Saturday, april 18, 2015 binder1 by Newtelegraphonline

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SATURDAY Saturday, April 18, 2015

Vol. 2 No. 423

Sanctity of Truth

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25 years after Orkar coup, elder sibling says: My } 50 brother was misunderstood

J O N AT H A N

why he lost lThe inside story

He burnt too many bridges ... } 45

Outrage in the East over Gowon’s civil war comment GOWON

Cool FM’s Gloria Maduka

An unfair traffic offence verdict made me leave US }19

IMF TO NIGERIA

It’s time to remove fuel subsidy

You lied against Ojukwu... Failure to honour Aburi Accord caused war, Achuzia, Nwobosi tell ex-head of state

ACHUZIA

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

Contents | 18.04.15 CONVERSATION

Skin Deep CEO of Emmaus Luxury Skincare products set out to find solution to a personal skin problem but discovered her findings could yield immense commercial benefits

}13

INSTYLE

Retro Dungarees The good old dungarees or denim overalls are back on the fashion scene and they have inevitably become fashion musthave for the style conscious

}15

THE ARTS

Going to Venice Two Nigerian artists - Karo Akokpiere and Emeka Ogboh - are among 136 artists showcasing their works at the 120th Venice Biennale

}18

SHOWBIZ

Gifted and Proud The mother of Gifted Kids, a musical group comprising four sisters, speaks about how a poor marketing deal almost truncated the singers’ career

}21

SPORT

Raring to Go Nigeria’s quarter miler, Akerele Omeiza, is optimistic about winning medals at the World Championship and the All Africa Games holding later in the year

}30

DESTINATION

Dream Deferred Administrations in Imo State have always sought to make tourism a major income earner, but it’s yet a long walk to attaining that dream

}42 Plus: Perspectives 54 | Investigations 24

SATURDAY

Comment

Buhari in the world of sports

xpectations are over the moon that the return of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari will bring with it, a new dawn in sports development. Compatriots are right afterall, to believe that Nigeria’s space, is not in the sub-region or continent. The world is the place to be. Buhari’s tenure as military ruler between from December 31, 1983 to August 27, 1985 threw up a chain of firsts for Nigeria globally, in sports. It began with the nation’s first ever Olympic silver medal, at the Los Angeles 1984 Games. Pugilist, Peter Konyegwachie, bettered Nojeem Maiyegun’s bronze, gained 20 years earlier, in Tokyo. It was also a step higher than Isaac Ikhuoria’s effort at the 1972 Munich Olympics. There was another plus for the country. Under Buhari, and in the same Los Angeles, our first Olympic medal in athletics, was won. The quartet of Innocent Egbunike, Oluwarotimi Peters, Moses Ugbisien and Sunday Uti, picked the men’s 4x400 relay bronze. The best was to come in 1985, through a bunch of lads, who flew out of the country unheralded. The U-17 soccer team, Baby Eagles, shocked the globe at the inaugural FIFA tournament in China. Managed by Sebastine Brodericks Imasuen, ably assisted by Christian Chukwu and Bala Shamaki, the boys brought the trophy to Africa. It was the very first time, an African side would win a FIFA organized competition. The petite Eagles, also shook global market permutations. Sponsors, Kodak, withdrew from the competition, in protest. They did not see how their products would move in a sub- Saharan environment. Nigeria beat Germany 2-0 in the final. Match referee, Christopher Bambridge, of Australia, tried every trick possible, including a red to Tonworimi Duere, to deny the lads victory. Victor Igbinoba put him to shame, with a powerful drive. It was Nduka Ugbade who climbed thepodium, to lift the trophy.

When the team arrived in Lagos to a heroic reception, the Buhari regime changed the name to World Golden Eaglets. And that was how the name came. Today, there is a Fatai Atere street in Matori, Lagos. You have Chukwuma Nwoha Street in Aladinma, Owerri. That was part of their reward from the government which directed that streets be named after all the players in their various state capitals. As the Eaglets were in a photo session with Buhari and the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Tunde Idiagbon, the Flying Eagles were ready for the FIFA Under -20 Championships in the Soviet Union, the country they beat 1-0 in their Mexico’83 debut. Another African record was established. Paul Hamilton and his assistant, Tunde Disu, were rewarded when the Andrew Uwe led squad snatched the bronze medal from the hosts . It was an interesting duel, as the Soviets had earlier beaten the Nigerians in the group matches. The introduction of goalkeeper Christian Obi, for injured Aloy Agu was another highpoint. Hitman, Monday Odiaka, bagged an award for his goals and it is on record that another member of that squad, Samson Siasia, later moved on to win the silver medal in the same competition, albeit, as coach in 2005. He is also a proud holder of an Olympic Games silver. Recalling all these firsts during the first Buhari years, serves to remind the President-elect, that sports is his strong point. This is one area that brings the country together. We demand that more attention be given to it. In 16 years of democracy, we have had 14 sports ministers. This is not good enough for sports development. The facilities available in 1985 have been abandoned over the years. With the dangerous unemployment situation, sports could be used to keep the youth off crime. We demand that for once, the minister of sports should be one, who can differentiate a tennis ball from a FIFA approved ball.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 april 2015

FG, Nigerians in South Africa condemn xenophobic attacks Ndubuisi Ugah

with agency reports

he Federal Government yesterday condemned the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, describing them as unacceptable and demanding action from the South African Government to end the madness. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement issued on the development said the Federal Government was “unhappy over the development.” The statement reads in part: “The people and Government of Nigeria stand in solidarity with the rest of the world to condemn these unprovoked attacks on fellow Africans who have left their countries to seek greener pastures and better livelihood for themselves. “The government of Nigeria would like to use this medium to reiterate the abhorrence of violence and also stand firm in its conviction that no cause could justify taking innocent lives. “The Federal Government, therefore, calls on the government of South Africa to live up to its responsibility and take all necessary steps to stop the on-going xenophobic attacks and put in place policies and structures to prevent a reccurrence.” The recent spate of xenophobic violence had spread to different South African cities, with thousands of foreign-owned shops forcibly closed and their owners

l I predicted the attacks –TB Joshua seeking refuge in makeshift camps. Five immigrants are said to have been killed, including a 14-year-old boy. The violence erupted shortly after a purported statement from the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini, calling on foreigners to return to their countries as they were causing economic “inconvenience” to locals. Also reacting, President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, Mr. Ikechukwu Anyene, yesterday said

xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals were on the increase. Anyene told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the phone from Pretoria, that the mechanic workshop of a Nigerian was completely destroyed early yesterday in Johannesburg. “In the early hours of yesterday, the mechanic workshop of a Nigerian, with 10 cars and all the tools inside, were destroyed by some South Africans. “The build up to the at-

tack started last night when the South Africans started gathering in the neighbourhood of the Nigerian. The Nigerians living there did not sleep and early today (yesterday), the South African struck,” he said. Anyene said when the South African police intervened, the attackers dared them and opened fire. “The attacks are spreading and Nigerians do not sleep again. They keep vigil to ensure that they are not taken unawares. There is

tension everywhere. Nigerians have closed their shops for fear of being attacked,” he said. In another development, South African police fired rubber bullets and a stun grenade on Friday to disperse a group of African immigrants who had armed themselves with machetes in a run-down district of east Johannesburg. An official said on condition of anonymity that many South African anti-immigrant protesters gathered to confront the vigilante group, but they were also dispersed by po-

L-R: Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo; his Benue State counterpart, Gabriel Suswam and Vice-President Namadi Sambo, during the meeting of the Niger Delta Power Holding (NDPH), at the State House, Abuja…yesterday Photo: Timothy Ikuomenisan

Your claims on Civil War untrue, Ojukwu’s associates tell Gowon Uwakwe Abugu Enugu

or allegedly distorting history as it relates to the Biafran war, two former senior Biafran military officers and associates of late Biafran leader, Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, have advised the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) to desist from making false claims on the 30-month Civil War. Gowon had in recent times made claims on the Aburi Accord, which had also drawn reactions from the associates of Ojukwu who were with him on the decision of the declaration of Biafra. The latest angst of the former Biafran officers came as Gowon delivered a convocation lecture at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, where

l We asked him to declare Biafra –Achuzia he (Gowon) claimed that his Nigerian side attacked and fought the Biafrans in 1967 because Ojukwu allegedly unilaterally declared independence for the defunct Eastern Nigeria. The former head of state who spoke on the topic “No Victor, No Vanquished: Healing the Nigerian Nation”, had told the audience that “it is wrong to conclude that the civil war broke out following the failure of the Aburi Accord; it was the direct result of a unilateral declaration of independence for Eastern Nigeria.” Gowon further claimed in the convocation lecture that, “if there was no secession plan, there would have been no war. It was a reluctant war waged to unite the country.” But commenting on Gowon’s statement, two

former Biafran military officers, Col. Emmanuel Nwobosiu (retd.), who was Ojukwu’s chief of staff till he passed on and Col. Joe Achuzia (retd.), who reacted to Gowon’s latest poser on the civil war in separate telephone interviews chorused common response- that the former head of state was distorting history and that he lied in saying that Aburi Accord failure was not the reason for the war. On his part, Achuzia, unlike Nwobosi said the failure of Gowon and his cohort who had signed the accord to come forward for its implementation and the shock they received when Ojukwu started broadcasting details of the accord in the Eastern Nigerian networks were the simple reasons the war broke out. Achuzia told Saturday

Telegraph that at the time the tension was building up and Gowon had seemingly backed out of the Aburi Accord and allegedly “started dismembering Eastern Nigeria by creating Cross River and Rivers states, we were in a meeting and we told Ojukwu that he should declare the Republic of Biafra or we remove him. “If Gowon dismembered Eastern Region, a corporate entity, instead of coming forward for a round table on the issues raised in the Accord, who knew what he was going to do next? So, Gowon is lying”, he said. According to him, “if you read the book, ‘Requiem Biafra’, you will know what happened. I was in the meeting that announced Biafra and as I said earlier, we were convinced that it was an option left at that time,”

he contended. On his part, Nwobosi who said Gowon’s claim in the Anambra lecture was “outright lie” said: “Anybody who knows the story of the events that eventually culminated in the war knows that it was the failure of the Aburi Accord that caused that war, especially as Gowon was delaying and consulting the public servants and some diplomats. “It is a lie to say it was a so-called unilateral declaration of independence for the Eastern Region that made Gowon fight Biafra. It is only an excuse he has found but it was clear to all of us who were witnesses to the events that the fact that Ojukwu had exposed them in the airing of the tape of the Accord in the Eastern Nigeria networks exposed Gowon and his group to shame."

News

lice, according to Reuters. International Relations Minister, Maite NkoanaMashabane, was expected to meet ambassadors and diplomats from other African countries to discuss the latest wave of xenophobic attacks in the country. However, a video surfaced yesterday showing the General Overseer of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Pastor T.B. Joshua, warning South Africans of a “youth revolt” in their nation which would result in deaths of “certain people.” The clip, uploaded to Joshua’s popular YouTube channel, Emmanuel TV, said Joshua had prophesied about the ‘deadly’ xenophobic attacks spreading across South Africa on July 28, 2013. “In the nation, South Africa, we should help them in prayer because I am seeing youth revolt,” the clip quotes Mr. Joshua as saying. “It will be very serious. A situation where youths will come out and… you learn that there is a protest. Some people were killed – certain people.” Similarly, a radio station in Zambia yesterday black out the playing of South African music in protest of xenophobic attacks.

Mutiny: 'We haven't reversed death sentences' M

ilitary authorities in Nigeria have dismissed rumours that soldiers earlier court-martialled and sentenced to death on charges of mutiny has been reprieved. When Channels Television sought clarification on the matter in a phone call to the Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, he dismissed the story as a ‘mere rumour.’ Usman said: “If there had been any such development, an official public statement would have been made available.” He insisted that without any official pronouncement on the matter, it remains a rumour. A military court sitting in Abuja had condemned 54 soldiers serving with troops fighting the insurgency in Borno State to death on December 17 last year after finding them guilty of mutiny against the authorities.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 april 2015

YOLA Two Adamawa lawmakers secure re-election

N EWS I N BRIEF

Only two out of 25 Adamawa State House of Assembly members secured their reelection in the April 11 governorship and state legislative polls, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The report said Messrs Adamu Usman (APC-Toungo) and Musa Mahmud (APC-Mayo-Belwa) will be returning for a second term. The lawmakers that lost in the polls contested on the platforms of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), respectively. Lawmakers that lost to APC newcomers included Aloysius Babadoke (PDM-Leko/ Koma), Umar Abdulkarim (PDMNasarawo/Binyeri), Simon Isa (PDP-Song), Ishaq Bala (PDP-Yola North), Suleiman Ribadu (PDP-Yola South) and Yetisuri Hammantukur (PDM-Jada/Mbulo).

ADO-EKITI Ekiti rescheduled poll holds April 25

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ekiti State has shifted the rescheduled House of Assembly election in Ilejemeje Constituency by a week. INEC’s Public Relations Officer in the state, Taiwo Gbadegesin, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, said the election would now take place on April 25. The election was initially fixed for today as INEC had said the assembly poll was inconclusive in 20 polling units in the constituency. It blamed hijack of election materials and violence for the shift. The remaining 25 assembly seats, whose results were declared by INEC, were won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

IBADAN Stop being bad losers, Ajimobi, Olurode charge politicians

The Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Lai Olurode, have advised politicians against being bad losers and to purge themselves of what they called ‘electoral illiteracy.’ They spoke during the presentation of Certificates of Returns (CR) to the winners of the National Assembly and Governorship elections, at the Banquet Hall of the Premier Hotel, Ibadan, yesterday. On his part, Olurode, who is INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Oyo, Ogun, and Ekiti states, deplored the antics of politicians whom he accused of seeking to profit from where they did not labour for.

Polls: Why PDP failed, by Ogbulafor Johnchuks Onuayim abuja

former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, yesterday explained why the PDP performed woefully in the general elections. According to him, the dismantling of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) by the national leadership of the PDP was responsible for the loss of PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ogbulafor, who held about 40 minutes closed door meeting with the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, expressed delight over the victory of the president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. Ogbulafor, who was a former national secretary and minister, was asked to resign from office by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010. He was later arraigned at

the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for corruption. Speaking on why he visited the party, Ogbulafor said: “I just came back into town yesterday and I came to congratulate the national chairman of APC for a job well done.” Asked about his intention to join the APC, Ogbulafor said: “Not yet. Even if I will, not yet.” Also, the APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Mr. Segun Oni, said Ogbulafor’s visit was to congratulate OdigieOyegun, who is his friend. Oni also stated that the party was expecting the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, to visit the party and congratulate it. Ogbulafor, who was PDP national chairman from 2008 to 2010, had predicted that the PDP would rule the country for 60 years.

PDP to challenge nine governorship results Onyekachi Eze

T ABUJA

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio (left), receiving the Certificate of Return as Senator-elect, Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District from the Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) National Commissioner, Mrs. Thelma Iremiren, at INEC’s office in Uyo…yesterday PHOTO: GOVERNMENT HOUSE

IMF to Nigeria: Remove fuel subsidy now Ayodele Aminu

Washington D.C.

ith the crash of oil prices in the international market by almost 50 per cent, this is the time for Nigeria to completely remove fuel subsidies, Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) African Department, Ms. Antoinette Sayeh, has advised. She made this call yesterday at the Africa Region press conference while fielding questions from journalists at the ongoing 2015 Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF. Sayeh’s advice tallied that of Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who had last Thursday at the 5th Africa Debt & Capital Markets conference in Washington D.C., United States, also advised the presidentelect, Muhammadu Buhari, to move subsidies “now that prices are lower.” The IMF Director said: “This is the time the Nigerian government has to deal

with the subsidy issue – now that the prices of oil have fallen because when prices rise it would be very difficult to remove subsidies. “But to achieve this, the government actually has to make sure and convince the people that the savings in subsidy would be used to improve the lives of the citizens. This is what they need to do to make it politically feasible to remove fuel subsidy.” Besides, she advised countries in the region seeking to raise funds through sovereign binds to be wary of the exchange rate volatility - especially with the United States’ dollar, which has recently risen in value. “We advise sub-Saharan Africa countries to look at the change in foreign - currencies – especially those considering higher bond yields. They have to critically look at these funds, which they need for infrastructure financing. “So, low income countries in sub-Saharan Africa need to be cognisance of how exchange rate may translate into balance of payment deficits. They also need to look at their total

debt and see how sustainable it is.” She said the Fund’s new debt unit recently approved by its board would be effective in June. On growth, she said countries in the region would expand by 4.5 per cent and would “continue being one of the fastest growing regions in the world - in fact, second only to emerging and developing Asia.” Acknowledging that the region’s eight oil exporters including Nigeria, will be hard hit by the fallen oil prices, Sayeh stressed the need for spending cuts, diversification of the economy, flexibility exchange rate and structural transformation to ensure strong and durable growth. Earlier, Okonjo-Iweala, who defended the current administration, saying it had “done well,” noted that fuel subsidies had been slashed by 50 per cent. She also called on the in-coming administration to buy into and continue with the policies, which the current administration had embarked on. “The number of policy

choices that we have on the ground are not limited, I think the in-coming administration should just proceed with it. I wish we had less poisonous political environment that will enable us to build buffers. “I think Jonathan did a great thing. Incidentally, this is the time to remove subsidy now that oil prices are down.” Oil prices have plunged by more than half since June, curbing revenue and investment plans in Nigeria, which rely on crude proceeds for about 75 per cent of government revenue. Foreign-currency reserves, which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) uses to defend the naira, have also slumped to $29.514 billion as at the last Monday. Given these developments, the Federal Government late last year announced a set of austerity measures, which it hoped would help it minimise vulnerability arising from the likely revenue losses from oil exports. Meanwhile, oil prices, which stood at about $62 as at yesterday, traded at $110 last June.

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged infractions in the conduct of the governorship elections in Jigawa, Plateau, Adamawa, Lagos, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara and Nasarawa States, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC). PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a radio programme in Abuja Thursday, said the elections were characterised by brazen irregularities against the PDP in most states. He upbraided INEC and security agencies for the barefaced overzealousness on the part of some of their personnel to please the winners of the presidential election. According to him, in Imo State, authentic result sheets

were replaced with those from Kaduna and Katsina states with fictitious figures awarded to the APC, noting that the most scandalous was in Ideato North Local Government Area where INEC awarded about 34,000 votes to the APC even when the number of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) collected in the area was at about 26,000. Metuh, however, said PDP would not complain in areas where the people clearly preferred the candidates of other parties, but would decisively pursue its mandate in places where there were clear infractions against the party. “The PDP is a political party built on values, tradition and utmost respect for democratic tenets. Our manifesto and ideology centre on national peace, stability and prosperity and we shall uphold this at all times. In this wise, the PDP as always, will continue to work in the general interest of the Nigerian people," he said.

Sanitation: Court suspends order on movement restriction

Federal High Court, Lagos, yesterday suspended the execution of the judgement which stopped the Lagos State Government from imposing restriction on citizens’ movement during the state’s monthly sanitation. The court ruled that: "By implication, anyone found moving around between 7am and 10am on the last Saturday of the month while the sanitation exer-

cise is being observed, will be arrested. This order will also apply to both state and federal roads in Lagos." The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said Justice Mohammed Idris made this fresh order to put on hold the enforcement of the March 16 judgement, which nullified the power of the Lagos State Government and its agents from arresting anyone found moving during the exercise.

18 april 2015

Jonathan set to inaugurate power projects nationwide Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Goodluck Jonathan will in the coming weeks begin the inauguration of completed power projects across the country under the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP). Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo, said this yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while addressing State House Correspondents alongside the Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam. They spoke at the end of the the last meeting of the Board of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Limited under the administration of President Jonathan. The meeting was chaired by Vice-President Namadi Sambo. Nebo told journalists that the outgoing administration had achieved an installed minimum electricity

generation capacity of 5,500 megawatts. Nebo advised the incoming government of Muhammadu Buhari to intensify security surveillance of the network of petroleum pipelines in the country, with a view to eventually digitalising the surveillance system. He said despite the ongoing efforts and collaboration with security agencies, a lot more still needed to be done as a predictable pattern of deliberate vandalism of the pipelines had emerged such that the nation lost up to 1,600 megawatts of electricity to vandalism at a particular time. According to the minister, bursting of pipelines by criminals have a assumed a six-week cycle and happens in a new section no more than 72 hours after previous ruptures have been repaired, thus confirming a solely sabotage motive that's costs government N120 million per month in maintenance.

Kidnappers bag nine years imprisonment Muritala Ayinla

Lagos High Court, sitting in Igbosere, yesterday sentenced five kidnappers to nine years imprisonment. The convicted kidnappers were among the seven defendants in the matter of 'The State v Esther Faith Philips and Six Others' charged for conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit a felony to wit kidnapping. They were sentenced by Justice Olabisi Akinlade after pleading guilty to the four-count charge. The kidnappers: Esther Faith Phillips; Patricia Inna; Kingsley Okonwa, Osita Adigwe, Uzochuchukwu Ezioha, were also accused of robbing

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

and kidnapping one Mr. Ayodele Olaye, aged 28 years and carting away his property valued at N600,000. They were said to have committed the crime on Iba-LASU Road April 22, 2012. The state AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, who led the prosecution team on behalf of the state government said fresh pleas were taken after the prosecution team filed amended charges. He said this followed a plea and sentence agreement entered into with the defendants in accordance with section 75 and 76 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State of 2011.

APAPA Eight ships laden with petrol arrive in Lagos

NEWS IN BRIEF

UGHELLI Delta NBA chair killed

Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ughelli chapter in Delta Eight ships laden with petrol and State, Mr. Austin Icheghe, has been four others containing kerosene, assassinated. base oil and aviation fuel have arrived The lawyer was killed in front of his home in Lagos ports waiting to berth. late Thursday, according to information The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). stated this in its daily publicationNiece to the deceased, Egunor Uviesa, Shipping Position - made available to said the incident happened about 9p.m. journalists in Lagos yesterday. as Austin arrived from work and was NPA indicated that six other ships alighting from his car. containing crude palm oilein and He was accosted and shot in the head by crude palm oil, bulk rice and vehicles the assassins. Though he rushed to a private hospital in the town, he did not survive as he were also waiting to berth. was confirmed dead at the hospital. The document noted that 47 other Confirming the incident, the state ships were expected in the ports Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), with commodities like rice, fresh Celestina Kalu, said the police were fish, general cargo, bulk sugar, buck wheat, bulk gypsum and bulk malt. investigating the incident.

The percentage growth rate of total revenue of Real Madrid in 2015. Source: Goal.com

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

IKEJA Protect interest of residents, APGA tells Ambode

Lagos State Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Adeshina Olayokun, has urged the state governorelect, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, to protect the interest of all Lagos residents. Olayokun, who was also the governorship candidate of the party in the April 11 election, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos that the governor-elect should promote people-oriented programmes. He said: “This is democracy, let the continuity go on and let the electorate see dividends of democracy. The governor-elect should listen to the complaints of people at all levels because democracy in the country has taken a new dimension. If you ignore the people's complaints, the people may decide to vote you out in the next election."

362,228

The total number of connected fixed wired or wireless lines of Nigeria in August 2014. Source: Ncc.gov.ng

Impeachment threat: Labour grounds Ekiti for Fayose SOLIDARITY

Trade unions rally support for Ekiti State governor. Adesina Wahab

G Ado-Ekiti

overnment and commercial activities were paralysed in AdoEkiti, the Ekiti State capital yesterday, following the half working day declared in the state by organised labour. Banks and other private businesses were also affected, as different labour groups under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiating Council (NJC), called out their members in solidarity with the state Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose. However, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called

l APC accuses governor of security breaches

the attention of the security agencies and Nigerians to the spate of security breaches in the state, saying Fayose is responsible for the state of siege which the people had found themselves. The labour support is to counter moves by the All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the state House of Assembly to impeach the governor. Aside the fact that the labour unions successfully effected embargo on vehicular movement till noon, they also ensured that workers in the state civil service adhered strictly to the stay-at-home order issued to them on Thursday. The state Secretariat was deserted, while both the New and Old Governor Offices were also deserted. Commercial motorcyclists and taxis had to stay away from all major roads because of the barricades mounted

to ensure strict compliance with the restriction order. Busy roads such was Basiri- Fajuyi Road, Old GarageAjilosun Road and Bank Road were also deserted. Labour leaders, who massed at Fajuyi Park as early as 6a.m., warned that any attempt to impeach Fayose would trigger serious crisis in the state. Addressing journalists on the impeachment saga, the NLC Secretary, Ade Obatoye, said the restiveness being caused by the lawmakers was affecting the citizens of the state negatively. The NLC leader urged the lawmakers to allow the people to enjoy the mandate freely given to the governor during the June 21, 2014, governorship election. “Though we agree with Hon. Adewale Omirin that he has the right to fight for his rights, he must wait for the outcome of the suit he in-

stituted against his impeachment. He cannot because of his impeachment plunge Ekiti into crisis, because he stands impeached until the court rules otherwise. “But staying in Osun or Lagos State and be hurling stones at Ekiti is uncalled for and selfish. Former governors Niyi Adebayo and Kayode Fayemi of the APC ruled the state in peace. But when Fayose and Segun Oni of the PDP came, trouble started. We will not allow this to continue because Ekiti State belongs to all of us." Meanwhile, the state Publicity Secretary of APC, Taiwo Olatubosun, said: “We have now realised that the two-day public holiday he declared in the state for peace is to actualise this evil plan. We have also realised that the man that is supposed to be the state chief security officer is the state chief security risk."

Five parties seek cancellation of Abia elections Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

ive of the political parties that took part in the April 11 governorship and House of Assembly elections in Abia State, have called for the total cancellation of the exercise, saying that there was no election anywhere in the state. This is even as they urged that a fresh election should be organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that would reflect the people’s will. Addressing journalists on their position at the UPP state secretariat in Umua-

hia, yesterday, the spokesperson for the group and governorship candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Mgbeahuru-Dike Ogbuehi, named the other parties as the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), National Conscience Party (NCP), Peoples Democratic Congress (PDC) and United Progressive Party (UPP). He said the parties reached the decision after reviewing the exercise. “We demand the total cancellation of the results in the state as there was no election in Abia State on April 11,” he said.

Enugu State governor-elect, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (left) receiving his Certificate of Return from the National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. Gladys Nwafor, at the INEC office, Enugu…yesterday

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18 april 2015

CALABAR INEC fixes C’River assembly election for April 25

N EWS I N BRIEF

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed April 25 for the conduct of the inconclusive House of Assembly election in Biase and Yakurr State Constituencies in Cross River State. A statement signed by the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Sylvester Okey-Ezeanyi, in Calabar, yesterday, said the earlier announced date of April 18 had been cancelled. “INEC reiterates its resolve to ensure credible, fair and violence-free election on April 25 in the affected areas,” the statement read. INEC had declared election in the two constituencies inconclusive, following alleged irregularities and violence during the conduct of the April 11 governorship and House of Assembly polls.

MAKURDI IKEJA Ortom: I’ll reconcile everybody National Troupe for Egypt Benue State Governor-elect, Dr. Samuel Festival of Drums Ortom, has said he will use his first 100 days in office for reconciliation. Ortom said this yesterday when five former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants in the state visited and congratulated him in Makurdi. He said if the people were united they could do much more than if they went their separate ways. Ortom promised to tap the talents of all the people of the state irrespective of their ethnicity, political and religious affiliations to enable him to move the state forward. The governor-elect said the aspirants were experienced and patriotic indigenes of the state, adding that he would rely on them in order to deliver the dividends of democracy.

The National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) yesterday left for Cairo, Egypt, for a weeklong International Festival of Drums and Traditional Arts. This is contained in a statement issued in Lagos by Mr. Shuaib Husseini, the Personal Assistant to the Artistic Director of NTN, Mr. Akin Adejuwon. According to the statement, the theme of the event, organised by the Arab Republic of Egypt is tagged: “Drums Dialogue for Peace”. It said the invitation to perform at the festival was at the request of the Federal Ministry of Culture, adding that Adejuwon was the leader of the delegation.

16.57

N2.66bn

42.7

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Azerbaijan in 2010. Source: Itu.int

The IGR realized from PAYE (taxes) of Niger State in 2010. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

The number of fixed telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of developed countries in 2012. Source: Itu.int

‘One-term agreement’ cost PDP 2015 elections, says Aliyu REGRET

Niger State governor explains why PDP performed woefully in the elections. Dan Atori

N MINNA

iger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has said he had warned the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of the dire consequences of the ‘one-term agreement’ reached by the party despite being crucified. Aliyu, who said this yesterday at a lecture he

delivered during the 24th convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, said corruption was not only by stealing money but doing things wrongly. While speaking on the defeat by the All Progressives Congress (APC), he said that: “We saw it coming before the elections, but nothing was done.” Aliyu while commiserating with the Political Adviser to the President, Prof. Ahmed Alkali, after his principal (President Goodluck Jonathan) lost the elections, said: “Many of us saw the defeat coming: Even when I told some of us (PDP members) that we had a

one-term agreement, they nearly crucified me. Now, sir (to Alkali) you have seen the results.” Furthermore, he said the emergence of APC was good for democracy because it would end the one-party system. Speaking also at the event in which Justice Legbo Kutigi delivered a lecture entitled: ‘The role of Law in the Enhancement of Socio-Economic Growth of the Nation’, Aliyu said it was not only government officials that were corrupt but that corruption itself started from the home. He further called for the devolution of powers, stressing that politics was about bringing develop-

ment to the society and not to enrich one’s self. In his remarks, Alkali, who is the Pro-Chancellor of FUT, Minna, said: “Nigeria is at a crossroad because 2015 is a year of political transition. “If Nigeria must fight corruption, we must all check ourselves to ensure that at all levels we kill corruption. Anything we do in excess is corruption.” While commending President Jonathan for his role so far in setting a good democratic precedent, Alkali said: “It is unpatriotic for Nigerians to say that if PDP loses, the election is not credible but when it is the APC it is free, fair and credible.”

Shettima: Let Borno indigene emerge Senate President Ahmed Miringa Maiduguri

orno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC), especially the people of the North-East to concede the position of either the Senate President, Speaker of the House of representative or Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to the zone. Shettima, who made the call shortly after receiving his Certificate of Return (CR) in Maiduguri, said the state in the last 16 years had not been privileged to produce a Senate President or Speaker of the House. He said: “The North Central has produced Senate president and speaker of the House of Representatives. In the North-East, Adamawa State has the position of vicechairman of APC, Gombe State has the youth leader, while Bauchi and Yobe states produced the women leader

and secretary of the party respectively. So, there is need for the other states to concede the position of Senate president or Speaker of the House of Representatives.” Shettima said, in the past, the state competed with the Sokoto Caliphate as the state produced the premier of the Northern region, while Borno State produced the governor of the North, stressing that the state had super permanent secretaries in the First and Second Republics. He said this was the first time in the history of Nigerian politics that the state had aligned itself with the government at the centre, adding that this had opened a new chapter in the history of the country’s politics. Shettima said: “The unprecedented victory poised a lot of challenges to them, as it is easier to succeed but it is difficult to manage success. We will work hard to meet the high expectation of the people, more especially the post insurgency reconstruction and rehabilitation.”

Group tasks governors-elect on campaign promises Gabriel Choba Ughelli

non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Forum of Governors' Network (FGN), has congratulated all the governors-elect across the country and called on them to live up to their campaign promises and ensure that the yearnings and aspirations of the people are met. In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by the founder of the group, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, the group urged the incoming governors to join in fostering a united Nigeria by guaranteeing the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians resident in their states regardless of ethnicity, religion and political affiliations as they were elected to govern all. Onaiwu expressed

confidence that the newly elected governors would surpass the achievements of their predecessors as the voters had shown increased sophistication and awareness in the electoral process and the nation’s democracy. While thanking Nigerians for the belief shown in the democratic process by their participation, he also called on them to cooperate with the newly elected governors in making Nigeria a better place for all. Meanwhile, a group, Ika Youth Council (IYC), in Delta North Senatorial District of Delta State yesterday thanked a former governorship aspirant in 2007 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Sunny Onuesoke, for playing a brotherly role to the state governor-elect, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

APC flays Metuh over alleged plan to ‘destabilise PDP’

L-R: President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON. Nr. Lanre Ajayi; Managing Director/CEO, Financial System Limited, Mr. Yele Okeremi; President, Nigeria Internet Registration Association(NIRA),Mrs. Mary Uduma; Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson and Chairman, Board of NIRA, Mr. Chima Onyekwere, at the inauguration of NIRA House in Lagos… yesterday PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied having any hand in the “crumbling” of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as alleged by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh. The party also offered Metuh a free six-week crash course on his new role as the opposition spokesman. Reacting to the allegation by Metuh that the APC had been working to destabilise the PDP, APC said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Abuja

yesterday, that during the training, Metuh would be given free lessons by his APC counterpart, in the spirit of cooperation and for the advancement of the nation's democracy. “Metuh will need the training to effectively carry out his new, tough task. It is now obvious that he needs to understand that for him to succeed in his new role, he must be credible, empirical, more sophisticated in language use and very passionate, in addition to being able to operate on a lean or zero budget,” he said.

