Saturday, april 4, 2015 by Newtelegraphonline

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SATURDAY Saturday, April 4, 2015

Vol. 2 No. 409

Sanctity of Truth

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Singer, Imelda J: The } 19 truth about Jaywon and I

buhari’s war team l The President-elect’s think- } 45 tank that made things happen

EJIRO TAFIRI } 13 People thought I was crazy when I dropped medicine for fashion BISHOP KODJI } 10 130-year-old Lagos community without the most basic amenities Jonathan, Buhari in crucial meeting... I’ll speak at the right time, says President }5

Shock, mourning in Kano after Resident Electoral Commissioner’s tragic death }5

ABIA NORTH } 5 INEC official distances self from published election result

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 APRIL 2015

Contents | 04.04.15 STREET DIARY

Mega City blues Bishop Kodji, an island community in Lagos has reputedly been in existence for 130 years. But residents have experienced nothing other than despair

}10

INSTYLE

Easter Best To celebrate the Easter in grand style, ditch those suits, jeans and shirts and don some traditional attire for that unique look

}15

SHOWBIZ

Overcoming Reticence Nollywood actor, Kelechi Udegbe, talks about his transformation from being a shy kid to an audacious and talented actor who has become a face to be reckoned with

}21

TV&RADIO

The Idols Return Television audiences hope for a riveting time as the season 5 of Nigerian Idol opens after auditions across the country

}18 Not So Soon

SPORT

Assistant coach of the Flying Eagles, Nduka Ugbade, says call for the team that won the African Youth Championship to be elevated to the senior national team is hasty

}25

TRAVELOGUE

Cruising Away A Saturday Telegraph contributor recounts a thrilling 15-day Mediterranean cruise that traversed some historic cities

}42 Plus: Love&Living 35 | Politics 45

SATURDAY

Comment

Jonathan as an agent of change

he story goes beyond the March 28 Presidential election. Such exercise will always come and go. What is significant, is the whole hearted acceptance of the result by an incumbent, who was not favoured by the outcome. President Goodluck Ebelemi Jonathan may be on his way out of power but he has written his name in gold, saving this country from the extraneous prediction of disintegration. That Nigeria is breathing today is because, this man from Otuoke, chose peace instead of confrontation. This nation owes him a lot of gratitude. Others in Dr. Jonathan’s shoes would have looked for reason to declare the election inconclusive. Some would have rejected the result outright or possibly cashed in on the dicey situation, to create anarchy. That Jonathan chose the path of honour shows that he was the right man at the right time. He has thus become part of the good side of Nigerian history as the first to concede defeat in an election which if he wanted, could have been doctored to favour his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The consequences would have pitched some sections of the country against the others. The will to disengage from power honourably has been part of the greater Nigerian problem. For democraticallyelected Presidents, there was always that tendency to bulldoze their way into a second term through massive rigging. In 1983, President Shehu Shagari and his National Party of Nigeria[NPN] were unpopular enough to be driven from power by voters. Even when main opposition figures like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, had formed a progressive alliance, the NPN almost set Nigeria ablaze. The West went wild once again, leading to the burning alive, of some prominent politicians and the destruction of property. Shagari’s so called victory, went beyond landslide. It was ridiculed as “moonslide”. It did not take long before the military struck. That was

General Muhammadu Buhari’s matriculation into the Presidential Academy. The 2003 elections under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was widely condemned as the worst ever, in the nation’s history. The PDP was roundly beaten in many states and was divided, even before the polls. What took place was beyond rigging. It was more of electoral robbery. And the President stayed put. Dr. Jonathan could have followed the moonslide track of the NPN, and dared the consequences, or chosen the manipulation of 2003. He did not . He looked at the larger picture. Nigeria was his focus and to his eternal credit, this country is still breathing. There is no better way to show love for country and people than what Mr. President has done. Many supermarkets sold out on election eve believing that there was going to be war across the nation. Like Dandy Livingstone sang, many felt that, soon, there would be a revolution. The air was thick with uncertainity. There were permutations. If Jonathan won, Boko Haram would have more supporters up North. If Jonathan lost, Niger Delta militants would go back to the creeks. And if the whole thing got out of hand, the military would strike. In striking however, there were fears that the ethnic background of the military leader would also play a divisive role. If he came from the North, it would have been seen as a ploy by the Hausa-Fulani to return to power. And if it were a Southerner, the North would have seen it as an extension of Southern hegemony. But President Jonathan just doused all tension in one second last Tuesday with that historic call to Gen. Buhari. That we are still together as a nation today is because of that single act. Today belongs to Jonathan, tomorrow belongs to Goodluck. At the end, he did not squander the goodwill of the people. At long last, a new chapter has been opened in the history of our democracy. Nigeria comes first. President Goodluck Jonathan has become the hero many thought he would never be. A statesman, in the real sense of it. And that is a bold statement.

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 APRIL 2015

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

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4 APRIL 2015

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 april 2015

Remains of Kano REC, wife, two children buried in Jigawa Ndubuisi Ugah and Muhammad Kabir

l How Abdullah, family members died —Police

Kano with agency reports

he remains of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kano State, Alhaji Mikhail Abdullah, who alongside his wife and two of his children were burnt to death in a mysterious fire that razed his residence in Kano, were yesterday buried in Gantsa, in Buji Local Government Area of Jigawa State, after the Jumat prayers. Adbullah’s wife, Zulaiha and two of his daughters- Aisha and Asmauwere killed in the incident, following an outbreak of a fire, which occurred in his official residence on Kashim Road, Nasarawa GRA, Kano. The fire, which happened about 4a.m. yesterday is believed to have been caused by a spark from the generator, which quickly spread to all corners of the house resulting in killing of the Kano REC and his family. Until his death, the late commissioner also served in Kebbi State and supervised the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Magji Majiya, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who confirmed the incident, said the fire was suspected to have been caused by a spark from a generator

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega and other Islamic clerics performing the funeral rites on the Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Abdullah; his wife, Zulaiha and two of his children who lost their lives in a fire incident in their residence before being laid to rest in Gantsa, in Buji Local Government Area of Jigawa State...yesterday. Inset: Abdullah

about 4a.m. yesterday. He said the INEC commissioner and his family died as they tried to escape through the window of their apartment, which had burglary proof and prevented them from escaping.

The PPRO said the state Police Commissioner, Ibrahim K. Idris and the Deputy Police Commissioner incharge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) were at the scene, where they took part in conveying the bodies of the late INEC

commissioner and his family to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, where he was certified dead by the doctors. In another development, the police said they are awaiting the autopsy report of the remains of the INEC

INEC’s official disowns Abia North Senatorial zone result Igbeaku Orji Umuahia

he Returning Officer for Abia North Senatorial District election, which was held last Saturday, Dr. Ihekwaba Chukwugoziem, has disowned the result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Chukwugoziem, who is an Associate Professor and Head, Department of Computer Engineering, Michael Opkara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), said he never signed the purported result and, therefore, called for a re-run. Chukwugoziem had on Tuesday refused to sign the result sheet due to massive doctoring of figures by some INEC officials in connivance with the Abia State Government officials in favour of the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP) candidate, Chief Mao Ohuabunwa. Speaking at a press conference in Umuahia, the returning officer said he was not a party to the result in which INEC declared Ohuabunwa winner with 40,027 votes; Chief David Ogba of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who polled 28,055 votes and the former governor of the state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu of the Progressive Peoples Alliance, (PPA) came third with 27, 002 votes. “I believe in a free, fair and transparent electoral process and I stand on my position that the published result has been falsified against the will of the people,” he said. The opposition parties had until the release of the result Wednesday night, embarked on protests over the possible outcome of the poll, alleging widespread manipulation and rigging.

All three major contenders, Ohuabunwa, Ogba and Kalu had also claimed victory over the poll but the returning officer said he refrained from appending his signature on the result sheet because the exercise was marred with electoral fraud. He alleged that fake result sheets were used in some cases while ballot boxes got missing in some polling units. Chukwugoziem said the atmosphere at the collation centre at the senatorial headquarters at Ohafia got so charged that the collation officers had to be evacuated to Umuahia under heavy security as thugs who allegedly invaded the centre threatened to attack them. He said he had in his report to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) recommended a re-run of the exercise following widespread irregularities.

He, however, said the panel set up by the REC to investigate the allegations discovered that the manipulations were more pronounced in Arochukwu Local Government Area, adding that apart from Ohafia council, the results from other four LGAs in the zone were flawed. The returning officer, who said he had been receiving threats from some anonymous individuals, called for the re- run of the poll "so that whoever emerges the winner can be declared." On whether he was sponsored to address the press on the matter, he said he was not working for any candidate, adding that he had nothing at stake. The returning officer who had declined all sorts of gifts including cash by some politicians in power in the state promised not to sell his conscience for any gratification.

chief, his wife and children from the doctors. Also speaking, INEC Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Alhaji Lawal Garba, yesterday confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano. Confirming the incident,

ABDULLAH’S BIOGRAPHY zz Abdullahi started his carrier early in 1990s as a local government employee, where he worked for over 15 years. zz While in the Local Government Service, he was in the department of Social Welfare in Charge of Disabled Persons, where he carved a niche as a humble and dignified person who cared much about human development. zz He served in various local government areas in the Social Welfare Department in Jigawa State, where he was elevated to the Ministry for Women Affairs as Director, Social Welfare. zz In 2007, he was promoted as a Permanent Secretary and was transferred to Ministry for Rural Infrastructure, where he stayed there for only a year before being transferred to the Ministry of Education where he retired from active Civil Service in 2010. zz Abdullahi was appointed REC in 2010 and was transferred to Kebbi State in the same year. zz He was later transferred to Kano State to oversee the last general election before his death on April 3 in a fire outbreak.

the state Director of Fire Service, Alhaji Balarabe Kabara, said his men received distress call from the neighbours of the deceased around 4.30 a.m. yesterday.

Jonathan: I will speak at the right time …holds private meeting with Buhari Anule Emmanuel Abuja

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said he has gathered wide experience in office and would break silence on several issues at an appropriate time. This is coming as the president met yesterday behind closed-doors with the president-elect, Gen. Muhammad Buhari (rtd.), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. This is the first time the two leaders would be meeting since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Buhari winner of the March 28 Presidential election. The meeting, which was described as “pri-

vate,” was held inside the new Banquet Hall inside the President’s office. However, President Jonathan said this when State House correspondents approached him for an interview at the end of the Good Friday Service organised by the Aso Villa Chapel. Though he did not give a definite time when or appropriate time for that, the president said: “Don't worry, I will talk to you at the appropriate time” as he smiled while making his way from the chapel to his official residence. All the clergy who delivered sermon during the service centred their messages on the essence of sacrifice, referring to the one by President Jonathan to keep the county united.

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 april 2015

KADUNA SOKOTO IKEJA Shehu Sani advises Buhari Group tasks president-elect Ezekwesili urges Nigerians to Senator-elect for Kaduna North, choose quality legislators on corruption Comrade Shehu Sani, yesterday

N EWS I N BRIEF

advised the president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to unfold a six months emergency action plan to stem corruption and insurgency in the country. Sani, who is also a civil rights activist, gave the advice in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna. He said it was important to confront the challenges head on, and warned against “political appeasement and settlement'' in addressing issues. “The Buhari government must focus its attention in revamping the pillaged economy and spreading prosperity to millions of the teeming masses who voted for him on March 28."

Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (AUDSN) yesterday urged the president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to live up to his pledge to eradicate corruption in the country. The North-west Chairman of the group, Alhaji Bilyaminu Ajani, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto, said corruption had brought so much set back to the socioeconomic growth and political stability of the country. He explained that eradication of corruption would enable Nigerians to reap the dividends of democracy. Ajani described President Goodluck Jonathan as a true statesman for conceding defeat and congratulating the winner of the March 28 presidential election.

A former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, yesterday advised Nigerians to assess the quality of each candidate before electing members of the House of Assembly. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the nationwide House of Assembly election is scheduled for April 11. Speaking at a public presentation of the book, entitled “Strategic Intervention in Governance,” written by Pastor Tunde Bakare in Lagos, Ezekwesili decried the situation where people voted for those they knew little about. In her speech, entitled “Reflections on Nigeria,” the former education minister said no matter how good the president may be he cannot develop the country alone.

20 killed as explosion rocks Gombe bus station

l Three passengers burnt to death in Kwali auto crash

o fewer than 20 persons have been reportedly killed as an explosion rang through a bus station in Gombe, Gombe State. The explosion occurred late on Thursday evening. The explosive was alleged to have been planted by a woman beside a bus scheduled to leave for Jos, Plateau State before it went off at 8:30p.m. The explosive was inside the woman’s bag. It was also gathered that 15 other persons were injured during the incident. Eyewitnesses' account said the woman who planted the explosive left

the scene before it went off. She was said to have pretended she was going to board the bus, but wanted to buy something from a kiosk nearby. Meanwhile, three female passengers were yesterday burnt to death in an automobile accident along Abuja-Lokoja Road. The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Sector Commander in the FCT, Mrs. Susan Ajenge, confirmed the report to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja. Ajenge said the accident involved a Peugeot 505 Station Wagon and Toyota Corolla vehicles.

Card reader supplier’s consultant sues DSS N100m Tunde Oyesina Abuja

O L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan; Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson; Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Kennedy-Opara, after Good Friday church service at the Aso Villa Chapel, in Abuja …yesterday PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Easter: Jang, Akpabio, Fashola, PDP, ACF felicitate with Christians Musa Pam and Tony Anichebe

with agency reports

l FRSC deploys 1,150 personnel in Awka, Eket l Air passengers struggle to secure flight tickets

minent Nigerians, Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang; his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Godswill Akpabio; Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Monsignor Gabriel Osu, yesterday urged Nigerians to pray for peace and unity of the country during this year’s Easter season. Jang in his Easter message through his director, Press and Public Affairs, Mr. James Mannok, called on Christians to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, which is central to the Easter celebration, as the nation tread the path of transition through the elections. Also, speaking in his state-wide broadcast to mark the Easter celebration in Uyo, Akpabio urged Nigerians to emulate the statesmanlike nature of President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat for peace to reign in Nigeria. He added that “by this act, Mr. President has resurrected morality, good conscience, patriotism and goodwill for our country.”

In a related development, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has said God answered the prayers of Nigerians during the justconcluded Lent by granting us peaceful Presidential and National Assembly elections on March 28. In his Easter message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Hakeem Bello, Fashola said: “I hope their sacrifices and supplications during the period will be rewarded and in a sense, I think God has answered those prayers with the peaceful elections we just had.” On his part, Osu in his message issued in Lagos, said the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, signified the redemption of mankind. “Good Friday is the day Christians in general celebrate the passion and death of Jesus Christ who was crucified on the Cross of Calvary for the redemption of mankind,” he said. Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urged Christians to “use the

period to imbibe the spirit of love, forgiveness and good neighbourliness, especially given the success already achieved by the PDP administration in the fight against terrorism in the land.” The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said the PDP was happy that the nation is celebrating this year’s Easter in an atmosphere of peace, which he said was “principally inspired by the forthrightness and humility of President Goodluck Jonathan and the commitment of our great party to national unity and integration.” In the same vein, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Anambra State Command, yesterday, said it had deployed 1,000 regular and special marshals to monitor traffic situations in the state during Easter. The Sector Commander for Anambra State, Mr. Sunday Ajayi, who said this to NAN in Awka, advised motorists to comply with directives from the officials. Also, the Eket Unit Com-

mand of the FRSC, Akwa Ibom State, said it had deployed 150 personnel to monitor vehicular traffic on the highways throughout the Easter celebration in the area. The Unit Commander, Mr. Lucky Ugenlo, in an interview with NAN in Eket, said: “We have deployed 150 personnel including the Special Marshals and Road Safety Club Members to monitor traffic during the Easter period and ensure sanity on the highways during the period.” The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged Nigerians to adhere to the virtues of tolerance, forgiveness and self-sacrifice as Christians marked Good Friday prelude to Easter. Meanwhile, air passengers in Lagos struggled to secure their flight tickets so as to celebrate the Easter with their loved ones. NAN reported that several airlines hiked their fares while touts at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 indulged in brisk business to meet the travellers’ demand.

ne of those detained by the Department of State Security (DSS) over the Card Reader Machine (CRM) used for last Saturday’s election has slammed a N100 million suit on the service over alleged illegal detention. Muhammad Sani Musa, a consultant to Act Technologies Limited, who is one of the firms engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) for the supply of the CRM, said he was on March 24 invited via telephone to the DSS’ headquarters in Abuja, by the Director General of the DSS and had since been held without any charge. He stated in a funda-

mental rights enforcement application he filed before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, that he was being detained with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Act Technologies (whose named he did not mention) by the DSS since they honoured the security agency's invitation on March 24 at 1p.m. Musa in the application marked: ‘FHC/ABJ/ CS/292’ filed on March 27 by his counsel, Mahmud Magaji (SAN), wants the court to order his release and declare his arrest, detention and continued intimidation by the respondent (DSS) in relation to the card reader issue as illegal, unconstitutional and a violation of his fundamental rights.

10 guber candidates step down for Ambode Temitope Ogunbanke

en governorship candidates of 10 opposition political parties in Lagos State yesterday dropped their ambitions to contest the April 11 governorship elections in the state. The candidates in the presence of their party chairmen declared their total support for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. They also directed all their supporters to vote for Ambode during the governorship and State House of Assembly elections on April 11. The parties and their candidates are: Accord Party (AP), Mr. Adeshina Buruji; Independent Democrats (ID), Mr. Obadia Akinola; Action Alliance (AA), Mr. Ishola Aregbesola; and Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) ,

Mr. Babatunde Sarumi. Others include the African People’s Alliance (APA), Mr. Abiodun Oyegunle; KOWA Party, Mr. Victor Adeniji; All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Adeshina Olayokun; (NNPP), Mr. Sesan Olatunde; the Citizens Popular Party (CPP), Mr. Sylvester Eze and the Progressives People's Alliance's, Mrs. Pauline Ojochide. Meanwhile, Christian leaders in the state have endorsed Ambode, urging Lagosians to vote for him. Speaking yesterday in Lagos, where the Coalition of Christian NonGovernmental Organisations (NGO) endorsed his candidacy, the chairman of the coalition, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, said the Christian leaders were supporting the APC candidate because of his laudable past experience in the state as a public servant.

4 april 2015

10 PDP ex-council chairmen defect to APC in Niger Dan Atori MINNA

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suffered a big blow in Niger State as 10 immediate past local government chairmen in the state have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following the results of the Presidential and National Assembly elections. The former chairmen, who defected yesterday in Minna were, Jibril Kallamu from Tafa Local Government Area; Dauda Umar (Magama Local Government Area), Musa N. Tessan (Lavun Local Government Area), and Ibrahim Isah (Rafi Local Government Area). Others are Hajia Zainab Waziri, former Caretaker/ Chairman Borgu Local Gov-

ernment Area, ASP Yerima Abdullahi (rtd.) (Shiroro Local Government Area), Nasiru B. Shambo (Rijau Local Government Area) and Mohammed Saidu Pissa (Borgu Local Government Area). Speaking on the defection, the Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, stated that the defection was a further boost for the party in the state and that with the way APC is on the ground all the plans to rig the governorship and state assembly elections would fail. Vatsa said the era of using security to intimidate voters and party men was over, adding that no matter the amount of money allegedly budgeted to induce voters, it would not change the people of Niger State because they had resolved for change.

Afenifere congratulates Buhari, Jonathan Babatope Okeowo Akure

he Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has congratulated President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on his election as the president-elect of the country and tasked him to implement the 2014 National Conference report. Chairman of the group, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, who stated this in a statement yesterday, said the association had no regret in adopting President Goodluck Jonathan as it presidential candidate for the March 28 election. The group said it took the decision in the interest of the country. Fasoranti said Afenifere supported Buhari presidential ambition in 2007 general elections because of the promise that he would convoke National

Conference and also supported President Jonathan for the same reason for this year’s elections. According to him, the APC leaders had always been in the vanguard of the convocation of National Conference and now that they are in government they should not jettison the idea of restructuring of the country. While congratulating Buhari on winning the election, Fasoranti said: “As he takes over from May 29, we would like to remind him that we still stand by our perennial demand since the time of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, that to have peace and development, the country must be restructured among other things for fair play and justice, development of a sense of belonging, opportunity for all to live happily together and enjoy gainful employment."

News

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

IKEJA Most Beautiful Girl pageant holds in June

NEWS IN BRIEF

All is now set for the second edition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Eko (MBGE) pageant in June at the Royal event hall, Ikeja, Lagos. Speaking ahead of the pageant with Saturday Telegraph, the Executive Director, Ereon Pageantry, organiser of the event, Funmi Bolatiwa Quadri, said this edition had been reloaded and upgraded. She said: “Four beauty queens will be attached with chaperons in their official duty and functions till the end of their tenure. We now have two new queens namely MBGE Tourism and MBGE Entertainment.” Quadri further added that this edition would be full of glamour.

AKURE Group tasks Buhari on electoral promises

A pressure group, Coalition of Patriots, yesterday tasked the president-elect, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, to fulfill his electoral promises to the people of the country. Also, they called on professional bodies in the critical sectors of the nation's economy and other well-meaning Nigerians to pull ideas together with a view to setting agenda for the incoming government. In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mr. Ifesanmi Ajiwoye, the group said the era when politicians took the electorate for granted had gone forever. It stated: “The people of this country prayed to God for a change of government at the centre. God has now answered their prayers through the election of Gen. Mohammadu Buhari.”

20,253 The total area (in sq. km) of Slovenia. Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com

43%

The percentage of the population of Comoros under 15 years in 2012. Source: Un.org

AMAWBIA Rotary Club pledges support for prison inmates

President of the Awka Metropolis of the District 9140 of Rotary Club International, Dr. Dennis Ekemezie, has assured the inmates of the Amawbia Prisons in Awka-South Local Government Area of Anambra State of educational assistance. Ekemezie gave the assurance yesterday in Amawbia, when the club visited the prison inmates, as part of its charity work to mark the Easter festivities. “In times like this, we the Rotarians do engage in various charity works that will make a difference in the lives of the people around us. “We are here to spend some good moments with you and say that it is a small world after all, that your world has not come to an end because you are here but that you should make the best use of your time and reform yourselves,” he said.

46%

The projected percentage increase of Americans above 65 years with Alzheimer’s in Colorado State in 2014-2025. Source: Alz.org

Forgive Buhari’s past, Soyinka tells Nigerians PARDON

Nobel laureate asks Nigerians to forgive president-elect.

obel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to forgive the past of the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in order for the nation to move forward. The legacy of Buhari’s 20-month tenure as the military Head of State included the introduction of the War Against Indiscipline campaign. Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg TV Africa on Wednesday in his hillside country home, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Soyinka said: “There is a moment when we must put the past aside, most especially when what presumes to the present becomes intolerable and continues and threatens to prolong itself, then we have

to be more pragmatic.” He said Nigerians should show a Nelson Mandela-like ability to forgive Buhari as an iron-fisted military ruler. “I criticised him for certain acts during his stint as a military dictator,” the 80-year-old playwright and poet said. He said: “But I also insist that it’s about time we try our best to be miniMandelas, to learn there’s a moment when we must put the past aside. By voting in Buhari, a 72-year-old Muslim, who has described himself as a “converted democrat,” Nigerians have shown an ability to look past his earlier misdeeds, Soyinka said. Buhari, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, who defeated incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, has denied having ever perpetuated human rights abuses. “Mandela had a faith in the capacity of the Boer, the

masters of apartheid, to reform,” Soyinka said in his booming voice in a living room filled with wooden carvings. “There’s a moment when we must put the past aside, most especially when what presumes to the present becomes intolerable and continues and threatens to prolong itself, then we have to be more pragmatic.” The victory of Buhari, a three-time loser in presidential races, broke the Peoples Democratic Party’s 16-year monopoly on power at the federal level. “I think more in terms of the APC winning the election,” said Soyinka, who has some of his allies and admirers in the APC. Soyinka said reports from the APC members and his own observations suggest Buhari was “struggling to be a party man.” Responding to claim that there was nothing substantially different between the

PDP and its rival, because members of the ruling party defected to the APC, Soyinka said: “Neither party is filled with angels, there are corrupt figures on both sides.” Insisting that the March 28 elections were the most money-fueled in the country’s history, the literary giant said: “Some of them I don’t even want to see anywhere near this building. Others, on the other hand, have sat here, these very chairs, eaten and drunk with me.” On why the PDP did not move early enough to dislodge the Boko Haram insurgents from the NorthEastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, the Nobel laureate said: “Nigerians have a right to be resentful of the fact that that kind of measure was not taken early enough. “That this disease was allowed to fester, leading to the traumatisation of swathes of Nigerian landscape and society and humanity.”

Presidential election tested maturity of Nigeria’s democracy - PDP Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he Presidency yesterday said the March 28 presidential election was a test case for the survival of the nation’s democracy and commended President Goodluck Jonathan for rising to the occasion. Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, at a press conference yesterday, said the saving grace of the historic election was the candour, conduct and comportment of President Jonathan who, he said, “has elevated himself to the status of an eternal hero and a champion of democracy.” Alkali observed that in spite of the glaring irregu-

larities and inconsistencies of the electoral process, President Jonathan took the unprecedented step of conceding to his opponent, General Muhammadu Buhari even before the result was formally announced. “It is a well known fact that President Jonathan has always been passionate about the unity, progress and development of Nigeria. His bold step has once more strengthened the bedrock of unity in Nigeria and has deepened democratic governance in the country,” he said. According to him, President Jonathan’s participation in the election was not for his personal interest but for the advancement of a united and prosperous Nigeria.

Procession for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday by St. Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos…yesterday

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

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SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 april 2015

BIRNIN KEBBI FCT APC wins N’Assembly seats NiMet explains dust spell

N EWS I N BRIEF

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won all the three Senatorial and eight Federal Constituency seats in Kebbi State in the March 28 elections. This is contained in a statement issued by INEC’s Public Affairs Officer in the state, Mr. Abdullahi Kebbi, yesterday. The statement said Dr. Yahaya Abdullahi, Senaator Adamu Aliero and Bala Na’Allah, all of the APC, won the Kebbi North, Central and South elections, respectively. While winners of the eight Federal Constituencies are Dr. Hussaini Kangiwa (Arewa/Dandi), Munir Mohammed (Argungu/Augie), Abdullahi Hassan (Bagudo/Suru) and Abdullahi Faruk (Birnin Kebbi/Bunza/Kalgo).

77 The sex ratio of men to 100 women in the 60+ age group of Bosnia & Herzegovina in 2012. Source: Un.org

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) said the dust spell over the country on April 1 followed strong winds over the desert that raised a lot of particles. The explanation is contained in a statement issued by NiMet’s Public Relations Unit and National Weather Forecasting and Climate Research Centre yesterday in Abuja. The statement further explained that the particles were subsequently transported by the dry North-easterly winds into the country on April 1. It stated that NiMet had presented the dust forecast on January 7, and informed the public of possibility of dust outbreak that would affect parts of the country. It also recalled that on March 27 the High Pressure system over the Sahara desert began to strengthen from 1034hpa to 1038hpa, as then mid-latitude trough passed over the area.

OKOTA Overcomers Church camp meeting ends today

The Overcomers Church World Outreach ‘Holy Spirit Fire Camp Meeting’, which started on Thursday with the theme: ‘Anointing’ will end tomorrow with Bishop and Mrs. N. E. Moses alongside other anointed men of God ministering. A statement issued by the church said the two-day event also had sessions for salvation and healing, breaking ancestral curses, uprooting evil altars, fruitfulness and financial breakthroughs. The organisers also said the event is “a life time empowerment for total transformation and restoration” as it is aimed at giving participants the opportunity to “experience the power behind his resurrection.”

333,066 The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Albania in 2010. Source: Itu.int

3.37 The population of Mauritania (rep. 0.049% of world’s population) at the beginning of 2010. Source: Blatantworld.com

LP, APC, APGA ‘merger talks’ with Elechi ends in deadlock NO RESOLUTION

Plan by three parties to forge alliance in Ebonyi State collapses. Charles Onyekwere

ABAKALIKI

ndications emerged yesterday that a secret meeting held with Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, over an alleged merger talks among the Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) ‘may have ended in a deadlock’. A source close to the Government House told Saturday Telegraph that the aim of the merger talks was for the three parties to collapse and form an al-

liance against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. According to feelers, the meeting was intended to collapse LP and APGA into APC in order to form a merger against the PDP in the April 11 governorship election. It was also gathered that the merger ‘was’ likely to fail because of the ideological differences of the political parties even though it was seen as the last resort by Elechi to frustrate the governorship ambition of the PDP governorship candidate, Mr. Dave Umahi. It was also learnt that the first phase of the meeting, which began around 12:15a.m on Wednesday at the Government House, Abakaliki, amid tight security ended at 10:30p.m without yielding any positive results as the parties

and Elechi disagreed on various issues. The three opposition parties that attended the merger talks, which included all the governorship candidates of LP, APGA and APC, party executives, supporters, were said not to have shifted ground let alone agreed to step down their ambition for another. A source said the governorship candidate of APC wanted the LP and APGA standard bearers to collapse into the party, noting that the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, emerged from his party. Although there were strong indications yesterday, that the three opposition candidates in the state, who are from Ebonyi South senatorial zone, had already planned to crossover to the PDP before the April

11governorship election. Already, 19 LP supporters across the13 local government areas recently denounced their membership defected to the PDP family in the state. Meanwhile, the Chairman of Media and Publicity for Divine Mandate Campaign Organisation of the PDP governorship candidate, Senator Emmanuel Onwe, has described the alliance as one that was bound to fail as PDP had already consolidated in the state, following the results of the last presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. He said: “They will gather to conspire but they will scatter in hopelessness. This agenda is nothing but the agenda of losers; the desperation of political merchants and the foolishness of crass opportunists."

Imo Attorney General should be sacked - Ilomuanya Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

hairman, Imo State and South-East Councils of Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, has called for the dismissal of Mr. Machukwu Umeh as the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice for premeditated misinformation to the public. Ilomuanya described the purported filing of contempt of court proceedings against him and some others by the Umeh as an embarrassment to the legal profession in the country. “I frankly suggest that the Imo Attorney General, Mr. Machukwu Umeh (SAN), should go and reenrolled in any of the Nigerian law schools in order

Oyo LP not merging with any party, says Alao-Akala Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

he Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao- Akala, has said that his party is not going to merge with any other party to contest the April 11 election. Alao-Akala made the clarifications following last Thursday’s circulation of posters in some parts of the state which bore the photograph of the Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari and the LP governorship candidate. The said poster bore the photograph of Buhari and Alao-Akala with that of Senator Rasidi Ladoja of the Accord Party (AP), which the state Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, had described as a fraud.

The poster bore ‘Sai Buhari, Sai Akala’ boldly written on it. In his remarks, Ajimobi said it was obvious that virtually all the opposition parties in the state worked for President Goodluck Jonathan, attacked Buhari in the build-up to the presidential election and should therefore desist from deceiving the people by claiming to be in support of the president-elect. “They can’t do that! That is fraud and they are known for fraud. They were never for Buhari; they took money from Jonathan and openly canvassed for him. They voted for him. Why, all of a sudden, they are trying to associate themselves with Buhari? They can never be for him and they should not defraud the people."

Jega may reject tenure renewal Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

L-R: Former Lagos State Military Administrator, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd); book author, Captain George Alily (rtd.); Commandant Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, Air Vice Marshal Monday Morgan and Rear Admiral Francis Dan Akpan (retd.), at the presentation of the book, “Defining Persona: 6 Virtues that Transform Society”, in Lagos…recently PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

to update his knowledge of current trends in legal practice in Nigeria. Obviously, he is out of tune,” Ilomuanya said. Reacting to a media report where Umeh contended that the state government had served Form 48 on Ilomuanya, the Executive Committee members of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Police hierarchy in Nigeria, Ilomuanya upbraided Umeh for misleading Governor Rochas Okorocha and goading him into an unnecessary war of attrition. According to him, Umeh has lost focus and is now seeking ways of placating the governor in order to cover up his incompetence as the Attorney General of the state.

hairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega may not accept an offer of renewal of his appointment (if it is made to him) when his tenure expires in the next two months. The INEC Chairman was appointed in June 2010 and he has successfully conducted two general elections. He told British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hause Service on Wednesday that he would leave office when his tenure expires on June 30 and will not accept any offer of renewal. “I am grateful to God. I was asked to come and contribute my own quota

to the national development and I have done my bit to the best of my ability. Whatever assignment one will do for five years – just like this difficult one, to me if one is able to successfully accomplish the task, someone else should be given the opportunity, because for me I am not interested and if I am requested to serve again, I will not do it, by God’s grace,” Jega said. Jega was former president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and also served as Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano before his appointment as INEC chairman. It was rumoured that he was under pressure to resign before the conduct of the general elections, which he, however, denied.

4 april 2015

I won’t campaign for Ribadu, says Atiku Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

ormer Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said he will not campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Malam Nuhu Ribadu. Abubakar said this while dissociating himself from a purported photograph of him canvassing votes for Ribadu. In a statement issued by his Deputy Head of Media, Mr. Paul Ibe, yesterday in Abuja, he said the circulation of a photograph showing Atiku carrying a banner asking for votes for Ribadu was a fraud done out of malice. He further said the banner in question was the one held by Atiku canvassing for votes for Governor Rauf

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Aregbesola of Osun State during the last governorship election in the state in 2014. “The imperative of voting for the APC in the next line of election in the country on April 11 is a virtue that I am firmly committed to, and to which I urge all Nigerians to give unwavering support. “The purported photograph of me canvassing for votes for the PDP in the Adamawa governorship election is a fraud done out of outright malice. “I did not and will never call for support for any candidate of the PDP. The photograph that is being circulated is the Photoshop copy of my photograph that called for votes for the Osun State governor in 2014 gubernatorial election in that state,” it read.

IGANMU National Troupe offers ‘Spectacle’ for Easter

NEWS IN BRIE F

As part of its tradition to stage a high quality production during the Easter break, the National Troupe of Nigeria will stage a music folk theatre production titled ‘Spectacle.’ The four-part production, according to a statement credited to the Artistic Director of the troupe, Mr. Akin Adejuwon, will be staged tomorrow at the Cinema Hall 2 of the National Theatre from 3.30p.m. Adejuwon said the thematic thrust of the musical theatre excursion is national unity. “The two fold concept of the creative unity lies in the fusion of the different artistic elements in performance - the unity of the elements of the African performance stage on one hand and on the other hand, the wholesome representation of our diverse cultural heritage on the national stage through the use of music, songs, dance, narratives, masks and chants,” he said.

