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Actress Iyabo Ojo: My marriage failed, so I’m married to my career } 18

SULEIMAN ABBA

fall of no.1 cop HOW EX-IGP SHOT SELF IN THE FOOT

lCoomassie: Nigerians want explanation ONWUKA NZESHI

W ABUJA

as it naivety, a quest for self-preservation taken too far or a combination of both? It can only be left to conjectures.

But what is not in doubt is that the career of Mr. Su-

leiman Abba, the country’s 17th indigenous inspectorgeneral of police, came to an abrupt end via a tweet by presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, last Tuesday.

Abba was appointed only eight months ago and still had four years ahead of him professionally. But that will no lon-

ger be. He is going home earlier than he had expected and might continue to reflect on this abrupt exit for the rest of his life.

Since the general elections were won and lost, Abba had allegedly been making smart moves to keep his job. He was said to have made overtures to the incoming regime

and covertly pledged his loyalty. In his quiet moments, he must have prayed fervently that the wind of change propelled by the political transition will not sweep through Louis Edet House, the headquarters of the Nigeria Police.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 45

}20 DJ GOSPORELLA

I was highest paid disc jockey before God called me REVEALED

How retailers alter products’ expiry dates }23

Acting IGP deploys DIG, 4 Fuel scarcity looms as marketers freeze imports AIGs, 5 CPs for Abia, Imo - NNPC dismisses fears } 5 and Taraba rerun elections

}5

2

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

Contents | 25.04.15 CONVERSATION

Strong Ideals

SATURDAY

Comment

C

Exit of a comrade

omrade Uche Chukwumerije stood on the side Muna Onuzo-Iyanam quit of the people even when broadcasting because she the struggle moved bewanted to dispel the notion that yond the steam of the vulthe profession teemed with nerable. A dogged fighter, all he knew women whose beauty surpassed was how to stand in for those who had their brains. She talks about her no advocate. And if you found yourself new passion on the other side in a battle involving him, it would take all in your arsenal to }13 achieve anything near to victory. The man never gave up.

Everyone’s Getting Turbanned Only death could stop this great man Turbans have gone beyond their who was around the happening scene religious roots to become an for so long a time. In government, out of increasingly popular fashion the corridors of power, Chukwumerije accessory for women was a populist warrior who could take up challenge even when he had nothing }16 to gain. Since there was no fear in him, he always craved for fair play.

Writing Figurine And death finally called on April Kemi Adesoye’s name may not 19, 2015 at the Turkish hospital Abuja. ring a bell in the movie industry, The battle with lung cancer was tough. but her works do. She talks Many did not know that the fighter about writing the screenplay was having a tough duel because he for hits like Figurine, Tinsel and refused to give in so easily. While the Phone Swap struggle lasted, Chukwumerije was still }21 ready to go back to the Senate.

Call him activist, politician, journalThe Keshi Conundrum ist, martial artist and author. You would Former Super Eagles midfielder, be right. Right from his University of Emeka Ezeugo, has criticised the Ibadan years in the late 1950s, ChukNigeria Football Federation over the wumerije was outspoken and hated rather long time it took to decide on injustice. If he stuck out his neck for the fate of Stephen Keshi as head anything, there was no going back. coach of the national team In politics, he became more popular }25 with Aminu Kano’s Peoples Redemption Party[PRP], in the Second Republic.

Truth on Canvas While many of his contemporaries flirtAn exhibition of paintings ed with the conservative National Party and mixed media by two Port of Nigeria, the welfarist Unity Party of Harcourt-based artists, Chinedu Nigeria and moderate Nigeria Peoples Ogakwu and Godwin Arikpo, Party, Chukwumerije was turned on runs until May 4 at Mydrim by his own party’s recognition of the Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos masses, as the power of politics.

At the end of the Civil War, he had }34 relocated to the United Kingdom where he floated a reputable news magazine, On the State of Hotels Afriscope. That sojourn and endeavour, President of the Federation of took him round the continent, where he Tourism Association of Nigeria, had the honour of interacting with all the Tomi Akingbogun, laments the heads of government. prevalence of multiple taxation His role in Biafra spoke volumes. That in the hospitality sector Gen. Emeka Ojukwu made inroad beyond the shores of the zone, was because }40 there was a powerful Ministry of Information. With heroes like Chinua Achebe, Plus: Investigations 23 | Perspectives 51

INSTYLE

SHOWBIZ

SPORT

THE ARTS

TRAVEL

Okokon Ndem and Chukwumerije, it looked like tiny Biafra was indeed crushing the Federals. Then, the propaganda machinery was so effective that it looked as if Nigeria had no answer.

Born in November 1939, Chukwumerije once tried to join the army.

He passed the Military Selection Board interview, alongside Wale Ademoyega, who later took part in the January 15, 1966 coup. When the train to the training depot in the North was set to depart, Chukwumerije’s space was empty. Apparently, there was a change of mind because he saw the military as ultra conservative.

And much later, in 1989, Chukwumerije was to show he could take on anybody, soldier or civilian, when he battled Taekwondo Association of Nigeria (TAN) chairman, Col. A.B. Gankon over technical matters. TAN was formed on July 13,1987, with Lt. Col. Joshua Madaki, as pioneer chairman. Uche Nebedum was secretary.

Chukwumerije, who was into martial arts, pointed out some flaws inherent in the Gankon leadership. The army officer, who had succeeded Madaki in 1988, following his appointment as Bauchi State military governor, was not ready to accept Chukwumerije’s suggestions. The latter took him on and succeeded in winning. Gankon lost his position.

There were so many young Chukwumerijes in the taekwondo team.

One of them, Chika, would later win an Olympic medal, in 2008. That was enough vindication of his father’s struggle to take taekwondo to a higher level.

Chukwumerije found himself heading Nigeria’s ministry of information, several years after Biafra, and under two different military leaders, Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha, before gaining higher ground in politics, as a senator from 2003 till death.

He was also outspoken in matters concerning the Igbo when others dragged their feet. During the murder of the Apo Six by the police in Abuja, Chukwumerije stormed the Justice Olasumbo Goodluck panel, to stand with those who felt the pain.

Again , the country has lost one of the greatest defenders of the marginalized, a man of honour who kept many on their toes and also brought honour to the nation.

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

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Kalu to pDp, apc: elections not Do-or-Die

} 32

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lCall your supporters to order, flays burning of campaign bus Onyekachi Eze and Temitope Ogunbanke

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ondemnations yesterday trailed weekend attack on campaign buses of President

Goodluck Jonathan in Jos with the president calling on the All Progressives Congress (APC) presiden-

tial candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, to call his supporters to orCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

NEW TELEGRAPH

Money Line

MONDAY,

JANUARY

ay, Ja nuar

N150

Stock Watch

Afromedia: Incapacitated adverse regulation by

37

The Nigeria Customs (NCS) revenue Service has fallen billion or

by N223 19 one year. per cent in the last

Food price drops in index December

Interview

Okonjo Iweala, a mismatch economy, says Enwegbara for Nigerian

Dayo Ayeyemi

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Director mo Bassey of HOMEF, Nnimcould not , said the fishermen fisherman hope to fishing pittance was better than return in the Bodo that Shell to fered the communities creeks because rivers initially to pay of- ters hydrocarbon of the depthand with cleaner “This can. to fish. Sadly of wapollution hardly ing from a good fishing purchase Bodo pollution , although the oil spills. resultthe boat and ment necessary also damaged He equip- the Goi community amount expressed that the fishing making to return being offered the waters the community business to tinue people that to languish know each conthey choose best – that the glect without in abject is if neto move remedy,” to other he said.

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Feb 14: APC blows hot

lDSS' story on hacking senseless, says Lai Mohammed Temitope Ogunbanke

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday faulted the re-

port of the Department of State Services (DSS) that it planned to inflate its membership data as well as hack into the Independent

National Electoral Commission (INEC) database through the creation of party membership forms and cards to match INEC's

voters register across the country.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Lagos, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Front row: L-R: European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker; Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu; former French President, Nicolas Sarkozy; Mali's President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita; French President, Francois Hollande; Germany's Chancellor, Angela Merkel; Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas and Italy's Prime Minister, Matteo PHOTO: ReuTeRs Renzi, at a solidarity march against terrorism in Paris...yesterday.

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No. 33

DEGRADATION

Civil rights tion, the organisaHealth CONTINUED Mother of Earth FounON PAGE 22 describeddation (HOMEF), agreement as ‘inadequate’ has the by oil giant, to pay a Shell, million penalty of about Pounds 55 Sterling N16 billion) (about ermen and to 15,600 Bodo extensive community fishfor 2008/2009. crude oil spills the of Although, p.36 the group scribed the development dea welcome news as Year, it, however, for the the compensationargued New that be compared could not with the damage level of to their The group environment. spokesperson, Cadmus comparedAtake, said that when companiesto what polluting The Business paid elsewhere oil their ecological Desk ayodele aminu amount crimes, for L-R: Manager, Deputy Editor brought the Inspections inadequate (Business)

by Shell Bank Plc, Bayo akomolafe Janet Nnabuko, and Monitoring, for the damage severity is Monitoring, done Asst. Editor of Madiebo Consumer Executive Director,National Lottery Regulatory (Maritime) He said: Protection Lagos & at the 5th sunday Ojeme Commission, South West Council, “HOMEF the compensation draw of the Ifeyinwa Afam Ojeh, Bank, Fidelity Asst. Editor sees Fidelity Save4 Nwamuo amount Head, Savings, (Insurance) Bank Plc., and Divisional Scholarship to about which will Godson Ikoro Head, Retail Ikemefuna Mbagwu, Fidelity each of savings N600,000 Asst. Editor promo in the plaintiffs Bank, Fidelity for Manager, (Money Market) Lagos. balance Bank Plc., with the going for Dele alao Richard projects Industry & – school community Agric Editor health centres blocks and Dayo ayeyemi – as inadequate for the Property Editor done.” severity of damage adeola Yusuf Atake Kunle Azeez Energy Editor ment of maintained that Wole shadare building compensation payawfully promised igeria’s missed Aviation Editor in early ics wouldof schools and and Domain New Telegraph its 2014 would increase 2014 that System Name clintarget, not by Chris Ugwu (DNS) reduce it domain uptake The missed has learnt. the demandany means fered setback space sufCapital Market names to of gent clean-up as the regulator the auspicious target was end of that for an 250,000 by .ng last year, abdulwahabEditor on the year. vironment. of the Ogoni ur- try code number domain of the counIsa This means of names en- (ccTLD), Top Level Finance Editor that the registered planned .ng had a target Domain Kunle azeez to be by of 190,000 country istration Nigeria Internet names planned NiRA has the end of 2014.

Senior Correspondent domain Association Reg- about reportedly by individuals, to be registered (NiRA), 60,000 domain Chuks Onuanyin sold government as at the corporate INFLATION names end of Energy agencies and RATE 2013 and November nnamdi amadi had both 2014........................7.9% Rates October 2014............................8.1% LENDING Dashbo CONTINUED Reporter RATE InterBank ard ON PAGE Johnson adebayo September Rate....................12.57% 22 2014.....................8.3% Prime Lending Asst Production EXCHANGE Editor RATE Rate...........17.93% (Parallel Maximum As at Jan. Lending Rate...26.83% USD . . . .

08) EXCHANGE .

RATE Pounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N182 (Official As .

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Source: CBN . . . . . .N197.70 The Food and Organisation Agriculture Food Price (FAO)’s monthly December Index declined in stability. after three months of

Vol. 1

42-43

Bodo spill: N16 billion Group faults Shell’s compensati on

Communities in the NigerDelta have been drastically affected by activities of oil companies

p.22

}7

15

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Claims: Policyholder’s Leadway conflict with deepens

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25 april 2015

5

Acting IG deploys DIG, 4 AIGs, others for Abia, Imo, Taraba re-run Emmanuel Onani, and Steve Uzoechi

A

Abuja/OWERRI

s part of measures to ensure peaceful, violence-free supplementary elections in Abia, Imo and Taraba States, the Acting Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Solomon Arase, has deployed a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), four Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and five Commissioners of Police (CPs), to supervise the exercise in the affected states.

Arase, whose appoint-

l Orders restriction on vehicular movements l DIG Doma orders arrest of ‘erring’ police orderlies ment was announced

by President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday, has also ordered restriction of vehicular movements in specific local government areas where the elections are scheduled to hold, including some in Delta and Kogi states.

The restriction will last between 8am and 5pm today.

The disclosure was made in a statement signed yesterday by the Force Public

Relations Officer (FPRO), Acting CP Emmanuel Ojukwu.

While a DIG, an AIG and two CPs, will supervise the poll in Abia, another AIG and three CPs were deployed in Imo State.

For Taraba State, Arase deployed two AIGs and two Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs).

The statement reads: “As part of efforts to ensure adequate security, the Ag. IG Solomon E. Arase,

has ordered restriction on vehicular movements in local government areas of Abia, Delta, Imo, Kogi and Taraba states where re-run of elections are scheduled to take place on April 25 between the hours of 8.a.m to 5.p.m.

“This restriction of vehicular movements order affects movements in and out of the areas where the re-run elections are to take place, except for Ambulances, Fire Service Trucks

and others on essential duties. Consequently, travellers and citizens who intend to ply roads within those hours are advised to plan alternative routes.

“The IG also warns government officials and political office holders not to go to polling units with uniformed orderlies or aides, while persons who have no business with voting must not be found within 300 metres of a polling unit.

“The police high command also put adequate security measures in place by the deployments of additional senior officers to supervise security of elections in the states as follows: “To Abia State: one Deputy Inspector-General of Police, one Assistant Inspector-General of Police and two Commissioners of Police. To Imo State: one Assistant Inspector-General of Police and three Commissioners of Police.

“To Taraba State: two Assistant InspectorsGeneral of Police and two Deputy Commissioners of Police. Meanwhile, citi-

zens were enjoined to remain vigilant and report all suspicious movements or dealings to appropriate Police authority.”

In another development, Mr. Job Doma, a DIG, who was deployed to supervise the election in Imo State, has ordered for the arrest and prosecution of any police aide who accompanies any politician from one polling unit to the other during the election.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Owerri, Doma said any security personnel caught in the situation should be arrested and made to face the full weight of the law.

“Important personalities are not isolated from the restriction order as they are not supposed to move from one polling unit to another even with their police aides. They should just cast their votes in their polling units and go back to their houses,” he said.

Doma appealed to politicians not to take laws into their hands in the course of the election or flout security orders. He regretted that the lawlessness witnessed in some areas during the March 28 and April 11 elections would not be tolerated in today’s election.

African countries happy over Jonathan’s defeat – Obasanjo

President-elect, Major General Mohammad Buhari (left) and President Goodluck Jonathan, addressing State House correspondents, after Buhari’s visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja… yesterday PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Fuel scarcity looms as marketers freeze imports Adeola Yusuf

F

resh facts have emerged that the country may witness another round of fuel scarcity as major fuel marketers have declared an end in the importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as fuel, following the Federal Government’s alleged delay in the payment of N256.2 billion subsidy debt.

Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr. Thomas Olawore, who said this at a press conference in Lagos yesterday, said the fuel stock in Apapa, nation's hub of jetties and fuel storage, would dry up in “only three and half days from today (Friday).”

Olawore, whose association comprises Mobil, Total, Conoil, Oando and Forte oil, said: “The banks and our suppliers are on our necks, we have run out of funds

l Nigeria’s fuel stock’ll finish in three days —MOMAN l We’ve 29 days stock available —NNPC and our operations are seriously being affected.”

But commenting on the development, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Ohi Alegbe, said the stoppage of importation by MOMAN could not translate to fuel scarcity.

Alegbe insisted that the volume of fuel in stock could last for 29 days even without importing.

While declaring that NNPC would not allow any fuel scarcity to disrupt the smooth transition on May 29, Alegbe said: “We do not want people to resort to panic buying because of this. We have said it times without number that there is sufficient fuel in our stock, which can last for 29 days.”

He said the Department

of Petroleum Resources (DPR) had been adequately briefed to clamp down on any marketer, who plans to hoard the product.

Speaking further, Olawore faulted Alegbe’s claim that there was 29 day-stock of fuel, saying his group’s claim was true.

“The NNPC man is not an operation man; he doesn't know anything about this operation. I believe that he depends on secondary information. Please phone him again and ask him where this stock located is?

“Please quote my name and tell him (Alegbe) that the statement portrays him as someone who knows nothing about this operation at all.

Tell him that I challenge him that if the stock is inland we will pay the flight tickets of some of you (Journalists) to

go and check. If it is offshore let him tell us the names and number of the vessels.

“As a matter of fact at yesterday (Friday) in Apapa, we have three and half days for our stocks to be depleted,” Olawore said.

“We have been paid up till Batch “N” which is the N100 billion Sovereign Debt Note and is to mature by the end of this month. From Batch “N” to “S” is the N100 billion but from batch T of 2014, batch U of 2014 then Batch A and B of 2015, totaling N40.3 billion are outstanding.

“Another outstanding figure, which is the big one is the foreign exchange differentials (FOREX) and is N215.9 billion. All these are totaling N256.2 billion. This is also excluding the N100 billion post-dated Sovereign Debt Note (SDN).”

F

ormer President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Thursday said countries across the African continent were happy over the outcome of the presidential election, which saw the defeat of incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

Obasanjo, who spoke as a speaker at the United States Institute for Peace (USIP) event titled: “What is Right with Africa: Reframing Africa’s Leadership Challenges”, in Washington DC, said his checks in a number of African countries suggested they were as happy over the result of the election as the majority of Nigerians were.

An online news portal, Premium Times reported that Obasanjo referred to President Jonathan as a moving train who was providentially stopped from collapsing the country.

“I have visited six countries since the election, they are as happy about the results as we are in Nigeria.

It is good not only for Nigeria, it is good for Africa and I believe it is good for the world,” he said.

Obasanjo, who led the African Union Observation Mission to the April elec-

tion in Sudan, described Nigeria as a country that obsessively plays “a dangerous game of moving close to the precipice”.

The former president said the country came close to disintegration in the run-up to the 2015 elections but switched swiftly to the path of redemption after the polls.

“I hope we will not fall over one of these days,” he said.

He said one month to the election, no one believed “we will have a peaceful election that is reasonably free and fair.”

Describing his role in the election as that of a person standing on the track of a moving train, the former president said during the countdown to the elections, he faced the option of “jumping off” the tracks or “be crushed” if the train did not providentially get “derailed and stop.”

Obasanjo described the results of the elections as what Nigerians “deserve” though some Nigerians “did not want it”.

He made these remarks in response to a question by a former Ambassador to Nigeria, Princeton Lyman.

6

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 april 2015

IKEJA Lagos cancels sanitation exercise

N EWS I N BRIEF

ST

The Lagos State Government yesterday said there would be no restriction of movement usually imposed from 7a.m. to 10a.m. on sanitation days on Saturday.

Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, said government suspended restriction to enable pupils sitting for the National Common Entrance examinations holding on the same day to move freely to their centres.

“This suspension of restriction is for our children sitting for the Common Entrance Examination who would need to move around restriction time from their homes to their examination centres. We however appeal to residents to still observe the period to clean their environment for their wellbeing and that of the state,” he said.

NNEWI ‘Abba’s sack normal’

Chairman of Anambra State Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Mr. Victor Agubuisi, has described the sacking of the former Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Suleiman Abba, by President Goodluck Jonathan, as normal. He said the President had the right to hire and fire any security personnel.

Fielding questions from journalists in Nnewi yesterday, Agubuisi said he did not see anything political in Abba's removal.

“The new acting IG, Mr. Solomon Arase, is my friend, he is a core professional, well experienced, humble and godly, I am optimistic that he will perform and I want to appeal to the incoming Presidentelect, General Mohammed Buhari, to confirm him as the next IG,” he said.

46.19

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Anguilla in 2009.

Source: Itu.int

ENUGU Declare me winner, APGA candidate tells INEC

The House of Representatives candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) for the Igbo-Eze North/ Udenu federal constituency of Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Mama, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged irregularities during the National Assembly election in the area, seeking that he be declared winner of the election.

The APGA candidate, who is the son of the founder of the Ifesinachi Group of Companies, Igwe James Mamah, said in Enugu, that he had petitioned the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the state, urging him not to issue a certificate of return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Denis Agbo, who was declared winner of the election.

2.5%

The annual rate of increase in population of Africa in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.org

9,700

The number of adults and children estimated to be living with HIV in Costa Rica in 2008.

Source: Blatantworld.com

INEC conducts supplementary elections in 11 states Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will today conduct supplementary elections in 11 states of the country.

These include three governorship, one senatorial and House of Representatives as well as 22 House of Assembly supplementary elections.

The elections will hold in Abia, Imo, Taraba, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Niger and Kogi states.

A statement from the commission yesterday stated that governorship supplementary elections will hold in Abia, Imo and Taraba states where the April 11 governorship election was declared inconclusive.

INEC said the supplementary election would hold in nine local government

areas of Abia State, which involves 276 polling units.

The local government areas are Aba North, Aba South, Ikwuano, Ohiafia, Osisioma, Ugwunagbo, Umuahia North, Umuahia South and Umunneochi. About 179,224 registered voters are expected to vote in the election.

In Imo State, the election will take place in four local government areas in 256 polling units. A total of 144,715 registered voters are expected to vote in the election. The local government areas are Isiala Mbano, Isu, Oguta and Ikeduru.

Also in Taraba State, INEC said the election would take place in 10 local government areas, namely: Bali Zing, Takum, Yorro, Donga, Wukari, Ussa, Karim Lamido, Kurmi and Jalingo in 159 polling units while 127,125 registered voters are expected to exercise their franchise.

Lagos treats 6,626 teenage pregnancies, rescues 62 abandoned babies Muritala Ayinla

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L-R: Deputy Corp Marshal Administration, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Chidi Nwachukwu; Corps Marshal, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi and Deputy Corp Marshal, Operation, Mr. Adei Abu, at the strategic forum with 313 commanding officers in Abuja...yesterday

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Jonathan plans familiarisation tour for Buhari in Aso Rock Anule Emmanuel and Tunde Oyesina

P Abuja

resident Goodluck Jonathan has agreed to take the President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, on a familiarisation tour of the Presidential Villa ahead of his formal inauguration on May 29.

Buhari was at the villa yesterday where he held a private meeting with President Jonathan to concretise arrangements for a smooth transition of power.

The president-elect, who was driven to the front of the venue in a black Toyota Land cruiser marked Abuja ABC 329 KJ, was accompanied to the meeting by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John OdigieOyegun and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, who

l I’m hail, hearty, says Clark

was in a white ‘agbada.’

Also in Buhari’s entourage were his Principal Secretary, Ambassador Hassan Tukur, and some security aides.

The meeting, which held at the Presidential Banquet hall of the Aso Rock lasted for about 30 minutes and was the second meeting between the two leaders since Buhari emerged winner of the March 28 presidential election.

Jonathan and Buhari had earlier met on April 3, which was described as “private” without media presence at the same venue.

Speaking after the meeting, Jonathan told State House Correspondents that a date would be scheduled to take the president-elect on a familiarisation tour of Aso Rock.

“We will take a date when the president will come and I will show him round the

State House but today is not for that. Today is to continue with our conversation.

We don't need to worry the President,” he said.

Asked how fruitful the conversion was, the President said: “You can see that we are smiling, it was a fruitful one.”

On what they discussed at the meeting, President Jonathan said: “We are discussing for the interest of the country.”

The president-elect did not speak to journalists but, however, simply said: “The President had said it all.”

Meanwhile, elder-statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday debunked the rumours that he collapsed and died shortly after the 2015 presidential result was announced in favour of Buhari.

Clark, who denied the incident as false while ad-

dressing journalists in Abuja, urged Nigerians to stop engaging in false rumour and asked them to cooperate with the incoming government in order to move the country forward.

“We must forget what was said against one another during the elections and move forward. Jonathan was the one that contested the election and has conceded defeat. So, why should I die because Jonathan lost?

“You can see me here today talking to you, hail and hearty. I think it is unfair for people to begin to carry rumour that I collapsed and died after the result of the presidential election was announced,” he stated.

The Ijaw leader also faulted the statement credited to former InspectorGeneral of Police (IG), Ibrahim Comassie, criticising President Jonathan over the removal of Suleiman Abbas as the IG.

agos State Government yesterday said it had recorded 6,626 cases of abandonments, teenage pregnancies and sexual violence against children in the last one year.

The government also said 62 babies were abandoned on the streets, bus stops and other places across the state by their mothers between June 2014 and March this year.

Briefing journalists on the achievements of the ministry in the last one year, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Social Development, Dr. Adesegun Oshinyimika, said 6,470 of the cases of teenage pregnancy and abandonment were handled by the ministry. He said 156 cases of physical and sexual violence against

children were still pending in the family court.

He said two of the abandonment and teenage pregnancy cases counselled by the ministry were recorded from public schools.

The Permanent Secretary also said 940 beggars/destitute persons were rescued from the streets of Lagos and rehabilitated, adding that 910 of them released to their relations for repatriation to their states of origin.

He added that in the year under review, 111 Nigerians applied for adoption of orphans in the custody of the government, saying 85 babies were released for adoption, while 76 of such applications were legalised through the family court.

He added that the ministry recorded 2,667 of family/child welfare cases and 397 juvenile cases.

Synagogue: Witness tenders papers on terror attack theory

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he 37-year-old weapon researcher, Biedomo Iguniewei, who suggested high infrasonic radiation attack as the cause of the Synagogue Church for All Nations’ (SCOAN) building collapse last year, has submitted academic papers to back his claims.

A six-storey guest house within the premises of SCOAN in Lagos had, on September 12, 2014, collapsed, killing about 116 persons.

Iguniewei, who described himself as an independent consultant with specific interest in explosives and weapon research, had testified in December

last year before the Lagos coroner probing the cause of death of the 116 persons who perished in the collapsed building.

The witness, who claimed to be a post-graduate student of Explosives and Material Science at the Nigerian Defence Academy, said: “The striking thing about infrasound is that you cannot hear it and you cannot see it but it causes remarkable vibrations when used as a weapon."

He told the coroner, Magistrate O.A. Komolafe, that he was in a position to reach such a conclusion based on his six-year experience with the Nigerian Defence Academy.

25 april 2015

Indonesia to execute four Nigerians, six others today Ndubuisi Ugah

I

ndications emerged yesterday that Indonesia may have concluded arrangements to execute several foreign drug convicts today, including four Nigerians.

A foreign embassy official who spoke on condition of anonymity said in Jakarta, that some diplomats of the countries of the affected convicts had been requested to travel to Nusakambangan, the prison island, off Java where the inmates are to be executed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report said a government official on condition of anonymity said the authorities had ordered preparations for the execution of 10 death-row inmates, including two Australians that have been the subject of a high-profile campaign for clemency.

Spokesman for the Attorney General's office, Tony Spontana, confirmed that a letter, issued on Thursday by a deputy attorney general, told prosecutors to “prepare for and carry out the executions.

It’s not a letter of notifica-

tion to the convicts.”

He said convicts were typically notified of their executions three days in advance.

Spontana said the 10 inmates would all be executed at the same time, adding that the other drug inmates facing execution are four from Nigeria and one each from Indonesia, the Philippines and Brazil.

Spontana said one convict, Martin Aderson, first identified by officials as Ghanaian, was actually from Nigeria.

He also said the Attorney General’s office was awaiting a verdict, due yesterday, on a case review request filed by the Indonesian convict, Zainal Abidin.

A lawyer for the Australian pair, Peter Morrisey, said he was concerned by the letters, as he understood the legal process was not yet over.

“That looks as if the attorney general's office is determined to press ahead and hustle through. That's the zone we're in now. We haven't got the 72-hour knock but that could be imminent,” he added.

UNILAG to honour Adeboye, Danjuma, Onosode l To employ graduates with 4.0 CGPA as 125 bag First Class he University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, will on April 30 confer its honorary doctorate degrees on the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Dr. Enoch Adeboye; General Theophilus Danjuma and Dr. Gamaliel Onosode, for their contributions to the development of the education sector and the country at large.

The event, which is scheduled to be part of the activities marking the institution’s convocation ceremony for the 2013/2014 academic session, will feature the graduation of a total of 10,600 students across 12 faculties and the College of Medicine with 125 of them bagging First Class certificates.

The university’s ViceChancellor, Prof. Rahman Bello, said this at a pre-convocation press briefing held on the campus yesterday.

According to him, the convocation lecture, sched-

uled to hold on April 27, will be delivered by the former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) Prof.

Peter Okebukola, who will speak on the theme: “Taking Advantage of a Depressing Nigerian Economy to Accelerate SocioEconomic Development”.

An entrepreneur and petroleum economist, Mr. Hakeem Bello-Osagie, will chair the lecture.

The Vice-Chancellor also hinted of the approval by the university’s Governing Council to annually absorb minimum of two graduating students with a minimum of cumulative gradient point average of 4.0 in each of its numerous programmes as graduate assistants.

The best graduating student of the university this year, Bello hinted, is Korede Akinpelumi of the Department of Chemical Engineering, who would be graduating with a CGPA of 4.96.

change of name

change of name

Mojeed Alabi

T

EJURA

I formerly known as Miss Achoba Ejura Juliana now wish to be known as Mrs Juliana Ejura Abel All former document remain valid.The general public take note.

MAGBORO Policeman, two others die in road crash

NEWS IN BRIEF

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A policeman attached to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and two other persons died yesterday morning in a crash involving a truck and a bus at Magboro, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

A police source said the trailer lost control at the Magboro Bus Stop around 5.30 a.m. and rammed into a Mitsubishi bus, killing the three occupants at the rear seat of the bus.

“Three people died in the accident, including one of our policemen. He was on his way to Lagos. The trailer climbed the bus and killed the three passengers who sat at the back seat,” the source added.

€2m

The total revenue gain of FC Barcelona in the 2013-2014 season.

Source: Goal.com

7

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

AJAH Church opens Lagos Nigeria branch

In His Presence Christ Tabernacle has been opened in the Okun – Ajah area of Lagos.

According to Pastor James Ademuyiwa, who brought the church to Nigeria, the church has presence in 12 countries and on three continents.

“I believe that bringing this Church to Nigeria will add value to the Christian community in the country, all to the glory of God. This is so because In His Presence Tabernacle is where people experience positive transformation and fulfillment of destiny,” he stated.

Speaking at the event, the Osile OkeOna of Egba Land, Oba Adedapo Adewale Tejuosho, advised youths to be very vigilant and focused.

FCT Chambers Umezuluike unveils ‘Malcom’

An activist, Mr. Chambers Umezuluike, will today kick-start this year’s Guest Writer Session of the Abuja Writers Forum (AWF), when he showcases his debut novel, “Malcom.”

The event, which holds at Nanet Suites, starts at 4pm and will also feature the guitarist, David Adzerart, readings and a raffle-draw for book prizes.

Born in Ogidi, Anambra State, Umezulike describes himself as a Nigerian secular humanist, activist, novelist and essayist.

He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in International Studies programme at the Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya, on a university scholarship.

791

The number of refugees in Latvia at the beginning of 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

10%

The crude birth rate of Western Europe in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.org

Crisis rocks NLC congresses in Kaduna, Delta, Benue DEADLOCK

Elections into three NLC state chapters ended up inconclusive.

Dominic Adewole, and Cephas Iorhemen

D

with agency reports

iscordant tunes yesterday trailed the conduct of state congresses in Kaduna, Delta and Benue States, despite assurances by the national secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) that it had resolved the leadership crisis, which rocked the emergence of its new executive recently.

For instance, two parallel leaderships emerged yesterday after the election of new officials of the union in Kaduna State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the workers held two separate congresses on Thursday in Kaduna in which each fac-

tion elected its leaders.

Incumbent state NLC Chairman, Adamu Ango, was re-elected in the election conducted at Gamji Park in Kaduna, during which 1,500 delegates participated.

Ango’s faction is backed by the NLC President, Mr. Ayuba Waba.

Also elected were James Friday as vice-chairman 1, Bulus Chiroma, vice-chairman 2, and Emmanuel Wudiri as treasurer.

NAN gathered that 200 delegates from 24 affiliate labour bodies took part in the election.

But the conduct of the election in Delta State chapter of the union ended in fiasco with two factions laying claim to the chairmanship position.

While one of the factions led by the incumbent state chairman, Williams Akporeha, conducted its election in Warri axis of the state the other faction held its election at the Cenotaph

in Asaba, the state capital.

Not until after 1a.m yesterday, David Ofoyenu, was not declared the winner of the contest but Akporeha, who doubles as the state chairman of NUPENG, was declared before 12 noon as factional chairman in Warri.

The former executive members of the congress, the Saturday Telegraph gathered, in Asaba, yesterday, were all returned unopposed in Warri.

A winner, however, emerged at the Cenotaph in Asaba, which was monitored by officials of the congress from Abuja and keenly contested between Comrade Goodluck Ofoburuku and Ofoyeno.

Ofoyenu, a member of the National Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE) polled 762 to defeat his closest rival – Ofoburuku, a member of the Association of Medical and Health Workers Union and an employee of the

state’s Hospital Management Board (HMB), who scored 655 from the total valid votes of 1,417.

Saturday Telegraph, however, gathered that Akporeha, who is answerable to the faction of Ajaero, had locked the state secretariat against Ofoyeno’s led executive, which allegedly had the blessing of Nwaba.

Equally, a mild-drama played out at the delegates’ conference of the Benue State council of the union on Thursday evening as the elections scheduled to produce new leadership ended in a deadlock with the council splitting into two factions.

One of our correspondents, who witnessed the conduct of the election, gathered that following the crisis that rocked the election, the congress was split into two factions christened, the public and the private sector groups with each faction conducting separate conference.

ONUORAH

I formerly known as Nneka Lilian Okoye now wish to be known as Nneka Lilian Onuorah. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

L-R: Wazirin Katagum, Alhaji Sule Katagum; Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu; Bauchi State Deputy governor-elect, Alhaji Nuhu Gidado; Chairman Council of Emirs/Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu; Bauchi State governor-elect, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar and Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Yunusa Danyaya, during a courtesy visit by the state’s Council of Emirs to Abubakar in Bauchi …yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

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25 april 2015

JOS INEC Returning Officer alleges threat to life

N EWS I N BRIEF

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A university lecturer, Prof. Rogkak Gofwen, yesterday cried out over an alleged threat to his life by certain individuals using the social media platform under the guise of Rescue 101.

Gofwen, a lecturer at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), was INEC’s Returning Officer for Plateau North Senatorial District during the March 28 election.

During the Senatorial election, Governor Jang who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate polled 234,455 votes to defeat three other candidates.

Addressing a press conference in Jos, Gofwen said since he announced the winner of the election, he had been under attack from some unknown individuals who accused him of rigging the election in favour of Jang.

6

The number of goals scored by Chile in Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Itu.int

BIRNIN KEBBI NUJ commends Dakingari

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kebbi State chapter, has commended Governor Saidu Dakingari for approving the implementation of 22 per cent media workers weigh in allowance.

Chairman of NUJ in the state, Alhaji Tukur Dutsin-Mari, who made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Birnin Kebbi, said the implementation of the weigh in allowance would motivate media workers to do more in the state.

Dutsin-Mari urged media workers in the state to reciprocate the gesture by rededicating themselves to the effective discharge of their duties.

Equally, Chairman of Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU), Alhaji Abubakar Chika, commended the state government for implementing the weigh in allowance.

MAKURDI Ortom: My cabinet’ll be corruption-free

Benue State governor-elect, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has said he will constitute a lean cabinet to enable him to effectively steer the machinery of government that will be zero tolerant on corruption.

