was accredited at Ward 11, Polling Unit 22 at OkeSokori in Abeokuta, said he was impressed with the peaceful and orderly conduct of voters. The former president arrived at the centre about 10:10am and was accredited at 10:17am.

Gowon, who is an observer in the 2015 elections, gave the commendation when he visited Ward 001A in Karu, FCT. “I am here to observe what is going on and it has been going on very well and I am very happy. It is orderly and you people are doing well. I am very pleased to see people ready to vote and voter turnout is exceptionally very good; I believe the result will certainly be good. “From all the polling stations throughout Nyanya and Karu, voter accreditation is going on very well. I also commend the youth

polling station and what I have seen is satisfactory. I have talked to a few people here in Abeokuta who have been in their own polling stations and have done the accreditation waiting for time to vote. They also reported satisfactory report. I will appeal to all Nigerians to maintain this type of peaceful process,” he said. Obasanjo, who noted that stakeholders must allay the fears of people that violence would mar the election, urged those who could not obtain their PVCs to remain calm and hopeful that the situation improves before the April 11 governorship and House of Assembly elections.

corps members for their input,” he said. Senate President David Mark described the elections as peaceful, but expressed concern over the reported cases of malfunctioned card readers. Mark, who spoke after casting his vote in Otukpo Ward 1, Otukpo, Benue State, said: “The Otukpo Ward 1 to me is a very well organised polling unit. The people here have been on queue. I have no report of any failure or lapses. But the reports from some areas indicate that card readers have been malfunctioning.

enate President, Senator David Mark has expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the electorate during yesterday’s presidential and National Assembly elections in Benue State, describing the entire atmosphere as cordial. Mark stated this while fielding questions from journalists shortly after he was screened alongside his wife, Mrs. Onma Mark by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. He voted at the Otukpo Club Polling unit in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state. He also expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance of eligible voters, who turned out in their numbers to exercise their franchise. Mark implored the INEC to be patient with

them to ensure that every Nigerian, who is registered is given the opportunity to vote. “As far as the card reader is concerned, you know how many times they tried my own; it requires a lot of patience on the part of the INEC officials and the electorate. I think this is an important election and we must all exercise a lot of patience to make sure that every Nigerian who is registered is given an opportunity to vote. The essence is to make sure that Nigerians vote and that their votes must count”, said Mark. Mark also hailed the security arrangement put in place to ensure a violentfree election, and warned the electorate and party supporters against indulging in any act inimical to the success of the election.

Wamakko,Bafarawa commend INEC Umar Abdullahi Sokoto

overnor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has urged Nigerians to accept the results of the Presidential and National Assembly elections in good faith and place the nation above selfish interest. Wamakko stated this shortly after casting his vote at the Gidan Ja”oje polling station in Wamakko. He said that the polls were orderly and peaceful.

He also expressed optimism that the elections would be the freest and the most acceptable in Nigeria’s recent history. The governor urged the various stakeholders to accept the results in good faith. According to him, it is only when that is done that Nigeria can be on the path of growth and development. While saying that Nigeria was above all Nigerians, Wamakko expressed happiness with the impressive turnout of voters, especially women.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29, 2015

LAGOS

News

Commissioner escapes death A

Muritala Ayinla t least one person was killed yesterday when some hoodlums attacked the residence of the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa

and the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Agege area of the state. Sunday Telegraph gathered that Opeifa escaped death by whiskers as hoodlums suspected to be hired assassins shot into the air sporadically,

destroying several property especially vehicles. . Speaking with Sunday Telegraph, a resident, who identified himself as Kamal, said the hoodlums thereafter moved to the INEC office located at Orile Agege Local Council Development Area to

cart away some sensitive materials. He confirmed that one person was person was killed at the INEC office while the hoodlums were trying to invade the premises. Confirming the incident in a telephone interview,

Opeifa said that he escaped death narrowly in the hands of the hoodlums. “My house was attacked by about 12 sponsored assailants wielding guns and matchees. Several gunshots were fired for about 10 minutes. Later, a similar attack at Agege LCDA claimed one life,”

he said. Opeifa had three days ago raised the alarm that some gunmen and security agencies were planning to arrest him on the eve of the elections. He added that the action was to get him out of Agege to enable them rig the election in favour of their party.

Card reader rejects Fashola’s right hand Muritala Ayinla

agos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola yesterday said that his right hand thumb failed verification by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s card reader. But Fashola, who is a southpaw, (a left-handed person), said all efforts to verify his voting eligibility failed until he used his right hand thumb, which eventually passed the verification . Speaking with journalists after he was accredited by the INEC officials, Fashola who arrived the polling unit located at Itolo Grammar School in Surulere, lauded the exercise at 10:30. He described the system as encouraging and impressive. He said: “I have been here for 16 minutes waiting on

APC presidential candidate , Prof. Yemi Osinbajo casting his vote in Lagos...yesterday

Thugs snatch f ive ballot boxes Juliana Francis

olicemen had a hectic time yesterday chasing armed party supporters who attacked the Independent National Electoral Commission’s office at the Lagos Island area of the state, snatching five ballot boxes. The incident came even as the Lagos State Commissioner of Police; Mr. Kayode Aderanti said the public

would be made concerning movement for restriction for Sunday, since voting continued.. A police source said that at the Lagos Island, hundreds of political supporters, armed with broken bottles and machetes attacked INEC office at the Adeniji Adele area. “The INEC office when they attacked, had just few policemen, personnel of the Nigerian prisons and Nige-

rian Security Civil Defence Corps. Immediately they sighted the armed men, they all bolted, abandoning the office. The political supporters seized five ballot boxes,” said the police source. He said that the police and soldiers rushed to the area when they got a distress call and pursued some of the hoodlums. The men sighted the security agents and dropped four of the ballot boxes, while frantic effort

is on to recover the fifth one. He added: “We’ve recovered four, remaining one. Some of the uniform personnel posted at the INEC office were women. Some even tied wrapper. No one had been arrested, but none of the security agents were harmed. The Commissioner has just now ordered that all INEC offices be guarded and local government offices be monitored.”

Late arrival of materials, officials in Alimosho Andrew Iro Okungbowa

he election was peaceful in Alimosho, Ikotun, Igando and Iba areas of Lagos State yesterday as voters confined themselves to the polling units, while those who have no Permanent Voters Cards and the under - age stayed in their houses. At many of the polling units visited, late arrival of materials and INEC’s ad hoc staff marred the conduct of the elections. Materials and staff arrived an hour behind stipulated

time, while in some of the areas in Igando Road such as Ward F in Obadore junction, District I, neither materials nor officials arrived until 11am. The officials blamed the delay on lack of sufficient vehicles to convey INEC officials and materials to the polling units, since a few of the transporters earlier commissioned failed to show up at the respective rendevous. Despite the late arrival of the materials, many of the voters waited patiently and calmly, and were seen in groups discussing their fate.

And when they eventually showed up in many of these polling units, the voters conducted themselves peacefully, queuing up for the accreditation exercise, which did not start in some of the centres till 11.30am extending to 12noon and even 1pm. The card readers in many of these centres functioned properly without any incident of non – functioning card readers rather many of the INEC’s ad hoc staff did not fully grasp the proper use of the card readers in the beginning causing delays, confusion and apprehen-

sions. But as they progressed with the system, they gained better understanding and speed in the use of the system as it took less than 10 seconds in many of the centres to accredit a voter. Only few incidents of the card readers either not registering the fingerprints or not showing the particulars of the voters were recorded and in such cases incidental forms where filled out by the voters affected and were accredited manually since their names were on the voters’ register.

queue and it took me about a minute to get my verification and accreditation done. The right thumb failed but the left one passed. I think we should just continue to be patient with the officials. We should get it right as a country. I’m hopeful that the process will succeed. “ Reacting to questions on hiccups experienced in some parts of the state, Fashola said he was yet to get any complaint about the election process. “I haven’t received any complaint so far except what I have monitored on TV. I haven’t heard anything that should heighten worry. So no news at this moment but good news,” Fashola said. Meanwhile, accreditation began at 8am and Fashola and his wife were accredited by 10:48am.

...Fails at Tinubu’s ward Wale Elegbede

undreds of electorate at Iyalla area of Ikeja in Lagos State were left at the mercy of card readers yesterday as the device failed to function as at 10:30am. At Polling Unit 008, INEC staff said they had contacted the commission’s technicians to rectify the fault.

According to a community leader in the area, Mayor Alani Okikioposun, voters who came out as early as 8am to exercise their civic duties were left stranded as INEC staff persuaded them. Iyala is in the viccinity of the residence of late mother of All Progressives Congress’ national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

APC alleges blocking of leaders’ phones Temitope Ogunbanke

he All Progressives Congress has raised the alarm over suspicious, election-related activities being carried out at the Federal Government Press on Mobil Road, opposite Coca Cola, at Ajegunle, Lagos. APC in a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also complained about alleged hacking and blockage of phone numbers of some of its leaders. The party said workers at the facility were sent home, apparently to make the place

ready for Saturday’s ‘presidency’ assignment. ’’A concerned Nigerian alerted us of these developments, and we wonder what a Federal Government facility can be needed for on election day if it is not part of the facilities designated by INEC for election collation purpose. APC also alleged that phone lines of key leaders of APC have been bombarded with calls from an unknown number with a view to rendering them useless on election day. The calls were so persistent that genuine calls could not come in just as no calls could go out.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29 2015

South-WEST

News

Farounbi, Adeyeye hail use of card readers in Osun Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

he Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi and the senator representing Osun Central in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, Prof. Olusola Adeyeye have commended the use of card reader for yesterday’s election. They said it is not only scientific but also makes for easy and quick accreditation, thereby putting Nigeria on good pedestal to meet global expectations through the conduct of peaceful and credible elections. Farounbi, a veteran journalist, who expressed optimism that very soon Nigeria would be emulated by the

developed countries, appealed to the electorate to always embrace peace during and after the general elections. Speaking with newsmen in his country home in OraIgbomina in Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State, after his accreditation at Unit One, Ward 8, Akesin area, Farounbi said the area was peaceful and devoid of violence. He, however, said that” Nigeria would get it right should the on-going election ends on a peaceful note. He urged politicians to live up to the expectations of the world because Nigeria is the largest democracy and economy in Africa. He said the card reader worked very well at his polling unit and described it as

Turnout impressive in Ekiti Adesina Wahab, Ado-Ekiti

nthusiastic voters trooped out in Ado-Ekiti, Ikere-Ekiti and Ise-Ekiti on Saturday to vote in the presidential and National Assembly elections. When our correspondent moved round some polling units in the towns, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and their ad hoc staff were at the polling units early enough for the commencement of accreditation. At Ward Four, Unit 06 in Ise-Ekiti, as at 8.34am, more than 150 voters were already on the queue for accreditation. A voter at the unit, Alabi Joseph Sunday, expressed satisfaction with the manner the exercise was going. “It did not take me more than six seconds to get the card reader accredit me and everything has been going on smoothly. We commend INEC and the security agencies for their efforts,” he said. The Minister of State for

Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said the large turnout of voters was due to the sensitisation carried out by the Peoples Democratic Party. Meanwhile, a member of the House of Representatives, Ekiti South Federal Constituency Two, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, has alleged the harassment of All Progressives Congress members by supporters of the ruling PDP. Speaking in a chat in Ode-Ekiti on Saturday, Faparusi said his party was prepared for such a development and the leaders prepared for that. Commenting on the arrangement for the elections, he said there were hitches in some polling units. “There are hitches in some units with the card readers not working properly. I called the electoral officer in the local government and he said he would send people to rectify the situation. If the arrangement made by INEC is followed it will not discredit the process,” he said.

Card readers flop in Ondo Babatope Okeowo Akure

he card readers deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the presidential and National Assembly elections flopped at many polling units in Ondo State yesterday. However, it worked in some areas and the faults noticed in some areas were rectified. This development led to a delay in the accreditation of voters in

many units in the state. Some of the units had to result into incident forms when efforts to rectify the faults noticed in the card readers proved abortive. There was a large turnout of voters at many of the polling units visited with long queue noticed in many local government areas of the state. The voters and political parties however conducted themselves peacefully as there was no report of violence in any part of the state.

a step forward, stating that the hiccups experienced with its use in other areas were expected of such electronic devices. “It is a new thing and even if it is not new, any human device might develop fault at any time, “ he said. Farounbi, who warned against election violence

said that “any problem in Nigeria will affect the whole of Africa , but I believe Nigeria will get it right. I also appeal to the candidates and party supporters to respect the agreement signed by all parties to promote peace before, during and after the general elections.” Sen. Adeyeye described

introduction of card reader into the election as commendable, since it was faster than manual or paper accreditation. Speaking with newsmen shortly after his accreditation at Ward 8, Unit 1 at around 8:40am yesterday at Oke-Alafa in Ora-Igbomina, his country home,

he said that the process was faster than the old system where searches were done in the register. “It took me not more than five seconds to get accredited.” The lawmaker added that the introduction of card readers in the nation’s electioneering process as a round peg in a round hole.

…FERMA boss disagrees, says it’s illegal Adeolu Adeyemo OSOGBO

he Chairman, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency and the Coordinator of Goodluck/ Sambo Campaign Organisation in Osun State, Mr. Jide Adeniji yesterday disagreed with the use of card reader in the on-

going presidential and National Assembly polls, saying it is against the law. Adeniji, who stated this while speaking with newsmen in Ila-Orangun in Osun State, yesterday after his accreditation at Ward 2, Unit 4, Isedo polling unit said the card reader failed many electorate in some units in

the town. Adeniji, said that the card reader at his polling centre was functional, adding, however, that the story was not the same at other units in the town. “I don’t believe in the effectiveness of card reader,. The law says there should not be any form of electronic voting and card reader is an

Nigerian policemen interrogating some voters during the 2015 general elections in Lagos… yesterday.

electronic equipment. So, it is against the law. Look at what happened to President Goodluck Jonathan’s accreditation and you will agree with me. “It took him about two hours before he could be accredited but I hope that the voting exercise will be well conducted to avoid crisis after,” he said.

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

Ajimobi, Akinjide, Folarin laud polls in Oyo Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

here was massive turnout of voters in Oyo State yesterday for the elections, although accreditation started a bit behind schedule in some areas. The use of card reader was, however, received with mixed reactions as it worked well in some areas while it was slow in others. While the fingerprint of many was easily identified, it rejected those of many, but according to the Presiding Officer at Akanran, Miss Iorhemen Catherine, “we solved this through the use of render ballot paper”. In his assessment, Governor Abiola Ajimobi said:”This is the fourth time I am participating fully in elections. This is the smoothest, easiest, the most organised and the most peaceful exercise. I must commend INEC and other people involved in the process and

Nigerians, who are conducting themselves peacefully.” The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Teslim Folarin while voting at Ward 5, Unit 4, St. John’s Primary School, Idi Ose, on Akinrinade Road, Ibadan, saying, “the accreditation was barely okay as it worked well for me. It took about a minute for me and about three minutes for my wife. We only hope it could improve”. He was optimistic that President Jonathan would garner about 60 per cent minimum votes in the election, saying, “I would be surprised if President Jonathan doesn’t win the minimum 60 per cent in Oyo State”. In her comment on the exercise, the Federal Capital Territory, Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, after her accreditation at the Akanran Amosun Unit 2, Ward 1 in the Ona Ara Local Government area of Ibadan,

said: “The process has been encouraging, the INEC officials here are efficient. We are very happy with the process. The only hitch is the technical one which we had envisaged and many people had spoken about and that is the issue of the card reader. “There are two steps: the authentication of the card itself, which is going on well. It is showing that the cards are genuine ones from the INEC and that they are not cloned. But when it comes to the identification the person holding the card by thumbprinting, it is just not working. It is not up to 50 per cent success. Accompanied by her father and former Attorney General and Justice Minister, Chief Richard Akinjide , the Minister emphasized that “As a coordinator of the Jonathan Campaign, this is the report I have been getting all over the state. From Saki to Oyo to Ogbomoso, this is the report

we have been getting. In the past we were authenticated by other means by visuals like looking at the photograph, people verifying your identity, and by producing something of identification. And I think that is standard all over the world. My experience even if you go for visas in foreign embassies, the thumb-printing is always a problem. The technology is not just there because it is just developing, and using it in a time frame that is very short for millions of people is obviously one step a big too far. “More concerning to me is that in the South West, I think Oyo has the highest number of PVCS collection. That is about 69 per cent. No South Western state went above 70 per cent mark. Others are recording below 60 and even 50 per cent . And in the North, nobody is recording no less than 80, 90 something per cent.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015

Enugu

SOUTH EAST

Bomb explosion, INEC officials abducted Uwakwe Abugu

nsavoury security issues marred the presidential and National Assembly polls in Enugu State on Saturday. Apart from a bomb explosion reported in Enugu North Local Government Area, some INEC staff were abducted in Enugu East Council Area of the state. A Honda Accord salon with number plate KUJ 971 LB Abuja, driven by yet to be identified persons and conveying items suspected to be improvised explosive devices

(IED), exploded on the road behind the WTC Primary School Polling Booth in Enugu North Local Government Area of the state. No casualty was recorded as the incident occurred at about 7.30am, before the accreditation exercise commenced. A source said that the heavy presence of security operatives at the venue prevented the driver of the vehicle from gaining access into the polling area which housed three polling units. However, the police an-

ti-bomb unit was able to detonate three other unexploded bombs in the car. About two hours after the bomb incident, there were reports that some INEC staff were abducted in another area of the state. A source said they were abducted along with electoral materials. Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Dan Bature, was at the scene of the bomb explosion where he briefed newsmen and assured scores of voters and other members of the public of adequate security.

Anambra

Voters scamper for safety Tony Okafor Awka

undreds of voters who thronged the Community Primary School, Amenyi, Anambra State, as early as 8.00am were jolted by a bomb explosion. Though no life was lost, voters scampered for safety and temporarily left the arena. The source of the bomb could not be determined as at press time, some said it might not be unconnected with the disqualification of a prominent contender for the National Assembly by one of the big parties. They said the said contender defected to a smaller party and had continually terrorised the community. The police bomb disposal unit confirmed the incident but assured that they were on top of the situation. However, the accreditation exercise which was slated to hold between 8.00am and 1pm was

marred by dysfunctional card readers at most polling units and late arrival of INEC officials. At Nri Ward 1 Polling Unit, which is the base of Hon. Uche Ekwunife, the incumbent House of Representative member representing Njikoka/Anaocha/ Dunukofia/Idemili zone, INEC officials did not arrive until about 11.45am. Meanwhile, voters arrived the polling unit as early as 7am. In an interview with Ekwunife, she said that the Card reader process was so cumbersome, hence, they resorted to manual process of accreditation to get the voting process in motion and save time. Also the member representing Anambra Central at the National Assembly, Dr. Chris Ngige, was looking physically distraught as he expressed his disappointment at the accreditation process. The Card Reader did not work in his home town, Alor, and the neigh-

bouring Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area. He complained that the card readers were not working and that the INEC officials had to resort to manual process. He said, “Am not happy with the way things are going here. The card readers are not working and the officials are resorting to using manual process. The electoral act stipulated that anywhere manual process is used, the election will be cancelled. So, what it means is that the election here may be cancelled. I am not happy at all.” Similarly, in Agulu, Aguluzigbo, and Ogbaru local government areas, voting had not commenced as at 3.00pm. Addressing journalists seperately, the former governor of Anmabra State, Mr. Peter Obi, and the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, expressed dissatisfaction with the card system and called for improvement.

Abia

Peaceful but for dysfunctional card readers Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

aturday’s election was generally peaceful in Abia State but the performance of the card reader machines was a source of concern in most polling units visited. Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) started accreditation in some of the polling centres as early as 8.am while it started later in others. At the Saint Silas Primary School,

Old Umuahia, and Saint Charles Primary School also in Old Umuahia, Umuahia North LGA, accreditation of voters started on schedule while the card readers functioned without problem. But at the Community Primary School Umuwaya Road, Umuahia North LGA with five polling centres, one of the card readers did not function and the officials tried to rectify the problem before using the manual accreditation. At the Igbere Community

School in Bende, home of the PPA Senatorial candidate and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, the election was peaceful. At Amanbra Agbala polling centre 006 in Umunneochi LGA, the electoral officer, Owin Ese, said the card reader could not recognize some of the fingers and the commission had to do the accreditation manually. Speaking on the election at his country home in Umuelem, Umunneochi LGA,

the member representing Umunneochi in the Abia State House of Assembly, Prince Ikedi Ezekwesili, commended INEC for the conduct of the election, describing it as peaceful. He, however, said reports reaching him indicated that some of the centers did not have the result sheet. Commenting on the election at his country home at Onuaku, Ward 1, Uturu in Isuikwuato LGA, the President of Masters Energy, Dr.

Uche Ogah, complained that the card reading machine could not recognise the fingers nor count the number of voters. He said they suggested that the officials should use resort to the ‘Plan B’. At the Umudinja Ovim polling centre in Isuikwuato LGA, the former Country Director of IPAS, and APGA candidate for Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Dr. Ejike Orji, said he got reports that there were no

result sheets in most of the polling centres. At Eziala Community School 1 polling centre, Alayi, Bende LGA, voting was still ongoing as at 3pm and the member representing Bende Federal constituency, Nnenna Elendu Ukeje, said INEC must be commended for the free and fair election. She, however, added that people were yet to get familiar with the card reader which she said they would overcome in due time.

Imo

Soldiers impound cash-laden truck Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

he long awaited general elections commenced yesterday with thousands of Imo residents facing disenfranchisement. Though there were no major incidents of violence during the process of accreditation, the exercise was marred by dysfunctional card readers and late arrival of election materials. Also, the police arrested Barr. Okechukwu Okorocha, the Security Adviser to Governor Rochas Okorocha, for illegal possession of firearms and the immediate past Commissioner for Public Utilities, Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, who had scores of PVCs and firearms in his possession. Soldiers also impounded and arrested the driver of a Hilux Van belonging to the Principal Secretary to the Governor Rochas Okorocha, Mr. Paschal Obi, for huge sum of money towards an election centre. Meanwhile, the card readers failed across the three senatorial districts of the state. At Ngor Okpala Ward 9, none of the card readers in use was functional. In Azuzi Ward 4, by Zander Park, 15 Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) could not be read by the card reader at a stretch. This alarmed the voters who alleged foul play. Uzii Primary School with seven polling units was better as many voters had their data read by the card reader but their finger prints could not be read.

At Ezeogba in Emekuku, Owerri North and Baptist Church voting centre in Owerri Municipal, none of the card readers worked. Even officials of INEC that were brought in to look at the devices were clearly at a lost as to what to do. The situation at Umuopara Ugiri in Isiala Mbano was most unfortunate. There, enthusiastic voters were denied their rights. Four card readers were on display at the centre, yet not one voter was accredited. Initially, officials of INEC told the voters that efforts were being made to secure a functional card reader from the INEC office to commence accreditation. A voter, Mr. Andrew, told our correspondent that after waiting endlessly for the card reader, an INEC official told the exasperated voters to go home once it was 1.00pm, that the election would be rescheduled for the next day. At about 1.30pm, the electoral officials left for the distribution and collection centre at St. Dominic Secondary School, where the voters who had followed the officials realized that ballot papers and other sensitive electoral materials have been compromised. It was discovered that ballot papers had all been detached by unknown persons leaving behind only the stubs. Stub of one of the ballot papers for Okigwe North Federal constituency election had the serial number 000134901 to 000135000 while that of the senatorial election had the following

tag: Code: SD/048/IM and serial number is 000099020. Not too long after this, tempers flared and the angry voters descended on a Civil Defence operative who they accused of complicity. In Obeazu Mbieri, accreditation was shut down by voters on discovering that some sensitive materials had been allegedly removed. The supervisor at the Collection and Distribution Centre at Ezinihitte, Obeazu Mbieri, could not convince the agitated voters to let voting continue. When newsmen visited the area, the Supervisor was said to have left with the Imo Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere. By 12.30pm, there was still no presence of INEC officials in the Community Primary School, Akwakuma which is a mere 10 minutes drive from the INEC state headquarter. It was the same thing for Agwa, Ejemekwuru and Izombe in Oguta local government area. Voters at Nkwo Orji, Owerri North, which is less than 15 minutes drive from INEC state headquarters did not sight any INEC official until 1.30 pm. In Enyiogwugwu, home of Chris Anyanwu, the senator representing Imo East at the Senate, there was no presence of INEC officials in the 17 polling units in the area. Reacting to the development, Anyanwu said the situation was inexcusable as the Commission had ample time and personnel to make good their claims of preparedness.

Ebonyi

Election materials arrive late Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

eputy Governor of Ebonyi State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Chief Dave Umahi, has said he is sure of victory for President Goodluck Jonathan. Umahi stated this on Saturday at his country home

in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state, while speaking to journalists. He stated that with the party’s massive campaign in the state, it would be a landslide victory for the party, adding that the nine National Assembly candidates, three senatorial flag bearers and the president would have 90% victory

in the election. The Deputy Governor expressed dismay over the inability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be ready for the election despite the six weeks shift. “Am not happy with the INEC. There is late arrival of materials everywhere. It’s a way to disenfranchise eligible voters,” he said.

SOUTH-SOUTH

News

Rivers

Soldier, others killed Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

t least three persons were killed during Saturday’s election in Rivers State as party supporters in parts of the state attacked opponents they felt could threaten their victory. Despite the presence of soldiers who mounted roadblocks in strategic locations in the state, especially the points of entry into towns and communities, there were cases of shootings and hijack of electoral materials. In Gokana Local Government Area, INEC’s card reader was reportedly hijacked by a man, who sources say, escaped with the machine. One of those who lost their lives was a soldier. While the soldier was attacked in an ambush in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, and was rushed to the hospital where he later died, another victim, Samsom Wonah, was according to sources, shot in Ozuoha, Ikwerre Local Government Area. He died on the spot. In Abua/Odua Local Government Area, where inter-party and cult-related killings were uncommon, thugs acting on the orders of party leaders, hijacked electoral materials and made the atmosphere uncomfortable for voters. Some voters rushed back home because there were no INEC officials and electoral materials and for fear of being attacked by the thugs. In Gokana council, the atmosphere was tensed as some youths threatened to unleash violence on voters. Some journalists who went there to monitor the election hurriedly left for fear of possible attack by armed youths. ...Rivers APC kicks Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Rivers State chapter, has rejected yesterday’s presi-

dential elections, citing intimidation by the police and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The party chairman, Dr. Davies Ikanya, said that armed PDP thugs killed its members in different parts of the state, including in Kpite Town, Tai Local Government Area, and that the police and the army targeted prominent members of the party for arrests. Ikanya said: “Armed militias working for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have intensified their killing of APC members. Scores have already been killed and several others marked for elimination. This morning in Kpite town, Tai Ward 2, and other areas of the state, five people were shot dead by PDP’s armed militia, and that was before accreditation commenced.” Ikanya accused the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Gesila Khan, of working for the PDP, noting that she was “bent on carrying out her secret agreement with PDP to return victory to the party at all cost.” But the Governorship candidate of the PDP, Barr. Nyesom Wike, said the election in the state was peaceful, and commended the people of the state for coming out to vote and for conducting themselves peacefully. …Brigade Commander restricts Amaechi’s movement Also, there was a mild drama in Ubima, the hometown of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, shortly after he drove from Ward 7 in Ikwerre Local Government Area, where he had gone for accreditation. Amaechi, who drove in a convoy to his father’s residence in Ubima, was prevented from leaving by a team of army officers led by Brigadier General K. A. Essien, the Brigade Commander, Two Brigade, Port Harcourt. Amaechi, who drove a

black Toyota Sports Utility Vehicle, noted that he had no room to stay in his father’s compound and urged the Brigade Commander to provide him an alternative accommodation to stay. The argument went on for almost 10 minutes, as his security men, in complete black outfits guarded him, while the soldiers with Essien stood their ground in preventing him from returning to Government House, Port Harcourt. Essien, who spoke politely and respectfully to the Governor, told him that the army wanted to ensure his safety, adding that it was not in his interest to drive to Government House, where he had no electoral obligation, but should remain where he registered. He also told the Governor that he was an interested party in the election, and should not be moving about. But Essein later allowed the Governor to leave the area for Government House, Port Harcourt. Below is and excerpt from the conversation between Gov. Amaechi and the Brigade commander: Essein: People who are not accredited should not be moving around. Amaechi: There is no law that says I can’t move around during election. Brigade Commander: You are playing out the information we gave out in public. Amaechi: Do you want to arrest me? Essein: Let us not get things wrong. Nobody wants to arrest you. You are the one playing. Amaechi: There are no materials for election. Essein: Your going to Government House does not bring the material. If you are going to Government House, I don’t want you coming back to this place. I see you are being surrounded by armed men. Amaechi: I don’t believe in violence…

INEC postpones election in Orhionmwon, others V

oters in Edo State on Saturday, complained bitterly about the failure of the INEC card reader, late arrival of voting materials and harassment of voters and residents in parts of the state. At Iyamho, Etsako West Council Area in Edo North -home town of Governor Adams Oshiomhole - there was total lock down of the

community by hordes of stern looking soldiers who swooped on the governor’s residence, and in the process, dislodged journalists attached to the state government house. As at 11.30am, the state governor was yet to be accreditated due to a faulty card reader at Iyamho Primary School in Etsako West Council Area. Although there was a large turnout of voters who arrived the various polling centres as early as 7.00am,

dent Electoral Commission (REC) of the INEC in Edo state, Mr. Mike Igini, on Saturday, announced the shift of the Presidential and National Assembly election in Orhionmwon council area and other areas where the exercise did not hold in the state. The exercise will now hold today (Sunday) to enable voters

in the affected areas to cast their votes for candidates of their choice. The sudden postponement followed late arrival of electoral materials in Orhionmwon and some parts of the state where the process was delayed for hours due to faulty card reader and other challenges including absence of result sheets.

Delta

Lamentation over card readers Dominic Adewole ASABA

undreds of voters had a tough time getting accredited at their polling units in Delta State card reader machines introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to checkmate electoral fraud failed to function in many of the polling centres in the state. As at 11a.m on Saturday, many of the polling units across the state were yet to receive their voting materials, even as the exercise was slow. INEC officials in affected polling units used the Incident Forms provided by the commission but some voters, who could not wait to fill the forms, angrily abandoned the exercise. Prior to the commencement of the exercise, however, the commission cancelled the conduct of the election in Ethiope East and West federal constituencies respectively in Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state over shortage of materials. Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Onwusanya, lamented the rejection of eligible voters by the machine successively within 15 minutes at his Ward in Oshimili South Local Government Area of the state. Before electoral materials got to Abigborodo in Warri North Local Government Area of the state at about 11.15a.m, tension was al-

ready high. Voters in the locality, including Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who had queued for hours for the commission to take delivery of the sensitive materials, wondered why it took so long. The situation was the same at Onicha-Olona in Aniocha Local Government Area of the state. The former Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, who decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Accord Party (AP) to realize his Senatorial ambition, could not be accredited until around 12noon, due to late arrival of materials. However, the malfunctioning card reader machines caused anxiety for voters in Ika North-East Local Government Area of the state, the domain of PDP governorship flag-bearer, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and Ward 5, situated at St. Brigid’s Girls Grammar School, Asaba, in Oshimili South Local Government Area, where the former South-South Zonal Woman Leader of the PDP, Chief (Mrs.) Theodora Giwa-Amu voted. The situation was not different in Ika South council area of the state. At Ward 6, Unit 2, where the SouthSouth Zonal Vice Chairman of PDP, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, voted, the machine also broke down. Crisis however broke out at Owa-Oyibu in Ika North East Local Government

Area of the state when two factional groups clashed allegedly over their preferred candidates. The remote cause of the fracas, which forced voters to scamper for safety before a detachment of police troops were deployed in the troubled zone to quell the crisis, could not be immediately ascertained. But Okowa who voted at about 2.30p.m at Owa-Ailero, lamented that the slow pace of the exercise had the capacity to reduce the number of votes and create what he tagged ‘error of margin’, maintaining that “a situation where 20 to 40 per cent of the voters need to fill the Incident Form had called the effectiveness of the machine into question.” Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, after voting at Unit 1, Ward 6, Abigborodo in Warri-North Local Government Area of the state, observed that though accreditation commenced late, the turn out of voters for the elections was very impressive. He said, “The process is smooth all the way, accreditation was very quick, it took less than a minute. For me and my wife, it was quite smooth using the card reader, but I am getting some feelers from some places that it did not work perfectly.” Governor Uduaghan who cast his votes at exactly 3.25 pm was earlier accredited at 12.50 pm along with his wife, Mrs. Roli Uduaghan.

Cross River

Card readers programmed for Feb 14

Edo

Cajetan Mmuta Benin

working in Edo North and other parts of the state and wondered why none was working in Edo South. He wondered if that was a ploy to disenfranchise people in the populous Edo South Senatorial District seen as major focus of the PDP and the APC in the contest. Meanwhile, the Resi-

SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

accreditation of voters by INEC officials started late in Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba Okha councils. The situation was worse in Uromehe, Orhionmwon council -the political base of the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu. There, voters lamented the absence of electoral materials and INEC officials. As at 10.41 am, no voter had been accredited. An obviously disappointed Odubu said that he learnt that the card readers were

Clement James Calabar

any voters in Cross River State, on Saturday, complained about the slow pace of the card reading machines while many others said the machines didn’t function during the accreditation exercise. Sunday Telegraph observed that while voters in some polling units did not have much problem during the accreditation exercise, many in other units were not so lucky because of dysfunctional card readers. For example, for three hours, voters were not accredited at Eyo Eta/Edibe

Edibe Street because the card reader did not function. The Presiding Officer, Austin Chime, told our Correspondent that they could not accredit voters because the card reader given to them was not reconfigured after the postponement of the election from February 14 to March 28. “The problem we are having now is that this card reader was configured for February 14 and since then, it has not been reconfigured. We, therefore, cannot use the incident form because it is only when the machine fails to capture that we will use it,” Chime said. He, however, said they were awaiting the Supervisory Of-

ficer to come and rectify the situation. He appealed to voters, who were already agitated, to exercise patience. The State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Austin Ekwot, accused Prof. Attahiru Jega of deliberately using the card reader to disenfranchise many people, claiming that he had gone to his polling unit to be accredited but the card reader did not work. In the Northern and Central senatorial districts of Cross River State, our correspondent gathered that the materials arrived late and most of the card readers were programmed for the February 2015 election.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29 2015

NEWS

South-WEST

Two killed, card readers malfunction Sola Adeyemo

T Osogbo

he presidential and the National Assembly elections in Osun State took a bloody dimension in some parts of the state yesterday as two persons were reportedly shot dead by suspected political hoodlum in the wee hours of the day. While one Yomi Ademola believed to be a strong member of the Peoples Democratic Party was killed at Idi Oro, in Ikirun, the second victim, said to be a personal assistant of a member of the Osun State House of Assembly, representing Ife South State

Constituency, Honourable Folorunso Bamisayemi, was slain in Ife. While the trouble lasted in Ife South Local Government, a number of houses were burnt while many electorate were chased away from the polling units to deny them their right of voting. Sunday Telegraph gathered that Ademola, a PDP chieftain in Ikirun was a strong member of the APC in the state before he decamped to the PDP. His killing was said to be unconnected with his decampment to the PDP. Three suspects had been arrested in connection with the killing while the PDP claimed that the suspected

One shot as youths attack Fayose’s deputy Adesina Wahab, Ado-Ekiti

kiti State Deputy Governor, Dr Kolapo Olusola, on Saturday was attacked by some irate youths in his hometown, Ikere-Ekiti for allegedly roaming around during the elections. A supporter of the All Progressives Congress, Jide Owolabi, was allegedly shot in the buttocks in the process by some security agents. However, Olusola, who spoke on the development, said it was an insult to say that he was roaming about or violating any order, but that he was going to his polling unit to vote when some youths attacked his vehicle. Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Idowu Adelusi, said the attack on the deputy governor was premeditated, adding that some APC thugs stationed at Odo Oja Quarters of the town attacked Olusola’s convoy on sighting him. “We are amazed at lies being circulated in the media by the APC that an

APC member was shot by the deputy governor’s security. The security agents posted for the election saw what happened. However, Senator Anthony Adeniyi, of the APC, who is representing the area, said his supporters never attacked Olusola. “The deputy governor was going round town, which is contrary to the electoral regulation, and some youths challenged him. He was going about in official convoy and that is unnecessary. It was while he was challenged that his security details shot at one of the youths,” he stated. Meanwhile, Governor Ayo Fayose, who voted at his hometown, AfaoEkiti, at about 1.10 pm, expressed confidence that President Goodluck Jonathan would win the election. “I commend the people for coming out to exercise their voting rights peacefully. This election will lead to the political eclipse of General Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.

Epe prince, others drown Muritala Ayinla

ragedy struck in Lagos yesterday as boat carrying some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress who were returning from a polling booth capsized, killing scores of occupants. Among those drown in the ill-fated boat were a prince of Epe, Kunle Adewale and APC chieftain, Muiz Bello. As the time of filing this report, nobody could ascertain the number of people drowned in accident.