64.7%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Barbados in 2009. Source: Itu.int

IKEJA APC condemns Kenya varsity terrorist attack

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the attack, describing it as dastardly and unjustifiable. In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party described the Somali terror group Al-Shabaab, which claimed responsibility for the killings, as a bunch of cowardly extremists who have no place in a decent society. “Nothing can justify such a deadly and senseless attack on innocent and defenceless citizens, and those who planned and executed the heinous killings in Kenya stand condemned globally.” All four of the gunmen wore suicide vests packed with explosives, detonating themselves in huge blasts as the dramatic assault finally ended after some 16 hours.

ONDO TOWN Olatunji passes on

A sculptor, Dejo Victor Akinlonu (aka Dejak), has lost his eldest brother, Chief Festus Olatunji, in Ondo town, Ondo State, at the age of 80. Dejak, who said that he was emotionally attached to his late brother and pulled him closer to God last year September when he clocked 80 years. “I had to do this because it was obvious that late chief was pretty close to his grave. So whatever the efforts might have caused me, I didn’t mind it. From that moment, I have been sponsoring the monthly fellowship in chief’s home until he died,” Dejak said. On plans to immortalise him, Akinlonu who handled the Oshodi Heritage Park, said he would package a tight farewell service in Ondo in his honour at a date yet to be agreed upon by the family.

The percentage of disabilityadjusted life years (DALYs) lost due to diarrhoeal diseases globally. Source: Unesco.org

N4.1m

The total capital importation value of IT Services’ sector in 2008. Source: National Bureau of Statistics

Shun sectionalism, Osun monarchs tell Buhari Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

raditional rulers in Osun State yesterday appealed to the Presidentelect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to shun segregation and sectionalism in governance. The monarchs in their congratulatory message made available to newsmen in Osogbo, added that they should do all they could to unite all the tribes for rapid transformation in the country. They described their victory at the poll as God ordained and charged them not to disappoint the electorate that believe in their ability and capability in governance before

voting them as president and vice-president of the country. The traditional rulers who further assured Buhari that they would rally round his administration in the state, prayed to God to give Buhari wisdom and inexplicable knowledge to use in steering the ship of the country to the promise land. The royal fathers also preached against ethnicity, nepotism and other forms of vices that could bring back the advancement of the country and appealed to him to see all sections of the country as one and that they voted in unionism for him as their president. They, however, agitated for an all inclusive government devoid of tribalism.

Police arrest scores over murder of DPO in Ibadan Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

uman and vehicular traffic, coupled with commercial activities, were affected yesterday around Adekile, Orita-Aperin area of Ibadan in Ibadan North East Local Government Area of Oyo State. This followed reports that policemen allegedly arrested youths in various houses, following the killing of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the police station by some hoodlums on Wednesday. Stern-looking and heavily armed policemen were stationed around the area and adjoining communities, frisking passersby and arresting indiscriminately any youth suspected to have been part of those that

shot the DPO who tried to douse the youths' anger over alleged discovery of kidnapper's den in a storey building within the area. The youth had alleged that they saw a woman in purdah who entered the building with a baby but whose re-appearance was never seen for hours. They suspected that a child who had been declared missing few days before might have been kidnapped and taken into the house. They therefore reported the incident to the police. When the late DPO led his men to the house, they looked through, but disclosed that they could find nothing incriminating in it. They therefore arrested the owner of the house, known as "Beat" by the neighbours, and took him away.

Mr. Olubusayo Folarin (left) and his heartthrob, Olubusayo, during their traditional wedding ceremony at Midcity halls in Alimosho Local Government Area in Lagos...recently

Shell denies shutting down operations over presidential poll result CLARIFICATION

Oil firm denies shutting down flow stations due to presidential election. Ndubuisi Ugah

with agency reports

he Management of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has denied reports that it shut down its flow stations in Bayelsa State to forestall any attack by aggrieved militants. The SPDC’s spokesperson, Mr. Joseph Obari, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday that the operations of the oil firm were running but declined further details.

l Monguno advises Buhari “Our operations are continuing and we will not comment on security issues,” he said. The reports had alleged that the oil firm acted to avert attacks by militants aggrieved by President Goodluck Jonathan’s loss in the March 28 presidential poll. Tunu and Bensede Kussi flow stations operated by SPDC in Southern Ijaw and Kolokumo/Opokum local government areas of the state were allegedly shut down due to security concerns. However, NAN sources at the Tunu flow station within SPDC’s oil fields in the state confirmed that the facility was shut down for operational reasons.

The source, who pleaded for anonymity, said that the shutdown had nothing to do with anticipated attack by militants. “Tunu flow station was shut down for operational reasons not because of threat by ex-militants. Can we not shut down for operational reasons, what is the big deal if Tunu station is closed down for operational reasons? I cannot understand why they are eager to drag Shell into all these,” the source stated. Meanwhile, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ali Monguno, yesterday advised the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to carry

all Nigerians along irrespective of tribal, religious or political differences. Monguno, who gave the advice in an interview with NAN in Maiduguri, said since Buhari was elected by Nigerians from all parts of the country, he should strive to enhance the unity of the nation by ensuring national spread in his programmes. Monguno commended President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting defeat at the poll, saying that he had won the respect of Nigerians for that singular act. “The peaceful conduct of the election has placed Nigeria among democratic countries of the world. Nigerians can now walk tall by raising their shoulders everywhere in the world,” Monguno said.

Street Diary

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 april 2015

Bishop Kodji: 130-year-old Lagos community that lacks basic amenities A view of the community as the boat approaches the shoreline

It is rather ironic that some areas in Lagos are still living in the past despite the megacity status in the “Centre of Excellence”. After a recent visit to Bishop Kodji, a Lagos community on the Island, OLUSHOLA RICKETTS, writes that the people have been living a sub-standard life for many years

he moment Saturday Telegraph correspondent, along with members of Junior Chamber International (JCI), Victoria Island, entered Bishop Kodji community in Lagos, it came alive. The people became suspicious and were constantly on a lookout. As the team attempted to speak with a woman, a certain man interrupted the conversation, insisting that strangers cannot just come into the community to ask questions and take pictures. The man, who identified himself simply as Friday said, “we are educated people here; we need to know your identity. I have been on this island for a long time and there’ve not been any problem. We are enjoying our lives.” He did not stop at that but queried, “hope you are not coming to buy our island?" The immediate past president of JCI, Victoria Island, Adetola Juyitan, who responded, quickly informed the residents around that the visit was occasioned by the news that there were no schools for children in the community. She explained: “A few of us had come to look at the situation here and we got a feedback that there was just one school in the community, which is not conducive for learning. JCI is an organisation of young people and we look for needs to meet, but it is important we all see things by ourselves before we set out to do anything. This is the reason we are all here today. We are a voluntary organisation and non-political. Everything we do come from the purses of the members.”

Juyitan’s response came as relief to Friday as his face was engrossed with excitement. “Our honourable is not around, but his wife is also a clever woman. She would take you around. We are glad you visited to see things for yourself because people don’t like to enter the boat,” Friday said. He spoke with so much self-assurance, like one who had some sort of formal education. He boasted that he was into property and had provided some of the best homes for the people on the island. His words: “If what you are saying is true, from time to time, you will start having meetings with the community chamber. I came here to improve their lifestyle; I provide one of the best accommodations here. You can come see yourself to confirm.” Situated about 15 minutes boat ride from CMS bus-stop at Marina, Lagos, Bishop Kodji community could be described as an abandoned society in an affluence world. Unlike the famous Makoko in Yaba, also in Lagos, Bishop Kodji is only accessible by water. Beyond the lack of proper education, the community is in total shambles and the people are prone to diseases due to unpleasant ways of living. The community also lacks basic things seen in an urban society like Lagos. Though, in existence since 1885, the neighbourhood has just a school (an uncompleted primary school); a healthcare centre with no facilities; no boreholes; no standard toilets and no electricity supply. The Island comprise of six commu-

nities, including Bishop Kodji, Sagbo Kodji, Ganvie Kodji, Whala Kodji, Akponawa and Irede. There are no official census records, but estimates suggest the population in Bishop Kodji totals 150,000 souls. It appears to be the commercial center of all the communities on the Island, while the main occupation of the residents is fishing. The chairman of Bishop Kodji Nursery and Primary School, the only school situated there, Olusegun Benjamin, told Saturday Telegraph that it was built by the community and later handed over to the Local Government. “We have over 800 pupils in the school and four classrooms. The roofs are leaking and the floors are unpaved. No chairs, tables, reading materials and toilets too. Teachers find it hard to work in the school because they don’t get salary since parents struggle to pay school fees,” he said. Benjamin, who said he was born in the community, lamented that it was only during elections that politicians remember or visit them. “My forefathers were born here. I am from here and I live here. Our challenges in this community are many and it is only the time of elections that politicians remember or visit us here. “When elections are over and they get to the office, we don’t hear from them again. We have no electricity and schools. The government has refused to take care of the only school we have. We have no drinkable water and toilets too. Without water we cannot live and without education the future of our kids is not guaranteed. Many of our children don’t go to school because they have to travel across the river,” Benjamin said. The healthcare center built by the Local Government has no drugs or necessary facilities. Poor hygienic practices make the clinic looks like a dumping ground. It has no fence at the back and the surrounding is littered with remains. The centre has neither power nor water supply. There is no pharma-

ceutical store there too. From a distance, this reporter saw a little boy fetching water from a stream where a pig was also drinking from. When asked what the boy intended to do with water, he said he wanted to take his bath with it. Not too long after, two girls were sighted excreting inside the same stream with smile on their faces. Though they have two toilets in the community, they are made shabbily with aluminium. One is for the male, while the other is for the female. It was also gathered that the faeces from the toilets goes into the lagoon. There are those who prefer to do it at home and throw it inside the lagoon or littered the area with it. Some also do it right inside the river and use a plastic to collect water from the same watercourse to clean up. Just last November, during the World Toilet Day, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), raised the alarm that poor hygiene and entrenched culture of open defecation had reached a worst dimension in Nigeria. According to a statement issued in Abuja by the agency’s Communications Specialist, Geoffrey Njoku, about 119 million people were not using safe toilets in the country. “Some 2.5 billion people worldwide do not have adequate toilets and among them one billion defecate in the open. Here in Nigeria, about 119 million people are not using safe toilets while 50 million out of this number defecate in the open. “Nigeria is among the top five countries in the world with high population practising open defecation and the number of open defecators has been on increase since 1990. The lack of a safe, clean toilet and practice of open defecation seriously impact people’s health, wellbeing and dignity as well as efforts towards poverty reduction, economic and social development and the environment,” Njoku said. According to UNICEF, there has been an upsurge in cholera cases in Nigeria,

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 april 2015

Waterfront

which is primarily due to poor sanitation and hygiene practices in the country. Quoting from the recent epidemiology report from the Federal Ministry of Health, the agency said, 34,825 cases of cholera was reported as against 2,882 cases over the same period in 2013. Every year, over 150,000 Nigerian children die from diarrohea alone, largely caused by unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene practices. Though, Bishop Kodji community gets good water from water vendors, who buy from Marina and Apapa, both in Lagos, it is sold to them at higher amount. It has become a big business for some people there. The “imported” water are used for domestic purposes including bathing, cooking and for drinking, but not everyone can afford it. When our correspondent made inquiry on why they failed to erect boreholes in the place, a resident, who refused to disclose his identity, said that they attempted to build boreholes but the kind of water they got wasn’t good enough for drinking. But investigations by Saturday Telegraph, however, observed that the boreholes at the community were not properly dug and treated. Prior to the coming of AR Energy, a non-governmental organisation on October 20, last year, the community had no power supply. There were no electric poles on the island and generator repair seemed to be a thriving business there. The NGO, nonetheless, empowered the community with solar energy. Interestingly too, there is a message on a board in the community that reads, “our votes are for sell”. But the residents said that they would only vote for anyone that could pay their bills because, according to them, politicians had visited the place with empty promises many times over. They said they were now wiser and refused to be used by any politician. Though, the original settlers are the Egun, Bishop Kodji accommodates people from different tribes. The Igbo, Ijaw, Yoruba and Hausa among others

There are no open markets on the Island. Residents do their businesses right in front of their homes

Children simply defecate in the open

Male toilet

The frontview and one of the four classrooms of the school

reside there and everyone coexists happily. Common languages are Egun, Yoruba, Pidgin English and French. They practice Christianity, Islam and traditional worship. Our correspondent sighted three churches and a mosque. The church services are said to be conducted in the local languages. Another peculiar thing about the island is that there are no open markets. Residents do their businesses right in front of their homes. Wife of the chairman of the communities, Glory Hennu, said she had been living in the community for 12 years now. She admitted that they don’t like the environment the way it was, but they had to look for a way to survive since the government was no ready to help them.

She explained: “We have voter’s cards here; we will vote. We need more schools for our kids, good water and health center. People travel to fetch good water and we pay money to get it. So, the first thing we need is water because water is life and it would make the people happy.” For the Community Development Association (CDA) chairman, Peter Dansu, the island is peaceful and people are easily contented. “We have no problems here; there are rarely cases of theft. If not for the mosquitoes, there is really no reason for me to lock my doors at night. Our job here is basically fishing and we also do water transportation. In these activities we pay tax to the government. Some people also work as bricklayers offshore, while others work as labourers

Street Diary

at the wharf,” he explained. Dansu also highlighted the challenges on the island, stressing that malaria was their greatest problem. “For houses without ceilings like mine, people suffer a lot. The heat is unbearable and mosquitoes easily find their way in. Malaria has been a problem here and we don’t have a hospital. When we have emergencies we have to rush them across the water,” he said. The CDA chairman disclosed that they had written to the state ministry for a school of 12 classes. While admitting that some certain persons came for inspection, he said they were still waiting for a feedback. Juliana Temitope Ali of Train A Nigerian Child Foundation, who was invited by the JCI team, could not hide her frustration at what she saw. According to her, the visit opened her eyes to many abnormalities she could not believe still exist in Lagos. “You can as well say this community is not in Lagos; a Lagos community that has no schools and toilets. The children here don’t even understand English. I tried to speak with a child and he couldn’t communicate well. A community with over 800 children and they have only three functional classrooms. What is the government doing?” she asked. Being an advocate of education, Ali said she would love the education of the children to be given a top priority. She stated that she was certain if majority of the people here were educated they would have fought for their right. “Apart from education, healthcare is another key area. If the children are unhealthy they cannot go to school and if the parents are unhealthy they cannot send their wards to school too. It is like there is no future for a child here and this is Lagos. There is a lot to be done in this community; they don’t even have access to clean water. The community is an outcast, as if it is not in Lagos. If you look around you, you will see pigs lying next to humans. Everywhere is dirty and there are no jobs here,” she said. Ali added: “With what I have seen here, I don’t even think there is any government. If a place like this exists in Lagos State, then there is no government. If politicians, who have houses in Ilase (a community close to the island), erected drinkable boreholes, then I don’t see why they cannot put boreholes here.” But the president of JCI Victoria Island, the initiator of the visit, Ajani Oluwatoyin, said he could never be disappointed in any government. According to him, though, the government has huge roles to play, human empowerment or development goes beyond a government. “The government cannot do it all. I am disappointed in some aspects, however, but that is why we have NGOs to complement the government’s weakness or effort. I am the charter president of Junior Chamber International, Victoria Island and we believe we can impact lives. We are looking for a way to give people comfort and I expect other groups, foundations or organisations to do more too. We all know that this is not an easy job, but we should work towards it. I honestly don’t know how people could survive without water,” he pointed out. Saturday Telegraph gathered that many NGOs had visited and left without fulfilling their promises. Only few, which included Rural and Urban Development Initiative (RUDI), which gave 20 traders in the community micro-financial assistance and AR ENERGY, the solar energy company mentioned earlier. The houses in this Island are buildings made of wood or blocks. Roofing of the wooden houses and few cement houses is done with mere roofing sheets. They are available for rent and a standard three-bedroom with proper ceiling goes for N6, 000 per month. The only hotel in the neighbourhood serves as a bar and brothel.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 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 “I promised the country free and fair elections. I have kept my word. I have also expanded the space for Nigerians to participate in the democratic process. That is one legacy I will like to see endure.” - President Goodluck Jonathan “We will enforce legal protection for the rights of the girl-child in all areas of religious, social and economic life, protecting her right to dignity, shelter and choice.” - General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd.), President-Elect

A tapper’s day begins Photo: Suleiman Husaini

The link between energy drinks and heart attacks

The Wind of Change is Blowing

Dear Editor, Many Nigerians, especially young people, regularly consume energy drinks which often contain high levels of caffeine that can be bad for the heart. Too many energy drinks can trigger sudden heart attacks even in young and healthy people, according to some Western scientists who have warned parents to watch how many cans their children consume. According to the study, energy drinks can also contain “hidden” caffeine in the form of “masking agents” such as gurana, which comes from a Brazilian plant and is identical to caffeine found in coffee beans but at twice the concentration. Adding guarana and other popular substances, such as ginseng and taurine, to these types of drinks may generate “uncertain interactions”, the researchers said. In Nigeria, the energy drink market is booming. But the question is: Is it booming for the good or for the bad of Nigerians? However, I believe that the National Agency for Food And Drug Administration And Control (NAFDAC) has a responsibility to monitor the sale of energy drinks across the country and ensure that energy drinks are consumed in moderation. I believe that if a ban on the sale of energy drinks to children and other strict restrictions on energy drinks are observed, Nigerians would be spared further grave health problems.

The wind of change is blowing, and magnanimity in victory is the starting point of real change. This electoral victory of the APC is dedicated to all Nigerians who at a critical moment in history recognized the importance of taking the right decision of rescuing our nation from corruption. Those who feel a sense of personal loss need to understand that our diversity and individual choices are indeed our sources of strength and unity. The majority have spoken and they have spoken so clearly. Whatever grievances the PDP may have with the election results must be forwarded to the election petition tribunal. The PDP must respect the will of the people and not try to ruin our democracy. Martins Solomon, Delta.

The Wind of Change is Blowing Dear Editor, The wind of change is blowing, and magnanimity in victory is the starting point of real change. This electoral victory of the APC is dedicated to all Nigerians who at a critical moment in history recognized the importance of taking the right decision of rescuing our nation from corruption. Those who feel a sense of personal loss need to understand that our diversity and individual choices are indeed our sources of strength and unity. The majority have spoken and they have spoken so clearly. Whatever grievances the PDP may have with the election results must be forwarded to the election petition tribunal. The PDP must respect the will of the people and not try to ruin our democracy. Martins Solomon, Delta.

Charles Iyke, Abuja.

Greatest hero of democracy Dear Editor, If you ask me, the greatest hero in the last presidential election in Nigeria is President Goodluck Jonathan and no one else. Before Jonathan, all the leaders before him either cancelled elections in Nigeria or rigged elections to favour their parties and candidates. Jonathan could have replaced the chairman of the

“By subjecting himself to a thorough process, accepting to be bound by the outcome and even immediately extending his personal best wishes to his opponent, he has doused the tension in the country and shown the international community that Nigeria has indeed come of age; such that our democracy can no longer be termed as being nascent.” - Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, PDP governorship candidate in Ogun state

electoral body with his loyalist like others before him would have done, especially when they noticed he was not loyal to them. He did not do that. If they felt a new technology could prevent them from rigging, they just did away with it. If they had opponents who could threaten their presidency, they arrested them, or sent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after them. When critics exposed them in the newspapers, they simply shut down the newspaper houses and arrested edi-

tors and reporters, as well as the critics. President Jonathan did none of that. Not just in this election, but in previous state elections lost by his party. What I am saying is that it is not only because Nigerians have the power to change their leaders that President Jonathan lost, but also because he decided to allow a transparent process that no one before him allowed. The next president or presidents after him may not be like him. And this one is a fact! -Simon Ateba, Lagos

“When a review of President Jonathan’s administration is done, we’ll realise how much damage sycophancy did to governance. Example? Chibok Girls.” - Oby Ezekwesili “The APC-led Federal Government will work for all Nigerians, whether or not they voted for us in the elections, or did not even vote at all. Our party will not discriminate against any Nigerian on the basis of religion, region, ethnicity or gender. We are all God’s own people.” - Alhaji Lai Mohammed “In the last eight years I have run the race, fought a good fight of faith and I am set to complete my course. In all these years, I have sought to let all Akwa Ibom people come together not as Ibibio or Annang or Oro but as brothers and sisters and children of God. I have sought to let the example of Christ’s love for us remain the foundation of our unity.” - Chief Godswill Akpabio, AkwaIbom State governor. “We believe that we’re going to take on the world. By the time we get settled in the office, we’ll start development programmes that will make the whole world start talking about Lagos.” - Akinwunmi Ambode, APC governorship candidate in Lagos “Although I’ve always considered ourselves as the underdogs in this race, we know that we have a pretty good chance if only we all put our hands on deck to ensure we see this through.” - Jimi Agbaje, PDP governorship candidate in Lagos

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

SATURDAY

WeekendDelight 13

C o n v e r s at i o n

Instyle

ejiro

Get that glitzy look with coral beads p.15

Amos Tafiri

TV & Radio The ‘idols’ are back p.18

Love & Living ‘I ruined my horrible sister-in-law’s wedding’ p.38

Hospitality African Gardens Lodge: Pampared by nature and man p.41

Ejiro Amos Tafiri is a new entrant into the Nigerian fashion scene. But her collections strongly suggest that she has what it takes to stand shoulder to shoulder with other household names. She makes dresses for top female entertainers such as Rita Dominic, Omoni Oboli, Waje and Omawumi. She tells OLUSHOLA RICKETTS in this interview about her humble beginning and passion for fashion. Was fashion all you desired to do as a kid? I wanted to be a doctor or vet and I was working towards that dream. It was in the secondary school, precisely SS 1 second term that I discovered fashion. I was even a science student. In my senior class, agricultural science wasn’t very interesting and I thought of clothing and textiles. So, we went on an excursion to Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) and there I discovered fashion. I saw that it contained science, a bit of technical drawing and creativity too. It was everything I loved to do in one. Since the trip I wanted to become a designer, but it became so difficult to tell my parents and friends.

What would you say influenced your decision to do fashion? I tell people I don’t really know. Though my grandma was a tailor, I never knew her when she was making clothes. By the time she started living with us she had stopped making clothes because she was diabetic. She came to stay with us mainly for health reasons, so I didn’t know her shop or saw her sewing machines. Also, my mum went to sewing school when she was pregnant with my brother to keep herself busy, but she didn’t take it serious. She had a machine at home that I turned to my toy. They shouted at me a lot because of that; I was a tomboy. I injured myself severally without telling anyone. I really had no idea I wanted to be a tailor and I wasn’t a fashion person too.

People thought I was crazy when I DROPPED medicine for fashion

How did you later break the news? It was really hard. After I did the then Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, I told my dad I wanted to write POLY JAMB. He asked why and I told him I didn’t do well in the JAMB examination. He thought I was going to fill in science laboratory technology because that was the course most people did then while waiting for admission to study medicine. But two days to when the form was expected to close I told him I wanted to do fashion. He got very angry. They knew I was quite creative, but they didn’t understand why I wanted to be a designer. After much talk I told them the right thing for me was to do what I wanted to do. It was difficult to convince them, but things got better gradually. I had all A’s in my WAEC, so when I went for my registration I was also told I should be in the school of medicine, not fashion. They wanted to know who compelled me and I told them noone. I had my secondary education in an A-list school (Queens College, Yaba, Lagos) and I was quite young unlike most people in the department who were older. The registrar and Head of Department were surprised. Generally, people thought I was crazy when I dropped my desire to pursue medicine for fashion. At the last stage of the screening exercise, however, they discovered I didn’t have fine art, the major prerequisite to study fashion. I just prayed to God and went back home. Two months later, someone came to my door and told us that I was asked to resume. It later appeared that they changed the requirement to include clothing and textiles. That was how I became a fashion student. I was so happy, my parents were not.

Did it ever cross your mind that Ejiro Amos Tafiri was too long a brand name? While I was trying to give my brand a name I called myself, a combination of my grandma’s name Elizabeth and the name she gave me - Omolego. It was a family’s friend that helped me to put it together, but it sounded like a brand for children and I was not trying to sell stuffs for children. I thought of names and I concluded that I should stick to my name since it was about me. Of course, people told me it was too long and the acronym (EAT) doesn’t sound nice. I said if people could learn to pronounce all the Italian designers I was looking up to, they should remember my name and say it. Nigerians can actually pronounce German and French names comfortably.

How did you come about your latest collection, The Madame? I have new ones; it is not the latest. It was inspired by the need to make a statement. My brand was moving to a certain stage and I wanted to do luxury collection to affirm our current status. I wanted a collection that speaks volumes in luxury and also true to the brand. It was inspired by the Yoruba tradition or what it is known as Aso Ebi. Nigerians like to party, but we are fond of using those fabrics in certain ways. So, I thought this is our culture and the way we see things could be exported to other countries. It was made for a woman of presence, a woman of class and a woman, who likes luxury but still didn’t forget her root.

Do you have a sort of signature entirely yours? There is nothing new in this world, but generally my signature will be drapery, which means I like to use fabrics that move. I like my clothes to move in a certain way; that’s one of my strengths. But basically people that know my line will tell you that Ejiro is cosmopolitan, which means I like to tell African stories in international ways with my designs. I see regular things and use it in different lines that I know people will appreciate. I took a glance at some of your fabrics and I noticed they are extremely fragile; how long can these fabrics last? That is why I said I like to use fabrics that move; hence you will see a lot of things in my store that are delicate. That is CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Weekend Delight

| Conversation

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 APRIL 2015

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

why it is luxurious; there is need to take good care of them. They will also last because they are of good quality. When we make cloth we think about the comfort, the climate as we don’t want things that make you sweat a lot and how it elevates your moves. When you wear it you don’t need to look into the mirror before you feel like a princess. And when something is delicate, it means it is expensive. So, if you take good care of it, it would also take good care of you. Do you support the idea of putting on clothes that expose sensitive parts of the body all in the name of fashion? I think we have different creativities, personalities, and also different reasons and occasions we wear clothes. So, I would not say I am against people wearing some certain clothes. If you dress appropriately for an event, then that is fabulous. I think the problem comes when you wear the wrong thing the wrong way. For example, your underwear is not expected to cover the whole of your body because it would be scanty. As the name implies, underwear means it should be under. Do you plan to venture into male clothes anytime soon? It is a thing I have longed to do for a while and I hope I would eventually get to do it. Though, I don’t have a label for men, I make men’s clothes. I have brothers, family members as well as friends’ husbands and children. So, it is something we would love to go into in the future. How do you give back to the society? We participate in charity every year, maybe twice or three times in a year. And I have always believed in corporate social responsibility, I don’t really hire experienced hands. I pick people from the locality where my factory is situated and I train them. I have trained secondary school leavers and a lot of them had gone on to study fashion. These are people who never thought of studying fashion or going to school again, but they’ve decided to get tertiary qualifications. So, I mentor young people and I also equip them with vocational skills. What is your major worry for the fashion industry? The whole world is watching us and we are well placed in Africa to lead the continent. I just hope that people in the industry see more opportunities in it and understand that it is beyond staging shows or catwalks. This is a business that can feed the nation, empower people and turn things around. I hope the government participates more and people take it serious just like what we are seeing in Nollywood and the music industry. Are you satisfied with things generally? Of course, there is a lot of progress in the industry. You can now introduce yourself as a designer and no one will look at you in a funny manner. When I was studying fashion it wasn’t the same. People are now happy with their children going to study fashion and we have more awareness. There are even more corporate sponsorships for fashion event. So, I am happy with the progress, but we can do more because the world is moving on a fast lane and we shouldn’t be left behind. How many stores do you have at present? We don’t have stores in the east yet. We have partner boutiques around the country carrying our products, but we only have one personal store, which is

Tafiri in her store in Lagos

‘I’m living my dream’ in Lagos. We hope to open the second before the middle of the year in Lagos too. We have two partner boutiques in Lagos, one in Abuja, another in Cross River. So, if you are in Imo State, you could order from Cross River and if you are in the North you could make your order from the Abuja store. We have customers everywhere. Though, there is a lot of potential in Abuja, Lagos is the centre of most activities in Nigeria. Do you have other things you do asides fashion? At present, no, but I hope to get into other things. For the past five years now, I have been dedicated to growing my brand. It is becoming more institutionalised now and it is what I planned for. So, I hope to pursue my other interests but surprisingly it might not be in fashion. I could probably pick up more degrees and do something related to the science because I love mathematics a lot. Would it be correct then to say you are not fulfilled? I am fulfilled. I am living my dream. I believe I am different and I have shown it is possible to make something out of nothing because I started the business with practically nothing. I believe in hard work and I am a living testimony. I am grateful and fulfilled, though, the dream is still bigger. We still have much more things to achieve and I hope this brand lives on after I am gone. How was it like starting from nothing? Things were hard at a point, but I had no other options. Since I studied fashion, what else will I do? If I have had a background in another field I could easily walk away. So, it was either I drove into the blue sea of trying to build my own brand or kept working for others. But, I knew it was success or nothing; so I gave fashion my whole. There was a time after two ma-

People that know my line will tell you that Ejiro is cosmopolitan, which means I like to tell African stories in international ways with my designs jor international shows (Nigeria and Muritous) that I came back home and I realised all my staff had gone. And I had bridals to deliver. I was depressed and I cried. I took a day off and I went back to my office. This happened like four years ago. The same thing happened again and I called them that there was no way they would come back if they go. The second incident happened because I scolded my supervisor for not doing his job well and he wanted everyone to leave. As a boss I tried to play my role well and they all see for themselves; I don’t lavish money on myself. The first experience was so tough, but I got the job done all alone and I was happy about that. I have had accidents on okada; my car had broken down on many occasions). I don’t like to remember these experiences because all these things are nothing to me again. There was a day I went to deliver a job at FESTAC and the customer didn’t appreciate it. I took public transport, faced a serious traffic and got home like 1am with the clothes. There were days I would go to buy fabrics and they would pick my phones. It is part of what you signed up for, anyway. When you are carrying like three to four bags, what do you expect? But if you focus on bad things in this life you will miss out on good things because I don’t want to believe that there are no blessings during diffi-

cult times. Even in the midst of all the challenges, I was being called for international shows, I was having customers and I never lacked. What are your regrets? I love the fact that I started small. In the beginning, I won a competition worth N16 million but 1 didn’t get the cash prize till date. I don’t want to mention the name of the competition because people will know. During my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), I participated in a reality show and I was supposed to win. I had been congratulated in the house as the winner but on the stage they announced a different winner. Even the categories I won (best in business and fashion), I was not rewarded. Do you know how dehumanising that could be? I had dreamt overnight of the kind of the car and things I would buy. I am grateful now that I didn’t get it because it might have slowed me down. I had to go back to work and worked for other people. I saw the hard side of the business through my experience working for others. How do you deal with heartbreaks? I am rationale in my thinking; maybe because I was brought up by two para-military persons. My father is a DSS officer, while my mum works with the immigration. My father is very logical with many things and I grew up among men, so I have never been that girl who holds on to things too much. As a growing lady you should know that the moment you agree to see a guy, you are liable to heartbreak or joy. So, relationship is something that comes and goes. It is part of life; you don’t dwell on its disappointments for too long. There are even many stupid things we do for love. I thought I could never cook for a man until I get married, but I have had to do that.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 april 2015

Instyle

Celebrate Easter in gorgeous traditional attire

Angela Davies omorrow is Easter Sunday. How have you decided to dress to church, attend daytime event or even visit family, friends and loved ones? To celebrate the Easter in grand style, you should ditch your suit and tie as well as jeans and shirt and opt for any striking traditional attire. The traditional attire which is currently trending especially among young men is the agbada better known as babariga in Hausa. So, if you decide to wear this flowing attire, then,

ensure it is a complete set. This flowing wide-sleeved outfit consists of three pieces of clothing which are a pair of tieup trousers that narrow towards the ankles known as a shokoto in Yoruba, a long-sleeved shirt and wide, open-stitched sleeveless attire worn over these. They are generally of the same colour but you could add spice to your own style. Agbada could be made with lace, brocade and quality cotton fabric of any colour of your choice. To make a fashion statement, ensure your agbada is creatively embroidered to give it a distinct touch for that flamboyant and glamor-

ous look. To be comfortable in your agbada, you should fold the wide-open sleeves over your shoulders while walking or before sitting down, to ensure it does not touch the ground. However, if you feel the agbada is uncomfortable, you can do without it. You could also opt for smartly made buba and shokoto. If you decide to dress in Igbo, Urhobo or Efik traditional attire, then, ensure you look good and eye-catching. Also, if you decide to dress in any other style of traditional attire, ensure you look absolutely magnificent. Most importantly, whatever ethnic attire you choose to rock tomorrow,

you should accessorise with a hat of any style of your choice, leather slippers, sandals, loafers or other comfortable shoes of your choice to complete your African look. You could also add some oomph to your look with coral beads. However, if you will be attending any evening event, then, you should dress up to suit the occasion especially if there is a dress code and do not forget complement with the right accessories. Nigeria is blessed with diverse and unique traditional outfits that you could choose from to make this Easter an outstanding one.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 april 2015

Accessories to live for

Get that glitzy look with coral beads For that complete African look this Easter, you should harmonise your traditional attire with coral bead necklace and earrings, writes ANGELA DAVIES

f you are looking for that jewellery that will blend perfectly with your traditional outfit as you dress up for church or family outing tomorrow, then, you should opt for coral beads. Coral beads are timeless and stylish fashion accessory. Wearing a stunning and chic blouse with skirt or wrapper and well tied headgear all you need to complete your look is a lovely coral bead necklace and earrings. Coral beads add beauty and allure to a womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traditional attire and look especially when the design

is outstanding. It always brings out that beauty of an African woman. The splendour of coral beads is that, they blend flawlessly with any colour or style of traditional attire. They come in an array of fabulous and eye-catching styles from single to multiple strands in a wide-range of designs and hook style. Your choice depends on the fashion statement you want to make. So, this Easter, give your neck some glitzy look and rock coral bead statement necklace to complete a look that is gracefully you.