18 april 2015

Exports from int'l tourism hit $1.5trn in 2014 Andrew Iro Okungbowa

lobal tourism has continued to post impressive performances with international tourism receipts hitting a record figure of $1, 245 billion in 2014. This is an increase of $48 billion over 2013 performance. Also, international passenger transport generated $221 billion for 2014 bringing the total international tourism receipts for 2014 to a record $1.5 trillion (euro 937 billion). The figure covered international visitors spending on accommodation, food and drink, entertainment, shopping and other services and goods, an increase of 3.7 per cent. This impressive record is also in tandem with the 4.4 per cent increase recorded international tourist arriv-

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

als in 2014, which translated to a total 1,135 million, up from 1,087 million recorded in 2013. This figure, which was released by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), is a testimony to the continued significant contribution of tourism to international trade. Secretary General of the body, Dr. Talebi Rifai, said: “International tourism is an increasingly significant component of international trade as seen in export earnings from international tourism and passenger transport, which reached US$ 1.5 trillion in 2014.” “In a scenario with decreasing commodity prices, spending on international tourism grew significantly in 2014, proving the sector’s capacity to stimulate economic growth, boost exports and create jobs," he added.

KANO Ganduje inaugurates 93-man transition c’ttee

NEWS IN BRIE F

The governor-elect of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has inaugurated a 93-man Transition Committee for the smooth take-off of his administration on May 29. Inaugurating the committees at the Deputy Governor’s Office in Kano, Ganduje urged the members to work diligently towards the success of the incoming administration. The committee, which comprises eight sub-committees, is headed by the deputy governor-elect, Prof. Hafizu Abubakar. In his remarks, Abubakar thanked Ganduje for the recognition and for finding them worthy of the assignment.

IKEJA O’Keeffe heads Diageo Africa

Guinness Nigeria Plc, a subsidiary of Diageo Plc, has announced a change in the leadership of the company. Mr. John O’Keeffe, current Managing Director/CEO has been promoted President, Diageo Africa, joining the Diageo Executive Committee and reporting to Dr. Nick Blazquez, who is the President of Africa and Asia. O’Keeffe’s new appointment will take effect from July 1. The new appointee will bring a breadth of marketing and general management experience to the executive team, having in addition to his Nigeria role, led Diageo’s Global Innovation, Beer and Baileys categories, served as managing director for the Russia and Eastern Europe business and undertaken senior marketing roles across multiple European markets and Jamaica.

BENIN CITY Onaiwu passes on

The Onaiwu family of Orovie, Benin City, Edo State, has announced the death of their father, Pa S.I. Onaiwu, on February 3 at the age of 99. Onaiwu was a lay preacher, community leader and a renowned educationist who left a positive mark on many lives. He is survived by his wife, Deaconess A.U. Onaiwu, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren among whom is Earl Osaro Onaiwu, Secretary and Administrator of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF). Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

7.88m

70%

272,394

The total surface area (in sq. km) of Northern Africa in 2012. Source: Un.org

The percentage of the global total of new HIV infections accounted for by sub-Saharan African in 2013. Source: Who.int

The total population of French Polynesia rep. 0.004% of world’s population) in 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

Buhari, Ambode urged to fulfill campaign promises Taiwo Jimoh

he National Coordinator of Action Support Democracy Group of Nigeria, Mr. Johnson Olakunle Moses, has urged the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari and the Lagos State governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, not to renege on the promises they made to Nigerians during their electioneering. In a statement made available to journalists in Lagos yesterday, Moses said the successes recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the elections across the country had proven that the party was the choice of the people.

He commend the resilience and tenacity of Buhari as a great leader whose victory was a lesson for the nation and individuals that one could become whatever he or she wanted in life, if only patience and persistence were inculcated in life pursuits. Olakunle also urged Ambode to build on the legacies of his predecessors, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), while describing the “duo as an embodiment of true legacy.” He, however, commended the doggedness of all the APC leaders across the country for their steadfastness during and after the general elections across the country.

Jang, Lalong, Useni receive Certificate of Return Musa Pam Jos

he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Plateau State has issued Certificate of Return (CR) to the governor-elect, Mr. Simon Bako Lalong and National Assembly memberselect, including the incumbent governor, Jonah Jang. Besides Lalong and Jang, others were Senator Joshua Dariye, former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, General Jeremiah Useni and eight members-elect for the House of Representatives.

CHANGE OF NAME

IformerlyknownasMISSOSEMENE EBELERITAnowwishtobeknownand addressedasMRS.DUNKWUEBELE RITA.Allformerdocumentsremainvalid. Thefollowingorganisationsandthe generalpublicshouldtakenote:-MDCN, GMC,MBTT,ABU,ABUTHZariaandNYSC.

During the presentation, Dariye representing Plateau Central and Hon. Beni Lar, representing Langtang North/Langtang South federal constituency were, however, absent at the event. INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner representing Plateau, Nasarawa and Kogi states, Dr. Abdulkadir Oniyangi, while presenting the CR yesterday said the certificates would serve as means of identity that they were duly elected into the various positions. Responding on behalf of other recipients, Lalong said they would do what was right for the common good of the people. He said: “We promise to work together towards the prosperity of our dear state. All citizens will be treated equally devoid of religious and political views as our moral and political responsibility."

L-R: Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUTECH) and Wakili of Adamawa, Alhaji Hassan Adamu; Dr. David Ogbodo and the Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Dr. Chilo Offiah, during the award of Doctor of Public Administrator on Ogbodo in Enugu…recently

Akpabio blames APC for ‘electoral chaos’ in Akwa Ibom ACCUSATION

Akwa Ibom State governor accuses APC of fuelling crisis in the state. Tony Anichebe

A Uyo

kwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, has accused the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly masterminding and hiring some "policemen" to cause mayhem during the governorship and state Assembly elections in the state. Speaking at the state Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Uyo, when he led the governor-elect, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, to receive his

Certificate of Return (CR). Akpabio berated the police for allegedly “aiding and abetting” the polls for the APC, dismissing complaints by the opposition that elections did not hold in the state. Akpabio, who urged the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Suleiman Abba, to investigate the matter, accused a certain Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) deployed in the state along with other police chiefs to oversee the polls, of executing the briefs of the APC, by detailing some policemen to create chaos through indiscriminate shootings during the elections. The governor, who hinted of his plan to table the matter before the Council of State meeting, said: “That is not the best way of treating an outgoing President who conceded defeat

for peace in the country.” He recalled that “some seven policemen opened fire at voters, killing and injuring some of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters in Ikot Ekpene, Ini and other areas in the state,” adding that it took the intervention of soldiers to apprehend the suspects. Akpabio, who hailed the resilience of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gabriel Achong and the Director of the Department of State Security (DSS), Mr. Toma Minty, alleged that the suspects were deliberately detailed by the APC to cause mayhem to warrant cancellation of the polls in the state. He, however, expressed regret that the arrested policemen, who should be facing trial in court, were “hastily released” on the

orders of the AIG, before his departure from the state after the elections. Also, Akpabio said a former Military Chief, Gen. Edet Akpan (rtd), was arrested and currently on trial along with seven members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who served as ad hoc staff of INEC at the polls, alleging that Akpan took the corps members to his home where he personally supervised thump-printing of ballot papers for the APC. Besides, the governor alleged that the International Election Observers compromised with APC, when they hastily remarked that elections in Akwa Ibom were marred by violence, noting that the observers and the Police were working in tandem to deliver on the briefs of the APC.

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18 APRIL 2015

For Assemblies Of God, After a number of twists, the Court of Appeal gives a verdict that may help resolve the crisis that has dogged the Assemblies of God for months, writes Ojiaku Kalu

or close to two years now, the Assemblies of God Nigeria, a globally-famed Pentecostal denomination, have been in the news but indeed, not for the very usual reasons of charting the moral and spiritual course. Its national pulpit has for the said period been enveloped in a negative fire ignited by what could be termed the sheer leadership selfishness of a section of its foremen. At the first quarter of 2014, the Nigerian Christian community gasped with horror upon learning that this timeless promoter of holiness had moved its internal altercations to the secular court arena by reason of a suit filed by its then General Superintendent, the Rev. Prof. Paul Emeka. The church world choked with questions on what drove the leading religious brand to seek secular adjudication for its domestic problems; and wondered if it had lost sight of the biblical injunction of never letting any fight amidst the household of God be perceived beyond its confines. The crux of the matter, it turned out, was the suspension of the church’s number one man – Paul Emeka. Given the norm in African contemporary societies, what Church can wield such reversed power of dismissing her leader, despite the boundless powers usually availed such figure? But then, the Assemblies of God Church in all its formations is uniquely democratic and adheres strictly to the order of discipline as espoused by the Apostles in the first Church. In this very case, the Church, according to its current General Superintendent, Dr. Chidi Okoroafor, "… is a forgiving and loving one; and only took the painful but necessary decision of joining issues [in court] with Rev. Paul Emeka after it had exhausted every means of coming to amicable settlement with him - so as to save the tender flock of Christ from straying back to the world. In all my experience so far as a church leader in Assemblies of God, Nigeria is the only church that can discipline its leaders through suspension/dismissal if it ever becomes necessary. Indeed, the Church is superior to every of its leader or member as it is the very body of Christ on Earth. This goes to warn everyone of us to be very careful over our individual conduct as the Church is no respecter of any personality - including myself and the other National Officers as same fate could befall any of us, should we err and fail to repent." But it's been a herculean task getting the man in the eye of the storm to respond to inquiries from our correspondent to have his side of the story. He neither picked the calls to his mobile phone, nor replied the text messages. The Rev. Prof. Paul Emeka could rightly be said to have risen to prominence in his clerical vocation upon his election to, and assumption of the position of Assistant General Superintendent [AGS] under the superintendency of the Rev. Dr. Charles Osueke, an avuncular pastor now widely acknowledged as the patriarch of the ministry in Nigeria. Rev. Paul Emeka’s emergence and perception was historical – especially with the prefix, "professor" attached to his name. For in the annals of its over 80 years in

Rev. Emeka

Rev. Okoroafor

Nigeria, this was the first time any of the four national officers of the church would arrive with such a scholarly nomenclature. However, while the church was impressed with that lofty watershed, there soon arose the question of whether it was appropriate to continue using such academic title in a clerical environment. The Executive Committee, after some deliberation on the matter, allegedly advised the Rev. Prof. Paul Emeka to stop addressing himself as a “Professor’’ pending his eventual proof of it – especially given the fact that his office and the duties thereof, does not compel the occupants to have attained such a rank – the church being not an academic institution. However, in November 2010, the Okpuje (Nsukka, Enugu State)-born preacher was ultimately elected the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Nigeria, and assumed office as "Rev. Prof. Paul Emeka" - following the retirement of the Rev. Charles Osueke [then General Superintendent] at the

statutory age of 70. Of the four national officers of the church - the General Superintendent, the Assistant General Superintendent, the General Secretary, and the General Treasurer - the General Superintendent is seen as the first among equals. On assumption of office at the fall of 2010, the Rev. Prof. Paul Emeka was alleged by the leaders and members of the Church to have started running "a oneman show" - contrary to the traditional democratic norm and as entrenched in the church’s constitution. Citing what they called his utter defiance of extant provisions of their organisation’s bylaws, both laity and clerics were said to have denounced Rev. Emeka’s style of leadership which, according to them, manifested in his adoption of the title, General Overseer of the Church as well as acting outside the Executive Committee [the highest decision-making body of the Church]. The allegation would be corroborated by Rev.

Iyke Okoro, the director of corporate ministries and a number of other members. Also, the church cried out over their then leader’s introduction of unusual practices such as "dark-goggled bouncers that took over any environment that the then GS was in – thereby creating overt air of intimidation among members, and wearing big rings in fingers of both hands." Besides this, he was accused of "misappropriating the sum of N200 million on acquisition of some property in Germany without the consent and approval of the Executive Committee." Within two and half years into the Rev. Emeka’s headship, the church started witnessing some monumental crises which prompted two of its elite organs, the Ambassadors of the Kingdom and the National Consultative Assembly to write to the EC on what they termed "…breaches of the constitution under your watchful eyes". The said letter also accused the governing body of "…allowing the Rev. Prof.. Paul Emeka to destroy the Church". Consequent upon the said query, both the Ambassadors of the Kingdom and the NCA requested an audience with the Executive Committee – with a view to nipping the imminent crisis in the bud, but Rev. Paul Emeka reportedly declined approval and attendance of that meeting and instead, joined issues with The Ambassadors and NCA members without recourse to the Executive Committee members. His alleged refusal to meet with the complainants would later lead the Executive Committee to convene a General Committee assembly on March 6, last year in line with the provision of the constitution of the Church to discuss the way forward. The General Committee [town hall] would eventually be fixed for 6/3/2014 after the attainment of the consent of the mandatory constitutional requirement. But Rev. Emeka was reportedly absent and had instead, filed a lawsuit against the church seeking an order for interim injunction on the day of the meeting to restrain the General Committee from holding, a request declined by the court on the ground that it was too late in the day to restrain the meeting that was already underway. He was therefore advised to put the church on notice. While the General Committee was in session, the Church was said to have been served with a certified true copy of suit EN/82/2014 filed by Rev. Dr. Paul Emeka on the 4/3/2014; and this instantly triggered a vote of no confidence, suspension and dismissal of his person by the entire assembly – "for suing the Church, gross misconduct, several breaches of the constitution and bylaws and refusal to attend the general committee meant to broker peace and reinstate sanity in the Church." The aforesaid suit was thereafter challenged for "…numerous incurable defects and lack of jurisdiction", but the trial court overruled the Preliminary Objection. Hence, the Assemblies of God filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, and the trial judge, Hon. Justice A.O. Onovo stayed proceedings in the suit. But shortly before the trial court stayed proceedings on Suit No. EN/82/2014, the same court, granted Rev. Dr. Paul Emeka exparte orders on Suit No. EN/202m/2014 which he filed, while suit EN/82/2014 was pending before it against the Assemblies of God Nigeria in a fresh suit brought before him, on April 16, 2014 with same reliefs as contained in EN/82/2014. The Assemblies of God Nigeria by a notice of preliminary objection challenged

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18 APRIL 2015

the storm is receding the competence of the service of the originating processes in the suit, jurisdiction and the entire suits, wherein the trial court, Hon. Justice A.O. Onovo, adjourned ruling on the aforesaid issues. However, on December 11, 2014 when a ruling on the case ought to have been given on the challenge of the competence of the suit, service and jurisdiction, the trial court dismissed the preliminary objection and suddenly delivered final judgment on which the Assemblies of God Nigeria had yet to be joined. Interestingly, the aforesaid Judgment never did pronounce Rev. Dr. Paul Emeka [as] the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Nigeria - owing to the fact that as at the time of the judgment on December 11, 2014, his tenure [he was elected for a four year term in November 2010] had already expired. His bid for re-election as the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God Nigeria in a meeting fixed in the night of 23/10/2014 was halted by the restraining order of Hon. Justice Thomas-Adiele of Aba High Court (Abia State) restraining him in Suit No. A/236/2014 from conducting election, re-electing himself and/or parading himself as the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Nigeria. In response to questions on the development, Rev. Emeka's counsel, Mrs. Justina Offiah, said: "He (Paul Emeka) has been unduly and unjustly vilified. Initially, members of the Church did not understand this, but when many of them began to see the truth, they realised that they were being deceived by Chidi Okoroafor, Charles Osueke and the rest of them. And when they began to realise that, all of them immediately turned round and started giving Paul Emeka the support as their leader even to the extent of reelecting him in October 2014 as their General Superintendent." Irked by the judgment of the trial court, the leadership of the Assemblies of God Nigeria went to the Court of Appeal Enugu Division with a motion for accelerated hearing which was granted on March 3, this year and adjourned to March 19 for definite hearing of the appeal which was heard on March 25. But Rev. Emeka filed a new suit against the Assemblies of God Nigeria’s bankers seeking an order of Enugu High Court to compel the banks to recognise him as the General Super-

intendent of Assemblies of God Nigeria. The judgment at the Court of Appeal sitting at Enugu finally came on Tuesday, April 14. In the said judgment, the three justices of the Court of Appeal [Hon. M. A. R. Oredola, Hon. Justice Emmanuel Agim, and Hon. Justice M. O. Bolaji-Yusuf] gave unanimous victory to the Assemblies of God Nigeria; thereby setting aside

the Judgment of the High Court that had on December 11, 2014 ruled in favour of Rev. Emeka on his suit against the church over wrongful suspension and dismissal by the General Committee on March 6, 2014. By its lead Judgment read by Hon. Justice Emmanuel Agim, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the General Committee of the Church suspending

Paul Emeka as a member and dismissing him as a minister of the Church. In the same judgment, the appellate court upheld the election of Rev. Dr. Chidi Okoroafor as substantive General Superintendent of Assemblies of God Nigeria being the decision of the majority of the members of the church under the principle of ”majority having their way while the minority will have its say” that

governs such association. Reacting to the judgment, Chief D. C. Dewingwe, SAN, lead counsel to the Assemblies of God Nigeria said: ‘’the Court in its wisdom has considered all the issues raised in the appeal. I did not say this because my own clients were declared victorious by the court. What is important is that the court was painstaking in its approach. This Judgment today has put

paid to all bickering and leadership tussles in and out of court, and now the Church can properly focus on its mandate of soul-winning and character moulding. Now, Paul Emeka can longer override the Church in his lawlessness. The Church must learn from this that opinion of majority will always prevail.’’ However, Counsel to Rev. Emeka could not be reached for comment.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

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

Q uotes of the week “The search for Chibok girls continues and that is why even with capture of Bama and the rest, security and military have never relent. And until it is concluded, we cannot begin to believe speculation.” - Mike Omeri, The Coordinator of National Information Centre (NIC). “We must never forget the kidnapped Chibok girls, and I will not stop calling for their immediate release and safe return to their families.” - Ban Ki-Moon, UN Sec. Gen.

A young man perched precariously on a commuter bus along a Lagos highway

PHOTO:GODWIN IREKHE

The plight of foreigners in South Africa

How INEC disenfranchised voters in Ogbomoso North.

Dear Editor, It is no longer news that South Africans have been attacking, killing and maiming foreign nationals in their country within the last few days and weeks. The reason given for the attacks on foreign nationals is that foreigners come into South Africa to take away the jobs meant for ordinary South Africans. For that reason, the lives, businesses and property of many Nigerians presently living in South Africa are in danger. It is indeed a shame for Africans to kill fellow Africans. Most of those Nigerians in South Africa are people who left their own country in search of greener pastures or a better life, which Nigeria could not offer. I think it is time the Nigerian government began to work for the betterment of Nigeria by making Nigeria good again. That is because there is no place like home. We need to work on making Nigeria a truly great country so that Nigerians would no longer need to run away from their own country only to face embarrassment and death abroad.

Dear Editor, It was a bitter experience that I fell a victim of INEC’s mendacious and prevaricatious order for not collecting my children’s voter’s cards before the spurious closing date for the collection. When the news came that we should register last year November, I enforced my children to come from their various schools and register for the voter’s card during the Christmas break. It was hectic having them registered. Not minding the money I expended in mobilising them for the exercise, yet I had to be personally involved before we were able to record some appreciable success. Personally, I felt as if the INEC in Ogbomoso North was acting out a script by making the exercise cumbersome so as to frustrate potential voters from registering. The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the horrendous ways INEC used to distribute the PVCs before the expiration date. This resulted in many people not getting their PVCs, including my children who became victims.

Paul William, Warri, Delta state.

Mark Debo Taiwo,Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Abia guber race: between winning and rigging

Dear Editor The mass protests, negative public reactions, inconclusive results processing, etc., that have trailed the March 28th national elections in Abia State constitute food for thought for followers of Abia politics, particularly those genuinely committed to the struggle for change; real not political change. The real winners of that election are not essentially the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) candidates who were temporarily robbed of their victories, but Abians who voted in defiance of very terrible weather conditions, hunger occasioned by several months of unpaid salaries, proven cases of harassments, occasional molestations by agents of the outgoing administration in the state. We witnessed a most desperate attempt to keep whitewashing glaring failure, near total lack of governance and incompetence of the last eight years of the out-going administration in the state. There is no doubt that Abians have made up their minds to vote against any stooge planted by a government that has allegedly turned its eyes the other way while several pensioners and retired public servants languish in penury as a result of unpaid benefits. Emelogu Martins (Esq), Lagos.

The King should apologize Dear Editor, Nigeria is a big and respectable country, but composed of various ethnic groups that have always lived like brothers under its umbrella. Solidarity and respect is the sole reason why its cohesion, as a country sticks. If that comes short, then the strings that hold us together might fall apart, and I guess nobody wants that to happen as it does no good to anybody. In that regard, Njiko Nzuko Ndigbo Italy is demanding a formal and public apology from His Highness, Oba of Lagos for his unkingly pronouncement about Ndigbo recently. Probably it slipped through his highness’s subconcious that Ndigbo is an indispensible part of the nation and is likened to an “Iroko tree” that cannot fall without taking down a palm tree. We Ndigbo here in Italy would consider it an aberration if he refuses to remedy his mistakes because no one is above the law, including kings. We would take the privilege to remind his highness that a good king is a humble and wise one. Dr. Okonkwo Ogbonna, Italy.

“What we have done is to introduce a minimum sentence status. For instance, if you engage a child of below 12 years, there is compulsory imprisonment of not less than two years. There is no option of fine. The fine is in addition to imprisonment.” - Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, DirectorGeneral of the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons. “Appointments and nominations into the incoming cabinet and government will be primarily on the basis of integrity and determined strictly by competence, capacity and capability.” - Malam Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna State Governor elect. “We restate that we are ready for this round of elections and we will do everything humanly possible within the tenets of democracy to protect our votes and resist any form of irregularity including underage voting and selective malfunctioning of card readers.” - Olisa Metuh, PDP National Publicity Secretary. “God has blessed Ogun with the fact that it is close to Lagos, which is now overpopulated. We have been getting a lot of money from taxes generated from people coming to settle here.” - Mr. Segun Adesegun, Ogun State Deputy Governor. “Of course, members of the House of Assembly can gather anywhere in the world to have social or political meetings. Parliamentary business is done in the hallowed chamber of the House of Assembly.” - Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti State governor “We are happy to be in APC. APC is a national party and a place to belong now. Members of the Reality Organisation and the Kalu family are happy to belong to APC. We are happy to be part of the effort to integrate the Igbo into national politics, to be part of the emerging new political order.” - Elder (Mrs.) Eunice Uzor Kalu, mother of the former Abia State governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

SATURDAY

WeekendDelight 13

C o n v e r s at i o n

Instyle Rock fringe shoes p.15

TV & Radio For football fans, a thrilling moment p.34

Love & Living ‘I deceived my husband that I was barren’ p.35

Hospitality The charm of Protea Hotel, Ikeja p.41

My beauty products inspired by a personal skin problem Aminah Sagoe’s incursion into the beauty care industry typifies how an inventive spirit could arise from an exigent situation. She set out to find a solution to a personal skin problem but soon discovered she could launch the product commercially. Sagoe, founder of Emmaus range of skincare, speaks with Lanre Odukoya on her products’ defining principles, motherhood and also reminisces on her father’s last days

There is a market for everyone, even the ones who bleach their skin

Congratulations on the launch of the Emmaus Luxury Skincare range. What exactly brought you to this enterprise? Emmaus was created as a solution to my own skin problem. I suffer from a condition known as Keratosis Pilaris (KP), more commonly referred to as “chicken skin”. KP produces a goose bump type of appearance on the skin, and can appear anywhere on the body. KP is not life threatening in any way, neither is it contagious; however it is aesthetically displeasing to the eye. I originally set out on a mission to find a natural care regimen to improve my condition and in the process I discovered a unique combination of ingredients that not only helps with KP, but also relieves dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, body acne, dark spots and discoloration. The Emmaus Luxury Skincare range is high end and exclusive, what inspired you to create a luxury brand? I’m a big believer in the saying “you get what you pay for”, and I’m cautious about what I put in and on my body. I pay attention to ingredient listings on products, and I’ve discovered that many products on the market today are filled with diluted ingredients and cheap and toxic preservatives. Emmaus products all contain natural ingredients and preservatives using plant stem cell technology. Unfortunately, good things usually don’t come cheap. I believe my skin deserves only the best, and being the best is what Emmaus is about. The fact of the matter is: I will only sell to others what I will confidently use on my own skin. How do you plan to break even in a society where skin bleaching is a strong fad? Cancer is prevalent because of the harmful bleaching creams people apply on their skin. We have to be mindful about what we apply on our bodies and skin. I do know it is going to take me a bit of time to sensitise people on the need to be mindful of what they apply on their skin but there is a market for everyone, even the ones who bleach their skin. Even if I am not able to convince them to embrace my line, I am okay with that because the market is huge and there is enough to go round. I plan to

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Weekend Delight

| Conversation

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

‘I honestly do not know why women are crazy about altering their complexion’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

develop a face and hair range for women of colour. Why do you think women are obsessed with bleaching their skin? I honestly do not know why women are crazy about altering their complexion. I used to attribute the craze to the images portrayed in the media but I don’t think so anymore because black models are also used. I also do not think that men feel that their women should be “yellow”, so I don’t understand the madness. What common mistakes do women make with their skin? They put anything on their body based on recommendations of friends or family. Once people say a cream will make them light-skinned, they use it without reading the labels cautiously to know the ingredients used. Cancer is everywhere and there is a reason why cancer is spreading so fast and it is not just from food we eat, but what we do to our skin.

mination, persistence and, of course, with God’s help, we were able to make it all. What would you say differentiates the Emmaus Skincare range from similar luxury products? Many skincare lines fall in one of three categories: expensive creams packed full of synthetic ingredients, “natural” creams from the health stores that fail to provide the benefits they claim, and brands that promote the botanicals in their products, but mix them with synthetic ingredients. Many of the synthetic ingredients are carcinogens (Cancer causing), while some serve no purpose at all, but are used as fillers. The concept of Emmaus Skincare

Prior to establishing Emmaus, what were you involved in? I own a procurement company alongside my husband, Yomi. We import a lot of products to Nigeria including equipment, cars and trucks. Although this has nothing to do with beauty I have carried out a lot of research and gotten some certification.

is unique in the skincare industry. We have redesigned the very foundation of skincare to produce a luxurious line that uses the very best of nature and technology to enhance the appearance and texture of your skin. This has been achieved by using the very best ingredients that nature offers, while incorporating the cutting edge technology of plant stem cells into our products. If you were not an entrepreneur, what would you be doing? (Pondering)…I would probably be a bored stay-at-home mom. Who are some of your role models in beauty and business? Estee Lauder. Her business was built from scratch, starting with a dream and very few products. Through extraordinary ambition, impeccable taste, perseverance, innovative marketing and hard work, this creative visionary became the wealthiest self-made woman in America and created a family dynasty that continues today. Also, I admire Richard Branson whose dyslexia and poor academic performance as a student did not prevent him from achieving his dreams. His unconventional methods of doing business demonstrates that it’s acceptable and profitable to bring fun and passion into your trade. What was your background like? I was born and raised in Nigeria. I schooled in the United Kingdom, Cairo and the United States of America. I studied business administration.

How affordable are the products? Affordability is very relative but the prices range from N15,000 to N17,000.This might sound a bit expensive for a lot of people, but you have to invest in your body. A lot of people spend money on gym membership, eating salads but they don’t do anything for their skin. You have to learn to invest and spend money on your skin.

But you have your roots in Egypt; is that correct? My late father was an Egyptian and a staff of Egypt Air when he met my mum during one of his trips. I had a close relationship with him and I lived in Cairo for a while. I speak the language fluently because my siblings are Egyptians given that my father was married twice. I enjoyed being spoilt as the last child. I was by his bedside when he passed on and the last thing he said was, “I’m sorry’’

Who are your products targeted at? Emmaus is biblically centred and thus promotes doing good, loving yourself, as well as others. On a lighter note, Emmaus represents luxury, style, elegance and sophistication. The quintessential Emmaus woman exudes these qualities. Emmaus products are targeted at men and women that are looking for a safe and healthy alternative to expensive synthetic skincare. Emmaus uses natural ingredients that are scientifically formulated to produce the results you expect from quality skincare.

‘My girls talk to me about everything and nothing is off limits’

and I broke down in tears. How did a loving childhood impact your life? I thank God for my family, we are a close-knit family. We do everything together. My husband is, believe it or not, my best friend. There is absolutely nothing we do not discuss with each other. I love our relationship – it’s real and it’s fun. My husband is also my number one fan, supporter, and encourager. He believes in me and has always wanted to see me succeed. I enjoy a wonderful relationship with my children. My girls talk to me about everything, and nothing is off limits. Sometimes I don’t like what I hear, but at the same time I want them to be comfortable enough to come to me with anything. My son is only seven, and he’s my energizer bunny. Life is all about play for him right now, and I am definitely not complaining. Having the support and love of my family gives me so much peace and confidence, and I know they’re always rooting for me. How do you juggle roles as a mother, a wife, and a businesswoman? Being a mother is probably the most difficult profession a woman can have, plus I live in a country where nannies and housekeepers are not the norm. It’s tough, but by the Grace of God, I’m successful in balancing all three. However, there is no “me” time, and that will probably be the case until my children are much older. It’s okay though because I know that when my children are grown and doing well in life, I will look back and appreciate the time and effort I put into raising them. Where are your favourite travel spots? I love going out to eat with friends and family, and I enjoy a good laugh so I tend to surround myself with people that are funny. I love Miami, New York City, and Monaco. Honestly, I feel that as long as you’re in good company, being in your backyard can be your favourite spot. On a daily basis, what profoundly drives you out of bed? God is the driving force behind me. I believe that my future is bright simply because God has got my back. I’m motivated to get up in the morning because of my wonderful family, and because it’s another day and opportunity to grow Emmaus.

The Emmaus brand is currently available in top retail stores in Lagos, any plans to take it nationwide and, possibly, globally? The original plan was to first launch Emmaus in the US, and shortly after, Nigeria. I later changed the plan and decided to launch first in the country I was born and raised in. Emmaus will be available in more locations in Nigeria in the near future. Online sales in the US will begin May 1, 2015, with worldwide shipping.

Have you ever thought of where you’d be in 10 years? Personally, I see myself as a mother to two beautiful young ladies that have graduated from college and are beginning their careers. I see myself patting my son on the back for getting accepted into college. I see my husband and I still enjoying a beautiful marriage, and I definitely see myself enjoying some “me” time. Professionally, I see different product lines of Emmaus on the shelves of all major retail outlets worldwide. I also see Emmaus being a force for good, touching lives positively along

What are the peculiar challenges you face? There were quite a few challenges with the formulation process. It was a difficult feat trying to fuse natural active ingredients with natural preservatives, but with hard work, deter-

Do you have some professional counsel for budding beauty entrepreneurs? Don’t give up on your dreams, don’t listen to the naysayers, believe in your idea, product or brand, and work actively towards achieving it.

Sagoe and her family

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 april 2015

fashion etiquette No socks with shorts or sandals

ne fashion faux pas some men commit is wearing socks with shorts. Wearing socks with shorts is inappropriate as it visually cuts your leg almost in half, therefore, making your legs appear shorter and stockier. If you have to wear socks with your shorts, then opt for ankle socks which do not show above the shoes. Loafers and sneakers are ideal shoes to pair with your shorts and top for that stylish look. So, no matter the length of your shorts, you will look better without socks. Also, another fashion faux pas to avoid is to wear socks with sandals. Sandals are designed to be worn with bare feet, so, you should not wear socks with sandals outside your home because it is downright laughable and unfashionable.

Retro dungarees

Angela Davies he good old dungarees or denim overall, as they are sometimes called, are back on the fashion scene and every style conscious lady is rocking it in style. Dungarees were hot trends in the '80s and '90s. However, before then, dungarees were once worn as practical clothes for mechanics, farmers and construction workers, who appreciated the loose fit and deep pockets before it was introduced into the fashion world. Dungarees are everywhere right now and are a fashion must-have. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s style are not baggy and unflattering, they are trendy with skinny, tapered

fitting for a chic look. It comes in classic denim, leather and cute prints styles. Recently, international celebrities and fashionistas have been spotted rocking this trend styled in various ways. This retro outfit can be styled in a number of ways and it is easy to pull off. However, it is advisable to style according to your fashion taste. You can rock your dungaree with a cropped top, short or long sleeve shirt, T-shirt and crochet top. But the list is endless as long as you make heads turn and you are comfortable. When wearing a dungaree styling is vital. Complete your look with pumps, flat shoes, sandals, sneakers, high tops or booties depending on the

look you want to achieve. If the length is too long, fold upwards so that your shoes will be visible. Dungarees are suitable for casual outing but that does not mean you cannot make a fashion statement with it. You should complete your look with ankle strap sandals, pumps, flat shoes or sneakers depending on the look you want to achieve as well as the style imprint you want to leave behind. Fashionistas are rocking dungarees in various styles right now just to indicate that it is back and trending. Long or short, patterned or plain, dungarees have made a comeback so ensure to rock one in style.