Speaking with Sunday Telegraph, General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Agency,, Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, who expressed sadness over the incidence, said he was too shocked to comment further as the late prince was his close friend. “It is sad that we record boat mishap on election day. Kunle was too close to me, we attended the same secondary school together and we did our Advanced Levels together. I’m too shocked to comment on the incident please”.

killer is the current executive secretary of a local government in the state. Speaking on the incidence, the Commissioner of Police in charge of elections, Mr. Charles Okawula confirmed the arrest of two people over the issue. In his reaction, the PDP House of Representatives candidate in Ifelodun/ Boripe/ Odo-otin Federal Constituency, Barrister Kayode Oduye condemned the killing while the former Commissioner and Attorney General to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Mr. Wale Afolabi claimed ignorance of the incident. Meanwhile, the use of card readers in the on-going elections disappointed several people as a result of malfunctioning of the machines in some parts of the state.

The development caused a lot of delay in the accreditation exercise at Oja Oba, Ward 2, Unit 2 in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State. Though, the turnout of voters was impressive, no accreditation has been successfully carried out as at the time of filing in this report. Speaking on the development, the presiding officer of the unit, Mr. Joshua Amos said they were given the wrong card reader and that was the reason it could not read the PVC vey well. He added that a call had been put to their supervisor to intimate him about the mix-up because that would also affect the pother unit with whom their card reader was swapped. Sunday Telegraph’s investigations as at 8.30 am

revealed that the place was almost engulfed by confusion when the card reader could accredit the potential voters. As a result of this, the electorate were frustrated and waited endlessly before later being attended to manually. Also, at Eripa in Boluwaduro Local Government, the card reader did not work and people could not be attended to as at the time of filing in the report. The same thing happened in some polling units in Ijeshaland, the country home of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Ile-Ife. Speaking on the election, Governor Aregbesola commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for the successful use of the card reader for the 2015 general election. Aregbesola, who made the

commendation after casting his vote at the Ifofin Ward 8 in Ilesha East Local Government of the state in company of his wife and mother around 2pm, argued that the card reader has advanced the voting experience of Nigerians, by drastically reducing possible manipulation of the electoral process. He said that the ongoing 2015 general election in the state is far better than what was witnessed in the August 9 governorship election in 2014. Also, the Director of Media, PDP Presidential Campaign, Mr. Femi Fani- Kayode said that he was impressed with how Nigerians came out for the election.”This election is the one that will show if Nigeria and Nigerians will move forward or not. Apart from the hitches associated with the card readers.”

Former Governor Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Sanusi, being accredited, during the elections in Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Fashola tasks INEC on hitches Muritala Ayinla

agos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola yesterday called on the electorate to remain calm in spite of the few hiccups experienced in the voting process in some parts of the country, saying Nigerian majority could decide how peaceful election could be. Fashola, who queued behind about 412 voters with his family for about two hours before voting, said there was no way minority in the country will cause violence, if majority of Nigerians are committed to a peaceful election. Fashola said the electoral process was far from perfect, but added that with

patience, every voter can be served in a peaceful process. Explaining that there could be logistic problems in the conduct of the elections in other parts of the country, the governor added:” Don’t forget that this is a logistic operation going on nationwide. There will be faults here and there. There will be late arrival, transport logistic problems, vehicle can breakdown, okay? “In some places, we are getting some text messages that their machines are working well during their accreditation. In some places they said some people were late. People get late to their weddings. Let us understand this. So, People should also be

patient and I made this appeal in my address people should also be patient.” The governor, however, appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission to correct the flaws and ensure all eligible voters exercise their civic responsibility. He added: “This is a logistic operation, where you plan for the worst and expect the best. Sometimes they (logistic flaws) just happen to anyone and we move on. These are human beings and there are no perfections here. What we don’t want is for anyone to sabotage the process. “People should also be patience with the whole process. The India process itself is not rooted in

the technology but in the people. If all really come out that we want peace no matter what, then the whole process will be peaceful. That is what you have seen in my polling unit. All these people want peace, so we are peaceful”. Fashola noted that the process was quite peaceful in his polling unit in Surulere, and a testimony of what could be achieved if the people remain calm. “We haven’t had issue with machines, we haven’t had issues with ballot papers, we haven’t had issue with rowdiness and we haven’t heard of any security breach thus far. But there is still a distance to go and we are hope that all will be well.

SUNDAY

Fashion

Rise to high low styles 22&43

Bed, Work & Life

Seems baby is in a hurry 20

Body Soul SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

I believe in hard work, discipline -MUDI

SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

eart h y m m o r f t Straigh

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Contents 29.03.2015 COVER Discipline is what got me to where I am today. It’s beyond having the talent; you having the will and everything

FASHION The high low trend appeals to the fashion addict

T h e Te a m Juliet Bumah (Editor)

Vanessa Okwara (Correspondent)

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Wole Adepoju

-MUDI

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BEAUTY If you have oily skin, you know all the issues it can cause when it comes to makeup

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GLAM DUDES The modern DB suit has been slimmed and trimmed, making it the staple choice of stylish guys

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Biwom Iklaki (Correspondent) Ugochukwu Nnakwe (Graphics)

MY PASSION I have heard misconceptions about people saying I called myself Beyoncé of Nigeria

Edwin Usoboh (Graphics) +234 (0) 811 675 9770, +234 (0) 701 110 1014 julietbumah@gmail.com julietbumah@newtelegraphonline.com

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Associates

BED, WORK & LIFE

“Is Kiki with you?” Dave blurts out. “Er...no. Any problem?” Alice asks. She almost said yes, to cover up her sister but something pushed her to say no

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Helen Paul

Eyitayo Aloh

i By ee

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015

Body&Soul

What was the first thing you did when you came into the entertainment industry? I started off as a radio presenter. Months later, I started my career in music. How did your journey in music start? My music career started off in my father’s living room. I remember correctly that I started singing at the age of four. My mum was in the choir and she had an amazing voice. She was my first inspiration musically. As time went on, I met my former band members. Then we met my husband who became our record label boss and manager and signed us up. My first album was released in 2006. You stopped singing or being in the public eye for a while. What actually happened? I would not say that I stopped my career; I took a break when I got pregnant with my son and the whole experience of a first time pregnancy. I had the worst morning sickness ever which lasted for about four months. After the arrival of my son, I fell in love with him. I just couldn’t leave him with anybody so I sacrificed and took two years off to raise my son. I’m

I didn’t call myself Beyoncé of Nigeria -Ashionye Singer, actress and film producer, Ashionye Michelle Racah, featured in the popular drama series, Tinsel. She also produced her own movie which won various awards. She speaks to VANESSA OKWARA about the joy of motherhood, her career and more back on the scene now. I actually have two new singles that TY Mix produced. We are in the process of shooting a video for one of them. How did your foray into movies begin? I actually started acting in 2005. My first act was in ‘Doctors Quarters’ where I played the part of a French girl. It was also an M-Net production. Tinsel was in 2009, I was only there for Season Two. I actually asked them to do something with my character because of the morning sickness. So they came up with the disappearance and she was never found. It was a good experience. Aside from the drama series, I also produced my first film, ‘Journey to Self.’ I also wrote the screen play of that film. I studied Mass Communication and majored in Broadcasting. Ever since I was a kid, I had a flair for writing. Did ‘Journey to Self’ win any award? Actually, the movie won three awards. They are AMVCA 2013, BON awards and Nollywood Movies Award. We had 21 nominations for that movie and I didn’t put in for all the awards going on that year. People are still watching the movies and they are waiting for the DVD. You have a talent for music and movies. Which one takes the upper hand? Music is my passion. Music is my religion after Christianity. Also, my passion for movies has grown.

They are two different things. You can express yourself through music personally but through film, you express yourself as somebody else. I will say I love both of them but music takes the lead. When I write my song, I speak from my heart. You are obviously pregnant with your second child. Wouldn’t that put things on hold again? No, this pregnancy is different. I have been there before so it is not like the first time. This pregnancy will not affect my work. I am on top of my game this time around. What is your fashion style? I am more of a casual person. I love jeans and T-shirts. If you are going for a red carpet event, are you going to wear jeans? There are different outfits for different occasions. If it’s a red carpet event like the AMVCA I attended recently, I wore a lovely red dress that gave me the freedom and allowed my bump to breath. So I can’t turn up in a pair of jeans. But if it is a more laid back event, then I can wear jeans, tuck in the shirt and wear a nice pair of heels and a nice handbag to go with it. What is your favourite fashion item? That will be my lip gloss. I don’t like dry chapped lips. So I always make sure my lip gloss is in my bag wherever I go. What is your signature perfume? It will be a mix of mine called Romance by Ashionye which I launched into the market in 2006. I mixed it with Elizabeth Arden’s Fifth Avenue. I love Elizabeth Arden Fifth Avenue. I have been using it for a very long time. How is the perfume line doing in the market? It is doing well and we are making some kind of money from there. That is why I say I am a business woman. What is your beauty routine? Right now with pregnancy, I have a lot of breakouts. Basically, I try to wash my face as many times as possible. I don’t apply makeup if I am not going anywhere in order to let my face breathe. I go for my facials every two weeks to one month to help with the breakouts. I use my facial wipe and toner. I use a night cream at night and day cream during the day. You have been carrying your natural hair for how long now? I have been going natural for two years and four months now. I just twist it or do the corn rows. I have natural grey hair. I had grey hair since I was in primary school. As I grew older, it spread all over my hair. You got married in 2009. How did you meet your husband?

We met when my musical group was introduced to him by a friend, Adrian Woods, who was then the CEO of MTN. Along the line, we became friends. We hit it off immediately. Nobody asked anybody out. It just happened. I guess it was meant to happen. We have been together for 15 years. We will have been married for six years this year. How do you keep the marriage working? We tolerate each other. If we don’t, then we can’t live with each other. I didn’t marry him because I was looking for Mr. Right and the same goes for him. We manage our flaws. We also communicate. We work together and whatever situation arises, we put our heads together as friends to tackle it. We were friends before we got married. How do you manage your marriage with the scandals associated with you in the media? I have never been a controversial person. Even before I got married, I had heard people saying I called myself the ‘Beyoncé of Nigeria.’ I never once did, it was the media that started that ‘Beyoncé of Nigeria’ issue. For years, people have cursed me because of it. Well, people are allowed to believe what they want. So I will not go out and start correcting people’s beliefs. But then, I would rather go with what my family thinks than what outsiders think about me. The most important people in my life are my family. You married a man outside your race. How do you handle the interracial differences? My husband is British but he has a lot of mixed blood. My husband is not your average white guy. He was born in Kano and speaks fluent Hausa. His family has been in Nigeria for 100 years. His family has been here that long. He understands some of our cultures and values. For me, I don’t see colour and he does not see colour as well. My parents don’t see colour; if not my father would not have allowed me to marry him. His family is fine with me as well. They don t see colour, I call his family the ‘United Nations’ because he has relatives from different parts of the world. What drives you and your life philosophy? I’m driven by God and my family. My philosophy is to live life one day at a time. What has motherhood done for you? It has matured me. Before I had him, even when I was married, everything was about me. Then Ashioma, my son, came along and the world changed. The world became more colourful for me. He has been a source of happiness. My relationship with my son is something else. It is a bond that cannot be broken. He is more talented than us, his parents. He sings, acts and he can play the guitar and keyboard very well even at four. He has musical parents and has picked up our talents.

Body&Soul

SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

MUDI: I believe in

Nigeria’s foremost fashion designer, Mudiaga Clement Enajemo, talks about his rise in the fashion industry, why he is not designing for women and sundry issues in this interview with VANESSA OKWARA When you decided to be a fashion designer, how much did you invest in it? I started with no capital! Let me tell you something, when I was starting, there was no capital. I was saving to get my first shop. The first shop I got was for N37, 000. I had only N17, 000. RMD (Richard Mofe-Damijo) gave me N20, 000 to balance up and to pay for my first shop in Anthony, Lagos. A Room shop! At the time you started, what gave you the courage that you would succeed? One, I had that belief. People must wear clothes now! And once you believe in yourself and you have the talent, you are creative, just keep working, keep working and it will work. When did you break even as a designer? I haven’t gotten a breakthrough. The level I am now is as a result of hard work, discipline. But I’ve not gotten a breakthrough. For now, its hard work and discipline that are working for me. When do you envisage that you will get a breakthrough? Most times it’s difficult to answer that question because the level I am today, it’s not easy to say tomorrow, I will be in this place or that. No! Most times I allow God to play His role. So, I just do my best and put in my best. What makes a good designer? Number one, you must be creative. You must be very creative and then you must know how to dress very well. How lucrative is the fashion business? It is lucrative because fashion is a must. For example, when you wake up in the morning, the first thing you do is that you have to eat, then you must wear an outfit. You must wear clothes. You can’t go naked. So, it’s a good business that once you know it well and you are doing it well and you are happy doing it, you will make it. But you must be creative. What fabrics are you most comfortable working with? That will be Linen. I use more of linen because it’s the best fabric. It is very versatile. You can use it to make anything -both casuals, kaftans, jackets, suits. It cuts across all styles. What do you like most about being a fashion designer? I think it’s the joy, the passion with which I do the job. That is the main thing; it gives me joy and then the passion. What is the greatest thing that being a fashion designer has done for you? I think the fame. Let me say the fame. Because at times, you go out

and people say: ‘Are you the Mudi?’ And you have access to other things through the name that you have built over the years also. What don’t you like about being a fashion designer? Most times, the glamour it brings to your life – people now begin to see you as a celebrity and because of that, there a r e

things you can’t do in public. You have to be more careful. So, most times, it takes away your life from you. Most times, it has its own negative aspects and for you to manage it is not easy. What has it not done for you? Let me think… Because the way you answer it, people might read different

meanings into it…Ha! What has it not done for me? I think what I have not enjoyed so much is creating time for my family. I think most times, I hardly stay at home; I get home very late, I travel most weekends; no time for the family. I think that is it. Why do some people attain success, but find it difficult to sustain it? Discipline! Discipline!! But most times, when they say discipline, people will just narrow it down to maybe one thing. But it cuts across everything- eating habit, the time you resume at work. I get to my office by 7 O’clock in the morning. There are some designers that get to their offices around 10/11am. Most times they get carried away by the little success they’ve achieved. So, discipline is the key. This is because you might have the passion, you might have the flair, but discipline is the key. Why do many designers fail? I think most times it’s the glamour. Some get carried away by the glamour and they begin to lose focus. Some lose focus easily because we are in a society where there is so much distraction. People go into the profession for three major reasons: One, the glamour; two the passion and three, the monetary aspect. Some are into it because of the money they can get as businessmen and women; some are into it because of the passion they have for the job and some are creative. So, they put in their best to make sure that they stand well. The most dangerous aspect is glamour. Once you get carried away by the fact that people

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015

Body&Soul

hard work, discipline know you as a designer -they hail you before you know it, it will get into your head and you will begin to lose focus.

Who would you like to clothe or design for but hasn’t been able to? This is a difficult question. Do you know why? If you had asked me this question may be a year ago, I would have mentioned a particular name, but the guy did something that put me off. But I don’t want to mention his name. He’s someone I respect. He has a good sense of style, but I don’t want to mention any name. I invited him to be part of my show and it didn’t even occur to him to call to say ‘Sorry, Mudi, I couldn’t make it’. So, I’ve just brushed him aside.

here? And I said it’s true o! So, what I did then was, I have some friends who are Ghanaians, I just did a survey, went out with them and started asking questions. They gave me the go – ahead, I came back to Nigeria; I travelled back the following week, got a lawyer

Apart from this person, is there no other person? Well, for now, I can’t really remember any other name. Besides clothes sewn by you, who are the other designers you patronise? I don’t wear clothes by other designers. I wear my clothes from January to December. I only have just one pair of jeans by D & G and I wear it maybe twice in a year. I hardly wear jeans. I make all the clothes that I wear. Who are the fashion designers outside our shores that you have learnt one or two things from? Over there, the structure is there for them to work with. But here, it’s at the individual level. People just do things on their own. There is no structure. Even the level I am now, there’s no bank loan. I’ve not taken one naira before from a bank to operate my business. Each time I open an outlet, I go down. Immediately I open an outlet, I have to start saving again. Because what I do most times is I just take my savings, go to their country, get a lawyer, register my brand there, get a shop and set up the business. No bank loan. It is just my personal effort. Where else can people find MUDI because you seem to be expanding rapidly? We are in Accra, Ghana; Nairobi, Kenya; South Africa and Dakar, Senegal. Are you not over expanding and spreading yourself too thin? No! What matters most is when you have the structure on ground to sustain and to monitor whatever thing you are going to set up, the rest is secondary, because the most important thing is to keep coming out with new ideas. You keep stocking all the outlets, it’s simple. But you must get the structure right first. This is because people wear clothes every day. The demand is there. People must wear clothes. So, you can’t wait till people place orders, you must keep working. It’s like asking Giorgio Armani or Versace why are they all over the world. They have shops all over the world. When did it occur to you to start moving outside Nigeria? That was 2008. So, what prompted it? I was in Ghana for an October 1 event. (Senator Musiliu) Obanikoro, the then ambassador, hosted Nigerians. It was a cocktail and I was invited. Obanikoro’s wife and I were just discussing and she said Mudi, why can’t you open a shop

Your shoes must blend with your belt. It’s not about the amount, the value of your clothes or how much you bought them, what matters most is the cut, the fit, the carriage and how the cloth sits on you

there, established my brand, registered it, got an auditor and just opened.

How do you get your customers? Most times, it’s the individual. When you wear something nice, well-tailored and people ask, where did you get this one from? MUDI! It’s the word of mouth. It’s not just the network. You must also have something to offer. You can’t just be networking when you have nothing to offer or sell. You must have a good product before you now start networking. What is the best way to build a man’s wardrobe? The best way to build a wardrobe is you must consult a stylist -that is people who take care of people’s wardrobes. Unfortunately, we don’t have them in our society. I’m a designer. I’m not a stylist. There are people who a re there, who you consult to tell you what to wear at a particular time. So, they come to your wardrobe and tell you what and what to wear. This is nice, but for summer; this is nice for a dinner, this is nice for an outing or a birthday party and so on. So, you must consult a stylist? Yes! What are the musthaves in every fashion-forward young man’s wardrobe? Number one is jeans. It’s important. A jean, black trousers; a black belt; a brown belt; a black pair of shoes and a brown pair of shoes. Those are the basic things you need to stock your wardrobe. The other things are just secondary. And the most important thing, once you know what you want and you are someo n e w h o likes

good things; then you go and buy.

What is the greatest fashion mistake that most people make? Most times, people abuse fashion. What we call fashion victim. If you overdress, it becomes a problem. So, most times it’s either they overdress or under dress. There are some who lack a sense of style. They want to do what someone else is doing. It’s either they overdo it or they under do it. So, it’s a two way thing and you need to be very, very careful to balance up. When can a man be said to be well dressed? One, your shoes must blend with your belt. It’s not about the amount, the value of your clothes or how much you bought them, what matters most is the cut, the fit, the carriage and how the cloth sits on you. Who is your best dressed Nigerian man? Stan Mukoro. He’s a columnist; he used to write for Vanguard. He dresses very well. How about the ladies? For the ladies, I pick Eunice Efole. She dresses very well. Why doesn’t MUDI design for women? I used to, but I stopped because of the pressure involved. I stopped some years ago… What kind of pressure are we talking about here? A lot of distractions, especially the pressure! You know that women are very emotional. If a woman orders for an outfit and it’s not ready at a particular time, maybe due to hindrances, when you give an excuse they flare up. But a man will understand, he will say okay, when can I come back? So, they are too emotional and I stopped making clothes for women. Though, I still make for a few friends of mine – who I make clothes for their wives. But I don’t take orders. I make them at my convenient time, I deliver to you and you pay. What singular decision would you say turned around your life? Discipline! There are designers, even in Nigeria here; they get to their offices 10 O’clock, 11 0’oclock. They delegate from home. But I get to my office 7am everyday (stresses it). Discipline is what got me to where I am today. It’s beyond having the talent; you having the will and everything. You must be disciplined. Discipline is very important. Let me give you an instance. There was a day I went to VGC, Lekki. That was about seven years ago to deliver some clothes to one of my clients. Immediately I left his house, I said let me just take a drive, so I drove farther into VGC. I saw houses, I stopped and I said ‘Men, all these people that built these houses, dem go wear clothes now! This thing that I am doing, if I do it well, these people, dem go wear clothes o!’ What am I saying? There’s so much money to be made. And that really gave me a push. People will definitely wear clothes. What is your dream for MUDI? I am contributing my own quota to the fashion industry, so my dream is for God to take me to where He feels I’m supposed to be.

SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

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Juliet Bumah +234 81 1 675 9770

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It’s trouble and more trouble

ave is distraught. What could have happened to Kathryn? His wife is not the kind of woman that takes off without leaving a forwarding address. In fact, she insists that Dave tells her about his movement for the day because you may never know, according to her. So, why would she be the one flouting her own rule? Something is just not right! He remembers that she’s been a bit secretive of late and sits up. Yeah, all of a sudden, she has been fiddling with her phone a little more than usual. Two nights ago, he was sure she was on the phone but when he entered the kitchen, she dropped the phone. He noticed that the phone’s screen was alive for a few seconds more, before petering out. He said nothing and she stylishly shooed him out of the kitchen. He had wondered who she was talking to on the phone then. Then, this morning, he noticed that she went downstairs to the sitting room to take a call. He particularly took note of that because she usually left her phone on the bed if she had to make breakfast. Why has she suddenly realised that the handset is a ‘mobile’ phone? Dave shakes off the crazy thought in his mind. He is convinced that he is seeing things that are not there. Kathryn is ‘missing’ and he needs to find her. Alice will know where she is. The thought of Alice makes him swallow hard. It is really possible for a man with two wives to love them both for he loves both women! And wait for this: they are both pregnant for him. Can a man who is looking forward to his own children be happier! The only snag is that he can lay claim to only one of the children. It is well. The fact that both children are in the family is soothing. How he wishes that his brother, James, is a better man. Alice doesn’t deserve to suffer in any man’s home. She is such an angel that brings goodluck people’s way. All the business they’ve done together are very profitable. Their business partnership has boosted his finances so much. He shakes his head to clear his thoughts. His wife, Kathryn is still missing! He dials her number again, switched off. He panics and dials Alice’s number again. He’s lucky this time around. **** Alice picks her phone. “Hello dear,” Dave says, his heart in his mouth “Oh Dave! How’re you doing?” Alice says. “I’m good...er...not so good,” he falters. “What’s the problem?” Alice asks, concern in her voice. “Is Kiki with you?” Dave blurts out. “Er...no. Any problem?” Alice asks. She almost said yes, to cover up her sister but something pushed her to say no. “I can’t reach her. Her phone is switched off. She told me she would be going to the movies. When I couldn’t reach her and she wasn’t home, I felt she could be with you,” Dave says, his voice losing more calm. Alice thanks her star. What if she had said yes and it turns out something is wrong? How will she prove her innocence? Nevertheless, she tries to douse Dave’s worries. She knows James won’t hurt Kiki. Moreover, she saw when Kiki left the hotel. She could be held up in traffic. She’s sure Kiki will be home soon. “It’s okay dear. Calm down. Kiki will be home soon. Could have watched a late movie and the traffic is crazy you know. Since her phone is dead, she will be in a

hurry to get home,” she says. “She left home more than six hours ago. The security man said so,” Dave whines. Hmmmmmmmmmmm that’s news to Alice. She wonders what Kiki and James got to talk about for six hours. “Don’t worry your head so much. We ladies have a way of annoying our spouses some times. She might have decided to dash to a shop to pick up some baby’s things before going to the movies. So relax, she’ll soon be home,” Alice says reassuringly. That seems to bring Dave back to reality. “How are you doing? How’s my son doing? Hope he’s kicking fine? When is the nanny moving in? You really have to forgive James. Let him come back home dear,” Dave says. “We’re doing fine. The nanny should move in tomorrow. You and your wife seem to have taken it upon you to make sure James comes back home. She was on it today, making me promise that I’ll take him back,” Alice says with a smile. “Hmmmmmmm Kiki the peacemaker,” Dave says, adding, “Where are you?” “Driving home,” Alice says. “Driving? And you didn’t tell me? Thats not safe. You shouldn’t make a call when driving and I know you don’t use hands free,” Dave says. “I’m sorry dear. I was just too happy to hear your voice. I’ve been so lonely of late,” she replies. “It’s okay love. Lemme know when you’re home. We can talk then. Missed you,” he says and ends the call. James! Why didn’t he settle down to enjoy the good fortune thrust into his hands by marriage? Indeed, a child riding on his mother’s back does not know that trekking is a task. He will try everything to get him back home. He smiles. But it’s funny, his brother’s wife is with child for him! Well, that’s the way the gods want it. Back to the issue at hand, where could his wife be? If she spoke to Kiki, she could have spoken with him. Could she have

gone to the hospital? That’s about the only place she could have gone unannounced. The hospital is less than 10 minutes drive away on a good day. His nerves are on end. He needs someone to talk to. Maybe he should get James to come around. Yes, it will be nice to talk to James. He picks a car key. Staying at home won’t do him any good. He can’t sit on his arse. It will be better for him to be doing something. He will go look for Kiki in the hospital. As he drives out of his compound, he dials James number. **** The air-conditioning system hums silently. The soft music wafting out of the car speakers has a soothing effect on them while pedestrians swelter in their clothes. The traffic is mad. A journey of less than 30 minutes is almost taking an hour but they are almost at the hospital. James is almost sweating in his underarms despite the car’s cooling system. “I’m yet to see a worse traffic than Lagos’ own. You can’t just tell for sure when the roads will be free,” Kathryn says. “Traffic is synonymous with Lagos. Lagos without traffic is no Lagos. How are you feeling now?” James asks. “The pain comes and goes. It’s getting worse...” Kiki says. James phone rings. Kathryn remembers that she is yet to charge her phone. She plugs it to the car charger. His phone rings again. “Why don’t you want to pick your calls? The noise is making me edgy,” she says. The phone rings the third time and an edgy James gives it to Alice. What? Dave! What will he tell Dave? That he’s with his wife or what? They realise that Dave is bent on talking with James. He keeps calling. “I think you should pick it,” Kathryn says as it rings the fifth time. James hesitates and picks it. “Bros, how you dey,” he says dryly. “My man, I no dey o,” Dave says.

From Dave’s tone, it’s obvious something is wrong. “What’s the problem?” James asks sharply. “Not much really. My wife’s phone’s been switched off for hours. Dunno where she is and what’s happening to her. Your wife doesn’t know either. Was wondering if you could come around,” Dave says. With heart beating wildly, James says, “She should be okay. Maybe she went shopping. Traffic is mad. She could have been caught up in one. I’m actually caught up in one. Will hook up with you later.” Dave feels so stupid. Why is he panicky? Kathryn could have gone shopping and she could also be in the hospital, a still voice tells him. He continues on his journey to the hospital. James almost has a heart attack. His right hand flies to his chest. “What’s the problem? What did he say,” Kathryn asks him. “He’s worried that you are not back home and didn’t call either. You need to call him... but not with my phone,” James says as he noses the car into the hospital gate. “Okay. I’ll use the hospital’s line to reach him,” she replies. “The last thing I want is your husband meeting me here. I’ll bring the car keys to you immediately I park it and find my way out of here. Do take care of yourself. Will probably come back here with your husband later today,” James says as he brings the car to a halt at the entrance of the hospital building. The nurses rush out and help her in while James takes the car to the car park. He rushes in after them. Few minutes later, Dave zooms into the hospital! *********** This is dicey. Did the two men run into each other in the hospital? What happened to Kathryn? Join me on this page on Sunday. •Send your observations to the email above.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015

Body&Soul

Makeup can last longer on oily skin Vanessa Okwara

ily face is annoying. Makeup looks messy on it after a few hours. If you have oily skin, you know all the issues it can cause when it comes to makeup: smearing, moving around, disappearing and greasy looking skin. Just because you’ve got oily skin doesn’t mean makeup isn’t for you! Fortunately with the advent of new technology, we have makeup for oily skin that helps not only to prevent the shine, but also helps in controlling oil and make your makeup last the whole day. Follow these tips if you have oily skin for that perfect makeup that stays a whole day without creasing.

1. Always prime your skin before applying makeup: When you have an oily complexion, using a makeup primer helps everything stay put. It acts as a protective layer between the cosmetics and your skin preventing the makeup from clogging the pores. It also ensures that your makeup lasts longer. This is the most basic step in how to apply makeup for oily skin. You should at least prime oiliest areas (the T-Zone -forehead, nose, and chin) with an oilfree, anti-shine primer. Put it on after you’ve cleaned your face but before you put on foundation, powder, or other makeup.

2. Foundation: The easiest way to tackle these problems is to use a powder based foundation. This keeps off shine and also doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. While looking for a foundation, look for words like non comedogenic and mattifying. Pay special attention to the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin because these are the area most prone to get oily. Don’t overdo powder. It sounds like the right thing to do is to pile on the face powder. But going overboard could backfire by making your pores push out more oil.

3. Face Powder: If you have oily skin, a face or loose powder is your best friend. It helps in getting rid of the shine and sets your foundation to help to last longer.

5. Always keep blotting paper around: They should be your best friend, next to your primer. The key to using blotting paper is to dab the face and not wipe. If you wipe, then say goodbye to your powders, blush etc because it will take it all off

4. Apply minimum layers of makeup: Try and apply minimum layers on your face. Oily skin is not at all an ideal base to wear makeup, so if you end up putting multiple layers of makeup on your face, it is bound to melt or cake up. It is better to use waterproof makeup to help smudge-proof and creaseproof your makeup. This will cause it to last longer.

6. Use less lotions prior to making up: I know a lot of women like to apply loads of creams and lotions as part of their skin care regimen, but you might have to keep this strictly to nighttime. Using all these lotions during the day while you have oily skin can cause your skin to feel even heavier and make your makeup even worse.

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ashionable ladies gravitate to a particular style for several reasons. Some for the comfort, occassion, or weather, others yet for the fit and flattery (body type), trend persuasion and just because they can. While sexy, flirty, fun styles get the most nods from fashionistas, the high low trend plays in a special league. It is all about the uneven hem which appeals to the fashion addict, fashionista, career woman and even the teenagers are not left out. It has a broad appeal across all spectra of life. This may be because it can take you from the board room to happy hour and back to lectures without losing any of its playful, sexy charm. How you dress it up or down is key to bringing your desired look together. A high low peplum blouse paired with a pencil skirt in solid colours can make the look a formal success, or a blazer thrown over a high low dress gives you official credibility, while underlining your femininity. You could also dress down a high low chiffon dress with snickers or thong sandals for a weekend frolic.

Biwom Iklaki

Rise to high low styles

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SundayBusiness SUNDAY

SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015

News

Nigerians advised on energy saving appliances p.24

Brands Bharti moves to strengthen Airtel Nigeria p.28

Interview

Why Nigerian fishing firms are ailing –Akande p.25

Paul Ogbuokiri Head, Business paulogbuokiri@newtelegraph online.com

Paul Ogbuokiri

Tough time for Nigerian banks

ignals emerging from the global economy can best be described as complex considering the trends in macroeconomic and socio-political sphere. As of now the international financial market has not fully recovered from the 2008 financial crisis. Economies are still weighed down by the aftermath of the crisis. The global oil market to which Nigeria depends so much on is precariously oscillating and prices are heading south. The story is not different in other sectors. The sharing by the three tiers of governments from the federation account is dwindling. From the public sector to the real sector of the economy, the stench of economy decline is being felt by all stakeholders. With most state governments currently unable to pay workers’ salaries due to declining statutory allocations from the Federation Account, while Naira’s declining exchange value and other financial aggregates are forcing banks to recall facilities given to the real sector, stakeholders are becoming rather apprehensive that the impressive economic gains are speedily being eroded. This is even as an estimated $25billion (about N4.95 trillion) in foreign portfolio investments have reported lost over the last few months, following rising political tension across the country, ahead of today’s presidential election and April 11 elections. Sources revealed that the foreign investors decided to withdraw their money to watch political development, unsure of what would happen over the general elections. Also, some overseas banks have been expressing deep concerns about the ability of Nigerian banks to continue to meet up with all their foreign currency denominated credit lines, especially maturing Letters of Credit, as the external reserves continue to be depleted due to falling oil revenue. Emefiele Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said that there is no need for panic over the recent depreciation it may require rapid remedial actions if adequate of the naira against the dollar, even as he recapitalisation is not restored. In our view, this extenassured investors that the central bank will sion is a positive development for Nigerian banks continue to meet legitimate foreign exchange as we have previously noted that the pace of imdemand. plementation of Basel 2 (nine months) and other He said this at the Nigerian Stock Exchange tighter capital requirements were rather speedy. (NSE) recently, where he also rang the closing “That said, feedback from our recent internabell, insisted that the nation’s currency was tional investor roadshow suggests that given the “appropriately priced”. deteriorating Nigerian macro environment, signifiAnalysts at Meristem Securities also said cant capital-raising events could struggle to attract that they are optimistic that despite the loss meaningful international investor participation. We of such huge portfolios, especially in the also find international investors increasingly quescapital market, the economy remains strong tioning the Nigerian banks’ ability to create value and resilient. They said that the foreign port- (excess positive returns vs. CoE) given constraining folios would return as soon as the elections regulations and weakening macro fundamentals. are concluded peacefully, stressing that Nige- We, however, think that the domestic investor pool rian economy offers more returns than other or private equity capital could be supportive in emerging markets. some dire instances, drawn by depressed valuaIt will be recalled that the Central Bank of Ni- tions and/or the long-term investment case for the geria on March 13, issued a letter to the banks, sector,” RenCap says. extending the implementation deadline for Analysts say the sector is witnessing a shockwave, higher capital requirements for systemically following economic decline caused by reduced oil important banks (SIBs). It set a deadline for revenue, but not in deep trouble. banks that breach minimum capital adequacy This is even as FBN Capital Limited had predicted ratios (CAR) under Basel 2 to submit their that the asset quality of Nigerian banks could derecapitalisation plans and execute same. teriorate over the next 12 to 24 months because of Renaissance Capital says one its key take- the fall in oil prices and decline in the exchange aways from the CBN letter is that a few lend- value of the naira. ers (undisclosed) do not meet the minimum The investment banking and asset management Capital Adequacy Ratio of 10 per cent and 15 subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc, in its newly reper cent for regional/national and interna- leased report entitled ‘2015 Outlook’, said Nigerian tional banks, respectively, under Basel 2. These banks were going through probably the most chalbanks have been given three months, till 13 lenging period since the credit crisis of 2008-2009. June 13, 2015, to submit recapitalisation plans FBN Capital said, “The sector’s regulatory headand till June 30, 2016 to implement same. winds are well documented but have dragged on “The letter also affirms CBN’s willingness to for longer than expected – and new headwinds are support any under-capitalised bank and that still emerging. In addition to these sector-specific

Okonjo-Iweala

headwinds, the banks now have to contend with a softer macroeconomic environment, which will most likely impinge on growth opportunities ultimately. “Despite the negative outlook, we do not believe that a doomsday scenario reminiscent of the 2008-2009 is what is in store for the sector. Nonetheless, we do expect asset quality to deteriorate over the next 12 to 24 months.” Investigations revealed that banks stopped financing importation of petroleum products until the Federal Government paid some arrears of subsidy owed the marketers. The stoppage of fuel importation financing, some bank chief executives revealed, followed a directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last December to scale down their level of exposure to oil companies, to reduce the challenges of meeting the huge funding demand of the sector. The CBN’s directive, it was learnt, stemmed from the result of an earlier risk-based supervision exercise carried out by the apex bank, which revealed a huge financial exposure of the banks to the oil and gas sector. The apex bank was said to be concerned about some risk management deficiencies, and wanted to take necessary steps to ensure that banks have sufficient capital buffers to mitigate escalating risk-taking activities. Apart from this, the new exchange rate regime announced by the CBN has also affected banks. The CBN closed the retail Dutch Auction System/Wholesale Dutch Auction System (rDAS/wDAS) segment of the foreign exchange market. With the closure and the pegging of an exchange rate at N198 per dollar, the apex bank stopped naira speculation, as commercial banks were banned from re-selling CBN dollars to other banks. Under this measure, CBN scrapped its window of direct sale of foreign exchange to end-users, and directed that all foreign exchange needs should be sourced from

C ON TI N UE D ON PAGE 24

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29 2015

Business/ News

Nigerians advised on energy saving appliances

Stanley Ihedigbo ollowing grave concerns by consumers on inadequate supply of electricity in the country, stakeholders in the manufacturing sector have called for adequate energy management practice at individual and corporate levels. They spoke at a one-day forum in Lagos organised by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria on how to conserve power. They further said that the forum held in collaboration with international donor agency, GIZ Holding, would put in place a functional energy management system in the nation’s industrial sector. Head, Electrical and Electronics of SON, Richard Adewunmi, said the agency decided to collaborate with GIZ so that the bulbs, refrigerators and air-conditioners energy saving project could be implemented in phases. “Energy saving will benefit the nation to the extent that it will reduce the cost of generation. This is because demand will be reduced to some extent and that will save government a lot of money and also the users because once they start using energy efficient equipment, consumption will be reduced. “Indeed, stakeholders have been brainstorming and conducting research on how to effectively and efficiently manage the minimum energy available to consumers,” he said. Deputy Director, Training Information Management System, SON, Justin Nickaf, said the energy saving programme “is about energy efficiency and how we can sensitise Nigerians to be conscious of their use of energy and to ensure that in our domestic appliances in the utilisation of power, we go for energy-efficient appliances like air conditioners, light bulbs and refrigerators.” He said people still use 60 watts, even 200 watts light bulbs for security reasons which same illumination could be achieved with a more efficient bulb that could utilise as little as four watts. According to him, if Nigerians embrace energy saving appliances, more energy will be available for industrial use. “The benefits of using energy-saving appliances are enormous. When the voltage is low, you have issues with the air-conditioner being unable to pick up. If there’s a process in place that ensures that those that are energyefficient are the only ones available in our markets, you will find yourself being able to enjoy your air conditioner even when voltage is low. It helps the environment because the natural resource is being converted to energy which will make it difficult to revert to technology if used efficiently,” Nickaf further said. It is against this backdrop that the President of Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeri, Dr. Udemba Jacobs, lauded the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, for co-opting MAN in the planning and execution of the energy minimisation study, adding that the members of MAN have always faced the challenge of epileptic power supply. He said, “The forum is timely and topical, especially at this period when industries and indeed the entire nation are grappling with inadequate power infrastructure. There is therefore the need for us as stakeholders, to critically take the issue of power demand and energy consumption seriously, in order to avoid a situation that could threaten our industrial environment with the dire consequences that may result in further factory closures, massive job loss, accentuation of youth unemployment in a country that

has over 60 per cent of its population in the youth category,” he said. According to him, nurturing and developing a virile productive sector that is adequately supported and catalysed by adequate and consistent power could not be overemphasised. He assured development partners and the government that MAN would continue to offer useful suggestions through evidencebased advocacy to improve the business

environment in Nigeria. Speaking, the Ag. Director General, Nigerian Associations of Chambers of Commerce Mines and Agriculture, Mrs. Janet Omisore, said, “Nigeria is on the path to achieving new horizons in her quest to transform the industrial sector of the economy as a roadmap for becoming one of the most industrialised nations of the world by the year 2020. “One way of achieving this dream is

through the Energy Support Programme embarked upon by the Federal Government of Nigeria with the support of the International Community. Achieving energy sufficiency is indeed a step towards speedy development of our industrial sector,” she said It was attended by relevant stakeholders from SON, MAN, NACCIMA, SMEDAN, Nigerian Energy Support Group, Federal Ministry of Power, Universities and European Union, among others.