Instyle

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 april 2015

MY STYLE

Fashion without fuss Even though Funke Afolabi is a fashion designer, she is not fussy about her style. Her mood determines her style, she tells ANGELA DAVIES. How would you define your style? My style basically depends on my mood. I really don’t have a particular style. Sometimes I just like to experiment. But I would say my style is simple but distinctive.

be caught wearing? You will not catch me wear maybe bump short outside my house.

What determines the kind of outfit you wear? My mood determines the kind of outfit I wear. The event I am attending also matters. If I am attending a red carpet event, I dress up elegantly, I wear a pair of high heels to complement the outfit. Then if the event has a dress code, I also dress accordingly.

What is the most expensive fashion item you have ever bought? A handbag

Which outfits take up the most space in your wardrobe? They are definitely dresses and skirts. They are easy to wear as you can either dress them up or down. Is there an outfit you’re unlikely to

Fashion item you cannot do without I can do without anything.

Signature perfume I don’t have a signature perfume. However, I have different types and the one I use depends on my mood. If you were a fashion item what would you love to be? I would love to be a handbag because women treat their expensive handbags like babies. Women would rather get wet when it’s raining than allow the rain touch their bags.

What kinds of shoes hold a special appeal to you? I like open toe high heel shoes because it makes you look like a woman and it’s very sexy. How do you love your makeup? I like it subtle. How do you love your hair? No matter what style of hair I opt for, I love it simple but neat. Best designer Dolce and Gabbana, these Italian designers are very in touch with their customs and roots. Their bags, clothes and shoes all tell stories. Best colour Royal blue, it is a bright colour that announces you.

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

Sequined floor-length gown

Facts

Ejiro Amos-Tafiri‘s love for arts made her study fashion at the Yaba College of Science and Technology. After graduation, she worked with Out of Africa, Tiffany Amber and Zizi Ethnic Clothing and participated in several exhibitions and fashion shows, always with the intent and passion to start her own label, the Ejiro Amos-Tafiri brand. Adegbite

By the end of the 19th Century, men of all classes had begun to wear signet rings.

The tradition of giving fiancée engagement ring was introduced by Maximilian of Austria in 1477. He gave his wife-to-be Mary of Burgundy masterfully crafted ring as a promise of marriage.

The costume jewellery had a major rise in popularity during the 1920s and 1930s.

he fashion showdown this week is between two beautiful and stylish Nollywood actresses, Ini Edo and Damilola Adegbite. And the outfit in contention is a sequined floor length gown. Edo wore a sleeveless red sequined floor-length gown to the premiere of While You Slept at the Silverbird cinemas, Victoria Island, Lagos, on March 20. She styled her evening look with gold earrings, bracelet, box clutch, cocktail ring and high heels.

Edo

For her makeup, she wore nude lipstick and spotted dramatic smokey eyes suitable for the night. Her centre part lock was styled upwards, thus, framing her face. Adegbite attended the premiere of Before 30 which took place at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos on March 29 elegantly dressed in a gold spaghetti coral sequined floor-length gown. She accessorized the deep V-neck gown with earrings, black spiky box clutch, high heels and metal

wristwatch. She too wore nude lipstick with a subtle but dramatic eye makeup. She also wore straight side part hairstyle that touched her shoulders. So, it is all about shimmer and shine this week. Although both Edo and Adegbite rocked different colours and styles of sequined floor-length gown and also accessorized differently, however, who do you think wore it better? Is it actress and producer, Edo or actress Adegbite?

TV & Radio with Angela Davies

The ‘idols’ are back in Nigerian Idol season 5

fter auditions in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Benin in search of Nigerian youths with unique vocal prowess in order to give them a unique platform to take shots at stardom, the first group of 10 contestants from the final 30 performed on Sunday night, March 29, in the yearly reality music show, Nigerian Idol. To officially kick off Nigerian Idol season 5, each of the contestants with their choice song performed to thrill and impress the judges, studio audience as well as campaign for votes from viewers. But did the contestants measure up to the expectation of the three-man panel of celebrity judges made up of Darey Art-Alade, Yinka Davies and Dede Mabiaku? The show started with 28-year-old nurse, Franchesca (Iwuchukwu Franca), who said she is scared of Yinka Davies. Franchesca performed the song, “Wet” by Nichole Sherzinger. The second performance was by 25-year-old student, Blue-C (John Orah Ojochenemi). He performed the song, ‘I won’t give up’ by Jason Miraz. Preye (Oyinkepreye Deborah), 23-year-old make-up artiste impressed the judges and audience with her rendition of Rihanna’s “Te Amo.” The fourth performance was by 22-yearold student, Play P (Precious Okukusie). He performed Alex Claire’s song titled, “Too close”. However, 18-year-old student, Aisy (Nosa Edeh Aisosa), failed to impress the judges with her rendition of Rihanna’s “Only girl.” The judge’s harsh but honest criticism of her flat and off delivery of the song made her shed tears. Prime (Ekeoma Chibuzor Victor) 22-year-old student, pleased the judges with his delivery of the song “Train” by Drive. He was encouraged to bring is A game from the beginning of subsequent performances if not voted out. Dolu (Ogunmoyero Modoluwamu), 24-year-old civil servant performed Emeli Sande’s, “My kind of love”. At the end of her performance, Dede noted that she has a good voice but sounded like she had no confidence in herself while Art-Alade encouraged her to believe in herself. Third timer, 28-year-old self-employed, Tobore (Efuetanu Tobore) performed Bruno Mars’ “Just the way you are” but the judges were not impressed as they stated that it was a far cry from what they expected from him. For second timer, 21-year-old selfemployed Paradise (Edema Paradise)

Nigerian Idol Judges, Darey Art-Alade, Dede Mabiaku and Yinka Davies, with Head, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Daniel at the Nigerian Idol Season 5 auditions in Abuja

failed to impress the judges with her performance of Saturday’s “30 days” with all her sexy moves on stage. After her poor performance, disappointed Davies said she was totally drowned in the song, Art-Alade said he has heard her sing better while Mabiaku concluded that she has to work on her diction. Another third timer, 22-year-old youth corps member, Nana (Ihenacho Ogechi Nancy) with her husky voice performed Katy Tiz’s “The big bang”. Her drab performance made R ‘n’ B crooner, Art-Alade and afrobeat musician, Mabiaku, catnapped during her performance. Both judges who could not face Nana’s disappointing performance, decided to lay down their heads on the table. However, Nana blamed her poor delivery of the song on the difficulty in combining the mastering of the lyrics and delivery on stage. In the judges’ final words at the end of their performances, Mabiaku said he was disappointed by many of the contestants. He added that, “Although some of the contestant performed well, they should remember it has to be quality all the time.” Art-Alade added that it is a competition and as such some contestants have to go while some will stay. He also said, “The good thing is that it is not up to the judges anymore but the viewers to vote for their favourite contestants.” And Davies commended the contestants on their performance. Do you want to know if the next two groups of 10 contestants from the final 30 contestants will impress or make the judges regret selecting them? Do you want to know the contestants who will

Programme summary

African Kitchen (MITV)

Tifun Tedo (Splash 105.5 FM)

On this cooking programme, the presenter invites guests from different fields who can prepare and serve tasty African dishes. The presenter also interviews them as they cook.

Tifun Tedo is a popular news programme presented in Yoruba. It is presented by Bayo Faleke, Kola Ladoke and Folake Otuyelu. At weekends, it is presented at 7.30am.

Monday @ 8:30 pm

Mon-Fri @ 9:00AM

make it to the final 12 and the judge who frightens each of the contestants? Then watch the programme on Silverbird television on Saturdays and Sunday at 9:00 pm. The programme is hosted by Illrymz, a television host, radio personality, hip-hop and RnB artiste, who tries to put smiles on the faces of contestants especially after stern comments from the judges.

FACE BEHIND THE VOICE

Kody

nu Cynthia Chikodi popularly known as Kody d’Kodynator is an on-air personality with 95.1 Wazobia FM and a graduate of University of Lagos where she studied English Education. In 2010 she realised her childhood dream of becoming a broadcaster. So, she dropped the chalk and picked up the microphone and it’s been fun all the way for her. She loves to cook and eats a lot. She loves to teach too because her first profession still hasn’t left her completely. Cartoons, movies and soaps are her favourites on television. She loves good music as well. Kody loves to be happy, so she values the company of people who make her happy. Kody who loves to be free describes herself as enthusiastic, intelligent, responsible, creative and energetic.

SATURDAY, 4 APRIL, 2015

This weekend GALAXY TV

TELEVISION

Saturday 8:30 Movie 10:00 Sport Edge 11:00 Lab Rats 12:00 Empowerment Zone 1:00 Galaxy Party Time 1:30 Editors Forum 2:30 Campus 360 3:00 Ile Alayo 3:30 X-Men Cartoon 4:00 Nollywood English 5:00 Destiny River 6.00 Real woman 6:30 Tropical Paradise

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SATURDAY

Waconzy My manager didn’t dump me for Kiss Daniel

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Bimbo Thomas Actress robbed at gun-point

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ShowBiz SATURDAY 4 APRIL 2015

I have forgiven Jaywon – Imelda J Fast rising Benue State-born artiste, Imelda Ada Okwori, otherwise known as Imelda J made headlines last year after a rumoured romance with popular singer, Jaywon. In this interview with ANGELA DAVIES, she talks about the alleged romance among sundry issues. When did you start singing? I started singing at a very tender age. I started singing before I joined the choir because my mother was into music. So, I grew up doing what she does and so when she saw the passion in me, she gave me her support. But professional music started with me six years ago. What is your opinion of the music industry? The Nigeria music industry is growing very fast. I am impressed with the journey so far. It's just that most of the effort is by the artiste. There are no investors coming in as a result of piracy. Things can only get better if the Nigerian government can give maximum support to the industry. I think music is going digital now. You can have your songs on iTunes, Amazon, Spinlet among others. It is really amazing. What is the latest about you? I just released my new music video Jisoro. The song is expected to be on iTunes store and other digital store very soon. Bread and butter music video will also be dropping soon. I am also working on my album project because there is a deal underway. I have some international distribution offers already and as soon as my album is set, we will seal those deals. In addition, I am working on a song to preach against domestic violence which I believe will not just be a song but a huge project. This year no doubt is a busy one for me. Hopefully, my team and I will follow our plan squarely and by God's grace we will have our expected result. What is the motivation behind your latest single, Jisoro? Jisoro is a song that motivates people to dance. The melody came before the lyrics. It's a song I never wrote. I just jumped on the microphone and inspiration began to flow. Jisoro to me means getting high. The song talked about love, dance and wealth. It's a song that will make you dance away your sorrow but at the same time, perfect for everyone’s listening pleasure due to the mature instrumentation. It is a free-spirited song. What is that question you are tired of answering? When will you get married? Do you think you can ever get married? Can you marry somebody like me? What’s your greatest aspiration in life? It is to work hard until I will no longer have to introduce myself to the world. To get the reward of my labour and be able to give back to the society because I am happy when I am able to put a smile on somebody's face.

Can you share with us your most embarrassing moment? That still remains the day a fan publicly kissed me on stage. It was very embarrassing but I just had to bear it. Would you go into politics in the near future? Never say never until you get to the top. I might, I might not. The future is so bright and fair. I understand politics very well because I grew up in a political environment. Already, I have had offers from some of my top politician friends urging me to contest for some strategic positions but I turned it down for now. I think it's a matter of time and destiny. I just want to stay focused on my career. Are you in any relationship right now? That is my personal life. I don't wish to make it public.

Would you marry someone in the entertainment industry? If that's what God wants for me, I can't say no. Marriage should be based on true love and not profession. So, whoever God blesses me with, I will accept regardless of the tribe and profession. What is your real relationship with Jaywon because different stories have been heard? Jaywon and I never dated. He is a cool guy, though I am upset with the way he handled the whole issue. But I have forgiven him. What happened was just a rumour that had no basis. Till today I receive calls everyday from people asking me, ‘Are you sure you are not dating Jaywon?’ Even when I give them an answer, they still ask, ‘Are you really sure?’ Well, he is a single guy and I am a single lady so I won't blame anyone. I still respect him for who he is. But I have never thought of having any relationship with him. People said he bought a car and a gold wristwatch for me, but it is so funny. If you ask him, he doesn't even know anything about Imelda. He only knows

Imelda J. We only had official relationship. You said you didn’t like the way he handled the whole issue. How did he handle it? The moment the rumour of our dating got to him, he took to Twitter to announce that he didn't know any Imelda J. His management team also wrote a press release but all the information they gave to the world about me were wrong. I wanted to file a case against them but I decided to let peace reign hoping that with time they will realise all the mistakes and misinformation. But how did the rumour about you and Jaywon dating start? I first heard about it on Ash Wednesday last year. I was actually in church when someone who was close to Jaywon and I called to inform me. I also learnt that the same person was responsible for the misinformation and a whole lot more after my investigation. In all, a whole lot of factors led to it. One, I am a single lady and he is a bachelor. Second, we both worked together on a song titled, Everything I do and shot the video together. Also, my phone that had lots of files was stolen at a point. However, until now I don’t know how the picture got to the media. But it was either through my lost phone or those that made use of their phones on location of the music video. But are you people still friends? I don’t hate him but for now we are not close as expected. Aside music what else do you do? I edit music videos, play keyboard and I am also going into fashion soon. I have my personal business I run in other states as well. Have you signed any brand deal? No. Not any yet. But some discussions and business talks are ongoing. When it's ripe you will know. How would you define your style? I love being fashion forward. So I will say, over the top, bold, sexy and gorgeous. What is the most expensive gift someone has ever bought for you? That still remains my gold wristwatch. It was a birthday gift. What makes you happy? That would be when I put a smile on somebody's face. Then when I am in love, visit places like zoo, wild life park, beach and environments filled with flowers. I am a tourist. Also, when I receive credit alert from the bank it makes me happy.

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 april 2015

LANRE ODUKOYA

SHOWBIZ TODAY

08059296445 lanre.odukoya@newtelegraphonline.com

Sammie Okposo, Anny, others sizzle in new peace song

he Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is collaborating with gospel artiste, Anny, to further push the message of peace within and outside the shores of the country. Anny said she was moved to act when she saw that Kaduna, "a peaceful city and environment" where she was born and bred had become inhabitable and unsafe. She recorded a song, Peace around the World, in order to carry her message across more effectively. The song which was produced by Dr. Frabz has an all-star cast featuring Sammie Okposo, Onos, Lambogini, Charles Granville, Jaywon, Sultan, Ibitayo Jeje, Sabina and Henrisoul. The video was shot in Lagos by Frizzle and Bizzle. Speaking on the collaboration, Anny said: ``The song is not just about me, I needed to bring in people from different ethnic background and faiths in Nigeria. I brought in artistes; my friends and colleagues with similar vision with me to lend their voices to my message of peace in Nigeria and around the world." After executing the musical project, she reached out to organisations for partnership on the project. The NDDC finally indicated interest, though it wasn’t specifically tailored to cater for the Niger-Deltans, the commission favourably considered it just as it would support any part of the country battling insecurity. And having dealt with the restiveness of the Niger-Delta in the recent past, the commission understands the need to buy into the peace project delivered

E-BRIEFS

Anny

in song and its video. Anny added that there is a line-up of activities including visits to prisons, a roadwalk in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Lagos and Kano and outreaches to disadvantaged communities to be embarked upon. In a statement by head of corporate development, Niger-Delta Development Commission, Ibitayo Abosede, the NDDC reiterated its commitment to the progress and development of the country no matter

It’s Don Jazzy again

Don Jazzy

ichael Collins known by the showbiz moniker, Don Jazzy, is proving he’s nothing short of an enigma. In the MoHit days when they had their moments in the sun, Don Jazzy was just a mystery being behind the stage. He made beats, the ones that won hearts and awards for the label which then was one of the most liquid and most sought after in Africa. In a few songs like D’Banj’s Fall in Love, Igwe and Wande Coal’s Pere, you’d relish Don Jazzy’s husky but melodious voice. Those good old days, he selected a few songs and stamped his voice on them. But at this dawn of a new musical era, with the MAVIN records where he reigns supreme, Don Jazzy is now a constant singer and producer. Some of the songs he audibly lent his voice are Tiwa Savage’s Eminado, Without My Heart, Korede Bello’s Godwin, MAVIN’s Dorobucci and Ada Obi, among others. His contribution to P-Square’s song, Collabo, is also a huge testament to his vocal prowess. However, his collaborative repertoire is expected to be followed up by a solo song which should really prove to pundits the stuff Don Jazzy is made of. And when he finally scores this point, many won’t forget to say, "It’s Don Jazzy Again".

Bimbo Thomas robbed at gun-point R eports indicate that Nollywood actress, Bimbo Thomas, has been robbed by an 11-man armed robbery gang in Oshodi area of Lagos State. The actress fell victim of the armed bandits on Wednesday, April 1, at 9:47 pm on her way back home. The actress who earned fame from her role in the Yoruba flick, Omo Ghetto, said, "Robbers attacked me in traffic at Oshodi Oke this evening. It happened at about 9:47pm. They broke my car screen and collected every visible stuff on me and these include my phones, cash, tablets and other valuables. Although, I wasn't injured, they were 11 in number and I'm still in shock." Thomas

Okposo

Onos

the area. She said the NDDC was willing to support any person or group with an idea or project that would help foster peace and love among the people. Some of the artistes that participated in the song also stated their reasons and hope for the project. Singer, Essence, said there was need for peace because without it, "we can’t move about freely and will not be here today". Lamboginny said: ``We can never

preach enough about peace. Each generation always has something to do with peace. This is our time and we need to preach it everywhere because that is the only way we can conquer.” Onos, a gospel singer also lent her voice: "The song and video are great initiatives and I felt proud to lend my support to it and I believe that the project would change the life of someone somewhere in the world and they will change for the better.”

KSA, Onyeka Onwenu, Wizkid prep for AY Live tomorrow T

he annual AY Live comedy/ music event staged by popular Nigerian comedian, Ayo Makun, is back with the 2015 edition. The event will hold tomorrow, Easter Sunday, at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, with several acts in the event’s line up. Some have understandably christened the gig the "Old and New Testament" of Nigerian entertainment. Comedians billed to thrill guests include I

KSA

Go Die, Chigul, Seyi Law, Ushbebe, Princess, Shakara, Gordons, Helen Paul, Funny Bone, among many others. And the best of music is hoped to be churned out by the industry heavyweights in a stellar cast including Phyno, Wizkid, Timaya, Lil Kesh, Yemi Alade, Korede Bello, Sunny Ade, and Onyeka Onwenu. This year’s edition is themed Happiness Reloaded.

Onwenu

Wizkid

SOLUTIONS TO CROSSWORD PUZZLE I

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ACROSS 1. INGENUE 5. HIT 7. NOA 8. HUT 9. DEI DOWN 1. INHERIT 2. GUTTER 3. NUDE 4. ENIGMA

10. GALE 11. REEL 12. PM 16. AT 17. DANO

5. HALL 6. TAR 13. PROVOKE 14. PATENT

18. PART 22. EDE 23. EGO 24. ABN 25. GAY 26. TERMITE

15. PATEGI 19. AWAY 20. FEAR 21. SAG

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 april 2015

Showbiz

Kelechi Udegbe: Female fan once openly asked me for sex Nollywood actor, Kelechi Udegbe, in this interview with ANGELA DAVIES talks about his transformation from being a shy kid to an audacious and talented actor who has become a face to be reckoned with. You were nominated in the category of Best Actor in a Comedy Film in the recently held AMVCA. How did the fact that you didn't win it make you feel? Not clinching the award was disappointing for me, but being nominated also makes you a winner. We were five nominees in the category and there were some real good actors that didn’t win as well. But, we have to celebrate the person who won. When you rejoice with people, people will rejoice with you when it’s your turn too. As a child, were you socially active? I was not socially active. I was very shy when growing up. In fact I was a science student in secondary school; my world was book and just me. The whole entertainment obsession started much later in my life. In fact, most of my friends that I grew up with didn’t believe that I could come out from being a shy science student to becoming a bold and talented actor. It was a great change. So at what point in your life did that change happen? After secondary school, I joined a music group and started loving the arts. But because of different issues with the group, I decided that I wanted to go and try my hands in acting. So, I went to Pencil Institute of Film and Television (PEFTI) because I wanted to become a professional after which I started my acting career. My first major job was Super Story's Behind the Smiles, a Wale Adenuga production. And from then on, the journey has been incessant. I was never a child actor; acting was never part of my plan. I was never in any social group in school or drama group in church. How was the transition from being a shy science student to a bold and talented actor? With time, it manifested. I used to sketch and draw very well and that was what I saw I could do but acting just manifested on its own. I probably didn’t know I had the talent. I probably must have shown some traits, but nobody noticed unlike in developed countries where they concentrate on identifying or nurturing talents in children. Many of us in this part of the world are very talented but our parents and guardians don’t even notice the talent in their children. Did your parents support your acting career? At first, my dad was not really excited about my acting career. But after he watched Super Story’s Behind the Smiles and then saw the first interview I granted, he was really proud of me. I remember he gave me some money that day to do whatever I want and that made me happy. When he understood what I wanted and where I was going to, we were able to come to a compromise.

How was your first time in front of the camera? I went to PEFTI so I already had an idea of what to do and how to behave in front of the camera. So when I got to the actual set, it wasn’t difficult for me. The director didn’t have much work to do. Do you think the entertainment industry is getting enough support? Luckily, the entertainment industry gets lots of encouragement and support from different areas. But at the same time, we need regulation. Entertainment is a medium of passing message so we should try and impact our people more positively because it is a strong medium. A lot of things I saw growing up on television, stuck faster than the books I read. The medium of entertainment is very strong and I believe we can do better things. You have done some interesting skits for Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). Are you its brand ambassador? I am known as Officer Titus in the LASTMA skit and we have shot seven episodes. The skits are hilarious, a lot of people as well as the officials like the skits. It was an interesting idea brought by Ndani TV and written by Daniel Effiong to emphasise obeying traffic rules and regulations in the state. However, I am not yet their brand ambassador but we are working on trying to see what we can also do to make Officer Titus become their brand ambassador. How do you relate with your female fans? I grew up in a house with four younger sisters and lots of aunties so I relate with my female fans well. Growing up I used to have issues with my sisters because they talked too much and it could be annoying. But my father called me one day, and advised that I learn to overlook whatever they do because they are women and that is how they are created. From then on, I got to understand that women are emotional and they talk more than they do. So I have a way of relating well with women. Even before I started acting, I used to be around women a lot. What is the most embarrassing thing a female fan has said to you? A female fan saw me and bluntly said, ‘Kelechi I love you. I want to sleep with you.’ She repeated it twice. It was really embarrassing. Do you produce movies as well? In this industry, it is paramount that most of us will end up producing films. I already did a pilot of a television show and I am working on some other skits I have to produce. I am also working on having a production outfit that can bring out good movies too. I have been in the system for a while and

Udegbe

I know I am still going to be here for a while, so all the experiences I am gathering working with different people will be used to make mine better. When did you join the industry? Officially I started acting 2007, 2008 and it has been a gradual growing process but exciting as well. If there is one thing you could change about yourself. What would that be? I'd like to change the fact that I don’t eat salad and vegetables and they make one fresh. I would love to change from being a bushman because what I love to eat is palm oil and roasted yam, upaka, ugba, ukwa, abacha and ofe oha. It seems the entertainment industry

is divided due to the elections. Do you share in this opinion? I wouldn’t say the entertainment industry is divided or not. For instance, if I have a twin, he might want to vote for one party and me another party but that does not mean we are divided, it just means we have different interest. Likewise in the industry, some people want a particular party or candidate and others want another party or candidate, does not mean they are divided because they are at war with each other. They are probably divided because they have different opinion about who should rule them and they have a right to. It is a normal thing. Where are you from? Imo State, but a lot of people think I am Yoruba until they hear my name.

Showbiz

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 april 2015

WACONZY My manager didn’t dump me for Kiss Daniel The song, Celebrate, struck a resonant chord and launched Waconzy on to the Nigerian music scene in 2008. There was afterwards a long wait for another hit song which only got intense last year when he travelled to the US. On his sojourn in the United States, career, love life and more, he speaks with LANRE ODUKOYA. You relocated to the US last year, is it true you left because you couldn't make another hit song after Celebrate? Not that I relocated hundred percent. I just took a few months break basically to set up, recruit and train staff to properly manage Dv8 media's office in America. Also to fix up the new house I bought there too because I plan to get married soon and I want my family to live here in the states. I have got a couple of other hit songs like Amosu, Jangolova, 2 Much Money and more, but Celebrate was blessed by God as an evergreen song. So, I am always remembered by that song. It’s not an easy thing to have an evergreen song you know. It’s only by His grace and I’m so grateful. We’re still working hard to keep the fans entertained. You have a couple of songs you were promoting before your move to the US, what happens to those works now that you are not around to promote them? My works will still be promoted with or without me being in Nigeria. Just like

the American artistes have their music played in Africa and African artistes' music played in America and other parts of the world with or without them being there. By God’s grace we have a good marketing network and a good management team. There are Nigerian artistes who relocated to the US; how do you think they are faring? I’m sure they are all doing great here. Some of them went back to school, some got jobs and some are still doing music while working and most importantly, they are living comfortably. What exactly are you involved in abroad? I’m here to set up Dv8 Media's offices in Maryland and California. Get better ties with my international business partners and also look for new products to import to Nigeria and set up my new house down here in preparation for my future bride. Many of the showbiz stars are endorsing politicians and smiling to the banks; don't

Waconzy

you feel you're losing anything? Politics is not my thing. If I accept the money in exchange for my endorsement, I will still pay the price at the end of the day because just like every other business, a politician expects to make profit after investing. So the answer to your question is that I’m not losing anything. By God’s grace I have more than enough to keep me comfortable. How long will you be staying in the US? I would be here for a couple of months. I will be back after the elections. Would you rather settle down and marry there? God has the final say, but the truth is that based on our cultural values, it would be easier to cope with a Nigerian as a wife. But like I said, God has the final say. What happens to your Nigerian girlfriend? No comment. What's your relationship with your ex-manager, Louiza Williams? Is it true you parted ways and that she dumped you for the rave of the moment, Kiss Daniel? Louiza is not only my manager, but she is family too. I’m so happy to watch her grow. I always believed in her. We didn’t path ways. We’re good and would always be. She still represents me. Are you forging another life outside music? Yes, I am because it’s only right for every musician to get another life outside the music life and should never mix personal life with the music life because in the music life, you live for people, but in your personal life, you live for yourself and your family

which is priority. Are you currently working on any music? I recently concluded the video shoot for my new single Ogbono in Los Angeles, California, which featured a model from the American Suicide Girls. I would also be shooting a couple of new videos here in the States and would be recording some remixes with some A-list American/ international artistes including Damian Marley and MIMS. I also have a couple of new highlife and Zouk materials coming out. We’re just waiting for the election to come and go. What has been your most traumatic experience on the journey to stardom? I haven't really had any traumatic experience. The main challenge I always experience is when people expect so much from me. I always like to see myself as a simple, down to earth man who has a lot more to achieve in life, but a lot of people tend to lose respect for me when they see my humble part and when I put up the superstar attitude, same people end up saying I’m arrogant. It’s just crazy you know but at the end of the day, people would always talk. I still prefer to be down to earth and humble because when pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Who is your favourite Nigerian singer? I like every good Nigerian artiste, but some are my favourites include Don Jazzy, Iyanya, P-Square, Timaya, 2face, Banky W, Orezi, Ice Prince, Flavour, Wizboy, Duncan Mighty, Dynamite (gospel group), Bro. Dan Ike. Have you had a crush on any Nigerian singer? Yes, I have. I like Seyi Shay but I love Nneka.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 april 2015

Are you fulfilled? To be honest I don’t even think I am where I want to be yet, but I am grateful for who I am today. I have always worked hard to get here. I didn’t just come into music production because I was looking for an escape route or easy way of doing things. I am doing it because of the passion and I am committed to the trade. How long have you been producing music? I have been producing music since 2007. How did you come about production? A friend of mine introduced me into it, but I have always loved music. He thought I had a talent for recognising beats. Even after hearing beats for a long time I could still remember them and tell how they sound. He asked me to try music production, which I did and since then I never looked back. I don’t have any musical background; it was something I developed and improved over time. Was there any effort to learn from someone? Everything I learnt today I learnt by myself because of the passion and desire to better myself. Do you play any instrument? I play the piano. How did your parents react to your decision to do music? At the beginning my mum was indifferent while my dad didn’t like the idea, but things are better now. I think things got better because of success. They saw my drive and passion for it. They also saw I was making waves; I was doing music and remained stagnant. I started music because I wanted to be independent and give back to my family what they’ve given to me.

Sarz: I don’t need money to do music Soft-spoken Osabuohien Osaretin aka Sarz is the producer of the late Dagrin’s ‘Kondo Olopa’ and some of Wizkid’s songs, including Samba, Jaye Jaye and Hennesy Artistry song along with Tuface (Dance Go) . He speaks with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS. the late Dagrin’s Kondo Olopa in 2010, but my biggest so far is Samba, a song I featured Wizkid in 2012. I have done many other songs too. Was Kondo the only song you produced for Dagrin? Yes, I produced just a song for him before he died. How would you describe him? Dagrin was very down-to-earth, may his soul rest in peace. He was supposed to sign a deal with a record label when we were doing the song. I met him through the CEO, but I think something happened and he didn’t sign the contract anymore.

The song was dormant for a while until he hit me up like a month later and I am glad I worked with him. Could you recall your first paid job as a producer? Funny enough the song didn’t make it big; it just got some radio play and that was it. It was a song I did for H Man in 2008. They paid me like N100, 000. Then, I wasn’t charging people. What are you working on at present? I am working on many projects and I am not just doing production anymore. These are things I don’t want to speak of

Showbiz

until I am ready to launch out. But I am using my brand as a leverage to do a lot of things. What keeps you going? The same thing that has kept everyone going such as consistency and the ability to recreate oneself How lucrative is music production in Nigeria? There are many wrong things because the industry has no structure, but personally I believe anywhere you find yourself you can make a way. I wouldn’t say it is very lucrative, but I am saying you can always make profit out of what you do if you know what you are doing. What are the challenges facing an average Nigerian producer? There is no structure, so most producers, if not all, do not get royalties. We only get advance payment and that is it. When a song becomes a hit the artiste keeps making money off it, while producers just watch. I am not saying artistes don’t have expenses too, though. I also think producers should come together, so that we can protect our interest. If I make a decision and stick to it, artistes will just walk to another producer who will do things that favour them. But when we come together and have criteria to produce a song, things will change. How much financial gain did you get for making Kondo? I don’t want to talk about that because Dagrin is late; I just want to respect the dead. How do you cope when music is not paying? It is simply passion. I cannot leave music; I can do music for like a year without money and I would be happy. I think that is the reason I am still here today. Though everyone needs money for certain things in life, I don’t need money to make music.

How far did you go with your academics? I had my primary and secondary education, but didn’t complete my university education. I dropped out of the university; it was not because of music. That happened because of some family issues that I really don’t wish to go into details. I went to the University of Lagos.

Who are the people you respect in showbiz? I respect D'banj because of his hard work. I respect Wizkid, who is a friend and one who became something from nothing. We were in The Gambia recently and he was celebrated like the president. Everybody stood up for him and that was overwhelming for me. Generally, I respect anyone that has a passion or talent and he or she is making waves. I respect that a lot.

Do you plan to return to school? It depends, but I am going to a music school this year.

Do you desire to be a singer someday? I don’t think so, though I write songs sometimes. I don’t think I want to be a singer. I don’t think I can sustain that lifestyle.

Which song gave you the leverage in the industry? There are stages. In 2007, I produced a song for Lord of Ajasa and that was like my breakthrough in the industry because people got to know. The song gave me more jobs too. My first hit was

Was being a producer all you dreamt of as a child? I wanted to be a software developer because I really loved computers. What would you say is the craziest thing you’ve done? I once asked a girl out in front of her mother. The woman was just surprised.

I respect Wizkid, who is a friend... We were in The Gambia recently and he was celebrated like the president

What should we expect from you in the next five years? I would be everywhere because I have projects underway that will shock the world. What does fashion mean to you? It is a lifestyle and it is an essence of life. You need to dress to go out; you need to dress appropriately if you are going to do sports. I think it is part of us as humans.

Sarz

What legacy do you love to leave behind? I would love people to remember me for my creativity and that person who mentors so many people and change the world.