Proper way to wear shorts without socks

Wearing socks with sandals is a fastion faux pas

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 april 2015

Accessories to live for

Rock fringe shoes Who says fringes exist only on clothes? You could as well glimpse these unique details on trending shoes. ANGELA DAVIES writes.

ringe detail shoes are in vogue with a major revamp by some designers. These kinds of shoes, however, are not your everyday shoes. Fringe details give shoes a certain spicy edge that makes them distinct and totally alluring. This shoe is a great way to infuse fringe into your outfit. It is all about the movement, and every footstep will create a powerful jolt of energy, bringing it to life. These shoes come in different styles like high heel, wedge, boot and flat sandals. They a l s o come in an array of exciting striking colours. However, if you decide to don this style of shoes, then, you should bear in mind that these shoes are busy on their own, so, it would be appropriate to pair them with

relatively simple outfit and allow the shoes do all the talking. If you want to add height and definition to your legs then fringe heels are the perfect option. High heel fringe sandals will help make you look slimmer and taller. They also add drama to any simple outfit. For an evening outing, you can choose a dress and high fringe heels to give you the perfect look. For a casual outing, you can pair your dress, jeans or shorts and top with flat fringe sandals for a relaxed look. The fun part about fringe shoes is that they you can wear them with different styles of outfits. So from simple to chic style, you can wear them according to your mood and individual style. Just remember to keep it chic.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 april 2015

MY STYLE

No suits, please Model, groomer and event host, Chike Osigwe, do not live by fashion rules set by others; he literally writes his and blazes a trail in the process, writes ANGELA DAVIES. How would you define your style? My style is simple and unique. I like clothes that are very comfortable. I like clothes that cling to my body. What determines the kind of outfit you wear? My mood determines what I wear. And if I am attending any event, I design my own style whether there is a dress code or not. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dress to impress people but myself. Which outfits take up the most space in your wardrobe? You will hardly see me wear suits. So, in my wardrobe, you will see contemporary African attire, fitted pants, jeans and tops.

Is there any outfit you will never be caught wearing? You will not catch me wear oversized clothes especially agbada. Your favourite piece of clothing That will be boots, T-shirt and jeans. Fashion item you cannot do without I cannot do without boxers, singlet and handkerchiefs. These three items are extremely important. What is the most expensive fashion piece you have ever bought My boots. What fashion rule do you live by? Simplicity combined with

uniqueness. Signature perfume I wear 212 for Men. I love the fragrance. Best designer Paul Smith, he is a simple man. I love his designs because they are always simple but unique. Best colour I love purple, white and black. Purple largely because it signifies royalty. What kind of shoes hold a special appeal to you? Boots, I am comfortable in my boots.

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

Dashiki

Facts

Canada-based Dumebi Iyamah is the creative director of Andrea Iyamah. She combines fine fabrics, creative cuts and appliquĂŠs into her design, therefore, presenting glamorous attires. A typical Andrea Iyamah outfit is fun, young and cutting edge.

The skirt is the second oldest piece of clothing, outdated only by the loincloth.

Gold is one of the most popular jewellery raw materials because of its shine, longevity and softness.

Historically, signet rings played a very important role in business and politics. It was used as a seal which featured unique family crest, emblem or monogram to sign legal or important documents, some of which played remarkable roles in our history books.

Nwachukwu

he fashion face-off this week is between two talented and dreadlocked Nollywood actors, Uti Nwachukwu and Gbenro Ajibade. And the outfit in contention is the dashiki which they wore to the same event. Big Brother Africa winner and television presenter, Nwachukwu, stepped on the orange carpet of AY Live Happiness Edition 2015 which held on Easter Sunday, April 8 at Eko Hotel & Suites, La-

Ajibade

gos, in a burnt orange dashiki. The top and trousers were beautifully and intricately designed with black embroidery to complement the colour of the fabric. He styled his traditional outfit with coral bead necklace and accessories with black stud earrings, black kufi cap, wristwatch, wristband and black leather loafers. Tinsel star, Ajibade, who also rock dashiki to the same event, appeared on the orange carpet

donning black dashiki. The outfit was equally beautifully designed with gold embroidery. The pockets and symbols made a popping contrast with the black fabric. He accessorised with his signature stud earrings, sunshades, fila, gold wristwatch, bracelet and shiny leather brown lace-up shoes. Although both actors rocked the dashiki traditional outfit, who do you think wore it better? Is it Nwachukwu or Ajibade?

SATURDAY

The Arts SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2015

Tony Okuyeme he list of artists for Okwui Enwezor ’s “All the World’s Futures” at this year's Venice Biennale has been released. The show consists of over 136 artists from 53 countries, and will feature a space for live programming in the Central Pavilion designed by David Adjaye called The Akpokiere Arena. Nigerian artist and designer, Karo Akopkiere is one of the artists announced to take part in this year’s edition of Venice Arts Biennale (La Biennale). The list also includes Emeka Ogboh, the Nigerian sound artist who is part of the Video Art Network collective. Akpokiere makes drawings inspired by the fast moving pop culture of Lagos. His work reflects experiences and Ogboh observations garnered from life in one of the fastest grow“This is our 56th ediing cities in the world. He has tion. The Biennale is now a strong aesthetic that is both 120 years old, and year afnuanced and clever. His most ter year it moves forward recent works appropriate One of Akpokiere's work and builds on its own the language of religion, history, which is formed politics and advertising to of many memories but, comment on contemporary in particular, a long sucrealities in West Africa. cession of different perAs an artist, Ogboh spectives from which to works primarily with sound observe the phenomenon and video, sharing his abiliof contemporary artistic ty to interpret isolated noise creation.” into a multitude of metroPaolo Baratta intropolitan compositions. His duces this year’s edition past works include “Verbal with these words, recallMaps of Ojuelegba”, which ing that “Bice Curiger features a Lagos danfo brought us the theme of bus driver calling out the perception, of ILLUMInaOjuelegba route, and “The tion or light as an autonoAmbivalence of 1960”, an A work by Ogboh mous and revitalizing elaudio collage of early Niement, and Massimiliano gerian politicians and their mala (1954, then with the IILA). Gioni was interested in hopes for a decolonized NiThe Holy See will again be participat- observing the phenomenon of artistic geria which was recently showcased at ing with an exhibition to be held at the creation from within, and turned his atCasino Luxembourg. The 56th international art exhibition Sale d'Armi, in the spaces that the Bien- tention to the inner impulses that drive titled “All the World’s Futures”, curated nale has renovated for new permanent mankind and the artist to create images and bring representations to life. by Enwezor and organised by la Biennale pavilions. The Italian Pavilion at the Arsenale, “The world before us today exhibdi Venezia chaired by Paolo Baratta, will be open to the public from Saturday, May organized by the Ministero per i Beni e its deep divisions and wounds, pro9 to Sunday, November 22 at the Giar- le Attività Culturali with the Direzione nounced inequalities and uncertainties dinidella Biennale and at the Arsenale. generale Arte e architettura contempo- as to the future. Despite the great progThe preview will be held on May 6th, 7th ranee e periferie urbane, will be curated ress made in knowledge and technology, we are currently negotiating an ‘age of and 8th. The awards ceremony and the by Vincenzo Trione. Forty-four Collateral Events, ap- anxiety’. And once more, the Biennale inauguration will take place on Saturday proved by the curator of the Internation- observes the relationship between art May 9. Ninety National Participations, accord- al Exhibition and promoted by nonprofit and the development of the human, ing to the organisers, will be exhibiting in national and international institutions, social, and political world, as external the historical Pavilions at the Giardini, at will present their exhibitions and initia- forces and phenomena loom large over the Arsenale and in the city of Venice. The tives in various locations within the city it. Our aim is to investigate how the tensions of the outside world act on the countries participating for the first time of Venice. The 56th International Art Exhibition sensitivities and the vital and expressive in the Exhibition are Grenada, Mauritius, Mongolia, Republic of Mozambique, and will form a unitary itinerary that starts energies of artists, on their desires and Republic of Seychelles. Other countries at the Central Pavilion (Giardini) and their inner song. One of the reasons the are participating this year after years of continues at the Arsenale, with 136 art- Biennale invited Okwui Enwezor as cuabsence: Ecuador (1966, then with the ists from 53 countries, of whom 89 will rator – Baratta states - was for his special sensitivity in this regard.” IILA), the Philippines (1964), and Guate- be showing here for the first time.

Reflection with

Tim Akinleye 08098668480

timwriteswell@gmail.com

Treasures in Sambisa

IMAGE: WWW.CALCASA.ORG

Venice Biennale puts Nigerian artists on world showcase

June fourteen, twenty fifteen, Three hundred innocent girls, In pursuit of life's dreams, Suddenly, the lights are dimmed; Unripe future hurriedly harvested! Three hundred and sixty-five days, Tragic clock ticks still in Chibok. Mournful mothers standing at the gates, Puddle of tears in their cold bosoms, Forlorn siblings hissing in a corner, Fathers with drooping heads, mourning, Waiting in vain for their stolen treasures: Palpable loss envelopes their spheres, When will treasures in Sambisa come home? The king with all his warriors in the land, Armed with all the good luck at their disposal, Sambisa, always, a step ahead of all. Who shall we send to Sambisa forest? Who shall confront the Boko hoodlums? Who shall restore the wounded pride of a giant? Who shall bring back our girls? Daily, they wake and sleep in fears, Lovely girls used to being loved and pampered, Now hear chants of war for prayers, Threats of deaths from miscreants for lullaby, Lectures on explosives for moral teachings, Guttural voices for motherly calls and, Brutal force for sweet sound of love. May God quicken the spirit of Nigeria, And may the hands of Almighty God be heavy On the treacherous belly of Sambisa forest, And cause it to vomit our treasures, Unduly swallowed, unfairly violated, Callously deprived. Shared like commodities, For the simple crime of being Nigerians! All Rights Reserved. © Copyright Tim April 2015

SATURDAY

PSquare cold war deepens

p.20

ShowBiz

Funky Mallam Entertaining Queen Elizabeth would always be memorable p.22

SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2015

t present, Gloria Maduka has moved to Cool FM where she is handling various programmes on almost all their platforms. She is a co-anchor on ‘The Blog’ and ‘The Night Show’ on StarTimes Channel 196 from 3-4 pm and 9-10 pm, respectively on a daily basis. She will also be featuring on a few other programmes. “There are some other things in the pipeline, but I am not a fan of revealing anything until I am 100 per cent certain. I appreciate my new environment tremendously. I had an encounter with Amin Moussali, my managing director, long before I got hired at Inspiration FM. So, I was offered the job even before going to Inspiration FM. I was also once offered the position of Lead Presenter at another fairly new TV station, but at the time, I did not want to abruptly leave Inspiration FM because I was fairly new. I know this sounds naive, but I can be that loyal; so I missed the opportunity. “I remember being really sad, but I knew God may have other plans for me. I then got to a point where I was yearning for more. I am never comfortable with complacency and stagnation, so I began to feel burned out and was losing motivation. I was humbled by the applause from my bosses at Inspiration FM and from the listeners, but I knew I was ready to grow and explore more depth. I made sure I did my best until the very last day, however, because I believe you must always do your best wherever you find yourself even if you are no longer contented,” she recounted. On her reason for the abrupt exit from Inspiration FM, she added, “I want to apologise to my listeners for not informing them before leaving Inspiration FM. I had asked for the chance to do so, but the chance never came. My resignation was quite sudden and it all happened so quickly. The last day I walked out of Inspiration FM was the same day I was already shooting promos for my TV shows at Cool TV. There is a lot expected from me here. It is safe to say I am now working and I love that. Growth comes from dedication and diligence.” Speaking on why she moved to Nigeria from the U.S., she said. “I moved back to Nigeria because I felt it was time. You know, there is a point in your life when you feel it is time to move on; that point when you feel your purpose in a particular place is fulfilled and you need to move on. I found out that I was not fitting in anymore, despite the fact that I got a good job in a big telecommunications company, I knew I was not doing what was making me happy. I have the love for music and entertainment in general and I was not getting it there. Also, everyone at home kept telling me to come home.” What finally got her into a plane back to Nigeria was an infraction she had with the police. She said broke a “minor traffic law” and the judge was

GLORIA MADUKA

I left U.S. in anger after an unfair traffic offence verdict

Gloria Maduka’s steady rise to fame inspiring. She was Inspiration FM's top presenter before she joined the Cool FM family. In a chat with LANRE ODUKOYA, she speaks about her job mobility and journey from the U.S. to Nigeria for the love of music. unfair to her in judgement. She knew that if she was in her own country, she would get a fairer trial. All these put together helped Gloria make up her mind. As an aspiring musician, Gloria was plotting her way to stardom in the U.S., though she never made it to the big league, she had achieved some degree of success. In her brief stint, she performed to a packed stadium at a football game in the USA. She did so well that the video was a hit on Youtube. Not long, she started getting into the vibe of Nigerian music, which she wasn’t really used to. Her first major entry to the scene was when she opened the stage for Wizkid in Van-

couver in Canada while he was on the North American tour. That was the point she really saw the potential in Nigerian music. “After I did the North American tour with Wizkid, I started watching and learning more about Nigerian music. I was studying people like May D, Brymo, and MI and I realised that Nigerian music is not bad. I know that we could also do a lot about our content as well. We focus more on quantity than quality. I saw there was a void I could fill when I get back to the country. I respect people like Waje and Omawumi who are original and have rich contents in their songs, but I know what I can bring as well

to the scene.” It might well be so valid to ask that, ‘Why is she on radio and not on CD?’ She explained that the radio was like a launch pad for her as she returned from America. She also has a broadcasting background in the U.S. “First of all, I have a degree in journalism. When I was in college (university), I was the anchor for the community TV. I also did some print journalism.” Such a background is not an automatic ticket to get a radio job in Nigeria. But Gloria did not find it hard getting a job as a presenter. Succour came her way when she met Kenny Ogungbe who gave her a chance to work with him on his Raypower show. She later walked up to Chief Soni Irabor who gave her the afternoon belt on Inspiration FM. She still has the music dream. According to her, she likes the limelight and on radio, all the people hear is your voice. So, she continues to work on her music. “I have a song called ‘Ludo’, I made it some months ago. It was produced by Flip Tyce, but I am yet to release it. “I am such a perfectionist that I keep working on the song every now and then. I will release it soon.” She also has a video of the song ‘Crazy for you’ which is getting rotation on television at the moment. Listening to her music, one will quickly notice that her influences have nothing to do with Nigeria. Her music is more of Pop and Rock. And according to her, her influences are Rock artistes like ‘Cold Play’, ‘U2’ and ‘Kelly Clarkson’. In Nigeria, her influences are Asa, Femi Kuti, and Nneka. Her music genre could be a setback for a new artiste in Nigeria, since up tempo songs with dance tunes are more in vogue. “I do Azonto and Etigi, I love songs with such flavour. But one has to be true to oneself. I could have come out a long time ago if I wanted to do such music. I even had a contract, which I turned down because they wanted me to do such music. It is not all about money, I am very true to my passion.” So, when are we going to listen to her passion, her full album? Gloria says she is still working on it and may be featuring artistes like May D and Mode 9. Going back to her past, Gloria, before leaving for the U.S., grew up in Lagos. She had part of her secondary school in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Her parents noticed that she was veering towards the arts and entertainment and were weary at first. “My parents had always supported me in whatever I did. All they were concerned about is that I do not compromise my morals. As long as I do not bring shame to the family, they are fine with it. They are not really like the traditional parents. They guided me and allowed me to make decisions for my own life.”

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LANRE ODUKOYA

SHOWBIZ TODAY

08059296445 lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

DSTV reruns Airtel touching lives drama series

or enthusiastic viewers who missed the recently concluded 13-episode TV series, Airtel Touching Lives, DSTV has announced a rerun of the reality television show on Africa Magic. The rerun, which commenced on April 12 will air at 8.00pm every Sunday till July 5, with repeat broadcasts at 8.30pm every Wednesday from April 15 to July 8. The flagship reality television show has been a revelation that has set the standard in "needs-based corporate social responsibility" and set in motion a cycle of giving that has presented countless beneficiaries with the foundation to build their dreams and fulfil their aspirations. Season 1 of the series has called to attention a wide spectrum of issues ranging from cerebral palsy to functional blindness; while showcasing how the less privileged in the society are empowered to actualize their dreams. The Touching Lives project has also awakened in the general population of viewers the need to contribute to the wellbeing of their fellow citizens. According to the chief executive officer and managing director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, “Airtel Touching Lives underscores our determination to enrich lives and contribute to humanity. It marks the beginning of a new journey in providing empowerment and a major lifeline for thousands of Nigerians.” Speaking further, Ogunsanya reiterated that he is optimistic that the Airtel Touching lives show will not only resonate with Nigerians but will inspire the privileged people to continuously look for opportuni-

The host, Wana Udobang with guests on the show

ties to assist the needy and the less privileged in the society. “Airtel Touching Lives programme is an expression of our commitment to alleviating suffering and offering real-time help to displaced persons, the hard to reach and the less privileged in the society. “Airtel is part of the Nigerian society and we feel the deep pain and hardship confronting many in the communities where we operate. It is our hope that Touching Lives will offer relief to many and help us to connect emotionally with the communities and

customers we serve,” he said. The show has popular on-air personality, Wana Udobang, as anchor. The anchor adds another dimension to the redefinition of television-viewing experience of Nigerians as she captures the moving stories and emotive moments of the beneficiaries and their emancipation from the shackles of poverty, despair and suffering.

The Airtel Touching Lives initiative offers a platform to celebrate humanity, whilst inspiring hope and enhancing people’s quality of life. It identifies extraordinary people from all walks of life with dire needs and aims at fostering a culture of giving selflessly and nominating extraordinary individuals, who ought to be given a gateway to a better life.

PSquare cold war deepens

frica’s biggest pop group, Paul and Peter Okoye of PSquare can no longer contain their rancor several months after their first messy fight. This is even more evident in the action of one half of the twin, Paul Okoye who posted on Instagram that the smash hit songs of the group were single-handedly produced and written by him. He enumerated songs like Bring It On featuring Dave Scot as well as Forever, Personally, No One Like You, E No Easy, and Do Me. Paul wrapped up each post with the hashtag: ‘#MyBest40SongsOfP2′. And Peter who had been a solo ambassador of Olympic Milk has also set plans in motion to commence a dance reality TV show he dubbed “Dance Nigeria with Peter”- another solo enterprise as a backlash of their cold war. The Squareville, their music empire had severed intense heat these

PSquare

past twelve months and was only able to remain due to intervention of some notable figures. It won’t be shocking anymore to see Paul announce his own solo enterprise and if we ever see the duo perform together later, the interest would apparently be for the lure of commerce and perhaps never for the respect for blood and brotherhood.

Namkul returns from India with love O gungbo Lukman, otherwise known as Namkul, has hit the airwaves with a new single entitled Pyar, an Indian word that means love. Produced by Sunny Dee, Pyar is inspired by the love Namkul received while studying at the University of Mumbai, India. Namkul started his musical career in 2006 as a member of the now defunct Israeli Sect. The

group had a hit single entitled Galatian before each member moved on to pursue their solo careers. Namkul’s debut album featuring artistes like Bukzy, Xcaper, Emeorla and Denny Zee was released in 2012. This was promptly followed by the video of Beach Party, one of the cuts in the album. The video of Beach Party was directed by Oluyinka Davids’ Ifocus Media. Namkul

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Music is hereditary in my family – Mother of Gifted Kids Music runs in the family of Ezenwegbu. With the name Gifted Kids, the four sisters have been able to release two albums regardless of their tender age. OLUSHOLA RICKETTS speaks with their mother who is also a musician. Who are Gifted Kids? Gifted kids are four sisters; I am their mother. The eldest is Sandra, the second girl is Favour, the third is Gift and the last is Rejoice. My own name is Constance. Could you tell us how it all began? I am an artiste too. I realised that whenever they were busy with things in the house they loved to sing together. As an artiste I listened to their voices and I felt they could go places in the entertainment industry. I decided to support them and tried to make them to sing together more. I could still remember how the first and second daughters turned our siting room into a stage. So, I would ask them to sing, adjust the songs and take them to the studio. Rejoice is their second album, the first was Apple of God’s Eyes. How do they combine this with their studies? God has been faithful. It is not affecting their studies and they have time for rehearsals too. There is time for everything. If they have exams they don’t do anything musical. I allow them to concentrate on their studies until they conclude the examinations. What are they doing at present? The first one is about to take her Senior School Leaving Certificate Examination. She wants to study law at the Nnamdi Azikwe University. The second girl is in SS 1 and the third is in JSS 1. The last of them will be eight years old this year. What have been the chal-

lenges? The challenges we are facing have to do with promotion and marketing. Whenever I take their songs for promotion they demand money. For their songs to be registered in a radio station’s musical box I would have to pay some amount of money. Last year I kept paying money, but at a point I stopped. This is one of the challenges we are battling with. We need good and sincere promoters to handle their musical album for them. When was the second album released? It was released two years ago.

How do you describe their music? Most people think they only sing gospel, but it is not just gospel. On their album you will see a song like Gifted Children which was dedicated to all gifted children in the world. There is Goodluck Nigeria, wishing Nigeria good luck due to the challenges and problems in the country. The girls are proud of the country, believing that one day things will change for the better. There are also gospel tracks to thank God for all the good things He has been doing. So, their music covers everything happening in society. How do you feel as a mother? I am really happy because they make me proud. In their schools they are just like any other kid; they don’t allow the music thing to influence them. Seeing them perform on stage makes me happy. You are also a musician; how many albums do you have? I have two albums now.

We all know the system; it is only when you make a noise people tend to recognise you. When I released my first album I gave it to a marketer, but the man messed the whole thing up. I was really angry, but all thanks to God because it was at that point I developed the zeal to push my kids. I collected the deal from him and I started doing the marketing myself. Whenever I am invited for events too, including women gathering and churches, I perform my songs. What kind of music do you do? Just like my children, I do gospel and I sing about the happenings in the society. Is their father in full support of what they do? He is fully in support. Without him we wouldn’t have gotten to where we are today. We really appreciate the sacrifice he has made for the family. He is into business and operates at Idumota, Lagos. What are your specific plans for them? I have a lot of things I desire them to do. I plan that when the second girl clocks 20 years old I would enroll her on Project Fame or Nigerian Idol. I believe God that she would do us proud. I know they have the talent, so I trust God to lead them right. I want people to believe in them and help them to grow. Were your parents musicians too? Music is hereditary for me. My mum was a good singer, though she didn’t take it beyond the village.

Gifted kids (L-R: Gift, Favour, Sandra and Rejoice) with their mum, Constance

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Funky Mallam: Entertaining Queen Elizabeth would always be memorable Saheed Abubakar aka Funky Mallam gained popularity in showbiz with a distinct mallam character. The comic actor, who recently survived a food poison, speaks with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS. How did entertainment start for you? I would say I was quite lucky. I came to Lagos in 1999 because I was looking for how to dispose of the scripts I had written. I used to go to Iddo market in Lagos, before it was moved to Alaba. With my scripts, I would go to stores to see movie promoters or producers. Many times, I was advised to go to Onitsha (their headquarters) or I should leave my scripts and check back some other time. Things continued like that until the day I saw a movie that was very close to my script. I strongly suspected that somebody must have gone through the script and developed the story. It was a good omen for me because I had the conviction that my idea was utilised. Didn’t you feel bad that your idea was developed without your consent? I didn’t feel bad because at that particular time I had been featured in Paradise Park. When you are not known and part of your dream is coming to pass, you don’t feel bad about some things. I didn’t even have the money to turn the script into a movie. So, if someone refused to use it I had nothing to do with it. What I needed then was for someone to use the script and give me a little role to play. I wasn’t interested in the money. But I was able to gain in script writing because it took me to Africa Radio Drama Association. One of the producers saw my script and introduced me to the office. I started writing radio drama script for them. From there, Ford Foundation organised a national script writing competition in Abuja and I was picked among those who represented Lagos. After a two-week workshop in Abuja, they issued us certificates. But along the way I decided to stop writing scripts because it takes a lot of time. You must make sure that your scripts are not alike. I also found out that acting was more lucrative than writing scripts at that particular time. I don’t know about now. When did you get your first acting role? I started with a sitcom, Paradise Park, in 2000 and I featured alongside Julius Agwu. After then, I was called to present a weekly morning programme on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). They called it Laugh Line, but it was later changed to Humour On Ice. Okey Bakassi, Julius Agwu, etc also produced it at different times. It was a 15-minute programme and you were expected to make people laugh. This was the period people started to call me to anchor events too. I handled Humour On Ice for over a year. Why did you leave Humour On Ice? You don’t stay in a particular place or do a certain thing for the rest of your life. When you start getting other engagements you have to move on.

It was reported that you recently suffered food poisoning; what really happened? I am not sure if it was somebody that actually attacked me; it is just the normal food poisoning. When you eat bad food it could make you to feel terribly sick. I was in the intensive care unit for some days. I thank God it didn’t get more serious than that. How was growing up as a Hausa boy? My parents, especially my mother, were very strict. My mother didn’t take nonsense. Whenever I came home with tears she would never ask why I was crying. She always concluded that I must have done something bad for me to get the beating. And since I was so scared of her I avoided trouble. My parents are dead now. We are 11 children, but we are just three from my mother’s. Also, I didn’t really spend my formative years in the north. I was born in Auchi, Edo State, I completed my primary school in Umuahia, Abia State and I had my secondary education in Jos. I went to Port Harcourt and worked for three years immediately I concluded my secondary school. I later returned to Kano when I got admission into the Bayero University. Basically, growing up was all fun for me because I visited many states. This is the reason I have been able to appreciate different cultures and religions; I don’t see anything as unpleasant. I want to believe it wasn’t all rosy at the beginning; how did you cope with challenges? I didn’t really face challenges in the beginning. I didn’t even go through any audition to feature in Paradise Park. Someone introduced me to Mr. Femi Lasode, the producer and after he saw my script he asked me to always check on him. I was paid N4, 000 per episode and this was around 2002. I knew then that people were collecting as low as N500 per episode in other programmes. But after a while it was not funny anymore; things got tough. What kept you going when things were tough? It is hope and determination. I would have given up because it got to a point I could hardly feed myself. I could not even afford a room apartment; I was squatting with someone. I thank God for standup comedy and the fact that people started to call me to anchor events. I also grabbed the opportunity of doing radio dramas, voice overs, jingles, etc. I think this was how I picked up and started having steady income. I later found out that I hardly stayed idle. Do you have any regrets? I have always said that there is no short cut to success in life; you could only emulate people who have succeeded in that field and strive to do better than them. So, I didn’t regret

Funky Mallam

that I followed the due process. I moved gradually into the industry and I never went down. Also, I tried to be better than my previous year. I have seen some of my colleagues who rose so high and came down suddenly. I don’t want that experience. It is better you grow gradually and remain relevant in the game. What would you say is the highest point of your career so far? My greatest moment was entertaining Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Abuja sometime in 2006. The memory is unforgettable. I was invited by the BBC to be part of it and I led the comedy show that day. It was an international event and the international media were beaming it live. I was also paid in dollar. How many movies have you featured in? I do more of TV films. I started doing more movies last year and I have featured in about six. Some of them like The Department and Birthday Bash, are out. What informed your decision to stay away from movies? The movie industry was not like this before now; the whole system used to be scrappy. Then, someone could feature in over 100 movies and have nothing in his pocket. I just don’t want to mention names, but we had many people who were struggling despite the fact that they were everywhere. In the past, only few acts were favoured; you could count them. I don’t think they were more than 10;

others were paid peanut. And to get to the list of high earners could take years. So, you need to ask yourself what you really want. Do you just want to be popular and have nothing to show for it? What makes you unique? It is my style of delivery. We had a lot of people doing the mallam thing, but they do it in a different manner. When a Hausa man wants to talk, it is not necessary for him to have a frown on his face. It is not the face that is talking; he talks with humility and it should be like that. The only place they have problem is in the wrong spelling and pronunciation. What I do is I try to speak fluently but incorrectly. This is why people see me as better character. My problem now is that Nigerians stereotype people too much. It wasn’t until I started fighting before people started seeing that I could do roles asides playing a mallam. If you watch some of my movies or programmes lately, I have been able to diversify. Do you regret the fact that you couldn’t keep your marriage? I am not the first person to experience divorce and I will not be the last. Sometimes things we don’t bargain for happen, but I want to see it as the Will of God. I have moved on. It is now two years since we went our separate ways. Do you plan to give marriage a second shot? Yes, why not? I cannot live the rest of my life alone. I need a companion, someone who understands me but I know I need to be a bit careful.

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‘Achebe’s Chike and the River made me believe I could do anything' Despite limited opportunities, Henry Ozuluonye has carved a niche for himself through his works. The Delta-based Nollywood director and producer tells OLUSHOLA RICKETTS about his life as a filmmaker and challenges. When did you direct your first movie? It was in 2006, a soap opera. The name was Inside Campus. It was shot in Enugu and aired on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). But I prefer to attribute my first movie to 2008, a movie entitled the Waste Collectors. I produced and directed it. It was shot at Asaba, Delta State. Being your first major movie; how was the feeling? I must say that it was overwhelming. After helping others in many departments, I felt excited about the opportunity to be a director on set. I was also looking forward to growing in the industry. But I started making films since 1998; this is my 16 years. How come it took that long to direct your first movie? The opportunities were not there. In film-making, you have to start from somewhere. We all started from somewhere; nobody just came in and started directing a movie. I started as a production assistant for companies and graduated to a production manager in 2000. How did you acquire directing skills? I worked with many directors and some of the jobs I did were my scripts. I worked with directors that gave me the opportunities to share my views. From that point, I started developing the interest to interpret my own stories after writing. Also, I got my inspiration from a novel by Chinua Achebe called Chike and the River. The novel made me to believe I could do anything. How was your growing up like? I helped myself as a student in the Metropolitan College in Onitsha and Institute of Management and Technology in Enugu. I have three siblings; I am the third child. I was born and raised in Onitsha, Anambra State. Since I came into the industry early I had the opportunity to visit places. I have a

daughter that recently joined the industry too. She is six years old and her name is Deborah. I have two other younger girls. How many movies have you done? I have over 25 movies and like 19 of them have been released, including Waste Collectors, Madam Landord (my award-winning comedy), Beautiful Pretenders, Criminal King, Kingdom of Tears, Dangerous Adoption, NwaMbada, English Teacher, Last Slave, Linus the Barber, Mama Philo, Shadows of Darkness among others. Madam Landlord won best comedy in 2012, Beckal Awards and Nollywood Best TV Awards in comedy in 2012. It is about a landlady that has 100 rooms with two toilets. She keeps one for herself and the other for all the tenants. The movie has recorded over 25 million copies in Nigeria, while we have over 100 copies in the United States of America. The movie is still brining in money for us, though it was shot in 2011. Which of your jobs do you consider the best? I would consider Last Slave as my best so far. I did that after few workshops I did in the United States. So, I came back and I exercised those skills on the movie. It is yet to be released; it is about human trafficking and it is so emotional that one might want to cry. It was shot with my company’s latest equipment. We plan to release it on April 30, but it has been premiered in Houston, Texas. It features Francis Duru, Zulu Adigwe, Joyce Kalu, Patrick Onyeocha and Nuella Njubigbo. It was shot in Enugu and everything used in the movie was made for the purpose of it.

people to start believing in my creativity. But I believed in my skills prior to that. I was listed among the youngest script writers at a time and that gave me hope that one day I would be a force to reckon with. How do you combine writing scripts and directing? I try to train people and I employ too. I have two associate producers working with me and young writers I groomed. What I do for the writers in most cases is that I do the final editing after they’ve done the background works. I focus mainly on directing. Did you get support from your parents? I was very young, so they tried to discourage me. They told me that filmmakers are the poorest people in the society. But I insisted and went against their wish because I was so passionate about it. So, after school I would go for auditions and interact with filmmakers. Even when I wasn’t picked I felt happy I experienced it.

What were the obstacles? It was basically lack of opportunities. People found it hard to believe in me, probably because of my young age. They didn’t give me the opportunity to bring in my scripts or display my skills. But God intervened and some people became convinced of my ability. For instance, when I wrote the movie, The Village Boys, people were asking the producer if I knew what I was writing. I was in my 20s, but the people there at that time were much older. They were looking up to people who had been there for 30 years or so. But the producer, Valentine Nwabulu of Valseco Industries, loved it and the director approved it. He also gave me the role of a manager on that job. It was really challenging, as other senior managers told me that I was not a registered member. Since it was my script there was limitation to what they could do to me. The saving grace was that I wrote the script.

How lucrative is film-making? The profession is lucrative when one is made. If you are struggling you might get easily frustrated. When did you get your breakthrough? I think it was 2012 when I got an award with Madam Landlord. The movie made

Ozuluonye

' I'm sceptical working under record labels'

Up-and-coming musician, Obinna Michael aka Byno, tells CHIAZOR PEACE UDUH about his desire to leave a mark on the music scene. Who is Byno? I am a guy that loves to make good music. I love being around good people. I am the first of three children; my parents are still around. At what point did you realise you wanted to be a musician? I have known that for a very long time. I actually discovered I had the talent at a tender age. Then, I was doing things that people older than me could not do.

