Binder99988882222 sunday, april 20, 2014

Sunday Edition

Happy Easter To Our Esteemed Readers Sunday, April 20, 2014

Sanctity of Truth

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Vol. 1 No. 61

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BUSINESS

NEWS

I’m leaving Skye Bank in a sound state, says DurosinmiEtti }30

Bayelsa: bomb scare as police abort pro-jonathan rally }11

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ON SUNDAY

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unKNOWN FACTS ABOUT obioma LIYEl- IMOKE

Page 15, APRIL 20, 2014

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Smart & chic fashion for Easter

Got a split on the go?

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A private jet will enhance my job –Bishop Tom Samson

}15

Policeman caught planting bomb in Nasarawa church lBoko Haram claims responsibility for Abuja blast, threatens more attacks

Muhammad Ahmad and Ahmed Miringa

A

serving policeman has been arrested for allegedly planting a device suspected to be

a bomb in ECWA Church oopposite Central Primary School, Wamba Road in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Good Friday.

New Telegraph on Sunday learnt that the police-

man was allegedly caught by curious security men, who demanded to know where the policeman dropped the items he entered the church with.

After much pressure, the

Children celebrating the Easter at a recreation centre in Ilupeju, Lagos…yesterday.

unnamed officer led the security guards to the spot, where he hid the device under a chair.

Spokesman for the state police command, Umar Ismaila Numan, confirmed

the arrest of the policeman but declined to give either his name or other details.

He, however, said the policeman was arrested for detonating a tear gas canister in the church is was

currently under investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia, the state capital.

But eyewitnesses said CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

JONATHAN, GOVernorS, OTHERS GREET NIGERIANS AT EASTER }25 Christians won’t dump APC over presidential }11 ticket – Wamakko

ABUJA BEATS SOYINKA, MARK SHUN OLUBADAN’S traders take }62 CENTENARY over fct’s BIRTHDAY pedestrian bridges }6

NATIONAL CONFERANCE, WASTE OF TIME - BUHARI

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SUNDAY 20 APRIL 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

News

Boko Haram claims responsibility for Abuja blast, threatens more attacks CO NTINUED FROM PAG E 1

the police command was trying to hide the true facts of the incident.

Ibrahim Danladi, a resident of Akwanga, said he witnessed the arrest of the policeman, noting that the officer confessed to planting a bomb in the church.

Another resident, Christopher James, said the police officer’s mission was beyond keeping tear gas in the church, especially on a special day like Good Friday.

The officer is to be paraded before newsmen on Tuesday, according to Numan.

Meanwhile, Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, on Saturday appeared in a new video, claiming that the sect was behind last Monday’s bomb blast in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja.

The attack, which claimed 100 lives and left many others injured, also led to the destruction of a number of buses and cars in the busy park.

In the 28-minute video Joe Ezuma, Anule Emmanuel, Cajetan Mmuta, Adeolu Adeyemo, Dan Atori

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan; his wife, Patience; governors, clerics and politicians on Saturday sent goodwill messages to Nigerians on the celebration of Easter.

Jonathan on Saturday vowed that his administration would execute a focused agenda geared towards restoring peace throughout the country.

The President in a message to mark this year’s Easter celebration said in spite of the evil machinations of terrorists, criminals and their collaborators, government would continue to implement policies geared towards speedy economic development and make life meaningful to citizens.

In the message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President enjoined Christians to take advantage of the Easter to renew their faith and confidence in their ability as a people to overcome all obstacles, challenges and threats to national progress and well-being, including terrorism and other crimi-

released to Agence France Presse, the Boko Haram leader said, ““We are the ones that carried out the attack in Abuja.”

Seated with a kalashnikov resting on his left shoulder and dressed in military uniform, the Boko Haram commander spoke in both Arabic and the Hausa language.

Also on Saturday, one school girl reportedly escaped from a den where she and 85 colleagues were taken to by abductors last Monday.

The suspected Boko Haram members had invaded Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State late Monday and seized 130 female pupils.

However, some of the girls jumped off a truck taking them away from their school while others fled the kidnappers’ den.

The Borno State Commissioner for Information, Inuwa Kubo, confirmed to one of our correspondents that the father of an un-

named school girl informed the state government that she returned home on saturday.

Speaking on the telephone, Kubo said that as at Friday, 32 pupils had been found, while authorities in

Damboa Local Government Area also called Governor Ibrahim Shettima to inform him that another set of 12 school girls also regained their freedom same day.

He added that with one reported yesterday, the

number of freed pupils stood at 45.

Kubo said, “Consultations and search are still going on, with a view to freeing the remaining students. I’m appealing to the abductors to

L-R: Head of Department, Planning, Research and Statistics, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State, Adigwe Uzor; Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State, Chidi Nkwonta and an instructor, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Mr. Francis Sobande, during a workshop for volunteers of National Community Post Crash Care initiatives, in Lagos… on Thursday

Jonathan, governors greet Nigerians at Easter nal activities.

“These lessons of Easter and other injunctions on brotherly love, peaceful coexistence, tolerance, honesty, humility, justice, equity and fairness to all without discrimination contained in the Gospels are of particular importance to us as a nation as we continue to contend with the challenges of nationbuilding and development.

“Our administration remains ardently focused on efforts to successfully execute the Federal Government’s Agenda for National Transformation and achieve sustained development.

“We have already made notable advances in this regard. As a result of our efforts and those of previous administrations, the Nigeria economy is now the largest in Africa and the 26th largest in the world.”

While joining Christians in other countries of the world in celebrating Easter this year, Jonathan urged all Nigerians to reflect on the significance of its lessons

release the remaining students.”

On whether the state government had established contact with the abductors, the commissioner stated that he was not in a position to say so.

of piety, obedience to higher authorities, self sacrifice for the good of others, redemption, salvation, deliverance, renewal and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

According to him, government will also continue to work with all interest groups and stakeholders in the country to achieve the peaceful, secure and politically stable conditions essential for rapid socioeconomic development.

“I commend the leadership and delegates to the ongoing National Conference, the vast majority of who have shown a patriotic and praiseworthy commitment to national unity, peace and progress built on justice, fairness and equity for all component parts of the country.”

“As the conference breaks into committees to continue its deliberations, it remains our hope and expectation that the end result will be meaningful and enduring contributions towards strengthening national unity and fulfilling

our collective desire for a better and greater nation. “ The President took advantage of the season in extending condolences to families of those who lost loved ones during last Monday bomb blast in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja, where 100 people were killed.

He urged Nigerians to remain alert in reporting to security agencies suspicious activities in the society.

“We shall continue to count on your support and prayers for greater peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in Nigeria,” he added.

In her message, First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, urged Nigerians to intensify prayers for peace to return to the country.

In a statement by her media assistant, Ayo Adewuyi, she said, “As Nigerians join their counterparts all over the world to celebrate the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, Christians should pray for peace and progressive development of the country.

“The First Lady in her Easter message asks Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of love, peace and tolerance, which are the attributes of Jesus Christ, and seek the face of the Lord as Government strives to tackle the current challenges facing the nation.

“Dame Patience Jonathan also urges Nigerians to use the period to pray God to grant our leaders, wisdom to continue to provide purposeful leadership for the peace, progress and prosperity of Nigeria.

EDO

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday urged Nigerians not to despair or lose faith in the nation despite her challenges. He said with prayers, the country will overcome her trials and achieve her greatness.

Oshiomhole, in his Easter message, said there was an urgent need for Nigerians to seek the face of God and pray for the return of peace to every part of the country.

He said, “Easter signifies a renewal, reinvigoration and a rebirth. Nigerians must see beyond the trials of the moment and continue to pray and seek the face of God for an end to the challenges of the moment.

“As Christians, we need to find deeper meaning and appeal in the symbolism of the death and resurrection of Christ. The lesson of Easter is for Christians to rededicate themselves to the teachings of Christ which are peace, faith, hope and love.

“In order to partake of the eternal life which is the essence of His death and resurrection, Christians must imbibe the values of charity, compassion and as well as believe in the sanctity of His sacrifice as the basis of a new beginning; a new beginning for self, the family and the nation.”

ABIA

Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has admonished Nigerians to unite against the evil of terrorism currently threatening the peace of the country.

He said the survival of the country from the activities of terrorists was akin to the Israelites passing through CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY APRIL 20, 2014

Easter Celebrations

Police watch parks in Kwara Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

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here was no unusual activity in most of the car parks monitored in Ilorin, Kwara State yesterday.

But the state police command said it had mounted surveillance on all entry and exit points into the state as a way of enhancing security of

lives and property.

Spokesman for the command, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi told our reporter on phone that security men have also been positioned in most car parks in order to properly monitor the movement of people.

Okansanmi said both plain cloth officers and men as well as uniformed men have been deployed round the state in order to make sure that resi-

dents have a good time this Easter. “By the grace of God we are not expecting any untoward event”, he said.

Our reporter was at Offa Garage, Post Office, Maraba parks and observed that motorists and travellers mixed freely. There was no hike in fares because there was no upsurge in the number of passengers travelling from the areas.

Shoppers were also seen at the popular Shoprite. There were no unusual activity within the premises of the shopping giant when our reporter visited at about 12.50 pm.

Traffic was light along Murtala Mohammed Road, Ahmadu Bello Way, TankeTipper Garage, and Unity Road when our reporter passed through these places.

L-R: Strategic Planning and Marketing Manager, Mantrac Nigeria, James Agama; General Manager, Machine Sales, Alex Nwoko; Paving and Forestry Segment Manager, Karim Sami and Building Construction Product Segment Manager, Mohamed Ali, at the company’s Quality Road Construction Equipment Seminar in Port Harcourt....Yesterday

Fun spots get high patronage in Ekiti State

Adesina Wahab, Ado-Ekiti

M

any residents of AdoEkiti on Saturday continued to throng fun spots such as the popular Fajuyi Park, Prosperous Royal Hotel and Resort Centre, Ikogosi Warm Spring, Arinta Waterfall in Ipole Iloro among others.

The state government had earlier in the week announced that people who want to visit tourist sites should take advantage of its Easter retreat discounted programmes.

People are paying N1000 each to join buses provided to go to places such as Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Arinta Waterfall from Ado-Ekiti.

The N1000 covers transport to and from the sites as well as the cost of ticket.

The gesture by the government started on Friday and continues till Easter Monday.

The Chairman/ Chief

Executive Officer, Prosperous Royal Hotel and Resort Centre, Mr Gabriel Isinkaye, said the Easter programme organised by his organisation which runs till Monday, would not only provide

people with the opportunity to relax, but to also discover hidden talents.

Motor parks in Ado-Ekiti have been experiencing increase in patronage since Friday.

Points such as Old Garage, Basiri, Fajuyi area among other loading points of passengers have become beehive of activities with attendant slight increase in transport fares.

Paul Ogbuokiri and Chijioke Iremeka

mally seen during festive periods.

Oluwaseun Adeyo, an attendant at the park, however told New Telegraph on Sunday that the park was not disappointed

with the ”low turnout of fun seekers today (Saturday), we expect them to turn out in mass on Sunday and Monday.”

Lagos roads, parks empty

Tated with Lagos roads

he heavy traffic associ-

was not seen yesterday as Lagosians marked the Easter on Saturday.

Oshodi Apapa Expressway noted for heavy vehicular traffic, especially container and fuel trucks, was empty on Saturday.

Ourcorrespondentwhodrove round Apapa yesterdayfound that the ports were under lock and key with few security men manning the gate.

At the Apapa Amusement Park, holiday makers, especially children were seen having fun.

But the crowd was relatively small compared to what is nor-

Fun seekers besiege popular spots in Edo Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

Iseekers, especially, children

t was a day like no other for fun

and parents yesterday as they besieged popular amusement parks, eatries and parks in celebration of the Easter and public holidays declared by the Federal Government in parts of Benin City, Edo state capital.

Checks by New Telegraph revealed that hundreds of school children accompanied by their

parents and guardians thronged the popular Kada Cinemas and Entertainment Center on the ever busy Sapele road, National Museum at the Kings Square Ring road in the ancient capital town to catch their fun alongside their peers.

It was however mainly for the children of the rich and highly placed society men, women and ladies that were seen at the cinemas and entertainment center with hustle and bustle at the spot.

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News

Low-key celebration in Kaduna Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

T

he tensed situation and fuel scarcity in parts of the country have robbed Easter celebration of its colour in Kaduna as the Christian festivity was low key, New Telegraph on Sunday has found out yesterday.

Our correspondent observed that only a few people were in the usually boisterous Gamji Park which used to be filled to the brim during festivities as from noon.

The scene at the park looked like a normal weekend as few children milled around the merry-go-round that is situated by the gate.

When asked about the low patronage, the gateman explained that more people will come in the evening.

Shops and businesses within the premises were shut and the park was bereft of its usual beehive of activities like ice cream vending, selling of roasted meat and fish as well as the various commercial photographers that usually ply their trade

there.

The lack of patronage was worse at the Children’s Park that is located close to Government House Kaduna. Just a handful of kids were milling around the park around 1pm yesterday.

A hotspot of some sorts during celebrations, the park is usually turned into a battle ground for rival gangs at Christmas or Sallah festivities. However, the place was almost deserted as at yesterday when New Telegraph on Sunday visited.

Only one police pick up van was parked at the entrance.

Most churches didn’t hold service yesterday, our correspondent can report.

Explaining to our correspondent, Mr Samuel Aruwan said that yesterday was ‘’not a church going day’’, adding that some Anglican and Catholic churches will however hold a brief service later in the day.

The shopping malls were also bereft of their hustle and bustle as most people complained of lack of money.

Low turnout, insecurity mar celebration in Delta Dominic Adewole Asaba

TEaster grooving witnessed

he fanfare accompanying

low turnouts in Asaba, the Delta state capital, and its environs yesterday.

No thanks to the fear of insecurity, arising from Boko Haram insurgencies and the current cashless policy initiated by the suspended Governor of the Central Bank on Nigeria (CBN), Alhaji Lamido Sanusi.

Many of the popular eatries and amuzement parks, including Mr. Biggs, Zisslers, Macdons, BigBites, and recreation centres like the Land of Extreme, etc, operating within the capital city, were all porous as customers’ influx was poor.

Commercial drivers who had planned big for the in-

come expected from travelers during the season were all disappointed as people stayed put where they are due to financial constraints.

The streets of Asaba witnessed no sign of celebration as residents simply stayed at home with their family members, enjoying the best of the season without tears because they could not do beyond the dictates of the pockets.

At Ibusa Motor Park in Koko, along the AsabaOnitsha expressway, a commercial driver, who simply identified himself as Chinedu, counted his woes, attributing their low patronage to the incessant attacks by the Boko Haram terrorists and the cashless policy of the CBN.

No shoppers in Beyelsa Chris Ejims

Ia low turn out of buyers n YENAGOA there was

for the Easter celebration which residence attributed

to harsh economic situation in the state. However, prices still remain the same as demand is very low due to lack of purchasing power among the people.

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Moments

APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

L-R: General Manager, SuperSport, Mr. Felix Awogu; Marketing Manager, DStv, Mrs. Chioma Afe; General Manager, Marketing and Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Martin Mabutho, and Multi Choice promoters, after the Company’s World Cup Press Conference held at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos …on Friday

L-R: Human Resources Manager, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Sunday Sopitan; Unit Commander (Ojota), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kehinde Hamzat; Divisional Managing Director, HFMP, Dr. Nino Ozara, Public Enlightenment Officer, FRSC, Mrs. Stella Omeje; and Logistics and Supplies Manager, HFMP, Mr. Olayinka Shodeinde, during FRSC/Honeywell Easter public enlightenment campaign, in Ojota, Lagos…on Friday

Women besiege frozen a chicken store at Ikotun, Lagos…yesterday.

L-R: Project Manager, Naija Street Champ, Oladehinde Fadana; Ace Producer, Olumide Ogunnade (aka I.D Cabbasa); General Manager, Unmissable Incentives Limited, Kayode Idowu and Ace Producer, Gabriel Oche Amaniji (Terry G), during a press conference to unveil the ‘Naija Street Champ’ project in Lagos... on Thursday

Fun seekers at Shoprite, Alausa Ikeja Lagos…yesterday. PHOTOS: GODWIN IREKHE

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY APRIL 20, 2014

L-R: Director, Corporate Relations, Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Sesan Sobowale; Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Seni Adetu; Publisher, Marketing Edge Magazine, Mr. John Ajayi; Marketing Manager, Mr. Aniete Udoh and Editor, Mr. Wale Okoya, at the presentation of Marketing Edge ‘Brand Personality of the Decade Award’ in Lagos

APC Chairman, Ayedire Local Government Area, Osun State, Prince Adesoye Adedapo (fouth left); Secretary, Oranmiyan Foundation, Republic of Ireland Chapter; Dr. Gbenga Salawu; and ward chairmen from the local government area, during the donation of the public address systems by Salawu held recently in Oke-Osun village…Osun State

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Moments

L-R: Managing Director, FrieslandCampina, WAMCO, Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Eshikena; Super Eagles Coach, Mr. Stephen Keshi, Operations Director, FrieslandCampina, WAMCO Nigeria PLC, Mr. Vedauyas Vemur and Human Resource Director, Mr. Tominiyi Oni, during the Unveil Campaign in Support of Super Eagles of Nigeria in Lagos...on Wednesday

L-R: Groom’s Father, AlhAJI Ladi Ogunneye; Mother, Alhaja Lara Ogunneye, Groom, Mr. Oluwaseyi Ogunneye; Bride, Nusirat Ogunneye; Bride’s Mother, Alhaja Kudirat Mohammed and Bride’s Father, AlhAJI Lai Mohammed, at the engagement ceremony of Alhaji Lai Mohammed’s daughter, held at the Mohammed Compound, Maryland, Lagos. ..yesterday. PHOTO:ADEYANJU OLOWOJOBA

L-R: Commander, Turkish Maritime Task Group, Capt. Alb Ihasan Bakar; Commander, Southern Sea Area, Vice Admiral, Hasan Usaklioglu, and Ambassador of The Turkey Republic in Nigeria, Amb. Mustafa Pulat, during a press conference to announce the historical visit of Turkey’s senior Naval officers to Nigeria, to enhance bilateral relationship on how to forestall sea piracy held in Lagos. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

L-R: Executive Director, Technical, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) Mrs. Folashade Onanuga; Director General, Mr. Rotimi Hussain, and Executive Director, Finance, Dr. Adekunle Wright during the first Tranche of 11th retirement bond certificate presentation to Lagos State civil servants in Lagos….

PHOTO:GODWIN IREKHE

L-R: General Manager Consumer Products Division, L’Oreal Central West Africa, Sekou Coulibaly; Managing Director, Idorenyen Enang and Chief Executive Officer House of Tara, Tara Fela Durotoye at the media launch of Maybelline Clear Smooth All in One Powder in Lagos

L-R: General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Kola Oyeyemi; Marketing Manager, Information technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Ms. Olajumoke Okikiolu; and Television on-air-personality, Joselyn Dumas, at Samsung’s Galaxy S5 Premiere 2014 event in Lagos.

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APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

News Anglican Primate visits Nyanya bomb blast victims Tunde Oyesina Abuja

T

he Primate and Metropolitan of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh and his wife Nkasiobi on Friday evening led other Priests from the Church to visit the Nyanya bomb blast victims in three different hospitals.

In the entourage of the Primate was the Lord Bishop of Kubwa Diocese, Rt. Rev. Duke Akamisoko, his wife Sarah, Cathedral Archdeacons of both Abuja and Kubwa Dioceses, Venerable Emmanuel Adekola and Venerable Rex Eze respectively.

Also the Archdeacon of the Karshi Archdeaconry, under which jurisdiction the bomb took place, Venerable Bitrus Habila was among other priests and laities that joined the Primate to conduct the visit.

The three hospitals visited were the National Hospital, Maitama District Hospital and Asokoro District Hospital.

The Anglican Communion however presented a cash gift to the three hospitals to augment the treatments of the victims.

Conducting the Primate round the hospitals, the Church of Nigeria, Medical Adviser, Dr. Wakama said the victims are admitted in different hospitals for easy access to treatment and medical facility.

The Primate encouraged the victims to have strong faith in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for the perfection of their healing adding that He (Jesus) is the greatest healer.

He also commended the medical team in all the hospitals for their spirited efforts in the treatment of the victims.

Soyinka, Mark shun at Olubadan’s centenary birthday Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

T

he much-expected presence of the Nobel Laureate, Prof.

Wole Soyinka, and Senate President, David Mark, at the award ceremony concluding the week-long 100th birthday ceremony of the Olubadan of Ibadan

Oba Samuel was not realised on Saturday as international engagements prevented them from attending.

Soyinka and the Senate President were among the three personalities expected to be conferred with honorary titles at the ceremony which took

Minna

N

ine inmates have been released from various prisons in Niger State by the Chief Judge, Justice Fati Lami Abdulsalami Abubakar, following her prison decongestion visit to Kontagora, Suleja, Bida and Kagara.

The Chief Judge, while releasing the prisoners over the weekend warned them

historian, Prof. Toyin Fatola, however attended the ceremony and was conferred with Bobapitan of Ibadanland while his wife, Bisi was conferred with Yeye Bobapitan.

Present at the ceremony were the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan

and the Oba of Oke–Ila, Oba Adebayo Adedotun, among others.

LG bosses charged to be dutiful Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

T

L-R: Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor, Rauf Aregbesola; Chairman, Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU), Prof. Wole Soyinka and Deputy Speaker, State Assembly of Osun, Akintunde Adegboye, during the opening ceremony of All-Comers Colloquium, entitled’ Fundamental Imperatives of Cohabitation: Faith and Secularism, held in Osogbo…yesterday

Nyanya Bombing: Ekweremadu calls for multi-level policing Chukwu David Abuja

F

ollowing the recent tragic bombing of Nyanya in the Federal Capital Territory by yet to be identified terrorists, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu has called for the immediate review of the nation’s policing system to tame insecurity in the country.

Ekweremadu made the call on Friday in an interaction with journalists, when he visited the National Hos-

pital, Abuja to commiserate with the victims of the Nyanya, Abuja bomb blast, who are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

Accompanied by his wife, Lady Nwanneka Ekweremadu, he lamented the rising disregard for human life in Nigeria, insisting that only a multi-level policing approach could adequately tackle the menace of insecurity in the country.

He said: “I was out of the country on an official visit at the time of the incident and I

Abdulsalami pardons nine prisoners in Niger Dan Atori

place at the Monantan palace of the Olubadan in Ibadan.

Sources said the Senate President was off to Rome on official assignment although the nature of the engagement of Soyinka could not be ascertained by press time. The third personality, a respected

against dubious transaction and enjoined them to engage in useful ventures to earn decent living.

Justice Fati Lami Abubakar while commending the staff of the judiciary in the areas visited for steps taken to ensure speedy trial of cases in their respective courts, praised them for maintaining a clean environment for the inmates and implore them to keep

the standard.

One Francis Okon who was on nine months imprisonment and had 20 days left to serve at Suleja was granted freedom while Augustine Agada who was charged for the offense of house breaking and convicted for six months was released.

Lawal Yakubu who was sentenced to five years and had two months left to serve was also released.

feel completely dehumanized that a country that values human life more than anything else is going through this kind of bestiality; so, it is completely unacceptable and we must come together as a nation and borrow from our past and relevant examples in the world to fight this evil and put it behind us.

“We are the only country that runs a federal system

and run the type of police we have now. The type of police system we are running is not suited for a federal system of government. We are about 170 million people; we cannot have 320 thousand policemen to deal with it and I don’t believe that the federal government can ever produce the number of police that will be enough for this country.

he Chairman, Osun state Local Government Service Commission, Dr. Peter Babalola at the weekend charged Executive officers in the thirty Local Governments of the state to improve on their performance by contributing positively to their various Council Areas.

Dr. Babalola who gave the charge while declaring open A Day Workshop On Public Administration, Personnel Management ethics and Accountability Field, at the Commission’s Multi-purpose Hall, Osogbo, described them as motivators to other workers in the councils and pleaded with them to be steadfast and dedicated to their duties.

He attributed them to harbingers of successes and achievements and advised them to display their talents and skills to prove to their workers that they are good leaders in their respective councils.

Babalola added that” the executive officers form the larger Part of the engine room for effective administration in the councils and they must compliment government effort by assisting the government to attain its goals which are stimulated in Seven Point integral action plan.”

AMAA promotes tourism in Bayelsa -DG

T

he African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) has boasted the tourism potentials of Bayelsa State and provides a platform to celebrate the brilliant artistic works of Africa’s movie makers which has in turn encouraged creativity and excellence in the African movie world.

The Director-General of the Bayelsa Tourism Development Agency, Mrs. Ebiza-Ndiomu-Brown made this known to newsmen at the Emperor Palace Hotel in South Africa during the AMAA party where nominees for this year’s edition of the Awards were unveiled.

The awards will hold on Saturday, April 26.

She said the effort of Governor Seriake Dickson to turn Bayelsa State into the next tourism destination is part of the reason the government is partnering with AMAA. She told the filmmakers to take advantage of the many film shooting friendly sites in the state.

According to her, not only is the state blessed with natural tourists attractions and site that can blow the mind of any producer, Bayelsa State, which has played host to AMAA since inception over 10 years ago, is ready to give generous

incentive to any producer who decides to make any of the tourist sites his location.

“We have beautiful and exotic locations that are good for shooting of your films.

Come and experience Bayelsa and we have incentives and talents that will make your work very smooth”, NdiomuBrown whose agency has, in the last one year, successfully hosted top notch entertainment events like Bayelsa International Jazz Festival (BIJF), Most Beautiful Girl in Nigerian (MBGN) among others”, Ndiomu-Brown said, adding that AMAA is Africa’s version of the Oscars.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY APRIL 20, 2014

News

Sultan plans women university in Sokoto Umar Danladi Ado Sokoto

T

he Sultanate Council of Sokoto, said it has completed all necessary arrangements for the establishment of a women university in the state.

The Sultan of Sokoto,Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, announced this at the launching of three books authored by the Director of the Centre for Hausa Studies, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Dr Sa’adiya Bello on the contributions of women to the Sokoto caliphate.

Sultan Sa’ad Abubskar stated that the university when actualised would train young Islamic women in the

area of medicine and other fields of study.

He maintained that the idea was to take care of the health care needs of women in the state and the country at large adding that the Sultanate would continue to initiate programmes aimed at supporting women to achieve their set objectives.

According to him, the books on scholars that include that of Nana Asmau would go a long way in encouraging women to actively participate in women education.

He said, “educating a woman is like educating the nation”.

He added soon a blue print of the proposed women university would be made public.

While assured the determination of the sultanate council towards encouraging young girls to acquire western and religious education, for the general development of the religion and the nation at large.

Earlier, Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko commended the effort of the author for working hard and the successful launching of the three books.

The governor maintained that the books would assist tremendously in promoting good governance,and exemplary leadership especially among the younger and future generations.

The governor was represent on at the occasion by

the state commissioner for Religious affairs, Alhaji Tukur Alkali and revealed the government’s effort to continued toward encouraging the Girl -Child Education achieved huge success in the state.

The renewer of the books, who is also the former chairman National Universities Commission, Prof. Munzali Jibril called on Muslims Umma in the country to contribute towards raising N 10 billion for the establishment of Nana Asmau University.

Jibril,explained that the proposed Nana Asma’u University would train Muslim women in various fields for the overall development of the state and the country at large.

Orji lauds Abians’ performance in WASSCE

T

he Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, said that he is happy with the state’s performance in the 2013 West African Senior School Certificate Examination. The state was the overall best in the country, behind Anambra State.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, said that he was impressed that the state came second in the exams, but said that more work needed to be done to take the state to the number one position.

The results released by WASSCE showed that 12 states in Nigeria recorded percentages that were above na-

tional average. The states are in the following order: Anambra State (67.85 per cent), Abia State (65.17 per cent), Rivers State (58.56 per cent), Lagos State (56.03), Cross River State (53.34 per cent), Bayelsa State (51.66 per cent), Enugu State (50.22 per cent), Delta State (46.49 per cent), Imo State (46.03per cent), Abuja (43.9 per cent), Ogun (39.92 per cent), and Kaduna (39.47 per cent).

Orji, who expressed happiness over the development, attributed the feat recorded in the 2013 WASSCE by Abia State to the new reforms introduced by government in the educational sector.

Catholic bishop doles out gifts to indigents Uwakwe Abugu Awka

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Vice President, Namadi Sambo; and Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, during the turbaning ceremony of Kaduna State Governor, Ramalan Yero, as the Dallatun Zazzau, in Zaria …yesterday

t was an emotionally moving sight yesterday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, capital of Anambra State as Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor of the Catholic Diocese of Awka hosted over 700 indigent residents of the city to an Easter gettogether during which he donated large quantities of foodstuff to them.

Visible joy shone on their hitherto grief-ridden foreheads as the bishop met with them and showed them love not just through gifts but also by giving them words to encourage them to keep wading through the vagaries of their respective harsh life experiences.

At the Catholic Cathedral yesterday over 300 bags of rice, 150 bags of beans and over 700 tubers of yams were doled out to them by the cleric who told newsmen that the he has been holding regular get-togethers with these indigent members of the society but that yesterday’s meeting was special in view of Easter celebration.

In Awka, execept for some increased business activities around livestock markets at Eke Awka and some spots in Amawbia within the capital city, there was no semblance of any business rush associated with season and most residents carried on as if there was no season really.

You can’t return to PDP through Easter period: Prices rise back door, Wike tells Amaechi

Pay living wages to journalists –Essien

Joe Ezuma

Isioma Madike

Port Harcourt

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he Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, has warned Rivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi and others who may be thinking about returning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), not to do so through the back door.

Wike gave the warning on Saturday at Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni local government area of Rivers State, during a thanksgiving service to celebrate the one year anniversary of the Chief Felix Obuah-led executive committee of the PDP in the

state.

He said: “The APC members are interested in what is happening in PDP in this state. They all want to come back to the PDP but let me warn them; they must follow the proper way or we will throw them out through the window.”

The thanksgiving service was however boycotted by several chieftains of the party in the state, including the National Deputy Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; the Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo; and the Executive Director, Finance and Administration in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Henry Ogiri.

Ikechukwu Ucheoma Umuahia

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s Christians make last minute preparations for the commemoration of the resurrection of our lord and personal savior, Jesus Christ, called Easter, prices of some commodities in the market has made some slight changes.

New Telegraph on Sunday went round Umuahia the Abia state capital to sample the feelings and opinions of some traders and residents of the state who were making last minute purchases.

A visit to the Ubani market yesterday reveals that there was high demand for meat which obviously caused the

increase in the prices of the commodity while other commodities such as foodstuffs, clothes and foot wears were all stable.

A meat seller at the ubani market who simply identified himself as Mazi Kalu admitted that the increment in the prices of meat was caused by the high level of demand and rush witnessed by the traders from customers who are in dear need of the commodity and were making last minute rush so as not to be left out. He noted that as against poor sells they recorded on Thursday, yesterday was a different ballgame which has always been the trend during festive periods like the Christmas and new year.

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roprietors of media houses in the country have been urged to pay living wages to their employees and ensure that journalists are given a conducive environment to practice their profession.

Editor of the defunct National Concord and CEO of Union Communications and Publishing Limited, Mr. Nsikak Essien, gave the advice in Uyo, on Tuesday, during the public presentation of Sippar, a new monthly news magazine.

Essien lamented that most journalists were not being catered for by their employers, noting that this had resulted

in their resorting to various kinds of unethical practices.

Recalling the days of the defunct Concord Press of Nigeria, Essien said journalists employed by the late business mogul, Chief Moshood Abiola, were well paid, which, according to him, made them perform well in their jobs.

Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, represented by the Director of Information called on journalists in the country to demonstrate greater understanding of government business.

He urged them to use their media to educate and inform the people of government activities for the good of society.

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APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

News

Confab, waste of public funds –Buhari Kingsley Njoku-Obi

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former head of state, major Gen. Mohammadu Buhari has described the on-going national conference as a waste of public funds.

Buhari said that the government could have used the funds todosomethingthatisgoingtobe beneficial to the entire populace.

He decried the high rate of poverty and underdevelopment, especially in the Northern part of the country. The former Presidential candidate of the defunct Congress for

Progressive Change (CPC), declared that the N7 billion budgeted for the confab would have been channeled to critical infrastructure.

Buhari who is believed to be nursing yet another presidential ambition under the All Progressive Congress expressed his disappointment on the Jonathan administration. He advised President Jonathan to improve the conditions of the citizens and provide employment for the teeming army of unemployed youths in the country.

Enugu factors security into its urban renewal programme •Approves N759 million for ancillary projects Leo Sobechi

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n a bid to preserve its urban renewal programme and protect lives and property in the state, Enugu State Government says it would spend N759, 000, 000.00 on various projects including the provision of close circuit televisions, (CCTVs) at strategic locations in the state.

According to the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwuoke, who dropped the hint while briefing journalists on the outcome of the weekly executive council meeting, out of that sum, N300, 000,000.00 or 39.5 percent would be used for the procurement and installation of CCTV. Ugwuoke disclosed that the executive council presided over by Governor Sullivan Chime, approved the fund to cater for general surveillance

of offices in the new secretariat buildings adding that the project outlay includes provision of 579 Cameras and 44 Network Video Control Systems to be installed on 264 Doors with 22 Controllers.

While disclosing that contract for the project has been awarded to Prolines Vision Limited, the Information Commissioner noted that N213, 021,419.18k was also approved for the construction of Asu River Bridge along Isiogbo-Nara road in Nkanu East local government council.

Ugwuoke was flanked during the briefing by his counterparts in Commerce and Industry and Labour and Productivity Ministries, Dr. Jude Akubuilo and Mrs. Vivian Eze in that order as well as Mr. Godwin Ogenyi of the Ministry of Human development and Poverty Reduction.

Gov Yero becomes Dallatun Zazzau Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

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overnor Muktar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna state has been turbaned Dallatun Zazzau by the emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris at a colourful ceremony at his palace in Zaria yesterday.

Vice president Namadi Sambo and thousands of friends and well-wishers witnessed the turbaning.

Yero becomes the 18th Dallatun Zazzau, a traditional title that is usually given to prominent and distinguished people of the emirate.

Yero was formally crowned Dallatun Zazzau when some counsellors of the emir wrapped his head with a large turban, symbolising his formal assumption

of office as one of the kingmakers of the emirate and a member of the emir’s kitchen cabinet.

Usually, the title is reserved for the princes of Zazzau but ‘’it can also be given to someone who the emir trusts, as well as those indigenes that have dedicated themselves to the service of the people’’, Salaken Zazzau, Dr Bello Abdulqadir has explained.

According to him, the governor has these qualities. ‘’His father is the Turakin Dawakin Zazzau, by this he is a prince. He has also demonstrated his capacities in the areas of human development, as well as the development of Kaduna state and the Zazzau emirate.’’

L-R: National Commercial Director, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, Mr. Matthieu Seguin, presenting a commitment cheque as Official Soft Drink Partner of the Lagos Water Regatta to the Chairman, Lagos Water Regatta Committee, Olusegun Jawando, in Lagos.

CAN wants schools closed over insurgency Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

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hristians in Kwara state have asked the Federal Government to close down public secondary schools in the troubled spots in northern Nigeria.

A statement by the chairman, Kwara State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Professor Timothy Opoola, said the call became imperative following the killing and kidnapping of pupils by insurgents in the region.

The statement while noting that the continued wastage of young people would jeopardise the future of the

country also expressed regret that government has not been able to come out with concrete solution to the security challenges confronting the nation.

The statement also urged political office holders to make fairness and justice a way of life instead of being mere public slogans so that they can inspire the people to follow them.

The statement which read in parts stated that, “the recent bomb blast in Abuja which killed many innocent souls, and added to its horror the abduction of several female students by people suspected to be terrorists, has become a matter of grave concern to all

Lagos Council boss honoured after release by kidnappers Muritala Ayinla

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arely a year after he was released by the kidnappers, a Non -Governmental Organisation, Centre For Ethics And Self Value Orientation (CESVO) has honoured the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area chairman, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, for promoting ethical leadership and exposing corruption in the council area.

Presenting the award to the council chairman, (CESVO), Prince Saleh Yakubu, said the NGO found the council to be most ethically responsible Local Council Development Area and most ethically responsible executive Chairman in 2013.

Explaining the motive behind the selection of the council and its chairman for the award, Saleh said that NGO embarked on an inde-

pendent secret assessment of Nigerians holding public office, who have been able to show the zeal to stem the rising tide of corruption in the society, and contribute to the process of promoting ethical leadership in Nigeria.

This, he described as part of NGSO’s responsibilities to expose corruption, promote ethical leadership, provide ethical education and value re-orientation in the society.

Saleh who explained that CESVO is made up of young, vibrant and non partisan Nigerians, from the six geopolitical zones of the country, added that, since the commencement of the assessment exercise, they have inducted six commissioners of police, six ministers of the federation, 38 members of House of Representative and 12 Senators, as ambassadors of Ethics and

right thinking Nigerians.

“As a body of believers, we are worried particularly that we are all watching the future of our country being destroyed without any reasonable result being seen to have been achieved in the steps, we are constantly told that measures are being taken to curtail the incidence.

“We recall with regrets that this year alone hundreds of lives have been lost to this insurgency and a number of other causes; and we are even much more concerned about the attack on innocent young people who have no hand in whatever misfortune the aggrieved insurgents might have been protesting against.

El Rufai to head APC stakeholders’ Forum Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

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ormer Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Nasir El Rufai, may head the APC stakeholders’ Forum in Kaduna State. The Forum, when inaugurated will fashion out modalities to conduct a crisis-free congress, New Telegraph on Sunday learnt yesterday.

A top APC source confided to our correspondent that the

selfish interests of elected officials caused the violence that trailed the ward congresses in Kaduna state last Thursday.

According to him, no elected official will be allowed to hold any position in the forum, as they are part of the problem. He added that the forum will try ways and means to arrive at consensus but where there are disagreements, the aspirants will go to the polls.

Don charges corporate bodies on research Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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Nigerian university lecturer based in South Africa, Prof. Sunny Iyuke, has charged corporate organisations in the country to establish a synergy with higher institutions of learning to fund research and skills acquisition in the country.

Iyuke, a Professor of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, said it is regrettable that what Nigerian tertiary institutions are churning out are graduates without skills, calling on the country to

redirect its steps through partnership among all institutions of learning.