L-R: Transitional Leader, Akintola Williams Deloitte, Tawanda Gumbo; Talent Partner, Tope Aladenusi; Risk Advisory Leader, Anthony Olukoju and West Africa Advisory Leader, Mike Vincent, during the presentation of the “Best Company to work for in Nigeria” in Lagos

Tough time for Nigerian banks CO N T I N U E D F R O M PAG E 2 3

the interbank market, with rates ranging from N197 to N198 per dollar. With this, the previous gains commercial banks had made from forex trading were stopped. According to professor of political economy and management expert, Patrick Utomi said it is not the bswet time for the banks, “but it is definitely far from the 2008-2009 situations. I am also confident that the sector is still resilient and would regain momentum after the elections. “Many portfolio investors left because of anxiety over the general elections. That is to be expected because they don’t have any stake in the country. Once the election is over and normalcy returns they would come back because they enjoy good yield here,” he said Checks by Sunday Telegraph on 21 Deposit Money Banks reveal that while some have capital adequacy ratio above the regulatory threshold, others are still struggling to keep afloat. Available records show that the total banking industry impaired loans or non-performing loans (NPL) increased by 16.36 per cent to N400.57 billion in August 2014 from N344.26 billion in August 2013, of which 66.84 per cent or N267.74 billion in loan loss provisions had been made by banks at the review period. Other Nigerian banks except two generally remained adequately capitalised with an average CAR of 17.75 per cent at the end of August 2014 compared to 18.1 per cent in August 2013, using Basel I capital adequacy framework.

The CBN said industry liquidity ratio declined from 50.6 per cent at the end of December 2013 to 42.6 per cent by the end of June 2014 due to the increased cash reserve requirement (CRR) imposed on banks. However, all banks were said to have met the prudential minimum requirement of 30 per cent liquidity ratio which stood at 43.87 per cent as at August 2014. Available records show that Zenith Bank has a CAR of 26 per cent in Financial Year (FY) 2013 and liquidity ratio of 64 per cent from 61 per cent in 2012. Zenith Bank, according to an international rating agency Fitch, has quality assets with capitalisation and sound liquidity comparable with peers. Guaranty Trust Bank has healthy asset quality, driven by sound underwriting, and adequate capital. Wema Bank’s CAR rose from 16.9 per cent in 2012 to 27 per cent in 2013 above CBN’s 10 per cent. LR stood at 76.6 per cent in 2013. Unity Bank’s LR stood at 41.5 per cent in FY 2013 while CAR, the lowest in the industry, stabilized at 13.4 per cent. Union Bank’s LR stood at 73.7 per cent in FY2013 while CAR stood at 25 per cent at the same period. First Bank, according to Fitch, has adequate capitalisation and profitability with adequate group liquidity. According to an investment research company Afrinvest West Africa Limited, FBN Holding’s CAR fell to 17.7 per cent in FY 2013 and further to 16.8 per cent in quarter 1 2014. United Bank for Africa’s CAR in quarter 1

2014 was 21.2 per cent, a decline from 23.2 per cent of 2013. Access Bank has adequate capitalisation, which will improve should its rights issue complete successfully. Its 2013 CAR was 20 per cent and LR 41 per cent in FY2013. Diamond Bank is constrained by weak capitalisation, which is inadequate in light of the bank’s risk profile, despite the completion of a rights issue in November 2014. Diamond Bank’s liquidity is acceptable to the rating agency. 2013 CAR stood at 17.3 per cent while LR was 41.8 per cent. Available records show that Fidelity Bank had one of the highest CARs amongst Nigerian banks in 2014 at 27 per cent from 26 per cent of FY2013, well above the CBN requirement of 15 per cent. Liquidity Ratio stood at 45.7 per cent. FCMB in 2013 had LR of 47 per cent and CAR of 19.7 per cent in 2013 from 23 per cent in FY2012 among others. Nigeria’s government revenues fell 2 per cent to N401.5 billion in February, from N410 billion in January, on lower oil, gas and other revenues, the accountant general said last week. Nigeria’s excess crude oil savings account remains unchanged at $2.06 billion, Jonah Otunla told reporters. Lower revenues because of the decline in oil prices and a fall in the price of natural gas, as well as lower non-oil revenues in February contributed to the decline, he said.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29, 2015

Business/ Interview

Why Nigerian fishing firms are ailing –Akande Why Nigerian fishing firms are down - Akande Dr. Gbola Akande is the Executive Director, Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research. In this interview with STANLEY IHEDIGBO, he explains the challenges in the fishing business It was in the news recently that the institute acquired an ultra-modern trawler. What is the true situation of things? Yes, we recently acquired a research vessel. It can do both fisheries and oceanographic research. But in the area of fisheries, it is a vessel that can do both bottom, midwater and top-water fishing. If you look at the trawlers we have in Nigeria today, they can only do what we call ‘bottom trolley.’ They can only operate at the bottom of the sea. Thanks to the Federal Government which gave us a vessel that was built in August 2014. We were in Poland to launch this vessel and it was actually launched by the first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and finally arrived Nigeria in October 2014. Right now, the vessel is on the sea. Since October when the vessel arrived, the Navy has been so nice to us that they gave us a jetty in Apapa, which is called NNS Bid Curt, so we are berthing in Apapa. It is a brand new vessel. We have gone out before on this same sea and we caught some fish. It has cost us close to N1.5 billion and it is because the Federal Government realised the importance of putting fish protein on the table for the huge population of this country. Otherwise, they couldn’t have invested so much. So, it is an investment that we are also going to pay back in the form of ensuring that we have food security in Nigeria. One of the justifications that made the government to invest in us was that the in-sure waters (50 metres) is where the over 200 trawlers we have in Nigeria operate. But the resources are not as they used to be in those days, not as abundant as they used to be, and that was why some of the fishing companies folded up. You can count the number of fishing companies that are operating on your fingertips. So, we approached the government that we needed to move outside the 50 meters for fishing. If your new vessel remains a mere research tool, how do you hope to continue to raise money for its running costs? When we took this vessel from the government, like I said early, we were going to run it but we are not going to run it on research alone. The first time we fuelled it, we only fuelled it to half. And that was because we got the contact directly from Oando at the cost of N150 per litre. One of the questions we were asked was: How would we maintain it? It was as a result of that glaring reality that we resolved to go into public private partnership to run it commercially and as well as for research purposes. As we want to earn money to run the vessel, we remain conscious of our primary assignment, which is research and training. This is because we have to prove through research and tell the investors that this fish is there for them to invest their money. We need to partner because in the process of partnering, we would be able to get money for the maintenance of the vessel. I must also tell you that the vessel is equipped with facilities for oil companies’ use. We have already started getting requests from some oil companies; ExonMobil, some individuals and some compa-

With time, they will gradually put a stop to fish importation. That is why we are pushing this Aquaculture. People have been bringing in frozen fish to the extent that they were importing frozen catfish from Thailand. and that was why the minister put his foot down. Agriculture is now a business in this country

nies who have the contacts of some oil companies have already approached us. If they hire the vessel for one or two months, this is where we are going to make the money. The issue is not necessarily about sustainability; it is how we can use this vessel to quickly buy another one. I know that if we deploy this vessel to all the things it can do, we will be shocked. And that is why it is not going to be business as usual. We are already talking seriously with some interested clients. How do you commercialise your research results and how many of such have been done so? If you go to virtually all the research institutes, you may see that all the research results are on the shelf. This institute in 1986 did a tuna survey and we proved that we have Tuna in our waters and that we can explore 10,000 tons of tuna in our water on a yearly basis without adversely affecting the stock. We said this tuna can be eaten fresh, smoked or canned. We subjected all these things to tests and we proved it and acceptability was high in all the Nigerian markets. We proved that the best way tuna can be eaten is by canning, followed by smoking and fresh. Tuna is known as the chicken of the sea. We carried out this research since 1986 and we made a noise about it. The only way we can get tuna to the international market and the local market is by canning. The only way we can do it is to prove to people that it is doable, that it is achievable. We have the canning facilities and we also have a NAFDAC number. Some people bought canned tuna from us, removed the label and fixed their own and sold to big supermarkets. Somebody actually exported it to Belgium. In Nigeria, people don’t believe in investing, they believe that by the time they acquire the machine, and do the installation, that they can just spend less to import the fish into the country to sell and make their money. That is why we are now saying that we are not going to allow any frozen fish into the country and is sure you know the minister’s stand on this. With time, they will gradually put a stop

Akande

to fish importation. That is why we are pushing this Aquaculture. People have been bringing in frozen fish to the extent that they were importing frozen catfish from Thailand. and that was why the minister put his foot down. Agriculture is now a business in this country. What is the relationship between your institute and stakeholders? Yes, we are hoping to do so, in order to attract investors that would buy into our technologies. We have smoking kiln and we are producing smoking kiln for the Nigerian market, but if an investor comes and says, I want to take over this thing from you, we would sit down and discuss. We have the patent right of the smoking kiln that we are producing. So, once investors indicate interest in buying and taking over our technology, we sell the patent right to him. Just last week, we finished the delivery of 75 fish smoking kilns. We delivered 25 to Ogun, 25 to Osun and 25 to EKiti states respectively which was ordered by FAO. What is the latest with your partnership with the Lagos State Government? We are based in Lagos and we are collaborating with the Lagos State Government.

This is because in every state you have a department of fisheries. There are grants we get for some projects, like the one we call the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme, and we are participating in three areas: fingerling production, fish feed and post-harvest. This is a project that that is outside the normal government subvention. It is a World Bank project under which we were given another grant. The aim of this project is to make sure that we catch the students young. We have adopted schools and the idea is to set up a fish farming structure in such schools. These days, we no longer till the ground; you can raise your fish in GP tanks. Majority of the communities in Lagos are fishing communities, but their fishing is seasonal. So, the project says we should target these fishermen and women and train them where there is no more seasons for them to do fishing. That was why we introduced aquaculture to them. We are also into rice. There is what we call integrated farming, where you can do your catfishfish farming with poultry and poultry droppings serves as food. Now, you can cultivate a rice farm in the area where you have a fish farm, so, that is integrated farming.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Earnings releases spur market performance

ontrary to our expectations, the equities market traded positive for the week, as earning releases cum corporate actions flowed into the market. The NSEASI gained 4.19% WoW, with volume and value of transactions surging by 81.53% and 100.08% in that order. 51 stocks appreciated in the week, while 21 stocks declined in value. This translated to a market breadth of 2.43x, as all NSE sector indices advanced in the week led by NSEBNK10 (+7.89%). Others were NSEOILG5 (+7.73%), NSEFBT10 (+4.05%), and NSEINS10 (+0.98%). DANGFLOUR led the gainers for the week with a 27.59% gain, trailed by CHAMPION (23.48%), FO (18.33%), FIDELITYBK (16.28%), and UNILEVER (15.77%). On the flip side, UBCAP pared 21.82% to top the losers’ chart for the week. Other decliners were UACN, STERLNBANK, CCNN, and CAP, shedding 10.97%, 8.30%, 6.86%, and 6.31% respectively. Analysis of the equities market returns for the week showed a perceived level of investor confidence, with the MPC retaining status-quo in the week, and the market defying all political tensions in the build up to the presidential election slated for tomorrow. We also note positiontaking based on low stock prices, and attractive declarations by companies as potential drivers in the week. We expect further earnings releases to dictate market direction, just as we opine that the market is closer to better days, having recorded gains despite heightened political tensions in the week ended. In this report, we review events in the economy, laying emphasis on performance of different segments of the financial market while presenting our expectations for the week ahead.

Economic Round-up: Tautness soars as Election draws nigh.

Global tension heightened in the MiddleEast, as Saudi Arabia led airstrikes against Shiite rebels in Yemen in order to prevent the falling government from losing its stronghold. The Yemen conflict continues to draw in neighboring countries, and threatens a wider war in the region, which currently holds nearly half of global oil supply. The possible outcomes of the conflict, in our opinion, will be instrumental in determining the future direction of global oil price, which has inched up by 4.80% to USD59pb within the period of the conflict. The 2nd MPC meeting in 2015 came to conclusion on Tuesday 24th March, 2015 with the committee addressing key issues from the unfavourable foreign exchange to dwindling foreign reserve, increased inflation, slowing economic growth owing to the continuous drop in global oil prices; and the use of foreign currencies (such as the US dollar, Pounds etc.) for various transactions within the country. The committee also spoke extensively on the spread between the inter-bank rates and BDC rates which creates an avenue for speculative trading activities. Having weighed all its options in view of the current economic realities, the committee unanimously voted to retain the MPR at 13%, CRR on Private and Public sector deposits at 20% and 75% respectively, while also holding the liquidity ratio at 30%. The CBN governor also opined that investors’ confidence is expected to improve, upon the successful completion of the general elections, which will consequently trigger a rebound in economic activities. With the long awaited election on the horizon, we strongly feel that the outcome will either make or mar the mood of the financial market. The recent unrests in several parts of the country increases observers’ skepticism regarding a violence free election, regardless of the party declared winner. However in the event that the election is seamless, the likelihood of a bullish trend in the coming weeks is almost certain.

Agric Sector: LIVESTOCK feeds leads with 8.42%.

The MERIAGR index pared by -0.59% WtD, as sector breadth settled at (0.50x). On the back of Livestock Feeds Plc’s recently released FY2014 results, which showed an impressive revenue and PAT growths of 29.45% and 20.60% respectively, the counter advanced after 3 weeks of negative WoW returns, recording an 8.42% gain. LIVESTOCK was the sole gainer for the week, closing with a market price to NGN2.19. On the flip side, PRESCO (-4.72%) and OKOMUOIL (-0.28%) dipped, while FTNCOCOA and ELLAHLAKES traded flat. We expect that impending corporate releases may drive sector returns north in the coming

…as NSEASI gains 4.19% WoW dividend following earnings decline.

week. We also anticipate resurgence in the equities market after the general elections.

Banking Sector: Impressive Earnings Releases Drive Sector

The banking sector ended the week on a highly positive note, as WoW change in the MERI-BNK index pegged at 9.38%, and sector breadth settled at 6.0x (12 gainers vs 2 losers). Leading the gainers were FIDELITYBK, ZENITHBANK, FBNH, UBN and DIAMONDBNK, with respective losses of 16.28%, 14.61%, 14.29%, 12.76% and 10.50%. The only losers were STERLNBANK and WEMABANK, with losses of 8.30% and 1.04% while UNITYBNK remained flat. UBA, STERLNBNK, FCMB, WEMABANK and UNITYBNK, in the week, released their 2014FY results. UBA grew its Gross earnings and Profit after Tax by 9.57% and 2.80% in that order; STERLNBNK grew its Gross earnings and Profit after Tax by 13.01% and 8.82% in that order; FCMB grew its Gross earnings and Profit after Tax by 13.47% and 38.32% in that order; WEMABANK grew its Gross earnings and Profit after Tax by 18.35% and 48.60% in that order; and UNITYBNK grew its Gross earnings and Profit after Tax by 19.58% and 147.35% in that order. We attribute the gain in the banking sector to attractive prices of banking stocks relative to their fundamental values, and impressive releases and corporate actions during the week. Going forward, we expect more investors to take advantage of the relatively cheap pricing in the sector, which will drive share values in the near term. However, we anticipate intermittent losses, which we expect will emanate from profit-taking, and therefore advise caution and proper definitions of investment objectives.

Consumer Goods: UNILEVER Plc to Increase Stake in Nigeria

The counters in the consumer goods sector enjoyed the rally in the market, as all but four closed the week with positive returns. The sector closed with a breadth of 2.75x, and WtD return on the NSEFB10 pegged at 4.05%. The gainers’ chart was led by DANGFLOUR, trailed by CHAMPION, UNILEVER and PZ with respective WtD returns of +27.59%, +23.84%, +15.77% and +9.78%. The market prices for FLOURMILL (+2.85%), DANGSUG-

AR (+9.51%), NB (+7.37%), and GUINNESS (+0.79%) also appreciated during the week. HONYFLOUR, NNFM, VONO, AGLEVENT, and PREMBREW however retained their market prices. On the flipside, 7UP, UACN, NESTLE and CADBURY were on the decliners’ chart with respective WtD returns of -0.01%, -10.97% -3.49% and -4.97%. Unilever Nigeria Plc released its FY2014 result, showing 7% and 49% respective declines in revenue and earnings. Unilever Plc, the parent company of Unilever Nigeria Plc has indicated interest, subject to the NSE’s approval, to increase its current stake in the company from 50.05% to 75% (additional 944.5million shares at NGN45.50/share) which implies a 15.63% upside from the current price. The increasing interest in equities could be ascribed to position-taking by investors ahead of expected stability post general elections. We however advise cautious trading during this time despite attractive stock prices.

Healthcare: FIDSON posts 308% YoY earnings growth

The Healthcare sector consolidated on previous week’s gains, returning 0.04% WoW as measured by the MERIHELTH index. Only three sectors drove the index while other stocks stayed flat. NEIMETH recorded the highest gain of 14.06% followed by FIDSON and MAYBAKER which gained 9.64% and 2.58% WoW to peg share prices at NGN0.73, NGN3.26 and NGN1.56 respectively. No counter declined in the week. FIDSON, the second most capitalized stock in the sector, released its FY: 2014 scorecard, which showed a 5.17% increase in revenue and a 307.68% leap in earnings. The impressive earnings growth was due to the 1.41% and 13.44% moderation in cost to sale and Opex margin, as well as the 82.92% increase in other income. However, finance cost remained a threat to earnings as it increased by 36.01% YoY. We expect earnings releases to remain the major drivers of performance in the coming week. In spite of the fact that we do not expect striking results from other companies, we remain mindful of inherent opportunities in these companies due to their currently depressed prices.

Industrial goods: DANGCEM declares N6

Activities in the industrial goods sector remained moderate during the week, with the sector index depreciating marginally by 0.10%. Only two stocks recorded appreciations in share value while 5 stocks witnessed sell pressures. WAPCO investors appeared to have recovered from the company’s dismal FY2014 performance, as positive sentiments returned to the stock this week, and a 4.48% increase in share price to NGN84 was recorded. DANGCEM, which released its scorecard on Thursday, was the other gainer, with a 0.66% increase in share price to NGN153. Dangcem’s FY2014 result showed a 1.41% YoY increase in Revenue while PAT declined by 20.72% to NGN159.50bn. The company also declared a dividend of N6.00, implying a dividend yield of 3.92% at the current market price. The sector laggards during the week were CCNN, CAP, CUTIX, PAINTCOM and BERGER which declined by 6.86%, 6.31%, 4.61% 1.41% and 0.74% accordingly.

Insurance sector: WAPIC releases impressive 2014FY result

The sector swung in the direction of the market as the NSEINS10 index advanced by 0.98% WtD to trim YtD return to -4.14%. Market breadth (5.00x) favoured gainers as 5 stocks advanced as against a lone decliner. INTENEGINS advanced by 8.00% WtD to close at NGN0.54 (vs. NGN0.50 in previous week) to record the highest gain during the week, while NEM (6.78%), CONTINSURE (6.02%), CUSTODYINS (2.13%) and MANSARD (1.67%) trailed with respective gains. On the flip side, AIICO happened to be the lone decliner, shedding 3.33% to close at NGN0.87 (vs. NGN0.90 in prior week). All other tickers traded flat during the week. WAPIC released an impressive 2014FY financial scorecard, which also makes it the first company to release result in the sector. The company impressively grew its Gross Premium Written (GPW) and Profit after Tax (PAT) by 38.38% and 213.86% respectively. We envisage that improved investors’ participation in the sector may not be unrelated to anticipated dividend declaration from companies.

Oil & Gas Sector: Earnings Releases drive returns

The sector advanced for the week by 4.39%, as FO (+18.33%), TOTAL (+13.39%), ETERNA (+7.17%), CONOIL (4.98%), SEPLAT (+2.81%), and MOBIL (+2.03%) all gained. Other stocks traded flat. In the course of the week, MOBIL, TOTAL, and ETERNA Plc released their FY2014 results, with varying performances recorded. MOBIL grew Revenue by 1.07%, and also a PAT growth of 83.66% which was hinged on asset sales. A dividend of NGN6.60/share was proposed, translating to a dividend yield of 4.55% as at declaration date. TOTAL recorded a Revenue growth of 1.03%, and a PAT decline of 17.07% largely due to a 32.29% increase in finance cost. TOTAL declared a dividend of NGN9.00/share which implied a dividend yield of 6.25% as at declaration date. ETERNA recorded a decline in topline by 16.64% YoY while PAT surged impressively by 83.39%, as the company moderated Cost-to-Sales significantly (-17.28%), coupled with substantial gains on other income (183.73%). We expect investors to react to the influx of corporate declarations in the coming week. However, outlook for global crude market remains drab, as Brent crude oil price increased by 4.75%% to settle at USD57.95/barrel.

Services Sector: Optimism reverses sombre mood

Last week’s sombre mood was reversed as MERISER index gained 1.20% WtD to drive YtD return to –6.67%. Sectoral breadth (1.25x) favoured advancers as five stocks advanced as against four stocks that pared. TRANSEXPR led the gainers with 14.43% gains after 3weeks of trading flat as FY: 2014 result showed a revenue growth of 0.15% and a PAT decline of -13.77%. RTBRISCOE (8.96%), ABCTRANS (3.77%), NAHCO (1.00%), and CAVERTON (0.67%) followed suit in that order. On the flip side REDSTAREX led the decliners with -4.82%, while LEARNAFRICA (-4.46%), AIRSERVICE (-1.16%) also shed points. We anticipate that corporate releases will serve as a catalyst in gearing up activities in the sector. However, we advise investors to trade cautiously.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29, 2015

The rules of saving part 3 Success Nuggets Victor Okwudiri 08037674300 (SMS only)

o far we have identified the following as reasons why people cannot save:

1. Indiscipline 2. Ignorance of ‘the percentage principle.’ This week, we are to look at another reason why people cannot save. I have termed it ‘The Law of Isolation.’ Though this new point is related to ‘The Law of Discipline,’ which I discussed earlier, I think it is appropriate to discuss it separately. Here we go. 5. The Law of Isolation Another reason why some people cannot save is their failure to practise ‘the Law of Isolation.’ Money has a ‘spirit’. It propels a drive to spend or give, sometimes beyond what is necessary. With the advancement of banking technology, with particular reference to ATM/Credit cards, it becomes easy to access and spend money on the go. Discipline is key to saving, but the truth is that ‘discipline’ may not be enough, for some people. I have learnt that the best (and, indeed, easiest) way to deal with a weak-

With the advancement of banking technology, with particular reference to ATM/Credit cards, it becomes easy to access and spend money on the go ness is to cut of from the object of temptation. For some, the object of the ‘temptation of financial recklessness’ is the ‘ATM Card.’ In the light of the forgoing, I suggest that if you are not sure to be financially disciplined, you can help yourself by operating a ‘special savings account’ isolated from an ATM card. Please note that I said a ‘Special savings account’ (SSA). I said so because, while the law of isolation may be helpful, it is also advisable to have at least ONE money-accessible ATM card, to enable you to take care of important contingencies. There are two dimensions to the operation of ‘The law of isolation.’ They are discussed below. 1. Do not apply for an ATM card for that special savings account (SSA). Advantage The thought of going to the bank, and the sometimes endless queues in the banking hall, are enough to knock off or check the temptation of financial recklessness.

Disadvantage a) No matter how much one has in that account, he cannot respond to very short-term contingencies, especially those that arise at ‘off-banking’ hours and non-banking days. b) *I will address it later. Just keep reading. 2. Keep your ATM card out of sight. Out of sight, they say, is out of mind. This may apply here. The point here is that you may apply for an ATM card for that special savings account, but keep the ATM card in such a place that the thought of the stress of getting it out will restrain you. Advantage Whereas it helps one work on financial discipline, it also positions one to respond to very important contingencies, as the ATM card is accessible, though kept at a distance. Disadvantage One may still be tempted to go in search of the card, even when a contingency has not arisen. Someone reading this might want to ask, “Which option, of the two, would you adopt?” My response: I would adopt the second option, because of the second disadvantage of the first option. Don’t worry, I hope to discuss that second disadvantage of the first option some other time, in a piece to be titled, ‘What Your banker wishes You never knew.’ You will succeed. Please, follow me on Twitter -@ VictorOkwudiri

Personality Type/Temperament The Big Picture Julian Atufunwa 08032810713 (SMS only)

ature is our most precious gift. There are great lessons to learn from nature. It is amazing to view the green herbs, each one different in its shapes, sizes and purposes. The fowls of the air, some of them are very colourful. Some animals crawl, some run, some burrow and hop. Look at the variety in the seas and oceans, whales and other creatures in the water, the skies and galaxies etc. Everything has its special area of expertise and is uniquely created to perform specific purposes. So also is MAN. Humans are created differently. Some are introverts while others are extroverts. Your make-up, shapes, components, nature, personality traits, behavioural patterns and temperament are purposefully designed to help you successfully carry out your mission on planet earth. Now, as a manager, leader, business person, student, whoever you are and whatever you do, you must interact with people. Coping with different types of people is vital to success in every area of life. Let’s take a look at the four major temperament or personality types:•Sanguine •Choleric •Melancholic

•Phlegmatic SANGUINE Sanguines are extroverts in nature. They are optimistic kind of people, very outgoing. They are fun loving people. They are always in the mood for a good time. They thrive with lots of friends. They find it interesting to interact with familiar and unfamiliar faces. They love being very popular. They light up the room immediately they walk in and they are good story tellers. Children find this type of people interesting. They do well as leaders if they learn to be more disciplined. They can be very good sales persons because of their warm and friendly attributes. They are good entertainers; a sanguine will do well as an actor or a singer. They never keep scores of wrongs; that is they don’t keep grudges. They can fight, shout now and apologise whole heartedly the next minute; also they expect you to forgive them and forget now. They can be good supporters of a group. They bring sunshine to any gathering. If a sanguine notices people are not entertained, they can generate ideas to make everyone have fun. They can be extremely kindhearted. They have knowledge and will never stop learning. They can switch from highly spirited to moody and they keep a distance from people they don’t like. They are prone to imitate people around them to feel a sense of belonging. Sanguines are extremely hardworking people and are smart. They make good team players. They seldom know how to say no to people. This is why most times, people would like to take advantage of their kindness.

Sanguines are poor listeners because they love to be heard. They enjoy variety and colours. Sanguine’ weaknesses They can be very disorganised. They get bored easily if things are not trendy. They can easily believe life is like a big party. They can’t keep secrets. They spill it while talking without knowing it because they talk before they think. They can be too playful. Sanguines do not follow work through. They make big plans and then talk them away. They don’t get them done. They hate confrontation because their egos are too fragile. They love praise and if they don’t get it, they demand for it. They can be easily distracted. They follow the ‘in’ thing. How to cope with them Do not share confidential information with them. Create time to have fun with them if you are in a relationship with them or they will seek it outside anyhow. Shower them with praises and they will get the work done. They make excellent parents. They teach with humour, they can be good teachers when chosen as a profession. They love appearing great. Compliment them. Finally, it is necessary to make adjustments in some areas without losing your personality. Don’t let anyone make you feel inferior because no temperate or personality type is better than the other. God uses every one of them. In fact, Peter was a sanguine. It is equally important not to use your temperament or personality type as an excuse to engage in vices.

SundayBusiness/News

RenCap doubles profit, boosts EEMEA Paul Ogbuokiri

enaissance Capital, a leading emerging and frontier markets investment bank, has announced that it doubled its net profit from core business for the full year 2014, bringing it to $40.5 million from $19.2 million in 2013. The firm in a statement on Wednesday said it saw strong revenues from core business and continued to reduce its cost base, which demonstrated a 17.5 per cent decrease. Total operating expenses fell to $197.1 million in 2014, from $238.8 million in 2013. Total operating income reached $250 million. Renaissance Capital’s balance sheet remains strong with its equity-to-assets ratio at 14.2 per cent, compared with 13.5 per cent at the end of 2013. Total assets and equity stand at $3.31 billion and $468.6 million, respectively. The statement further said that in 2014, the firm remained strongly committed to its core regions of SubSaharan Africa, Eastern Europe, Russia/the CIS, and Turkey, as it further focused on growing its market-leading frontier and emerging markets offering. The Firm opened an office in Dubai, UAE, and launched trading in the Middle East markets, including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman and Tunisia. Commenting on the results, Renaissance Capital CEO, Igor Vayn, said: “Amidst the challenging market conditions in 2014, Renaissance Capital not only maintained its leading position across the product offering and regions of focus but also exceeded the expectations of profit, doubling it year-on-year. As global institutional investors are shifting their focus to frontier markets, we believe these represent the catalyst for the Firm’s franchise growth. The combination of our world-class team and on-the-ground capabilities in the world’s most exciting markets are a winning formula for our goal of providing investors with best-in-class research, trading, banking and access to capital.” In the past year Renaissance Capital acted as advisor on a range of most complicated and important transactions in emerging and frontier markets, including the Do & CO placement on the Istanbul Stock Exchange, the IPO of Nigeria’s SEPLAT via a dual listing on the London and Nigeria Stock Exchanges, the IPO of Georgia’s TBC Bank, sale of Orkla Brands Russia, as well as the IPO of Rhodes Food Group on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the IPO of Nairobi Securities Exchange, among others.

Nigeria remains key FDI destination – Expert

he Head, Corporate Finance and Capital Markets, SPAAjibade and Company, Mr. Kalu Abosi, has said that despite the fail in oil prices and depreciation in the value of the Naira, the Nigerian economy remains attractive for foreign investments. Aboosi said this during a recent lecture he delivered at a Breakfast Meeting of Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce sponsored by Old Mutual. In the lecture entitled “Nigeria-Macro Economic Environment and Implication for Foreign Investments,” he said that Nigeria’s economic climate was still attractive for foreign investment despite its present challenges. He said that Nigeria as the largest economy in Africa, with Gross Domestic Product of 549.6 billion, was still attracting foreign investments, especially from private equity funds. “Amidst the challenging economy, Nigeria’s foreign direct investment still remains the third highest in Africa. “Better understanding of the vagaries of doing business in Nigeria creates savvier investors. Monthly Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) transaction at the Nigeria Stock Exchange, which was N125 billion at the end of 2014, decreased to N99 billion at the beginning of 2015, down by 20.39 per cent from December, 2014,” he said. According to him, domestic investors gave up approximately 4.48 per cent of trading to foreign investors, reducing from 51.76 per cent to 47.76 per cent while FPI transaction rose from 48.24 per cent to 52.24 per cent,’’ he said. Abosi added that the present economic challenges faced by Nigeria were not insurmountable as things were not as bad as people made them to appear. He said that irrespective of the outcome of the upcoming general elections, which many have predicted will bring doom to Nigeria; Nigeria will continue to grow economically. He said, “This season will come to pass. Business will adopt better business practices.

SUNDAY

BRANDS SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015

Bharti moves to strengthen Airtel Nigeria Hunts for new creative agencies

Dele Alao n a renewed effort to add sparkle to its brand, Bharti has concluded plans to hire a new advertising or creative agency to handle Airtel Nigeria. This is coming few weeks after the tele-

coms company appointed Yomi BadejoOkusanya’s CMC Connect now affiliated to Burson-Marsteller, as the telco’s Public Relations agency. Blueflower, led by Chido Nwakanma, was the incumbent PR agency on the account until it moved to CMC Connect

Burson-Marsteller. As at the time of filing in this report, three notable agencies are said to be warming up for the Airtel advertising account pitch, which will hold within the next few weeks. Advertising agencies that are already salivating over the multi-million naira creative business include STB-McCann, CentreSpread, both incumbents on the account, and Noah’s Ark. For years, the Airtel account was with

PrimaGarnet until the feud between the agency and its foreign partner, Ogilvy Africa, led to the loss of the account about two years ago over the latter’s romance with Scanad Nigeria, then a new agency under Ogilvy’s network. Prima Garnet had won the Airtel advertising account following the transition of the telecommunication company from Zain to Airtel. With the exception of Noah’s Ark, both Centrespread and STB-McCann are ‘experienced’ agencies on the account. It would be recalled that Centrespread handled the brand transition from Econet to Vmobile. While it was not year clear as at presstime if there are other agencies joining Centrespread, STB-McCaan and Noah’s Ark, industry observers are of the opinion that the pitch may be a mere formality as both Centrespread and STB-McCaan “have not been found wanting on the account.” A source argued that Noah’s Ark may likely have a shot at the account. This school believes that the performance of the Lanre Adisa-led agency on the country’s creative pitch in recent time is a factor to consider. The next few weeks will, however, determine who handles the telco’s advertising business.

Apple to launch three iPhone models, 4inch handset

L-R: The Group Managing Director, UACN of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Larry Ettah, the Managing Director, Chemical and Allied Products (CAP) Plc, Mrs. Omolara Elemide, the Executive Director, Corporate Services, UACN of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Joe Dada and the Chief Finance Officer, UACN of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Abdul Bello at the unveiling of the 2015 Dulux Colour of the Year held on Thursday at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, Lagos.

PRCAN to enforce law regulating PR consulting

ublic Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), the body charged with the responsibility of regulating public relations consulting business in Nigeria, has affirmed its readiness to work with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to enforce the law regulating PR consulting business in Nigeria. The association, according to a statement, rose from its Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held in Lagos with a clear mandate given to its Executive Committee to work with NIPR and relevant security agencies to take all legal means necessary to enforce the provisions of the Bye Law No. 3 of 1993, which empowers PRCAN to regulate PR consulting business in Nigeria. While presenting his presidential roadmap for PRCAN in 2015 during the first quarter extraordinary general meeting, PRCAN President, Mr. John Ehiguese, bemoaned the manner in which foreign PR agencies come into the country to set up their agencies without the knowledge of regulatory bodies in the industry.