Byno

You participated in Nigerian Idol in 2012 and 2014. What were your expectations? You can never know it all and experience is the best teacher. I felt it was an avenue and a platform for people to know who I am and what I do. Though I did not win, the experience and exposure I gained is priceless to me. The platform helped me a lot, but sometimes you do not get what you wish for and that should not stop you

from doing what you love to do. Are you getting support from your parents? At first it was difficult because combining music and education goes with a lot of sacrifices. But they later saw that I derived pleasure in doing music and it was making me happy. How did you combine school with music? I studied metallurgical and materials engineering. It was about placing my priorities right and trying to make my plans favourable to the things I was doing at that point. I strongly believe one can combine education and music together. It is about knowing what you want and music was something I knew I would pursue as a career after school. How do you describe your style of music? I basically do rhythm and blues,

but as a musician I should be able to do different genres. So, I would say I do pop, hip-hop and I rap also. I do anything that has to do with good music and sound. Was there a time you felt like quitting? There have been cases things were not really going the way I wanted and I felt like focusing on other things. But it became too late to give up and I decided to make it work. I also thought about what my fans and people will think of me. Are you signed to a record label? I am working on my own label. I am trying to be my own boss; I am sceptical about anything that has to do with contracts. Also, I have realised that it is not what I want. I do not want to be restricted by rules set by someone because it is about my happiness at the end of the day.

Investigations

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Unholy union: The

Almost on a daily basis, women are beaten and “punished” for supposed wrongdoings. In other cases, vicious acid attacks leave them with horrific disfigurements. Such violence is all too frequently excused and tolerated in communities where they are assigned an inferior role, subordinate to the male head of the family and seen as the property of their husbands. But things are changing. In most recent incidences, women have proven that the issue of domestic violence is not an exclusive preserve of the male folks. In this report, ISIOMA MADIKE, highlights countless stories of violence in marriages where women seem to be fighting back, and have become, as it were, the ones doing the damage

My family isolated and dishonoured me for allowing an ordinary woman to be pounding me like her house maid

A woman pounding her husband

ssessing the extent of domestic violence in Nigeria is an almost impossible task. But it remains shockingly high. In some neighbourhood, nearly two-thirds of women are believed to have experienced physical, sexual or psychological violence in the family. However, the men have overtime, had their own share of the pathetic tale too. For instance, Tunde, a resident of Ishaga, an outskirt of Lagos State told this reporter that he was regularly subjected to violence by his wife. After one assault, he was left permanently blind in his left eye. His wife had suspected him of having a sexual relationship outside their marriage. When the violence became unbearable, he obtained dissolution of the marriage in a Customary Court, also in Lagos. "My former wife was always beating me up every second of the day because

Isioma madike

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

photo: www.africanseer.com

she suspected I was having extra-marital gry and attacked her husband, cutting off affairs. We had no children though, and his joystick with a knife. “Olalekan was my cousin had advised me to hands off eating when his wife came and started the marriage but I foolishly refused. He shouting at him, calling him unprintable also warned me not to report the case names. She poured his plate of food on to the police because it was shameful, his head and proceeded to beat him with even though, she almost killed me at a bucket she found in the compound,” one instance. Yet, my family isolated investigations had revealed. The man was said to have run to his and dishonoured me for, according to sister’s shop to seek refuge from his anthem, allowing an ordinary woman to be pounding me like her house maid,” gry wife but Bimbo pursued him with said Tunde. a broken bottle with which she threatHe had no job for a better part of their ened to stab him. They were settled and marriage. This gave his estranged wife an returned to bed in peace. But, Bimbo was not done yet. About 2a.m., there upper hand since she was the one working and providing for the entire family. was shouting in the couple’s apartment. She had woken up her husband, tore his Because of this, she assumed power from pants and held his penis. She, thereafter, being the supposed provider and head cut it off with the knife she was holding of the family. The power, unfortunately, included coercive influence, which often and ran away leaving him writhing in manifested in physical and mental subjugation through violence. This was the hell Tunde had to endure until the marriage was unceremoniously dissolved after numerous interventions by family and friends, failed. However, Tunde is not an isolated case. A female banker, identified simply as Bimbo, was also under police investigation in Lagos a few years ago after she allegedly assaulted her husband, Olalekan, during a domestic argument. The quarrel, which started as a result of her husband's inability to provide enough money for the family's needs for Christmas, later degenerated into uncontrolComedy or reality... an internet picture showing a man being lable brawl. photo:www.gistmania.com Bimbo, according to reports, got an- purnished by his wife

anguish. “That is where you will die,” she reportedly mocked him afterwards. In like manner, police detectives from the Edo State Police Command equally arrested and detained a housewife and her lover, a pastor, over the murder of her husband, Victor Nsongbunyo. Until his death, Nsongbunyo was a Deputy Manager with the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), in Benin. The woman and her deceased husband, a native of Cross River State, who, before the incident, was promoted to Deputy Manager by NPDC and was due to retire from service the following year, had, according to investigations, been having issues with the paternity of their children. He had suspected that his wife was having extra-marital affair with the pastor. The issue had taken them to their home town where they complained to their families when Nsongbunyo suspected that the pregnancy his wife was carrying was not from him. The families were said to have resolved to take a Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test after the wife gave birth to the child. This arrangement, according to sources, incensed the wife, prompting her into plotting to murder her husband with her lover-pastor. According to police sources, the deceased returned from work on the fateful day, to meet the suspected killers, who mowed him down, and put the mutilated body into one of his old cars. The car was driven to Sapele road, Benin, where it was set ablaze with his body. In spite of these, men appear to be affected in domestic violence to a lesser degree. Women and children are most frequently the victims. Violence against one member of the family profoundly affects everybody in the home and children are traumatised by the abuse of their mother. Witnessing violence can also have a brutalising effect, leading to a cycle of violence perpetuated down the generations. In Nigeria, however, large numbers of women are regularly subjected to physical, sexual and psychological violence. Husbands, partners and fathers are responsible for most of this violence. Both male and female members of the extended family are involved, including in their capacity as employers of women domestic workers in the household. Fatima, a 12-year-old domestic worker, was reported to have been doused with kerosene and set on fire after she was accused of stealing meat from her employer. The alleged perpetrator was charged in connection with her death, but the outcome of the case is not known. This was a few years back. Countless other women and girls in the country are subjected to violence by some members of their families and within their communities, as in many countries throughout the world. Women of all ages and from all socio-economic groups, living in rural and urban communities, are equally affected.

SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2015

SATURDAY

FREE

Sport Splash 25

FA Cup

Nwosu

Yakubu, Akpan eye Arsenal scalp p.27

Eagles,

News

Pacquiao scoffs at Mayweather's 'reckless’ jabs p.27

beware of Tanzania

EPL

Chelsea , United in decisive tie p.28

Ex-captain says Egypt not the threat in AFCON 2017 group

Interview

I cried anytime I failed in athletics - Omeiza p.30

Vincent Eboigbe

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

former international, Henry Nwosu, has warned the Super Eagles not to be deceived by their seemingly "easy" group in the draw for the 2017 African Cup of Nations conducted last week. The Eagles were grouped alongside Chad, Tanzania and Egypt in a pool that has seen many already celebrating, but Nwosu cautioned that there were no small teams anymore on the continent. He said Nigeria must do the hard work and not assume that qualification for the 2017 championship was already in the bag. “As far as I am concerned, there are no more minnows in African football, every team is striving to be among the top teams on the continent, so we can’t afford to underrate any of them or see them as easy,” Nwosu said. Seven-time AFCON champions, Egypt, have not qualified for the last three editions of the tournament after winning 2006, 2008

and 2010 on the trot. The Arab Spring, the political uprising, which led to the ouster of long-standing leader, Hosni Mubarak, undeniably affected the country’s football. In spite of this however, the North African are still seen as Nigeria’s biggest opponents in the race for Gabon, hosts of the 2017 championship. But Nwosu argued that the Pharaohs might just be the least of Super Eagles worries, given that they would play Chad and Tanzania before confronting Egypt in the series that begin in June. “I don’t fear Egypt, I respect them just the same way I respect the other teams in our group,” Nwosu added. “Tanzania may just turn out to be stronger than Egypt, so we need to be careful not to disregard any teams especially as we won’t play the North Africans early. What we need to do is prepare for the qualifying campaign, do our part with utmost seriousness. I am confident that we will qualify for the championship, but we can’t take anything for granted.”

Nwosu noted that naming a substantive coach for the Eagles was crucial. Nigeria had been without a coach since after the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 following the expiration of the contract of coach Stephen Keshi. Negotiations between the Nigeria Football Federation and Keshi has dragged on interminably, with assistant coach Daniel Amokachi having to step in the breach, but that has not in any way diminished the impression of a rudderless ship. “I have talked to Keshi and NFF officials and my advice to both parties is to quickly sort out the deal, it has been on for too long,” said the former Golden Eaglets coach. “If they want to re-hire Keshi let them do it on time and if they are not so inclined let them also expedite action in that regard. One way or another there has to be a decision quickly, otherwise the qualifiers for 2017 AFCON may suffer.” The NFF and Keshi were expected to sign the new contract yesterday (April 17).

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

Nigerian League Rendezvous No.

Team

PTS

Taraba FC

Heartland FC

El-Kanemi

Gabros Utd

Kwara Utd

Enyimba

Wikki

Sharks FC

Sunshine

Abia Warriors

-1

Giwa FC

-2

Kano Pillars

Warri Wolves

Lobi Stars

Rangers

-1

Nasarawa

-2

Dolphins FC

-1

Akwa Utd

-2

Bayelsa Utd

-3

Shooting

-3

Nasarawa star urges fans to be patient

Sunday, 19.04.2015 - 4. Matchday Kano Pillars vs Enyimba Bayelsa Utd vs Taraba FC Kwara Utd vs Heartland FC Lobi Stars vs Sharks FC Akwa Utd vs Gabros United Rangers vs Giwa FC Sunshine vs Dolphins FC Warri Wolves vs El-Kanemi Warriors Abia Warriors vs Wikki Tourists Nasarawa Utd vs Shooting Stars

Kwara United vow to continue good form

A Kano Pillars player (right) in a league action...recently

wara United will be looking forward to maintaining their unbeaten start to the season as they take on Heartland of Owerri this weekend in Ilorin. Speaking with League Rendezvous, the media officer of the club, Yinka Owolewa, said the management was not taking anything for granted in getting the players ready for the task ahead. "The team has been in Ijebu Ode since the beginning of the week in preparation for the resumption," Owolewa said. "For now we don’t want to drop from our position on the table, we would rather climb up the log. "We have the full complement of players apart from Femi Oladapo and John Chukwudi. Ayinde Kabiru is back from injury and they are all raring to go." Kwara United are currently fifth on the table with five points after three matches in the new season, and will be up against a Heartland side that is the only club yet to drop a point in the league.

Enyimba ready for Kano Pillars, says Udoji Stories by Charles Ogundiya

s clubs gear up for league resumption, Enyimba of Aba have declared their readiness for the top of the table encounter with the Nigeria Professional Football League defending champions, Kano Pillars. The two sides will square up in Kano on Sunday in an encounter many have tagged a grudge match. Captain of the Aba side, Chinedu Udoji, said the players are not taking anything for granted.

"The game against Pillars is going to be very tough, but you cannot win the league without winning such big games," Udoji said. "Our target is to win all our games this season, both home and away, and the game against Pillars is not an exception." Meanwhile, the league will resume this weekend after a break necessitated by the general elections in the country. In Lafia on Sunday, Nasarawa United will take on Shooting Stars of Ibadan as the Oluyole Warriors seek their first point of the season.

In Akure, Sunshine Stars will welcome Dolphins of Port Harcourt in the only game to be broadcast live by Supersports. Kwara United will take on Heartland in Ilorin while Taraba will hope to continue their unbeaten run against home team, Bayelsa United. Enugu fans will hope to cheer the home team, Rangers, to victory against Giwa FC of Jos with Akwa United looking to get back to winning ways as they play at home against newly promoted Gabros International (Ifeanyi Ubah) of Nnewi.

asarawa United star, Kelly Kester, has urged fans to be patient with the team as the players try to put their acts together. The former Sharks FC of Port Harcourt player said the team has a bunch of talented players that would lift the club to a continental place at the end of the season. "We have had a shaky start no doubt but I believe we have a good team to compete well this season,” he said. “The management signed some quality players to strengthen and I believe that with time we will become an unbeatable team. "The results have not gone down well with the players because it is our career. If possible we want to win all our games and make a good name for this club and ourselves but we also have the responsibility to pick ourselves up and strive for a good run." The Solid Miners narrowly missed out on a continental place on the final day of last season but have won just one out of their first three games this season leaving them with three points from as many games. To add to their disappointment, Nasarawa United lost in the final of the Nasarawa State Federation Cup to their junior team on penalties. While acknowledging that such defeat hurts, the central midfielder urged the team's fans to remain patient and trust the players.

Kester

Supersports’ double standards unacceptable –Fans

ans in some of the Nigeria Professional Football League match venues have condemned the broadcast rights owner Supersports’ for what they dubbed double standards regarding the matches they beam live. Some of the fans who spoke with our correspondent said

the pay TV station should respect the gentlemen's agreement they had with the League Management Company. The agreement stipulates that any match shown live in the first stanza of the season, the corresponding fixture must also be beamed live.

According to the fans, the reverse has been the case in recent times. "Imagine a match between Kano Pillars and Enyimba will not be shown live on television, tell me which other match is as big as that?" Tosin Adeniji, a fan said. "Why would our star match

for Week Four not be on television but when they want to play in Aba, Supersports will move the whole world there. It is not fair." A Sunshine Stars of Akure fan, Olajide Bukola, said: "What is good for the goose, is sauce for the gander, let them find a way of showing some of these top matches live on

television." In a quick reaction however, a staff of Supersports who wanted anonymity told our correspondent that the security situation in that part of the country was not favourable to making the necessary arrangements to show matches live.

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

Lagos Easter Open Athletics Championships for April 25

n continuation of its efforts to promote sports at grassroots level, Lagos will host the maiden Easter Open Athletics Championship scheduled to hold from April 24 to 25 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. Already, 42 schools and 20 clubs within and outside Lagos have confirmed their participation in the two-day event to be competed for in the junior and senior categories. According to the organisers, Lagos State Athletics Association, the championship also serves as qualifier for the forthcoming World Athletics Championship later this year. The junior category is open to all secondary schools in Lagos and they are expected to jostle for honours in 4x100metres,

Yakubu in action for Reading

Yakubu, Akpan eye Arsenal scalp

zIdeye z doubtful for Palace clash

Ajibade Olusesan igeria’s Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Hope Akpan are expected to be in action when their club, Reading, face Arsenal in the semifianl of the English FA Cup at the Wembley Stadium today. Although Aiyegbeni may start from the bench Akpan is expected to be named in the starting lineup as the Championship side attempt to stop the defending champions. Aiyegbeni has played against the Gunners a couple of times during his first spell in England and he can bring his wealth of experience to

bear on the game anytime he comes on. The former Everton striker has played three times in the FA Cup for Readings and has one goal to his credit in the competition. In Spain, Ike Uche will attempt to add to his seven league goals when Villarreal welcome Cordoba today. The Nigerian ended almost four-month goal drought when he scored the Yellow Submarine’s only goal in their 1-1 draw at Getafe last weekend and he wants to continue a run of good form. Anthony Ujah scored his 10th Bundesliga goal last weekend and he will be looking for a consolida-

tion when his German side, Cologne travel to Berlin. Meanwhile, Brown Ideye remains a major doubt for West Brom as they face Crystal Palace but Coach Tony Pulis can select Victor Anichebe. Ideye suffered a knock in their last weekend’s match and medics were still battling to get the player ready for today’s match as at press time. Odion Ighalo scored his 20th goal in the Championship on Wednesday against Nottingham Forest and he is a big bet to add another one when his side, Watford, host Birmingham City today.

4x200m, 100, 200, 400, 800 metres as well as Swedish relays in 100, 200, 300 and 400metres. The top three athletes in each event will get N50,000, N30,000 and N20,000 respectively. The senior division is open to states, clubs, tertiary institutions, military, para military organizations and foreign countries. The events in the senior category are 4x100, 4x200, and 4x400, and in sprint events like 100, 200, 400 and 800 metres. Also, events like 1200, and 1600 meters will be jostled for while corporate relay (4X100 metres) will be competed for by corporate bodies. The top three athletes in the senior cadre will get N120,000, N80,000 and N50,000 respectively.

Pupil Mourinho aims to halt master Van Gaal again

hen Jose Mourinho jumped to beleaguered Louis van Gaal's defence in February, sympathising that he should be given time to get used to English football, even he might have been surprised at just how quickly his mentor has since adapted. At the time, Van Gaal's Manchester United were pleasing nobody, stodgy and struggling, but a run of six straight, ever more convincing wins sees them march to Mourinho's Chelsea fortress on Saturday with the master ready to beat his pupil for the first time. If Van Gaal could orchestrate Chelsea's third league defeat of the season and move within five points of the leaders – albeit having played a game more than the Londoners - it could yet inject a level of uncertainty into a race which was beginning to resemble a Chelsea procession. Especially because Arsenal, currently seven points behind Chelsea but having a weekend off from Premier League duty to concentrate on their FA Cup defence, will then host the leaders the following Sunday.

Alternatively, it could be the start of the race's decisive week because if Chelsea win both matches, they will be effectively home ready to savour their first title since 2010. Van Gaal will have other ideas. The Dutchman, who gave Mourinho his big break when he was coach of Barcelona and trusted his young assistant to the extent that Mourinho would occasionally take training and give team talks, has yet to beat his protege in managerial combat. Famously, Mourinho's Inter Milan beat Van Gaal's Bayern Munich 2-0 in the 2010 Champions League final and, when they met at Old Trafford in October, only a late, Robin van Persie goal earned United a 1-1 draw in a game Chelsea should have won. Now, though, United are flying and their former England full back Gary Neville, now a highlyrespected TV analyst, says that, though it will be the "toughest test" yet for Van Gaal, United's performances this past month would be "absolutely outstanding in any season".

Pacquiao scoffs at Mayweather's ‘reckless’ jabs

Pacquiao

anny Pacquiao intends to put on a show when he faces Floyd Mayweather Jr. in just over two weeks. He really hopes Mayweather is also coming to fight, for the fans' sake and maybe for his own strategic purposes as well. Pacquiao radiated confidence and excitement at the Wild Card gym in Hollywood before his latest workout in preparation for their bout May 2 in Las Vegas. With the most anticipated fight in recent years looming ever closer, both boxers kept their public comments civil and mostly respectful this week. But Pacquiao laughed when told that the defense-minded Mayweather had called him "a very reckless fighter" on Tuesday. "Reckless fighter? That's how people like me and love me, be-

cause they like an exciting fight," Pacquiao said. "We call this boxing, (and) boxing is more punching. We talk about punching." Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) has rarely skimped on excitement during his remarkable career as an eight-division champion, but the Filipino congressman realises he is facing the greatest defensive fighter of their era. Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) has been nearly unhittable for most of his opponents during his career. But Pacquiao hopes Money realises that the best way to get paid is to put on a fight worth seeing. After all, they're counting on fans to pay a record $99.95 for the payper-view, a figure described by no less than Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum as "ostentatious consumerism" if a fan bought it to watch all by himself.

And if Pacquiao is trying a bit of psychological trickery, it isn't very subtle: He didn't even try to hide the fact that a brawl would be his best chance to win. "If he (does) that, that's good for me," Pacquiao said. "I like that. We'll see. That's what I want, and that's definitely what the fans want - action." Unlike Mayweather, Pacquiao knows what it's like to be knocked out and to get back up. Pacquiao lost both of his bouts in 2012 and ended his fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez face down on the canvas in the sixth round. Pacquiao took time off after that bout, but returned to the ring and won three more fights before Mayweather finally agreed to get in the ring with him, five years after fans first called for the Mayweather matchup.

Mustafa Kamal's resignation as International Cricket Council president has been accepted, it was confirmed after the governing body's quarterly meeting. Bangladeshi politician Kamal resigned after voicing his disquiet at umpiring decisions in his country's World Cup quarter-final defeat against India in Melbourne last month. After a meeting in Dubai on Thursday, the ICC clarified that there will be no immediate replacement for Kamal in a role which is largely ceremonial under its updated constitution. A statement read: "The board accepted the resignation of former president Mr Mustafa Kamal, effective from 2 April, and confirmed that no replacement would be appointed for the remaining weeks of Mr Kamal's term. The full council of the ICC will consider the appointment of Mr Najam Sethi as ICC president when it meets in Barbados at the end of June."

Mustafa Kamal

Not that Jordan Spieth needs the money. But the new Masters champion has apparently made a few extra dollars beating Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo on the course. "Oh man, I don't know. I can't even count that high," Spieth told Jim Rome during an episode of "Rome on Showtime." "He's a good friend and a great competitor, so we have a good time out there." As football players go, Romo is a good golfer, playing better than scratch and flirting with U.S. Open qualifying in the past. Back injuries have hampered his game in recent years.

Jordan Spieth

SPORT BRIEFLY

www.newtelegraphonline.com

NEW TELEGRAPH

vals Manchester City 4-2 and will now face league leaders Chelsea, whose form has certainly dropped, not that it's affecting them grinding out results. Despite playing poorly, Chelsea are finding ways to get it done. They had to wait until very late for Cesc Fabregas to score their winner at QPR last weekend but a win is a win and that means they are now undefeated over their last 11 league games. The Blues are missing striker Diego Costa who remains out injured, but have Didier Drogba up front instead.

have a striker who is loving his football at the moment, scoring for club and country with ease. Rooney may just weigh in with a goal today (Saturday), but another player worth looking at is Juan Mata, who is also in fantastic form. The former Chelsea player will have a point to prove to his former employers and he has in fact scored three goals in his last three games. He netted both goals in United's 2-1 win at Liverpool and grabbed their third goal in the 4-2 home win over Man City.

Atletico continue battle

Manchester United have produced the perfect response to their 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal to reel off 4 straight league wins. Indeed, their league form is very strong, winners of six straight, including two away games. They won 1-0 at Newcastle and 2-1 at Liverpool, while the four home wins have come by bigger margins, either two or three goals clear by the end. Man United are managing to score a fair amount of goals despite being without Robin Van Persie or indeed Ramadel Falcao's input. In Wayne Rooney, they

fter Jurgen Klopp announced he would be leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season, focus at Signal Iduna Park returns to on-field matters with Saturday's visit of relegation-

Klopp begins long goodbye

aurent Blanc is hopeful Paris Saint-Germain can make the most of the greater possession they will likely be afforded by Nice in Ligue 1. Blanc saw the French champions swept aside 3-1 by Barcelona at the Parc des Princes in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday, with Luis Suarez's brace highlighting the difference in quality. Having seen their hopes of reaching the final four of Europe's premier club competition severely dented, PSG return to domestic action with a chance of reclaiming top spot from Lyon, albeit potentially temporarily with their rivals in action the following day. Marco Verratti could return from his European suspension, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic starts a domestic ban for his rant at referee Lionel Jaffredo in the 3-2 defeat to Bordeaux last month. Thiago Silva (thigh) is highly doubtful to feature after limping off early in the loss to Barca. However, Blanc's side can expect to have more of the ball this weekend at the Allianz Riviera.

Blanc wants immediate reaction after Barca defeat

uve have the chance to respond to one of the biggest upsets in Serie A history in last week's 1-0 defeat to Parma when the champions play their topof-the table encounter against Lazio. Massimiliano Allegri's side saw a 20-match unbeaten league run ended at Stadio Ennio Tardini, but returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Monaco in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals first leg. Lazio have proved to be no pushovers, though, and a run of nine wins in 10 league matches has seen them usurp city rivals Roma into second. Roma could only muster a 1-1 draw against Torino last time out and they will attempt to get back on track against Atalanta, while fourth-placed Napoli will hope to capitalise on any slip-ups by beating relegation-threatened Cagliari. Milan full-back Ignazio Abate insists there will be no lack of motivation in Sunday's match against fierce rivals Inter. The Milan derby is traditionally one of the most revered contests in world foot-

Juve face Lazio in table-topping clash

Tevez

Sport

FA Cup semis:

helsea face Manchester United this weekend in a match that could have serious implications at the top of the Premier League table. Should the Blues win, the title will be all but theirs and Louis van Gaal's men will likely have to settle for third. Can the Red Devils spring an upset? Manchester United seem to be getting things right and their momentum come at just the right time as they have quickly climbed up to third and pushing hard for second as the season nears its end. On Sunday the Reds smashed ri-

Battle at the Bridge

Chelsea , United in decisive tie

Time: 5:30pm

Global Football Special 28 SATURDAY N 18 ap

iverpool are understood to be expressing an interest in Sevilla hitman Carlos Bacca, who has also been scouted by Tottenham. Bacca on Reds radar Liverpool have struggled for goals this season without Luis Suarez, while Daniel Sturridge has missed a lot of minutes through injury and Mario Balotelli has never got going. The Reds have been heavily linked with a number of front men over the course of the campaign but it appears that Bacca is now top of that list. Bacca was linked with Spurs in January, although the north London club never made a formal approach, and Liverpool may look to capitalise on that at the end of the term. Spurs were quoted £18million for the Colombia international and the Merseyside outfit may need to offload before they can approach the La Liga club, according to the Metro.

Bacca on Reds radar

As a dirt-poor rookie boxer in the southern Philippines, Manny Pacquiao started his phenomenal rise to global fame not as the Pacman, as he is sometimes called, but as "Kid Kulafu." That moniker — the title of a new local film about Pacquiao's childhood — was taken from the label of a cheap wine whose empty bottles he returned for recycling to earn money to help his family. "Kid Kulafu" opened Wednesday in more than 70 theaters across the Philippines starting ahead of Pacquiao's May 2 megafight with Floyd Mayweather. It will be shown in some U.S. and Canadian theaters beginning April 24. Produced with advice and other assistance from Pacquiao, the film depicts the impoverished world he grew up in well before he became the world's only eight-division boxing champion, one of its highest-paid athletes and the wealthiest member of the Philippine House of Representatives.

Manny Pacquiao

2:30pm 4:30pm

2:30pm 2:30pm 2:30pm 2:30pm 2:30pm 5:30pm

11am 4pm 6pm 8pm

Vallecano v Almería Granada v Sevilla Villarreal v Córdoba Eibar v Celta de Vigo

Simeone

Feghouli of Valencia

alencia midfielder Sofiane Feghouli said his team-mates are going to Barcelona to win, with UEFA Champions League qualification still on the line. Nuno Espirito Santo's Valencia consolidated fourth spot - the Champions League play-off round position - courtesy of a 3-0 La Liga victory over Levante in the derby on Monday. Valencia are a solitary

point adrift of reigning champions Atletico Madrid, who occupy the third and final automatic qualifying place with seven matches remaining, while Sevilla are three points off fourth spot. And Valencia head to Camp Nou undaunted by the task at hand, despite Barcelona's standing at the summit, having beaten Luis Enrique's men in their most recent meeting away from home - a 3-2

victory in February last year. "It was important to win after we drew the last two games and now we've got another big game to think about," Feghouli was quoted as telling Canal Plus. "We must now concentrate on Barcelona because you can be up one minute and down the next. "We are going there to win and we can do that as anything is possible in football."

Valencia eye victory over Barca

tletico Madrid travel to Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday knowing that a slipup could see them lose their grip on third place in La Liga. Diego Simeone's side remain in contention for a place in the last four of the UEFA Champions League following Tuesday's goalless stalemate with rivals Real Madrid in the first leg of their quarter-final. However, attentions revert to domestic matters this weekend, which for Atleti means cementing their grip on an automatic spot in next season's Champions League. Valencia closed to within two points of Atletico with a 3-0 victory over Levante on Monday but, ahead of Sunday's trip to the

P PTS 30 70 30 58 30 57 30 50 30 49 30 49 30 44 30 43 30 42 30 41 30 38 30 35 30 35 30 34 30 33 30 33 30 29 30 22 30 21 30 16

NO TEAM P 1 Bayern 28 2 Wolfsburg 28 3 Gladbach 28 4 Leverkusen 28 5 Schalke 28 6 Augsburg 28 7 Hoffenheim 28 8 Frankfurt 28 9 Bremen 28 10 Dortmund 28 11 FC Cologne 28 12 Hertha 28 13 Mainz 28 14 Freiburg 28 15 Hannover 28 16 Paderborn 28 17 VfB Stuttgart 28 18 Hamburg 28

PTS 70 60 53 51 41 39 37 35 35 33 33 33 31 29 29 27 26 25

EPL

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

PTS 75 73 66 65 62 51 46 41 40 39 38 38 36 31 31 28 28 28 24 19

P PTS 31 73 32 66 32 65 32 61 32 57 32 56 32 54 32 47 32 43 32 43 32 42 32 38 32 35 32 33 33 32 32 29 32 28 33 26 32 26 31 25 P 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31

La Liga

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

TABLES

threatened Paderborn. Klopp - Dortmund's most successful coach with a pointsper-game ratio of 1.9 and two Bundesliga titles - is to call time on his seven-year tenure at the end of the season. Dortmund, who have endured a rocky campaign domestically, now sit 10th thanks to a recent revival and Klopp's bid to finish with a flourish continues against lowly Paderborn. Despite victory over Augsburg last time out, Andre Breitenreiter's men remain in the relegation mix-up, as do Hamburg who opted for another change of coach in midweek. The league's bottom side has entrusted Bruno Labbadia with the task of maintaining their status as top flight ever-presents the 49-year-old, who was in charge at the Imtech Arena in 2009-10, becoming the club's fourth coach of the season.

Bundesliga

Serie A

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

Riazor, Antoine Griezmann said his teammates are prepared for their return to action. The in-form Frenchman backed Simeone to get the most out of his squad during the season's run-in. "He's a leader. His team talks are impressive. He spurs you on and makes you want to give your all. That's his strength," Griezmann told Champions Matchday magazine.

for third place

eports in Goal.com are suggesting that whoever is in the City hot-seat this summer will have to raise up to £80m in player sales. It's claimed that the most high profile departures will be Samir Nasri, Edin Dzeko and Yaya Toure. City will hope to raise £40m for the trio and free up a significant chunk of the wage bill. Stevan Jovetic is also on the market, although buyers may be put off by his £15m price tag. The Montenegro international has flopped since his £22m switch to the Etihad from Fiorentina. He's managed just five goals this season and was ditched from City's Champions League squad. The current Premier League champions will also lose Frank Lampard and Micah Richards from the pay roll. Richards, who's spent this season on loan to Fiorentina, will leave on a free and Lampard is set to finally link up with New York City. Other expensive flops include Bacary Sagna and Fernando. It's thought that both players will be placed on the transfer list. Alvaro Negredo will sign permanently for Valencia and Matija Nastasic's £8m switch to Schalke has already been confirmed. James Milner's contract is due to expire at the end of the season. Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham are all monitoring the versatile midfielder's availability. Scott Sinclair is expected join Aston Villa and reserve player John Guidetti could be ditched.

Man City ready for massive clear-out

Toure

ball due to the prestige and history the two Serie A giants boast. However, this weekend's contest at San Siro has a somewhat underwhelming feel considering the struggles of both teams in the league this season.

EPL Saturday C/Palace v West Brom 3pm Everton v Burnley 3pm Leicester v Swansea 3pm Stoke v Southampton 3pm Chelsea v Man Utd 5:30pm Sunday Man City v West Ham 1:30pm Newcastle v Tottenham 4pm

Sunday

3pm 5pm 7pm 9pm

Barcelona v Valencia Deportivo v Atletico Madrid v Málaga Bilbao v Getafe

La Liga Saturday

SERIA A Saturday Sampdoria v Cesena 5pm Juventus v Lazio 7:45pm Sunday Sassuolo v Torino 11:30am Chievo v Udinese 2pm Empoli v Parma 2pm Palermo v Genoa 2pm Roma v Atalanta 2pm Cagliari v Napoli 2pm Inter Milan v Milan 7:45pm Monday Fiorentina v Verona 7:45pm

Bundesliga Saturday Leverkusen v Hannover Dortmund v Paderborn 07 Berlin v Cologne Freiburg v Mainz 05 Hoffenheim v Bayern Augsburg v Stuttgart Sunday Bremen v Hamburger Wolfsburg v Schalke

FIXTURES

eading captain Jem Karacan believes his side are capable of pulling off an upset against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday. Arsenal are the current FA Cup holders and will be favourites against Reading but Karacan believes his side are capable of winning the game. “We want to go out there and shock a few people and there’s no reason why we can’t,” Karacan told Getreading. The Turkish international made his first senior start for 570 days on the weekend in the goalless draw against Blackburn Rovers in the Championship. Karacan played for 75 minutes on the weekend and is expected to start against Arsenal. The 26-year-old had been out with a cruciate ligament injury but has since recovered and is nearing full match fitness. Karacan has one goal in seven appearances in all competitions for ReadKaracan ing this season.