He said this in Ado-Ekiti on Friday at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti while delivering a lecture entitled: “Wealth Creation Through Diversification and Transformation in The Education and Skills Development for the Petroleum and Petro-chemical Sector”.

He said the country had been witnessing brain-drain because of over-dependence on the government for everything, urging the private bodies to be alive to their social responsibility roles for the country to become a pride of all.

EDITORIAL

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY APRIL 20, 2014

Our VISION

To build a newspaper organisation anchored on the sanctity of truth.

Our MISSION

Sanctity Truth Sanctity of ofTruth

To publish a newspaper of superior value, upholding the fundamental ethics of journalism: balanced reporting, fairness, accuracy and objectivity.

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www.newt e le g r aphonline .com

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

SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2014

The hope that Easter offers

or Christian faithful the world over, today is highly significant because it underscores their inalienable belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the saviour of mankind. According to the Bible, Jesus had come to the world with a message of redemption from sin. The death of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary and his ultimate resurrection on the third day remain the linchpin and foundation upon which the Christian faith is built. His suffering and humiliating death and divinity constitute the core reasons Christian believers for over 2000 years have annually celebrated for the atoning and cleansing value. This is why their belief in him remains unshakable and intransmutable.

The tendency to commercialise religious celebrations has ensured that their significance is no longer impactful on the followers.

If nothing else, religion ought to be a moral compass for its adherents. It has become so easy to consider moral suasion as not significant. Yet as has become increasingly evident, the more society distances itself from moral values, the more it sinks into a quagmire of indecency and progressively loses it humanness.

Easter, therefore, should serve as time for soul-searching, genuine love, sharing and caring for one another, and fostering unity that should make our world a better place for all. This is why we detest in all its ramifications and demand an end to the state of despondency and mourning into which the

nation has been thrown for years as a result of insurgency, acts of terrorism, kidnapping, militancy, corrupt practices and societal vices that have befallen our society as they constitute retrogressive forces, exacerbate the poverty situation and entrench underdevelopment.

In dealing effectively and decisively with these already identified and more inhibiting factors that have long held us back from making progress in the interest of all, we urge all to use the unique opportunity offered by this spiritually remarkable period to make necessary sacrifices, purge ourselves of all inhibiting factors and join hands together to embrace progress and other good aspirations of our nation. Rather than continue on the ignominious path of needless bloodshed, damning reign of terrorism and other harbingers of evil unleashed on the society, perpetrators of these heinous crime, and

The meaning, message and efficacy of Easter must not be confined to the Christian faith, but need to be appreciated by all in the effort at addressing the crave for instant success and prosperity among Nigerians who tend to ignore the necessary pains and sacrifices that are precursors to godliness and good life

indeed, all of us are urged to sheathe our swords and eschew all manner of evil.

We are in total agreement with the Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan in his goodwill message to mark this year’s Easter celebrations that, “no time is better than now to purge ourselves of those burdens that have impeded our progress as a people over the years by demonstrating love in its fullness not only to one another but also to our society,” and that “the lessons of peace, love, selflessness and sacrifice for the common good must be imbibed by all Nigerians for national progress.”

Nigerians need to let go every hindrance to peace and unity by manifesting love to one another and to their dear country. More than ever before, we need to fully use this Easter period for renewal of our instincts, preaching and acting out harmony and peaceful co-existence for the good of this great nation.

We must now begin to rebuild our moral and interpersonal infrastructure to exercise caution in our dealings with God and man, beyond the rituals of debauchery, revelry, voracious and excessive consumption, and wanton maiming and destruction of lives and property that were hitherto alien to us but regrettably, are now preponderant in the country.

The meaning, message and efficacy of Easter must not be confined to the Christian faith, but need to be appreciated by all in the effort at addressing the crave for instant success and prosperity among Nigerians who

tend to ignore the necessary pains and sacrifices that are precursors to godliness and good life. At all times, we need to understand that our unfettered disposition towards inordinate materialism and shameless desire for wealth accumulation contradict the essence of Easter and call for a rethink and tweak in our preferred ways of life as it is vividly written in the Holy Book (The Bible) that man shall not live by bread alone, but by the word that proceeds from God. All dishonourable attitudes need to be properly adjusted to accommodate such virtues as patience, charity, wisdom, soulsearching, dedication to duty, longsuffering and deep belief in the country beyond mere singing of our National Anthem and reciting the National Pledge. The country is so wide and blessed by God to accommodate the well-being of all, and this is why all hands must be on deck to surmount the numerous challenges confronting us. It is possible to make things happen when and if we want to.

Easter therefore becomes important because of the hope of renewal it offers.

It is an opportunity to reconnect with the essentials. There must be a basic essence of honesty, decency, integrity and accountability that counts for us all as Nigerians.

Without the recognition and acceptance of such an essence, we would be doomed. We share the hope that Easter offers to all. The hope is that things can change for the better.

We wish everyone a happy and rewarding Easter celebration.

GABRIEL AKINADEWO Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief IKE ABONYI Deputy Managing Director/DEIC FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU Managing Editor, South SULEIMAN BISALA Managing Editor, North AYODELE OJO Acting Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board JOSEPH ONYEKWERE News Editor (Sunday) PADE OLAPOJU Production Editor TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

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APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

OPINION

Pius Anyim and Igbo treachery Chikwendu Onu

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he wide rumour may be frighteningly true. Igbos cannot run any complex system entrusted to them successfully without being short-changed or backstabbed by fellow Ndigbo. The rules of proof are simple: the adage that a snake grows taller only when it swallows another and it is the end that justifies the means whether godly or not are the unfortunate philosophy of Ndigbo in business and in politics.

Repeatedly in time past and even in the present, running any position successfully either politically or otherwise by an Igboman without being blackmailed and suffering mischievous smears from fellow Ndigbo has been so beyond the race that it appears congenital. Litanies of proofs decorate the everyday life of the people. Records are quickly pointed at that Ndigbo are the very first ethnic group in Nigeria to produce three Senate presidents in one political dispensation. It started with Evan(s) Enwerem and went on to Chuba Okadigbo and eventually settled with Pius Anyim from 1999 to 2013. Perhaps, if not for Anyim’s sagacity the race would have produced a record four or more presidents of the Senate in four years.

The number thinned down to two between 2003 and 2007 when Adolphus Wabara and

Ken Nnamani shared the position of Senate President zoned to the South-East by the Peoples Democratic Party. That’s an unenviable record no other ethnic group boasts of in Nigeria. Surprisingly, Ndigbo are culturally, socially and even politically homogenous. But David Mark from the North Central has been enjoying his position as President of the Senate unperturbed since June 6, 2007; not even from any other person in his zone comprising Plateau, Kogi or Nassarawa states, despite their geographical and socio-cultural heterogeneity.

Same with Ghali N’Abba, Dimeji Bankole and other past speakers of the House of Representatives.

Recent developments strongly suggest that there are powerful and determined conspiracies to re-enact the mischievous and treacherous tendencies the Igbo tribe is known for in the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation. For the very first time in the life of this country, an Igbo man is occupying the position of the SGF in Nigeria. That alone is enough for concerted efforts on the part of the people to ensure its success. But instead, sponsored publications recently dominated the front pages of newspapers that Peter Obi, Ben Obi or Ken Nnamani would soon take over the job of the SGF from the incumbent, Sena-

tor Anyim Pius Anyim. For want of acceptable reasons, they insinuated that Anyim fell asleep during one of the functions attended by President Goodluck Jonathan.

That allegation only exists in the imagination of the sponsors as it only amounts to giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it. Anyim’s pedigree as a Senate President who stabilised the upper chamber of the National Assembly ought to be a record Ndigbo would always be proud to take to the bank, but instead greed and selfishness are driving them to rubbish one of the good things they have.

Those who know Ndigbo and their antics very well will agree that it is all calculated decisions to deploy their vast economic and powerful resources to coerce the authorities to remove Anyim and bring them in.

Not that they are better focused, more distinguished or knowledgeable than Anyim.

Unknown to most of them, Anyim is stronger, healthier and boasts of youthful energy than those who want to ease him off from the SGF position. He handled tougher pressure as President of the Senate, much less that of the position of SGF. The same group has repeatedly sold the dummy that Anyim is interested in running for governorship of his state, Ebonyi, in 2015. All these are attempts to push the

authorities to remove Anyim and create a chance for their candidate. The dummy is to create the impression that Anyim has an interest somewhere else other than his present position. I have interacted with Anyim, I have sounded him out on a number of issues. I am aware he had rejected offers in the past, including ministerial positions that are below his distinguished attainment.Though I may not categorically state what Anyim would want to vie for in future, but what I can stick out my neck for is that he will never contest for the governorship of any state. The aim of this write-up is not to denigrate any person or group. But the point is that we have to recover all truths lost to patriotism if only as a solution towards making progress. It is such patriotic lies by Ndigbo that make them think foolishly that they are superior to others. Our problem is greed, self-centeredness and treachery. If they succeed in removing Anyim, God forbid, they can never prove more patriotic to Nigeria and Ndigbo than Anyim. I challenge all those angling for Anyim’s position to place their own records side by side with that of Anyim before embarking on a campaign of vilification.

•Chikwendu Onu, a freelance journalist, writes from Okposi in Ebonyi State.

Nyanya tragedy and asymmetrical terrorist warfare (1) Law Mefor

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onday’s bomb blast at Nyanya, Abuja, which claimed another 100 lives, is just one too many. It is also the culmination of the nurturing of a terrorist haven in Nigeria since the ‘80s, with successive governments failing to pay adequate attention.

When the cumulative neglect of a vast populace and its collateral damage are fully considered, one should not be surprised that Boko Haram was hatched in Northern Nigeria. It is now like Boko Haram of Nigeria, like al Shabaab of Somalia and al Qaeda of Afghanistan. The phenomenal transition is that despicable.

To begin with, the right education has not received full attention in the core North. This explains why the United Nations recently listed the North East as harbouring the highest concentration of the world’s most illiterate population.

It is not that Northern kids are not participating in some form of education. Everyone knows about the Almajiri form of education involving about 10 million children up North.

This form of education, however, as opposed to western education, is not functional and renders its graduates unfit for gainful employment, beyond the menial.

Strangely, the core Northern States and the Federal Government never came up with a deliberate policy to integrate the Almajiri educational system into the formal education policy, to prepare their beneficiaries for competitive

life with their counterparts from other parts of the country, until the demonstration effort of President Goodluck Jonathan only recently.

Apart from being too late in coming, the impact could not scratch even the surface of the yearning need.

Many would argue that the manufacturing of bombs used by Boko Haram and other terrorist elements is not a job for illiterates. While this may be true, the fact is that the real armies of suicide bombers and terrorist foot soldiers, going by arrests made by security agencies, are drawn from such disadvantaged, stranded populations. It shows that education, poverty and wrong indoctrination have a way of spawning potential terrorists.

Conventionally, the world over, potential terrorists are typically the Almajiri kind of people, for the simple fact that they are impressionistic and pliable, and can be bent to any cause, especially religious terrorism. Even the name - Boko Haram - translates roughly to ‘Western Education is bad’; which also suggests this terrorist brand is a protestation against the kind of education that renders their Almajiri education and its outcome useless. In other words, they appear to be saying that were it not for western education, they would be better off, so away with it!

Even the aim of Boko Haram to Islamise 12 states in the North is still a fulfillment of this assumption that they are pushing to carve out an enclave to impose their own way of life. This makes Boko Haram’s ideology a very danger-

ous religious, political and economic type of terrorism all rolled into one; and any attempt to find a solution to it must take into complete account these three dimensions.

The other factor responsible for terrorism in Northern Nigeria is religious extremism, which clearly radicalises vulnerable and gullible citizens. These in turn openly trample on other citizens’ rights, even the right to life, without the federal and affected state governments doing anything. One remembers vividly the case of Gideon Akaluka who was extra-judicially beheaded in a prison in Kano and his head spiked on a stake and taken round the streets of Kano in 1995. This way, such individuals and groups grew in temerity and impunity, to reach the capacity to confront governments and now ultimately seeking to overthrow it and declare an Islamic state.

This brings me to the third factor fostering terrorism in Nigeria; namely, the lack of political will to deal decisively with terrorism.

At both state and federal levels, successive governments have acquiesced to terrorist acts and treated them with kid gloves. Even with another 100 victims despatched to the great beyond by yet another terror attack at Nyanya, Abuja, the Federal Government can only blame the opposition party, without naming, arresting or planning to prosecute anybody.

For the avoidance of doubt, below is a chronicle of some of the massive bloodbaths and genocidal killings in the North since 1980, which then subsisting

state and federal governments did little or nothing to punish, so as to forestall a reoccurrence. 1980 May - 2,467 killed in Zaria; December 18-20, 1980, riots in Kano by the Maitatsine sect claimed 4,177 lives. The same year, September 29-October 3, there were disturbances in Kaduna, Kaduna State and 53 were killed and many churches burnt. Between October 29 and 30, 1982, there were further troubles in Maiduguri, Borno State by the Maitatsine sect, in which 118 died.

Between February 27 and March 5, 1984, there was yet another disturbance in Yola, then Gongola State by the same Maitatsine sect, leaving to 568 deaths. Between April 26 and 28, 1985, there was a riot in Gombe and in Bauchi State by the Maitatsine sect. No fewer than 105 persons died. On March 5, 1987 and in the following days, in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, Christians and Muslims clashed at the College of Education. At least 100 churches were razed.

In March 1987, in Katsina, Funtua, Zaria, Gusau and Kaduna, there was a wave of religious riots and many churches were burnt and property worth millions of Naira destroyed. Many lives were also lost. In April 1991, in Katsina, several lives were lost when the Shiite sect led by Malam Yahaya Yakubu stirred up trouble. In April 1991, in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State, over 200 lives were lost with properties and 20 churches destroyed.

To be continued

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY APRIL 20, 2014

News

Father, son remanded for killing family member Biodun Oyeleye ILORIN

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63-year old man and his son have been remanded in prison on the orders of an Ilorin Magistrates’ Court for allegedly killing a blood relation who was thought to have a mental challenge.

The elderly accused, Solomon Obafemi and his son, Richard, aged 20, were arraigned before the court for the death of Victor, also a member of the Obafemi family born to Solomon and a younger brother to Richard.

According to Police First Information Report (FIR) the incident occurred on April 6, 2014 around Kilanko area of Ilorin. They were brought be-

fore the court on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide contrary to sections 97 and 221 of the Penal Code.

Although Solomon told the court that Victor died in his hand as a result of severe injury from machete cuts outside their house, the police argued that the two accused actually conspired to kill the deceased due to the trouble he was causing the family because of his unstable mental condition.

Solomon had told the court that on the night of the incident he had tried to stop Victor from leaving the house adding that the deceased used the cutlass in his hand to chop off his finger adding that he thereafter let go only for the deceased to come back later soaked in blood.

Christians won’t dump APC over presidential ticket - Wamakko

L-R: Newly installed Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Alhaji Imam Abdur Razaq; former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; New Chief Naibul Imam of Ijebuland, Alhaji Imam Miftah Gbadegesin and New Chief Eketa Adinni of Ijebul; and, Alhaji Imam Nuraeni Olakeu, during the installation of Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Chief Naibul Imam of Ijebuland and Chief Eketa Adinni of Ijebuland held at Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State…. yesterday.

Bayelsa: Bomb scare as police stop pro-Jonathan rally Chris Ejim YENAGOA

Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

Shaji Aliyu Wamakko, has okoto State Governor, Al-

given the assurance that Christian chieftains of the All Progressives Congress will not dump the party over its choice of presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Wamakko, who stated this in an interview in Abuja, said there was no basis for the insinuation that Christian leaders of the party were planning to leave the fold because of fears that it would field Gen. Moham-

madu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

He said the Peoples Democratic Party was behind the rumour that the APC was planning to present a Muslim – Muslim presidential ticket.

“This party is the party to beat; it is a party for every Nigerian because PDP has outlived its usefulness. We need a change. We need a change. Even in the civilised world, no party can rule for life like one of the chairmen of PDP said they would rule for 60 or 70 years.”

Nigerien arrested in Ogun

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he Ogun Police Command has arrested a middle-aged Nigerien for allegedly being in possession of more than 1,000 passport photographs of young boys.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that also found on the suspect were a camera and several forms.

The spokesman of the command, Mr Muyiwa Adebajo, said in a statement in Abeokuta on Saturday that the suspect was arrested at Ogijo on Friday.

He said the suspect, who claimed to be staying with one Alhaji Ismalia Abu in Ikeja area

of Lagos State since 2013, could not explain his mission in Ogijo or what he was doing in the country.

Adebajo said the Ogun Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikemefuna Okoye, had directed that the case should be transferred to the Ogun Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service for further investigations.

“When the immigration authorities are through with the investigations,the state Police Command will decide on the next line of action,” the statement added.

Adebajo assured members of the public that the police would continue to do their best toward ensuring security.

T

here was palpable tension yesterday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital,following armed police invasion of the venue of a rally organised by a political group known as New Dawn to prevail on the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to a accede to popular demand and make a public declaration for the 2015 Presidential race.

The group, New Dawn Initiative for Development,led by its National Chairman,Olalekan Bello and National Secretary,Michael Agbo Baro,had in the announcement and invitation letters circulated to political leaders in the State including the State Governor,Hon. Seriake Dickson,stated that the rally would kick-start series of programme and activities targeted at the grassroots so that the message will gain traction well before the 2015 election.

In the letter of invitation dated March 28th,2014 and sent to the State G overnor,Hon. Ser iake Dickson,requesting him to attend as Special Guest at the rally,and acknowledge by the Office of the Governor on the 8th of April,2014,the group noted that “the rally will provide a message loud enough to reverberate in Aso Villa to the hearing of the President that his people earnestly yearn

for him to continue the good work he has started through vehicle of his transformation agenda.”New Telegragh on Sunday gathered that the New Dawn was however suspected by loyalists of the present administration to be a new political machinery set up and controlled by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Matters,Dr. Waripamowei Dudafagh.

While many members of the New Dawn claimed the pro-Jonathan rally was aborted by the Police due to the rumor that it was to be used as a platform to endorse the candidature of Waripamowei Dudafagha as Bayelsa Governor in 2016.

Close aides of the Bayelsa Governor,Hon.Seriake Dickson,who pleaded anonymity,however dissociate the present administration from the police action,claiming that the Governor was not aware of the proposed rally and the police distruption.

New Telegraph on Sunday, gathered yesterday that the leadership of the group,had secured the permission of the State Police Command under Police Commissioner,Hillary Okpara,to hold the rally at the Opolo Primary and Secondary School,in Opolo area of the state capital.

News telegragh gathered that as at 8.30am,scores of members of the group

from the existing eight local government areas of the State had started arriving the venue of the rally. It was gathered that the Podium to be used to deliver solidarity messages and banners carrying the name of the group and pictures of President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Nnamadi Sambo had been positioned within and outside the venue.

Trouble however started at about 9am when four truck-load of armed and combatant looking Mobile Policemen and a Armored Personnel Carrier(APC) arrived the venue and ordered members of the group to vacate the venue. They told angered New Dawn members that the rally has been cancelled.

New Telegraph on Sunday observed that the Armored Personnel Carrier was used to barricade the entrance of the Primary School,while over 500 armed policemen condoned off the venue.

A member of the group from the Ekeremor Chapter,Comrade Preye Ebiade, said though the rally was to urge the President,Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to listen to the people of the state and declare to contest the 2015 Presidential election,the action of the Police is provocative and ordered by the State Government.

According to Ebiade,the New Dawn had,while send-

ing out invitations to Political leaders and Elders on the aborted rally,had extended invitation to the State Governor,Hon. Seriake Dickson.,”he acknowledge the invitation and promised to attend.”

Preye Ebiade claimed that the State Commissioner of Police,Hillary Okpara,was also aware of the rally and granted official permit with deployment of regular policemen to supervise the rally for proper conduct,”how come he turned around to stop our rally.This action is politically motivated. Jonathan’s re-election should be a collected project and one person should not abort that dream on his won selfish alter for second term in Bayelsa.”

When contacted on the development,the State Commissioner of Police,Mr.Hillary Okpara,told newsmen on phone,that the claim that the Police authority gave a written permit for the rally was not true.

Okpara noted that the Police cancellation of the proJonathan rally was based on an Intelligence report bothering on plot by a rival group to attack the aborted rally of the political group,New Dawn,”I challenged them to produce the Police permit.The rally was stopped due to the intelligence report gathered that a rival political group is planning to attack them.”

12

SUNDAY 20 APRIL 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH

News

Jonathan, governors greet Nigerians at Easter CON T IN UED FRO M PAG E 2

the Red Sea. Orji, who stated this in an Easter message to Nigerians signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, yesterday, said that terrorist organisations always seek ways to divide communities, “but those who have overcome and have been able to attain stability have done it through unity.”

The governor added, “They stand united against terrorism. We believe that Nigeria will overcome and this Easter presents us that opportunity to reflect on the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Unity is devoted to by demonstrating that the teachings of Jesus Christ can be lived every day.

“This is the time that we must treat ourselves as brothers and sisters and work together to defeat the evil act of terrorism. We must stand together at all times regardless of our colours or ethnic backgrounds.

“We must uphold the unity, progress and greatness of Nigeria, even in the midst of our challenges. It is the only way we can say we are part of this country, because our souls long for its greatness.

“As a state, we ask all citizens to lift up prayers everywhere to God for our deliverance. In our characteristics as God’s Own State, we are not relenting in praying to God for Nigeria and we want to encourage others to do likewise.

“We desire a nation where all Nigerians can move freely from one part of the country to another, where our children will not be kidnapped from schools and our women will not be raped by the evil men.

“We have no doubt about the commitment of the leadership of this country towards ensuring a stable country with peace roundabout and the resilience of our military men has equally shown that we can overcome this evil.”

He said the Easter celebration remained momentous because the love of “Jesus is what has made the difference in every nation and we must do all we can to demonstrate this love to one another and to our dear country.”

RIVERS

Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Amaechi, urged Nigerians

to be peaceful, love one another and live in harmony.

A statement by Amaechi’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, said the celebration of Easter should be seen as a period of sober reflection, forgiveness and togetherness. He pointed out that our country is in need of sacrifice, forgiveness and love.

Amaechi also urged Nigerians to pray for the release of the school girls abducted in Borno State by the Boko Haram Islamic sect and equally urged Nigerians to fervently pray for peace and unity in the country.

“Jesus Christ died, so that we could live. We must endeavour to emulate the selfless life and sacrifice of Christ. As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we must fully appreciate the significance of this very important event in the Christian calendar.

“Let me call on Christian faithful to emulate Christ in all their dealings and also remember to love one another. We should realise the fact that we cannot achieve meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony, we should be peaceful and united at all times for the sake of our dear country.”

He further advised Nigerians to pray to God for a peaceful election in 2015 and called on politicians to exhibit decorum and political tolerance as the elections approaches.

ANAMBRA/ENUGU

Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, and his Enugu state counterpart, Sullivan Chime, in separate Easter messages, called on Nigerians to embrace peace, tolerance and sacrifice as they celebrate Easter.

They said these ideals are needed now more than ever before as the country faces grim facts of insecurity.

Chime urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the Easter celebration to pursue peace and tolerance among all ethnic and religious groups while praying for divine intervention in the contemporary challenges facing the nation.

In the goodwill message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Chukwudi Achife,

Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike [middle]; PDP Chairman, Rivers State, Felix Obuah[third right]; Sgt Chidi Awuse[fouth right] and Mrs. Toru Ofili [fifth left] and other PDP stalwarts in Rivers State jointly cutting the Anniversary cake during the thanksgiving/one year Anniversary of PDP in Rivers State yesterday at the Krisdera Stadium in Rivers State…yesterday

Chime also urged Christians to embark on reflections on the state of the nation, saying such exercises would help Nigerians understand why they should respect each others’ rights, especially the right to life and the right to enjoy peaceful co-existence with their neighbours.

For the Anambra State governor, no society can experience real progress without sacrifice.

“No time is humanity more vividly reminded of the significance of sacrifice to human progress and advancement on all facets of life than the Easter period. Every Easter, the entire Christendom is forced to recall that our salvation is a product of priceless sacrifice.

“Our struggle to rescue our cities and communities from the vicious grip of criminals demands a measure of sacrifice from every Anambrarian”, he stated in the message he personally signed.

Obiano urged the people of the state to devote some time this Easter period “to reflect on your relationship with your neighbours and the personal sacrifices that we must all make to create a better society for ourselves and our children yet unborn.

Minna, called on Nigerians to be mindful of the need to continue to work for peace which underscores the essence of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

The forum also urged Christians to imbibe the ideals of perseverance, sacrifice and commitment to the will of God which characterised the Lenten season.

In the statement signed

by Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, the forum said terrorism was alien to our culture and urged all Nigerians to work together to put an end to the senseless killing of defenceless citizens.

The forum then congratulated Christians and all Nigerians who are alive to witness this year’s Easter, reminding the faithful that “we are alive today only by God’s grace and favour and not that we are in any way special before the Almighty.”

The statement reiterated the need for Nigerians to pray for and work towards peace, stability and progress of Nigeria, emphasizing the need for Nigerians to support their leaders at all levels for the benefit of all.

Furthermore, the forum wished Nigerians memorable Easter celebrations.

NORTHERN GOVS

OSUN

The Northern States Governors Forum has called on Christians to use the opportunity of Easter to pray for the quick resolution of the security challenges confronting the nation.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Aliyu, who made the call on Saturday in

Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, and the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Alhaji Ganiiyu Olaoluwa, yesterday charged Christians to be more fervent in prayer to avert the incessant attacks of the Boko Haram sect in the country.

The duo who spoke in separate statements made available to newsmen in Osogbo, felicitated with Christians on the celebration of the festival.

In his own statement issued by his Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the governor said that “the situation in the country presently calls for prayers. There is no doubt that these are tough times in our country. Intolerance continues to rear its head through sectarian violence, rather than succumb to the wishes of these insurgents, we must rise to the fact that these are trials that are supposed to strengthen our resolve to confront our common challenges. ”The significance of the celebration to mankind is multi-dimensional; and I urge you all to let this reflect in our relationship with one another -both Christians and the people of other beliefs. ”Indeed, the occasion of the Easter this year should be used to reflect on some of those issues that political warlords and others people pursuing other selfish interests are using to drive a wedge among us. We have lived with one another despite being adherents of different faiths. Nothing must be allowed to destroy this value for our co-existence.”

In his own statement, Olaoluwa pleaded with Christians in the country to increase the tempo of their prayer for the oneness and unity of the country.

The PDP boss, who said it was the prayer of the saints that has been sus-

taining the relative peace being witnessed in the country, charged them not to relent.

BAYELSA

As Christians the world over celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has called on Christians to see Easter as a period of sober reflection on the real import of Easter and the positive virtues Christ stood for and died for.

In his Easter message to the people of the state issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel IworisoMarkson, the governor expressed satisfaction with the high level of religious tolerance in the state and enjoined Christians, Moslems and adherents of other religions across the country, to see each other as brothers and sisters with a common destiny and live peacefully with one another.

He called on Christians to imbibe and propagate the qualities and attributes that made Jesus Christ to attain such massive global acceptance and followership.

The Bayelsa State Governor noted that, for society to make meaningful progress in all ramifications, people from different religious backgrounds must work in one accord for a common goal as well as demonstrate true love and tolerance for each other at all times.

He also called on Christians to see the period as one for stock-taking and pray fervently for the peace, stability and development of the state and country in general.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY APRIL 20, 2014

13

Life

Site of the Nyanya bomb blast

Curbing Boko Haram insurgency Ahaoma Kanu

T

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, read an emotional statement on the floor of the house on the March 14, 2014, expressing the helplessness of the Federal Government in fighting the insurgency and terrorism facing the country. In his speech, he made it clear that the government had run out of excuses in tackling the security challenges facing the country.

“I warned that Nigeria is running out of excuses for our failure to live up to our responsibility to protect our citizens. Today I wish to amend that comment and declare that we have run out of excuses. We no longer have any excuse for our inability to protect our innocent defenceless children from gratuitous violence,” he said. He was referring to the February 25 attack on the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State, which left at least 59 pupils dead. They were killed in their sleep.

What occurred on Monday April 14, at Nyanya, ABuja, a month after the speaker’s helpless speech gives an indication that what he said may be the stark truth. Over 70 Nigerians going for their different businesses in and around the Federal Capital Territory were killed by a bomb blast with close to 200 injured in the attack is the most barbaric and bloody of all the terrorists acts carried out since 2009 when the terrorist group, Boko Haram, declared war on Nigerian.

The dust and smoke of the Nyanya

bombing was yet to settle, when news came of an abduction of over 129 pupils of Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State. As the Nigerian Red Cross appealed to Nigerians to donate blood and calls were made to Federal Government to initiate a rescue mission to save the lives of the pupils, an announcement was made by the spokesperson for Nigeria

Army, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, that the Nigerian military has freed majority of the abducted pupils. Many Nigerians rejoiced at the news, it made headlines in most of the national dailies across the country but few hours after the celebration, the principal of the school refuted the statement saying that none of the girls was rescued except 14 girls that escaped from their cap-

Nigeira Police headquarters after being attacked in 2011

tors. The nation was thrown into confusion and the question on the minds of Nigerians was, has the Federal Government lost it.

Since the Nyanya bombing, several Nigerians have come up to condemn the attacks and proffer solutions to the attacks.

While visiting the scene of the Nyanya blast few hours after the attack, President Goodluck Jonathan urged Nigerians to be vigilant and security conscious as the Boko Haram menace is a temporary problem.

“Government is doing everything possible to make sure that we move our country forward, in spite of all the distractions that want to take us backward. We promise that we will get over it. The security services will continue to work very hard. God willing, we will get over it,” he said. But that is a promise millions of Nigerians have been hearing for more than five years.

In a May 5, 2012 video released by Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, the group threatened to attack Abuja and Lagos after succeeding in bombing the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters and the United Nations building in 2011.

The last attack on the FCT was when a media organisation, ThisDay Newspaper, was bombed in 2012. Apart from the FCT, several police formations, army barracks, banks, government buildings, churches, prisons and mosques have been razed down with thousands lives lost. The National Emergency, Management Agency put the death toll of attacks carried out by Boko Haram in 2014 at more than 1,000 CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

14

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY APRIL 20, 2014

Life

Arresting Boko Haram CON TINUED FR O M PAGE 13

with 249,446 displaced between January to March 2014 with 3.2 million people of those affected by the crisis mostly women, children and the elderly. This is despite a state of emergency being declared on Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States where the insurgency is at an all-time high.Even with a $7m bounty on his head, no information has been given on the whereabouts of the leader of the group, Shekau, who yesterday claimed responsibility of the recent attack.

Dr. Ona Ehkomu, a security expert, says the war on Boko Haram had a faulty architecture with the initial handling of the matter ill conceived; it was not designed to enrol the citizens in providing information.

“The government has not been able to enrol the citizens of Nigeria in providing information and intelligence. The general feeling of the entire government apparatus is going towards making us understand that we must work collaboratively but it’s not really saying give us information and people sneer at you. First what information do you need; how are we going to communicate it to you; what about accountability; how do we ensure that the information we provide is actually acted upon,” he said.

He said that the government ought to have created awareness and trained Nigerians on what to look out for when the insurgency started initially and such information should be updated with new find-

Victims of UN building bomb blast being rescued

ings. At a point, it was noticed that the insurgents were using motorcycles for their attacks and the use of such machines were banned. Later the security agencies discovered they started snatching cars and had a preference for Volkswagen cars to carry out their attacks.

Such information should have been shared with the public and mass enlightenment campaign carried on a daily basis.

Ekhonu insisted.

“In security, you must train people to recognize what we call terrorist attack pre-incident indicators or GAPIS. You must know what to look for in order to see it. If your eyes are not trained, you will not see it,” he said.

The recent attack on civilians has made the security agencies step up the level of vigilance in and around Abuja and across the country as there are fears of further attacks. The Nigeria Police announced they are on high alert against any plans by the insurgents to cause more havoc during the Easter period.

Ehkomu said in some of the areas that should have security tightened are such places that they have attacked before.

“You have to look at what these guys have done in the past. They have attacked police formation, the UN building, motor parks, schools, prisons, churches and courts. Human beings are prone to habits and have a tendency of doing the same thing again,” he said.

Despite the state of emergency declared for months now in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, the spate of attacks by Boko Haram fighters in those areas are brazen.

A retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ben Oghomone, urged the Federal Government to be more committed to ending the insurgency. He said the security agencies should close the borders in order to nip the insurgency and annihilate their movements in and out of the country.

“These people have a base, they take off from Cameroun and some of them are foreigners. Why don’t we chase them to Cameroun and attack their camps there?

The government should close down the borders with Cameroun, Chad and Niger, what are we to lose if we take that action for a start. If you close the borders, temporarily we have some inconveniences but you see this is a situation that requires serious action,” he said.

In a statement condemning the Nyanya bombing, former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, said there was an urgent need for the government to review its methods and strategies for dealing with terrorism, which included stepping-up in intelligence, listening posts, picking up trends and conversations with a view to pre-empting terrorist attacks. He then asked the government that it was time for to accept foreign assistance with fighting terrorism in the country. But security experts disagree on seeking foreign assistance in the fight

against Boko Haram, calling it a waste of resources.

“The problem runs deep and is ours to solve. We must have our security infrastructure right. I see it as a waste of public resources and an admission that we don’t understand what the issues are. What the foreigners can do for us is to maintain our crime scene like we saw during the UN building bombing, the FBI came and told us the kind of weapon used, they helped us determine the bomb signature and that was when we knew the weapon was more sophisticated and was way beyond the technical competence of Boko Haram.

There, we need the technical competence of the Americans but beyond that, America will not send boots down to do anything for you,” Ekhomu said and Oghomone agreed with him saying that Nigeria security forces can handle the situation saying that the West do not know more of the terrain than we do.

But with some of the actions of the president by calling for a security meeting with the state governors, Ekhomu believes the situation can be handled.

“I am very happy with the moves made

by Mr. President on calling for a security meeting with the governors and security agencies. That is a good step; he should also broaden that meeting and invite security experts to be part of solving this war.

The Boko Haram issue is something that we must tackle collectively,” he said.

Sanctity of Truth

ON SUNDAY

Page 15, APRIL 20, 2014

Smart & chic fashion for Easter

Got a split on the go?

A private jet will enhance my job –Bishop Tom Samson

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT www.newtelegraphonline.com/body&soul

16

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T h e Te a m l Juliet Bumah (Editor)

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Enjoy Easter holiday events in a more relaxed mood. Rock your ethnic-inspired outfits with traditional caps and have a fun filled time } 44

PH TELEGRA

ith Shine w gles n Cuff ba

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GLAM DUDES

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without any hope but with great vision and amazing faith. I had it at the back of my mind that something was waiting for me.

What? I didn’t know

OUR LOVE STORY

NDAY

Body&

Contents 20.04.14

-Bishop Samson

go?

T

Juliet

COVER I came to Lagos

8

BED, WORK & LIFE How could Pius score a goal from a corner? Not when Richie could not achieve that in more than eight years... unless... unless Richie

had been spurting impotent fluid!

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l Bayo Adeoye (Senior Correspondent) l Vanessa Okwara (Correspondent) l Biwom Iklaki (Correspondent) l Ugochukwu Nnakwe (Graphics) l Edwin Usoboh (Graphics) +234 (0) 811 675 9770, +234 (0) 701 110 1014 chibumah@yahoo.com julietbumah@newtelegraphonline.com

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY APRIL 20, 2014

Accessories

Shine with Cuff bangles Vanessa Okwara

A

re you attending any special event this Easter that requires that you appear more glamorous? An accessory like the cuff bangle can give you the glam look.

Cuff Bangles are hot

now, even on the red carpet. Cuff bangles come in different types -bohemian, sterling silver, large-hinged and other wide cuffs.

No matter your ensemble, you will surely find a cuff bangle that will make you trendy.

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Body&Soul

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APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Body&Soul

Easter reminds me of my salvation

Delta State-born Bishop Tom Samson, General Overseer of Christ Royal Family International Church cuts the picture of a movie star, but the popular man of God says it’s the way he wants to be identified. The 47-year-old flamboyant pastor talks about his life, work, prospects and Easter in this interview with BAYO ADEOYE You came to Lagos 22 years ago at the age of 25 without any hope whatsoever. Why?

Well, I was armed with a vision. I was full of hope. As a young man that just left the university, I had the vision of setting the captives free and teaching them to have hope in God and salvation through Jesus Christ. I was full of energy. I had never been to Lagos before. I came to Lagos without any hope but with great vision and amazing faith. I had it at the back of my mind that something was waiting for me. What? I didn’t know. But I knew I was going to be an achiever. I knew a great task was waiting for me. I came with the mind to serve.

You lost your father and left for Lagos, leaving your poor mother behind. What was her reaction?

She didn’t want me to come because when she asked for my forwarding address, I had none. She was scared. She wanted me to stay around her, sleep and wake up together. But I knew that wasn’t my intention. I had a vision, I had a dream and my dream had alway been to serve the Lord. So, she was scared but I assured her that the Lord would see me through and He surely did.

Before He (God) saw you through, what did you go through?

Yes, you see it is always expected. I went through hard times. The friend that promised me accommodation was unable to fulfill it because his parents didn’t want me to stay in their house. He had to look for somewhere around Ojuelegba in Surulere, Lagos to fix me up. I was sleeping at a veranda and I was there for some weeks before I ran into a friend, one Wale Akinyemi, whom I met in Ife. When in Ekpoma, I travelled to campuses preaching. I used to go to Christ Love in Ife to preach. So I knew Wale Akinyemi then, but he was now based in Lagos and I ran into him. He took me to see his parents who asked where I was staying. I told them I had nowhere and they gave me accommodation in their vacant but ‘empty boys q u a r t e r s ’.

With accommod at i o n issue set-

tled, it gave me a sort of relief and I met other friends who introduced me to their parents as Pastor Tom, and those parents discovered that I was a young man with a great and amazing gift. Some of them assisted me with chairs, stove, money and I was able to gather some things and that kept me going. It was exciting and I enjoyed it and just saw the hand of God in my life. It was rough but you could see the comforting hand of God in my life, it was exciting.

You are one of the most famous men of God in the country today. What is the secret of your success?