Speaking at the winding down of the Ortom/Abounu Governorship Campaign Organisation in Makurdi, Ortom explained that the dwindling financial fortunes of the state dictated the development.

He said he would constitute such a cabinet in consultation with major stakeholders.

The stakeholders, he said, should nominate credible people with impeccable character and ability to deliver as he was committed to promoting excellence.

550,000

The estimated number of males circumcised for HIV prevention in the priority countries of sub-Saharan Africa by the end of 2010.

Source: Who.int

2.76m

The total number of connected Fixed Wired/ Wireless lines in 2010.

Source: Ncc.gov.ng

I warned PDP over 2015 polls, says Tukur LAMENTATION

A former PDP chair, laments failure of party to heed warnings ahead of the elections.

Johnchuks Onuanyim

A Abuja

former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday said he warned his party in 2013 concerning the possibility of suffering “an imminent” defeat in the 2015 elections, if its leaders failed to mend their ways.

In a statement issued in Abuja, titled: “PDP- Were you not warned,?” a copy of which was made available to journalists, Tukur, reminded his co-PDP leaders of the speech he read at the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting

of June 20, 2013, which he presided over, as the party’s helmsman.

Warning party members to have a change of mind, Tukur said: “In our efforts to achieve success, we must rededicate our genuine political belief, change our attitudes and identify our political needs. These good values cannot be realised without accepting the supremacy of the party constitution as key instrument that ensures progress, stability and internal discipline.”

He said he reminded his party members then, that “we must strengthen our democracy through determination, not personalisation, correction, not manipulation, collectivism, not individualism and sacrifice, not disservice.”

The former PDP chairman said: “If these pronouncements are substantial then, the party should quickly take urgent steps

to achieve higher levels, at least by coming to terms with democratic norms and practices.”

He, however, advised the party members then to accord President Goodluck Jonathan some measure of respect in order to move the party and nation forward.

“We owe ourselves a duty to protect, project and support our President to leave behind a lasting legacy for Nigerian,” he said, reminding them that ‘‘there were promises made on the PDP journey. It guarantees independence but demands public trust. It promises opportunity but needs dedication.

Nigeria will continue to be a great nation if only we can maturely and jointly tackle its challenges and exploit its natural endowments.”

He said also that he pointed out the new direction the party should follow before he was forced out of the party by forces

that did not want him.

“We had told them then that our focus for the future should be about consolidation and continuity and that goes beyond the plans of our opponents that PDP will fail,” he said.

On the proposal to resolve the crisis rocking the party then, which he claimed was allegedly ignored by those who didn’t want him, Tukur said he harped on the need to “reconcile our disagreement by closing ranks and stimulating greater efficiency in our judgments.’’

He added that “already mechanisms have been put in place to achieve unity at all levels.”

He explained that, “internal democracy should triumph over the current practice of imposition of candidates during the party congresses thus collectively we sustain the political aspirations of Nigeria.”

No plan to defect from APGA to APC, says Obiano Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

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nambra State Governor, Chief Willy Obiano, yesterday said he had no intention of leaving the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Obiano said this when he paid a courtesy call on the president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, insisting that he would rather be in his party and work for the success of Buhari’s government.

On speculation that he is planning to join the APC, the governor said: “It is not correct. I will remain with APGA and work very closely with Mr. President.”

He also solicited for proper integration of the

Glo re-launches ‘Bounce,’ offers 11k per second for calls

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elecommunications firm, Globacom, has re-launched Glo Bounce, a product specifically designed to help the young and the young-at-heart to enjoy seamless and affordable communication.

The product was reintroduced to the public at a media conference held recently at the Mike Adenuga Towers Head Office of Globacom.

According to Globacom’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Ashok Israni, who unveiled the product together with two other exciting offers, the re-launched Glo Bounce was re-designed to suit the active, trend-setting lifestyles of the young and young-at-heart.

According to him, Glo Bounce allows subscribers who sign up to the plan to call each other at a heavily discounted rate of 11 kobo

per second.

The product also has a feature tagged ‘Campus Zone’ which enables subscribers to call other lines at the rate of 11 kobo per second once activated.

He said subscribers would get 15MB free for every recharge of N200 and above, in addition to unlimited and free SMS with the offer.

To get on the Bounce platform, subscribers were requested to dial *170*4#.To opt for Campus Zone, they are required to dial *170*9#.

Subscribers on Glo Bounce also have an option of migrating to Generation G to enjoy 200 per cent bonus airtime on every recharge of N500 and above; 100 per cent bonus on recharge of N200; and 50 per cent bonus on recharge of N100. To get on the Generation G platform, customers need to dial*170*5#.

Lagos begins immunisation of 4.5m children today Appolonia Adeyemi and Muritala Ayinla

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Head, European Delegation, Mr. Michel Arrion (left) and Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, at the signing of a financial agreement for the 11th European Development Fund Support to strengthen community-based psychosocial and protection services for children and adolescents in Borno State held in Abuja …yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

South-East geo-political zone into the in-coming administration.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja after a closeddoor meeting with Buhari, Obiano said: “Well, I came to congratulate His Excellency, the president-elect on his victory and I am also here to reassure him that Anambra State and the South-East would support him.

"Also, l pleaded with him on some pressing problems that are of importance to the South-East like the second Niger bridge and some of the federal roads and also in the area of appointment for the people of Anambra and of course for people from the South-East. But basically it is to congratulate the president -elect on his well deserved victory.”

agos State Government yesterday said it would begin immunisation of 4.5 million children against preventable diseases, especially poliomyelitis during this month's National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) which kicks off today.

Also, the state government said it had immunised no fewer than 4.3 million children against the disease in the first phase of its NIPDs. Briefing journalists on the development, the Special Adviser on Public Health to the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, said the Expert Review Committee on Polio Eradication in Nigeria had recommended

two rounds of NIPDs in March and April.

Adeshina said the NIPDs would target all children under the age of five years, adding that the 4.5 million children would be immunised with two drops of supplemental oral polio vaccine, while the left little finger of all immunised children would be marked for ease of identification.

She said the March NIPDs which was for four days, was successful with 96 per cent coverage; using the state population figure.

“The significance of immunisation campaigns such as these cannot be over-emphasised as it is known that immunisation is the most cost-effective strategy in disease prevention among children under five years of age,” she said.

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25 april 2015

Court convicts seven drivers for violating BRT law Muritala Ayinla

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Special Offence Court sitting in Alausa, Ikeja has sentenced seven persons to one month imprisonment for using the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Lane dedicated for BRT buses and driving without genuine driving licence.

The Special Offences Court presided over by Magistrate Olabisi Kushanu also sentenced the seven drivers to one hour community service in addition to payment of traffic fine for violating the BRT law.

The accused persons were: Sodiq Musa, Daniel Chineze, Idris Olawale, Elenu Moses, Obasi Emeka, Kunmi Ebuka and Bukky Olapade.

They were arrested and charged to court for using the BRT lane to avoid traffic gridlock around Ikorodu Road in Lagos.

Hence, they served their

punishment by cutting the grass on the football field of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development remand home at Oregun under the watchful eyes of the community workers.

Speaking with Saturday Telegraph, one of the convicts, Emeka (42), who drove a Toyota Camry LND 186 DB, said he was taking his wife to the hospital for emergency attention when he was arrested for plying the BRT lane.

On his part, Sodiq (50), who claimed to be a 400-level student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), said he took the lane to enable him to meet up with a test in the school.

All the drivers pleaded guilty to the count of BRT violation and admitted to regular use of the BRT corridor in order to meet deadlines or beat traffic gridlocks associated with carriage way.

ACME YENAGOA Promasidor commends PDP lawmaker defects to APC entries for 2015 Quill awards A member of the Bayelsa State House

NEWS IN BRIE F

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Promasidor Nigeria Limited, promoters of the Quill Awards for the media in the country, has expressed delight over the number and quality of entries received so far for this year’s edition of the awards.

The company’s Head of Legal and Public Relations, Mr. Andrew Enahoro, in an interview on the development recently, said with barely a week to close of entries, journalists are still rushing on a daily basis to submit their entries.

He said the trend of the entries received and uploaded since January 29, when the submission of entries was flagged off, had shown that journalists had taken keen interest in the seven award categories.

644m

The total number of active QZone users in the world in August 2014.

Source: Wearesocial.net

of Assembly representing Yenagoa Constituency 1, Hon. Alfred Egba, yesterday announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Egba, who served at different capacities in the assembly’s committees, said he moved to the APC with his supporters and associates, including a former Special Adviser on Special Duties to former Governor Timipre Sylva, Chief Sonme Ogilogi and a former commissioner in the State Independent Electoral Commission, Chief Tom Egba.

Egba, who had served on the State House Assembly Committee on Appropriation, said in a statement issued in Yenagoa, that he decided to leave the PDP because the party could no longer give him the needed support.

9

IKEJA Fashola to editors: Set agenda for future elections

Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), yesterday tasked Nigerian editors to always set agenda for political discussions that will guide future election campaigns.

The governor said future elections would be more peaceful and free of tension, if the media actually focused on national burning issues, saying the media content could elicit issue-based campaign in the future elections.

Fashola spoke while receiving the Guild of Editors led by its President, Mr. Femi Adesina, in his office, said: “Though, there is no nation without conflicts, but I think in all that has happened, one thing was missing in this election; we didn't see our children there."

21.1%

The projected percentage increase of Americans above 65 years with Alzheimer’s in New York in 2014-2025.

Source: Alz.org

£16.8m The annual salary of Eden Hazard of Chelsea FC. Source: Paywizard.co.uk

A’Ibom guber: Labour, Accord parties may withdraw petitions Tony Anichebe Uyo

I

ndication emerged at the weekend that the leadership of the Accord Party (AP) and Labour Party (LP) in Akwa Ibom State may no longer pursue their cases at the state Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

This followed decisions by the parties to accept defeat and congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor-elect, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

The governorship candidates, Bishop Samuel Akpan (Accord Party) and that of the Labour Party, Senator Helen Esuene, had alleged the conduct of the poll was marred by irregularities, including rigging for the ruling PDP. But the leaders of the parties in separate congratulatory messages to Emmanuel warned against what they termed unnecessary litigations and advised them to accept defeat.

According to them, litiga-

tions will only tantamount to wasting time and state funds, adding that such actions would also constitute a big distraction to the governorelect, who might not be able to implement his policies and programmes successfully when he assumed office.

A statement signed by the Chairman of the AP, Mr. Joseph Amos, reads in part: “As active participants in the just concluded governorship election, we are in a good position to know that the election in Akwa Ibom State was conducted in the best of manners by the INEC. “By our assessment, the conduct of the election was a watershed in our entire political history in terms of planning and execution for which we have congratulated INEC,” he said.

Also, Mr. Ekong Charleson of LP, said: “Reports collated from the different agents concur that the governorship election in the state was fairly conducted except in few unit.”

PUBLIC NOTICE

CONCRETE CASTERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA IKOYI – OBALENDE BRANCH

The general public is hereby notified that the above name ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES: 1.

Mr. John Adegbayike 2.

Mr. Mike Dandison 3.

Musbaudeen Jimoh 4.

Bashiru Adebayo 5.

Mr. Afeez Asimiyu 6.

Tony Edet AIM AND OBJECTIVE : Engaging in the business of mixing and casting of concrete.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, District Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: TRUSTEES

L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Osaro Isokpan; host, Apostle Hayford Alile; Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Prof. Charles Ayo; Director, The Hayford Alile Foundation (THAF), Mrs. Pat Alile and Mallam Mohammed Hayatu-deen, at the 75th birthday lecture in honour of Alile in Lagos…yesterday

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Perm sec indicts Ondo deputy gov IMPEACHMENT

A member of staff in Olanusi's office testifies against his boss.

Babatope Okeowo

T Akure

here was a mild drama at the sitting of the panel investigating the impeachable offences against the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, yesterday as the Permanent Secretary in his office, Mr. Kehinde Temikotan, testified against him at the sitting of the panel.

Also, the counsel representing Olanusi, Mr. Benson Enikuomehin and that of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Dayo Akinlaja (SAN), engaged in verbal assault over the proper service of the notice of impeachment to the deputy governor.

Enikuomehin told the panel that Olanusi was not

properly served to appear before the panel. He, therefore, argued that the panel could not continue sitting, citing Section 36 sub section 1,2,3 of the constitution to buttress his argument.

He said it was Olanusi’s son, who instructed him to appear as his father who was out of the country on a routine medical check up has already written the governor to that effect.

He then demanded that Olanusi be properly served by the assembly.

But in his argument, Akinlaja said the fact that Enikuomehin appeared for Olanusi testified to the fact that his client was well served the notice of impeachment.

He equally presented a copy of a letter signed by the deputy governor informing the governor of his intention to travel next Monday to prove that the deputy governor was indeed in the country.

He prayed the panel to discountenance Enikuome-

hin's claims, stressing that the numerous evidence on the ground attested to the fact that Olanusi was in the country and was well and properly served the summons as well as the notice of impeachment.

In his ruling, Chairman of the panel, Mr Olatunji Adeniyan, said sufficient evidence on the ground showed that Olanusi was properly served the summon, even as excused by the panel on the ground that he had nothing else to work on.

Angered by Adeniyan’s ruling, Enikuomehin stormed out of the panel sitting and addressed a press conference where he accused the panel of working against the interest of his client.

The permanent secretary in the office of the deputy governor who was led in evidence by Akinlaja provided both oral and documentary evidence to substantiate allegations that his boss abused his office by condoning his younger brother and Special Assistant who com-

mitted forgery.

He also alleged that the deputy governor pocketed about N40 million for medical check up and offered no evidence that the medical bills were paid as no receipt was retired.

Besides, he provided evidence against his boss in in relation to absenteeism, truancy, breach of peace among cabinet members and the state at large.

Akinlaja also led Dr. Kola Ademujimi, the Chief of Staff to Mimiko in evidence as he said all the seven allegations levelled against the deputy governor were true.

Ademujimi in his address, said the oral and documentary evidence on ground back the claims that Olanusi was guilty of all the allegations.

The chairman said since there were no longer any representation and presentations, the sitting had come to an end, adding that the panel would communicate its resolutions to the assembly.

SATURDAY

Voices Would you support assisted suicide or mercy killing (euthanasia) for a relative who is terminally ill? p.12

Street Diary SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

10

Buhari receives man who trekked from Lagos to Abuja Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja.

P

resident-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday received Suleiman Hashimu, the man who trekked from Lagos to Abuja to celebrate Buhari’s victory.

Buhari received Hashimu at the Presidential Campaign headquarters in Abuja, congratulating him on his achievement and his courage to embark on the exercise.

Buhari said, “I want to congratulate you for making it. He is a young man and he was lucky that his health did not fail him. I also heard so many stories that you wore almost half a dozen pair of shoes. I also understand that there are people who have been quite generous to help you to pay for more pair of shoes.”

Hashimu told the presidentelect that he made the promise about two years ago to trek from Lagos to Abuja if he (Buhari) emerged as the winner of the election.

He said, “I made the promise because of the love I have for Gen. Buhari. I promised that I will trek from Lagos to Abuja which I have done. I thank God that I made a promise and I fulfilled it.”

He told journalists that it took him 18 days to trek from Lagos to Abuja, covering a distance of about 12 hours daily.

He said, “I passed through Kwara and Niger states to Abuja.

I was trekking from 6am to 6pm and anywhere I find myself when it is 6pm, I pass the night there. I spent 18 days from Lagos to Abuja.”

Asked if he ever found him-

The President-elect congratulating Hashimu

self in the bush at 6pm, and what he did, Hashimu said, “Once I found myself inside the bush by 6pm and I continued to trek till 9pm to a nearby village.

“I made this promise two years ago. I am based in Ibadan (Oyo State) and I started my journey from Lagos because Lagos is the most popular city in Nigeria.

I started from Berger junction in Lagos.

He however said that he was not bothered whether Nigerians believe him or not saying, “I am not bothered about what people think. It is a promise between me and my God. I don't want anybody to believe me. I left Lagos because I made a promise.”

“Right from Kwara State, I never walked alone for five kilometres. People always walked with me to the next village. I worked with a construction company based in Ibadan.”

Also yesterday, Buhari held a closed door meeting with the APC members of the House of Representatives.

‘I took to robbery after my cars were seized by Customs’ Flora Onwudiwe and John Edu

F

orty-five-year-old Gbenga Olatunji has revealed why he used to sponsor armed robbers to snatch cars in Kwara and Lagos States.

Olatunji, who is married with a child, said it was never his intention to take to crime but was pushed into it by officers of the Nigerian Customs Services.

Olatunji’s downfall started after the robbery gang which he used to sponsor snatched a car belonging to one Okechukwu Sunday.

The victim reported the incident to detectives attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Lagos State Command, headed by Mr. Abba Kyari. According to Sunday, his black Toyota Camry, marked, SMK966CF was snatched by armed robbers.

Olatunji was arrested in Lagos on March 11, while another suspect, Lateef Ogunleye, 35, was caught on March 14 in Ilorin. Other members of the gang are yet to be arrested.

Ogunleye said he used to buy stolen vehicles from the gang at giveaway prices.

A police source said that Olatunji was the supplier of ammunition to the gang. He also provides information on strategic places to carry out their operations.

It was also discovered that both

Gbenga and Lateef

men had been on the police wanted list for long.

The police source said, “Ogunleye had been arrested and charged to court three times over similar issue. After he was granted bail, he went back to crime. Olatunji had also been one of the most wanted suspects that the police had long wanted to arrest.”

It was also discovered that the suspects usually give N70, 000 to each member of the gang after every successful operation. Police fingered Olatunji as kingpin of the gang.

Olatunji confessed that he had been sponsoring robbers for such operation for over six years.

He stated that he was initiated into the crime by one Dele, who initially used to sell cars to him at a ridiculously cheap price.

Olatunji said: “Dele used to bring the cars from Cotonu, to sell to me.

I sell them in Nigeria. I have lots of buyers. I went into car snatching after four cars, Toyota Camry 2000 model, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Camry 2008 model, Toyota Vensa and Honda Pilot, which Mr. Dele sent to me from across the border were seized by customs officers at the border. They said the cars were contraband because I brought them in through a wrong route.”

Olatunji said that he started having problem with the police after Dele was arrested and confessed during interrogation that he was buying stolen cars from the gang.

He said, “The police started hunting for me. When they came to my house in Ibadan, I wasn’t around. They arrested my brother,

Bolarin Olatunji, an undergraduate of Kwara State Polytechnic. I tried to secure his bail by giving someone money to facilitate his release, but the person disappeared with my money.”

Olatunji was however arrested in Ibadan, Iwo Road on March 13 around 10pm.

Narrating how he was arrested, he said: “I was arrested through Tolani who used to snatch cars for me. Tolani called me, saying he had a car to sell. When I went to meet him at the agreed venue, I didn’t quickly notice that he wasn’t alone in the car. I was uneasy and quickly paid him. I alighted from the car, entered my car and drove off. I didn’t know that the police followed me to watch where I entered. The following day, men from SARS came to arrest me.”

Olatunji said it was tough to survive on crime, adding that he could not save money because he was always facing problems from different security agencies.

He said he had no permanent home and wished he had focused on sand dredging which he had always wanted to do.

Ogunleye, a father of two, said that he sold phones and accessories at Computer Village in Lagos before taking to crime through his friend, Sule, in 2012.

He said, “It was Sule who intro-

duced me to the gang members. I don’t sponsor people to steal cars for me like my colleague, Olatunji.

I only buy available stolen cars and sell to people.”

He said that even though he didn’t like the job, he could not quit because he wanted to make fast money to meet family responsibilities.

“I had to look for an alternative means to augment my usual business. Within the first two years I started the business, I made up to N3 million. The first car I bought was a Toyota Camry. I bought it at N2 million from Femi, now in Kirikiri Prison over similar issue. I sold the car for N2.5 million.”

He said that he travelled to South Africa in 2013 and stayed for 11 months, hoping to start a new life there. He confessed that he left for South Africa after he became aware that the police were hunting for him.

“My friend Daniel in Nigeria used to give me information about the police’s hunt for me. Daniel later called and told me that the officer in charge of SARS, Abba Kyari, was coming to South Africa to look for me. I was at Pito then, I immediately ran to Shanshaguvi, a village in South Africa.”

He claimed that he tried to get a job and settled down in South Africa, but had issues with his passport.

11

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

SaturdayLetters You have a right to be heard. Send your letters and photographs to saturdayletters@ newtelegraphonline.com. Letters should not be more than 150 words and must have the name and address of the sender.

Q uotes of the week “There is a limit beyond which the nation will not accept what is happening in South Africa and if we go beyond that limit then Nigeria will be forced to act otherwise.”

- David Mark, Senate President.

“To proceed with the process of passage into law of the Fourth Alteration Act 2015 despite the pendency of this suit under reference will be an affront to the rule of law and democracy.”

- Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN).

“It is checks and balances; that is the beauty of this democracy. If you go beyond your limit and if you think you are right, we go for interpretation.

If the president feels the procedure is technically wrong, then he can seek interpretation which he wants now.”

- Senator Umar Dahiru.

No way to convey farm produce to the market

Need to restore the national airtime

Dear Editor, For over a decade now, the country has been without a national airline. It is indeed a thing of shame that Nigerians, who are known to travel widely, have been forced to use the airlines of other countries.

In those days, Nigeria Airways was a thing of pride. However, the collapse of the country’s national carrier came as a shock to many and Nigeria is yet to establish a new commercial airline. With the incoming government of General Muhammadu Buhari, I expect a big change and an attitudinal shift for the better.

I expect the new government to manage the country’s resources and assets better and reestablish the Nigeria Airways national brand.

Diamond Ubah, Abuja.

PHOTO:GODWIN IREKHE

Massive investment in agriculture critical to Nigeria’s survival Dear Editor, It is a fact that no country can survive without food. However, due to the oil boom of the 1970s, Nigeria’s government unfortunately abandoned the development and exploitation of the country’s agricultural resources.

Demand for food in sub-Saharan Africa will rise to 60 per cent by 2030, according to the World Bank A report by the group, entitled ‘Ending Poverty and Hunger by 2030: An Agenda for the Global Food System’ called for pre-emptive action from governments across the continent to increase agricultural productivity.

Therefore, if the federal government of Nigeria does not start planning now to develop the country’s agricultural resources, Nigerians may be faced with severe food shortage in the not distant future, and the negative impact of such food shortages may lead to war and other social, political and economic disasters from which Nigeria may never recover.

Therefore, I am of the opinion that failure to massively invest in agriculture and positively develop the agricultural sector as the bedrock of Nigeria’s economic greatness could be one of the greatest disservice any government can do to the people.

Don Emeka, Owerri.

What happened to the Nigerian National Shipping Line and Niger Dock?

Dear Editor, It is only in Nigeria that you find so many captains without ships, because this country has no national shipping line for them to manage. It is sad to see Nigerian seamen and captains who were trained in Singamore, Malaysia and other economically advancing nations being rendered redundant and unemployed in Nigeria. These Nigerians have to struggle to get jobs on foreign ships and often have to accept positions that are beneath their professional training and status.

Nigerdock was established to build ships in Nigeria instead of having to import ships from abroad. But today, Niger Dock is a shadow of itself.

The federal government should as a matter of urgency, consider bringing back the pride and glory of Niger Dock and the Nigerian National Shipping Line. This would serve as a catalyst for the local content policy and cabotage to succeed.

Kingsley Madi, Port Harcourt.

Standardise commercial bus transport operations in Nigeria Dear Editor Boarding a commercial bus in Nigeria, especially in Lagos, could be a nightmarish experience. That’s because just anybody can put any kind of bus in any kind of condition on the road in Lagos and start transporting people in order to make money. There are so many sub-standard commercial buses on Nigerian roads that are not fit for human transportation. More often than not, the seats are not comfortable and there is little or no ventilation inside the bus. Some people are said to have fainted and died inside commercial buses in Nigeria, especially in Lagos, because of the heat.

I think the government have a duty through the Federal Road Safety Commission, and maybe Standards Organisation of Nigeria, etc; to standardize and regulate the commercial bus transport sector and stop people from using sub-standard buses on Nigerian roads and doing what they just to make money.

The FRSC ought to set a standard for commercial bus operations in Nigeria and ensure that a bus meets certain standards both on the outside of the bus and on the inside, before anybody is allowed to use it for the purpose of commercial transport. Factors such as quality and comfort of the seats as well as ventilation inside the bus should be considers in setting standards.

Abba Robinson, Lagos.

“The PDP National Working Committee, under my supervision, will be able to rebrand the party, redirect the party, and ensure that the party takes up its national and state leadership position.

The mistakes we have made individually and collectively will be analyzed by a committee and passed to us for implementation to ensure success in subsequent elections.”

- Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, PDP National Chairman.

“A great opportunity is presented to us and we can no longer afford to pay lip service to youth development. You have now elected a President who will honour his duty. The youths must also be willing partners with the government in building the nation.”

- Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“The Nigeria Police Force and indeed all law enforcement agencies should take immediate steps to address these current security challenges to stem the increasing number of unresolved killings and other violent activities in our country.”

- Austin Alegeh (SAN), president of the Nigerian Bar Association.

“Internal democracy should triumph over the current practice of imposition of candidates during the party congresses thus collectively we sustain the political aspirations of Nigeria.”

- Bamanga Tukur.

“It is a contravention of sectin 216 (2) of the 1999 constitution, which states that ‘before removing the IG from office, the President shall consult the Nigeria Police Council. Since the council, whose members include the 36 State Governors, was not consulted, Mr. Abba’s sack is null and void. It should be rescinded forthwith.”

- Femi Falana (SAN).

SATURDAY

Voices SATURDAY 28 APRIL 2015

Would you support assisted suicide or mercy killing (euthanasia) for a relative who is terminally ill?

You don’t have the right to kill Assisting anyone in any way to take his/her life is a serious criminal offence.

Any relation who is terminally ill should be showered with love, care and support, not to be supported in committing any form of suicide.

Also, you don't have the right to kill or die. So, I can never be in support of suicide for anyone because he/she is terminally ill. Never, never will I.

– Yusuf Olatunji, civil servant

I prayed for my father to die I actually just buried a friend recently, who pleaded that he should be allowed to go to rest. He actually begged to die. He's been battling with heart failure for so long a time.

Once you're not in their position to feel the kind of pain they are going through, just make sure he's going to heaven, then make it happen. That's my opinion - that some people are better dead than being in pain. I prayed for my father to die rather than languish in pain. Now I know he's in God's presence.

– Okiki Jesu, artist

I can never be a party to such a thing because it's a sin before God and a crime before humanity which warrants punishment from both ends.

The person making such a request is doing so because of the pains he/she is going through, not because they wish to die. So all you need to do is to assist in prayer.

So for me, I can only pray to God to take away the pains and pray for a miracle to happen because with God all things are possible.

– Bello Modupe, businesswoman

I can’t, because of the love For someone to opt for death as the only option, means such a person is in serious pain. The pain is more than what he/she can bear and only death can put an end to the pain. From the patient's perspective, putting an end to his/her life is a favour. But you wouldn't like to let go of him/her no matter what he/she is passing through because of the love.

– Samuel Olaonipekun, artist

I'm not the giver of life I will not support such an idea. I am not the owner of life. Rather, I will let the owner of life make the very difficult but best decision.

– Frank Obadan, businessman

It's against the will of God

Why should I do that?

God said in the Holy Quran that a soul you cannot create you shouldn't kill. The sickness of Job in the Bible got worse to the extent that his skin was peeling off but he was still praising God. So, with faith and prayer God can heal the person.

– Bakare Abiodun, businessman

God will not be happy with me I would never do such a thing because God would not be happy with me and aside that I don’t have such a mind to do such a thing.

– Osita Mary

My profession doesn't support it

I can’t support such an act

It's murder That is murder. Whether the person is ill or not, you don't own a life. It's the potter (God) who determines the fate of the clay, you should know that. The life you consign to death or murder as the right solution may be destined to save you tomorrow.

Because there is always tomorrow beyond today, so such an idea is murder to me.

– David Orchard, clergy

It's a bad action

As for me, it is really bad to take such an action, because when a person attempts to do that, it eventually turns him/her into a murderer. Not even when he/she is asked to do so. Staying off that place will be more adviceable at that time.

– Nkwazema Kenneth, businessman

compiled by

JOHN EDU AND AYILARA DAYO

I would not be in support of that because my profession as a social worker doesn’t support that.

I will rather not say a word and let nature take its course.

– Balogun Olagunju, lecturer

It's against God’s command I wouldn't support suicide for anyone just because he/she is in pain.

God made it clear in his word that He will not let us go through more than what we can bear. But if we doubt His ability, then He leaves us to our own fate.

– Blessing Mutzok, civil servant

It's painful but I

won’t support it

The fact is that it is very painful watching such a person going through pains everyday but I would not attempt such a thing even if the person in question wants me to.

– Ayilara David

You have no right to take life In my way of seeing things, agreeing to such a thing is not right because no matter the situation, you have no right to take someone’s life. It is even a punishable offence.

– Orimoloye Babatunde

Why not, if the pains are unbearable?

In reality that would be very complicated. But seriously, if I see the pain such a person is going through and if the pain seems unbearable then why not? It is better the person dies than suffer that much.

– Adedeji Solomon

12

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015

SATURDAY

WeekendDelight 13

C o n v e r s at i o n

Instyle

TV & Radio

From Eve, a new Tale debuts p.44

Love & Living ‘I married him because he loved my late sister’ p.35

Hospitality A promising start for Stonehedge Hotel p.41

Giving

to

Saying it with floral dresses p.15

dreams

Muna Onuzo-Iyanam quit broadcasting because she wanted to dispel the notion that the profession teemed with women whose beauty surpassed their brains. Her new passion, she tells Olushola Ricketts, is youth and women empowerment.

What words best describe you?

You can describe me as the woman who preaches and practices self-empowerment. I believe that in every individual there is something that makes the person special. At Gazelle Academy, we focus on helping individuals to identify their talent and see that it is possible that they too can succeed. Gazzelle Academy is a vocational centre. The heart of our school beats with every successful student we graduate. We currently offer training in welding, fashion design and tailoring, spa and beauty, catering and baking, carpentry among others. The courses run for a period of six months. We believe that youth empowerment is key in developing any nation.

How do you combine all these to give the best?

The truth is that once you have an idea that is supported by capital, strategy and structure, every other thing becomes secondary. The problem with most people is that they rush into implementing an idea without making adequate preparation. So, at the end of the day things get bad for them and the business.

What was the specific thing in your mind as you set out to establish Gazzelle Academy?

I wanted to give back hope to the Nigerian youths and women. We have a saying in Gazzelle that once you walk into our vocational centre you should not walk out the same way. Most people that come to us don’t even have an idea of what they really want to do. After a sincere conversation with most cases I realize that the programme the students registered for is not actually what they need or can excel in. At this point, what we do is to counsel and direct them to an area they can flourish and they thank us for that.

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

You were once a broadcaster; why did you leave the profession?

I wouldn’t say I left the profession. I

Muna

Onuzo-Iyanam just took a sabbatical. I also wanted to break that cliché of beautiful women and no brains. People see broadcasters as just riding on their beauty, but that is not true. Deviating from broadcasting for the past 10 years has been fantastic. But I am currently working on a project that when concluded will launch my comeback into the media. The media was my first love, there is no way I would completely neglect it.

What gave you the hint that Gazelle will be a success?

The heart and success of every business is to be a solution to a problem. Gazzelle Academy is a solution to the unemployment problem in Nigeria. We help empower youths by teaching them vocational and entreCONTINUED ON PAGE 14

14

Weekend Delight

| Conversation

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

‘You have to work thrice as smart to be successful as a woman’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

preneurial skills that allows them provide for themselves and their families.

As an entrepreneur, the most important thing that has kept me grounded is optimism in my ability to make an idea work and to change processes if the current one is not working. There is nothing constant other than change.

When you hear about companies that folded up, this could be because most of these companies refused to change with the times. All the big companies today started from somewhere.

What were the start-up challenges?

This is my tenth year as an entrepreneur and in all of these years, I would say that capital is still the greatest challenge a woman faces in business. As a female entrepreneur, we face more challenges than men. For example, in most cases men have the privilege of getting collateral from their fathers to get loans. For a woman, if you don’t have a rich husband or a benevolent father that will support you, it becomes difficult to succeed. You have to work thrice as smart to be successful.

You are a prominent member of Women in Film and Television Nigeria; how has it been?

The Nigeria chapter was launched in 2011. Our focus is to educate young Nigerian women who are interested in the media. We focus more on schools, espe-

cially secondary schools because that it where dreams are made. By focusing on secondary students we would have taught them professionalism early enough. People don’t know that there is so much more they can become in the media other than becoming an actress.

We want to be able to catch them young and guide them through the path.

But how come the association has been quiet?

Our focus from the beginning was the north because we believe that it is an area that really needs this the most before taking it to other parts of the country. But the insurgency slowed things down. With the coming of a new government, we hope that there will be stability in the north and we would continue with our plans.

How have you been able to impact the society?

I currently mentor quite a number of people. Those that enjoy me most are the students who pass through the Gazzelle Academy Vocational Centre.

I tell those who come to me for mentorship that my time is not for those who do not take their destinies seriously. For me to continue with any of my mentees I must see a level of seriousness and accountability. Even if you don’t really know who you are I can help to identify, but you must be serious about what you want in life.

Some people will come to you for help

Sagoe and her family

and they won’t be definite about what they need your help for. Knowing whom you are and identifying your strength starts from the mind.

Could this be a reflection of how you were brought up?

What I teach my children is a reflection of how I was trained. Then, people saw my mother as a civil servant who was trying to help her husband and the family. But she was an entrepreneur because she employed people. At the same time, she was taking care of us and she had a career too being a nurse. She was a farmer, a nurse, a trader, etc. Most of my female friends who are successful today drew strength from their mothers. My mother had seven of us. When she wasn’t there her mother was always helping her. I saw the strength she used to manage her seven children, her husband and several engagements. Even though she was always working I could still remember many things she did for us while we were growing up.

What are your other plans?

Gazelle has introduced more vocational skills to cater for the different interest areas individuals might have.

We are currently processing our accreditation with government so that we can work with government agencies and other private companies. We used to be strictly a marketing comIt is amazing that you still have munication company, which time to write; at what point did had different arms and one you become a writer too? of it was skill acquisition.

Every experience But after 2009, we saw the I come from a family of writers. need to diversify to serve a My cousin, Chibundu Onuzo, is a is an opportunity writer bigger purpose. You know and was nominated for this to learn and I made reference to comparecent Etisalat Prize for Literature. nies growing and changing.

My dad has also published a book grow. However, Our media company, Muna on electoral reforms. My dad was a journalist during the war before Media & Communications looking back, he went into television. My uncle, will soon launch a TV show.

I would have Dr. Okey Onuzo, has also written That is the communication many books. And for me, writing arm of Gazelle. We also have loved that I Personnelty Fit Ltd, a corpois a form of expression. Since I started learning rate training organization. teach a lot it is a natural progresWith this, we have been able to start writing. I wrote for business finance sion to develop entrepreneurship Punch Newspapers for almost two and skill programmes. But years, but now I write for Business earlier. the bedrock of all our proDay. I was writing business etigrammes is still youth and quette for Punch, but now I write women empowerment. the Entrepreneur Drumbeat for Business Day every Sunday and Pearls Do you think the government is doing & Purpose which focuses on the Female enough for women?

Entrepreneur every Monday.