Investigations SATURDAY TELEGRAPH 4 APRIL, 2015

Lying in state

photo: nairaland

Burial procession

Sympathisers during a burial ceremony atVictoria Court Cemetery, Lagos

photo: thenet.com

Costly burials

Profiting from the dead

he news of his mother’s passing hit Olusegun really hard. As the first son of the deceased, he had to come home from his base in Abuja at short notice to make arrangements for the funeral. Shortly after arriving in Lagos, he went round to inspect the morgues where the corpse would be preserved until burial plans had been finalised. He, however, was shocked to discover the conditions of the state-owned mortuaries. They were indescribable; overcrowded and largely inefficient. Giving what he saw, he decided immediately that they were not an option. He then decided to inquire about the services of the private funeral homes. However, for him to keep the corpse in the refrigeration unit of one of the privately-owned mortuaries around Ojodu-

Isioma madike

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

It is often said that death is a necessary end. But, in today’s Nigeria, the social status of a person appears to reflect in the way such a fellow is buried. This, it seems, has become the motivation for private burial grounds and undertakers in the country, who now invest in funeral homes to profit from the dead, reports ISIOMA MADIKE Berger area of Lagos State, Olusegun had to cough out the sum of N5, 000 daily. In two weeks, the body had incurred a bill of N70, 000 while it costs N20, 000 to embalm it. Casket and burial space for the interment was Olusegun’s other headache. But, the most troubling was the cemetery. He knew that most public cemeteries are congested, overrun with weeds, short of facilities and usually looted by grave-robbers, who steal valuables from corpses or temper with body parts for ritual purposes. One of such run-down facilities is the now infamous Atan Cemetery at Yaba in Lagos. Another is the Ikoyi Cemetery, one of the state’s oldest functional graveyards. They are both in decrepit state with pervasive foul stench of exposed graves and human parts strewn all over the dead’s abode. This picture of neglect

of the country’s graveyards plus the cutthroat prices of the shoddy services, sent shivers down Olusegun’s spine. Though, there is a new site constructed exclusively for the rich that has become a part of the new-look Ikoyi cemetery. But, it does not come cheap. The fees for using that select site range between N250, 000 and N25 million. This is minus burial permits, inscriptions on tombstones and annual maintenance, which equally attract special charges. A standard plot for burial, complete with weeds, costs N250, 000 while a space in the more elitist section goes between N2.5 and N25 million. There is also the Victoria Court Cemetery (VCC), also in Lagos State. It is the first private burial ground in Nigeria. Though quite expensive, many cannot really put a price on what they call giving

a befitting burial to their departed dear ones. They often argue that no amount is too much to pay for the facilities the private graveyards offer when compared to the state of the public cemeteries where no one is sure of the security of the corpse. Perhaps, it is this dearth of quality services that has spawned a rash of private cemeteries and funeral homes across the country, especially in the “Centre of Excellence”. This may have been why Olusegun opted for one of them. VCC is a scenic graveyard where every self-respecting corpse would elect to be buried, if they had a say in the choice of a final resting place. Even when the living escort the remains of their deceased loved ones, they often cannot help but stop to savour the serene ambiance of this beautiful cemetery owned by HFP Engineering Limited, an Israeli building and civil engineering construction company. The 25-hectare burial ground, situated in Eputu Village, Ibeju-Lekki local council of Lagos State and constructed in a tranquil environment, is laid on a bed of lush vegetation and luxuriant trees. A church, with several chapels and a mosque convey an added sacred fervor to the setting. There is also a capenters’ yard and kiosks for snacks and drinks

SATURDAY 4 APRIL 2015

SATURDAY

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Sport Splash 25

Ugbade kicks against call to elevate F’Eagles

Feature

Knocked off our ping pong perch p.26

EPL

We are ready for Liverpool – Wenger p.28

Bundesliga

Troubled Bayern set for Dortmund trip p.29

News

Warri Wolves players cry out over unpaid salaries p.30

Flying Eagles star, Taiwo Awoniyi in a match against Tanzania. Inset: Ugbade Photo: Samm Audu

Vincent Eboigbe

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

ollowing the triumph of the Flying Eagles at the African Youth Championship and the impressive manner of that triumph, many fans and commentators have called for the accelerated graduation of the players to the senior team, the Super Eagles. The calls have gained traction now given the pitiable form of the Super Eagles. The senior team failed to qualify for the last African Cup of Nations to defend the title they won in 2013, and the last two friendly matches have not helped in any way to diminish the despondence of fans. Nigeria lost the first of the friendlies against Uganda at home and conceded very late in the second match to secure a draw against South Africa away. The upshot of this situation has been the rather radical call for the elevation of the junior side, but assistant coach of the team, Nduka Ugbade, is not impressed. The coach told Saturday Telegraph that such a move would not only be hasty but counterproductive. “That would be an ill-advised move. We must allow for the natural process to take its course; Flying Eagles players need at least three

years to fully mature to play at the senior level,” Ugbade said. “I have heard people say that the players are not too young, that at least some of them can fit into Super Eagles now, but we seem to forget that just two years ago these boys were in the U-17. When I first invited Taiwo Awoniyi to the U-17 team, he declined; his reason was that he was too young. He, Isaac Success, Kelechi Iheanacho were playing for the U-13, U-14 national teams and they were so young. It is only just now that they have grown so tall and big, but the truth is they are still kids and it would be a huge mistake to think they can cope at the very top. “In Africa, we tend to see football more as a thing of talent unlike in Europe and South America where it is more about science, education and development.” Ugbade who was the captain of the Flying Eagles side that got to the final of the World Youth Championship (as it was then known) in 1989, also evaluated the chances of the team at the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand in May/ June. He said that Nigerians could look forward to a good outing at the world fiesta.

“Our chances are very bright, as bright as those of other teams. We are going to New Zealand as African champions. This coupled with the fact that this side is made up of very young players', the team was the youngest at the AYC in Senegal', also gives us an advantage,” noted Ugbade. “We won’t be carried away, we are not going to be complacent. We are all united, from the chief coach to the smallest backroom staff, everybody is ready to play their part so that we put up a memorable outing at the World Cup.” In this connection, Ugbade added that players like Kelechi Iheanacho, Isaac Success, Musa Yahaya, Chidiebere Nwakali etc. who were not in Senegal but are expected to be in New Zealand, would not just stroll into the team but would have to convince the selectors with their effort. “Iheanacho, Success and others understand our philosophy, the way we play, so they know they won’t make the team automatically. We don’t care where any player is coming from, whether it is Pluto or Orion. What is important for us is the individual effort of the player and how they respond to the instructions of the chief coach, Manu Garba.”

Sport

Aruna Quadri

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 APRIL 2015

Knocked off our ping pong perch

Vincent Eboigbe

geria’s dominance in the game on the continent, identifies where the rot started. He argues that the game went downhill when politicians who knew nothing about it took control at the level of the federation. “The problem can be traced to a combination of factors. Initially, we had people with passion and commitment to the game. People for whom the game was breakfast, lunch and dinner and took it to great heights,” notes Obisanya. “But some people came on board who didn’t know anything about the sport, who had no commitment. The president of the federation at that point had no clue about the sport, he was a politician, but what made it worse was that he refused to listen to advice; we told him that we had already attained a level in Africa and that if we couldn’t improve on it at the

he ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open, ended penultimate weekend and like other editions since it began in 2013, no Nigerian table tennis player won in any of the major categories. Granted that ITTF 2014 player of the year, Aruna Quadri, got to the final of the men’s singles after dispatching compatriot, Ojo Onaolapo, in the semifinal before losing to Omar Assar 4-2 in the final, that doesn’t detract from the fact of the dominance of the Egyptians. Onaolapo was also beaten in the junior’s category just like old-timer, Funke Oshonaike, who could only pick bronze medal in the women’s event. Others like Cecilia Otu, Offiong Edem also fell short in the five-day tournament in Lagos. What makes the near-collapse at home all the more remarkable is that not too long ago the nation completely dominated the game on the continent, so much so that Egypt, that has now become the country’s tormentor, couldn’t touch Nigeria with a long pole. Players like Atanda Musa, Yomi Bankole, Sunday Eboh, Titus Omotara, Sule Olaleye, Kazeem Nosiru, Segun Toriola and on the female side: Bose Kaffo, Biola Odumosu, Kuburat Owolabi, Olawunmi Majekodunmi, Iyabo Akanmu, Kehinde Discovering Okenla and Funke Oshonaike. held talents at the sway effortlessly. grassroots Former national chief coach, Babais basic to tunde Obisanya, development who superintended over perhaps the most successful period in Ni-

very least let’s maintain that level, but he won’t listen and in four years he ran the game aground. “The truth was that even when we were on top on the continent, there were countries like Egypt that were hot on our heels and that remiss on the part of that president opened the door for the Egyptians to overtake us.” “I have to admit that in recent time we have had someone in the federation, a president, who has passion for the sport, for instance we didn’t have the Lagos Open before now, but the damage had already been done. National star, Cecilia Otu, insists that the Egyptians are not super humans but that the difference is in how organised they are. “I don't think there is any reason for us to be afraid of the Egyptians. It is not as if they have more talents than us but

Edem Offiong

what I have observed from time is that we don’t have adequate preparations towards major championships. I believe that if we have good preparations we can continue to be the best in Africa,” says Otu. “For instance, I did not know that we were going to the last African championship in Cairo, Egypt. The secretary just called me sometime in early January that we were travelling. I had to cut short my Christmas holiday to resume training, and in my state (Cross River) we had just one table tennis board which is not of international standard. That was what I trained with. So, it was always difficult for me to cope in a standard board. I can tell you that we did not have adequate preparation, for the last African championship. “Another problem is training equipment. We don’t even have a place to train and we have just one substandard board that we make do with. It won’t be a bad idea if the federation can provide some equipment for us in our state because we have many talents in that area.” Omar Assar who won the last Lagos Open corroborates this point. He notes that the edge Egypt has over Nigeria now is in the area of planning. The Egyptian star who defeated Nigeria’s Quadri in the final of the Lagos Open says: “Our dominance is a result of long term and adequate planning. We seem to have the upper hand because of the way we take our preparations seriously. “Nigeria has good players and other countries like Congo, Tunisia and Togo are also doing well. Nigerian players are giving us a lot of challenge and these African countries are coming up too. I think this is good for Africa.” Just like other sports in the country that have fallen on bad times, table tennis

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 APRIL 2015

news

NRFF announces AAG and 1C cup dates

Former Africa's No 1 table tennis, Atanda Musa

at some point effortlessly produced stars. The conveyor belt turned out players regularly to compete with and eventually replace the old guard. At the root of this constant supply was something akin to a grassroots explosion. Table tennis was played at virtually every corner in Lagos. Surulere on the Lagos Mainland for instance was a ferment of sorts where the game was played on makeshift boards, tiny benches and small tables. Even septic tanks were not free from kids looking for any available space to hone their skills. This spontaneous explosion of activities in the sport ensured that talents were never in short supply. But over the years, there has been a gradual shift in focus, and although this was almost unnoticeable at the early stage, it had now assumed a worrisome dimension. The conveyor belt, it seems, has broken along the line, children no longer play table tennis on septic tanks or in such places; they’re now more interested in other activities: computer games, video games "yahoo yahoo" have become the “in thing”. Other distractions like the social media have also contributed in turning young people away from traditional avenues through which their energies found expression. Of course this situation doesn’t apply to table tennis alone. Other big sports like football have also experienced this phenomenon to varying degrees. The entire Benin City for instance used to be something like a football academy where every child was a potential star, little wonder the city provided the majority of national team players at all levels at that time. But over the years, especially when the quest to travel overseas caught on, the Benin child abandoned what he was naturally gifted at for the uncertainties of foreign land. When that coincided with the new fad of video games, internet scam and social media, the effect was disastrous. “Table tennis today is not what it used to be in those days. When I was growing up, there were tables all over the place in the streets. People played table tennis everywhere just as they played football in the streets,” recalls national star, Oshonaike. “I remember I used to play with guys in Somolu in my secondary school days. People bet on me to beat some of the top guys playing the game at the time. That was how I grew in the game before a coach took me to Rowe Park, in Yaba where I started my career as a player for Lagos State.

“Things are not the same now. The facilities are not available. Children now stay indoors to play computer games and other games instead of playing in the streets like we did. I believe this has affected the standard of the game generally in the country because the level of awareness and followership is not what it used to be. The federation is working hard but something is missing at the grassroots level.” Obisanya who is a former national star also aligns himself with the foregoing. He says that discovering of talents from the grassroots level similarly applies to other sports, but that over the years that all-important aspect of sports had been jettisoned. “Discovering talents at the grassroots is basic to development, it also applies to other sports. But what do they have in place now in terms of unearthing talent?” he querries. “In our time, in Surulere, for instance, we had all sorts of competitions that threw up talents like the New Era tournament. We discovered Quadri through a programme I helped to organise and from there he moved to the national team. But what do the coaches do now? Once a competition is over they go to sleep. Now they are waiting for the All Africa Games and once that is over they there will be lull again. That is not the way to go.” He also throws another angle into the equation. He notes that the technical input at the moment is abysmal. He says that the coaching at the national level in the last few years has been virtually non-existent and wonders how the current chief coach can possibly be calling the shots when he is obviously deficient. “One crucial area where we are seriously lacking is in the technical backup, in the coaching area. You can’t give what you don’t have and the current coach doesn’t have it,” adds Obisanya. “How do you put someone who didn’t play the game even at primary school level in charge to coach national team stars? What will he be telling them? How will he understand the pains they have for instance? It is not something that is altogether impossible, but in the most part it won’t work. That is what we have at the moment. “Some of us are unhappy about the situation, this is the game that made me what I am today, but I tell you even the boy, Assar, that keeps beating our players is not superior to them. The reason he has the edge is that there is no technical backup from the Nigerian coach.”

he technical director of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Olatunji Fasimoye, has announced plans for the All Africa Games qualifier in Lome from June 6 to 7. The qualifier will be followed by the Africa Cup 1C in Lusaka, Zambia, between 22 and 27of the same month. Speaking in Lagos, Fasimoye reiterated the federation’s resolve to qualify for the AAG through early and adequate preparations as the NRFF would commence players call up for the Black Stallions 7s and 15s squads in April. “As the director of Nigerian Rugby, I want the best 7s and 15s players in the country putting that jersey on whenever available," he said Fasimoye added that the federation had reassured all eligible players based at home and abroad that the technical department will work with the Black Stallions’ technical crew to get the best representation for the country on the field. Although the former national team player agreed that players’ morale could be dampened through questionable selection processes, he promised that the final team list would be solely based on current form and merit.

Fasimoye

Selection of players for camp will begin in April and call up letters will go to the right players including those based overseas. The Federation directed that players based overseas interested in playing for Black Stallions should visit the NRFF website (www.nigeriarugbyunion.com) and contact the technical team regarding their availability for the national team assignment on info@nigeriarugbyunion.com Air tickets and hotel accommodations will be secured for invited players.

L-R: Mayweather and Pacquiao

US viewers to pay $89.95 for Mayweather, Pacquiao bout F

loyd Mayweather ’s meeting with Manny Pacquiao next month is set to become the most expensive pay-perview broadcast in history, with customers in America expected to have to pay $89.95 (£60.50) to watch the fight. A report in the LA Times claimed a source has confirmed the price has been set, with operators DirecTV, Time-Warner and AT&T U-Verse also able to charge an extra $10 per household for a high-definition signal. The UK rights for the bout, which will take place on May 2, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, were awarded to Sky Sports Box Office last month with viewers set to be charged £19.95 and

€24.95 across up until midnight on Friday 1 May. In 2007, Mayweather ’s split-decision victory over Oscar De La Hoya became the biggest pay-per-view broadcast in history with 2.48 million subscriptions. The report in the LA Times also says a limited number of tickets are expected to go on public sale soon, with face-value prices ranging from $1,500 to $10,000. The total revenue generated by the hotly anticipated welterweight title unification fight is expected to exceed $400m – a figure that will shatter all boxing records.

Bacuna

Liverpool's Raheem Sterling (left) attempting a shot at goal

those victories. But for us, it's not about what Man Utd have done before or what mood they are in.' Bacuna says that clearly we have to concentrate 'on our own destiny' to ensure we avoid relegation and finish the season strongly, hopefully setting up a better campaign for 2015-16."

arcelona are fully focused on exacting revenge on Celta Vigo this weekend rather than looking ahead to their UEFA Champions League quarter-final, says Claudio Bravo. The Catalan giants will meet Paris Saint-Germain over two legs later this month, however, after losing to Celta earlier this season, Bravo insists they are concentrating on one game at a time. With a four-point lead in La Liga, Barca travel to Balaidos looking to make it five games unbeaten. "On Sunday we play Celta, who beat us at Camp Nou," said Bravo. "We're incredibly focused for this game because we know how dangerous Celta are. "The team is pretty pumped up for the match to finally get here. The league stoppage for international matches should not affect us. "After this match we'll look beyond to the others." Barca were handed a boost ahead of the game after Lionel Messi took part in light training on Thursday, with the club confirming the swelling on his injured foot had gone down.

Celta test for Barcelona

ed are in a 'good moment' but he's confident that Aston Villa can give United a bad day at Old Trafford. "Man Utd have had their ups and downs. At the moment they are in a good place. They beat Liverpool at Anfield the other week and looked very impressive all over the pitch. They have

S toke City midfielder Charlie Adam believes his side has what it takes to stand up to the physical threat of Diego Costa when they travel to Stamford Bridge for Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Premier League clash. Costa will be seeking his 20th goal in 24 league games this season, but he will have to overcome the attentions of Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross, himself

notorious for a more robust approach to the game. Adam told the Stoke Sentinel, "He's a top-class, powerful striker who's similar to when (Didier) Drogba first came over. "He's a strong centreforward and a good player, but Ryan knows how to play against him and did well the last time he played against him. "But it's not just Costa

Costa

Time: 12:45pm

we have to watch. There's also (Cesc) Fabregas, (Eden) Hazard and a lot of other good players."

Stoke not afraid of Costa's threat

Global Football Special

Villa will give United a bad moment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bacuna eandro Bacuna has admit- started winning regularly L ted that this weekend's now and have picked up opponents Manchester Unit- plenty of confidence from

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NEW TELEGRAPH

Sport unday's Classique clash between

PSG out to extend record against Marseille

Keita

erie A resumes with a bang this weekend following the international break, with Lazio hoping to leapfrog city rivals Roma into second position in the league standings. With international fixtures done and dusted, Lazio travel to third-bottom Cagliari on Saturday just a solitary point adrift of Roma, who kick-off round 29 at home to Napoli on the same day. A run of five matches without a win saw Roma's grip on second spot loosen, although Rudi Garcia's men ended that streak when narrow 1-0 winners over Cesena before the break. Lazio have been in contrasting form, winning six consecutive matches, scoring 14 goals and keeping five clean sheets in the process. And with Juventus - 14 points clear atop the table ahead of hosting Empoli - on track for a fourth successive title, Lazio captain Stefano Mauri said ending the season as runners-up would be like winning the championship. "Juventus right now are the stronger team, they've always had something more than everybody else," Mauri said. Roma welcome fifth-placed Napoli to Stadio Olimpico missing injured forward Gervinho (hamstring), while iconic captain Francesco Totti is in doubt. Napoli head to Rome out of form, having failed to win any of their last four league matches.

Lazio hope to overhaul Roma S

28 SATURDAY N 4 ap

NO TEAM P PTS 1 Barcelona 28 68 2 Real Madrid 28 64 3 Valencia 28 60 4 Atletico 28 59 5 Sevilla 28 55 6 Villarreal 28 49 7 Malaga 28 44 8 A. Bilbao 28 39 9 Sociedad 28 36 10 Celta Vigo 28 35 11 Vallecano 28 35 12 Espanyol 28 34 13 Getafe 28 29 14 Eibar 28 28 15 Elche 28 27 16 La Coruna 28 26 17 Almeria 28 25 18 Levante 28 25 19 Granada 28 23 20 Cordoba 28 18

La Liga

P PTS 26 64 26 54 26 47 26 45 26 39 26 38 26 37 26 34 26 34 26 33 26 30 26 30 26 29 26 27 26 25 26 25 26 24 26 23

Bundesliga

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

NO TEAM P PTS 1 Chelsea 29 67 2 Man City 30 61 3 Arsenal 30 60 4 Man United 30 59 5 Liverpool 30 54 6 Souton 30 53 7 Tottenham 30 53 8 Swansea City 30 43 9 West Ham 30 42 10 Stoke City 30 42 11 C. Palace 30 36 12 Newcastle 30 35 13 Everton 30 34 14 West Brom 30 33 15 Hull City 30 28 16 Aston Villa 30 28 17 Sunderland 30 26 18 Burnley 30 25 19 Q.P.R. 30 22 20 Leicester 29 19

PREMIER LEAGUE

NO TEAM P PTS 1 Juventus 28 67 2 Roma 28 53 3 Lazio 28 52 4 Sampdoria 28 48 5 Napoli 28 47 6 Fiorentina 28 46 7 Torino 28 39 8 AC Milan 28 38 9 Inter Milan 28 37 10 Genoa 27 37 11 Palermo 28 35 12 Udinese 27 33 13 Empoli 28 33 14 Sassuolo 28 32 15 Chievo 28 32 16 Verona 28 32 17 Atalanta 28 26 18 Cagliari 28 21 19 Cesena 28 21 20 Parma 26 9

Serie A

Bravo

T Arjen Robben (stomach) and Javi Martinez (knee) are also sidelined, while Franck Ribery (ankle) and Thiago Alcantara remain in doubt for the fixture. Alcantara is almost fit again after overcoming a knee problem. Bayern have it all before them if they are to maintain their 10-point lead over Wolfsburg, as they lost at Dortmund 2-0 in the German Super Cup earlier in the 2014-15 season. Admittedly, Dortmund have not been the title contender many would have tipped them to be following that victory over Bayern - but they have rejuvenated since their poor start to the season to sit 10th, and are on a sevenmatch unbeaten streak in the league. Sunday

3pm 5pm 7pm 9pm

Sebastian Vettel has told Ferrari he is certain they will enjoy more success as a pairing after his first victory for the team. The four-time world champion won just his second race for Ferrari in Malaysia last weekend, beating the previously dominant Mercedes in a straight fight. Following the victory, Vettel returned to Maranello to celebrate the win and he said he is convinced there will be “many more great moments” for him as a Ferrari driver. “It was a very emotional moment,” Vettel said. “I have won many races, but the first one with Ferrari is very, very special. “On Sunday night I wanted to celebrate with the mechanics and I said to them, ‘thanks a lot, but I want to be one of you, no more no less. I am part of the team and, even if out on track, I’m alone, I know that really I never am, because I am always with you.

Manny Pacquiao has bought a $12.5m Beverly Hills mansion by giving the seller tickets to his mega-fight against Floyd Mayweather. The richest fight in boxing history will take place in Las Vegas' MGM Grand on May 2 but Pacquiao is already splashing the cash - and using his star power to seal the deal. The Filipino's new Los Angeles property, described as a seven-bedroom Mediterranean style estate is 10,000-square feet with a home theatre seating 20, several patios and a large pool, according to Forbes.

Bundesliga Saturday Leverkusen v Hamburg 3:30pm Frankfurt v Hannover 3:30pm Freiburg v Cologne 3:30pm Bremen 1. Mainz 3:30pm Hoffenheim v Mö’gladbach 3:30pm Wolfsburg v Stuttgart 3:30pm Dortmund v Bayern 6:30pm Sunday Augsburg v Schalke 3:30pm Hertha v Paderborn 5:30pm

EPL Saturday Arsenal v Liverpool 12:45pm Everton v Souton 3pm Leicester v West Ham 3pm Man Utd v Aston Villa 3pm Swansea v Hull 3pm West Brom v QPR 3pm Chelsea v Stoke 5:30pm Sunday Burnley v Tottenham 1:30pm Sunderland v Newcastle 4pm

Real v Granada 11am Valencia v Villarreal 4pm Getafe v Deportivo 6pm Celta Vigo v Barcelona 8pm Espanyol v Elche 7:45pm

Sebastian Vettel

SPORT BRIEFLY

op two Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg will look to get back to winning ways in the Bundesliga, with contrasting fixtures at the weekend. Bayern are away at Borussia Dortmund, having not won in 90 minutes in their past two visits to Signal Iduna Park. Pep Guardiola's powerhouse are also coming in off a defeat - just their second of the league season - when they were humbled at home by Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 in March. That loss has stewed with Bayern across the international break, although they will have to continue on minus star David Alaba (knee) for seven weeks the Austrian injured on international duty.

Sevilla v Bilbao Córdoba v Atletico Almería v Levante Málaga v Sociedad

La Liga Saturday

thieu Debuchy and Abou Diaby all returned to training and the pitch in the Brentford friendly on Tuesday and they had a good session and came through it feeling well, but obviously fitness wise they are off the pace of the others - but are back in contention now. "They were all involved and it went well. They've no problem after that coming out of the game. They've been out for a long time but I was quite surprised by how fit they looked and the quality of their performance - it was good."

Troubled Bayern set for Dortmund trip

Wenger was more coy when it came to the season run in and what Arsenal could potentially achieve with the games that remain. 'I'm not too much in mathematics now. We do that after the game. What is important is just for us to win the game and produce the performance. At the moment, I just want to make sure we have a quality performance and have a continuity of what we produced recently." In terms of team news for the match, Wenger confirmed that Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Ma-

Manny Pacquiao

anager Arsene Wenger has said he expects Arsenal to be 'straight back on it' when they face Liverpool now that the international break is over. Speaking ahead of the game, Wenger said he knew it was important that Arsenal continued with the momentum they had ahead of the international break as we had six wins on the spin and he wants to continue that after their 'lighter' fortnight. "It`s a big game and an oppor-

tunity for us to continue our run, which is what we want to do. We are on a strong run and we just want to focus on winning our games, winning the next one. Liverpool is a big opponent but we play at the Emirates and we want to do it. You know after the international break it's always important that you come back and straight away you are on it." Taking all three points this weekend would mean Arsenal open a nine point gap over Liverpool, but again - despite being asked -

We are ready for Liverpool – Wenger

Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has expressed his hope of winning the three-match one day international series against Pakistan starting from April 17 in Dhaka. Shakib also said that it’s a great opportunity to represent Bangladesh in IPL and this will also help him to improve his ability. “We will have to play as favourite in the home series against Pakistan. If we could retain the World Cup form, then we will be able to win the ODI series.”

Shakib Al Hasan

PSG captain, Silva

Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain headline this weekend's Ligue 1 action in a fixture that could prove pivotal in the title race. The famous rivals meet for a second time this season at the Stade Velodrome, with the third-placed hosts sitting just two points behind reigning champions and leaders PSG. Marcelo Bielsa's men will be seeking to arrest a dismal recent record against their opponents from the capital. Marseille have not beaten PSG in their last eight attempts and have scored just once in their last six Classique encounters, with departing full-back Rod Fanni eager to sign off his derby participation in style. "It is no secret. My contract is expiring at the end of the season," the defender - who played in the 2-0 defeat to PSG in November - told the club's official website. "In my mind, this is my last Classique, I want to finish beautifully and leave a good mark here. I love Marseille, I have this club in my heart. "I want to give the fans something beautiful at Marseille on Sunday night. If I can leave on that note, it would be marvellous. "We have the means to hurt any team. However, we must be rigorous and find the perfect balance between our desire to attack and the need to ensure our defensive strength."

S NEW TELEGRAPH pril 2015

Sport

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 APRIL 2015

Nigerian League Rendezvous

Ikorodu United will change Nigerian league – Nieketien Coach of newly-formed Ikorodu United of Lagos, Peter Nieketien, gives reasons for joining the club in an exclusive interview with League Rendezvous. The former Nigeria international also highlights the plans and ambitions of the club in the near future. Excerpts… What motivated you to join Ikorodu United? Seriously, the club is an ambitious one that really wants to change the face of Nigerian league. I really want to make a statement and hopefully we can achieve that with Ikorodu United. What can you say is the club’s strategy to achieve success in the NNL? Like I said, we are a new club that has ambition. The target is to bring players from the grassroots, help them to become established players. Those that have not been given opportunity in the past but are very good have the chance to show what they can do. Players that are unable to get clubs, not because they are not good, but because they don’t have godfathers to plead their cause, we want to give them opportunity to showcase their talent. What is the main target of the club? Although it is not going to be easy, our target at Ikorodu United is to gain promo-

tion at the end of the season. We started in the pro league in order to learn the ropes and move from there. We are waiting for the draws for the new season so that we can start preparation in earnest. Can the club survive in the league in the midst of government-owned clubs? I am not in a position to say something about that, I am not involved in the administrative aspect of the team, just the technical. But I am sure the management took into account these facts before forming the club, and if you look at the structure put in place, I don’t see the club not surviving. But for more information you can talk to the chairman. How would you describe the technical adviser of the team, Maurice Cooreman Cooreman has proven himself in Nigerian football, especially in the league, and there is no doubt about that. He has also shown that he is a great person to work with. Very humble and always ready to listen to his subordinates, he understands the game very well. What is your relationship with him? I have a very cordial relationship with him and other members of the technical crew. He understands the fact that I also know the game, while I am learning from him he has also been getting one or two things from the members of the team. The most important thing is we are working together as a team to achieve a common goal.

Adamu Mohammed of Rangers is challenged by Wasiu Showemimo of Sunshine Stars during a league match

Warri Wolves players cry out over unpaid salaries

ome players of the Nigeria Professional Football League side, Warri Wolves, have cried out over their unpaid salaries. Some of the players who spoke to League Rendezvous on the condition of anonymity said the club currently owed them three months’ salaries. “We have been finding it difficult to cope with the situation,” one of the players said. “Some of us have been borrowing money to survive, they have forgotten that we also have families to cater for. “If not for the type of family that I have, I don’t know what I would have done, given the condition we find ourselves now.” Speaking in the same vein, another player of the club said they are currently being owed 15 percent of last season’s sign-on fee and some match bonuses. He said: “They have not even talked to us about why they are yet to pay us our money. Although we have the inkling that it was because of elections that they have been making life difficult for.”

DO YOU KNOW •

•

Nieketien

Rangers have chalked up eight yellow cards - more than any other team after three weeks of league action Heartland of Owerri and Kano Pillars are yet to drop a point in the three-weekold NPFL season, while Shooting Stars remain the only club without a point

An official of the club who confided in our correspondent said the players’ suspicion about the elections being the reason they have not been paid was true. He however said everything would be resolved immediately the elections were over. WEEK three Fixtures Enyimba vs Bayelsa Taraba FC vs Lobi Stars Sharks FC vs Akwa Utd Gabros Utd vs Rangers Giwa FC vs Sunshine El-Kanemi vs Abia Warriors Wikki vs Kwara Utd Heartland vs Nasarawa Utd No.

Team

PTS

Taraba FC

Kwara Utd

Sunshine

Kano Pillars

Heartland

Gabros Utd

Warri Wolves

Nasarawa

Rangers

El-Kanemi

Wikki

Lobi Stars

Enyimba

Abia Warriors

Dolphins

Sharks FC

-1

Akwa Utd

-1

Bayelsa Utd

-2

Giwa FC

-3

Shooting

-3

4 APRIL 2015

ormer Coronation Street actress and WAG of Aston Villa star Scott Sinclair, Helen Flanagan, has revealed the two will ‘definitely get married’. Flanagan and the on-loan Man City star are expecting their first child later this year with the 24-yearold telling OK magazine that the pregnancy has brought the two closer and that nuptials could soon be on the cards. It’s not exactly been the calmest few months for Flanagan who has had to battle terrible morning sickness whilst living out of a hotel with Sinclair after his January loan-deal from Man City to Aston Villa. “We’ll definitely get married at

- Amit Ray

Carroll and wife Mucklow

Carroll’s pregnant wife shows off baby bump est Ham striker Andy Carroll and fiancee Billi Mucklow could not contain their excitement as they soaked up the sun just weeks before becoming parents for the first time. After jetting off to Abu Dhabi as Carroll recovers from knee surgery, the pair posed for photographs in their snazzy swim wear. The 26-year-old is set to miss the rest of the season after being forced off through injury during the Hammers' goalless draw with Southamp-

Lifestyle Flanagan reveals plans to marry Sinclair Do not accept whatever comes. Do not accept whatever goes. You have infinite power. Exercise your choice.

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some point. Scott knows what type of ring I want – one with a huge rock on it,” said Flanagan, reports OK. “Since I’ve been pregnant we’ve been really happy – I think it’s because you share that bond.” “I don’t feel stressed. There’s nothing I can do. I’ve always dreamed of making my baby’s nursery. Hopefully we’ll get a house in time. “I’ve been the happiest I’ve ever been while pregnant.” And the former Corrie Star believes she is definitely having a boy after visiting a psychic when she was four months pregnant who claimed she would definitely be having a son.

ton in February. She also posted a selfie of the pair which was titled: ‘First Night Of Our Babymoon #bbq #beach#chilled #relaxing #meandmyMR @andytcarroll’ Mucklow and Carroll smiled for the camera as the TOWIE star perched on her future husband's sun lounger as she lovingly cradled her bump. Carroll rocked floral shorts and mirrored sunglasses as he wrapped an arm around his expecting partner.

Hamilton opens up about his tattoos

Hamilton

wo-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has opened up about the meaning behind his tattoos during an interview with lifestyle magazine Men's Health. 'I love my ink,' Hamilton explains. 'They all have a meaning. I'm very strong in my faith, so I wanted to have some religious images. I've got Pieta, a Michelangelo sculpture of Mary holding Jesus after he came off the cross, on my shoulder. 'A sacred heart on my arm. Musical notes, because I love music. The compass on my chest is there because church is my compass. 'Family is everything for me, so I have "family" written on the top, across my shoulders. "Faith", obviously. 'And I have "powerful beyond measure" written on my chest – it's a short bit I took out of a quote from the writer Marianne Williamson. On my back I have the cross and angel wings: rise above it, no matter what life throws at you.'

Flanagan

Hot WAG of young Bellerin shares hot picture

ector Bellerin, who recently celebrated his 20th birthday, has excelled on the pitch in recent

Bellerin

weeks. The former Barcelona right-back has been enjoying an extended run in Arsene Wenger’s first XI, due to the injury problems of Mathieu Debuchy. Bellerin featured in five games in March and Arsenal won all of them, recording away victories at QPR, Manches-

ter United, AS Monaco and Newcastle in the process. As well as impressing on the field of play, Bellerin seems to be doing pretty well away from football. That is because he is apparently dating stunning Londoner Isabella Johnson-Ewers. Miss Johnson-Ewers is not at all shy about sharing hot photos of herself on Instagram.