You see, above all, I will say it is the grace of God. You see there are people that carry anointing and people don’t appreciate them. What I have been able to achieve within 22 years at my agewe are building a university, we have a college of education. We are in two cities, we are building hotels, we have 16 nursery and primary schools. All of these everywhere-Lagos, Abuja, PortHarcourt, being built by a man that came to Lagos without a dime, with over 100 staff on my payroll. It can only be grace. And what is grace? Unmerited favour. When God decided to do all this, it was just favour.

There are many people out there with more anointing and yet they are not where we are today. I have been receiving grace of God all my life. I got admission into the university with one credit in Yoruba. I just gave my

life to Christ. Nobody in my family ever did. The evil and demonic stronghold in our family never allowed me to make my five credits. Even with the way I was, God sent His helper. I met this young man who was going to the admission office with a letter of introduction and I followed him to see one of the top officials.

The man thought we came together and worked our admission in. I later made my papers in Year One. In Ekpoma then, being a new school, you were permitted to get your full results within a short period after admission. Since I gave my life to Christ, the grace of God has never ceased to follow me. I have always seen unique favour in my life. Apart from grace, impacting my life, since I started my programme at the Lagos Airport Hotel, so many millionaires and billionaires have been raised through that

programme. So many boys got jobs in oil companies. People have been raised through that programme, in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Many of them do not even attend my church. So these people sometimes look back to assist.

But above it all; the grace of Almighty God has been great.

You said you have built many schools.

Are they for business?

If you like, the best way to assist and give lasting legacy is through education. Look at me now, I am the first to get married, first to own a house, first in everything. Apart from Christ, education played a major role. Look at any family in Nigeria. If you see any family that is moving higher, education played a role. Look at the missionaries, when they came to Africa, they came with two things-education and health. I went to missionary schools, my primary school was missionary, my secondary school was an Islamic school. I was born in Seventh-Day Adventist Hospital.

I have been a beneficiary of missionaries’ kind gestures. I have a scholarship scheme because my parents struggled to pay for my school fees. At a point, I had to engage in labour work to pay my

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Body&Soul

experience -Bishop Tom Samson fees. So this has enabled me to do all this. I give out free medical care; go to Ota in Ogun State, we give out free medical service. All these I do because of what I went through. If I could go through that and God made me to head a Christian group, then I have to give back. I read education at the university. I am a man of high taste, I am a man with poise. We have a college of education where we train teachers. Apart from providing education, we also want quality and qualitative education, and I have passion for education. I wanted to be a medical doctor but I couldn’t so I am building health centres for doctors.

Talking about class and taste, one can mistake you for a hip hop or movie star. Why are you this flamboyant?

I started my ministry on the campus. I started among young people. So you can’t compare me with other elderly men of God out there that people want me to imitate. I won’t do that. Never! Because when God called me, he called me to work among the youths. I started my ministry on campus. Even before then, I had been going to campuses to preach. I had been working among the youths. If you are working among the youths, and you want them to accept what you are saying, you have to look acceptable. God used me very well among the cultists-Black Axe, Buccaneers, Pyrates, Eiyes-they called me Pastor Dynamics. I was irresistible. I have good dress sense. Apart from that, I always liked to dress the way people would notice me on campus. So I carried my dress sense from the university to my ministry. Then we had SU (Scripture Union), but many youth’s who would not want to look at the SU, they looked at our side, because we were posh. Despite our posh and class, we never deviated from the word of God. We were healing and delivering powerful words of God on campuses and making serious impact around the campuses. I am still doing things I did 30 years ago with impact. Whatever you see me doing today, it is a reflection of what I have done in the past.

You said you are building a university. We are aware that of some of the universities built by some of these churches are so expensive that many of their members cannot afford to send their wards there...

(Cuts in). You see, if you are outside, it is easy to criticise but if you are inside, you will see the truth. I have colleges of education where I am training teachers.

The salary of an average teacher is between N50,000 and N100,000. If you want good and qualitative education, it is very expensive. Look at my secondary school at the back of my church here. I spent over N100 million to purchase that land alone, and then, with quality teachers. But besides that, it is still one of the cheapest around Ikeja. God has blessed me, yes, we want to pay back to the society, yes. But all the same, there is no way you go less and survive. You have to look at the lives of the teachers you have, you have to treat them well. The education sector failed in Nigeria because of the way governments had been treating teachers.

If teachers are poorly paid, they will take sweets, biscuits, melon to school to sell and won’t concentrate on the welfare of their students. Anybody anywhere will agree that education is expensive all over the world.

Look at our universities, the way they are failing. All those first generation universities, the way they are deteriorating. Even the government universities are jacking up their fees to meet up. Look at the Lagos State University (LASU). If Lagos State, as rich as it is can do that, how much more individuals? Naturally, emphatically speaking, education is expensive. We do not only want to provide education, but one with qualities one. We will not bring education down to lose it value. My school is affordable

by the downtrodden but not to the detriment of quality and qualitative education.

Some pastors have private jets. We are yet to see yours. When are you getting one?

There are only few men of God that can afford private jets. There was a time I was in Abuja and I had a very crucial meeting here in Lagos. Do you know that my flight was delayed for over two hours? So I couldn’t make the meeting. There was a day I was going to Abuja for an NUC meeting, and the flight was delayed for an extra one hour 30 minutes. With a private jet, that wouldn’t have happened. I minister all over the country, even abroad. If I am like Papa Oyedepo, who has his own jet, I will just go in and fly to wherever I want to go.

So you are thinking of getting your own too?

By the special grace of God, if God provides it. If somebody gives me one today, I will take it, because it will enhance my work.

Lets go back a bit; why did you give your life to Christ at the time you did?

I gave my life to Christ because I was under a demonic siege. Five years after I left secondary school, I was still writing the examination. I never excelled. My family was under siege. An average family in Africa carries an ancestral curse, demonic and witchcraft manipulations, so was my own family.

I tried every means, it didn’t work.

Only Christ is the solution.

What were the other means you tried?

Several means like native doctors; I bathed in the river, I nearly drowned. I ate sacrifices late at night. I did terrible things I wouldn’t want to mention here.

But after giving my life to Christ, my suffering came to an end, I received salvation.

Where do you shop for your suits?

You know I travel a lot, so I get most of my suits in London.

Do you have a preference for a particular designer?

No, I am not that crazy for particular designers. I don’t really go for what you see in the market. I go for samples.

So you spend a lot of money on shopping

Well, to you, it might be a lot of money but to me, no.

I am a man with taste and class, so I go for what goes with my taste and what makes me feel good. Some of my suits are specially made for me with my name on them.

Today is Easter, what does it mean to you?

During my days on campus, I had retreats. Even

before we built our church, we organised retreats. We assembled people, cooked for them and preached the salvation of God to them. So it has always been the period I revered. It was a time I received my salvation. So without Easter, there won’t be salvation. So each time we celebrate it, it reminds me of my salvation experience. I went through hell before I received salvation.

So to me, it means a lot. That is why I preach salvation with passion. With salvation, every other thing shall come to you. Easter is a reminder of God’s love when Jesus sacrificed himself for us to be delivered. It is time for people like me who was under demonic attack to be freed.

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Body&Soul

with

P

atra was in Richie’s office in minutes. She was so excited.

“Me pregnant? OMG! But how come I wasn’t feeling sick and having all the signs of pregnancy? Six weeks gone?

God really loves me!”

She then burst into laughter as she glanced at the rear mirror, looking for tell tale signs of pregnancy but could find none.

She laughed again.

“The doctor can’t be wrong. I’m pregnant. That is as certain as morning coming after night.”

She stepped out of her car, locked the door carefully and walked quickly to her husband’s office. ********** Richie sat, his hands clutching his head.

Dr. KC ‘s voice boomed in his ears, “You cannot father a child.

You can seek a second, third...fifth opinion Richie.”

He shook his head vigorously, trying to shake off the ugly thought. His head ached instead.

“I must be feeling the way mad men feel,” he told himself, not feeling any saner.

“God! I’m sure Christian’s load in John Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim’s Progress is a child’s play compared with mine right now.”

The door opened and his wife sailed in, holding a piece of paper which she handed to him.

“Read it darling. That’s the test result. Six weeks gone! Lord, I can’t believe it,” Patra said as she navigated the table to give him a kiss.

He drew her closer as he stood up and returned her kiss. As he held her, he felt life between his legs. He was so happy. Life was back to normal at last.

“Darling, I’m so happy,” he whispered into her ears as he caressed her back. He raised her face with his right hand as he felt something warm on his chest. Tears streamed down Patra’s cheek. They were tears of joy. He kissed them away, tasting salt, as Patra’s shoulder heaved. She was sobbing. He allowed her.

As he held her, rocking her ever so gently, he felt a bulge between his legs.

“Let’s go home, darling. We’ll call your office,” he said huskily.

Patra nodded. She felt light headed. The news of her pregnancy had flooded her body with sweetner.

Richie told his secretary to handle business and refer only very urgent ones to him.

They drove in Richie’s car. The driver would come back to pick Patra’s car.

Richie walked awkwardly, the bulge hindering his movement. As he closed the door of their house behind them, he turned and drew his wife into his arms. His man throbbed.

Patra felt like jelly. Her bones could hardly hold her up. She could not think of anything else.

Her brain sang, “I’m pregnant, I’m pregnant, I’m pregnant, I’m....” She felt very warm.

By the time they got to the living room, Richie’s man was knocking so hard to be let out. He guided Patra to the couch and shed his clothing. As he stepped out of his boxers, his man slowly unfurled. As he knelt in front of his wife, he felt like a young boy going on this expedition for the very first time.

Patra watched him, a smile on her face as he fiddled with her clothing. When he had unrestrained view of her body, he feasted on it. She sat, her legs slightly apart. Patra’s body would make a monk forget his oath of celibacy! He contemplated the meal before him before running his fingers through the contours.

Two mountains beckoned. They looked swollen and so tempting. He fastened on them as the first course. Then his mouth travelled up to her mouth, further up to her ear lobes, back...to the twin mountains, down the belly button, skirted the centre of the valley and travelled down one leg to the ankle, went up again, avoiding that melting point again and down the second leg to the ankle. His mouth then moved up and couldn’t avoid the honey pot where he tasted the heavenly juice. He had forgotten it tasted so great.

Juliet Bumah +234 81 1 675 9770 chibumah@yahoo.com

Patra’s dilemma

Patra was moaning softly. He burrowed his face in there while his tongue travelled in, out and around the wetland.

Patra massaged his head ever so lovingly, pleading for him to go deeper and take her at the same time.

He raised his head to take in air but she pushed him back to her now swollen valley.

It was no good, his man was already too jealous, it should be in charge. He knelt up and pulled her out a bit to give it clear passage. As he hit the spot, she gasped.

“Gently, am pregnant,” she moaned. He nodded and rode her ever so gently. He remembered the first day he embarked on such a journey. After two embarrassing misses, he found the way and rode so slowly, afraid he might miss the way if he slipped out. He did slip out many times but his very young man simply slipped back in. He still rode gently on, afraid he might fall off. He held on to her body tightly. He realised that that was one sport no one needed tutelage about. Immediately his man connected, his body and mind took over and did the needful.

That day, he watched as the twin mounds bobbed, thinking they were for only sucklings.

Today, he knew better. So he fed on them at intervals as he rode through the wetland. He sighted a furnace and rode towards it. As he got close, he realised the furnace was blowing very cool air.

Patra felt velvety. She closed her eyes and was transported into a golden island where the breeze blew gently between her thighs and further up, gathering everything good and desirable in there. The cool breeze swooshed in and took over her entire body and she shivered.

As she screamed, Richie rode into the cool furnace and spurted, releasing the pilgrim’s burden. It felt so good and they slept afterwards. ********** Three weeks later, Richie called Dr KC. “Your test result was wrong, KC. Nothing wrong with me.

I’m a man,” he told the doctor boldly, after their exchange of pleasantries.

“I asked you to seek a second opinion, Richie,” KC said.

“I did. Same result as yours. But my wife is pregnant. Look, I’ll come back to you for new tests to convince you you were wrong,” Richie told him.

KC swallowed what he wanted to say. He felt sorry for his friend.

“Sure, you can come for further tests. Not immediately though,” he said instead, trying to postpone the evil day.

Richie was happy. Doctors are not always right after all.

“Patra Williams, what did you do?Women!” KC felt very sorry for Richie. He wondered how it would all end. ******** Richie called Ruth. He had been calling her frequently. He had no doubt that Cherish and her brother were his children.

Ruth was back in the hospital. She had taken ill.

“I’ll fly in tomorrow morning. But I’ll spend only a night,” he told her. ******** Patra was on the phone with Pius.

“My love, I’ll be back next week. I’ve missed you so much.

I’m changing my flight. I’ll route it through Lagos. Can’t wait to have you in my arms.” Pius said.

“Darling, something came up. I should have told you earlier but I didn’t know how to tell you. I still love you...” Patra began and Pius’ heart sank.

“What is it my love? You want to leave me? If you do, I’ll kill myself, Patra,” he said gravely.

“It’s not that darling. I’m...pregnant...”

Pius didn’t allow her to say more. He screamed.

“You’re pregnant for me! Oh my love, I know it. I know we are meant for each other. Thank you my love. You have made me so happy,” he said, joy dripping from his voice.

Patra managed to say the right words until they ended the conversation.

Pregnant for Pius? How? She was confused. She remembered the sheath that slipped off in the hotel room in Abuja and her blood ran cold. But that was just once. How could Pius score a goal from a corner? Not when Richie could not achieve that in more than eight years...unless...unless Richie had been spurting impotent fluid!

Patra felt hot suddenly.

Hmmmmmmm, I can’t shout!

The story continues next Sunday.

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APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Body&Soul

Body Shimmer

Biwom Iklaki

B

ody shimmer is the next best thing to concealers and foundations. It can be used to contour and highlight areas of your face and body. Sometimes, body shimmer is used to hide imperfect pair of legs, arms, or even your dĂŠcolletage.

With body shimmer, you can highlight the spots where the sun touches your face, your belly (when you wear your crop tops), your legs (when you wear your shorts) and all over your body (when you rock a revealing dress on a night out).

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Body&Soul

Smart & chic

APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

43

Hardball Christians won’t dump APC, says Wamakko p.24

biyi adegoroye, ASSISTANT Editor, Politics NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

APRIL 20, 2014

biyi.fire@yahoo.com

Tel: 08033024007

23

Politics ON SUNDAY

Cost of governance and merger of agencies The Federal Executive Council presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan recently approved a White Paper seeking to restructure government agencies and reduce the cost of governance. Anule Emmanuel examines issues thrown up by the document.

Jonathan

T

he issue of the high cost of governance which is the expenditure for maintaining government administrative structure has been a source of worry to many Nigerians for decades now. In most cases, it has been identified as a cog in the wheel of national development.

Indeed, preventing or minimising wastage in the country may not however be as simplistic as it sounds. Unfortunately, this quagmire remains one of the greatest challenges that have hampered the nation’s growth and development.

Oronsaye

Former Governor of Central Bank, Lamido Sanusi, was the first to raise the alarm on the high cost of governance in the country, when he said at least 70 percent of government revenue was spent on the government itself.

He said, “This is a country where we have 774 local government councils; in each council you have a chairman, a vice chairman, and maybe 10 councillors.”

He said the National Assembly gulps a huge chunk of the nation’s annual budget which should have been channeled towards develop-

ment- though the legislators found that as an unfair comment.

While seeking confirmation before the Senate in 2011 for instance, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, warned in like manner that the desired development in Nigeria would remain a mirage if the status quo prevails. Over the years, the effect has been evident in the substantially high recurrent expenditure in federal budgets against capital spending.

Most analysts have argued that over 70 per

cent of the nation’s revenue is spent on government, leaving just 30 per cent for the people.

Indeed, government after government since the return of Nigeria to democracy in 1999, has talked about reducing the high cost of governance.

The irony is that rather than reduce, every new government seems to be increasing it further than it inherited from its predecessor.

Just last week, the Federal Government took yet another step targeted at addressing this persistent cankerworm in the system with the approval of a White Paper for a major reform in the civil service aimed a cutting down cost of governance significantly.

President Goodluck Jonathan precisely on August 18, 2011 inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies, what has come to be known today as the Oronsaye committee. Steve Oronsaye is a former Head of Service of the Federation.

The committee’s terms of reference were clear and unambiguous and included to study and review all previous reports/records on the restructuring of Federal Government parastatals and advise on whether they are still relevant, to examine the enabling Acts of all federal agencies, parastatals and commissions and classify them into various sectors.

It was also charged to examine critically the mandates of the existing federal agencies, parastatals and commissions and determine areas of overlap or duplication of functions and make appropriate recommendations to either restructure, merge or scrap to eliminate such overlap, duplication or redundancies; and finally to advise on any other matter(s) that is incidental to the foregoing which may be relevant to the desire of government to prune the cost of governance.

After working for about eight months, the committee finally submitted to the President on April 16, 2012, an 800-page report in which it recommended the reduction of the existing 263 statutory agencies in the country to 161.

The 105-page White Paper prepared by a 10-member committee headed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bello Adoke has already been approved by the Federal Executive Council. Unfortunately, FEC rejected a greater percentage of the recommendations contained in the Oronsaye report.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

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APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Politics / Hardball

Christians won’t dump APC, says Wamakko Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State is among the governors who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with YEKEEN NURUDEEN, the governor who says he is not interested in presidential race in the forthcoming elections maintains that the ruling party has outlived its usefulness. want to do.

Do you still have time for your family?

Wamakko

S

ir, there is a threat by some Christian leaders within your party, the APC, that they would quit the party if it presents a Muslim/Muslim ticket for the presidential election. What is your take on this?

party leadership and that’s when we will see what our ticket will be. We are not talking about (the presidential) ticket now, we are talking about forming a solid party but people are jumping the gun, trying to predict or pre-empt under some mischievous intention.

I’m not aware of this threat you have just mentioned. What I know is that we are only forming a party now and this party is a party for Nigerians. Sometimes people say things out of sheer mischief. Who is the chairman of APC? He is a Muslim and has a Christian wife. Some of the leaders of the party are Christians, some are Muslims. I think it is sad that people are doing what they are doing today. Nigerians, I don’t know why we think negative of so many things.

We should start thinking positively and also act positively. What I believe is that we are forming a new party; it is too premature to start throwing all these insinuations, trying to destroy because the government of the day doesn’t like strong opposition. So they are sponsoring all kinds of write, ups trying to destroy this newly formed party.

And this party is a party to beat; it is a party for every Nigerian because PDP has outlived its usefulness. We need a change, even in a civilised society no party can rule for life like one of the chairmen of PDP was saying that they are going to rule Nigeria for 60 or 70 years. It is rubbish. Even in America you see a party ruling for eight years and then another party comes in; United Kingdom, Germany, France and all over the world that is how civilised people behave.

We are trying to have another Robert Mugabe in Nigeria under the name of PDP. Let’s think positive, let’s wait and see what the party has and by the end of May this year, we will be having our congress and have our

You have been in government for almost seven years; do you still find time to eat?

Well, I find time to eat but I don’t eat properly; sometimes, you just eat what you can eat and continue with the business of governance.

Sometime “when you really want to eat food some other things are waiting urgently so you just take a little bit of whatever you are served and leave. Most of the time you don’t have time to eat in the normal way, as in eat in a relaxed way, in a mood that you feel like eating and enjoy it. You must eat to survive, that’s why you eat.

Otherwise, it is not that easy.

What is the best food you like to eat?

I normally favour local foods. I like tuwo, mia kuka but I like porridge, akamu. I like soft and watery foods. I really don’t take too much of solid things. I also take a lot of meat even though it is bad for us but I take a lot of meat.

What do you miss most since you became governor?

What I miss most is the right to just go there and buy what I want; you are confined.

People will decide what you will eat, how you eat it and when you eat it. That is what I miss most because as a free man you can call your driver, go to the market and get some things.

But as a governor you can’t do that, once you go anywhere people know that you are the one.

Someone else decides your program me, your doctor, your chief steward, your chief cook and things like that. Truly speaking, what you lose most is the freedom to do things the way you

Truly speaking, the time for my family has been badly affected by governance. When you are in this kind of situation, most of the time, your family just has to bear with you. You would leave early and come back late. If they want to talk to you, they only get you on the phone because you are already out there, far away from them. It is not easy but from time to time I call them and tell them, ‘please bear with me’. There was a time I called my two wives and I said, “This governance is not giving me enough time to determine the kind of time you require as wives and your husband, why don’t I resign and go back home?” They said, no, no don’t resign.’

So I always get concerned about my family, my wives, my children, not having enough time for them. A time came when my children had to queue to see me and put their names on the list of other people who want to see me around 1am or 2 am which is not normal.

Why don’t you take all your family members on lesser hajj once in a while where you don’t have many visitors?

I do take them but the problem is you cannot go on lesser hajj every month. You can only go to lesser hajj three to four months. Your family needs you more than three months. They need you almost on a daily basis; they need to interact with you, talk to you, tell you their concerns and they are not really getting enough of that time. Of course, once in a while we travel out. As I’m talking to you now they are in Abuja here with me and they are going back to Sokoto today. That is not enough and like I said, once in a while I create time for them to talk to them, to let them know that what I’m undergoing is for their good. They do understand the situation they found themselves unlike in the Western world when a husband gets a top position, mostly they think of divorce.

Do you feel fulfilled in the past seven years you have governed Sokoto State?

Of course I do feel fulfilled in the sense that

We are not talking about ticket now, we are talking about forming a solid party but people are jumping the gun, trying to predict or pre-empt under some mischief intention

the people I’m serving appreciate what I’m offering them. I also feel fulfilled because the people I serve in Sokoto State believe that I am acting as their servant and not vice versa. People of the state have agreed that I’m the most sought after governor by being accessible and by being transparent and fair in all my dealings with them. I’m also appreciative of their support and prayers for me. I won three times as governor after I served as deputy governor for seven years. The love for me by the people of the state is still unprecedented. Wherever I go even if I’m going on a condolence visit or to attend a ceremony, everybody will come and be chanting “say; Aliyu”. Everybody would want to come and see me as if they are seeing me for the first time. I live all my life in Sokoto.

With what you have done in Sokoto State, do you have an ambition to become President of Nigeria?

No. My ambition is to become a big time farmer after leaving office. I’m not looking in that direction, (presidency) what I’m looking at is to become a full time farmer to show Nigerians that they can feed themselves.

What if your party nominates you?

I’m sure they won’t nominate me. And if they nominate me I will decline because I’m not happy that Nigeria still imports food. I think we have all it takes to produce, eat and export to other countries. I want to show that by example, by leading the crusade to produce food, eat and feed our country. That’s my next target by the grace of God. Do you get angry whenever newspapers or television stations criticise you?

No, if you get criticised constructively. They are only telling you where you are making mistakes and for you to make amendment. In human society, you need to be criticised for you to perform or function well. Criticism is part of any right thinking human being because we are not supposed to be 100 per cent perfect. Any time anybody criticises me, I feel the person is only helping me to sit up and do things the way I should be doing them. And I think that is how it should be. For anybody to feel offended about criticism, I think it is a kind of abnormality. Criticism is part of human development; criticism should be part of what will make a leader to be more effective and more up and doing.

Do you support press freedom?

Of course I do unless you have press freedom there would be more trouble in this country. I think Nigeria has the freest press in the whole world.

25

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY APRIL 20, 2014

Politics

Boko Haram: ‘NSA should set up bomb prevention programme’ Biyi Adegoroye

D

isturbed by the incessant bombings by Boko Haram insurgent group, President of Association of Industrial and Safety Security Operators of Nigeria, Dr. Ona Ekhomu has called on the Federal Government to urgently design and implement a National Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Prevention Initiative in order to save Nigerian’s lives.

Reacting to the bomb blast at the Nyanyan Urban Mass Transit Bus Terminus in Abuja which killed about 120 people and injured over 230 others, among several blasts in the countyr, Ekhomu said the national bomb prevention initiative was long overdue as citizens who are enrolled in the security program would form a bulwark of defense against criminal bombings.

Ekhomu, who is also the chairman of TransWorld Security said the security awareness program on IEDs would enable citizens identify suspicious objects which may be bombs and also identify suspicious vehicles bearing improvised explosive devices. Ekhomu said that bombers (throwers or planters) also exhibit suspicious behaviours which citizens could detect if they were educated through the national citizens awareness program.

The security expert said that another core component of the programme is reporting channels or how to alert the authorities about suspicious objects or persons. “Citizens must be given short code telephone numbers to call and report suspicious objects” he said. The call centers should be staffed with professional, highly- trained personnel who can skillfully interact with callers and get all relevant information about suspicious objects and persons. The call center would then dispatch the police to secure the sites.

Ekhomu said that the office of the National Security Adviser should create a unit known as Office of IED Prevention Programmes to coordinate the operation of the program nationally.

The renowned security expert advised elected and appointed political officials to stay away from bomb scenes. He said that at a blast scene, there were several items of evidence that would tell bomb detectives the type of device used the chemical composition of the device, the size of the device, the probable blast load, even the signature of the bomb-maker. He said that rushing to the blast site with their retinue of aides would result in massive contamination of the blast scene.

Ekhomu said that Boko Haram fighters could take out political officials though the use of secondary devices. He advised public officials against contaminating the crime scenes also put themselves at grave risk from “double tap” bomb attacks which Boko Haram has carried out in the past. He advised that bomb scenes should be left to the bomb experts to sift evidence from in order to detect, prosecute and punish criminal bombers.

Ekhomu said that while “good Samaritans’ could help evacuate the injured and the dying from blast sites ahead of the arrival of government emergency personnel, deceased individuals should be left on the blast scene to enable accurate census of fatalities.

Ekhomu

Ekhomu said that the 36 states should adopt the National IED Prevention Initiative and set up State IED Prevention Initiative. He said that Safety of the lives of citizens was the primary mission of government. He condoled

with families of victims of the bomb blast.

Activities of the insurgent group have witnessed an upward swing in recent times, even with the kidnap of over 120 female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok,

in Bornu State, over 80 of which regained freedom late in the week with the help of soldiers.

The horrific security hangover also prevailed in Wukari in Taraba where 16 people were killed.

In February, over 40 students of various schools in Yobe State were slaughtered by the sect, which is believed to be currently under the leadership of terror group from the Maghreb, Al-Qaeda. Only recently, Britain and France promised international support to Nigeria in the fight against the terror group, using especially the former French colonies who share borders with Nigeria.

President Goodluck Jonathan has held an emergency meeting with his top security officials, last week in the wake of a string of deadly attacks in Wukari in Taraba State and the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls by the Boko Hara insurgents.

Speaking after the meeting, Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio the nation “must face the security situation in the country and it is not something that we should politicize. We cannot politicise security. All hands must be on deck- the entire country. Every single Nigerian must contribute his quota towards bringing the current situation to an end.”

A larger meeting which will comprise all governors in the country will hold next week to fashion a common solution to the serious security problem.

Cost of governance and merger of agencies C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 3

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, while briefing journalists at the Presidential Villa disclosed that among recommendations accepted for implementation is the scrapping of the National Poverty Eradication Program and the Fiscal Responsibility Commission as well as the merger of the trio of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency into a new body to be known as the Federal Civil Aviation Authority and their respective enabling laws to be amended accordingly to reflect the merger.

One major issue which government turned down completely as shown in the approved White Paper was the recommendation by the committee for the merger of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission.

It also rejected the committee’s request for the merger of Nigerian Television Authority Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and Voice of Nigeria into one body to be known as Federal Corporation Broadcasting of Nigeria (FCBN).

Rather, it directed that NTA be fully commercialised by 2013.

Government in the White Paper, however, accepted the recommendation to sell off its shares in Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) and directed for its minority shares in the organisation to be retained.

It also accepted that the functions of NIGCOMSAT that relate to space development be

reverted to that of the National Space Development Agency.

But reforms in themselves are necessary for development if only well conceived with purposeful intent. There is currently the fear that with the rejection of over 80 per cent of the recommendations by the Oronsaye committee, this reform will not serve the purpose for which it was begun in the first instance.

Aside the fear that, were government to consider largely its recommendation, majority of Nigerians will be thrown back into the labour market, reforms such as this intended by the Federal Government need strong political will and ability to remain firm with strong hopes of fruitful results.

In China, for instance, when Deng Xiaoping came into power in 1978 and was handed an almost failed state left behind by Mao Zedong, notwithstanding the immense opposition he encountered, Xiaoping confronted these problems head-on with restructuring efforts that brought his country to where it is today economically.

Besides millions of deadwood and ‘ghost’ workers removed from government’s payroll, to increase efficiency, productivity, and transparency in government, he wasted no time in shutting down many government agencies and diplomatic missions abroad, merging agencies and departments, and cutting down the size of military and diplomatic personnel.

And by freeing money trapped in big government and investing it in industrial and infrastructural development and expansion,

soon China became the investors’ favourite because of the decreasing cost of doing business and the cheapness of labour. An army of foreign and local investors invested in the economy, thereby creating jobs in the process.

The once laid off public workers soon began to find far better paying private jobs than working for government.

Experts believe too that Nigeria can achieve this feat if only there is commitment of purpose from the government. The critical thing is for government to begin to look beyond the civil service as the only problem. The many questions that people continue to ask are that; Why has government for a long time turned its eyes away from political office holders and their bo spendings?

What about the National Assembly whose members’ pay is said to be the largest in the world? Other than dissipate energy on pruning down the number of agencies and throw people out of jobs as well as adding to the high unemployment rate in the country, government may have had a rethink before jettisoning most of the recommendations of the Oronsaye committee.

It is imperative that Nigerian leaders from the executive, the legislature to the judiciary begin to make personal sacrifices by way of accepting a cut in their allowances and other earnings as their contribution to support government in addressing the issue of cost of governance if the country is really serious to once and for all to end this economic and development impasse.

26

APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Politics

Youth leader, lawmaker trade words over N28m programme Steve Uzoechi

A

prominent youth leader in Umuahia North Council area of Abia State, Chinedu Obilor has described as untrue claims by a legislator in the state House of Assembly that he spent N28million on constituency development.

Obilor, who is the President, Ohuhu Youth Council (OYC), said Hon Emeka Ejiogu, a legislator in the state House of Assembly, could not have spent that money on empowerment and projects without making a good impact in the area.

But Ejiogu said the fact was there that he distributed 10 vehicles, 50 refrigerators,50 generating sets 50 deep-freezers and plasma televisions to members of his constituency last December. He described as untrue the claims of Obilor, stating that issues involved was the refusal of the youth leader to accede to the desire of political leaders in the constituency to unify the two youth organisations- Ohuhu Assembly and Ohuhu Youth Council.

Ejiogu said that as honourable member representing the constituency in the House of Assembly, he deemed it appropriate to merge the two youth groups which emerged during the 2007 governorship elections, organise its election and produce an inclusive leadership, in order to ensure that the area gets democratic

dividend due to it.

“Prominent people like Chief Onyema Ugochukwu and Governor Theodore Orji are from the constituency. During the 2007 governorship election, the youth group split into two expressing their loyalty to each of the aforementioned candidates. But they have since reconciled, hence the move to ensure a reversal to the old Ohuhu Assembly,” Ejiogu said.

Obilor, however, maintained that the constituency is begging for infrastructural and called on public office holders from the area to ensure the provision of such project. He called on all politicians seeking offices in the state to pursue the interest of the state, rather than their personal interest.

He insisted that: “Several projects like the Umukabia-Nkata-Amaogwugwu road, which was mentioned by the legislator was constructed by Governor Theodore Orji. Same goes for the Amuhie-Afugiri road. He has no hand whatsoever in the road. The road was attracted by Hon. Blessing Azoro and Hon. Onyeoziri, our former Assembly member, long before Ejiogu became a House member.”

He said some of the projects like the solar lights at Nkwoegwu were attracted by one politician through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). “The Solar Light from the area known as Signboard to Umuawa was attracted

by Former Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon.

Obilor

Stanley Ohajiriuka, while the rest was built by Hon. Emeka Ibeji, a serving member at the Federal House of Representatives.”

He said William Memorial Secondary School he also claimed to have given a face-lift was rehabilitated by Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (retd.).

Obilor also decried recent claims on the proscription of the union, stating that no legislator has any power to dissolve the union, which is “a registered youth organization that has been

existing for decades in the state.”

Obilor, who has been trading words with Ejiogu for some time now said: “Ohuhu Youth Council has been in existence long before he became politically relevant in the community.

Ejiogu is neither our Patron nor our member and has no power whatsoever to dissolve OYC and cannot do it.”

He said the latest crises was caused by his re-election bid, which is against the provisions of a Charter of Equity between the two sections of the Ohuhu clan that make up Umuahia North State Constituency which he represents.

“Representation is zoned between Umuhu and Okauiga. Every section takes one tenure and steps aside for the other. Ejiogu is from Umuhu and has been in the Assembly for two tenures (eight years) against the terms of equity agreed by the people. I reminded him that Hon. Nkem Ike from Umuhu served only one term during the Orji Uzor Kalu administration.

Thereafter, one Hon. Onyeoziri took turn for Okauiga and also served for a single term.

Obilor said few weeks after other discussion; Ejiogu went on a broadcast medium to announce the dissolution of all youth groups in Ohuhu land in a bid to set up his own youth organization. He urged politicians to put the interest of the people ahead of their personal preferences in the general interest of the people and the country.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo youths and battle over name Leo Sobechi

T

he date was April 15, 2014. It was a Tuesday. The disquieting wrangling that attended the election of new leaders for the apex union of Igbo cultural associations, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, echoed in Enugu, the capital of Enugu State. That day, two young men, Zulu Ofolue and Chilos Godsent, were arraigned before an Enugu Chief Magistrates’ Court presided over by Mrs. C. Oruruo. The two young men were accused of raising a parallel executive committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council and conducting themselves in ways capable of leading to a breach of public peace on the very day President Goodluck Jonathan and other stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party were attending a rally in the city.

Investigations by New Telegraph on Sunday revealed that on April 11, 2014 the accused and three others (Uchenna Nnaji, George, Okey) now at large, converged on the premises of PeeKay Gardens in Enugu for the purposes of inaugurating a new executive committee of ONYC, which was elected at an poll held earlier at Christian Centre, Owerri, Imo State on March 8, 2014. It was learnt that on hearing that the ONYC members were preparing to inaugurate their new executive at Gold Value Hotel, Enugu, members of the executive committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing led by Mr. Okechukwu Isinguzoro alerted the hotel authorities and urged members of the public to shun the exercise.

ONYW described them as impostors. Act-

Ohanaeze Ndigbo President, Enwo Igariwey

Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum/Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji

ing on the information, the authorities of Gold Value Hotel declined ONYC the use of their hall and refunded their money. But taken aback by the negative development, the organisers decided on an alternative venue and quickly moved over to PeeKay Gardens almost 200 metres away from the earlier advertised venue.

It was while they were at PeeKay Gardens that the Publicity Secretary of ONYW, Mr. Obinna Adibe, following reports lodged by the Deputy National Youth Leader, Arthur Obiora, led some policemen from the New Haven Po-

lice Station, Enugu to arrest the five organisers of the inauguration. While the leaders of OYW accused the OYC of impersonation and engaging in an unlawful assembly.

However, the leaders of ONYC said theirs was an organisation open to every Igbo youth, contending that they were not affiliated to the apex Igbo organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

It was based on this altercation and following the realisation that the promoters of ONYC did not register their organisation with the Corporate Affairs Commission that the po-

lice detained the five leaders - Zulu Ofoelue, Chilos Godsent, Okey, George and Uchenna Nnaji. Having contacted a lawyer, Dr. G. O. Okafor, communication was established with the state Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abubakar. Based on the directives of the CP, the Divisional Police Officer of New Haven Police Station granted the accused persons bail.

Former Chairman of Enugu State Civil Service Union, Osmond Ugwu, stood bail for the five persons and a return date of Monday April 14, 2014 was attached to the bail bond.

At a meeting with the CP, Ofuelue said his group was not affiliated with Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo, stressing that theirs was a voluntary organisation. He said there was no conflict with ONYW, since according to him they were not aligned with any political party. Ofuelue told New Telegraph on Sunday that the militarisation of Nigeria had made it that whenever the police are involved in a matter, it seems that heavens would fall. Speaking on the absence of the three other accused persons, he assured that they would make it at the next adjourned date.

He also expressed regret that the police made it look as if it was a criminal case.

His words: “If we are doing the right thing, we must show our followers that we are convinced about our stand. We are not aligned, everyone is qualified to join. We believe the easiest way to destroy a socio-cultural organisation is to align with a political party.”

Ofoelue contended that it was only Igbo CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

ICT World Three faces of human –computer interaction p.37

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

APRIL 20, 2014

Market and Malls Fake products: Traders blame influx of Asians into Nigerian markets p.62

27

Business AZUBIKE NNADOZIE, ASSISTANT Editor, SUNDAY

azubike.nnadozie@newtelegraphonline.com

ON SUNDAY

Maritime operators query rebased GDP Stories by Azubike Nnadozie

M

aritime operators have queried the newly published Gross Domestic Product re-based figures for Nigeria, which re-positioned the country as Africa’s largest economy.

Many of them stated that the entire exercise was probably carried out to please President Goodluck Jonathan.

Last Sunday, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the Statistician General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale, told Nigerians that not only was the nation the continent’s largest economy with an 89 per cent GDP jump over the N80.3 trillion (or $510 billion) in 2013, but also that the managers of the economy had strategically positioned Nigeria as the 26th largest economy in the world.

In separate interactions with

maritime operators, New Telegraph on Sunday was told that to believe such claims amounted to an exercise in self-delusion.

“I have not seen the details. But if by that publication, anyone is attempting to say that our economy is now stronger than that of South Africa, then such an effort is a waste,” declared former National President, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA) Chief Ernest Elochukwu.

According to him, the published figures may only be accurate if all that it was intended to achieve was to tell Nigerians the country’s position of GDP, only in terms of consumption of services or products.

He stressed that the economy would never be healthy until the authorities evolve a pyramid format which would enable people at the base to participate in the indices of production while a smaller fraction tinkers with issues of administration

and policy formulation.

“We should be talking about other indices. We have over 160 million people in Nigeria, with many of them living below the poverty line,” he noted.

In his own contribution, a chieftain of the Nigerian Masters Mariners Association (NMMA), Capt.

Solomon Omoteso, who believed that the economy should be stronger than ever if the maritime sector had not been neglected, said it was a pity that up till now government still sees the maritime sector only in terms of Custom duty and imports rather than from the angle of freight earnings.