The President Goodluck JonaIf you had the power what will you do than’s administration actually did differently to empower women? a lot for women. Though I have not been a beneficiary, I know one or two I would put a system in place that will people who won the Youth Enterprise support women who are working. For with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin) instance, in Japan, the government has a grant. In his cabinet too he included plan to set up over 250 day care centres women. But what I desire to see more so that women can go to work. The main in the Buhari led administration is approblem women face is the issue of who pointment of people for the right posiwill take care of their children when they tions and the appointment of youths are at work. If a day care centre was afas part of his cabinet. A medical doctor fordable and secure, I would prefer to should be appointed as the minister send my kids there so as to have some free time to concentrate on other things. of health, not education. We should not encourage mediocrity any lonJapan saw that for their economy not to be weakened, they must empower ger. Look at what is happening in the educational sector. There is no other women. With the day care centres, their way to solve this than getting the women can work without worrying right people into the right positions. about of their children safety.

We need people with experience and Do you have any regrets? who desire change because change goes beyond tribe and gender.

Every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow. However, looking How have you been able to manage back, I would have loved that I started your many responsibilities? learning business finance earlier. Without It is difficult, but I have found a the knowledge of money and financial way to make things work. I am alliteracy, no woman is going anywhere. ways having a running conversation How many certificates do you have? with my children. I tell people too that I had my first degree in Mass ComI was once a child, but I am living a munication. I have a master’s degree in life without my parents now. I tell my children that they need me to grow to media and communication from the Pan a certain age and they should know Atlantic University and I have an international certification as an International that I need to provide for them, but I can’t achieve that by sitting at home.

Coaching Federation recognised Start-up I still told them this morning that if I business coach and a Certified Corporate don’t work they won’t go to school and Etiquette and Business Protocol Consultant. I am also a fellow of the Institute of get other good things of life. So, I try Information Management. to inculcate that in them. I empower them too. My girls will be five years How do you advise the youth and women? this July, but I have started teaching The fundamental thing I see in womthem about money, investments and savings. I would tell them to pick up en everyday is that most of us lack finanone or two house chores if they want cial knowledge. My mission is to preach to earn a gold coin like Jake and the financial literacy to women, especially Neverland Pirates in their favourite TV Nigerian women. We must stop running cartoon on DSTV. They started learnaway from numbers. Learning to undering how to sweep the house at age two stand, manage, love and embrace numbers is the key to self-empowerment. and they can do it so well now.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 april 2015

Saying it with

F

Angela Davies loral print dresses are staples of every fashionable woman’s wardrobe. In recent times, trendsetters as well as women who follow the trend are turning up in different gorgeous styles of floral dresses at different events.

Floral print dresses are lively and colourful to wear. The allure of floral dresses is that they brighten up the wearer’s appearance and also offer more colour and visual interest than solid colour dresses. That is why accessories should be carefully selected to create a look that is well put-together.

You can transform your floral dress from day to evening wear by pairing it with high-heeled sandals, wedge or pumps for a classic look.

Floral dresses can be worn to various

occasions depending on the style and fit of the dress.

Tips

• Choose floral pattern that is appropriate to your size and shape for that flattering look. If you are petite, it is proper to choose smallto-medium size floral print.

• Also ensure the colour complements your complexion.

• Many floral print dresses have strong patterns; hence, simple jewelry is always a good choice.

So, opt for small distinctive necklaces, understated silver, gold or pearl earrings to complement your dress. You could also select ornate earrings with matching colours to add visual appeal.

• You can also forgo necklaces all together depending on the neckline of the dress and choose sim-

ple bangles, bracelets, wristwatch and cocktail ring for a graceful look.

• You can also use a belt on your dress to add contrast and give definition to your look if you so desire. For a multi-coloured dress, choose a belt that matches one of the colours in the dress.

• Your foot should complement your dress as well as match the event you are going to. If you have to walk about at an event, it would be appropriate to wear flat or low-heeled shoes. But for an evening event, a high heel sandal is suitable. For an office look, pair your floral dress with classic pumps or wedge.

Remember, when it comes to wearing fun and colourful floral dress, accessories should be minimal.

Instyle

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Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 april 2015

Accessories to live for

Everyone's getting turbanned Turbans have gone beyond their religious roots and are now an increasingly popular fashion accessory for women. ANGELA DAVIES writes.

T

he styled turban is quickly becoming one of the most chic and creative fashion pieces. Aside being a fashion accessory, this bold and versatile head cover is a stylish solution to a bad hair day.

A turban might not be the first hair accessory you are likely to think of when your outfit needs something extra, but it is a radiant way to cover up your hair while looking like you made an effort with a fashion accessory. However, wearing a turban demands confidence as you have to believe in your looks. Today, turbans are timeless style across cultures.

For a modern look, this attention-grabbing accessory offers you the opportunity to make a bold fashion statement with the right dose of courage and creativity. The way you decide to wear your turban depends on your style and the fashion statement you want to make. You could decide to show off some hair for that sassy look or even totally cover up.

With already formed turban styles, you could opt for plain ones, styles that have a touch of sparkling diamond or styles embellished with other striking accessories for a chic look. Just ensure you choose a colour that will complement your outfit.

An elegantly styled turban can add a touch of pep to any outfit from jeans and top, dress to evening dress. For Muslim ladies seeking to add some elegance to their looks, already styled turbans offer an alternative to the hijab.

Styled turbans are without a doubt a type of fashion accessory that cannot go unnoticed especially when it is colourful and unique. Remember, you do not have to go through the stress of tying turban anymore, instead, just select and wear to add a unique touch to your looks.

25 april 2015

MY STYLE

Bold and irreverent Ex-model and actress, Cynthia Agholor, has no qualms about being expressive with her dressing, and she does so with aplomb, writes ANGELA DAVIES. How would you define your style?

It is simple, sexy and cute.

What determines the kind of outfits you wear?

It depends on the event. Actually, I consider the time of the event to enable me to know what kind of outfit to wear. For a day time event, I dress simple but sexy and for a night event, I bring in all the glamour the event deserves.

Which outfits take up the most space in your wardrobe?

I think you will see more of jumpsuits just like what I am wearing. You will also see evening gowns as well.

Is there any outfit you will never be caught wearing?

I don’t think you will catch me tying two wrappers not even on my traditional wedding day. I would rather wear a stylish skirt and then tie a single wrapper of the same material on it just as many ladies wear it today.

Fashion item you cannot do without I cannot do without wearing bangles, cocktail ring and wristwatch.

Is there a particular fashion rule you live by?

I would say simple but sexy.

If you had to flaunt any part of your body where would that be?

It would be my cleavage. That is the only thing I have to flaunt.

Beauty K

inky twists or braids as they are usually called are a “protective” hairstyle as it keeps the natural hair just as it is. To pull off this hairstyle, Kinky hair extensions are used to create a textured, even and full hairstyle look in short to medium lengths.

The splendour of this hairstyle is that it is very light, easy to maintain and can last for as long as three months or more, depending on individual choice. And, the older the hairstyle gets, the more attractive it becomes.

Just like box braids, kinky braids styling options are unlimited. For that extra oomph, you could curl the tips of kinky twists. However, styling for kinky braids with curly tips is limited. When styling kinky twists with curly tips, you should ensure that

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

If you were a fashion item what would you like to be?

I would like to adorable bangles.

Can you recall the most expensive fashion item you have ever bought?

It is a pair of designer highheeled shoes.

What kind of jewellery appeals to you?

I love simple jewellery. So, I wear simple fashion earrings.

Although, I am not a necklace buff, but if my outfit requires it, I wear one. I don’t wear gold jeweleries except gold wristwatch.

Facts Lawyer-turned rapper and recording artiste, Yetunde Alabi, popularly known as Sasha P is the brain behind Eclectic by Sasha. She launched the fashion label in August 2012 with a debut collection called ‘Inception’ at fashion retail store, L’Espace, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Ralph Lauren did not study fashion design; he actually went to business school.

What kinds of shoes hold a special appeal to you?

I wear more of high heel shoes.

Signature perfume I use Issey Miyake because of its mild but long lasting fragrance.

Best designer I love Calvin Klein. I love the fitting of his evening gowns and I also have more of his t-shirts.

How do you love your hair?

When I fix, I love it to be very long.

How do you love your makeup?

It depends on the event. But, I love flashy makeup.

Best colour I love black and yellow.

Liquid liner was invented in the 1960s and became hugely popular.

Coco Chanel's styles were simple, loose and comfortable. And to dress them up with sparkle, she designed a type of fashion jewellery she named costume jewellery.

Protective kinky twists the curls are conspicuous.

Due to the light weight of kinky extensions, kinky twists are easy to maintain unlike box braids. For weekly maintenance, it is advisable to cream your kinky twists at least once a week to make it shine. Then, if you decide to carry your kinky twists for about three months or more, it will be appropriate to visit the salon once a month to properly wash hair with shampoo, towel dry and then stay under the hair dryer for at least five minutes. After which hair mousse and oil spray should be applied to kinky twists for extra volume and shine, hence, making your twist looking new and healthy.

So, if you are thinking of a light and easy hairstyle to make next, then think kinky twists.

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SATURDAY

DJ Gosporella ‘I was the highest paid DJ before God called me'

p.20

ShowBiz

Kemi Adesoye 'Writing Figurine was a wow moment for me'

p.21

SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2015

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Iyabo Ojo: I married my career when marriage failed Yoruba actress and movie producer, Iyabo Ojo, was one of the few ladies among the film-makers who staged a protest against piracy at the Lagos State Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos, last Monday. She speaks with LANRE ODUKOYA about the adverse effects of piracy, her other enterprise and marriage among sundry issues.

Why exactly did you join this protest, a walk against piracy?

It’s primarily because I’m one of those who want the government to listen to our plight. The scourge of piracy is deadly because it is eating deep into our homes, finances, emotions and a lot more as citizens of this country. It’s day light robbery, movies are being produced with so much money, you manage to even take them to the cinemas and at the end of the day, the movies are pirated by those who never went through the labour and sweat with us. The government should help us send away from the streets the boys who hawk our works illegally. We don’t want violence and because of tribal issues, we’re also trying to be as careful as possible. We know our movies are mostly pirated at Alaba market (a popular retailing hub in Lagos for CDs and electronics), it’s really frustrating and you know when things heat up to this level, it will soon get out of hand.

Are you suggesting that the Nigerian Copyright Commission has not been efficient enough in addressing this issue?

If they’ve been proactive, we will not be in the sun doing this protest. I had walked similar walks and talked similar talks several times. My movie, Arinzo, which I released in 2011, was pirated. It was released in the morning and by evening it has been pirated on a 4-in-1 CD. I lost so much money and you know that not all producers are fortunate enough to have alternative means to raise funds to produce more works. Some producers just die like that. Look at Baba Sala, in his days, can you believe that piracy was one of those things that killed the man’s career? Enough is enough, we have done so much campaigns against this menace. I remember coming to meet with Dame Abimbola Fashola, the first lady of Lagos State and she said we should come here as a body.

This is what we’re here for today, to see the governor.

What's the plan B if the governor is not around to receive your demand?

We’re very civil people and we will continue to do this until the

governor is ready to help us achieve what is right.

How much would you say you’ve lost to piracy?

Honestly, one cannot quantify how much loss one incurred here and now because when a movie is released, as long as the movie is good, it keeps selling year in year out, but once it’s pirated, the gains stop. So, you cannot say this is how much profit you make in a movie, once a movie is good, you continue to enjoy the profit. The loss runs into millions and you can imagine that yourself.

What should we expect from you as a producer and an actress?

As I speak to you, I have two of my movies right now, one is at the cinemas, it’s showing in Ibadan and Ilorin. I have Beyond Disability which will be released very soon and I’m going on location to shoot another movie entitled My Pain, My Gain. If I have N10million to shoot a movie for instance, if I know that at the end of the day, I will not recover the money, why would I go on to shoot it? So, good production is expensive. You spend a lot to get good equipment, costumes and actors, if they do not stop these pirates, many of us out there who could do much more would not out of the fear of losing our money .

You’ve been quite successful, what do you do on the side?

Well, I’m a very hard working woman, I have a boutique that I run, I do a lot of buying and selling and I have a spa. I have an event management company too. We juggle ev-

The government should help us send away from the streets boys who hawk our works illegally

erything successfully by God’s grace.

Between marriage and a successful career, which one ranks top to you?

I have tried marriage before and I’m not in marriage right now. I have tasted acting and production of movies and I am still there. Now if you were in my shoes, what would you go for?

How has fame affected your relationship with people?

I don’t take people for granted and I will never take people for granted.

I still interact with people very well.

I so much cherish my fans.

Who are your close pals in the industry?

I am close to everyone who is neither arrogant nor proud.

Have you had the highest point in your career?

I haven’t reached there yet, still working towards that.

What do you consider before picking up a script?

The story line is very important to me; I just don’t pick up a role; I study and rehearse well before I do.

You are a single mother, considering your schedules, how do you create time to attend to your children?

I try my best to be a good mother to them despite my very busy schedule. I try as much as possible to be with them when I am not working.

Let’s talk about your dance school, why dance school? One would have expected you to have acting school.

I have a group known as Future Stars. I educate, motivate and train those who want to go into acting. I also organise seminars for them and I invite my senior colleagues to come and address them. My dance school for kids was established because of my love for children and dancing.

The non-governmental organisation is known as Dancing to Save Souls.

We have children between the ages of three to 15. We teach and train healthy and privileged kids how to dance. I take them out to the less privileged and other homes. They interact, learn and play with inmates of such homes.

With that they appreciate them and we entertain them.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 april 2015

08059296445 lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

Remembering Dagrin five years after

Kenny Oshadipe returns to stage seven months after sister’s death

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he singing twin sisters, Taiwo and Kehinde Oshadipe lost their terrestrial bond last year, precisely on Friday, October 3, when Taiwo breathed her last. That incident, many thought would have signaled the end of a music career for the surviving sister. But, seven months after the gloom, Kehinde has shrugged off the melancholy, put on her singing hat in preparation for a massive comeback.

“This is to personally express my heartfelt gratitude to you for your condolences, love and support during the passage and burial of my twin sister and reflection, Taiwo Oshadipe. But for the support of people like you, it may have been difficult to come out of that grief.

F

I know like many people, you would have wondered if that would end the musical career of the Oshadipe Twins, well that should have been the option since it has always been the two of us.

But one of Taiwo’s last words to me is to remain strong for her, to keep the dreams we shared alive and to keep the brand strong. You will agree with me that this is an onerous task and responsibility but I am fully committed to it. I already released a tribute song for her titled, My Reflection,” Kehinde wrote in the email she sent to our correspondent.

The comeback concert is billed to hold on May 3, at the Grandeur Event Centre, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.

Dagrin

openly confessed to being influenced by late Dagrin and it is time to immortalise him and remember his legacy,” he said.

Apart from 9ice, Olamide and Reminisce, others who performed at the concert include CDQ, Seriki, Lord of Ajasa, YQ, Sossick, Wonda Boy, Base One and Jah Bless.

Meanwhile, in remembrance of his late friend, rapper YQ has released a tribute song. The new song is titled, Hero’s Smile, which is aimed at reminding people that legends don’t die but live forever.

Dagrin, even in death, has a repertoire of evergreen indigenous rap songs and he’s believed to have elevated the bar of the genre for most beneficiaries today.

Stephanie and hubby celebrate three years of marital bliss S

Linus and Stephanie

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LANRE ODUKOYA

SHOWBIZ TODAY

ive years has rolled by without the reverberating sounds from one of the greatest proponents of indigenous rap, Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, otherwise known as Dagrin.

The industry and sprouting indigenous rap genre in particular lost this exponent on April 22, 2010 in a ghastly auto crash.

He was said to have had one drink too many the night he was involved in the accident, sent acquaintances in the car with him away before the tragedy struck.

It’s still believed he had a premonition of his death, particularly because of his last song, a studio free-style entitled, If I Die which was released after his death.

Since his death, memorial events have been held in his honour annually. 9ice, Olamide and Reminisce alongside other top players from that genre performed at the 5th anniversary memorial concert of the late rapper. The event organised

by Tee Blaq, a cousin to the deceased and Eldar Records held last Wednesday, April 22 at Spice Route, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Tee Blaq, who also performed at the wellattended show remarked on Dagrin’s impact on the Nigerian music industry.

“Five years on and my cousin’s impact in the industry is still being felt. We’ve seen the floodgate of artistes who have

Showbiz

tephanie Okereke Linus got married to her husband, Linus Idahosa, on April 21, 2012, in Paris. Their wedding is probably still the most romantic Nigerian celebrity wedding till date.

Last Tuesday was the couple's third wedding anniversary and the nearly introverted actress took to Instagram to celebrate by sharing their wedding photo with the caption: “Happy Wedding Anniversary to my amazing husband; you are one in a million. I will marry you over and over again. #MySoulmate4Life. I thank God every day for this amazing life we share.

Always your baby.”

She also posted more wedding pictures with soul-stirring captions like #MySoulmate4Life, My Superman-Lol! #MySoulmate4Life, Always leading to a wonderful path...#MySoulmate4Life, Oh yes! The light will continue to shine bright #MySoulmate4Life.

Taiwo and Kehinde Oshadipe

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 april 2015

‘I was the highest paid DJ before God called me' Sometime in 2003, DJ Gosporella switched over to gospel music after many years as a popular club disc jockey. In this interview with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS, he speaks about past memories and emergence of gospel music The problem is that nobody wants to learn anymore; everybody wants a short cut. It is the same reason you cannot compare a Chris Okotie with the present day artistes.

Most people now just want to feed on the hype and the media is not helping. The media would pick up a man because he sings about a woman and paint him as the next big thing. They are fake people all over the place and ironically they might be making more money because they are ready to do anything to be on top. And people only buy what they see.

You’ve experienced both the secular and gospel world; what is the major difference?

The difference is the music. A DJ is a DJ, just like a doctor is a doctor. The difference is the content of the music. For me, gospel music is a calling and before I agreed with God we had an agreement. He agreed that if I yielded to Him He would always support me. I may not do any show from three months, but I don’t get bordered because my supply is not from man. I don’t say because jobs are not coming I do what I shouldn’t have done. My heart won’t even allow me to do that.

DJ Gosporella

How were those days as a young disc jockey?

Today, if you want to mention those people who came and made the difference, I would be one of them. I have always been around music even as a student before 1985 when I eventually took up entertainment as a business. When Chris Okotie, Felix Liberty, Jide Obi Falola and the rest of them were doing music, I would come to Lagos to watch them. I used to be a rapper, but people told me that the music won’t do me any good despite the fact that I was good at it. I was a DJ even in my hometown, though I came from a privileged family. My father was the ruler of my village; I am from Otuo in Edo State. When I gained admission into secondary school, the DJ thing actually got into me. I would leave my hometown and go to Auchi, which was the nearest developed town to us at that time. I would visit clubs and won’t stop looking and admiring the DJs. I had it in mind that one day I would be as popular like them because they were worshipped.

Today, we have very few DJs. Most of the people we have now are media-made. What made you a DJ those days was your ability to put crowd on the dance floor. We used to time ourselves, probably for three hours nonstop. Those who were around then would be in the best position to understand what I am saying. Tony Goodman was actually the one who taught me some basic things about the trade, but most people know him more as an actor now. He was like an elder brother and we worked in the same club.

You said you started as a rapper; how far did you go with rap music?

I was a Curtis Blow fan and I rapped

like him. They used to call me Curtis Campbell; the Cutis came out of Curtis Blow, while the Campbell was a name I loved after I saw it in the dictionary. We used to read the dictionary like a book, looking for new words. I continued to use it after I left school and my children use the name till today, instead of the family name. But like I said, I was told that it won’t sell.

Could you remember the first job that gave you satisfaction?

I cannot even say anyone in particular.

Would it be way back home or when I eventually became a professional DJ in 1985? By the time God called me into His ministry around 1998-2000, I was the highest paid DJ in Nigeria. I was earning N40,000 every weekend, whereas most DJs were earning N10,000 a month. I was working in a club on the island in Lagos and they paid N20,000 each day I came to play. I played on Fridays and Saturdays. My name then was Afrikando. I was later called into gospel music in 2000, but we didn’t start until 2003. I think this is our 12 years in the business.

What do you think of these new crops of DJs? My brother Jimmy Jatt, Humility and some others who came immediately after us are doing well. In my own opinion, any DJ that starts to play in a party and within an hour the pitch is 100, the person doesn’t know his onus.

Don’t you think you guys failed to develop people who came after you?

The reason you cannot blame us is the same reason vulcaniser cannot be blamed for the fake ones we have in town right now.

How did you cope when things were not going well?

There were days money was not coming, but we were happy doing what we were doing. We were true professionals and we derived joy from it. One way or the other we were surviving and you will also agree with me that things were not as expensive as they are today. We also sold tapes. Once we were living the house for the club we would hold like 10 tapes to sell; it was N50 then. So, we tried to look for ways to make money and we made friends with “big boys” in clubs. I have one I met in a club some 20 years ago and we are still friends. A night club is like a church where people meet but for different reasons.

Would you call yourself one of Nigeria’s greatest DJs? Yes, I am proudly saying that. I have always said that if you have knowledge you will know who to put where. The people who failed to see my contribution to the industry have no knowledge or they are too young to know who is who. Also, maybe they didn’t do their research well because no how my impact can’t be overlooked.

What do you do now?

I am still a gospel DJ and promoter. I

The people who failed to see my contribution to the industry have no knowledge or they are too young to know who is who

pick raw act; you could trace the origins of most of the big names you see in the gospel circles now to the Gosperella phenomenon.

It was when we came up people started having the mind to do contemporary gospel music. If you listen to gospel music now, you will need to hear it carefully to be sure it is gospel. I tell people that there is a difference between gospel music and church music or Christian music. Christian music is praise and worship you sing in church for Christians to lift up their hands in praise, while gospel is an evangelistic tool use to win souls into the kingdom of God. Frank Ewards, Eben, Nathaniel Bassey among others are gospel musicians.

Do you think gospel music could become widespread as secular in Nigeria?

Secular musicians are not better; it is just that the devil is the god of this world.

People don’t often think of the spirituality of these things. Korede Bello just sang Godwin, a testimony that they will all come home. I believe that gospel artistes are still the best in the world; people just add to things a lot. For instance, a company decides not to sponsor an event because it is orgainsed by Christians and they don’t want to lose customers who practice other religions. But the same people pray to God for doors to open, but don’t want to get attached to the things of God. Do you have plans to venture into politics?

If I am nominated I won’t mind, but I won’t ask for any position because you will just realise you are wasting your money and time. But I don’t believe I need to be at the top to solve problems; it is only a grave digger that starts from the top. President Jonathan has shown us that it is not easy to control things from the top. All what had happened were not the handiwork of Jonathan and we could see it from the act (Godsday) Orubebe displayed. Jonathan was already calling to congratulate Buhari, while Orubebe was doing his own. If you want to solve problems in Nigeria you would start from families. Once you make the family unit strong the top will be okay. What we get now is that both young and old are fighting to become millionaires overnight.

I met a pastor in Benin recently and he said his focus is on the youth church because he wants to build a people that will rule this nation in righteousness in the future.

Have you ever considered your appearance (dreadlocks) as contradictory to what you represent?

No, what I do has nothing to do with my appearance. A pastor said to me far away in London that he would ordain me as a pastor in his church if only I cut my hair. I told him that in the Bible we have the Nazarene who entered covenant that razor blade will not touch their hair for a period of time in service to God. After that time they could decide to cut their hair or keep it that way. Also, I told him that I had won more souls to Christ more than many because of what I represent. Someone once said to me that he never knew he could go to church with a hairstyle and I told him nobody will stop him.

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 april 2015

21

PROTECTING THE TRADE Confidentiality agreement is something one should consider, though I have never experienced a case where someone stole my script or produced it without my consent. But the truth is that it is hard to track a script. If another person picks your script and changes the characters, there's no way you could say it is yours. One needs to protect his or her work by getting a lawyer and make sure you get the signature of the other party. In my journey I took some risks too, though I can’t do that now.

I know of a writer who wrote a series because his uncle said he would settle him. For like two years he didn’t get any money, but the uncle paid the third year and it was huge.

WHAT I CHARGE Some writers are gifted in negotiation. I wish I am good at it, but I am not. I was approached recently by a management, so I am working with them. But I am still open to people because we have filmmakers who have the passion but don’t have the fund. I looked for a way to work with them.

Adesoye

'Writing Figurine was a wow moment for me'

Kemi Adesoye’s name may not ring a bell in the movie industry, but her works do. She has written screenplays for short films, television series and feature films such as Figurine, Tinsel, Prize Maze, The Line Up, A New You, Phone Swap, Edge of Paradise, Mama Putt and National Cake. OLUSHOLA RICKETTS spoke with the award-winning scriptwriter recently.

IN THE BEGINNING In every journey there is a beginning and end. I don’t think I am at the end yet; I am somewhere in-between. I started out as an architect; I didn’t plan to be a writer or knew what scriptwriting was.

But I loved films. I was exposed to a lot of foreign films and I would say my interest in films began from there. I came from a family where all my siblings went to the science class, but being the last of four children I was allowed to do what I wanted to. By the time I was done studying architecture for about seven years I decided I didn’t want to be an architect.

I graduated with a master’s degree from the University of Technology, Minna, in Niger State. Though writing didn’t come to my mind, I just knew I wanted to go into films. The truth is that what encouraged me more was the death of my mother. It made me realise that life is too short. If I die today what would I say I was happy doing? Of course my father panicked; I was a science student moving into arts. They called family meeting on my behalf and he asked my siblings what I was doing. They then told him I was trying to find myself and he said “find yourself but don’t take too long”.

THE STRANGE BOOK On a particular day I stumbled on a scriptwriting book in a science library.

I don’t know what the book was do-

ing there. I forgot completely about the assignment I intended to do and even went ahead to photocopy the book. The name of the book was The Elements of Scriptwriting and it opened my eyes.

Five years later, I found the original copy.

With the help of the book I wrote my first professional script as far back as 1999 titled The Special Gele. MNET was having a competition and I decided to enter.

I didn’t know anyone in the industry and I had only being in Lagos for a year because I thought that was where people who wanted to do movies go to. I don’t know about anyone, but for northerners or people born in the north, Lagos comes to mind. I was born and raised in Kaduna. So, I was picked by MNET along with four other semi finalists and I said to myself that it means I could write.

They had a workshop and we were in a room with producers who I had only heard of in Nollywood. I remember particularly that Amaka Igwe was there.

THE FALL AND RISE Somehow, the script opened the door for me and I was in the midst of big figures in the industry. I was shortlisted and I was so sure I would win, but I didn’t. So, all the confidence came crashing before my eyes. Some hit gold from their first script and it goes on like that, while it took a bit longer for others. After the crushing defeat I was still

around the media and I got a job in the radio because I needed it. I worked in the radio for like five years and that was also a bit enlightening. Two years later, MNET had another competition and I won. The next year too they had another and I won.

BEING AT THE BACKGROUND One thing about script is that nobody sees your work; the only thing people see is the finished work, the film. If I asked you about who acted and produced the last movie you saw, you would probably know them but I don’t think you would remember the person who wrote the movie. So, it was the first thing I had to learn. I really wanted to be out there, but I saw that my place was writing stories.

The industry was not what it is today too and there were no awards ceremonies for instance. Though, actors were celebrated because they were famous but who knew a writer? Many people love to go into films because of the fame, but who knows maybe that is not where your strength lies. Audiences might not know you, but people in the industry know you. What opens the door for me were my stories.

LIVING OFF SCRIPTWRITING I must be sincere; it is very hard to survive off writing scripts. At the time I started I had a regular job and it helped me not to be too desperate, but that doesn’t mean I was expecting less. It is hard to survive as a writer alone, except if your passion drives you. Writing is not like a regular job where after sometime you are sure of a promotion. So, that is the major reason one has to be sure if it is what one wants to do because there will be periods jobs won’t come.

WRITING STORIES Stories come from you or outside of you. What matters to one person is different to another; I don’t know what matters to you. Sometimes, a newspaper could give me an idea of a story.

People come to do me with stories and I tell them what they have are ideas.

Some people will tell you that they went to school and there is no big deal in what you do, but playing a piano is different from people who have mastered it. There was a time I was writing in the public and a kid came to me, asking where I was copying it from. I didn’t know her anywhere, but I later thought of it. To us (writers) it is a normal thing, but it is not normal. So, don’t think everyone can write or have that imagination. If you desire to be a writer, yes you can acquire the skills. If you are gifted, work at it and make your stories.

HOW FIGURINE CAME ABOUT I was a writer and radio presenter when I met Kunle Afolayan, the producer and director of Figurine and I had written short films. He came with a script and I told him what I thought with no disrespect to the owner because it is not easy to write. It was to be titled the Shrine, a thriller. What I had seen I didn’t write because I didn’t want anything to do with it. He said I should fix it and I told him I was very busy. I did get very busy then.

He called me, himself, a producer and the writer and we brainstormed.

I could easily tell the writer what I felt but I am very sensitive about people’s job. I know what it means to have your work being tampered with, but the truth is that it could be for good or bad. So, we wrote a treatment and that was it. Two years later nothing happened, though Afolayan still called me occasionally. It was later someone told me that he had taken the job to other people and still didn’t get satisfaction. After like two years and he was still knocking at my door, I decided to take the job. Afolayan said he would pay me what I wanted and I told him I was going to reap the other script apart. Once he said I should go for it, I went for it. When I was writing it the ideas came so easy, but it doesn’t always happen like that for writers. I remember I typed it and took it to his office. On getting to his office, I left him because I cannot stand it when you are reading my script. He called and he was like “wow”. I live for that “wow” moments; writers live for those moments, but it is not always like that all the time. The money he paid me was huge; I even gave him the figure to chase him away.

22

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 april 2015

Shaydee: Banky W saw great things in me Shadrach Adeboye popularly known as Shaydee in showbiz still sticks with Banky W’s EME label despite the fact that his two friends, Wizkid and Skales, had left. He speaks with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS. How would you describe yourself?

I am a layback person who likes to be in his space and a creative person who likes to let his talent gets to the world.

before I could do whatever I desire.

He didn’t enforce anything; he said ‘finish your education first’ and I did just that. We are just two in my family; I am the second child.

How long have you been doing music?

I have been doing music professionally for about six years; that was when I really took the music thing seriously and decided to make a profession out of it. I dropped my first single under EME in 2012. Prior to that, I had dropped some other materials with another label. My first single was Love Me Like You Used To, which I dropped in 2010.

How many songs have you done under EME? I have done a couple of songs since I got signed to EME. I have Won Gbo Mi ft Wizkid, Ti e Nikan, Potential, Chakamand I just dropped a new single, High. But before that and in the midst of that I had done a lot of collaborations. I featured in Seyi Shay’s Murda track and many more.

What are you working on right now?

I recently dropped a song out there, like I mentioned earlier. The title of the song is High and it was produced

by Papi Jay. It is a reggae kind of song and I got the beat from Banky W. He was just playing some beats and I fell in love with it. I worked on it and it came out right.

How well are you doing before EME? I was doing pretty good, but it was not as big as when I got signed to EME. The record label was new, so it is normal that it would take more effort than when you are on a bigger platform.

How did you come about EME? I had met Wizkid and Skales on few occasions, but it wasn’t anything serious. But there was a show EME’s crew came for at the University of Ilorin and I performed right in front of them. Banky W was there and he was impressed with my performance. He later called me and asked me what do I do for a living. We got talking from there and I started visiting (him) to make music.

Would you say signing under the label was your breakthrough?

Definitely, EME has given me a big platform to get to more people and fans. I am in my third year with the label.

But it seems you are not really there yet; what could be responsible for that?

First, let’s me correct an impression. We’ve had some artistes who just came with one major song and vanished. The song became the biggest and nothing happened afterwards.

But I am not that kind of artiste. I am an artiste who grows with the process and I am not here for the fame or for a short period. This is what I chose to do. I studied electrical engineering in school (University of Ilorin), so I dropped that to do music. I am not in music to have fun. I am not in a rush to be everywhere; I am growing gradually as an artiste.

Why would you spend years in the university and suddenly the certificate you acquired becomes nothing?

For me, it is pretty much the passion and I feel that as an individual I could do anything I want to do.

How did your parents react to the decision to do music?

I didn’t suddenly go home and I said I wanted to do music. I had started singing right from my secondary education and they knew. I was in the choir too. But my dad wanted me to finish my university education

Personally, how has it been in the music industry?

The music industry is still growing, it is not as it used to be five years ago. For me, I won’t say there are challenges because in every line there are ups and downs. So, I would call what I had faced in the industry as growing process and I have learnt a lot.

How do you describe your style of music?

I do universal music; I don’t want to say I do RnB or pop. I do everything; the only thing I don’t do is rap music.

What would you change given another chance?

To be very honest with you I won’t do anything differently because I feel everything happens for a reason and where I am now is not where I was five years ago. I have grown as a person and I have learnt a lot. So, everything I had learnt took me to where I am today and where I am headed to.

How do you get inspiration?

I get inspiration from songs I listen to generally. And I listen to any good song, whether it is Nigerian or foreign. I draw inspiration from what I see every day and the things that make me grow as a man. I just let all that reflects in my music.

Wizkid and Skales are no more with the label; how long do you plan to stay with EME? EME was created to develop an individual to a level he could create his empire. That is the real essence of EME itself. I would like to grow and I feel that is normal. Because Wizkid and Skales had left EME don’t me they are no more part of the family.

Leaving EME doesn’t change anything as far as I am concerned.

There was an issue between Wizkid and Skales recently; what would you say about that?

I don’t like to react to that because whatever happened between them was between them; my name wasn’t mentioned. We are all humans and

Shaydee

people are meant to have disagreements. People took it seriously because they are known names. I won’t like to say much about that because it doesn’t involve me.

If not music what would you do?

I would probably do what I studied in the university.

What is your major fear for the industry?

I really don’t have fear for the industry. Like I said earlier-where we are right now is different from where we were five years ago. The industry is growing and lots of things are getting better.

What makes you different?

When I got into the industry what made me different was my voice and that has not changed. It is all about the music for me and when you listen to my song you will surely know it is me. I am not here to battle anybody’s space; I am in my own space. So, my real fans recognise my sounds.

What are your plans in the near future?

I really can say this is what would

happen tomorrow because anything could happen. I might even get to my dream before the particular time I set.

But everyday I make sure I improve my craft and I grow as a person and professional.

If you were to be in a position of authority what would you put in place in the industry?

The direction in the industry doesn’t depend on one person; everyone has to come together and have a brainstorming session. I believe we are in the right direction too.

How many artistes signed to EME at present?

There is Banky W, Niyola, Myself and DJ Exclusive.

How do you describe Banky W? Banky is like a mentor to me. He signed me personally and he saw great things before signing me. He wanted great things for me too and he has played a major role in my career. He also directed my new video.

Investigations SATURDAY TELEGRAPH 25 APRIL, 2015

23

Reprinted expiration date on this juice pack

M

PHOTO: www.stelladimokokorkus.com

otunrayo came back from work on Monday, January 21, to meet her first child, Tobi, vomiting and complaining of a stomach ache. He was taken to the hospital for treatment and stayed indoors afterwards to properly recover.

“I remembered that Tobi had asked for one of the packets of Capri Sonne juice we had at home, which was purchased from a major supermarket the Saturday before that Monday. On taking the juice, he started to complain of tummy ache and almost immediately started to vomit without finishing the drink. Though, the stomach pains subsided almost immediately. My younger sister took the packet away from him and noticed some black stuff on the straw and proceeded to cut open the pack. It was then she observed that the juice appeared whitish with an off look from what it should normally look like.