“The public relations consulting business is one that is regulated by law. Before any foreign agency can set up in Nigeria there are conditions to be met as in other jurisdictions too. You cannot just go into South Africa and set up an agency. You will not be allowed, because the laws are there. Nigeria cannot be a country of anything goes. Public Relations consultants in Nigeria can compete favourably with their counterparts in other African climes like South Africa and other countries with highly developed Public Relations industry but one thing we need to work on is the coordination of the industry in terms of reforms,” Ehiguese said. He added: “Before a foreign PR agency can set up in Nigeria, there are conditions to be met; 75 percent of the company’s shares must be owned by Nigerians, the company must be a financial member of PRCAN, senior executives of the company must be members of NIPR and certified to practise PR.” Also speaking at the meeting, the Vice President, PRCAN, Mr. Muyiwa Akin-

tunde, said, “Membership of PRCAN is a legal requirement for firms wishing to offer public relations consultancy services in Nigeria. It is illegal for any PR agency foreign or local not registered with PRCAN to offer public relations consultancy services in Nigeria. Public and private sector clients who offer consultancy businesses to such agencies are also accessaries to the crime.” He added that apart from the responsibility of promoting the practice of professional public relations consultancy in Nigeria, PRCAN also has the mandate to provide institutional, intellectual and other productive support to professional public relations consultants within Nigeria and to help establish a pool of material resources to enhance their capacities. Meanwhile, Ehiguese has said that PRCAN is ready to sanitise the industry by ensuring that both foreign and local players follow due process. He said this will be done in partnership with NIPR and relevant security agencies to bring the full weight of the law to bear on erring agencies.

pple has concluded plans to introduce three new iPhone models in the second half of the year, one of which will incorporate a 4-inch display. Apple’s 2015 iPhone lineup will consist of the usual ‘S’ designation, which brings evolutionary changes such as processor speed bumps, alongside a brand new ‘C’ class. Observers refer to Apple’s supposed next-generation 4-inch device as the ‘iPhone 6C,’ a take on the low-end, polycarbonate-bodied iPhone 5c that debuted in 2013. As an entry-level product, the 6C is rumoured to run on current generation A8 system-on-chip silicon, while the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhones will run an unannounced A9 chip. Wistron is expected to manufacture the iPhone 6C, while Foxconn and Pegatron handle high-volume 6S assembly. Indications that Apple would return to the 4-inch form factor first surfaced in December, when analyst Timothy Arcuri said the device may come with purpose-built components to alleviate manufacturing costs. Although Apple’s big-screened iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were extremely successful, helping move 74.5 million iPhones over the fourth quarter of 2014 alone, some longtime users were put off by the move to larger display sizes. Even as a ’budget’ model, a next-generation 4-inch iPhone could satisfy customers who want the latest hardware, but not at the cost of device size.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29, 2015

SundayBusiness/Brands

CAP unveils 2015 Dulux Colour of the Year

n line with its yearly tradition, Chemical and Allied Products (CAP) Plc, makers of Dulux brand of paints, a subsidiary of UACN Plc Group, has named ‘Copper Orange’ as the 2015 Colour of the Year. ‘Copper Orange,’ according to a statement, was unveiled as the 2015 Colour of the Year in line with the AkzoNobel global tradition at a special event held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, Lagos. According to the statement, the 2015 Dulux Colour of the Year - Copper Orange - is a sun burnt colour that “is inviting,

Advertange Media introduces LED mobile billboards

etermined to offer clients value and spark their engagement with consumers across cities, Advertange Media Services has procured some two-face LED mobile electronic billboards in Nigeria’s outdoor advertising market. The elevatable mobile electronic big screen billboards, according to a statement, come with special features such as sight and sound, five watts speakers, and bigger screens. The new outdoor platform, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the outdoor firm, Akin Adelegan, can serve various purposes such as advertisement displays on mobile or static modes, concerts, brand launching/activations simultaneously in different cities, campaigns and streaming of football matches. Adelegan, who appreciated other outdoor billboards in existence, said: “Ours comes in two different versions; one side is LED and the other side is a scroller. That means, one side is showing a digital screen, the other side is scrolling messages about the brand. It is a backlight scroller. Advertange also had other types with both sides as LED. They come with screamer lines, which tell you more about a product being exhibited.” Adelegan, who noted the advantages of mobile LED billboards over the static boards, said he was inspired by the determination to create platforms that would allow clients engage with their consumers, especially in the competitive market. He said that while brands were navigating to LED as it was catching consumers’ attention, LED billboards cannot be in all locations. “That is why we introduced mobile LED platforms. They are big screens and they can be taken everywhere such as shops, markets, occasions. Hitherto, what we have is the static LED, but the challenge with those ones is that they are stuck in permanent locations. The challenge is that it is not on every road you can mount a LED billboard. It is restricted to some highways and the cost of even building and constructing them, getting approval from ministry of environment, LASAA and FERMA is rigorous,” Adelegan said. The chief executive officer, who described the LED mobile advertising platform as a child of necessity because the industry was evolving, said: “The outdoor advertising business is trending towards LED all over the world. “People are fed up of just seeing that static billboard. They want something with visuals, something that can retain their attention.” He added that the company’s vision was to have a billboard in every state capital in Nigeria. “We can display products advertisement simultaneously in all the big boards at the same time to create bigger effect,” he said.

surprising, warm and adventurous.” It captures the natural palette of the earth, human interaction and encourages experimenting because it has a depth that combines perfectly with other colours such as pinks, neutrals, whites and other orange hues, as well as metallic colors and wood tones, the statement added. Delivering his keynote address at the event, the Group Managing Director, UAC of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Larry Ettah, said that the Dulux Colour of the Year initiative signifies the confluence of a great brand and an impactful idea about one of the central themes of life - colour. One of the outcomes of the Colour of the Year initiative is the elevation of the art of colour beyond the mundane and prescribed usage and application of colour including the various icons and manifestations. He stated that the theme for the 2015 Dulux Colour of the Year - Explore, was strategically chosen to depict the mood for the colour, which encourages everyone to explore everyday opportunities. Ettah added that Copper Orange totally captures the everyday mood and the five

trends that support it, which are adventure, unseen spaces, him and her layering and friendly barter in tandem with the prediction of colour experts, based on research, that a warmer spectrum of reds and oranges is emerging, one that reflects a more positive global outlook. “The intriguing side to the 2015 Colour of the Year is that it has shifted attention to the basic and ordinary things around us. After all, nature in its natural state tends to weave an array of colours in a way that blends, pleases and soothes our daily lives. I, therefore, urge you to enjoy and discover the value and true worth of the normal things of life! Let us all embrace the current colour tone and mood for the year as we strive for all-round excellence and success,” Ettah said. Also speaking on the occasion, the Managing director CAP Plc, Mrs Omolara Elemide said the Dulux Colour of the Year is a global initiative of AkzoNobel where a trend setting colour that sparks discussions in the design and architectural sector, is chosen to represent and set the mood for a particular year.

“This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Dulux Colour of the Year in our country. The colour of the year is chosen based on the constant monitoring of emerging social, economy and design trends happening around the world and a panel of independent design experts. The colour of the year is one of the ways the brand ensures it keeps its brand promise of “touching people’s everyday lives, everyday,” she added. She urged Dulux esteemed customers to visit any of the Dulux Colour Centres (DCCs) or Dulux Colour Shop (DCSs) spread all over the country to meet with Dulux trained colour experts who will help them make over their homes and offices using Dulux Colour of the Year to bring out the beauty. In the course of the decade, the following colours of the year have been unveiled: 2006 - Kiwi Crush; 2007 - Candy Love; 2008 - Majestic Yellow; 2009 - Cool Jade; 2010 - Jazz Blue; 2011-Citrus Yellow; 2012-Tea Dance; 2013 - Indigo Night and Teal in 2014.

L-R: Top Radio On Air Personality(OAP), Tosin Bucknor, Brand Building Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr David Okeme; Rhythm FM OAP, Toke Makinwa and Category Manager, Skin cleansing, Unilever Nigeria, Osato Evbuomwan at Unilever’s introduction of the Lux Variants in Lagos.

Unilever presents Lux variants U nilever Nigeria Plc has introduced into the Nigerian market, three variants of the iconic Lux beauty

brand. The three variants, according a statement, are Velvet Touch, Soft Touch & Soft Caress. These variants, according to the company, are to further ignite the spark in the relationship of the over 45 percent women who believe scents help boost their confidence more than any other factor. The Brand Building Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. David Okeme, in Lagos at the unveiling event tagged: ‘House of Lux,’ said the new Lux collection gives seductively soft and fragrant skin that

inspires and empowers women everywhere to ignite the spark in their relationship. “Infused with delicate floral notes and softening silk essence, our transformed beauty soap range sensuously lathers and scents, leaving the skin irresistible to touch,” he said. Okeme added: “The Lux Classic Collection gives seductively soft and fragrant skin that inspires and empowers women everywhere to ignite the spark in their relationships. I can’t wait for women across Nigeria to give it a try so they can set their spark alight with our alluring fragrances and their irresistible soft skin.” The brand building director noted that Lux, since 1925, has been bringing the

best of beauty and the pleasure that comes with it to every woman in the world. He said: “Made like the costliest French soap and known as the beauty secret of some of the most glamorous stars from Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe to Patti Boulaye, Genevieve Nnaji and Munachi Abi; our alluring beauty treats delight women in more than 100 countries worldwide everyday.” The event, which was hosted by celebrity couple, Osas Ighodalo and Gbenro Ajibade, also had Nigeria’s leading fashion designer, Mai Atafo, showcase some of his work. The guests, who were drawn from the media, fashion and beauty industry, were thrilled by artiste, Timi Dakolo.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

SUNDAY

Faith 31

SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015

News The Apostolic Faith unveils Easter activities p.52

Interview In TREM, we don’t joke with praise –Akingbuwa p.53

Sermon The word of God is allotted for each age (3) p.55 A cross section of worshippers at the church...on Sunday

Dominion City:

Church where high taste and piety meet I

Tai Anyanwu

Tai Anyanwu Head, religous Desk titus.anyanwu@newtelegraph online.com

t was 10.45 am when Roving Sorshipper ended Sunday school teaching at his local church. And to convey him to yet another church with unique features was the regular car hire operator who has kept engine of his automobile running for a while. Already accustomed to the demands of the Roving Worshipper’s job, the pastor of the local church acknowledged his signal for permission to proceed. Now seated in the back seat of the waiting car, the driver sent the big car cruising through the dusty road. Connecting the Bogije end of the Lekki-Epe expressway, the driver added pressure on the pedal. After about 20 minutes drive, an imposing white-coloured tent appeared in the horizon, beside the Pan African University in Ajah area. It could have passed for an event centre; but two con-

Remain humble while you do whatever you do, take your service for God as a privilege. That is what the Lord told me; it is a privilege,” he counselled. Delving deeper into the exposition of the word, he said: “I don’t want to be a sign board, pointing to people the way to heaven and stay outside spicuous posters that bore the inscriptions Dominion City and Golden Heart Place distinguished it from numerous trendy events centres in the upscale Lekki/Ajah neighbourhoods. Outside the gated premises, choice vehicles filled the sprawling parking arena. The driver found a space at the far end; and Roving Worshipper disembarked to discover the unique features of the church. At the entrance of the large

worship arena, a dutiful usher welcomed him warmly while another led him to a row of neatly arranged plastic chairs. Quickly adjusting to the illumination within, he took in every detail of the tasteful furnishing of the sanctuary. Rows of decorative lighting spoke eloquently of the amazing skills of the arena’s interior decorator. The sanctuary was also lit up by the bright congregants in their well appointed suits, designer wears and native attires. From the altar, set in a section of the cavernous hall, the voice a young preacher held the worshippers spell-bound. Roving Worshipper learnt it was the President/Founder of Dominion City, Dr. David Ogbueli. The message of the day wad already halfway. “One other reason why many believers go to hell is because they take in junk food. From your mouth, eyes and ears, one can take in food that is not good for your spiritual health. “Let me give an advice to

wives. After being in the kitchen, please visit the bathroom. There is a minister I talked to last week that got involved in an affair. It affected him and I went to restore him. “When I got him engaged, guess what the problem was? Every night, the woman would come in smelling onions, smelling many things; and the man would not want to go near his wife. “And that happened for a long time and he would talk to her about it. Please take your bath, put on deodorant.” She will not understand that because she will not perceive the smell. “See, two things happen to you; you stop dictating when you are doing something wrong. Second, you stop having appetite for the food you are serving,” he pointed out. And to pastors and others who serve on the altar of God in various capacities, Ogbueli said: “When I discovered this a couple of years ago, which is the CO NTINUED O N PAGE 32

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29 2015

Faith

Apostolic Faith unveils Easter activities

Tai Anyanwu ll is set for the annual Easter activities of the Apostolic Faith

Church. A statement from the Head, Public Relations Department of the church,

Kayode Adeleye, said a series of programmes has been put together to mark Easter 2015. The programmes will commence with a four-day Easter retreat holding simultaneously in different zones of the West and Central Africa, (WECA) region

from April 3 to April 6. “For the Lagos Region, it will hold in six centres comprising the WECA Headquarters, Anthony Village Campgrounds, Ipaja, Ikorodu, Sango-Ota, Crawford University (Igbesa) and Oke-Aro centres,” he explained.

Adeleye noted that the event would feature songs, Bible studies, plays, film shows and inspiring testimonies. “The residential retreat with the theme: ‘Look to Calvary,’ is expected to be blessings-filled. “In the WECA Head-

Toast of suave worshippers CONTINUED F R O M PAGE 31

reason why pastors go to hell. How dangerous? They can be in wrong over a long time and not know it. They don’t repent any more. The stop having a genuine relationship with God; they only have a ministry. “I went to the Lord and cried, ‘what is the solution? Help me. Why is it that some men of God are dry? I want to have your presence in my life, not just the spiritual gift.’ And He showed me what is missing there: “Don’t get familiar with God and God’s words; be careful about that. Retain the fear of God in your life while you serve God. There is a way to serve God and it is acceptable; and there is a way to serve God and you get damaged by it. If you are an usher, you sing in the choir, even the people that give God money or you finance the gospel, if care is not taken, you can become familiar. The thing that you are serving has replaced the relationship. “Remain humble while you do whatever you do. Take your service to God as a privilege. That is what the Lord told me; it is a privilege,” he counselled. Delving deeper into the exposition of the word of God, he said: “I don’t want to be a signboard, pointing to people the way to heaven and stay outside. “You can put a signboard on that road, people will see the signboard and enter, but the signboard will still remain outside. “That is not the kind of preacher I am. Paul said, ‘I don’t want to preach to others, and after that, I become a castaway. God forbid.” The shepherd touched on the area of indecent dressing by sup-

Ogbueli

posed believers and the tendency for many believers who passively worship God while still remaining very active in worldly behaviours. At the end of the message, the worshippers cheerfully spent some time exchanging pleasantries and attending to departmental meetings and duties. Some of them who responded to Roving Worshipper ’s questions described Ogbueli and his church are the latest attractions to Lekki Christians. One of them, Martin Uke, explained that his insightful and balanced teaching of the gospel is touching lives and that that definitely accounts for the reason why many are flocking to the Golden Heart Place beside Pan African University. Apart from the regular church

programmes, Dominion City has fascinating outreaches such as the Institute of National Transformation; conceived to raise leaders that model integrity, excellence, compassion and responsibility. Others include History Makers Institute which is designed for men and women who will confront with the responsibility of having dominion on earth before Jesus second coming. There is also the International School of Ministry. Ogbueli explained: “Modern culture is in a serious crisis, the church at large is greatly compromised. There is a critical need today for fully-equipped, solidlygrounded, speciallytrained, radically committed leaders to arise. “The School of Ministry is designed to train men and women who are called into ministry by involving them in a fruitful model of ministry and equipping them with the tools needed to develop into effective ministries.” He said the church would hold the Dominion City camp meeting 2015, at the Golden Heart Place at Kilometre 22 Lekki-Epe Expressway. It will feature business workshops intended to expose entrepreneurs to opportunities to create wealth in the 21st century; career development sessions for professional and corporate executives; mentorship for upcoming artistes, musicians, models, comedians and those aspiring for a space in the entertainment industry.

quarters Zone, delegates are expected from outlying areas,” he added. The climax of the activities, an annual musical concert, has been slated for Easter Sunday, April 5th; while feeding and lodging of delegates will be free. “On Easter Monday,

the doors of the Charity Hall will be thrown open, where people, especially the needy, will be invited to make selections of the materials which the people of God have made ready for the special Easter-tide Charity Day,” the spokesman said.

The best way to become like Jesus

ince Christ is our life, the one we are brought to enjoy and the one in whom we live and move and have our being, he must be the secret or mystery of godliness. Only through knowing and relying on him can we become like the living God and share his vitality. This means that before anything else it matters where we look. Before anything else it matters what fills our vision. For whatever it is that occupies our attention (or, to use Jesus’ words, whatever it is that “remains” in us), that will steer and shape our every The language of light is thought, motive, quite appropriate, for the and action. You are what you see. sight of Jesus is like the Life, righteouseruption of glorious light ness, holiness, and into darkness: it illumines redemption are our minds, it makes our found in Jesus, and found by those— faces shine, and it drives and only those!— away our darkness who look to him. Perhaps I should be clearer: It is not that we look, get some sense of what Christ is like, and then go away and strain to make ourselves similar; we become like him through the very looking. The very sight of him is a transforming thing. For now, contemplating him by faith, we begin to be transformed into his likeness (2 Cor. 3:18), but so potent is his glory that when we clap our eyes upon him physically at his second coming, then “when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). That full, unveiled, physical sight of the glorified Jesus will be so majestically effacing it will transform our very bodies around us. The sight of him now by the Spirit makes us more like him spiritually; the sight of him, then, face to face, will finally make us—body and soul—as he is. Contemplating Christ now is thus rather like seeing the morning star at the break of day: both enchanting and full of hope. It is light for now with the promise of so much more to come. It is a taste of heaven. The language of light is quite appropriate, for the sight of Jesus is like the eruption of glorious light into darkness: it illumines our minds, it makes our faces shine, and it drives away our darkness. It is grace, and it is gracious judgment. The light of his perfection exposes our imperfection more than any wielding of the law ever could. It makes us see ourselves aright. As John Calvin put it, “man never achieves a clear knowledge of himself unless he has first looked upon God’s face.” But it does more than expose: it overcomes our imperfection and so liberates us. And it cures us far more effectively than any effort at self-improvement. As Paul phrased it, “the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions” (Titus 2:11– 12, emphasis mine). That is, it is the very grace of God, appearing from heaven in Christ that turns hearts from worldly passions to godly passions. Where selfdependent efforts at self-improvement must leave us self-obsessed and therefore fundamentally unloving, the kindness of God in Christ attracts our hearts away from ourselves and to him. Only the love of Christ has the power to uncoil a human heart. •Culled from Rejoicing in Christ by Michael Reeves InterVarsity Press, P.O. Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA.www.ivpress.com

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29, 2015

Faith

In TREM, we don’t joke with praise -Akingbuwa Pastor in Charge of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Ejigbo, Lagos State, Rev. Segun Akingbuwa, speaks on his church’s programme tagged, Sabbach 2015, and other issues with STANLEY IHEDIGBO Could you tell us about Shabach 2015? The word Shabach is one of the Hebrew words for praise. And in TREM, praise is not strange to us. In fact, praise is one of our strong areas. We do not joke with anything that has to do with praise and worship is never a strange thing. When our choir department expressed the intention to observe a programme of praise (Sabbach) to the glory of our God, I did not hesitate to give my consent. As a matter of fact, we devoted a lot of attention to resources to training of our choristers. How is the programme beneficial to invitees? Praising God is one of the ways by which burdens are lifted. I believe that people will have their burdens lifted during the event. The Bible said that God inhabits the praises of His people. So, there will be miracles of healings and divine directions; because in the course of praising God, songs will even minister instructions to the people. The programme will also serve as a platform for discovering talents; many people whose musical gifts are yet unknown would be discovered through the event. I told the organiser to look into the church congregations and find out some talents and offer them a platform to announce themselves rather than just bringing in already known stars. Upcoming talents should be able to use this as a platform to express their gifts. Are you saying that that your church will sponsor talents discovered through the programme, and help them make a living from their talents? We will try our best to grow and develop them; and as much opportunities as will come up for them to expression their gifts, we will support them. I will encourage them to take advantage of such opportunities. If there are any of them, I know I will also make a recommendation for them. I will do so by the grace of God. How did you come into ministry? Well, I got saved in 1986 and I joined TREM after trying one or two other Pentecostal churches. I stayed in TERM and grew through the stages from being a member to House Fellowship Leader, Assistant Zonal Leader and later became the Zonal Leader. While serving as a Zonal Leader in December 1996, the Presiding Bishop, Dr. Mike Okonkwo, called me and gave me the assignment of starting one of the branches of the church. That was the beginning of my ministry work and I grew from there. Was there any sign of a divine call? I did not experience any special sign of calling to work for God; apart from the Presiding Bishop’s call that assigned me the task. Have there been some challenges? There are enormous challenges, but we get by every task just trusting and believing God. There are challenges of

Praising God is one of the ways by which burdens are lifted up. I prayed believe that people will have their burdens lifted during the event. The Bible said that God inhabits the praises of His people

growing the church, challenges of acquiring properties including building our local church and nurturing members and helping them become whom God wants them to be. Of course, there are always financial challenges. There is too much to do with finance as it comes in. What is your general advice to Nigerian Christians? Let’s remain heaven-focused, heavenconscious, and the grace is sufficient for us to lead a Godly lifestyle that will assure us of our place in heaven. Let us understand that as believers, people are watching us and taking a cue from our actions; some even expect that from believers. Let not fail our world and fail people that look up to us. Did you meet your wife in the church? Yes, I met my wife in our house fellowship. We were attending the same house fellowship. I spoke to her and we have come this far. Did you propose to her with a Bible or ring? I didn’t proposed to her with a Bible or ring, I just told her that I wanted to marry her. She didn’t give me an immediate yes. She was not expecting it and she took time to digest it. After she had digested it, we came together and worked towards our wedding. How often do you prepare a delicious did for your wife? Yes, that was when we were newly wedded, but these days a lot of things are taking our time.

How often do you take your wife out? Last time I took her out was around Christmas. What is your favourite colour? The most popular colour in my wardrobes is blue and one can assume that that is my favourite colour. What is your fashion sense? I love anything that looks good and

smart on me. Usually when I’m not on an official outing, I wear T shirt and jeans. What are your hobbies? I read and listen to DVDs, discuss issues and I love attending seminars trainings and conferences, also shopping. How can you described yourself to somebody you meet for the first time? I am a minister of God, a cleric.

Adesuyi releases third album

ospel music lovers are in for another great treat as Bayo Adesuyi, former Head of Music Ministry at the Foursquare Gospel National Headquarters Church, Yaba - Lagos, launches third album. The Gospel artiste promised that the launch of the album title ‘Opaaro’, would be an opportunity for his fans to

savour his music brand. Adesuyi is reputed for his African contemporary approach to gospel music that captures the fancy of lovers of percussion groove and a rich vocal delivery to sooth listeners from the old. The launch comes up on April 6 at Planet One, Ikeja. Sunday Telegraph learnt that the Univer-

sity of Lagos Computer Science graduate, who tickled the ear buds with his first single - Loke Loke, featuring Chindinma and Emizon and already making waves, will be performing live at the launch. A producer and seasoned praise worship leader, Adesuyi already has two albums Dapada (2008) and Mother indeed (2010) to his credit.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29 2015

Faith

Lent: When change needs further change Firm Faith:

Right Reason Most Rev.

Emmanuel A. Badejo fradebadejo@yahoo.

0803 949 4219 (SMS only)

The nature of change “Just because you don’t take interest in politics does not mean politics won’t take interest in you,” so said Pericles, the Greek statesman and politician. We Nigerians all seem to understand that well enough. Right now, one could say that one idea that dominates all political discourse and activities in Nigeria is ‘change.’ It is so good to note that the concept of change has become so ubiquitous and even attractive. Seemingly, everybody uses it. Change is, of course, central to this period of Lent which, properly understood, is about transforming the self and the world. Despite all the anxiety that preceded these elections, one could still afford some comic relief, occasionally hearing the ruling Peoples Democratic Party members (PDP) appropriate the ‘change’ mantra of the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), while insisting that they, not the opposition, are the change’ that Nigeria really needs. In truth, none of the parties was being original in this matter; for, indeed, none can claim the copyright of change. Change belongs firmly to God and in all nature. That explains why change is the only thing that is constant and “unchanging.” Everything else changes, except of course, the Author of change, God Himself.

Centering the call for change Nigerians right now are in the top gear process for change but it is quite difficult to decipher the genuineness of that desired change. Some people have still not even thought deeply about it. John Cardinal Onayekan, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, took a shot at the issue during the 2015 Cathedraticum celebration last week at St. John’s Catholic Church, Abuja. He confirmed that Nigerians are generally disenchanted with the state of affairs in the country, decried the widespread fear and anxiety pervading the country and assured everyone that God would intervene to usher in a state of renewal. His words thereafter then with a touch of humor, defined his own idea of the desired change: “My position is that there has to be change. I am not talking about change from bus conductors. I don’t care who wins, whether it is PDP or APC, but whoever wins, there has to be (true) change because people are not happy with what is happening. People are hungry, people are suffering.” When change needs changing Cardinal Onayekan is right in my view. Much of the change in demand in Nigeria is unfortunately about material and physical needs. These, of course, are necessary but not sufficient. Nigerians want a change from poverty to prosperity, from scarcity to abundance and from devastation to restoration. This is why most people cry for a change in government. That kind of change, however, may not still translate to a better life for all. Nigerian politics is regrettably replete with players with scant integrity, who change their position too many times on too many issues; not because they see the light

Change belongs firmly to God and in all nature. That explains why change is the only thing that is constant and “unchanging”. Everything else changes, except of course, the Author of change, God himself

but because they feel the heat, of failure, of disappointment, of prosecution or even of imprisonment. That makes the kind of change they offer suspect. We therefore need to return to the basics for us to realise how we have messed up not just our economy and sociology but our morality and spirituality as well. The change we now desire therefore needs further change, namely an entire value- system-change, to return us to the path of true prosperity, progress, harmony and peace. I am the Lord your God Who then can best change the sort of human beings or the creation which sustains them if not the Creator God who put them together in the first instance? God once gave the tool for genuine change against all human misdemeanour, misrule and mismanagement which we all denounce so much today. The tool consists in what has been known for all time as ‘The Ten Commandments,’ God’s code of conduct. Older, simpler and superior to all modern, human codes of conduct and constitutions, God’s code of conduct has been largely ignored by man

to his own detriment. In these most intriguing times there can be no harm in remembering and paying attention to these clear unambiguous tenets: I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the house of slavery, do not have other gods before me; Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy; Honour your father and your mother that you may live long in the land that Yahweh has given you; Do not kill; Do not commit adultery; Do not steal; Do not give false witness against your neighbour; Do not cover your neighbour’s house; Do not covet your neighbour’s wife or his servant. (Ex 20:1-17). Seeking the Lord when he is near Leo Tolstoy, the Russian writer, once wrote: “Everybody thinks of changing humanity.” How many people think seriously of changing...themselves? It is very clear that Nigeria has a problem with lack of adherence to what we believe. In this sense, we are all in the class of politicians who harbour little intention of putting into practice what they declare. How I wish we could get all Christians in Nigeria to actually follow God’s Ten Commandments, living in peace with God, with all and everyone. That, by simple logic, would halve the problem of Nigeria as a country; for problems are created not by rocks and grass but by people. And perhaps in that way, we could persuade our brothers and sisters of other faiths to also practise what they profess. Then and then, what a beautiful country we would all have here! Now we can all ask two simple questions: “If not now, then, when? If not us then, who?”

The cage of circular spirit (2) Insight Rev.

Femi Akinola

www.thehebrewsng.com

01-790 3163; 0808 584 5864

Text: John 1:3; Luke 3:4; Matt 3:3 “For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, ‘the voice of one crying in the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” In continuation of this message, the mystery behind circular movement shall be fully explored. Do not forget the mission of this wicked spirit which is potent enough to shortchange the original plan of God in the life of an individual; it is also capable of making crooked one’s destiny path. When will you go straight or as it is written in your life and destiny? Let me quickly digress a little as we x-ray the prophetic destiny of Joshua who by the help of God understood the peculiarity of his ministry through the feet and tapped maximally into it. “And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings to Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men

of war which went with him, come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.” Jos 10:24 This event consolidated the Jericho and Jordan experience and that was remarkable in his assignment before possessing the Promised Land. Circular spirit from the coven of darkness is potent enough to impound your glorious destiny assignment thereby totally incapacitating and frustrating one’s destiny. Another indicator of this circular spirit is making people live their lives on guesswork. This is also another potent weapon of the enemy to popularise his satanic intent of oppression and bondage. Shout this loud, I refuse to guess in life, I will go straight and as it is written of me in Jesus name. Anything you do or embark upon outside your divine destiny path will only amount to waste of effort, time and resources. Circular spirit can becloud your eyes from seeing into areas, projects and even ventures that are capable of changing your status and elevating you to heights of being celebrated. Any demonic stumbling block on your path in life, the angel of the Lord will clear it away in Jesus name. A man once came to one of our counselling sessions sometime ago and it was revealed he ought to have studied Medicine rather than Political Science which he did. Though he left angrily

Anything you do or embark upon outside your divine destiny path will only amount to waste of effort, time and resources. Circular spirit can becloud your eyes from seeing into areas, projects and even ventures that is capable of changing your status and elevate you to heights of being celebrated

but I prayed one prayer for him, that God should reveal his true identity to him. That same night, he saw himself in the dream in white apparel with lots of accolades, being commended for his expertise on the job. He woke up and glory to God that he understood the meaning and implication of this. The brother returned to school to study Medicine and today he is a successful Medical Doctor. Beloved, you are sent here on earth with a specific assignment and you must discover it in order to thrive in the fullness of your God-given destiny. If you fail to discover this, then you

have not escaped from the whims and caprices of this circular spirit. The following high points are indices of a man besieged by the demon of this circular spirit: • It makes you goal-less; let me ask you what is your goal and pursuit in life? • It is the power behind trial and error syndrome recurring in your life. • It is the initiator of what I call the vagabond anointing – aimlessness, lack of coordinated and/or concerted efforts in your life. • It makes life unpalatable and you can be reviled by all and sundry. • It is responsible for constant failure because you can only get your allocation in the place of your location. • It is the brain behind wandering and haughty spirit ravaging your destiny. • It is a copy-cat (photocopy) demon. You seem to lack ingenuity, you only and always want to do what others or everybody is doing. • It can turn you to an interview celebrity and susceptible to making unpardonable mistakes at the point of breakthrough. • Covetousness becomes a lifestyle as it will become difficult to patiently wait on God, thereby being threatened by the successes and achievements of others. • Constant and unfounded fear of the future.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29, 2015

Turn your night to day Mystery ofAnxiety Bishop

John Ogbansiegbe

0803 341 6327

en of Real success are men who are able to reproduce what they had, in the event of a loss or calamity; because what they had is only a minor aspect of their total being. But men of vain success either die with the sad event or they live in poverty thereafter. The story of James Cash Penny (1875-1911) amply illustrates this. Penny was a man who went through a number of setbacks before he sat up his store, called, “The Golden rule store “. From a humble beginning of only one store, he grew the business to 32 stores in 1921, and to a staggering 1,400 stores scattered all over USA in 1924. But the man kept experiencing one tragedy after another. He lost his first wife in 1910, and the woman he remarried died in 1924 at child birth. This, couple with the stock market crash of 1929, which made J. C. Penny stock plunge from 120 points to only 13, which completely devastated the man. He was virtually broke in 1932, dropped his Christian philanthropies and found himself in

a sanatorium, a clinic for those suffering from long illnesses. While there, he got completely mended, regained his faith and hope and began a fresh arduous climb back to financial peak at age of fifty-six. By 1951, there was a JC Penny store in every state of USA, and for the first time his sales went above $1 billion dollars. There was another man called Watler Disney (1901 -1966) At the age of 266 years, he was already a successful animator who had created the big time character called Oswald, the lucky rabbit. He also has a good studio and numerous animators working for him. But one day, disaster struck. His crafty distributor not only took over the rights to that cartoon masterpiece, he also hired away his animators. This left Disney in great and big debt. But he didn’t lose his skill and vision which are two great ingredients needed for success. He therefore resolved to start all over again. In the wake of all this, he left New York for California, doodling on a piece of paper as the train ran. His doodle looked like a mouse and he called it Mortimer Mouse. This was how Mickey Mouse was born in 1927. It became the most popular cartoon figure in the world. Disney’s snow white and seven dwarfs (1938) was also the first full-length cartoon ever created. Disney’s vision gave rise to Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida. These awesome amusement parks mark the man as a man of great visions and one of the great minds of the entertainment world. Today, the Wall Disney Company is a money-spraining machine.

It became a reality just because a man refused to surrender to an event of disaster in his life. Strive to be a man of real success, let your wealth flow more from your personality than your circumstances. The world is not interested in the storms you encountered, but whether you brought in the ship. Success is not determined or found in your circumstances, but success is overcoming your circumstances. Some world’s greatest men and women have been saddled with disabilities, but they have managed to overcome them. For people that were crippled, you have; Sir walter Scott who was successful despite his condition. For men under the limitation of a prison wall; you have John Bunyan, who while in the prison became a successful writer of many worlds’ best Christian literature including the famous Pilgrim progress.” For men who triumphed over background of abject poverty and penury, you have Abraham Lincoln who made it from nothing and with nothing to

Faith

something and later become an America president, even when he failed America’s presidential election several times, he was not discouraged but continued to fight until he made it. Glenn Cunningham sustained severe bodily injury from fire burn during a fire disaster that doctors said, “he will never walk again with legs.” But Glen refused to submit to his circumstances. He continued to exercise his legs until he started walking again. In 1934, he set a world record for running a mile in four minutes and 6-7 seconds. Till death, he remained a celebrity. For men that were called and branded slow learners in intellectual background, retarded and uneducated, you have the famous greatest scientist that ever lived in the world. Albert Einstein, who founded, invented and discovered the scientific law of relativity and time travel, which helped to top the Second World War. Bill Gates was a college dropout, who never saw the four walls of a university. But he later became the founder of the modern day Microsoft wares and also one of the world’s richest billionaires who even built a glass house inside the Atlantic Ocean. Mrs. Golda Meier of Israel was a divorcee or a divorced mother, whose heart was severally broken before she was divorced. Yet, with her emotional distress and depression, she became one of the world’s best woman Prime Ministers as well as the first only lady Prime Minister of Israel. She achieved so many things for Israel during her tenure that till today Israel as a nation is still paying homage to her family and continues to celebrate her.

The word of God is allotted for each age (3) the of

Oracles God

Frank Oboden Olomukoro frankolomukoro@yahoo.com

0703 362 1866

The age of grace This was the dispensation of the day of man, known also as the Age of Grace. This is the New Testament order centered on the death and resurrection of the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the Redeemer spoken of back and forth in the entire Old Testament. This is the high mark of the redemption plan of God for fallen man who had come short of the glory of God since Adam and Eve. Jesus Christ is the scripture allotted for the Age of Grace. He was the Word; the same was in the beginning with God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 14) He was the Lamb of God that took away the sins of the world. The secret of salvation was revealed to Him, Himself being a prophet (The son of man). Jesus Himself declared, “Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.” He took away the first (the Aaronic order of the numerous sacrifices of rams and goats) that he may establish the second (the Melchisedec order). By the which we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all. (Heb. 10:9-10). If Jesus had come with the message

of Moses, it would not have worked. It was for the same reason Moses could not take Noah’s allotted scripture of “Enter the Ark” for “Get out of Egypt.” In this Age of Grace, the allotted word is to “Enter into Christ” and not into any organised system. “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17). Many are rushing into denominations, taking up their membership “I am Baptist, I am Anglican, I am Pentecostal,” without ever experiencing the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the mark of genuine conversion. Whoever rejects the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in his/her life has rejected Christ and comes to condemnation. He that believeth on Him is not condemned. The actual sin is not believing in the only begotten son of God. No other intermediary but Christ will suffice. The church ages of the gentle dispensation This is the period after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This was when the Lord turned to the Gentiles through the preaching of the gospel to separate unto Himself a group of elected believers who accept the allotted scripture for their spiritual birth. What was the scripture? The sample gospel of Acts Chapter 2 was preached from the promises of God made in Joel 2:25. It entails three definite steps that must be accomplished to earn conversion from a sinner to a saint. “Now when they heard this, they were picked in their hearts, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what do we do to be saved? What do we do to have our sins remitted? What do we do to receive

Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17). Many are rushing into denominations, taking up their membership “I am Baptist, I am Anglican, I am Pentecostal,” without ever experiencing the Holy Spirit

the promised gift of the Holy Ghost? Do we just join a church? Do we take a membership card in an organised denomination?” Peter answered in clarity: “Repent and be baptised everyone of you (no exemption, all men are born sinners) in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (not baptism practised by different church creeds in the titles of Father, Son and Holy Ghost) but in the name of the one that died and resurrected, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:37-42). This is a sure promise allotted to the Gentile Age. (Acts 2:39). This is God’s prescription. No denominational prescription will give the exact result commanded in Acts 2:38. Three thousand souls accepted it and immediately the same day were all gladly baptised. The apostles who were also prophets preached the gospel and evangelised the then old civilisation. There is no short cut to the Kingdom of God except through the prescribed order.