“The problem is that nobody really knows much about the maritime sector”, he observed, stressing that most of the political leaders never really understand the true meaning of what they read each time they visit the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa, and find boldly written, “Welcome to the Gateway to the CONTINUED ON PAG38

Inside

L-R: Winner AYLive Show ticket, Paul Olorundajo; Senior Brand Manager Maltina, Wole Adedeji; comedian and AYLive Show host, Ayodeji Makun; and another winner, ThankGod Daniel, at the Maltina Sharing Happiness with AYLive Show activation in Lagos…recently.

Mantrac assures on quality road equipment

M

antrac Nigeria Limited, the sole authorised dealer for Caterpillar Products in Nigeria, has called on road construction engineers to partner the organisation and its vision for quality and durable road construction in Nigeria with low cost of operation.

Paving and Forestry Segment Manager of the company, Mr. Karim Sami, stated this during a one day seminar in Port Harcourt to educate customers about the durability of their equipment.

Enlightening the participants on the array of road construction equipment in the company’s kitty,

Sami said it has become necessary to make public some of the equipment to satisfy the expectations of construction engineers and customers generally. He said the essence of the seminar is to bring all their customers in the Eastern Zone together, to intimate them on the importance of quality products that will enhance their productivity thereby leading to quality and durable roads in Nigeria.

“We are here today to showcase our machines and introduce efficient ways of road construction at lower operating cost. We want our customers to gain more and spend

less. Of course, we are the solution to road construction in Nigeria and the best way to add value to our relationship with our customers is to come up with something that can bring profit to their investment,” he added.

Head of Machine Sales in Mantrac Nigeria Limited, Mr. Alex Nwoko, said apart from introducing the customers to the equipment, the seminar has enabled them to express their feelings especially in the areas of product and services and how they enhance the end result.

“Machines can’t build good roads; it is the contractors that

do, but we are here today to introduce Nigerians, and basically our customers to machines that will help them to build better roads in Nigeria. The main purpose of our equipment is to drive down cost for the customers to benefit,” he noted.

Nwoko stressed that participants were also introduced to new ways of handling the machines and products. Beyond that, he added that “one important thing is that the seminar has given some customers the opportunity to express their feelings about the quality of our services.”

CONTINUED ON PAG38

Chidoka

Fresh challenges for Nissan, Stallion Motors

pg 28

Durosinmi-Etti

I’m leaving Skye Bank in a sound state pg 30

SundayTransport 28

PAUL OGBUOKIRI,

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNRDAY

paul_ogbuokiri@newtelegraphonline.com 0802-779-0557

APRIL 20, 2014

Local vehicle production

Fresh challenges for Nissan, Stallion Motors Chijioke Iremeka

T

en days to the end of April, 2014, there are indications that the Nissan and Stallion Motors who had earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enable them to rollout the first made-in-Nigeria Nissan Patrol SUV

by April, have missed the deadline as proposed.

Though both automobile companies said the deadline is still feasible, but signs on ground point to the contrary, New Telegraph on Sunday observed. For instance, certain policies, which were supposed to have taken off since January, have been shifted to July, due to certain prevailing circumstances.

Also, a source close to both companies said though the firms are working hard to deliver on their promise, there is nothing suggesting it would happen. He added that the duo would surely deliver on their promise, but certainly not in April.

The source added that the new

A section of VON workshop

automotive assemblage policy of the government might not take full effect in Nigeria in the next two years, arguing that some dealers are still importing cars. The source added that some importers are not in tune with the policy.

“It’s cost intensive to assemble vehicles in the country, when the policies are not fully domesticated and enforced. It doesn’t make sense that some are assembling Completely Knocked Down (CKD) parts, while others are importing and laughing to

the bank,” the source said.

Also, there is an issue of low patronage, which the Human Resources/Administrative Manager, VON Automobile, Biyi Idowu, said would affect the business and discourage more entrants if not addressed.

However, he is optimistic that the new policy will succeed and that more companies will join the race to bring down the prices of cars, if government at all levels support the policy by buying the locally assembled vehicles from local assembling companies.

Renault-Nissan Alliance and Stallion Group had on October 9, 2013, signed an MoU for a vehicle assembly, which would make Nissan the first major global auto manufacturer to assemble vehicles in Nigeria.

Stallion Motors, Nissan’s distributor in Nigeria, is working to increase its existing plant’s annual capacity to 45,000 units. This will enable it to assemble vehicles, ranging from cars to light duty trucks, pickups and vans; but the first product billed to be introduced to the Nigerian market is the Nissan Patrol SUV. In line with this, the Media/Communications Manager, VON Automobile, a subsidiary of Stallion, Uwem Udom, and the Human Resources/ CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Auto trends: Vechicle, accessories, discounts and more...

Chijioke Iremeka

T

he latest Toyota Corolla car is making impressive waves in both local and international markets, going by its special features and adaptations.

Responsive and quick to please, the Corolla effortlessly generates the power for driving pleasure, delivering subtly smooth and stable performance.

The short-nose proportions highlight the advanced styling together with its expansive cabin space, which exudes distinctive presence.

There is no doubt; its optitron meters provide clear visibility. The drive monitor displays current fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, cruising range, average vehicle speed and driving time.

The shift lever is a design touch to the hand and carefully considered to give a good operational feel.

Yet, with the integrated steering wheel switches, one can change the volume, seek and mode of the audio system without taking one’s hands off the steering wheel, features which are not easy to come by.

The Corolla’s air condition system with clean air filter has cooling performance to help maintain the cabin at a com-

Toyota Corolla, blazing the trail fortable temperature.

With its 4-Speed automatic transmission, there is smooth response and shift feeling while in motion. The uphill/downhill shift control automatically selects the optimum gear on uphill and downhill roads.

The MacPherson strut suspension on

the front and torsion beam suspension on the rear are newly adopted, helping to realise both excellent driving stability and ride comfort

at a high level.

The presence of airbags helps to reduce the impact to occupants in a collision.

The Corolla is equipped with SRS driver airbag, SRS front passenger airbag, SRS driver knee airbag, SRS side airbags and SRS curtain shield airbags.

However, on the front seatbelts, when sensors detect a strong impact in a frontal collision, pretensioners rewind the seatbelts instantly to help assist occupant restraint.

In addition, force limiters help to relieve the force on the upper torso.

29

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY APRIL 20, 2014

Sunday Transport

Fresh challenges for Nissan, Stallion Motors C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 8

Administrative Manager, Biyi Idowu, said the companies are working tirelessly to roll out the first made-in-Nigeria SUV as scheduled. The Head Consultant, Media Advocate Ltd, PR firm for VON Automobile, Manny Philipson, also confirmed their position.

On the government side, the Assistant Director of Information, National Automotive Council, Mrs. Taiwo Susan, said efforts are ongoing to ensure that the deadline is met. She stated the Federal Government is not going back on the proposed automobile policy, which seeks to discourage the importation of used vehicles, popularly known as tokunbo, to salvage the country’s moribund automobile industry.

According to her, other automobile companies will the business of vehicle assemblage in the country. The companies include Peugeot, Toyota, BMW and Volkswagen. She noted that they are already working on this project, adding, “There is no doubt whether the policy will survive or not, it has come to stay.”

Against the background that the policy will bring about untold hardship to Nigerians, President Goodluck Jonathan said the policy is meant to create jobs through local assemblage of cars and not otherwise, pointing out that Nigeria loses $4 billion (N680 billion) annually to the importation of vehicles.

The President was convinced that such amount of money could be used to commence vehicles’ production in the country, which will create more jobs for the unemployed. This was his position at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while receiving a 40-man delegation of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), who visited to lend their support to the project.

Also, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said government has resolved to go ahead with the new policy that would revive the moribund local production but might come with a number of implications for prices of vehicle components in the interim.

As a result, she gave January 10, 2014, as takeoff date, through her letters to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS), Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (IFRS) and private service providers at the country’s ports but this has further shifted to May. According to the new tariff structure tactically instituted to protect local assemblage, fully built units (FBU) cars will attract 35 per cent duty and 35 per cent levy; while FBU commercial vehicles will attract 35 per cent duty and zero levy. Imported tyres of all categories also attract 20 per cent duty and the statutory value added tax (VAT).

In the policy document, apart from the importation-prohibitive tariffs, prospective manufacturers are also given other incentives. Completely knocked down (CKD) components imported by local assembly plants come with duty-free while semi-knocked down (SKD) parts are only charged five per cent duty.

The policy maintains that all tyre manufacturers in the

Inside a section of the plant

country are entitled to pioneer status in addition to the privilege of importing twice their volume of production at five per cent duty for a period of two years, with effect from the date they started manufacturing.

There is also a special consideration that applies to car assembly plants. Unlike other automobile importers, they can import FBUs in equivalent Buses on display at VON plant of twice their production figures at 35 per cent duty (for cars) and 20 per cent (for commercial vehicles) without workers from different automobile workshops and they are applied levies. all Nigerians. We also do fabrications. Ajaokuta Steel Industry Meanwhile, during New Telegraph on Sunday’s tour of a would have helped, but we lost it,” said Idowu. subsidiary of Stallion Motors, VON Automobile’s plant along On durability Lagos Badagry Expressway in Lagos, it was discovered that On the durability of the assembled vehicles, he said they the operators are assembling to ensure the deadline is met with are working hard with ISO standards to ensure that everything assurances from different officers of the companies. is done accordingly.

The challenges “What we want to do is what has been done in the area of However, there were other challenges observed during the Nigerian electric cable, which has no comparism in the market. tour. A number of fully assembled big buses were parked at If you have good products, people will go for them. Many drivthe premises waiting for buyers. Upon inquiry, Mr. Idowu said ers have been attesting to the fact that our vehicles are good. the SURE-P branded buses were assembled for the Federal “We build them for Nigerian roads. We pay more attention Government, but the government is yet to pay and take delivery. to the parts, especially the suspension, shock absorbers and He stressed the need for patronage, saying the business springs to ensure that the road situation does not affect them. will be sound if the government institutes a policy that would Though the government is working towards fixing our roads, guaranty instant sales as soon as the vehicles are fully assem- but, we are not compromising ISO standards. Our vehicles come bled. “This is a way of financing the manufacturers. Lagos State with warranty and after sales service,” Idowu said.

Government and Greenline Transporter have bought from us Nissan President and Chief Executive Officer, Carlos Ghosn, but we need the government to institute policies that ensure in a statement said, “We welcome the proactive measures bewe do not have to warehouse the finished vehicles,” he said. ing taken by the Government of Nigeria to encourage inward According to him, multiple taxation is another policy that investment and job creation driven by local auto manufacturing. affects the business of automotive assemblage. He appealed “Together with our local partner, Nissan is preparing to to the government to ensure that right policies are in place to make Nigeria a significant manufacturing hub in Africa. As protect local production. the first-mover in Nigeria, we are positioned for the long-term “We are talking about growth of this market and across the broader continent.” technological transfer and we The Chairman, Stallion Group, Sunil Vaswani said the need to get both skilled and new automotive policy spearheaded by the President and the unskilled labour. Currently, we Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, is a laudhave about 100 staff and we are able initiative aimed at making Nigeria the regional leader in the still recruiting more. We have industry. He added that the group is committed to investing fully 50 per cent local content, creat- in an integrated automobile industry that fosters the creation ing jobs but we need to sell our of several ancillary industries with associated socio-economic vehicles to be in business. benefits.

“We are already impactHe said, “We value our partnership with Renault and Nising on the country and gov- san immensely and are aiming to deliver world class expertise ernment should support us. In to Nigeria.” each bus developed here, we Media Manager, VON Automobile, Uwem Udom, said there have between 40 and 45 per is the need to focus on the development of strong supply, especent local input. We make use cially in the iron and steel, petrochemical, glass and other auxilof Ibadan glass; the seats are iary industries and ensure steady supply of raw materials. He made in Nigeria, likewise paint, added that Ajeokuta Steel could have done the local assemblage iron and iron sheet among oth- good, especially for their chassis supply, but has gone moribund, ers. I personally sourced my including Delta Steel Company, Aladja.

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Business / Interview

I’m leaving Skye Bank in a sound state, says Durosinmi-Etti Y

ou spent four years as MD of Skye Bank, you have spent over 25yrs as a banker and 10 years as CEO and now you’re leaving. What will you be doing next?

I have been in banking since 1987. I went in as Head of Accounts and Computers in Nigerian American Merchant Bank which was a middle management position. I moved to Midas Merchant Bank in 1990, I rose to become CEO of Midas Bank in 1995 and I left in 1997, after almost two years. I left on my own volition. I came back into banking in 2002 as the CEO of Eko International Bank, and I stepped down.

I thereafter became the Deputy Managing Director of the emergent Skye Bank Plc following the consolidation exercise. I have not fully decided, I am only going on a long vacation after a long time working.

You have been in banking for a long time.

How will you assess banking then and now?

Mr Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti is the immediate Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Skye Bank Plc. He is a three-time bank Chief Executive Officer with a good track record of performance and visible achievement. Durosinmi-Etti is a seasoned banker with over 25 years of cognate banking experience, spanning banking operations, Treasury Management, Investment Banking, Project Finance and Commercial Banking. Born in Lagos over 50 years ago, Durosinmi-Etti had his primary and secondary education in Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre. He attended the University of Ibadan where he and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics in 1982. He enrolled for the Chartered Association of Certified Accounts of the United Kingdom and is a fellow of the institute.

Durosinmi-Etti began his working career as an Audit Officer in 1983. After a stint in audit practice spanning four years, his banking career kicked off in 1987 when he joined the Nigerian-American Merchant Bank Limited. He subsequently moved to Mdas Merchant Bank as Head of Treasury and Assistant General Manager in charge of Money Market Division, rising to the position of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank. He also worked at Lagos Building and Investment Company Limited before joining then Eko International Bank Plc as General Manager and rose to the position of Managing Director/CEO of the bank in July 2002. He became the Deputy Managing Director of the emergent Skye Bank Plc following the consolidation exercise in the Nigerian banking industry which led to five banks coming together to form the new bank.

He spoke to a selectl group of journalists in Lagos. PAUL OGBUOKIRI was there.

It’s been very transformational, lots of things have happened. We have moved from a three-bedroom flat bank of N5 million share capital to a bank with N40 billion capital and with a branch network of over 500 to 800 branches, so it has been very transformational.

A lot more people have come into banking. The bank has better capacity to finance projects and also to help retail consumers.

Information technology has also been key to that transformation and it’s not just the banks, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the industry as a whole.

ATMs have been very good; electronics channels have come up in the last few years, improvement in risk management and corporate governance, we have seen bank failures.

Banking of today, that is transformational and that been really a major achievement in the last four years. AMCON has come on board and we have seen a lot of growth. Today, you can rely on banks.

What’s your opinion on the regulatory authorities?

The regulatory environment is good, it has also transformed the requirement, the environment, the regulator in particular has been in the forefront of ensuring the soundness of the financial system and therefore they ensure that banks meet up on all requirements, all regulations and keep us in check, whether you are CONTINUED ON PAG35

Football I dumped Eagles out of anger, says Babalola p.32

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www.newtelegraphonline.com/sport

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

APRIL 20, 2014

Golf Korblah not quitting anytime soon p.34

Dapo Sotuminu, Deputy Sports Editor dapo.sotuminu@newtelegraphonline.com 08099400190, 08038154192

31

Sp rt

Argentina plans big for Nigeria

Mikel

Jude Opara, Abuja

F

or the June 25 Group F cracker against the Super Eagles of Nigeria slated for the Estadio Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre, Brazil supporters of the Argentine national soccer team have started concrete plans to purchase 29,000 tickets to watch the game in a frantic move to overwhelm the much improved Nigerian team who are currently African champions.

The Nigeria versus Argentina final group game that would be played simultaneously with that on Bosnia Herzegovina versus Iran would be the latest instalment in an exciting rivalry between the two sides, led by Lionel Messi and John Obi Mikel, who have faced off three times in major competitions at different age levels: the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Netherlands 2005, the gold medal match at the Men’s Olympic

Football Tournament Beijing 2008 and in the group phase at South Africa 2010.

On all three occasions Argentina won.

The Argentina coach, Alejandro Sasella, had boasted that his team would defeat the Super Eagles when they clash i n Brazil on Ju n e 25, just as it was the first time the two teams met on June 25, 1994 in Boston, USA at that year’s edition of the World Cup. Argentina motivated by Diego Maradona beat Nigeria 2-1. Eagles’ only goal was scored by Samson Siasia.

The plan of Argentina to storm the Estadio Beira-Rio Stadium with 29,000 supporters was revealed in Abuja by the Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil, Adamu Emozozo, who was at the National Sports Commission (NSC), to brief the Minister of Sports Dr. Tamuno Danagogo, on the actions taken by the embassy to ensure that Nigeria performs well at Brazil 2014.

“Nigeria needs maximum support in the World Cup; this is where the efforts of the Supporters Club are needed. We need fans to cheer our team to victory. As we speak, the fans of Argentina have bought over 29,000 tickets for the Nigeria Vs Argentina match. What this means is that the Argentines will be receiving full support from their fans in that game. But that does not mean that the Eagles will

not match the Argentines support for support. It is an obvious fact that the Argentines are seen as arch rivals by the Brazilians in football. This explains why the Brazilians have confirmed through the Secretary of Porto Alegre to stand solidly behind the Super Eagles to beat Argentina for them.

“I have been in touch with the Secretary of Porto Alegre who has assured me that considering the relationship between Argentina and Brazil in football, the Brazilian fans would want the Argentines to be eliminated on time, hence they will support the Eagles to victory,” The ambassador stated.

Did you know?

Israel had qualified for the 1958 World Cup without having played any of its eight scheduled matches as all of its opponents - Turkey, Indonesia, Egypt, Sudan - withdrew for various reasons

T h e Ambassador disclosed that Messi the Nigerian embassy in Brazil has concluded plans to ensure that the country’s contingent to the Mundial was given warm reception in the Samba country even as he urged the people to buy match tickets especially for the match against Argentina in good numbers, adding that, the host country’s fans will also rally round to support Nigeria even against Argentina largely because of their running battle for supremacy.

Emozozo also disclosed that he has been in constant touch

Super Eagles striker, Victor Obinna Nsofor shielding the ball from Argentine midfielder, Javier Mascherano at the 2010 World Cup in South Afirca

with the Secretary of Porto Alegre whom he noted has assured him of the city’s maxim u m support for the Niger i a n team, adding that, the Eagles are also being rated as one of the countries that could pose a threat to Brazil’s quest of winning the trophy.

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Sport / Stars of Yesteryears

I dumped Eagles out of anger, s Ladi Babalola was one of the Flying Eagles stars that featured at the Chile 87 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He played a number of matches for the Super Eagles before he suddenly retired from the team. He told DAPO SOTUMINU in this exclusive interview reasons behind his action and what he thinks Nigeria could do to return to the ‘glory days’ of football A lot of Nigerian didn’t know when you retired from the national team. What influenced your retirement?

Nigerian football is sometimes very funny, I won’t mention names. I was invited from my club in Bangladesh to the Super Eagles camp in Abeokuta in 1995. Few days to a friendly competition in Spain, the chief coach announced the team that would be travelling and I was excluded. And I looked around the team and couldn’t see why I should not make the squad. I did well in practice and never missed any. Even my teammates were shocked that I was dropped as I was one of the best players around then.

I took the coach’s decision as one of those things but made up my mind that it was high time I commit more time to my club career in Bangladesh. That was how I ended my national team career, and I never regretted that action, to God be the glory.

How many matches did you play for the national team?

I played all the African qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile 87 and also all the matches at the World Cup proper. After the Junior World Cup I came back and played several games in the senior national team. It is funny in Nigeria we don’t have record. We are supposed to get this record effortlessly in the Nigeria Football

Federation, NFF, but you know now, this is Nigeria.

Your days in the national team was classified as the ‘glory days’ in Nigerian football, what do you think can be done to return to the ‘glory days’?

The truth behind the ‘glory days’ of Nigerian football was basically youth development, today there is nothing like that anymore. The School’s Sports where we had the Principal’s Cup Secondary School Football, we also had the Youth Sports Federation, YSFON, but this was shortlived. But the Principal’s Cup was the competition that developed great players in Nigeria.

Now where is the Principal’s Cup, it’s gone. Is it all these ‘come and chop’ football academies they are using to con all the young boys in the country that would develop our football?

Nigeria should fall back to the era of thorough youth development, go back to the secondary schools look for very good sponsors and let it happen again like it was in the past. There are lots of excellent young players in the secondary schools waiting to be discovered. I, Henry Nwosu, Stephen Keshi, Paul Okoku, the Olukanmi brothers, Bremna Alada, Yemi Banjo, Samson Siasia, Peter Nieketen, Adeola Adekola and many other great players came out from school’s sports. It was the Principal’s Cup that made Nigerian players then. The NFF should go back to this.

Which are the clubs you played for in Nigeria before moving abroad?

I started with Nigeria Airways FC of Lagos, moved to Julius Berger of Lagos, Mighty Jets of Jos, Calabar Rovers, ACB of Lagos and then Concord FC of Abeokuta. All these were top league clubs in Nigeria then.

When did you play your first game for the national team?

That was in 1986 for the Flying Eagles.

T h i s w a s when I was at Julius Berger FC of Lagos. But my first call-up to the national team was in

1982 for the Flying Eagles together with Yisa Sofoluwe, Samson Siasia, Henry Nwosu and Wakilu Oyenuga. I didn’t follow it up as I was so young in the secondary school.

At that time, I spent more time playing in the Lagos State Amateur League. We had top teams in the state league before the national league started.

team. At that time we don’t have professionals and things went well with no squabbles and we did well. Maybe, the professionalism and lots of money now involved af-

Which were the clubs you played for abroad?

I was unlucky I lost my contract signed in 1993 for Levante FC of Spain, as I sustained a career threatening knee injury that made the club cancelled my contract one week to the commencement of the league and I had to return to Nigeria for treatment.

After my treatment I signed a deal with Concord FC of Abeokuta where I played from 1994 to 1995. It was at Concord that I moved to Europe after signing yet another contract with a club in the Dutch league in Holland, but unfortunately my knee injury relapsed and it disturbed me and I took another trip to France to try my luck out but this didn’t work out too.

At this point I decided to go back to Bangladesh where I had played earlier at Mohammedan Sporting Club in 1995 and 1996 in Dhaka. I was able to sign a good contract after my knee had healed properly and I played there for several years, before taking another trip to Nigeria. After sometime, I returned to Bangladesh where I retired finally and started teaching the young ones how to play football. It was from Bangladesh that I went to Finland where I had my European License as a coach, Top Player’s License and I also had the Physical Training License, from there I got a deal to coach a Division Three club Hercules FC. In my first year I helped the club to promotion to the second division after they had stayed 12 years in the third division. I called Bangladesh for a possible club coaching job, I was invited and today I have the job and my club is doing well in the Bangladeshi League.

We have some Nigerian players in Bangladesh, how will you rate them?

The league in Bangladesh is not as good as the Nigerian league in terms of standard of play but in the monetary aspect it is one hundred percent better.

The country is at the moment trying very hard to improve the standard of the league. They have started bringing in players from Haiti. Football in Haiti is nowhere when the issue is football, Nigeria is far better.

How long have you been coaching in that country?

This is my second year here. Before I came here, I was in Finland where I coached a Division 2 side Hercules FC of Finland.

You played prominently in the Flying Eagles team where you became a national figure.

How will you compare playing in the national team then to what obtains today?

Football in Nigeria today is practically commercialized. Everybody in the national team today wants to make something for himself financially. During our own time we played purely on merit, nothing like that again in the national

Ladi Babalola

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says Babalola fected things negatively.

One of the good things today is the favourable development in the Nigeria Football Federation where Nigerians are now employed to coach the senior national team. I think this is the best decision, but that progressive move by the NFF should be sustained as the football house must always insist on well qualified coaches. Nigerians with European Coaching Certificates and Licenses should be given the opportunity to handle the various national teams, we are not saying the National Institute for Sports is not a good ground to train coaches, but the focus should be on where world class football is being played. Whoever wants to handle any of the national teams should have European coaching license. I am not talking this way because I have one, but this is the reality. To remain the best in Africa, we must do the right things in Nigeria.

Those who have European coaching certificates when they get back home would have something new to introduce into the game. All these our top ex-international soccer stars without requisite qualifications are not the best for the national teams.

The fact that they were good players during their playing days does not make them good coaches.

The NFF should look into this and ensure that the employment of national team coaches should strictly be on merit. All those Nigerian former soccer stars who want to coach in the national teams should take up jobs in the clubs and perform well first. The NFF should be able to assess them by their performances before giving them jobs.

If you are given the opportunity to handle any of the national teams now will you accept?

At the moment the answer is no, I won’t accept as I am busy with club football in Bangladesh. Coming to Nigeria would be later, right now most of us out there are not too happy about things happening in the NFF, the instability and the decline. And for how long would this keep happening. Look at the Golden Eaglets that won the FIFA World Cup in the UAE last year, no matter how beautiful that team looks I can assure you that by the time they would be going for Under-20 Championship, only about three to four of the players would make the team, what happens to the rest. Our problem remains lack of continuity.

Just watch it; at the next U-20 World Cup you will see large number of Nigerian players based abroad in the team, players who are warming the bench in clubs in Europe, while, the good players in Nigeria are dropped. Until Nigeria embraces the Brazilian style where a certain percentage of the team is for foreignbased players while the home-based takes a bigger ratio, we won’t move forward. The percentage for the home-based stars should be 70% while the remaining 30% should be for the foreign-based who are the best of the best.

As I said earlier football in Nigeria has been commercialized. Whenever anybody gets there the first thing is to make something for himself and his family. However nobody is willing to serve the country anymore, people are only af-

ter what they can make from the country.

It is quite wrong for Nigerian coaches to run after players in Europe who are not featured in games regularly. People out there laugh at us. When I was in Finland as a coach, I was just discussing with some of my players and they were just laughing asking me why Nigeria should play Mikel Obi in the Eagles’ first team.

I said but he plays for Chelsea FC in England a very big club and they said and so what. They added that he has to be a regular to make the national team. How do I defend that as a coach?

It is a big shame. This can happen in a team but not as many as we have in the Super Eagles.

If 10 of them are invited, at least two should play regularly in their clubs, but unfortunately these are the kind of players in our national team. It is wrong.

What advice would you give to the Super Eagles chief coach Stephen Keshi ahead of a good performance at the Brazil 2014 World Cup?

Keshi should remember that when we were playing in the national team there was nothing like foreign-based professionals and we were very good. Before Clemens Westerhof came and started introducing foreign-based professionals, we formed our teams and won laurels for Nigeria. Keshi should look back, retrace his steps find the good players in the Nigerian league to make a solid team.

Going to the World Cup with one hundred percent foreign-based players will be counterproductive, as these players are established and they are only interested in signing new contracts by playing in the World Cup. They use it to boost their profile; they are not hungry for success.

Ladi Babalola with some of his players in Bangladesh

nuity in the federation. Before now, the league was dead and it is only being revived by the LMC. I wonder who wants to waste his money You played in Eagles’ defense line that was to come and watch brawls instead of football rock solid, but the present Eagles’ defense games at the stadiums across the country. line is the team’s weakest point, what do you I watched some Nigerian football league think can be done to correct this anomaly? games on Supersport, I was disappointed as we There is always a position in the team that watched brawls and not football. It was an eye a coach lacks understanding, in the case of the sore. Fighting throughout the 90 minutes, nothSuper Eagles it is the defense line. No coach is ing technical and these are Nigerian top teams. an all-rounder and that is why we have to talk You see people supporting the English League about the consortium of coaches in the Eagles. with their lives; it is for nothing but beautiful Where you are lacking others are strong. I have football and consistency. watched the Eagles played at the last Nations The problem in Nigeria is bad management Cup in South Africa, the whole backline was and poor promotion of matches. In our days faulty, the timing was wrong and the defenders when we were playing the state league at the play individual game and this can be disastrous UAC Stadium in Suru Lere, Lagos renamed in a competition as big as the Teslim Balogun the World Cup. It is not too Stadium it was always ladi babalola’s profile late to make the Eagles depacked full, let alone fense solid, it is important Date of birth: 4 Aug. 1968 (age 45) the national league at the chief coach invite the Place of birth: Lagos, Nigeria the National Stadium. right players for the de- Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) And today you can see fense line and with good Playing position: Centre back / how bad the National coaching, and instructions Defensive midfielder stadium has degenerthe defenders will do well. Club information: ated, it is a shame.

In your days matches When Nigeria wants Youth career: Attack F.C. Senior career: in both the clubs and something we forget 1983 Nigeria Airways national teams were about the aspect of 1984–1994 Julius Berger watched by a capacity management, not until 1994-1995 Concord F.C. crowd but that is not the after the construction 2010 JS Hercules case anymore. What do of the National Stadium National team: 1985–1990 Nigeria you think can be done to that the problem of who bring Nigerians out to the Cap: 22 manages it comes to the Teams managed: stadium again? fore. The stadium was This is the negative ef- 2010 OPS (youth) built without the slightfect of the instability in the 2010 Oulun Tarmo est thought of manageNFF resulting from incon- 2010-2011 JS Hercules ment funds that is why sistency and lack of conti- 2012- Brothers Union we have what we have

there today.

We are in a useless situation in Nigeria, we struggled to do something and we forget about the maintenance culture, as we don’t have it.

We are happy to do it but we can’t maintain it.

We also have a situation in our hands as Keshi says he will not feature Ikechukwu Uche in the World Cup claiming he is not technical discipline despite the fact that he plays regular football in the Spanish La Liga.

Ike Uche is a must for the Nigerian national team at the Brazil 2014 World Cup. If you check properly you will see that among all Nigerian players in the big leagues abroad he is the most proficient as he scores goals effortlessly for his club in the Spanish La Liga.

Uche is the best thing to happen to Nigeria at the moment, he is a must in the World Cup team whether Keshi likes it or not. This is the Nigerian team, personal interest takes the backstage. We can’t go to the World Cup without our best player.

Tell me why Keshi should drop Uche and the criteria for his invitation. Somebody who is playing and scoring regularly in the biggest league in the world, if he comes to camp and doesn’t perform everybody knows the coach has done his job without being biased. How on earth do you drop such a fantastic player, then who do you want, players who play in the lower standard league and those who are constantly warming the bench in their clubs. So you want to leave a player in the best league in the world for players based in Denmark, Scotland, Sweden and Israel. These are the things he should look into. Keshi should let aside personal conflict with any player, he should not think about that, he has done well in the Nations Cup and his goal should be to do well at the World Cup.

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E-mail: ifeanyiandrewibeh@gmail.com Tel: 08085973490

WITH IFEANYI IBEH

HOLE IN ONE

Tiger’s Poker Night holds May 16

W

orld Number One, Tiger Woods, will on May 16, host his third annual charity poker tournament. The event will be held at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Poker legend, Phil Hellmuth, winner of 13 World Series of Poker bracelets, will emcee “Tiger’s Poker Night” presented by the World Poker Tour. All proceeds from this exclusive poker event will benefit the college-access programs of the Tiger Woods Foundation.

The buy-in for the event is $10,000.

The WPT would film some of the action to air in a future broadcast.

The top-eight places will receive a variety of gifts, with the champion receiving the chance to play 18 holes of golf with Woods. Apparently no cash prizes will be awarded.

Tiger Woods

Korblah not quitting anytime soon

E

mos Korblah has confirmed his desire to continue playing golf on the Nigeria Tour, insisting that he is not yet ready to call it quit yet in the sport that has brought him so much fame and fortune.

Korblah, a Ghanaian, currently sits top of the Nigerian PGA’s Order of Merit and doesn’t appear set to back down, at least not without a fight, despite the challenge from much younger golfers such as Gift Willy, Oche Odoh and his compatriot Vincent Torgah.

“I don’t know for now how long I will continue to be on top, but I am sure I will be top or thereabouts at the end of the season,”

said the Otukpo-based professional in an interview with New Telegraph on Sunday.

“I want to have the number one spot for as long as possible but these young players are like hungry lions as they are determined to displace me. They desperately want to upstage me but I won’t relinquish it that easily.”

Born in Accra, Korblah has been a regular feature on the Nigerian Professional Golfers Association Tour. He will be 51 years old in November and he is already way past the age most of his golfing peers called it quits as professionals.

In fact, most of his peers now

play on the less gruelling senior tour, but Korblah just wants to keep doing his stuff at the very top.

Besides, he feels his presence on the PGA Tour would continue to serve as a boost for the tour’s younger players in what he likens

to a master-student relationship.

“I am so happy still playing in the PGA, and I want to thank God for giving me the strength to continue playing at this level despite my age,” he continued.

“To be honest, I am just trying

to train these young boys so that when they go out to play they can do very well and make us proud.

“But I am not ready for the senior tour. I am old enough to play on the tour but there is no reason to do that yet,” he stressed.

Ikoyi Club Captain pledges continuous improvement T he Captain of the Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos, Ted Iwere, has said that his newlyinaugurated Executive Committee will focus on the developmental plans his predecessors have outlined

Emos Korblah poses with his top prize for winning the Abuja leg of the Glo Golf Tour back in 2012

for the Club.

Iwere, who assumed leadership of the Golf Section of the Club, noted that, the Club is the most populous club in the country, adding: “There is a very strong development programme on ground at Ikoyi, and the Golf Course and Clubhouse have at different times undergone different stages of upgrade. These have been made possible by the on-going investments of the Club on its facilities, coupled with the growing contributions of the corporate community in supporting the development of the game at the Club and in the country.”

Iwere stressed that he has assembled a team of knowledgeable, experienced and committed golfers whose work will impact on the Club’s activities and overall outlook in the next one year.

“As we set out to serve our fellow golfers and the game of golf, we pursue the common good of the Section in particular, and the Club in general, we will count on you. Our strength is

in you, the members of the Golf Section, because, none of us is as smart as all of us,” he said.

He added: “What the Golf Section needs is continuous improvement.

In line with my campaign, the FiveYear Strategic Plan, as approved by your good selves at the 2009 Annual General Meeting of the Golf Section, gives us a track to run on.”

The new Executive Committee has Tony Onwu as Vice Captain while Tony Okwoju and Dan Akujobi are Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. Other members of the Executive Committee are Chris Ogan, Course Officer; Tim Ayonmike, Assistant Course Officer; Ben Oghojafor, House Officer; Stuart Connal, Assistant House Officer; B. H. Sumanth, Competition Secretary; Abisodun Awoleye, Assistant Competition Secretary; Akin Akinola, Handicap Secretary; Akin Oteniya, Caddy Officer; Seyi Siwoku, Entertainment Officer; and Ngozi Ngoka, Lady Captain.

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Business / Interview

I’m leaving Skye Bank in a sound state, says Durosinmi-Etti C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 0

having the right amount of capital, whether they are strong on risk management, they are strong on corporate governance. They want to see that banks are strong on a lot of things - they are strong on people, there is the competency framework, making sure that the right people are put in the right places, people who have the competence. They are also ready to ensure that people that go into banking behave like bankers in the sense of probity and when they are sanctioned; and to see that where people have erred, they do not work in the banks anymore. They have been able to get banks to get up and meet up globally.

Some people are of the opinion that Nigerian banks are over-regulated. What is your opinion on this?

Well if we talk about that, there is a reason.

First of all, I don’t believe that the industry is over regulated. In America, Europe, we have much higher levels of regulation, a Bank like Citi Bank in New York will have like 300 regulators resident in it from at least five different regulatory bodies and they are resident there permanently. So you finish with one regulator, you are being reviewed by another. So they are there real-time with them. In terms of regulation, I don’t think we are being over-regulated.

What happened is, they brought a new guide to bank charges and they really really reduced the tarrifs and it’s affecting the banks. But the banks are adjusting. It might be harsh, I may not agree with everything but I see the reason behind it is financial inclusion; bring down charges so we can bank more people. If we bank more people, even if you are making lesser fees, you will compensate on volume.

Some of those charges may be a bit too much but the banks and the Central Bank are still working out something, so we can rebalance some of these charges. It’s a good thing but the question is: can we sustain it?

When I took this challenge. I set goals for myself that by the time I was 49, I would step working for anybody. I’m 52 this year and I feel that you should give me time to do things for myself don’t say it as it is, the market will start reading meanings. As MD, I had a four-year contract renewable for another four years. At the outset, I promised to stay only four years and my four years will be up in a couple of months and I’m leaving. To be very clear, I left Skye Bank on my own volition, in line with what I had planned for myself and the organisation.

What would the bank remember you for?

Well basically a lot. One of it is ensuring that we have an open access system, that is acceptable. We have had an open management system with the whole framework whether it’s corporate governance, risk management. Our credit processes are very strong today and we have ensured that our people are well motivated with after-pay bonuses, where we had to.

We have ensured that we got good compensation and welfare for our employees. So all that ensured a fair and enjoyable environment that will ensure that we work hard and work well to meet up on our corporate goals.

So why are you not utilising the opportunity of a second term?

Well, I took over at the point of a global financial crisis. We had our national crisis as well then. AMCON came after that, so the industry was going through a crisis. AMCON came on, all the banks had a lot of toxic assets so at that time, banks were making losses, we too were barely scraping to make profits. So, if you look at our ratios, they look terrible but in terms of goals, one has grown in three an half years.

One has grown the balance sheet of the bank by about 80 per cent and a lot of the indices.

Likewise, profit today stands at about 14 per cent and all the other ratios - capital adequacy was quite low at the time, today its about 20 per cent while the required percentage is 15 per cent.

Look at it this way. I did it the first time I left after two years for personal reasons. I did it the second time; I stepped down because I felt the other peson was able and also competent.

I offered to step down. When I took this challenge. I set goals for myself that by the time I was 49, I would step working for anybody. I’m 52 this year and I feel that you should give me time to do things for myself. By the time one gets to 60, it will be getting more difficult. So it’s just personal and from day one, I told the chairman at that time and some of my board members and colleagues that I was only going to do four years. So that’s why I am going. I’m sorry to go, it’s sad but I have enjoyed the time I have spent but that was what I set my mind on. I know it’s not common but I have done it few times, so it’s common with me.

I don’t hold on to anything in terms of power, position and all the things that go with such an office. They mean very little to me. What’s most important to me is, I have been given the opportunity to serve, the stewardship and so I have done creditably and honourably.

What specific steps did you take during your tenure?

Some watchers say Nigeria is still underbanked. What is your view on this?