“We immediately kept the remaining packets left in the carton away and warned him not to take from the carton again. But when I got back that Monday and noticed that the pains had started again, I had to cut open the remaining left in the carton, and what we found out can only be imagined. We noticed biological matters, which looked like fungus in them. It was black, white and quite disgusting; it was, to say the least, poison,” Motunrayo recalled.

Motunrayo, however, is not alone in this. Adaeze, who lives at Palm Grove area of Lagos State, also told this reporter that it happened to her sometimes in 2012. “I don’t buy it regularly but when my nieces and nephews show up for holidays, I get a carton. In one of such occasions, I was having some difficulty getting my juice out through the straw, cut it open and saw green mold. I cut open all the remaining packets and two more had mold in them. Now I make it

Isioma madike

Editor, INVESTIGATIONS isioma.madike@newtelegraphonline.com © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Expired sausage roll

PHOTO: 9ralife.com

Perfect profit, altered product Not everyone go through the goods they buy, especially for the expiry dates. And for those who do, how certain are they about the state of these goods? ISIOMA MADIKE and ONAH CHINYERE, in this report, look at the hazards posed to consumers by this situation and other forms of consumer abuse a point of pouring juice into cups. The kids don’t like it so I got fancy cups that make it more fun than drinking from a plain cup,” she revealed.

Abimbola’s experience was in the traffic. She was on her way home from work. She flagged down a hawker to buy a sausage roll and a bottle of soft drink.

She had already popped the former into her mouth when she remembered that she had not checked the expiry date. To her dismay, the roll had expired four days earlier.

In an almost similar situation, Ibrahim, who stays at Lagos Street, off Akilo Road in Ogba returned from work with a headache. He reached for his first aid box and thankfully there was a pair of tablets left in a sachet of paracetamol. He briskly pressed the tablets out of the sachet, but just before he put them into his mouth, he looked at the expiry date on the sachet… “the drug expired only yesterday”.

Confused, he contemplated going ahead to take the drug. But, he thought of the consequences. Would deciding

to take the paracetamol not be a fatal mistake or should he simply continue to suffer from the headache? This was Ibrahim’s dilemma. Many in his shoes would have faced that too.

In a country like Nigeria, where many consumers are illiterate, they are likely to be susceptible to exploitation by dishonest dealers. This may be why health experts often advised consumers against eating expired foods and have always counselled to throw them away when they are past their shelf life. However, one way to know if a particular food is beyond its shelf life is to check the food label for a stamped date, usually with the inscription: “expiry date” or “best before”.

But in Nigeria, this inscription means little or nothing as they have often been manipulated. Many dubious retailers have been caught many a times in this act by the authorities concerned, though, no concrete steps has ever been taking to put a stop to such.

With this attitude, checking expiry

date, at present, may not be a guarantee of safe product any longer. In most cases, the cartons and each individual pack of items would have months ahead as expiry dates when in actual fact such products have long been expired. If one is very observant however, the manipulation of the original expiry stamps could be detected.

A seamstress, Hamzat Abiodun, told Saturday Telegraph of the experience she had on Friday, March 27. She had gone to a frozen food store at Ogba to buy food ingredients she wanted to use to prepare soup but ended up buying a bag of Semovita from one of the newly opened shops in the vicinity.

“When I opened the bag the next day, I discovered maggots inside the Semovita.

I was surprised because before I bought it, I checked the expiry date to assure myself of the genuiness of what I was buying. That was why it was so surprising what l later found in the bag of Semovita; CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

24

Investigations

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

Seized adulterated frozen poultry products PHOTO: www.maritimefirstnewspaper.com

Another contaminated juice with dangerous particles inside

‘Don't buy products that are ne C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 2 3

I was really shocked and could not believe what I was seeing. I went back to the shop but met the sales girl who said that her aunt had gone out. I waited for her because I needed to lay a formal complaint.

“By the time she returned she could not fathom the reason for the state of the Semovita and pleaded, saying she was sorry. But, she added annoyingly that there was nothing she could do. Though, I understood her predicament but the way she spoke in a dismissive manner got me angry and I started lashing out at her. I threatened to let hell loose if she does nothing to compensate me. I left a while after but promised myself not to buy anything from her shop again,” Abiodun added.

Prince Ifeanyi works in a cosmetic company somewhere in Ikeja, Lagos. He recalled how their managers used to give them certain chemical with which they use in cleaning plastics. But the cleaning was much more than we thought. “We were often instructed to use it to also clean batch numbers, the production and the expiration dates. The plastic then will be taken to the machine where new numbers will be printed on it.

“At first, I thought it was a normal thing to do. But when I came to really understand the fact that we were altering what could be damaging to other people’s life, I just collected the pay for that month and stopped working there. I felt it was wrong to change such expiry dates. From that moment I didn’t feel comfortable working there anymore. I had to opt out because my conscience had started to prick me,” said Ifeanyi.

Blessing Onyedika, an indigene of Anambra State, has her story as well. “The day was Thursday, January 30 this year at Ojota, Lagos. An opened bottle of diet mineral drink lay before my desk. I have always been a fan of coke products because of their catchy advertisements and mantra. But there was something wrong with this beverage on this particular day- a swig from the bottle was enough to arrive at a conclusion. The best before date on the bottle’s cap answered my doubts. The drink or rather the poison before me had long expired.

“I made a dash to the shop where the

drink was bought. A rather naïve sales attendant apologetically collected it from me. Her offer to replace the drink only unearthed more rot. Stacked in a corner of the room were cartons of expired stock. In alarm, she opened the refrigerator and more expired bottles smiled at us. Off course all the bottles bore the date 01/09/2013.

There is also this rumour about a major retailing chain in Nigeria selling expired products. Though, the rumour has not been properly verified by the authorities concerned, many believe that the management and staff of the superstore have been silently killing Nigerians by tactfully reducing prices of already expired products. Not long ago, a family reportedly lost one of their sons who died from food poisoning from eating an expired cheese bought from the retail giant. Many have similar testimonies too.

However, a list of different terms and what they mean have been provided by food health experts to further educate consumers on the appropriate thing to do. One of such terms is “Sell by” date.

The labelling “sell by” tells the store how long to display the product for sale and advises customers to buy the products before this date.

This is basically a guide for the retailer, so that the store knows when to remove the item from its shelf. This though, is not mandatory because the issue is with the quality of the item (freshness, taste, and consistency) rather than whether it is on the verge of spoiling. According to experts, “sell by” date is the last day the item is at its highest level of quality, but it will still be edible for some time after.

Another is “Use by” date: After this date foods may be unsafe to eat even if they look fine, because the nutrients in the food may become unstable or a build-up of bacteria may occur. This is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. The date is determined by the manufacturer of the product.

Common “use by” foods include milk, meat, and vegetables.

And then, the common one, “Best before” date. This refers strictly to quality, not safety. This date is recommended for best flavour or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date. The “best before” date simply

Orhi

Atoki

Odumodu

indicates that the product may lose some of its quality after this date. If one stores these foods properly, one can still expect them to retain their colour, taste, texture and flavour. Common “best before” foods include canned foods, cereals, biscuits,

sauces, chocolate, sugar, flour and frozen foods. However, it is advised not to throw foods away just because they are past their “best before” dates. This only means that such foods are no longer at their peak of freshness.

There is also “Guaranteed fresh” date.

Though, not too common, it usually refers to bakery items. They will still be edible after the date, but will not be at peak freshness. However, to make sure food lasts until its date mark, it is important to follow storage instructions, such as “keep refrigerated” and “store in a cool, dark place”. Sometimes, heating the food can kill bacteria.

A 54-year-old shop-owner in Idumota, Lagos, told this reporter he would not stop selling food past its sell-by date if there are demands for them. “If the food is well packed, even if it has expired, people can consume it without being worried. Of course, what I sell is cheaper and people like that. When they buy I make them aware that I don’t take any responsibility for the quality or any effects caused,” she said.

Another provision seller at Mushin market, who does not want to be named, also admitted he usually changed expiry dates. “I make up a new expiry date. People say that most of the products can be consumed after the expiry date for at least one year; so I don’t see why I should throw away such items. What I do is to change the stamp to a later date and people can buy them.

“I have never got into trouble with the government because I perfect what I do.

People are dying because of violence and I’m not the one killing them, so, if they have any health problems as a result of what I am doing, they have a doctor to take care of them,” he said.

But health officials are concerned by the increasing number of expired foods and medicines on sale in the country. “Doctors have raised serious concerns about the increasing number of people who get foodpoisoning as a result of consuming such products,” said a woman who identified herself simply as Kafayat, a senior official in the Lagos State Ministry of Health.

Yet, expired products are not just peculiar to shelves of some stores or supermarkets in Nigeria alone. They can be

SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2015

SATURDAY

FREE

Sport Splash 25

Interview

‘Having an affair with our female players a taboo' p.27

EPL

Arsenal look to delay Chelsea's party p.28

News

Ogba laments neglect of athletics p.30

News

Ideye may return against Liverpool p.30

Ezeugo: Blame NFF if Eagles fail again A

Vincent Eboigbe

The Team Vincent Eboigbe l Assistant Editor Ajibade Olusesan l Correspondent Charles Ogundiya l Correspondent © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Keshi at a trainning session in his last spell. Inset: NFF chair, Amaju Pinnick (top) and Ezeugo

former Super Eagles midfielder, Emeka Ezeugo, has said that the Nigeria Football Federation will have to carry the can should Nigeria suffer another misadventure in the race for the African Nations Cup in 2017, given the delay in hiring a substantive coach for the team.

The negotiation between NFF and Keshi, which started since after the World Cup in June 2014, had been unusually protracted, but a deal was signed by both parties on Tuesday to finally end the largely acrimonious process.

Ezeugo can’t understand the vacillation especially in light of its implication for the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers that start in just over a month.

“Of course the time is short but that is due to the indecisiveness of the federation, so they have a duty to ensure that they give the coach all the support so that he can make the best of the time available. I am confident but the NFF has to rise to the occasion given that so much time has been lost due to their dithering.”

Ezeugo wondered why the federation had to wait for so long to re-hire Keshi knowing full well that they were still keen on retaining the “Big Boss”.

He also suggested that the divisions in the NFF contributed in no small way to prolonging the contract renegotiation.

“What took them so long, it is a step they should have taken long ago. I really don’t know what the problem was and I can’t understand the delay; if they knew all along that they were still keen on retaining Keshi why wait that long.

It was all unnecessary,” noted Ezeugo.

“I have said several times that unless the crisis in the football house is resolved we won’t make any serious progress.

A faction within the federation was opposed to retaining Keshi while another group kept talking about negotiation as if that is something that should take forever. Until such divisions among the custodians of the game are sorted out we will keep having this kind of dithering in the little matter of renegotiating a contract.”

26

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

Nigerian League Rendezvous

Shooting Stars getting groove back

A

Stories by Charles Ogundiya

Shooting Stars' Suraju Sodia (right) in action against Kwara United's Hammed Jimoh in a recent league match

Officials, fans applaud good officiating

C

lub officials and fans continue to hail the high level of officiating in the Nigeria Professional Football League that has led to so many away wins this season.

The league has recorded seven away victories after just five weeks into the new campaign with match officials getting the plaudits for the feat.

Speaking with League Rendezvous, media officer of Abia Warriors, Igwe Onuoha, whose team defeated Heartland during the week in one of the two away wins recorded during match day five, said he hopes the fair officiating continues.

“No one will say he is not enjoying the league the way it is now,” he said.

“The referees have given teams a level playing ground which has allowed away sides to perform better. At the weekend we lost at home to Wikki Tourists, it was a big disappointment, but we also travelled away from home to pick three points.

“We are in an era where the win - at - home - syndrome has reduced drastically which is a big plus for the league.

“I pray it continues with fans getting the needed awareness that losing at home does not mean they can’t go away to win too.”

For Sola Akintunde, a fan of Shooting Stars of Ibadan, the trend must continue so that his club too can pick away wins this season.

He said: “Shooting lost at home to

Heartland, so if we travel for away games and pick the maximum points, there is nothing bad in that.

“The officials have shown that they are ready to allow a level playing field for all the teams in the league which makes it more interesting than in the past when even before kicking the ball, you know the home team will win. The league is now unpredictable in a positive way.”

fter picking their first win of the season, Shooting Stars of Ibadan coach, Bright Omokaro, has informed League Rendezvous that the team is taking shape after a shaky start to the season.

Shooting Stars started the season with a loss away to Wikki Tourists before going down in their first game at home to Heartland. But the Ibadan side has recorded four points from their last two games with two clean sheets to the bargain.

The team played a 0-0 draw away to Nasarawa United last weekend before picking their first victory of the season in a 2-0 defeat of Kwara United in Ibadan on Wednesday.

“The players are beginning to understand the philosophy of the team and now play together,” Omokaro said.

“I can say the general manager of the team, Rasheed Balogun, has been playing a huge role in motivating the players to give their best.

“They (the players) are more relaxed now and taking the games as they come compared to the start of the season when they were so eager to win games leading to mistakes.”

The former Gray of Ede coach added that the two performances by the team have given inkling of what to expect in subsequent matches.

He said: “The players cannot relax now

Redemption time for Rangers, Warri Wolves

M

arooned at the bottom of the Nigeria Professional Football League table, Rangers and Warri Wolves will be looking forward to climbing up the log with wins this weekend.

Rangers, with three points from five matches so far will be home to El-Kanemi Warriors with victory in mind. They have already lost four games, winning just one.

Warri Wolves will be looking up to Super Eagles star, Gbolahan Salami, for the goals as they welcome Heartland to the Warri Township stadium.

In Kano, defending champions, Kano Pillars, will have another opportunity to maintain their unbeaten home record as they welcome FC Taraba for their home game.

Despite starting the league in blistering form, Kwara United have

lost two consecutive games, at home to Heartland and away to Shooting Stars of Ibadan. The game against Nasarawa United in Ilorin will afford the team the opportunity to get their season back on track.

Prince Aggrey and Ebenezer Odunlami will be back in the lineup for Sunshine Stars in their home game against Wikki Tourists after serving a one-match ban.

The players were on Monday banned for a match each and fined N50, 000 by the League Management Company for “indecent exposure and behaviour capable of bringing the league to disrepute for stripping to their inner briefs to celebrate their team’s second and winning goal against Dolphins.”

After five matches, Giwa FC of Jos currently lead the table with 10 points.

Omokaro

because this is just the beginning, there is a lot to be done to achieve our target at the end of the season.”

The Oluyole Warriors will take on Abia Warriors in Umuahia in one of Week Six league matches on Sunday.

No.

Team

P

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

PTS

1

Giwa

5

3

1

1

6

3

3

10

2

Wikki

5

3

1

1

6

4

2

10

3

Heartland

4

3

0

1

10

5

5

9

4

El-Kanemi

4

3

0

1

6

3

3

9

5

Gabros Utd

5

3

0

2

6

3

3

9

6

Enyimba

5

2

2

1

3

2

1

8

7

Sunshine

5

2

1

2

4

4

0

7

8

Taraba FC

5

2

1

2

4

4

0

7

9

Nasarawa

5

2

1

2

6

7

-1

7

10

Abia Warriors

5

2

1

2

5

6

-1

7

11

Kano Pillars

3

2

0

1

4

2

2

6

12

Sharks FC

4

1

2

1

4

4

0

5

13

Kwara Utd

5

1

2

2

4

7

-3

5

14

Dolphins

4

1

1

2

3

4

-1

4

15

Shooting

4

1

1

2

3

4

-1

4

16

Bayelsa Utd

4

1

1

2

2

4

-2

4

17

Lobi Stars

5

0

4

1

4

6

-2

4

18

Akwa Utd

5

1

1

3

1

6

-5

4

19

Warri Wolves

3

1

0

2

3

3

0

3

20

Rangers

5

1

0

4

4

7

-3

3

Matchday Six Enyimba vs Sharks Bayelsa United vs Gabros Lobi Stars vs Giwa Akwa United vs Dolphins Rangers vs El Kanemi Sunshine vs Wikki Warri Wolves vs Heartland Abia Warriors vs Shooting Kwara Utd vs Nasarawa Utd Kano Pillars vs Taraba

Giwa can maintain the lead – Ojo G

Ojo

iwa FC of Jos’ first choice goalkeeper, Ojo Olorunleke, has said his club can maintain their position at the top of the league table.

The Jos side is currently leading the Nigeria Professional Football League table with 10 points after five matches.

Speaking with our correspondent, Ojo who is currently in camp with the

national U-20 team said the players had shown that last season's performance was not a fluke.

“The players have been doing well and I am happy for them,” he said.

“People believe last season was just a flash in the pan, but with our current form this time we have shown the whole world that Giwa has come to stay

in Nigeria premier league.

“Last season we just lost out on playing on the continent, but this time around we want to maintain the top position. And who says we cannot win the league?”

The Jos Elephants as they are popularly called, finished fourth on the league table last season with 60 points, five points adrift of the champions, Kano Pillars.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

Sport

27

What is the level of preparation now that you have qualified for the All Africa Games and the Women’s World Cup? Our expectation is to train harder; everybody wants to see us do better at the highest level and we are doing our best to see how we can do well at the FIFA women World Cup in Canada, we want to break new records and it is what we put in at this preparatory level that will guarantee that.

After our match against Mali in the AAG qualifiers we started our training immediately so that those lapses that we saw in that encounter could be corrected. We are not relenting; our goal is to do something different and better. We want Nigeria to see something new from us.

How’s your travelling arrangement taking shape? Is everything in place already?

That is for the office (Nigeria Football Federation), my job is on the pitch so I can’t talk about the level of preparation in that regard, but we have been to the Canadian High Commission in Lagos for the visa interviews.

The captain of the Super Falcons, Evelyn Nwabuoku, has just signed for a club in Kazakhstan, does that excite you? Do you think it is a good move?

We don’t stop anybody from pursuing their career or doing whatever they feel is right as players that will make them relevant to the team. We can’t stop them, any home-based player that wants to excel will not be stopped; we are happy for them and we even hope that others will move to that level. Since she has got a contract abroad it is good for her and equally good for us.

When she comes back we will see if she is able to fit into our set-up. For me, it is a good move and right now she is in form, my prayer is that form subsists.

How will you reconcile the 8-0 win against Mali with the 1-1 draw you played earlier?

Were there things that were not in place before you played the first match?

It is all about mind set. We played 1-1 in Mali and we decided to come back home and correct the lapses we noticed during the match in Mali and we made sure they played to instructions. Yes, there were not too many passes from the players, but too many passes don’t result in goals; with just one to three passes we were in the opponent’s area. Though we missed so many chances - and that is normal in every game, but at the end of the day we were happy. We were happy that we were able to convert eight goals out of 14 created chances.

You have very tough teams in your group for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in June, do the Falcons have what it takes to come out from that pool and make it to the next round?

In football there is no group that is not tough, if you look at the FIFA Women World cup draws, there is no easy group as people tend to think. In fact the team you feel you can beat comfortably will give you a surprise on the field of play. So I think that our group which is seen as the group of death is not really what it seems. Football is played between 11 players on each side and it is on the pitch that everything is decided. The Falcons will take all their opponents seriously to make sure that they qualify from the group.

Your feat has attracted some encomiums; appointed coach of the national team?

Well, it is not about me, the accolades are not about me, I don’t even exist, it is the Father that exists, the almighty God. The supreme Father is the one doing everything. I am only a care taker, God leads me.

So if you are appointed Super Eagles coach you won’t accept?

If the appointment is from the Almighty we won’t say no. It all depends on the authorities, if they don’t believe in you they won’t appoint you.

Okon

‘Having an affair with our female players a taboo' Super Falcons coach, Edwin Okon, is targeting the Olympics Games next year after picking tickets for the All Africa Games and the women’s World Cup. He speaks to Comfort Chukwu in Abuja about preparations for the upcoming tournaments, Falcon’s chances, his ambitions and sundry issues. Excerpts …

Can you emphatically say that the Falcons will progress beyond the group stage at the FIFA Women World Cup? Yes, because we have what it takes, the players know they must go beyond group stage because Nigeria has moved beyond that level only once.

kill the house. In fact, I can’t even imagine that happening in the camp because the coaches we have working with me are all married, they have their wives. Moreover they see these players as their own daughters. Also, the players can’t entice any coach here, because we know this is a very delicate job. I know them very well, I have worked with them from U-17 down to the senior women’s team, we are like friends and so I can tell what each one of them can do to an extent.

And you want to be the one to achieve that success?

Football is all about result, everybody wants to see results. Our goal is to work towards a very good result and hopefully, we will make it better this time, because we are all committed to it and we don’t want to entertain any mistakes.

Do you pray for such an appointment in the future, maybe after Stephen Keshi?

I pray about how to succeed first of all, how to face what is before me, my priorities, the things needing immediate attention around me. Everybody can wish for something bigger and better but you must be patient for it to come at the appointed time by God. So for me it is first things first, I think of how to succeed and leave everything else for my Father to do.

What would be your advice for aspiring coaches?

Once you are disciplined you can be a good coach. It is about self-discipline, there are certain things you don’t do and when you don’t do those things, you instil that discipline in your players and they will not do those things. Once you are able to achieve that you may have solved more than half of the challenges that can derail your career. It is discipline that would make you manage your players and they, in turn, will do the right things and won’t do those things they know you will frown at. At that level, whoever is self-disciplined can be a good coach.

In order words, discipline has been your watchword?

Yes. As a male coaching a female team, how challenging is it to resist having an affair with your girls?

That is not possible. None of the coaches you see in the Super Falcons can even contemplate that because we know what the implication will be and even the ill luck attached to it. Once you try it, you will

Are there special players in the team that you are really hoping will do exceptionally well in the forthcoming tournaments?

There is no special player, they are all special as long as they are here. We made good selections round the nation, so any player that made it here is very special, and among the best. It is the form, what they do today that gives them the match of tomorrow. We don’t look at big names, it is the players’ form now that determines our selection for tomorrow. For me there is no special player, you may feature for the best team in the world but it is your form that we are seeing that will be the decisive factor.

How are you going to make your final selections?

I will base my judgement on experience and exposure, but the most important element is form. Once the player is in form that matters a lot. You might be in form and you are not exposed, there are those that are exposed but they may not be in form or experienced.

How has your welfare package been since you arrived camp? Are you satisfied with what you are getting now?

We are not complaining, we are very okay. You can see the players are excited.

We ensure that we keep the camp in order and everybody is happy so we can work in harmony. We want everybody to feel at home because when people are not relaxed they can’t give their best. Once you have all that you need to be comfortable you will be happy and happiness leads to confidence, it is the confidence that will tell you whether you are fit or not.

Now that you have qualified for the AAG are you relaxed?

Qualification is just for All Africa Games. We have a huge tournament ahead and we are also planning for the Olympics Games, because if you start early you do well. Olympics Games is our next focus, we have put everything about All Africa Games aside. Our thinking now is how to qualify for Olympics Games.

Are you expecting more friendly matches ahead of the tournament?

Yes, the authorities know and we are expecting to hear from them with regard to that. I’m hopeful we will have friendlies soon.

uventus are still celebrating reaching the Champions League semifinals and the Bianconeri could be in for some more festivities this weekend in Serie A. If Roma (at Inter Milan) and Lazio (home against Chievo Verona) each lose and Juventus beat Torino in the Turin derby, Juventus will clinch their fourth straight Italian league title with six matches to spare.

Such a scenario seemed improbable in July when Massimiliano Allegri was an unpopular choice to replace departed coach Antonio Conte.

"I remember July 15 when we entered Vinovo (Juventus' training center)

J

Juve may clinch Serie A title this weekend

hree days after their UEFA Champions League exit, Atletico Madrid will switch their focus to guaranteeing a return to next season's competition through La Liga when they host Elche.

Atletico were defeated 1-0 by Real Madrid in their quarter-final second leg on Wednesday, as Javier Hernandez's late strike saw the holders through following a goalless first encounter.

That reverse effectively ended Atletico's hopes of claiming any further silverware this season, with Diego Simeone's side lying nine points behind leaders Barcelona in the league with six games to go.

The defending Liga champions occupy third - the final automatic Champions League qualification berth - and with a four-point gap to Valencia, Simeone's men still have

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Rodgers seeks strong finish

Rodgers

plenty to play for in the remaining weeks of the campaign.

"We faced a great team that has a much bigger budget than us," defender Miranda said after the defeat to Real.

"They can hire many players and we tried, but unfortunately we conceded a goal with two minutes remaining.

"It was a difficult game.

We were eliminated and now we have to lift our heads and think about the next game."

Simeone

Simeone´s side bids to overcome Euro exit

www.newtelegraphonline.com

NEW TELEGRAPH

will be keen to get something out of the match with Manchester United breathing down their necks in third.

The last defeat suffered by Chelsea was on the January 1, in another derby match against Spurs in a 5-3 thriller. Spurs also provided Arsenal with their last defeat by 2-1 on February 7.

The last time the two teams met at the Emirates ended in a 0-0 draw despite Arsenal enjoying 61% possession. Chelsea had more shots on goal but that was

back in December 2013.

Chelsea will be buoyed by their defeat of Manchester United by the single Eden Hazard goal on 38 minutes as their defence held firm in a hard-earned victory last weekend.

Mourinho will have issues again upfront and will hope that Diego Costa or Loic Remy pass fit with Drogba picking up an ankle injury. Remy was rated as having a 50 percent chance of playing against United by Mourinho, who will be praying for a better

prognosis.

Arsenal are arguably on better form with less to worry about with their strikers. But this will be a tough encounter. Chelsea did grind out a result against another form team last weekend and Arsenal do sometimes expose themselves to the counter-attack which will not be lost on Mourinho.

A victory for Chelsea will mean they can finish the job and clinch the title with victory against Leicester just three days later.

Bryant Jennings has insisted he will show Wladimir Klitschko is human after all when the pair meet in New York on Saturday.

American Jennings will enjoy home advantage when he faces Klitschko at Madison Square Garden, with the Ukrainian heavyweight champion fighting in the United States for the first time since 2008, when he beat Russia's Sultan Ibragimov at the same venue.

Jennings will be putting his unbeaten record on the line on Saturday night, which stands at 19 wins with 10 knock-outs, and vowed to show

Bryant Jennings

Business tycoon Anthony Ressler is set to purchase NBA side, Altanta Hawks, for an estimated $850 million.

According to an ESPN report, Ressler, who recently attempted to purchase the Los Angeles Clippers, will finance the deal with cash while assuming some existing debt.

The deal will also give him control of Philip's Arena.

The 55-year old Ressler is the owner of a lucrative private investment firm. He's also involved in real estate. He was part of a group that purchased the Milwaukee Brewers in 2005.

Anthony Ressler

SPORT BRIEFLY

Sport

Barca out to continue

A

rsenal will attempt to beat Chelsea for the first time since 2011 when the two sides meet in an English Premier League tie tomorrow (Sunday).

Arsenal will go into this match sitting top of the form table whilst the Blues are sitting top of the actual table and look odds-on to claim the Premier League championship for the fourth time, and earning their fifth league title.

Chelsea are 10 points clear of Arsenal in second but Arsenal

Kick-off: 4pm

Arsenal look to delay Chelsea's party

Global Football Special 28 SATURDAY N 25 ap

iverpool manager Brendan Rodgers wants his side to bounce back from their FA Cup semi-final defeat and enjoy a strong end to their Premier League campaign, starting at West Brom.

Rodgers' side was below par at Wembley on Sunday, losing 2-1 to Aston Villa despite taking the lead through Philippe Coutinho.

Seven points behind Manchester City with a game in hand, Liverpool still harbour slim hopes of finishing inside the top four, and Rodgers is refusing to dwell on the defeat to Villa.

"Our ambition is to be better and plan forward, that means bringing in players in the summer.

Plans to do that are well under way," he said.

"We want to finish the season strong and take that momentum into the following season. We have to fight for the top four until the very end."

L

W

Neymar

ith hopes of a domestic and European treble still burning brightly, Barcelona's next test comes at city rivals Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday.

Luis Enrique's side has enjoyed a productive week, with Tuesday's 2-0

victory over Paris Saint-Germain sealing a 5-1 aggregate success and a place in the last four of the UEFA Champions League for the seventh time in eight seasons.

With a Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao still to look forward to and a two-point lead over Real Madrid at the summit, Barca are on course to repeat their treble-winning feat of 2008-09.

They can take confidence from a strong record in this derby, with six successive wins over Espanyol and no defeats since a 2-1 reverse in February 2009.

The reverse fixture at Camp Nou in December saw Barca run out 5-1 victors, with Lionel Messi netting a hat-trick.

Felipe Caicedo scored twice in that victory and the Ecuador international believes his side's strong form can help them cause an upset.

"We hope to play well at home lately: go for the goal and for the result," he said.

"We trust that we can make a great match, we feel good, we are on a good run and we want to take advantage of our condition. We hope the fans will give us support from the first minute.

"It's a great opportunity to prove that we are strong at home and we feel comfortable."

dominance of Catalan derby

M

anchester United return to Merseyside after the win at Anfield last month and will be looking to bounce back from the defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend. Despite losing, United controlled that match with possession and there are several other reasons to be positive ahead of Sunday's clash.

Roberto Martinez’s Everton will be looking to break into the top 10, while the Reds are aiming to maintain the pressure on Arsenal in second.

United head into this game having won five of the last six matches, with only that defeat to Chelsea preventing Louis van Gaal's men from topping the Premier League form table.

The Reds have scored 13 goals in those six games, conceding just five along the way. Everton head into this fixture in excellent form and are unbeaten in their last five league matches, most recently earning a 1-0 victory at home to relegationthreatened Burnley.

Robin van Persie could be

in line for a return after being an unused substitute against Chelsea and playing for the Under-21s in midweek. Rafael and Adnan Januzaj were injured in that match, while van Gaal will check on Michael Carrick, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind after they missed the Chelsea game. Everton's Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar face late fitness tests after recovering from groin and knee injuries respectively.

Powerful striker Romelu Lukaku is the Toffees' top scorer this season with 18 goals and was a threat in the fixture at Old Trafford in October, albeit in a losing cause.

Goodison Park has always been a tricky place to visit for United. In the last six meetings away to Everton, the Reds have only won once – in 2012 – and will be looking to improve that record (W1, D2, L3) by completing the double over Martinez’s side, after securing a 2-1 victory at Old TrafMan United's Radamel Falcao (front) dribbling past an Everton player in a recent match ford earlier this season.

Man United seek to bounce back at Eveton

Tevez

and the car that I was in with president (Andrea) Agnelli and Allegri was assaulted by kicking fans," Juve sporting director Giuseppe Marotta said shortly after eliminating Monaco on Wednesday.

Conte, the architect of Juve's last three domestic titles, had resigned surprisingly a day earlier to take over Italy's national team, while Allegri had been fired

by AC Milan six months earlier.

"Our strongpoint was making a choice that wasn't very popular," Marotta added. "But I think we laid the groundwork for controlling the season in the best manner possible."

Bundesliga Saturday Cologne v Leverkusen Dortmund v Frankfurt Hamburger v Augsburg Hannover v Hoffenheim Stuttgart v Freiburg Bayern v Hertha Sunday Paderborn v Bremen M’gladbach v Wolfsburg

Serie A

NO TEAM 1 Juventus 2 Lazio 3 Roma 4 Napoli 5 Sampdoria 6 Fiorentina 7 Genoa 8 Torino 9 AC Milan 10 Inter 11 Palermo 12 Sassuolo 13 Chievo 14 Hellas 15 Udinese 16 Empoli 17 Atalanta 18 Cesena 19 Cagliari 20 Parma

EPL

NO TEAM 1 Chelsea 2 Arsenal 3 Man Utd 4 Man City 5 Liverpool 6 Tottenham 7 Southampton 8 Swansea 9 Stoke City 10 West Ham 11 Crystal 12 Everton 13 West Brom 14 Newcastle 15 Aston Villa 16 Sunderland 17 Hull City 18 Leicester 19 QPR 20 Burnley

Málaga v Deportivo 11:00am Almería v Eibar 4pm Sevilla v Rayo 6pm Celta Vigo v Real 8pm

3pm 5pm 7pm 9pm

EPL Saturday Souton v Tottenham Palace v Hull Newcastle v Swansea QPR v West Ham Stoke v Sunderland West Brom v Liverpool Man City v Aston Villa Sunday Everton v Man Utd Arsenal v Chelsea

La Liga

PTS 78 76 69 65 63 52 46 43 42 42 41 38 36 34 31 29 28 28 25 20

Sport 1:30pm 4pm

12:45pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 5:30pm

NO TEAM P 1 Barcelona 32 2 Real Madrid 32 3 Atletico 32 4 Valencia 32 5 Sevilla 32 6 Villarreal 32 7 Malaga 32 8 Bilbao 32 9 Celta Vigo 32 10 Espanyol 32 11 Vallecano 32 12 Sociedad 32 13 Getafe 32 14 Elche 32 15 Eibar 32 16 Levante 32 17 Almeria 32 18 Deportivo 32 19 Granada 32 20 Cordoba 32

Sunday

Espanyol v Barcelona Atletico v Elche Getafe v Levante Real Sociedad v Villarreal

La Liga Saturday

PTS 73 61 54 54 42 42 38 37 36 36 34 34 34 29 29 27 26 25

Bundesliga

Hamilton

Yet another deadline is now looming over the finalisation of Lewis Hamilton's 2016 Formula One contract -- Barcelona.

"Everything will be fixed by the Spanish Grand Prix on May 10," Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda is quoted by the Swiss newspaper Blick.

Hamilton's new deal has been delayed and discussed publicly for so long that many have linked him with a move to Ferrari.

Also rumored is that Hamilton wants clear No. 1 status, and that Mercedes is not agreeing to his wage demands.

"The salary is not the problem," Lauda insisted. And fellow Mercedes chief Toto Wolff as well as Hamilton himself and teammate Nico Rosberg have all denied the "No. 1" speculation.

NO TEAM P 1 Bayern 29 2 Wolfsburg 29 3 Leverkusen 29 4 M’gladbach 29 5 Schalke 29 6 Augsburg 29 7 Bremen 29 8 Hoffenheim 29 9 Dortmund 29 10 Frankfurt 29 11 Mainz 29 12 Cologne 29 13 Berlin 29 14 Freiburg 29 15 Hannover 29 16 Paderborn 29 17 Stuttgart 29 18 Hamburger 29

FIXTURES

P PTS 32 76 32 66 33 65 33 64 32 57 33 57 33 56 33 47 33 46 33 43 33 42 33 41 33 36 33 35 33 32 32 29 32 28 32 28 33 26 33 26 SERIA A Saturday 2:30pm Udinese v Milan 5pm 2:30pm Inter v Roma 7:45pm 2:30pm Sunday 2:30pm Atalanta v Empoli 11:30am 2:30pm Genoa v Cesena 2pm 5:30pm Lazio v Chievo 2pm Parma v Palerm 2pm 2 :30pm Torino v Juventus 2pm 4:30pm Verona v Sassuolo 2pm

P PTS 31 73 31 58 31 58 31 53 31 50 31 49 31 44 31 44 31 43 31 42 31 41 31 36 31 36 31 36 31 35 31 34 31 30 31 23 31 21 31 13

TABLES

ayern Munich could wrap up the Bundesliga title this weekend, but will be relying on Wolfsburg failing to beat Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday.

The defending champions are 12 points clear at the summit with five matches left to play, so simply need to better Wolfsburg's result to be sure of retaining their crown.

Bayern host Hertha Berlin on Saturday on the back of a thumping 6-1 win over Porto in midweek, which sent them into the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League as 7-4 aggregate victors.

And Guardiola's men will be confident of keeping their end of the bargain, having won their last 10 meetings with Hertha - including an away game last March that saw them seal the 2013-14 title.