Man has tried by his own form of religion, by education, by organisation, by ethics, and everything else to substitute the truth but failed. Man produced nothing but a stillbirth. The word age It is the time just prior to the RAPTURE, when the Lord Jesus Christ, the bridegroom, comes for the wise virgins, (Matt. 25:1-13). The Laodicean Age is the last of the seven church ages of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis and Philadephia which make up the 2000 years of the Gentile Dispensation. The scripture allotted to this age is the promise of Elijah, a prophet assigned to give the shout in Matt 25:6: “Behold the Bridegroom cometh.” That is the message sent to prepare the Bride for full restoration to the unadulterated Word of God and to the pattern of the apostles. These messages include the actual correct Bible water baptism by immersion in the Name of Jesus Christ instead of the TITLES of Father, Son and Holy Ghost practised by the denominations. The knowledge of whom God is, the Jehovah of the Old Testament identified as the Lord Jesus Christ. That women are not called into the priesthood by the Aaronic order. These and other messages were unveiled by the ministry of the humble servant of God, William Branham, who was commissioned as the Angel messenger to the Laodicean church age. (Rev.3:18) Like John the Baptist who foreran the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, he also foreruns by the message of the hour, the second coming of Chirst in what is generally termed the Rapture. Thus, the allotted Word to the Word Age is to go back to the Word of God .

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29 2015

Faith

Giving to the needy Taming your Emotions Bishop

Lawrence Osagie 0806 325 0667 www.powerlineministriesinc.org mail:powerlineministries@mail.com

esus said: “Give and it shall be given unto you a greater measure.” A running over blessing is the reward of every cheerful giver. Giving to the needy is so important that Jesus outlined it as a measure to determine who would enter into the kingdom of God. Illustrating the essence of giving, He said, “Many shall say, when did I see you naked, and I did not clothe you, or see you hungry and I did not give you food.” And He said: “So long you did not do it to one of these ones (meaning the poor among you) you did it to me.” This message suggests that beyond earthly blessings, giving to the poor is a criterion for making heaven. Solomon speaking from a personal life experience said: “Giving to the poor is lending to God.” So if you want to experience the favour of God, open your heart to the poor around you; especially those that you are better than. Be concerned about God’s project

on earth – “And it came to pass in the month of Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, that Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah: I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said unto me, the remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burnt down with fire ... when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven” - Nehemiah 1. Nehemiah is among prominent Bible personalities who by the favour of God did exploits and left legacies worthy of emulation. While in exile, he was privileged to serve in the king’s palace. He lived and worked around the corridors of power and the affluence of royalty. Even though he did not have material lack, he was bothered about Jerusalem and the captives of Israel that had returned to Jerusalem. The news of their woes was great distress to him. He was not just distressed about the news but took action to remedy the situation. “Then I was very sore afraid and said unto the king, let the king live forever: why should not my countenance not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are

He was not just distressed about the news but took action to remedy the situation. “Then I was very sore afraid and said unto the king, let the king live forever

consumed with fire? The King said unto him, for what does thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And said unto the king, if it pleases the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou would send me unto Judah, unto the city of my father’s sepulchres, that I may build it. And the king said unto him, (the queen also sitting by his side); for how long shall thy journey be? And will thou return? So it pleases the king to send me; and I set him a time.” The physical look of Nehemiah was affected by his mood such that the king noticed it. I think the presentday church of God on earth deserves such men who will be bothered by the issues of the kingdom of God on earth. Beyond emotional expressions,

Nehemiah made time to pray in fasting and prayer and set forth to see the king. “Moreover, I said unto the king, if it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah; and a letter unto Asap, the keeping of the king’s forest, that he may give timber to make the beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the walls of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of God upon me” – Nehemiah 2: 1-9. The king granted the request of Nehemiah because the favour of God was upon him. Nehemiah testified that it was according to the hand upon his life. I pray that the hand of God will come upon you and your endeavours; that the favour of God opens the doors beyond the imagination of man. He did not just have the king’s permit to go and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem but a letter ordering governors across the land to provide the builders with adequate security and transport. One thing that separates the believer from the common man is the diverse manifestation of the hand of God. it was upon Moses and the king could not dare him. It was upon Joseph and he was preferred throughout the land as a choice leader. That hand shall come mightily upon you as you partake of His grace upon my life and ministry in Jesus name.

The voice of evil shall not prevail Liberation Tidings Pastor Samuel Daniel

globalgracechurch@ymail.com

08060143296 (SMS only)

his week, I want to talk about voice; and my topic is taken from the book of Psalm 29: 4: “The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic,” and Lamentations 3:37: “Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?” Luke 23: 23 says: “But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed.” As you read the message this morning, I want to say that behind everything that happens on earth, there is a force of voice. It is either the voice of God or the voice of Satan. Even the earth was created by the voice of God, in the same manner, when Satan came to destroy, it was through the use of voice to convince Eve to go against God’s command in the garden. Many people didn’t understand when this same thing played out during the trial of Jesus Christ by Pontius Pilate which was recorded in the book of Luke. A voice also prevailed at the presence of Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ, the King of Glory. Precisely, the voice of the people around prevailed over Pilate’s wife, who was trying to convince her husband to leave the man, whom she described as a righteous man. The woman’s voice was very little to do a good work in her life. The voice of the enemy prevailed and Pilate was incapacitated, even though he knew better. But then, the Bible also said that the testimony of two or three will be established. See that the voices that rose against Jesus were higher than the voice

that spoke concerning the Lord. The voice of evil prevailed. From the above, we have established that there are voices that are stopping good things in the lives of some people. That is when some companies go in search of contracts; even with a winning bid or quotation, a contrary voice would arise, undermine and destroy its good chances. In such cases, another company of inferior credentials would find favour because somebody would inject a negative voice and turn the table against the other company with requisite potential for the contract in contest. This is the kind of voice I am talking about, that voice is not a good voice. Many times, good people in office who are overdue for promotion, struggle with stagnation because strange voices undermine their chances. They deserve to be promoted, but when some people are speaking well of them, a powerful bad voice will bring in a contrary report. Many righteous people are constantly being pulled down and denied of their well deserved rewards in this manner. My prayer is that the voice of the enemy will no longer prevail against you in the mighty name of Jesus. Hear me. There are voices that are preventing good things from happening in your life. May be you are a single sister and you are finding it difficult to settle down. This is because any time a good man comes your way, there is somebody that goes to rubbish the man interested in you; and makes him change his mind. If you are reading this article this morning, I want to tell you that you need to pray. This is the hour of prayer. Every voice that rises against you in judgment, you must condemn. And for our dear country, especially at a time we are transiting to another four years of governance, we need to pray that the voices of the enemies of our nation will never prevail. The enemy of the individual, enemy of a particular tribe, enemy of a particular region

Someone may be observing satanic fasting to make sure that you do not reach your divine destiny; or visiting, raising evil altars and making incantation to stop your ascendance to the top is saying all manners of things to rubbish or to destroy. When evil voices are glorified, they tend to prevail; and that is what brings commotion. We need to pray; that is why this message is coming at a time like this. Many people have been prevented from getting their testimonies because bad voices have been prevailing in their circumstances. Someone may be observing satanic fasting to make sure that you do not reach your divine destiny; or visiting and raising evil altars and making incantations to stop your ascendancy to the top. You need to pray. Are you residing abroad? Distance is not a barrier to such evil people. Except you wake up and pray, you are in danger. From the remote villages, they will speak dirty words and use their voices to push your fortune into ruins. And somebody that has been doing well over there will be rubbished because there is a voice behind that act. Some people will hear strange voices. When a good thing is about to come their way, they will hear of it. And that will be the end of their move, miracle or breakthrough. If this message is speaking to your situation, you need to pray these prayers: • Any voice that is speaking against my testimonies be silent forever. • Evil altar speaking against my welfare in the village, town, neighbourhood or elsewhere, be consumed by fore in the

name of Jesus. • Any altar in my working places, business and anywhere speaking ineffectiveness into my destiny, be destroyed by the fire of God. I want to tell you that the Bible said the accuser of the brethren had been cast out. That was why the Bible said when the children of God came to town, the devil also came to accuse certain people. That is why I am telling you that the devil’s accusation is void. That demon wanted to say something but we are going to pray that any demon that will stand against the creator of heaven and earth to stop you of miracle or of the blessing God have designed for you , that voice shall be silent. As you can see from the book of Zachariah , the Bible says that Joshua was wearing a filthy garment and wanted to receive something from God but a demon came along to stop him. He was still talking and that was what was disturbing Joshua from receiving. That garment was removed. That is what I want to tell you. I don’t know if there is any power, any demon from your background, from your foundation that is always clamouring to prevent the voice of God in your life. Let that voice be silent. If I begin to pray prayers concerning voices, they may not have time to go but from these few prayer points I am just enlightening you that this week keep on praying and shut any voice. Wherever you are coming from the air, is it from the sea or from the land, to be against you or to accuse you before your helper whom God wants to use to bless you, that voice be silent. In fact, if God silences that voice, that voice can never speak again. Any voice that is trying to spoil things including this nation will be silent. Any voice that wants to bring confusion especially in a period like this, which is election time, any voice that will trigger violence in this country that voice shall be silent and there will be peace.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29, 2015

Faith

Yaw preaches peace in church Stanley Ihedigbo

elebrated radio personality, Steve Onu, popularly known as Yaw of Wazobia FM, has called on Christian youth to shun violence during and after the general elections in the country. He was speaking at Shabach 2015, a musical concert organised by The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Ejigbo branch, Lagos. Yaw urged the youths should always demonstrate Christ‘s peaceful life style with everybody. According to him, no good Christian youth would involve in violence of any kind. He added that Christians should shun activities that could breach peace and order in the country, saying that such activities would amount to misrepresenting the word of God to the world. “If you are fighting for politicians, like the presidential candidates, most of the time the president and former heads of state met every month for state council meeting, after the meeting they embraced each other and laugh together. “So, if you killed yourself or killed somebody as result of political violence , and you said that you are fighting for any politicians, you are the great loser “, he said. The host minister, Rev, Segun Akingbuwa, enjoined his members to go out and peacefully cast their votes on the election days. He expressed confidence that there would be peace during and after the elections if people would pursue peace in the whole exercise. The cleric decried the tension generated by electioneering and

L-R: Revd. Ben Odekunle of the Gospel Baptist Conference of Nigeria; Chairman, Forum of Christian Ministers, Arch. Bishop Michael Fadeyi; Chairman, Christian Welfare Initiative, Most Revd. Magnus Atilade; Guest Speaker/Christian Association of Nigeria Chairman, Lagos State chapter, Apostle Alex Bamgbola; Vice Chairman, Revd. Emmanuel Oguntoshin and Bishop Solomon Kumolu of Chief Love International Church, during the ‘Prayer for the Nation’ in Lagos. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

cert tagged, Sabbach, was a praise concert held to the glory and honour of God. “Sometimes when we come to church, we don’t really praise God the way we are supposed to praise him that is not what God wants from us. Praise is what God deserves from

us and this a time set aside for God. “The theme of the song concert ” keep calm and praise”. “You know a lot of tension is built in this coming election keep calm and praise God not going into fight just praise God it brings down the presence of God” she said.

Nigerians advised to shun evil

UK Christians face discrimination

Tai Anyanwu he Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu, Lagos rose from its 27th Annual Synod, with a resolve to continue to pray for the well-being and peace of the nation until righteousness takes root in the nation. The church council also enjoined all Nigerians to allow the Spirit of God glow in them adding that only then will remarkable transformation in the fortunes of the country be achieved. The charge was contained in a communiqué issued at the convention and signed by the Bishop of the Trinity Church Council, the Rt. Rev. Oladapo Omotayo Babalola. “Synod believes that if the Spirit of God, which directs people to do the right things, is operational in everyone, there will be a remarkable transformation in the fortunes of Nigeria,” the communiqué emphasised. The synod, however, implored whoever might emerge as Nigeria’s next president to have the political will and moral courage to implement the recommendations of the National Confab while commending President Goodluck Jonathan for setting up the forum. “This will also help tackle the hu-

described it as just part of political games in the country which should be discouraged among the politicians who he said have failed to tell the people what they intend to achieve for the people. The Choir Director, Sister Sarah Williams, said that the musical con-

The current exchange rate of the Naira to any of the major foreign currencies has reached an all-time high. The resultant effect is that prices of most commodities have shot up and are going out of the reach of most people in the country

mongous problem of homegrown terrorism, religious intolerance, endemic corruption, failed schools, hospitals, roads, security and power supply, Niger Delta militancy, illegal oil bunkering, kidnapping, the vanishing opportunities for our youths, the widening gulf between the rich and the poor and worst of all, the receding faith in Nigeria by Nigerians,” it noted. On the economy, the synod urged

the Federal Government to do all it can to halt the depreciation of the Naira. “The current exchange rate of the Naira to any of the major foreign currencies has reached an all-time high. The resultant effect is that prices of most commodities have shot up and are going out of the reach of most people in the country. “Synod believes that if the trend continues, more Nigerians will be sent to join the huge number already living below the poverty line,” it stressed. The church council also implored the Independent Electoral Commission to deliver credible elections and protect corps members who would be engaged as ad hoc staff. Synod also advised that parents must consciously protect their wards from being used for political thuggery or any form of violence. It expressed deep sadness over the number of lives lost to the Boko Haram insurgency and commiserates with the families of the victims. In a similar vein, the synod frowned on the inability of the Federal Government to rescue the 279 Chibok girls abducted nearly a year ago while appreciating the current offensive against the sect by the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with regional and international coalition forces.

rchbishop Peter Smith has spoken of the “seriously troubling practices” at workplaces in Britain where Christians are prevented from expressing their faith. The Archbishop of Southwark, who is chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales’s department for Christian responsibility and citizenship, was responding to a new survey on religion and belief in the workplace by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The report suggested that religious people feel under pressure to keep their beliefs and faith symbols hidden at work, complaining of being mocked as bigots. “It is encouraging that a number of respondents described inclusive environments in which their beliefs are respected, however the findings have also highlighted some examples of seriously troubling practices including people being treated unfavourably or prevented from expressing their faith,” said Archbishop Smith. “Most striking is the level of uncertainty among employers, service providers, workers and students about how laws protecting freedom of religion or belief should be implemented in practice.” He added: “I understand that the Equality and Human Rights Commission will be using these findings in a review of current legislation and the production of further guidance. This offers a valuable opportunity to ensure that everybody is treated with fairness, dignity and respect – and that the positive contribution people of faith bring to society is more truly recognised.”

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29 2015

Faith

Unveiling the mystery of supernatural advancement The Voice of Dominion by

Bishop David Oyedepo

7747546-8 (SMS only)

et us recognize that supernatural advancement answers to spiritual engagement. Spiritual engagement is the master key to a world of supernatural advancement. Malachi 3:17-18 says: And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that

serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. This scripture makes it clear that one cannot enjoy supernatural advancement without spiritual engagement. No one can advance oneself. It is the Lord that advances a person in life. For instance, it is the Lord Who advanced Moses and Aaron. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 says: I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Also Psalm 71:21 says: Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. From these two scriptures it is clear that it is the Almighty God Who increases people’s greatness and advancement. No one can make himself great (1 Chronicles

29:10-12). It is only God who makes great (Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 13:2)! What it takes to qualify for supernatural advancement: •Doing what God says: Doing whatever God says is what provokes supernatural advancement. Deuteronomy 28:1 says: …If thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments….thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth. Committing to God’s commandments is fundamental to supernatural advancement. •Spiritual engagement in prayers and fasting: Spiritual engagement in prayer and fasting guarantees access to supernatural advancement. For instance, Nehemiah was a cupbearer. After praying and fasting, his level changed! He became a governor (Nehemiah 8:9)!

Think of Daniel! He was a man addicted to prayer. When he landed in the lion’s den, he did so as an angelic being! His advancement was traceable to his praying and fasting life. Note that when you pray for the needs of the Kingdom, your nation and for others, you enjoy supernatural advancement. •Spiritual engagement of the Word: Spiritual engagement of the Word of God guarantees access to supernatural advancement. Apostle Paul, who was described as “God in the likeness of men,” was an addicted student and researcher of the Word. 2 Corinthians 12:7 says: And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. The supernatural advancement of Paul was a product of revelation. Prayer and fasting are requirements for growing in revelation (Isaiah 58:10). We are advanced from persons to nations by revelation. •Spiritual engagement in followership: Spiritual engagement in followership -- following divine guidance changes people’s levels. Think of Isaac! When there was an outbreak of famine, he wanted to escape to Egypt. However, God told him not to go to Egypt. Right there in that land of famine, Isaac sowed, became very great and the Philistines envied him (Genesis 26:12-14). You need grace for followership. Followership of scriptural instructions can take you above all nations of the earth (Deut. 28:1). •Spiritual engagement to exercising yourself unto Godliness: This provokes supernatural advancement. Godliness was at the root of Joseph’s rising. In Genesis 39:9 he said: …How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? The rise of Joseph was provoked by his exercising himself unto Godliness. He was a man that feared God! •Spiritual engagement in tireless stewardship: This is a commitment to serving God’s interest. Every child of God is called to serve; but only a few know how to go about it. When you serve God, you advance to change levels (Exodus 23:25-26). Friend, the grace to access the above is for those saved. You get saved by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. If you are set for it, please pray this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books — Keys To Answered Prayers and Winning Prayers.

SUNDAY

The Sunday Magazine SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015

L-R: Reginald Okpara, Peter Onyeali, Christopher Edwin Okonkwor and Andrew Muokwe Obi

Shocker:

We sell guns to clerics, politicians, others –Suspects T

Flora Onwudiwe he four suspected gun smugglers who were arrested by detectives attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, Lagos State Police Command have revealed why Catholic priests, prophets, senators, policemen, among others buy guns from them. The suspects, Andrew Muokwe Obi, Christopher Okonkwo Edwin, Peter Onyeali and Reginald Opara, said that most of their distinguished buyers told them they needed the guns for self-protection and communal warfare. The police said the men specialised in selling AK47 rifles and pistols without licences. The police are also hunting for one Ikechi

and Adiele, suspected fleeing members of the gang. Sunday Telegraph learnt that Ikechi has a link to a member of the House of Representatives and the police want to question him about the lawmaker. The police said the suspects had pumped hundreds, if not thousands, of weapons into the country and mopping them up wouldn’t be too easy. A police source said that some of the guns had been recovered in Enugu and Abia states and also from Fulani. Many more were yet to be located, Sunday Telegraph learnt. The suspects insisted that they had sold only 200 guns to different people. Detectives, however, maintained that it was more than that. Police are also saying that the suspects were found to have sold guns to

Detectives, however, maintained that it was more than that. Police are also saying that the suspects were found to have sold guns to armed robbers

armed robbers. Police sources further explained that the suspects had been smuggling and selling guns for a long time. The men, who insisted they were operating a legal business, said they didn’t know they were supposed to have licences for selling guns in Nigeria. The gang’s waterloo started after SARS arrested one Abdulazeez Amao and Gbenga for alleged gun running. During interrogation, Amao confessed that the main source of their guns was Andrew. Amao took the SARS men from Lagos to Onitsha, Anambra State. It was at Onitsha that Andrew was arrested and used as bait to catch his three suspected partners. CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

Flora Onwudiwe aboons are usually not friendly, except in exceptional cases where they are used for public displays and circus shows. However, Mohammed Nafiu, a 27-year-old herb seller in Lagos, trained his two pet baboons to act in such a way that they attracted large crowds wherever he and his gang set up their displays. The two baboons that had lived with him for more than 10 years, gradually became ingrained in Nafiu’s lesser known enterprise – crime. Not only did the baboons help him make good money from public displays, they also robbed people and snatched their bags. The gang was made up of three men and two baboons and its members were always on the move in search of banks, supermarkets or other areas where they were sure of getting victims to rob. Whenever they sighted any person leaving a bank or supermarket with a bag, they would send the baboons after him or her. The baboons would scare the target into dropping the bag and fleeing. The baboons would then pick the bag and hand it over to their owners. Members of the gang were not ordinary folks – they moved around Lagos in a Nissan Primera car. On a recent operation on March 16, 2015, they decided to keep watch on a bank in Ogba, Lagos. After parking near another bank, they kept an eagle eye on the targeted financial institution. Within minutes, the baboons and two of the suspects alighted from the car, leaving the third accomplice behind. They had already set their eyes on a man who was leaving the bank with a bag believed to contain a huge sum of money. As the target made his way to his car at the parking lot, they set the baboons after him. It was some vigilant persons who saw the baboons gaining on their target and raised the alarm. Upon sighting the beasts rushing towards him, the frightened man dropped the bang and fled for dear life. One of the baboons picked the bag and handed it over to Nafiu’s accomplice simply identified as Nura. With the bag in his hand and one of the baboons in tow, Nura ran as fast as his legs could carry him and hopped into the waiting car. Sensing danger as the bystanders had already started calling for help, Nura, a baboon and the driver fled in the car, abandoning Nafiu and the second beast to their fate. The crowd surged towards Nafiu, intending

CONTINUED FR O M PAGE 39

Andrew, a trader in Onitsha, said that everyone in the commercial city knows he sells guns. He said: “I’ve sold a pistol to a Catholic priest. He is one Reverend Father Francis, residing in Aguleri. He needed the gun because the place where he resides is a volatile area. I’ve also sold guns to a senator, a retired police officer and many others. I’ve sold more than 80 guns. “I don’t know whether some of my customers use the guns for robbery or not. Most of them said they used them for self-protection, others said it was for communal crisis.” Investigators said that Andrew lured the other three men into the business of arms sale. The gang was smashed after the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, got a tip-off from an anonymous source about the activities of the men. He directed the Officer in Charge of SARS, Mr. Abba Kyari, and his men to hunt down the suspects. The 51-year-old Andrew said that it was Amao and Gbenga who introduced him to gun running. Attempting to stress his innocence, Andrew said he was an apprentice to one Mike Agu, who used to sell AK47 rifles. It was after his apprenticeship that he too started

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29, 2015

SundayMagazine

Circus entertainer confesses:

Pet baboons help us rob people, snatch bags

The police were alerted to the scene and soon, detectives attached to the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), Lagos State Police Command responded swiftly to the distress

call. The detectives were told that the gangsters had just robbed their victim of N230,000, which he withdrew from a bank. Interestingly, when the victim dropped his bag, some of the money scattered on the ground. Buoyed by the presence of the police, the victim returned and started picking the notes. Upon the arrival of the police, Nafiu had no option but to surrender. He assisted the policemen in handcuffing his baboon and both of them were taken to the headquarters of the state police command in Ikeja. During interrogation, Nafiu said, “I come from Bala Local Government Area in Kano State. I was a farmer in Kano State before I left it and started selling native medicine.” He told the police that he felt the new business was not lucrative and decided to change his environment. “I decided to relocate to Lagos in 2005, taking along my 18-month-old baboons. I bought the baboons as pets. I carried the baboons to Lagos and used them as a form of entertainment for my customers,” he confessed. Showing some remorse, according to a police source, Nafiu said, “It was Nura that sold the idea of using the baboons to rob people and snatching their bags to me.” The suspect said they had gone out on operations about 10 times, out of which he was only able to remember how three went. Contacted on Friday for comments, spokesman for the state police command, Mr. Kenneth Nwosu, said he was in a meeting. He did not respond to an SMS sent by Sunday Telegraph.

prised that he was fingered as a gun runner by Amao. “He probably mentioned my name because he owes me money and didn’t want to pay,” said Andrew. The police said that Andrew drives Mercedes C Klass and Lexus Jeeps, believed to have been bought with money realised from the sales of the weapons. He said that he stopped the active sale of arms over a year ago, but used to call buyers like Christopher, Peter and Ikechi on the phone to find out if there were available guns. Making further revelations, Andrew stated: “I’ve sold 14 AK47 rifles to Christopher, four pistols to Peter, seven AK47 rifles to Uchenna and two Ak47 rifles to Ikechi.” Edwin, who runs a grocery shop, but sells guns on the side, said that he and Andrew met in a prophet’s house, and became friends. Edwin said: “It was at the prophet’s house that Andrew told me that he deals in arms. I used to collect guns and sell on commission. Most times, I make N10, 000 profits on each AK47 rifle. I can’t describe myself as an arms dealer. It’s only when people demand for guns that I source for them.” He said that it was after he met Andrew, that he now recollected that people used to come and ask him for arms. He soon started attending to arms buyers in his grocery store. “I sold three to Agato Dogo. He is from a Hausa community. They used the guns in their community to attack and kill people who stole their cows. I’ve also sold one AK47 rifle to one

Alhaji Sumo and two to Alhaji Gatu. I never knew the sale of AK47 is illegal,” Edwin said. Onyeali, 38, is a father of two. He said that his late father, Chief Ekejimka Onyeali, was an authorised arms dealer who died four years ago. Onyeali runs a pub and also distributes beer. He said: “I’ve sold four pistols to one Chief Uche who works in an oil firm in Port Harcourt. He bought the pistols for protection. I bought the pistols from Andrew for N400, 000 and sold them for N450, 000. My father is also an authorised dealer in double barrel, Pump Action Rifles and cartridges. I know that it’s wrong to sell arms without a licence.” Opara, 30, a graduate of Economics from University of Port Harcourt, stated his own side of the story. He said: “I was about doing my clearance in school when the police brought one Ikechi to me. He is a retired armourer with the police in Port Harcourt. My master, Uche Onyeali, is in USA. He had already called me and told me that whenever Ikechi comes, I should hand over two Pump Action Rifles, to him. He said that I should hand over all the arms in the house to the owners to avoid trouble.” He said his master got his visa in December and left for United States in 2014 to join his family members, who are citizens. According to Opara, one Papa Ejima used to supply guns to Onyeali.

Nafiu and one of the baboons

to teach him a lesson. But the angry witnesses of the crime soon stopped in their tracks as they were reluctant to get close to Nafiu for fear that the baboon might attack them.

My late master was an authorised dealer in double barrel and Pump Action rifles. I served my master for six years. He settled me. Shortly after, he died. I did not obtain a licence to sell arms

selling guns. He explained: “My late master was an authorised dealer in double barrel and Pump Action rifles. I served my master for six years. He settled me. Shortly after, he died. I did not obtain a licence to sell arms. I was selling arms under the name of my late master. I started selling AK47 rifles in 2012. “It was Abdulazeez and Gbenga that introduced me to the sale of AK47.” Andrew said that before his arrest, he had already received more than 100 AK47 rifles from Abdulazeez and Gbenga. Later, the duo suggested he should bring other buyers. Andrew said that he stopped selling AK47 rifles over a year ago and was frankly sur-

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29, 2015

The SundayMagazine

Bloodbath in Owo

How six policemen, 15 others died in daring bank robbery

A damaged police APC, Below: Shattered bank security door

Babatope Okeowo

R Akure

esidents of the ancient town of Owo, in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State were preparing for yesterday’s presidential and National Assembly elections when daredevil armed robbers attacked some banks in their locality. Like a well scripted scene from a Hollywood movie, the armed robbers held the people of the town hostage for about two hours, following which corpses littered the streets while many people sustained various degrees of injury. Some had broken skulls, arms and legs. It was a harvest of deaths after the robbery operation as six policemen, seven residents of the town and two bank officials lost their lives in the bloody encounter. The bandits also suffered some casualties as six of them also lost their lives in a gun battle with soldiers drafted to the town to assist the advance team of policemen. While the exchange of gunfire last-

ed, the thinking of the residents of the town was that some followers of the political parties were engaged in a show of supremacy ahead of the elections. But when it dawned on them that it was a robbery operation, many of them ran for their lives. It was in the process that some stumbled, fell and broke their arms, limbs and heads. The last time the people of the town witnssed such a bloody encounter was during the battle for the enthronement of the Olowo of Owo some years ago, when different interest groups engaged one another in gun duels. The people of the town, who have been enjoying their peace since the installation of Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, few years ago saw a fresh round of gun battles; this time around between the military, policemen and the robbers. The Owo robbery incident which had the same modus operandi as a recent robbery attack on some banks in Ikare in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of the state saw heavily armed robbers invading the town in a commando style and throwing it into chaos.

The bandits, on getting to the town through Benin/Abuja Road, distributed themselves into groups of five, with each facing a bank. They also manned all the roads into the town, to block any outside help. Their first point of call was the Area Commander’s Office in Ijebu-Owo, where they demobilised an Armoured Personnel Carrier, and shot sporadically into the air, to scare the policemen on duty away. They also carted away an unspecified number of arms and uniforms after attacking the place. The police station near the area command was destroyed with grenades thrown by the hoodlums. Aside the area commander’s office, they successfully demobilised all police stations in the town in order to prevent the policemen from attacking them or coming to the rescue of the victims while the operation lasted. A source told Sunday Telegraph that when the bandits gained access to one of the police stations, they moved from one office to the other. It was in one of the offices that an Assistant Superintendent of Police was killed. C O N T ’d O n PAG E 4 2

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Two policewomen and other two of their colleagues of other ranks were killed in the area commander’s office. The robbers also killed another policeman at a nearby police station in the town. To demonstrate their bravery, the armed robbers also attacked two APCs on patrol and demobilised them. The policemen inside the APCs were, however, lucky to escape without injury. While some of the hoodlums were engaging the policemen, others gained access to the banking halls with dynamites. They shot several people within the banking halls and on their premises. Sources said the raid on the banks took place simultaneously in the town. The five banks that were located within a radius of 300 meters and fell into the hands of the hoodlums are WEMA, First, Skye, Ecobank and Enterprise. Although various eyewitnesses spoke to Sunday Telegraph on the incident, one of them insisted that the armed robbers killed the manager of one of the bank branches in the town as well as his assistant. Although the identities of the deceased bank officials could not be ascertained, it was gathered that the two officials failed to “co-operate” with the robbers when they stormed their bank. The armed robbers, according to residents who gathered to discuss the incident on Friday, stormed Owo at about 4p.m and shot sporadically into the air till they got to the heart of the town where they robbed five bank branches. Findings also revealed that the armed robbers carted away an undisclosed amount of money in all the banks they robbed and rendered many staff of the banks injured. The incident, however, caused pandemonium in the town as many residents of the town who read political meanings to the incident protested round the town after the incident. A resident of the town who spoke with Sunday Telegraph said the hoodlums upon entering the town positioned themselves in strategic polints. He said a group of the hoodlums took positions along Benin/ Abuja Road, another group held Owo/ Akure Road while other groups sseized other points. According to him, one group of robbers entered the town in a convoy of 10 vehicles led by a Ford SUV and started shooting to scare people away. On entering the town, they shot at anybody in sight and in the process, killed seven passers-by along Okeogun Street where most of the banks are located. The source, whose shop is very close to one of the banks, said the casualty figure was high because political parties were concluding their rallies. This accounted for the presence of several people on the streets. He said when the party faithful scampered for safety during the shootout, he came to the rescue of some of them by locking them along with himself in the shop to prevent them from being killed by the robbers. He said two of the victims were popular lunatics in the town and one commercial motorcycle rider popularly called ‘akobi.’ He said the hoodlums he saw were within the ages of 17 and 21. Some of them were dressed in female clothes but he was not sure whether they were women or not. He added that about five people who sustained different degrees of injury were taken to Federal Medical Centre in the town for medical attention. He confirmed that the soldiers, who engaged the robbers in a shootout at the Post Office area, killed six of them. The hoodlums allegedly ferried the remains of their colleagues away. A top police officer who confirmed the incident said the robbers came to the area commander’s office in two groups. While one group came through the gate, the other scaled the fence. He said the attack on the police station was coordinated as it took place simultaneously in all the police stations in the town. The officer, who was not authorised to

The Sunday Magazine

‘We thought they were political thugs’

Top and botton: Scenes of the devastion visited on the banks by the robbers

A top police off icer who confirmed the incident said the robbers came to the area commander’s office in two groups. While one group came through the gate, the other scaled the fence

speak with the press, said nine of the vehicles used by the hoodlums had been recovered while one of the suspected robbers was arrested. He added that six of them were killed during the operation. The Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, Mr. Wole Ogodo, who confirmed the incident said anti-robbery policemen had been deployed to the town to enforce orderliness. He added that investigation was ongoing into the robbery incidents. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Isaac Eke, in his reaction confirmed the killing of six policemen, including one senior police officer and five lower ranks, seven civilians including the bank manager. Eke confirmed that the Owo robbery incident was similar to last year’s incident in Ikare and that some of the arms recovered were the ones carted away from the Ikare Police Station. He also said that from preliminary investigations, the police suspected that the robbers had insiders within the police as they were calling out names of policemen when they entered the station. According to him, on hearing the information that some armed robbers numbering over 50 had slipped into the state in several vehicles and wielding sophisticated weapons, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations led the reinforcement to the town He said after a protracted exchange of fire with the robbers that lasted well into the night, one of the bandits was arrested

while six others lost their lives. Some of the items recovered included 23 assorted rifles, about 1,000 rounds of ammunitions, two dynamites, 100 magazines, 10 smoke hand grenades, three steel helmets, three police berets, two pairs of police uniforms, nine exotic vehicles, one Sony video camera with which they recorded the daring attack and N9.3

million. Eke said the security operatives were on the trail of the robbers that escaped with bullet wounds towards the boundary of Ondo, Edo and Kogi states. While thanking other sister security agencies for their cooperation, he said the state would be made uninhabitable for criminals in the state.

Our current obsession

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Body&Soul

Vanessa Okwara

he double-breasted suit, once a staple suit for men in the 6os, is back in vogue and we’re loving every minute of it. The double-breasted suit, DB, is a creation of sartorial splendor that makes the wearer get sudden double takes from admirers. Today, the double-breasted suit has been modernised and love for it is on the rise. It’s leaner than before but just as masculine, powerful and elegant as ever. The old school DB suit is characterised by a boxier silhouette, looser drape, extra length and incredibly wide lapels. The modern DB suit has been slimmed and trimmed, making it the

staple choice of stylish guys both for work and socials. There are two main types of the double breasted suit and they are differentiated by the number of buttons. The 6×2 button configuration is called ‘6×2’ because it has 6 buttons and only 2 of them can be fastened. Wearing the 6×2 is simple; just fasten the middle button, while leaving the bottom button undone. Keep your DB suit buttoned while standing or sitting. There’s a button on the inside called the ‘anchor button’ that should also be fastened at all times. The 4×2 is another example of a popular double-breasted button configuration. With the 4×2, you’ll have 4 buttons with only 2 of which can be fastened. You should fasten only the

top button (plus the inside ‘anchor’ button) as you would with a 6×2 suit. When wearing the double breasted suit, learn to keep it simple. The DB itself is a bold statement. Your suit doesn’t need a loud plaid pattern or thick banker pinstripes. If the occasion allows it, continue the theme of confidence with bold colours and patterns for your shirt, tie, pocket square and even socks because if there’s any suit that can handle it, it’s the one with two breasts. Add at least one killer doublebreasted suit to your wardrobe today and get ready for some double takes and cheery comments.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015

Body&Soul

When love comes with a baby

ohn’s wife died two years ago, leaving their only son for him to bring up alone. It has not been easy juggling his job with taking care of a two-year old but somehow, he has been able to manage with the help of close friends and relatives. The boy is four years old now, needs a mother and he needs a wife. John wants to remarry but he’s terrified of bringing in a woman who may come to tumble the little world they have created together. He is afraid the woman may maltreat his little boy; especially when he’s not around to protect him. He has met beautiful ladies he would’ve loved to settle down with, but he could see through the facade they put up whenever they are around his son. He perceives what most of them want is to get married and then push his son aside when they give birth to their own children. Is it so wrong for him to desire to find a woman who will love him as well as his son? There is nothing wrong with finding love as a single mother or father but what is most important is making sure that your partner is willing to accept your child as his/her own and not abuse your kid. If you have found love with a man or woman who comes along with kids as part of the package, you need to pause and take a critical assessment of yourself and answer honestly if you are the type that will love someone else’s child as your own. You also

CONNECT NG vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com

need to know that once you marry this person, you are going to be an instant parent. Are you willing to take up the huge responsibility of caring for your lover ’s child as if he/she is your own? Do you have the character to hang in there and do the right thing for a little child who needs to spend quality time with his father, and not resent him for it? Can you be human enough to open your heart and home to her son if she had him as a result of teenage pregnancy? Some kids find it difficult to adjust initially when they see their parent with another person and may consider you an intruder. Will you have the patience to hang in there and gradually win their love and trust? I am taking out time to bring out the ugly side of step parenting or marrying someone who already had a child either as a single parent or from a previous marriage because our society is full of step children who are resented by their step parents for no just cause. These kids are

not the architect of the misfortune adults have made of their own lives and so should not be maltreated at all. Having said that, please think twice and make sure your eyes are wide open before you go into marriage with a man or woman with children. Get rid of the fairy tale im-

I am taking out time to bring out the ugly side of step parenting or marrying someone who already had a child either as a single parent or from a previous marriage because our society is full of step children who are resented by their step parents for no just cause

ages of what you think it will be like and know that you may be regarded as the third wheel in a perfect equation by your partners’ kids. You need to come into that relationship with a selfless notion of loving them no matter how unruly or uncouth they may turn out to be. Kids naturally respond to love and attention. When they notice that you did not come to take the love of their parent away from them, they will respond to you in time and accept you as part of their family. When a lover comes with a kid as part of the package, let the love you feel for your partner also come with a full dose of patience, and the willingness to be selfless. In your heart, see that child as your own too. When you think of marriage to your lover who has a child from a previous relationship, try to think of it as though you are adopting his child. Loving this child is a choice; the same choice parents who adopt orphans make. Even if he has ‘another mother ’ out there, you can still strive to love him and treat him as your very own. Guess what, life is not easy. Life is messy and tough. People don’t come in perfect packages. Be open to all life has to offer because you have no idea what incredible gift is waiting for you inside the package that you once thought you could not accept with its rough edges. •Send your views to the email above!