I reinforced our management. We established an enterprise risk management system framework, which is very strong and I believe it is one of the best in the industry. We engaged a lot of policies around everything we want to do and with the right people and training and IT. We are experiencing an upgrade of our IT infrastructure right now, a very significant upgrade.

We believe we are on the right track and that is what has been the backbone of Skye Bank.

We have over 10,000 banks in the United States alone. First of all, banks will grow. In some countries, they have four banks, four main banks. What we still have is a handful of main banks and then you have specialised banks, those that are known regionally or that have issues, some might be strong in the North, some might be strong in the South.

You took over the bank four years ago. In what state are you leaving it?

Is corporate governance responsible for your exit at this time?.

I want to make it clear because when you

What were the key policies you started and you would want the new management to retain

First of all, the IT, get it off very well because it is a platform that is key to success. Use people

well. I think I did to an extent but you know you can always improve on them. So in the case of growth, I believe they have learnt from our mistakes, so they will know the areas to focus on.

They are putting in renewed methods on how to compete in the market and challenge growth.

Those processes are put in place before they are taken down and I believe they can be used to challenge growth very effectively and physical development. At that stage, they will grow.

How much do you know of your successor, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, in terms of professionalism and pedigree?

Timothy Oguntayo, right from 2006, has worked very closely with me. I have been his direct supervisor for most of the last eight to nine years. He has got all round competence in commercial banking and merchant banking.

He started his career in UBA so he has got a strong commercial background. He was also at Prudent Bank, merchant banking, so he cuts across both. He has the thinking of an investment banker and the skills of a commercial banker and nothing can be better than that. He has got great sound judgment which are key for decision making. He is experienced, so he’s a people’s person, he gets on well with people. He has got good leadership skills, he has the attributes to lead so he can ensure that there is continuity and move the bank forward. I have no doubt that he can move the bank in the right direction.

One key decision you made that you want to be remembered for.

Well, one thing I did, I reduced the number of loss making branches from over 100 to an average of 12 to 13 in two years.

What is your parting gift to staff and shareholders?

Well, they should stand behind the new leadership.

I’m sure that there will be cont inuity, there will be continued growth, they will continue to get the returns they are getting and the bank should ensure that it’s only poised to do better.

Some say Nigerian banks can’t indulge in large scale financing.

Is this true?

Skye Bank and many Nigerian banks are truly capable of large scale financing and that has been shown by all the privatisation that you have seen recently. In the shipping industry, we

were the first to finance PSV, local content of about $140 million, which is used at the Agbami Oil well.

We were also the first to structure a transaction where they are refinancing another vessel through an export credit from Norway and we are the guarantor bank for the same company.

The vessel is going to cost about $130 million. It brings employment and a lot of capacity to the industry and it keeps a lot of knowledge and the experience globally.

What is your message to the bank as you retire?

Well I will like to thank them for giving me the opportunity to serve and they should continue to support the new management of the bank the way they supported me. The board, the staff and shareholders should continue to support the new management the way they supported me over the years. They should continue to do that. I give the new management a strong endorsement.

I’m sure that they will not dissapoint.

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APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Awakening of a Bullish Run

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fter a sustained bearish trend that dominated the financial market since the beginning of the year, succour is gradually returning to both equities and fixed income markets. While yields have been trending somewhat upward in the past weeks, equities have also remained bullish, albeit calm.

Given the current trend in the market and our near term expectations, we analyze the likely drivers/drags to market performance in Q2:2014 while focusing on both fundamental and technical analysis for equities market and X-raying likely factors that will dictate the direction of yields in the fixed income market.

… Will the trend persist?

Recent Upbeat Trend Driven by Mild Tightening and Positive Earnings Releases

The equities market witnessed a turbulent trading period in Q1:2014 due to series of information flow which negatively influenced investor sentiments. The market however settled for a positive mood despite the decision of the CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on March 25 to increase CRR on private sector deposits from 12% to 15%, a development considered by many as temperate compared to prior expectations of more drastic tightening measures (100% CRR on public sector funds).

The Nigerian bourse has since returned 4.16% (bringing YtD to -4.91%) even as the gains have been further driven by impressive earnings releases and dividend declarations in the same period. We see the market sustaining the current positive trend even as companies release their Q1:2014 results.

Key Events in the Monetary Space Expected to Shape the Market

Capital market volatility has so far been amplified by monetary policy pronouncements and the suspension of the CBN governor.

Looking forward, we highlight the key events in the monetary space expected to shape the performance of the market.

• May MPC Meeting: We do not expect a major surprise from the outcome of the next MPC meeting. The factors that inform our expectation include, moderating volatility in the global economy, the fact that the incoming CBN governor will assume office few days after this MPC meeting and the seemingly soft stance of the MPC in the last meeting.

• New CBN Governor: In his address before the Senate, the incoming CBN governor signaled his key economic view to the market; he noted that devaluation is not an option and highlighted development banking model, amongst others. We however anticipate that on resumption, the reality of the task before the incoming bank chief may provoke a key policy pronouncement that should drive the market, going by the antecedents of past CBN governors If recent data on US retail sales jump (the biggest since September 2012) is anything to go by, then the US Fed’s optimistic growth outlook for the year is reinforced. As a result, the US Fed may continue with the gradual unwinding of its bond-buying program with the

consequent funds outflow from EMEs almost certain. The impact on the Nigerian equities market of such sustained funds outflow is a possible mild depression of the market- especially if local demand is not strong enough to counter the associated sell off. For the fixed income market however, we do not envisage any significant rise in yields- moreso as local investors’ appetite for the asset class as an alternative investment is not expected to wane anytime soon.

Attractive Equities Prospect

Although it was expected that in anticipation of corporate actions equities would trade in the green zone in Q1:2014, weak investor confidence however did not favour buy sentiments and thus further dragged market per-

formance.

While the regulatory headwinds that shaped the banking industry seem to be easing as banks begin to explore other avenues of enhancing their income generation, current industry P/E of 6.79x makes the banks relatively cheap. We expect attractive Q1 results to be a major driver of near term returns in the sector.

With sector P/E of 30.46x, well over double the market P/E of 12.89x, the FMCG sector remains one of the highly priced sectors on the NSE. As such, investor sentiments have been not been favorable towards the sector which has lost 5.04% to date. We however think the sector will record a modest fundamental performance in Q1:2014 with the Q1 results showing a stable growth momentum. While challenges in the North continue to drag the

performance of the brewers, we expect the impact to be mild on the companies’ numbers in Q1 as the Northern market only makes up a small proportion of their operations.

The industrial goods sector has been the best performer so far in the year in terms of earnings and stock returns. We expect the sector to enjoy more investors’ patronage post release of Q1:2014 results given that first quarter is usually a friendly one for building and construction activity.

Forte oil’s Q1 earnings growth of over 278% was not unexpected as its investment in power continues to drive growth. However, we expect petroleum marketing dependent counters to experience a slight decline in turnover for Q1 due to irregularities in the importation process during the period that led to fuel scarcity.

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Market Report We believe there is a breather in the current trend of regulatory headwinds; hence, sentiments buoyed by attractive Q1:2014 numbers should favour equities in the near term. Despite sound fundamentals, stocks have depreciated considerably in the equities market, thus making these counters appear cheap at current prices. Relative pricing of Nigerian equities market further reveals that at the current P/E of 12.89x, it is still attractive compared to African, frontier and developed markets’ average of 24.35x, 15.94x and 18.21x in that order.

Technical Trend Suggests Possible Near Term Profit-Taking

The equities market in the past few weeks has assumed a calm trend after the breather experienced in domestic regulatory headwinds and funds exodus in Q1:2014. Whilst security threats and heightening political tensions are still dominant factors shaping the current market mood, technical indicators are beginning to give clear leading signals. We analyse further, from the chartists’ view, our near term expectation for the market and specific sectors.

Fixed Income Market

Higher Yields Expected in Q2 The second quarter of 2014 has brought higher demand as average yield on Treasury bill instruments declined by 93bps since the beginning of the quarter. The longer-term instruments enjoyed higher patronage as yields dropped markedly during the period (yields on 6M, 9M and 12M bills declined by 1.37%, 1.15% and 1.12% respectively).

Bond market activity in the quarter has been more tempered in comparison; average yield on bonds also declined by 55bps. There was a new bond issue in the quarter which had a stop rate of 14.2% due to the high yield environment; no other new issue is scheduled for auction in the quarter. However, 13.05% FGN AUG 2016, and the recent 14.20% FGN MAR 2024 bonds are scheduled for re-openings in the quarter, which we expect will to still present some good yields given the current favourable yield environment.

The Naira has been under considerable pressure in the year due to the quantum of funds outflow from the Nigerian financial markets amongst other factors. The Naira has depreciated by 0.68% against the greenback so far in the year, and with the assertion by

ICTWorld

the new CBN governor that devaluation is not on his agenda, we do not expect any major fluctuation in the value of the currency in the second quarter.

Events in the year so far from the start of QE tapering to the suspension of the CBN governor pushed yields upwards while increased demand for higher yield instruments acted to effect a reversal in the uptrend.

We therefore recommend that investors take position in shorter-term maturities so

that funds would be easily available for reinvestment in the event that yields begin to trend upwards.

In conclusion, we expect holders of equity and fixed income instruments to record decent gains in the second quarter and therefore advise that investors’ benefit from the bullish trend being witnessed as threats to the upturn are ahead in the second half given the heightening insecurity and political tensions.

with

Kingsley Roberts kingndcha@yahoo.co.uk

Three faces of human–computer interaction

H

uman–computer interaction is considered a core element of computer science. Yet it has not coalesced; many researchers who identify their focus as human–computer interaction reside in other fields. I examine the origins and evolution of three HCI research foci: computer operation, information systems management, and discretionary use. I describe efforts to find common ground and forces that have kept them apart.

People have interacted with computers from the start, but it took time for human–computer interaction (HCI) to become a recognized field of research. Related journals, conferences, and professional associations appeared in the 1970s and 1980s. HCI is in the curricula of research universities, primarily in computer science, yet it has not coalesced into a single discipline. Fields with researchers who identify with HCI include human factors and ergonomics, information systems, cognitive science, information science, organizational psychology, industrial engineering, and computer engineering. This article identifies historical, conceptual, and cultural distinctions among three major research threads. One thread extended human factors or engineering psychology to computing. Another developed when mainframes spawned business computing in the 1960s. The third, focused on individual use, arose with minicomputers and

home computers and burgeoned with personal computing in the 1980s. Although they share some issues and methods, these research efforts have not converged. They emerged within different parent disciplines, at different times, and comprised different generations of researchers. Approaches, attitudes, and terminology differed. Two computer operation and information systems management embraced the journal-oriented scholarly tradition of the sciences; the third comprising cognitive and computer scientists has placed greater emphasis on conference publication. In addition, each thread initially emphasized a different aspect of computer use mandatory hands-on use, hands-off managerial use, and discretionary hands-on use. Designing for a use that is a job requirement and designing for a use is discretionary can be very different activities. These often unvoiced distinctions contributed to the current state of HCI research and may shape its future.

Human–tool interaction at the dawn of computing

Highly specialized tools were developed through the centuries to support carpenters, blacksmiths, and other artisans. However, efforts to apply science and engineering to improve the efficiency of work practices became prominent only about a century ago, when time-and-motion studies exploited inventions such as film and statistical analysis. Frederick Taylor’s

principles of scientific management had limitations and were satirized in Charlie Chaplin’s film Modern Times, but they were applied successfully to assembly line manufacturing and other work practices. World War I training requirements accelerated efficiency efforts in Europe and the US. World War II prompted intense interest in engineering psychology as a result of complex equipment used by soldiers, sailors, and pilots that tested human capabilities. Aircraft ergonomic design flaws for example, in the ejection system’s escape hatch led to thousands of casualties. After the war, aviation psychologists created the Human Factors Society. Two legacies of World War II were awareness of the potential of computing and an enduring interest in behavioral requirements for design and training.2 Early approaches to improving work and what at the time were called man-machine interfaces focused on nondiscretionary use. Assembly line workers were hired to use a system; pilots were given planes neither had a choice in the matter. If training was necessary, the workers and pilots were trained. Research goals included reducing training time, but most important was eliminating errors and increasing the pace of skilled performance.

Three roles in early computing

ENIAC, arguably the first generalpurpose electronic computer in 1946, was 10 feet tall, covered 1,000 square

feet, and consumed as much energy as a small town. Once a program was written, several people loaded it by setting switches, dials, and cable connections. Despite a design innovation that boosted vacuum tube reliability by enabling them to be operated at 25 percent normal power, 50 spent tubes had to be found and replaced on an average day. Early computer projects employed people in three roles: operation, management, and programming. A small army of operators was needed. Managers oversaw design, development, and operation, including the specification of programs to be written and the distribution of results. Each role eventually became a focus of HCI research, and despite the continual evolution of computers and the activities around them, we still find that these roles reflect aspects of this early division of labor.

1945-1958: Managing vacuum tubes Reducing operator burden was a key focus of early innovation: eliminating the need to reset vacuum tubes, facilitating replacement of Burned out tubes, and developing storedprogram computers that could be loaded by tape rather than manually with cables and switches.

1958–1965: Transistors open new vistas

Early forecasts that the world would need few computers reflected the limitations of vacuum tubes. The arrival of commercial solid state computers in 1958 led to dramatic change.

As computers were deployed more widely, attention to the operators’ job increased. Even more significantly, people could envision possibilities that were unimaginable for barnsized machines of limited capability.

Helping operators “In the beginning, the computer was so costly that it had to be kept gainfully occupied for every second; people were almost slaves to feed it.” Brian Shackel Low-paid computer operators set switches, pushed buttons, read lights, loaded and bust printer paper; they loaded and unloaded cards, magnetic tapes, and paper tapes, and so on. Teletypes were the first versatile mode of direct interaction. Operators typed commands and read printed computer responses and status messages on paper that scrolled up one line at a time.

Early visions and demonstrations

In his influential 1945 essay “As We May Think,” Vannevar Bush, who helped shape scientific research funding in the US, described a mechanical device that anticipated many capabilities of computers. After transistors replaced vacuum tubes, a wave of creative writing and prototype building by several computer pioneers and experts led to expanded and more realistic visions. J.C.R. Licklider outlined requirements for interactive systems and accurately predicted For further information on this or any other computing topic, please call: 08093043041.

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APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Business / News

GSK advocates good oral hygiene for Nigerians

L

eading consumer healthcare company, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc., has advised Nigerians to take their oral hygiene seriously, as it is vital to their total well-being. As part of its advocacy campaign for good oral hygiene for Nigerians, the company also reiterated the essence of brushing twice daily as one simple step to maintaining good oral hygiene.

Speaking at a free dental checkup outreach at Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company’s office in Marina, Lagos, Brand Manager, Sensodyne & Parodontax, Dr. Davis Iyoha, stated that oral hygiene awareness among Nigerians is still low, hence the need to create more awareness and make the campaign more accessible to people.

“Our mission at GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc is to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. Statistically, one in three people suffer from sensitive teeth and 52 per cent of patients with tooth sensitivity fail to seek dental advice. For this reason, we decided to sponsor free dental checks to enlighten people on the condition of sensitive teeth and encourage them to improve their oral hygiene habits”, Iyoha said.

Head of Marketing, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Winston Ailemoh, said, “Over 75 per cent of people with sensitive teeth have never used any

desensitising toothpaste or use it infrequently. Sensodyne toothpaste is a simple and effective solution for relieving the pain of sensitive teeth and brushing with it twice on a daily basis is the direction for use.

The toothpaste, which can be used as regular daily toothpaste also contains fluoride which protects against tooth decay.

Some of the customers who spoke at the seminar expressed satisfaction with the company and its machines. They said it would increase their confidence in quality service delivery.

Mrs. Enoh Chidi, one of the participants, said, “The seminar has impacted greatly on us, at least we were able to assess the company based on our past relationship with them. On the new machines and equipment, the company wants us to buy into their vision.

“Without doubt, I have bought into their vision and I think others will do too. I also believe it will definitely improve road construction in Nigeria because some of the machines we are using today can no longer fit in. That was why we decided to honour their invitation for proper education on new ways of doing things.”

Mantrac Nigeria Ltd distributes and supports the full range of CAT construction equipment, including Wheel Loaders, Skid Steer loaders, Dump Articulated Trucks, Backhoe Loaders, Excavators, Motor Grad-

which could lead to bad breath and possibly create a hole in the tooth leading to more infections, and it is advised that closer attention is paid to personal oral hygiene.

SNEPCo’s staff welcomed the gesture of GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc., in offering free dental checkups. It was an opportunity to take time off their busy schedules to take

advantage of the programme and get adequate medical counsel on how to maintain good oral hygiene.

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc. is one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare company with the global mission to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

L-R: Brand Manager, Sensodyne & Parodontax, Dr. Davis Iyoha; Head, Shell Health, Shell Nigeria Exploration & Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) Dr. Martins Obasohan; Pharmacist, SNEPCo, Lagos, Rakiya Iyamabo; and Expert Detailing Rep, GlaxoSmithkline Consumer Nigeria Plc, Dr. Oge Nwankwo, at a free dental outreach organised by GSK in Lagos...Thursday.

Mantrac assures on quality road equipment C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 7

“Our dental campaign today at Shell confirms our commitment to oral health even as we have always done in the past.”

The oral cavity is a medium for activities of different micro-organisms which interact with food. The end product of these interactions between microbes and food is offensive odour, hence to avoid situations

ers, Track-TypeTractors, BCP products. Moreover, Mantrac Nigeria Ltd. distributes Mining, Material-Handling, Warehousing equipment as well as Power Systems of different capacities for a wide range of industries and applications.

Additionally, it is also the sole approved supplier of genuine Caterpillar parts, which are available at competitive prices. Highly qualified employees work through its extensive branch network that includes a head office in Lagos and branches in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt and Warri. Mantrac service centres are equipped to perform total overhauls. For back up services, there are also qualified service engineers, with necessary diagnostic and repair tools who can be dispatched at any time to customers’.

Mantrac Nigeria Ltd also provides favourable payment arrangements. To this end, the company, in collaboration with Stanbic IBTC bank, offers integrated purchasing solutions backed by Cat Financial (CATFIN). The package is tailored to meet various needs, with low interest rates.

Maritime operators query rebased GDP C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 7

Nation’s Economy.”

He added, “The (maritime) sector is totally lost when they talk of the economy. The only thing they easily understand is export and import. They hardly know that what governs international trade is freight. Yet, that is the one we don’t put into consideration.

“May be one day we will wake up. Until then, we wish them luck!”

But speaking from a broader perspective, the chairman of Indigenous Shippers Association (ISA), Chief Isaac Jolapamo, highlighted that the government was right in excluding the maritime sector in its GDP rebase analysis, since they don’t earn freight from it.

“Up till now, they know we don’t earn freight from it; we only pay freight’, he explained, noting that for every import and export the country makes, the nation only pays freight.

The ISA boss, however, posited that the economy would become stronger and healthier when government runs it in such a manner that enables the country “to earn freight, make money and create employment.”

He said, “But for now, they know

they still neglect the sector. So, how can they mention it in their re-base data?”

Two respondents who spoke on condition of anonymity, however, dismissed the re-base effort, stressing that it was a futile effort of the government, to tell the international community, especially those who insist that the country is too corrupt that Nigeria has remained Africa’s largest economy.

“Their intent was good. But their approach is ludicrous. They have only succeeded in fooling themselves” one of them stated.

Until now, the GDP estimates for Nigeria have been based on a base year of 1990, which means that current GDP are expressed in terms of prices of goods and services in 1990.

Hitherto, the agricultural sector used to be the dominant contributor to Nigeria’s GDP but that has been diluted as other sectors such as finance services, construction and entertainment have braced up their contribution to the economy.

The 2013 rebased figures showed the agricultural sector contributing 21.97 per cent or N17.625 trillion ($112.26 billion) of the total N80.22 trillion ($510 billion). This compares

with N14.71 trillion ($93.7 billion) in the old non-rebased estimates for 2013.

The manufacturing sector of the economy contributed 6.81 per cent to the new GDP data equivalent to N5.47 trillion ($34.8 billion) out of the total 2013 GDP re-based estimate of N80.22 trillion ($510 billion). This compares with N4.74 trillion ($30.2 billion) in the 2012 GDP figures.

The real estate sector contributed 8.01 per cent to the Nigerian economy equivalent to N6.43 trillion ($40.9 billion) of the total re-based GDP estimate of N80.22 trillion ($510 billion).

Crude petroleum and natural gas which comes under the mining and quarrying sector contributed 14.4 per cent or N11.55 trillion ($73.56 billion) to the total 2013 re-based GDP. The telecommunications and information services sector contributed 8.68 per cent to the Nigerian economy equivalent to N6.97 trillion ($44.3 billion) out of the total rebased GDP estimate of N80.22 trillion ($510 billion). This compares with N364.4 billion ($2.3 billion) in the 2012 non-re-based GDP time series.

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Politics

Ukanacho: Imo is tired of recycling leaders Dr. Osmond Ukanacho is a businessman and governorship aspirant on the platform of the United Progressive Party in Imo State. The chief executive officer of NUCFAM Group, a real estate, haulage and hospitality company spoke with STEVE UZOECHI on his ambition in 2015 among other issues.

Blueprint for security ou know, it is so simple. There is no place in any part of the world where there is no crime. We are talking about minimising it to the minimum. Ensuring that the 27 local governments are monitored in the Government House is what we can do at the snap of a finger. With modern day technology, we can monitor all the local governments in Imo State from the government house at all time. That is what we are going to do, and we insecurity will be reduced through that method. That would also solve the issue of kidnapping.

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Power shift in Imo Like I said in an interview I granted earlier, power shift among the three zones namely; Okigwe, Owerri and Orlu zones is very important. It is called, Imo Charter of Equity.

You also know that Okigwe has done it, Orlu did it and it was the turn of Owerri but, they did for just a year and four months. During the tenure of late Evans Ewerem, he ruled for only one year and four months. Then he was a governor under the military. As a matter of fact, the equity did not say it must be eight years or it must be two years, or one tenure.

But unfortunately, Okigwe couldn’t do it for eight years the second time, they did for four years. It was supposed to get back to Owerri before it went back to Orlu. Of course, we see that equity is no longer there. This time, we are saying that it has to return back to Owerri for us to complete our own agreement on equity.

Guber ambition My aspiration to become the governor of Imo State in 2015 is predicated on my desire to meet the needs of the people. I am not in the race for selfish gains; I am out to put an end to the status-quo, to cause the much desired change and to reclaim Imo from the brink of despair. God has a way of restoring and delivering the poor, oppressed and the abused ones in the society through the instrumentality of change agents in the mould of men of goodwill. And this is the time. I joined United Progressive Party because of my conviction that it has the interest of the masses at heart and the belief that it is a party strategically positioned as the only genuine mass movement for progressive Nigerians.

This is not a party founded, sustained and built around a few rich men. The founder of UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie, who is also its national chairman is one of the few selfless Nigerians who have worked very hard to ensure that ordinary everyday people are heard. So in United Progressive Party, I see a

party devoid of rancour, a party not peopled by gerontocrats. I see in UPP a party whose ideology favours and accommodates the poor, the middle class and the rich. This is why we have continued to enjoin patriotic Nigerians to come onboard and join the mass movement.

Expectations for 2015 The 2015 governorship election in Imo State will be to our favour. I say this because I am loved and highly regarded by the youths, women, students and the physically challenged. I am favoured because I am relatively new in aspiring for political positions but I am not new in politics. Some may view my being a first-time aspirant as a disadvantage, but I am the game-changer. There are things and strategic calculations I cannot voice now, but be rest assured that the odds will favour me in 2015 because Imo as it stands now desperately yearns for change and we fit the bill of change. Like I said earlier, 2015 is not for those who have soiled their hands in politics, or those who have repeatedly raped our democracy. I am confident that our people shall rise to the occasion, assert their wishes and enthrone a government of their choice.

As a matter of fact, most of the over recycled politicians and perennial aspirants in Imo state would be retired for good in 2015 so that our people can smile again.

Ukanacho Foundation In conjuction with my wife, the Osmond Imo Ukanacho Foundation was founded in Canada and designed essentially to cater for the less privileged, the sick, the poor, the destitute, the physically challenged and the widows. Since then, we have touched lives in many ways; houses built for widows and orphans; scores of modern wheelchairs and crutches donated to physically challenged students, with school fees being paid for countless number of students by the foundation. Many indigent youths have also been given vehicles for commercial purposes and several needy women have received huge sums of money to start their own business.

To the glory of God, we have done all these without any grant from any rich individuals or from international donor agencies but from my hard earned resources, because I am passionate in my desire to advance humanity.

Agenda for Imo Our health sector without mincing words is in a sorry state and this accounts for why ordinary malaria kills

more than dreaded diseases. Our health facilities will be transformed and a comprehensive health policy wherein citizens will contribute a little percentage will be introduced. They will get health cards in return for access to qualitative professional healthcare services. Pregnant women, children, the aged and people with terminal ailments will have free medicare in the state. It is regrettable that as big as Imo is, it has no functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine.

My government when elected will build and upgrade some hospitals in the State to five-star health facilities that will have referrals from all parts of Nigeria, including nations in the West African sub-region so that our people will no longer die under avoidable circumstances.

In agriculture, we will revamp Adapalm and strive to return Imo back to the map as the highest exporter of palm oil. We will introduce policies that will make agriculture attractive to the youths, especially graduates while encouraging mechanised

farming. We will industrialise Imo to reduce the rate of unemployment. You heard the recent news that Nigeria has topped South Africa to become the biggest economy in Africa.

Our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stands at over $453 billion; this is a commendable feat but our per capita income is still low because we have no industries that will slash our unemployment rate. So when elected in 2015, we will try our best to turn the real sector (industry) around. In doing so, we shall also take into cognisance the unfortunate and intractable power challenges.

Ukanacho

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APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

National Conference

‘Strong regions will split Nigeria’ Buba Galadinma, former national secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) is one of the three delegates representing Yobe State at the ongoing National Conference. He tells ONWUKA NZESHI his views on a number of contentious issues expressing fears that the proposed restructuring of the country to devolve power to the zones could well be the end of Nigeria

T

he conference has adopted the work plan and you are moving into the committee stage. Are you hopeful that the various agitations canvassed by delegates during plenary will sail through at the end of the day?

What is your view on power devolution?

You need to educate me more on it before I can speak on it.

Some Nigerians believe that there s too much concentration of power at the centre and that there is the need for a restructuring of the federation to give some of these powers to the states or zones. Do you agree with this proposal?

You see, I don’t share most of these sentiments and primordial considerations. My view is that every Northerner, every Southerner or every man or woman from any state should articulate their position and argue their position to convince others. I believe there are a lot of reasonable people in this conference who would rather look at issues patriotically and nationally rather than parochially. You can’t have your way always in such a situation.

Our problem is that of development and security. It is not restructuring but the lack of political will on the part of those in authority to do what is right. Secondly, all our problems in Nigeria is stemming out of electoral issues.

Once the people have the powers to elect a government or elect somebody that they can hold onto and can remove that person if he does not perform , all these sues of insecurity will just vanish. Why will it vanish? Because whoever tats s elected will sit up to do the job for which he has been elected to do. If he does not do that, the people have the power to remove him. That is why my agenda in this conference is electoral reform where the votes of the people must count which is not the case now. Our leaders have not been accountable because they know they have not been voted for by the people and they cannot be removed by the people.

Whatever we will do, we must make sure that the centre is strong enough to hold the federating units together. If you have a loose federation and states or zones that have the capacity and funding to set up paramilitary organizations that can declare secession, Nigeria will go to blazes.

As a northern delegate is there any particular item your group is bring to the table?

Well, I don’t think that there is any particular item that one would say is coming from the North. The most important thing that we consider is the nation. It is nationalism and patriotism that should guide our feelings. No two people can have the same idea on one subject.

So we will always look at things as they come and look at the nation first before we consider where we come from or ourselves.

There are several opinions on the issue of fiscal federalism and resource control.

Some want the derivation raised to 50 per cent while other want a gradual raise to about 25 per cent. What is your view?

I have a particular view personally and I wrote a memo to that respect. The memo is that I will accept that the resource people can even be given one hundred per cent provided certain things are done. One - abolition of Niger Delta Ministry; two - abolition f the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC); three-abolition of the thirteen per cent derivation formula and four- the reactivation of the Supreme Court judgment on off shore/ onshore dichotomy. Once you do that you can give them their resources.

Additionally this resource should not be given to their states or their local governments but should be given directly to the communities where this oil is produced so that nobody will come here again in Nigeria to tell us that they are using our resources and we are not gaining from it because some governors or local government chairmen have cornered the money and taken it away from the country.

This is how we can solve this problem once and for all.

Could you kindly explain the kernel of the judgment you want reactivated for the benefit of other Nigerians who may not know the details of the judgment?

The Supreme Court judgment is that every mineral resource in the deep water two kilometers away from the shores belongs to the federation and not to the littoral state and that is accepted universally.

rescue mission. The civilian JTF was set up by the communities but they were recognized by the military. Those in the military know the hideouts of these criminals but they never go to where these people are hiding. I think we must call a spade a spade. In fact if you go to Borno or Yobe, the general view of the local people is that some of these things are being perpetrated by the security forces.

What is your position on the current clamor for the reintroduction of state police?

Galadinma

But some very eminent lawyers have contested this so called universal law and concluded that it s not binding on any country. What do you have to say about this?

I don’t think those are lawyers. They are illiterates. If they were lawyers, they should have respected the judgment of the Supreme Court.

there are even communities who came here with the agenda that they must be given additional states or a state must be created for them. What do you do with those people? It is not because some people are vocal, they have access to the press and they say a thing to the press does not mean that that s the majority position of Nigerians on certain issues.

What is your view on the clamor for the restructuring of Nigeria to make way for what some people call a balanced federation?

The conference has resolved to commend the security forces for the success they recorded in the rescue of the 100 school girls abducted by Boko Haram.

What is....?

Well, that also depends on which angle you want to look at it. In fact if you come to this assembly and ask how many people would want their states abolished, I want to assure you that nobody will accept that. So what we are saying that physically there are certain things that you can transfer to the federating units - that is the states. I want to tell you that

Before you conclude, let me tell you that the conference acted in error because they don’t have the complete information on the security situation in Borno State. Those girls were not rescued by the security forces. They were arrested by the communities around that area. It was the civilian JTF and the local people that should be commended for the

If you have a loose federation and states or zones that have the capacity and funding to set up paramilitary organizations that can declare secession, Nigeria will go to blazes

You see, a lot f people don’t understand many things. For those of us who have seen a bit of state police it will be a nightmare if you reintroduce state police. It will be a nightmare for those who have seen the regional government and how they used state police. This euphoria among many people that there is insecurity in their state does not justify the demand for state police. What we need to do s t redesign the operations of the Police. In every state, let all the rank and file comes from the locality. Let only the core officers come from other states. The rank and file has the knowledge of the local environment but let them be centrally controlled.

Just imagine you set up an Electoral Offences Commission. Whom would it catch? It is the opposition party people. You have failed.

You set up EFCC, ICPC to only go after the enemies of government. They are not looking for real thieves. The thieves are known but maybe those who set up these agencies are part of the thieves. Some of you may not walk on the streets of some states if we have state police and you better know that before you are carried away by the euphoria of having state police.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY APRIL 20, 2014

Politics

How Abuja bombing stalled presidency’s functions

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resident Goodluck Jonathan who resides in the comfort of the presidential palace may have been fast asleep except for some of those nocturnal meetings as it is usual with politicians at the time of last Monday’s bomb blast at Nyanya.

The blast shook Abuja residents in the early hours at the popular Nyanya motor park, killing about 120 people and leaving many others injured.

At the seat of power, State House correspondents were told few minutes after the news broke that the President would visit the scene. When he arrived the scene of the disaster, his hard mien depicted an obviously worried President. His sober appearance indicated that President Jonathan could have been thrown into weeping in public, were he allowed to see for himself how dead bodies and shattered human parts littered some hours before his visit.

Like the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said on Wednesday, President Jonathan is really traumatised by the continuous killing of innocent citizens. “The President indeed has suffered psychologically as a result of this criminality.” For Maku, the terrorists carry out this to distract the public, to disrupt the normal activities of government and set people against government.

Dressed smartly in just a pair of trousers and shirt to match his bowler hat, a break from his usual South South regalia, Jonathan inspected the level of destruction at the scene of the blast before visiting some of the injured victims at the Asokoro District Hospital.

Back to the Presidential Villa, the President cancelled all his official engagements, including

Anule Emmanuel emmyanule@yahoo.com

a planned trip to Ibadan where he was expected to attend the 100th birthday of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana , Odugade 1. The serene environment in the Presidency was quiet throughout the day of the blast.

But one of the questions yearning for answers on the lips of Nigerians is whether the death of such a large number of citizens does not qualify the flying of the national flag at half mast? Several deaths especially in the North East have been recorded as a result of the excesses of suspected terrorists without a day of national mourning being marked.

The interpretation is that when it is about the poor, it doesn’t so much bother government for flags to be flown at half mast. During air crashes which often times involve high-profile persons, the difference becomes clear. But the life of every Nigerian, whether rich or poor, should be of importance.

Now that the issue of killings and abductions is fast becoming a daily occurrence, with Nigerians remaining sceptical of what might befall them next, nothing can be so wrong to even lower the flag. Such an act will signify that the nation is in a mourning mood until things return to normalcy. Aside this, many Nigerians are of

the view that it is time for politicians to stop playing politics with the serious issue of insecurity and abandon the blame game in order to find lasting solutions for peace.

That presidential wedding Faith Elizabeth Sakwe, adopted daughter of President Goodluck Jonathan and her husband Osim Godswill Edward last week brought together the cream de la cream to Abuja during their wedding ceremony, which still remains the talk of the town.

For the first time in a long while, President Jonathan whose relationship with the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, had become sour, met on a holy ground.

For some dignitaries who attended the wedding, which held at the National Christian Centre, the International Conference Centre and later at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, it was an opportunity to meet high-profile contacts and the who’s who.

Majority of the guests who could not have access to the invitation cards had to buy their way into the reception venue at the International Conference Centre. Indeed, it was a colourful event, with all manner of persons appearing in

their best dresses. President Jonathan is not an exception, as he was dressed in a stylish Ijaw regalia and hat to match in the same colours as his wife, Dame Patience, and parents of the groom.

But as organised as the wedding may seem to have been, controlled by armed security personnel in and around the venues, the crowd was overwhelming. From proper planning, it turned out to poor planning. One could imagine the mad rush for gifts and scramble for food.

Many left hungry and without gifts because of the greed exhibited by others, possibly, the uninvited.

For Faith and Edward, it was a dream accomplished. It was a big wedding but not without disappointments for those who came with high hopes to a presidential gathering.

As Johnson upgrades FEC members ICT capacity Members of the Federal Executive Council FEC will no doubt are excited with the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, for her innovative prowess and push to transform President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet into a full Information Communication Technology ICT compliant body. Moving away from operating in an analogue style to a digital world.

Good as the new system may appear, there is need for the communications minster to realise that the possibility of government documents leaking to members of the public or some people attempting to hack into many of the provided devices to get information on council deliberation is not out of place.

State electoral commissions and the issue of confidence A fter its two-day experience-sharing conference on best practices in election management held in Kaduna last week, the Independent National Electoral Commission passed a vote of confidence in State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).

The conference also observed that the conduct of free, fair and credible elections at national as well as local government levels is indispensable to the expansion and deepening of Nigeria’s democratic experience.

It observed that 11 states have, disappointingly, failed to conduct local council elections in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended, thereby leaving the councils in their states under caretaker committees.

The states are Abia, Bauchi, Borno, Delta, Ekiti, Imo, Kano, Katsina, Ondo, Osun and Oyo. The conference further noted that the operational and financial independence of SIECs are key to the conduct of free, fair and credible local government elections and should be constitutionally guaranteed.

The vote of confidence in SIECs is totally not unexpected. Coming at a time when there have been calls for the scrapping of SIECs because they are more or less parastatals of state governments, the vote of confidence is like a morale booster.

The operations of SIECs have come under criticism in recent times. Due to their actions or inactions, many people found their continued

INECDiary Onyekachi Eze

Nigerians expect that credible elections at the local government level will begin with the appointment of nonpartisan members of SIECs. existence irrelevant, leading to the call for INEC to conduct elections into councils.

The recent failure of the Nasarawa SIEC to conduct an acceptable election during last month’s council poll in the North-Central state, further reinforced the call for the scrapping of the commissions. For nearly two weeks, Nasarawa SIEC withheld the results of the election, an action that did not go down well with members of the state House of Assembly.

The question is: how independent are the State Independent Electoral Commissions? To what extent have the commissions been able to nurture electoral process at the local government level? Why have no other political parties except the party in power in the 36 states been

ezekatchy@yahoo.co.uk

able to win some local government seats since SIECs began the conduct of council elections?

Elections at the grass roots level constitute a very important aspect in nurturing the nation’s democracy. But unfortunately, SIECs whose responsibility is to do this are not living up to the expectations.

Most elections conducted by SIECs lack transparency in every material aspect. In fact, the outcome of such elections can be predicted even before the electorate go to the poll to elect their supposed leaders at the ward and local government levels. Even in states where the chief executive claims to be a puritan, the party in power is bound to record a ‘landslide’ victory.

While state governors and other Nigerians accuse INEC of bias in the conduct of state and national elections, everybody seems to have overlooked the activities of SIECs. There are allegations that members of the commission are card carrying members of political parties in power in the states where they operate. That may be the reason why they appear to be partisan in the conduct of council elections.

The INECL/SIEC conference observed the absence of periodic elections at the local government level contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). At the last count, 11 states have not been able to conduct elections into their local governments.

Periodic elections are the basic principle of democracy. In Nigeria, INEC conducts state and national elections every four years. The last unified local government election in Nigeria in this current political dispensation was in 1998.

Since then, various state houses of assembly have altered the tenures of the local government chairmen to suit their purposes. In some states, the local government law pegs the tenure of elected council officials at two years while in others, it is three years. Yet, elections are not held at the expiration of the tenure, ironically, some state governments appoint caretaker committees for the councils.

Nigerians expect that credible elections at the local government level will begin with the appointment of non-partisan members of SIECs. This could only be possible when the selection process is done through Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).