Wolfsburg, meanwhile, are on the road at Monchengladbach. Realistically, their chances of stopping leaders Bayern are so slim, the best they hope can hope for is to delay the championship party.

And fourth-placed Monchengladbach have plenty to play for, as they tussle with Bayer Leverkusen - both teams currently on 54 points - for an automatic Champions League berth.

A win for the home side would move them within four of Wolfsburg.

B

Bayern on verge of title

Thomas Muller and other team mates celebrate a goal

long-reigning champion Klitschko is not as indestructible as he looks.

"He's a human being, it's not like he's some sort of supernatural species," Jennings told Buncey's Boxing Podcast.

NEW TELEGRAPH pril 2015

29

30

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

Ideye may return against Liverpool

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Ajibade Olusesan rown Ideye may be reinstalled in West Brom’s start list when they host Liverpool in an English Premier League tie today (Saturday).

Ideye was on the bench as the Baggies defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 last weekend after he failed fitness test.

His place in the team was taken by compatriot Victor Anichebe who, although, did not score, had an excellent showing. Ideye is fit now and Coach Tony Pulis is likely to start him against Liverpool who are still smarting from last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Aston Villa in the FA Cup. Ideye has four goals in the league.

It remains to be seen if Coach Jose Mourinho will give Mikel Obi another playing time when Chelsea travel to the Emirates for a showdown with Arsenal

on Sunday.

Mikel had a two-minute cameo in the Blues’ 1-0 win against Manchester United last Saturday - his first appearance since January - and may be handed a bigger role in this tie.

Ikechukwu Uche will attempt to score his second goal in two months when his Spanish La Liga side, Villarreal, visit Sociedad today.

Uche’s goal in 1-1 draw at Getafe was his first since February 19 and he will be keen to add to his six league goals at the Estadio Municipal de Anoeta today.

Watford will travel to play Brighton & Hove Albion with a determination to beat their hosts and strengthen their chances of securing automatic promotion to the EPL and they will bank on their Nigerian import, Odion Ighalo, to achieve that. Ighalo has 20 goals in the Championship.

Ogba laments neglect of athletics Charles Ogundiya

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Ideye

Falcons won’t make Olympics mistake, says Ohale

S

FIFA president, Sepp Blatter

FIFA’s Club World Cup returns to Japan F IFA, football’s global governing body, has announced that Japan will host the 2015 and 2016 editions of its Club World Cup tournament.

Japan has staged the competition a total of six times, with the most recent being in 2012. The past two editions of the tournament took place in Morocco while FIFA last month announced that the 2017 and 2018 competitions would be staged in the United Arab Emirates.

FIFA said this year’s edition of the Club World Cup would take place in Japan from December 10 to 20. The governing body did not release the dates for the 2016 tournament.

The Club World Cup features the champions of all continental club competitions in each of FIFA’s six confederations. The first edition of the Club World Cup took place in Brazil in 2000 before becoming an annual inclusion in FIFA’s calendar in 2005.

Spanish Liga team Real Madrid won their first Club World Cup last year after seeing off San Lorenzo of Argentina in the final.

“This is a country with a proven track record when it comes to staging FIFA events, including six editions of the FIFA Club World Cup, which were all successful,” FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said.

“We know it will be a superb setting once again for this annual competition with good-sized crowds and a wonderful atmosphere. The popularity and profile of the competition continues to build each year and this is sure to continue with the huge support shown within Japan.”

uper Falcons defender, Osinachi Ohale has said the team will not make any mistake in their quest for a place in the Rio 2016 Olympics Games.

The reigning African champions will confront West African opponents, Mali, in a two-legged final round qualifying clash to determine the winner of the Olympic ticket.

The first fixture will hold on Saturday, May 9, at the Abuja National Stadium in the Federal Capital Territory.

Ohale who still rues her side’s inability to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics said Falcons were determined to make amends and qualify for the quadrennial multiple sports showpiece.

“The sad memory of our absence at the last edition of the Olympics in London is still quite fresh and I tell you we’re determined to erase the ugly incident by beating Mali to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

"I am excited we have already picked the ticket for the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville at the expense of Mali.

Ohale

“I remember vividly the pain as a member of Falcons squad that failed to win either of the tickets for 2011 AAG in Maputo, Mozambique, and 2012 London Olympics against Ghana and Cameroun respectively.

“I strongly believe that we will make it right this time around as regards the Olympics as I don’t see Mali stopping us from grabbing the ticket with the quality of players in our fold,” said the former Houston Dash star.

The Rivers Angels defender said she would make her reign as stand-in captain count positively with the departure of captain, Evelyn Nwabuoku, to the Kazakhstani side, Biik Kazygurt FC. "I feel humbled as the captain of Falcons in the presence of heavyweights like Precious Dede, Perpetua Nkwocha, among others and I promise not to disappoint not even with the immense support of teammates,” Ohale said.

Ohale was part of the team that did not qualify for the AAG and Olympics four years ago in Maputo and London.

he president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Solomon Ogba, has lamented the continuous neglect of athletics in the country.

Speaking against the backdrop of the problem faced in recent time by athletes travelling to represent the country in various championships, the former Delta State commissioner of sports said more should be done for athletics.

“Sports administration in Nigeria should have a human face,” he said.

“We have been finding it so hard to send our athletes for competitions due to lack of funds. It was a big challenge before our athletes could participate at the last African Junior Championship in Ethiopia.

“It was another story this week as our athletes nearly missed the ongoing African Youth Championship in Mauritius. We had to make a huge effort to send 12 athletes for the competition.

“This is not good for the image of the country. As the defending champions, the target was to defend the championship we won two years ago in Warri, but that is not possible again because of the limited number of athletes that we are presenting for the competition.”

The AFN reduced the athletes from 25 to 12 to be able to take part at the competition after the National Sports Commission failed to release funds to the federation.

Ogba

Mayweather-Pacquiao: Mediapro picks up fight rights in Spain

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ights for the heavily anticipated boxing bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao have been acquired by the Mediapro agency in Spain.

Mediapro will broadcast the fight, which takes place on May 2 in Las Vegas, via its OTT platform TotalChannel.com.

The event will be offered to existing subscribers under their packages, while it will be available on a pay-per-view basis to nonsubscribers for €12 ($13).

The fight will see Mayweather’s WBC and WBA and Pacquiao’s WBO versions of the world welterweight title being contested for title at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

Mayweather

Pacquiao

25 APRIL 2015

Lifestyle

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exico international and Olymp i a k o s star, Alan Pulido, has become embroiled in a huge controversy after a video was released which shows him intimately involved with Mexican TV presenter Vivian Cepeda.

Cepeda is no stranger to such scandals; less than six months ago she was involved in another sex tape incident with famous Latin American singer Eliseo Robles Jr. A columnist from the widely read Mexi-

C

helsea flop Josh McEachran, once tipped as England’s next promising midfielder to fill the boots of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, has split up with his actress girlfriend Brooke Vincent after the couple found their long distance relationship too difficult to maintain, according to Heat.

Vincent, who plays Sophie Webster in ITV soap opera Coronation Street, had been dating the midfielder since 2011, but they both went their seperate ways earlier this week.

The cause of the split is said to have been down to the struggle of a long distance relationship, following McEachran’s loan to Chelsea’s Dutch feeder club Vitesse Arnhem, despite them still having feelings for each other.

All may not be lost for the celebrity couple though, as they have broken up in the past following a series of arguments, but soon got together again.

The 22-year-old may be back in the United Kingdom soon enough, having played in only 12 games for the Dutch side, scoring none and assisting just two.

can newspaper Milenio claims to have the videos, which will be released in several stages throughout the day.

The first video, shows the footballer and the presenter involved in a video chat on Skyper: The material is thought to also include audio and pictures, in addition to the video. It was taken off a mobile phone that the former Tigres UANL striker lost whilst on holiday in Tampico, Tamaulipas.

Pulido now plays for Olympiakos in Greece.

Vincent

Mayweather, Pacquiao spend time with partners ahead of mega fight

he saying goes that behind every great man there stands a woman and that is no different for the best two fighters in the world.

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are less than eight days away from facing each other in the richest fight in history.

But they both made sure they spent time with those closest to them over the weekend.

Pacquiao was joined in Los Angeles by his ever-expanding family; wife Jinkee and their five children - Princess, Emmanuel Jnr, Israel, Queen Elizabeth and Michael.

Jinkee arrived in Los Angeles last month, three weeks after her husband had started his training camp. The couple recently purchased a mansion in Beverly Hills for

Mayweather and girlfriend

31

Olympiakos star in sex scandal with TV presenter

Chelsea flop McEachran split with Vincent

T

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

£8.4million.

Married for 15 years, the couple are among the most celebrated in the Philippines.

Mayweather, meanwhile, has been dating Doralie Medina since last year. She has worked for his promotional company since being recruited as a massage therapist for his 2011 fight against Victor Ortiz.

She is known as 'Bad Medina' on her social media profiles, the name of her lip gloss line.

Both men are likely to begin their final week of hard training this week before tapering down. They will both be expected to weigh in at no more than 154lb this weekend at the seven-day check.

That will leave them a maximum of seven pounds to lose before the official weigh.

Pacquiao and family

Self confidence is the most attractive quality a person can have. How can anyone see how awesome you are if you can’t see it yourself?

- Unknown

Stories courtesy Dailymail

Capeda

Russian defender proposes to girlfriend on the pitch

A

Russian footballer in such a buoyant mood that he decided there was no better time or place to propose to his girlfriend – now fiancee – than on his side’s pitch.

Ivan Novoseltsev, who plays for Russian Premier League outfit FC Rostov, got down on one knee at full-time after his team’s victory over Torpedo Moscow on Monday night, the Daily Mail report.

Much to the surprise of his partner Katerina Keyru, a professional basketball player, she was welcomed on to the pitch to share a moment with her boyfriend – and FC Rostov – that she’ll never forget.

The defender picked one of the most nerve - wracking moments to

propose; in front of hundreds in the crowd, his team-mates and a camera, but fortunately for the 23-year-old – the answer seems to be a yes!

Novoseltsev proposing to girlfriend

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

Packed juice tainted by biological matter

photo: foodiciary.com

PHOTO: naturalnigerian.com

Altered expiry date PHOTO: NATURALNIGERIA.COM

ear expiry dates' found all over the world. For example, In November 2014, some shoppers who picked a number of items in a few stores in Houston, Texas, USA, found out when they got back home that some of the items had expired since April 2012. This kind of experience abound in other countries as well Reacting to the issue of expiry dates, the public relations officer of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Obiazikwor Christiana, said that NAFDAC only deals with regulated products. These, according to her, include items such as drugs, cosmetics and medical devices. “For products we have two dates on them; the manufacturing date and the expiry dates; although, there are also batch numbers on them.

“Expiry date means the date that the producer has advised users to discontinue using such products. This product is no longer safe for use after that day. And any consequence from the usage of that product the producer is no longer liable for it.

And that is why we advise people to read product labels very well so as to make sure that products they buy are not expired.

“Any product that has manufacturing date without expiry date can never be approved by NAFDAC. So, it is even a way of identifying a good product. No product can last forever. Even garri that we use in our houses cannot be forever. Even yam, there is an extent you keep yam in the barn no matter how you want to preserve it.

With time it will start shrinking and turn to something that you can no longer eat.

These are even natural things not to talk of things that you use a preservative that has chemical components,” she said.

In like manner, the director-general of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs Modupe Atoki, is irked by what she called the brazen attitude of businessmen, who capitalise on Nigerians' low knowledge about their rights on consumables to cheat. "We consumers must take our destinies in our hands and go the extra mile to check the life span of what we consume.

You are kings and you have the right to determine who gets your money.

“If you see products that are near expiration, just don't buy. And when you don't buy, they stay on the shelf and over time, those who put them on the shelf would be

forced to remove them. Stop making billionaires out of unscrupulous and dubious businessmen, who go to other countries to bring products that are near expiring at unbelievable cheap prices into Nigeria,” Atoki advised.

The CPC boss said on assumption of duty, she discovered through a consumer survey conducted on the impact of the Council's activities in Nigeria, that the level of consumers' awareness of their rights and responsibilities was abysmally low. She said that over time, this lack of awareness has been exploited by some businesses to brazenly engage in all sorts of sharp practices that undermine the safety, comfort and economic interest of the consumers.

She said: “In our reckoning, the issue of Best Before dates is crucial, owing to the grave risks and economic losses suffered

by Nigerian consumers, who purchase products like foods, beverages, pharmaceutical drugs, batteries, tyres, paints and other items, without paying attention to their expiry dates. Apart from not taking seriously the need to constantly check the BB dates of products that we purchase, many Nigerians are still unaware of the fact that some non-edible products like paints, cosmetics, batteries and tyres also expire.”

For instance, Atoki said the life span of tyres is four years from the date of manufacture, noting that there were instances where expired tyres had failed and caused fatal accidents. She said most Nigerians don't bother to check the expiry dates on drinks while some operate under the illusion that they could not be harmed by

Unauthorised drug seller in an open market

Displayed hair products

PHOTO: dfwhappenings.com

PHOTO: www.naij.com

In a country where many consumers are illiterate, they are likely to be susceptible to exploitation by dishonest dealers

Investigations

33

consuming expired products.

Atoki also frowned at the manner some products were being stored in markets, warning that improper storage, like leaving packaged or bottled water exposed to the sun, has been undermining the quality of such products.

“It is common knowledge that even when they were not expired, the quality of most products gets compromised when stored under harsh weather conditions. It is worrisome that most super stores across the country stock their bottled water and beverages under direct sunlight in front of their shops for weeks on end. The practice of storing such items under the sun is unacceptable as it negates the storage conditions stipulated by the manufacturers and thereby exposing consumers to injury,” she added.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has also warned Nigerians not to buy cement without expiry date effective from January this year. SON directorgeneral, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, said the directive to inscribe expiry date on the commodity by the manufacturers were reached by the 25-memeber Technical Committee on cement and approved by SON for implementation last year.

“The expiry date on cement is six months shelf life for bag, while for air-tight container, it is one year. Effective January, if you don’t find expiry date on cement, don’t buy it because when you do, if anything happens to your building, you only have yourself to blame,” Odumodu stated.

Bottled Water (Labeling) Regulations, under the NAFDAC Act, made similar provisions in the cases of pre-packaged foods and bottled water respectively. Surprisingly, despite the indifference on the part of many Nigerians to report and or enforce product liability laws, particularly the violations of the legal requirement of expiry date labels in consumer products, Nigerian laws did not treat it with kid gloves.

Paragraph 21 of the Prepackaged Food (Labeling) Regulations and Paragraph 16 of the Bottled Water (Labeling) Regulations, NAFDAC Act prescribes permanent or temporary prohibition from the importation, exportation, manufacture, distribution, sale of and use of the consumer items in each case, or in addition, a fine of N50,000.00 as penalty for contravention thereto.

It is also an offence under Section 9 of the Consumer Protection Council Act stated above, for a manufacturer or distributor of a product to fail, on becoming aware after such a product has been placed on the market of any unforeseen hazard arising from the use of such product; and to notify the general public immediately of such risk or danger and cause to be withdrawn from the market such product.

Recently, the director-general of NAFDAC, Paul Orhi, revealed that importers of substandard products have devised a new strategy of repackaging expired products and making them look like valid products.

An example is the case of some dairy products imported into Nigeria from Holland.

It was discovered that the milk had expired but was repackaged and another valid date put on the packs.

On a wider perspective, the rights of the consumer in Nigeria have been trampled on long enough. On the third week of May 2005, Unilever Nigeria Plc was closed down temporarily by NAFDAC because of the reduction in the foaming nature of its product, Close Up tooth paste. The agency said, the disciplinary measure was applied to allow the company to make good the observed abnormality.

Fresh in the memory also is the case of Indomie Instant Noodle, a pasta brand owned by De United Foods Industries Limited. It was reported that in the middle of 2004, some consumers tragically met their untimely death after consuming the product. The sad incident, it was said, came about because the product’s expiration date was allegedly tampered with.

SATURDAY

The Arts SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2015

34

Reflection with

Tim Akinleye 08098668480

timwriteswell@gmail.com

Behold the ungrateful South Once upon a Time, mixed media.

Inset: Ogakwu

Once upon a time at the dawn of 1948, A Southern soulful song rang forth: Cries of children and nursing mothers, Distraught men with stolen future, Youths and elderly in the fields Their quavering lips humming a tune: Doh doh doh reh mi mi reh reh doh, Mi mi reh mi fah fah mi mi reh, Doh doh doh reh mi; Reh fah mi, reh doh Ti doh reh doh, Reh doh, ti doh reh doh.

Daily from the South, the winds Carried this tune to the hearts of Africa.

The ears of Mother Africa twitched as Hemorrhage in the South escalated, Rest was murdered in the West, North, East, and Central Africa.

Chronicle of Truth. Inset: Arikpo

T

he exhibition provides a synoptic record of events, focusing essentially on the history of mankind. Showcasing dozens of works by the artists, Chronicles of Truth, which opened on April 18 and runs until May 4 at Mydrim Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos, seize upon various ideas of truth in suggestively rich and provocative ways. As the artists note, “the memorable histories and glorious revelations of truth exhibited by man, both past and present is what this exhibition seeks to portray.

The truth is appropriate everywhere, in every aspect of our lives, work, family and more”.

The truth, they posit, is always relevant and should never be ignored. “Truth is the product of the recognition of the facts of reality. Man identifies and integrates the facts of reality by means of concepts.

He retains concepts in his mind by means of definitions.

Though everyone thinks they know the truth, nobody actually knows the truth except you, and me. That truth after all is not what is presented to one as facts but what one has chosen to believe in.

“We are truth and our engagement within the realm of time is the greatest expression of our truthfulness to life’s purpose.”

The power of the written word to spread ideas, the urgent beauty of handmade tex-

Liberation, Point of No Return

Finding truth on a diverse canvas Chronicles of Truth, an art exhibition of paintings and mixed media by two Port Harcourt-based artists, Chinedu Ogakwu and Godwin Arikpo, offers a rich array of works that interrogate the subject of truth, writes TONY OKUYEME. tured grounds and new media art have been used by both artists for this exhibition to place before humanity some splices of truth we have encountered.

Among works on display are, Wealth Within, Women Forum, Labour of Our Heroes, My best friend, Once Upon a Time, Liberation, Portrait of Songs, Chronicles of Truth, Black is Truth (all mixed media works), Face of Truth series 1 and 2, Children of the Lights (portrait paintings), among others. Through the works on display for this exhibition, the artists offer the viewers a rich and thought-provoking perspective on the subject matter, at various levels drawing from the philosophical, cultural, socio-political and ideological.

For Chinedu, a full time studio artist specialized in mixed media painting, “Art is a celebration of our roots as Africans, the simplicity of our culture, the beauty of our land, the values that we still practice, the wealth of our people, that which makes us who we are.

Elation, contentment and ultimate satisfaction are the feelings I experience when reaching the completion of one of my pieces, thus, granting me the drive and ambition to begin creating a new body of work.”

When I am unable to speak my feelings through blunt words or predictable actions, I take my brush to recreate my innermost self According to him, he likes to define his artistic style as abstract in nature coupled with an expressionist quality. “I believe that art always succeeds when alternate forms of utterance fall short. Form and colours are the language, and everyone on the planet has access to this purest type of communication. When I am unable to speak my feelings through blunt words or predictable actions, I take my brush to recreate my innermost self on a majestic camouflaged canvas using different media and techniques, forms and themes thus compelling myself to create feelings that scratch the walls of my being in an attempt to escape into the world.

“One great pleasure I derive

from my art is the wide variety of emotions I inspire. I strive that every person viewing my art will find something that speaks to them whether I am physically present to hear the response or not, the viewer can still experience a connection to me and a deep sense that we belong.”

Chinedu began his training as an artist from childhood, followed by a Higher National Diploma in painting at Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria. He has participated in many solo and group exhibitions. His works are seen in notable galleries in Nigeria and beyond - Mydrim Gallery Lagos, Terra Kulture, Quintessence, Home Stores, Bricklane Gallery London, Art Fusion Gallery Miami, Florida etc. He is the chairman of an art group called, The Messengers and he belongs to a few other art groups.

Arikpo sees himself as an artist given that he loves to draw, narrate and heed to words.

“I like to paint about day-today life, love, ecstasy, awareness, elegance, and positivity.I accept as true that all art should act as an echo, to mirror life back to us so that we can see the conventional wonders to which we too often become sightless about."

The Spirit of Africa rose in its splendor, Statesmen, writers, poets, musicians Armed with the rugged resolves of Africa, Marched against the grinding force of apartheid.

With notable voices from ANC, They withstood the onslaught of apartheid.

On world stages Africa spoke up, In closets, in houses of God oh, we prayed.

The world ignored us, but we relented not.

Mandiba was incarcerated on Robben Island, ANC vocal mouths padlocked and gagged, The spirit of Africa crouched under jackboots!

Mandela lost his youth and prime, Even his Winnie was taken away too!

The Giant of Africa rose to the occasion, Mobilised the West, encouraged the North Inspired the East and awakened the humanity In the rest of the world to the evil of apartheid.

Few years down the line, Mandiba fast sleep; Tutu weak with age, Mbeki and visionary ANC leaders Now in their twilight, Our Southern kinsmen have turned.

What an ungrateful South!

South today yearns for visionary leadership, Not psychedelic Zulus who live off the State, Who infuse xenophobia into jobless youth Urging them to kill their benefactors!

To bite the fingers that once fed you?

And render desolate who once sheltered you?

A friend in need should a friend indeed be, We are one, Africa is one.

The Spirit of Africa is in grief Stop the hostilities, let brotherly love prevail.

Next time you are called to kill, Ask yourself…what would Mandela do?

All Rights Reserved. © Copyright Timothy April 2015

SATURDAY

Dear Love Doctor, 'My marriage is loveless'

p.37

Life Experience

'I became a prostitute after he broke my heart'

p.36

L ve&Lv ng SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2015

35

'I married him because he loved my late sister' Confession Death brings nothing but pain. However, the pain of the loss of a loved one can also be a powerful unifying factor in a relationship. In this intriguing story, the death of a beloved sister draws a lady into the arms of a perfect gentleman.

As narrated to Michael Uchebuaku

M

y name is Wunmi and my story is about how I married Banjo. Banjo isn't a perfect man. In fact he has many flaws, one of which is his slow response towards things that I want quickly done.

However, even with all his flaws, I still love him for the kind of man that he is. In fact, his slowness makes me love him more.

This is my story: I had always been close to my late elder sister before she sadly passed away a few years ago. But one thing that I could and would never forget was the way she always talked about Banjo, her fiancĂŠ.

She always had words of praise for him all through the time she and Banjo dated. I remember her coming back home one night talking about the way Banjo had always been nice to her. "My dear sister, Wunmi," she had said to me, "this Banjo my fiancĂŠ is a real godsend."

My sister always went on and on to say nice things about her man every day. "Do you know that Banjo helped me with some money so that I would be able to pay my school fee?" she would say. "If not for him I would not be a graduate today."

My sister kept portraying Banjo as an angel sent by God to turn her life around for the better. And because of the way she constantly talked about him, I too began to develop a great feeling of likeness for him.

My elder sister, Tosin, had made it clear that she was going to marry Banjo. She even advised me to make sure I marry a man like Banjo in future whenever I was ready to get married.

"Wunmi I have dated many men in my life o! But I have never met a man like Banjo. He is so sweet and well behaved and what I love the most about him is that he is honest and he respects women.

"He is the only man who is ready to sacrifice everything for me, including his very life. Tell me, isn't that the greatest sign of true love? Even our Lord Jesus Christ said that greater love

has no man but to lay down his life for his friends.

"You are still young but when you get older I advise you to look very well before you decide to get married. There are many men in the world but only a few men are lovers.

For example, my man Banjo is a lover and I know that he will make a good husband.

"It is not everyone that calls himself a man that is a husband material. So you must look very well and look for a man like my Banjo..."

That was how my sister kept talking about her man as if he was the best thing that God ever created. With happiness in her heart, she looked forward to the day when she would marry Banjo her heartthrob.

Since I wished my sister well, I prayed that God would answer her prayers by fulfilling her desire to marry Banjo.

My sister involved me in her wedding preparations and I was very glad to be part of it. We printed wedding invitation cards and contracted a bril-

liant woman to bake the wedding cake.

We also informed members of our family and friends whom we felt would do us honour by attending the wedding. However, it is said that man proposes but God disposes.

Although my sister had sweet thoughts of a wonderful wedding and living happily ever after with her husband, God had better thoughts.

Just two weeks to the wedding, my sister decided to travel to Ife to inform her former classmates about her upcoming wedding. That was to be her last journey, because she had a fatal accident on her way back from Ife. I almost died of both shock and grief when I heard about my sister's accident and death. I wept for days and weeks and refused to be comforted. I had never been struck such a cruel blow by fate in life, and as a result, I wished for death.

I wished that I would die and join my sister who had been the closest person to me. I just couldn't imagine living without my elder sister Tosin.

She had helped in positively mould-

ing my character through her constant words of advise and encouragement especially when I was going through tough times, and I never imagined life without her. Oh, how cruel the hands of death could be!

Banjo was equally devastated on hearing the news of my sister's sudden passing. He became a shadow of himself and even refused to eat for days. He was obviously wishing for death the same way I was wishing for death.

My family and Banjo's family had to arrange a meeting to discuss how both families could get over the grief and help Banjo and myself recover. It was after that meeting that I somehow managed to gather myself together and Banjo did the same.

Our collective grief at the loss of my sister brought Banjo and I together. What both of us had in common was love for my late sister and that memory made us draw closer to each other.

I started visiting Banjo to help him cope after the death of my sister.

Sometimes, I would go to wash his clothes and cook his meals just like my sister did.

I did that to help him gradually recover and also to heal myself, and I was surprised when Banjo called me one day after I had finished washing his clothes to say that there as something he needed to tell me.

To tell the truth anyway, I wasn't so surprised because I had already started developing feelings of love for him because of the nice things my sister had always said about him while she was alive.

Banjo held my hand that day and told me that he appreciated everything I had done and was doing for him. His next words surprised me when he said he wants us to remain together forever because of the love he has for my sister.

"Please marry me, Wunmi, for the sake of the memory of your late sister," he said. "What both of us have in common is love for your late sister. Seeing you around me makes me remember Tosin and I want to love you the same way I loved her. I'll be so happy to transfer all the love I have for your sister to you.

"The love I have for your sister is an undying love and I want to continue on the path of that love by marrying you.

"Maybe that's the way God wants it.

That's why he made your sister bring us together through her life and death."

I accepted his proposal and I and Banjo had a quiet wedding attended by members of both families. Our families were really glad to become in-laws in the end.

In fact, at the wedding, Banjo's father said that our two families had been destined by God to be joined together in holy matrimony against all odds.

Banjo is still the well-behaved man he has always been, just as my sister said. Marrying him is the best decision I ever took.

36

Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 april 2015

'I became a prostitute after he broke my heart' Life Experience

I

started working as a prostitute when I was 19. I was in my second year of college and struggling to make ends meet. Then, I had a boyfriend who was sponsoring my education because my parents were too poor to afford my school fee.

All my love was for Henry, my banker boyfriend. He was working in a new generation bank and earning lot of money. So he was comfortable and able to help me pay for my studies.

I looked forward to marrying Henry after graduation but he broke my heart when I was only in my second year at the university by getting married to another girl without even telling me.

I lost contact with Henry after he suddenly relocated without letting me know his new address. I was heartbroken and I didn't know how I was going to survive through my remaining two years in the university. The only option I had was to go into prostitution.

Becoming a prostitute turned out to be pretty easy work for me, because I only needed to see clients one or two days a week to cover my expenses at school.

In my first few months of working as a prostitute, I was met with enough raised eyebrows, grimaces of disgust, and looks of pity to last a lifetime.

Sometimes I received lectures about how I was promoting hatred and violence against women by choosing to be a sex worker.

I was derided and called selfish for choosing a line of work that encourages sexism against women, and I was accused of being a traitor to the feminist cause.

On many occasions, I was asked intrusive questions like “has a client ever hit you?” and “what’s the most disgusting thing you’ve ever had to do for a client?”

One friend – or someone I thought was a friend, at the time – told everyone in my social circle that there must be something psychologically wrong with me, because nobody in her right mind would ever choose to be a prostitute.

She said she had read that people in the sex industry are only there because they’ve been forced into it, or because they were sexually abused as children and then make warped decisions about their sexuality as adults.

Soon the rumour in my extended group of friends was that I had been sexually abused as a child and that I was mentally unstable. People pitied me. I was humiliated.

The reality is that I had a happy childhood that was completely devoid of abuse of any kind. I grew up in a very ordinary middle class family. My parents cooked dinner for me every night, helped me with my homework, and told me they loved me every single day.

My older sister lent me her clothes and let me hang out with her and her friends. I believe I had an incredibly fortunate upbringing. I was just about the best any child could possibly hope for.

But everyone in my social circle came to think of me as deranged and messed up. I eventually grew apart from those friends.

As I met new people, I kept my work a secret. I had become uneasy around strangers. I didn’t trust them.

Experience had taught me that people would judge, pity, or lecture me if I was open and honest about my life, and after years of enduring these reactions, I didn’t have the energy to cope with them anymore. So I withdrew.

Today, people are shocked when I tell them I used to be an extrovert. In secondary school and my first year of university, I was always the life of the party and the center of attention. I was the person who introduced people to other people.

I cracked jokes and goofed around.

I sang out loud, laughed raucously, and danced wildly. I was outwardly happy and I felt free to express myself.

I was never self-conscious.

Now, I go out of my way not to draw attention to myself. I try to blend in, fade into the background. I don’t want to have to explain myself. I don’t want people to know who I am, to find out my secrets.

These days, people describe me with adjectives like “quiet” and “shy.”

I keep to myself a lot. In my isolation, I am bombarded with negative images about sex work in the media, and that only makes me feel worse.

Sometimes I can choose to forget or shrug a lot of this off. It’s not like I’m depressed all the time. I have three really supportive friends in my life who know what I do and accept me the way I am. I also have a handful of work friends that can empathize with my struggles and offer helpful advice.

I can go months at a time without being depressed about any of these things. But lately, I've really been struggling with the stigma, and I’ve been feeling hopeless and uncertain about my future in life.

I think I’ve absorbed and internalized the societal hatred of sex workers.

I am embarrassed to be a sex worker, even though I like my job, I’m good at it, and I think I’ve made exceptional progress in my career over the past

few years.

Despite all my accomplishments, I feel like a loser. Sometimes I jokingly refer to myself as a "whore" or a "hooker" to try to re-claim these derogatory terms, but I often find myself thinking of myself as "just a whore."

After almost a decade of doing this work and hearing all the negative messages about sex workers and getting bad reactions from people, I sometimes wonder if there is something wrong with me. Maybe everyone is right. Maybe I am deranged.

The terrible irony is that I am a graduate of Sociology. I, of all people, should know better than to think like this. I spent years of my life learning about how socialization works.

I am intimately familiar with how social norms develop and change over time, and how and why discrimination occurs against various groups of people.

I guess it just goes to show how intense social conditioning really is. All the booklearning in the world is not enough to combat the weight of social norms.

I wish I could feel proud of who I am and what I do. I’m tired of feeling embarrassed and ashamed. I wish other people could see me for everything that I am, and not focus so much on this one aspect of my identity.

There are so many things that make me who I am. I love animals, horror movies, and going on road trips. I’m passionate about gender equality and LGBTQ rights. I’m interested in politics and current events.

I do yoga, I read a lot, and I stay in close touch with my family. But these traits are overshadowed by the fact that I am a prostitute. I don’t feel like anybody cares about any of these characteristics – all they would see is a whore.

Lately, I’ve been wondering how I could ever date someone again. It’s been three years since my last relationship. My ex-boyfriend knew me before I became a prostitute and my work was never an issue with him.

Now, I’m afraid to tell potential partners about what I do, because I’m nervous that they will make all kinds of awful assumptions about me. I worry that they will think I’m some kind of hyper-sexual nympho (I’m not), that I’ll sleep with them on the first date (I prefer to take it slow), or that I’m damaged and need to be treated like I’m fragile (which would be terribly patronizing and unpleasant).

I also wonder what any potential boyfriend would say to his friends and family about his relationship with me. How would the conversation go?

“I’m dating this girl I just met. She’s pretty great.”

“Oh, cool. How did you meet?”

“Mutual friends.”

“Nice. And what does she do?”

“Oh, you know. She’s a prostitute.”

I know I don’t have to come out as a sex worker. I do have a mainstream parttime job. I use it as a cover, so that I don’t have to reveal my occupation as a prostitute unless I feel comfortable doing so.

The job is loosely related to my academic field of study. But the fact that I pretend this part-time job is my full-time job makes me feel like a liar. I hate lying.

I’m a very honest person by nature, and I desperately want to connect with people in a genuine and authentic way.

When I do muster up enough courage to tell people about my work, I nocontinued on page 37

Love Songs

Chris Brown

"Next 2 You"

(feat. Justin Bieber) [Chris Brown:] You've got that smile, That only heaven can make.

I pray to God everyday, That you keep that smile.

[Justin Bieber:] Yeah, you are my dream, There's not a thing I won't do.

I'd give my life up for you, 'Cause you are my dream.

[Bridge:] And baby, everything that I have is yours, You will never go cold or hungry.

I'll be there when you're insecure, Let you know that you're always lovely.

Girl, 'cause you are the only thing that I got right now.

[Chorus:] One day when the sky is falling, I'll be standing right next to you, Right next to you.

Nothing will ever come between us, 'Cause I'll be standing right next to you, Right next to you.

[Chris Brown (Justin Bieber):] If you had my child (little lady) You would make my life complete (little lady) Just to have your eyes on a little me.

(That'd be mine forever) [Bridge:] And baby, everything that I have is yours You will never go cold or hungry I'll be there when you're insecure Let you know that you're always lovely Girl, 'cause you are the only thing that I got right now [Chorus:] One day when the sky is falling, I'll be standing right next to you, Right next to you.

Nothing will ever come between us, I'll be standing right next to you, Right next to you.

Love Poem

Denese H. Boyett

Words Are Not Enough No words could ever tell you, No action could express The way I feel about you, With you, my life is blessed.

You're the light in my tunnel.

You are my pot of gold.

You are the strength that gets me through When despair has taken hold.

You're my once in a lifetime.

You make my life complete.

You are my blue ribbon In the shadow of defeat.

There's nothing I could ever say, And nothing I could do To let you know just how much Love is in my heart for you.

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

Romantic Joke

Salesman

A salesman goes out of town for business.

After a couple of weeks he comes home and tells his wife about it. "Guess what dear, I earned 4000 dollars by selling 50 mattresses and 30 pairs of panties." The wife replies "Really, well with just one mattress and no panties I earned twice as much."

Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 april 2015

Relationships & Love Advice Dear Love Doctor, I’ve been married for five years now.

My wife and I haven’t had sex for the past two years. She has no sexual libido or any sexual thoughts, even if I tell her I still love her or try to get a hug it’s a feeling-less act.

I want my child to see the love people share, but my wife has nothing to share with me. We have a three-year-old daughter who is all my soul but my wife has taken charge of her and my wife doesn’t need me now that she has her daughter to hug.

They sleep together in the spare bedroom; she says I move too much. She won’t let me care for her. She will redo anything I do for my child.

We are like flat mates but I pay the bills and still get shouted at. She says she likes me, not loves me.

I’m 49 years old, my wife 40, but she makes me feel like all my years of wisdom are a waste of knowledge and the mistakes I make are never forgiven.