Reading vow to shock Arsenal NEW TELEGRAPH pril 2015

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

I cried anytime I failed in athletics - Omeiza

Nigeria's quarter-miler, Akerele Omeiza, has had his life turned around since swapping football boots for athletics spikes. The Oral Roberts University, United States of America undergraduate in this interview with CHARLES OGUNDIYA, says his target this year is to win medals at the World Championship and All Africa Games. Excerpts… How did you get into athletics? It was just coincidental. I used to play football when I was in school, UNIBEN Demonstration Secondary School, Benin. I was very fast, it was then our sport master, a certain Mr. Akinboyewa, advised that I should go for track and field. That was in 2010, I was about leaving school. The beginning was very rough for me, it was a new sport and I had to learn the rudiments of the game properly. Sometimes when I failed, I cried but thank God today for where I am. In what ways has athletics changed your life? It has changed my life for the better. I now have opportunities that I wouldn’t have if I were not an athlete. No other sport could have taken me to this height like athletics within a very short period of my career. In athletics, when you work hard and are mentally disciplined, then you can easily get to the pinnacle of your career. School in the United States I am in a Christian school in the United States, although I had offers from other bigger schools, but I chose Oral Roberts University because of the all-round development it offers. In ORU it is not just about training or studying alone, they place more emphasis on the training of the mind and the spirit. We often neglect the spiritual aspect of our life or sometimes relegate it to the background, but they take it serious there. I am very sure that by the time I leave the school I will be a better human being. Can you name some of the events you've participated in? I am opportune to have won a lot of medals especially at the junior level. I was at the Commonwealth Games and the African Championship last year with Team Nigeria, and although I did not take part in any of the events the experience cannot be quantified. I was there at the World Junior and the World Youth Championship in 2013 and 2014 respectively. It’s been progress for me as an athlete. What was your parents’ reaction to your choice of career? They have been supportive, although they didn’t want it to take the place of education in my life; they always wanted me to take my education seriously and that is what I am doing now. Now that you are combining both… They are really proud of what I have

Omeiza

achieved within a very short time especially now that I am making progress in my studies and career as an athlete. They still support me with prayers and in any other ways.

What makes you happy? It is just God, the peace of God surpasses all human understanding. Whenever I am down, I always look up to God and He has always been there for me. As a man I have learnt to put my trust in God because He alone can do it. Often when things don’t work my way like what I experienced in Ethiopia I take solace in Him. I went for the competition in Ethiopia with high hopes but I fell ill on arrival; at the end I was able to take just a bronze medal with the 4x400m team, that was enough to affect anyone, but for me, my inner peace cannot be influenced by external events, it comes from God alone.

Who bought your first training kits for you? It was my coach in Nigeria, Kayode Yaya and another coach, Chima Osuagwu. They took me under their wings and molded me to what I am today. All what I am today I give thanks to God and the two of them. I was a big rascal when I was young, I used to fight, indulge in vices associated with youths of my age, but the coaches made me understand that I can channel my energy to achieve positive things. That I can use my energy positively to better my life as a human being. Thank God I listened to them. Omeiza

What are your next targets? I want to be at the World Championship and the All Africa Games, not just to attend, but to win medals for my country, and then the big one next year - the Olympic Games.

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

Porn stars to strip if Juventus win Champions League

Risi

t’s win or bust for Juventus in the Champions League this season – after pornographic actresses Tera Patrick and Vittoria Risi agreed to strip naked if the Italians win the trophy. Patrick – a retired former Playboy model – and Risi are apparently big Juventus fans, and the latter told Gazzetta dello Sport that she’d celebrate European glory by doing what they do best, while also commenting on the current squad’s appearance. ‘Strip if we win the cup? Undressing, you

Pennant’s wife creates mayhem with hot open-legged lingerie photo

lamour model super WAG Alice Goodwin, who is the wife of former Liverpool and Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant, sexed up a rather boring Tuesday this week by sharing one of the hottest photos the internet has ever witnessed. The curvy stunner gave her Instagram followers an eyeful by posting the below snap, which shows her perched seductively on a sofa, with her

legs apart, wearing nothing but a purple bra, a small pair of french knickers and some killer heels. “Damn it man!”, exclaimed one follower, while another wrote “Mmmm beautiful baby”. Many of the other comments were unprintable due to their explicit sexual references. The award for most hopeful comment goes to cjspencer13, who tried his luck by typing “@xxalicegoodwinxx dm me please”. Nice try, mate…

know, for me is not a problem…’ Risi said. ‘Tevez looks straight out of a painting by Gauguin, Pirlo by Mantegna. ‘Vidal and Pogba are an example of aggressive temperament. ‘Antonio Conte was very sexy, but also Massimiliano Allegri is a handsome man, in addition to having proven to be a capable coach.’ Allegri’s side moved one step closer to winning the Champions League on Tuesday night by beating Monaco 1-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final.

Tera

Lifestyle Schurrle, Gotze celebrate victories on double date

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending

olfsburg’s Andre Schurrle and Bayern Munich’s Mario Gotze have put aside their Bundesliga rivalry, as the two German international’s met up for a double date with their partners. The duo were out celebrating each other’s victories over the weekend, with former Chel-

sea star Schurrle bringing along girlfriend Montana Yorke, while Gotze was with partner Kathrin Broemmel. Take a look at the Instagram snap posted by Schurrle below with the caption, ‘Having a good time:)) always good to have good friends around!!’

- Carl Bard

From right: Schurrle, Gotze with hot WAGs

Calzaghe frolics on the Barbados beach

Alice

Calzaghe with girlfriend Lucy

hey've been dating for almost a year and retired boxer Joe Calzaghe and his pretty girlfriend Lucy Griffiths looked incredibly loved up whilst soaking up the sun in Barbados. The pair were pictured at Mullins beach, where they couldn't stop kissing one another. Enjoying a swim in the ocean, freelance makeup artist Lucy wrapped her arms around the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant as they engaged in a series

of passionate kisses. They later hung out on a sun lounger, where they cuddled and kissed one another once again while sitting under an umbrella and drinking bottles of beer as they enjoyed their time off work. Lucy looked slim and toned in an orange and black bikini, while her man stuck to blue patterned board shorts. The two enjoyed a jet ski ride and a swim in the ocean before the rain poured. Stories courtesy Dailymail

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

Investigations

upside of doom Such violence is all too frequently excused and tolerated in communities where women are assigned an inferior role, subordinate to the male head of the family and seen as the property of their husbands. This persists because discriminatory laws condone and even legalise certain forms of violence against women. Dismissive attitudes within the police and an inaccessible justice system most times compound the failures of the state to protect women's rights. Just recently, a Mushin, Lagosbased commercial bus driver, Abiodun-Olaitan Atinuke took domestic violence to another level when he plotted to assassinate his estranged wife, Eniola Babalola, who he did not “marry properly” in a rather bizarre manner. The 34-year-old Atinuke related his sorry story of disappointment, which he said pushed him into beating Babalola ceaselessly and even wanting to kill her. He confessed that he could not stand the sight of Babalola with another man hence he wanted her to relocate from her Mushin base. Babalola, according to Atinuke, was neck deep into adultery. He said when confronted, she simply packed out of their matrimonial home instead of being remorseful. All these happened barely six months into their forced marriage. Atinuke, who is said not to have properly consummated the marriage with the Ilorin, Kwara Stateborn Babalola, said trouble started when he noticed that his wife was behaving strangely. “Her weird attitudes culminated into coming home way too late at nights. My fears were, however, confirmed when I caught her with her lover. And when I asked, she was not repentant, instead she just packed all her load and moved to her lover’s place,” he said. Angered by her action, Atinuke allegedly took suspected “assassins” and paid them an undisclosed amount of money to kill Babalola for dumping him for another man. He traced her to No 15, Ogunmokun Street, Mushin, Lagos, where she lives and asked his group to “finish” her. Babalola barely managed to escape after which she reported the matter to the police at Olosan, Mushin Division. He was subsequently arrested but his accomplices fled. When interrogated by the police, he allegedly owned up to the crime. He was, thereafter, arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court for allegedly hiring suspected “cultists” to kill Babalola. Atinuke, who went into hiding after escaping from the Ijeshatedo Magistrate Court 1, has, however, turned around to accuse one policeman by name, Akeem, who was the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) at the Mushin Division of snatching his former wife to cover his tracks. But, Babalola’s account contradicts this. She accused Atinuke instead of frequent assaults on her and rudely sending her packing from his home. “I had to run for my dear life. I did that to escape being killed. If I had not done that

Children watch their parent fight dirty

A woman with burns inflicted by her husband

PHOTO: THEEAGLEONLINE.COM.NG

Babalola's sewing machine damaged by her former husband

Atinuke

Husband almost strangles his wife to death

Babalola

photo:africamusiclaw.com

Behind the façade of a blissful and happy marriage lurks the horror of a violent and heartless couple perhaps, I would have been a dead woman today. But that did not stop the ‘animal’ from chasing me about. He used his group to attack and destroy my sewing machine in one instance. “On countless occasions, he had come for me with the intent of snuffing life out of me. In fact, it got to a point that he had to hire assassins; I later discovered that they were his cult members; three of them. They came in a bus and when he sighted me, he told them that is the girl; kill her. He did not stop at that. He has been harassing people that came to mediate between us when we were still living together and my relatives too. One of such people is Buraimoh Ajao, who is fondly called Baba Saji. He is a retired army sergeant. “I never knew the policeman he is now accusing of sleeping with me. The whole thing is funny and baseless. I only met the policeman when I was persuaded by people to report him to the Mushin Police Station before he kills me. When we got to the station, the man even tried to settle us by involving some of our respected neighbours. It was when he started misbehaving after his first arrest that the man decided to charge the case to court. He told us that that was the best he could do under the circumstance because domestic violence has become a serious issue in Nigeria so that justice will take its full course. “But his mother met some people who advised her to petition the policeman so as to force him to drop the case. They even went to the media to orchestrate the fact that I was sleeping with the policeman to whip up public sentiment. The poor man is innocent and God would not allow Atinuke and his mother to rubbish him,” said Babalola amid tears. Babalola’s lawyer, Babajamo and Biodun Olawuyi, a human

PHOTO: DOMESTICVIOLENCE.COM.NG

rights activist, who lives at No 7, Alayaki Street, also in Mushin neighbourhood, corroborated Babalola’s account. Olawuyi added that Atinuke had within this period written several petitions to the police high command to nail the man he claimed had snatched his wife. “Atinuke has written petition to Mushin Police Station, Lagos Commissioner of Police, X-squad, Ikeja, AIG zone 2, X-squad, Onikan, Area ‘D’ Command, Mushin, Force headquarters annex, Federal antirobbery squad, Adeniji Adele as well as IGP office in Abuja. What he plans to do is to use the frivolous publications against the innocent policeman. The man in question is so professional and did not even talk about money all through the time we were going to their station unlike what you find in other stations,” Olawuyi said. In spite of all these, Atinuke and his gang’s latest antics, according to Olawuyi, is to use the Police Service Commission to frustrate the case from seeing the light of the day. In today’s Nigeria, violence against women in the home is widely regarded as a fact of married life that must be tolerated. The killing of women by husbands and intimate partners is frequently reported in the news media and by human rights defenders, lawyers, care workers and medical professionals. However, it is often difficult to obtain information about the outcome of any investigation into such cases. In many cases, women's actions or inactions are used to excuse violence against them. Such attempts at justification portray violence against women as in some sense “self-inflicted”. Socially unacceptable conduct such as refusing sex, nagging, or challenging the man's behaviour, for example if he takes a second wife or abuses alcohol, is often invoked as an excuse for violence against women in families. Incidentally, domestic violence has somewhat become an affliction many Nigerian homes face in their marriages today. And, behind the façade of a blissful and happy marriage that most people portray in the public lurks the horror of a violent and heartless couple. For some people, life-threatening abuse by their spouses is their worst kept secret. To others, marriage has become a burden, a trap to keep them perpetually subdued.

TV & Radio with Angela Davies

SATURDAY, 18 APRIL, 2015

This weekend AIT

TELEVISION

Saturday 08:00 Infotech Network 08:30 Destiny Encounter 09:05 Arambara

L-R: Officiating referee, Ushbebe; lines man, cheer leaders and team Ancient Starz during the game

A show for fun-loving soccer fanz

he second season of the Fanz Championship football game show titled, "Better Me" series is a unique and interactive television game show for adventurous, dynamic and fun-loving football fans. The gripping show is all about testing each team’s knowledge of the game of football. Fanz Championship football game show is a 30-minute daytime football game show with a live audience and entertaining presentation with esteemed personalities and socialites turning up among the competitors at regular intervals. In the first episode of the second season, before the game between Paradise Machine and Eagle Squad kicked off, the referee, Ushbebe, reminded viewers about the football legend, Moussa Diakhite, who played for Stade Malien Bamako between 1968 and 1978, Mali national team between 1969 to 1974 and scored Mali’s first ever goal in the African Cup of Nations finals on March 5, 1972, at Stade Omnisports, Yaounde. When the game finally kicked off, both teams tried to outshine each other with their knowledge of football. Teams had the choice of choosing questions related to tournaments, leagues and business and lifestyle while following all the

News

Channels 24 now On BSkyB Channel 575 UK

he Chairman/CEO of Channels Television, John Momoh, has announced the availability of its broadcast to viewers in the United Kingdom via his Twitter account on April 9. Channels Television is one of the 13 independent television stations currently broadcasting in the country, since the Federal Government deregulated the broadcast media in 1992. The television station has bagged the "Best Television Station of the Year" nine times, an award endowed by the Nigerian Media Merit Award in the last 14 years, thus making it the "Station of the Decade."

rules associated with the game. After selecting their desired side of the field, the game started with Eagle Squad fully kitted in yellow jerseys answering questions related to tournament followed by Paradise Machine dressed in blue jerseys. Answering two consecutive questions correctly, Paradise Machine therefore got a chance to score a goal according to the rules of the game. The captain of the team put his team ahead, scoring the first goal in the season. At the end of the first half, it was Paradise Machine 1 and Eagle Squad 0. In the second half, Eagle Squad made good use of the opportunity as they equalised making it 1-1 at full time. One of the rules of the game is that a winner must emerge; therefore, there was a penalty shootout, which ended in favour of Paradise Machine which scored 3 against Eagle Squad’s 1. The second match was between Olumo United in orange jerseys and Ancient Starz in blue jerseys. After exhibiting their knowledge of football, answering

questions relating to both tournament and league. At full time, the match ended 2-0 in favour of Olumo United. Although the game is patterned after the standard football; it has its own twist. For instance, instead of players tackling one another on the field of play, they answered football-related questions. Also, the major twist is that each team is made up of three players and the players must back the goal post while trying to score and without a goalkeeper, which makes it more fun. So, if you are a die-hard football fan or want to know more about the round leather game, then, tune to Silverbird Television on Saturday at 8:30 pm for all excitement of this show. The referee is a comedian and actor, Ushbebe. Dynamism is added to the show as cheerleaders usher in the players with pageantry. At the end of the season, one of the 16 teams will go home with the grand prize of $10,000. Also, fans have a chance to vote for the Most Valuable Player and Best-celebrated goal of the season.

ONTV

Saturday 8:00 Pocahontas 9:10 Arambara 9:40 Village Square 11:05 Snakes And Lizards 1:00 Hitz 1:30 Pavitra Rishta 2:30 Headline News 2:40 Village Square 4:10 Movie 5:30 Headline News 5:35 Los Rey 09:30 A Chat With The Professionals 6:20 Spice Most 10:00 The Warp Trio 7:00 Headline News 10:30 Sports File 7:10 Footprints 11:00 One Cubed 8:00 Wetin Dey 11:30 700 Club Nigeria 8:30 Spider 12:30 Security Watch Africa 9:00 Spice Specials 1:00 Gbedu On The Move 9:30 Soundcity Party Mix 2:30 Best Of Sports 10:30 Omnisport 3:00 Dateline Abuja 11:00 Movie 4:00 World News Sunday 4:30 Dawn In The Creeks 7:00 Legend Of Sleeping Beauty 5:30 School Hunters 7:30 Legend Of Zorro 6:00 Trends 8:00 Hutos 8:00 AIT News hour 9:05 Arambara 9:00 Oasis 9:30 Village Square 9:30 Secrets And Scandals 11:00 Headline News 10:00 Taste Of Love 11:05 Snakes And Lizards 10:30 Beautiful liars 1:00 Hitz 10:30 Views And Tunes 1:30 Pavitra Rishta 11:00 Live Beats 2:40 Village Square Sunday 4:10 Movie 07:00 Hour of salvation 5:35 Los Rey 08:00 Gospel Rythms 6:20 Glam Mamas 09:00 Catholic Mass 7:00 Before 30 10:30 Bold Faces 11:00 700 Club int'l 12:00 Week in Review 1:00 Impact 360 1:30 The Gender Agenda 2:00 O & M Sunday Show 3:00 Mini Jojo 5:00 Personalities, Places And Events 7:30 Saints 6:00 Hitlist N Cruzin 7:55 Sunday Paparazzi Show 7:00 The Valley Between 8:30 Spider 8:00 News Hour 9:00 On The Couch 9:00 Tales Of Eve 9:30 Soundcity Greatest 9:30 Nectar Countdown 10:00 Taste Of love 10:50 Movie 10:30 Music + Videos and More

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

Wazobia fm's Igos

ledia Grandball Omoro Samson popularly known as Igos is an onair personality on Wazobia fm, professional Stand-up comedian, compere and actor. The Delta State-born graduate of computer engineering from the University of Benin started his career in Warri and eventually relocated to Lagos State for better opportunities. He produced “Igos D’Prince of Wazobia Live’” and the maiden edition of “Palava injection with Igos and LoLo 1”, a comedy and music concerts 2011.

He describes himself as a God-fearing man who believes that what you sow, you shall reap.

Saturday 7:30 You & Your Marriage 8:00 Whispers 9:00 Sports Tackle 10:00 Family Life 11:00 Kids On Radio 12:00 Hot Gist and D Spot 2:00 Up Comers, Shout Out & Request 4:00 Wazobia Flavour 6:00 Request and Shout 11:30 Icon Saturday

Sunday 7:00 Yours Sincerely 8:00 The Word With Interaction 9:00 God Bless Nigeria 10:00 Rainbow Gospel Gig 11:00 Talk Your Own 12:00 Classic Music 4:00 Chat Room 5:00 180 Degrees 9:00 Akamara (Yoruba) 10:30 Afro Classic

Smooth FM 98.1

Programme summary The Rendezvous (Hot 98.3 FM )

Sports File (AIT)

Rendezvous radio show is an entertainment programme spiced with news, gist, lifestyle, fresh and classic songs plus lunch game show to usher in the weekend.

It is a sports discussion programme that reviews and analyses the different sporting activities of the past week in Nigeria and around the world.

Mon – Fri @ 11:00 am

Rainbow 94.1 FM

Saturday @ 10:30 am

Saturday 6:00 Breakfast in Bed 7:30 Venus Rising 8:30 Soul Food 9:00 Bite Size 9:30 Entertainment News 10:00 Smooth Book Review 11:00 Total Football 12:00 Metro Life 5:00 Luxury Soul 09:00 Late Night Blues

Sunday 7:00 10:00 12:00 4:00 6:00 10:00

Smooth Motivations Music Mix Sunday Brunch Music Mix Soulfully Yours Music Mix

SATURDAY

Dear Love Doctor, 'My man drinks too much'

p.37

Life Experience

The Christmas that ruined my marriage

p.36

L ve&Lv ng SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2015

'I deceived my husband that I was barren' Confession Marriage is widely regarded as an institution dedicated to the purpose of procreation. However, when a young woman gets married and decides not to have children, against the wish of her husband, it leads to a hapless marriage. As narrated to Michael Uchebuaku

y name is Flora and my story is quite painful. But please don't blame me until after reading my story to the end. I was 25 years old and had been married less than a year when I got pregnant. Jimi and I had been together for three years and were married early in 2005. We had always talked about having a family together. Jimi had said he wanted a girl and a boy. Little did he know I never wanted kids because I felt I was not ready to have children yet, especially considering my career as a high flying banker. I took the contraceptive pill religiously. My life was like clockwork and contraception was always high on my list of priorities. To my regret, I didn't take action soon enough. A mere eight months after I became Mrs. Jimi, I found myself praying for menstruation to come while I had already started throwing up in the morning. The doctor confirmed I was eight-week pregnant. I loved Jimi and never had the intention to hurt or betray him. I just could not afford to have a child. Not because I was scared of losing my job, but because I felt having a child would completely change everything about my life. To me, the thought of procreation also seemed unnatural. I was always happy to be with children, and people often said that I look like someone who would one day make a loving mother. But I never thought of myself as a mother, maybe because I am perhaps too selfish to ever dedicate my life to raising a family. I realized that the way I thought about parenting was frowned upon by many of my friends and family. Above all, Jimi always appeared sad whenever I told him that I wasn't ready to have children. For that reason, I vowed not to talk much about the issue of children anymore to anybody so that my real feelings would never be known. I had hoped that our honeymoon

period would last throughout our marriage, so that children would never be able to interfere with my life. In fact, I had expected my husband to continue loving me without demanding for kids. However, this delusion of mine was shattered as soon as my doctor announced with glee that in approximately seven months time, I would become a new mother. I was so determined never to get pregnant in the first place, that I had never actually thought about abortions. It was strictly against my parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; religion to even consider such an act, so my first feelings after hearing the dreaded news was complete panic. I went home to Jimi and told him with a fraudulent smile that I was in fact pregnant with his son or daughter. He was over the moon and would not stop kissing my stomach. His actions made me feel even more nauseous than I already was. It may seem strange looking back on the situation why I even bothered to tell him. But Jimi was my best friend and lover and because of that I actually thought of keeping the child for no other reason but to please him.

I tried to convince myself that having a child might bring happiness into my life and that I was devilish to think otherwise. This self-loathing tactic only made me hate the child even more for provoking me to hate myself. I then decided that I could not go through with the pregnancy. My husband would have divorced me on the spot if I had asked him whether I could have an abortion. So I thought of another way to get rid of the child without making it look suspicious. So a few days before my abortion, I began to fake having stomach cramps and bleeding, in order to ensure that Jimi wouldn't be so surprised when I eventually announced that I had had a miscarriage. I told my husband that I was bleeding and that the bleeding had become very serious. I also warned him of the high risk of complications in the first trimester of pregnancy. During that period I began to feel so guilty about betraying my husband. All the betrayal and deceit began to eat away at me and I was depressed. However, regardless of the guilt I felt, I couldn't face the alternative of bringing a child of my own into the world.

I went through with the abortion while on lunch break from work. The doctor was very careful and the entire process was simple and clean and took not more than an hour. I went home to my loving husband and allowed the weeks of pent up emotion to overflow in an effort to convince Jimi that I was truly devastated as a result of increased bleeding which happened at the office. Of course, Jimi insisted I go straight to the hospital to see a doctor. I lied and told him I had already gone, where they confirmed that I'd had a miscarriage. Naturally, my husband was devastated that I had lost the baby. His pain only strengthened my guilt which contributed to an uncontrollable outburst of emotions and I wept for a long time after that. To my husband, my weeping appeared natural, since he thought I had just lost my child. But to me, I wept because I had intentionally killed his baby. Over the next few years we continued to try to have another child. I continued to deceive my husband for five more years that I was either infertile or barren, and he started running all over the place looking for solution and taking me round different churches and pastors praying for the fruit of the womb, until I suddenly realized that my husband was living in bondage because of me. Instead of marrying a second wife, my husband had continued to place all his hopes in me to give him children. It was at that point that I realized how wickedly I had acted towards my husband, and then I decided to actually start having children for him. Even though I knew that I was very fertile, I started taking fertility pills to complement my effort at trying to conceive, and I did get pregnant and gave birth to a baby boy last year, after almost 10 years of marriage. At the thanksgiving in church, my husband told the parish priest and the entire congregation that God had finally done his miracle in our lives by making me conceive and bear a child again, after the miscarriage we suffered several years ago. Unknown to my husband, God never closed my womb after my so-called miscarriage. I had never been barren. I was the one who had refused to get pregnant. The truth was that I had actually closed my own womb by myself! I have finally realized that life is not all about my career or profession. I now realize that my lies and deception almost destroyed the wonderful and happy married life I could have had with an amazingly wonderful and generous man. I commend my husband for his maturity and faith in God in not marrying a second wife or having children outside during all that time. But I blame myself for everything that went wrong with our marriage, but I thank God that the many bad years of my lies and deception in marriage have now ended well with my having a child for my husband.

Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 april 2015

Male contestant expelled from South African version of Big Brother Love News

contestant on the South African version of Big Brother has been expelled from the show after being accused of raping a fellow housemate. Siyanda Ngwenya, known as Adams, allegedly attacked the female contestant while she was asleep after a drunken night of partying in the house in Johannesburg. The pair were last seen on TV kissing and cuddling in bed before the cameras moved away. Ngwenya reportedly boasted to housemates the next day that he had sex with the woman, whom MailOnline has chosen not to name. However, the alleged victim is said to have been shocked by the claims and reportedly told female contestants that she did not consent to having sex. In a statement last night, Mzansi Magic, the channel which airs Big Brother, said: 'At this stage, it is not exactly clear what transpired between (the woman) and Adams. 'Having suspected that there may have been an incident of sexual misconduct, Mzansi Magic acted by removing both individuals from the house.' The company said the alleged victim had been 'removed for her own well-being'

THE GAP BAND

Early In The Morning Oh, I never, you know I loved you till you left me Oh, I never, you know I cared till you were gone I was young and foolish, I didn't know what I was doin' I didn't know I lost you till you're gone Oh, I never, knew I loved you till you were gone So I gotta get up early in the morning To find me another lover So I gotta get up early in the morning To find me another lover So I gotta get up early in the morning To find me another lover Gotta get up early in the morning To find me another lover

and that both contestants were receiving counselling, it was reported by IOL News. It is not yet known whether police have been called into investigate the alleged incident, which took place on Saturday night when alcohol is made freely available to the housemates. All current contestants have been barred from speaking to the media. Some fans of the show have questioned the woman's claims. Fan @LoazG tweeted: 'Okay, where are these rape allegations coming from now

peeps, the misconduct by Adams was not revealed, so where is ths coming from?' Another, @RefilweMaingo, wrote: 'There was no rape. (the woman) n Adams had sex drunk. (The woman) woke up n said she forgot.' Rumours on social media suggest the alleged victim has made a claim of rape at a police station, but this has not been confirmed. Courtesy: Daily Mail.

Life Experience

The Christmas that ruined my marriage Elizabeth Denham

t was Christmas Day. New toys were scattered all over the house, wrapping paper was overflowing the trash cans, and the boys were still riding high from candyfilled stockings and the excitement of Santa's visit. To keep things "normal," I had asked my husband to sleep on the couch on Christmas Eve so that he could see the boys on Christmas morning. We had been separated since Halloween. He was the textbook adult child of alcoholics. He lied when the truth was easier, he was impulsive, selfloathing, non-communicative and more. I began to see these traits in my children and asked him to leave to get help so that we could break this cycle of his family. I knew that with help, and because I believed he was a good person, we would get through it. As he was leaving, I walked him out through the garage. "Can we talk?" he asked. "Hang on," I said. The boys were two, four and six years old. I couldn't leave them unattended for more than a few minutes. I opened the door to peer inside. Through the kitchen and into the living room, I saw the Christmas tree lights shimmering, the stockings flung on the floor, toys and candy strewn about. The smell of the tree hit me as I scanned the kitchen still covered with Christmas morning donuts and cookies. The boys were quietly playing. The middle one was watching a Christmas movie, the youngest was riding his new tractor and the oldest was playing his new video game. I turned back into the darkness of the garage and closed the door to see my husband sobbing. In ten years,

Love Songs

I had never seen him cry. I looked around to see our life in the shadows. Christmas boxes were awaiting pick-up. Bikes, rakes and tools were haphazardly arranged. Boxes of outgrown clothes were awaiting the next boy's growth spurt. "Ask me any questions you want," he said. "I have decided to be completely honest and tell you everything." "Have you ever cheated on me?" We had many problems, but nothing I believed was insurmountable. I always believed he was good person. He kept telling me he was a good person, and I wanted to believe it. I wanted to

...my womb wasn't built right, not for carrying babies at least

believe that when he "worked" until 10:00 at night and didn't answer his phone for hours, that he really had left his phone in the bathroom. I wanted to believe that when he shut off the computer every time I walked into the room, he really had just finished using it. I wanted to believe that the excessive cash withdrawals from ATMs were for lunch. But these doubts prompted me, and the question came out of my mouth without a thought or hesitation. "Have you ever cheated on me?" "Um, well, not really," he said. Not really? That was not a definitive answer to my question. That question should have a definitive answer, and at that moment, I knew. I felt invisible. Everything I knew to be true was a lie. As I listened to an endless description of what specific acts he believed constituted cheating, I felt as though I had left my body and was watching this scene from above myself. "Hang on." I had to come back to myself and needed to check on the kids. I opened the door to check on the boys. They were getting a bit restless, running around the living room, flinging toys up in the air as they giggled and shrieked. Frosty the Snowman was blaring from the TV. My mind replayed the last week as I watched them. The Christmas Eve service at church, the Sunday School Christmas party, making cookies with my parents -- all of it seemed so normal. I told them to finish the movie and I would give them a bath. When I turned back to the dimly lit garage, I began to ask questions with surreal calm. He started to sob harder and harder as he related a continued on page 38

Now I gotta get up early every morning 'Cause the early bird always catches the worm Now I gotta get up every morning Gotta make up for the lesson I've learned Gotta find me a lover that won't run for cover Gotta find me a lover that won't run the mother 'Cause I gotta get up early in the morning To find me another lover So I gotta get up early in the morning To find me another lover So I gotta get up early in the morning To find me another lover So I gotta get up early in the morning To find me another lover I was young and foolish, I didn't know what I was doin' I didn't know I lost you till you're gone She had a pretty face that drove me wild I even wanted her to have my child Early in the morning To find me another lover So I gotta get up early in the morning To find me another lover So I gotta get up early in the morning To find me another lover So I gotta get up early in the morning To find me another lover

Love Poem

Mike Uchebuaku

I Can't Stop I can't stop thinking about you, I can't stop dreaming about you, I can't stop wishing that you were by my side, I can't stop seeing the sun and the moon in your eyes, I can't stop falling in love with you.

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

Romantic Joke

Alphabetical Description!

After 15 years of marriage a wife asked her husband to describe her. He looked at her slowly and then said: "A-BC-D-E-F-G- H-I-J-K". "What does that mean?" she asked. "Adorable, Beautiful, Cute, Delightful, Elegant, Fashionable, Gorgeous, and Hot" he replied. She smiled happily and then asked, "What about I-J-K ?" He replied, "I'm Just Kidding!"

18 april 2015

Relationships & Love Advice

'My man drinks too much' Dear Love Doctor, I have been married for 17 months and I am now wondering if I have made a mistake and if I should stay or go. This is mine and my husband’s second marriage. We get along very well, but recently have had several incidences that have left me wondering if I have done the right thing. Overall he is a good man, he’s kind, generous, loving and very supportive. Both of us have children from our previous marriages and he’s fantastic with my kids, he loves them like his own. The only thing is, he has an alcohol problem. Without the alcohol, you couldn't get a better man. I have told him on many occasions that I do not mind him having a drink, but I don't understand why he doesn't stop when he knows he’s had enough. He drinks extremely fast and is always onto his second drink to everybody else's first. From Rita. Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Rita, You have a lot invested in this marriage, especially since his good points include being very loving with your children and lovely to you when he’s sober. However, this should not blind you to the simple fact that he refuses to accept that he has a problem with alcohol and without that awareness he will not look for help. It also sounds as if other problems are escalating, with him isolating you from other people and the very real and frightening possibility of physical abuse. You should ask yourself if you would be willing to help him if he recognised his problem and went for help and

Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

if not, then you should look at ending the marriage as soon as you reasonably can as the longer you stay the more you will be isolated from others, especially if his drinking increases. However, if you would be willing to stay if he went for help then for the sake of the person he is and the relationship you have when he’s sober, have one attempt to talk to him when he hasn’t been drinking. Taking the approach of ‘ I’m very worried about you....’ helps stop him feeling attacked and defensive and you can list the incidents when his behaviour has been completely unacceptable due to drink. Don’t let him brush it away nor counter it with talk such as ‘Oh yes I’m a monster and everyone’s scared of me’ because he’s looking for you to deny that and almost give him justification for what he’s done. If he agrees he has a problem then I suggest you go for counselling together, and make an appointment straight away, but if he refuses to acknowledge that he drinks too much there’s nothing further you can do until he does, so for your own sake you need to get out of the marriage. Remember that if he does go for help it could still be a long hard road ahead with the chance of regression always there, so make your decision with all the facts clear in your mind. He might be a lovely person when sober but you’re married to him all the time. *Send your comments/stories to Love Doctor. E-mail: ireto007@yahoo. com. For free marriage/relationships counseling, call Love Doctor Mike 07031028714, 08131161840. Visit lovedrmike.blogspot.com

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

Sperm 'may hold clues to autism': Link is found between father's DNA and symptoms

he origins of a child's autism could be found in their father's sperm, it has emerged. A new study has found links between DNA in sperm and distinct patterns of indicators that could contribute to the condition. While some past studies have identified specific genes thought to cause the condition, most cases remain unexplained. However, the consensus remains that autism is usually inherited, since the condition typically runs in families. study, researchers from Johns Hopkins University looked for possible causes for the condition, not in the genes themselves, but in the epigenetic tags that help regulate genes' activity. Andrew Feinberg, said: 'We wondered if we could learn what happens before someone gets autism.' 'If epigenetic changes are being passed from fathers to their children, we should be able to detect them in sperm,' added Professor Daniele Fallin, one of the lead investigators. Sperm are not only easier to sample than a woman's eggs, but

Odd News are more susceptible to environmental influences that could alter the epigenetic tags on their DNA. Researchers examined the epigenetic tags on DNA from the sperm of 44 fathers. The men were part of an ongoing study to assess the factors that influence a child early on, before he or she is diagnosed with autism. The study enrolls pregnant mothers who already have a child with autism and collects information and biological samples from these mothers, the new baby’s father and the babies themselves after birth. Early in the pregnancy, a sperm sample was collected from fathers enrolled in the study. One year after the child was born, he or she was assessed for early signs of autism using the Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI). The researchers collected DNA from each sperm sample and looked for epigenetic tags at 450,000 different positions throughout the genome.