Where do you stand in the new era?

y people, I salute una O. Yes, you are wondering what I am up to by opening with pidgin. Well, is language not part of our imbibed culture? And with culture being that body of knowledge that is neither fixed not bent but represents the way of life of a people, then is pidgin not accepted as a language to engage with people? And that is what I want to do today, engage with everyone in a manner that is as relaxing as possible. My reasoning is that after the heavy electioneering that preceded yesterday’s election, then people will be looking for something else to take their minds off politics. That will be hard as I am sure most of the pages will be dedicated to yesterday’s election. However, there is life outside politics; life beyond the ballot box and indeed life of every individual counts beyond one day. So, we need to look at how to carry on living, making the best of whatever situation we find ourselves. Today, I talk to my people. It is time to consider the value of hard work and taking charge of your life. While the government can promise to create an enabling environment for progress and do nothing, at least, you have the power to be the President of your life and do something with it. It may be hard in the beginning and you may find things tough and rough, but patience and persistence always pay off in the end, so stick to whatever it is that you are good at. Now, don’t just rely on nature or talent, but you must

also be ready to improve the skills that you have. Be ready to learn to earn, to train to gain and say sorry for glory. You must be willing to embrace change and focus on the success. In the Yoruba culture, apprenticeship is encouraged for there is no knowledge like practical knowledge. The group of professionals did not wait on the monarchs to tell them

I was talking to a former classmate of mine during the week and after years of struggling in our learned profession, she dropped the pen and picked up the hoe. She did not say farming is for men, she took her time and today, I can proclaim that she is successful

what to do and how to do it? No. They device a way of subsisting on their professional expertise and learning from friends in the trade to move ahead. So, be ready to make mistakes in your endeavour and learn from the mistakes you have made. Believe it or not, apprenticeship often last years and he still learns more on the job, so do not despair if you fail, you can always dust yourself up and move on to the next project. Take for instance, the hunter in Yoruba folklore. His apprenticeship lasts seven years during which time, he learns poetry (Ijala Ode), he studies how to make his implements or the best blacksmith in town should he be too busy to do it himself. Then he studies the art itself, the guile and dexterity of motion, taking aim and how to track a wounded prey in the case that it gets away after being wounded. Not easy eh? But, as animals develop the instinct to continuously avoid danger, so the expert hunter must continue to device his technique long after he has stopped being an apprentice. My point is, from today, our des-

tiny should be in our hands and not in the hands of any man in the centre of governance. I was talking to a former classmate of mine during the week and after years of struggling in our learned profession, she dropped the pen and picked up the hoe. She did not say farming is for men, she took her time and today, I can proclaim that she is successful. She is even diversifying into fish farming and snail farming. Sometimes, I see her on social media at ungodly hour and I send a message of encouragement for her to get some sleep and she replies almost immediately that sleep will only come after she is satisfied; who says hard work doesn’t pay? She could choose to wait on a promise of job creation that may never come until the week of the next election, promise of transformational changes that is made to 120 million others or she could do what she did; rely on herself. There are some investment that we can make in ourselves that would appear small at the present time but will yield bigger rewards in the future. Improve our speech and writing mannerism. Embrace the culture of reading books and familiarising ourselves with our environment and above all, make ourself a friend to others no matter their situation in life. They may also be on the same journey that we have embarked upon and will become partners in the future. Yes, today is the dawn of a new era; an era of transformation and change in your life that is engineered by YOU. I go see una next week.

SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

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Happy times for Patricia Etteh

ike a whole lot of other elected officeholders, light skinned Osun Stateborn politician, Hon. Patricia Etteh, during her days in the House of Representatives was relatively unknown to many, probably because she was not vocal. Olubunmi Etteh would eventually become the first female speaker ahead of other more qualified candidates. Unfortunately, the former hairdresser unceremoniously left the coveted position of Number Four in Nigeria over her alleged involvement in a N600 million scam concerning the renovation of the speaker’s lodge in Abuja. While the scandal lasted, Etteh came under serious condemnation. It was at this period some referred to her as a mere hair dresser who should not have occupied such a coveted seat. Not deterred, Etteh decided to upgrade her academic status and she enrolled to study law at the Buckingham University, United Kingdom. Her determination to upgrade her educational status has eventually paid off as she is now a qualified lawyer. Etteh, few days ago, graduated from the university and has since been in a happy mood. Congratulatory messages have been pouring in from family, friends and associates.

Trying period for Kunle Enitilo

tarting out life with a clear vision of what he wanted to do was indeed an edge for this city big boy, Kunle Kunle Enitilo Enitilo. This is and wife because, when the opportunity that was meant to make him achieve his dream and liberate him came, he was able to latch unto it and things began to work out for him. An indigene of Ogun State, Kunle started life as a banker. It did not take forever before he delved into oil business which over the years yielded the desired result. Today, Kunle is not doing badly as an oil dealer with a number of petrol stations from his stable at World Oil. Since all work and play makes Jack a dull boy, Kunle made himself a household name on the social circuit. He was also the toast of musicians, who always looked forward to his presence at social gatherings because of his deep pockets and generous disposition. However, Kunle, who is married to beautiful Folake, has for some time been off the social radar and many have been wondering about what could have kept him off the public

space as its unusual of him to do so. Meanwhile, information reaching Celeb Lounge from reliable sources has it that all has not been well with the young man as he’s said to have been battling an ailment. Kunle was flown abroad for treatment after which he has temporarily relocated to Ibadan to avoid prying eyes.

Atiku Bagudu extends his run

usinessm a n , Atiku Bagudu, had lived for what he believed without his name or face atAtiku tracting any kind of attention but all that stopped along the line when some years back he was named as one of those working for son of the late dictator, General Sani Abacha’s, Mohammed as front to hide the identity of the owner of certain valuables. Many had thought the revelation would hinder his progress, but it was not so when Bagudu was elected a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria, even though he sometimes gets bashed for his infamous role. His book of sin was reopened by critics when he was made the

chairman of the Senate committee investigating controversial Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment which claimed lives last year. Bagudu appears unfazed by all the bad press as he has signified his interest to become the governor of Kebbi State on April 11. Going by reports at our disposal, he stands a chance of carrying the day. Bagudu, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress and clinched its governorship ticket, is banking on the support of two retired generals, Tanko Ayuba and Mohammed Magoro. Both influential retired generals had left PDP for APC based on personal grouses with outgoing Governor Saidu Dankigari. They are bent on paying him back in his own coin by working against the governor’s preferred choice and fellow retired general, Sarkin Bello.

Funmi Tejuosho celebrates

ourth term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Mushin Constituency 1, Funmilayo Tejuosho, occupies the atten-

tion of various people for different reasons. While she has become a role model to some people because of her influence over their lives, some others cherish her for being able to hold her own in the male-dominated legislative chamber. Aside from that, having a stand and disposition she is known with has also endeared her to many. The beautiful lawyer turned politician who is the chairman, house committee on finance, is known for using her position to galvanise gender activists to proffer solutions to problems affecting women. Celeb Lounge can reveal that beautiful Funmilayo, who is the wife to Prince Kayode Tejuosho, an Oke-Ona, Egbaborn prince, is in a joyous mood as she just clocked her Golden Jubilee. Many had expected her to throw a bash to celebrate the milestone but probably because of the electioneering, the former deputy speaker who is seeking a fifth time in the assembly only put up a small celebration somewhere in GRA Ikeja to mark the day.

Mofe Oyatogun’s worry

D Tejuosho

eceased former sports broadcaster, Walter Oyatogun, in his hey day knew his onions so much that he was greatly admired. Many are today not surprised that his three daughters are also doing very well in the broadcast media. While the eldest and youngest daughter, Moyo and Mofe respectively, are making waves at Star 101.5 FM, the

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015

Body&Soul

OGD, Osoba close ranks

he popular saying that there are no permanent foes or permanent friends in politics but permanent interests aptly describes the situation between two former governors of Ogun State in the persons of Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Aremo Olusegun Osoba. Daniel defeated Osoba, who was seeking re-election in 2003. At the time, Daniel was in the Peoples Democratic Party while Osoba was seeking a second term on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy. Osoba led the onslaught of the progressives against Daniel while his tenure lasted for eight years. Osoba moved with the progressives to Action Congress, Action Congress of Nigeria and All Progressives Congress before forming the Social Democratic Party. After failing to secure the PDP’s Senate ticket for Ogun East in 2011, Daniel pitched tent with the Peoples Party of Nigeria and later had a brief stint with Labour Party before returning to PDP. After returning to PDP last year, Daniel clinched the Senate ticket for Ogun East. The cold war between the two former governors has become a thing of the past as they are said to be working together now. An informed source further revealed the two prominent sons of Ogun State actually had to do certain things together when President Goodluck Jonathan visited the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

youngest, Layole, is living it up at Silverbird television. If the story reaching Celeb Lounge about Mofe is anything to go by, the pretty lady may after all have been nursing a secret pain. Mofe, duri n g h e r days a t University of Mofe Lagos, had attracted the attention of a handsome Northerner, Mohammed Grema, son of a late millionaire commodity merchant and transporter, Alhaji Grema Mohammed. Mohammed, who was the toast of many ladies, was swept off his feet by charming Mofe so much that he cared for her and even bought her a car. Mofe along the line got pregnant for Mohammed but the lover boy’s father kicked against their settling down even though Mofe went ahead to have the baby. The sad story is that a while after Mohammed’s father died, things turned sour for the family, especially Mofe’s beau. His finances took a dive as he was said to have poorly managed his inheritance as the first son. Sources in the know revealed things are so bad with the young man financially.

Tessy Oliseh takes back seat

essy, kid sister of former skipper of Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh, appears to have an independent streak, having charted a course for herself in the fashion world as a model. As she moved up, she graduated into fashion designing and running her own outfit. The name of her elder brother no doubt gave her leverage. What cannot be taken away from her however, is that she maintained her level of seriousness. H e r businesslike disposition soon Tessy caught the attention of an equally ambitious young man, Ohimai Amaize, who has worked at close capacity as media strategist with a former sports minister, Bolaji Abdulahi, and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro. What has been noticed of the graduate of a UK university is that she has been out of circulation since she tied the nuptial knot.

Biodun Akinlade moves on

hree-term serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, has made it clear that he’s interested in becoming the governor of Ogun State. His governorship ambition has seen him ditch the Peoples Democratic Party to pitch his tent with the All Progressives Congress before he returned to his original fold when it

looked like his ambition was unrealisable. Getting back to his fold to pick the same ticket was not a child’s play as it became more Akinlade intriguing and complicated than he thought. Like every other interested party, he gave his opponents a run for their money but all to no avail. In the scheming process, some felt cheated, trampled upon and then left the man who emerged as the party candidate to bear his cross. The same thing cannot be said of Akinlade who then decided to seek a fresh term in the House of Representatives as well as team up with the party’s governorship candidate, Gboyega Isiaka Nasir. Both men hail from the same region, Yewa. Akinlade, who is the chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology, few days ago officially reached out to his supporters and his kinsmen to give their full support to Nasir’s candidature.

tioned herself very well andutilised the opportunity that made the lower chamber of the National Assembly her first port of call. Since she got elected in 2007, Abike has proved her mettle and marketed herself well to her party, the All Progressives Congress, and the people generally. Abike could also be said to have made another smart move by stepping down for another person to take her place in the House of Representatives. And unlike some who go under as soon as it is sure they are quitting public office, the pretty lawmaker has remained relevant at the party level. She was also very visible in the APC’s presidential campaign. News making the rounds already is that she has been pencilled down for a national assignment if the party takes over the government at the centre.

Abike Dabiri’s smart moves

roadcaster turned politician and member of the House of Representatives, Abike Dabiri Erewa, is one woman who has proved beyond reasonable doubt that she’s a smart person because her calculations have never failed her. From being a broadcaster, she posi-

Dabiri

SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Miscellany Alley

Life is rich sometimes and painful at other times, but it is mostly full. Let’s share our experiences on this page, after all, everyday is an opportunity to learn...send yours to julietbumah@gmail.com

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Dear edito r safety ple to know r, I just want peoso m e p re c that they can take th e m s e lv e a u ti o n s to p ro te c t People havs fro m v io le n c e . Murderous father W h e n y o u e to be observant. The issue of prot away from h a v e v o te d , st e p ective parents ha s been known to stay at leastthe voting area and take serious turn 3 s. 0 Re 0 cently, in Cross Ri metres aw from the v ay a fatal turn when ver state, it took problems froting area to avoid the father of a gi o m rl sh se ot and killed a bo curity opera tives. Be m y who allegedly o re lo a ve w d hi a s re da environme ughter. These are of your young adults in their ea p e rs o n s o rnt and any unusual rly 20s we are ta b lka in g g s ab a ou ro t. not cluster und. Do Allegedl out and the boy ca y, the girl was area, stock around the voting me to look for he r. Her father cam case there isup on food stuff in e out with his gu cu n an rf d ew and wh the boy fled, bu n o t a ft e r th t not before he at shot at his leg an tion your che e le c ti o n s. C a u d missed, then pu il d rsu re ed n, especiall him and shot ag te e n a g e rs ain to kill this y time. He also alleg not to let tha n d y o u n g a d u lt s edly took the boy to the police sta fo r a n y v emselves be used tion and reporte io d that the boy had Most of the le n t p u rp o s e s . come to his hom e to steal. So my sent their fase politicians have qu estions are thus , did he not find safety and milies abroad for a stick or cane, or even a broom w rificing oth will not mind sacith which to chase this boy off his gains. You ers for their selfish property? How sh o do u yo ld u get a gun to ch also lead by example a armed young bo ase off an unsu c c e ss fu l nd may we have a y? Was this premeditated? Wha tion 2015. Av io le n t fre e e le ct time did he ha m ve en! to go get his gun, Huss

aina 45yrs Abuja

load it and aim at this poor child? May God save us from the wicked ness of fathers w ho hunt young men who show intere st in their daughter s. Victor Emenik e, Lagos

e e. Body eople ar Many p p re s e n c e a lo npungent l health be very b y t h e ir the More on nationa e- odour (BO) cans in g e v e n t o our ig N in n he w e s d a o r r h a t It saddens m b u hear about a n d e m elling it. Mou n worse. e ria, whenever yo or se rv ic e erson sm nnd is ev on ti an y orga ni sa w or ks , if yo u pon the other haople have to co at s e at r th p u er do hen prov id e foul o le. is not likely to Then w look closely, it ig er ia ns . N ot tend with thes es very terribe a N r m a o by h c d s e ne b u be ow h e re y o ith th e pe op le . It work, it th e na tio n, no r igner. Be it en- In a situation with someone w es m re o fo w a c e e be b ac would ical services, work sp r body odour, itntrate on e o tertainment, med c ry h n t Ve o e. u c or o m m to and p e rcommunication cies have Nidifficult very time the you y r e v en , ag E you ork. few of these your w s something to d to buyneurs who are e y gerian entrepre l. O ft en tim es , a lv s o s r son h a v e re s t ro n g e do in g ve ry w elt these comparinge. I f re s h n e r a n d off these c ar st ey th when in g a ir es to help wardm on my vouritism and nies, nepotism, fa ely to bring it perfum I even pile gu e but the corruption are like. Most times, smells. ut everyone else n a s k e d , down in no tim ment officials table, b c h e w s it . W h oesn’t like even the govern e es th c u lp r it onds that he d an one do s w ith ca n brok er de alat if not prop he resp g gum! What c ell him to organisations th ld bring them chewin his? Should I t the subtle erly handled wouise. In the face about t , after trying all down business w situation, it is his face ELP! of our economiclvage the econways? HFowler 39yrs important to sa ar co un tr y. A ll Fabian om y of ou r de on de ck to fix Jos ha nd s m us t be come producbe l al it. We must how small you ers. No matter it. produce, just do

Health Wellness Natasha Ellah

a d a u k uon s und ay@gm ai l . co m

A drug called Bromocriptine can be used to stop prolactin production and is used to treat breast tenderness. The most common remedy is the contraceptive pill which supplies the body with man-made estrogen or progestin, sending your ovaries to ‘sleep’ so that no ovulation occurs. There is then no heavy bleeding or uncomfortable cramps. Long term solutions There are always side effects with any medication. The contraceptive pill, for instance, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer but may increase the risk of breast cancer, blood clots, and even liver disease. Another newer, more expensive drug called gonadatropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs actually change brain chemistry to turn off the ovaries’ production of estrogen and progesterone — but they also lead to osteoporosis. As a result, is there a natural less prescriptive way to rebalance these hormones without any side effects? Dr. Mark Hyman advises five remedies which completely resonate with me: Here they are below: 1. Re-balancing through food. This means: •Stop eating refined flour, sugar, and processed foods. •Cut out caffeine. •Stop drinking alcohol. •Balance your blood sugar by eating protein, such as a protein shake, eggs, and nut butters, for breakfast. •Eat evenly throughout the day and don’t

dour Official o offensive just

skip meals. •Don’t eat within three hours of bedtime. •Cut out all dairy and consider eliminating other common allergens for a few months, especially gluten. •Increase fiber in your diet from vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains. Two tablespoons of ground flax seeds a day are especially helpful in correcting constipation and balancing hormones. Put them in a shake or sprinkle them on salads or food. •Increase Omega-3 fats by eating more wild fish like sardines, herring, and wild salmon, as well as Omega-3 eggs and walnuts. •Eat organic food, especially animal products, to avoid environmental estrogens from pesticides. 2. Re-balancing through vitamin supplementation. A number of supplements have been shown to help ease PMS symptoms by improving metabolic function and hormone metabolism. Here are the superstars: •Magnesium citrate or glycinate — Take 400 to 600 mg a day. •Calcium citrate — Take 600 mg a day. •Vitamin B6 — Take 50 to 100 mg a day along with 800 mcg of folate and 1,000 mcg of vitamin B12. •Evening primrose oil — Take two 500mg capsules twice a day. •EPA/DHA (Omega 3 fats) — Take 1,000 mg once or twice a day. •Taurine — Take 500 mg a day to help

s Lara Odey, 33yr Ogun State

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (2) liver detoxification. •A good daily multivitamin (all the nutrients work together). Herbs and phytonutrients can also be very helpful. Here are the best studied and most effective: • Chasteberry fruit extract (Vitex Agnus-astus) can help balance the hormones released by the pituitary gland that control your overall hormone function. Studies of over 5,000 women have found it effective. Take 100 mg twice a day of a 10:1 extract. • Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) and cramp bark (Viburum opulus) can help regulate cycles and relieve menstrual cramps. • Isoflavones from soy, red clover, or kudzu root improve estrogen detoxification by boosting the activity of specific detox enzymes. They can be taken as supplements or consumed in the diet.

• Source: Google

• Flax seeds contain lignans that help balance hormone metabolism and block the negative effects of excess estrogens. • Chinese herbal formulas may also help. One of the most effective is Xiao Yao San, or Rambling Powder. It contains: Bupleurum Root (Bupleurum chinense), Chinese Peony Root (Paeonia lactiflora), Dong Quai Root (Angelica sinensis), Bai-Zhu Atractylodes Root (Atractylodes macrocephala), Poria Sclerotium (Poria cocos), Ginger Rhizome (Zingiber officinale), Chinese Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis),and Chinese Mint Leaf (Mentha haplocalyx) • Replacing healthy bacteria in the gut also helps normalize estrogen and hormone metabolism. Take 5 to 10 billion live organisms in a daily probiotic supplement. 3. Re-balancing through exercise. Exercise is very important for balancing hormones. Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, 4 to 5 times a week. 4. Re-balancing through calming the mind and body Dealing with stress is also critical. Take a hot bath at night, get a massage, try yoga, learn deep breathing or meditation. These techniques and others can help balance hormones. 5. Try alternative therapies. Therapies such as acupuncture and homeopathy may help. One clinical trial showed that individualized homeopathy is effective in treating PMS. Five homeopathic medicines were used: Lachesis, Natrum muriaticum, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, and Sepia Please remember to always talk to your doctor first before making any changes to your diet, medication or general health!

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015

Wine & Dine

Body&Soul

Feminine Nuvo choice Ibukunoluwa Kayode

or the female consumer yearning for a new liqueur made to make her experience a level of refinement, luxury and sophistication like never before, Nuvo sparkling liqueur is one to note. It possess the beauty and elegance associated with champagne but at

the same time has the purity of feminine colour of pink. Nuvo liqueur is lifestyle choice for trendy individual. It is more than ones average spirit and the ultimate wine for any get-together. This wine is grown and made in Paris, France with a unique combination of premium Vodka and a touch of delicate sparkling white wine infused with passion fruit nectar. It leaves a refreshing, smooth lingering taste on the palate as it feels light and airy. Serve it chilled to capture the essence of its special experience or use it to mix up a variety of delicious cocktails. It’s perfectly paired with cuisines like macaroni, sweet potato and pepper omelette.

Nuvo liqueur is lifestyle choice for trendy individual. It is more than ones average spirit and the ultimate wine for any get-together

Masa (rice cake) with fish sauce Biwom Iklaki

asa is rice cake made into round or oval balls (shape could vary). It is very tasty and could be mistaken for pancakes in its look and texture, but for its more dense composition. It is light and healthy and could make a nice breakfast, lunch or dinner depending on what it is served with. What to pay more attention to is the sauce to accompany this very yummy ball of deliciousness. There is quite a range to choose from, including beef and vegetable stir fry, chicken sauce, fish stew and more. It is

necessary to have a sauce with which to dip the masa into for a mouthwatering experience. INGREDIENTS 2 cups raw rice 2 tablespoons cooked rice 2 teaspoons active dry yeast 5 tablespoons sugar 2 cups water at room temperature ¼ teaspoon ground akaun (Optional) ½ teaspoon salt PREPARATION Soak the raw rice in 5 cups of water

overnight. Dissolve the sugar and akaun in 2 cups of water and add the yeast. Set aside in a warm place for 10-15 minutes, until very frothy. Drain the rice and grind it in a blender with the yeast and akaun mixture to make a smooth batter. Add the cooked rice, and blend to combine well. The batter should be very thick. Pour batter into a large bowl, cover and leave in a warm place for 8-12 hours. You want the mixture to rise, collapse and ferment. Add the salt and a little bit more sugar if needed and try to keep the consistency of the batter like pap. Heat your pan over medium heat. Wipe a few

drops of oil over it, stir the batter and pour in 3-4 tablespoons, depending on the size of the pan or masa pod. Flip after 2.5mins and cook the other side for another 2 mins. FISH SAUCE 1 smoked fish, deboned and fried in vegetable oil (3 tbs), 1 onion and tomato (3 medium) chopped. Add pepper, salt and stock cube to taste. Chop one each of green and red bell peppers and add to the sauce. Leave to simmer for 2 mins and serve hot with masa.

SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

The fox and the grapes

My Cook Corner

Sweet potato crunchies Biwom Iklaki

weet potato is very tasty and filled with many good nutrients for your healthy growth. Eating them ensures your body functions well too. There are many ways to eat it but here is a fun method of preparing and enjoying your potatoes. Make a sweet potato crunch. INGREDIENTS 2 large sweet potatoes ¼ cup all-purpose flour ¼ cup whole wheat flour 1 ½ tsp cinnamon 1 cup breadcrumbs 1 egg, whisked Cooking spray

PREPARATION Preheat oven to 370 degrees. Boil sweet potatoes in salted water in a pot for 10-15 minutes or until it is soft to a fork. Drain and cool. Grate the potatoes into a bowl and place the flours, bread crumbs and cinnamon in a bowl and stir to combine. Place the whisked egg in another bowl. Take a small amount of the potato mixture and mold into any shape. Roll in the whisked egg, then the flour/panko mixture. Place onto a sprayed baking sheet and coat evenly with cooking spray. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden. Serve with a dipping sauce like ketchup or mayonnaise or mint pea pureé.

Gags Once upon a time, there was a fox strolling through the woods. He came upon a grape orchard. There he found a bunch of beautiful grapes hanging from a high branch. “Boy those sure would be tasty,” he thought to himself. He backed up and took a running start, and jumped. He did not get high enough. He went back to his starting spot and tried again.

He almost got high enough this time, but not quite. He tried and tried, again and again, but just couldn’t get high enough to grab the grapes. Finally, he gave up. As he walked away, he put his nose in the air and said: “I am sure those grapes are sour.” Moral It is easy to scorn what you cannot get.

Cross word puzzle

What goes up and down but does not move? Ans: Stairs Where should a 500 pound alien go? Ans: On a diet What did one toilet say to the other? Ans:You look a bit flushed. Why did the picture go to jail? Ans: Because it was framed. What did one wall say to the other wall?

Ans: I’ll meet you at the corner. What did the paper say to the pencil? Ans: Write on! What do you call a boy named Lee that no one talks to? Ans: Lonely What gets wetter the more it dries? Ans:A towel. Why do bicycles fall over? Ans: Because they are two-tired!

MOYIN & FRIENDS

LITTLE LINDER

By Ayo Oyerinde

08034407393

By eei

SUNDAY

Politics SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

President has a duty to protect Nigerians -Obuseh Interview

‘PDP hasn’t taken voters for granted’ p.35

Chief Joe Obuseh is a former director, State Security Service and Chief Executive Officer, Sovereign Guards Limited. He spoke to CHIJIOKE IREMEKA on a number of issues bordering on insecurity in the country Insecurity was the major reason given by security agencies in Nigeria for the earlier postponement of the elections. A major issue concerning the polls was the deployment of soldiers for election duties. Basically, law and order are maintained by the police and other law enforcement agencies. But the police are mainly responsible for the maintenance of law and order. Also, there is the Public Order Law to maintain law and order within the rules of engagement, which governs their activities and empowers them. Beyond that, you still have the armed forces. The armed forces are for the defence of the territorial integrity of the country and securing her borders. They help in the implementation of our foreign policy and back it with military might. But when there is a breakdown of law and order within the country, in such manner that the police cannot quell it, then, soldiers are deployed. So, while we will say that it’s not the duty of the military to monitor elections per se, they are still there to support the police which have the primary responsibility for law and order.Remember that there were some pockets of riots here and there during the last elections, and I believe that the military helped in quelling them. That’s why the military is always there. There is no sacrosanct rule about when the military can come in. It’s the President who decides that, backed by the advice of the various law enforcement agencies. So, it is neither here nor there. The military is there as a backup for police. And they can come in whenever the President considers it necessary. Whenever soldiers are to be deployed, at what radius from polling stations should they be stationed? What I’m saying is that the military may and may not be there. It depends on the security situation. It doesn’t mean that every polling booth should have soldiers positioned there but if there are areas with serious threats of breakdown of order that the police cannot handle, the President can decide to deploy soldiers. If he doesn’t do that, it would be tantamount to a dereliction of duty and if anything happens and they overpower the police, then the president will be held responsibility for such a development. So, it’s up to the President to determine where and when to deploy soldiers as he is empowered to do so by law. Of course, you can also have a joint action of police and military in some situations. The police may be closer to where people are voting while the military stays further away. The military might not be in actual control of the election process. Rather, the police should traditionally be deployed in the scene in case their services are required.

Biyi Adegoroye biyi.fire@yahoo.com

Do you think the situation in the country warrants the deployment of soldiers in elections? The law and order situations differ in different parts of the country. Some areas are calmer without much disturbance, while in some other areas, like in the North-East, there are serious issues due to ongoing efforts to quell the terrorism menace there.

So, whether or not soldiers are deployed depends on where you are in the country. In my view, there is no way you can do without soldiers in the North-East. Also, in Benue State, there is fighting raging on between the Fulanis and other natives of the areas. Soldiers cannot be far from such places. But in Lagos State, we might say we will not deploy soldiers but that doesn’t mean that there are no threats in the state. We cannot just sit down and say the President should not deploy soldiers. He is in charge of the security of the country and deployment of soldiers where the situation demands it. In securing the lives and properties of the Nigerians, what is the synergy between the police and private security outfits? Normally, private security is a backup for the police as they cannot be everywhere in carrying out their duties. If there are trespasses or threats to security within private property, their duty is to arrest and hand over culprits to the police. Or call the police, where they cannot arrest them. Now, with a police APC stationed at the entrance to Lekki Phase 1 as well as other police patrol teams within the corridor, how come robbers successfully attacked a bank and left three policemen dead? Well, for many months now, there has been police presence in Lekki. . Even when going out, you will see policemen at that roundabout and on the bridge. Lekki – Ikoyi is well protected. Most times, you would see them on both ends of the bridge, down to the entrance of the estate. Normally, there are policemen inside Lekki but the level of vigilance might not be constant. So, these robbers that came in might have watched and discovered that they could go in and out without hindrance. They took everybody unawares. I learnt that they came through the waterfront. They were alleged to be 10 armed robbers in military uniform. So, they might have come in and people who could have stopped them thought they were law enforcement agents, only for them to attack the bank. However, it is difficult for me to really make any judgment about what happened because I was not on the scene.

attract a response? The response time was rather long anyway. The ideal thing is that, when something like this happens, the arrangement for the response would be activated immediately in such a way that people can arrive at the scene within 10 to 20 minutes. Though, one may want to argue that 20 minutes is actually a short time. But the response time depends on the position of rapid response policemen and the traffic conditions at that time. I might want to disagree with this, because in an emergency situation, 20 minutes delay is like two hours delay. I cannot speak for the police whose responsibility it was to counter the armed robbers. There may be so many reasons why the raid succeeded. I cannot explain why it happened because it is not my job. What has the feeling been like among Lekki residents after the incident? People are more cautious now. Many people are not coming out in the evening the way they used to because they want to understand what is going on. Like yesterday, we went out and we didn’t stay out long because we need to know what is really happening before we begin to go out at night. I wouldn’t say that people are much afraid as such, but they are more cautious. This is about the second time it’s happening in past five years. The first was in UBA many years ago. And since then, there has not been a similar event until now. And myself, I won’t go out without my private security team. A number of other people are doing the same. Others may simply decide to stay in their houses.

Yes, they took people by surprise, but would you say that the length of time (over 20 minutes) they spent robbing the bank unchallenged was not enough to

Obuseh

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

That horrible experience at Delta EPZ Villa Notes emmyanule@yahoo.com

Anule Emmanuel

hose who are very religious would say that in every situation, it is only right to give thanks to God. For both in hard times and in good ones, He alone knows the reason, they say. This is in contrast with the position of a popular Nigerian reggae artiste, Majek Fashek, who once sang “Put your blame on something.” Of course, for every action or inaction, there is always a cause, effect and reason

to appropriate blames in the right direction. Such was the case when I woke up in the early hours of last Wednesday, to be confronted by a childhood experience. Imagine yourself stranded in the middle of deep waters for no fault of yours but because of some burning desire to serve fatherland as a professional! I had been selected to join President Goodluck Jonathan’s media team to Ogindingben village, located near the Chevron operated Escravos oil field terminal in Delta State for the ground-breaking ceremony of the Gas Industrial Revolution Park and the Export Processing Zones project estimated to attract not less than N20 billion Foreign Direct Investment in its first phase alone. Ordinarily, I was excited that for the first

time I was going to be exposed to the creeks of the Niger Delta and would learn from the trip. As they say, travelling is part of education. Unfortunately, right here in Abuja, it began with the first disappointment. A scheduled smooth flight into Wari was abruptly altered. Reason? No flight. So, four of my colleagues and I had no option but to charter a commercial bus to travel by road for about eight hours to Warri town. While we arrived at the Niger Delta city about 11pm, we were informed that as early as 5:30am the next day, the assignment will begin with a journey of about four hours on the waters to the venue ahead of the President. We left as arranged and boarded a 60-ca-

pacity passenger boat at the Naval Dockyard in Warri town. Again, I was deceived by the appearance of the boat packed right inside the vicinity of the Dockyard. I had thought and was happy as well that we were boarding a naval boat of this size with the capacity to withstand the strong waves from the large waters. All the passengers including security personnel and protocol officers were kitted with life jackets as we began the journey that eventually took us six and a half hours. We had been allocated a boat with a faulty engine. No amount of complaint could solve the problem in the middle of the waters! But finally, we arrived Ogindingben village after several repairs by one the crew who seems to be a mechanic on board. The sailor would put off the engine to allow him make some adjustments underground. I was able to cover the ceremony of the projects expected to generate about five million jobs. While the event was on, I was almost consumed by the worry of making another round of the difficult journey. I was to some extent relieved by some promise from the mechanic that the boat would be fixed before we board for a return trip. In envy, I watched those who came by Helicopters to the riverine area as they landed and took off. In a typical elitist’s style, even the entourage of the President never cared about how the rest of us came to the village. Yet they needed the crowd. But, who even paid for that faulty boat? He may have succeeded in the contract to hire the boat on behalf of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Who knows how much he must have also made from the deal, never bothering what was the fate of those conveyed by it. From the sound of the engine as we headed back in the waters to Warri, everyone knew that all was not well. The boat continued with the snail sail. Midway into the journey, I felt asleep, quite exhausted from the stress. “Oh no!” some passengers exclaimed. The engine had finally gone off. It was entirely dark and the area covered with the thick forest. No one had a single service on the mobile phone for calls. We were cut off completely from the rest of the world. I looked at the massive calm water. It was as calm as though it was commanded by the Lord Jesus to remain so. We had experienced strong waves earlier, but this time, the engine has failed three consecutive times in the dark of the night. In hunger, frustration and confusion, we managed through and arrived the naval yard at about 10:12pm. We had taken off from the event at 3:00pm after the departure of Mr. President and his delegation. This is what poor management and planning can offer. As viable as the planned EPZ project is designed to be, approaching it from a point of putting some individuals in hardship for selfish gains is wrong. NNPC needs to investigate what went wrong.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

Politics

‘PDP hasn’t taken voters for granted’ There is this feeling that the PDP has taken the electorate for granted, having boasted that it will rule the country for the next 50 years. How realistic is this? I would not say that the PDP has taken the electorate for granted and I do not see any such indication. To take the electorate for granted would be unthinkable as it is the electorate that put in this government and that is a fact. If the PDP government at the center has done this, then it would not be executing policies and actions that would ultimately lead to the overall well-being of the electorate. On whether the PDP can rule for as long as 50 years, first I would say that only God knows that, but if this government gets another four years and in two-three years time we all begin to see and feel the benefits of different projects and policies already embarked upon, I do not see why the electorate would want any other party. Things have changed and winning electorate’s confidence and support is a function of performance. So, yes we can once we scale this 2015 hurdle. A major fact in re-electing a government is its scorecard. Using basic indices of development, how will you score the PDP at the state and national levels? Yes a scorecard is the major basis for the re-election of any government and like I said earlier, to say this government has not performed is far from the truth. The basic indices of development are security of lives and property, power (electrical and fuel), transportation, food sufficiency, telecommunication, strong financial sector (banking and capital market), strong micro, small and medium business sectors, a youth and women sector that is positively engaged, education, a strong and effective pension system for the aged, healthcare delivery and housing policy for all. Before I start with the national level, I must say here that if all state governments are doing what they need to and should be doing, we would have advanced more than where we are now. Now at the national level, starting with security of lives and property, with the exception of Boko Haram terrorists which is the major challenge in the North-East and a few other skirmishes in the North-West and North-Central, and the communal clashes in some states, I would say the Federal Government has done well. However, I think that a lot needs to be done in the areas of strategic and logistic challenges. Strategic in the sense that the government, based on popular opinion at the early stage opted to dialogue with the insurgents as a means of resolving whatever may have been the source of the uprising except for that of intent to Islamize the nation, and when this failed, there was the need for carrots and stick approach which has also failed to yield desired result until the government finally decided to take the right decision of declaring war with Boko Haram. It is important to note that prominent elder statesmen especially from the North advised on these strategies which failed. At the point when the option of war was adopted, the challenge that reared its ugly head was that of logistics in terms of military hardware and training as countries we depended on failed to assist, until alternative measures were put in place which has since brought about the reclamation of many towns and local governments from the insurgents. On the issue of power, I had always held the view that right from the time of President Olusegun Obasanjo that the only way forward in realizing steady electricity is privatization which this government has done. Privatizing this sector removes or reduces to the very lowest level, the high degree of corruption that has bedeviled the sector and once the new GENCOs and DISCOs

Mr. Robert Umoette, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State, in this interview with BIYI ADEGOROYE, says scorecard is the basis for assessing any government has done well and since government never really finishes all at any one time, it would sure get better given another four years. There is always room for improvement and they would. At the state level, let us take three states as basis for analysis and they are Akwa Ibom, Enugu and Jigawa and let us even add the three states that were PDP until recently being Rivers, Kano and Sokoto, the evidence in these states tell you in a nutshell that PDP has done well. How will you compare the campaign pattern of your party with that of the opposition, the All Progressives Congress? The pattern in PDP as led by the Commander-in-Chief himself is issue based, mostly on highlighting the tremendous achievements of this government and the deficiencies in the opposition composed mostly of those who had lost out one way or the other in PDP while the pattern of the opposition has been that of false and alarmist’s propaganda. The opposition until recently dominated the media space which they still hold a large chunk but the question is, are they rooted in the grassroots across the country? The leadership of the party which was empowered to campaign and lobby the electorate is said to have disappointed the President and it is believed to be working for the opposition. Does this not constitute a betrayal ? If this is true and the President should know better than anyone else, then it is important that this is investigated after the elections and those found to have done such, if any, should be appropriately dealt with according to party rules and regulations. Umoette

inject the much needed resources to increase generation and also upgrade their distribution facilities in tandem with on-going gas linkage to power plants and other upgrades being done in transmission by government, in the next two years we would start experiencing a steadier supply. Power is the engine room to true development and we would get there soonest as a lot of places are already recording and experiencing improved power supply even with some sabotage of power equipments/facilities that occurs from time to time On transportation, I must say that the government has done well as most federal roads have been rehabilitated and now made motorable. For example, I went by road to Warri not long ago and the roads were much better than the last time I plied them in 2010. I do know that there still are a good number of roads yet to be touched and contract for some of them have just been awarded like that from Ogoja through Calabar to Itu then Aba, etc. For us to have the kind of roads we are looking for, I believe that the very busy roads should be done on BOT (BuildOperate-Transfer) basis, while government funds the non-commercial routes. I know of globally reputable firms that can do this. Still on transportation, we all know that airports across the country have undergone a facelift taking us a bit forward in time though still not where we want them to be going by the countries in Europe, The Americas, Asia and Middle East we like to compare ourselves with. The truth is that globally, commercially viable airports are on BOT basis with private sector.