Second, as canvassed at the national level, the commission should be placed on first-line charge for its funding, because allowing SIECs to depend on state governments for their funding will compromise their independence. Nigeria needs an independent electoral umpire at the grass roots level to deepen her democratic process.

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APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Politics

Nyanya: Senators’ reactions and public interest

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he Abuja bomb blast of last Monday was unarguably the worst single terrorist attack on the nation’s political capital since the eruption of insurgency in the country about five years ago.

Although there are conflicting figures on the actual number of deaths caused by the heinous act, both media reports and eyewitness accounts confirm that the attack was horrendous.

Since the explosion occurred, various segments of Nigerian society have reacted and are still reacting to this catastrophe. The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was not left out in demonstrating great concern about the insecurity in the land.

That Monday morning, President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, was on his way to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where he was supposed to be conferred with a chieftaincy title by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, who was also celebrating his o100th birthday.

But on hearing about the tragedy, Mark who was already at the Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport, Abuja, immediately cancelled his trip in honour of the victims. He subsequently condemned in strong terms the bombing of the Nyanya Park.

Mark, who was disturbed at the tragic incident, pleaded with the perpetrators to have a rethink on their activities. He also described the attack as a needless war on Nigerians.

From the Chukwu David chukwudavid68@yahoo.com

Suggesting a way forward in the efforts to tackle the escalating insurgency in the land, Mark called on security operatives to collaborate and be more proactive in order to end the menace.

Similarly, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, and the Majority Leader of the Senate, Victor Ndoma-Egba, while reacting to the incident, urged Nigerians to unite in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

Reacting from the United States, where he was to deliver a paper at the Johns Hopkins University, Ekweremadu insisted that the collective will of the nation would never be broken and urged Nigerians to stand against the forces of darkness.

His words: “This is a very sombre moment for the nation and my heart goes out to the entire nation, especially the dead, the injured, their friends and family members. However, one thing is sure - Nigeria is winning and will certainly come out victorious as the forces

The reactions from the Senate, notwithstanding, the lawmakers have a responsibility to provide adequate funds for security in annual budgets of divisiveness, extremism, darkness, bloodletting and insurgency would never triumph over the forces of light and national unity, peace, and prosperity.

“The nation must stand together against these blood guzzlers and enemies of state, nature, and sound reasoning. Our collective will, to completely snatch our nation and destiny from the jaws of this insanity and barbarism must never waver, just as our socio-cultural orientations that uphold the sanctity of life and the intrinsic dignity in the human person must never be surrendered to the ungodly.”

Ndoma-Egba, in his statement, described the bomb attack as the handiwork of ‘mindless’ and ‘godless’ people. Therefore, he charged Nigerians to act as security agents wherever they were, and not leave it to security agencies alone.

Similarly, the spokesman for the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe, described the act as ‘callous’ and ‘wicked’. He said the bomb blast was one incident that should prick the consciousness of Nigerians.

He noted that the Senate was worried at the dimension the orgy of terrorist attacks was assuming.

As a security precaution against future attacks in the nation’s capital, the Chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, on Thursday pledged that adequate funds would be allocated to the FCT administration to enable it to install enough Close Circuit Television cameras in all the motor parks and markets within the territory this fiscal year.

The reactions from the Senate, notwithstanding, the lawmakers have a responsibility to provide adequate funds for security in annual budgets. They also have a duty, through their oversight functions, to ensure that enough security measures such as the installation of the proposed CCTVs in the FCT and proper training and equipping of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies are implemented by the Federal Government.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo youths and battle over name C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 6

youths that were errand boys to chieftains of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that subscribe to ONYW. He said that like Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo, they were not registered, since it was a voluntary union.

“The grouse of the ONYW is that having given President Jonathan their word of support and solidarity, our action may send wrong signals that Igbo youths are united in the proclamation of support for the President’s 2015 ambition.”

But the national leader of ONYW, Mr. Okechukwu Isinguzoro, in an interaction with New Telegraph on Sunday lamented that the idea of holding the so-called inauguration of ONYC executive committee in Enugu on such a day that the zonal rally of the PDP was scheduled showed that the ONYC had ‘ulterior motives’.

Isinguzoro added that all pleas on the promoters of ONYC to drop their attempt at factionalising Ohanaeze youths were ignored, pointing out that their refusal to sign an undertaking earlier agreed upon made the police intervention imperative.

Another stalwart of ONYW, Mr. Odozi Nwodozi, in his contribution, said there were four pertinent questions which ONYC should answer in order to resolve the matter. They are: Why did ONYC suddenly choose Enugu as the venue of their inauguration instead of Owerri where they had their election? Why did they not make use of the 1000 capacity hall within the confines of Ohanaeze Ndigbo National Secretariat in Enugu, (but) rather preferred holding their event in a garden? Why did they choose to have your event on a day the President was vis-

iting Enugu, if not to cause mischief and satisfy the desires of their ‘reactionary’ pay masters?

Why are they still bearing the name ‘Ohanaeze’ when the body has repeatedly denied them?

Nwodozi noted that since the Ofoelue-led ONYC has nothing to do with the apex Igbo socio-cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, they should delete the prefix ‘Ohanaeze’ from their name.

“Until they and other fraudulent groups across Igboland and beyond stop using the name for mischievous purposes, they will not know peace,” he declared.

Consequent upon the unwillingness of the two groups to strike a middle ground, the police decided to arraign Ofoelue’s group in court.

And following the absence of three out of the five accused persons, Ugwu, who stood bail for them, was also arraigned. Ofoelue and Godsent were arraigned at the Enugu Chief Magistrates’ Court, presided over by Oruruo on a three-count charge of impersonation, holding an unlawful assembly and conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace. According to the police information report, the two men and three others now at large were holding an illegal assembly at a hotel in Enugu purported to be the inauguration of Ohanaeze Youth Council leaders contrary to sections 496 (a) and 126 (b) of the Criminal Code of Laws of Enugu State. They were also alleged to be operating as Ohanaeze Youth Council despite not being affiliated to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the parent body of a rival group, a development the prosecution alleged was likely to cause a breach of public peace on the very day

President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party were holding a zonal unity rally in the state.

When the charge was read, the two accused pleaded ‘not guilty’.

Arguing the bail for the accused, the defendants’ lawyer, Dr. G. O. Okafor, who appeared with Sunday Egbo and Felix Aguboshim, informed the magistrate that it was surprising that the police would arraign their clients after the CP, Adamu Abubakar, had set them free. He therefore pleaded with the magistrate to grant the accused persons bail on liberal terms, giving the assurance that they would be available for trial. But opposing the bail, the prosecutor, C. O. Ugwu, told the court that since the other three suspects had absconded, it would be foolhardy to grant them a reprieve on very weak conditions. He said that doing so would mean that the court was risking an escape from justice when they jump bail.

However, before adjourning the case till May 26, 2014 for hearing, the magistrate granted the two accused persons bail in the sum of N50,000 and one surety each in like sum. The magistrate ordered that the sureties who should swear to an affidavit of means must submit their full picture and evidence of residence in the magisterial district.

Similarly, Ugwu, who stood bail for the three co-accused, was arraigned for failing to give the whereabouts of his wards even when the bail bond he allegedly signed at the police station indicated an April 14, 2014 return date for the accused persons. Ugwu was granted bail in the sum of N100, 000.00 and a surety in like sum.

Speaking to New Telegraph on Sunday shortly after the adjournment, legal adviser to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, J. C. Dikedi, explained that he appeared as a watching brief on behalf of the parent body of the ONYC. He added that the essence was that if he was not satisfied with the prosecution, he would be compelled to apply for the Attorney General’s fiat to begin prosecution. The complainant in the matter and ONYC Deputy National Youth Leader, Arthur Obiora, and the Publicity Secretary, Adibe Obinna, told New Telegraph on Sunday that they decided to alert the police when the accused refused to heed earlier warnings to stop impersonating ONYC. The accused’s lawyer, who spoke to New Telegraph on Sunday, shortly after the adjournment, said, “The charge is very funny because, on Friday I called the commissioner of police and he directed the New Haven DPO to release them.”

The lawyer noted that the CP did not tell him on the telephone that the accused persons were to come back on Monday.

“So when they went and reported some of them felt that it was ceremonial; and as such they could be represented since they had pressing personal matters to attend to.” Insisting that the charges cannot be sustained, the lawyer added, “What makes an assembly unlawful? I don’t know what they mean by that. That is why when the matter opens, we will hear their arguments on how it was an unlawful assembly.”

With the interest being generated by the tussle, it is left to be seen how the courts would handle the matter.

I

Vanessa Okwara t’s Easter once again. If you are attending any of the fun events marking the period, it is important you choose clothes that will

make you look classy, but not too dressy.

To achieve this look, choose casual clothes that are smart and chic. It can be a dress, jeans with trendy tops, skirts and flirty blouses

or well styled African fabrics. With such outfits, you won’t be looked over or appear under dressed.

Go ahead and pick a trendy style that will boost your confidence as you party the day or night away!

fashion for Easter

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APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Body&Soul

Go ethnic, rock a cap

Vanessa Okwara

T

oday is Easter Sunday and it is usually a time for merriment and partying with friends and family.

This is the period to go off your suit and tie routine and wear clothes that are more relaxing and traditional.

Well-tailored African attire complete with a cap is your best choice

if you desire to appear at that event looking dapper and sophisticated.

There is an extra colour and panache a cap gives to your overall ensemble that makes you stand out at any occasion.

Enjoy Easter holiday events in a more relaxed mood. Rock your ethnic-inspired outfits with traditional caps and have a fun filled time.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY APRIL 20, 2014

Body&Soul

Ours is a marriage ordained by God - Fidelis and Tope Duker Fidelis and Tope Duker are a well known couple in Nollywood. The couple, who met about 17 years ago at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, talks about their marriage in this interview with BAYO ADEOYE

Why did you marry your wife at the time you did?

Fidelis: I made up my mind as a teenager that any lady that got pregnant for me was the person I would marry.

She was not the only lady I was dating then, but she was the best among them. She was the most humble and very accommodating of me. I could be intolerant but she was and is still a very patient woman. As fate would have it, at the time my wife took in, many of my friends didn’t support me getting married to her but I did.

Tope: The circumstances of our meeting, which resulted in the pregnancy that brought our first daughter, necessitated my accepting his proposal even though I was still very young at that time. But thank God, the baby came and, today, I am a happy woman.

So you wouldn’t have married her if she was not pregnant for you?

Fidelis: Why not? I told you she was the best among those I was dating. Not that she was the most beautiful. But she is humble, respectful, tolerant and hard working. She is a goal getter just like me. I don’t think I would have lasted with any other woman because we have had our turbulent times like you will find in any marriage, but we have used mutual respect and maturity to surmount them.

Tope: It was destined to be and there is no such thing like what would I have done. Ours is a marriage ordained by God. We have been through thick and thin when there was nothing and we remained as one.

How did you meet?

Fidelis: We met in school when I was running a professional programme at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos, about 17 years ago. It was love at first sight when I saw her in the school hall. She was initially pessimistic about dating me, but my insistence and show of affection drew her closer.

I think she liked me but she never showed it, she played the usual girls’ hard-to- get.

Tope: We met at NIJ. He was all over me, keeping tabs on my movement, following me around the campus. And he was sending some of his friends to me.

I never wanted to date him because he had some other girls that I knew, but he promised to dump them, which he did.

What do you love most about him?

Tope: His simplicity and intelligence.

He is also a very kind and loving man.

Fidelis: She is a hardworking, loving and respectful woman.

You have been married for 15 years.

What is the secret?

Fidelis: I will say my wife’s patience, tolerance, love, support and determination to see me succeed against all odds have been the motivating factors. I have also loved and respected the sanctity of marriage which has been the reason several marriages have collapsed. There must be mutual respect for each other. Our marriage will be 16 years in May and we are blessed with three children, a boy and two girls.

Like any other marriage, it has not been all rosy.

God has kept us going, but I can assure you that the last 16 years have been the most eventful in my life as I have been with a woman who truly loves me and believes in me as her partner.

Tope: Trust and respect for each other. But I think above all, love has been the secret behind our successful marriage.

Did marriage take anything away from you?

Fidelis: D e f i n i t e ly, as a bachelor I hardly planned but with m a r r iage I am more responsible.

M a r riage as an institution has taught me to be re sponsible, more

careful and a very good planner.

You

have three kids at the moment. Are you planning to have more?

Fidelis:

Don’t ask me for now because we don’t know what God will do. We have three kids, the first, Fidelia, is in the university; the second, Frances; and the last, for now, is Fredrick, the only boy.

Tope: (Laughs) Let’s leave everything to God.

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APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Body&Soul

Ronke Sokefun’s simplicity B eautiful Ronke Sokefun left school and was called to the Bar at the age of 21. She got a job at M.P. Ohwovoriole & Co. before she moved to Ighodalo and Associates. She then berthed at Oando Plc where she rose to become the Chief Legal Officer for four years.

She later got an appointed the Special Adviser (Land Matters) to Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amo-

Sokefun

sun, in 2011.

But barely a year after that political appointment, Sokefun, who has long given up the glamour of the Lagos social scene, was made the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture. But despite all these, the lady didn’t allow it to get into her head.

No wonder she is well loved by everybody in the ministry where she holds sway.

Eminent Nigerians gear up for Awujale’s 80th birthday

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ome next month, May 10, all roads lead to the palace of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, as the first-class monarch will be celebrating his 80th birthday in IjebuOde, Ogun State.

The event promises to register the attendance of many eminent Nigerians. Already, an organising committee, which comprises some prominent Ijebu indigenes, has

been set up. The planning committee is making appreciable efforts towards hosting a world-class event with a strong bearing of royalty and pomp.

Celeb Lounge learnt that Oba Adetona’s 80th birthday is being planned to span a week. One of the major highlights of the celebration is a football match between Arsenal fans and others.

It is imperative to

Where is Otunba Niyi Adewunmi?

T

hose who know this man will agree that Niyi Adewunmi is a happy-go-lucky man.

Apart from being the closest person to Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga, he is also a top director in most of his companies. Most people who need favour from the Ijebu-Igbo billionaire sometimes court him in order to get to Adenuga. Adewunmi a l s o represented t h e Globacom boss at most social

events, but that was then.

Lately the ever-bubbling Adewunmi has been missing from social events and this has generated lots of rumours a m o n g socialites ,particularly in Lagos.

Adewunmi

add that Oba Adetona is an ardent Arsenal fan.

The event, which will be holding at the grand pa-

with

vilion right in front of the traditional ruler’s palace will have Evang. Ebenezer Obey serenading host and the high-octane guests.

Oba Adetona was born to the Anikinaiya 1 Ogbagba Royal Family of Ijebu Ode in Nigeria on May 10, 1934. His father was Prince Rufai Adetona, while his mother was Alhaja Ajibabi Adetona (née Onashile).

His mother hailed from Ijebu Igbo.

Oba Adetona became the Awujale of Ijebuland in 1960 at the age of 25.

Bayo Adeoye 08032016869

Oguntayo

Skye Bank gets new boss

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here is a change in baton at the top level of rated financial institution, Skye Bank Plc. The current boss, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, will be leaving the bank at the expiration of his four-year tenure in July this year.

The board of directors of the bank has already

W

announced Mr. Timothy Oguntayo as his successor as GMD/CEO. The board also announced the appointment of Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu as Deputy Managing Director for the bank. Both appointments are subject to appropriate regulatory approvals.

Emmanuel Okocha: The real JJ

E

mmanuel Okocha’s name may not ring a bell in the ears of

Obioma Imoke’s motherly mien ife of Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, Obioma, is a flashy dresser and a great mobiliser.

Like her husband, she is a lawyer but no longer practises. She now devotes much of her time and energy to her pet projects - Partnership Opportunities for Women Empowerment Realisation (POWER), launched by the former

bayoolunla@yahoo.com

First Lady, Hajiya Turai Yar’adua in 2007; and the Destiny Child Centre.

Going by her carriage and speech, the pretty woman can be described as intelligent, motherly, smart and flamboyant. Many believe she influences her husband because she is present at many state government public events.

the younger generation, but ardent football followers in the early 90’s will definitely remember him. The Delta State-born footballer played as a midfielder for Enugu Rangers and the Nigeria national team. He competed at the 1990 African Cup of Nations, and is the elder brother of Austin Okocha.

In fact he was the real JJ, but his brother took the shine and nickname off him. Anyway, that is not the news. The man who was rumoured sometime ago to have been stranded in the US was sighted recently in Lagos. The source said the talented footballer was well dressed in a spotless white T-Shirt and jeans trousers.

“He looked good and radiant without any iota of suffering around him,” the source told Celeb Lounge.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY APRIL 20, 2014

Body&Soul

Wole Olufunwa shines at intermodal conference

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ost participants who attended the 12th Intermodal Africa 2014 Nigeria Exhibition and Conference, had ample opportunity to reflect on the role and impact of the shipping industry in Africa. The conference explored topical issues and challenges facing global transportation and logistics, and addressed where the shipping and port industry currently stand and their impact on the region.

The event was part of the two-day conference, hosted by the Nigerian Ports Authority recently at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Nigeria.

The two-day conference featured a panel of 20 world-class conference speakers and moderators, and 35 international exhibiting companies and five event sponsors. It was attended by a gathering of senior executive harbour masters, harbour engineers, port engineers, maintenance supervisors and procurement decision makers together with the world’s leading shippers, cargo owners, importers / exporters,

shipping lines, freight forwarders, logistics companies, ports, terminal operating companies, railway operators, port equipment and services suppliers from 17 countries.

Wole Olufunwa, an Associate lawyer at Holman Fenwick Willan, Singapore, was one of the 20 worldclass speakers at the conference.

His lecture delved on, Unchartered Territory in Charter Parties – Legal Effect and Consequences of Piracy.

Olufunwa joined Holman Fenwick Willan, HFW, the renowned global law firm in Singapore, in November 2010. Over the years, he has expanded the breadth of his practice area of Dry Shipping Arbitration/Litigation to include Trade Commodity and Marine Insurance Disputes.

HFW is an international commercial law firm with more than 450 lawyers, with focus on delivering full services in shipping, transportation, offshore, trade and marine insurance. The firm has 14 offices in Europe, Asia Pacific, South America and the Middle East.

with

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children, Tokunbo, Adeola and Leke.

It crashed in the early 90’s.

Her second attempt at marriage was with Wole Ojuri, a businessman.

Mobola, who used to lead an active social lifestyle, has withdrawn into her cocoon and become a born again Christian.

At a point, Mobola delved into the importation of palm oil from Malaysia to keep her busy. She is now a full partner in the law firm of Akinjide and Co. Solicitors.

08032016869

bayoolunla@yahoo.com

Akinfemiwa is Folorunsho Alakija’s landlord

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hairman of Heritage Bank, Akinsola Akinfemiwa, is landlord to the richest black woman on earth, Folorunsho Alakija.

Akinfemiwa owns Premiere building, the property that houses the office of Famfa Oil Limited.

Famfa is the investment which sprouts the riches that brought Alakija into international reckoning as the richest black woman.

Mobola Akinjide finds love again!

any years after the crash of her marriage, famous society lady, Mobola Akinjide, has found love again. Celeb Lounge learnt she is now married to Adedapo Ayoola, a former businessman turned pastor.

Mobola is the first daughter of Second Republic Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide, and the elder sister of Jumoke Akinjide, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory.

The lawyer had been in two previous unions, which both ended on a sour note.

Her first marriage was to Fade Ajao, with whom she had three

Bayo Adeoye

Alakija

Ex-Oyo first lady, Kemi Akala’s take on politics

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Kemi

o Chief Mrs. Kemi Akala, wife of former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao- Akala, politics is indeed a murky business. In a recent interview, she said that politics made her to develop a thick skin because people they trusted either disappointed or betrayed them during the last election in their state. The 52-year old lady, who said she had been in politics in the past 15 years, stressed that her husband lost the last governorship election because of certain interests in the state. She, however, remained grateful to God. The former first lady of Oyo State said that everything turned out in their favour because God preserved the life of her husband.

Between Olumide Oyedeji and Kunle Afolayan

O Oyedeji

lumide Oyedeji is a Nigerian-British professional basketball player ; he is very popular at the NBA. The gangling young man represented Nigeria at the last Olympics. The man has been described by many as one of the greatest basketball play-

ers from Nigeria.

Anyway, the story is that the young man is in Nigeria and has been seen with popular Nollywood producer, Kunle Afolayan. Celeb Lounge was reliably informed that they are cooking something together.

Afolayan

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Body&Soul

APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

treasure hunt •••Hot list, hot price +234 (0) 811 675 9770

You know that feeling you get when you walk by a shop and are immediately arrested by their window display? This page is dedicated to sharing such encounters and the products with you.

A personal favourite is the magenta shoe and clutch. The jewel tones make it a pair that can work from day to night for most occasions. The embellishment lends it an extra pizzaz that is divine!

Price: N110, 000 Shop: House of Gems.

The open-toe turquoise sling backs that is absolutely fabulous.

Price: N45, 000 Shop: House of Gems, Ikeja Shopping Mall.

Diamond is the birth stone for April. It is the essence of purity and invincibility, a symbol of royalty, and token of everlasting love. Thinking of an eye-catching, cute diamond accessories? Visit Diamonds Boutique.

Price: On request Shop: Diamonds Boutique, Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos.

The Gironacci leaf-green leather tote is a perfect companion on a day out shopping and can pass for a day to weekend bag.

Price: N89,000 Shop: House of Gems.

The Gironacci leafgreen leather

Diamond

DIY on the GO

Got a split on the go?

Abimbola Sodeke

T

hat embarrassing moment when you bend to sit or pick up something, and you hear that sound indicating that your pant has created an extra pocket at the back or under or that the slit on your skirt has gone a notch higher.

Not to worry, if you have a sewing kit in your bag, simply find a way to cover the hole till you get to a suitable place to pull off and do your self amendment.

If not, get a scarf. Lucky to have a muffler, cardigan or a jacket on? Tie it around your

waist.

A handkerchief or face towel is another option to save your bum from ugly stares.

Put the handkerchief inside your pants to cover the hole, well, it may look like a style but the whole idea is to protect your undies or skin from

public view.

For your skirt, you can shift the torn area forward or sideways so you can hold or cover it with your bag or hand.

Also, you can tuck out your shirt if it is long enough to cover the torn area and save you from embarrassing looks.

APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Wine & Dine

Shrimp and

avocado salad Biwom Iklaki

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s healthy foods go, salads are some of the healthiest choices one can make at mealtimes.

They are light, fresh, crisp, colourful and filling. Just don’t be too heavyhanded with your dressing and you will be on track to healthy weight management.

Ingredients for shrimp and avocado salad: 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon chopped shallot 6 cups roughly chopped romaine lettuce 12 ounces peeled and deveined shrimp 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 grapefruit 2 tablespoons chopped tarragon (optional) 2 teaspoons brown sugar 1 avocado, peeled and cut into wedges

Preparation: Warm a pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons oil; swirl to coat. Sprinkle shrimp with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Add shrimp to pan; cook for 3 minutes or until shrimp are done, stirring frequently. Remove from pan; keep warm.

Dressing: Peel and section grapefruit over a bowl so you can mix grapefruit juice, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/8 teaspoon pepper, tarragon, brown sugar, and shallots in a large bowl, stirring well. Add lettuce and shrimp and toss et voilĂĄ!

This special shrimp salad serves 4.

Enjoy alone or with your choice of light carbs - rice, rolls or potatoes (pita bread or tortillas tastes great).

Suggested wine: Sauvignon blanc.

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Body&Soul

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APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Body&Soul

Shades for kids

Biwom Iklaki

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he sun has been at its hottest lately but that doesn’t deter kids because, like their parents, they have sunshades to protect their eyes from the glare.

‘Mummy, are you going out’? a two-yearold daughter asks her mum and the next thing you know, she picks up her shoes

and shades, ready to follow mummy out!

Many mothers and fathers have experienced this drama once or twice, if not often.

Let them enjoy the outdoors while they can, as they need the exercise and fresh air. Just get them a protective pair of sunshades to keep their tender eyes safe from the rays.

Interview Why I organised Christian literature crusade –Bishop Ogbansiegbe p.52

TAI ANYANWU, titus.anyanwu@newtelegraphonline.com 0706 438 0029

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/faith

Sermon Who will marry me? p.57

Rovin’ Worshipper Unspeakable joy at Lord’s Chosen Easter retreat p.53

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

APRIL 20, 2014

51

Faith ON SUNDAY

Nigeria can’t be an elephant and act like ant Tai Anyanwu

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t the just concluded youth empowerment summit of the deeper life bible church, Nigeria’s former minister of education, Oby Ezekwesili, pointed out that it was possible for a nation’s economy to experience growth yet the citizenry still wallow in poverty.

But unknown to her listeners, it was the eve of a cheering announcement by the National Bureau for Statistics (NBS), custodians’ of Nigeria’s data on the country’s economy.

Shortly after her sensitisation or motivational talk, tailored to get the future generation to access requisite information to plan their future, the statistical organ of government declared Nigeria as the biggest economy in Africa.

What the (NBS) did was to change the base year of the GDP of 1990 which they used in the past to, and now included more items like entertainment sector of the economy, to give a true picture of the value of the economy.

This implies that what the economic planners of the country had been doing was tantamount to short-changing country.

However, one good thing they have achieved was giving a more diversified structure of the economy. There is now a more significant change in Nigeria’s economy.

Many Nigerians are now basking in the euphoria of the declaration and heaving a sigh of relief that our dear country is now the largest economy and one of the largest 20 economies in the world.

Roving worshipper was at the Power line Church, where Bishop Lawrence Osagie presides, during the week to do the regular bit on religious coverage.

The cleric welcomed Roving worshipper by, first sharing his excitement concerning the cheering announcement. He was not left

out the euphoria brought about by Nigeria’s upward climb on the economic ladder.

However, he added, “It should not just end in announcement.” He insisted that it was enough to say that Nigeria had become the largest economy in Africa and boast of being a continental power and yet parents are not able to feed their children.

He said, “Our country remains like a mother without breast. That is suicidal; we have to use this opportunity to begin to readdress issues of poverty, security and the issue of power.”

He noted that electricity supply was still epileptic, adding that all of that does not portray us a serious minded people.

He added: “With all the wealth and endowment God so blessed Nigeria with, we ought not to be crawling in certain areas at this time.”

Roving Worshipper brace up to the dictate of the moment and asked: is it out of place to give part of this credit to the effort of the present government, talking about Nigeria’s declaration as the largest economy in Africa?

The truth, he replied, is that it is not the credit of this administration because this recent situation is the result of the additional imput of the segments like Nollywood.

The assessment, he observed could have been done in 1999.

“But the people who were in power didn’t understand the depth of the contribution of this industry.

“When you talk about government activities and impact, I want to celebrate you for what you brought to the table. Not what somebody did and gave you a token credit for it.

“This is just a question of addition; we are adding figures here. This is somebody’s oversight that you brought in to become smart and all of that little, little smartness is enough. Nigerians are intelligent.”

He added, “I am looking for very concrete impact for which to celebrate the

present individuals that are there.”

In the case of government, he said, “You start the reconstruction of roads, for centuries you are not done; then you make a sing song of it. That is deception to me.

The cleric said that Nigeria had been economically stronger than the rest of Africa for years.

He noted that the hard work and contribution of ordinary Nigerians on the street was what majorly brought about the current equation.

According to him, it would be a huge disappointment if the current declaration does not translate to joy for the ordinary man on the street.

To this effect, Bishop Osagie counselled that our policy makers must sit back and address the issues of poverty alleviation.

“I am not the one who subscribes to government distributing cash to its citizens. But they can create an enabling environment for the citizenry to take the initiative and develop themselves and develop their own capacity.

“Nigeria should urgently begin to look into the possibility of strengthening sectors like the security sector because becoming the largest economy in Africa alone will attract investors.

“People will be trooping into this country, tourists will want to come and enjoy the beauty of our country. For them to come, they have to be sure that they will be safe.

“The issue of power has to be urgently addressed. Because with constant power and electricity, the ordinary man on the street can help himself. We are very innovative as a people; we are not a people who want to bother others when we have the right environment,” he added.

Our universities, our secondary schools, he said, need to be properly funded.

The focus on certificates needs to be reappraised and we need to dwell more on skill development skill acquisition, he said.

This, he said, would be more beneficial to the people at the lowest rung of the ladder.

“There are people who will never be able to go the university and in fact they are more.

Government should do well to set occasional training centres and they should also involve and encourage the private sector to set up such vocational centres where skills are thought to people who otherwise will not CONTINUED ON PAGE 56

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Interview Interview

Why I organised Christian literature crusade – Bishop Ogbansiegbe Recently, Bishop John D. Ogbansiegbe, presiding Bishop of Christian Fellowship Group International stormed the city of Aba, Eastern Nigeria with a Christian literature crusade tagged ‘Divine Prodigy.’

He spoke about the programme’s success, his literary prowess and other issues with Tai Anyanwu How did you start your ministry?

I

grew up under the spiritual tutelage of the late RT Rev. Godson C.D. Ogbansiegbe, first prelate of the Christian Fellowship Group International. He was a great Christian General who championed the cause of gospel propagation in the Eastern region and other parts of Nigeria. He happened to be my mentor, spiritual and biological father.

There were numerous prophecies, before my birth, that I will be a man of God. Incidentally, I gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ on September 23, 1984. Thereafter, I was saturated with a mighty zeal to do something for my Lord Jesus Christ.

As a student of Law at Abia State University, I had another encounter with the Holy Ghost, precisely on May 20, 1985. That day as I was praying, I felt a divine presence, like fire was all over my bones and veins. I started speaking in tongues and prophesying. I was overwhelmed by God’s divine presence. From that day, I continued to manifest different gifts of the Holy Spirit. I also discovered that I began to preach the gospel with greater boldness and with power. I saw myself doing what I could not do before. Many were slain by the power of God when I preach; many also got healed as I prayed for the sick. People started coming to me with different cases and as I prayed for them, God answered my prayers for them. People carried testimonies of what God was using me to do to others; and gradually, I started being on demand for ministrations.

What specific encounter did you have during your calling into full time ministry?

I had the voice of God in a trance saying to me: “This day, I have chosen you. I have ordained you to be my servant, to go to many people, nations, and tribes to declare the whole counsel of God.” I later discovered that it is scripturally positioned in the book of Jeremiah 1 vs. 10 which says, “See, I have set thee over the nations, and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, and to destroy and throw down, to build, and to plant.” When I discovered this scripture, I identified it as the divine voice of my calling. I held it tenaciously.

After meditating and analysing it, it formed the seven foundational pillars of my ministry,

mandate and mission: to preach the gospel to every nation; to root out wrong foundations and demonic plantations in the lives of individuals and the society; to pull down spiritual mountains that are standing against the move of God; to destroy anything that is existing against the glory of God; to throw down demonic deposits and anything that God has not built or planted in the lives of God’s people; to build humanity by the Holy Ghost to the full stature of our Lord Jesus Christ and to plant the seed of the gospel in the lives of people, ministries and nations as well as planting of churches where and when the need arises.

How has it been?

It is a question of somebody having a mission and a vision. The problem of many callings is lack of proper vision which consequentially affects the mission. That is the problem of many callings not just the clergy.

Once you see it as your calling you see it as your commitment. The next thing that you should be preoccupying yourself with is or your focal point is that vision. You live in the consciousness of your mission. Once you do that, consequentially, you see yourself fulfilling your mission. But once there is any form of distraction, it is always a disaster because there will be a clash. The vision and the mission will be destroyed at the same time. The first thing in a calling actually is to have a vision. You then back it up with your mission so that when distractions come; you remain concentrated knowing that this is your calling, an assignment that must be carried out.

That way, you cannot be carried away by any wind of doctrine; this has kept me unshakable, focusing on my calling, my vision and my mission.

So far, what is the greatest outing you ever had in your Christian ministry?

The phenomenal greatest outing I have ever had was the one that took place in February 2014. I called it ‘Divine Prodigy: The

Christian Literature Crusade’ and that is the first Christian literature crusade in the history of the East of the Niger.

What do you mean by that?

Yeah! When we came out with our bill boards and one-month adverts, it was all over Aba, Umuahia and different parts of South-East Nigeria. All the media houses carried it. If 5000 people gave their lives to Christ, I give out 5000 copies of my Christian books to help the young believers nourish their lives. But this time around, my church and I strategised and arranged ourselves like warriors, covering all the markets, banks, schools, government ministries and parastatals in different parts of the East. And what were we doing? We were going out every day to preach the gospel and share tracts and books published by our Christian literature department. I have written many books and evangelical tracts. That crusade was purely pivotal, epochal and phenomenal because nobody had seen such a thing before in that part of Nigeria. The one-week Christian literature crusade was so rewarding because, in our normal convention, we will just win about 2000 souls. But this time around, the result we have been recording has been continuous; because a book can stand the test of time. It can just pass from hand to hand, from generation to generation.

We discover that people could read our tracts and books and repent. Another person will pick up and read and they keep on calling us.

We have been answering phone calls, praying for people, giving them directions. So we finished the crusade, but these books continued the crusade; and we keep on recording miracles of souls’ harvest.

You see there is something about writing.

It is all about putting pen to paper in order to express the craving of your mind to physical reality or may I say tangible to physical tangibility. It is an effective means of disseminating information creating awareness

It is a question of somebody having a mission and a vision.

The problem of many callings is lack of proper vision which consequentially affects the mission. That is the problem of many callings not just the clergy

in certain areas of life. And I belong to the school of thought that believes that proper information lead to good stability formation; but wrong information lead to deformation.

When God gives knowledge in an area and the grace to write, one should not waste time in writing. I thank God for His grace of writing upon my life.

How many books precisely have you written and can you mention some titles you are working on?

As a preacher and a shepherd who is grappling with the challenge of building and shepherding the flock of God, you need to give them the right grass. You preach the word and also write as the spirit of God gives the inspiration. I have written 32 Christian literature books, over 200 evangelical tracts and over 1000 yet to be published manuscripts. But secularly, I am working on a book which I want to leave as a legacy to the legal profession, captioned ‘The Christian and the Will.’ I am going to give it a Biblical background to project my own thought on who should write a Will and who should legitimately be entitled to receive a Will.

It’s Easter after all. Could you tell us some lessons that should be learnt from Lenten season and Easter?

The Lenten season is a time of repentance, a time of self purification, a time to get out of all those things that is impairing one’s relationship with God. The key things expected during the Lenten period is fasting, praying and arms giving. At the inception of lent, you see those of Catholic world putting ash on the forehead representing that man came from dust and will go back to dust.

But then it is a symbolic form of humbling oneself and repenting of sin. The problem is that some people are mechanical, hypocritical and artificial about the Lenten period.

They see it as only the time to be righteous and holy. Churchianity is going to church and remaining the same old sinner but Christianity is Christ likeness. The Bible made it clear to us, blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. You start seeing God presently here and you see God hereafter as you remain pure. It is not a periodic thing. It should be a daily affair.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY APRIL 20, 2014

Interview

Blame preachers for unserious Christians –Nyamadi Pastor of Grace and Truth Tabernacle, Lagos, Rev. John Nyamadi, says pastors are to blame for ungodly conduct of their members. He spoke with Tai Anyanwu which Christ said we should celebrate; to remember His death till He returns. So, it is good to celebrate Easter.

there are all sorts of crimes. What is your Easter message to the country?

What lesson should we derive from the celebration?

I will say they should allow peace to reign. If actually we fear God, it may not be causing trouble for any election. Whosoever God wants to be there, they should allow the person to be there. We should allow peace to reign in the country because as we are struggling to say I want to be there, and this politician says he wants to be there; one day everything will come to an end. President Jonathan is there now, one day his tenure will be over.

Then why can’t we allow one person who wants to be there to go since one day his tenure will be over? Then another person will go there and it will be turn by turn. There is no need making trouble or riots or causing any havoc during elections. I pray that God will arrest everybody in Nigeria so that we can move peacefully during the election time.

What Christians should derive from Easter is that Christ died for our sins. The death which He died on the cross of Calvary, according to scripture, was because of us, because of our sins. That was why He died. So Christians can say boldly that they benefitted from that death. If not, we would have been in sin up till now. We would have been in trouble up till now. But Easter made human beings to reconcile with God; because without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. So the death of Christ on the cross of Calvary brought the remission of our sins.

Easter brought us back to God. How can we better appreciate the lessons of Easter?

Could you introduce yourself?

My name is John Nyamadi, Pastor of Grace and Truth Tabernacle, Lagos.

How old is the ministry?

Recently we celebrated the 40th anniversary; so I will say that we are 40 years old. In fact, those 40 years are not a small thing. I can say that we have come to maturity.

We have so many sister churches, in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. For instance, we have in Togo, Benin, Ghana and many other places.

It’s another Easter period yet it look like this has become a yearly ritual and the lessons of Easter is lost on the followers of Christ. What is your take on this?

Yea! I can tell us that Easter is the season our Lord Jesus enjoins us to remember; because He said we should remember His death until he comes. If you check well you will see that many things such thunder, storm and rain, happen here and there during the period. But nothing of such happens during Christmas, which many Christians say is the birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you check very well, many accidents occur during Christmas. But during Easter, something spectacular happens. I don’t know whether you have observed it, something unique happens at Easter. That shows that, it is the real time when the Lord died and resurrected. On the contrary, Christmas is not the actual day that Jesus Christ was born. If you check history also you will discover that Christmas time in Palestine, they usually have to be snow. I haven’t been to Palestine. But they usually have snow, so shepherds cannot be in the field by that time. Easter is the real thing

When we consider the death of our Lord Jesus Christ and value it, we will be able to appreciate the sacrifice He paid on the cross of Calvary. If anyone fails to value His death for our sins, then that person is indeed not a Christ; because the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are to perish. It means nothing to them. But to them who are saved, it is the power of God; meaning that we derive inspiration from his death. But those who are to perish, that means they are going to hell, when you are telling them Christ died for them; that was why He went to the cross and so on, they look at it as if it is nothing. It is not important, it looks foolish to them. Already, the scripture says a fool says in his heart there is no God. Those people are just manifesting what is in them. If you tell them about Christ, who saved us, delivered us and who will make to be at peace with God, it means nothing to them because the scripture says they are to perish. But you and I who are saved, the scripture says we are already saved; it is the power of God unto salvation.

Christ died for the love of mankind, do you see love in our society today?