I’m not perfect. I have too much love to give to someone at this stage of life, lucky I have my God. I’ve given everything else.

Now I’m thinking of treating myself to a holiday to the UK. She won’t care.

More than likely she’ll tell my daughter Daddy is going away for good. Maybe I should?

From Desmond.

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Desmond, If everything you say is correct then you do have some problems. But there is a definite sense of self pity here which you must leave to one side in getting your life sorted out.

'My marriage is loveless'

Odd News

Can't get a song out of your head? CHEW GUM!

W You’re not just the person who pays the bills, but a father and husband and you need to take some definite decisions.

Does your wife want to stay married to you? If she does and is unable to offer any changes herself then counselling could help, especially with situations such as not being interested in sex, redoing anything you do for your child, or effectively cutting you out by sharing a bedroom with the child and leaving you alone.

Your child deserves to have two parents playing an equal role and affording each other the same respect and if your wife can recognise that or work towards it then you need to decide whether or not you can continue with your marriage like this.

If not, running off to the UK is not the answer. Your daughter needs an assertive father and you

can co-parent effectively, even if you are no longer a couple, but it is not good for her to be brought up in a home where parents are yelling at each other in a destructive atmosphere.

Stay very calm and drop the self pity – simply tell your wife what you’re unhappy about and don’t threaten her by saying you might go away for good – but have a clear plan in your mind and a positive approach and changes you could list which would help.

Ask her what sort of home life she wants and try and come to an agreement which reintroduces respect and communication so that you both know if the marriage is worth working for. *Send your comments/stories to Love Doctor. E-mail: ireto007@yahoo.com. For free marriage/relationships counseling, call Love Doctor Mike 07031028714, 08131161840.

Visit lovedrmike.blogspot.com

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all men: "Why do some men want to marry virgins, and who will marry those girls they deflowered?" *Call Mike: 07031028714 to send questions or issues.

Blackberry Connection Nkechi, 29, from PH, a graduate and beautiful, wants a man of 32 to 35 years for a relationship that will lead to marriage.

He must be a Christian and working or businessman in the East. BB pin: 293AE0D5.

e’ve all been there: you hear a catchy song and for days - or even weeks - on end you just can’t get it out of your head.

Known as an earworm or brainworm, the effect has been studied before - but its cause, and how to get rid of it, is poorly understood.

Now researchers say they have an answer; chewing gum after hearing a catchy song will help you think about it less often.

The study was carried out by scientists at the University of Reading.

In the research 98 volunteers were played the ‘catchy tunes’ Play Hard by David Guetta and Payphone by Maroon 5.

POSSIBLE EARWORM TRIGGERS • Recent music exposure • Repeated music exposure • Word triggers (eg. the word ‘faith’) • People triggers (where sight or memory of a person is associated with a song) • Situation trigger (eg. weddings can cause you to remember your own first dance song) • Stress • Surprise • Dreams • Mind wandering Over the next three minutes, they were then asked to hit a key every time they thought

• Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 to link up and for direct hookup.

of the songs - while chewing gum, not chewing gum or tapping their finger.

While chewing gum, volunteers reported thinking of the song less often than when they weren’t chewing gum, or when they were told to tap their finger instead.

And chewing gum also reduced the amount they ‘heard’ the song in their minds by a third.

The study is the first to examine the effects of chewing gum on earworms - and it suggests it could also be used to stop other unwanted or intrusive thoughts.

‘Interfering with our own “inner speech” through a more sophisticated version of the gum-chewing approach may work more widely,’ said Dr Phil Beaman, from the University’s School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, who led the study.

‘However more research is needed to see whether this will help counter symptoms of obsessive-compulsive and similar disorders.’

In a previous study by the University of Reading in 2009, it was found that almost any song can become an earworm.

A recent poll suggested over 90 per cent of the population experience them at least once a week with 15 per cent classifying their earworms as ‘disturbing’.

Courtesy: Daily Mail

'I became a prostitute after he... continued FROM page 36

• Connect with Mike on WhatsApp or BlackBerry Pin: 7ab29e22 or 21978F71 for details on how to send your BlackBerry or Smartphone Connect request.

37

tice myself glossing over it very quickly and hurriedly steering the topic of conversation toward my graduate degree instead. I hype it up and draw attention to it, as if to say, “yes, I’m a whore, but I’m also smart and normal, really, I promise!”

I find it pretentious and annoying when other people talk excessively about their university education, and I hate it that I have become one of those people. However, I feel an urgent need to communicate that I am more than “just a whore.”

In my darkest moments I am desperately overwhelmed with feelings of despair, and fear that I have made myself unlovable.

Sometimes I think the only way out of this mess it to stop working as a prostitute and

leave the sex industry behind. It would be hard to quit, though, because the work is relatively easy, my schedule is flexible, and I make twice as much money doing sex work as I could doing any other job I’m qualified for.

Besides, I can never take back what I’ve done. I will always have a history as a prostitute. I will always be seen as damaged goods, whether I am a current sex worker or a former one. So I might as well just keep going, right?

I don’t feel strong enough to cope with society’s condemnation, but there’s nothing I can do about it now. I wish I’d known what I was getting myself into before I jumped into this line of work. But most of all, I wish I’d never become a prostitute in the first place.

38

Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 april 2015

'My ex and my kids won't let me date!'

True Story

I

am finally in a long-term, healthy relationship with a great guy and even though I’ve been legally divorced for several years, I must keep this man hidden from my children, ages 11 and 13.

Why must I lead this double life?

Because my ex-husband (of four years) managed to convince my son and daughter that “if mommy finds someone else, it means she’s selfish and doesn’t care about her kids anymore.”

Believe it or not, we had a highly amicable divorce. After trying everything to save the marriage, (it became apparent nothing would work) we enthusiastically agreed to stay friends for the children’s sake once our 10year union was legally dissolved. We decided to share joint custody and things seemed fine (I understand divorce is never “fine” for children, but they appeared to be adapting and acclimating well) until I began doing what I thought was a normal life-cycle event (discreetly dating) and my ex-husband completely freaked out.

He's a huge fan of Dr. Laura Schlessinger, a well-known radio talk show host who advocates putting children first. I have no problem with that! But he constantly quotes her admonishments that “parents should not date until the kids are eighteen and have moved out of the house.”

Are we getting the idea here? He does not go out and has pretty much made our two children the sole reason for his existence. He doesn't believe “moving on” is morally or ethically the right thing to do when you have minor children.

I respect his viewpoints on this (although I believe our son and daughter would actually benefit if their father had someone else to balance out his life), but he does not extend me the same courtesy. He has badmouthed me to my own children for behaving in what I would define as a normal, healthy manner of living.

When I first met the new gentleman in my life, I thought maybe my ex-husband was just having a hard time adjusting and would eventually come around. I took care to only meet for dates far away from my home.

This was possible because he lived in a different area and we would go to dinner, walks on the beach, and to theaters in his distant town.

Pretty soon I felt like a common criminal! Here I was no longer married, but sneaking around like I was having an illicit affair. Explaining why I found myself in these circumstances to my new guy was challenging, but he was understanding and non-judgmental.

We continued on this way until logistically it became quite difficult and my boyfriend encouraged me to look at things from a new perspective, pointing out that I wasn't doing my children any favors by living the life of a double agent.

I bolstered my courage and took a tiny baby step. One evening we went to an outdoor concert in the city where I lived. Of course as luck would have it, my daughter's best friend was also there and by the next morning, my little girl had found out the "big" news. "Did you know your mom was in the park with a man who wasn't your dad?" Gasp!

Immediately I received a phone call from my ex-husband, telling me our daughter was hysterical and what was going on? I calmed everyone down by being dishonest and claiming that I was just out with "a friend." Admittedly this was my first big mistake, but I was scared and

panicked that I'd be branded with the “Scarlet Letter of Shame” and my children would hate me.

That first major upset eventually died down and for a while things went along fairly smoothly. One evening, Mr. Thoughtful Boyfriend (under the impression my children were with their father for the night) left some beautiful flowers on my front porch as a surprise. Bad idea!

When my kids spied the bouquet before I did, another major catastrophe ensued as they cried and bemoaned "mommy's dating is the reason we all can't be a real family again."

This time I insisted we all go to therapy to learn how to cope in healthier ways with this new chapter of our lives. Surely a professional could help my kids (and ex-husband!) adjust and accept that adults can move on with life, but they will always love their kids and make them a priority.

The child psychologist (who specialized in divorce cases) worked intensely with my children to help them understand that it's OK for parents to seek some joy in their lives with other gender adults. But my ex-husband worked on their psyches even more fiercely

during his time alone with them.

The children also felt extraordinarily protective of Daddy since he "was isolated and had nobody." I began to sense a distinct distancing from them. They much preferred to be with my Ex, even when it was my days/nights for visitation. I was devastated and brokenhearted at this unexpected turn of events.

Distraught beyond belief, I broke up with my boyfriend several different times over the course of the next year, explaining that this painful dilemma was tearing me apart in ways I couldn't articulate.

Each time he patiently and compassionately stood by while I grappled with my emotions and eventually realized that I was truly in love with this man and terribly unhappy being apart. That made it all the worse. Now what would I do?

Throughout the next many months I lived shrouded in secrecy, stashing away all gifts and greeting cards where nobody would find them. I admonished my boyfriend with "No flowers ever!"

I only got dressed and ready for dates AFTER my ex-husband picked up the kids so they couldn't see my appearance and question where I was headed.

I couldn't invite my boyfriend to any special occasions like weddings or holiday celebrations because staying friendly with my ex-husband had resulted in my entire extended family always including the children's father at all our gatherings.

Eventually my daughter became, (like all preteens) quite resourceful and took up a new hobby -- snooping. She found hidden treasures in my bedroom and even emails/texts that disclosed private sentiments I never would have overtly shared.

My "second world" was finally exposed and completely unacceptable to her and her younger brother. They both became distrustful of me, calling me a liar -- which of course was true.

Today the future looks bleak because everyone’s bitterness and resentment has grown tenfold. My kids have branded my kindhearted boyfriend (parroting their father’s words) “the bad man who prevents us from being a family again.” And for that reason alone, they will always hate him.

I never thought it possible, but somehow my children and ex-husband became so powerful and united that they are able to force me to choose between a relationship with them and the man I have grown to love.

Courtesy: nine.com

Wedding Traditions

Walking his mother down the aisle: France.

I

n France, the groom customarily walks his mother down the aisle before arriving at the altar to be married. This is a lovely gesture that can be easily adopted and will surely elicit a collective "aww" from the audience.

The trousseau also originated in France and it literally referred to a bundle of linens and clothing that the bride would take with her after the wedding, which were stored in a hope chest that was hand-carved by her father.

Courtesy: Irish Central.

Love Education

What causes painful period (dysmenorrhea)?

M

ost cases of period pain are a normal part of your menstrual cycle and can usually be treated at home.

The period pain occurs when the muscular wall of the womb contracts.

Mild contractions continually pass through your womb, but they're usually so mild that most women can't feel them.

During your period, the wall of your womb starts to contract more vigorously, to encourage the lining of your womb to shed away as part of your monthly menstrual cycle.

When the muscular wall of your womb contracts, it compresses the blood vessels that line your womb.

This temporarily cuts off the blood supply (and hence oxygen supply) to your womb. Without oxygen, the tissues in your womb release chemicals that trigger pain in your body.

While your body is releasing these pain-triggering chemicals, it's also producing another set of chemicals known as prostaglandins. Prostaglandins encourage the womb muscles to contract further, therefore increasing the level of pain.

It's not yet known why some women experience more period pain than others. It has been suggested that some women may develop a build-up of prostaglandins, which means their contractions are much stronger than other women's.

Period pain caused by a medical condition (secondary dysmenorrhoea) Less commonly, your period pain may be caused by an underlying medical condition, such as: • endometriosis – the cells that normally line the womb start to grow in other places within the body, usually in the fallopian tubes and ovaries; when these cells shed and fall away, they can cause intense pain.

• fibroids – this condition occurs when non-cancerous tumours grow in the womb, which can make your periods heavy and painful.

• pelvic inflammatory disease – your womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries become infected with bacteria, leaving them severely inflamed (swollen and irritated).

• adenomyosis – the tissue that normally lines the womb starts to grow within the muscular wall of the womb, making your periods particularly painfuL. • intrauterine device (IUD) – this is a form of contraception made from copper and plastic, which fits inside the womb; it can sometimes cause period pain, especially in the first few months after it is inserted If you have painful periods caused by an underlying condition, you may also have other symptoms, such as: • irregular periods • bleeding in between periods • thick or foul-smelling vaginal discharge • pain during sex You are more likely to develop this sort of period pain as you get older.

Most affected women are aged 30-45.

Period pain caused by one of the above conditions is normally indicated by a change in your normal pattern of pain. For example, you may find your period pain has significantly increased, or that it lasts for much longer than normal.

Source: nhs.uk; en.wikipedia.org.

SATURDAY

Travel &Tourism SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2015

Travel Personality Tomi Akingbogun: Nigerian hotels not making profit p.40

Hospitality

For Stonehedge Hotel, it's a promising debut p.41

Destination

For Benue, it's a half empty tourism basket p.42

CHEF'S CORNER

T

rendy, healthy and fit look is making the rounds globally as no one wants to be caught in that obese and sometimes unhealthy body mass. Many battles go through a lot of battles just to gain weight loss in order to look admirable and command that impressive second or stand out look from the crowd.

Many techniques and diets have been suggested to help people take off that extra body mass and maintain a healthy regime. Here are top 10 rated juices (fruits made into juices), which if followed through regularly alongside other measures could do the magic for those looking to escape out of that body mass.

Grapefruit: Grapefruit is said to keep hunger away and speeds metabolic rate to help burn fat faster. If you’re buying grapefruit juice, however, it’s important to make sure the juice isn’t loaded with additional sugar, which will derail your diet.

Kale: It makes a great add-in for your homemade juice because it’s packed with B-complex vitamins, which actually help you derive energy from other nutrients.

Celery: Though most people tend to view Celery as bad but the truth is that Celery juice is actually a great post-workout add-in because it’s a good source of natural organic sodium, which replaces the electrolytes you lose when you get your sweat on.

Cucumber: The water is not only delicious and refreshing, cucumber is a natural diuretic, so it’s perfect if you’re looking to shed that last couple of pounds of water weight.

Juices that pep your looks

ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA presents a list of 10 juice famed for their weight loss potential.

Coconut Water: Coconut water is a great way to add sweetness to your juice without blowing your diet. It increases your metabolic rate and acts as a diuretic, making it healthy and delicious. Just make sure you

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

add unsweetened coconut water and not coconut milk, which is packed with calories and nowhere near as nutritious.

Watermelon: Its juice can help. According to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the amino acids found in watermelon helped to reduce muscle soreness in their test group of athletes.

Carrot: Raw carrot juice is full of antioxidants and phytochemicals, which help with the regulation of blood sugar. If you’re prone to midday crashes that lead to doughnut cravings, try a carrot juice-based drink; it could help pep you up and keep you on track.

Ginger: A little ginger goes a long way. In addition to spicing up your fruit juice, ginger is packed with potassium, which helps build muscle and can even aid your body in breaking down carbohydrates.

Culled from: www.msn.com

ZTA on A’SAMBENI 2015 From Chief Executive of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), Mr. Karikoga Kaseke, has come words of encouragement to tourism players interested in the Polish market to register for the 2015 A’Sambeni Business Tourism Expo which runs concurrently with the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair from April 28 to May 2.

He disclosed that ZTA in partnership with the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) will this year host 20 MICE agents from Poland, United States of America and South Africa. According to Kaseke, the Polish incentive market is very keen to package Zimbabwe as an incentive travel destination for the fast growing Polish market.

A’Sambeni which is in its second year provides exhibitors with an opportunity to engage various local, regional and international corporate, who annually converge for the

39

Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. The ZTA head said that Zimbabwe will continue to seriously engage international and regional MICE players so as to increase arrivals and receipts from international business tourists into Zimbabwe.

The A’Sambeni buyers are expected to arrive in Victoria Falls in two groups, between April 24 and 27.

TRAVEL BEATS

UNWTO partners Basque Culinary Centre on first World Forum on Food

Rifai

…Seeks to boost tourism Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has in a bid to boost its tourism arrivals and receipts engaged the local, regional and international corporate senior executives at various forums on the potential and importance of business tourism.

Mice Incentive Conventions Exhibitions (MICE) experts will host two presentations at the 2015 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair with the aim of edu-

cating corporate organisations on business tourism. The first workshop will be facilitated by an incentive expert, Mr. Joost DeMeyer, who is the chairman and chief executive officer of First Incentive Travel Company from the United States of America. This will hold on April 28 at the ZITF VIP Lounge.

His presentation will be dwell on “Improving productivity through Incentive Travel”.

The natural ties between tourism and food are to be explored as the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) partners Basque Culinary Centre to host the first World Forum on Food, which is billed to hold in Donostia, San Sebastian, Spain, between April 27 and 28.

The forum will provide a platform to exchange experiences, enhancing the understanding of food tourism and how to successfully manage this growing tourism segment worldwide.

Some of the experts scheduled to be at the event includes the former chef, best-selling author and television personality, Anthony Bourdain, executive director of the World Food Travel Association, Erik Wolf and renowned Spanish chef Pedro Subijana.

The workshop sessions will offer opportunity for closer interaction with food and tourism professionals from across the globe and learn more about branding, strategy and key success factors for food tourism destinations among other topics.

“Getting a taste of local cuisine has become an essential part of the travelling experience, and as such gastronomy presents a vital opportunity to enrich the tourism offer and stimulate economic development in destinations all around the world, not the least in rural communities. I trust that this Forum will further strengthen the ability of food tourism to create local job opportunities and spur renewed interest in traditional cultural heritage,” said UNWTO secretary-general, Taleb Rifai.

40

Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 april 2015

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

TOMI AKINGBOGUN Nigerian hotels not making profit Tomi Akingbogun is the managing director of Hotel Rosebud Limited, an Abuja-based hospitality home, and the president of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) as well as a former president of the Hotel Owners Forum of Abuja (HOFA). He speaks with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA on his forage into the hospitality sector and the state of hotel business in Nigeria, among others.

A

The birth of Hotel Rosebud contract he got with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to supply furniture changed the course of his life. According to him, he expended the profit from the business in the building of a house, which he later sold and bought the land in which Hotel Rosebud is situated today.

His original plan was to build a property for commercial purpose but somewhere along the line he realised how difficult it could be managing a commercial property.

“Then I later realised how difficult it would be managing the building.

Since I was into furniture production, it was easier for me to furnish and start a hotel,” he says.

However, he recalls that in the management of the hotel, he has to call his experience, which he garnered running Twotis Restaurant with a friend in his student days at the University of Ibadan to bear. “I had experimented with running the students’ union’s restaurant in the university.

“I discussed with the students’ union president and got the approval to run a restaurant. I then invited a friend to partner with me to start Twotis Restaurant with N3,000.

“It was a huge success such that the first month profit was N3,500. This profit was good enough to buy a Beatle car then. It was not therefore difficult for me to run Hotel Rosebud Limited.”

Hotel business in Nigeria lacks properly coordinated development plan Though Akingbogun may have succeeded in keeping his hotel business afloat over the years, he is nonetheless saddened by the poor state of the hospitality business in Nigeria. “It is being driven not by a purposely-formulated direction, dream, policy or master plan.

“Everyone jumps into building hotels without adequate survey. For example, there are many hotels almost to a point of saturation without development of destinations to encourage tourists to patronise the hotels and restaurants. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation is not on top of development of tourism.”

Besides, Akingbogun who for years ran the affairs of the Hotel Owners Forum of Abuja (HOFA) before becoming the president of FTAN about two years now bemoans the fate of the sector. He regrets that it is bedevilled by government’s lack of understanding of how it works and the developmental issues involved other than seeing it as a cash cow and therefore, placing multiple taxations and levies on the operators

“Now, every arm of government is interested in getting taxes or levies from hospitality. This is worst as oil revenue is reducing. Multiple taxations by the various arms of government are not coordinated by anyone.

Influx of international brands is good for the country One good side to the seeming uncoordinated and unregulated nature of the hospitality sector, he says, is the influx of international brands alongside the independent hotel brands.

He sees this development as a boost for the country’s economy. “The incoming of international brands is good for Nigerian economy. It has raised the standard of hotels’ accommodation.”

Although he agrees that, “this has created more jobs for the population,” the economy of it is a different ball game. According to him, the hotels are not evenly spread with cities like Lagos and Abuja having too many rooms while others have fewer in terms of the demand and supply curve.

“This shows that there is no active process of developing our hotel rooms across the country. There are no accessible and reliable data for investors to tap on. We hope government agencies charged with this responsibility will wake up soon enough,” he says.

Investing in hotels in Nigeria is good investment “Investing in hotel in Nigeria is good investment for an investor.

There is good inflow of domestic customers, (no international customers). This is expected with our population of 160 million. Like any property investment, location is very important. Also, quality should be as good as possible due to competition in the market. However, quality is limited by availability of funds.

Any potential investor cannot access affordable funds. If loan is taken at the present interest rate of 25 per cent or higher, it is very unlikely that repayment will be possible.

“Hotel investment is a long term investment; in Nigeria we do not have long term loans yet. The mortgage industry is still in the infantry stage that needs to be encouraged to develop by government’s policies.

Prospective investors now need to be aware that there is discriminatory electricity power bill for commercial investments in the country.”

Challenges of running a successful hotel The challenges, he says, are myriad but top on the list for him, is that of staff quality, which he observes, “is poor, many of our un-

Akingbogun

BACKGROUND

Hotel business cannot be profitable when there is multiple taxation and highly punitive levies from government agencies and local government

Tomi Akingbogun is a graduate of Animal Science from the University of Ibadan. Years ago he was a green horn in the tourism industry but somehow hotel business caught his imagination and he decided to throw his hat into it. Today he does not only run his hospitality outfit, Hotel Rosebud, in Abuja but he is a major play to be reckon with in the tourism industry as he has risen among others to become the president of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), which is the parent body to which all the private sector tourism associations or bodies subscribe.

He describes his entry into hospitality business as a mere accident and not something motivated by an initial love as his first love or business was furniture production with a base in Ibadan, Oyo State.

employed youths are not properly trained for the industry that is very ready to employ them. Social and political instability have affected the industry badly. 2015 has been a very bad year for hotels in Nigeria and worst in Abuja.”

There is also the issue of multiple taxations, which for him is a recurring decimal in the equation. Other factors outlined by him include “lack of access to affordable funds. The tourism intervention fund that we have been asking for has never been attended to although the minister says presidential approval had been given.

“The CBN is not making the situation better; they excluded hotels from small and medium scale loans and funds that are available at nine per cent interest rate. The reason for exclusion of tourism is not clear to us the investors.”

Hotel is a profitable business but…

Akingbogun says that “hotel business is profitable if all the economic inputs are in place. It cannot be profitable if there is no electricity. Or the National Electricity Regulatory Council (NERC) decides to increase electricity tariff by 94 per cent when the governing rule stipulated that it should not be changed until 2017 and not more than five per cent per annum. Hotel business cannot be profitable if there is terrorism in the country.

“Hotel business cannot be profitable when there is multiple taxation and highly punitive levies from government agencies and local government.

“Hotel business cannot be profitable when there is no active development of tourism in Nigerian economy. The tourism master plan is yet to be implemented.

A lot of things drive the hotel business, some of which include leisure and business tourism as well as events. However, Akingbogun informs that Nigeria is yet to develop into proper tourist destination where all of these factors come into place hence he laments the poor state of tourism development in the country.

Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 april 2015

41

HOSPITALITY

A

The hotel's facade

One of the bedrooms

buja, the Federal Capital Territory is home to a number of hotels, both international brands and independently run hotel of various classes. And the number is on the rise daily with Stonehedge Hotel located on Plot 1041 Kur Mohammed Street, Central Business District, being the newest addition to this growing statistics.

What strikes you easily about the hotel is not really the panache, beautiful ambience and sophisticated nature of the facilities as well as its opulent showpiece; rather, the hotel simply prides itself as a place guests "will find just about anything".

That is interesting especially given that it serves non–alcoholic beverages, setting one on instant exploration in a bid to uncover just what the magic is and what it is really they have on offer. As a result, there has been a huge customer traffic in its brief existence.

Accommodation: The hotel has five categories of rooms, namely Standard and Executive rooms, Junior and Executive suites as well as presidential suites. All are luxury personified as they are fitted with modern hospitality amenities and functional gadgets for the comfort of the guest. Some of these include – comfy bed, coffee/tea facilities, fridge with complimentary, vanity/work desk, flat screen TV with cable and local channels, telephone and en-suite bathroom with shower, hairdryer, kitchenette (Executive rooms) and lounges (all the suites).

Dining/wining: The hotel offers sumptuous meals with rich continental and African delicacies ranging from breakfast, lunch to dinner as well as the Sunday brunch. Its Marafa Restaurant is artistically designed and fitted for dining delight and it comes with a good view and serene atmosphere while The Coffee Bean shop located in the foyer also offers a good mix of meals, cakes and different kinds of pastries.

Conference: There are a number of meeting rooms and facilities that would delight event planners. This includes the Ahmadu Bello Hall which sits about 250 persons, fully air-conditioned and equipped with state-ofthe-art equipment. It also has a private holding area for VIPs to relax before

For Stonehedge Hotel, it's a promising debut YEKEEN NURUDEEN who was at the newly opened Stonehedge Hotel in Abuja, writes that its impressive opening points to a promising future despite the stiff competition in the nation's capital.

the conference; Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall – sits about 100 persons and also fully equipped alongside Obafemi Awolowo Boardroom, which comfortably sits 18 persons for executive meeting and about 50 persons conference style.

Other facilities: Located in the hotel's shopping mall are such outlets as fully equipped gymnasium, business centre, travel agency, boutique, pharmacy, hair salon and gift shop.

The foyer.

Inset: Roux

be the most innovative and resourceful hotel, creating unprecedented opportunities for our associates while benefiting our communities".

He explained further that ‘‘our mission is to provide superior service for our customers through development of our staff and implementation of technologies. To celebrate every guest and associate through genuine kindness, superior hospitality, and inspired passion."

Roux who has been part of the hotel's project from its conception in 2010, knows too well the focus of the hotel and the reason for the choice of Abuja, which according to him, is to provide enough quality rooms and services for visitors and residents of the FCT. ‘‘We cater for specific market; people that want to be close to the centre of town, the hub because we are absolutely

Vision/statement Stonehedge Hotel is managed by Peter Roux of the South Africa-based Ikusasa Hospitality Management Group. He is the chief executive officer of the group, which is noted for its top-notch properties. With 35 years experience in the hospitality industry, Roux said the vision of the hotel is "to

in the hub. People that want to be close to the court and other places in the city centre. We are here because of businessmen and politicians that want to be close to where they need to be,’’ he noted. ‘‘So service is number one, quality is second and people that know what they are doing which is very important. That's why we trained for a very long time our staff and it goes on a daily basis; the training. I'm one of those people who believe that you are never too old to learn because every day there is something new to learn in the world, he said of the focus of the hotel and oiling its processes for effective product and service delivery."

Not fazed by the stiff competition of the Abuja market, he is optimistic that the hotel would become a reference point. ‘‘the man that stands out is the man that makes the money. I want to be the man that stands out. People must know it. There are three hotels that are next door to one another but the major one is the one that is the best and that is the one I want to stay.’’

On the uniqueness of the hotel, the Roux said: ‘‘I compete with the best hotels in Nigeria purely on the room size because my room is first class; my conference room service is first class. There are very few hotels in Nigeria where you can actually have a conference room with a state-of-the-art equipment. ‘‘In 10 years' time, Abuja would be what Lagos is today even better in terms of business hub. Remember Abuja is still relatively new so it has to expand and with the infrastructure in Abuja the scope for expansion is better than Lagos because there's no space in Lagos to improve and expand. That's why things have to happen here because this is the capital. House of power is here. Business might be in Lagos now but within a couple of years business would be here."

NEW TELEGRAPH PARTNER HOTELS B E N E F I TS There are lots of benefits to derive as one of our partner hotels. For enquiries and details on how to join the programme, please contact Andrew Iro Okungbowa: 08023152195 (sms only), e-mail: iroandy@ymail.com or Chinyere Opara: 08063768131 (sms only) e-mail angela_ curtis-2@live.com

FESTAC, LAGOS

ABA

Panda Hotel Suites & Lounge

ABA

LAGOS

42 Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 april 2015

DESTINATION

Welcoming smiles from three young ladies attired in the traditional and symbolic cultural outfit of the people

For Benue, it's a half empty tourism basket ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA writes that although Benue State may be considered the food basket of Nigeria, when it comes to tourism the basket hardly draws any accolade.

B Profile

enue State, known as the food basket of Nigeria given its agrarian nature then, is one of the states in the country's North-Central geopolitical zone. It got its name from the River Benue, the second largest river in the country which runs through the state.

With a land mass spanning 32,518 square kilometres, the state is bordered to the north by Nasarawa State, Taraba State to the east and Cross River State to the south while Enugu State is to the southwest and Kogi to the west. Part of its border to the south-east is shared with the Republic of Cameroun.

The state comprises many ethnic groups such as Tiv, Idoma, Igede, Etulo, Abakpa, Jukun, Hausa, Akweya and Nyifon, giving it a rich blend of alluring cultural heritage.

With Makurdi as its capital, the state has 23 local government areas but has since lost its allure and place of pride in Nigeria as the "food basket of the nation". Though some efforts have been made in recent time to regain that lost glory, the rhetoric has yet to be matched with sufficient action.

But away from its dipped fortune in agriculture, Benue State has a number of notable towns and communities which have hugged the limelight over the years.

The list includes the capital city, Makurdi, which is home to the Nigerian Air Force; Gboko, Otukpo, Katsina–Ala, Kwande, Zaki–Biam, Vandeikya, Obi, Okpokwu,

Food basket symbolising the state's slogan

Ogbadibo and Adikpo.

Tourism Its diverse cultural heritage as evident in the people's music, dance, festivals, arts and crafts creates an ideal mix for tourism.

Add the fact that the state has ample natural attractions, which include rich fascinating and enchanting scenery, ecosystem, flora and fauna and beach fronts, and you would see why the tourism ought to be a flourishing enterprise in the state.

But the reality is that the tourism basket of the state, as many observers would rather say, is half full if not almost empty as hardly anything is ever heard of its tourism strides. There are no garlands yet for the state tourism as the state government and its people have not been able to come together to devise a better and mutually profitable way to reinvent its tourism just as they have failed to do with regard to agriculture.

The state is one of the few states across the country with a ministry of culture and tourism charged with initiating policies and implementing same for the growth and development of tourism in the state. But the ministry seemed not to have grasped the import of the duties it is saddled with.

Many of what should ordinarily be tourist

attractions are in a beggarly state which, put simply, is a reflection of the rather feeble attempts made to give tourism a shot in the arm.

Makurdi: For anyone visiting and thinking of experiencing tourism in the state, this city should be the first port of call. Makurdi was first the headquarters of the then Benue Province and when Benue State was created in 1976, it was natural for it to be named the capital city. Economically and socio–culturally it has earned the right to be so named.

It was once an important trading centre given the presence of Benue River, which inspired the establishment of trading depots by companies such as UAC and John Holt Limited. The presence of a railway bridge also added value to its economic activities. What is left of some of these establishments are sad reminders of the glorious economic boom the city once enjoyed.

The river naturally splits the city into north and south, and it has added some colour to the city's outlook. Some of the existing structures in the southern part of the city include the Government House, The State Secretariat, The federal secretariat, commercial banks, police headquarters, Nigeria Prisons Service, Benue Printing and Publishing Company Limited, Ra-

dio Benue, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Central Post Office, Benue Hotels and Benue State University. Others are Aper Aku Township Stadium, Nigeria Air force Base, the Makurdi Modern Market, the Federal Medical Centre and Nigeria Railway Station.

Some of the structures within the northern flank of the city include the Federal University of Agriculture, the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, the headquarters of the 72 Airborne Battalion and the State Headquarters of the Department of Customs and Excise.

River Benue boosts an alluring beach front which cries for development and transformation into a tourist haven if the necessary impetus and resources are mustered for a holiday resort fitted with a number of water-related leisure facilities for boat cruise, swimming, sport fishing and many more.

Gboko: Known in the local parlance as "Gboko-yuhwa" which literally means "heavy town", a reference to what is perceived as the somewhat rebellious attitude of its youths, G – Town ( the town's other nickname), is the headquarters of Gboko local government area and, more importantly, the traditional home of the Tiv, one of the dominant ethnic groups in the state.

It is the traditional home of the Tor–Tiv, the paramount ruler of the Tiv. It has produced a number of prominent Nigerians with the late politician, Senator Joseph Saawuan Tarka, as one of the most influential Tiv politicians in his days. His tomb has been preserved over the years and is one of the attractions for people.

It is not as developed as Makurdi, but it certainly has a rich cultural repertoire and heritage, which if given some makeover would attract a lot of interests.

Perhaps the most popular of its cultural expression is the Kwagh–hir Festival, which is noted for its storytelling and

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 april 2015

Travel & Tourism 43

puppetry.

In the sport arena, years ago, Gboko was atop the perking order in the football world with BCC Lions, owned by the Benue Cement Company, having a long glorious spell in both Nigeria and Africa. The club is now defunct.

Katsina-Ala: It's a thriving town and one of the 23 local government areas of the state. Historically, it is rich and important to the people and home to a number of historical structures.

One of them is the Government College, Katsina–Ala, which was founded in 1914. It is also home of the terracotta, one of the richest and enduring artefacts of the country.

Attractions Anwase-Abande Ranges: These are indeed beautiful and aesthetically inviting ranges, a reminder of the beauty and attractions of the Obudu rolling hills. Of course, it is part of the adjoining Obudu – Cameroun ranges. This beautiful sight is located in Kwande local Government Area of the state.

Parts of its attractions include its temperate climate similar to that in Obudu, forested scenery, dissected hills, dykes, dozens of fast flowing streams and incised valleys. It is a beautiful place for camping, sight-seeing and picnicking.

The Rare Manatee: For lovers of faunas, Katsina–Ala River presents a life-time opportunity to feast on African manatee, which are rare mammals found in their natural environment Tor Tiv Palace, Gboko: The formal residence of the traditional ruler of the Tiv is one of the traditional sanctuaries in the state, offering insight into the rich cultural heritage of the people, being home to a number of court arts and other creative expressions of the people. The palace is rich in historical artefacts relating to the Tiv. Ikyogen Hills: This is one of the best representations of the scenic landscape of Benue as it presents hilly plains of luscious green and is at its bloom during the rainy season. Accessible all year round, it lends itself to a lot of leisure activities, such as picnic but it is yet to be developed into a truly leisure spot.

Dajo Pottery: It's a centre for art and craft located in Makurdi with specialty in pottery. Locally made pots are some of the ornamental arts produced daily at the centre and visitors would be taken in by the intriguing traditional production methods of the artisans.

Ushongo Hills: These hilly ranges are also part of the scenic beauty of the state and offers opportunity for leisure seekers to relax and engage in different activities.

It enjoys a clement weather.

Ikwe Holiday Resort: One of the top destinations in the state where visitors can enjoy most of their time undisturbed. The resort offers visitors an opportunity to ex-

Elephant tusk

Aerial view of Makurdi during a carnival. Inset: Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam

perience the work of nature.

Enemabia Warm Spring: A natural warm spring offering a blissful and attractive environment for people to relax and savour the best of nature. Still in rustic state, it needs to be developed into a real attraction for the people.