On food sufficiency, going by the presentations of the Agric Ministry and attestation of farmers nationwide, it is known that production has increased and by the time we have higher levels of mechanized farming plus increased agro allied sector development, the increase would be much higher leading to reduction in prices thereby being felt by the average Nigerian and beyond, we would soon become a major exporter once again of agric and agro-allied products. It can only get better. As for the capital market, with support and the right environment given by this government, it has grown and still has a lot of growing to do. The Small Medium Enterprises funds injected by government as part of its National Development Plan, micro, small and medium scale entrepreneurs would be able to access much needed funds as long as they meet the requirements set and by so doing, this sector which provides more jobs in any given society will definitely thrive. When it comes to positively engaging the youths and women, we all know this government has done very well and would do more upon re-election. Is it through YouWin, Sure-P and many other programmes of this government? It has done very well and once power is settled more businesses/ industries would emerge and engage even more. As regards housing, government recently rolled out a robust housing financing scheme which was applauded by all of us in the sector as being the key towards the achievement of funding for affordable and quality housing for all via mortgage. On the whole, I must say that this government

A major factor in the defections from the party was the manner the primaries were handled, what is your reaction to this and why do you keep faith with the party after losing out in the primaries? Primaries are always a source of disaffection which leads to defections sometimes but we must always know that in a contest there would be one winner and as true party faithful we should endeavor to stick with our party no matter what. Sometimes you do not have to go into the primaries as I did by withdrawing upon seeing the path the party was headed. So, the fact is that I did not lose in the primaries as I had withdrawn prior to the primaries. The party is supreme as such we must stand by the party. The truth is that in politics, every aspirant puts up their different strategies and maneuverings towards winning and when we fail, it is best to congratulate and stick with the winner, and by so doing make the party stronger. As our democracy grows and evolves with years bringing about true internal democracy, the situation would get better as if the process that throws up a candidate is free of manipulation and the people (party members) make their choice through option A-4 there would be no need for bickering and defections. What would be the fate of the PDP and many of its governors should it loses the presidential election? The party will have to reorganize itself, look into immediate and remote causes for the loss and strategize for future elections. As for the President and governors, they will simply start preparing their handing over notes and preparing their minds for a life outside of government, however, that is not going to happen.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

Tambuwal, Ihedioha: A tale of two presiding officers From the

Green Chamber ternyam@gmail.com

Philip Nyam

esterday, the nation went to the polls to elect a new president and members of the National Assembly. In both chambers, majority of the serving members will bid bye to the parliament as some have lost at the party primaries. Also, while a number of them lost at the general elections yesterday, some are vying for elective positions outside the national parliament. Others still voluntarily pulled out or were compelled to withdraw due to zoning arrangement in their constituencies. But two characters, who cannot leave the National Assembly unnoticed are the presiding officers of the House of Representatives: Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and his deputy, Chukwuemeka Nkem Ihedioha. They will be remembered for a long while. Speaker Tambuwal leads the pack of non-returnees as he will be slugging it out in Sokoto with his erstwhile boss, Senator Abdallah Wali of the PDP for the state gubernatorial seat. Tambuwal represents Kebbe/ Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State and has been in the House since 2003. A shrewd and unassuming politician, Tambuwal’s brand of politicking and experience will be greatly missed

INEC Diary ezekatchy@yahoo.co.uk

Onyekachi Eze

in the House. He came to the House on the ticket of APP, made a brief stop-over in Democratic Peoples Party but made his mark in the Peoples Democratic Party and he is leaving as an APC member. In his 12 years in the House, the speaker has held different principal positions both in the minority and majority and now “minority-majority” His emergence as Speaker in June 2011 was the turning point in his fast rising political career, which has also rubbished the zoning arrangement in the election of the Speaker. If he wins the Sokoto governorship election on April 11, he will go down in history as the first speaker of the House since 1999 to have successfully transited directly from that exalted seat to another elective position. In fact, no presiding officer has ever made it. All the past speakers have failed in their bids to win any elective position even after leaving office. He will also leave the House as the first speaker to occupy the position from a minority party, although, the APC is said to control the majority today. He will also go down in history as the first speaker without any allegation of misappropriation of fund leveled against him during his tenure. The Sokoto-born lawyer’s easy going style of presiding, which made him always almost getting his colleagues to be on the same page with him can never go unnoticed. Deploying uncommon courage, jocularity, quasi-humility and subtlety, Tambuwal has enjoyed the kind of support both within and outside the

House that no speaker enjoyed since 1999. He knows when to spice the plenary with jokes and when to be firm. How he was able to successfully play the loyalty-game with PDP for over three years, and perhaps only he can tell the story. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha Hon. Ihedioha will also not be returning to the House in June 2015. Ihedioha, like Tambuwal has been in the House since 2003, representing Aboh Mbaise/ Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency of Imo State. The deputy speaker has served as chairman of the House Committee on Maritime and Committee on Integration in Africa. He became Chief Whip in 2007 after his kinsman, Hon. Bethel Amadi was made to step down after the then Speaker, Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh had to resign. In 2011, he teamed up with Tambuwal and colleagues of like-minds to thwart the PDP’s zoning arrangement. The position of deputy speaker was zoned to the NorthEast but he came from the South-East to claim it. Ihedioha has made history as the first Deputy Speaker from a majority party to serve under a Speaker from a minority party. He successfully steered the affairs of the House Ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review leading to the fourth alteration of the 1999 Constitution, which may be assented to by President Goodluck Jonathan before May 29. Like Tambuwal, Ihedioha is the governorship candidate of the PDP in Imo State and he will know his fate on April 11. The Deputy Speaker is known for his

...Last Line The contrast between the two is that while Tambuwal crossed over to the APC, Ihedioha warmed himself back into the mainstream PDP clinching the governorship ticket in the process. While Tambuwal got his ticket in a landslide, Ihedioha walked a tight rope before undoing Senator Ifeanyi Ararume. While Ihedioha is like a prodigal son, Tambuwal is an anointed son. Can these political soul mates make it to the Governor’s Forum come April 11?

So much for Jega’s rumoured sack

he conduct of yesterday’s presidential and National Assembly elections with Professor Attahiru Jega still at the helm of affairs of the Independent National Electoral Commission has proved cynics wrong that the INEC Chairman would not preside over the conduct of this year’s general elections. Those, who held this view had hinged their argument on two reasons. First, they accused President Goodluck Jonathan of not being comfortable with Jega’s determination to conduct free, fair and transparent polls, which might result in losing his re-election bid. Therefore, to save himself from such humiliation, the President will give Jega the ‘Sanusi treatment’, that is, force him to proceed on terminal leave. This, they said, will pave way for the appointment of someone who will be favourably disposed to Jonathan’s re-election. Professor Femi Mimiko, the younger brother of Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko was first touted as Jega’s likely successor. Later, it was Hajia Amina Zakari, a National Commissioner in the commission who was said to be the most senior among the 12 INEC National Commissioners. They further argued that the President would justify his action by the fact that Jega’s tenure as INEC Chairman will come to an end in June. And in accordance with the civil service rule, Jega on his own, ordinarily would have proceeded on three months terminal leave from March. The second leg of the argument was that Jega would be forced to resign his appointment out of frustration and his refusal to be dictated. But despite assurances both by Jega and President

jokes whenever he is presiding over the House. Although sometimes these jokes tend to create problems for him, he never backed down from them. The Food Technologists cum Public Relations practitioner-turned politician will not be in the Green Chamber when the new House is inaugurated on June 6, 2015. But his tenacity and never-say-die spirit he displayed while presiding will ever be remembered. He is one presiding officer who is never scared of fishing in troubled waters. He handles sensitive and delicate motions and bills without fear. If he is able to dislodge Owelle Rochas Okorocha in two week’s time, he will be the second Deputy Speaker of the House to become governor. Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano is the first to hold the position of governor. He was the Deputy Speaker in the aborted Third Republic. Certainly, Ihedioha’s trade mark green cap will be missed in the Green Chamber. The cap stands his out as no other lawmaker uses the colour.

yesterday with Jega still in charge was a proof that there was no substance in the rumour.

IG, Jega and voters’ conduct

Jega

Jonathan that there was no substance in the rumour, the cynics still refused to be convinced. Nigeria is a country that thrives in rumour. Even informed persons unfortunately lend themselves to such unsubstantiated rumours; or rather give credence to such rumours in order to further confuse the uninformed. In the case of INEC, it seemed curious how the removal or resignation of Jega could be saleable. For instance, the management team of INEC consists of the Chairman and 12 National Commissioners. And for an election conducted by the commission to be seen to be credible, at least, twothird of the management team should

be in place. Jega assumed office as INEC Chairman in June 2010 the same year with nine National Commissioners and they have the same five-year tenure. Should Jega therefore, proceed on terminal leave, six of the National Commissioners will go with him because they assumed office the same day. This leaves INEC with less than two-third of the management team. Therefore, INEC by law, could not be properly constituted to conduct any election. Whether those who spread the rumour were aware of this or that they simply wanted to heat up the polity is a different ball game. But for the fact that the general elections kicked off successfully

No one is in doubt about the powers of the police to ensure secruity during the elections. Indeed, our recent and current experiences point to the fact that security is vital to a successful conduct of the elections. For this reason, we can understand the concern of all and sundry. There have always been conflicting orders between INEC and the police high commander. It seems nothing has changed. Professor Attahiru Jega, INEC Chairman, in his quest for free and transparent elections wants the electorate who cast their votes to stay and observe the outcome of the elections. But Suleiman Abba, the Inspector General of Police would like those who cast their votes to go home and stop loitering at the polling units. He told them that protection of the votes is the function of party agents, “and there is no law that provides for 30 agents to be at a polling unit”. The IG reminded the INEC Chairman that telling the electorate to protect their votes might lead to the breach of section 129 of the Electoral Act. There is sense in what both the IG and Professor Jega are saying. While INEC could like its activities to be transparent with the presence of voters at polling units after casting their votes, police considers the likely breach of peace, which voters’ presence at the polling units might constitute. In either case, what Nigerians need is free, fair, credible and transparent, and at the same time, peaceful elections.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015

NORTH

DPO carts away ballot boxes in Niger Dan Atori MINNA

here was drama yesterday as a Divisional Police Officer in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State (name withheld) snatched four ballot boxes and papers at Mungoro Central Polling unit of Majin ward. An eyewitness, Ibrahim Rege, said the accreditation exercise was peacefully

conducted and voting was in progress when the DPO invaded the polling unit, released shots of tear gas and fled with the ballot boxes and papers. The DPO also allegedly fired teargas at INEC officials and voters. Rege said, “The entire voting process had been on course peacefully. Accreditation was peacefully carried out and voters were orderly on queue to cast their votes when the DPO

stormed the polling unit, fired teargas at INEC officials and the people before carting away the ballot boxes with the thumbprinted and unused ballot papers.” The people of the area reported the DPO to the Area Commander. They had recently accused him of personally destroying posters and billboards belonging to the All Progressives Congress. Also, Deputy Governor Ahmed Musa Ibeto, who

hails from the area, said he was informed about the incident and expressed concern over the police officer’s unprofessional conduct. Ibeto, who recently defected to APC, said it was a demonstration of bias on the part of the DPO. When contacted on phone, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Amore, denied the allegation. He said the DPO only helped to rescue INEC officials and materials from hoodlums.

Card reader rejects Yuguda’s fingerprint Yekeen Nurudeen Bauchi

auchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, yesterday flared up after the card reader at his Baba Sidi Primary School polling unit rejected his fingerprint. The governor was visibly frustrated as a second card reader did not also recognise his fingerprint. The electoral officer apologised and gave the governor an Incident Report Form to

allow him to complete his accreditation. Yuguda, who described the incident as annoying and frustrating, said, “The card reader didn’t reject my fingerprint alone. It did same to some eligible voters. I was forced to fill an Incident Report Form to allow me vote, which is not a good thing at all. It is frustrating and discouraging.” Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Muhammad, arrived

his polling unit at Jibril Aminu Model Primary School, where he was accredited by INEC officials at 9a.m. The FCT minister expressed happiness at the large turnout of voters. The late arrival of voting materials, comprising the voter register, card readers, ballot papers and boxes delayed the take-off of accreditation in most polling units in the state. Election materials did not get to them until between

8a.m and 9a.m. Accreditation did not start at many polling units visited by our correspondent within Bauchi metropolis until 8a.m. At Majidadi A and B polling units, voters who had come out as early as 6a.m, waited for INEC officials. But they were disappointed when the electoral officers came without the voter register and card readers.

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), at Gwoza Camp, Government College Maiduguri, undergoing accredition

Youths attack ex-Yobe gov, others Hassan Jirgi Damaturu

rate youths yesterday attacked ex-Governor of Yobe State, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Senator Abdulkadir Jajere and Ali Yakubu Mainasara representing Potiskum/Nangere in their respective polling units over their alleged poor performance at the National Assembly. Ibrahim, representing Yobe Central, was attacked at Phase 1 in the state capital, Damaturu, when he visited his supporters before going to cast his vote. A resi-

dent, Ali Gujba, told Sunday Telegraph that the youths started chanting “Bamayi, karyane” when they sighted posters of Governor Ibrahim Gaidam on the vehicles in Abba’s convoy. Another resident said, “I was seated in front of Phase 1, when the convoy of Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim was passing by. All of a sudden, youths standing few metres from where I was seated started chanting “Bamayi, Bamayi” on sighting the vehicles with Gaidam’s posters. Before you knew it, they started pelting the cars with stones

and sachets of water. Some of the windscreens were smashed.” Some people of the area, who spoke to our correspondent, said Ibrahim had done nothing for the people of Gujba Local Government Area. “Let me tell you the true story. We didn’t receive anything from him as our senator. We elected and sent him to the National Assembly. We need change from top to bottom. We are all supporters of the APC not PDP,” a resident said. In another development, thousands of protesters

News

Jonathan’s aide escapes death in Kano Muhammad Kabir and Phillip Nyam, Kano

resident Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Adviser on School Agriculture, Hajiya Baraka Sani, yesterday escaped being killed when she went to get accredited and vote at Kawaji/Jigirya in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State. Sani, who had gone to the polling centre in company with the senatorial candidate of PDP for Kano Central, Bashir Lado, for accreditation, was chased away by a rampaging mob. The crowd, which chanted “Bamayi, Nigeria Sai Buhari,” while chasing her and the candidate away, injured one of her aides and damaged her Toyota Prado SUV. Sani and Lado managed to escape from the crowd by fleeing through some houses behind the polling unit. Sani returned with a combined team of policemen, Department of State Services operatives and soldiers but met stiff resistance. The security agents resorted to firing into the air and succeeded in dispersing the mob. Sani, who was short of breath, subtly laid the blame on the All Progressives Congress. Speaking to newsmen, she said, “Is this the kind of change they are bringing to Nigeria where women have no right to vote, where women are being intimidated, where they are denigrated and subjected to inhuman treatment? “We will never vote for Buhari. It is Jonathan we want even though he (Buhari) is my relation. Politics is about whom you believe in as the real person to achieve what you want.” Voting, however, proceeded peacefully in most parts of Kano, except for cases of serious problems with the card readers which did not capture the biometric data

INEC shifts election in Taraba Sabiu Mustapha JALINGO

from across the local government area, stoned the vehicles of a member of the House of Representatives representing representing Potiskum/Nangere, Ali Yakubu Mainasara. The attack resulted in heavy traffic along Muhammed Idrissa Way close to his Dogo-Nini ward, as motorists were subjected to a long wait while people who wanted to vote had to trek to their polling units. A detachment of security agents was immediately drafted to the area to prevent a total breakdown of law and order.

and fingerprints of most voters. In Mallamai Primary School of Kwankwaso village of Madobi Local Government Area of Kano State, the INEC presiding officer told our correspondent that in every 100 attempts on card readers, only two persons had their fingerprints captured. Similarly, in Jigirya ward of Nasarawa Local Government Area, polling booths 0013 and 0014, people who gathered to vote were left stranded as no election officials were seen as at 11.30a.m. At Danwere ward of Sabon Gari town, where there is a large concentration of non-indigenes, polling centres were deserted as most residents had since left Kano for their hometowns, while card readers in the area malfunctioned. After casting his vote at his hometown, Kwankwaso village of Madobi LGA, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso urged Nigerians to shun violence and remain peaceful. The governor, who is the APC senatorial candidate for Kano Central, was optimistic that his party would win 80 per cent of the total votes cast across Nigeria. He said he supported the use of card readers as the only sure way of ensuring free and fair elections. In some areas visited by our correspondent in some wards at Bachirawa in Fagge LGA, ballot boxes for the Senate election were not available. Also in Rogo LGA, there were allegations that election materials were not supplied. In Wase ward of Minjibir LGA, a card reader stopped functioning at 1p.m. Also in Garko/ Kibiya, accreditation of voters was slow due to the problem of the card reader. At a ward, only 26 people were accredited within an hour.

he failure of a card reader machine to register the fingerprints of voters was the major problem during yesterday’s elections in Taraba State. Although the election started early and recorded a large turnout in almost all parts of the state, voters spent several hours in long queues waiting for accreditation. In Gembu town, Sardauna Local Government Area, the accreditation in some polling wards took the INEC officials up to 3p.m before voting commenced. The delay was caused by the failure of the card reader

to recognise the fingerprints of some voters, and as such election officials had to verify them with the manual register. However, in Takum Local Government Area, the election did not start until after 5p.m due to some problems encountered by INEC. The result sheets of the local government were mixed up and it took the officials several hours to sort out the problem. The electoral officer in charge of the local government, Umar Bukar Petro, later announced that election in Takum 1 Constituency had been shifted to today (Sunday), while INEC went ahead with polling in Takum II Constituency.

SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

NORTH

News

Boko Haram kills 34 in Borno, Gombe

Ahmed Miringa with agency report

o fewer than 34 persons were killed and others injured yesterday when Boko Haram insurgents attacked some parts of Borno and Gombe states. The insurgents attacked Buratai village of Biu local area of Borno State and Dukku Nafada town in Gombe State. A resident of Buratai, who fled to Biu, Garba Buratai, said the insurgents invaded the town around 4a.m yesterday morning, killing 25 people, injuring five and

setting some houses ablaze. They had earlier warned residents against participating in democracy and elections. The eyewitness said the attack did not affect the elections, as voters from the six wards of the local government voted at a designated centre in Miringa area. Confirming the incident immediately after casting his vote, Governor Kashim Shettima said he received a report that 25 people were killed, while five were injured in the Boko Haram attack. Shettima said, “I personally witnessed the massive turnout of voters. This ac-

tually showed the passion of our people in partaking in the elections in order to bring about the desired change.” He urged the people to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid violence, as according to him, Borno has had its fair share of violence perpetrated by the Boko Haram terrorists. Shettima said, “Whoever wins should be magnanimous enough to accommodate losers, while losers should have the courage to accept defeat, as Nigeria is bigger than any individual. Elections come and elections go but Nigeria will remain an indivisible entity.”

He apologised to voters who trekked between 10 and 30 kilometers to cast their ballots and called on them to replicate the same in the April 11 governorship and house of assembly elections. Also speaking on the attack, Shettima stated that the Commissioner for Education, who hails from Buratai, had participated in the burial rites of the victims. He also conveyed the state government’s condolences to the people of the town, stressing that he would visit the locality soon to condole with the people. In Gombe State, the insurgents killed a member of

the state house of assembly, Umar Aminu, and eight others in a dawn attack, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. The insurgents, who attacked Dukku and Nafada local government areas of the state, were said to have killed the lawmaker, a member of the All Progressives Congress representing Dukku South Constituency. A source told NAN that the insurgents, who came from Yobe State, initially attacked Shole, Birin Bolewa and Birin Fulani towns of Nafada and later descended on Dukku. There was confusion in the areas as some voters left the polling units but others later returned to be accredited, the source said. According to the source, the insurgents killed three persons in Nafada Local Government Area, including a policeman, and murdered the lawmaker and five others in Dukku Local Government Area. The source further said the insurgents left for DukkuDarazo road after the attack. The Police Public Relations Officer in Gombe State, Fwaje Atajiri confirmed the report, adding that details of the incident would be given after investigations are completed. “There was an attack on the outskirts of Nafada

in attempt to disrupt the elections,” Mr. Atajiri, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said. “A joint team of military and police officer promptly moved to Dukku and pushed the insurgents to the bush.” Atajiri said elections were going on in the area and other areas of the state as the Special Forces were in control of the situation. Reacting to the death of his colleague, the member representing Akko North Constituency, Gidado Lawanti, described the incident as unfortunate. He described the deceased legislator as a friendly and nice person who went along with everybody. Lawanti prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased. The deceased APC lawmaker was scheduled to seek re-election for his assembly seat on April 11. Gombe has witnessed several Boko Haram attacks recently although it was never placed under a state of emergency like neighbouring Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states. The insurgents, who had threatened to attack during the elections, have recently suffered heavy losses as the Nigerian military reclaimed several territories from them in the affected states.

PDP, APC bicker over Adamawa

T PDP Deputy governorship candidate,Dr. Eric kelechi Igwe during his accreditation in Ndufu Alike Ikwo LGA Ebonyi State...yesterday

Thugs snatch ballot boxes in Kogi

hugs yesterday disrupted voting in Igi, Omedo and Eti Ajah in Dekina Local Government Area shortly after the casting of ballots began. The hoodlums fired into the air as they approached the polling units and beat up some of the voters. The attacks led to pandemonium as voters fled in different directions, Freedom

Online reports. Accreditation had just ended when the hoodlums, believed to have been sponsored by a House of Representatives candidate in the area, attacked the polling centres. The few policemen on ground could not confront the armed thugs even as they carted ballot boxes away. Police reinforcement arrived

within minutes although the thugs had fled. Upon receiving the report of the attack, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission in the state capital, Lokoja, directed that voting should commence afresh. A voter said: “It took the intervention of the policemen who just arrived to assure us that we

can stay and exercise our franchise. It was a serious matter as the thugs were just shooting indiscriminately.” Soldiers reportedly arrested some thugs, who wanted to disrupt voting in Ayingba. Governor Idris Wada cast his vote at Odu 1 polling unit and urged the people to be peaceful.

Nigeria won’t experience post-election violence, says ex-Gov. Bello Dan Atori

ormer military governor of old Kano State, Col. Sani Bello (retd.), has expressed optimism that Nigeria won’t experience post-election violence. He told newsmen after he was accredited at Alkali Mustapha unit in Kontagora, Niger State that the peace accord signed by the two leading presidential candidates, President Goodluck Jonathan and Maj-Gen. Muhammadu

Buhari, and other political party leaders would work. Accordingly, he said, “the peaceful conduct of the exercise, the cordial conduct of the electoral officers and orderliness of the people are indications that we have all agreed to ensure that the peace accord works. I strongly believe the post-election period will be peaceful.” He, however, commended the state of the electoral process so far and scored the Independent National

Electoral Commission high in the conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections. The former military leader, who is the father of Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, the Niger State All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, said the accreditation exercise was hitch-free in Kontagora. “If what obtained here is what happened all over Niger State, I think we should commend the electoral body.

“Though I learnt there are few polling units that got their materials late, but my overall assessment is that INEC should be commended. Though INEC cannot get 100 per cent, with what is on ground INEC would have scored 70 per cent. “So far, the conduct of the elections has been peaceful. People are conducting themselves well while INEC officials are courteous. So far, the exercise has been excellent.”

he Peoples Democratic Party and All progressives Congress yesterday bickered over alleged plans to rig elections in Adamawa State. APC spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had accused PDP of planning to mainpulate the process in the state. But Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO), Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, dismissed the allegation. In a swift reaction yesterday night to Alhai Lai Mohammed’s allegations, Fani-Kayode said, “There is no question of us wanting to rig in Adamawa or

anywhere else. It is yet another manifestation of the delusions of the APC. We are committed to a free and fair election in every part of Nigeria including Adamawa state. “On the allegation that we wanted the manual accreditation in order to rig, how can any responsible party accept a situation whereby Card Readers are not functioning properly and they don’t want Nigerian people to have a fall-back position? “The reason why the APC are comfortable with this dysfunctional Card Reader is because from day one, they wanted to use the Card Reader system to rig the election and disfranchise millions of our supporters.

Smooth polls in Jigawa Dahiru Suleiman Dutse

he presidential and National Assembly elections were conducted smoothly yesterday across the 27 local government areas in Jigawa State. Most of the polling units visited indicated that accreditation began at 8a.m while the casting of votes started on schedule. At Sankara ward of Senator Danladi Sankara (PDP,

Jigawa North-West), voting was conducted peacefully after the accreditation of voters. Speaking shortly after casting his vote, Sankara commended INEC for organising a rancor-free poll. In a related development, INEC shifted the elections in 11 federal constituencies to a later date due to the shortage of sensitive materials, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Halliru Aliyu Tambuwel, stated.

Life SUNDAY

SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015

Brutal end for hotel worker

Protea Hotel

Chibuike

Cajetan Mmuta,

We asked him what happened and he said he did not take any money; but that they forced him to say that he stole the money. We asked the IPO what we were to do and he said we must pay the N42,000 before they release the boy

BENIN

or members of the Edeh family in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, it is a sad tale of how Mr. Chibuike Edeh, the 27-year-old first son of Mr. and Mrs. Raphael Edeh suddenly slipped off the custody of the Nigeria Police, Edo State Area command on Sapele Road in Benin, the Edo State capital and was found dead in the mortuary of University of Benin Teaching Hospital. To the distraught family, this is one mystery they can hardly comprehend at the moment. They are wondering how they were thrown into such bleak circumstances. Before his sudden demise, Chibuike was an employee of Protea Hotel, which shares a common fence with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation mega station on Sapele Road. The popular hotel is just about two poles to the state police command headquarters. Chibuike had served at the hospitality centre as a store keeper/cleaner from 2012 till March 13, this year when he last signed the duty rooster. He neither signed out nor returned home. On his last day at work, his family was said to have been invited by a top security official of the hotel in connection with “an issue” their son had with its management. They had quickly rushed to the hotel, only to be confronted with the shocking report that Chibuike allegedly stole N42,000 belonging to a guest. Before his family members could comprehend the unfolding drama, they were told that Chibuike was with the police at the area command. The family made frantic efforts to secure Chibuike’s bail that night but to no avail. The

matter ate into the night till the next Saturday morning when the family arrived for further negotiations to bail him. They were advised at

Chibuike on hospital bed

about 10am on Saturday by officers behind the counter to buy food and water for Chibuike because he was hungry. They did so and had a personal conversation with him. Besides, the Investigative Police Officer was said to have told the relations of the suspect that they had to settle the hotel before bail could be granted to their son. Also, a senior official of the hotel was quoted as having insisted that it was actually N48, 000 that was found to be missing. But his family was resolute to offset the bills despite the hard stance of the police and staff of the hotel. Chibuike’s mother, Mrs. Christiana Edeh, was determined to get her son off the hook with the sum of N58,000, which included N10,000 bail fee. But, while she was about to leave the police charge room in order to go and make up the money, Chibuike reportedly pleaded with her not to leave the police area command’s premises because she may not meet him alive upon her return. The mother was said to have assured him that he would not be harmed. That was how a twist developed in the story, for which the police and hotel are being accused of complicity in Chibuike’s death. Before Mrs. Edeh could return to the station bail her son, the story had changed. While the IPO could no longer be traced, Chibuike’s name, which was number 18 on the list of suspects in detention, had dramatically been wiped off. The police claimed that he had been bailed out of their custody by an unknown surety. A search team was quickly raised by the confused relations. His mother, who clutched the sum of N58,000 for the settlement of the hotel’s

claim and the bail fee, broke down in tears as the veil of the dark night enveloped the family. The sudden disappearance of the suspect in the protective custody of the police later on Monday last week sparked protests by family and friends of the deceased, who said he must be produce by the police. They also said the law must take its course against his killers. The protesters, who marched to Government House, Benin on Wednesday, wondered why he was murdered over the alleged theft without a thorough investigation by the police. They stated that a Good Samaritan informed them that Chibuke’s body was dumped inside the compound of Imaguero College, near the police station and the NNPC mega station. He was later found at the UBTH morgue where he was labeled ‘unknown person’ by the hospital authorities. Chibuike’s bloated lifeless body was found with broken legs and head as well as a heavily mutilated neck and burnt backside. The family has asked the police and the hotel to produce their son. Recalling the sad incident, his mother said, “Even after we went with the money they accused him of stealing, they still did not release him to us. My son (Chibuike) had told me on Saturday not to leave him there as I may not come back to see him alive. Someone who saw what happened said they (police) killed him and dragged his body from the area command and dumped it in front of the library “I am poor and have no power to fight back but God will do the fighting for me. I want justice over the cruel murder of my son.” The spokesman for the protesters, Stanley Aiwierioba, explained that Chibuike “went to work on Friday. He was an employee of Protea Hotel near NNPC Mega Station. On Saturday evening, the CSO of the hotel called us to come to the hotel; that there was an issue. So we ran to the hotel and he told us that Chibuike stole money from one of the rooms. “We asked him about Chibuike and he said he was at the area command, not too far from the hotel. On reaching there we saw the IPO, we saw Chibuike. We asked him what happened and he said he did not take any money; but that they forced him to say that he stole the money. We asked the IPO what we were to do and he said we must pay the N42, 000 before they release the boy. That was on Saturday morning.” A cousin of the deceased who gave his name as Alex Toochi Nwobodo said that an activist had alerted the family that the body of Chibuike was taken to UBTH. He said, “We were told that he stole N48, 000; we went to Protea with the money to pay them to release our brother, they said we should go to the area command. We went to the area command, we saw his name on the board, Chibuike Edeh. They brought him out; we gave him food. That was on Saturday. “But for us to go back and bring the remaining money for them to release Chibuike we could not see our brother again.” They stated that efforts to reach the IPO, one Mr. Arishe, and other staff of the hotel were resisted, adding that they were driven away from both the police station and the hotel premises. The family appealed to the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Police Command, Mr. Samuel Adegbuyi, and Governor Adams Oshiomhole to wade into the matter, with a view to unraveling the circumstances surrounding Chibuike’s death. A senior employee of Protea Hotel, who did not want to disclose his name, told newsmen that the late Chibuike had been an employee of the hotel for the past two years. C O N T ’d O n PAG E 5 8

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MARCH 29, 2015

Life

Okorocha’s aides brutalise couple in Imo Steve Uzoechi

“Nobody touched the couple. It is just a mischievous lie. The aides were asking him to clear from the road but he did not until he almost rammed into the governor’s car

M OWERRI

uch like the road rage between former Governor Ikedi Ohakim’s aides and a Catholic priest some years ago, overzealous security aides attached to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State on Wednesday viciously brutalised a couple at Emekuku in Owerri North Local Government Area of the state for allegedly attempting to breach the governor’s convoy. Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the couple who could not immediately move out of the way for the convoy of the governor were pounced upon by security aides and beaten to a pulp. Pleas by passersby and the couple for leniency were said to have fallen on deaf ears as the aides continued their assault on the young couple, Chidi and Perpetua Okeke, who were thereafter arrested and bundled to the state police command. Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho, the All Progressives Grand Alliance governorship candidate who hails from the community (Emekuku) totally condemned the action and told the police during the signing of a peace accord by political parties and their governorship

Chidi

Perpetua

candidates organised by the security agencies in the state, that the governor’s men obviously thought the couple were supporters of one of the major opposition parties due to the insignia on their vehicle. Speaking from his hospital bed, Okeke explained that while the governor’s convoy was blaring its siren, he made frantic efforts

to clear his vehicle away from the road but due to the narrow road, it was impossible to do so on time. Reacting on the incident, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Chidi Ibe, confirmed the incident but maintained that the governor’s aides did not touch the couple.

He alleged that the couple’s vehicle actually swerved directly towards Okorocha’s vehicle in the convoy prompting the governor’s driver to swerve from the road before halting. “Nobody touched the couple. It is just a mischievous lie. The aides were asking him to clear from the road but he did not until he almost rammed into the governor’s car. The security men only stopped and arrested him and asked him to drive straight to the police station.” Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem, confirmed the incident but noted that the couple were not detained. According to Enwerem, they were interrogated and asked to go.