Stories courtesy Dailymail

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4 APRIL 2015

among the features of the cemetery in which the Israeli company is said to have invested over N1 billion. Since the first burial of a Nigerian female oil company employee in 1998, the memorial park has become the toast of many, who are not impressed by the parlous state of most public burial grounds around the country. This discontent of the public with the condition of public graveyards appears to be responsible for HFP Engineering Construction Company’s decision to develop a private cemetery that meets individual and family expectations. Soon, buying of burial vault in advance became the fad among rich Nigerians. While some see it as status symbol, others view it otherwise, with a plethora of reasons why they prepare their final resting place while alive. Not long ago, the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, broke his silence to confirm that he had already paid for a burial vault where he would be interred four years ago. The 51-year-old Fashola made the declaration on Sunday, February 22 after inspecting the site of a new cemetery in the Ibeju-Lekki area of the state. “We are here to inspect a cemetery we often don’t like to talk about, but there is a need for it because the population continues to expand and the Lekki sub-region is growing very fast. We have this strategic partnership now with the private sector and they are going to deliver a cemetery like no other. They will manage it and make the cost also competitive. There will be high, medium and low density vaults for people, who really want to make a statement at their exit,” Fashola, who stunned Lagosians with that revelation, said. The governor did not stop at that but added that death is an end that will eventually come and as such people should make preparations in advance. He lamented that most people could not access some of the old cemeteries where their loved ones were buried several years ago, adding that, people must plan for their demise the way they plan for success while alive. However, Fashola is not alone in this. Like the governor, many other men and women of means, have acquired their personal vaults. For instance, billionaire businessman and Globacom owner, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr., had, according to findings, also paid a whopping sum of N200 million to secure a space for his burial spot in a cemetery since 2013. He bought his at the Vaults and Garden, an ultra-modern cemetery in Ikoyi, Lagos, situated beside Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria. This reporter also gathered that the billionaire's sister, Mrs. Esther Osunade, who died in 2009, was buried in of the most expensive spot at the Vaults and Garden beside one Gboyega, son of another super rich Lagosian. The cemetery, which was opened on October 30, 2006 by former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has a spot for the rich and another for the "super" rich. A space for the rich costs from N750, 000, while that of the "super" rich costs from N40 million. This portion enjoys a lush lawn, balcony, beautiful gate, garden and more space. MIC Funeral Services boss, Tunji Okusanya, according to investigations, also bought a space at the Victoria Garden City Cemetery at the whopping cost of N250million before his death. Okusanya met his sudden death along with his son and four men, who worked for him as pallbearers in the ill-fated Associated Airline plane, which crashed on October 3, 2014 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. He was said to have bought, before then, some part of the Ikoyi Cemetery also. This, perhaps, many be a pointer to those who do not know that the opulence that separates the rich from the misery of the poor continues even into the grave. This may also be what the consummate English playwright, William Shakespeare,

Investigations

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The opulence that separates the rich from the misery of the poor continues even into the grave

Interior of a cremation chamber

foresaw when he wittingly created an imagery of the social gap between the rich and the poor. He had said: “When beggars die, there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.” Just like Shakespeare, Yaakov Chai, former managing director of HFP Engineering, owners of the VCC Cemetery, said when it was opened for services in 1998 that the company’s services were not for beggars. “What we are offering is a complete deviation from the general cemetery you see around where people bury about six bodies together. This is a private initiative that would allow members of the public to honour their dead ones,” he said. As if in competition, other businessmen have taking a cue since then, investing in funeral homes to profit from the dead. For instance, MIC is said to be the owner of the Vault and Garden near the seemingly non-performing Atan Cemetery in Yaba. After a successful spell in the business of undertaking, it decided to give the VCC a run for its money in providing excellent funeral services. It goes to show that the paraphernalia for a funeral is simply endless. Yet, it has somewhat become obvious that the cost of burying loved ones is not for the shallowpocketed in this clime. A family who desires a space for its dead at the Vault and Garden may need as much as between N1 million and N70 million to actualise the dream. And this, according to findings, excludes the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the cost of other ornaments. The VAT for vault classification is between N50, 000 and N3. 5 million while that of tombstone classification is between N27, 000 and N52, 500. This is the much a family of any deceased person has to part with to make their loved one rest in peace in the beautiful graves. There is the Single Vault, which costs N1 million; Double Vault (which can accommodate two persons both at the base and upper parts) costs between N2 million and N2.7 million. The Special Medium Vault sells for N10 million. While the Special Low Density Vaults are in three catego-

photo: gilberts w.arias/seattle post-intelligencer

ries. Category one is between N20 million and N25 million and category two goes for between N35 million and N40 million. The category three is in a class of its own. It is like a gated chamber which, besides lodging the dead person, also serves as a place where family members can sit and chat as they look at the pictures of the departed adorning the walls. In later years, any relation of the deceased can be buried within. Its price ranges from N50 million to N70 million. Notwithstanding the fees of the vaults, the prices for tombstone construction are separate. They range from N500,000 to N1.5 million. The Double Vault in both marble and granite are more expensive, while blue pearl granite for half slab is about N700,000 and full slab, N900,000. But, VCC and MIC are not the only ones into this business. They have another competitor in TOS Funerals Limited located at both the Ikeja and Gbagada General Hospitals in Lagos. Although, TOS has no

A celebrity being laid to rest at Vaults and Garden, Ikoyi, Lagos PHOTO: YEYEDESMELL.BLOGSPOT.COM

cemetery at present, its area is on mortuary services. Their slogan is to give the dead a dignified and befitting funeral with the claim of providing world-class standard. It was established by Mrs. Taiwo Ogunsola, who doubles as Chief Executive and MD of the company. TOS services range from provision of customised and top range hearses, pall bearers, brass band, embalmment, storage and funeral arrangements to sale of caskets, decoration of catafalque and condolence tables. This package, of course, comes at an upscale price. According to findings, a Batesville wooden casket cost at least N250,000. From N350,000 upwards, one could purchase the steel version, while local wooden ones made to specification go for N100,000 and more. Saturday Telegraph also gathered that Omega Funerals perform embalmment of corpse forN20,000, depending on the condition of the corpse and the location while autopsy goes for N70,000 if there is a police case involved. Their caskets do not come cheap either. For a locally-produced casket, bereaved families would have to cough out about N200,000 to buy a twostep casket, imbued with flat top and fixed with a bar handle, and lined with silk material and foam. There is also a Semi Dome casket with a fixed bar handle, which costs N300,000. The priciest is the Royal Cedar Dome fixed with a swing bar handle. It sells for N550,000. Some of the features that make this casket special are the wood it is made of and the use of velvet material as its lining. According to one of its attendant at the coffin shop, who refused to be named, customers prefer caskets made of mahogany and cedar woods because they are of high quality. “The liking for caskets made with these woods is to show class because not every member of the society can afford to bury their dead in style. Our style of burial is expensive and our target audience is the rich,” he said. The imported variants of caskets in this shop range between N350, 000 and N1million for the 18 and 20-inch steel gauge coffins while metal types could go for as much as N5million. Besides the prices for the caskets, rich individuals also have to part with a handsome amount for a funeral hearse, pall bearers, mobile music band and transportation. The brands of cars used for the hearse include Volvo, Ford Everest Jeep, Cadillac, Mercedes Benz, Nissan Pathfinder Jeep, CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Atan Cemetery, Yaba-Lagos.

photo: tony eguaye

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4 APRIL 2015

Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi, Lagos photo: vaultsandgardens.com C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

R500 4MATIC Benz, Limousine and Lincoln Navigator. The price ranges from N90, 000 to N250, 000. The Benz hearse is the most expensive. For the pall bearers, about N90, 000 is charged per day. The pall bearers consist of six men, who will not only clean the corpse for the burial but also convey the casket to its final resting place. The same amount is charged per day by the saxophonists, drummers and trumpeters (itinerant band), who will charge the milieu with ear-soothing songs befitting of a funeral. The transportation fee is usually N50, 000 and could be more, if the distance is farther. However, majority of the affluent also consult the undertakers to handle services ranging from embalming, cremation, security, placing of obituary announcement in newspapers, printing of burial posters and programme booklets, catering, renting of canopies, chairs and tables, and the purchase of burial plots. A casket seller on the popular Odunlami Street, Lagos Island, who declined to be named, told this reporter that the poor cannot afford the prices of these services. National chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Okey Nwosu, said there is nothing wrong with choosing a private or public cemetery to bury one’s loved one. “Where you bury your loved one is a matter of choice. It is not a waste of money if you choose to bury your loved one in a private cemetery, if you have the money,” he said. But, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, a security expert, has identified security as a key reason why people choose to bury their loved ones in private cemeteries. He said the unwholesome practice of hoodlums pilfering corpses at graveyards for ritual purposes would not encourage anyone that has the means to bury the remains of a beloved one in a public cemetery. He said: “It is not a wrong idea for anybody that has the financial muscle to bury his or her beloved one in a private cemetery. Experience has shown that public cemeteries are not secure for one to bury his or her loved one. We have had several stories of criminals going into public cemeteries, opening the grave and casket of a buried person and stealing all the valuables buried with such persons, including clothing. “We have also had stories of how the eyes, the hands, private parts and other vital parts of corpses were removed for ritual purposes in public cemeteries. As Africans, we cherish and have great respect for our beloved ones, and the fact that they are no more does not mean we should not care about the security of their remains. How would you feel if criminals vandalise the remains of your beloved ones in a public cemetery when you have the resources to put them in a more se-

Even in death, all men are not equal cured private cemetery?” Ekhomu asked. However, Omega Funeral Home brings with it a different dynamics. It is a subsidiary of Bemil Securities Limited, which started operations in 2001. It claimed to offer comprehensive funeral undertaking services, including preparation for burials, pall bearers, wreaths, hearses and high quality caskets. It does not have a private memorial park like MIC and VCC at present, but its facility for cremation is one edge it has over the other places. Asians, mostly Indians and the Chinese are the favoured patrons of this service. Cremation is also a big affair in Australia and Britain, were it said that about 75 and 70 per cent respectively of all funerals are done via that method. The technique is, however, relatively new to Nigeria. At present, public awareness of bidding farewell to departed loved ones through cremation is still very low. And no attempt is being made by the government to create awareness about it because the process does not go down well with the Nigerian culture. A complete cremation, according to investigations, involves a two-step process that takes two to three hours. The first exposes the corpse to intense heat and flame after which what remains is mostly ash except for some bone fragments. Then, the entire ash and fragment volume is gathered and run through a processor, to create a uniform powder-like texture. Thereafter, the proceeds are preserved in an urn, a vase used in ancient times for

preserving the ashes of the dead after incineration. This service costs about N250, 000, besides the urn, which cost N25, 000. However, proponents of the technique argue that it is less expensive than conventional internment. They also claim that with cremation, unlike burial, one does not need to take up valuable land space. They equally say that the process is environment friendly. But this has not impressed environmental experts, who are worried that excessive gas that is employed in the course of burning, releases carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. However, it is hard to imagine how Nigerians are getting accustomed to this new way of burying the dead. Fashola upped his game towards putting Lagos State on the global map and, perhaps, preparing it for the future when he signed into law a bill legalising cremation of bodies in the state a few years back. At the signing ceremony, the governor emphasised that cremation was voluntary. Even though, he added that the enactment of the bill into law showed how the concept of globalisation had taken its roots in Lagos State. “The law tells a story of the full consciousness of how global our state has become. People migrate here; build homes here, and set up businesses here. And if some people think, cremation is the best way to do what they want to do, I think, we should also as a global city, provide that choice as it is done in all other global cities of the world,” he said.

Caskets made with mahogany and cedar woods is to show Peter and Paul Okoye helping pallbearers with their father's remains class photo: naijagists.com

With that, Lagos became the first state in Nigeria to promulgate a law in support of cremation. This serves as a funeral or post-funeral rite that is an alternative to the interment of an intact dead body in a coffin or casket. Cremated remains, which do not constitute a health risk, according to experts, may be buried or interred in memorial sites or cemeteries, or they may be legally retained by relatives and dispersed in various ways. Providing further insight into the cremation law, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Adeola Ipaye, said, “It allows for voluntary cremation, whereby a person may signify interest to be cremated when he or she dies or a deceased’s family members, who must attain the age of 18 years, can decide to have the corpse cremated.” According to Ipaye, the law also empowers the state government to cremate unclaimed corpses in its mortuaries after a period of time. “If the owners of the corpses also failed to show up to collect the ashes after a 14-day notice, it will be disposed of by the state government subject to the consent and approval of the commissioner for health,” he added. Section 2 of the Act establishing it stipulates that no cremation may take place except in a crematorium recognised by the Ministry of Health or by any other body upon the recommendation of the authority and approval by the commissioner for health. In like manner, Section 6 of the law also stipulates the guidelines to getting permission to cremate and lists those who could apply for permission to cremate to include a child or children of the deceased; a close relative of the deceased; an undertaker and an agent or legal representative. Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly’s Committee on Health Care Services, Hon. Suru Avoseh, who sponsored the bill, had argued that the bill is aimed at tackling congestion in public mortuaries. “The intent of the law is on unclaimed corpses and voluntary cremation. We are not praying for our dead to suffer but this has been happening somewhere. It is not peculiar to Lagos State alone,” he stated. Deputy Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, further explained that during investigation by the House on the state of mortuaries in the state, it was found that they were overfilled and that urgent measures were needed to be taken to dispose unclaimed bodies that were causing health hazards to residents of such areas. “We went abroad with Nigerian experts to study the issue of cremation in the United States of America and we saw the way they cremate and we gained the understanding that they respect their dead. They said it is 100 per cent free from health hazards, even families were allowed to perform their rites before the cremation,” Taiwo said.

SATURDAY

Dear Love Doctor,

'He wants to marry me, but his business is not stable'

p.37

Life Experience

'I thought IVF was selfish, until I discovered I couldn't get pregnant without it'

p.36

L ve&Lv ng SATURDAY 4 APRIL 2015

'I contracted HIV after having sex on a bus' Confession

Of course, since we were on the bus, we couldn't afford to take our clothes off! So we did it in the best way we could in such a situation

In this story, a woman recalls having sex with a stranger she met on a bus, but finds that something isn't quite right after getting married to him. As narrated to Michael Uchebuaku

y name is Azuka and my story is quite interesting but pathetic at the same time. Three years ago after my youth service, I decided to travel home to my village in the East to see some of my relations whom I hadn't seen for a very long time, and also to rest because my service year had been a very challenging one. I didn't like taking night buses but because I hadn't packed my bags early enough, I had to take the night bus. So I boarded a night bus at the Mazamaza area of Lagos and the man sitting next to me on the bus appeared to be very interested in me. He introduced himself by saying: "Hello sweetheart, my name is Jerry and I must confess that you're the sweetest thing ever to walk the face of the earth." He disarmed me with his charming manner and I suddenly found myself laying down my guard and responding warmly to him. Inside the bus that night, Jerry and I got up close and personal with each other. Jerry told me many things about himself and about his family. I did the same thing too. He even told me all about his past relationships and how they had failed one after the other. Jerry really opened up to me and it looked as if we had known each other for years. I felt so happy and relaxed being with him. And from the smile on his face and the look in his eyes, I could tell that he felt the same thing too. Inside of me, I knew that Jerry was my soul mate, the missing rib that I had been looking for, for so many years. From the way he talked and stared at me, it was clear that he adored me and that I was the only woman he wanted to be with. From the look in his eyes, I could glimpse the love he felt for me, even without kissing him. The driver and the bus attendant were unable to fix the engine of the bus which had broken down that night, so they advised all the passengers to either spend the night on their seats in the bus or in nearby hotels. In fact, though I feel ashamed to admit it, I was actually happy that the bus could not continue its journey that night. This was therefore, an op-

portunity for Jerry and I to get more intimate. For the first time in my life, I made love with a man I met on a bus. For the first time in my life, I let my passion take control of me and I gave in to Jerry right there on the bus. And he made me experience heaven with so much passion! Of course, since we were on the bus, we couldn't afford to take our clothes off! So we did it in the best way we could in such a situation, because we both knew that it wouldn't be nice if we let other passengers notice what we were doing. From that night onwards, Jerry and I started dating and became best of friends and lovers. Later, I found out I was pregnant and informed my man about it. Jerry was overjoyed to hear that I had conceived and he promised to marry me. I told him to go and see my parents in the village to officially ask for my hand in marriage and he promised to do so the following week. Jerry kept to his promise and travelled to my vil-

lage the following weekend to see my parents. My parents were glad to see the man whom I loved and they received him with open arms. However, they advised him to pay my bride price as soon as possible before my pregnancy became evident, because it would be embarrassing for people to see that their daughter was pregnant outside marriage. Jerry went ahead and informed his family members too and they met with members of my own family and collectively set a date for our traditional marriage. They decided that it would be better we did the traditional marriage in December since many people usually returned home during Christmas. My traditional marriage took place during the Christmas period and it was absolutely fantastic. After our traditional marriage, I moved into Jerry's home and my life as a wife began. However, because I was pregnant, I had to register for ante-natal at the local hospital in the area. One of the requirements at the hospital was that they would conduct HIV tests on every

pregnant woman. I agreed for them to take my blood sample for the HIV and other required tests. After my blood sample had been taken, I was told to go home and come back the following day for the result. The following morning, I went back to the hospital but when the matron saw me she looked so sober and didn't say a word. The auxiliary nurse simply told me to wait and see the doctor. When I walked into the doctor's office, he quietly asked me to sit. Then he said the words I can never forget. The doctor said to me: "My dear Mrs Azuka, you are HIV positive." I felt really devastated on hearing the news and I might have died right there on the chair if the doctor hadn't started trying to comfort and counsel me. It was as though my world had crashed. I just can't describe the way I felt. The doctor said that I needed to bring my husband to the hospital for a HIV test too. I went home but I didn't tell my husband that I had tested positive for HIV. I just told him that the doctor wanted to see him at the hospital the following day. My husband went to the hospital with me the following day and the doctor conducted the HIV test on him. My husband tested positive for HIV too, and it was discovered that I acquired the virus recently through my husband who had impregnated me. My husband confessed that he didn't know he was HIV positive before getting married to me, and he begged for my forgiveness. Initially, I found it so difficult to forgive Jerry my husband for infecting me with the HIV virus but he continued begging me to forgive him until I had to forgive him and accept my fate as the will of God. Sometimes I feel like crying but I try to control myself. Sometimes I blame myself for having sex with a man I met on a night bus and getting married to him only to discover that he infected me with the HIV virus. I feel like a walking corpse. Every morning when I wake up, I pray for God to take my life. But my parish priest keeps encouraging me and telling me to put all my hope and trust in God. I know that I will not die of AIDS because it is not my portion. Instead of dying, I will live to praise God. I pray for my healing every single day and I believe that in the end God will make a way where there seems to be no way.

Love&Living

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4 april 2015

The unusual couple and their open marriage Love News

hen Robin Rinaldi revealed the intimate details of her 5:2 marriage she drew gasps from married couples and staunch monogamists. For the author of The Wild Oats Project described how, for a year, she would spend weekdays sleeping with strangers and weekends with her husband of 17 years, Scott Mansfield. At the time, the dramatic move was a bid to save their relationship after Scott had a vasectomy, but now he's spoken out to say that he never wanted to see other people. While Robin has widely discussed their free-wheeling year, and explores it in a new book, The Wild Oats Project, Scott has kept quiet on the matter - until now, revealing that if he'd had his way the couple would never have entered into the '5:2' marriage in the first place. 'It wasn't something I wanted to do,' the brewer and wine-maker told The Times. 'I didn't like the idea of opening up our marriage. But if I didn't do it, I felt we were heading for divorce, so I thought why not take the chance and maybe we can come out the other side?' His premonition was correct a ultimately the decision led to the end of their marriage and Robin getting together with one of her lovers. Scott says that while he understood his wife's desire to experience sexual relationships with other people - he himself had enjoyed a promiscuous youth - he had always

Jade

Every Day Of The Week Mmm, mmm, mmm Ooh... Whoa... Oh... Oh... Oh... Oh, yeah You were lookin' so good to me The night we met, I could not see How deep you were to penetrate my heart, mmm Now that some time has passed It made me think this was meant to last I never wanna be apart, oh, no, no Don't let me fool you If I'm actin' kinda cold to you It's just a little game I like to play 'Cause when we're together It just keep getting better If I had my way

felt it might spell trouble for their marriage. And it seems the question of whether or not to have children had always been an issue for the couple with Scott being firmly against the idea. However, he defends himself in the new interview, revealing that he had always been honest with Robin about his desires and intentions. 'Is it cruel to not change your mind about something you believe in?' he said of fatherhood, 'I don't think Robin ever thought I was being cruel. At any point she could have left me and found somebody else to have a child with or I could have left her and found somebody who wasn't going to bother me about it.' During the course of the year-long experiment he revealed that he dated a

handful of women, however, he only slept with one of them. They had a six month relationship before he eventually called it off. And Scott says it was flattering to get attention from other women. He said: 'I enjoyed the feeling of being attracted to other women and getting good feedback. I had a couple of women who said to me: 'I can't believe your wife would risk losing you, you're such an awesome guy,' so when you hear that, you know, it makes you feel pretty good.' Today he's in a long term relationship with his girlfriend Renee Alexander, who he lives with and the former couple consider themselves at peace. Courtesy: Daily Mail

'I thought IVF was selfish, until I discovered I couldn't get pregnant without it' began my first and only round of in vitro fertilization in the very house in Atlanta where my mother had died of cancer just a few months earlier. The bureau in the guest bedroom that was once covered with my mom’s cancer meds was now blanketed with the syringes, medicine vials, and alcohol wipes I would need for my fertility treatments. Starting IVF so soon after losing my mother probably wasn’t the sanest choice. But I’d learned around the same time I found out my mom was suffering from terminal cancer that I had the severest form of a disease called endometriosis. Surgery confirmed the only way I would be able to become pregnant was through in vitro fertilization. My mom was still alive when my husband Alex and I decided we would go ahead with IVF. Her doctors in California had originally told her she had about a year left to live, and when I moved my mother out to Atlanta, Mom and I both anticipated we would be able to share my pregnancy, and that she would meet her grandchild before she died. But the cancer had a mind of its own, and my mom died just six weeks after she moved to Atlanta. I didn’t have a lot of time to grieve before I had to make a tough decision. My reproductive endocrinologist made it clear that the scar tissue created by my endometriosis was growing so quickly, soon IVF

Love Songs

my nurse telling me about my hormone levels. At the end of the first two weeks, my doctor harvested enough follicles to be able to later transfer two embryos into my uterus, ironically on the two-month anniversary of my mom’s death. A week later, I took a pregnancy test (even though the clinic told me not to, false negatives and all that), and for the first time in my life, I saw two lines on the stick.

Life Experience

would no longer be an option. And, if I’m completely honest with myself, I had another, more tenuous motive, in choosing to undergo IVF so soon after losing my mother. As irrational as it now seems, I was looking for a sign. That she wasn’t gone forever. That part of her still remained close by, watching over me, wanting to make my dreams come true. I went through the physically exhausting process of injecting hormones three times a day into my belly, getting blood drawn each morning at the doctor’s office along with regular ultrasounds, and afternoon phone calls from

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

I was pregnant A phone call from my nurse a few days later confirmed the miracle. From that moment, the most complete form of bliss imaginable enveloped me. Every morning before he left for work, and at night when he returned home, Alex would talk to my belly (even though the creature growing inside me was only the size of a sesame seed) and kiss my stomach, and say "I love you" to what we thought would one day be our child. But my womb wasn't built right, not for carrying babies at least, and the rosebush planted in the sand soon died. My nurse called me to say my pregnancy hormone levels were dropping, and I would miscarry within days. Whereas the past few weeks had been in euphoric soft focus, now suddenly everything was real and continued on page 38

When do I wanna see you When do I wanna please you Every day of the week When do I wanna love you When am I thinking of you Every day of the week Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday Even on Sunday Every day of the week Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday Even on Sunday Every day of the week I only wanted good times, baby You wanted the same So maybe this is written in the stars for us, mmm All I know is with you inside me The more we kiss, the more I like it I never wanna give you up When do I wanna see you (See you) When do I wanna please you Every day of the week (Oh... Oh... Oh...) When do I wanna love you (Ho... Oh...) When am I thinking of you Every day of the week

Love Poem

Michelle OliverRochdale

You are my heart You are my heart, my soul, my treasure, My today, my tomorrow, my forever, My everything!

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

Romantic Joke

Adam and Eve

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

4 april 2015

Relationships & Love Advice

'He wants to marry me, but his business is not stable' Dear Love Doctor, There is this guy that I dated for some time, after which we went our separate ways. Now, he has come back proposing marriage to me. I care about him but his business is not stabilized. He is still under somebody because he has problems with his business. I’m still a student and I have several needs that require money, and he complains about not having cash if I demand for money. I’m just confused. I need a man who has money to spend on the woman he loves. Please what should I do? From Maryjane Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Maryjane Since you say you are a student, I believe your parents are taking care of your education. So you should try your best to

Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

manage the little resources you have, and don’t see your man as a meal ticket or as somebody who should sponsor your education. However, true love, not money, should be the foundation of marriage. Therefore, you need to first ask yourself if you actually love this guy, before thinking of his business. If you actually love him, there is nothing wrong in agreeing to marry him. But because his business isn’t stable at the moment, you can give him time to stabilize his business and organize his affairs before the marriage, so that everything would work well. *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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Odd News

Georgian woman is caught trying to smuggle herself into Turkey in a small suitcase

urkish police detained two Georgian nationals after a woman was caught trying to smuggle herself into the country curled up inside a tiny suitcase. Customs officials working at the Sarpi border crossing, close to the city of Artvin, ordered officers to inspect a suitcase belonging to a 25-year-old man after he was spotted acted suspiciously. Upon opening the luggage officers were shocked to discover a 22-year-old woman curled up inside. She later told officers that she tried to smuggle herself in to the country because a previous conviction in the country meant she had been banned from travelling there. Turkish police detained the pair after customs officials made the discovery on Monday, but they were both later released, sent back to Georgia and ordered not to return.

The woman told investigators that she had an outstanding ban on her travelling to Turkey after being convicted of an unspecified offence. It was not immediately clear what had attracted customs officials to the 25-year-old Georgian man, but the suitcase in which the woman was hidden was barely large enough to hold a human body. The tight squeeze forced her to curl up into an uncomfortable-looking fetal position. The border crossing where the couple had tried to smuggle themselves in Turkey lies near Sarp - a tiny town on the Black Sea, around 50 miles north of the city of Artvin. Although Sarp is home to just 212 people, it is one of only three official border crossings along the 170-mile long Turkey-Georgia border. The Sarp border crossing, in the Dis-

trict of Hopa, Artvin Province, opened in the late 1980s, when Georgia was still part of the Soviet Union. After independence in 1991, postcommunist Georgia suffered from civil unrest and economic crisis for most of

the 1990s. Georgia covers a territory of 26,911 square miles, and its population is almost five million. Courtesy: Daily Mail.

Love&Living

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 april 2015

Love Education

True Story

'I ruined my horrible sister-in-law's wedding'

have never gotten on with my husband's family, and since meeting his only other sibling, a younger sister, have thought she is a spoiled, lazy person. Time after time I witnessed my husband's family — namely his mother — put my husband's needs far behind his sister. When my husband and I got married, his parents gave us only $500 and had little to do with the planning and preparation for our special day. Yet, when my sister-in-law announced her wedding plans, my in-laws decreed they would pay for everything, and my mother-in-law proceeded to plan every detail of her wedding. My resentment for my sister-inlaw reached a peak when she told my husband he was not included in any way at their wedding (despite her having been in our bridal party at the begging of my mother-in-law). My husband was devastated, so I vowed that I would make her pay. I waited until eight days before the wedding, after my mother-inlaw had contacted the venue for the last time before the 'big day', then I rang the venue pretending to be my mother-in-law and gave them a sob story about the wedding being on

hold because the groom had come down with mumps and was unable to travel for two weeks (they lived in a different town to where the wedding was being held). Being so close to the date of the wedding, the venue kept

'I thought IVF was selfish, until I discovered I couldn't get pregnant without it' c o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 3 6

sharp and painful. My baby was gone, and my mother was gone. Forever. Mom wasn’t behind the scenes, orchestrating happy events for the rest of my life. I lost the pregnancy, and with it all the hope I had in the world. Soon after my miscarriage, Alex and I moved back home to San Diego, the city where we had met and fell in love years earlier. Out of the crucible of pain Atlanta seemed to represent, we had more time to reflect. We didn’t want to try again to get pregnant. I was emotionally wasted. I didn’t think I could survive another loss. What might surprise you (because it sure surprises me) is how positive I feel about the whole medical wonder that is in vitro fertilization. I’d been trying unsuccessfully to conceive for two years when I underwent IVF, and the process allowed me to take back control of my fertility. With each injection, I was actively preparing my body for pregnancy. I finally felt I had some power and order in a world that, at the time, seemed so chaotic and random. Word gets around when you’ve had IVF, and I often get asked for advice from friends, and friends of friends, whether in vitro is really worth it – worth the steep price tag, the physical pain, the emotional roller coaster. Despite my less than ideal experience with IVF, I tell these women it is their opportunity to take control of their bodies and their desire for a family. I cringe at the thought of how judgmental I used to be toward women who had their children through IVF. In my 20s, I viewed celebrities as terribly selfish to undergo expensive fertility treatments when (I believed) there were so many adoptable babies who needed homes. But there are no guarantees with adoption. A birth mother can change her mind. With international adoption

(an avenue we pursued for a year) timetables change and foreign governments can alter the rules in the middle of the process. There’s also the completely natural desire to have a child that carries on your family’s traits. I often dreamed that my baby would have my mother’s warm, cat-shaped brown eyes, or my husband’s fierce intellect. Ultimately, Alex and I decided to change how we viewed what our family should look like. Now, ours is a family of two adults. My husband and I have a relationship of smudged boundaries, where one of us does not feel whole and complete unless the other is present. Our connection brings me enough comfort and peace to be content with what we have, instead of focusing on what’s missing. Recently Alex and I went to dinner on a Friday evening with our friends Susanna and David, recent transplants to San Diego from the East Coast. Alex and David had grown up together in New Jersey. And in a case of synchronicity, Susanna is a fertility doctor. As we discussed our weekend plans, Susanna mentioned she had a birthday party to attend for a twoyear-old. I asked if it was for the friend of one of her two young sons. “Actually, no,” she answered. “It’s for the child of one of my patients.” It took me a moment to realize what she was saying. “Your patients invite you to the birthday parties of the children you helped create?” She smiled with humility. “I don’t really think of it that way.” But the answer was yes. And there it was. IVF helps create families that once did not exist. Just because IVF didn’t work for me, that doesn’t mean it can’t make other women’s dreams come true. The word family can mean so many different things to different people. If medical advances can bring you the kind of bliss I once experienced, it’s a risk worth taking.

the deposit my in-laws had put down, and by the time they sent the letter of cancellation out to my in-laws, it was only four days before the wedding. When my mother-in-law rang the venue to say there had been some mistake, she was informed that they had already rebooked the venue for another function, so there was nothing they could do. My mother-in-law was in tears, my sister-in-law was furious at her mother for ruining her wedding, and they ended up having their reception at the local RSL with the 'all you can eat' buffet. My in-laws were busy ringing around all the guests up to two days before the wedding to advise of the change of venue. Whilst my sister-in-law has forgiven her mother for the cancellation, the 'all you can eat' buffet was horrible and she even to this day continues to moan about how her wedding was ruined. They never figured out what really happened, and continue to blame the venue for mixing up the cancellation. I make sure I leave the room before breaking into a smile whenever they complain. Courtesy: nine.com

Wedding Traditions

Diamond ring of love: Italy.

uring the proposal, a groom will typically serenade her first and then present her with a diamond ring because of the belief that a diamond was created by the flames of love. Sunday weddings are the luckiest and if a bride wears green the night before the wedding, it will bring luck and abundance to the couple. Conversely, if she wears gold on the day of the wedding or before it, she will receive bad luck. On the way to the church, the bride and groom will receive several challenges involving a fallen broom, a crying baby, or other household chores to test their skills before marriage. In Northern Italy, the groom brings the bride’s bouquet and he chooses the color and style of the flowers as his gift to her. Courtesy: Irish Central.

What is Petting? P

etting is actually a term that covers a broad range of sexual behaviors, including giving/getting a hickey, deep kissing, and sexual touching of one's partner. The touching, caressing, massaging and kissing of another person's body can take place through the clothing or under the clothing, and 'heavy petting' usually involves removing some clothing and touching BELOW the waist. Petting generally means stimulating another person's sex organs or breasts - usually with your hand or mouth. However, some people do use it in a slightly less ‘rude’; sense, simply to mean ‘cuddling’ or ‘snogging'. It's actually an American word – originally meaning to stroke or caress (as one would stroke a 'pet' cat). There was no equivalent word in 'polite' (British) English, so the US word 'petting' gradually became used worldwide during the late 20th Century and is still employed – particularly by middle-aged people. In fact, the expression 'petting' and 'to pet' have now become a little old-fashioned - so that in the UK it's now much commoner to speak of: • 'touching someone up' • 'frigging someone' • 'rubbing someone up' • 'bringing someone off' (if petting proceeds to climax). All these are still slang expressions, and the only non-slang English expression is 'masturbating someone'. In practice, this phrase is hardly ever used - because of the fact that most people only employ the word 'masturbation' to mean self-stimulation. Instead of saying 'petting', many of today's couples talk about 'love play'. 'Heavy petting' is an American expression that usually implies petting below the waist - rather than just involving the breasts. What does petting involve? The idea of petting is to stimulate your partner's body, in order to give them sexual excitement. Fortunately, this activity is also usually nice for the person who is doing the petting! Petting (love play) very often continues until the partner who's on the receiving end actually climaxes. Bringing someone to a climax by petting is often referred to as: • 'bringing them off' • 'fetching them off' • 'tossing them off' (only used when the recipient is male). Petting is often referred to in older books as 'foreplay' – meaning that it's something you can do before starting intercourse. Doing it before intercourse is actually an excellent idea, because it prepares the body for actual penetration. Indeed, nearly all women need plenty of petting before intercourse - in order to get their genitals 'ready'. To be specific, petting before intercourse will: • make the vagina open up • make the 'love juices' flow • get the woman excited so that she really enjoys intercourse. Failure to give enough petting before intercourse is one of the commonest male mistakes - and very often leads to sex becoming unsatisfactory for the woman. Can you go in for petting without going on to intercourse? Definitely! Plenty of couples – particularly young ones – go in for petting 'sessions' for half-an-hour or an hour, but don't go on and have intercourse. Source: en.wikipedia.org.

SATURDAY

Travel &Tourism SATURDAY 4 APRIL 2015

Travel Personality Chika Ani: I can stay awake all night designing cakes p.40

Hospitality

African Garden Lodge: Pampered by nature and man p.41

Destination

The thrill of a Mediterranean cruise p.42

CHEF'S CORNER

Delight your palate with shrimps this Easter In an encounter with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA, Chef Gerald Tossa, executive chef at Pearl Court Hotel, Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos, shares the recipe for some of his delightsome Easter treats.