They then compared the likelihood of a tag being in a particular site with the AOSI scores of each child. They found 193 different sites where the presence or absence of a tag was statistically related to the AOSI scores. When they looked at which genes were near the identified sites, they found many of them were close to genes involved in developmental processes, especially neural development. Of particular interest was that four of the 10 sites most strongly linked to the AOSI scores were located near genes linked to Prader-Willi syndrome, a genetic disorder that shares some behavioral symptoms with autism. Several of the altered epigenetic patterns were also found in the brains of individuals with autism, giving credence to the idea that they might be related to autism. The team plans to confirm its results in a study of more families and to look at the occupations and environmental exposures of the dads involved. Courtesy: Daily Mail

Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 april 2015

'I got my cheating boyfriend's girlfriend deported'

met Tom at the pub when I was nineteen. I'd had one other relationship, with a lovely guy called Brent, but he was a little 'safe' and I was getting bored, so when I walked into my local pub one night and set my eyes on Tom- I was gone. He was tall and blonde with a hint of danger. I watched him all night and every time he went to the bar, I made sure it was time for me to top up as well. Before the end of the night Tom and I were flirting and laughing, and at the end of the evening we left together. That was it for my relationship with Brent. Tom and I spent the next week in bed, and by the end of that week we were firmly entrenched in a relationship. I moved all my things into his place the very next week and we embarked on life together. He was funny, adored books, music and movies and loved searching out the next adventure. He always had some new bit of information for me, be it an obscure artist, architect, chef... the boy was perfect. Not only was he interested in culture, he was a real man and totally adored me- even when I was ensconced in flannel PJ's with a bad dose of PMT. He was the relationship you read about in books. After a hard days work Tom would pour me a glass of wine, make me laugh and cook me a gourmet dinner. All my friends were jealous, we were the perfect couple. Then I got a promotion at work. Tom celebrated this with champagne and lobster, but soon this excitement turned to dissolution. He got home every day at five- his work wasn't challenging; it was life that was the challenge for him, while my work started to consume me more and more. I missed dinner regularly- in fact, when I was home, I was checking my emails and blackberry, always on call. Many weekends were spent at the office, and though I was heading where I thought I wanted to go, I noticed Tom being more and more distant. I'd often get home from work to find a note 'at the pub' but thought wellI'm working, he may as well enjoy himself. I didn't want him sitting at home like a dutiful 'wife'. One night he didn't get in until 4 in the morning. The next night same

True Story

thing, then again and again. I asked some of my friends from the pub if he was playing around- their uncomfortable shifting, followed by weak denial confirmed my suspicions. One night, I told Tom I was working, but I wasn't. I went to the pub, hiding amongst the crowd in the corner. There was Tom- all over a very pretty girl. They looked very comfortable together and I noticed the other people in the pub treating them like an old familiar couple. I was devastated. I ran from the hotel in tears and went home and waited for him. It was nearly 5.30am when Tom got in and I was dying to confront him- but I didn't. The next night Tom had to go to his brother’s place for a family do, so I claimed to be working, but I wasn't. I went to the pub. There she was, the girl. She was drinking with friends so I sat at the next table and listened to them. The girl's name was Nadine and she had a thick Irish accent. My eavesdropping revealed a lot. She had been backpacking, and had planned to go home when her visa finished, but was now over staying her visa, and working illegally at a cafe, all because she'd met Tom. My Tom. When she went to the ladies I followed her, and on the pretense of

The Christmas that ruined my marriage c o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 3 6

tale of infidelity spanning five years of our ten-year marriage. "Who?" "I don't know," he said. "What do you mean you don't know?" I could not fathom his answer. "I don't know who they are." "How many?" "Too many to count." At that moment, my two-year-old came bounding out of the house, all grins and wanting to play. The bright light of the kitchen fell on my husband's tear-streaked face. I stepped to block my son from seeing him, scooped him up and carried him back inside. I asked my 6 yearold to play with him for a few minutes before their bath and I would be right back. "I don't have any more questions," I said. I turned back into the house filled with lights, music and the sweet faces of innocent, giggling boys and I shut the garage door. Between the Big Confession and the New Year, I felt a bizarre sense of calm and relief. I had a defining moment of clarity that made my decision to leave

my husband definitive. I didn't flail in the limbo of indecision. I had no doubts and no regrets. With my decision made, I felt a bizarre sense of elation. Elation in spite of the fact that my husband called crying daily, sent flowers regularly (too little too late? I mean, really, the lack of self-awareness boggles the mind), and finding that I was buried under a pile of months of unpaid bills. Telling my children about the divorce and seeing their devastated faces was the hardest thing I have ever done, however, I knew I was doing the right thing. Not everyone knows that and knowing is a gift. After the meeting with the lawyer on the first day he was available after the holidays, I went home. The Christmas decorations were still up looking haphazard and worn and the lights hadn't been turned on in days. My children were with my mother. I cried harder than I have ever cried in my life. And then I got up, undecorated my house and went to get my children. I knew that my responsibility was for my children and myself. And I was free. Culled From: www.huffingtonpost.com

needing a tampon struck up a conversation. She raved about the lovely guy she'd met- the perfect guy, her job, new flat and her love for Australia. She even went as far to say that Tom was with some career driven cowbut was ending it to marry her so she could stay in the country. I went home seething, but held my tongue. For once Tom was already home, but he didn't ask where I'd been- he assumed I’d been working. He hardly asked me anything lately, but I still loved him and knew I’d never find a man as sexy and eternally interesting as him. The next morning I made two phone calls. I rang immigration and told them all about Nadine- where she was working, where she lived and the fact she was in the country illegally. I then rang my job and quit. I'd saved quite a bit of money and I realised, I loved Tom more than I loved the job. I gave a week’s notice. At the end of the week, after my last day at work I had champagne, dinner, candles- the whole thing waiting as Tom came in from his job. He seemed rattled- hell, he was rattled, and very surprised to see me home with such treats for him. As he sat down I told him I had quit my job and was thinking- why not us drive around Australia, we'd talked about travel and it was time we got around to it. He looked at me with surprise, his mouth open... then he agreed. I made one last trip to the pub before we went, alone, and found out Nadine had been raided by immigration at her place of employment and kicked out of the country- with no time to say goodbye to anyone- nothing. She was gone. Tom and I repaired our relationship as we drove around Australia. Every day was an adventure- we planned nothing and just ended up where we ended up. The romance and connection came back and he fell back in love with me. It's now six years later and we have a little cafe together, and life is beautiful. Sometimes I wonder what happened to Nadine- but really, I don't care. I have my man, he has me, and we're thrilled to be planning a family... first one due in four months. Courtesy: nine.com

Love Education

What is Fertility? F

ertility is the natural human capability of producing offspring. As a measure, "fertility rate" is the number of children born per couple, person or population. Fertility differs from fecundity, which is defined as the potential for reproduction (influenced by gamete production, fertilisation and carrying a pregnancy to term). A lack of fertility is infertility while a lack of fecundity would be called sterility. Human fertility depends on factors of nutrition, sexual behavior, culture, instinct, endocrinology, timing, economics, way of life, and emotions. Demography In demographic contexts, fertility refers to the actual production of offspring, rather than the physical capability to produce which is termed fecundity. While fertility can be measured, fecundity cannot be. Demographers measure the fertility rate in a variety of ways, which can be broadly broken into "period" measures and "cohort" measures. "Period" measures refer to a cross-section of the population in one year. "Cohort" data on the other hand, follows the same people over a period of decades. Both period and cohort measures are widely used. Period measures • Crude birth rate (CBR) - the number of live births in a given year per 1,000 people alive at the middle of that year. One disadvantage of this indicator is that it is influenced by the age structure of the population. • General fertility rate (GFR) - the number of births in a year divided by the number of women aged 15–44, times 1000. It focuses on the potential mothers only, and takes the age distribution into account. • Child-Woman Ratio (CWR) - the ratio of the number of children under 5 to the number of women 15-49, times 1000. It is especially useful in historical data as it does not require counting births. This measure is actually a hybrid, because it involves deaths as well as births. (That is, because of infant mortality some of the births are not included; and because of adult mortality, some of the women who gave birth are not counted either.) Source: en.wikipedia.org.

Wedding Traditions

Throwing rice at the newlyweds: Czech

raditionally the bridesmaids make a wreath of rosemary for the bride to wear—it symbolizes the wish for wisdom, love, and loyalty. In the Czech Republic the tradition of wearing something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue is strictly followed; however, the borrowed item must belong to a friend who is already married and the something old must be a family heirloom.

After the ceremony, friends of the groom would hang a rope decorated by flowers, ribbons, and empty bottles. The groom needed to pay his friends in order to pass through the rope and pay himself out of the sins of his youth. Throwing rice at the newlyweds was a way to ensure fertility. Courtesy: Irish Central.

SATURDAY

Travel &Tourism SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2015

Travel Personality Ahmed Ojuolape: Travel and tourism business thrives in the north p.40

CHEF'S CORNER Nigeria's award-winning chef, Oluwole Oshinloye, shares an exciting threecourse recipe to enrich and enliven your weekend’s dining experience.

Chicken breasts pierre: Recipe from a master chef

Breakfast Casserole

Hospitality

The charm of Protea Hotel Ikeja p.41

Destination

Imo State: A long walk yet to tourism heartland p.42

INGREDIENTS: zz 1 pound bacon zz 1/4 cup diced onion zz 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper zz 3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese zz 8 eggs zz 2 cups milk zz 1 (16 ounce) package frozen hash zz brown potatoes, thawed PREPARATION: zz Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 7x11 inch casserole dish. zz Fry the bacon in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until evenly browned for about 10 minutes. Drain on a paper towellined plate. Crumble. zz In a large bowl beat together eggs and milk. Mix in cheese, bacon, onion and green pepper. Stir in the thawed hash browns. Pour mixture into prepared casserole. zz Cover with aluminium foil and bake in pre-heated oven for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 30 minutes until eggs have set.

Chicken Breasts Pierre INGREDIENTS: zz 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast zz 1 tablespoons brown sugar zz 1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce zz 3 grams salt zz 2 grams chili powder zz 1 teaspoon mustard powder zz 1 clove garlic, minced zz 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar zz 50 grams allpurpose flour

Grilled Wild Salmon and Vegetables. Inset: Chef Oshinloye zz zz zz zz zz

1 pinch ground black pepper 3 tablespoons butter 150 grams can peeled tomatoes, liquid 5cl water

PREPARATION: zz In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt and ground black pepper. zz Coat chicken breasts with flour mixture. zz Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, and brown chicken on all sides. zz Remove from skillet, and drain on paper towels. zz In the same skillet, combine the tomatoes, water, brown sugar, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. zz Season with salt, chili powder, mustard and garlic. zz Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and return chicken to skillet. Cover, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, or until chicken is tender, no longer pink and juices run clear.

INGREDIENTS zz 150 grams spicy potatoes zz 100 grams green asparagus zz 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil zz 1/2 teaspoon salt zz 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder zz 1/2 teaspoon paprika powder zz 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorn zz 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley zz 250grms salmon fillets zz 2 tablespoon Balsamic PREPARATION: Prepare grill. zz Sprinkle salmon with the salt and pepper zz Place salmon on grill rack coated with cooking oil and grill 5 minutes on each side until fish flakes easily. zz When tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness. zz Place 1 salmon fillet onto plate. zz Sprinkle with the balsamic olive oil mixture over salmon. zz Clean the asparagus and boiled in salted water. zz Peel potatoes and cut into wedges, season with cumin, paprika powder salt and fry. zz Add buttered green asparagus and potatoes to the salmon, serve immediately.

Send feedback on your experience at experimenting with it and your special recipe to iroandy@yahoo.com

Chicken Breasts Pierre

Ethiopian Airlines has for the second time won the Airline of the Year back to back. The honour came at the MICE Magazine’s 8th Annual Industry Golden Chair Awards held in Beijing, China, recently. The annual Golden Chair Award is one of the most influential awards in China which ranks

Grilled Wild Salmon and Vegetables

PROFILE

Oshinloye is the executive chef of Golden Tulip Festac. Easygoing and unassuming, Oshinloye is widely acclaimed in the hospitality sector as one of Nigeria’s best in the culinary world. His vast experience and knowledge in the business are among the things that stand him out. He is perhaps the first and only Nigerian chef who has the distinct privilege of serving as executive chef in an internationally-branded hotel, a position which has almost always been the exclusive of white chefs. For braving this odd and for his various remarkable achievements, he was over a year ago honoured by the Institute of Hospitality UK – Nigeria. This was followed by other groups. His journey began in 1977 at the old Federal Palace Hotel (Now Federal Palace Hotel and Casino). It was there he undertook a number of training to hone his skill and improve his knowledge. He was also at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel from where he moved over to Golden Tulip Festac in 2011.

TRAVEL BEATS

Ethiopian Airlines clinches Airline of the Year award airlines, hotels, travel agencies and tourism destinations with the best performance. Ethiopian Airlines' group chief executive officer, Tewolde GebreMariam, described the latest honour as a testimony of

the commitment of the airline to offering seamless travel and choice offers: "We are honoured to receive this award for the second year in a row. I wish to thank MICE Magazine and, above all, our esteemed customers

from China for their vote of confidence. Ethiopian Airlines has become the airline of choice for Chinese travellers between China, Africa and Brazil. ‘‘We offer the best and fastest connectivity options with a

total of 28 weekly flights to four gateways in China that are Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, and with immediate connection to 49 destinations in Africa and Sao Paulo in Brazil. All the flights are operated with the latest and most comfortable aircraft, the 787 and 777.

Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 april 2015

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

BACKGROUND

Empire Travel Services Limited juolape’s Empire Travel Services Limited, is poised to give the best travel services possible within and outside the country and to project the image of Nigeria positively through its activities. On a first meeting, he says enthusiastically, “our vision is to be the best, first in the West African Sub-region and the World not by size but by deeds. Eye on the top As a tour operator, Ojuolape sets his sight on the crown. “My dream as tour operator is to perform like any tour operator in the world.” However, the challenges of getting there, he says, are daunting. Shaped by experience and exposure As a travel agent and tour operator, he certainly has enjoyed a rich and vast experience, especially having crisscrossed the world. He has had the bad, good and ugly experiences, all of which he says have helped to “shape my thought and expertise in the tourism industry. The bottom line is that I have been able to succeed and triumph despite the draw backs.” Furthermore, he informs that, “the lesson I learnt is to be honest to yourself and be sincere to your customers. You must always be firm and empathetic as a travel agent.” Travel business in the north is good For someone that has lived and conducted travel and tour business in the northern part of the country, he says that “travel and tourism business in the northern part of Nigeria is good. There are activities that can be exploited and are being exploited- so many of them. Unfortunately, most of us don’t even know this. We are tied to our own areas without recognising that there are potential in other places.” The problem with Nigeria tourism For the man that is known by many as a teacher and regarded by many of his students as very practical and strict because of his insistence on the right thing, he outlines myriad of issues militating against the development and promotion of Nigeria tourism. “What I noticed is that we don’t pay attention to the reality of our environment. People take position without any plan or vision. We lack pre-requisite manpower because we don’t want to learn. We can choose to do it if we want or exploit it only to our personal interest and it will collapse. How many of us are willing to develop tourism? What we do is to develop tourism on the pages of newspapers or other media. That cannot work and is not working.” The environment is not conducive for domestic tourism “Promotion of domestic tourism is a factor of domestic environment. Nobody wants to invest today and it is destroyed tomorrow. We don’t have domestic tourism environment with the exception of Calabar - Cross River State and probably Akwa Ibom State. Guaranteed investment, security and ease of acquiring necessary assets can be catalyst to tourism promotion.” Investment is key “Our tourist attractions are not in poor state. What we need is investment and security of such investment. I cannot come all the way from Germany to develop the Hanging Lake

Ojuolape

Ahmed Oyeranmi Ojuolape holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Studies and Master's of Business Administration with series of certificates and diplomas in management and professional courses with special reference to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) certifications and member/fellow of: MNIM, FINIAM, FITP, IATA-TTP, CTP, ASTA, ATLAS and NANTA. He started his career in 1976 with Transcap Bureau Limited in Apapa, Lagos, then moved over to Kano after serving in various capacities and locations of the company. In Kano, he joined Anopit Travel Agency Limited and in 1989 set up his own company, Empire Travel Services Limited, Kano. Ojuolape is globally recognised as a leading Nigerian training resource person whose service is heavily sought after. He coordinates IATA/UFTAA courses for the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) in Nigeria. Born and bred in Oyo State, Ojuolape has lived and worked in Ibadan, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano. The fact that he has lived and conducted business in Kano for this long, he says, is due to: “the understanding of your environment and respect for the people is the key word.”

AHMED OJUOLAPE Travel and tourism business thrives in the north

Ahmed Oyeranmi Ojuolape is the chairman and chief executive officer of Empire Travel Services Limited, Kano. He is a passionate travel professional and resource person in the industry who over the years has spent his time and resources teaching and imparting knowledge as well as raising young and talented corps of professionals across within and outside the shores of Nigeria. He speaks with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA on his life journey in the travel world. a country. This is the biggest industry in the world. How can we neglect it? Some of us have dedicated our lives to promoting the industry by training and developing the much needed manpower and we are not going to stop. All these people parading themselves as tourism practitioners should go out and find out what tourism is all about.

in Iseyin, Oyo State. That is what is happening in our environment. Multiplicities of taxes are killing tourism. Imagine you paying for dustbin, location of signboard, business premises and many more. What this means is that somebody can just wake up and demand money from you because you are operating in his domain. The way forward for Nigeria tourism “Specifically, we need the political will, we need strong associations of practitioners, we need dedicated personnel, we need a conducive environment and we need deliberate policy geared towards tourism promotion. Look at the Turkish model for instance. Look at Seychelles model. Look at Calabar model. Development of tourism should be from grassroots. People should be willing to accept outsiders in their environment/localities or designated sites. “The taxi drivers, commuters, etc are part of the tourism development and without their deliberate support, nothing can be achieved.” The future is bright “The future of tourism in Nigeria is very bright. In fact, it is the ultimate thing for us to do to survive as

I have chosen that aspect of manpower development and I have devoted everything I have to it since I established my company in 1989

Choosing to be a trainer is deliberate Choosing to train people in the industry, he says, was a deliberate decision he made to contribute his quota to the development of the industry. “For instance, I have chosen that aspect of manpower development and I have devoted everything I have to it since I established my company in 1989. My belief is that if we have qualified workforce then we can get people to do the job and we can influence things around us. “I have produced more qualified personnel in this industry than anybody. Unfortunately the recognition is coming more from outside Nigeria. I have consistently maintained same tenacity since 1990. It has yielded positive result for Nigeria. More and more of Nigerians are doing very well outside Nigeria using

the avenue/platform we are providing but how can they succeed in our own environment? The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) has done well “I have been a member of NANTA since 1989. I served at various levels of the association, the last as a member of the board of trustees. NANTA has had good and bad moments. With the benefit of hindsight, I can say that we have done well. Every association is a reflection of its leaders. If you have good leadership with the right vision, you don’t have to clamour for recognition. Your thinking must be in tandem with the needs of your members and the country as a whole. You should be able to give reasonable and progressive advice to the government too. You must be creative and push for the collective wish of your members. “You must be well informed and dedicated to your course then, an association will stand the test of time. NANTA has been in existence since 1973.” Legacy If there is anything that Ojuolape would want to be remembered for, it is his contribution in the development of manpower in the industry. “I want to be remembered for dedicating myself to promoting manpower in the tourism industry.” It is no wonder then that he spent his time reading and travelling: “I love reading and travelling. Sometimes I like meeting and talking to people.”

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 april 2015

The charm of Protea Hotel Ikeja

HOSPITALITY ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA who visited Protea Hotel Ikeja gets a hint of why it became such a huge hit in a short time.

rotea Hotel Ikeja located on Isaac John Street in the Government Reservation Area presents different propositions to its patrons. One of its uniqueness is the fact that it is elegantly styled and structured. The building exudes a pleasing ambiance accentuated by a fascinating architecture. Walking through the door to the expansive reception, easy flowing lounge and service areas, you are welcomed to a world of luxury. It exudes calm and makes no pretences about its classic, opulent and affluent status. Taking in this unfolding lush and exciting scenery, it is obvious that one was in a luxuriating world meant for those with a discerning and distinct taste, wishing for a piece of the beautiful and pleasurable world of the Protea hospitality. It parades an array of impressive facilities and offers excellent services while offering its patrons kingly treats.

Hotel's exterior

Accommodation The hotel’s rooms are all plush, stylishly and elegantly designed and fitted with the best amenities in the hospitality industry. From the standard rooms to the presidential suites, they all come with an opulence and panache fit for the high end market to which the hotel is devoted. Dining/wining Dining and wining is sheer delight here with the restaurant and bar uniquely crafted to present a feeling of being closeted in an alcove enjoying rich continental and local dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The bar, which comes with some artistic pull, offers 24-hour services, serving all brands of wine, champagne and cocktails. Conference Besides its leisure offerings, the hotel also rates high on business tourism. It has well apportioned facilities that are devoted to conferences from seminars, workshops, retreats to training sessions and coffee/tea parties and high brow social events such as private weddings and birthdays. It has four conference rooms. These include conference rooms A – C and these can be arranged to fit into any of these styles – banquet, cinema, U–shaped boardroom, cocktail and classroom. All fitted with such equipment as air-conditioning facsimile, flipchart, lectern, microphone, overhead projector, public address system, photocopier, portable screen televi-

Travel & Tourism

HOSPITALITY BITS Starwood Hotels gets new area manager A new Area Information Technology Manager has been appointed by Starwood Hotels Nigeria, West and Central Africa, covering its six properties in Nigeria, two in Gabon and one in The Gambia. He is Mr. Buchi Obioha, who holds a bachelor's degree in engineering from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology. He started his career with First Bank of Nigeria Plc and later moved to Current-Link Systems Limited, a leading systems hospitality solutions company and sole dealers for Micros Fidelio, and rose to become operations manager from where he joined Starwood Worldwide, the management company of Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Ikeja, as the IT Manager and later earned the position of Area IT Manager role Nigeria to oversee and support the IT Units of the five Starwood Properties in Nigeria - Sheraton Abuja Hotel, Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Le Meridien Ogeyi Place Port Harcourt, Four points by Sheraton Lagos and Sheraton Lagos Hotel Ikeja. Starwood Hotels Area General Manager for Nigeria, Mr. Barry Currant, expressed confidence in the ability of the new area manager to discharge his responsibilities in the best possible professional manner. “We are proud to have Buchi in this role, I am confident that he will impact greatly on the operational efficiency we provide to our customers in these regions,

Obioha

Kenya to host 2015 Aviation Day for Africa and Middle East One of the bedrooms

The dining area

sion and whiteboard.

the best therapeutic treats and massage.

Leisure/fitness Beyond having a cool dip in the swimming pool, guests could sunbath and relax. There is also a gymnasium which is quite chic and fittingly equipped. Added to these are two treatment rooms where you can get

Extra facilities/services Other facilities or services to explore at the hotel include the coffee shop, valet service, laundry service, babysitting service, car rental, internet service, airport shuttle, secretarial service, and 24-hour business centre.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has named Kenya as host country for its 2015 Aviation Day for Africa and the Middle East, scheduled to hold at the InterContinental Hotel, Nairobi between June 23 and 24. Over 250 participants from airlines, air navigation providers, international and regional organisations linked to aviation, airports, government agencies, aviation suppliers, aircraft manufacturers and of course the aviation media, are expected to attend the two day conference, with the theme ‘Connecting Africa – The linkage of Regulation, Capacity and Infrastructure’. Critical and developmental issues affecting the health and state of development of global aviation slated for discussion during the Nairobi’s event include: zz The impact of smart and well-tailored regulations in driving the industry and economy of Africa zz The road to liberalisation; how to navigate the path to open intra-Africa markets zz The optimal deployment of physical and human capacity in the aftermath of enabling regulation.

NEW TELEGRAPH PARTNER HOTELS B E N E F I TS There are lots of benefits to derive as one of our partner hotels. For enquiries and details on how to join the programme, please contact Andrew Iro Okungbowa: 08023152195 (sms only), e-mail: iroandy@ymail.com or Chinyere Opara: 08063768131 (sms only) e-mail angela_ curtis-2@live.com

FESTAC, LAGOS

ABA

Panda Hotel Suites & Lounge

ABA

LAGOS

42 Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 april 2015

Imo State: A long walk

Oguta Lake

DESTINATION Given its natural endowments, culture, rich and enduring history, Imo State ought to be a tourism heartland but the reality is it's still a long walk to attaining that prestigious position among its eastern neighbours, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA who outlines some of its tourism attractions and arrested state of development.

Profile mo State, located in the eastern heartland is named after Imo River, which flows from the uplands of the state around the Okigwe axis into the Atlantic Ocean. By virtue of this natural gift, the Okigwe region of the state enjoys an amazing landscape - a mix of hilly and undulating plains. The state, which dubs itself as the "Eastern Heartland" occupies a landscape spanning 5,530 square kilometers with Owerri as the capital city. It comprises three senatorial districts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri and boasts 27 local government areas. It is bordered by Anambra State to the north, Rivers State to the south, Akwa Ibom State to the east and on the west by Abia State. Its people are largely the Igbo and speak Igbo with different dialects. It also has different towns and villages but some of the most popular ones include Okigwe, Ngor Okpala, Mbaitoli, Arondizuogu, Obowu, Mgbidi, Ideato and Emekuku. Agriculture and trading are among the dominant engagements of the people. The state also boasts a number of educational

Rochas Okorocha, Imo State governor

Masquerade like this one add colour to cultural events which the state teems with

institutions from primary, secondary, commercial, technical and vocational to tertiary. Some of the famous tertiary institutions include Imo State University, Owerri; Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri; Federal University of Science and Technology, Owerri; Michael Okpara College of Agriculture, Umuagwu and Federal Polytechnic, Nekede. Tourist attractions Imo State like many other states across the country has a wide range of tourist attractions of varying degrees and make, from natural to artificial, music, dance, festivals, arts and crafts, and the traditional hospitality of the people. The sour point, however, is that most of these attractions are still in their pristine and rustic state while some have been abandoned and left in a sorry state. If anything at all, over the years feeble attempts have been made by the various governments of the state to elevate and add value to the life span of these attractions.

Even the locals themselves appear to have also lost a sense of the value and importance of these attractions as nothing much is coming from their end to show that tourism is well and alive in their midst. It is really difficult to point one or two appealing tourism structures or events of note, which over the years have either been put in place by the government or the people. Rather what you see around are still the base and rustic activities, which are not commercially priced or promoted across the state or the country. Even night and social life as we see it bubbling and rising to the crescendo is some cities like Lagos is almost a mirage across the state. Time was when Owerri and some other cities in the state enjoyed active and heavily patronised social and night life. Like a meteor, it all suddenly disappeared. But in the last couple of years, it appears the muse of entertainment and night life is gradually finding its way back to Owerri. At least hotels of various

means, eateries, events and social venues are on the rise as well as relaxation spots and night clubs. Here is a list of some of the attractions across the state: Tourism Mbari Cultural Centre: Located in Ikenegbu area of Owerri, the centre is a pointer to the rich history and culture of the people as it warehouses the cultural heritage of the people â&#x20AC;&#x201C; both its tangible and intangible materials in various forms. This centre is mostly patronised by arts connoisseurs and the academics while the people hardly appreciate its presence in their midst. Oguta Lake Holiday Resort: The resort built a long time ago boasts an enchanting natural landscape, which lends itself to various leisure activities, especially golfing and water-related events given the presence of the lalke which runs its course along the attraction. It ought to be the star attraction of the state but like most other attractions, barring the hotel, club house and conference centre, it has suffered abandonment as it hardly attracts patronage. It has mostly

Travel & Tourism 43

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 april 2015

yet to tourism heartland been promises of turning it into a tourist haven by the various governments, but these are never fulfilled. It has been given different names such as Oguta Blue Lake or the Oguta Wonder Lake, depending on the dream or idea that the person at the head of affairs in the state comes up with at the time. It is only recently a feeble facelift was given to the facility, but it is not enough for such a gigantic and alluring facility with a rich history. The lake is of importance to the people of Oguta, Orsu, Nkwesi and Awo. In the colonial era, Oguta Lake was a port for the evacuation of palm products and the relics of the jetties used by the United African Company (UAC) still exist. During the civil war, the Oguta Lake was a marine base for the Biafran Navy. Visitors can take a cruise on the lake to explore its natural flow and vegetation as well as view the Ojukwu gun boat that is believed to have sunk somewhere. Besides the resort itself, the town of Oguta ought to be developed into a tourist enclave given its history and the number of tourism related endowments, particularly its alluring naturalness, which the town possesses. Assumpta Cathedral: Located in Owerri, it is an imposing cathedral of great import to the role religion plays in the life of the people. It is one of the first few interesting structures that attract attention as one makes their way into the city. Umuaka: It is one of the towns in the state and it is sandwiched between Owerri, the state capital and Orlu. It has been designated as a tourist haven by the state government because of its vast and rich attractions, especially its natural landscape, which among others enjoy a blend of rivers, creeks, forest and valleys. The people are also noted for their rich cultural heritage, from their numerous festivals (Oghu, Ekere mgba, Emume and Ichiechichi), dance and music such as Ekeleke, Ogbanamma and Egwu-ohia. Known by the people traditionally as Akahland, the community is famed for its legion of social and cultural activities which hold round the clock yearly. Abadaba Lake Resort: Just like the Oguta Lake Resort, Abadaba Lake Resort is also a natural haven beckoning and over the years, many promises have been made by the state government but yet it has largely remained in it pristine state. Edemili Lake: This is another lake in the state to explore for its rich natural wealth, such as its wetland which is swampy in nature with a palm beach. Palm Beach Holiday Resort, AwoOmama: Located in Awo-Omama, is a beach strewn with palm trees and which offers a naturally pleasing environment with undulating plains for people to relax and enjoy a picnic. Ngwu Spring Natural Water: Otherwise known as Iyi Umugara, this natural spring, which is found in Nkwere local government area of the state presents sparkling natural water, pure and crystal-like. Though not exactly a waterfall, the stream is formed by a cascading spring water seen as awesome and mysterious given the fact that even during the dry season the flow rather than cease, increases and flows endlessly. Besides, there are other pockets of amazing natural springs scattered across the state. These include Iyi Ogidi spring, which is in Ofeahia Amaifeke autonomous community in Orlu Local Government Area and Iyi Okwu spring in Okwuepe village in Ebenese Ihioma autonomous community also in Orlu. Ada Palm Plantation Complex: Located in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Govern-

the years waned in its appeal and various attempts by the state government to reinvent it has so far not yielded the expected result as it still suffers low patronage. Others are All Seasons Hotel located in Owerri, Owerri Hotel Plaza, Newcastle Hotel, Triple T Hotel, De Legend, Disney Hotels, Dreamland Hotels and Hollywood International Hotel, all located in Owerri.

Ofe Owerri, a popular delicacy among locals

ment Area of the state, between Amator and Egbema, is conducive for industrial tourism with its large expanse of palm plantation, spanning over 4, 000 hectares of land. Although attractive to behold and explore, it is no longer a thriving economic estate like it was in the colonial days. Rolling Hills, Okigwe: Okigwe geographically offers a natural attractive pull for anyone to explore. With its rolling hills and forested hues, the town ought to be a haven of sort given its picturesque scenery. Eze Silver Ibenyi Ugbala II Palace: A traditional palace in Orlu with its rich cultural heritage gives a bird's eye view to the richness of the cultural wealth of the people, as the palace houses arts and craft ornaments and works of the people. Nekede Zoo: Located in Nekede, on the outskirts of Owerri, it is a natural habitat with rich flora and fauna resources of immense value. It also houses relaxation spots. But not much has been done to make it appealing to the public. Festivals The state also has a number of exciting and colourful festivals of religious and social significance. One such is Ikeji Festival. Held in Arondizuogu, it is an annual communal festival celebrated in the month of April. Its highlight is usually the celebration of Mmamwu (masquerade). This ought to be a prime festival for

the state but no effort has made by the state government and the tourism body to promote it as it is left for the communal folks who yearly merely manage to give rent to it. Hospitality The state boasts an array of hotels of different categories across the various localities and they offer guests different services. The list includes Imo Concorde Hotel, which for many people is the star hotel of the state built by the state government. In its heyday, it was the symbol of hospitality in the state where people, particularly the elite meet. It was even a melting pot for politicians. It has over

Endnote With its rich endowments and industrious people, Imo State tourism ought to grow beyond the level it is today. But what we have seen so far is an apparent disinterest in developing tourism in the state besides the rhetoric and flowery promises yearly. Perhaps the only area where the state has witnessed appreciable growth is in the hospitality sector where a number of hotels and eateries of note have over the years taken root in the state capital. Just like the other administration before it, the administration of Governor Rochas Okorocha has not performed any better. The state's tourism is still as it was over four years ago without appreciable difference in terms of infrastructure and galvanising the people towards paying attention to developing the industry. But there is still an opportunity to move beyond mere promises and populist posturing to ensure real progress is made in building Imo into a truly and deserving tourism heartland.