Brutal end for hotel worker CON TINUED FR O M PAGE 57

He said, “I cannot tell you exactly what transpired. A guest complained about a missing item because he attended to the room and the matter was referred to the police. That is all I can tell you right now. At this point, that is I all I can tell you; I am not the PRO. The Chief Security Officer who can give you all the information about that is with the police right now. He has gone to the police station. You can speak with the police and they will give you information about what happened.” The Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, Mr. Joseph Edoigiawerie, when contacted on the case on Thursday said Chibuike confessed to having stolen the said money. He said the hotel worker told the police he kept it on the fence between the hotel and the filling station. Edoigiawerie claimed that it was while the suspect was leading policemen to the spot where he kept the money that he tried to run away and was knocked down by a Toyota Camry car. Further investigations revealed that Chibuike was in 2012 honoured by the hotel as the best employee for outstanding behaviour and quality service. According to source close to the hotel, while working in another top class hotel located in the town, Chibuike had in 2012 returned a wallet containing $3,000, gold trinkets and other valuables. He said it was this act of honesty that compelled an expatriate to recommend him to Protea Hotel where he met his sudden death. Meanwhile, Oshiomhole on Wednesday urged Adegbuyi to thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to Chibuike’s death. Oshiomhole, who spoke when Chibuike’s family and friends marched to Government House to seek his intervention, said there was the need for the law to take its full course in the entire case. “Let me thank you for coming to Government House to lay your complaint in a very peaceful manner in spite of the pains in your hearts and the gruesome murder of your son, your brother and our comrade. I read about

Three years after being rewarded for returning hotel guest’s $3,000, 27-year-old Chibuike Edeh dies in police custody over alleged N42,000 theft

this yesterday and the impression I was given was that he was handed over to the police. “Whether or not the young man was a thief, whether or not the money was found on him or he threw it across the wall is not the issue. There are laws; there is a procedure to be followed to investigate alleged stealing, even alleged murder. The police can listen to a complaint from anyone who has a cause to complain or report a theft or any crime or suspected crime to the police. “The responsibility of the police stops at arresting and investigating a suspect. They (police) do not have the right to kill, to maim, to brutalise and to murder anybody. That is not acceptable. The responsibility of the police in our constitution is very clear; to protect lives and property. “They are law enforcement agencies; they are not to execute people who are suspected of crime. They are to arraign suspects in court and ensure that suspects are prosecuted according to our laws. “Nothing empowers anyone, whether the President, the governor, the police commissioner, the AIG, none of us has the right to order the killing or condone the killing of any Nigerian, even if that Nigerian is a known criminal. Only the court can do so. I have received since yesterday various accounts about whether or not this person died in the police custody, whether he died of natural causes or he died as a result of police torture or whether he died in the course of allegedly trying to escape and he was knocked down by a vehicle. “I will raise these issues with the commis-

sioner. If somebody runs across the road and a vehicle knocks him down, the vehicle will be apprehended and the driver will be known; so it cannot be an unknown vehicle or driver. I do understand that when we talk of police custody, they call it protective custody. The police are to protect suspects and they are deemed innocent until they are found guilty by a competent court and the police cannot constitute themselves into a court of law. “Even if a judge finds a man guilty of murder and sentences him to death, he cannot be executed except the governor approves of the death sentence. So the laws are very clear. “The issues for us to find out are whether this person died in police custody. If he escaped, how he escaped from police custody because he wasn’t reported to be an armed robber. He was said to be at the very worst, that he stole money from somebody, he was not armed with any offensive weapon and so no one can say he was running and he was shot, so we will find out.” Continuing, he stated that “As a leader we cannot jump to conclusion but I can assure you I am calling the commissioner to explain to me what he knows about the murder of this young man. Whoever is responsible for the murder, the police have a duty to produce the people and we will ensure that the law is followed to get justice, not for the man that is dead but for the rest of us who are living because today it is the turn of this young man, to be killed, tomorrow, nobody knows who else will be a victim.” Earlier, the spokesman for the family Mr. Tochukwu Edeh, said, “Some days ago, this boy that was brutally slaughtered, Chibuike, went to work at the hotel. He called around 5p.m that he had been arrested for allegedly stealing N42, 000. This is the same boy that had worked in the hotel for two years now and they paid him N40,000 every month, out of which N10,000 was removed every month as savings for them. They said the boy stole money yet they did not deduct the money from his savings with them, which is over N200,000. Instead, they arrested him.” Recalling their experience with the police, Edeh said, “On get-

ting to the station, we gathered money to give to the hotel management so the boy could be released and they said it was no longer 42,000 naira but N48,000. We went and looked for the remaining N6,000 only to return and be told that the boy was dead. We went around doing our own investigation. This was a boy that was inside police custody but his body was found at Imaguero College. “The police PRO said the boy confessed to the crime. This is a boy that worked in the hotel for two years that they gave best staff award, a boy that returned $3,000; the same boy you said stole N48, 000. They said he was knocked down by a vehicle yet we didn’t see the vehicle or the driver. We made our investigation along Sapele Road and gathered that nothing of this nature happened there. They brutally murdered an innocent boy that had a promising future.” The grief-stricken family took their cry to Adegbuyi, and filed a petition at the state command through their lawyer, Mr. Raphael Okhuelegbe, of Raphael Okhueleigbe and Co. The petition said they are demanding a thorough investigation into the matter. Okhueleigbe, in the petition dated March 16, 2015, also copied it to the Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police Zone 5, in Benin; the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly and the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch. He said the father, mother and brother to the deceased had made separate statements on his controversial demise. Another twist in the tale had to do with the driver of the car said to have knocked him down. He was said to have been arrested after the incident. The driver told journalists that he accidentally killed Chibuike around 3p.m on Saturday March 14. He said he was taking a female passenger to her destination when a man suddenly walked into the path of the car. He said that after knocking Chibuike down, he had to flee the scene for fear of being lynched. He said he subsequently reported himself to the police. As the sad tale continues, CHibuike’s family hopes for quick justice for their son.

SUNDAY

Sport 59

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

Friendly

Bafana battle Eagles in Nelspruit p.62

Football

ENYEAMA: Africa’s 23rd centurion sets another record p.60

Golf

Face of golf changing in Nigeria – Olo p.61

Boxing

Floyd Mayweather: It breaks my heart to say no to fans p.62

Deputy Sports Editor Dapo Sotuminu

Ifeanyi Ubah: I’ll turn Nigerian football around C

Dapo Sotuminu hief Ifeanyi Ubah, the proprietor of newly promoted Nigeria Premier League club, Ifeanyi Ubah United Football Club, has vowed to change the fortunes of Nigerian football in the next few years, as he is determined to put the country’s local league where it rightly belongs. Ubah, told Sunday Telegraph in an interview that, coming into the Nigerian football family as club owner is a good development as he would readily contribute his own quota to the turn-around of the country’s league football. “My ownership of the Ifeanyi Ubah FC is a dream come true. I had longed to own a football club years ago. As a young man I played the game and at some point I was involved in the management of club football, so I am not a novice in the running of a football club.” The 43-year-old oil magnate disclosed that, he took over the management of Gabros FC which metamorphosed into Ifeanyi Ubah FC willingly from his elder brother Chief Gabriel Chukwuma who strongly believe that the club would become greater under my care. “Gabros decided to hand over the club ownership to me to ensure proper running of the affairs by an energetic youngman who can take the club to greater height. Gabros is still fully involved in the club’s administration as he takes charge of the hospitality aspect.” Ubah is impressed with the dynamic leadership style of the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, who he promised to give massive support towards rebranding Nigerian football. He noted that, his main goal of joining the Nigeria football family is to change the fortunes of the game in the country. “We seem not to know what we have in this country in terms of football standard. I feel ashamed whenever I see Nigerian young players go to lesser footballplaying countries to play professional soccer. I don’t see why our players should run to places like South Africa, Malta, India, Bangladesh and even Israel to play professional football, when in the actual sense, with proper organi-

zation and planning, the Nigerian league is better. My dream is to make Nigeria the Mecca of club football in the world. “What we are going to do with Nigerian football at full maturity would see the country’s top talents stay back at home to play in the lucrative league football. At the moment, we have started something at Ifeanyi Ubah FC with the recruitment of some European players and there is also a Bulgarian coach in our kitty, Coach Mitko Dobrev. We hope to sign-on more players from the foreign leagues to boost the Nigerian league. In the next few years, league football in Nigeria would be the pride of all. “It is also in line with this that, we are going to build an ultramodern stadium in Nnewi at the same site of the Gabros International Stadium. This stadium would be in the range of the best and finest in Africa on completion.” Ifeanyi Ubah added that, the new stadium would be second best in Africa to the Uyo International Stadium in terms of world class facilities. It is going to be a 20,000 capacity all covered stadium with state of the art facilities good enough to host some of the country’s national teams’ matches. “The playing surface would the best in the country. For the facility standard, we are tak-

ing a cue from what South Africa is doing in this regard. He stressed that, while construction commences on the new stadium complex, arrangement has been concluded for the building of a standard training pitch with high standard playing surface just beside the stadium.

“Construction is in top gear and the FIFA Accredited agent building the facility has assured us that the training pitch would be ready in 60 days. This facility would host all Ifeanyi Ubah United FC home games until the completion of the main stadium.”

Ubah

Chief Ifeanyi Uba, middle, with Olisa Metuh and Chief Mike Umeh on inspection of the facilities at the Gabros International Stadium ahead of construction

SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Sport PROFILE Date of birth: August 29, 1982 Height: 1.82 m Position: Goalkeeper Previous clubs: Ibom Stars, Enyimba, Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland), Bnei Yehuda, Hapoel Tel Aviv (both in Israel) Honours: With Enyimba, he won Nigerian Premier League in 2001, 2002, 2003; won the CAF Champions League: 2003, 2004; With Hapoel Tel-Aviv, he won Israeli Premier League in 2009/2010 and Israel State Cup in 2010, 2011; With Maccabi Tel-Aviv, he won Israeli Premier League in 2012/2013; With Nigeria, he won Africa Cup of Nations in 2013, won AFCON bronze medals in 2004, 2006 and 2010; He was CAF Champions League Player of the Year in 2004; He was Footballer of the Year in Israel in 2009; UNFP Player of the Month: October 2013; UNFP Player of the Month: November 2013; 2014 Marc Vivien Foe Award winner

ENYEAMA: Africa’s 23rd centurion’s new record delayed S

Dapo Sotuminu

uper Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, who joined the rank of African soccer centurion last week in the friendly match against the Cranes of Uganda at the Uyo International Stadium, Akwa Ibom, could have moved a step further today to become the first Nigerian to play 101 caps for the senior national team, but for a prolonged back injury which suffered a relapse in last Wednesday’s game against Angola. Enyeama had to withdraw from the match. The record would have been set this afternoon if the Lille Football Club of France keeper had taken his rightful place as the Super Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper in the international friendly game against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Nelspruit. Enyeama who became the 23rd African and only the second Nigerian men’s footballer after former captain Joseph Yobo to reach the magic 100-mark of appearances, said he had to withdraw from the match to ensure proper healing of his injury. The Lille goalkeeper now joins an exclusive list with the likes of Rigobert Song, Ibrahim Hassan, Hany Ramzy, Didier Zokora, Ahmed Hassan, Hossam Hassan, Essam El-Hadary, Geremi,

Samuel Eto’o and Kolo Toure, who have 100 or more caps for their countries. Others with 100 caps plus are Aaron Mokoena, Joseph Musonda, Radhi Jaidi, Ahmed Fathi, Nader ElSayed, Didier Drogba, Elijah Tana, Noureddine Naybet, Abdel-Zaher El-Saqua, Wael Gomaa, Ahmed El-Kass and former Nigerian captain Joseph Yobo. Enyeama made his debut in 2002 against Kenya’s Harambee Stars. He has gone on to feature in four editions of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2013 when Nigeria won the tournament in South Africa. The former Enyimba man has played 10 FIFA World Cup matches the highest by any Nigerian. He appeared in the 2002, 2010 and 2014 World Cups. He was named on the five-man shortlist for the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2014, along with Yacine Brahimi, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gervinho, and Yaya Touré. During the 2008-2009 seasons,

while playing for Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Israeli Premier League, Enyeama was named the Player of the Year. This was quite unusual. Goalkeepers rarely receive the award, and Hapoel did not win the championship that season. For his first 11 matches for Lille OSC, Enyeama didn’t let in any goal, playing 1,062 minutes with a clean sheet. He eventually let in a goal on December 8, 2013, against Bordeaux. He came within 114 minutes of Gaëtan Huard’s 1993, 1,176-minute goalkeeping record without conceding a goal. One of his numerous achievements in his career came about in his second FIFA World Cup appearance in 2010, where he was named Man-of-theMatch in Nigeria’s opening match against two-time world champion Argentina. Nigeria won 1-0. Enyeama made six spectacular saves, four from football legend Lionel Messi. After the match, Argentinian manager Diego Maradona said Enyeama was the reason Messi was unable to score a goal, giving Nigeria the victory. During the group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament, Enyeama kept a clean sheet in Nigeria’s first two matches, resulting in a 0-0 draw with Iran and a 1-0 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina - Nigeria’s first World Cup win since the 1998 tournament. Though he gave up three goals in their last groupmatch game against Argentina resulting in a 3-2 defeat, Nigeria still qualified for the round of 16 for the first time in 16 years.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015

Golf Weekly

Face of golf changing in Nigeria – Olo

•Hails Olapade’s emergence as a positive sign

Stories by Ifeanyi Ibeh ne of the most prominent supporters of golf in the country, Francis Olo, who sponsors the annual Francis Olo Pro-Am Championship, believes there is a new shift on the Professional Golfers’ Association of Nigeria Tour following Sunday Olapade’s recent maiden tour win. Olapade emerged winner of this year ’s Pro-Am event at the Otukpo Golf and Country Club, in Benue

State, to grab his first win since turning pro in January 2011. And Olo, who is one of the few individual supporters of the PGAN, was elated about the development, which he hopes will continue. “I felt so happy when I was told Olapade’s win was his first since he turned professional; with the way he played, I sense there is a new order in the pro circuit,” said Olo, who is renowned for taking risks on aspiring young golfers. It is for this reason that the one-time captain of the Lagos-

based Dolphin Golf Club was thrilled about Olapade’s victory at Otukpo. “That is why I was elated when Olapade emerged victorious,” he recalled. “If an Oche (Odoh) or (Emos) Korblah wins, it is expected,” he continued. “But with the emergence of players like Olapade, I sense a new dawn on the tour.” Olapade had in the last four years been close to victory on a number of occasions only to end up, at best, in second place; a trend he attributed to ill luck and inexperience. But his perseverance now appears to be paying off, and he

hopes he can add more tour victories to the one he achieved at the start of the month. “I just had to continue and believe that one day my turn would come,” said Olapade. “Now that I have broken the duck, I hope to get a few more wins this season. It won’t be easy, as nothing good comes easy, but I will work towards it.” For his effort at the championship, Olapade earned the sum of N588,000 out of the N7million that had been budgeted for prize money at the 72-hole event. But things could had turned out differently had he allowed

his usual nerves to get the better of him after blowing what had appeared to be a comfortable lead on the third day of the championship. Olapade led the field in the opening two days of the championship, but on the third day he lost the lead to Benin-based Chukwudi Okoro before surging back in the final round to force a playoff with Korblah. “Anything could have happened” said Olapade. “But I am grateful for all the support I got from friends and family especially my sponsor, Honourable Dan Mayuku, who has been encouraging me even at low moments.”

Akakasiaka tips Nigerian golfers to hit the top

N Akakasiaka

igerian golfing legend, Peter Akakasiaka, believes it is only a matter of time before the country’s golfers get to be in the same class as some of their more established counterparts from other parts of the world. The former Nigeria number one, who back in the 1980s was one of the biggest attractions at golf tournaments across Africa, told New Telegraph that the country’s golfers have enough skills to match their contemporaries from more developed golf nations but lack the necessary encouragement. “I have said it before and I would say it again: our golfers are good enough to challenge the best in the world,” said Akakasiaka. “It is not that they are not good enough but there is not much encouragement for them unlike what we had when I was in my prime. The Royal Valley Golf and Country Clubbased golfer added: “Our golfers are actually good but they need to play regularly and against top players to get to the desired level. “If we have two or more tournaments every

month, as is obtainable in Europe, the United States, and even in South Africa, they would get there. “In other places, even in South Africa, there are tournaments every week. So, if we have at least two tournaments in a month it would be a good start,” said Akakasiaka, who is the only Nigerian professional golfer to have featured in the British Open. Akakasiaka took part in the 1988 Open won by the late Seve Ballesteros. But since then no Nigerian has qualified for the world’s oldest running golf championship. “There are lots of talented golfers here who can qualify to play in the Open but they need encouragement,” continued the veteran golfer. “They need sponsors; lots of sponsors because you need lots of money. He added: “If our golfers have enough quality tournaments to play in and practice regularly, in no time they can make it to the British Open and all the other major tournaments.”

SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Sport / News

Bafana battle Eagles in Nelspruit T

Akpom must prove Premier League potential at Forest

huba Akpom will play out the rest of the season in the Championship, having joined Nottingham Forest on loan. It’s a crucial time for the young star; this spell could be a litmus test for his chances of making the grade with the Gunners. We already know Arsene Wenger thinks incredibly highly of Akpom. As an academy graduate, he is a long-term project for the club. Back in 2012, Wenger told the club’s official website: “He has personality and he has quality. Hopefully he will join us very quickly. It could happen very soon. “He’s more a guy who likes to participate in the build-up, a guy who is brave, a guy who makes good runs and is not a typical goal chaser. Where he must improve is to finish things off. But he creates for others, he creates for himself, and just needs to be a bit calmer for the finishing. That’s something he will get easily.” Akpom developed in to a prolific scorer at youth level. He’s continued that development in the international arena too, notching for the England U20 side during the current break. Having tracked Akpom’s progress for so long, Arsenal are determined to see him fulfil his potential with the club. When it seemed as if the young forward was considering leaving Arsenal upon the expiration of his contract in the summer, the Gunners boss cleared the decks to ensure Akpom would receive opportunities in the first team. Joel Campbell, Yaya Sanogo and Lukas Podolski were all shipped out on loan, which allowed Akpom to jump up the pecking order. He’s consequently made a number of cameo appearances this season. Akpom has come on as a sub seven times this season, with three of those appearances coming in the Premier League.

Dele Alli excited to return to full fitness

ele Alli is thrilled to be back to full fitness after he was sidelined for several weeks by an ankle injury. The Nigerian-born England youth international has been out of action for the last seven league games, but MK Dons manager Karl Robinson has revealed just how happy the player is to be back. “He came back with a smile on his face and a bounce in his walk,” Alli’s manager said. “He seemed really excited and you can tell he’s really missed playing football. “He wants to fulfill his dream of trying to get us out of this league.” MK Dons are currently fourth in League One, with 69 points from 38 games. They are only four points outside the automatic promotion places although they have played one game more than the two sides directly above them, Swindon Town and Preston North End. The 18-year-old Alli has scored 14 goals and provided five assists this season, his return from injury is a big boost to MK Dons ambition.

he Bafana Bafana of South Africa will today host the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit in an international friendly aimed at shaping up the team for the African Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers. Bafana unlike the Nigerian team won their mid-week friendly game against Swaziland 3-1. This was South Africa’s first game after the woeful performance in the bottom of Group C of the African Nations Cup played in Equatorial Guinea. The Shakes Mashaba’s tutored team would want to consolidate on their friendly record. The Super Eagles would be out to take a revenge on the Bafana, who spoilt the Eagles’ party to the 2015 Nations Cup, following a 2-2 draw in the last group qualifiers played at the Uyo International Stadium. The Eagles have continued to look shaky, having won just one of their three friendly matches since their failed qualifying campaign, losing the other two, including the one against Uganda on Wednesday. That 1-0 loss came at an added cost for Nigeria, who will be without team captain Vincent

Enyeama this weekend after the goalkeeper suffered a relapse to a back injury against the Ugandans in what was his 100th appearance for the national team. The Eagles do, however, have history on their side, having lost just one of their 11 encounters against South Africa, with both their AFCON qualifiers having ended in stalemates. Eagles lost one game against South Africa 2-1 in one edition of Nelson Mandela Cup challenge. Mashaba revealed that he would employ the same tactics that gave South Africa a 2-2 draw against Nigeria, as the Eagles will now be looking to tilt those statistics today and could hand another start to Itumeleng Khune, who made his first international appearance in over a year during the first 45 minutes against Swaziland, where the Kaizer Chiefs shot stopper managed to keep a clean sheet before being substituted at half-time. Meanwhile, one of the top stars of the South African team, Daniel Cardoso, would be looking to follow-up on his international debut in midweek with his second Bafana cap, while Thabo Mnyamane also made his Bafana bow in that game, and even got on the scoresheet.

South Africa vows Nigeria Floyd Mayweather: It breaks my heart to say no to fans won’t escape unhurt F

op players of the South African national soccer team have vowed that the Nigerian team will not escape unhurt this time around when the two teams play a friendly international in Nelspruit today. Championing this cause is Bafana Bafana new discovery, Cardoso, who believes that they have the ability to beat the Super Eagles. “Nigeria is a big footballing nation, but with the team we have now, the likes of Ayanda Patosi, Lebogang Phiri, Andile Jali who all play overseas, and back home we have fighters like Oupa Manyisa, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Thulani Hlatshwayo - all are hungry for a win against Nigeria which will lift us up, so I am confident we will do well,” Cardoso said. The 25-year-old Free State Stars man says he didn’t expect to play for the senior national side this season, while adding he believed that he needed to play for one of the “bigger teams” to be considered good enough for a call-up to Bafana. “I did (expect to play for Bafana), but never thought it would be so soon. I really thought you have to play for one of the bigger teams to be recognised but here now it has happened earlier than I anticipated. So, hard work really pays

off,” Cardoso said. He made his debut in the 3-1 victory over Swaziland at the Somhlolo Stadium in Mbabane on Wednesday. He says it felt like a dream when he came out of the tunnel. “It felt like a dream when I walked out there, seeing a couple of thousand fans wearing the national team jersey, it’s an amazing experience and for every footballer, young footballer. I am sure they can’t wait to do the same to achieve that goal. It has always been a goal of mine to play for the national team,” Cardoso said.

loyd Mayweather says sometimes he has to turn down request from fans in order to focus on himself and his daughters. Mayweather took time out of his busy training schedule for his upcoming fight with Manny Pacquiao to take a trip to the 550ft ferris wheel at the LINQ hotel in Las Vegas. The undefeated welterweight champion said that while it breaks his heart to say no to his fans for requests for autographs and photos, sometimes it is necessary. He noted that: “If you are not in the position you will never know, some days you want to go out and not sign autographs, or you want to

go out and not take pictures. “It hurts my feelings but I have to say no sometimes. I don’t say no to my fans because I don’t want to sign for them or I don’t want to take a picture. “I am saying no because it is alright for me to take time off for myself and for my daughter. I want to give her my undivided attention.” And with the date for the richest fight in ring history fast approaching, Mayweather says his preparations are going well. He added: ‘The training camp has been good. I’m happy and I’m pretty sure my father is happy and everything is great.’

Vogts handed USA role F ormer Super Eagles manager, Berti Vogts, has been appointed as a technical advisor to the USA national team. The 68-year-old won the 1974 FIFA World Cup with West Germany as a player and as coach guided the united Germany the UEFA EURO 96 title. Vogts has also been in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, Kuwait, Scotland, Nigeria and, until last year, Azerbaijan. As the US’s technical advisor, Vogts will oversee the development of players in Europe, work-

ing with US U-23 coach Andreas Herzog and Matthias Hamann on scouting, building and improving club relationships, and identifying talent, US Soccer announced in a statement. US coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who was captain of the Germany side which won the European Championship under Vogts 19 years ago, said: “We had a fantastic experience with Berti during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. “His knowledge and experience is a tremendous asset for us. With Andi Herzog having a big focus

on qualifying the U-23 team for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Berti will make an even more important contribution.”

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

Sambo, el-Rufai win wards Ibraheem Musa and Johnchuks Onuanyim

V Abuja

ice-President Namadi Sambo and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, won their respective wards in yesterday’s presidential and National Assembly elections. For the first time since Sambo joined politics in 2007, the number two man won his polling unit in Kaduna metropolis, after relocating from the Camp Road polling unit that he has been voting in the last two elections. Sambo, whose Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) polled 105 votes as against the 20 votes that the APC got, arrived the Police College, Kaduna voting unit in company with his wife at 3.45p.m, with a retinue of aides in tow. Sambo was accredited at 11.20a.m at the Police College polling unit along Swimming Pool Road. After his accreditation, he said, “Everything went very well, very successful. The

turnout is very good and l will use the opportunity to call on all Nigerians to ensure that we conduct this election very peacefully like we have just conducted here and we are looking forward for a successful election.” El-Rufai won his 0024 polling unit at Unguwar Sarki as his party polled 430 while PDP got 11 votes. Speaking after he voted, elRufai noted that “the accreditation was two and half hours late unfortunately. INEC officials didn’t arrive on time and we were concerned. When they came, everything was business-like and l was accredited in less than a minute and the turnout is very high, as you can see.” The former FCT minister noted that the card reader had done reasonably well, adding, “I have a feeling that where the card reader has failed was due to deliberate acts of sabotage.” He recalled that APC “had alerted the nation to the acquisition of card reader jammers by the PDP to be deployed in 75, 000 polling units. l am not surprised that in some units the card reader did not work.”

He alleged that most of the faulty card readers were “deliberately jammed by the equipment bought by the PDP, which we alerted the nation but no action was taken. But l think on the whole the elections here have gone reasonably.” The Independent National Electoral Commission yesterday began the accreditation of voters in most polling units in Kaduna State late, as the commission’s staff were not at the polling units by 8a.m when they were supposed to commence the exercise. Sunday Telegraph correspondents, who went round Kaduna metropolis, learnt that voters turned out as early as 6a.m in some polling units and started compiling the names of those who were present ahead of the arrival of the electoral officials. At L.E.A. Primary School, Kawo, several people had converged around 9a.m, while electoral officials were trying to screen ad hoc staff. A policeman, who spoke to our reporters on the condition of anonymity, stated that they were deployed to the area since 5:30a.m.

At Ungwar Shanu, accreditation did not take place in Kufena Road, Dandamisa Road, Asibiti, Kayarda Road, Layin Ado Yalo, Malamawa Road and Zakka Road due to the absence of INEC staff. However, accreditation was eventually done peacefully in all the polling units that our correspondents visited in Kaduna metropolis. Also, the former Head of Service, Mallam Adamu Waziri Fika, commended the process at the polling unit at Katuru Road polling unit. When asked to comment on the process of accreditation, he said, “I think quite a number of people and ev-

erybody is taking his time. l think if it continues like this, we have hope.” On INEC officials arriving late, he said, “Well l don’t know. When l came, they were all here so l can’t say they came late.” Asked about his impression of the election, Col. Hameed Ali, Chief of Staff to APC presidential candidate, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, said, “Well, with the much l have seen it is okay, except for one incident where we just left. I think in ward 0081 or so, where up till now they have not received their card readers and that is very disturbing. But the rest that

l have seen things are going smoothly, although some of the card readers arrived later.” On why Sambo changed his voting place from Gamji gate to Police College polling unit, he said, “Well, probably he decided to change his polling unit because he had not been winning there.” At the end of voting, Sambo won the ward for PDP with 105 votes over Buhari’s 20 ballots at the Kabala Doki 011 polling unit, Kabala Ward, Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State. This was according to results announced by INEC Presiding Officer for the ward, Mr. Olorunfemi Raphael.

PDP blames Jega for card reader glitches Chijioke Iremeka

eoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation yesterday called on Nigerians to hold the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, responsible for the card reader glitches in the presidential and National Assembly elections. Director of Media and Publicity of the PDPPCO, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, said in a statement that the fears the party had all along expressed over the use of card readers for this crucial election had now been confirmed.

“We had raised a number of issues about the card reader; for instance, we had argued that the card reader should have been test-run for a smaller election before deploying it for an election of this magnitude; we had raised other concerns, but the INEC under the Chair of Prof. Attahiru Jega, had insisted on using the machine. “Now that the machine has messed up the elections in many polling booths in parts of the country, necessitating the extension of the exercise to Sunday, it is now very clear that our party, the PDP, and the Presidential Campaign Organisation were right af-

ter all in their reservations about the use of the card readers. “Apart from the card readers that largely malfunctioned to the extent that our presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan could not have his fingerprint verified, result sheets were not provided in many places. “It is shameful that just like he did in 2011 National Assembly elections when he announced the postponement of the election midway due to failure to fully deploy electoral materials, Jega, who boasted that the commission was ready to conduct the election with the use of card readers, has failed to deliver.

Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, casting his vote during the presidential elections at the Umar Musa polling unit, Minna

APC condemns violence in Gombe, Rivers

ll Progressives Congress yesterday strongly condemned the violence perpetrated against its members in Gombe and Rivers states during the elections, saying violence has no place in any democracy. In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party in particular condemned the collusion between INEC and the PDP, aided by the

security in Rivers, saying what transpired in the state is nothing but a travesty of elections. “INEC practically handed over the elections to the PDP in Rivers, depriving APC strongholds of men and material. In Okrika, materials arrived and were taken to the home of the State Secretary for PDP Ibibia Walter, while all units in Ahoada East and Omuma LGAs do not have result sheets. To worsen matters, PDP thugs unleashed

mayhem on APC voters, killing one member in Tai Local Government and harassing a serving commissioner. “Simply put, there was an orchestrated, massive disenfranchisement in APC strongholds,” it said. APC also condemned the killing of eight of the party’s members, one of them a serving member of the house of assembly, in Gombe State on Saturday, saying it was aimed at intimidating its members and preventing them from coming out to vote.

On the power of the president to deploy the military during elections (2) C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 6 4

after the terrorist group, Boko Haram, had vowed to disrupt the elections? As we have already stated, the President has the Constitutional and statutory power to deploy the military for operational use. Under Section 218(3) of the Constitution, it is provided: “The President may, by directions in writing and subject to such conditions as he think fit, delegate to any member of the armed forces of the Federation his powers relating to the operational use of the Armed Forces of the Federation.” Interestingly, Section 8 (3) defines what is meant by the operational use of the armed forces. It includes provision of aid to civil power. it provides: In this section, “operational use of the Armed Forces” includes the operational use of the Armed Forces in Nigeria for the purpose of maintaining and securing public safety and public order.

Again, it is further submitted that President, and where necessary, going by the advice of the Council of State (where the President makes a request it ), is the only competent person having the power to determine whether the military should be deployed during elections or not. The Third Schedule, Part I, Section 6, (a) (iv) (b), provide that The Council shall have power to: (a) advise the President in the exercise of his powers with respect to the:(iv) the Independent National Electoral Commission (including the appointment of members of that Commission); (b) advise the President whenever requested to do so on the maintenance of public order within the Federation or any part thereof and on such other matters as the President may direct. CONCLUSION Sifting from the above, it is beyond doubt

that constitutionally, legally and morally, the President has the power to deploy the military during elections where he perceives that there will likely be a threat to public security and safety for reasons already adumbrated. The deployment can help to nip in the bud, cases of insurrection, to restore law and order, to maintain Nigeria’s territorial integrity and secure Nigeria’s borders from violation, land, sea and air. These are the exact words of section 217 of the Constitution. As patriots, this is no time for recriminations, but rather, the time to reflectively aid, in the steering of our collective ship of state to safety, security and abundance for all. With our chequered electoral history and the threats of terrorism, the military is one of the very last hopes of the ordinary Nigerian regarding his safety and security. Keeping the military off our streets and in the safety of their barracks during election will automatically translate to keeping many, if not most Nigerians, off the poll-

ing booths for fear of insecurity. Except for the enemies of Nigeria, no person or party, whether natural, juristic or political wants that. To mobilize the Military from their barracks if they are not patrolling on the streets is not achievable with a snap of the finger. But, I hereby warn that the military so deployed shall not be present nor found in the polling booths or units. These are exclusively referred for the usual Police Force and Civil Defence operatives. But, Military Personnel should be deployed to patrol the streets, escort sensitive electoral materials safely to their various destinations and man all borders, whether air, land and sea. Are Mr. President, Political parties, Candidates, Security Personnel, Nigerian Voters, local and international observers reading and digesting this Sunday sermon from the Nigerian Project by Chief Mike A. A. Ozekhome, SAN, OFR? • Follow me on twitter @ MikeozekhomeSAN

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On the power of the president to deploy the military during elections (2)

CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

n the case of OLUDOTUN OGUNBAYO V. THE STATE (2007) LPELR-2323(SC), the Supreme Court stated most emphatically, per. Ogbuagu, JSC, thus: “At the worst, the said comment, is a comment and at best,is an obiter dictum - i.e. a comment which is just by the way, a casual and passing expression, an observation of the learned trial judge which has nothing relevant to do with the live issue before him. See the observation or pronouncement of Tobi, JCA, (as he then was) in the case of Onagoruwa v. The State (1993) 7 NWLR (Pt. 303) 49 at 99 - 100 cited and relied on in the respondent’s brief.” In the case of OMEGA BANK PLC V. GOVERNMENT OF EKITI STATE (2007) ALL FWLR (Pt. 386) 658 at 684; paras. G - H (CA), the pen-ultimate Court per Abdullahi JCA, has this to say: Obiter dictum is a Latin maxim meaning something said in passing. It is a judicial comment made during the course of delivering a judicial opinion, but one that is unnecessary to the decision in the case and therefore not precedental. “ I have already held in this judgment that the live issue in the case of Oredein among others was whether the words published conveyed a defamatory imputation. The statement made by his lordship, Tobi JCA (as he then was), that libel can be committed against corporate or legal entity is obviously an obiter dictum and it has no binding effect on the lower court. The learned trial judge erred in law to have relied on the said decision to hold that a corporate entity or juristic entity can maintain an action in libel when the said authority did not decide the said principle.” The second limb of my argument is that assuming, without even conceding, that the pronouncement of the Court of Appeal in the case of ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS v. PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY & ORS CA/EK/EPT/GOV/1/2015 was a ratio and not an obiter, it is still fervently submitted, that there is nothing in the judgment which precludes the President from deploying the military. The reason for this argument is simple. The Court of Appeal in referring to Section 217 (2) (c) stated emphatically, that the President can indeed, deploy military to quell insurrection in accordance with the section subject to the condition which MAY be prescribed by an Act the National Assembly. The Court, stated, per Aboki, JCA, as follows: Of course, Section 217(2) (c) is what the Armed Forces Act is all about and the provisions therein can further be enriched or amended by further Acts of the National Assembly. See Section 217 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, and Section 1 of the Armed Forces Act, which elaborates on the functions, command structure and activities of the Armed Forces. None of the above mentioned functions has anything to do with Electoral process and the Conduct of elections in the Country to select political leaders, Even the item (2) (c) which talk about “suppression of insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the president, appears to be applicable only in the event of insurrection, to restore order and, even then, the Military must be invited by the President, upon fulfilment of specified conditions, prescribed by an Act of

The

Nigerian Project

MIKE OZEKHOME san, ofr mike.ozekhome@yahoo.com 08094777755 (sms only) the National Assembly. Thus, even the president of Nigeria has no powers to call out the Armed Forces and unleash them (Military Officers) on a peaceful citizenry who are exercising their franchise to elect their leaders. And even in the event of insurrection or insurgency, the call on the Armed Forces to aid civil authorities to restore order, must be with the approval of the National Assembly which must provide conditions as specified in Sections 217 (2) and 218 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, (as amended). In continuing with our argument, we state that what the section 217 (2) (c) really provides for as can be seen from the provisions of the section above is not that the President cannot deploy the military in aid of civil authorities, but that he will have to do so ONLY when an Act of the National Assembly so prescribe. For emphasis, the section is replicated below: (2) The Federation shall, subject to an Act of the National Assembly made in that behalf, equip and maintain the armed forces as may be considered adequate and effective for the purpose of (c) suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly First, Section 8 (1-2) of the Armed Forces Act which is an Act of the National Assembly, provides as follows: (1) The President shall determine the operational use of the Armed Forces, but may, under general or special directives, delegate his responsibility for the day-to-day operational use(a) of the Armed Forces, to the Chief of Defence Staff; (b) of the Army, to the Chief of Army Staff; (c) of the Navy, to the Chief of Naval Staff; and (d) of the Air Force, to the Chief of Air Staff. (2) It shall be the duty of the Chief of Defence

Jonathan

Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff, as the case may be, to comply with any directive given to them by the President under subsection (1) of this section. As can be seen above, there is no conditions attached to and limiting the President’s power to deploy the military in aid of civil authorities under the Armed Forces Act, which by the way, is an Act of the National Assembly. This is moreso, since the word expressly used in the Section 217(2) (c) of the Constitution is “MAY”. It is trite law that the “may” is used in a statute, it conveys permissiveness and not mandatory. The Black’s Law Dictionary, Seventh Edition at page 993, states that, where the word ‘MAY’ is used in a legislation in its primary legal sense, it is permissive or discretionary.

BUSY BODY

In the case of EDEWOR V. UWEGBA & ORS.(1987) LPELR-1009(SC), the Supreme Court, defining the word “may”, held as follows: Generally the word ‘may’ always means ‘may’. It has long been settled that may is a permissive or enabling expression. In Messy v. Council of the Municipality of Yass (1922) 22 S.R.N.S.W. 494 per Cullen, C.J at pp.497, 498 it was held that the use of the word ‘may’ prima facie conveys that the authority which has power to do such an act has an option either to do it or not to do it. See also Cotton, L.J. in Re Daker, Michell v. Baker (1800) 44 CH.D 282. Going by the above authorities, it is fervently submitted, that the phraseology employed by Section 217(2) (c) of the Constitution, is to the effect that since the National Assembly has not stipulated any condition in the Armed Forces Act, for the deployment of the military, the President as Commander –InChief of the Armed Forces can deploy such in the interest of public safety and security. Now, concerning whether or not, such deployment of the military by the President must be done only during insurrection, it is submitted that it is a trite position of law that the primary purpose of governance and government is the security and welfare of the people. This legal aphorism is encased in the Latin maxim, salus populi, ex suprema lex and replicated in Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as altered. It is beyond dispute that in Nigeria, there is, during elections, the likelihood of breakdown of law and order which in turn infringe on public safety and public security. During past elections, the issues of ballot boxes and papers snatching, intimidation, harassment, attacks, and even deaths were the order of the day. If the provisions of Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution is to be effective, it behoves on any responsible government to nip any public disturbances in the bud. It is a matter of public knowledge that the Nigerian security apparatchik can only boast of about 400,000 policemen, 12,000 DSS operatives and a few thousands of NSCDC members in a country of 170 million out of which well over 60 million will troop out to vote on election days of March 28 and April 11, 2015. . Is anybody reasonably saying that deployment of the military to patrol streets and give a sense of security to enable voters, with a view to complimenting the Police Forceduring the period of elections, is a bad idea, especially C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 6 3

By Aliu Eroje

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