Background erald Tossa, a Beninoise, calls the shots at Pearl Court Hotel’s Mirabelle Restaurant, as the executive chef. Tossa was trained at the Laura Vicuna Catering and Hotel School in Cotonou, Benin Republic, in 2005. After graduation he worked briefly at O’ Grill Restaurant and Hotel Du Lac. In 2007, he moved over to Nigeria where he first worked at Cactus Restaurant in Victoria Island and then West Foster Harbour Hotel, Ikoyi, before pitching his tent with Pearl Court Hotel in 2011 as one of the pioneer staff of the boutique hotel. Married with two children, his foray into the culinary world started with his childhood fantasy and growing up to embrace the dream with passion and devotion to being the best in the trade.

Shrimp provenciale

Appetizer

Beetroot salad Ingredients (for 2): zz 4 Fresh tomatoes zz 1 Onion zz 2 Bunches of lettuce zz 4 Beetroots zz Feta cheese/green olive Lemon dressing ingredients: zz 1 Tsp of olive oil zz 1 Tsp of Lemon juice zz 1 Pinch of salt and White Pepper

Tossa

TRAVEL BEATS

Gren Business Dimensions on INDABA 2015

Gren Business Dimensions, a tour outfit based in Lagos is set for this year’s Indaba, a travel trade exhibition hosted by South Africa Tourism and which runs from May 7 – 15 at the Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (Durban ICC), has rolled out its tour package for the period. As part of this year's event, Gren Business Dimensions is set to make a mark

and a notable impact in the Southern African tourism market as it will be leading a team of businessmen and women on a business tour to Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban. Participants will meet key business players in various industries, government agencies and officials as well as more than 1, 200 visitors from all over the world for vibrant networking purposes. The package is an all inclusive one (Covers return economy class ticket, accommodation, visa facilitation, logistics and transport within South Africa). Registration is in progress.

Africa Business Travel Association to meet in S' Africa

The Africa Business Travel Association (ABTA) is scheduled to hold a session tagged Half Day Travel Management Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa. The topic for discourse is "The lowdown on VAT refunds for business travel." It will hold on April 16 at Centurion Lake Hotel, Johannesburg. According to the Founder of ABTA, Mrs. Monique Swart, ‘‘with cost containment still being high on the agenda for many companies, finding ways to reduce or recoup travel costs can have a massive impact on travel budgets. When looking at VAT claims, the true facts of how to claim back on travel costs, when one can claim back and what to claim back is often a

bit of a mystery to many. But one thing is for sure - not making the most of this opportunity to recoup costs can mean thousands of Rands in lost savings,’’ informs the topic for discussion Monique further stated that, ‘‘this ABTA event will give delegates some key insights into how the VAT process works, when, how and what to claim, and the role that Buyers, Suppliers and TMC's play in the VAT reclaim process.’’ Areas of focus include, Corporate Case Study - Is the Pain worth the Gain?; Billing challenges hindering the VAT claims process; and The Lowdown on VAT Claims and would conclude with a roundtable workshop and discussion.

Preparation: zz Boil the beetroot and let it cool zz Peel it and divide into two and slice each half to get a half moon shape zz Slice the tomatoes round and the onion zz Put the washed and drained sponge lettuce in a plate and set on it beetroot, tomatoes and onion zz Decorate with some nuts of feta and green olive zz Then serve with the lemon juice

zz Chop one chili zz Put a pan on fire and when hot, pour oil and cook the onion until transparent zz Add the shrimps and sauté them until they turn pink; then add the garlic, chili and pour the white wine and the stock zz Season with salt and pepper zz Sprinkle the coriander and parsley and serve with boiled rice zz Decorate with red chili

Dessert

Chocolate cheesecake Ingredients: zz 100g butter zz 250g digestive biscuits, crushed zz 600g cream cheese zz 25ml Baileys zz 100ml icing sugar zz 300ml cream, whipped zz 100g grated chocolate To garnish 200ml double cream, whipped Cocoa powder, to dust

Preparation: Lemon dressing preparation: zz Melt the butter in a pan and add the crushed digestive zz Wip the olive oil and lemon biscuits juice until becomes ticker z z Mix well until the biscuits zz Saison with salt and pepper have absorbed all the butter zz Remove from the heat and Main dish into the bottom of a lined Shrimps a la 18cm springform tin Place in Provenciale the refrigerator and allow to Ingredients(for 2 persons): set for one hour zz 0.5kg Shrimps zz Meanwhile, prepare the zz 1 onion filling zz 2 cloves garlic zz Lightly whip the cream zz 2 red hot chili cheese then beat in the Irish zz 10cl dry white wine cream and icing sugar Fold zz 2 tsp olive oil in the whipped cream and zz 10cl fish stock grated chocolate. When zz Coriander and parsley smooth, spoon evenly onto zz Salt and white pepper the biscuits zz Refrigerate and allow to set Preparation: for a further two hours zz Peel the shrimps and remove zz Once set, remove and decothe black vein from back of rate with whipped cream and each cocoa powder dusted over zz Chop the onion, garlic, parsthe top ley and coriander zz Then serve

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

Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 april 2015

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

Chika Ani: I can stay awake all night designing cakes

Mrs. Chika Ani, an accountant and chartered economist, is a trained confectioner and chief executive officer of Esperanza Cakes, Lagos. She speaks with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA on her trajectory in life as a housewife, cake maker and businesswoman.

Journeying into the world of cakes efore establishing her company in October 2009, Mrs. Chika Ani was just like any other full time housewife who was contented with keeping the home front while the man tills the ground. But all the same, she tells you that she has always had passion for cake making, “It is actually my passion, I have had passion for this for some time now.” Ani recounts back then in her secondary school and university days taking to cake making and even dress making. Most of her free time, she says were spent hanging with friends who were into cake making, watching and delighting herself in the act. Back home, she recalls trying her hands on cake making and the result turning out bad but she persisted until she attained some level of perfection. But never had the opportunity to take it beyond the fantasy level until one day in church (St. Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba) when announcement was made for youths interested in acquiring skills in small scale and medium size businesses to sign up for a short term training. “It all started from the church when they were having this youth empowerment programme. I was interested in it. I bought the form and signified interest in the cake making and designing aspect. It was in 2008,” she recalls with some nostalgic feelings. She then researched a cake training institute in the United Kingdom and when she had the opportunity to travel with her husband to the UK on holidays, she took advantage of the trip to enrol for a month certification course in cake making thus becoming a certified professional in the art of cake designing and making.

BACKGROUND

making is a hectic affair however, she says it is fun for her: “it is hectic but for me it is fun. Though others may see it as so difficult but I love it because I can stay awake all nights designing cakes. Although the aspect I love more is the designing part and that is the part that is so challenging and for me it is intriguing as well. “Most times I have to design and create a concept for my clients while some of them give you the design and the details of what they want done.” The challenge Although funding is a major challenge, she appears to be coping well with the full support of her husband who from day one offered her all the succour and got some of the equipment and materials for her on some of his numerous trips outside the country. She adds that ploughing back the profit into the business has also helped her. However, her greatest challenge is having to be a housewife, mother and businesswoman. “The challenge is being a mother, a wife and running a business. Having to meet different people and sometimes it is very hard handling the clients. I have two boys, trying to cope being a mother by keeping tab on their school work and upbringing is quite tasking. “But it is all about time management knowing that from such a time to such a time is family time, which means I have to keep aside everything that is business at such hours and focus on the family. “After that I can then concentrate on my business but most times I do my designing and paper work at night when they are asleep.

My first paid job was quite an experience According to her, her sacrifices paid off when she was offered her first paid job, a wedding cake. It took the whole of her being delivering on the cake, describing the whole process as quite an experience of a life time. “My first paid job was quite an experience even though the money was not much. I was so serious about it and didn’t almost sleep throughout the night figuring out the best way to make the cake because I wanted it to come out very well. It was challenging but very interesting as well,” she recounts.

I almost called it quit “Yes, I had a very difficult client once, when she came and described what she wanted, I drew the design on paper for her and she confirmed that it was what she wanted but after making the cake she changed suddenly and started complaining about the colours, the design and all sorts. “That was my first encounter with hard or difficult people. That day I came home I was crying and told my husband that I was quitting and that I am no more doing the business,” she relates. But she recalls how her consoled and comforted her and picked up the piece again and forged ahead.

Cake making is fun for me While acknowledging that cake

Confectionary business is good She reveals that it is a good

Ani

Others may see it as so difficult but I love it because I can stay awake all nights designing cakes

venture given the population of Lagos State and the fact that the city plays host to a number of events round the clock. However, she admonishes that to get a head start, “you have to be versatile because cake making and every other thing, like pastry has evolved. They now come in like fashion, they evolve, it is not the same thing that you had five years ago that you have now.” Therefore, to stave off competitors, she says “you have to improve on your skills and knowledge of the field. It is quite competitive that is why someone needs to up his or her game to remain on top. “I believe that is the only thing that can sustain the business now because many people are now in the business. But it is all about the top notch, what you have that distinguishes you from others that would sustain the business. “For me, the difference is all about the design, the taste and the concept, offering different types of cake to different people. I like to surprise my clients. I like the design being clean and perfect enough to wow the client.” Presenting my first wedding cake was like walking on a cloud According to her, each cake delivered comes with its own excitement and challenges; however, she scores her first wedding cake as one of the most glorious moments in her business. “I think my first wedding cake; it was like walking on a cloud. Because that was my

Mrs. Chika Ani, young, dashing and enterprising woman of two children (all boys - ages 11 and three) was born and bred in Enugu, Enugu State, where she had her primary up to her tertiary education, graduating from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Enugu campus, with a B.Sc. in Accounting and then capping it all with a training in Economics as a Chartered Economist. She still has eyes though on becoming a Chartered Accountant in the future. Away from the glitz of the academic world she decided to have her hands dirty in what you may call the ‘blue collar job,’ sorry business arena, going into the small and medium scale industry, to learn the art of cake designing and making first in Lagos and then icing it with intermediary and advanced class at Cake Institute in the United Kingdom. Today, she is the Chief Executive Officer of Esperanza Cakes, a confectionary firm based in the Surulere area of Lagos where she not only engages in cake making but also holds court as both mentor and instructor. She also devotes her time and resources teaching and mentoring young women and housewives on cake making with the goal of making them independent and self-employed. She certainly enjoys and loves her present preoccupation in life not minding the fact that it is energy, time and money consuming. She simply glows in her world of cake designing and making. And letting you into her world, your discovery is that she is a good sport, a devoted mother and businesswoman who has her eyes on the top. Her commitment is taking Esperanza beyond the shores of Nigeria and making the women folk take pride in their abilities to change the world and be change agents.

first time coming out in the crowd trying to explain my product and the bride was very happy about the cake. “Most times it is not about the money but it is the expression of the client that matters. That day, it was something else for me. I felt so happy and I was very proud of myself,” she adds even as she also notes that having to go outside of Lagos to places like Port Harcourt, Enugu, Owerri and Jos to deliver her products and train people, are all memorable events. The future “I am looking at having a big cake school that is going to be like a university but it is going to be cake school where people can come and learn everything about cake making. I see Esperanza growing beyond Nigeria. We have plans to go to Ghana to train people as well. So, I am seeing Esperanza going far.”

4 april 2015

HOSPITALITY ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA was at the facility recently and writes on its compelling natural flavours and service culture.

Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

African Garden Lodge Pampered by nature and man

ocated within the precincts of Omole Estate, in Lagos, African Garden Lodge presents a different proposition in hospitality services. A walk through the gate of the garden lodge welcomes you to the world of nature in its bloom. Nature with its most attractive and compelling flavours set against the backdrop of a beautiful and charming African setting. The hotel teems with indigenous African arts from textile (batik), oil paintings, sculpted pieces to pottery of varying degrees. Everywhere you turn, you are serenaded by breathtaking and creatively crafted art work. The facilities are like an existential kaleidoscope, each amply complementing the unfolding scenery. For the founder, Ms Riskat Finni, a graphic artist born in Manchester, United Kingdom, this is about living the dream. "Our main attraction here is our African identity; we are rich in nature and African beauty," she says of the boutique styled hotel nestled in the midst of what she calls "a matured tropical garden". The whole essence, she says, is to treat you to the best of Africa hence no effort is spared at crafting a very unique composition. The lodge is a huge hit with European visitors and others who admire its lush greens, African arts and devotion to excellent service culture among other features. The lodge itself is a creation of necessity informed by the quest by its patrons to have something ennobling and encompassing having experienced the offerings that the hotel once provided as a garden bar before it was transformed into its present look years back. Facilities Reception/The lounge The reception area is beautifully laid out and manned by staff who attends to every needs and enquiries of the guests. Here you have access to internet while feasting on the beautiful garden scenery. The lounge offers a calm and inviting place to relax, and you could catch your breath as you are kept company by nature as symbolised by the beautiful flowers, art works from carvings, paintings, ceramics to batik. Accommodation The lodge boasts 10 classic rooms, all fitted and furnished for the guests' comfort. The accommodation are of different categories and are carefully classed in separate wings. For instance, the executive wing houses the African Royal Suites, African king and queen, which are about the highest and most sophisticated of the rooms. It is in this wing that you have the reception, the lounge and the browsing station. The

Lush garden

parties and a number of private events. It could also be made over to host conferences, seminars and workshops, accommodating limited guests where privacy, nature and exclusivity are required.

Reception

One of the bars

garden wing plays host to the Garden queen, Garden Standard rooms and the Garden single rooms. Then there is the star property of the lodge known as The African Haven, which is simply tucked away. It boasts a large wall-mounted flat screen television, a DVD player, microwave and other delightful amenities. Here you are assured of a heavenly treat of some sorts.

or barbecue turkey wings from the grill while serenaded by cool and jazzy vibes. There is also Mama's Place, which is equally exciting for its natural pull and friendly nature. Here you can enjoy good music, drinks and international and local delicacies as well as a number of grilled foods ranging from fresh catfish to barbecue roasts. It is open to visitors and parades great atmosphere for singles, couples and families to unwind. Yusuf's VIP Lounge is the third option for wining and dining and is dedicated to guests' and their visitors' use. It enjoys warm and gardenâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;like setting and offers a whole lot to drink and eat, including international menu, barbecue roasts and pepper soups.

Dining/wining The dining and wining facilities of the hotel are no less enchanting. These are the Garden Bar â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a private bar for guests' use and entertainment of their visitors. It is a peaceful and warm environment where you can enjoy cold drinks and such meals as fresh catfish (there is a fish pond here for point and kill), charcoal-grilled giant tiger prawns,

Parties The lodge is also tailor made for office parties, birthday parties and beer

Other facilities/services These include salon, airport pick-up, two power generators. Standard and excellent services Aside its naturally blissful ambience, Mama Yusuf, as the founder is fondly called, said the high quality of its facilities, maintenance culture and excellent services are its strong points, insisting that the hotel is driven by high demands and expectations of its Nigerian guests and also the foreign visitors. The hotel management has done its best over the years to meet these expectations and demands, she said. "We aspire to be at the top and stay there. But maintaining the standard is difficult so we are definitely trying our best here to achieve the best standard and to pamper and satisfy our guests at all times. "The African Garden Lodge is a place once you come you would always come again because apart from being great value for money, apart from being beautiful, apart from the African art on display, apart from the excellent services, the fact that we are in the midst of nature gives us a unique advantage over all our competitors." This certainly is a legacy that her son, Edward Yusuf Aleyideino, who is the managing director, alongside the general manager, Joseph Ozemeona, and the team of young and enterprising staff, are committed to upholding, under the watching eyes of Mama Yusuf, who still finds time to come around and give a helping hand.

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

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42 Travel & Tourism

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 april 2015

Church on the site where St. Paul reputedly landed in Malta 1448

Soluade (middle) with friends at Valletta, Malta

The thrill of a Mediterranean cruise TRAVELOGUE

MRS. VICTORIA SOLUADE, managing director of Lagos-based Soltan Travel and Tours Limited who, alongside some Nigerians, went on a 15day Mediterranean cruise – Rome to Israel – recounts her experience on the sea aboard the Celebrity Silhouette.

Prolong

etween October 18 and November 1, 2014, a group of us embarked on a sailing from Rome to Israel. It turned out to be the first Nigerian group to sail combining a cruise with a pilgrimage to Israel was quite an exciting, pleasurable and fulfilling experience. It was a 14-night cruise aboard Celebrity Silhouette, belonging to the awardwinning premium luxury cruise line, Celebrity Cruises. The staterooms were spacious and well appointed. After the check-in formalities on day one we set about exploring the ship and what it had to offer. There were lots of dining options, entertainment, activities and duty-free shopping. By far the most popular activities for us onboard was dancing, eating and shopping, especially during the various sales during sea days. The food was excellent, regardless of which restaurant you choose to eat.

Facilities Sky observation lounge You get breathtaking views in this ultimate observation lounge. The floor to ceiling windows was captivating, while the expansive space was pleasing and relaxing. There were comfortable seats all around. The lounge is versatile and could be transformed to suit any occasion. Choice dining restaurants The ship has finely laid out restaurants of different styles and classes, these include Murano - indulge in a savory multi-course meal featuring a blend of classic and modern continental cuisines. A superb wine list accentuates your experience. Tuscan Grille – offers the ultimate grill experience at sea. Blu - exclusive dining setting for all Aqua class guests, serving healthy fare in a sophisticated and soothing atmosphere. Qsine – offers an interesting dining ex-

Old City, Malta 1464

perience that uses a modern and playful approach to prepare memorable dishes from around the world. The Alcoves - a cool, cabana-style private retreat on The Lawn Club for two to four guests. The Porch - a complimentary restaurant on The Lawn Club, featuring fast and fresh food for breakfast and lunch. Cellar Masters - inspired by the vineyards of Napa Valley, it brings to life the experience of a global wine tour while one learns about and taste a large variety of wine from around the world. The Art Studio: Located on The Lawn Club, it is a life studio, which allows for intimate, hands-on instruction from resident experts in such creative activities as life drawing, painting, beading, drink mixology, culinary lessons, taste tests and chef-prepared dinners. The Hideaway: It is indeed a hideaway as the name implies as it offers a retreat alcove where you can retreat, find solace and disconnect from the frenzied activities unfolding all over the place, to a blissful rest and relaxation. You can read a book, listen to music, do a crossword puzzle, or explore your iPad or laptop. Michael's Club: Enhanced with a cozy wraparound bar, high-top seating with bar stools and low-top seating in plush banquettes.

Valletta Valletta in Malta was first port of call. After attending a presentation the previous day on the history of Malta, we were really fired up to explore this ancient city. We visited the glass-making factories, browsed their shops, then on to the old city to see the place where it was claimed that St. Paul spent time preaching after he was ship-wrecked on his way to Rome. Argostoli The next stop was Argostoli, Greece. A quiet town, which shuts down after the tourist season, that is, November April every year. There was not much to explore, so we just strolled around the streets window-shopping and chatting with the locals until it was time to get back on board the ship. Ashdod On the sixth day we arrived in Ashdod and boarded a coach for the pre-arranged tour of Bethlehem to visit the Shepherds Fields and the series of shrines within the Basilica of the Nativity. We then stopped just outside the city to buy souvenirs and return to the ship. The next day was Friday, so we left the ship very early with Dudi, our guide. We needed to get into the old city of Jerusalem before the police blocked the entrance for security reasons.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 april 2015

Travel & Tourism 43

Sign of Nike at Ephesus 1880

Library of Celcius in Ephesus 1896

Ice Sculpture on board 1938

The ampitheatre in Ehpesus where Paul preached 1898

Unfortunately, we did not get to enter the Temple Mount area as it had already been cordoned off by the police, neither were we able to visit the Mount of Olives for the same reason. However, we visited the Pools of Bethesda and the Santana before walking along the “Way of the Cross” to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher (or the “Garden Tomb). In the afternoon, we visited the Dead Sea area to enjoy a healthy “float” atop its salty and asphaltic waters. This experience compensated for what we missed earlier. Haifa That night, our ship set sail for Haifa, arriving the next morning. From here we continued our tour of Israel with Dodi. We travelled along Mount Carmel, an important centre for Prophet Elias’ actions and prophecies. We crossed the Valley of Armageddon, climbing up the Galilee Hills to the city of Nazareth, Jesus’ childhood hometown. Our tour included a visit to the Basilica of the Nativity and the nearby chapel of St. Joseph’s workshop. We then travelled across Cana, the place of Jesus’ first miracle while heading to the Sea of Galilee. At Capernaum, we saw Peter’s house and stood inside the Synagogue where Jesus preached. Then we continued to

the place of the multiplication of the loaves and fish before getting to the place of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount the Sanctuary of the Beatitudes. On the way back to Haifa we passed close to the Jordan River baptismal site. Ephesus That same night we headed for Ephesus in Turkey, arriving the next morning at the port of Kusadasi. Waiting for us at the port was our guide, John. He was a local, very knowledgeable about the area as he said he used to play around in some of the ruins we would be visiting. Now considered to be an open air archaeological museum, Ephesus was built on a small hill with the entrance located at the top and the exit at the bottom. We drove through the Turkish countryside to the House of the Virgin Mary where the Blessed Virgin is reputed to have spent the last years of her life. The site was made famous by the travels of Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II. In November of 2006, Pope Benedictus the 16th paid an official visit to the House of the Virgin Mary. Outside is the Fountain of Our Lady where you can taste or collect water. Next, we began our exploration of the ancient site as we passed by the Magnesia gate and entered the admin-

The North Gate Jerusalem Wall 1599

istrative section of ancient Ephesus. This guided walking tour took us through one of the most magnificent excavations in the world. We saw the Odeon, the Fountain of Trajan, the steam baths of Scholastika, temple of Hadrian and the most famous structure, the Library of Celcius. The facade of the library has twostories, with Corinthian style columns on the ground floor and three entrances to the building. Then we saw the Grand Theatre, where St. Paul preached. It is one of the largest theatres in antiquity with a capacity of 24,000 seats. Our final destination in Ephesus was through the Arcadian way, where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. From there, we proceeded to the remains of St. John's Basilica which overlooks Ephesus and was once a great church built on a second century tomb thought to hold the remains of St. John. While the church is now in ruins, there are frescoes, mosaics and graceful columns that attest to the glory that once marked the place where St. John, the Evangelist, lived and died. At the conclusion of our visit, we had a typical Turkish lunch at a local restaurant before going shopping at

one of the best leather goods factory outlets in the city. Athens We set sail that night for Athens. By this time we were all tired from the intensive four days’ excursion, so we spent some time lolling at the port area without seeing much of the city. In the evening we had a party hosted by a member of the group to celebrate her retirement. It was so much fun as our new friends on board were invited to celebrate with us. Subsequently, our daily routine was more sedate, with most of our activities centred on the many sales events on board. Naples In Naples, the ladies went shopping for leather goods and jewelry while we spent the night packing and preparing for disembarkation the following morning in Rome. Endnote To be part of a group cruise, you will need to book your cruise well in advance and process a multiple entry Shenghen visa. This sailing is available in the month of October every year on the same ship.

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 APRIL 2015

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Vol. 1

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SATURDAY, 4 APRIL, 2015

SATURDAY

Politics 45

Cover

Aisha Buhari: Unveiling the incoming first lady p.51

Perspectives

Borno guber: Gambo Lawan in last-minute push p.54

Politics

I regret my actions, Orubebe begs p.53

The president-elect's men and women General Muhammadu Buhari's personality may have been the major force that swept the All Progressives Congress to victory in the presidential election, but there are many individuals - some visible and others behind the shadows - who also made immense contributions. Some threw in their financial muscle to support the president-elect while others were saddled with mobilisation and other strategic functions such that Buhari, unlike in his three previous attempts to become the president, became a somewhat irresistible brand. Who are these men and women that made the dream possible? Indeed, the number is huge but some heavyweights played special roles in the emergence of Buhari as president. These personalities also seem likely to shape his incoming administration. ONWUKA NZESHI, FELIX NWANERI, DONALD OJOGO, JOHNCHUKS ONUANYIM, PHILIP NYAM, IBRAHEEM MUSA, KUNLE OLAYENI, TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE and WALE ELEGBEDE report

COVER Bola Tinubu: The stabiliser There is no doubt that former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, played a big role in General Muhammadu Buhari's victory in the presidential election. Tinubu and Buhari, it would be recalled, championed the merger of the leading opposition parties that led to the formation of the APC. Both men had to let go of their grip of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) which merged with the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP). The former Lagos governor also had to forego his own ambition to work for Buhari’s victory. His support for Buhari stemmed from the party’s national convention where he mobilised other party stakeholders and APC governors to ensure that the former head of state was not muscled out by other presidential aspirants with huge financial war chests. Tinubu had shown interest in the APC vice presidential ticket after the party’s national convention, but he backed out after consultations by party chieftains on the effect of a Muslim/Muslim ticket on APC’s chances in the presidential poll. This paved the way for the choice of a former Lagos State attorney-general and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and perhaps explains the acceptance of the party by the majority of Nigerians from across the various religious divides. Osinbajo’s emergence Buhari

was however not without Tinubu’s consent. The vice president-elect has remained a close ally of the APC national leader since his days as a commissioner in Tinubu’s administration (1999-2007). Though the former Lagos governor did not get the vice presidential ticket, he remained in the forefront of the Buhari campaign, traversing the length and breadth of the country, canvassing for votes for his party’s presidential candidate, particularly in the South-West, where he holds sway politically. Tinubu’s political machinery ensured victory for the APC in five of the six states of the zone. The party won in Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo and Ondo, but lost to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti. To many political observers, the former Lagos governor is the reason for the inroad that Buhari made in the South-West. The president-elect had never won in any state of the zone since 2003 he started vying for the presidency. Tinubu’s influence is beyond Lagos, as his political dynasty has spread to states like Osun, Oyo, Ogun and even Ekiti. There is hardly any political office holder in these states whose loyalty is not to the former Lagos governor. Given his role in Buhari’s victory, Tinubu is likely to be the link between the South-West and the presidency in the coming dispensation. Against this backdrop, it is expected that he will have a say in the choice of party men from the zone who would be joining the presidency in whatever capacity as he has over time demonstrated an uncanny ability to identify political as well as administrative assets. Rochas Okorocha The Imo State governor was vilified by most of his kinsmen in the South-East when he dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

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(APGA) platform on which he was elected for the APC at its formation, but the move had paid off following Buhari’s victory in the presidential election. Okorocha was among the five contestants for the APC presidential ticket, but came fourth with 624 votes. The loss did not dampen his resolve to work with other party chieftains to work for Buhari’s victory. He was virtually at all APC presidential rallies despite the fact that he is running for a second term and needed to be on the road in his state, soliciting for votes. The presidential election result proved that the governor, who never wavered in his belief that the APC is a formidable platform that will enthrone good governance at all levels in the country, was able to do a lot of conviction in the South-East given the pockets of votes the party got. Most people in the zone believe that the opposition party is a Yoruba/Hausa party, and as a result, there was no need to support it when it is out to unseat one of their own – President Goodluck Jonathan. Though the APC was routed by the PDP in Imo and other states of the SouthEast, the likes of Okorocha ensured a balance of power in the zone despite heavy military deployment during the election. This contributed to the not too impressive votes the ruling party had in the area although it won. For instance, while it was possible for the PDP to poll over 1.2 million votes in Imo State in the 2011 presidential election, it secured less than half of the figure in the March 28 poll. The ruling party polled 559,183 votes while APC had 133, 253. The state has 1.7 million eligible voters, and what the result of the presidential election showed is that the Okorocha-led APC in the state was able to checkmate excessive voting as witnessed in previous elections. Okorocha is contesting the April 11 governorship election, but win or lose; he will be relevant in the incoming government as he is the highest ranking Igbo political leader that identified with the APC. The governor is not only expected to serve as a link between the Buhari administration and the South-East, he would be consulted by the party’s hierarchy in most positions that would go to the zone. Rotimi Amaechi: Rallying force The history of Buhari's presidential election cannot be written without a large chunk chapters dedicated to Rotimi Amaechi, the governor of Rivers State. Amaechi was elected governor in 2007 on the platform of the PDP and in 2013 he led four other governors to defect to the APC due to irreconcilable differences between them and the leadership of the ruling party. Having succeeded to lead other governors to join the APC in 2013, Amaechi threw all he had into the struggle that power must be wrestled from the PDP. He sold the party to the South-South people as an alternative party that would develop the region, and canvassed support for the party in the North. Amaechi, the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), was one of those behind the emergence of Buhari as the presidential candidate of the APC at the National Convention of the party on December 10 and 11. It was when he resolved with Tinubu on the preference of Buhari as the APC presidential candidate that the APC governors and their supporters queued behind Buhari. In the election proper, when he

Tinubu

Okorocha

missed to secure the vice presidential ticket of the party, he did not rock the boat. He stood behind the party and its presidential candidate before he was made the Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO). He was all over the country campaigning for Buhari. He supported the party financially. Amaechi was accused of bringing the resources of the Niger Delta people including the state private jet to support Buhari. He was seen as the black sheep of the Niger Delta. Now that the APC has won the presidential election, all eyes from the South-South would be on Amaechi on what he brings back home. As one of the major financiers of the APC from the South-South, he is expected to play a major role in the administration of Buhari as a compensation for selling the APC presidential candidate to the South-South people above their kinsman, President Goodluck Jonathan. As the Director General of the APCPCO, Amaechi would be expected to be a member of the kitchen cabinet of Buhari and also influence key nominations. Obasanjo: an ex-president's rage One of the most prominent personalities that gave Buhari’s momentum the greatest impetus was former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In the build-up to the March 28 presidential election, Obasanjo’s numerous public comments and posturing helped in creating a positive political perception for the APC candidate. Having served as military head of state for over three years and civilian

Amaechi

Oyegun's strong character of integrity was brought to bear during the primaries of the party for the general elections president for eight years, Obasanjo towers above other political figures and wields tremendous influence in the nation’s polity. After his exit from power, he also served as the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the PDP. He was considered an oracle of sorts. When things fell apart between Obasanjo and President Jonathan, Buhari began to emerge as the favourite of the powers-that-be to step into the Presidency. Obasanjo overlooked his differences with the APC candidate, whom the PDP had roundly defeated in 2003, 2007 and 2011 presidential elections. The former president became an agent provocateur of sorts for the opposition and his activities and criticisms went a long way in fostering public disdain against Jonathan. In an open letter to Jonathan, the former president accused the incumbent of fanning the embers of tribalism, condoning corruption and training snipers. At various fora, Obasanjo criticised Jonathan over the management of the na-

tion’s economy and deplored the depletion of the external reserves as well as the continuous downward slide of the Naira under the president’s watch. Apt and poignant, these comments helped to check and counter subterranean moves by the Jonathan administration against Buhari. During one of his visits to Obasanjo, Buhari got a clean bill of health on his management of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). According to the ex-president, the APC presidential candidate never soiled his hands when he superintended over PTF between March 1995 and May 1999. He also disclosed that the probe launched by his administration never found Buhari wanting. While further making a case for Buhari, the ex-president pooh-poohed the allegations that the APC candidate is surrounded by certain corrupt politicians. He explained that all political parties are made up of “saints and devils.” He, however, noted that any political party that eventually succeeded in forming government should separate the wheat from the chaff by appointing people with integrity and character into political offices. On Buhari’s certificate saga, Obasanjo wondered why the APC candidate’s opponents were making so much fuss out of an otherwise insignificant issue. He urged Nigerian politicians to desist from debating on trivialities and focus on real issues. The last straw that broke the camel’s back was when Obasanjo ordered that his PDP membership card be torn publicly. The event signalled a death knell for the ruling party. When elections were approaching and people started to seek his categorical views, Obasanjo said he had already spoken both “in speech and body language.” Coupled with his second term endorsement of Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, many came to the conclusion that Buhari was the preferred candidate of the former president. And the verdict came when INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, announced the APC candidate as winner of the epic presidential contest. John Odigie-Oyegun: A party stabiliser Chief Odigie-Oyegun, the National Chairman of the APC was the former governor of Edo State. The emergence of Odigie- Oyegun as the first substantive national chairman of the APC was surrounded with controversy, however it strengthened the party as some people considered as moles in the party by the national leadership of the party left the APC. Oyegun's strong character of integrity was brought to bear during the primaries of the party for the general elections. He stood his ground that internal democracy was going to be installed in the party and this almost reflected in all the states. His refusal to accept a consensus presidential candidate earned him some bad names. However, his forthrightness to produce a presidential candidate for the APC through a National Convention gave the APC a national acceptability that resulted in the party victory at the presidential poll conducted on March 28. Among the APC presidential candidates that lost at the national convention of the party, no one holds ill feelings towards Odigie-Oyegun as they all joined the party to realise its presidential ambition. Odigie-Oyegun, as the national chairman of the APC, would be there to guide the Buhari administration as he would be expected to remind him of CONTINUED ON PAGE 47

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the manifestoes of the party. Also those that would be ministers on the platform of the party would to expected to be blessed by the national leadership of the party led by Odigie-Oyegun. Hadiza Bala Usman: Tireless activist Apart from name recognition, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman has clocked a few nautical miles of her own in opposition politics. First and foremost, she is the daughter of the late Dr. Yusufu Bala Usman, the radical lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University(ABU) Zaria. In the Obasanjo administration, she was particularly close to the government’s think-tank, especially Mallam Nasir elRufai, her father’s intellectual godson. However, like el-Rufai, she switched to opposition politics after the demise of Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, President Olusegun Obasanjo’s successor. In 2011, Hadiza contested for the Musawa/ Matazu Federal Constituency on the platform of the defunct CPC, in her Katsina State of origin. However, she played a leading role in the APC merger. Significantly, that effort has paid off as she became a member of the party’s Finance Committee, an aide to Amaechi, the director-general of APCPCO. In addition, Hadiza is the Director of Finance of el Rufai Campaign Council in Kaduna State. Apart from politics, Hadiza is also an activist. In particular, she is one of the pillars of #BringbackourGirls# campaign, a pressure group that kicked against government’s lackadaisical attitude over the fate of the abducted Chibok girls in Borno State. Specifically, the APC used government’s inertia over the Chibok abduction to showcase President Jonathan’s ineffectiveness in his war against insurgency. In the coming administration, Hadiza will be one of the policy drivers of the Buhari government, given her political antecedents and intelligence. Atiku Abubakar Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar was one of the APC presidential aspirants. He brought glamour into the APC and insisted that the choice of the party's presidential candidate was going to be transparent. He visited all the states to woo the APC supporters and delegates for the National Convention of the party that produced the presidential candidate in December last year. Atiku lost the presidential ticket of the APC to Buhari as he came third in that convention. After the party's convention, many believed that Atiku was going to leave the party to push his presidential ambition on another political platform, but this did not happened. Even there were reports that Atiku was going to return to the PDP where he served as vice president for eight years. All these did not come to pass as Atiku donated his media team headed by Garba Shehu to the APCPCO. To show his commitment to the APC, Atiku was present at the meeting of Buhari with media executives organised in Abuja in the build up to the election. Although he was not so much prominent in the presidential campaign of the party, he was the National Vice Chairman (North) of the presidential campaign. He contributed immensely to the success of the APC presidential election as he also delivered his state, Adamawa, with 374 ,701 votes against PDP’s 251, 664.He was also instrumental to the progress made in Taraba State. He would be expected to make contributions from the North on how Buhari's

Obasanjo

government would be formed.