Gulgur Fall and Beach: It's part of the Katsina–Ala River and offers beautiful scenery for people to unwind and enjoy nature.

Vandeikya Rock: Located in Tarkpo

Ikyogen hills

Benue dancers in cat costume

Mbagbera, Vandeikya local government area of the state holds some attraction for the people. It is a beautiful rock formation and offers natural bliss and opportunity to catch a glimpse of monkeys. The area is referred to by locals as the home of rock and monkeys: "vande" – rock and "ikya" - monkey.

National Museum: Located in Makurdi, the museum houses arts and craft of the people which bear testimony to the creative impulse and diverse

cultural heritage of the people.

Eje-Alekwu Festival: One of the colourful and rich cultural festivals of the people celebrated in the Idoma speaking areas of Otukpo, Ado and Okpowu local government areas of the state.

Ujor Festival: It is a new yam festival celebrated also by the Idoma people in Ado Local Government Area of the state in the month of September.

Akata Fishing Festival; Celebrated by the Tiv people, it is held annually between March and May at Lake Akata and celebrates the rich culture of the people.

Igede Agba Festival: It is also a new yam festival held by the people of Igede in the month of September.

Kwagh-Hir Festival: It is a rich storytelling event utilizing heavy costumes and masquerades. But its most prominent feature is the use of puppetry to put across its message. It is a show of the full African theatre where music, dance and elaborate costumes are featured. Celebrated annually by the Tiv, it used to be one of the most popular cultural heritages of the people and its fame goes across the country and is acknowledged worldwide.

But unfortunately, the people have not invested in developing and promoting it as a world class festival and tourism product that should attract traffic to the state and its locality.

Mzough U Tiv (Tiv National Day): Held in Gboko annually by the Tiv, it is a colourful event which serves as a rallying point for the Tiv culturally. But it needs to be properly developed and elevated into a rich tourism event attracting people from across the country and the globe.

TV & Radio with Angela Davies

From Eve, a new Tale debuts

T

ales of Eve, which debuted in June 2011, is an insightful, informative and educative television drama series. The drama series is a collection of touching stories, which truly portrays the life and experiences of African women as they live through the trials and triumphs of womanhood.

Interestingly, each story seeks to exhaustively understand every thought and emotion scripted into drama and brought to life for all to experience. As such, in each story, women are seen in different stages of life as well as backgrounds.

Each season also showcases the struggles, failures, triumphs, foolishness, depth of hatred and love, mistakes and restitutions made by women. It also intimately explores social, psychological, cultural and even moral issues and the manner in which they are presented to African women.

Season five which is the latest in the drama series is titled Thanks for coming and it is about prostitution otherwise known as ‘runs’ practised by some university undergraduates.

Thanks for coming was shot in the University of Lagos and other environs around Lagos. It revolves around the glamorous world of three undergraduates namely Irene, Boma and Eric whose paths crossed by chance, but become entangled by the circumstances that life throws their way as they navigate through university life.

Irene and Boma are from completely different backgrounds, however, fate made them form a questionable friendship. Irene is a 300-level student of Business Administration whose painful past turned her into an unrepentant ‘runs’ girl.

She is a beautiful and attractive girl popularly known on the campus as the Aristo Queen, due to her amorous relationship with older men. Irene is however a ‘runs’ girl with class. She only tends to the high and mighty in society, hence, has no time for campus romance. In campus, she has very few friends because of her lifestyle. She misses classes and tests just to travel for the sake of parties and the amount of money she will make from such trips. This got her into trouble with one of her no-nonsense lecturer, Dr Ajayi.

Boma on the other hand is a fresher in the university. She is from a humble background who is facing family problems and financial constraints because of her father’s involvement in an industrial accident.

She is an avid reader, and loves to

Cast of Thanks for Coming Season 5 Tales of Eve drama series

write stories and poems. However, a chance meeting with Irene and some questionable characters, throw up certain life-changing choices, which she must make.

Irene’s life takes a different turn when she falls in love with her classmate, Eric, a young intelligent man. Eric’s relationship with Irene brings him more heartbreak than he envisaged. As Irene becomes more involved with Eric, she longs to live a clean life. For her, having experienced various levels of socioeconomic class, her greatest fear is poverty and the need to conquer this drives her. But the question is: will her love for Eric win over her desire for affluence?

Before she met Irene, Boma dreams of a much better life and she believes she can only accomplish this by excelling in her studies. But will her association with Irene help her achieve or destroy her dreams?

The 30-minute spellbinding drama series features Nancy Isime as Irene, Judith Audu played Nengi, Adeniyi Johnson acted as Eric, Jerry Smart played Stanley and Doris Ifeka played the character, Boma and a host of others.

So, if you are interested in knowing what will happen to Irene, Boma and Eric, then, tune to African Independent Television (AIT) every Saturday at 9:00 pm to watch as the drama unfolds with each episode.

Jacqueline

J

acqueline Adebija is the presenter and producer of health matters, people’s mandate and Tika and Haka on Liberty Radio 91.7 FM, Kaduna. She is also a producer and host at Liberty Television.

She is an extrovert who believes that human eyes are the windows to the soul.

She is someone who will never get tired of meeting people, making friends and travelling to new places.

One of Adebija’s favourite quotes is, “I do not have to be better than anyone else other than who I was yesterday.”

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Sunday @ 7:00 pm

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Rainbow Lounge (Rainbow FM)

A drama series about a tale of four friends who struggle with life’s tough choices, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.

The insightful programme is about connecting Africa’s youth. It educates youths across Africa through the use of drawings, illustration and live events.

The show features entertainment scoop, celebrity Interviews, new songs, beauty corner, request and shout outs, sports, amazing facts and a whole lot more.

Mon-Fri @10:00 am

44

This weekend

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

Programme summary

Before 30 (ONTV)

SATURDAY, 25 APRIL, 2015

Saturday 9.00 Mega Sports 10.00 World News 10.30 Family Affairs 10.55 Presenter’s D’Lite 11.00 Young World 12.00 UK TOP 40 2.00 Saturday Jamz 6.55 Sat.Nite Groove 8.30 Squadron Football 9.00 Kennis Music

Sunday 5.00 Inspiration 6.00 Catholic F.Radio 6.30 Break.f. Praises 6.35 Prophetic word 6.50 Breakf.Praises 7.00 Apocalupsis 7.30 Newspheadline 7.35 Sun.Morn.Bliss 9.00 Ward Rounds 10.00 World News

SATURDAY, 25 APRIL, 2015

SATURDAY

Politics cover

45

Cover

IGP’s sack deserves explanations, says Coomassie p.47

Cover

Nigeria’s police chiefs From Edet to Arase p.48

Perspectives

Nd’Igbo and the Future (2) p.51

Suleiman Abba

The unmaking of a police chief I © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Barely eight months ago, Suleiman Abba became the 17th indigenous Inspector General of Police, holding sway at a very critical political era in Nigeria. ONWUKA NZESHI revisits his tenure and how a promising career was cut short by interplay of political forces, including allegations of sabotage.

f a soothsayer had told the immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba that he would be relieved of his appointment last Tuesday, the fellow would probably have been taken for a drunk living in the euphoria of alcohol-induced hallucinations. The poor fellow could even have been arrested and detained for interrogation to ascertain his true state of mind.

Abba was appointed only eight months ago and by normal calculations, he had four years ahead of him to serve his fatherland and thereafter retire graciously. But that will no longer be. He is going home earlier than he had expected and might continue to reflect on this abrupt exit for the rest of his life.

Since the general elections were won and lost, Abba had allegedly been making smart moves to keep his job. He was said to have

made overtures to the incoming administration and covertly pledged his loyalty. In his quiet moments, he must have prayed fervently that the wind of change propelled by the political transition will not sweep through Louis Edet House, the headquarters of the Nigeria Police.

His Career Abba has had a brilliant career, rising through the ranks to the topmost top in the service. He was born on March 22, 1958 in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State. After his elementary and secondary education in this locality, he proceeded to the university for a degree in History and later studied Law as well to equip him fully for the task ahead.

His major breakthrough came when he was

appointed as the Aide de Camp to Mrs Mariam Abacha, wife of the then military Head of State, late General Sani Abacha.

Thereafter, he rose to become a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and was nominated to attend the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State. It was after this programne that he was promoted to the rank of a Commissioner of Police (CP) and made the Deputy Force Secretary.

In 2010, his tour of duty took him to Rivers State where he served as the Commissioner of Police. He was later promoted to the position of an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 7, which paced the security of lives and property in the Federal CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

46 Cover

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

Abba

How ex-IG shot self in the foot C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 4 5

Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Kaduna and Niger States under his command. It was while at this strategic post that President Goodluck Jonathan spotted him and appointed him the Inspector-General of Police on August 1, 2014.

His Reign As at the time of his appointment as the Inspector-General of Police, Abba was not the most senior officer in the hierarchy of the Nigeria Police. He was the ninth most senior cop but was favoured above eight of his superiors and made the Acting Inspector General of Police.

Since his appointment came in the build up to a crucial general election, Abba was perceived in some circles as one with a mission and a programme to execute in favour of the Jonathan's regime.

Few days after his appointment, Abba began to exhibit the traits of an overzealous cop who wanted to be seen to be loyal to constituted authorities. In one of his meetings with senior police officers, he was said to have vowed that politicians with criminal records would be prevented from contesting the 2015 general elections. According to him, the police under his leadership will collaborate with other security agencies, particularly the Department of State Security (DSS) to ensure that candidates with criminal records were not allowed to contest the election.

Faulty Steps Two months into his tenure, Abba descended fully into the political arena and exposed his tendency to be partisan in the discharge of his official duties. The test came when the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and adjourned the plenary sitting of the House in a manner that foreclosed any discussions on his future roles in the chamber.

Few hours later, his security details were withdrawn on the orders of the su-

per cop. In a statement withdrawing the security details of the Speaker, Abba cited the provisions of Section 68 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Section 68 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution says: “A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if - (g) being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected; Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored.

In the opinion of Abba, the Speaker (Tambuwal) had by his defection ceased to be not just the Speaker but a member of the House of Representatives.

Although this position appeared to have favored President Jonathan and the ruling party, it boomeranged when it was subjected to further legal scrutiny. It turned out that Abba had jumped the gun and arrogated to the Police, the role of the Judiciary in the interpretation of laws. He was roundly critcised for meddling the internal affairs of the legislature.

Abba Vs Jega Few days to the March 28 presidential elections, Abba issued an advisory to the electorate asking them to conduct themselves properly when they go out to vote.

He specifically told the voters to cast their ballots and go home. But this was perceived in some quarters as a ploy by the police to rig the elections in favour of the candidates of the ruling party.

The advisory was promptly countered by the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega who asked voters to cast their ballot and watch the proceedings at a distance of 300 meters from the polling units. According to Jega, voters were permitted by law to protect their votes by monitoring the process of counting of the

votes cast during an election. It became a contest between two institutions of government issuing conflicting directives on a common issue relevant to a peaceful and transparent conduct of the election.

The Switch of Allegiance Soon after the results of the presidential election was announced and MajorGeneral (rtd) Muammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner, Abba reportedly did a tactical switch of loyalty. Saturday Telegraph learnt that the switch of allegiance was purposely done in order to explore the possibilities of retaining his position when the administration takes over.

In his subsequent outings ahead of the second round of elections, Abba reportedly became conscious of the new Pharaoh coming to reign over Egypt and adjusted his postings to suit the interests of the incoming regime.

"Few days to the April 11 governorship and Houses of Assembly elections, the IGP deployed many AIGs (Assistant Inspectors General of Police) to supervise the elections in some states.

"That exercise, though a routine one during elections, landed the IGP in troubled waters. His order that AIG Mbu (Joseph Mbu), who is in charge of Zone 2, Lagos, should supervise the exercise in Ogun was also questioned.

"The IGP was also seen as working against the tide, when he directed AIG Tunde Ogunshakin to supervise Rivers.

Lagos and Rivers were really in conten-

It has been alleged that Abba had entered into an unholy alliance with some APC leaders

tion between the two parties, and so his decisions were seen (rightly or wrongly) to be in favour of the opposition," a source told Saturday Telegraph.

Abba reportedly committed another blunder when he showed up at the International Conference Centre ( ICC) during the brief ceremony where Jega presented the Certificate of Return to the President - elect, Buhari and his deputy, Prof. Femi Osinbajo to confirm their victory at the presidential poll. The ceremony in question took place at the same time President Jonathan was holding a crucial meeting with all the service chiefs. The Inspector General of Police was expected to be in attendance at that security council meeting.

As if this was not enough, Abba was said to have made it a routine to be at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport each time Buhari was leaving or coming into Abuja since he became the President- elect.

Such a sudden switch of loyalty was viewed as inappropriate and a betrayal of the current administration whose tenure will expire on May 29, 2015.

Although the Presidency gave no reasons for his removal, Abba has been fingered in the renewed crisis rocking the Ekiti State House of Assembly where 19 legislators elected on the platform of the APC have been seeking to impeach Governor Ayo Fayose. Saturday Telegraph gathered that the Ekiti crisis had assumed a frightening dimension since the victory of the APC at the presidential poll. It has been alleged that Abba had entered into an unholy alliance with some APC leaders to use the police to assist the APC in ousting the embattled governor now that power is about to change hands.

These faulty steps taken by Abba may have been borne out of over zealousness and self preservation but they have ultimately resulted in the fall of a once super cop. It is an irony of fate that Abba's schemings to keep his job have pushed him out of the line and soon he will be pulled out of service at a ceremonial parade.

Offshoots The exit of Abba has been greeted with protests in some quarters, but it is unlikely that he will be re- instated by the incoming regime. Although the APC initially kicked against the sack, it's subsequent reflection on the matter shows that Abba was caught in a cross fire.

In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Abba was accused of committing several infractions in the course of his duties.

According to the APC spokesman, the embattled ex-police boss issued an illegal order directing Nigerians to vote and immediately vacate polling units during the last elections in order to please his masters,, when he knew he was acting against the stipulations of the law. ''When that unlawful order is placed side-by-side with other acts that ran contrary to the maintenance of law and order under the immediate past IGP including the cover given to the OPC to wreak havoc in Lagos, the illegal withdrawal of the security details of House of Representatives' Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, whom he (former IGP) refused to recognise as Speaker in a clear usurpation of the role of the judiciary, and the shameful role of the police in the Osun governorship election last year, during which hundreds of APC members were arrested and detained without cause one will realise to what extent the police was dragged into partisan politics under him.

But in the end, those for whom the IGP desecrated the police had no qualms about humiliating him out of office."

It is clearly a tragedy trying to serve two masters and incurring the wrath of both at the end of the day.

Cover

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

Nigerians woke up last Tuesday to hear that President Goodluck Jonathan had fired Suleiman Abba as Inspector General of Police. As a former Police chief, tell us how an Inspector General is hired and fired?

Why did you start with that question?

You can go to Force Headquarters and get answers to it but the fact is that the appointment and removal of the Inspector General of Police has been subject of discussion for a very long time. The present situation where the president can hire and fire is not acceptable. What we have been advocating is for some checks and balances; appointment and removal of the IG should have the consent of the Upper Legislative Chamber of the National Assembly. It is even in our recommendation at the Police Reform Committee, which the late MD Yusufu headed, that the Police Service Commission should make recommendations to the Nigerian Police Council which is headed by the president. The nominee’s name will then be forwarded to the senate for confirmation which is being done in the case of such sensitive appointments. Similarly, the removal of an IG should go through the same way. Not as this case, the President will just wake up one day and removed the IG. This is not good.

I have already told Channels Television in Kaduna. I spoke to them as Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum because the IG that was sacked is a northerner and we feel concerned about it. Second, we want to know what he had done to warrant his removal. Thirdly, why did the removal take place now when everything has been concluded and we are waiting for the handing/taking over on the 29th May. Fourthly, did Jonathan consult the incoming president before taking this action? I think there is more to this than meet the eye. Unless the president himself tells the nation why he removed the Inspector General of Police, we are not satisfied.

One of the allegations was that Suleiman Abba sided with the former opposition All Progressives Congress(APC) during the last elections. Have you heard of this allegation?

I haven’t heard that and I wouldn’t know unless they bring out the facts to show that he was siding with the opposition.

Do you think Suleiman Abba was professional in his duties as IG? Well, we don’t know what really happened. On his own, I don’t think that he will just march on the National Assembly.

But I haven’t asked him personally. All I wanted him to do then was to call on the Retired IGs Forum so that we ask him and know what happened. So, we kept on avoiding saying anything because we have a forum where we sit and get facts of what we want to know and give advice to him. And if things are beyond us and him, we seek for audience to see the president. We have done it before, but this time around we have not been able to sit down with him. So I don’t want to speak about it on my own especially if I don’t have the facts.

However, reading the newspapers today (Thursday, April 23), I also got alarmed. It appeared every security boss from this country now is from Niger Delta.

This is another story. Why is this happening at this time when President Jonathan is about leaving? Is there any hidden agenda? We want to know. But I have always said it and I will continue to say it that the purpose of government is the security and welfare of the people. And we have seen in the last six years, the failure of government in terms of security because our people, northerners have been killed and maimed. Their sources of livelihoods have been destroyed and school children kidnapped and up till today they have not been returned to their parents. The election

IGP’s sack deserves explanations, says Coomassie

47

As former Inspector General of Police during the military regime, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Coommassie is bitter over the sudden sack of Suleiman Abba as inspector-general. From his Katsina country home, the Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF) spoke to IBRAHEEM MUSA and also queried the timing of the sack and its implications was postponed for six weeks for security reasons and the government said that six weeks will be enough to restore law and order. Apparently, some measure of law and order have been restored. Why? The government was not able to control the security situation in six years but it did so in six weeks and was able to hold an election which was considered to be peaceful.

There is more to this than meet the eye.

But almost all the security Chiefs are northerners. The Inspector General of Police was a northerner, the National Security Adviser is a northerner, likewise the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff. So, if there was more to it than meet the eye, don’t you think that northerners were complicit in the security challenge in the region?

What you have observed now, we have said it ourselves before. The topmost offices in the present government are being occupied by northerners, starting from the Vice President. Minister of Defence is a northerner, the Inspector General of Police was a northerner, the ComptrollerGeneral of Customs, northerner; NSA is a northerner, Minister of Internal Affairs is a northerner and there are more. But security went haywire when our own people became victims of it. We have been wondering what was wrong and I even said that if

the Intelligence Community has been doing its job and it used to pass correct intelligence, why was action not taken? If there is lacuna in the whole thing, why didn’t any of these security chiefs of northern extraction resign? But I emphasised that the overall person that is in charge is not a northerner and that is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, as well as Chairman of Police Council. So, the buck stops at his table. If the security officers were not doing their job, why didn’t he sack them? Likewise, if they had given credible intelligence and nothing was done about it, why didn’t they resign? Why now? What has Suleiman Abba done to get him sacked? So, these are some of the salient questions and one has to be very careful about them.

After the sack of Abba as IG, various text messages and emails are being circulated, highlighting that the nation’s security services are now in the hands of Niger Delta indigenes. Have you received such messages? What is the truth of the allegation?

I have received one very lengthy one that was posted to me. Let me read it to you....(Started reading from his GSM phone). ‘’Now that the Petroleum Minister is from Niger Delta, the CBN is from

Niger Delta, the DG of SSS is from Niger Delta, CDI is from Niger Delta, the CP OPS in DHQ is from Niger Delta, the COAS is from Niger Delta, the COPPA is from Niger Delta, CT Ops A is from Niger Delta and head of the DMI is from Niger Delta, it remains for the IGP to come from the Niger Delta in order to effectively transform the entire security forces into a Niger Delta army...It is a shame that a person with a Ph D degree, is behind all this plot, in broad day light with such an arrangement in place. Every competent and genuine technocrat should know that Nigeria is on the road to Rwanda unless very urgent measures are adopted to reverse the trend...’’ So, the sack of Suleiman Abba calls for great concern of security watchers in Nigeria.

So, what is the north doing about Abba’s sack?

Which north?

I mean the Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF) Why ACF? Because as you said earlier, a northerner is involved And so what? What can we do?

What do you advise the incoming president to do?

I can't just advise him on what to do; he hasn’t even taken over. Let's wait until he receives proper briefing from his predecessor who will hand over to him on May 29th and not May 28th.

Why is the difference between handing over on May 28th or May 29th generating a lot of controversy in the country?

Is 28th the day? When do we change governments in this country? Is it not 29th May? Usually there is procedure.

The outgoing government had argued that May 29th will be very loaded with a lot of schedule so the president will prefer to give the hand over notes at a state dinner a night before...

This is not acceptable and it is not the norm. I advise, as Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF), for us to follow the due process full stop.

But is the May 29th handover date in the constitution?

Why are you asking me that?

Because you are an elder statesman How come that we are handing over on 29th May? Former Military Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar willed it so, but is the date in the constitution?

Is it in the constitution? I’m asking you too.

Coomassie

I don’t know sir I don’t know too.

48 Cover

Attah

Louis Edet (1964-1966) The first indigenous IGP, Louis Edet, was born in Calabar in 1914.

That was the year the British colonial masters amalgamated the southern and northern protectorate into what is today known as Nigeria. Apart from being born on such a significant date, Edet made history as the man that pioneered the Police Force through the thorny path of the young republic. He retired in 1966.

Kam Salem (1966-1975) Kam Salem, who took over the leadership of the police from Edet in 1966, also stirred the ship of the Force through a difficult phase in the annals of the nation. His reign snowballed into the bitter civil war that almost tore the country into shreds between 1967 and 1970.

Muhammed Dikko Yusuf (19751979) Muhammed Dikko Yusuf, better known as M.D Yusuf, held the post of IGP during the period of national reconstruction. His tenure straddled two military regimes; from 1975-1979 during the military eras of Generals Murtala Mohammed and Olusegun Obasanjo. He had a long stride in public service. After retirement, he became the chairman of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in 1994.

He was once the chairman of the apex northern socio-political group, Arewa Consultative Forum also in 2000, a position he held until his foray into the murky waters of Nigerian politics where he vied for the president seat in 2003.

Adamu Suleiman (1979-1981) Not much is known about Alhaji Adamu Suleiman who was IGP during the second republic. This fact neither facilitates security scrutiny nor enhances dispassionate analysis of his contributions to national development.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

Gambo

Okiro

Ringim

Nigeria’s police chiefs

From Edet to Arase Nigeria has had 17 Inspectors-General of Police before the current one since 1964 when the first homegrown IGP took over from the British colonial masters. DOMINIK UMOSEN in this report, catalogue their profiles. not only the order of the day, but a constant taunt. It was the era of the dreaded Benin-based armed robbery gang led by Lawrence Anini, who glamourised the notorious trade, terrorising the police and other citizen on Benin/Asaba Road axis of the nation.

Muhammadu Gambo-Jimeta (19861990) Apart from the arrest of Anini and his gang, which Inyang set-up before he was relieved of his appointment, many believe that Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta spent more time stoking ethnic controversies than hammering a coherent vision for the Force. Gambo had though, distinguished himself as Police Commissioner in Lagos State by bringing down the rate of robbery in the Centre of Excellence before his appointment as IGP.

Ibrahim Coomassie (1993-1999) Ibrahim Coomassie, who took over from Attah in 1993, was educated at the Detective Training College, Wakefield, United Kingdom and in Washington DC, USA. His era was punctuated by alleged state-sponsored detentions and murders, including that of Chief Alfred Rewane, Kudirat Abiola and then president-elect, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, who was said to have been arrested by the police without a warrant.

Musiliu Smith (1999-2002) Musiliu Smith, who joined the

Inyang's was an era of the dreaded Benin-based armed robbery gang that glamourised the notorious trade

Aliyu Attah (1990-1993) Aliyu Attah took over from Gambo in 1990. Not much is attributed to his tenure because of the euphoria of his predecessor’s modest achievement of arresting Anini and gang.

Sunday Adewusi (1981-1983) The Ogbomoso-born Sunday Adewusi called the shot at the helm of the nation’s Police Force from 1981-1983.

This was the era of the infamous "twothirds of 19 states" theory of Richard Akinjide’s political arithmetic. He was perceived as having run a force that succumbed to the whims and caprices of the then ruling party.

Etim Inyang (1985-1986) The street named after him in Victoria Island, Lagos, remains the most enduring epitaph for the Akwa Ibomborn Etim Nyang, who held sway as police chief during the days of Nigeria’s self-styled military “President” cum “Maradona”. During his tenure, the crime wave billowed. In fact, high profile armed robbery incidents were

Coomassie

Ehindero

Force in 1972 as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Enugu Division, was born on April 17, 1946.

Smith, who earned a Masters degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan in 1997, rose to become an Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police in charge of zonal headquarters, Kano. He was co-opted into Gen. (rtd) Abdulsalami Abubakar ’s Provisional Ruling Council in 1998. He is from Lagos State and his tenure made history as the one that recorded the first revolt by the rank and file of the force. He was, thereafter, forced to proceed on compulsory retirement.

Mustafa Adebayo Balogun (20022005) Mustafa Adebayo Balogun, popularly called Tafa Balogun, succeeded Smith on March 6, 2002 as the 11th IGP with a mandate to instill discipline within the rank and file of the Force. Born on August 8, 1947 in IlaOrogun, Osun State, Balogun got enlisted in the force in May 1973. He was variously commissioner of police in Edo, Delta, Rivers and Abia states and also headed the Zone 1, Kano as AIG. He presided over the April 2003 general elections, which were perceived to be marred by electoral fraud and police abuses. Incidents of press gagging and brutality against journalists were also rife under him.

It was to his credit though that the police unravelled the dreaded Okija shrine in Anambra State where politicians routinely re-fuel allegiance to godfathers at the expense of the public. Balogun basked in the reputation of being the first Mobile Cop to head the Force as well as the first to be arrested, arraigned, and incarcerated over large-scale corruption charges ranging from theft to illegal acquisition of confiscated properties seized from politicians by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This led to his forced resignation in January 2005.

Sunday Ehindero (2005-2007) Sunday Ehindero, from Ondo State, was saddled with the herculean task of laundering the battered image of the Force following Balogun’s disgrace. He graduated in Law from the University of Ibadan. In Feb 2006,

Cover

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

49

A day in the life of a cop Sometimes the job of policing means the hardly dignifying role of serving as orderlies to senior public servant, writes Dominik Umosen

E Abba

Arase

Ehindero sponsored a bill in the National Assembly for the removal of gender bias that was prevalent then in the force and accused Balogun of recruiting “dirty cops” into the Force. He was said to have recommended the unpopular promotion of former EFCC chair, Nuhu Ribadu, from commissioner of police to AIG. Ehindero retired from the Force in 2007, but faced several probes thereafter regarding a N21 million fraud, diversion of N2.5 billion of police cooperative money, and another N300 million police fund.

Mike Mbama Okiro (2007-2009) The Rivers State-born police chief, who many believed hailed from Egbema in Imo State, took over from Ehindero in 2009. He was appointed by late President Umaru Yar ’Adua on May 29, 2007, in the first civilian to civilian transition. He enlisted in the Force on August 1, 1977 as an ASP. He enjoyed a double promotion from Commissioner of Police to Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police. Shortly after being appointed, Okiro reinstated several officers who were forced into early retirement and headed the inter-agency panel to investigate the $190million Halliburton Scam, indicting KBR, a Halliburton subsidiary, of bribing Nigerian government officials to curry construction contracts from the NLNG. After his retirement in July 2009 at the age 60 years, Okiro got a rare commendation from President Yar’Adua on his achievements while in office. He is currently the head of Police Service Commission.

Ogbonnaya Okechukwu Onovo Ogbonnaya Okechukwu Onovo is from Enugu State. He succeeded Okiro in July 2007 as the first Igbo to head the Force. He had felt the exalted position in acting capacity before Okiro’s appointment though.

Between 1998 and 2000, he presided over the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as chairman and was promoted to DIG on March 14, 2002 having served three IGs, Balogun, Ehindero and Okiro in that role. Onovo's tenure was characterised by a prevalence of kidnappings for ransoms. His perceived inability to checkmate kidnappings and killings reportedly led to his inglorious exit from the force, even before attaining the mandatory retirement age.

Hafiz Ringim Hafiz Ringim enlisted as a cadet Inspector on March 1, 1977. He rose through the ranks to become the IGP when he succeeded Onovo on September 10, 2010. His tenure witnessed, perhaps, the most daring security affront with the bombing of a

Okiro got a rare commendation from President Yar’Adua on his achievements while in office section of the Force Headquarters by the Boko Haram Islamic fundamentalists. Many other bombings were rampant throughout his tenure. The most dastardly ones being the 2011 Christmas Day bombing at the St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, near Abuja, which claimed over 40 lives and that of Kano that claimed no less than 185 lives. He retired on January 25, 2012.

Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar mounted the saddle in acting capacity on January 25, 2012, following Ringim’s retirement. Before then, he was AIG in charge of Zone 12, Bauchi, which is the stronghold of the Boko Haram sect. He once was a commissioner of police in Lagos.

He identified corruption, inadequate training and absence of tactics and equipment, among others as the bane of the Force but did little to solve the problems. His most transparent achievement was the introduction of a new “camouflage” uniform similar to that used by the military, for the police. However, Abubakar would be remembered for his cancellation of police road blocks allegedly used to make illegal extortions and other abuses across the country.

ven when the general presumption is that godliness and being a policeman do not mix well, or that you cannot be Godfearing and be a good policeman or woman at the same time, Sergeant Amos (his surname has been left out deliberately), a beat duty cop attached to a location on Lagos Island, insists that he cannot start his day without prayers.

As he told this reporter earlier in the week, occasionally darting back and forth to make sure there was no intruder at the gate which he mans, "my day begins from 4.30 a.m. when I wake from sleep. I rouse myself from sleep, preparatory to doing my prayers before reporting for work. No matter the situation, I must report at my duty post before 7.a.m."

According to Amos, a 20-year veteran from Kogi State, how he finds his way to work is entirely his business, just as how he juxtaposes his time between manning the gate and escorting madam to the market to make whatever purchases she might want to make. "Although following madam to the market might not fall strictly, within my job specifications, I prefer to do so because there is the likelihood that a few coins (euphemism for gratification), might come out it," the father of four said.

He told Saturday Telegraph that living outside the barracks was a personal decision because, as he put it, it is a matter of choice where a policeman chooses to reside, whether within the barracks or rented apartment outside. He said that even before the institution fell headlong into hard times, and became unable to provide accommodation in barracks for every policeman as was always the case, staying in the barracks was optional, unlike in the military where official accommodation is mandatory.

That is true because without official accommodation in barracks, it becomes difficult, if not impossible to enforce discipline, particularly monitoring movements which military authorities do through passes which are rigorously enforced. The pass culture in the military eventually gave rise to the parlance, "AWOL or Away without Official Leave" which everyone in a typical military community is familiar with.

Depending on his beat, a policeman

must necessarily endure whatever condition presents itself, in the course of the job, and do so with a straight face. Whatever disagreement or objection he may have regarding the job is not supposed to affect or influence his performance.

The job must be done first, he said, before any consideration for your feelings which hardly ever count, anyway.

If no rain cape was provided for the man who would man the gate and it suddenly began raining, the job must be done nevertheless. Thereafter, may be a thoughtful host might consider providing a basic item like umbrella.

IN the course of manning the gate, it is not improbable for the guard duty policemen to be asked to get something for either "oga", madam or the children.

Following a driver to fetch water somewhere is another definite possibility which the guard-duty cop confronts regularly.

In doing all these, there is no specific time for closing. Only when there is no chore left to attend to can they consider calling it a day. Meanwhile, it is no anomaly for his superiors to sit on his meager allowance and even when it is eventually paid, several inexplicable deductions would have been made, such that there is sufficient inducement for the bitter constable to consider doing something untoward to close the gap.

Oftentimes, the pressure on him in the work environment stretches well into the night. Without a definite closing time, except as dictated by exigencies, the typical cop is not expected to complain for any reason. Especially these days that jobs do not come cheap, what is available must necessarily be protected and consolidated upon, including inventing new and disingenuous ways to supplement incomes that are consistently threatened by institutionalized graft.

Despite the fact that being a policeman should have been the apogee of glamour as it is in most parts of the world where the significance of a cop is properly appreciated, the word sorry aptly profiles the life of an average policeman in this clime. He is often unkempt, abrasive in personality and instinctively beggarly, perhaps to justify the moniker "wetin you carry". Therefore, because the presumption is that most cops always beg, most people are instinctively discouraged from keeping them as friends.

Suleiman Abba, 2014-15 Just as unheralded as he came, Suleiman Abba, who was the 17th IGP, was fired by President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday, April 21.

Before his appointment, Abba was the AIG in charge of Zone 7, comprising Abuja and environs. Like Ringim, he hailed from Jigawa State and was promoted above his seniors as AIG. Solomon Arase The current IGP, Solomon Arase, took over from Abba as the 18th indigenous police boss on Tuesday, April 21 on acting capacity. Before his latest appointment, Arase was head of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.

He has Bachelors and Masters Degrees in law and political science and strategic studies, according to African Spotlight. He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence College.

Arase, unlike his immediate predecessor, was appointed from the rank of DIG and hails from Edo State.

Without official accommodation in barracks, it becomes difficult, if not impossible to enforce discipline

Policemen at a checkpoint

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

The timeline of decadence I

Dominik Umosen f you ask an average Nigerian teenager his or her likely choice of career, the Nigeria Police Force is likely to be the last consideration. If he mentions the NPF, the reason is not likely to be because of admiration but because, like the primary school pupil, he imagines that because of the crumpled naira notes that the average cop at the ubiquitous road block extorts from motorists and stuffs into wherever, the policeman is hardly ever broke.

The other reason why he may have chosed the Force is because of the absence of alternatives. Indeed, public perception, including esteem, for the policeman is so bad that hardly any one is proud of him. It is not that he is a bad person, per se. Only bad through guilt by association with a system that is generally regarded as incapable of any thing good, except orchestrating mischief.

As important as the job of a policeman is to the society, the Nigerian policeman or woman is likely to be the last person you would want to run to for help because you are just not sure if his intentions are genuine as should be expected or taken for granted. As we speak, a police officer is on the run, wanted in the alleged disappearance of a little girl, euphemism for kidnap.

As a matter of fact, the conduct of some cops reinforce, rather than contradict, this perception. For instance, virtually most InspectorGenerals of Police were disgraced from office on account of untidy circumstances like fraud and corruption. While some, especially in the last 20 or so years, made away with monies that were intended for items of welfare of officers and men, others outrightly fiddled with allocations that were intended to provide some form of guarantee at the end of one’s career- pension.

This unfortunate trend of the top hierarchy brazenly misappropriating allocations got so bad that at a point, no body bothered to ask what was done with yearly allocations. The rape of the institution by its guardians got so bad that intervention efforts to rescue the Force from itself became spear-headed by members of the public, including

concerned state governments, corporate citizens and others.

The practice systematically robbed the institution of its very essence as an effective lawenforcement machinery. Until these intervention efforts started yielding fruits, there was a time in the not-too-recent-past when failure to respond to emergency was blamed on lack of operational logistics like vehicles and even guns. No coherent explanations were usually given for this situation, especially when it is considered that yearly allocations to the Force were always prompt and regular.

The failure of the institution to defend its constitutional role was always blamed on absence of logistics, as if statutory allocations to the institution were ever denied at any point. Cases of failure to respond to emergencies or distress calls were

The pillaging of the institution by its guardians got so bad that intervention efforts were required to save the Force from itself

rife nationwide until concerned citizens, including state governments and corporate institutions, came to the rescue in the form of one trust fund or the other like the one instituted by the Lagos State Government.