Actually, the Holy Scriptures say God is love and anybody who is a Christian is supposed to love. So if we are seeing a lot of people who are not demonstrating their love then God is not in them. You cannot really give what you don’t have. I believe those who are manifesting love are around us. Actually human beings sometimes categorise love as giving things to people. Love doesn’t end there. If I see you doing something wrong and I rebuke you, I love you. That’s why I rebuke you; because if I don’t tell you may be that thing will take your life. I don’t know. So, the word of God says love corrects, love rebukes and it is love that made Christ to flog those people who were doing money changing in God’s house. Love does a lot, and genuine love can only come from a child of God. Some people say I love, I love but you understand that that is because they want to get something from you. But genuine love doesn’t go that way. Whether you have or you don’t have it will. That is why Christ died because of love. He is not going to gain from us. We are going to gain but he died.

That’s what love is supposed to be.

Bearing in mind that a lot is happening in our country today, elections are around the corner; Boko Haram is causing problems here and there and

How has the church been coping since the death of the Overseer, Rev. John Ogun, in September last year?

Christ said, I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I believe Grace and Truth was built by Christ. It was not built on or built by our Overseer, Rev. John Ogu. He is not the one who built it; it is Christ who built it. If the builder who is Christ takes His servant away, He will continue to maintain the church because it is God’s property. That is what is exactly happening. We are still moving steadily. Though the Overseer who led us for so many years has gone, how he built us, God led him to impact on us. That is what we are trying to use to continue in the race.

Bringing it personally to you, how has it been like being the pastor of this big ministry?

One thing over there is that the position which you were not before, when you assume that position newly, there will be some ups and down.

Those are the things I’m passing through now. But I believe by the grace of God things are going to be stable.

Can you tell us if there is anything that may have prepared you for this sudden position and how you have been able to handle the up and downs?

My late Overseer always told me and it is now I realise that he was trying to prepare me. Many a time he would tell me that leading children of God need faithfulness because they are the property of God. And also CONTINUED ON PAGE 56

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S EAR C H

Easter special edition -1

BETRAY UNLEAVENED RABBI

PASSOVER BREAD BETRAYED

GOSPEL TEACHER REMISSION FRAGRANT OIL

DISCIPLES

KINGDOM

MEMORIAL EVENING ROOSTER

POURING GOLGOTHA ZEBEDEE

JUDAS DIPPED SORROWFUL

GARMENTS PRIESTS MOCKED

G R A N T J D R W K R L R A B B A O I L U S E G R F I H B R E L R F P D L O N N E O I N C E A A F G A R E G E I T D B W G T D I E S S B P N V N S I B D T D V R

M O S E S I A E O P A I C W O O R R O T O R E V O E R S G Z S M A R V R G U L E R E H C A E T E G O E A O O N B E D O I R B S M I WR Y L P U E M G C P M E E T R F S D G M E T I O S L E D I F O U J H O H V R S L L E N E R D M L G C T J E A S G A S T E P E E D K F H E N Y I O I T S L A K M E D B A M G E O T R O M E M C D J D E P P I D N R O O S T M O

Olulana Kayode

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Sermon & Faith

Hour of LIBERATION by

Chidi Anthony Tel: 08124284979

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hat they could not go far does not mean you cannot go far.

Information is very vital. That is why you must be careful about people and the kind of information they give to you. The kind of information available to you can make or mare you.

According to the scripture under review, the search team came to Moses and said to him; Moses the land is beautiful but we cannot go in there.

“We cannot go because there are giants there. We cannot go because the land eats its inhabitants.”

Oh! Thank God there was somebody like Caleb. Caleb came to Moses and said; Moses I don’t know the information you have. Moses I don’t know what they have told you. But Moses it is a wrong information. As far as am concerned, Moses that land belongs to us. Moses we shouldn’t waste time. Let’s go at once and possess our possession.

That others did not make does not

mean you will not make it. Caleb said he didn’t see what they were seeing.

They are seeing like ordinary human beings. I am in the realm of the spirit, so far as the Lord has uttered the word that that land belongs to us. Whether there are giants or no giants in the land, we possess our possession.

I don’t know the giant in your life.

It might be that sickness that wants to stop you. The giant in your life might be disappointment in marriage. The giant might be those wicked uncles in the village; the giant in your life might be those old witches in the village. But one thing they fail to understand is that anybody may turn to be a killer.

However, there is somebody that you will try to kill and you get exposed. Why should you believe that you will not have a child? You mother conceived and had you. You must have your own child. You did not fall from heaven. Somebody de-

Be ware of wrong information livered you; therefore you must have your own children.

I stand as a prophet of God and prophesy to you that every wrong information from your enemy concerning your conception, concerning your marriage, I destroy it today in the name of Jesus. Every wrong information they give concerning your family, have they said your family would never forge ahead? I stand this day as a prophet of God, I prophesy to you that any moment from now your family is moving to the next level, in the mighty name of Jesus.

The wrong information is not for me. I don’t know the information they gave you. That information wants to stop you half way. But because you are of the king’s family, I stand this day as a prophet of God and say to that information I command you to move ahead.

Wrong information. But Caleb said we are going to take over. Sir, I walk by faith; I don’t walk by sight.

Wrong information can destroy you.

Let me tell you about a friend of mine called Uche.

Every day Uche would tell me that Child, stop giving me money.

Rather take me and show me how you are making this money so that I start making my own money.

He said, ‘Don’t give me fish; teach me how to get fish.” I told Uche that he could not do the kind of work that I do. I reminded him that he has a teaching ministry and not a deliverance ministry. As deliverance minister, I go to carry deities and destroy shrines. Because when one goes for deliverance assignments, people dash him money. That is why you see little cash in my hand.

And my friend came to ask me for N5,000 or N10,000, and I give him.

One day he came said stop giving me money. carry me to this deliverance programme and let me be making my own money. I said Uche i destroy shrines your own work is different. He said forget about that thing, just show me the shrine and go and sleep. Before you wake up I have destroyed it. Finally I got a deliverance appointment at a place call ed Asaga, Ohafia Abia State.

What I went there to battle is the local god of thunder known as Kamalu in Igbo language. I called uche and said we are going to Ohafia.I told him that we are going to destroy Ka-

malu, and he said let’s go.

We departed and on getting to the shrine, the people of the town had just given the deity a fresh sacrifice of blood. It was very fearful. I said Uche see the shrine. He said eh! eh!

I said ok Jesus said when you come to the house of a strong man, you first of all bind him, everybody pray.

We began to pray; Uche start in tongues: lambra lambra: Lambra lambra lambra. Uche would come to where I am praying and say Chidi did you say you are going to carry this thing? My hand is not in it. Le le le lehi. I thought my brother was speaking in tongues.

He came back: lenkere lenkere lenkere Child I hope you are hearing me. Lenkere lenkere lenkere lehi. My hand is not in it, my hand is not in it lelelelelelehi. When I listened very well, after he pushed me the second time and repeated child did you say you will carry this thing, my hand is not in it; my hand is not in it.

Immediately I heard him, fear entered into me. I pondered could it be that God is talking to me through him? That I should not destroy the god of thunder?

Unspeakable joy at Lord’s Chosen Easter retreat Tai Anyanwu

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very other day, the revival ground of the Lord Chosen Church, located at Ijesha Bus stop along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos has the semblance of a pilgrim spot.

To followers of Lazarus Muoka, the tireless crusade marshal, missing any of the church’s programmes is a costly compromise as that would mean losing out from the blessings that flows directly from the altar, where the General Overseer of the Lord Chosen Church holds sway.

For this year’s Easter retreat, which enters into its second day today it will be rather awesome.

A stream of adherents had trooped into the worship arena many days ahead of the programme, just to secure temporary places of abode till the meeting ends.

Pastor Lazarus had, in an earlier sensitisation announcement, assured that God would rain down unspeakable joy upon participants irrespective of the trying times in the country during the programme tagged, ‘God’s Covenant of Peace and Blessing.’

Members of the church had no reason to doubt the man of God; so they gathered in their thousands to satisfy their hunger for the word, miracles and unspeakable blessings and joy of Easter.

On the first day of the crusade, Saturday April 19, the worshippers saturated the sprawling prayer halls of the revival ground with glorious praise of the risen Christ, the saviour of sinful mankind.

And amidst chains of testimonies, more miracles were recorded, even as the choir rendered worship and soul-touching songs.

The man of God was at his best having just returned from another harvest of souls in a neighbouring country in the West African sub region.

Taking over the stage, he explained that Easter symbolises the victory of Jesus over death.

And by extension it was victory over hopelessness and anarchy, “for Christ’s resurrection ushered us a new hope for peace and blessing.

He advised the nation to use the opportunity of this year’s Easter to foster peace and love in the country, as this is the only way the nation could acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifice that Jesus done for humanity.

Pastor Muoka explained that the resurrection of Jesus Christ which is what Easter stood for was the bedrock of mankind’s reconciliation with his Creator.

“Without our Lord Jesus Christ resurrecting from death, there would not have been any hope of restoration of the peaceful relationship we had with God before our fore-parents severed it through sin.

“It is at Easter that we are reminded of how God sent His son to die as a sacrifice for all our sins in order to rescue us from the impending destruction that has been earmarked for us as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. “Thus, by His death and resurrection, the covenant of peace and blessing which man-

kind originally had with God at creation was restored,” Muoka added.

According to the G O, Easter was inextricably tied to hope, peace and blessing, and these, he continued, were the intangible chords that helped people to overcome the sad and sordid situations that might be bogging them down with a sense of hopelessness.

“Easter therefore brings that optimism that no matter how difficult or how challenging your situation or condition may be, knowing the resurrection will remind you that if Jesus could defeat death, then all things are possible.”

Fixing his gaze on the congregation, the man of God assured them that no matter how bad the prevailing situation in the country might appear, things would get better “if we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.”

He buttressed his message quoting the scripture in the book of Matt. 11: 28- 30 says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour a n d a r e

heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

On that premise, he declared,“If the world particularly Nigerians will acknowledge and appreciate this wonderful work of grace and by this invitation return to their God, then the political and economic nightmare that have characterized our society will become a thing of the past .”

Muoka promised that as the retreat progressed, the Holy Spirit would deal with all the challenges of humanity and evoke the covenant of peace and blessing mankind had with God upon the participants.

“Many people, who have been hearing about the true blessings of joy but have not experienced it, will experience it in the crusade.

Some, who have witnessed it and are asking God when their turns of blessing will come, will have it, he had said.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY APRIL 20, 2014

Dominion by

Bishop David Oyedepo

Phone: 7747546-8; E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

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expression to the kind of triumphs, victories and exploits they commanded.

It is important for us to know that spiritual gifts are for our profiting; they empower us for profitable living. It is what differentiates one believer from another (1 Corinthians 4:7).

What Are Spiritual Gifts? Spiritual gifts are spiritual treasures embedded in the Holy Ghost for our profiting.

They include: • The Nine Gifts of the Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 and they are classified into three groups: • Power Gifts: They include the Gift of Faith, which boosts our capacity to believe God and His Word; the Gifts of Healing, which empowers our dominion over sicknesses and diseases; and the Working of Miracles, which gives us the capacity to live above impossibilities.

• Revelational Gifts: These include the Word of Wisdom, which makes kings in the Kingdom; Word of Knowledge, which empowers for exploits (Daniel 11:32); and Discerning of spirits, which helps us to overcome the traps

THE Oracles of God by

Frank Oboden Olomukoro frankolomukoro@yahoo.com, 07033621866

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od gives signs, scriptural signs with a scriptural voice. If the sign does not have any voice, then the sign is not right. And if the sign gives the same old ecclesiastical voice, if that voice hasn’t got a change from the orthodox voice, that sign isn’t from God. It must be a scriptural sign and a scriptural voice.

What is a sign given for? It is to attract attention. It is to attract the people’s attention to the voice that follows, which is the message or doctrine from God to the people.

You cannot figure out God. Moses saw the bush burning and it was not burning down the tree. It attracted his attention. As he turned to look, God spoke; the voice said, “take off your shoes” as it were; lay down your education, your private opinion and interpretation and look straight into the word of God. Moses took off his shoes and knelt down on the holy ground because God was on that

ground. The presence of God makes things holy. If God is in you, you become holy. If God is not in you, you can never be holy. Holiness comes when God separates you onto Himself only. He told Moses, “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and I remember my promise and I see the affliction of my people. I am sending you down to Egypt to bring my people out.” This is the voice to Moses unveiling God’s secrets after the sign.

Jesus was a well-thought-of a man. He was a young ‘rabbi’, the Prophet of Galilee. When He was healing the sick and all manner of diseases, casting out unclean spirits, raising the dead and so forth, He was a great man as long as the signs and wonders were done. But one day, He sat down and began to talk and tell them “I and the Father are one;” that was the voice that followed the signs and wonders. “I am the bread of life, if any man eats my flesh and drink my blood, he will have eternal life”

Faith

Coveting Spiritual Gifts for Supernatural Turnaround!

The Voice of

oday is Easter Sunday, a day when Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

As you celebrate, don’t forget that Christ is the reason for the season. I Wish You A Happy And Glorious Easter!

Spiritual gifts constitute the divine treasures in our earthen vessels that define our placement in destiny (2 Corinthians 4:7). That simply means we are positioned in destiny by the gifts of the Spirit, and God’s core gift for the believer is the Holy Ghost.

Grace is the mystery behind the making of every believer, and the gifts of the Spirit are facilitators of that grace. It is this unspeakable gift that unleashes God’s exceeding grace upon us (2 Corinthians 9:14-15). That means, all the gifts of the Spirit are to launch us into the realm of exceeding grace.

We also discover that every great story in scriptures is rooted in spiritual gifts at work; all giants of scriptures were spiritually gifted people. Certain definite spiritual gifts in their lives gave

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of the wicked.

• Inspirational or Vocal Gifts: They include Prophecies, through which we access things to come, Diversities of Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues―for our spiritual refreshing (1 Corinthians 14:2-4).

• The Seven Spirits of God as listed in Isaiah 11: 1-2. Each of the seven Spirits will make a star of any believer. Jesus possessed these seven Spirits (Revelation 3:1, 5:6). So, these Spirits are available on the earth. Since Jesus said the work He did we will do and greater works than that shall we do, then we must possess what He possessed. If He had the seven Spirits and we must do His work, then we must have the seven Spirits of God in our lives. That qualifies every believer to receive all of the seven Spirits of God. • They also include other tangible spiritual gifts such as the Spirit of Love, the Spirit of Visions and Guidance, the Spirit of Faith, etc. These are the ones I believe are called the spirits of just men made perfect. It is packaged in the spirit of cer-

tain anointed vessels. When we crave them, they are released into our lives (Philippians 1:7).

In Jude 1:3, we are admonished to contend earnestly for the faith that was once delivered to the saints―the same Spirit.

So, we can connect with the same Spirit of faith that operated in the lives of the men of Hebrews 11, to duplicate and multiply their kind of effect.

•Why Do I Need Spiritual Gifts?

To walk in power (Luke 10:19).

To access the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10).

To gain insight into things to come through visions and revelations (Romans 8:14; Joel 2:28). ➢ For profitable living (1 Corinthians 12:7). ➢ For fulfillment of destiny (Psalm 63:5-7). ➢ For supernatural breakthroughs (Isaiah 41:17-18). ➢ For supernatural blessings (Isaiah 44:3-5).

Friend, the power to access spiritual gifts is available, if you are saved. You

get saved by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as the Lord and Saviour of your life. If you are set for it, please say this prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today.

I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Now I know I am a child of God!” I will continue this teaching next week.

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books — Walking In The Supernatural and Walking In Wisdom.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. respectively.

I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.

The sign and the voice Oh! No! They didn’t want that.

They were ready for the sign, but the voice…they didn’t want.

“When you see the son of man ascending up from where He came from” they rebuffed his preaching and even attempted stoning Him; They said he has a ‘Belzebub’, they said He was born in fornication and altogether in sin. They said he was a glutton and a wine drinker. They eventually crucified Him. Luke said “There, they crucified Him” there, the most Holy City on earth. They, the most Holy People, being the only worshipers of Jehovah. Crucified, the most shameful death. Him, the most Holy man, Jehovah God, even the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus was their scriptural sign and they could not recognise Him. He told them who He was. He said “search the scriptures, in them you think you have eternal life and they are the one that testify of me”. Vindicated by God in Matthew 3:17 “He is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”. Seventy years later, as Jesus prophesied that judgment would come upon the nation of Israel for rejecting

their Messiah. Titus, the Roman General fulfilled that and Israel ceased to be a nation as they were scattered over the face of the earth for almost 2,000 years until 1948 when their nationhood was restored according to scriptural prophesies.

When God sends a gift to the earth, a sign-gift and the people believe it, that is one of the most glorious ages people ever lived.

But when He sends a sign and it is rejected, that generation goes into chaos. That is the example of what happened to the nation of Israel.

Nineveh was a great commercial city known for their industry in fishing. They worshipped idols and the whale was their sea-god.

One day, about 11 a.m, while they were out there fishing, here come their sea-god, opened up his mouth and the Prophet Jonah walked off the gang plank. No wonder they repented. Uh-huh!

See? That was a sign. Jonah was a sign. A sign to Nineveh. What was the voice? “Repent, or within forty days, God.” But destroy the place.”

Sign and the voice. The voice that

followed the sign ‘repent’.

Simon the sorcerer in Samaria bewitched the people with signs until he was acclaimed “This man is the great power of God” but after the sign, there was no voice. The Samaritans were not told any scriptural message as it were, from God. A proof that he was not from God. Simon the sorcerer confirmed God’s instruction to the Jews in Deut. 13:1 – 3 “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder. And the sign and the wonder came to pass, whereof he spoke unto thee saying, let us go after other gods, which thou has not known, and let us serve them.

Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams…because the voice is not of God.” Is there a prophet sign and a voice to humanity in this 21st century? Yes! We must search the scriptures and exhume the prophecy that is fulfilling in our present day. It is usually a prophet not a local assembly pastor or a TV evangelist or a renowned

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The blessing

Word Alive

Faith

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any times when Christians pray and ask God to bless them, they have their focus on material things such as cars, houses, a job, marriage etc, which are all very good though. But this is utterly erroneous. Firstly, they don’t understand what the blessing is, because if they do, they’d know that they don’t need to ask God to bless them for they’re already blessed. Secondly, the blessing isn’t the physical things you see - mansions, promotions, etc. but all these things are a result of the blessing. The blessing is a spiritual empowerment or enablement to prosper which gains physical expression through the material things you see like financial increase, blossoming health, etc. The blessing therefore produces all these things. Take a quick look at this portion of scripture, Proverbs 10:22: “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.”

Notice He didn’t say “the blessing of the LORD is the riches” but that “the blessing of the LORD, IT MAKETH rich”, therefore, the riches are a result of the blessing, but they are

not the blessing itself. Praise the Lord!

This is the same blessing God spoke over Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3. In the second verse, God said to him, “And I will make of thee a great nation, AND I WILL BLESS THEE, and make thy name great; AND THOU SHALT BE A BLESSING”.

So here, the spiritual enablement to prosper - the blessing came upon Abraham and by the next chapter - 13, the physical results began to show.

The Bible says, “And Abraham was VERY RICH IN CATTLE, IN SILVER, AND IN GOLD” (Genesis 13:2) Oh! What a life! The blessing functioned in him everywhere he went.

He was so blessed. The Bible records he refused gifts from a king so that the king won’t think or say that he has made Abraham rich.

“And Abraham said to the king of Sodom... I will not take from a thread even to a shoe latchet, and that I will not take anything that is thine, lest THOU SHOULDEST SAY, I HAVE MADE ABRAHAM RICH” (Genesis 14:21-23) This man was so bold! That’s a re-

with

sult of the blessing! It showed forth in his health – he was never sick or bed ridden. He didn’t die young neither was his death tragic. The Bible says he, “...died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years...” (Genesis 25:8). These and many more are the product or result of the blessing. It didn’t even stop working even when he sinned by lying to king Abimelech about Sarah (Genesis 20:1-18).

Instead, the Bible records that Abraham came out with more increase, “And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife. And Abimelech said, behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee. And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver...” (Verses 14-16) These happened because of the blessing. Why didn’t it stop when he did something wrong? Oh! Here’s the answer beloved, “”For God’s gifts are irrevocable. (He never withdraws them once they are given...) (Romans 11:29 AMP). The beautiful thing about

Boko Haram getting support from US United States. He alleged that the security challenges are hocking revelation about targeted at preventing Presithe insurgency and ter- dent Goodluck Jonathan from rorist network of PAGE Boko 27 getting re-elected in 2015.

CONTINUED FROM Haram has been made by “I am talking as a prophet.

Primate Elijah Ayodele of I am not talking as a politithe NRI Evangelical Church. cian or analyst. But Jonathan’s Speaking with New Telegraph second chance needs much on Sunday, he stated that prayer because the political Boko Haram is man-made turbulence of Boko Haram and has support from the is man-made and from the Tai Anyanwu

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United States of America.

Quote me; I am saying so, it is from United States of America. And the same USA will be the one that Nigeria is going to meet to help them with the Boko Haram issue.

The boys are not spirits and Shekau will not be captured alive,” he said.

He also predicted that the group’s leader, Abuba-

Blame preachers for unserious Christians –Nyamadi

compromising

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wisdom; that’s what he used to tell me. Though I believe that I have to be very faithful dealing with God’s children, I should not overlook anyone of them. That is why that even if they bring a matter you, you don’t say maybe this one is rich and this one is poor so you decide to side with the rich man or the rich woman. Bring all of them together as your children. Yes; if both of them need flogging you flog them. If one of them needs flogging you; tell him or her; the reason you are flogging him. So taking care of the children of God at this time of his absence, I am trying to apply wisdom with them; because so many questions are arising here and there.

I personally heard some people saying as the Overseer has died the church would scatter.

I just laughed because the former Overseer told me that he is leading us to heaven and that the church is not his own; and he is just leading us. And truthfully that’s what I have seen. In fact, he told me so many things which I

may not be able to disclose now. I know that he wanted me to take care of the children of God in his absence; that’s why he was telling me those things then, to prepare me. So those are the things that I’m applying now. I believe that as God’s children there is time to understand things one by one. So there is no problem.

There so many churches everywhere yet you still don’t see that holiness, Godliness in people. What do you think is happening?

The scripture talked about people trying to merchandise fellow human beings. That’s what you see happening in some churches.

They are just after their pockets; they are not after their souls. And those who are doing that I don’t know whether they read the Bible that whatever you do, you are going to give an account. Those people they are not trying to impart the fear of God in them. Anybody who has the fear of God will keep himself or herself holy. He or she must know that if he didn’t do that he is going to face problem at the end.

Pastor Newton Tel: 0803383929

righteousnessforallnationsinc@gmail.com

all of these is that that same blessing upon Abraham that did all these things for him is upon the life of the Christian. The moment you become born again, the supernatural empowerment comes into your life; for the Bible says in Galatians 3:9: “So then they which be of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.”

The people of faith are the believers - you and I, the Christians. In other words, the people of faith are blessed with Abraham’s blessing. That same blessing that worked for him is upon you beloved - don’t look for it somewhere else for it’s in you! If you are born again, the blessing is at work in you. The Bible says that in Christ, you are, “...called, that ye should inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). So if you are in Christ now, then you’ve already inherited a blessing. It’s at work in you now, hallelujah! That blessing will bring you prosperity, it will bring you health, it will bring you success and promotion for

kar Shekau will not be caught alive but killed in battle while Nigerians will later realise that Jonathan’s government is the best Nigeria has ever experienced.

“What Jonathan’s government has done, Nigerians will not realise it now. But in the nearest future, maybe in the next three years, I am telling you, Nigerians themselves will vote Jonathan as the best. We will not realise it now, we will not; but we will mark this government as the best. I am talking as a prophet.

I am not talking as a politician or analyst,’ he said.

“Let us pray, Nigeria’s economy could be the fastest in the next five years. I tell you and because of that prospect, the western world will betray Nigerian government. America, Germany, France and Israel will betray Nigerian government because they will be coming because of this economy, they will not be sincere. So it is time for Nigerian government to be careful not to give their glory to the western world. They will be the ones to say it is good, and the will be the ones to say it is not good. But I tell you Nigeria’s economy will grow faster in the next five years,” he said.

He went further to say that the electricity situation will not be resolved till 2016 and changes will be recorded in the oils sector.

that’s what it’s ordained to do in you.

When that blessing is at work in you, it keeps sickness and diseases away from you such that they can’t gain access into you. Oh! no wonder the Bible says, “And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick...” (Isaiah 33:24).

What inhabitant is He talking about? The inhabitant of Zion - the kingdom of God and that’s us brother.

God says we will never have reason to say “I’m sick” because of the blessing. Just as it kept Abraham and all his house from diseases and sickness including his servants, that same way, it’s keeping you too. Hey! That same blessing was at work in the man Isaac and it prospered him even amidst famine in the Philistine land of Gerar (Genesis 26:12-16). The Bible lets us know that Isaac sowed in the land and received in the same year, a hundred fold. He grew so much in prosperity that the Philistine nation who were at the time the world power, envied him.

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such vocational centres where skills are thought to people who otherwise will not be able to go the four walls of universities or higher institutions.

“When you do that you would have given somebody the empowerment to develop himself along certain skills,” the bishop explained.

Asked to suggest solution to the nation’s security challenges particularly Bok Haram, he said, “Somebody was in power when we had crisis in the Niger Delta. Today, Niger Delta is not the issue.

“What gave us that victory?”

“If we got that victory then that thing that gave us the victory in Niger Delta can be recycled in this matter.

“And when we are talking about recycling it, you know for example these people that are perpetrating this evil they are not invisible. They are somewhere.

“Let’s stop playing politics with the lives of helpless poor individuals. We are talking about the lives of thousands of Nigerians that have been killed; some of them children in the school sleeping on their beds, slaughtered, how many more and for how long?

“If we got that victory before somewhere then we can get it again.”

He urged National Conference delegates to se the task as a glorious opportunity entrusted on them by God to do well now so that history would hold them in high esteem.

“Let us use the opportunity of this conference to be sincere and then proffer solutions to all of the problems we have had in the past. We have almost the last opportunity to get it right. If we fail this time, there might be no redemption,” he warned.

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Faith

Word of FAITH by by

Apostle Clement Apostle Clement Ogbonna Ogbonna apostleofgraceinwof2010@gmail. apostleofgraceinwo com, 08036774737

T

he above question seems to be directed to young women only, but it is not true. In as much as a young womans dream of the kind of husband she wants in life, a young man is also bothered with the issue. For instance, if a man is poor, unintelligent, evil, and dubious or has a stigma on his life, this same question is also directed to them.

Of course, who would like to marry a lazy young man, a thief, a womanizer, a drug addict or criminal? In the other angle, a young rich man who does not know the reasons young ladies surround his life has this question to ask. He wishes to know who comes because of his money or because she loves him.

This is indeed a puzzle!

In choosing the right mate, every marriageable youth has the task of finding the right partner.

Many years ago, or in the days of our forefathers and our fathers, marriage directives or guidelines were given by family or extended family members. The decided on whom to marry and whom not to marry. They had the final answer to marriage questions and nobody

argued with them. But today, the changes that evolved in our cultures, traditions, and educational systems have in greater proportion put an end to the old ideology on marriage. The young people of the contemporary world depend on God through the church to guide them well in knowing and choosing whom to marry.

In view of the above revelation, it is therefore pertinent to enlighten the young persons on some basic considerations for finding the right marriage partner in relation to the Bible- God’s word on marriage. This should be everyone’s hunger if one wants to enjoy ones marriage. In view of this, however, a marriage counselor, William Lyon Phelps, holds that: The highest happiness on earth is in marriage.

Everyone who is happily marriage is a successful man even if he has failed in everything else. And every man whose marriage is a failure is not a successful man even if he has succeeded in every else.

So, if anyone wants to succeed, he or she should find out the will and purpose of God for his or her life and marriage. The person should follow the Bible standards and the diving instructions in this book. If a

Who will marry me? marriage must be successful, then God must be totally involved. And it must be between one man and one woman. The union is formed so that the man and the woman involved may be helpful to each other, and useful members of their society, and extended instruments of God in procreation and enlargement of the world. Read Genesis 1:26-30, Genesis 2:18-24 Mathew 19:4-6.

Partner 1. Characters/Qualities to expect from partner: Loyalty, integrity, decency dependability, kindness, and honesty. Rule out anyone who is violent.

2. Friendship: Marry a person who will handle you as a friend.

Marry a friend and not a ghost; a person you can share your passions and interests with, and he or she can help you be what you want to be.

3. Value: You don’t have to think alike in everything. Discuss how you will spend your money, have kids, and how to raise them, and where you would like to live and raise them.

4. Sex: Do you like his or her physique? Can you look proudly on his or her body. Do you enjoy the odour of his or her body? Is he or she a person with which you can have fun and good conversations?

5. Kindness: Marry a person who helps people or helps out in time of

Mystery of the Kingdom A

ccepting and applying the word of God in politics, will make her politics that of allocation of scarce resources to the greater majority of the people of the nation. This is indeed the meaning of the word POLITICS .God made man inherently political .

Group 2- Some seeds fell upon the rock and sprang up, but the seed lacked moisture. These ones heard the word; they received this word with joy, they have no root. They believe for a while, they get excited may be join a department, begin to come for mid week services – show signs of seriousness. But they have no root. They have no shock absorber. No staying power. As soon as temptation comes, they fall off. Your response to temptation in your life is what shows whether you have roots or not. The temptation that comes therefore is the trial that the word attracts so as to prove your hold on God. Every believer will be tried, for God to prove you. He said concerning Abraham, now I know that…Each temptation or trial you overcome is one more laurel for you. Some of us are being tried in the area of money,

to know if we can remain consistent whether there is money or not. Have you learnt how to abound and how to abase; How to be praiseful in abundance and in lack? As soon as you pass this test, you are promoted. The solution to temptation is not prayer and fasting, it is to overcome. Stop falling in that area of weakness, God is waiting for you to overcome it. Add moisture to the seed, so it will not dry up. Your moisture is your ability to hang in there until you pass through to victory. It could be in the area of the opposite sex, when will you overcome the allure of the opposite sex?

Until and unless you overcome this temptation, you cannot move on to the next level of your life. It’s normally after a test that you are promoted to the next class .It’s a test that produces testimony.

GROUP 3-. Some seeds fell among thorns; the seeds and the thorns sprang up together, and grew side by side. These ones hear the word, receive the word, go forth and are chocked by the cares, riches, pleasures of this life; they are unable to bring their fruit to perfection.

Cares of this life, riches and pleasures

of this life. Listen, if you cannot look away from this life and what this life offers seemingly, just forget it, you cannot serve God. If you cannot look at gain, look at pleasures of life and consciously reject them, my dear, you will miss eternity. We need to tell ourselves the truth. Stop quarrelling with God’s word, ministers of the gospel and pastors. The word of God is the seed of life. How it is handled determines what you get out of life.We must be careful to define properly what pleasures of life mean .I believe this is what drives some people into a level of asceticism that appears repulsive to an average worshipper .If one feels the calling of an eunuch, that is fine and beautiful and it’s a demonstration of a level of fellowship with God .The only caveat here is that you cannot make your personal experience a doctrine .In fact our problem in the Church is that we lack a regulatory frame work by which we can measure a new teaching ,or doctrine and or practice. Every view expressed by any one is tested in the market place, which in the churches .It should have been better to test new waves in some kind

need, buys gifts-surprising gifts on most occasions, and says loving things to you.

6. A sense of hurmour: Marry a person who can laugh, crack jokes even when there are conflicts, troubles, and problems. It is a treasure to have such a person as a wife or a husband. Marry a person who can handle anything, especially disagreements with people.

7. Ability to Communicate: Marry a person who is open. A person, when he or she is angry, he or she will say it, and the reason for his or her annoyance. Do not marry a person who acts out anger by slamming the door, being late or staring at the television.

8.

Intimacy: Marry someone who can be open to discuss his or her hopes and fears.

9. Commitment: Marry someone who shows you great concern and deep involvement in the relationship. How much energy can the person put into a matter that concerns you? This is an issue of paramount importance.

10 Respect: Don’t marry someone who doesn’t respect himself or herself. If you do, the person won’t respect you. Marry someone who values your feelings, goals and priorities.

11. Faith in Christ: Marry someone whose faith is strong

to carry your marriage through even in the midst of calamities.

In that marital relationship you are into with that young man or woman, ask these questions.

A. How loose is his or her relationship with God? B. How loose is his or her relationship with others C. What things do you have in common?

D. Has he or she positive attitude about marriage E. Does he or she make future plans that include you?

F. Do you compliment each other intellectually. Spiritually, and financially?

G. Is he or she happy with himself or herself, his her job, appearance, and life generally?

H. Does he or she take care of his or herself.

Note that anyone you want to marry must be a man or a woman you would want to be by your Note that anyone you want to marry must be a man or a woman you would want to be by your side for the rest of your life. So, you should choose the rest of your life. So, you should choose your marriage mate or partner wisely and prayer because your future happiness depends on it.

CHURCH && the STATE by

Oscar Ossai

Email: info@cityofrefugministry.net.

Phone:08033065892

of laboratory, set up controls before it filters out into the mainstream. Again by this I renew my call for a Ministry of Christian Religious Affairs .A structure like this can design how this type of problem can be dealt with and pass it through the National Assembly and it becomes a law of the land. This type of pattern was what made the teachings of Rev John Calvin effective in Switzerland .He began teachings on the rights of man ,introduced interests on lending ,and designed democracy as a system of government based on Isaiah 33 v 22 .”God is our judge, our king and our law giver.” His teachings were adopted by parliament ,fine tuned and passed into law.

Some Quakers who were graduates of Calvin Institute were those that left the United Kingdom and founded a place to worship God unencumbered.

That place called the New found land is the America all of us are trooping

to today .

GROUP 4-The others fell on good soil, sprang up and produced fruit one hundred fold. I Like Matthew’s account .It was simply a hundred fold return of investment in the believer’s life .A good soil receiving the word of God as a seed produced a man like St.Paul, A woman like Kathryn Khulman, giants of the faith like Morris Cerullo, Kenneth Hagin and our great names like Benson Idahosa, E.A Adeboye , Uma Ukpai , Mike Okonkwo and so many other men of God known today .Start with accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal saviour. Confess that you are sinner needing a savior ,get connected to a living church .It is interesting that no one in Nigeria has EXCELLED from the church in the field of politics and governance. Our next study will be those that excelled in other climes in this field. keep reading .

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Faith

Revelational LOVE by

She broke the jar

Franca Anyanwu

fined and described in seven interesting ways according to the Oxford English Dictionary.

To interrupt a sequence or “... She poured perfume on my course: In other words, to stop body before hand to prepare for something that has been hapmy burial. I tell you the truth, pening or to abort something. wherever the gospel is preached It is like breaking a routine. throughout the world, what she You are designed to break an has done will also be told in mem- old sequence in your lineage, ory of her (Mark 14:8-9).” company, country or sequence This woman did something to breaker. Jesus said about John earn something. In our every day the Baptist. language, we normally say that “For all the prophets and the “Nothing goes for nothing”, every law prophesied UNTIL JOHN” good thing in life has a price tag. (Matt 11:13) Nothing just happens. She came Quite revealing: The prophas a sinner, broke a jar of very ets prophesised until john. expensive perfume and earned What does that mean? It means an instant new status, applauded that John began a new season

by Jesus and envied by those and dispensation. The old around her. What will you break ended with him and the new today that will change your life started with him. If poverty forever? You may need to break rules in your family, let it hapa relationship, a negative habit, a pen until you. God wants you world view; a long held percep- to represent two things in your tion, a personal tradition or an old family. rule to experience freedom and 1. The end of the old and fulfillment. Get ready to do some 2. The beginning of the new strategic breaking to enable you order. Stand up on both feet and to do that effectively. Let us define break the negative sequence in the word “BREAK”. your life today.

The word BREAK can be de.To beat a record: If you are

08033408354 or email: francaanyawu@gmail.com

“A

woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head” (Mark 14:3) The nameless woman in the above text broke an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume and emptied all the contents on Jesus.

That simple action changed her life forever.

Jesus spoke of her action as being revelatory and done for his death and burial. The words of Jesus concerning what she did must have instantly changed her reputation because a sinner as she was described by Luke was not expected to have a revelation from God or be allowed to anoint a prophet.

She broke the jar and the stigma of sin was broken over her. Her past instantly forgotten as Jesus started speaking to her eternal relevance in the preaching of the gospel.

live in a fast age where everything changes with every passing second and holding onto a set of rules in such a time is dangerous because it creates an invisible lid on your progress.

Rules are meant to be broken and replaced with better rules.

The woman in our text broke a jar. She also broke a rule when she poured perfumed on a living man-an exercise the Jews perform on dead bodies. She failed to observe that rule. .To soften a fall Soften a fail? It means to stop a failing object or at least reduce the force of its fall. You were born to end and soften the fall of your family and friends.

You were planted in this world as a seed of success for your family, friends, community, country and the whole world.

You are a child of comfort anointed from birth to save the people around you from the claws of failure penury.

To break means “to soften a fall”, and you were born to become a breaker. You will break the jar of failure over life and generation.

The Jericho and the man

T

here are some things the enemy has shut down in your life because he doesn’t want you to go in and possess your possession. Have you ever wondered why the city of Jericho was shut down? Of course, the devil knows what belongs to you; somehow he has an idea of the plan of God for your life, hence, he is out to frustrate it.

“Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey- riding on a donkey’s colt.” Zech 9:9 (NLT) When the prophecy was sent forth, the devil heard it, that the righteous ‘King of Jerusalem’ (which is Jesus Christ) would come victoriously on a colt; he then tried to figure out which colt would be used and went to tie the colt in a far away remote village. In the same vein, the devil saw that God had plans to give the land of Jericho to the children of Israel so he quickly moved in order to counter this and make it difficult and impossible. The devil has built walls so that you will not enter into your promised land, he has moved to tamper with some things in your life, these shall be reversed in Jesus name.

“NOW JERICHO (a fenced town with high walls) was tightly closed because of the Israelites; no one went out or came in.” Josh 6:1 (AMP) Jericho was over-populated, so much so that people could build on top of the

a sports lover like me, you may have heard how the great athlete lewis set a record in the 100 meters dash and later came back to break his own record because there was no one else to do do. What lewis displayed is called growth.