Odigie-Oyegun

Tanimu Yakubu Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi, an economist and former chief economic adviser to late President Yar’Adua was first appointed commissioner for finance when Yar’Adua was elected governor of Katsina in 1999. He later became Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria. Since he left government in 2010 following the demise of Yar’Adua, he had maintained a low profile and stayed out of the limelight. In the current political dispensation, Tanimu was among those projected to pilot the campaign of Buhari. He was initially tipped to head the Policy Research and Strategy Directorate of the campaign organisation. The team was tasked with developing the economic blueprint and policy direction for the presidential flag bearer of the APC. However, when the party unveiled its campaign team, Tanimu's name was missing on the list. His exclusion from the team, some say was due to protests from some party stakeholders who felt that Tanimu ought not to play such a prominent role in the APC giving his past political affiliations. It is also possible that Tanimu may have also opted out of the visible team and chose to work from the background for his kinsman. He belongs to a group of young professionals of Katsina State origin, who allegedly made money from the Petroleum Special Trust Fund (PTF), a programme initiated during the Sani Abacha regime and then headed by Buhari until Obasanjo scrapped it in 1999. Tanimu had once been a powerful figure in government where he played some controversial roles in policies and programmes. It is very likely that he would soon resurface in the new government as one of the cabinet ministers.

Saraki political dynasty is heading to the Nigerian Senate for the second time. That he has an enormous influence and firm grip of the politics of Kwara State is stating the obvious. Not only is he the leader of the APC in the state; as a former governor, Saraki is among the few politicians who enjoy the continuous loyalty of their predecessors to the extent that as governor, Alhaji Ahmed Abdulfattah defers to him not only on state matters but also on party matters. At the inception of the APC, its effect was not much felt at the Senate until Saraki led a sizeable number of serving PDP senators (then) to dump the PDP for the APC after aligning with the New PDP for weeks. From that moment, he has provided leadership nationwide. In the run up to the presidential ticket of the APC, Saraki had reportedly rallied some governors, most of whom he had led as chairman of the once vibrant Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) to take a common stand by beefing up the support base of the President-elect. He was said have secretly led a group of leaders of the APC against the sudden drafting of the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal into the race for the party's presidential ticket. As a former influential member of the PDP, Saraki was said to have hinted of his former party's apprehension of a Buhari candidacy. After Buhari's emergence as presidential candidate, Saraki took it upon himself to pressurise his friend Amaechi, to accept the position of the Campaign Director General. Not only did he do so, he actually contributed handsomely to initial campaign fund. In the unfolding scenario, Senator Saraki will play a key role in the government. There are reports that the APC is considering the retention of the Senate Presidency in the North Central and Saraki looks good to clinch the nation's number three position.

Bukola Saraki The scion of the late Senator Olusola

Timipre Sylva Sylva became governor of Bayelsa

State after President Jonathan was chosen as the running mate to the late President Yar'Adua in the 2007 presidential election. Even though reports had it that Sylva was not Jonathan's choice as his replacement, he had to accept it because he was not in charge. The relationship between the duo had been largely that of suppressed animosity and cold war. However, Sylva drew Jonathan's ire in the trying period of the late president's ill health when as governor of the then vice president's home state, he openly kicked against allowing Jonathan to play the role of an acting president. That was the defining moment until Jonathan, using proxies, stopped Sylva from contesting the PDP governorship primary that threw up the incumbent, Henry Seriake Dickson, as the governor of the state. To pundits, Sylva's decision to join the then opposition APC was a matter of time. Soon after joining the party, the former governor had desired a shot at the national chairmanship of the APC but was prevailed upon to back out. In the permutations to the presidential primaries, Sylva started with Buhari and ended with Buhari. The pockets of support the APC has in the Ijaw-speaking areas of the South-South are largely due to his influence. He had attempted to go to the Senate in the March 28 election but was unsuccessful. All the same, the political dynamics within the APC are such that an outright obliteration of Ijaw interests in the South-South is not mostly likely to be an option for the incoming government at the centre. Therefore, Sylva's continued relevance is certain if only to interface between the Buhari-led government and the fourth largest ethnic nationality from where President Jonathan hails. Alternatively too, a governorship comeback is possible for Sylva in the face of the growing opposition Dickson is facing from within and outside the PDP in the state. Nasir el-Rufai: The brain box As a policy driver, Malam Nasir elRufai, is a technocrat turned politician. In that regard, he will be one of the brain boxes of Buhari administration. First and foremost, he represented the former CPC, one of the legacy parties, during the merger talks that gave birth to APC. Afterwards, el-Rufai became APC’s Deputy National Secretary but the exminister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) wanted to work directly with Buhari. However, Buhari asked him to run for the governorship of Kaduna State and el-Rufai, with that endorsement, threw his hat into the ring and won the primaries. Before now, the gubernatorial candidate had been shuttling between Kaduna and Abuja, in the heat of his own campaign, to attend party meetings, inner caucus parleys and strategy sessions. Significantly, the ex-FCT Minister helped in selling Buhari to the international community, using his contacts and various networks. El Rufai, with a private sector background, will not only play a big role in Buhari’s Economic Team but will feature prominently in the war against corruption. However, combining this role and governing Kaduna, assuming he wins the election, will be a huge burden on his small frame. From his antecedents, the vertically challenged Quantity Surveyor can shoulder the work load. Rabiu Kwankwaso: Spinning the votes By nature, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Kano State governor, does not sit on the fence: he is either for or

Saraki

Kwankwaso

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against you. Similarly, his force of character, strong personality and record of achievements have endeared Kwankwaso to his people. In 2013, Kwankwaso and six other governors fell out with Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the PDP National Chairman. The feud, like a crack on the wall, had provided the necessary opening and Buhari, Tinubu and a host of other APC chieftains, cashed in on the internal division within the PDP. Specifically, they went round the governors, lobbied them hard and five of them defected to the APC. Kwankwaso became the biggest catch as subsequent events have shown. First, Kano State gave Buhari the highest number of votes in the presidential election. Secondly, Kwankwaso’s entry into the APC, by cold calculations, forced Malam Ibrahim Shekarau out of the party, killing his speculated presidential ambition. Buhari, by popular consensus, was the candidate of the legacy parties and the APC, according to reports, didn’t want Shekarau to disrupt this game plan. However, Kwankwaso had contested the presidential primaries but his aspiration, according to insiders, was largely to checkmate Atiku. In addition, Kwankwaso became APC’s reference for performance in the North, just like Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State. Specifically, the party flaunted the two governors’ achievements, along with others, as evidence that an APC government will deliver on its promised infrastructural development. A former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, ex-Special Envoy to Dafur and onetime Defence Minister, Kwankwaso has been an active player in the nation’s governance since the stillborn Third Republic. As a senator, he will be an important gateway for the Buhari presidency by leveraging on his wealth of experience during the horse trading that is characteristics of lawmaking. Kwankwaso will surely play a role in the Buhari presidency. Col Hameed Ali: The Chief of Staff Former Military Administrator of Kaduna State, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd.) is a no nonsense person who plays by the rules. Strict, austere and incorruptible, Ali shares certain traits with Buhari. In 1997, he framtically cut down financial waste as the military administrator in Kaduna State, by leading by example. Specifically, recurrent expenditure and huge costs of running government were slashed. In addition, he sacked a lot of workers for going on strike, demanding a pay rise. Expectedly, this sacking elicited mixed reactions as southern Kaduna indigenes, the zone with the highest number of civil servants, alleged a witch-hunt in the exercise. However, some people saw it as a way of pruning down a large, ineffective and money guzzling civil service. After retiring, Ali became Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), under the late Chief Sunday Awoniyi, from 2003 to 2007. On that post, Ali ran a tight budget and brought discipline to the secretariat. In 2009, he chaired the Jamaátu Nasril Islam (JNI) ad hoc committee on relief for victims of Jos crisis. Since then, he has been contributing to community service and has been politically active. In 2011, Ali monitored the elections for the former CPC and in that regard, he kept vigil at the Camp Road Polling Unit, where Vice-President Namadi Sambo voted. Right now, Ali is Buhari’s chief of staff and barring any hitch, the

Fayemi

Oshiomhole

Fashola

Lai-Mohammed

retired Colonel may retain his position in the new government. Expectedly, he will bring his administrative experience, military disciple and frugality to bear on managing Aso Rock Villa. Mamora’s contributions Senator Olorunnibe Mamora is the Deputy Director-General of the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation. An astute politician, strategist and master of parliamentary procedures, Mamora’s contributions gave mileage to the APC presidential candidate’s ambition. Between 2003 and 2011, he represented Lagos East Senatorial District in the National Assembly. Before his ascension to the Senate, he was the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. He served as the speaker from 1999 when he was elected till 2003. He was even appointed Chairman of the Conference of Speakers between 2000 and 2001. At the Senate, he was the Deputy Minority Leader. Mamora, a medical doctor, parades intimidating political credentials. He was a National Delegate for the National Republican Convention (NRC) in 1990 and Secretary, Lagos East of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) in 1998. In most of Buhari’s local and foreign trips as well as political engagements, Mamora was always around the retired General, giving strategic support and media leverage. In several media interviews, he had predicted the APC candidate’s victory. He had maintained that no amount of largesse would change the minds of people in the South-West, who were tired of the PDP's 16 years of national leadership. The former Senate Minority Leader also lauded former President Obasanjo’s support for Buhari, saying such gesture was motivated by patriotism. He added that it was obvious that the APC presidential candidate’s popularity and acceptance was pan-Nigerian. He, however, assured Nigerians that Buhari would redeem his promises on assumption of office.

Adams Oshiomhole Governor Oshiomhole of Edo State has been one of the arrowheads of the APC in the South-South geo-political zone. As a trade unionist and a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oshiomhole shares a common ideology with other associates in the opposition camp. In the build up to the elections, Oshiomhole was touted as one of the possible candidates that the APC was looking forward to fielding to ensure they dislodged President Jonathan and the PDP from Aso Rock. After the emergence of Buhari and the search for a running mate began, Oshiomhole was again one of the front runners before the party decided to pick Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for the race. Oshiomhole, a very vocal orator and mobiliser was made the zonal coordinator of the Buhari Campaign Organisation in the South-South, a region dominated by the PDP. Benin City, the Edo State capital, hosted some of the most important campaigns of the main opposition party in the build up to the election. During those rallies, Oshiomhole took time to disabuse the minds of the people about certain negative perceptions of Buhari and what his election into office could mean for Nigerians. In one of those outings, Oshiomhole had this to say: "The issue of this election is not about religion or tribe. It is

They are saying APC is a Muslim party. How can a party that parades Christians, such as me, Odigie-Oyegun, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and many others, be described as a Muslim party?

about who has what it takes to repair our country. It is about who will give us light. If PDP couldn’t give us light in 16 years, shouldn’t we give it to someone else? Take a critical look at this election, when NEPA takes light, do they segregate between Christians and Muslims? When they bring fixed charges, do they differentiate between Christians and Muslims? Are both Christians and Muslims not suffering the inefficiency of the PDP’s 16 years of misgovernance? “They are saying APC is a Muslim party. How can a party that parades Christians, such as me, Odigie-Oyegun, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and many others, be described as a Muslim party? Now let’s look at it, if Nigeria’s problem is about religion, since 1999 till now, Christians have ruled the nation for 14 years, how come if it is really about religion that despite ruling for 14 years, Nigeria that ought to be like heaven is still like hell?" Oshiomhole made no pretences about his commitment to Buhari's ambition and this often brought him on collision with the ruling party. Although the results from Edo State showed that Buhari was beaten by the PDP candidate, President Jonathan in the presidential election, Oshiomhole was consoled that his party triumphed on the overall scores. He described the victory as a new dawn in democratic process and declared a public holiday in Edo State to celebrate it. In the coming days, Oshiomhole will surely be among those who will work closely with the incoming government at the centre to formulate its agenda and policy directions. If Oshimhole were not a serving governor who still has up to one year to conclude his second term, he would have been among the ministerial nominees in the new government. Babatunde Fashola The Lagos State governor was the Director of the Buhari-Osinbajo Presidential Campaign Fund raising Committee, and he had so far brought his ingenuity to bear by deploying several measures to raise funds for the presidential project. Besides raising funds, Fashola was also in the vanguard of the APC’s presidential campaign. There is hardly any of the party’s rallies that he is not seen marshalling out point why the electorate should vote out the PDP-led Federal Government. He was instrumental to raising fund for the Buhari campaign. There are speculations that Fashola may end as the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice in the Buhari presidency. Kayode Fayemi For former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, nothing ruffles him. Even when he lost the governorship election to the incumbent governor, he was not ruffled. In fact, it could be said that he laid precedence for democratic ethos by conceding victory immediately after the election to his opponent, Governor Ayo Fayose of the PDP. While some saw his decision to congratulate Fayose as too hasty and a sign of immature politics, less than one year after his action, he is now been seen as setting the stage for last Tuesday’s conceding of defeat by President Jonathan. After losing out in Ekiti State, Fayemi moved into the mainstream of party politics and was subsequently appointed as the chairman of the 24-member National Convention Planning Committee of the APC which held in Lagos. He was the Director of Policy of the APC, PCO. Fayemi is regarded as a political techCONTINUED ON PAGE 49

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nocrat and he is one of the think-tank that is expected to make the administration of Buhari tick. The former governor who possesses a Doctorate degree in War Studies from the prestigious Kings College, University of London, England, is vast and experienced in developmental governance and will be a valuable asset for the incoming government. Garba Shehu: Erudite spokesman The Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation is a known name in the media. As the head of the former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar's media office and one time President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), Shehu brought his wealth of experience to bear in the presidential campaign. He understood that the campaign was more of a media war, therefore was able to project the APC and character of its presidential candidate, Buhari, in good light. Shehu also believed that the campaign must be anchored on issues and not character assassination and therefore did not bring anything to the media that could Ngige negate the perception of the party or its presidential candidate. As a seasoned public relations person, his packaging of Buhari was a factor for APC to win the presidential election. Shehu will be expected also to project the government of Buhari in good light to the international community. Shehu has a good chance to become the president’s spokesperson or play a significant role in the Buhari administration. Lai-Mohammed: PDP’s nemesis The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is also another media personality, who helped the cause of the APC and its presidential candidate to become the president-elect. Mohammed has a tremendous reach in the media and he made use of it to prosecute the aspirations of the party in the last presidential election. He represented the APC in all the debates organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) on good governance. Mohammed’s ability to bring the plots of the ruling party, the PDP, to the knowledge of Nigerians helped the APC to avert so many hindrances that could have impacted negatively on the party in the presidential election. His propagandist machine was very positive to the party and the presidentelect. Mohammed will not be Buhari's government on the platform of state but on his person and contributions to the APC presidential campaign. He has an option to stay with the party and stabilise it or serve in the Buhari’s government. Ngige: After failed re-election, things are looking up Senator Chris Ngige who represents Anambra Central Senatorial District was made popular politically through his abduction as a governor in 2003 by the Uba's family for refusing to compromise. Ever since then, he has become an instrument in the hands of the opposition party in Anambra State. He was the character that the APC used to test its political strengthen in 2013 when he contested the state governorship election. He lost that election to the All Progressives Grand Alliance candidate (APGA), Willie Obiano. He returned to the Senate and since then became the eye of the APC in Anambra and South-East. Whatever impact that the APC president-elect made in Anambra was as a result of the medical turn politician, though he lost his senatorial election to the PDP candidate, Hon. Uche Ekwunife.

Wamakko

Wamakko did not fight his deputy, Alhaji Mukhtari Shehu Shagari for refusing to cross over to the APC with him. Shagari, has not been denied the paraphernalia of office

Ngige will be expected to play a major role in Buhari's government if not he will be jeered and bullied by his kinsmen and the Igbo. If Ngige had secured a return ticket to the Senate, he would have been one of the senators to be considered for the principal officers of the Red Chamber. He is likely going to be a minister. George Akume A two-time governor of Benue State and now a third-time senator, the Minority Leader of the Senate is not a neophyte to Nigeria's political chicanery. His successes with the APC dates back to the ACN days as his defection to the party, a few months to the 2011 general elections changed the party's fortune in the state for good. Akume galvanised the party into a force to reckon and brought up Prof. Steve Ugbah, who gave Governor Gabriel Suswam sleepless nights. In fact, up till today, many still believe that the ACN won the gubernatorial election in 2011. He is now seen by many as the political leader of the Tiv and perhaps the Middle Belt. Akume's political marriage with Tinubu (South-West) is reminiscent of the alliance between late J.S. Tarka's UMBC and Chief Obafemi Awolowo's AG in the First Republic. A man with a large heart, he draws uncommon followership across the state because of his humility and generosity. He is one rare politician of such high status that still bears the title "Mr" in Nigeria. Through his popularity and widespread acceptance, the APC, an opposition party, has won at the presiden-

tial poll in the state and is set to clinch the governorship come April 11. In spite of the religious sentiments expressed in some quarters because the state is predominantly Christian, Akume's leadership of the APC was able to deliver the majority votes to Buhari and the APC. He convinced a former national chairman of the PDP, Senator Barnabas Gemade, to defect to the APC, who through his instrumentality, was handed the party's senatorial ticket for Zone A, where he trounced outgoing Governor Gabriel Suswam in a historic contest. With Gemade's pedigree, the party became stronger and it was able to deliver the majority votes in the state to Buhari. Akume is a top contender for the position of Senate President if the office is ceded to the North Central geo-political zone. He is poised to occupy a strategic position in the new government. He may be Senate Leader as well. But whatever happens, Akume remains a key player in the party and his enviable contributions cannot be wished away. Aliyu Wamakko The senator-elect is a two-time governor of Sokoto State and major actor in the APC. A suave and die-hard political fighter, Wamakko's ascendancy to the position of governor was fraught with legal battles. On two occasions, Wamakko had faced two court-ordered rerun, and both occasions he triumphed. He was a former deputy governor of Sokoto from 1999-2006 before he resigned when things went awry with his boss. He went ahead to clinch the coveted post of governor in 2007 on the platform of the PDP. The governor, fondly called Alu has in spite of his aristocratic background being a through bred grassroots politician who has chosen to work for the common man. For example, he was first to establish an Almajiri school where the then Minister of Education, Prof. Rukayatu Rufai, relied on his assistance and expertise to replicate that at the federal level. A political tactician of note with a measurable level of patience and tolerance, Wamakko did not fight his deputy, Alhaji Mukhtari Shehu Shagari, for refusing to cross over to the APC with him. Shagari has not been denied of the paraphernalia of office. A renowned team player, his entry into the APC alongside Kwankaso changed the political topography of the North-West in favour of the opposition. Due to his acceptance among the peo-

ple, he successfully caged the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and defence minister, Maj. Gen. Aliyu Gusau (rtd), whose images loomed large in the PDP in the North West. Wamakko created an indomitable platform for Tambuwal to flourish. He ensured that the speaker left the PDP and subsequently got the party's ticket for April 11 gubernatorial election. Most importantly, he converted his goodwill and popularity into votes for Buhari and delivered all National Assembly seats to the APC. As a senator and a major financier of the party, Wamakko is set for a kingship role in the unfolding government. If he ends up as a committee chairman, he will be a force to reckon with in the party and the Buhari administration. Adamu Aliero Resilient and reticent, Senator Adamu Aliero, retired customs officer turned politician has nurtured himself into a national political figure of repute. Fondly referred to as the father of modern Kebbi State, Aliero assumed office as governor of the state in 1999, when it could best be described as a glorified local government area. He was able to lay a solid foundation for the development of the state in the eight years he governed. He occupies a central place in the history of the state and the politics of North-West geopolitical zone. This will be Aliero's second coming to the Senate having been earlier elected in 2011 but was appointed FCT minister by the late Yar'Adua. Regarded by many as a strategist, Aliero's political career experienced a lull after he was dropped from the cabinet by then acting President Jonathan in 2010. His attempt to return to the Senate in 2011 was unsuccessful forcing him to withdraw from the scene to re-strategise. Aliero left the PDP for the opposition, his first love, and is today a senator-elect. In the APC, Aliero is among the biggest mobilisers and believer in the philosophy of Buhari. In the North-West, he plays the role of a father-figure selling the candidature of the General. With his clout, the APC has been able to turn the tide against the ruling PDP thereby causing the incumbent governor, Alhaji Usman Dakingari, to lose woefully in his senatorial bid on March 28. CONTINUED ON PAGE 50

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As a ranking senator, Aliero's second coming to the Senate sounds promising and stands him in good stead to play a leading role in the Buhari administration. He will not just be an elder but a kingmaker when the administration comes on stream. Abdullahi Adamu The Sarkin Yakin Keffi is a household name in Nasarawa State and a major player in the politics of the APC. A founding member and former secretary of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the PDP, the two-time governor of the state defected to the APC after the movement of the five "rebel" governors. An old war horse, Adamu started his political career as member of the Constituent Assembly in 1977. In the Second Republic, he was the first secretary of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). A former Minister of State in the Ministry of Works and Housing under the late Abacha. At the outset of the current political dispensation in 1998, he became a founding member of the PDP and contested for governor of the state and won. He was re-elected in 2003 and at the end of his second term, he was elected into the Senate on the platform of the PDP. He was re-elected in 2011 but defected from the party in 2013. Adamu is a strong advocate of zoning and was amongst the first politicians from the North to remind President Jonathan to respect the zoning arrangement of the PDP and abdicate power to the North in 2015. In 2007, he worked alongside IBB, Atiku, Adamu Ciroma and other northern elders to pick a single northern candidate to contest against President Jonathan at the PDP primaries. He teamed up with the New PDP and mounted pressure on the Bamanga Tukur-led executive to reform the party. He is one of the leading lights of the APC in the North-Central, whose presence has ensured that Gen. Buhari secured the required 25 percent of the votes cast in the state. He is an experienced politician with vast network of friends and followers and will be of utmost benefit to the incoming government. Aminu Masari Aminu Bello Masari is one of the few aspirants in next Saturday's gubernatorial election, whose victory seems almost certain. The former speaker of the House of Representatives' ambition to govern Katsina State dates some years back since he left the Green Chamber in 2007. In 2011, when he flew the defunct CPC ticket, the crisis that rocked the nation after the presidential election negatively affected his chances. This time around, Masari's candidature is promoted by the fact that unlike 2011, Buhari has already won the presidency and looking at the groundswell of APC/Sai Baba sentiments among the electorate in the state, the former speaker's ambition to govern his state may be home and dry. A humble and suave character, Masari has successfully transformed the otherwise bleak landscape of power politics into a vigorous awakening of popular consciousness of the availability of credible alternative leadership initiatives. Due to his honesty and humble mien, Masari has gained from an enviable track record in his political career a large class of admirers. As speaker, he gave a good account of himself and leftan indelible legacy for presiding over a House that rejected third term. It is believed that his opposition to the third term agenda was responsible for his political woes after

Tambuwal

leaving the House. The progressive tendencies did not die as he teamed up with the likes of former Senate President Ken Nnamani, El Rufai and a host of others to form the PDP Reform Group. It was their inability to introduce the reform that led Masari and some of them to join Buhari's CPC. In as much as Masari seems to be riding on the back of Buhari to coast to victory, he has his own political base which he has deployed effectively to contribute in building the party in the state and nationally. His integrity has also helped in winning more souls for the party. Masari will be a strategic stakeholder in the Buhari as the governor of the incoming president's state if he wins. Apart from that, Masari has been with Buhari in the struggle from the CPC days and has resisted the temptation of going back to the PDP. Speaker Aminu Tambuwal The speaker of the House of Representatives is a cat with nine lives. He is indeed one of the shinning lights of the wind of change that is blowing across the nation's political space today. Tambuwal's disregard for the PDP's zoning formula to become speaker in 2011 marked the beginning of the decline of the party. Speaker Tambuwal leads the pack of non-returnees as he will be slugging it out in Sokoto with his erstwhile boss, Senator Abdallahi Wali of the PDP for the state gubernatorial seat. Tambuwal represents Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal constituency of Sokoto State and has been in the House since 2003. A shrewd and unassuming politician, Tambuwal's brand of politicking and experience will be greatly missed in the House. He came to the House on the ticket of APP, made a brief stopover in DPP but made his mark in the PDP and is leaving as an APC member. In his 12 years in the House, the Speaker has held different principal positions both in the minority and majority and now "minority-majority". His emergence as Speaker in June 2011 was the turning point in his fast rising political career, which has also rubbished zoning in the election of speaker. If he wins the Sokoto gubernatorial election on April 11, he will go down in history as the first speaker of the House since 1999 to have successfully transited directly from the exalted seat to another elective position. In fact, no presiding

Oyinlola

officer has ever made it. All the past speakers have failed in their bid to win any elective position even after leaving office. He will also leave the House as the first speaker to occupy the position from a minority party. Although, the APC is said to control the majority today. He will also go down in history as the first speaker without any financial misappropriation allegation levelled against him during his reign. The Sokoto-born lawyer's easy going style of presiding always got his colleagues to be on the same page with him. Deploying uncommon courage, jocularity, humility and subtleness, Tambuwal has enjoyed the kind of support both within and outside the House, that no speaker enjoyed since 1999. He know when to spice the plenary with jokes and when tobe firm. How he was able to successfully played loyaltygame with PDP for over three years, perhaps only he can tell the story. If the result of the presidential election is a sufficient benchmark, Tambuwal will be crowned governor of Sokoto State come April 11. As governor of the seat of the caliphate he will be a major player in the Buhari government. Rauf Aregbesola Ogbeni Aregbesola, the governor of Osun State and South-West Coordinator of APC Presidential Campaign Council contributed immensely to Buhari’s victory in the Yoruba states, especially in his home state. In the presidential election, APC got 383,603 votes to defeat the PDP that polled 249,929 votes. Aregbesola is an activist, engineer and politician. He served as Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in the Tinubu administration for almost eight years before going to Osun State to run for governorship election in April 2007 on the platform of the Action Congress (AC). He fought tirelessly in court for several months before a Federal Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, restored his mandate by declaring him the winner of the 2007 election. The court also ordered him to be sworn in as governor on November 27, 2010. After being in the saddle for four years, he sought for re-election and was re-elected during the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the state. Since his emergence as governor of Osun State in 2010, Aregbesola has never hidden his perceived hatred for the PDP.

During 2011 presidential election, while the other five states in South-West supported President Jonathan and the PDP, the governor refused to toe the path of others, as he delivered Osun State to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) presidential candidate, Malam Nuhu Ribadu. Aregbesola was one of those that contributed to Buhari’s emergence as APC presidential candidate during the party’s primary election in Lagos. In the build up to the election, he campaigned vigorously for change. Apart from his massive campaign in all the nooks and crannies of Osun State, the governor also toured many parts of South-West, campaigning for APC. Olagunsoye Oyinlola Oyinlola is one of the few Nigerians that have tasted power both in the military and civilian administrations. He was appointed Military Administrator of Lagos State from December 1993 till August 1996, during the Sani Abachaled regime. He also served as governor of Osun State from May 29, 2003 till November 26, 2010 before a Court of Appeal threw him out of office to pave the way for Aregbesola to be sworn in. After leaving office, he also served as PDP National Secretary before he was removed through the court. Oyinlola was one of the leaders of the PDP that formed the Kawu Baraje-led New PDP. Few months after the New PDP leaders joined APC, the former governor also dumped the PDP. He defected to the APC few days to the August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun State to drum support for Aregbesola’s re-election. Since his defection to APC, Oyinlola has been one of the leaders and grassroots mobilisers of the party in the state. The Okuku-born Prince and member of APC Board of Trustees (BoT) is one of those that worked tirelessly with Governor Aregbesola, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Chief Bisi Akande and many others to ensure that Buhari became victorious in Osun State. He is good in speaking and canvassing for votes in local dialect. Abubakar Audu Prince Abubakar Audu was twice CONTINUED ON PAGE 52

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Aisha Buhari Unveiling the incoming first lady

Isioma Madike

he incoming first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has been described in several quarters as a rare combination of beauty and brains. But for her first campaign appearance in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Aisha was virtually anonymous. Only a few people could be said to have known her physically outside the confines of Katsina and Kaduna states where her husband hails from and lives respectively. She was literarily dragged out of her shell by the intriguing politics that has now thrown up her husband, Major-General (rtd) Muhammadu Buhari, as the next executive president of Nigeria. Her husband was the flag bearer of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded presidential election. Before the build up to the March 28, election, not much is known about her. She was at the background despite her husband’s larger-than-life status in the society. However, since she stepped out into the visual embrace of the general Nigerian public, she has been quite a statement. Tall, elegant and bespectacled, Aisha has kept tongues wagging ever since with the wide acknowledgement as a quintessence of beauty. Her academic credentials had also been laid bare and appreciated. Not only recognised as cerebrally beautiful, admired and self-effacing, but applauded as confidently articulate whenever she chooses to express herself. Little wonder, a consummate writer, Stella Lebi, described Aisha’s personality as the compensating balance that offsets the somewhat firm and disciplined military disposition of her husband. Others have also observed that the qualities of husband and wife found convergence in their selflessness and patriotic fervour. She was born in Adamawa State into the Fulani family of Nigeria's first Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu. She is also the granddaughter of the first traditional title holder of the Chiroman Adamawa. A woman with a royal pedigree, she was raised in the tradition of philanthropy, which is said to have been a guiding principle in both her private and public life. It was gathered that Buhari encouraged Aisha to further polish herself academically. She was said to have been tutored at home by an English teacher from the Command Secondary School, Kaduna. Her can do spirit, according to those in the know, is reflective of her desire to empower women through education, formal, informal and technical. She is seen as a thorough professional and an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in public administration. However, her quest for more

Never again will women be relegated to the posts of tea servers or treated as part of the home furniture

Mrs. Aisha Buhari

education took her into the field of physiotherapy and beauty therapy. She graduated from the legendary Carlton Institute of London and the Academy Esthetique Beauty Institute of France, Dubai, where she earned a post-graduate diploma in cosmetology and beauty therapy. Not done, she went on to enroll in the Distance Learning programme of the NCE at the National Teachers Institute (NTI), Kaduna. Thereafter, she registered in the undergraduate programme of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and received lectures at its Leventis Building satellite campus, Kaduna. She recently graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Master’s class. The wife of the president-elect is also a woman with great entrepreneurial spirit. She is credited with the National Board for Technical Education’s (NBTE’s) resource persons on Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology and has been participating fully on the small and medium scale enterprises curriculum of the NBTE. She is founder/Managing Director of Hanzy Spa and Principal of Hanzy Beauty Institute, which is one of the consultants on Youth Empowerment and Skill Acquisition programme of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC). Aisha, in her 40s is an elegant and stylish woman with deep passion for the under privileged. By May 29, the day when her husband takes his oath of office as the next president of Nigeria, she would, in the reckoning of many, become the queen of the revolution that re-writes the political

history of Nigeria. The wife of the incoming executive president was said to be shy as a girl from the rich lands of Adamawa but has over the years grown to become a voice for the down trodden, the sick and the disadvantaged. This was reflected throughout her campaign in support of her husband’s political quest. She assured women wherever she went that her husband's administration will give priority to women’s health and education in particular. “Women will be given opportunities to contribute to the greatness of Nigeria. Never again will women be relegated to the posts of tea servers or treated as part of the home furniture,” she added. A woman so confidant of the husband, Aisha never missed an opportunity to advocate for the empowerment of women in even traditionally male circles. With a woman like her as the First Lady of Nigeria, many believe it is certain that female issues will take the front burner in the Buhari administration. Following her certification in beauty and permanent make up, she was encouraged and supported by her husband to engage in private enterprise where she has since become an employer of labour, a mentor to aspiring cosmetologists and a consultant to the KRCP/NNPC on skills acquisition. She is a member of the United Kingdom Vocational Training and Charitable Trust (VTCT), the International Health and Beauty Council (HBC). Besides being an entrepreneur, Aisha is equally a consummate politician. A strong believer in the

project, Nigeria, she showed her political sagacity with successful campaigns across the country in the build up to the just concluded presidential election where she pulled off an incredible crowd of successful women both in the public and private sector. Housewives and home makers were equally present and honored by this woman who spent the early years of her married life as a home maker. Her exhortation to women at these events was change and positive change for Nigeria and for all women. While inaugurating the initiative, Aisha urged the women to unite and cooperate with the men by mobilising women at all levels to ensure success at the presidential poll. She admonished them to double their efforts in educating other women on how to cast their votes and at the same time be civil in their conducts. “As I am talking to you now, more than 55 per cent of registered voters are women hence, it is imperative to have initiatives like this to mobilise fellow women at the grassroots. The meeting will plan campaign activities that will showcase the potentials of the women wing in selling the programmes of our great party to the women. This will include mobilising women by creating voters awareness, particularly in the area of registration, collection of Permanent Voters Card (PVC), identifying the party logo and how to cast their votes,’’ she said. She assured the women folk that her husband will not tamper with the office of the “First Lady”, if it is constitutionally recognised.