The same politics and mischief which the leadership played with fundamental issues like logistics, they also extended it to issues of welfare of policemen, leading to a situation where even basic logistics like boots had to be bought by cops who were hardly ever paid, in the first instance, while allowances were a luxury. This was the situation under which policemen operated which forced them on strike for the first time under Mr Sunday Ehindero.

Under democracy, the lot of policemen has improved considerably.

Patrols by teams of smartly-dressed cops, either in state-of-the-art SUVs

File pictures of President Jonathan's unscheduled visit to the Police College, in Ikeja, Lagos

or flashy cars, have become a common sight across the federation, complemented by commendable community policing. This is the result of the several intervention efforts to restore confidence, especially among disillusioned officers and men. These intervention efforts by various state governments and corporate organizations have repositioned the Force, even if for relative mobility.

But the critical aspect of policing, which years of neglect and corruption almost destroyed, is detective capacity which is a sad commentary the present state of the institution. This explains the typically hysterical police reponse to emergency, storming into a crime scene hooting sirens which scares away criminals and upset evidence, instead of plain cloths detectives upon which over 80 per cent of investigation is anchored.

Perspectives

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

51

Parable of prodigal son and the Presidency’s profligacy

T

he parable of the Biblical prodigal son was one of the early lessons we received as pupils at St. Paul’s Anglican Primary School, Idi-Oro, Mushin, Lagos State. One of the major reasons this formed part of the early lessons we were taught was to inculcate in us the didactic lesson and inherent danger in reckless spending. It is expected that the lesson learnt should influence our decision on how to manage resources when we become adults and also guide us against falling into the abyss of profligacy.

The class ended with a prayer from the teacher that none of us should turn out to be a prodigal son. Even in our childhood innocence, we understood the import of that prayer and we appreciated it with a thunderous ‘amen.’

Remembering those old school days when Moral Instruction was part of the curricular in primary schools made me feel quite nostalgic. So, when I read a report that the Presidency, under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan, squandered N2 trillion on the just concluded presidential election in order to ensure that the President was re-elected, I recalled the first time I heard about the prodigal son.

Although I was somewhat ambivalent about the report, I resolved not to throw out the baby with the bath water. N2 trillion is huge and the Presidency might not have spent such outrageous amount of money on the elections. Perhaps, this is the price it has to pay for its obvious desperation and for throwing money around anyhow especially after the presidential and National Assembly elections earlier scheduled for February 14 were shifted by six weeks.

The Peoples Democratic Party had in December last year, laid the foundation for reckless spending we saw during the elections when it raised N21.27 billion at a dinner/fund raiser, an amount which exceeded the limit stipulated by the Electoral Act, towards President Jonathan's electioneering.

For the avoidance of doubt, Section 91

T

Waheed Bakare on Saturday 08124877036 (sms only) waheedbakare2003@yahoo.com (9) of the Act says, “An individual or other entity shall not donate more than N1 million to any candidate. Sub-section 10 of the same section adds that a presidential candidate “who knowingly acts in contravention of this section commits an offence and on conviction is liable to a maximum fine of N1 million or imprisonment for a term of 12 months or both.”

“The maximum election expenses to be incurred by a candidate at a presidential election shall be N1 billion,” Section 91 (2) of the same Act adds.

The bizarre N21.27 billion was contributed by players from different sectors of the economy, individuals, governors, government’s agencies among others.

If the government denied that it did not spend N2 trillion, how well can it deny that our foreign reserve became depleted on account of the reckless spending on the elections? What was the amount spent on the elections? Is it not obvious that these were the most expensive elections in the history of the country? Who did what?

How? Nigerians deserve to know because this is about their common wealth. A government that is shrouded in secrecy will always leave room for speculation and in order to avert this, the government needs to go beyond a mere denial of the amount through a press statement.

Since the majority of our politicians are incurable optimists and gullible, our political landscape was filled with profusion of strange “leaders” who promised to deliver millions of votes. How well they delivered

Since the majority of our politicians are incurable optimists and gullible, our political landscape was filled with profusion of strange “leaders” who promised to deliver millions of votes on their promises is now evident to all of us. If President Jonathan had realised early enough that leadership of ethnic group is not about thuggery and making uncouth noise in the media, there would not have been basis for the reckless spending on ethnic militias and others. This is without prejudice to the freedom of ethnic militias to associate with any group or individual as guaranteed by the constitution.

For paupers who can now afford to live sybaritic lifestyles, we need not blame them. Rather, we should blame the government who promoted them to the position of leadership and did little to promote good governance that would have endeared it to the electorate.

The injection of billions of dollars into the economy of Saudi Arabia by its government to cushion the effect of fall in the price

of oil has brought about economic relief for its citizens. Whereas, the best Nigerians could get from the Minister of Finance and co-coordinating minister of the economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was for them to prepare for tense and tedious times with no explanation on how our external reserve got depleted. She needs to use her stylish headgear to cover her face since her gloomy prognostication is not esoteric despite her persistent denial that our economy is on the precipice. An economy that is based on assumption rather than reality will lead to bubble burst, which is what we are now witnessing.

Yet some people feel we should garland the President and even forward his name to the Nobel Prize Committee for consideration for the prestigious Nobel Peace prize. Their reason? The President conceded defeat to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and that singular act has taken him to the realm of statesmanship. Fair enough, the President did well but what if his action was necessitated by the need to prepare a soft landing for himself?

The political zealotry of saying the concession by President Jonathan is enough to cover the wrongs of his administration without a corresponding scrutiny of how our common wealth fared under his supervision for six years is illogical.

The idea of “let’s move forward” has encouraged and entrenched corruption and it is high time we stopped the sentiment. Spending colossal amount on elections should not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. Probity and accountability cannot be compromised under the pretext that “we need to move forward” and need not ask questions. There can’t be a future without reference to the past. This, however, should not be about the Presidency alone. Uprightness should also be replicated among all tiers of government. If the Presidency did not spend N2 trillion, it should tell us how much was spent on the elections so as to lay to rest the speculation that it had squandered our common wealth in futility.

Nd’Igbo and the Future (2)

he unanimous choice of the Igbo in the 2015 presidential election understandably continues to generate different positions and scenarios. While some believe this footing represents a quandary others profer other pictures.

But a searching backwards look may help to context this trajectory.

According to TIME magazine's Nancy Gibbs, "To humble an empire, it makes sense to desecrate its temples," she wrote in the shocking aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist strikes at the heart of America. Gibbs' insight perhaps best captures the feeling in some quarters of Nd’Igbo concerning their current lot in the polity.

Hardly a realm by conventional empire standards, many Nd’Igbo, rightly or wrongly, believe that some 45 years after they lost the fratricidal civil war fought over their declaration of the defunct secessionist Republic of Biafra, their sacred temples of culture, economy, politics and humanity have been wantonly desecrated by an unfeeling polity bent on permanently subjugating them. This scenario, they believe exists notwithstanding General Yakubu Gowon's statesmanlike declaration of "no victor, no vanquished," at the end of that tragic war. More recently, the Oba of Lagos’ silly, strange proclamation on resident Igbo’s voting preferences serves to sharpen this feeling.

At another level, a segment of Igbo elite also believe that if the substance of Gowon's egalitarian pronouncement came to naught, his post-war policy of

The Nation-State With Louis Achi

achilouis35@gmail.com "reconcilliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction," represented a sadder foot-note in the country's history of skewed policy implementation. The current political label used to summarise the perceived woeful fate of Nd’Igbo by Nd’Igbo in the Nigerian polity is "marginalisation."

It is worth noting that much of the tragedies and triumphs of human history are shaped by the seismic convulsions such deeply felt sentiments trigger when they assume a sharp focus in the psyche of its bearers. Has the Igbo angst against the Nigerian nation reached this critical point?

But it would appear there is a flip side to all this. After 16 years in power, some argue that Nd’Igbo have benefited somewhat from the ruling PDP, especially under President Goodluck Jonathan’s watch and that this should reduce the feeling of marginalization. Readily fingered here is the appointment of the first Igbo chief of army staff for almost five decades; giving the South-East an international airport; cranking up the 2nd Niger Bridge project, appropriately honouring Ikemba Nnewi and Prof. Chinua Achebe in death and

more.

At a symbolic level, many feel this delivers some inclusivity and moderates the feeling of marginalization. But others feel a lot more needs to be done like giving the zone a sixth state to bring it at par with its peers with more specific infrastructural development and economic deliverables thrown in for good measure. The big question now is that will the ascendancy of the All Progressives Congress help or hinder these imperatives that the region craves and how does it impact the time-frame for a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction?

Dr. Ihechukwu Madubuike, former Minister of Education during the Shehu Shagari presidency offers a way forward: "Retooling Igbo strategy for economic recovery and political ascendancy involves soul searching and rediscovery. It means asking ourselves some hard questions about our relationship with fellow Igbo and with our culture." On his part, Professor Nwabueze noted that, "The Nigerian state has brought out the best and the worst In the Igbo, and exposed the other peoples in Nigeria to it. The best

in the Igbo character excites fear in others, whilst the worst in him excites resentment and hatred. And he is endowed by nature with rather liberal measure of both. His best is singularly good, his worst is singularly bad."

Looking at the big picture, new realities dictate new engagement strategies and new visions. This the reality that confronts Nd’Igbo as it plots its next moves of the fluid chessboard of the Nigerian state.

The phoenix is a creature from Greek mythology. After living for a considerable period, it immolates itself in a pyre.

From the ashes of this fiery death the phoenix rises afresh, younger and stronger for another cycle of its mythical life.

The growing intensity of the current soul searching may trigger a phoenix transformation. The current consultations and internal dialogue, though at an early stage certainly bodes well for their political navigation in Nigeria's tricky waters.

It is not unimaginable that from her period of self-doubt and self-rediscovery a new, more assertive Nd’Igbo might emerge, with a new meaning and a renewed resolve. The history of previous civilisations in similar straits bears this out. After all, civilizations renovate themselves. Will this ultimately be the fate of the Igbo? The Dutch philosophers, Spinoza answers: "Man is a sufficient cause of his own destiny." So is the Igbo ethnic nationality!

• Concluded.

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Feature

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

Technology: Smart phones

ome people view photography as a divine calling. After all, they say, the Holy Book tells us that God created human beings in His own image and likeness; and since photography deals with images, it is simply divine in origin.

Victor Ejak, a young photographer, explains that he couldn't have ventured into any other profession because of the magical effect that cameras had on him as a little boy.

"I think it is right for me to say that I was born to be a photographer. Since I was a small boy, I've been dreaming of becoming a photographer. The camera, to me, is a great phenomenon and I can't explain why I have so much passion for it. Photography is just a natural part of me," he says.

However, in Nigeria, it is said that photography was once a lucrative profession.

But with the coming of the digital age and hi-tech smartphone technology, photographers in Nigeria seem to have been badly hit, especially in the area of patronage, which ultimately affects their finance.

The photo studio, which used to be a significant source of attraction and revenue in the past for photographers, has gradually become at best, an abandoned haven of clicks and flashing lights, and at worst, a relic of an almost ancient past.

Photographers have sadly watched sales drop from the skies, as more and more young and old people embrace new mobile communications technology and would rather take a selfie using their mobile phones and tablets, than patronise a typical photographer.

A selfie is a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media.

When asked why he no longer goes to photo studios to take pictures, Ese Oru, a female undergraduate, says: "The thing is that mobile phone technology has taken over and since I have my mobile phone, I can easily take pictures of myself and send to whoever I want to send it to. I think

Going to studios to take photographs, a culture among teenagers and even adults in those days, seems to be fading with the advent of smart phones.

Although some photographers lamented that the innovation is killing their business, MICHAEL UCHEBUAKU and AYILARA MICHAEL report that smart photographers are still finding ways to survive. the advent of GSM or mobile technology made the photo studio thing fade away and become a thing of the past. I won't go to the studio now, except it is a digital studio and I want to take a digital picture."

Social media/dating websites and the role of photo studios Lilian Aban, a fashion designer, met her husband through a dating site. She says photo studios were an indispensable accessory to people who patronised dating websites in the past.

She narrates her experience: "When the Internet first came to Nigeria in the early 90s, Internet shops started springing up everywhere and they were called cyber cafes. People used to go and browse in those so-called cyber cafes and exchange emails and chat with people living far away in Europe and America.

"At that time, one of the most popular websites was Yahoo. Everybody who visited a cyber cafe to browse would first open his or her Yahoo Mail to check his or her messages or to send emails. Yahoo Messenger was also there (and still is) for chatting or sending instant messages. For the first time in my life, I observed that you could actually send a message to someone living very far away from you and get an instant reply. It worked like magic and it was so much fun.

"I used to chat with many men on Yahoo Messenger and many of them asked for my hand in marriage. They told me to take a picture of myself and send it to them. So, I went to studios to snap (take a picture) and would scan the pictures right there at the cyber cafe before sending it to the man through email.

"There were many dating websites then, like MySpace and Adult Friend Finder through which I also made contact with men. In fact, there was no way you could register on a dating site then, without going to a photo studio to take a picture of yourself, because you needed a profile photo and also other photos of yourself which you would send to any of your dating site contacts whenever the need arose. Therefore, photo studios were indispensable to anybody using a dating site."

Marriage between Nigerians at home and Nigerians abroad In those days, photo studios also had an indispensable role to play in marriage or courtship, especially courtships and marriages between Nigerians in the Diaspora and those at home. If a relative or a friend recommended a girl to any Nigerian living overseas, the girl would first be told to send her picture for the man to see how she looks first, before any progress can be made in the relationship.

Mercy Ndubuisi, a caterer, shares her

Photo studios have gradually become, at best, abandoned haven of clicks and flashing lights

experience: "In the 90s, before the digital age began, there were several men based abroad who wanted to marry me. They were based in different countries like Germany, England, France and the United States. Funny enough, every one of them said that either his brother or sister had recommended me to him as a wife material. So, each of them asked me to send my picture.

"Since there were no mobile phones or GSM as we have it now in Nigeria, I always had to go to studios to have my picture taken. In those days, the photographer would normally tell people to come and collect their pictures after three days.

Sometimes it even took up to one week or longer for the picture to be ready.

"Once the man sees your picture, he would tell you whether he likes you or not. The sight of the lady's picture usually made the first or the biggest impression on the man seeking marriage. There were times that I sent my picture to a man and after that he didn't contact me again. That was because he didn't like what he saw in the picture. Maybe I wasn't beautiful in his eyes. There were also other times that I will send my picture to a man and the man would fall in love with me merely by seeing my picture.

"In fact, there was this particular man who started calling me through my dad's landline and was fond of saying: 'Baby I love you; I will do anything for you. Tell me what you want and I will give it to you,' just because I sent him my picture.

You won't believe it but it's true that many men fell in love with women at first sight of their pictures. It's so funny. If they don't like your picture, the relationship will not progress beyond that point. But if they like your picture, they can take the relationship to any level."

Use of Human Couriers in delivering pictures Sometimes, people were actually sent to physically collect and deliver the pictures of a lady to her male suitor based overseas. Awele Ogochukwu, a business-

Feature

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

53

outsmarting photographers woman, eventually married a man based in Germany. She says: "After one of my friends recommended me as a wife to her brother living in Germany, he told her that one of his friends would be visiting Nigeria within the next two months and that when the guy comes, I should give him my picture so that he would take it back with him to Germany and deliver it to my friend's brother who was interested in me.

"So in cases like that, you would give the hard copy of your picture to the messenger for onward delivery to the intended recipient."

Advent of mobile technology, smart phones and selfies However, with the advent of mobile technology in the digital age, photo studios have gradually and steadily been made obsolete. Sola Andy, a mobile phone repairer, reveals that as the capacity of mobile phone cameras grew higher and higher, they took on professional roles which had hitherto been reserved for photographers.

He says: "The early GSM phones did not have camera. But later, they added the camera function and started building their capacity gradually. At first, the cameras of GSM or mobile phones could not take very good professional-looking photos. Pictures from such early phones were usually poor in quality. But the mobile phone camera capacity and picture quality improved over time and people started seeing that they could actually take their own pictures without approaching a professional.

"The coming of the smartphone was the final nail in the coffin of the average photo studio. That's because smartphones like the Apple IPhone, Samsung Galaxy, BlackBerry and co have very highly rated cameras with fantastic picture quality. So, what's the point in going to a studio or calling a photographer when you can actually take better pictures with your phone?

People now use their smartphones and tablets to take selfies and even cover events."

Agony of photographers.

Jide Afolayan whose brand name is "Photogenic" expresses his frustration concerning the new development. "The introduction of gadgets is not helping us at all. Many people do not come to our studios to take photos like they used to in the past. They take photos with their phones and feel like there is no need to visit a studio. Imagine, I only managed to snap two shots on Valentine’s Day. Mostly now, we only sleep because there is no work."

Another photographer also expresses her displeasure. The female photographer, who wished to be identified as simply as “Lady Action,” asserts that photography used to be a lucrative profession in the past. But now, "due to the computer age and technology, photographers have been experiencing ill-luck.

"We hardly get jobs, and sometimes it takes about three months to have the opportunity of covering an event. Even after covering the events, the people involved still owe you money," she adds.

Effect on photo labs Since photographers hardly cover events or take photos, the development has also affected various photo labs where pictures are printed. Some photo labs go a day or two without printing more than 100 copies.

A worker at TDT Lab in Ajangbadi, Lagos, Sheriff Henry, gives us a peek into their world. "I think we are having low output every passing day. Last December was okay but not like the previous ones whereby we print thousands of copies of

useful," says Goodness Monyei, an art lecturer.

"Sometimes I personally take beautiful pictures of nature and sell them to white people visiting Nigeria," he adds.

pictures. Photographers hardly get jobs now and it is really affecting us too. As you can see, it’s just 6:00pm and we are closing already."

Photographers’ response to the challenge Photographers have generally found ways of adapting to the new fashion.

Some do so by developing themselves or improving their tools and services. One of the ways, it was learnt, is that some bought high technology gadgets such as very expensive and high performing digital cameras which are much higher in capacity than smartphone cameras and are more beautiful when printed as pictures.

Other photographers now concentrate on covering events and visiting tourists’ sites.

Jeremiah Isaiah is a photographer who likes taking pictures of people at beaches and other tourism spots. He says: "These days, a photographer needs to be very creative and proactive for him to survive in this industry. What I do to remain in business? I don't just sit down in my studio or shop. Nowadays, a photographer has to go out to meet his customers instead of merely sitting down in a studio or shop and waiting for customers to come. So, I go out to the beaches to get customers.

"I see people walking along the beach and people riding horses and take their pictures at random. Then I quickly go and print them and come back to show them and ask if they like them. If they do, they will instantly pay me for them and I will be happy. That is how I do my business.

"I don't wait for them to call me first, because I know that they may never call me. And since my expensive camera takes wonderful pictures, they will naturally buy the pictures from me after seeing how beautiful they are. I also cover events, especially weddings and take people's pictures unsolicited there too and show them their beautiful pictures later. That is how I make my money."

Discovering new markets and new areas of specialisation To survive in the industry, some photographers have also been creative enough to discover new markets, offer more specialised services and take on more specialised roles.

Kennedy Elue is a special kind of photographer. He is a Nollywood photographer. "Since education is the key, I first tried to educate myself and greatly improved my knowledge of photography by reading online from some art and photography websites. I even took some online courses, and then I attached myself to some movie producers and directors.

Since they saw that I was very knowledgeable and good on the job, they started taking me along with them to locations.

"That was how I became a Nollywood photographer. Nollywood is a very lucrative new market and it has never stopped paying me. Sometimes, I accompany Nollywood stars and other celebrities to functions and take their pictures. These stars also call me to cover their parties and other events and pay me very well.

Besides discovering new markets, photographers can also specialise in different fields of photography. "In the Western World, some photographers specialise in nature, that is, they take pictures of birds, oceans, rivers, etc; and still make money.

It is not only when you take pictures of people at weddings that you can make money as a photographer. These days, nobody will patronise a photographer except for the sake of convenience or for a very professional job like modelling where professional photographers are

The Future of Photography in Nigeria Humans cannot do without their images. Therefore, as long as humans exist in the world, there will always be a place for photography and photographers. All it takes is for photographers to be creative and adapt to the changing times and shape their businesses accordingly.

Award-winning photographers exist the world over. These award-winning photographers like Marc Duke in the United States are photographers who do their ordinary job in extraordinary ways.

Indeed, it is not altogether a negative story for photographers in Nigeria because changing times come with new and improved technology. Tosin Phillip, a socalled wait-and-take photographer, says new technology has made the business of photography more lucrative for him.

"It is not that photography is dead in Nigeria. No, it is not dead, but it has taken on different forms and new dimensions.

In fact, photography in Nigeria has greatly improved and developed with new technology. And that is a positive effect on the industry. For example, we have the socalled 'wait and take" studios and photographers like myself who operate with laptops and printers.

"With the wait-and-take method, the whole process of snapping and printing the hard copy of your picture is done very quickly. In so doing, the photographer makes his money very fast.

"I make a lot of money using this new technology because many people do patronise me to take passport-sized photos, which they can't do with their phones. So, you see that taking pictures with your phone has a limit. People also patronise me for full length photos too.

But most of the money I make every day is derived from the wait-and-take passport-sized photos. At weekends I still cover parties and weddings to make extra money. So, the business is moving fine."

Jide Harrison, a businessman, has this final advice for photographers in Nigeria. "A business has to adapt to changing times in order to stay afloat.

Photography is a business and for photographers to remain in business they need to adjust their business model to suit the changing times. Every business needs to be dynamic to sustain itself.

So if you're not creative or innovative and refuse to modify or change the way you do your business to suit the changing times, you would just be shooting yourself in the foot.

"This world is a world of endless possibilities and opportunities. So, I don't expect photographers to be crying for help. How can you be crying for help in a world of endless possibilities and opportunities? Most of them don't think outside the box. That's why they are finding it hard to cope. Nigerian photographers should learn to be creative and innovative and there will be no limit to what they can achieve.

"Those photographers you see making money are those who use their brains. The same applies to every other profession in life. Anything is possible in this age and time. We are living in a world of possibilities and opportunities.

Anything is possible for those who think outside the box. You can do anything and actually make money from it. As long as you use your brain in doing anything, you will succeed."

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News Extra

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

Boko Haram releases photo images as ISIS member Ndubuisi Ugah and Ibraheem Musa

L

with agency reports

ess than 48 hours after soldiers were forced to retreat from attacking the outlawed Boko Haram sect, militants fighting for the sect in West Africa have released series of first images of their terror activities since pledging allegiance to ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

This is as it emerged that the leader of the terrorist group, Abubakar Shekau, may have abandoned the group and gone into hiding, or probably injured or dead.

l Air Force chief predicts end for sect Taken somewhere in the forests of North-eastern part of Nigeria, the images showed the terrorists casually posing in front of the ter-

ror group’s sinister black and white flag while brandishing assault rifles, according to a report by an online news portal, Elombah.com.

It was gathered that the slick photographs carried all the logos and artwork typically seen in official ISIS releases, suggesting the

Middle East-based militants have taken full control of the group’s propaganda.

The released images also came as soldiers backed by warplanes invaded the Islamist’s final

IGR: Plateau generates N1.84bn in three months Musa Pam Jos

P

lateau State Government through the state Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS) yesterday said it had collected N1.84 billion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) between

January and March.

Chairman of PSIRS, Mr. Pam Samuel, who said this in an interview with journalists in Jos, said the amount fell below expectation.

“If you look at what we generated in the first quarter of this year, it fell short of the N2.18 billion we

raked in the corresponding period of 2014,” he said.

Samuel lamented the drop on workers’ Pay as You Earn (PAYE), which usually accounted for the bulk of the service’s revenue.

The PSIRS chairman, in his analysis, said about N875 million was collected as

PAYE and N658 million from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

He said January recorded the highest collection during the period, accounting for about N838 million of the total amount while February recorded the lowest with N501 million.

25 april 2015

stronghold in the country - the Sambisa forest - in an effort to finally defeat the six-year-old insurgency.

Over the last six years, Boko Haram has killed thousands and kidnapped hundreds in a battle to establish an Islamic caliphate in Nigeria.

Since its ISIS allegiance video was released Boko Haram had not released any official propaganda photographs or video footage.

Meanwhile, Commandant of Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State, Air Vice Marshal John Ifemeje, has said the operation to wipe out insurgents from the NorthEast will soon bring positive results.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the closing ceremony of its yearly 19 days exercise on joint and multi agency training in internal security and low intensity yesterday, the commandant promised that insurgency will soon be a thing of the past.

“From the results we are achieving in the North-East, we are almost at the end of the operation and wiping out the insurgents and bring ever lasting peace to the nation,” he said.

Adenuga’s firms emerge winners at oil, gas awards

T

wo oil companies owned by businessman mogul, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. were the top winners at this year’s edition of Oil and Gas Awards held on Thursday in Lagos.

The companies are Conoil Producing which won the Best Company in Local Content Award and Continental Oil and Gas Limited which emerged winner of the Best Company in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award.

The event was organised by oil industry experts, Oval Energy and leading business publication, BusinessDay Newspapers. The Publisher of BusinessDay, Mr. Frank Aigbogun, said: “The award aims to recognise, reward and celebrate excellence, innovation and contributions of individuals, organisations and institutions to the growth and development of the upstream, mid and downstream subsectors of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.”

He said Conoil Producing won the Best Company in Local Content under the Sole Risk Independent Company category after meeting the required parameters such as Ratio of Nigerian to foreign contractors engaged, Nigerian Human Capacity Development Initiatives, Sponsorship and Partnerships and Number of Nigerians in Management Positions.

Sport Extra

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 APRIL 2015

Akpoborie faults NFF over Keshi’s return

Sport Slaming

Charles Ogundiya

A

former international, Jonathan Akpoborie, has faulted the Nigeria Football Federation over the recent engagement of Stephen Keshi as the head coach of the Super Eagles.

Akpoborie expressed disappointment over the decision of the football body and wondered why a coach that failed a task would be allowed to continue.

The former international told Brila FM on Friday that Keshi would not bring any fresh idea into the team as expected.

“The NFF spent so much time on this coaching job issue but for them to again settle for Keshi is a disappointment because it means we are not moving forward.

“We are all aware that we do not have a strong team at the moment and that was due to Keshi’s poor handling of the team. I am so disappointed and I am equally sorry for Nigerian football.”

The NFF and Keshi signed a two-year contract on Tuesday in Abuja to enable the "Big Boss" to continue as the head coach of the senior national team.

Keshi

Adekunle Salami adekunles@yahoo.com 08050498539 (sms only)

Agenda for the President-elect (2)

Barca's Lionel Messi (2nd left) dribbling past Man City players in a Champions League match

Champions League:

Barca, Bayern in crunch semifinal tie

B

ayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola will clash against his old club Barcelona in the semifinals of the Champions League, while reigning holders Real Madrid were drawn against Italian giants Juventus.

Guardiola won two European Cups and 14 trophies during his four-season spell in charge of Barca, and will go up against his former club for the first time since leaving them ahead of this season's competition.

Bayern will have home advantage for the second leg of the semifinal.

Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti, who coached Juventus for two years early in his career and later led Milan to

Mayweather-Pacquiao tickets sold out

F

loyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao's fight sold out within minutes and tickets immediately appeared on websites for as much as £94,000 ($141,000).

Only 1,000 tickets were made available to the public for the fight on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The remaining 15,500 seats will go to fighters, sponsors and promoters.

The cheapest ticket for the bout cost £1,000 ($1,500), rising to about £5,000 ($7,500).

Tickets for the fighters' weighin at the MGM Grand Garden Arena go on sale on Friday with all funds raised going to charity.

the title in 2003 and 2007, won a record-extending 10th European title last season.

And the Italian can become the first coach to win four European Cup or Champions League titles in the competition's 59-year history with a repeat.

The first legs of the semi-

finals will be played on May 5-6, with the return matches on May 12-13. The final will be played on June 6 at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.

In the Europa League, holders Sevilla face Fiorentina, while Rafael Benitez's Napoli are up against Ukraine's Dnipro.

Champions League Semifinals May 5:

Barcelona

vs

Bayern Munich

May 6:

Juventus

vs

Real Madrid

May 12:

Real Madrid

vs

Juventus

May 13:

Bayern Munich

vs

Barcelona

EUROPA LEAGUE SEMIFINALS May 7: May 14:

Sevilla

vs

Fiorentina

Napoli

vs

Dnipro

Fiorentina

vs

Sevilla

Dnipro

vs

Napoli

World Cup: NFF sets s'final target for F’ Eagles Adekunle Salami

T

he Nigeria Football Federation has set a semifinal target for the Flying Eagles team getting set to compete at the FIFA U-20 World Cup taking place in New Zealand between May 30 and June 20.

Vice Chairman of the NFF Technical committee, Ahmed Yusuf, who stated this added that the federation would support the team all the way to enable Nigeria to compete for the ultimate trophy.

Garba

He explained that setting a last four target for the team does not mean the NFF was not thinking about the trophy.

Yusuf said: “In a global competition, many other things play out along the

line. We want to be in the competition till the last day and so we must be in the semis after which anything can happen.

“We have been giving the team all the support.

They will soon travel to Germany on a playing tour where they are expected to play some friendly matches. I am confident the Flying Eagles will do well in the competition.”

Coach Manu Garba and his players have resumed training in Abuja to intensify preparation for the competition.

Okpekpe: Ngerem heads organising committee Charles Ogundiya

A Ngerem

55

former president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Dan Ngerem, has been appointed the chairman of the Organising Committee of the Okpekpe 10 km Road race slated for May I6 in Okpekpe, Edo State.

The decision to make him

the organising committee chairman was informed by his pedigree when he was the AFN boss and the relationship with the top hierarchy in the IAAF. It is expected that his appointment will boost the rising profile of the race.

“Like you know, the Okpekpe 10km road race is an IAAF Bronze Label race

which must have an international elite field, and we must allow the best to handle the race,” race cordinator, Yusuf Alli, said.

“The start will be traffic free until the last runner has started and the finish will be traffic free until the last runner finishes or the cut-off time is reached."

S

ince last week when the first part of this article was published, I have received messages and calls from friends and readers on various issues. Some accused me of not touching other ‘important’ areas of our national life but I don’t have to use a sports column to do that. I am aware some other issues have been tackled in other sections of the New Telegraph and so I decided to focus on my area of core competence - sport.

It is not in my place to tell General Muhammadu Buhari to fix the problem of power generation and supply in the country.

After 55 years of independence, Nigeria cannot boast of 24 hours of uninterrupted power supply. Floodlight matches cannot be played in Nigeria due to the abysmal power situation. General Buhari is also aware that there is so much rot in various public and private institutions and he has vowed to tackle the situation.

Some readers were also surprised about the minister who saw former national athlete, Falilat Ogunkoya, and referred to her as a weightlifter. There was another minister who assumed office and engaged five wise men, senior journalists, to be teaching him about sports. At the end of the day, it was the country that suffered the effects because there is very little anyone can do to save a system that has problem of bad leadership.

Sports ministers concentrate more on football than other sports. To solve this conundrum, the President-elect can name a football minister and another minister for other sports. Some countries in Africa have a football minister different from a sports minister. If the sports minister is to also administer football, there should be clear directive for him to allow other sports to thrive. For example, it took the personal effort and financial committment of AFN boss, Chief Solomon Ogba, for Nigeria to make it to the junior athletics championship taking place in Mauritius. The table tennis world championship is also slated to start this weekend, in China, yet Nigerian athletes as at Thursday were not sure of taking part.

Football is a big brand that can stand on its own if government plans with the officials of the Nigeria Football Federation in all sincerity to get big sponsors without sentiments. Huge money being expended on football affects the development of other sports and this is very bad. Athletes in other disciplines are not happy with government for pampering football and footballers.

Each Super Eagles player is entitled to $10,000 as winning bonus for every match. This is aside from the ticket money and daily camp allowances. The match bonus of just five players could be sufficient for the table tennis or athletic federation to honour a competition abroad.

It is important for the new administration to take care of the elite athletes in various sports because they are getting frustrated by the day. There should be a special arrangement for these athletes who are potential medal winners for the country. Grants should be provided for the elite athletes to take care of their training and general preparation. If this is not addressed more athletes will continue to dump Nigeria for other countries due to welfare reasons. No serious country jokes with the welfare of its athletes especially the elite ones.

Government can work at getting dedicated individual sponsors for them to enable them to attend global tournaments for exposure.

The president-elect should also engage a minister that will think of school sports and grass roots development. I am aware that youth development is part of the main topics treated by committees that worked on the national sports policy. There should be a template for the youth to develop into world-class athletes.

Also, domestic league is the yardstick for football development elsewhere but our league is not getting enough attention. The players complain every season over poor welfare and one wonders if the country is actually practicing professional football. Players in the domestic league should be better motivated to give their best.

There should be a deliberate plan to improve on the sports facilities in the country while also better managing the existing ones. Sad enough, there are no national gymnasiums as athletes rely on private gyms to keep fit.

If the president-elect can see to the issues raised in this piece that started last week, 80 per cent of the problems in sports will be solved • CONCLUDED

DESTINATION

SATURDAY

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Wenger banks on

Sanchez, Giroud to hurt Mourinho J

Ajibade Olusesan ose Mourinho is Arsene Wenger’s albatross; the Frenchman has never won a battle against any team managed by the Portuguese, this is a bit of statistics Arsenal fans will want to forget when they welcome Chelsea in tomorrow’s English Premier League tie.

Mounrinho and Wenger have met 11 times but the Chelsea boss won six of those battles with five ending in draws, Wenger’s side scored six and conceded 19.

There is a level of confidence that usually envelop the Blues squad now whenever they face Arsenal and the atmosphere may not be different this time.

Chelsea are not playing the best of football at the moment but as they showed in last weekend’s victory over Manchester United, they can always ground out results. Man United dominated impressively at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea soaked up the pressure and exploited that moment when Eden Hazard pounced on a defence-splitting pass from Oscar to fire past David de Gea. Wenger need this match not only to stop Mourinho who has become his nemesis, but to cut Chelsea’s lead and strengthen Arsenal’s faint hope of snatching the EPL tittle. Another impressive one is that if they win they will be completing victories over all top four teams this season having defeated both Manchester clubs.

However, the Gunners boss can rely on two of his players to get one over his old adversary tomorrow. If they have to win this time,

then they must score and the burden will rest on the shoulders of Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez.

Although Hazard is arguably the best player in the EPL at the moment, some pundits can still consider Sanchez to be on the same plane as the Belgian.

Sanchez has scored more goals in the league than Hazard. He has 14 goals while his competitor has 13.

To further underline the fact that there is no much difference between the duo, they both have eight assists in the league so far but when it comes to scoring attempts, Hazard leads the way, having had 30 of his total 67 scoring attempts. Sanchez meanwhile has 39 of his 93 on target.

Sanchez is one player that can turn a game on its head and win points for his side just as he proved last weekend in the FA Cup semifinal match against Reading when he scored two goals to set up a final clash with Aston Villa.

His strike partner, Giroud, is another fox in the opponents vital area. The Frenchman usually maximises his aerial prowess and uses his big frame to trouble opposing defenders. There is so much to his game than scoring goals; the former Montpellier striker usually makes Arsenal a more rounded side and improves their threat level with his link up play. He controls the ball well with his feet and creates chaos so often with his head.

He has 13 league goals already and you can be sure the ever-improving striker will provide the threat that Gary Cahill and John Terry will struggle to contain all evening. Giroud missed two late chances when Chelsea played a goalless draw in their last visit to the Emirates but the Frenchman has become a more-improved player and it may be a different story this time.

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