To break your own record is to become better, stronger, more experienced and well increased in capacity. Your daily goal should be to continually beat your own record by going a step further to do more than you have done in the past.

Do something now: try harder. Break your family’s record today. There is nothing wrong in being the first person to do something in your family. Go ahead! You are a jinx breaker.

Fail to observe a rule or agreement: Something like breaking a rule makes one stand out. I am not talking about being rebellious but being on the right path, which is unpopular. I am talking about going against limiting traditions and formalities. One of the effective ways of changing a rule is failing to observe it. We

fence. Now you can imagine how wide and mighty the fence would be. Before you enter into your inheritance, you will be confronted with a wall. I have come to tell you that there is a wall standing between you and your promised land but that wall will collapse right before you in the name of Jesus.

Here are some truths about the land of Jericho. It is a place of possession. It is also a place of discipline. Jericho was the first land they had to possess things from. Invariably, Jericho was their first fruit and offering.

Jericho was their first fruit (the first land they had to conquer), hence, God specifically instructed them not to touch or take anything from there; but one of them, out of greed, stole something which he hid in his tent. This withdrew the heavenly protection, provision and counsel that the people of Israel enjoyed freely. There is a place God is taking you but Jericho has kept you stagnant for too

long. Today, that Jericho will fall in the name of Jesus. That scripture says, the city was tightly closed for no other reason than the Israelites. Listen to me, the devil is a copycat. Whenever you see the devil anywhere, then you know that God is there or had been there earlier. God always moves first before the devil; you’ve got to know that even from the beginning it is not the devil that came first. Before and even when you were born, God was there, thereafter, the devil came. Why are you confronted with insurmountable wall? It is because the devil heard when God promised He would take you to a place of rest and so he is doing all he can to stop you. Before you were born they had built a fortress and even purposed to lock up your destiny but the battle is not yours but God’s.

“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, ‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’ ‘Neither,’ he replied, ‘but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.’

Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, ‘What message does my Lord have for his servant?’”

Josh 5:13-14 (NIV) Long before you get to confront that wall, God had sent ‘a man’ ahead of you.

It is a pity sometimes you don’t know

you are going to meet a wall in life. Initially, Joshua thought the battle was his but he was wrong. Thank God he was sensitive enough to see the man before he confronted the wall. There is a wall of joblessness, poverty, suffering and rejection before you; you are skilled yet you have nothing to show for it. You are good but nothing spectacular is happening, The Lord will send an angel as ‘the man’ ahead of you to take you through the wall in the name of Jesus. God Himself is aware of the kinds of walls before you so He wouldn’t send ordinary men but men with voices, people that have the power to absorb problems. The Lord sent a man from heaven; this man is not an ordinary man.

The different kinds of people you see out there also are not just ordinary. Most of them have the places they visit; they have either angels or demons working on their case and in their favour. Joshua thought he could fight alone but God made him understand he needed instructions which he had to follow strictly. I also pray for a heart to receive instructions and follow them to the letter in Jesus name.

I know you have been blessed.

Write and share your testimonies, comments, etc., with me.

To be concluded next week.

MARKETS&MALLS

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Tel: 08027790557

Fake products: Traders blame influx of Asians into Nigerian markets Chijioke Iremeka

A

sians in Nigeria’s electronics retail business are flooding the markets with fake and substandard electronics, traders have alleged.

Traders at the Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, said that with dropping price regime brought by the influx of the Asians have come reduced quality.

According to Chinedu Okolo, a trader, who deals in computer accessories, the major problem in the market has to do with fake and substandard products.

“With the emergence of the Asians in the computer business, prices and quality are dropping sharply. As far as Computer Village is concerned, you can’t rule out the presence of Asians, especially the Chinese,” he said.

Okolo said those selling original products hardly get patronage while those dealing in substandard vari-

ants are doing well. He said the reason is because Nigerians want cheap products.“but the quality is another thing.”

He said the prices of original products are higher and customers are tempted to compare the prices, except for the choosy few who insist on the right quality, notwithstanding the cost.

“It is not only the consumers and traders that are losing money; the country is losing heavily to these fake products. Twice the cost of the original types of the substandard products is spent on repairs,” he lamented.

Also speaking, Nwafor Ebele, a graduate of Business Administration and retailer of telephone batteries, said Nigerians waste more than the cost price of products on regular

repairs.

New Telegraph on Sunday learnt that while an original Nokia battery sells for about N500, the fake one goes for N200. But the fake battery can either get blown due to overcharging or suffer poor current retention unlike the original one.

Our correspondent further learnt that the foreigners started moving into Computer Village in the late 1990s but their activities became visible in 2005. They started acquiring property and doing business with some local traders.

“If they don’t partner the local traders, they go all out to secure their own shops. Usually, their shops are massive and accommodate a range of products that they deal in. But like I said, their business has helped us

too,” Nwafor stated.

The Asians are said to be into the repairs of laptops.

The Nigerian traders also called on government to restrict the activities of Asians in the Nigerian markets to manufacturing and supply of products.

“The government can rise up against this Asian invasion of Nigerian markets because our brothers don’t do the same in their country,” one of them said.

Traders at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, said the Asians make their business less lucrative.

Mrs. Adaure Emeka noted that the Chinese market at Ojota was once shut down by the government due to the level of fake and substandard products sold there. She added

that today, business is still on at the Ojota China market, but it suffers low patronage. “ I want to believe that consumers are beginning to understand the difference between the Asian-made products and others. For those who have not discovered the difference, I’m sure that with time, they will discover that the products sold at the Chinese market do not last, and then, they will move inward into the major markets in the state,” she said.

The Chinese, according to her, do not have good or new brands rather they copy and fake the popular ones in the market in such a way that people don’t get to distinguish between the brands.

GSM association names LG Electronics ‘most innovative’ company Chijioke Iremeka

T

he GSM Association has named LG Electronics the Most Innovative Device Manufacturer of the Year 2014, at the 19th annual Mobile World Congress awards, held in Barcelona, Spain.

The GSMA is an association of mobile operators and related companies devoted to supporting the standardising, deployment and promotion of the GSM mobile telephone system.

According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), GSMA Ltd., John Hoffman, global mobile awards is showcasing outstanding level of innovation and creative products and services being developed across a diverse and growing industry.

“With more than 680 high calibre entries this year, the competition was stronger than ever and it is a significant achievement to have been honoured today. The GSMA warmly congratulates LG Electronics and all other Global Mobile Awards winners. We recognise those who took part for continuing to drive mobile communications into the future,” he said.

L-R Secretary Taskforce, Ojo International Market Centre, Lagos, Sebastine Ejimudo; member, Chidi Agim; Chairman, Ojo International Market Centre, Mr. Godwin Ibe; and Secretary, security committee, Joseph Duruji, during the inauguration of the taskforce….Monday

Ojo market centre inaugurates taskforce Paul Ogbuokiri

T

he Chairman, Ojo International Market Trade Centre, Lagos, Mr. Godwin Ibe, has said that the leadership of the market association decided to enlarge the ‘market taskforce’ because it wants an all inclusive market management.

He told our correspondent on Tuesday at the market that the taskforce inaugurated on Monday had been in existence for a long time but was recently enlarged to include representatives from investors (property owners) and traders.

He explained that the taskforce

would be responsible for the maintenance of order in the market. It would also ensure that rules and regulations of the market are strictly observed by investors and traders.

According to him, the committee ensures that business transaction in the market is in such a way that nobody is cheated.

Ibe also said that members of the taskforce would serve as the policemen of the market.

“All complaints go to the security committee. If a customer feels wronged by any trader, he channels his or her complaint to the committee. The committee in turn will

ensure that he or she gets redress.

Traders here cannot deliberately sell fake products to customers because the committee will ensure that the customer gets redress.

“Also, if a customer comes to intimidate a trader, the committee will handle the matter so that the trader’s right is not trampled upon.

It is only when the matter is beyond their capacity that they refer it to the police,” he said.

He further said that with the committee firmly in place, business transactions in the market would be organised in an orderly manner.

He said the taskforce would also

join hands with the security committee to ensure that goods are safely secured in the market.

He said the committee would be directly responsible for overnight security of goods in the market.

Ibe said the innovations his leadership is introducing in the market were part of measures he promised to put in place to ensure that investors, traders and customers make the market their first choice for business.

According to him, all the committees report to the chairman, to ensure quick response to issues and enforcement of rules.

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Jubilation as court scraps Park and Pay policy Johnchuks Onuanyim and Tunde Oyesina

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t was jubilation and relief for motorists in the Federal Capital Territory as an Abuja High Court on Thursday ruled against the Park and Pay policy of the FCT Administration.

The Park and Pay policy that was introduced by the FCT Administration in the last two years became a nightmare to motorists in Abuja as they could not guarantee that their cars would not be locked by the operators of the companies.

The policy, which mandates motorists to pay N50 and above or get their cars clamped, was introduced by the present administrators of FCT. Motorists had severally complained about the policy as the operators applied impunity in clamping down cars and towing same to their offices. They usually charged N5, 000 for a clamped car and N25, 000 for any car towed to their office.

Although motorists were expected to pay N50 for every 30 minutes their car is being parked at the designated parking space, the operators were not refunding money for hours not used.

They were usually more interested in clamping cars after the expiration of time paid for.

Also of concern to Abuja motorists was the extension of this policy to untarred roads. The Transport Secretary of FCT, Jonathan Ivoke, had told New Telepgraph on Sunday had said that it was illegal for Park and Pay operators to collect money at such places since no value had been added on the roads.

It was the view of many motorists in Abuja that the policy was illegal and that the operators were taking laws into their hands. This was what made Sun Trust Savings Loans Limited to challenge the policy in an Abuja High Court.

The plaintiff had sued the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and two others challenging them on the legality of collecting fees from motorists through the park and pay policy.

The plaintiff amongst other things asked the court to determine whether the park and pay policy was in pursuance of any Act of the National Assembly as provided by the 1999 Constitution and whether the defendants can exer-

cise the powers to collect taxes, rates and fees without the act of the National Assembly.

Upon the resolution, the plaintiff sought a declaration that the pay and park policy scheme was ultra-vires, illegal and not pursuant to any Act of the National Assembly, a declaration that the defendants are not constitutionally empowered to collect tax, fees and rate in the FCT without an act of the national assembly and an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents and privies from collecting taxes, fees and issuing of parking violation charges.

The plaintiff also sought the refund of N20,000 collected by the third defendant and another N100 million in exemplary damages.

Justice Affen in determining the suit held that though the first defendant can make laws to collect taxes, fees and rates in the FCT, but the 2005 bye law of the FCT did not contemplate the park and pay scheme rather made provision for park and ride, “which is not being implemented.”

He further held that the FCT Road Transport Regulation though made elaborate provisions, “but I was not fortunate enough to find the park and pay scheme in the 2005 FCT by law. What it provided for under section 118 and 119 is the park and ride scheme. “ For reasons of clarity, I will state out those provisions in extensor. Section 118 states that the transport secretary may from time to time designate any operational area or zone as a park and ride

A claped vehicle in Abuja

area or route for the purposes of traffic management between 6 am and 6 pm.”

In granting the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, the judge declared the scheme illegal, ultra vires, null and void.

The judge also restrained the first defendant from collecting any taxes, rates and fees from motorists except such is provided for by a valid subsidiary legislation.

“The defendants by themselves, privies, agents, servants or whatsoever name called are hereby restrained from

operating pay and park scheme save and except the same is provided for or authorised by a valid bye law,” the judge ruled.

While commending the judgment, the plaintiff ’s counsel, Ekene Okwubanego, expressed happiness saying the court has vindicated them.

“I want to believe that the honourable minister of FCT being one of the key ministers of this administration will comply with the judgment of the court,” Okwubanego said.

He humiliates me for my inability to bear him a child, wife tells court Tunde Oyesina

O

ne Mary Mainasara has dragged her husband Jika before an Abuja Customary Court, asking for divorce due to alleged constant brutalisation and humiliation.

Mainasara appealed to the court to grant her a divorce, as her husband frequently humiliates her because she has yet to bear a child for him.

She accused him of beating her regularly over petty issues.

She said, “What really pains me most is that he has the habit of always humili-

ating me in public at the slightest opportunity and told me on many instances that he no longer loves me and that I should leave his house.’’

She further informed the court that her husband sold her land without her consent.

According to Mainasara, all efforts by family members, friends and church members towards resolving the problem have not yielded any positive fruit.

“Immediately after any peace talk, my husband reverses to his old self,’’ she said.

Mainasara also accused her husband

of impregnating a girl, whom she said he intends to marry. She told the court that her husband told her to look elsewhere for another husband.

“I had to leave his house. I was no longer able to cope with all the humiliation and beatings,’’ she said.

She appealed to the court to issue an order to her husband restraining him from further harassment, battery and threat to her life.

Presiding Judge Suleiman Ismaila, however, adjourned the case for further hearing.

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Abuja Beats

Insecurity: All hands must be on deck -Fr. Bologo As Nigerians celebrate Easter today, the Parish Priest of Holy Cross Parish, Gwarimpa, Abuja, Rev. Fr. Christopher Bologo, in this interview with NNAMDI AMADI speaks on the significance of the celebration to humanity as well as the threat of insecurity What is the significance of Easter to Christians?

Easter is the celebration of the triumph of good over evil. It looked like at some point evil was triumphing because of the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross, but three days after he rose from death as he had prophesied that He would destroy the temple in three days and rebuild it. So it is the triumph of goodness over evil; triumph of life over death.

After man sinned and brought death unto himself, God out of love sent Jesus Christ, His only son into the world and to go through a process - through the human way - and eventually win life for man again. So now death is only a passage to life. It is not an end. The transition of man brought about by the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the Easter we celebrate.

It is not just for Christians or Catholics alone, it is for humanity in general.

It is for the whole world. Christ paid our debt. We owed but now we do no longer owe and the only thing we need to do on our part now is to accept that Jesus has paid this debt, though the whole world cannot just accept that

fact now. The Kingdom of God is a gradual process.

Even in the days of Jesus, when he was physically present very few people accepted Him. Even among the Jews who are Jesus’ brothers and sisters, not a good number accepted his message.

The Jews have their own way of worship and they are still expecting their messiah as a matter of fact. So people are worshipping God through different ways. You have Buddhism, Hinduism, but that doesn’t take away the fact that Jesus died for the whole humanity. This is our belief. Yes, he paid the supreme sacrifice for us and what he did, left for him alone he would not have had reasons to do it. It was our sin that pushed him to do that.

Does the message of Christ have relevance in governance? There seems to be a wide gulf between precepts and practice.

You know human beings are tough people.

We are refusing to follow the example that Christ has left for us. Mahatma Gandhi we are told said he likes Christ but he doesn’t like Christians because according to him Christ

Court dissolves marriage between wife, missing husband

Tunde Oyesina

A

Karu Upper Area Court, Abuja has dissolved a six-year-old marriage between one Aisha Abubakar and her husband, Hamza who was alleged to have been missing since 2009.

The President of the court, Ibrahim Walliyyullahi, granted the divorce in view of the efforts of the court and supporting documents before it.

The court noted that it had earlier summoned two of her in-laws, who reside in Kaduna State to verify the petitioner’s claims.

According to him, instead of appearing in court, the most senior member of the family, Alhaji Yau Musa, addressed a letter to the court that the family has no objections to the peti-

tioner’s request.

The court further said that the letter signed

by Musa, indeed, confirmed that Aisha’s husband had been missing for four years and eight months. The letter however asked the court to grant Aisha’s request.

The court therefore dissolved the marriage and ordered Aisha to observe a waiting period of four months and 10 days from the day of judgement before remarrying.

“She is to observe an iddah period of four months and 10 days.

“She should also not dispose any property of her missing husband in her possession until he must have clocked the age of 60 or 70 according to Islamic law,’’ the court held.

is a good man but Christians have refused to follow the footsteps of their leader. So you find Christians among those leaders who are not making sacrifices for their people. You know man is selfish and we must be prepared to say a total ‘no’ to selfishness; that is why he triumphed on the cross and paid the price. So, we are meant to sacrifice for others. If we don’t sacrifice, nothing good can come around. As a country, our leaders must make sacrifices and pay prices, especially considering the rot in the system. If sacrifices are not made by our leaders for the good of Nigerians, our country cannot move forward.

This Easter we are celebrating was preceded by the Lenten period. Can you please comment on it and its relationship with Easter.

Lent is a period of penance. It is a period when we do a little more to reconcile and get closer to God and one another. It is a time set aside for us to do more of fasting, praying and alms giving. It is a preparatory period and we go through spiritual activities so that we can have a beautiful Easter celebration. If you don’t have a good Lent, you really cannot have a good Easter because they are tied together and one builds on the other.

How will you rate the impact of the just concluded Year of Faith on the people?

Yes, it did have some good impact because so many activities were carried out and people were reminded of the tenets of their faith. The need for us to move from one level to another and deepen the faith that we have received. So it had a huge impact on the people and that impact is showing. You see, the word of God has been deepened among the people. It has been spread in a deeper way and the need for us to practice our faith in appropriate way.

What is your reaction to the renewed violence in the country, especially the recent case of bomb blast in Abuja and abduction of students in Borno?

It is a sad event because it is like Boko Haram cannot be restrained from some of their activities. Inasmuch as I have said that, I also want to say that we should not just focus all our

Rev. Fr. Christopher Bologo

attention to Boko Haram. We should look at the possibilities of people capitalising on what Boko Haram is doing and unleashing terror on the people. Each time these things happen, I ask myself: what is the essence of this, what is the point? The people who are doing these, what are they looking for? It is good to know what they are looking for because it doesn’t make sense that you go and kill innocent people or kidnap children.

It doesn’t look like they have conscience, including those who are sponsoring them. It involves a whole lot of logistics to do what they are doing. So they have huge sponsors. Terrorism involves a whole lot of money. So who is giving them the money? Security agencies need to step up their effort to apprehend all those behind these things.

With all these happenings now in the world, don’t you think the much talked about endtime is here?

The Bible tells us that there might be signs but we won’t really know when. It can be tomorrow, it can be in two years or 100 years; nobody knows, only God knows.

What is your Easter Message to the people?

We should take our security very seriously; we should put hands together no matter where you come from or belong to because when they want to bomb, they don’t separate those who are from All Progressives Congress (APC) from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). So, all hands must be on deck with the government, which has the greater responsibility in tackling insecurity problems before it totally gets out of hand.

We pray that the rising of Christ brings a new dawn in the heart of men and women of Nigeria so that we can begin to chart a totally new course for the country.

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APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Abuja Beats

Traders take over FCT’s pedestrian bridges Amadi Nnamdi

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ll over the world, pedestrian bridges are constructed for the sole purpose of aiding people cross major roads without difficulty so as to prevent avoidable road accidents. These bridges as a matter of fact go a long way in helping old people, women and children cross busy roads without being knocked down by vehicles.

But a look at the beehive of activities on many pedestrian bridges in the Federal Capital Territory, you may begin to ponder if the FCT Administration had something extra in mind when it embarked on the constructing of such bridges all over the city and its environs.

Inundated with reports of several deaths and casualties as a result of road accidents involving pedestrians and motorists, the FCTA embarked on massive construction of these pedestrian bridges across the Federal Capital Territory.

The administration identified six critical areas where the pedestrian bridges should be sited and these are: the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway by Tafawa Balewa (Old Secretariat); Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway by Olusegun Obasanjo (Wuye Junction); Shehu Yar’Adua Way

by Okonjo Iweala Way (V.I.O Mabushi); Shehu Yar’Adua Way by Ladi Kwali Street (Sheraton Junction); Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway by Ahmadu Bello Way (Banex Junction) and Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway by Shehu Shagari Way (Nicon Junction) to add up to the existing ones at Nyanya, Lugbe and Kubwa.

Before the bridges were constructed, more than 100 people died from road accidents yearly, arising from reckless driving or over-speeding along the city’s major highways, according to statistics from the Federal Road Safety Commission.

From Mararaba, on the eastern fringes of the capital city to Nasarawa State to the main city centre, you will find the Mararaba bridge now almost entirely taken over by the destitute and petty traders. The Nyanya and Mogadishu barracks bridges seem to be the only ones on that axis yet to be invaded by petty traders and destitutes.

Nonetheless, these ‘bridge traders’ don’t lack patronage from commuters.

Mabel, a regular customer of the Mararaba pedestrian ‘bridge market’ said she prefers buying some things from the bridge.

“Though this bridge market is quite risky I prefer them because of their cheap commodities and they save me the stress of going into the rowdy mararaba and Nyanya market just to pick up few things,” she said.

Mannassah, a traffic warden at the ever busy Mararaba road, confirmed

that the bridge is besieged with petty traders and beggars especially in the evening when they impede the free flow of human traffic across the bridge. He added However that though some pedestrians would still not use the bridge even if there are no traders there, citing height-phobia and delay as their reasons.

In this category of people described by Manassah is Ekandem Ufre , who said, “The bridge is a no-go area for me. Due to the rowdiness of the bridges, I avoid them it like plague. Some times I imagine there will be some dangerous people there like a pick-pockets and other petty thieves. So I don’t even go up there. Even though it is dangerous, I prefer to cross the road directly than using the pedes-

trian bridge.”

Lugbe Airport road is not left out.

Petty traders storm the bridges every evening to do their businesses, despite harassment from the authorities.

Of all the pedestrian bridges the Galadima bridge seems to be the most notorious as traders there carry on their business with impunity.

When Abuja Beats tried to enquire into their reasons for trading on bridges, some of these traders cited the high cost of getting shops in conventional markets, good patronage from commuters, nonpayment of taxes and levies as their co-traders in conventional markets do as their reasons for turning the bridges into markets.

Interestingly, the buying and selling on top of the Nicon junction bridge by Nnamdi Azikiwe Road seems to be organised as the traders and pedestriancustomers met there by Abuja Beats seemed a bit indifferent about the implication of their actions. Some of the traders who refused to give their names blamed the government for not providing for the poor masses hence they resort to self-help.

“It is better they sell here than to join armed robbery,” they added.

Meanwhile, the traders on Nicon bridge have organised themselves into a union which according to their interim Coordinator, Mr. Sunday Ohaneche, they are about to formalise its registration.

Ohaneche, a dealer in clothes, while speaking on behalf of the traders said their purpose of coming together is to approach the government for alternative space allocation where they can legitimately do their trading without harassment from the authorities.

“The cost of shops in Abuja is very high, that is why we are here for now praying to get allocation from the government,” he added.

All efforts to reach officers of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) positioned at the Nicon junction (few metres) away from the pedestrian bridge proved abortive as the personnel our correspondent met at their mobile office said their superior officer who is in a better position to comment on the matter was not available.

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APRIL 20, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Sport / News

Injury rules Yobo out of Liverpool cracker Ifeanyi Ibeh

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orwich City’s on-loan defender, Joseph Yobo, has been ruled out of Sunday’s Premier League clash against title favourites, Liverpool.

The Super Eagles defender has made eight appearances for the Canaries since joining on-loan for the remainder of the season at the end of January from top Turkish side, Fenerbahce, and has led the team’s backline to three clean sheets in those games.

The 33-year-old Nigerian captain however missed last weekend’s loss to Fulham and will also miss today’s eagerly anticipated visit of Liverpool to Carrow Road.

“Joseph will be out for another week at least. He has had a scan on his calf and it would be a week or maybe two weeks, we don’t know,” said Norwich manager, Neil Adams.

He added: “The sooner the better he is back but he had the scan two or three days ago and he’s one we’ve got to manage.”

With the Super Eagles skipper unavoidably absent, and Cameroo-

nian defender, Sebastien Bassong currently out-of-favour, the coach would stick with the central defensive pair of Russell Martin and Michael Turner against Liverpool’s fearsome forward line in Easter Sunday’s Premier League tussle at Carrow Road.

Norwich have only won seven times out of 17 games at home this

season and Liverpool visit looks set to further consign the Canaries to the second-tier Championship.

Adams is happy for his Norwich City to be written off against the title favourites and he is quietly optimistic of causing an upset.

“At this stage of the season you see strange results,” he said. “Look at Sunderland the other night everyone in

the country probably expected Manchester City to win comfortably, especially when they scored so early on.

“It is going to be about belief, confidence and desire. All those words and many more besides and supporters would know what I am talking about. We had that at Fulham for certain and people could see that and we need it again against Liverpool.”

RESULTS

Barclays Premier League Tottenham 3 - 1 Fulham Aston Villa 0 - 0 S’pton Cardiff 1 - 1 Stoke Newcastle 1 - 2 Swansea West Ham 0 - 1 Crystal Palace Chelsea 1 - 2 Sunderland Italy - Serie A AC Milan 3 - 0 Livorno Atalanta 1 - 2 Verona Catania 2 - 1 Sampdoria Chievo 0 - 1 Sassuolo Genoa 1 - 2 Cagliari Lazio 3 - 3 Torino Parma 0 - 2 Inter Udinese 1 - 1 SS Napoli Juventus 1 - 0 Bologna Spain - Liga BBVA Osasuna 1 - 1 Valencia Levante 0 - 0 Getafe France - Ligue 2 Caen 1 - 0 Auxerre Germany - Bundesliga Augsburg 0 - 0 Hertha Berlin B’Dortmund 4 - 2 Mainz 05 Braunschweig 0 - 2 B’ Munich Freiburg 4 - 2M’gladbach W’Bremen 3 - 1 Hoffenheim Scotland - Premiership Motherwell 3 - 3 Celtic Hearts 2 - 0 Ross County Kilmarnock 1 - 2 Partick St. Mirren 2 - 0 Hibernian St.Johnstone 2 - 0 Dundee

Stoke City Osaze Odemwingie close marked by Cardiff’s Fabio Da Silva in yesterday’s game

Solskjaer: No regret letting Odemwingie go

C

ardiff City coach, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has insisted that he had no qualms about letting Nigeria striker, Osaze Odemwingie, leave the club in January.

Odemwingie left the Bluebirds for Stoke City shortly after the arrival of Solskjaer, with Kenwyne Jones heading to South Wales as part of the deal.

City are currently sitting second from bottom and three points from safety with Jones bagging just one goal in eight games.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria international has notched four in 11 for the

Potters to send them into the top half of the Premier League table.

“There are certainly no regrets in letting him go. That’s football. You move on.”

But Solskjaer says he has no regrets about letting Odemwingie leave the club: “When players move away from a club, they sometimes have a point to prove.

“But then again, I don’t think this is the case. He is a good lad, a very good player and has done really well for them. There are certainly no regrets in letting him go. That’s football.

You move on.

“I had to make way for a certain little Norwegian lad and I needed more of a target man. In that respect, I think Kenwyne has been a plus and Mats Moller Daehli has taken his chance.

“That’s why we let Odemwingie go. We also had Craig Noone, Wilfried Zaha and Mats playing in the same position as Peter.

“It was one of those decisions you have to make. I think it was best for all of us - Cardiff, Stoke, Odemwingie and Kenwyne.”

Historic loss for Mourinho at Stamford Bridge

C

helsea boss, Jose Mourinho, on Saturday suffered his first Premier League loss at Stamford Bridge as bottom club Sunderland earned a stunning win over the London side that severely dented the Blues’ title hopes and gave leaders Liverpool a major boost.

Connor Wickham followed up Marcos Alonso’s shot to equalise after Samuel Eto’o had given Chelsea the lead. After several Chelsea chances, Sunderland were given a penalty when Cesar Azpilicueta fouled Jozy Altidore.

And Fabio Borini scored to inflict Jose Mourinho’s first home Premier League defeat in 78 games as Chelsea manager.

The award of the penalty caused anger on the Chelsea bench and

Mourinho had to restrain assistant coach, Rui Faria, who was seeking to confront referee Mike Dean.

Faria was sent to the stands to watch the final stages as the match - and quite possibly Chelsea’s chances of winning the league - fizzled out.

The shock result leaves the second-placed Blues two points behind Liverpool, who will play their game in hand against Norwich on Sunday before hosting the Blues a week later.

Meanwhile, Sunderland, who had secured a point at title-chasing Manchester City in midweek, closed to within three points of Norwich, who are occupying the final spot above the relegation zone.

It’s over: Jose Mourinho lost his 77 match unbeaten Premier League home record and possibly the title

Flying Eagles soar past Dabo Babes Ifeanyi Ibeh

N

igeria’s U-20 side, the Flying Eagles, on Saturday in Abuja continued their preparations for the African Youth Championship qualifiers with a resounding 4-0 win over Nationwide League outfit, Dabo Babes.

Alhassan ‘Muazam’ Ibrahim continued with his rich vein of form by scoring a hat-trick against the Kano-based side, while Ifeanyi Matthew scored the Flying Eagles’ fourth goal.

Muazam, who came in for Sulaiman Abdullahi on the half-hour mark, opened scoring for the Flying Eagles in first half stoppage time with a simple tap in.

And when the Flying Eagles were awarded a penalty on 58 minutes, after Taiwo Awoniyi was blocked inside the penalty area on his way to goal, Muazam stepped up to convert from the spot.

Muazam, who scored all of the Flying Eagles’ goals in their recent playing tour of Morocco, completed his hat-trick in the 74th minute with a powerful, left-footed shot that rested in the back of the net before Matthew, five minutes later, smashed home the fourth goal with a well-struck rocket from outside the box.

WAFU: Eaglets through to semi-finals

F

ollowing the last minute withdrawal of Niger Republic from the WAFU B Under-17 Tournament in Togo, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria as well as their Group B foes, Mali, are through to the semi-final stages of the competition.

Golden Eaglets’ administrator, Mr. Tayo Egbaiyelo, informed team officials late Friday night about the revised fixture delivered to the team’s camp by the organisers after the withdrawal of the Nigeriens.

The Nigerian Under-17 team is already looking forward to their opening Group B encounter on Saturday at the Stade Municipal only to be told to return to their camp.

While the trio of Benin Republic, Togo and Cote D’Ivoire jostle for semi-final spots in Group A; Nigeria and Mali would only slug it out in a ‘double header’ to determine who top Group B in spite of the fact that they are already guaranteed semifinal tickets, In a revised fixture signed by Mr. Aka Malan, the secretary of West African Football Union (WAFU), Nigeria and Mali would now tango at the Stade Municipal on April 21 and 23 with the matches fixed for 2:30pm and 3:30pm local time (3:30pm and 4:30pm Nigerian time) respectively.

Faith Blame preachers for unserious Christians - Nyamadi

SPORT Argentina plans big

Sanctity of Truth w w w. new tel eg rap ho nl i ne. co m

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

}53

T

he last time I used this headline (the title of an American novel, actually) was way back in 1996. I had returned to the village one sunny Saturday to

the warm embrace of my elder brothers who

had kept a keg of fresh, delicious palm wine for us to drink and talk about the good old times.

That exciting experience with my brothers reminded me so much about my youth when our parents were still alive and dad, an occasional palm wine tapper, would from time to time gather us his children from different mothers together and share his early morning palm wine with us. I guess that was one of the ways he used to bond his children, to make us feel as one, as truly brothers, even though we were from different mothers. And it worked for him because I can’t think of any time in my life that I have had to deal with any family friction triggered by any step-brother or step- sister animosity When I returned to Lagos and to The Guardian, I wrote so romantically about Enugu-Ezike palm wine--how it was the best in the whole of Igboland, how it nourished the body, sibling love and goodwill, how Udi palm wine, also highly rated, was nowhere close to ‘Nkwu Ezike ‘ in quality (my friend Rems Eze, ‘a proper’ Udi boy, would never accept this) and all that--that one yuppie from my part of country called me to complain that I made palm wine tapping look like such a big deal! Which, indeed, it is, if the artistry and creativity so evident in the whole process of wine-tapping are anything to go by.

Last Friday, the ‘native son returned’ again.

I love homeward journeys. I love to drive all the way home, to cover all the 700 kilometres plus distance from Lagos to the East driving myself.

My friends often wonder why and how I manage to do that (I have a friend and a namesake, Felix Eze Obere who does even better than me, though. He can drive from Abuja to Maiduguri, then to Enugu-Ezike and back to Abuja nonstop). I love to watch the countryside roll by as I drive, to see the luxuriant, green vegetation (an Israeli once traveling to the East with his friend is said to have wondered aloud how we managed to beat them in creating such sprawling mass of lush forests!) speed backward as the car eats up the kilometres on the eastward journey. I even love the challenge of the bad roads, come to think of it. I love to experience the drudgery of travelling between Shagamu and Ore--the nerve-wracking meanders to avoid dangerous pot holes, broken down vehicles and carcasses of accident vehicles and collapsed sections of the road, the endless diversions from the to-part of the road to the from-part to avoid collapsed sections and the toll they take on speed, are all elements of a road trip that excite me, if not for anything else, at least because, as a journalist, they provide me with enough material for a rich copy.

I love the brief interlude of a smooth drive from Ore to Asaba and the exhilaration I feel as I am about to cross the imposing River Niger Bridge into Onitsha, the bustling city of commerce and industry, which boasts easily the highest number of storey buildings per capita in Nigeria. Never mind that it could take you up to an hour or two to get to the foot of the bridge from the Asaba side, a distance of less than four kilometres. It just happens that the otherwise well-paved Benin-Asaba Expressway has become extremely bad from the Ibusa junction of the road or thereabout, where Onitsha-bound vehicles start queuing up, and no repairs seem to be going on even though FERMA signposts are all over the place.

VOL. 1 NO. 40

SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2014

N150

for Nigeria

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Return of the native son

Sunday

Notebook

Felix Oguejiofor Abugu

abugufex@gmail.com 08076290498 (sms only)

Finally, across the Niger, I am delighted to be back home--it feels really good. But, as you drive across the three-kilometre Niger Bridge, you cannot but wonder why any government would allow a river as important as the River Niger to silt up as it has done in its Asaba-Onitsha axis. Elsewhere, the banks of the river on both sides would be home to luxury holiday apartments and hotels, rich folks’ mansions and yachts. But, here what we find are Indian Hemp shacks, filthy markets and indiscriminate disposal of human waste.

But, no matter. At least, the beauty of Onitsha from the hitherto notorious ‘headbridge’ through Upper Iweka to the remodelled Zik’s Roundabout, down to the dual-carriage Nkpor Bridge, is enough to take away the sadness of seeing the magnificent River Niger in its present neglected state.

Any way, I’m home now, as it were. Every Igbo who steps into Onitsha from any other part of Nigeria is home. That is the mistake Fashola made when he dumped some ‘destitute’ Igbo people at Upper Iweka and told former Governor PeternObi to come take his (read Anambra peopl) people. Fashoa should simply have told Obi to take his Igbo brothers and resettle since Obi was then the chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum. So, I’m home and driving down to Enugu and sharing in the not-so-palatable experience of my people, the motorists who have to ferry passengers to and from Onitsha and Enugu on a daily basis on the dilapidated Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, that federal highway in the heart of Igboland that has been under repairs since the return of democracy in 1999. I don’t mind that at all, because apart from the desire to satiate my reporter’s instinct to experience a bad situation to be able to write more credibly about it, I have always loved to drive through Awka and watch unfold before my very eyes, the incredible transformation that has taken place in the blacksmith’s town in 23 years

MAMA LASISI

as Anambra’s capital city. I also love to see whatever is left of Anambra’s countryside as I drive through ‘Enugu-Onitsha’, and how the listless Fulani herdsmen for whom motorists routinely stop so they could pass their animals across the expressway, a common spectacle in Awka, cleverly shepherd their flock, meandering through mansions and bush on the periphery of the city to graze their cattle, perturbing nobody and unperturbed by anybody.

Fulani herdsmen. These are usually an unself-conscious lot, young and middle aged men, often accompanied by wives and children, who relate more intimately with their animals than human beings. They communicate with their animals in a language only they and the animals, which dutifully respond to their commands, understand. And so, they care more about the safety of their flock than human friendship. As they graze their cattle across the savannah and rainforest belts, they are weather-toughened persons who are ever ready to respond to any threat to the safety of their cattle. But, ordinarily, they go about their duty peacefully. You would see a herd of say 100 cattle controlled by just two or three persons and they would have no problem grazing the animals to their content.

For generations, herdsmen with their cattle have passed through communities and states in Nigeria and although there are occasional stand-offs between them and members of some communities over destruction of crops as they pass through cultivated farmlands, the weapons usually employed have never been more than daggers. With these oftshinny, sharp and spiked weapons, the herdsmen have, in truth, killed and or maimed their enemies even as they too have been killed and or maimed in confrontations with members of given communities. But, sophisticated weapons in the hands of Fulani herdsmen, which they dexterously employ to sack communities and confront soldiers? That is really strange,

curiouser and curiouser.

As usual, the gullible media has fallen for a carefully packaged subterfuge, which a mean, power hungry cabal has packaged and fed us as another evidence of the failure of the federal government to provide security for lives and property in Nigeria. Or as evidence of Jonathan’s inability to create a conducive atmosphere for harmonious co-existence among the various groups or ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. As they say, we have fallen for the sucker punch! For, Let’s face it, the band of terrorists sacking villages, killing people and destroying their property in Plateau, Taraba and Benue, are anything but herdsmen--they are certainly not herdsmen. They are another killer squad, if you will, our own Janjawin, just like the political Boko Haram. They are hard men, trained and armed by those whose unspoken mission is to make this place so ungovernable that one way or the other, power will be wrested from the present administration. Witness the ferocity and deadly accuracy with which they attack villages and use weapons. These are herdsmen?

Why, we must ask ourselves, are these ‘herdsmen’s’ attacks concentrated in Plateau, Taraba and Benue? Why are herdsmen so aggrieved that they would want to kill a state governor who tried to broker peace between them and the communities they are fighting?

You know why? Because Plateau and Benue are the centers of Christian civilization in the old north and have stood as a bulwark against the march of Islam down south. Taraba is also Christian-dominated. In a country where leaders have perennially leveraged on religious and ethnic sentiments to ride to power, I have a feeling that the anti-Jonathan elements see these areas as bastions of support for a Christian Jonathan whom they want out. They are, therefore, determined, it seems to me, to destabilize those areas before next year’s election so the president doesn’t get any useful support from them. I may well be wrong. But, I find no rational explanation for the incessant, inexplicable attacks and destruction of villages by herdsmen bearing sophisticated weapons and who are strong and well trained enough to confront soldiers.

If you ask me, the federal government should begin now to treat this ‘herdsmen’ menace as another flank in the deadly operation against Islamists’ insurgency in northern Nigeria, which has the potential of engulfing the whole country. Before it is too late.

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By Aliu Eroje