She was reacting to her husband’s promise to scrap the office of the first lady because it is unconstitutional and allegedly being used to steal public fund. According to her, where such does not exist constitutionally, she will limit her roles to the traditional functions of visiting orphanages and caring for society’s downtrodden as the first lady. “`When my husband is elected as the president of this country, he will rule the country within the rule of law based on the constitution of the country. “If the office of the first lady is constitutionally recognised, he will not tamper with it, but if it is not, that’s okay. For me, I will perform my duties and role as the wife of the President of Nigeria, traditionally. Wives of presidents have some traditional roles, like receiving guests, visiting orphanages and helping the less privileged people. They also lead in the fight for the right of women and malnourished children, infant mortality rate, kidnapping and girl-child trafficking,’’ she said. A devout Moslem and passionate wife, Aisha revealed in one of her recent interviews what she claimed most people do not know about her husband. According to her, Buhari loves comic stories, and he is humorous in nature. “Whenever he cracks jokes you will laugh till you shed tears. He also likes taking people by surprise. “My husband is a family-oriented person. He has very close relationships with his children, grandchild, and entire members of the family. He is very caring and protective of us. He believes in women’s education and encouraged me to pursue my educational goals. I’m sure Nigerian women know the truth that he is a gender sensitive leader in spite of the political propaganda to discredit him. He insisted during his time as Head of State that every council should have a female representative,” she further revealed. Aisha and her husband are blessed with five children - Halima, Yusuf, Zara, Aisha and Amina. She shares same name with her grandchild. Many are of the belief that she would as the First Lady of Nigeria, have cause to make women and youths, especially, to smile.

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The president-elect's men and women

Perspectives

The oak tree called Prince Eze Madumere Olusolape Ilori

S Nyako C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 5 0

governor of Kogi State. His first tenure was from January 1992 until November 1993 and the second from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2003. He was in support of the Kano State governor, Engr. Rabiu Kwakwanso for the APC presidential ticket. Since Kwankwaso lost and he didn't move out of APC, Audu stayed and transferred his support to Gen. Buhari. He followed the APC presidential campaign train throughout the North. He ensured that Buhari defeated President Jonathan in the state. He would be expected to contribute to the success of the APC administration as the leader of APC in Kogi State. Audu’s target is the governorship of the state. He may have to wait until early 2016 for the governorship election in the state. Ogbonnaya Onu Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the former governor of the old Abia State and former National Chairman of the defunct ANPP is from Ebonyi State. Although his person did not impact much in the presidential election in Ebonyi State as APC scored 19, 518 against that of PDP 323, 653 votes in the presidential election. The APC president-elect, Gen. Buhari, holds Onu in high esteem as he had said to some people that they were three that formed APC – himself, Tinubu and Onu. He was also the chairman of the APC presidential screening committee. The committee was made up of seven members. In setting up the committee, the APC national chairman, Odigie-Oyegun extolled the virtues of Onu as onetime presidential candidate of a political party and somebody who has the ability to rule the country. Onu is one of the three major personalities from South-East geopolitical zone who are in the APC. He is expected to play a major role in Buhari's administration and probably replaced his kinsman, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan Senator Al-Hassan represents the Taraba North Senatorial District at the National Assembly. She is the APC governorship candidate in Taraba State and was elected senator in 2011 on the platform of PDP. She had held many positions in the past as a politician and public servant. She contributed strongly to the APC presidential campaign. As an avowed believer of Buhari, she donated her premises in Maitama in 2010 for his declaration as Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate for 2011 presidential election. She followed the APC presidential campaign train round the North and delivered 261, 326 votes against 310, 800 votes of the PDP in the

Ogbeh

presidential election. She would be contesting the governorship election slated for April 11. Whatever the outcome of the election, there is a role for her in the incoming administration. Audu Ogbeh Former PDP National Chairman, Chief Ogbeh, is a political philosopher and one of those that made APC tick and the presidential victory of the party possible. Ogbeh, from Benue State is one of the two chieftains APC first produced in the state having been part of the political parties that merged to form APC. He has a political experience as a legislature, minister and party administrator. He was first appointed as the coordinator of Buhari presidential campaign before Buhari emerged as APC presidential candidate and his campaign organisation was restructured. Ogbeh, an astute politician, who believes that a politician must first have his address in terms of what he does for a living would be an assets to the administration of Buhari if brought on board. Besides the former governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume, Ogbeh should be said to be the second in order of commitment to APC. Senator Barnabas Gemade and APC governorship candidate in Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom were late entrants into APC. Murtala Nyako If there is any man that was most ardent to see the victory of Buhari in the presidential poll, it was no other person than the former governor of Adamawa State, Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako, and his reasons for that are much and perhaps tenable. While serving as governor, he was among the PDP governors that ditched the ruling party in 2013 for the APC, and that piled up hard times for him in the hands of the PDP. After several politicking, Nyako was impeached by the state assembly on July 15, 2014 after the investigative panel that probed allegations of financial misconduct against him found him guilty. The impeachment marked the beginning of another tortuous experience for the former Chief of Naval Staff as different political logjam emanated from his impeachment, even his son was also not spared from the drama. The former governor and his son, Abdul-Aziz, were declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged stealing, abuse of office and money laundering. The anti-graft agency arrested the younger Nyako in February, and that gave sleepless nights to the APC convert. Even with the trouble, Nyako mobilised his supporters to vote Buhari. His son also was also elected as senator.

ince the beginning of this month, politics and the coming elections have received less attention from me and my friends. While politics has not completely disappeared from our discussions, it has featured less frequently. What we have filled the space created with is the price increase announced by MultiChoice for its satellite pay-TV platform. Scheduled to start on1 April, the new prices announced have got everyone's goat. It could hardly have been otherwise. Public fury, expressed very virulently via social media platforms, text messages, Blackberry Messenger and Whatsapp carry just one message: DStv is simply too expensive, with premium subscribers having to cough out N13,980 from N11,650, a N2,330 increase. The DStv family bouquet rises from N3,000 to N3,600, a N600 increase. DStv Compact Plus subscribers will now pay N9,420 instead of N7,850, while DStv Compact users will pay N6,000 per month, up from N5,000 for the service from April. The fury was also expressed in calls to the government to put MultiChoice on a leash so as to save Nigerians from perceived exploitation. It is important to state that the price adjustments were made all across Africa, not only in Nigeria. In reality, are MultiChoice offering poor value for money? I actually believe they represent tremendous value for what is paid (I don't belong in the category of the rich). A major reason for my position is Supersport, which arguably offers the most extensive coverage of live global sport anywhere in the world. SuperSport surprised me when it announced that it would be the only broadcaster in the world to broadcast all 10 Barclays Premier League matches played on 3 and 4 of March, a trend that will continue. Not even Britain's domestic payTV broadcasters show all Premier League games on a weekly basis. Supersport, as we know, does. Early last month, Britain's broadcasting giants, Sky and BT Sport, paid £5.136 billion for live Premier League TV rights over three seasons (2016-19). The fee paid represented a 70 per cent hike in the sum paid for the subsisting deal. By the terms of the new contract, 168 games would be shown live, at an average cost to the broadcasters of £10.2 million per match. Multichoice’s price to secure rights to the games live, without a doubt, would be considerable. This, I have to add, is just one sporting competition. Similarly huge outlays will have to be made for the acquisition of rights to the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League games, the Winter and Summer Olympic Games, tennis, golf and big American sporting events such as the National Basketball Association (NBA). The much anticipated fight between Floyd Mayweather Jnr. and Manny

I believe that MultiChoice represents tremendous value for what is paid

Pacquiao in Las Vegas on May 2, will be watched by viewers in the US at a cost of $99.95. Converted to naira, that is about N20,000. Yet, the fight should come as part of the monthly package on Supersport, which delivers top-notch broadcast quality. A popular argument is that MultiChoice has a monopoly over sporting content, but this is weakened by the fact that StarSat, a rival provider, recently wrested the broadcast rights to the matches of the German Bundesliga from SuperSport. Before now existed HiTv, which went bust on account of squalid management and overpayment for the rights to the games of the Barclays Premier League. On the continent, SuperSport remains the biggest investor in sport. It funds domestic leagues at all levels through payment of broadcast licence fees, expansion of the capacity of administrators and production crews, improving facilities and assisting federations' bids to secure sponsorships. Aside the sporting content, DStv offers more than 130 additional channels offering the latest movies, series, documentaries, news and various other genres. Compared to Sky in the UK, which costs £46 a month (N13, 432) for 35 entertainment channels and seven Sky Sports channels, DStv looks a better deal. Does that not even make Supersport worth the money as a stand-alone service? I think it does, given the figures. Many attempts have been made to benchmark MultiChoice's DStv against international offerings. Those attempts threw up difficulties. Notable among these is that pay-TV offerings are packaged differently from provider to provider. There is also the fact that occasionally, they are not even available on their own. Many pay-TV operators, for instance, are also telecommunications companies (or in partnership with one). This means that they bundle both telephone and broadband services with pay-TV into one package. With the penetration of mobile phones, some companies have even started bundling cellular services with broadband, telephone and TV into packages. This trend makes any comparison between a provider offering pay-TV as part of a bundle and DStv a tricky one that would deliver wrong conclusions. Since DStv Premium is the highest tier in MultiChoice’s subscription TV offering, would it not be right to compare it to the top-tier offerings of other pay-TV operators? A quick comparison revealed that this might not be the case, as some of the companies used in the various attempts offered many more channels than DStv. But channel count is also not necessarily fair, given that not all channels have equal value to a broadcaster (or distribution platform). Also, pay-TV operators from different countries have some kind of access fee subscribers have to pay before they can use high definition (HD), or digital video recording (DVR) services. DStv does not charge an additional fee to receive HD channels (you only require a compatible decoder), but it does charge a PVR access fee. Some overseas pay-TV providers also don’t advertise additional taxes levied on subscriptions to fund local programming initiatives. In the US and Canada, prices are also quoted without any sales taxes included. We don't experience that here. Do we? •

Ilori, a public affairs analyst, lives in Lagos

Politics

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 APRIL 2015

I regret my actions, Orubebe begs Penultimate Tuesday, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godsday Orubebe, shocked many at the International Conference Centre, Abuja when he accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega of compromise and bias in the conduct of the presidential election. ONWUKA NZESHI cornered him after the show of shame but the dramatis personae, now sober, said he regretted his unwarranted outburst, especially now that the exercise has gotten to a dramatic end.

looking forward to take up politics as a career, that what happened was not intended to cause them any embarrassment. To Nigerians generally, I regret my actions. Even as an elder in the Church, and a leader, the young men expected to see a lot from me and I believe that if there was any disappointment they got from me, I apologise to Nigerians and to the youths of this country. Do you think your party will challenge the outcome of the results in Court? I cannot decide for the party. PDP is a large family, we were sent on an errand - you go and be an agent, see what is happening there and come back to report to us. We will go and report to the party and the party will take the necessary action it has to take.

What informed your initial reaction to the proceedings of the election collation exercise? Well, we are getting to the tail end of it, whatever that is announced, PDP as a party will go home, analyse it and come up with a statement. We are only agents here, we are expected to observe and return to brief the party on what we saw and tell the party our experience. Now that the president has conceded defeat and congratulated the victor, what do you have to say? Two things are in place; the president is the president of everybody, of the whole country, whether he contested with Buhari or not. He has seen the results displayed everywhere and it is only one that is remaining and he has also seen that even if he wins that one, the figures, as presented by INEC, place Buhari in the lead. As a statesman and as a president, he has done what he should do. The rest is for PDP, as a party, to get briefing from us and make a statement. You remem-

he shameful conduct of the former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, where he rained unprintable names on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega aptly demonstrates the cacophony of intrigues that fused to inspire the swift and comprehensive rout of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in the just-concluded presidential elections. Clutching tightly to the microphone, as if his life depended on it, the former minister shocked every one present at the venue of the collation of the presidential election results from the states and television audiences around the world. Snapping in an epic fit of hysteria, the former minister, who is still smarting from a failed gubernatorial bid in Delta State, accused Jega of every shade of bias and partiality in favour of the victorious All Progressives Congress, (APC). Analysts say that if other PDP mem-

ber what happened during the Ekiti governorship election, the governor congratulated his opponent and the party went back and said this is what they have seen. The candidate is not the party, he is a candidate and he has acted very well as a statesman, and as the president, the father of all. For us, we are agents to be heard, to see what transpired here and give the report back to them in the party.

I regret what took place

Given another opportunity, would you want to be associated with the ugly scene that played out this morning? Election is a passionate thing and I really regretted what took place this morning. I was unneccesarily pushed by Jega to get to that level and I did make that statement. I want to say this, particularly to younger Nigerians, that may hate

What is your message to the youth of Niger Delta on a day like this? On a day like this, we have always talked about peace in this country and remember that when there was crisis in Niger Delta, I was one of the architects that sacrificed to go the creeks to tell the militants that we need peace in this country. I did that alongside President Goodluck Jonathan who was then the Vice-President. Politics is a process; today it is Mr. A, tomorrow it may be Mr. B. That is why I am saying that we should be talking about the unity of this country. We shouldn't be talking about sectional things, we shouldn't be talking about religion, God has a reason for bringing us together in this geographical area called Nigeria. We should live as one and if we are given responsibility to do anything, we should be fair to all and treat everybody equally. But I believe that tomorrow is another day, if today is somebody else turn, tomorrow can be another person's turn. So I believe in the unity and peace of this country, I believe the young ones that are coming up will learn from us the way these things are handled. We have seen what the president did and we are also following in his footstep. So I speak to them to embrace peace, to look forward to seeing another great day.

diary of intrigues The drama during the presidential election results collation at the International Conference Centre, Abuja signposts how politicians leveraged on the president’s naivety for personal gains, DOMINIK UMOSEN writes. bers in the team monitoring the collation for the party had taken Orubebe’s cue or had Prof Jega seized the obvious bait to derail the exercise, the presidential election, which has been widely-acclaimed as smooth and successful, would have ended differently. If those present at the venue watching this most unedifying show were stupefied by Orubebe’s outburst which has since gone viral on the internet, others watching around the world must have wondered, as Jega did openly, if neither due diligence nor personality audit was ever performed on those tipped for political appointment in this country. Accusing Jega of transparent bias and closet sympathy for the APC which, he alleged, translated into electoral favouritism, Orubebe was first appointed minister

for special duties by late President Umar Yar’ Adua, resisted all attempts by security agents to persuade him out of the hall, preferring to remain on the dais to rain more abuses on the INEC chairman who merely sat back, shocked and stupefied. When he eventually purged himself of the most intoxicating fit of hysteria, Saturday Telegraph cornered the former minister and found a sober and more reflective man who did not waste time before apologising to his compatriots for the behavior which was most unbecoming of a statesman, as Jega also noted. He said he acted in the manner he did because the INEC chairman failed to treat the petition of his party, the PDP, over some questionable results from the northern part of the country. ‘I apologise generally to Nigerians, es-

pecially to the younger generation. I want to say if my action hurt them, I deeply regret it", the former minister who initiated the celebrated face-off between out-going President Jonathan and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, said. For example, after Gov. Amaechi urged speedy completion of the crucial East-West Road which was supervised by Orubebe’s Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the former minister mischievously interpreted the counsel as subtle criticism of the Jonathan administration, effectively sowing the seeds of the frosty relations between both leaders. Analysts say that Orubebe’s example, was invariably adopted as template by scheming politicians bent on exploiting the president’s naivety to either sell their personal agenda or settle personal scores, including the secret agenda by some PDP governors to betray President Jonathan by subscribing to the robust, elaborate and propaganda driven plot to discredit the administration and return power to the north.

54 Perspectives

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 APRIL 2015

Sai Buhari and Elder Orubebe’s tantrum

hey call him an elder in the church and wherever he goes that is the appellation that prefixes his name. Although he has chieftaincy titles, and he could be addressed as a ‘chief’ in a gathering or even ‘elder chief’ typical of Nigerians’ penchant for titles, Godsday Orubebe, a former minister, still gives preference to ‘elder’ because he knows the importance our society attaches to religion. To qualify to be an elder in some churches, the ‘elder’ must be at least 45 years old. The age qualification is considered to be of utmost importance in some churches. However, knowledge and wisdom is expected to be the garb of those who qualified to be elders. They are objects of veneration and the church consults them whenever the need arises to play advisory role. The youth hold them in awe and look up to them for direction. Orubebe is more than an elder in his church. I am sure none of his fellow elders in his place of worship can match his political profile. That may have put additional moral pressure on him as a man expected by many to be epitome of rectitude and a custodian of decorum. But Orubebe who failed woefully in his bid to rule Delta State in the ongoing dispensation put asunder his political investments of many years even though he only ran amok for less than 30 minutes on Tuesday. His perilous utterances at the national collation centre in Abuja will go down as probably the lowest point of the 2015 presidential election. His reactionary attitude and despicable act at the venue which was live on both local and international television stations has cast aspersions on his reputation. And by allowing his reputation to slip, Orubebe has made himself vulnerable and his political enemies will use his belligerent attitude against him when the time comes. He should have left such tantrum and theatrics to children who fret over toys in kindergarten. A child can be childish but it calls for concern when an adult behaves childishly the way Orubebe did. The former minister could not have acted alone. It was a grand conspiracy but he was the chosen one who allowed oth-

Waheed Bakare on Saturday 08124877036 (sms only) waheedbakare2003@yahoo.com

Orubebe has made himself vulnerable and his political enemies will use his belligerent attitude against him when the time comes ers to use his head to break coconut. The evil machination of Orubebe was deep and pernicious beyond the absurdity we saw on television. But thanks to Prof. Attahiru Jega’s gentle mien and maturity. A man with a nervous disposition would have inadvertently walked into the booby trap meant to truncate our democracy. Orubebe has entered the black book of Nigeria’s political history as the man who attempted to set the country on fire on March 31. Wikipedia has already added that negativity to his profile. And the recorded tape of his outlandish behaviour will be kept as a reference point by many television stations. His frustration is understandable. His hope of getting political compensation had been dashed by the electorate. He has tasted the sweetness of power and fame and could not contemplate leaving the corridor of power where he found favour for so many years. Even in the realm of politics, his conduct lacked ethics of political expe-

diency since there are acceptable channels through which he can express his misgivings over the presidential election results. Orubebe has desecrated the front pew of his church where elders usually sit and I wonder how he will feel if he goes to church on Sunday and see the faces of children in Sunday school who would have watched his show of shame on television. Despite his apology, the Orubebe drama should be investigated as he struggles to salvage whatever remains of his battered image. ****************************** Democracy has been defined in various ways by different political scientists. But the beauty of those definitions is that all revolve around government, collective participation of the people in the affairs that affect them, their communities and more importantly the supreme power is vested in the people to elect their representatives to a parliament or similar assembly through periodic elections which must be free, fair and credible. March 28 provided another opportunity for Nigerians to choose their president and representatives at the National Assembly and they came out in droves to exercise their civic responsibility. The Nigerian electorate showed remarkable resilience and affirmed their belief in Nigeria once again. They were in the queue for hours under the scorching sun to get accredited and when it was raining, the thunderclap that accompanied the rain did not sway their dogged determination to freely choose their leaders. There were reports of some patients who were accompanied to the polling units

by nurses. I saw the picture of a man who looked tired and haggard and was brought to a polling unit in a cart. They also risked their lives by defying the Inspector General of the Police, Sulaiman Abba, for his odious statement that the electorate should go home after casting their ballots and should not bother to monitor their votes. The electorate made this noble sacrifice with the hope that they will in return get good governance. This should not be difficult to provide otherwise their sacrifice will be unavailing. Nigerians have chosen whom they considered as the best and brightest among the candidates. This is one of the cornerstones of democracy. But this will not be meaningful without good governance. It does not require rocket science to engender good governance. Nigerians are tired of lousy services, lethargic approaches to critical national issues, unemployment, power failure, insecurity, lack of quality education, monolithic economy, pervasive corruption among a myraid of socio-economic problems that have thwarted our development in spite of the abundant human and natural resources in the country. I want to reiterate that our choice was limited in terms of quality candidates for the presidential election. Over the years, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has gained reputation for insolence and attracted odium from the electorate for its arrogance and self-made belief that it will rule for over 100 years. Like Orubebe, the party neglected its reputation and cared less about how Nigerians perceived it and this reflected in the outcome of the elections. Now that we have elected a new president, Nigerians should have a fair share of the national cake in form of good governance. We want quick solutions to our problems and how the General does it is his business. Buhari’s story is that of resilience, dogged determination and consistency. That story will not be complete if he behaves like the proverbial snake that crawled on the rock, yet left no mark. If Nigerians voted out PDP, they can vote out All Progressives Congress (APC). 2019 is not eternity.

Borno guber: Gambo Lawan in last-minute push

“W

Ibidapo Balogun e will rally round you because we know you; you have been with us. You identified with us and shared in our agony and anguish. We know you and we know what you stand for. As our council chairman, your record of achievement speaks for you. We wish you well.” The foregoing were some of the words and sentiments expressed at the weekend by some residents of Maiduguri, Borno State capital, once ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency, as the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the state, Alhaji Gambo Lawan, began a last-minute campaign for the governorship. Lawan, former Chairman of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Chairman of the defunct Grassroots Democratic Movement, won the PDP governorship primaries conducted at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa following President Goodluck Jonathan’s intervention to resolve the lingering disagreement over the PDP governorship ticket in the state. The president himself was the Chief Returning Officer of sort for the primaries held at the Villa. In attendance during the primary election were Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark and PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu. Others were Chair-

man, PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih; Borno State PDP Chairman; Minister of State for Power, Hon. Muhammed Wakil; PDP Board of Trustees members and other stakeholders from the state. Lawan was affirmed by the party’s delegates and a Certificate of Return was issued to him after the election After Lawan’s emergence, President Jonathan was quoted as saying: “Nothing can change this victory. The PDP leaders here (who supervised the process) were like the Supreme Court of PDP and this election is now fool-proof”. But for some inexplicable reasons and notwithstanding the presidential assurance, the governorship ticket was yanked off Lawan’s hands a few days later. On the eve of the submission of parties’ governorship flag bearers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Lawan’s name was substituted by the PDP National Chairman Muazu with that of Alhaji Mohammed Imam, a nominee of former governor of the state, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. Lawan was not told anything. Even the President who assured everyone Lawan was the candidate, did not volunteer any explanation to him. Imam, who was picked as the party’s flag bearer in the state, contested and lost the House of Representatives seat in the 2011 general elections to the incumbent

Hon. Kaka Kyari Gujbawu of the PDP. Piqued by the development, some concerned elders and stakeholders of PDP in the state immediately kicked against the wrongful substitution of Lawan as the party’s governorship candidate for the state in the 2015 election. In an open letter to President Jonathan dated December 26, 2014, the party stakeholders called for a reversal of the wrongful substitution in the interest of justice and fair play. “It is disheartening to note that 14 days after the nomination and affirmation of Gambo Lawan as the candidate, he was wrongly and illegally substituted with Mohammed Imam on the eve of the closure for the submission of the gubernatorial nominees to INEC. “We want to believe that Your Excellency is unaware of this ugly and sad development, particularly in a nomination process of this magnitude that was conducted by the highest office of the Federation. “In this regard and in the best interest of the party, we call for the immediate reversal of the decision to substitute Gambo Lawan” When President Jonathan and PDP refused to right the perceived wrong, Lawan dragged Mohammed Imam to a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, claiming he was a usurper and that he was the rightful candidate. Joined in the suit were PDP and INEC. In the end, the

court returned a verdict that Lawan is the bonafide PDP candidate for Borno State and that his name should be forwarded to INEC. Specifically, the court ordered INEC to take all necessary steps and actions including the listing of the name of Lawan as the governorship candidate of the PDP for Borno State and allow him contest the April 11 governorship election. The top echelon of PDP, for reason which are now obvious. But recently, the electoral commission complied with the order of the court to replace the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Mohammed Imam, with Gambo Lawan. The decision was in compliance with the order of the Federal High Court judgement in suit No. FHC/ABJ/ CS/1123/14 between Alhaji Gambo Lawan Vs. Alhaji Mohammed Imam & 2 Ors. In a letter with reference number INEC/ LEG/DR/356/VOL.1/79 signed by INEC Secretary Ibrahim Bawa and addressed to the Resident Electoral Commission, Borno State, the electoral Commission ordered that the substitution should be effected immediately. The letter read interalia: “In compliance with the said judgement of the Court, the commission has directed that the name of Alhaji Gambo Lawan be included in the list of Governorship Candidates for Borno State as candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).” •

Balogun is a resident of Maiduguri.

Sport Extra

SATURDAY TELEGRAPH

4 APRIL 2015

Iheanacho, Nwakali ripe for Eagles –Kanu

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

A bold step to raise new Eagles

Adekunle Salami former Super Eagles skipper, Nwankwo Kanu, has said that Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidebere Nwakali are good enough to be in the current Super Eagles. Iheanacho and Nwakali were in the victorious Golden Eaglets team that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup two years ago in the United Arab Emirates. Kanu’s view was an addition to that of numerous followers of the game who believed the two talented players were long overdue to join the big boys in the senior team. The former Arsenal player stressed that it was important to give youths a chance in the senior team to achieve a good blend. “Iheanacho and Nwakali are very promising players. They will be great assets to the Eagles. They started from my team, Papilo Academy, and I am happy that today many people are talking about them,” Kanu told Brila FM on Friday. On the poor performances of the Eagles in recent time, the former international said it was important to support the national team at this crucial period. “I don’t believe these players in the Eagles are finished. They need our support to get it right. That was why I travelled to South Africa to support them. I am sure Eagles will bounce back. The coaching issue is still pending and once that is sorted out, all will be well,” he added. Kanu’s Papilo Academy are up against Heartland in the Imo State final of the Federation Cup scheduled to take place this weekend.

Iheanacho in Nigerian colours

CAF Champions League: Pillars, Enyimba on cliff hanger

Smouha on Sunday in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. And Kano Pillars must stage a miraculous comeback on Saturday to survive having crumbled 4-0 away to Moroccans Moghreb Tetouan. Despite the difficult task, Enyimba and Pillars are op-

igerian representatives in the CAF Champions League, Kano Pillars and Enyimba of Aba, are in danger of being eliminated from the competition this weekend. Enyimba will take a slim 1-0 home win to the return leg against Egyptian team

timistic of overcoming the huge task ahead in the continental competition. Enyimba coach, Kadiri Ikhana, who coached Enyimba to 2003 Champions League glory, said he had a plan to combat the cold evening weather expected in Alexandria. "Our preparations will

include lots of running and I do not envisage the cold having a negative effect on us," he said. Centre-back Chima Uluocha added: "We view the game as a cup final that must be won at all costs. We are ready to withstand the cold and any other challenges."

Sim Bhullar set to make NBA history

Wenger, Giroud win awards

rsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been named Barclays manager of the month and striker Olivier Giroud player of the month. Arsenal won four successive Premier League games in March, scoring nine goals and conceding two. France international Giroud scored five times, with a brace at Newcastle adding

S Wenger

to goals against Everton, QPR and West Ham. It is the 14th time Wenger, 65, has won the award in 19 years at Arsenal.

im Bhullar looks set to make his debut for Sacramento Kings on Saturday to become the first player of Indian descent to play in the NBA. The Canada-born centre signed a 10-day contract to join the Kings roster ahead of the game with New Orleans Peli-

cans. At 7ft 5in, Bhullar will also become the tallest man currently playing in the NBA. The 22-year-old signed for the Kings in August 2014 and has been playing for their affiliate team Reno Bighorns.

GAMES/CROSS WORD PUZZLE Nigerian Capital Cities-2

KEY WORDS

KANO KATSINA LOKOJA ILORIN IKEJA IBADAN

MINNA P. HARCOURT SOKOTO ABEOKUTA AKURE JALINGO OSOGBO DAMATURU GUSAU NASSARAWA JOS BIRNIN KEBBI

D J B H K A N I S T A

G U R A L I T A R U A K K N W O N G E I L B M K A O U J H C P T O

U N A U U A O E A R B

T G B R K L R U D N G

A M A O I K R B C E A G A D O R A T I N O A F K A S O T J S O S O

D F A D A B I K E J A

I B B E K N I N R I B

4 7

9 10

U H

T R U

18 19

O C R

15 17

ACROSS 1 5 7 8 9 10 11 12

16 Naïve young woman, (7). 17 Strike forcefully, (3). 18 National Orientation Agency, abbr., (3). 22 Small shed, (3). 23 'God' in Latin, (3). 24 Strong wind, (4). 25 Sway, (4). 26 Post meridian, abbr., (2).

DOWN 1 Receive from a predecessor, (7).

2 Road rainwater channel, (6).

3 Naked, (4). 4 Puzzling thing, (6). 5 Call out to, (4).

A H

14 16

Laos monetary unit, (2). Powdered milk, (4). Region, (4). Town in Osun state, (3). 'Money' in Igbo, (3). Asso. for better Nigeria, abbr., (3). Homosexual, (3). White wood-eating insects, (7).

14 Document granting a right, (6). 15 Town in Kwara state, (6). 19 In a different direction, (4). 20 Be afraid of, (4). 21 Sink in the middle, (3).

6 Thick black liquid, (3).

13 Deliberately anger, (7).

See solution on page 20

hings have never been this bad for the senior national team the Super Eagles. After the victorious outing at the 2013 Africa Nations Cup in South Africa, many thought the good times were here for the team to rule the continent for not less than five years and perhaps challenge the big football nations in the world. Of course the team was good enough that time to develop into one of the best in the world. But what happened between then and now can only be explained by Stephen Keshi. After the Nations Cup, we all knew there were shortcomings in the team but Keshi felt differently and he was so arrogant about it. Rather than strengthening the team, he was fighting with the players. Players have different attitudes but the coaches are expected to apply wisdom to manage them in order to get results. Nigerians are yet to forget the embarrassment of the country’s absence at the last Nations Cup but sad enough, the Eagles may be on the verge of missing out from the next edition of the competition given that there’s no concrete preparation ahead of the next AFCON qualifiers. The Nigeria Football Federation is also guilty for its failure to name a coach for the team in the past eight months. It has been one tale or the other since the World Cup ended in Brazil. The last board of the NFF headed by Aminu Maigari should have taken a decision on Keshi. Instead, the board was enmeshed in crisis till the tenure ended and forgot about the administration of the game. The new board has not fared better; since September 30 when Amaju Pinnick took over as the NFF President, the uncertainty surrounding the Eagles Head Coach’s job is yet to be resolved. The Eagles have played four friendly matches with a stand-in coach, which is not good for a country attempting to rebuild its national team. If the magnitude of Nigeria’s problem is unclear to anyone, the fact that some countries that took part in the Nations Cup last January had swiftly changed coaches and had moved on is enough indication of Nigeria’s unseriousness. For how long will Nigeria foot drag on this issue? We hear different stories on a daily basis but truth is people are tired of the so-called “rebuilding process” of the Super Eagles. Moving forward, it is pertinent to state that the recent friendly matches the Eagles played so far this year are germane signal that we do not have a team. Most of the players are below average footballers who are not playing for top clubs. The few in good clubs are not making the first team of their respective teams. This is a big source of concern. It is a case of no coach, no world-class player, no team. At the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the UAE, Manu Garba and Nduka Ugbade’s team defeated Mexico 3-0 to win the FIFA World Cup at that level. Kelechi Iheanacho was outstanding in that tournament and it was not a surprise he emerged the Most Valuable Player. Other prominent players in the team were Isaac Success, Taiwo Awoniyi, Musa Yahaya, Chidebere Nwakali and Musa Mohammed. Interestingly, these players have graduated into the U-20 cadre and the team is even more solid. Only few weeks ago, they won the African U-20 championship in Senegal and a ticket to represent Nigeria at the World Cup in New Zealand. Over the years, football authorities have been unable to succeed in assembling a good crop of players from one age grade to the other. In most cases, only a few will graduate to the next age grade. This time, continuity has paid off. However, this can be extended further to the Super Eagles. Why not? This is the time to take a bold step and graduate these players to compete at the big stage. If we elevate this team to the senior cadre, the players will play together for the next 10 years and quality results will be recorded. I also see the players getting big contracts in the future. We cannot continue to rely on the current Eagles when we have an opportunity to maintain a solid team. The issue of rebuilding will be history as all the Manu boys will require is the exposure. It is long overdue to disband the current Eagles, we need to do it now and move on at whatever the risk in terms of early results. It is certain; these Flying Eagles will not fail Nigeria!

DESTINATION

The thrill of a Mediterranean cruise

P.42

Sanctity of Truth

SATURDAY SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

SPORT

Ugbade kicks against call to elevate F’Eagles

N150

p.25

In-form Giroud can hurt Liverpool A

Ajibade Olusesan

rsenal’s Olivier Giroud is one man that can shoot down Liverpool when the Reds arrive at the Emirates for a tantalising Premier League tie today (Saturday). The Gunners have been in terrific form in the EPL this year, a development that has seen them rise to third place on the log and breathing down heavily on second-placed Manchester City. They have won their last six matches in a row in the top flight and have secured victories in eight of their last nine. They have also maintained a frightening home form having won their last eight Premier League matches on the bounce at the Emirates. Giroud has been at the centre of the club’s splendid run. The Frenchman has been one of the most underrated and underappreciated strikers in England, but the former Montpellier forward is now gaining popularity among Gunners’ faithful. The French forward has bagged six goals in six games for Arsenal as they continued their charge up the EPL table. All of Giroud’s league goals came in wins for the club, with his strikes against Everton, QPR, West Ham and Newcastle helping Arsenal to victories. He also scored against Monaco in the Champions League, but Wenger's side was edged out on away goals rule after a 3-3 draw on aggregate. Only Tottenham’s Harry Kane has outperformed the striker this year in the EPL. Kane has managed 10 goals in 2015 to Giroud’s eight. The Frenchman’s assist

rate and ability to bring other players into the game has been quite remarkable. It has improved over the past few months, he has produced three assists so far this year. The striker demonstrated that there was no slowing down for him when he scored again in France’s 2-0 win over Denmark last weekend and that should prepare him for this big tie. Giroud’s rich vein of form kicked off at a time Alexis Sanchez’s goals are drying up. Sanchez who moved to England from Barcelona last summer started so brightly in Arsenal’s colours but the Chilean has seen his form dip and Giroud appears to have taken over the mantle as the Gunners’ in-form man. Although he does not want to be seen as competing with Sanchez, Giroud insisted he would do anything to help Arsenal achieve their objectives even if it means outscoring his South American teammate. Two of them are tied on 13 goals. “I’m not going to say something silly because it’ll be reported, but why not finish ahead of Alexis? “We push each other, we’re on 13 goals, and I would like to score some more to help the team achieve its objectives,” he said. Mamoudou Sakho and the rest of the players in Liverpool’s defence surely will have a hectic time taming the big man all afternoon. He scored in the reverse fixture earlier in the season when the Gunners secured a 2-2 draw at Anfield and he can cause even more damage this time.

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