Concorde Hotel, Owerri

Assumpta Cathedral. Inset: Mbari House

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

SATURDAY, 18 APRIL, 2015

SATURDAY

Politics Cover Xtra

Gideon Orkar never wanted to redraw Nigeria's map, says elder brother p.50

Personal Finance Stock price slides: The shield you need p.53

Perspectives

Nd’Igbo and the Future (1) p.54

COVER

Why Jonathan lost presidency … The inside story

On March 28, President Goodluck Jonathan lost his re-election bid. He was defeated in the contest by former military ruler, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd). AYODELE OJO writes on the factors that led to the president's defeat

ike never before, the March 28 presidential election was fought like a war. Never in the history of Nigeria has election been fought with such intensity. The attention of the world was shifted to Nigeria. Governance and economy got relegated while politics took the centre stage. President Goodluck Jonathan was rattled. On several occasions, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential standardbearer got agitated. His rival and former head of state, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, was more calm and calculative. The forces behind him in the All Progressives Congress (APC) were massive and potent. By the time the votes were counted, President Jonathan had been humbled by Buhari. The president polled 12,853,162 votes against Buhari’s 15,424,921 votes. Jonathan won in 15 states – 11 in the South-South and SouthEast, one in the South-West, three in the North and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Buhari won in 21 states – 16 in the North and five in the South-West. For the first time in Nigeria, an incumbent president lost his re-election. What really went wrong? Why did President Jonathan lose? Was it poor performance? What was the magic of the opposition? Indeed, there are a lot of factors responsible for the president’s defeat. The tide against President Jonathan’s fortunes began to change with the July 31, 2013 merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). That day, all permutations changed. For the first time in Nigeria, the opposition became national in outlook. The event of August 31, 2013 also played a key role. That day, aggrieved PDP governors walked out of the PDP convention in Abuja to form what they called New PDP. Another major landmark event against the president was the collapse of New PDP structures into the APC on November 25, 2013. The events made the opposition against Jonathan strong and virile such that there were 16 governors in the camp of the APC and a substantial control of the National Assembly. The outcome of the December 2014 primaries of the APC in Lagos where the losers like former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), and Sam Nda-Isaiah embraced the winner, Buhari, and worked with him also shored up APC's fortunes. The calculation among the PDP hierarchy was that APC would unravel after the primaries. The choice of Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo as Bu© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

46 Cover

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

Why Jonathan lost presidency … The inside story

Sanusi C O N T I N U E D f r om PA G E 4 5

hari’s running mate also discredited the long held notion that the APC was a Muslim party. Osinbajo, a professor of law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). The support base of Jonathan and Buhari also influenced the outcome of the elections. Buhari’s cult followership among the masses could not be matched by Jonathan's clout. The president’s support base was mostly in the South-South and South-East and largely among the elite. While Osinbajo added some verve to Buhari’s candidacy, Vice-President Namadi Sambo could not sway support for the president in the North, where the APC trounced the PDP. APC’s campaign The damage done to the credibility of President Jonathan and his administration by the APC was much. The APC ran a formidable campaign which portrayed Jonathan administration as corrupt, inefficient and incapable of taming Boko Haram insurgency. This, no doubt, affected the fortunes of the president in the election. APC campaign put the PDP almost always on the defensive. It was more of a movement. The "Change" mantra was massive. While APC dwelt on its plan for Nigeria and failures of the government, the PDP often found itself struggling to react to messages put out by APC about the government. The PDP campaign attempted to cast Buhari as a villain. This irritated the North. There were less efforts at showcasing the president’s achievement; if there were they began only rather late. While the PDP was busy sponsoring litigations against Buhari on qualification, APC was on the field vigorously campaigning. Unlike in the 2011 election, Buhari had a robust political platform well-funded to challenge President Jonathan. The north at war with Jonathan There is no doubt that the North was angry with the president. This was evident in the voting pattern which saw President Jonathan narrowly winning two [Taraba and Nasarawa] of the 19 northern states in the March 28 presidential election. In the 2011 election, Jonathan won seven northern states. In the March 28 presidential poll, Buhari routed President Jonathan in the North even with 12 PDP governors and 22 ministers on his side. The APC presidential candidate polled12,228,491 votes against the president’s 3,694,920 votes in the North. For the North, the election was like a

Osinbajo

war. The region needed the power at all cost. The race was united and all the major forces cast their lots with Buhari; not because they so much loved him but he was a potent vehicle to reclaim power. And there was deep resentment against the president in the North. The North felt aggrieved by the decision of the president to breach the gentleman’s agreement with regard to single-term he was said to have struck in 2011. They felt that Jonathan was usurping their rights. There was a unity of purpose. Choices could be made in other elections, but in the presidency the votes must be for Buhari. The resentment against Jonathan dates back to 2011 when he decided to contest the presidential election. The thinking was that if Jonathan had opted out of the race to allow the North to complete the eight-year tenure which the late President Umaru Yar’Adua would apparently have had, a moral burden would have been put on the region to cede power to the South after the completion of the term. The president was advised against running in 2011 but he refused. Meeting were held between representatives of the president and the North without any fruitful result. And if President Jonathan had honoured the single-term pact he allegedly signed with the North there wouldn’t have been so much opposition. Some of the governors, especially Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, publicly spoke against the decision of the president to contest for another term. The governors and the ministers except Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State could not publicly campaign for Jonathan. Even those known to be supporting the president were harassed by hoodlums. And so the president was left standing alone literarily in the North. Saturday Telegraph learnt that prominent northerners became Buhari’s campaign

While the PDP was busy sponsoring litigations against Buhari on qualification, APC was on the field vigorously campaigning

Mimiko

managers in the North. They crisscrossed the northern states, meeting traditional rulers, Islamic scholars and various groups marketing Buhari and denouncing Jonathan. Religious and ethnic issues were played up. The president was accused of neglecting the north and protecting his Niger Delta kith and kin. The president’s faceoff with the former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, did not help him either. When Sanusi became the emir shortly after Jonathan sacked him, the president against tradition did not felicitate with the monarch until after the intervention initiated by the Sultan of Sokoto. The Kano people saw the presidency's position as an affront to their reverred monarch. The hatred coupled with other factors such as Buhari and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso's personalities counted against the president as Kano polled 1,903,999 votes for Buhari against Jonathan’s 215,779. Boko Haram, Chibok girls: Jonathan’s albatross One major factor that contributed to the fall of President Jonathan was the Boko Haram insurgency. The inability of the government to rescue the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls abducted in April 14, 2014 by the terrorist group gave Jonathan out as one presiding over an inefficient government. The famed statement of the president that Boko Haram members are in his government was also a minus for him. The belief of the president that no girl was missing in the wake of the abduction also affected his image. The general belief in the presidency, initially, was that no girl was abducted by Boko Haram and that the whole abduction episode was a scam. Prominent northern leaders accused the president of not doing enough to tame the insurgency until in the build up to the March 28 presidential election when the military stepped up action like never before to rout the insurgents, particularly the North-East. The failure of the president to visit Borno State, the epicentre of terrorist activities, and other North-East states until the build-up to the March 28 election made him seem like an uncaring president. Some Northern elements believe that the war against Boko Haram was to decimate the North. Even the ousted governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd), accused President Jonathan of embarking on genocide against the people of the North. No doubt, the failure of the government to swiftly tackle terrorism on Nigerian soil exposed Jonathan’s government to ridicule. The fact that the North-East people, the most affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, see President Jonathan as un-

caring created a deep resentment against him. That perception could be glimpsed from the fact that the president performed poorly in all the North-East states. President’s missteps in South-West One of the battlegrounds for the presidential election was the South-West. The geo-political zone has the second largest number of voters in the country after the North-West. The six South-West states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti collectively have 13,731,090 registered voters. As such, both the PDP and APC turned the zone into a battlefield. While the APC got its calculation right, the PDP’s permutations were faulty. The opposition APC is in control of four of the six states (except Ondo and Ekiti) coupled with the fact that the party has most of its staunch leaders like former Governor Bola Tinubu from the zone. Also, APC picked the vice presidential candidate from the zone. But for President Jonathan, he relied on the PDP structures and its leaders in the zone to deliver the votes for him. Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State was the arrowhead of his campaign in the zone. But he took the wrong approach. Mimiko enlisted the leaders of the pan Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, into the project. On no fewer than two occasions, Afenifere leaders endorsed President Jonathan’s re-election, citing the need for the implementation of the 2014 National Conference report as the basis. Several post-conference summits were held to drum up support for the president. Unfortunately, the approach failed. Barring Mimiko and a few other members of the Afenifere, most of the group’s leaders have lost political relevance. To some of them, a Jonathan project was an avenue to advance their interest. Some made fortunes out of the project. But they never went out to canvass votes for Jonathan. The last time Afenifere had sufficient clout was between 1998 and 2003 when it was a factor in the Alliance for Democracy (AD). The group influenced the political direction of the Yoruba race. But all was gone since 2003 when the PDP hurricane swept the South-West states. So, for President Jonathan, it was a miscalculation to think that Afenifere was a strong vehicle to rally votes in his favour. The president provided enough fund for the group and its leaders in the course of electioneering. Jonathan also got it wrong with the belief that the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) was potent enough to provide the needed support for him. Desperate for support, President Jonathan awarded a pipeline security contract reportedly CONTINUED ON PAGE 47

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

Why Jonathan lost presidency … The inside story C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 4 6

worth billions of Naira to the OPC leaders, Frederick Fasehun and Gani Adams. Both of them became ardent supporters of the president. Even Fasehun founded a political party, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), all for Jonathan. His party endorsed the president for second term. But most of Fasehun’s activities did not go beyond the media; there was no serious efforts by him and his group to mobilise for the president. Adams was so obsessed with Jonathan such that he promised to deliver six million votes for the president. The president even hosted the OPC leaders and coordinators at the State House, Marina, Lagos, in the build up to the election. But the only known effort was the disruption of public peace in Lagos when his group marched on Lagos roads calling for the removal of the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega. One major factor responsible for the failure of the president in the South-West was the fact that the zone was mostly on the fringe in the Jonathan administration, especially with regard to appointments. There was hardly any figure from the South-West that held a key position in the nation’s executive, legislative and judiciary. The only consolation was the Chief of Staff to the President, Brig-Gen. Jones Arogbofa. Unfortunately, Arogbofa was the candidate of Afenifere. His elder brother, Otunba Oladehinde Arogbofa, is the Secretary-General of Afenifere. So, his reach and scope was limited. He was also not a politician and his office barely attracted anything to the zone. So, to the zone, they never had anybody in Jonathan’s government. This informed the preference for the APC in which Osinbajo is now vice president-elect. Gambling with aggrieved governors A major blow to the president’s ambition was the internal crisis that tore apart the PDP towards the end of 2013 and throughout the reign of Bamangar Tukurled National Working Committee (NWC). The game for President Jonathan began to change on August 31. Seven PDP governors – Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) walked out of the party’s special convention in Abuja, where the president was present. The aggrieved governors otherwise known as G7 later formed a parallel New PDP. The government used its might to intimidate the governors into submission but they were unyielding. The secretariat of the New PDP in Abuja was closed, security details of some of its leaders were withdrawn while the police even harassed the governors during one of their meetings at Kano Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja. At last, five of the governors except Lamido and Aliyu defected to the APC. To the PDP leadership, there was no cause for alarm. But by the end of voting in the March 28 presidential election, four of the governors with the exception of Amaechi of Rivers delivered their states for the APC. Even with Nyako out of office, he took his pound of flesh from Jonathan by ensuring that Adamawa went the way of APC. If President Jonathan had effectively managed the PDP internal crisis, there would have been less collateral damage done to his re-election. With Governor Kwankwaso in the PDP, Buhari wouldn’t have secured 1.9 million votes in Kano. The marginal difference wouldn’t have been that much in Sokoto and Kwara states

where Buhari won landslide. Those the president depended on to salvage the situation in states where the PDP lost its governors to the opposition except Rivers, his fortress, failed woefully. Education minister, Ibrahim Shekarau, was decimated in Kano. His clout as former governor of the state coupled with the support of minister of foreign affairs, Aminu Wali, was too weak for Hurricane Buhari. Former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa could not withstand Governor Aliyu Wamakko in Sokoto. Shekarau and Bafarawa defected from the APC to the PDP. Poor handling of the primaries The fallouts of the PDP primaries also affected Jonathan’s fortunes. While all the organs of the PDP adopted Jonathan as the sole candidate, crisis tore apart the state chapters of the party over the choice of candidates for the elections. Leaving the party structures at the governors' whim was a major minus for the party. The state governors who are the favourite of the party leadership and presidency imposed candidates for the elections at will. This led to the exit of strong party members to the APC. Even some of the president’s ministers – Samuel Ortom and Labaran Maku – who resigned their appointments to contest the governorship seat of their states were forced out of the party to the APC and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). The governors brazenly snatched senatorial tickets from the incumbent forcing a number of senators to seek shelter in APC. With the exodus of PDP chieftains to the APC, the ruling party was weakened at the state level. For instance, in Benue, former PDP national chairman, Senator Barnabas Gemade and Ortom pitched tent with Senator George Akume in the APC. The effect was so massive that Gemade defeated Governor Gabriel Suswam, who had won the PDP senatorial ticket which the former also contested, in the March 28 National Assembly election. Ortom also won the governorship election. These forces ended the 16-year reign of PDP in Benue State. And for the first time, the PDP lost the presidential election in Benue. In Adamawa, PDP leadership imposed its wishes on the state. Nuhu Ribadu, the governorship flag bearer, and National Assembly candidates were elected in a primaries held in Abuja which left much to be desired. This forced some members out of the PDP in the state and those that stayed put worked against the party. The cumulative effect was Jonathan’s loss. In Kebbi, former governor and onetime minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Adamu Aliero, was denied the PDP senatorial ticket. Serving senators and other legislators suffered the same. Hence, they defected to the APC. The effect was massive. Jonathan polled 100,972 votes against Buhari’s 567,883 votes. APC also won all the contested seats. It was the same story in most of the states. Citing lack of internal democracy within the PDP, Tukur said the development caused the defeat of the party. Speaking on Thursday in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, Tukur said: “We have been advocating for its [internal democracy] entrenchment in the party for a long time. It’s unfortunate that the failure to heed to our advice led to the unsavoury defeat the party suffered. “We have been preaching election not selection, internal democracy not imposition. Anywhere it was done, it will leave a bitter pill in the mouth.” Obasanjo’s virile attacks Like or hate him, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has become an instiCONTINUED ON PAGE 48

Muhammed

'Why North revolted against Jonathan' Dr. Junaid Muhammed is the convener of Concerned Northern Politicians, Academics, Professionals and Business. The former member of the House of Representatives and national chairman of the defunct Peoples Salvation Party (PSP) speaks with AYODELE OJO on why an overwhelming number of northerners voted out President Goodluck Jonathan. Excerpts: The president lost badly in the north, while the APC got more of their votes from the region. Why did the north move against Jonathan? I don’t think the north moved against Jonathan per se. The north is the least developed part of Nigeria, therefore, they bear the brunt of the corruption of the Jonathan administration. The NorthEast is the home of Boko Haram, so the north bears the brunt of the insecurity in the nation. You cannot mislead people about somebody’s incompetence when in government. The north knows what it means to be a leader and they know that Jonathan is no leader by any standard. And he has done a lot to show that he hates the north than any other leader in this country. Look at the budget he presented in the last six years, look at what is devoted to the development of the north and what is devoted to the development of his own Bayelsa or other areas of the South-South. If you don’t like people and you show by your actions, of course they would reciprocate, particularly when they are wallowing in poverty, they have no security wherever they are and they are disgracefully disadvantaged. The revenue allocation formula is a disgrace; it is completely unacceptable to have a situation where so much money goes to a few, while the rest are running in poverty and there is nothing to show for it. What about his performance; doesn’t that count at all? What performance? In what area? Tell me. Has he performed in security? No. Has he performed in economy? No. Has he performed in personnel management, by putting square pegs in square holes and round pegs in round holes?

He hasn’t. Even within the South-South, most of the appointment has gone to the Ijaws. Let me give you an example how this country has been run. The minister of finance who claims to be the so-called coordinating minister for the economy is Igbo, the governor of the Central Bank is Igbo, AMCON is headed by an Igbo man, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group is headed by an Igbo man, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) was being managed by an Igbo woman until a month or two ago. the Sovereign Wealth Fund is being headed by an Igbo man. The same thing to the Nigerian Stock Exchange. You can go on and on; the entire economy was being run by one ethnic group. I've giving you one example of the national economy and it is one of the areas where the country is doing very badly. I’m looking at how appointments were made in the military. Where they could not get an Ijaw man they appointed an Igbo man. So you mean it was the failure of Jonathan to do what was appropriate in the country that led to the north rallying for Buhari? No, the South-West also rallied for Buhari. Buhari was known to have a track record. Jonathan was head of government for six years and he has a track record. So the track records of these two men are very well known in Nigeria. We are not saying that one is a saint and one is a devil; we are saying that those who voted for Buhari voted very rationally, not on the basis of religion, culture, zone, or ethnic group. They voted for what they believe are the capacities of a leader to deliver. And Buhari delivered while he was Head of State and those who overthrew him knew. They didn’t overthrow him because he could not deliver, they overthrew him because they had their own agenda and we all knew what their agenda was. We know what the consequences of Ibrahim Babangida being president of Nigeria was and we are still living with those problems. Some of the crises we had from social, legal, economic, moral, arose from the government Babangida led. So if we have somebody now who tries to be more like Babangida, you can see why Nigerians ran away from him. He spent trillions in terms of security and there is no security in the country and nobody can account for the money. He too must be held accountable. There was massive corruption under his watch.

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

Why Jonathan lost presidency … The inside story C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 4 7

tution in Nigeria. Having ruled Nigeria as military and civilian leader, he has farreaching contacts within and beyond Nigeria. Obasanjo was instrumental to the emergence of Jonathan as vice president and president. But he soon fell out with the president. At every opportunity, Obasanjo chastised Jonathan’s government. In his autobiography, My Watch, Obasanjo returned a damning verdict on President Jonathan, accusing him of corruption and ineptitude. The president is always at the receiving end of the former ruler. But the president and his aides always fired back. The president also moved against Obasanjo’s political associates in the PDP. But Obasanjo rallied his associates against the president. He launched verbal attacks against the Jonathan administration. He also encouraged his associates like former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, now governor-elect of Kaduna State, and onetime Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to launch sustained attacks on the administration. Also, many of his political associates pitched tent with the APC while opposition leaders courted him with several visits to his Abeokuta residence. The former president facilitated the movement of some of his acolytes who are PDP governors into the APC. Governors Kwankwaso and Nyako, ex-Governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Segun Oni dumped PDP for APC. Several sources said Obasanjo coopted retired generals, traditional institutions and political leaders from the North and South-West into the "war" against Jonathan’s re-election. Several meetings were held in Ota, Abeokuta, Ibadan and Abuja to perfect the Operation-Jonathan-Must-Go strategy. Even some of the former president’s political associates served as moles in the PDP and worked against the re-election of President Jonathan. Indeed, Obasanjo did collateral damage to President Jonathan. The president’s government became the object of attack home and abroad for the exleader. Govs failed to fund campaign In terms of funding, President Jonathan provided enough resources for his campaign. But some of the people trusted with the responsibilities of aiding the president’s victory failed him. Sources told Saturday Telegraph that a North-West PDP governor deliberately starved the Jonathan-Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation in his state of fund despite the fact that the Presidency released huge funds for the project. “Our governor told us that the PDP candidates in the National Assembly election should fund our campaign. The state presidential campaign organisation was not funded. We were left to fate and this gave the APC a leverage. It was like a deliberate effort to sabotage the president. I was surprised that my governor played a major role in the president’s campaign when in actual fact he has not hidden his hatred for Jonathan,” a party source in the North-Western state told Saturday Telegraph. Many of those trusted with the fund saw the campaign as veritable means of enriching themselves. In some polling units in the North, PDP agents were not mobilised for the presidential election whereas in some places they did not show up for the election for fear of being attacked or for non-mobilisation. For instance, on election day, a NorthCentral governor was heard telling his people that they should vote in line with

age and awards of pipeline surveillance contracts. Some of the beneficiaries of the contracts did not help Jonathan’s cause. Exmilitants like Mujaheed Asari Dokubo threatened Nigeria’s existence if Jonathan was not re-elected. Their utterances also created enmity for the president such that former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma called on Jonathan to call his kinsmen to order. In no small measure, the ex-fighters did damage to the president’s re-election by portraying him as a sectional leader.

Obasanjo

Their utterances also created enmity for the president such that former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, called on Jonathan to call his kinsmen to order

Kwankwaso

their conscience. “No serious effort was made by the governor to campaign for the president. He was not bothered whether the president won or not. Ironically, this is one of the governors believed to be working for the president,” a source told our reporter. Betrayed by trusted aides President Jonathan was also let down by his trusted aides. Many of those he trusted betrayed him. Some of them surreptitiously worked for the opposition. Even those that stayed put in the party could not deliver their states for the president. They created impression that all was well for the president. Some party chieftains given money to mobilise stakeholders who could sway voters to Jonathan’s side helped themselves to the campaign fund. By the time the president realised that his aides were deceiving him, it was almost late. The failure of some of the president’s aides to genuinely do his bidding forced the president to personally reach out to religious leaders, traditional rulers, stakeholders, diverse groups and associations. Except for Chief Tony Anenih, the chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, who served as National Campaign Adviser, and Deputy Director General of the Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr. Peter Obi, influential members of the Campaign Council failed woefully in their states. The Director General of the JonathanSambo Campaign, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, was routed in Kogi State. Ali could not even deliver his polling unit for Jonathan. His

deputy in the North and minister of special duties, Kabiru Turaki, lost badly to the APC in his home state of Kebbi. Prof. Jerry Gana, who served as director, Contact and Mobilisation, could not even mobilise Niger State for the president. Even the National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Mu’azu, failed woefully in his home state of Bauchi. PDP came out of the general elections with dismal performance. The combined forces of Mu’azu, Governor Isa Yuguda and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, were not strong enough to ward off the proBuhari sentiments. The ego war among the trio also contributed to the defeat of the president in Bauchi. Throughout the campaign, they all worked at cross purposes. The ministers, except a few of them, did little to help the president. Some of them had no contact with their base. A large number of them failed to openly solicit support for President Jonathan. Except ministers from the South, most members of the Federal Executive Council did not openly identify with the president’s ambition save for appearances at rallies attended by the president. Probably a good number of them do not have political relevance. Resentment over Niger Delta militants The perceived pampering of the former Niger Delta also created a deep resentment against President Jonathan in some parts of the country. Under the Jonathan administration, ex-militants became multimillionaires with patron-

Technology as obstacle to rigging The use of permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) and card readers also affected the fortunes of the president. Unlike in the past elections when the process was characterised with massive irregularities, the use of PVCs and card readers reduced electoral malpractices. The PDP fought against the use of the card readers but the Jega-led INEC insisted on the technology. The process affected the fortunes of the parties but more on the ruling PDP. Poor marketing and communications In terms of performance, President Jonathan has not done badly. His administration has done well in a number of sectors. But the president has been badly managed by his media handlers. Those trusted with the responsibilities of projecting the image of the president and the administration failed woefully. To many, Jonathan has not done well. Their position is justified. There is no proper communications of his achievements with the public. But the reality on ground contradict general perception of abysmal performance. Indeed, the president has performed well even better than some of his predecessors. President Jonathan admitted the failure of the information management of his administration. “I know I have a challenge with the information management by my administration,” Jonathan told a group of senior journalists at the Villa last year. Even while meeting private sector operators in Lagos in the course of the electioneering, a chief executive of a multinational company was surprised at the magnitude of what the administration had achieved. “Mr. President, looking at the documents on your accomplishments, I’m surprised at what your administration has done,” the executive stated. In his response, President Jonathan said he knew he had a problem. He said his media handlers have failed to project him well and the achievements of his administration. With the public perception of non-performance, it was easy for the opposition to label the Jonathan-led administration as inefficient. International community and media Most world powers were somehow against the administration. This was evident in the difficulty the federal government had in buying arms and ammunition to prosecute the battle against Boko Haram, forcing the country to use backdoor channels in South Africa. The United States, United Kingdom, France and others saw the Jonathanled government in unflattering terms. This was hinged on the opaque nature of transaction in the oil sector, subsidy fraud, The international media did not also help matters. Leading media organisations like New York Times, The Economist, Washington Post, Financial Times of London and several others rated Buhari ahead of President Jonathan. They also dwelt extensively on the failings of the government.

SATURDAY

Voices SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2015

What best means would you and your spouse adopt in sourcing housemaid?

I would go through registered care givers

I would prefer my relative as a source or referral from trusted individuals. I won't use random sources. Another good source would be registered care givers in Nigeria. – Tolu Oladipo, auditor

I would prefer to go through an agent There are many medium to get a housemaid but going to social media for a house help is a very wrong call. I do not buy the idea of a housemaid but if I must employ one then it will definitely be through an agent.

What are mothers–in– laws for?

– James Amara

I would pick a relative If I must employ a housemaid, I would prefer picking a relative from the village. The person would be someone I know too well and also know her family background, at least such a person would be very easy to trace in case of any bad conduct. – Joseph Florence

Through family members

Either I source through family members or people that are into maid services. I would never source online. – Damilola Samuel, NYSC member

Wife should look after children It is a good idea for both to be working so that the burden is not so much on the male. But better still the woman should be selfemployed rather than working with an employer. If that's the situation, the home will not suffer when children start coming in. – Jimmy Babatunde, businessman

I can't leave my children with strangers I would rather not do a nanny. I will look for someone that is cool headed in my family or my wife's family to help us. In other words, I can only leave my children in the hands of someone I know well.

I don't buy the idea of a nanny. What are mother –in -laws for. Nannies are unnecessary, so I won't consider any means at all. – Mariam Huthman,

I may not be needing a nanny I don't think I will need a nanny. When I get to that bridge I will cross it. I don't know the means I would employ to get a help for now. – Bisi Jinadu, makeup artist

businesswoman

I can take care of my home

I see no reason why someone should adopt or employ a housemaid. I am capable enough to take care of my home, so why employ a housemaid? I think that is a

I should get one from my village Sometimes it is good to have a housemaid but if someone considers what happens these days then one have to reconsider the issue of house help. But If I must get a housemaid then it must be from my village. – Abayomi Kayode

waste of money. – Nwankwo Lizzy

I will prefer both of us to work

I will prefer we both work because you cannot tell what the future holds in stock for anybody and in such case if you are not well prepared for it, you might likely be in trouble. So, I will prefer we both work and bring in the resources. – Victor James, engineer

We would employ legal means We will both source for it through legal means and that means we will have something doing that can be publicly reckon with and not what we can share to other people.

– Modupe Bello, businesswoman

– Ibrahim Balogun, logistic manager

I will prefer my wife to keep the home It is a nice idea for both spouse to be working so as to make life easy to live but to me if I can have my way I will prefer she stays at home to do the home keeping while I bring in the money. Because if we both work without having good and quality time for the kids then something unpleasant is likely to happen someday.

– Adeogun Saheed, civil servant

compiled by

RICKETTS OLUSHOLA, JOHN EDU AND AYILARA DAYO

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 years after orkar coup

18 APRIL 2015

Gideon Orkar never wanted to redraw Dr. Targema Orkar is the elder brother to late Major Gideon Orkar, who masterminded a bloody but futile coup attempt against former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida on April 22, 1990. Gideon was executed alongside 42 other soldiers after they were found guilty of treason by a military tribunal. In this interview, Targema told CERPHAS IOREMEN that his brother never intended to excise Borno, Adamawa and Yobe - the states that would ironically, 20 years after, become the epicenter of Boko Haram insurgency-from Nigeria. Excerpts:

Targema Orkar

It is exactly 25 years after your younger brother, late Major Gideon Orkar, staged a bloody coup plot against former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in 1990. How has life without him been since then? Thank you very much. We, the children of late Levi Orkar who grew to adulthood, were 12 in number. And out of these, six are no more. So, it is not only Gideon, who was killed because of his involvement in the coup that is missing from the family. So, there is really no difference between his absence and that of the other five that also died. We still continue with life, trusting in God and He has been kind to us. We take solace from the fact some families don't even have one; so, we still appreciate what God has done for our family. Could you recall some of Gideonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s childhood dreams that he may have had as he was coming up? Gideon, as you may very well remember, made everything very clear and I don't think that I, as his elder brother, should be the one who should be talking about his dreams. I am sure that you are aware that in the typical African setting, it is not the responsibility of an elder to be rendering tribute in memory of his junior. In some societies, a chief, for instance, does not even come in contact with a corpse. Of course, Nigerians read and heard what he said. So, they should be the ones talking about his dreams and so forth. What about his late colleagues. Has there been any support to the family

from them? We have not, at any time, looked forward to any support from his colleagues; we never anticipated it. The rest is a matter for your conjecture.

working assiduously for their success and there are times when we get involved too. They are with their mother in Lagos and like I said, they are doing fine.

But Gideon never operated in isolation. His colleagues included Col. Tony Nyiam and Great Ogboru, who just lost the gubernatorial election in Delta State on the platform of Labour Party, among others. Do they still maintain any link with your family? To some extent, Ogboru did when he first came back from exile. He visited the family in Makurdi, in the village and showed appreciation for the role Gideon played in the coup. We did not necessarily expect that we should continue to be interacting, but from time to time, we interact. I know part of Ogboru's problem has been his involvement in politics in his state, he has had to go to tribunals for a number of times and I know that has kept him busy also. I met with Nyiam sometimes when we went to Jos for a meeting in preparation for the National Conference, and we spoke.

How would you assess the present democracy in contrast to military rule? Well, we normally feel that we should operate under a democratic rule, not necessarily that democracy will perform better, mind you. I will only feel that we should be free to

How Akinyemi A book launch, DOMINIK UMOSEN recalls was all that was required for Gen. Babangida, Col. Tony Nyiam and Chief Great Ogboru to hold hands 23 years after the coup.

Is it true that there was a plan by the family to erect a mausoleum in his honour as a tribute to his courage as mastermind of the April 1990 coup? Yes, it is true and we are still working on that. We have not given up on the idea. How has your late brother's children been adapting? They have been doing very well. Their mother, in particular, has been

elect our leaders who will represent us in governance. There has been a lot of messing up with the current democratic set-up and people overheating the polity. Take the unnecessary card reader controversy, for example. They are just making a needless fuss about the whole thing. It is the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections and if they want to use card readers which have, to a great extent, minimised rigging, why should anybody have problems with that? The

Akinyemi

ndeed, how time really flies! Details of this drama, in spite of the passage of this number of years, are still as hot and sizzling fresh. For starters, it was the evervivacious and incurably-inquisitive Fatima (Meg of blessed memory), who alerted residents of the community comprising staff of the Department of State Services (DSS) and their dependents on Adekunle Fajuyi Crescent, off Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja of the discovery of a treasure trove of assorted culinary delights on an unassuming premises along the crescent. The treasure trove in reference com-

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25 years after orkar coup

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

Nigeria's map, says elder brother advantages inherent in the option are self-evident. This reminds me of the open ballot system of election because those who always wanted to rig could not. They shouted that it was primitive and that it threatened to disenfranchise some people who were not bold enough to openly queue up behind candidates of their choice in election. But the whole thing was that they could not rig, using that system. Otherwise, if you are talking about it being primitive, there is nothing like the system being primitive. And if some people were shy and could not go to vote, with this democratic system, we have more people who were disenfranchised through snatching of ballot boxes and papers, multiple thumb-printing and filling of boxes. So, even now, it is just because the system will not allow them to do the rigging the way they used to do. Today, we would have been enjoying the democratic set up. Why do you think Nigerians are not enjoying the present democracy? The answer is simple. There are lots of corrupt people in the system and the President doesn't seem to care or do anything about it. A good number of them are members of his cabinet and the settings are left like that. There are people who are all out to loot the treasury and they are doing it in broad day light, everybody sees it but nothing happens. The other day, some fellow converted the pension fund but you did not hear anything about it thereafter. Have they recovered that money beyond the slap on his wrist? You have the case of probe of fuel subsidy; some people said the House of Representatives was bribed so that the names of culprits would not appear in the report. Have you forgotten the case of a minister buying two bullet-proof vehicles, which was not budgeted for, and no one actually knows why she had to buy those vehicles. Another chartered an aircraft, kept it stationary so that when she is to fly out for meetings, she would use it. This was not the case under the military. So, the erroneous impression is being created that our democracy is about people being able to loot the way they want. How would you react to the use of

Nigeria was not ripe for a person like Gideon

Gideon Orkar

soldiers to maintain order during the 2015 elections? Well, you know it has been reported how soldiers were used in Ekiti State to rig elections for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Those who intended to rig, who did not want free and fair election pressed for the involvement of soldiers but we never needed soldiers to come in for the elections. In fact, if they are using card readers and are taking steps to stop rigging, the election should be free and fair and there shouldn't be violence as there was not. They wanted to use soldiers to intimidate as it was done in Ekiti. We are grateful that God intervened and helped Nigeria navigate safely out

of this mess. Does the insurgency, which is concentrated in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, vindicate Gideon, who wanted these states excise from Nigeria? Well, Gideon did not want those states removed from Nigeria outright. It was on condition that if they really want to remain in Nigeria, they should respect other Nigerians. That was what I got from his speech and he didn't say cut them off and that they should not be part of the country. I remembered he also demanded that the rightful Sultan of Sokoto should be installed.

But, do you think the country was ripe for that kind of radicalism? Nigeria was not ripe for a person like Gideon; you cannot go out and liberate people if they don't understand you or wish to be liberated. If they are not with you, you shouldn't go and die for no reason. At that particular time, the very people who did not see anything good in what Gideon was doing, were the ones that suffered the consequences of that administration. Take the case of the freest and fairest election in Nigeria when Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola was elected president, Gen Babangida unilaterally annulled that election, the freest and fairest in Nigeria; it should never have happened. And when Babangida did that, he said it was because the military did not want Abiola to be their commanderin-chief; that meant that the man won. I hate this kind of thing; we should always call a spade a spade. So, until Nigerians realise their rights, some of these things will continue. In other countries, you watch on television as people demonstrate against bad government. And people say this should be replicated here but they forget that over there, the people are listened to, nobody molests them, and they are not killed. In Nigeria, if you go out to demonstrate against what does not favour the government in power, they use any kind of force, including killing and maiming of people.

reconciled IBB, Nyiam and Ogboru prised steaming pots of fried and jollof rice complemented by a generous measure of beef and chicken which the influx of startled visitors were helping themselves with. Obviously, what the startled visitors were demolishing, perhaps irreverently, was part of preparations for a wild feast which was supposed to herald the success of a military coup that was financed by business mogul and unsuccessful governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Delta State, Chief Great Ogboru, who occupied the premises on which the treasure trove was discovered. But because the bloody coup, which was led by Major Gideon Orkar, was eventually crushed by troops loyal to former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, its sensational failure invariably provided a bonus of sort to residents who descended swiftly on the feast that would never be and to which they may never have been invited. And aware of the likely consequences of

their actions, occupants of the building as well as others directly and remotely associated with the failed coup plot fled, leaving behind startled neighbours and colleagues. Unlike other conspirators like Orkah who, eventually, paid the supreme price for treason which is a fact that is well-known to every soldier, Ogboru, a well-connected businessman and financier of the failed coup, cashed in on his rich international connections and disappeared behind the radar, only to resurface after their intended target (Gen Babangida), left power. Others in this category include retired Col. Nyiam who eventually participated as delegate in the national conference that was convened by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan as part of solutions to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fundamental problems of nationhood. After those arrested in connection with the coup were arrested and summarily dealt with (euphemism for execution as recommended

by martial law), those who escaped, including Ogboru and Nyiam, were hounded even in exile by agents of the junta they intended to topple. However, sometime in February 2013, virtually all the key conspirators in the failed coup of April 22, 1990 met face-to-face at the presentation of two books by former External Affairs Minister and Deputy Chairman of the 2014 National Conference, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos. That was the first time since the coup that Gen Babangida set eyes on his former "favoured" officer, Col Nyiam. Both men held hands and looked deeply into each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes, as if in nostalgia. Ditto for former Director of Military Intelligence (DMI), retired Brig-Gen. Haliru Akilu who also held hands with Chief Ogboru and looked intently into each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes, as if determined to foreclose the bridge that had been erected by time and events. Babangida

Cover Xtra

Mukoro

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

25 years after orkar coup

Nyiam

Fadile

18 APRIL 2015

Ogboru

Radicals who forced IBB to ‘flee’ The determination of the young officers to capture their target alive forced Gen. Ibrahim Babangida to relocate from Dodan Barracks, writes Emeka Obasi and Dominik UMosen.

(N7872) also sat in the front row. Lt. Emmanuel Awokoya Akogun (N7787), was the cynosure of all eyes. He was wheeled in, dressed in red pyjamas. His left leg was encased in Plaster of Paris[POP] as a result of bullet wound sustained during the plot. He was receiving treatment at the Ikoyi military hospital. It was like the case of Maj. Clement Dabang, who was taken in from the hospital in 1976 following his role in the February 1976 bloody coup. Nwachukwu promised to be firm and fair. “We will decide without fear or favour ,”he announced. At the end, Fadile’s advocacy was not enough to spare his friend Orkar. On July 27, 1990, 42 of them were executed by firing squad at the Kirikiri shooting range, Lagos. Three Second Lieutenants, Arthur Badenyintite Umukoro (N8533), Emma Ale-Alade and E.J. Ejesuku were part of the nine officers. The other 33 were NCOs.

M Mukoro

ajor Saliba Mukoro, one of the arrowheads of the bloody mutiny, invariably became perhaps the most celebrated symbol of intellectual radicalisation by the exiles from the failed putsch. The associate professor of Criminal Justice at the Mississippi Valley State University in the United States of America was, until the event which forced him to flee abruptly, Military Assistant to the Director of Staff Duties and Planning, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Lagos. The son of an Isoko father and an Ishan mother had a 16-year-career in the military which spanned Infantry Company Commander (92 Infantry Battalion, Ilaro); 9 Infantry Brigade Camp Headquarters’ Administrative Officer, Abeokuta; Company Commander, 203 Infantry Battalion, Ijebu-Ode; Adjutant, 4 Division School of Infantry, Ojo – Lagos and ADC to General Officer Commanding 4 Infantry Division, Lagos (General Domkat Bali), among others. Plunging headlong into academia after fleeing Nigeria, Dr. Mukoro served as an assistant professor of criminal justice at Grambling State University of Louisiana and served as an associate professor and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice at Mississippi Valley State University for six years. He is a member of the American Society of criminology, the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, and a recipient of the National Criminal Justice Golden Key Award. Lt SOS Echendu He may no longer be a Nigerian soldier, but Lt SOS Echendu is an investor and nuclear medicine expert in the United States of America to where he ran. The man who spear-headed the assault on Dodan Barracks, seat of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria, said he did not kill the former military president, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, as he fled, in panic, in a red Peuogeot 504 because he wanted the man captured alive. "Gen. IBB ran from Lagos to Abuja because he knew he was no longer safe. We castrated IBB. We made him impotent. We

Babangida

stripped him of the aura that surrounded him. He was no longer that invincible man, the untouchable oracle. We made him human and the Nigerian people saw that. He abandoned Dodan Barracks to me", Echendu noted in an interview. “We were completely and highly prepared to die for our country. I joined the revolutionaries because I wanted to bring about the best possible change for Nigeria. I live in the US now and have been working here for a long time. If the founders did not pay the ultimate prize and made the costliest sacrifice, may be America would not be as great as it is today. Sometimes in the life of a great nation, few people would have to pay the ultimate prize for the benefit of future generations. That was what my colleagues and I did. We sacrificed for a better future for our children, a better Nigeria. Most of the officers were single, but we wanted to make eternal sacrifices, and we did", Lt Echendu, who has made the most of life in the U.S., recalled. Why fadile could not save Orkar Bello Fadile, a Lt. Col, was faced with the tough task of steering his friend, Major Gideon Gwarzo Orkar [N/3299]

away from execution. The Military Tribunal that tried the first batch of plotters had Maj. Gen. Ike Nwachukwu as President. Other members were, Brig. Abdusalami Abubakar[ former Head-of-State], Col. Ekpo Archibong (Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo’s ADC in 1979), Col. Linus Okorogun, Lt. Col. Abdulmumuni Aminu, Maj. Isaac Osayande and Maj. Umar Tudunwada. The waiting members were Lt. Col. Muhammed Mana and Maj. George Ikoli (he would later die in the 1992 C-130 air crash at Ejigbo). Fadile occupied the judge advocate position that was popularized by Maj. Akin Kejawa after the Gen. Mamman Vatsa coup of 1985. Orkar was a close friend and both families knew themselves. Even in death, Fadile graced the wedding of Orkar’s son to an Ogbomosho, Yoruba lady in 2011. When the tribunal began sitting, Orkar led two captains and six subalterns to the trial room. Captains Nimibibowei Harley Empere (N6747) and Perebo Abeela Dakolo (N6928) flanked him. The coup leader was in camouflage, apparently arrested in the course of operations. Lieutenants Cyril Okwor Ozoalor (N8119) and Nicholas Ekun Odey

Umukoro Umukoro died so that his father would live. He was one of those who escaped after the coup failed. When his father was arrested, he turned himself in, choosing to spare the old man the pains of interrogation and the corollary torture. Among those who fled the country and were declared wanted, were Lt. Col Gabriel Nyam, Majors Saliba Daddy Mukoro, Gilbert Turi Omokiniovo Edoja (Gillie), Cletus Omue Obahor (Oba of Hor), Captains Sowaribi Victor Tolofari, Ben Ighedoise Oziegbe , Lieutenants Emma Okekumatlor, Patrick Chidi Obasi, A.H. Ogboru and S.O.S Echendu. There was also a notable civilian, Great Ovedge Ogboru. Edoja Edoja, of Army Headquarters Signal and Obahor of 31 Artillery Brigade, were of the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), Course 14. Orkar was two courses ahead. More members of that course took part in subsequent plots. Samuel Oyewole and Okon Nyong were cited in the 1995 plot against Sani Abacha. Alex Achumbur and Lonsdale Adeoye served in military tribunals that tried plotters. What an irony that Col. R.S.B. BelloFadile (N3137) found himself facing a military tribunal, five years later. Lt. Col. L.N. Maina was his Judge Advocate. Fadile was luckier than his friend, Orkar. He got life jail and was kept in Calabar prison until he was released following Obasanjo’s freedom.

Personal Finance SATURDAY TELEGRAPH 18 APRIL, 2015

Stock price slides:

The shield you need I

Segun Edwards t's most possible to be misled into believing that once you invest in stocks, you sit back and watch their prices rise steadily, amassing you wealth without any hassles. Well, think again. It's more than that, even though, there's no arguing that lots of money can be made from stocks. If you have decided to invest because you've heard or read about those 400 per cent-in-one-year price appreciations and have castigated yourself for failing to take advantage of such powerful money-making opportunities before now, there are a few things you need to understand before you dabble into the market with a mistaken orientation. The market gives and takes. If, for instance, you moved into the market in the first two trading days of this year and loaded up stocks as prices zoomed up, believing that such trend would continue and turn in millions for you even this January, you probably would have been gasping for breath as the market quickly reversed into a meltdown that saw prices cascading down in a stretch of four trading days. Possibly, you would have been blaming whoever introduced the idea of stocks or encouraged you to invest. Well, before you emotionally hurt yourself or take costly decisions, it's good to understand the fundamental nature of the market. Understanding the market First, it’s good to know that the market is made up of millions of independent individuals and nobody dictates what they choose to do. You may try to read and anticipate them, but the probability of your success in that is limited, because you can misjudge it. But more importantly, people don't always act as rationally as you would expect. Their emotions often dictate their decisions and these emotions depend on immediate and remote factors you can't totally fathom. So, it’s easy to misread where the market moves, even though, that doesn't stop us trying. Secondly, it's in the nature of the market for prices to swing upwards and downwards, in both the shortand long-term. This is understandable, because investors are looking for opportunities. If prices are moving up, for instance, they'll keep buying, but it eventually gets to a point where a given investor thinks he has made enough profit from his investment(s) and doesn't want to risk a reversal of the price movement. He moves to sell and takes his gains. If a large number reasons and acts similarly, that will impact on the market as there are many investors wanting to sell. The likely result of this is that prices slow or reverse for those volumes to be bought. That could trigger even more sales as more investors rush to take their profit. Prices would then begin to go down in a sustained fashion. Note again, however, that at some point, investors

will reason, also, that this is now too low and an opportunity to buy. When many start buying, that firms up demand and begins to push prices up. Usually, these cycles run in the market, which is why prices swing up and down. That could benefit or hurt you, depending on when you move in or out. But most often, as you can see, it corrects itself. That's why you hear of “market forces” working to control the market. New information Other factors may determine the direction of prices, especially of specific companies. Reported earnings from companies, for instance, may excite the market or fall short of expectations. Dividends (including bonus issues) announced, may impress or fail to impress the market. Also, reports of new business undertakings or product launch and new business relationships like mergers, acquisitions or takeover– attract investors, which they can interpret positively or negatively. Besides, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or government policy measures can also influence the direction of the stocks. These and more, are factors that shape market disposition. When you understand the basic nature of the market and these interplays, it will help you to: Develop the right psychology for dealing in the stock market. The realisation that prices move in both

Fear and greed tend to rule what investors do

direction helps absorb the impact and focus on determining what the underlying factors are. When, for instance, it's pure profit-taking pressure, or even an over-reaction to a factor you do not consider fundamentally consequential, your response is more balanced. If not, you are likely to be ruled by fear or undue excitement (depending on market direction), both of which will possibly harm your investment interest. Take more constructive investment decisions by looking for opportunities to buy or sell in that rhythm of the market. When the market is jittery and stocks massively shed value because of certain developments, if you think rationally (and not emotionally) you may find some golden opportunities to take new positions that will earn you a fortune. Similarly, you may escape a market euphoria that builds prices beyond sustainable levels, eventually

leading to losses, just by acting based on fundamental realities, not market hype. Learn to think beyond the immediate, which means that you are more concerned about the condition of companies and not so much how the market is reacting to prices. That may save you undue anxiety about day-to-day prices and its good for your health. You may just set limits, for example, not to sweat if loss on your stock is less than 20 percent and within that limit, you worry less about daily fluctuations, provided you still believe in the company's potentials. The swings So, most likely, your investment value will decline at some points. It will also go up at others. Not all declines dictate any action at all. In some cases, some selling and moving into cash is reasonable. The risk is you can readily spend your cash. In all cases, panicking does not help. See if you can understand why prices are moving in a given direction and that helps you judge what response is appropriate. When prices are driving up, it’s good to know why and to continue to evaluate the justification. When it's beginning to look unreasonable, it could be a point to take your gains and bail out. Fear and greed tend to rule what investors do, but experts advise that you learn to master and control them, for your market success.

Perspectives

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

Beyond Ambode’s victory and non-indigenes’ triumph

or the first time since the advent of democracy in 1999, the ruling party in Lagos State was startled and threatened by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship and House of Assembly elections held last week Saturday. The results confirmed that the PDP’s threat was not a fluke and the pendulum could have swung either way except, perhaps, for the political sagacity of the All Progressives Congress (APC), power of incumbency and ultimately some of the electorate could have jumped on the bandwagon of the APC’s victory at the presidency. Another unique thing about these elections is that for the first time since we returned to democracy, non-indigenes won elections into the House of Assembly and interestingly they achieved the success on the platform of the opposition party. The victory was a real roller coaster for the PDP having achieved a similar feat in the House of Representatives election of March 28. Typical of Nigerian politics, attempts will be made to arm-twist the non-indigenes at the House of Assembly but the opposition lawmakers should not be cowed to do the bidding of the ruling party. They are representatives of their constituencies and that fact should be respected. It will be inexpedient and antithetical to the tenets of democracy to exercise political muscle on the minority lawmakers more so when they are non-indigenes. Their triumph in the election should not be a Pyrrhic victory and the APC should be wary of triumphalism. Rather, the victory should be truism of the aphorism that ‘Lagos is a home for all’ as against the self-made axiom in some quarters that ‘Lagos is a no man’s land.’ The victory of non-indigenes in the state should provide an opportunity to end the acrimonious recurrent disputes over “indigenes-settlers” imbroglio with its attendant carnage. Our espousal of a united Nigeria can only be meaningful if Nigerians irrespective of their tongues, tribes and religion affiliations are free to pursue their legitimate

Waheed Bakare on Saturday 08124877036 (sms only) waheedbakare2003@yahoo.com economic and political dreams in any part of the country without fear or molestation. It also amounts to sheer arrogance for any ethnic group to assume that the economy of a particular state or community will collapse or cease to thrive once members of that ethnic group withdraw their goods and services. That Lagos provides a platform for businesses to thrive is an expedient fact that should be appreciated. It will be recalled that a few years back, the Hausa stopped bringing in pepper to Lagos to protest duplication of levies being charged in the state by the government. While Lagos residents bore the brunt of scarcity of the farm produce, the Hausa traders also had their own fair share of the crisis in terms of loss of income. For how long can they preserve such perishable items and of what use will they be in the North where supply will exceed demand because of the agrarian nature of the northerners? What exists among ethnic groups in Lagos is symbiotic relationship irrespective of egoistic feeling of some individuals. The idea of ‘we’ versus ‘them’ is hazardous and such should be discouraged in a heterogeneous society where there is an existing mutual suspicion among the ethnic groups. Egoism and ethnic chauvinism can no longer stand in the context of One Nigeria that we all crave and the earlier we realise it the better for all of us. Now that Lagos has taken the initiative, it is high time other states in the country bridged the chasm between “indigenes” and “settlers” by

The victory of nonindigenes in the state should provide an opportunity to end the acrimonious recurrent disputes over “indigenes-settlers” imbroglio with its attendant carnage providing the enabling environment for non-indigenes to purse their legitimate economic and political dreams. It will also not be a bad idea for other states to give political appointments to non-indigenes as it is done in Lagos. This will bond all ethnic groups and give them a sense of belonging wherever they find themselves. However, while the gaffe of Oba Riliwanu Akiolu gave impetus to the tension that the elections generated, the fact that some Lagosians are aggrieved with the Lagos State Government cannot be wished away. And it will be in the interest of the governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to look into these grievances especially the genuine ones. If Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is perceived to have performed well and Mr. Babatunde Fashola is deemed to have done better, what is now required from Ambode

is a stellar performance that will dwarf the achievements of both Tinubu and Fashola. It should be about good, better, best. Ambode should build a reputation for honesty, good governance and make use of the knowledge and wisdom of others to achieve his goals. This will attract aura of efficiency and proficiency to his administration. Two agencies –KAI Brigade and LASTMA have attracted opprobrium to themselves through their uncanny punitive methods and little or no corrective approaches. The government cannot claim to be ignorant of this fact. This, perhaps, explains the low activities of these monster agencies as the elections built up. It is height of insincerity that the government caged these agencies so as not to incur the wrath of the electorate only for them to be released when elections are over. So, what is Ambode’s plan on these agencies and similar ones that have penchant for making life difficult for people when corrective measures would have served a better purpose? I have argued and still want to maintain that selling by the roadside or riding commercial motorcycle as a means of transport are signs of retrogression which no serious government should tolerate. But then, what are the viable alternatives made available by the government before wielding the big stick? Selling shops built at some markets in the state for millions of naira and asking people to buy three-bedroom flats for outrageous amount running into millions of naira cannot be policies meant for the masses who are in the majority in the state and still form a larger chunk of the electorate. Some electorate held these egregious policies against the ruling APC and this reflected in the outcome of the election even though the party still won. If I were Ambode, I will look into some of these grievances having at the back of my mind that there is always a first time in all human endeavours. If the PDP could lose at the centre for the first time after 16 years, such political misfortune can befall any party at state or national level.

Nd’Igbo and the Future (1)

ccording to former US president Abraham Lincoln, “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” There has been no better way for Nd’Igbo to predict their future than to create it. As a historical fact, from the past century and even before the EuroChristian andArab-Islamic colonial interventions these savvy, swashbuckling folks have actually been creating and recreating their future within the geopolitical space they have found themselves in. The unanimous choice of the Igbo in the 2015 presidential election has provoked fresh debate on the sophistication or lack of it - within the Nigerian space - of these folks from the land of the rising sun. This footing fundamentally keys into Gautama Buddha’s sage insight that, “No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.” While some perspectives concerning Nd’Igbo today border on self-serving intellectual vagrancy, others deserve some credit. First - some pertinent background. The Yoruba of South-Western Nigeria had produced their first graduate, a lawyer by the name of Sapara Williams, by 1879. In the South-East by contrast, the first Igbo graduate could not emerge until about 1934 (behind the Efik in present Cross Rivers State). Notwithstanding this late start, Ndigbo were able to outrun the Efik and catch up with the Yoruba by the 1960s. It was their investment in education in the 1930s and 1940s that yielded the dividends of the sixties,

The Nation-State With Louis Achi

achilouis35@gmail.com

The SE/SS should not be apologetic or defensive or beat themselves up because of the choice they just made which saw the flowering of all aspects of Igbo culture and life. Notes Dr. Ihechukwu Madubuike, former Minister of Education during the Gen. Sani Abacha administration, "The Igbo spirit of enterprise, characterised by hard work and thrift was rewarded by the booming of its economy in the fifties and especially in the early sixties before the war. The road network in the then Eastern Region was clearly the best in West Africa, and according to a research conducted by a premier university in the United States of America, the economy of Eastern Nigeria was rated as

the fastest growing in the world, ahead of Malaysia, South Korea, China and Taiwan." But today, Nd’Igbo appear to be at crossroads - culturally, economically, and politically. Beyond the more traditional attribution of the immediate cause of this state of affairs to the NigerianBiafran civil war, some analysts locate the reason for the slow rise of the Igbo in leap-frogging their political and economic dilemma in some of the immediate pre-war and post-war policies. They readily cite the abolition of regions and the introduction of the state structure during and after the war. They also list the indigenisation policy of 1977 immediately following the end of the war when the Igbo had no money and therefore found it impossible to participate in the programme, as another. A third reason often adduced by some analysts is the Igbo propensity for self-destruct, pivoting around a muleheaded republicanism which feeds the penchant for intra-group feud. When this writer interviewed Sierra Leone’s President Ernest Bai Koroma

before he clinched that throne, he emphatically stated that Africa must stop blaming history and progress. Nd’Igbo must stop blaming history and progress - notwithstanding whatever contrived hurdles that litter their path. On March 28 the folks of South-East made definite significant statement by voting en masse alongside the South-South for President Goodluck Jonathan. Should this position become an object of regret? Definitely not! Here is why. Quoting my friend, Amaechi Chukwujama, “One, the South-East/SouthSouth have strengthened their rapprochement by voting en masse for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party. This has gone a long way in healing the wounds of the past whence after the Civil War they went their separate ways with some part of the South-South joining the NPN and the other romancing the Unity Party of Nigeria. The South-East chose to pilot the Nigeria Peoples Party craft. “This sense of unity or solidarity is a big step for them and they can decide to maintain it. They must appreciate that their vote for the PDP is neither good nor bad; it is just their choice, just as the NE/NW voted APC in 2015 and CPC in 2011. The SW made their choice too by voting PDP in 2011 and APC in 2015. The SE/SS should not be apologetic or defensive or beat themselves up because of the choice they just made. All they need to do is accept the choice and the responsibilities associated with its consequences.”

Sport Extra

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

18 APRIL 2015

NBA playoffs: Ezeli will play vital role, says Warriors coach

Sport Slaming

Ifeanyi Ibeh

igerian basketball star, Festus Ezeli, will get more playing time for the Golden State Warriors during the playoffs as the NBA's best regular-season team go in search of their first league championship in 40 years. Ezeli has averaged 11 minutes in 46 games during the regular season for the Warriors, who won 39 of their 41 home games, and finished with the league’s best record, winning 67 of their 82 games. In six games in April, the Nigerian centre averaged 12.5 minutes on the floor and when the Warriors begin their playoffs campaign on Saturday night (Sunday morning Nigerian time) with a game against the New Orleans Pelicans, the third-year pro is likely to see even more action. “Yeah, he’s in the rotation,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr told the San Jose Mercury News. “He’s played very well; our defence is the most important thing to me; because our defence leads to our offense. If we get stops, we get out and run and we score. “Festus makes our defence better when he’s out there. Ezeli, who is 6-foot-11, is third on the team with an average of .91 blocks per game. He had five blocks in the final three games. As a rookie in 2013, he appeared in 12 playoff contests (three starts) and averaged 11.2 minutes per game. He missed all of 2013-14 with a knee injury and missed time this season with an ankle injury.

Adekunle Salami adekunles@yahoo.com 08050498539 (sms only)

Agenda for the President-elect (1)

S Warri Wolves's captain Azubuike Egwuekwe (right)

Warri Wolves out to devour DR Congo foes

Ifeanyi Ibeh igerian pride will be at stake on Saturday when the country’s sole surviving club in the CAF Confederation Cup,Warri Wolves, take on visiting Congo DR side, FC MK Etancheite, in the first leg of their second round qualifier. Four Nigerian clubs started this season’s campaign in both the CAF Champions League and the lesser Confederation Cup, but only the Seasid-

Eagles: NFF, Keshi fail to sign contract

ers are left to carry the country’s flag, and will be doing all they can to secure a comfortable win in Saturday’s tie at the Warri Township Stadium in order to make the second leg fixture less daunting. Wolves overcame Ethiopian side, Dedebit FC, to reach this stage of the competition while FCMK edged out Ahly Shandy of Sudan to make it to the second round. The second leg will be held in two weeks at the 80,000-capacity Stade des Martyrs, in Kinshasa, DR

Congo with the eventual winners progressing to the playoff round where they will be paired with one of the eight losing teams from the second round of the Champions League. Players and officials of MK Etancheite have been in Warri since Tuesday. The Congolese outfit who are the 2014 Coupe du Congo winners are in Warri with their national team players such as Captain Kabangu, Losiyo Bofumbo, Mombo Lusala and Kabangu Ndima. The match will get underway by 4pm.

Phelps back from six-month ban with victory

he Nigeria Football Federation and the out-of-contract coach of the Super Eagles on Friday failed to sign contract papers for the Head Coach job of the national team. Authoritative sources told our correspondent that the development was due to Keshi’s refusal to apologise to NFF chieftains he "abused" some weeks back at the heat of the contract talks Again, the NFF boss, Amaju Pinnick, was in London while the National Sports Commission is yet to be officially briefed about decision to re-engage Keshi.

Gambo

ichael Phelps won his first race back from suspension at the Mesa Pro Series meeting in Phoenix. The 29-year-old - the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 medals was banned for six months in October after being arrested for drink-driving. But on his return the American clocked 52.38 seconds, ahead of rival Ryan Lochte (53.11), in the 100m butterfly. It was not amongst the top 10 world times this

Phelps

year but Phelps said: "I hope we'll be able to build and build." Phelps is now bidding to reach a fifth Olympic Games, but will not swim at August's World Championships in Russia as part

of an agreement with USA Swimming alongside his ban. He will instead race at the US national championships in San Antonio, Texas, taking place at the same time as the Worlds.

Gambo returns in six weeks

ano Pillars' prolific striker Gambo Mohammed on Thursday said he will return to club duties in another five to six weeks. Gambo was one of the Kano Pillars players shot and injured by armed robbers along the Abuja-Lokoja Road on March 6 as the team made their way to Owerri for one of the opening fixtures of the 2014/15 Glo Premier League match against

Heartland. Three other members of the squad also received varying degrees of injury as a result of the gun shots leading to the postponement of the fixture and their CAF Champions League second round game. The players have since been discharged from hospital but Gambo is still undergoing therapy to regain full fitness.

"I am not fit to play at the moment because my hand is not fully healed and I am yet to gain the strength needed for active game. I still need to rest very well as advised by the doctors and my comeback will be in six weeks", Gambo told www.npfl.ng. “Several bullets were removed from my hand through the surgery carried out by the doctors. I thank Allah for sparing my life."

port is the most underrated sector one can think of in Nigeria. It is one area that is boosting the image of the country all over the world but the leaders seem not to value the impact of this specialised sphere of life. It was in the past that only school dropouts turned to sport for succour, definitely not now. In many parts of the world, sport is a very big business. A government with vision will always try to use sport to further boost the economy. For example, the English Premier League is glamorous today because of the huge money involved in terms of television rights, packaging, transfers and general merchandising. The EPL is worth over one billion pounds every season with a profit of over 78 million pounds in that same period. The story is the same in basketball. The NBA is a money-spinning league. New York Knicks are worth over $5billion, the Lakers worth $4.7 billion while the average team is worth about $2.2 billion. No doubt, the EPL is contributing to the economy of England while the NBA is a big deal to the economy of the United States of America. During the electioneering of the 2015 General Elections, I dedicated a column to ask candidates at all levels to also tell Nigerians about their plans for sport. Politicians are to serve the people and so should be accountable to the entire populace. They should be able to enumerate plans, provide a good balance and be fair to all sectors. The way many Nigerian leaders neglect sport beats my imagination because the country is blessed with millions of talented youths but there are no concrete plans for them to attain their potential in their chosen sport disciplines. On March 31, General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress emerged as the President-elect in the country after beating incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party in the polls. It was a historic victory because for the first time in 16 years, another political party will preside over the affairs of the country from the seat of power in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. The administrative style is likely to change in Nigeria and it is important that the President-elect understands the peculiar problems in sport. Also, setting an agenda for him is crucial at this time since the incoming administration of the APC is expected to name people for various portfolios as ministers. This has been one sore area of sports administration over the years. The PDP zoned the position of sports minister to the North Central part of the country, meaning the head of sport can only come from that zone. Unfortunately, most, except say one, knew nothing about sport. Each time they come on board, a learning process will start and just when the minister is getting to understand the sector, government will change him and replace with yet another greenhorn. Journalists were shocked when one of the recent ministers of sport saw a former athlete Falilat Ogunkoya and called her a weightlifter. It is that bad. General Buhari will be doing a lot of good to the sports industry if the zoning of the sports minister’s position is discarded. The President-elect should go for the best and most suitable person with a vision for sport as minister. The sector has been treated badly under past regimes perhaps because many people don’t take sport seriously in this part of the world. This has to CHANGE in line with the new dispensation since Buhari is also a product of change. The President-elect can also help in the area of sponsorship. Many multinationals in Nigeria have turned their back on sports sponsorship but there are ways the government can woo them back. Instead of expecting government to spend money on all sports projects, the big companies can handle some of them. Telecommunications outfits, oil companies and other international brands are making so much money in Nigeria but not doing enough to give back to the society. Their social responsibility can come in the area of sports with the initiative of the presidency. There could be an understanding between government and companies. The sponsors will get tax-reliefs while they invest money heavily into sport to boost the development of the country’s talented athletes at home and abroad. …To be continued

DESTINATION

Imo State: A long walk yet to tourism heartland

SATURDAY

SPORT SLAMING

Sanctity of Truth

Agenda for the Presidentelect (1)

Hazard out to P.42

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

N150

p.55

stop United’s run

Ajibade Olusesan

t is safe to say Manchester United are playing the best football in the English Premier League at the moment not only because they have racked up six victories on the bounce, but their possession-dominating football, fluidity and transition have been flawless. The transformation at the Theatre of Dreams was so evident in the way the Red Devils dispatched their city rivals, Manchester City, 4-2 last weekend which underlined the fact that their previous successes against other top teams like Tottenham and Liverpool in the past one month were no fluke. While the haul of points have helped United to third spot on the log, the manner in which they are carrying out their duty has restored hope that they can hold their own against any team in the division. But a certain Belgian, Eden Hazard, may bring to a halt Man United's roller coaster ride when they arrive Stamford Bridge for a face-off with leaders Chelsea on Saturday (today). Hazard has been described as one of the most dangerous opponents in the EPL. He has made life so difficult for opposing defenders with his mazy runs, brilliance, guile and gusto. Hazard is a fearless, explosive attacking midfielder who can change the course of a game with a turn of pace or a dribble. Coach Jose Mourinho said Hazard’s exploit should undoubtedly earn him the PFA Player of the Year. He said: "If somebody throws other names on the table, it's because he wants to sell papers, wants to throw some sand into people's eyes, because Hazard is by far the best player in the Premier League all season. "

The Special One may have been too generous with his plaudits for his ward but very few pundits will disagree with the fact that the youngster deserves the accolades. Hazard’s statistics have been very impressive; although he has scored 13 goals in 31 games, the 24-yearold has completed more dribbles than any other player with 4.8 successful dribbles per game this season. More so, Only Cesc Fabregas and David Silva have created more chances per game than Hazard. Hazard has been incredibly productive in Chelsea’s last six games, a period where the team as a whole has been quite lethargic and sluggish. Hazard has registered four goals and four assists in this run. He demonstrated his importance to the team in the 1-0 win against QPR last weekend; Chelsea were struggling but the Belgian used his composure and concentration to give the assist that resulted in Fabregas’ goal. The Blues have a somewhat comfortable lead, they are seven points ahead of second-placed Arsenal and still have a game in hand over their rivals, but Hazard believes they can’t bring the champagne out of the ice yet, insisting they have to win their remaining key matches including this weekend’s tie before the celebration. "We're almost ready to start celebrating the title. But it is not finished. In the Premier League we know well that it is always difficult with a lot of points ahead. We have two important games coming up against Arsenal and Manchester United. If we win one of those two that would be okay,” he said.

Hazard

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